Zen in the Workout Room

Posted on 18 Apr 2015 @ 6:12pm by Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones & Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.

2,121 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 7, Workout room
Timeline: MD -01 2000

ON:

Bliss. Peace. Quiet. Something Grayson thought he was going to have to say goodbye to for the next few days, so for now he was going to enjoy all the down time he could get. Where else would he be other than the gym? His commitment to keeping his body lean, would, some say, borderline on the obsessive. Not that Grayson would care or take note of what people said.

His rather large headphones, connected to his personal music player perfectly matched his outfit of a skin tight, neon blue tank top, black shorts and similarly coloured shoes. It was one thing to go to the gym, it was another to go and stand out. Today's routine would consist of mainly cardio and a little chest and bicep work. Being in the 'zone' and enjoying his music too much, Grayson hardly noticed the people who came and went as he worked out.

One of those people was Oren, who felt very out of place among the small number of people working out. That being said, he did look the part of a gym goer with black tailored track pants and a white T-shirt. A bottle of water and a towel in hand, he was looking for a distraction, his desperation obvious by his coming to the gym, of all places, but somewhere in the back of his mind, Oren remembered that exercise was apparently good for the mind.

Approaching Grayson, Oren walked in front of him, waving his hand to get his attention.

Still keeping pace, Grayson waved back as he took out an ear bud and put his music device to silent. "Oren, feels like long time no see! How are you?"

"Good," Oren replied, smiling. "You look really good!" he complimented, and it was the truth. Considering the last time he'd seen Grayson, the man was looking very healthy now.

"Thanks," Grayson winked, "a lot better than before, starting to feel a whole new me." He still didn't slow down his pace much, it was a sign that Grayson needed to start upping his warm ups. "Finally caved in to the ways of the gym then? I see you came prepared," he very affectionately teased.

Oren looked down at himself before looking back up at Grayson and nodding. "Yes. I've decided that maybe working out might be good for me. Help clear my mind," he explained, watching Grayson run. "So...any advice on where I can start?"

"Join me on a treadmill. Best to start anything with a good cardio warm up. Take it easy for 20 mins, get the heart rate up and blood pumping. Gives us time to talk about what you want to achieve and we can work out a plan from there." Grayson gave one of his usual charming smiles, helping people workout was putting him in his element.

Smiling, Oren walked over to the treadmill next to Grayson's. Tapping in what he hoped were the right commands, Oren prided himself on only stumbling once when the treadmill started, gaining his balance back relatively quickly. "Don't laugh," he said quickly, shooting Grayson a playful look before starting to run and hoping he could actually keep it up for twenty minutes.

"When it comes to things like this, I promise not to...or atleast try not to," Grayson joked. He lifted a small towel to wipe the sweat that began to bead on his forehead and run down the nape of his neck. "Hop on, start slow and tell me what you want to achieve, I can start building a plan from there."

Putting the treadmill on a pace he hoped he could keep up with, Oren looked over at Grayson. "I'm not sure what I want. I'd like to increase my upper body strength, I guess. My arms have gone pretty weak since I stopped going into the field."

"Okay, I know that already. That is what I am doing today. Chest, arms, shoulders and back. Will start you on some light weights so you can get used to the technique." Grayson began, plotting out both his own and Oren's plan for the day.

"That sounds....fun" Oren said with less enthusiasm. He'd been half hoping Grayson would tell him he'd send him a message with a schedule, but no such luck, apparently.

"I know that face," Grayson laughed as he began to slow his treadmill to a stop. "You'd rather do things on your own, but there are weights involved here. You need to know the proper technique to each otherwise you will not be doing anything to help or will injure yourself."

"I know," Oren said with a small pout. "I've just never really done this. It seems like a lot of work. I guess I've always been lucky that my metabolism is good and I'm really not much of a foodie."

"That can only get you so far. Don't worry though, will all be free weights, I won't move you onto the big scary machines...yet." Grayson said, half joking, half playfully mocking as he stepped off his treadmill. "I'll start you with bar bell work, 5kgs each side, show you a few exercises you can take at your own pace. Do that for a few weeks, check back in with me, we can up the weights and change the routine from there." He gave his best boyishly charming smile.

Oren gave him a look. "You're going to enjoy this a little too much, I can feel it." Although he didn't quite feel up for being teased, Oren didn't mind it coming from Grayson. Despite their issues in communication, he enjoyed the man's company, even in trying times.

"Not at all," he gave a smirk, "anyway, come with me." Playfully Grayson linked arms with Oren and lead him over to a small free weights area. "Welcome to your new home in the gym. No machines, just working out at your own pace, own weights and no pressure." Quickly he grabbed two barbell bars and a small selection of weights. "I'm loading up 5 kilos on each side for you, 15 for myself. For now, this is your maximum. Keep going with this till it stops hurting, then come see me."

For the next quarter of an hour, Grayson lead Oren through the basic exercises, showing him proper technique and every now and then having a playful poke at him to adjust his body position or stance to save him hurting himself. "So, what do you think?" Grayson asked, wiping the sweat from his brow, as he was joining in on each exercise.

"You're overdue for a visit to the counselor. I can't believe you willingly do this every day," Oren said in reply, putting down the heavy weight. Reaching up, he rubbed and massaged his right bicep, the weaker muscle already tired. He had an impressive pout going, clearly unaware of it, as he stared up at Grayson like a child staring at their parents after being made to eat a vegetable.

"You'll be sore tomorrow, but give it a month and you will thank me for it, honest." Grayson grinned, remembering just how cute Oren was when he pouted. "Anyway, that was just the express run through. What we just did, you need to do that three times each gym session, and be doing three of these a week. Other days you should come in and hit the cardio only."

Oren's pout intensified as he looked up at Grayson. "I don't like you anymore," he said, allowing himself a moment of childishness before his look softened slightly. "But, despite my current questioning of all of your life choices, I do appreciate your help. I needed this."

"Oh you love me really," Grayson joked as he bumped shoulders with Oren lightly. "You know for this or anything else, I'm always here. The good thing about Deck 7 is you will always find me here, between Engineering, the bar and here. Or my quarters, you know you've got an open invite to turn up wherever and whenever."

"Thanks, Grayson," Oren said with a smile, looking away for a moment, feeling humbled by the man's kindness. After all they've been through, it spoke well of Grayson that he was still as sweet and charming to Oren even after the El-Aurian had turned away his affections.

"It's nice to know I have a real friend on board," he admitted sincerely, still not looking up.

"Just don't be shy, and yes, that does mean looking at me now and again. I won't try and jump you with kisses any more," he gave a short chuckle.

Oren returned the small laugh, looking up at Grayson finally. "What, not even on the cheek?" he teased, nudging him playfully.

"Only if you ask nicely," Grayson laughed.

"I'll be sure to send you a written note beforehand," Oren laughed back. "But, seriously," he added, reaching over and tentatively putting his hand on Grayson's and giving it a small, appreciative squeeze. He didn't want to let the moment pass by and his feeling to be passed over in just a lighthearted joke.

"I know being my friend hasn't been easy for you, and I want you to know that I appreciate it more than you I can readily explain."

"As long as the note is handwritten with love hearts," Grayson continued to tease. "But Oren, seriously," he continued, mimicking Oren slightly,"and this comes from a place of friendship and love...shut up. You are a good guy, I haven't had many of them in my life, so in my humble opinion, you are worth keeping around no matter what." He gave his hand a squeeze back, but not one to keep sentiment up too long, he went back to the jokes, "Just don't steal any potential future boyfriends...I'll airlock you for that," he winked.

Oren scoffed, shaking his head. "No worries there," he assured him. "I've had enough heartbreak lately that I am in no mood for new romance." Still, he felt warmed and encouraged by Grayson's words.

"See, told you, you should have gone for me," Grayson stuck out his tongue slightly before laughing. "When the time is right, you'll be ready again. Just run them by me first so I don't have to punch them for hurting you."

"Didn't you sleep with Ellsworth?" Oren wasn't sure why he'd voiced those thoughts, as he still wasn't sure he was ready to talk about Ellsworth at length. But clearly his overactive mind had other ideas, relaxed by Grayson's easy nature.

"Oren, you know me...I've slept with more than half of the eligible males on this ship. I'd actually say around 75%, not that I am proud of it, but hey, it's a thing."

"Yeah, but you can't go around punching people I'm in love with after sleeping with them," Oren said, surprised by the casual tone his voice took on as he spoke. "It's not polite." Suddenly, he realised it was the first time he'd actually spoken out loud his real feelings for Ellsworth, but after momentarily making himself dizzy with the admission, he tried to focus back on the present.

"I get that, but if we lived by that, I'd hardly punched anyone at all," Grayson joked, sensing what was going on. "If someone hurts you, I generally say they aren't worth my time any longer. Or, they better have one hell of a way to make it up to me." He smiled, "'Cause you deserve better Oren. Your a good and nice guy. A rare one out there in the grand vastness we call life. You deserve every happiness that's out there and none of the hurt." Grayson being Grayson though, had to go back to a joke, "Plus, you get to lord it over me for the rest of your," he paused to think, "...well my life that he picked you over me." He finished with a short, awkwardly cute chortle.

"Yay, he picked me," Oren cheered sarcastically, but allowed a small smile to grace his features. They sat there quietly for a moment, Oren not knowing what to say beyond another thank you to Grayson for his kindness, but he was starting to feel like a broken comm link. Running his hand through his messy hair, he winced.

"You know I'm going to send you a very angry message in the morning when I wake up and can't get out of bed due to muscle pain."

"You know I'm going to ignore it, right?" Grayson laughed.

"Jerk." Oren shook his head, playfully pushing the half-Trill's shoulder.

OFF:

Lieutenant Grayson Jones
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo>

Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
ISS Galileo

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