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See, that’s what the app is perfect for.

Sounds perfect Wahhhh, I don’t wanna

Modern AU by @ichigo-otaku for @thekingofcarrotflower

He had taken Sera’s recommendation more seriously when he realizes most of the gyms in the area were much less accommodating than he’s used to. Not only that, but many of them are owned by the same company, Ferelden Fitness, and because he’s been banned from becoming a member at any facility owned by them, he has limited options.

Sera highly recommends the small and almost impossible to find gym when they talk over drinks. She’s got a girl in her lap and she takes her attention away from the conversation long enough to giggle and kiss her between sentences. “Just sayin’, fancy britches. The place is the best, run by a freaking beast of a lady. Woof,” she snickers. The girl in her lap, Dorian learns eventually her name is Dagna, doesn’t seem to have any complaints, too busy downing her own drink. “They’ve got great snacks and wickedly amazing showers. The shower heads are detachable too…”

Dagna giggles into her drink, and Dorian decides he’s had enough of the conversation.

He can’t deny he’s interested though, which is what brings him to a place called “Buff Bodies and Buddies.” It seems like a more intimate sort of crowd as he walks into the doors, paying close attention to the people operating various exercise equipment just beyond the front desk.

A girl is ready to greet him, a smile almost too cheery on her face. “Hello, welcome to Buff Bodies and Buddies!” she exclaims. It’s almost alarming to Dorian, but he doesn’t let it show. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before. Are you a new member?”

“Actually, I haven’t signed up yet,” Dorian says. “I was rather wondering if I could get a tour or perhaps meet with a personal trainer, to see if this is the right sort of fit?”

“Oh, absolutely!” she exclaims, turning at her desk and nearly running to the office just to the right. Dorian can’t help wondering how he didn’t notice it before, the door wide open. “Bahie, we have a new client that is interested in a tour of the gym. Would you like me to show him around?”

‘Please no,’ Dorian thinks, and already he’s sighing at his own reactions.

“Actually, I’ll do it. I need to take a break from all this paperwork, it’s giving me a headache.”

The girl nods, bouncing back to her desk before the other person emerges from their office. Dorian nearly chokes when he sees a qunari woman walk out, wearing casual businesswear instead of the usual gym set or anything remotely fitness related. She stands just a few inches taller than him, and horns that stick out to the back but twist towards the end. Her hair is short, pulled into corn rows that fit tight to her scalp. She wears just a tad too much makeup in Dorian’s opinion.

“Bahie Adaar. Welcome to Buff Bodies and Buddies,” she says, extending her hand as she walks closer to Dorian.

He tells himself not to show intimidation. He has seen a qunari or two since leaving Tevinter, but he hasn’t interacted with anyone other than humans or elves for the most part (with an occasional dwarf here and there). Bahie seems to sense it though, giving him a warm smile and a laugh. “It’s alright, not a lot of people expect a qunari when they first arrive. I promise I’ll go easy on you. I’m not one of the trainers, I’m just the owner.”

“Dorian Pavus,” Dorian says when he finally reaches out. Bahie grabs his and shakes just twice before letting go. “I have heard you have one of the best gyms in the area. I’m rather impressed, as I couldn’t find much information upon further research.”

“Ah, yes, that’s mostly because it’s a somewhat new gym,” Bahie explains. “I’m the second owner, actually. I’m afraid we haven’t quite mastered the art of social media.”

“Not a problem. I’m appreciating the smaller crowd the longer I am here,” Dorian says. “Care to show me around? I’d like to see more.”

“Absolutely,” Bahie nods. She acknowledges the girl at the desk before leading Dorian to the main room. Dorian can tell the equipment is mostly organized by use, seeing more weights on one side of the room while the other is used for elliptical machines and treadmills.

“We don’t have much room as of yet. The gym itself mostly consists of a few rooms available to the public, but it prides itself in being very friendly towards customer needs and expectations,” Bahie explains while they walk. Dorian does his best to pay attention to her words while he looks around the room, taking note of the type of clients the gym catered to. For the most part, he isn’t surprised to find more people that he’d consider common at one point in his life. Everyone seems friendly as well, waving if they catch his eye or calling out to Bahie as they pass.

 “The people here seem to rather enjoy themselves,” Dorian says.

Bahie swells at the compliment. “I do my best. I don’t want people coming to a gym they don’t enjoy. What’s the point in bettering yourself if you’re not enjoying it, am I right?”

Dorian has to agree, and he follows Bahie into a smaller room. This one is much smaller and has fewer equipment, but what it contains mostly looks like yoga mats or small hand weights.

“This is where we teach some of our classes. It’s a newer thing we’ve started, actually,” Bahie says. “I don’t know if you’d be interested in anything like yoga or dancing, but the classes are free with membership.”

“Interesting. I’d like to look into them at one point,” Dorian says. “I do have a question for you though. In my research, there was a note about personal trainers, or rather the lack of them. Is there a reason for that?”

Bahie seems to blush at the question, her hands rubbing together while she clears her throat. “Ah, well… Again, it’s a new thing we’re trying out, but we haven’t had much luck keeping many,” she explains. “We do have one that a lot of our clients regularly visit. He didn’t originally start as a trainer, but he’s rather good at it, so until we have more professional help, he is filling in.”

Dorian claps his hands together and smiles. “Excellent. I’d like to become a member, if I could possibly have a chance to work with the personal trainer,” he says. “I usually go into this sort of thing alone, however I’d like to try something a little different here. Perhaps having a trainer will keep me out of trouble.”

With a smirk, Bahie extends her hand once more. “I’m sure we could keep you in line. As long as you don’t spend too long in the bathrooms,” she says. She can’t help laughing when Dorian gapes at her, sputters over his words while he tries to formulate a response. “I apologize, I should have told you sooner that I’d heard your name. You’re the same man who was banned from Ferelden Fitness for lingering in the locker rooms?”

“I-I-It’s not what you think!” Dorian exclaims. His response sends Bahie into another fit of giggles, which makes him blush in turn. “Vishante kaffas…”

“Don’t worry, Dorian. We don’t judge here,” Bahie says. “I won’t discourage you from whatever business you have, however I do request that you take care of it when you or anyone else involved are alone.”

Dorian can hardly respond, just covers his eyes with one hand and takes a deep breath through his nose. Bahie’s hand touches his shoulder and gives him a reassuring squeeze. “We’d be happy to have you here. If you’re interested in joining still.”

“Do I really have any other choice?” Dorian mumbled. Bahie doesn’t respond, but he sighs and nods. “When can I start?”

“Let’s go back to my office and figure out your membership plan,” Bahie suggests. Dorian follows her back towards the main entrance, passing the main locker rooms once more.

They aren’t able to get very far, a voice booming from inside. “Boss! You out there?” someone calls before the door bursts open. It nearly smacks Dorian in the face, but he’s able to step back and avoid it. Bahie simply reaches out to stop it with one hand, as if she has practice with it.

A man steps out of the women’s locker room, oddly enough. Dorian immediately thinks the man is a pervert, but given Bahie’s response, he tries not to let his first impression linger. He peers around the door only to feel his assumptions melt away, gaping as he sees the man behind it.

It’s another qunari, this one standing much taller and broader than Bahie. He has two horns, both sticking out and points to the ceiling. An eye patch covers what Dorian assumes is a mess of scars where his left eye should be. He’s wearing a tank top, sporting the gym logo and a pair of jeans that may be too tight. Dorian swears he won’t stare at them.

 “Ah, Bull, perfect timing!” Bahie exclaims, and she moves the door so Dorian can come into view. “I just took one of our newest clients on a tour around the gym, and he mentioned wanting a personal trainer. You up for taking on another client?”

The man, Bull as Bahie had called him, gave Dorian a glance. He stalled for a few seconds, looking Dorian over before he smiled. “Sure. Haven’t trained a vint in a while, Krem’s still taking a break from his routine.” He takes a step forward, Dorian unconsciously taking a step back. The man is intimidating in size alone, and with Dorian’s lack of experience with qunari…

Another hand is extended towards him though, this time attached to Bull. “The name’s the Iron Bull. The “the” is important,” he explains. “I hope you’re ready for a workout! I don’t go easy on anyone.”

(Part One/Three!)

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