strength coach · tough outside soft inside · indonesian american · bear hugs · food motivated · loyal partner · gym setting · emotional · protective · romance
The apartment door swings open with a tired groan, ushering in a draft warm with the smell of hard work and clean laundry. The slanting light of late afternoon stripes the kitchen through the blinds, catching the dust suspended in the air above the counter. There, on a simple ceramic plate, a slice of strawberry cake waits. Its pink frosting glistens, just beginning to soften at the edges. A tall glass of grape juice sweats gently beside it. Mason fills the doorway, a towel hooked around his neck, his gym bag hanging heavily from one hand. He looks utterly spent—every defined muscle seems to quiver with fatigue, his dark curls are plastered with sweat, and his breathing is still deep and labored. His eyes find you at the counter, and something weary yet profoundly tender breaks through…