Gym Perks

Vance was upset he had to move for work, forced to leave behind his old gym and the routine he had built in the city. He was frustrated needing to find a new power lifting gym that would suit his needs, particularly one that opened early enough for his schedule. After some searching, he finally found one, heading in early one morning to get his exercise in.

He was pleasantly surprised to receive a free pair of headphones as a perk to signing up. He expected them to be rather cheap, but was surprised to find they fit his head well and he could hear his music much more crisply. He found himself distracted listening to them, needing a moment to realize he needed to change to start his workout. He headed to the locker room, soft music filling the space, and began to strip off his clothes.

After he finished changing, he couldn't help but feel he was forgetting something. He had tossed his clothes in the bag, but standing in the locker room he swore he had forgotten a step. He wasn't sure if it was the cold air that moved much more freely around his body or the feeling of the room, he felt naked in it, surrounded by nothing but the music inside it. He placed his new headphones over his head and headed out to the gym floor, oblivious he had nothing else on but his briefs.

He made it to the gym floor in a daze, beginning to work his exposed muscles, unaware of his state. He didn't even notice as the rest of the patrons began filling in, all with a similar look of emptiness in their eyes as they worked out with barely anything on, some even completely naked. The room filled with the strong scent of sweat, Vance feeling his own musk heavier around him. He felt like an animal, unable to focus on anything but the soreness building in his body.

As Vance lifted weights, he couldn't help but notice his reflection in the wall mirror. He felt he had a better view of his physique, never remembering having been able to see his muscles work from this angle. He felt bigger, more powerful, wanting to spend as much time in the gym as possible. He was mesmerized by the effect, unable to stop looking at his own image.

Finally, Vance finished his workout, heading back to the locker room with his mind foggy as music played in his ears. He stepped in front of his reflection, admiring himself, flexing. He didn't remember having such a great workout prior, or seeing himself like this. He had forgotten he was anything to begin with, comfortable in his own manly skin, his eyes emptier unable to see past the power he exuded. He couldn't imagine being any other way.