#workout fic

A few days later, Frank winces as he sits up in bed, massaging the aching muscles if their legs and back.

Told ya it'd suck the first few times 😅 gotta get-

I know, I know. I just have to get used to it...still feels like I got run over right now though >:-[

Eddie gently brushes the hair out of his partner's eyes. Ya wanna take a break for today? We'll run tomorrow instead.

🥺 please? I promise I'm not giving up yet, I just...Well, overexertion would likely increase the risk of injury, after all!

Hey, y'ain't gotta convince me! Already said it was fine. Just uhh...do a few stretches like I showed ya, s'much as you're comfy with and when ya feel like doin' it today. That oughta loosen things back up, and I guarantee ya you'll be rarin' to go next time!

Frank laughs. Jeez...you sound like you're my coach right now.

Am I not?

Ahh☝️😧 Hmm... ✊️😐

Now it's Eddie's turn to laugh.

(Timeskip to when Eddie has gone to work and Frank is alone at home)

Right then. Stretches. How uhhh... how exactly did he say to do those again?

He gets dressed in his workout clothes and steps out into the backyard, finding a good shady spot where they can still get some fresh air. He starts trying to bend and stretch the way they remember being shown, but no matter which way he does it every joint seems only willing to give a little bit before crying out in agony.

This is ridiculous...I probably look stupid doing it too. I'm probably doing it all wrong...

In their frustrated preoccupation, he accidentally bends a knee the wrong way, causing a sharp burst of pain to shoot up their leg.

AAARRRGGHH JESUS FUCKING CHRIST OWW D-X<

he flops dejectedly onto the grass, staring up at the sky.

Ugh...this is hopeless...

from somewhere unseen, he hears footsteps approaching, and then a familiar face pops over the fence to look at them.

Hi Frankie! What are you doing on the ground? Are you ok?

hhhh...Julie...I'm fine, just...tired, I guess. And I don't really know what I'm doing right now.

Stepping into the yard, she looks him over carefully as she helps him sit back up.

Were you...working out or something? I didn't know you'd started doing that!

Y-well, technically I'm not really doing it today. Eddie and I have been going for a run in the very early morning hours, which might be why you haven't seen us yet. Today though, I admit I woke up feeling horrendously sore all over, and we decided it'd be for the best if I took a day off to simply work on my stretches.

Aww, does that mean you don't wanna play any games today? I'd come over hoping we could, but, I mean, I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself either if you're feeling too bad for it!

Frank sighs. I'm really sorry, Junebug, but I don't think I'll be doing much moving at all today by the feel of it.

Julie thinks for a minute. Well maybe it doesn't have to be a moving game?

What sort of games don't require much moving?

Word games could work! You don't need to move anything except your mouth for that. I'll think of a word that starts with a letter-

All words start with letters silly.

Agdsfhdfdg you know what I mean >:[ I say the word, and then you'll say the first word you can think of that starts with the last letter of the one I said, and we'll go back and forth until someone messes up. Sound fun?

You know what, sure. What's the word?

Avocado.

Ostrich.

Horse!

...Ooh, Egg!

Gladly :) she absentmindedly takes hold of his hands and pulls him forward, Frank bending at the waist.

Nggh...Yellow?

Hmm, Weather.

Raisin! he's doing arm stretches now.

Nero! she stands up, and helps him up too.

Do names count?

Don't see why not ;)

You're only saying that because it's your word (X-D Hmm... they start doing leg stretches, only to feel another twitch of pain OWW...l! Owl!

Aww Lame :/

Hey!

Ha! Hay doesn't start with an E!

You... Frank laughs and rolls his eyes. Alright fair enough, I'll give you that one. Looking down, he notices where he is right now. Wait a minute, have I been stretching this whole time? Were you doing that on purpose?

Oh! No actually, I genuinely didn't notice either! I mean I know how to do stretches pretty well, but I was just kinda...yknow?

Oh? I guess it makes sense that you would know, you do do an awful lot of exercising for your games. Heh, maybe I should keep you around as a second coach actually (;-) I'm sure Eddie wouldn't mind, and you were really helpful at uhh...getting me out of my head about it. Thank you.

No problemo, and ooh! I'd love to! I'm already whipping up a schedule as we speak!

Wh-hang on! D-don't y'all go pulling me every which way now! Y'a...you saw what happens when I'm stretched too far.

Or when you don't stretch at all!

He pretends to swat at her. Get outta here with that. Hey, actually, I'm kinda hungry right now. Must've worked up an appetite. You wanna head inside for some apples, and I can tell you about that new bug I saw yesterday?

Since they're now walking (and slowly, per Frank's request) it takes much longer to get to Howdy's Place than they'd originally planned. The shopkeeper is casually wiping down the counters and putting the finishing touches on his opening routine when the two walk in.

Ah, morning Eddie... he stops. And Frank too, wow. Never seen you out n' about this early before!

Frank scoffs. I'm perfectly capable of getting up early when I want too! And for your information, Eddie and I have started a workout routine to improve my strength. That's why I'm here.

Oh, takin' the initiative are we? Good on ya pal, feelin' strong & healthy's something I can guarantee you won't regret!

Frank looks taken aback for a moment. You're not gonna question it, or make any jokes? That's unlike you.

What? I'd never! This is serious business, and I'd hardly shame ya for tryna make somethin' of yourself. Speakin' o' which though, I've got a pretty nice selection of protein bars and shakes on aisle 12 if-

Ah, and there it is -_- Knew he was gonna say it -_-

Hey, hey, ya can't blame a guy for tryin'. So what can I actually get for you two?

(A few minutes later, sitting at the bar with coffee and whole grain muffins)

What's wrong, hon? Breakfast's not t' yer likin'?

No, no, it's...fine. Just, a bit cold and stale to be honest. Still good though!

Howdy shrugs. Shoulda come a bit sooner. Ed can back me up here, those things are usually pretty good fresh out the oven.

Eddie nods.

*leaning on the counter with a warm smile* I really mean what I said earlier. I'm proud o' ya for takin' the steps to do it, and I hope you can see it through. Heck, maybe you'll even be as strong as me one o' these days! He flexes dramatically to which Frank just rolls their eyes.

Say, maybe ya could give us a few tips n' tricks in that regard? I reckon your workout routine's pretty different from mine, prolly know a thing or two that I don't.

Heh, maybe! I'll see if I can think of any good ones & write 'em down for ya. You can pay me back later.

Frank fiddles with the empty muffin wrapper and sighs. All the advice in the world won't do much if I wear myself down from one short run...

Hey, don't beat yourself up about it! Just got started after all, you'll get in the swing o' things before ya know it. And maybe ya just need a lil' encouragement is all! He winks. Tell ya what, if you can get here by 6:30am every day, I'll make sure to have fresh breakfast for ya, half price. Any later and it'll be full charge though. How's that?