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kiszjuli · 15 days ago

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・── spot me .ᐟ (N.JM)

(재민) ; fem!reader x na jaemin

──in which you start going to the gym, determined to try something new-even if it meant wrestling with difficult machines. seeing you struggle, along comes na jaemin, who offers to help with a bit of his experience. and somehow he keeps popping up.

genre. fluff, slightly suggestive, non!idol au ; tags. flirt!jaemin, jaemin is annoyingly shameless, gym au. ; w.c. 3.1k

!! not proofread !!

you had barely stepped foot into the gym when you started questioning all of your life choices. at least you had a cute workout set?

the air was thick with the scent of sweat and rubber, the sound of weights clanking against metal echoing in your ears. everyone here seemed to know exactly what they were doing. adjusting machines with ease, moving through sets like it was second nature. meanwhile, you stood there, clutching your water bottle like a lost child in a supermarket.

still, you weren’t about to back down. you set your sights on a machine that seemed harmless enough and made your way over, trying to act like you belonged. but as soon as you sat down and attempted to adjust the settings, you realized you had absolutely no idea what you were doing.

“okay, no big deal,” you muttered to yourself, tugging at one of the levers. it didn’t budge. you tried again. still nothing. “seriously? why is this thing built like a medieval torture device?” you grumbled to yourself.

“need some help?”

the voice came from beside you, smooth and effortlessly amused. you turned your head, already prepared to politely refuse, only to freeze when you took in the sight before you.

a guy, probably around your age, maybe a little older, stood there, watching you with an easy smile. black hair, strong frame, gym bag slung over one shoulder like he walked straight out of a sportswear ad.

and he was looking at you like he had just found his new favorite thing.

you blinked. “uh—”

“jaemin,” he introduced himself before you could even process a response, he leaned on the machine—which you had at least discovered to be called a leg press.

you eyed his frame, then looked back at his eyes. “is this the part where i say my name and suddenly my gym struggles are over?”

his grin widened. “could be. or it’s the part where i help you before you embarrass yourself further.”

you scoffed. “bold of you to assume i’m embarrassed.”

“oh, my bad,” he said, leaning in slightly. “you’re totally owning the whole ‘fighting for my life against a leg press’ thing.”

you narrowed your eyes, but there was no real heat behind it. still, you crossed your arms. “i was doing just fine, actually.”

“right,” he nodded, clearly humoring you. “so, if i walk away right now, you’ll definitely figure out that you need to pull this knob first before adjusting anything?”

you glanced at the machine, then back at him. “…obviously.”

jaemin let out a soft laugh before reaching past you, fingers brushing yours as he effortlessly adjusted the settings. “there. now you won’t accidentally crush yourself.”

you exhaled through your nose, trying to ignore the way your skin tingled from the brief contact. “wow. thanks, random gym hero.”

“anytime,” he said easily, before flashing you a smile that was just a little too charming for his own good. “but if you really want to thank me, let me know when you need a spotter. i’d hate for your gym journey to end in tragedy.”

you rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t help the small smile tugging at your lips.

unironically, maybe you wouldn’t mind fighting with more gym machines if it meant talking to him again.

—

one day, after weeks of playful banter and his relentless presence at the gym, you finally give in.

“jaemin,” you call out, catching his attention as he fills his water bottle.

he turns instantly, eyebrows lifting in surprise—probably because you’re actually asking for him instead of trying to shake him off. “yeah?”

you hesitate for a second, then sigh. “can you spot me?”

his grin is immediate, almost smug, but there’s something warm in it too. “you finally trust me, huh?”

“don’t make me regret this,” you warn, but he’s already heading over.

standing behind you as you position yourself under the barbell, jaemin is different than usual. no teasing, no cocky remarks. just focused. and it’s… weirdly attractive.

“all right,” he says, voice even and steady. “you got this. unrack it slow, control your breathing.”

you do as he says, gripping the bar and easing it off the rack. as you lower into the first rep, you feel the weight immediately. heavier than you thought, but not unmanageable. still, it’s reassuring knowing he’s there—hands hovering just under the bar, ready to step in if needed.

“good, keep it steady,” he murmurs, eyes sharp. “breathe in on the way down, out on the way up.”

you push through the first few reps, his voice calm and guiding. when you hesitate on the last one, struggling slightly, his hands shift just enough to support you without taking over.

“c’mon,” he encourages, his voice lower now, right by your ear. “push through it. you got it.”

you grit your teeth, putting everything into the final rep, and with his steadying hands just beneath yours, you manage to rack the weight back up with a small, breathless laugh.

“see? easy,” he says, nudging your shoulder lightly as you sit up.

“easy for you to say,” you mutter, wiping the sweat from your brow.

he crouches beside you, eyes glinting. “you did good.”

for once, there’s no teasing in his tone, just genuine pride. and it does something to your stomach that you’d rather not acknowledge.

“thanks,” you say, meeting his gaze.

he grins, leaning just a little closer. “anytime. but you know… if you need help with anything else, i offer full-time training services. very exclusive.”

you roll your eyes, shoving him away lightly, but the warmth in your chest lingers.

—

the second time jaemin spots you, he actually does his job—for the most part.

you’re pushing through a set of squats, trying to focus on your form, when his voice comes from just behind you, steady and low.

“slow and controlled,” he says. “yeah, just like that.”

his hands hover close to your waist, not touching but near enough that you can feel his presence, his warmth. it shouldn’t be distracting. but then he murmurs, “perfect,” and something about the way he says it. soft, almost like praise, throws you off completely.

your balance wobbles mid-rep.

“shit—” you exhale, adjusting your footing before you tip over entirely.

jaemin is already there, steadying you with a hand at your hip, his fingers pressing firm through the fabric of your leggings. his grip is warm, sure, and the brief contact sends a zip of something unidentifiable up your spine.

“you good?” he asks, amusement flickering in his tone.

“yeah.” you clear your throat, regaining your focus. “just—distracted.”

he hums, far too entertained by this. “happens. but if i’m too distracting, i can always—”

“don’t.” you shoot him a look, and he grins, unrepentant.

“got it.”

you finish the set without any more mishaps, though you swear jaemin is closer than necessary for the rest of it, his presence a constant weight in the back of your mind.

when you straighten, breathless, he tilts his head. “so? will you admit i’m good at this?”

you roll your eyes, grabbing your water bottle. “for once, i’ll admit it you’re useful.”

“wow.” he presses a hand to his chest. “the highest compliment i’ve ever received.”

“don’t get used to it.”

his smirk lingers, eyes flickering over you in a way that makes it clear he’s already gotten used to being this close.

—

the next time you see jaemin, it’s not at the gym. and it’s not exactly planned either.

you’re standing at the counter of your favorite café, waiting for the barista to ring up your order when you notice the guy behind the register giving you a little extra attention.

“you come here a lot, right?” he asks, punching your total into the screen. “i feel like i’d remember someone like you.”

you blink at him, caught off guard by the obvious attempt at flirting. “uh, yeah. something like that.”

before he can say anything else, an arm drapes over your shoulder like it belongs there.

“she does,” jaemin’s voice cuts in smoothly, and your entire body tenses. “i should know. we come here together all the time.”

he says it so casually, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, and before you can even process his presence, his warmth, his scent, the fact that he’s touching you. he reaches into his pocket and slides his card across the counter.

“put both on me,” he adds with a grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

the barista’s expression flickers, just slightly. “right. okay.”

you don’t even get a chance to protest before the receipt prints, the transaction complete. jaemin thanks the guy with a polite nod, then leans down a little, voice dropping just enough for only you to hear.

“should i start getting jealous, or was that just a customer service voice?”

you elbow him lightly, heat creeping up your neck. “you are so—”

“charming? thoughtful? boyfriend material?”

you roll your eyes. “ridiculous.”

“same thing.”

your drinks arrive, and jaemin grabs them both before you can. he hands you yours, fingers brushing yours just enough to make you aware of the space (or lack thereof) between you.

as you step outside, you side-eye him. “you didn’t have to do that, you know.”

“i know.” he takes a sip of his drink, then glances at you with a smug little tilt of his lips. “but it was fun, wasn’t it?”

you scoff. “what, throwing your wallet around to intimidate some guy?”

“no,” he says, bumping his shoulder into yours. “having coffee with me.”

you don’t answer right away, but he catches the way your lips twitch like you’re fighting a smile.

jaemin hums. “i’ll take that as a yes.”

you shake your head, exhaling through your nose. “you are something else.”

“and yet, you keep talking to me,” he points out, grin widening.

you hate that he’s right. you hate even more that you don’t actually hate it at all.

—

following the day you met jaemin outside of the gym, you end up right back in the gym, deciding against better judgement to attempt deadlifts.

you’ve watched enough videos, seen people do it effortlessly, and it doesn’t look that hard. at least, that’s what you tell yourself. but after setting up the barbell and bracing yourself, you realize very quickly that maybe you’ve overestimated your abilities.

your grip keeps slipping, your back doesn’t feel quite right, and when you try to pull the weight up, it barely budges.

“need a hand, angel?”

you don’t even have to turn to know it’s jaemin. you exhale sharply, shaking your head. “i got it.”

“mm,” he hums, unconvinced. “that’s cute.”

before you can bite back a sarcastic remark, he steps behind you, far too close for your brain to function properly. his hands find your waist, adjusting you effortlessly, like he’s done this a million times.

“you’re all tense,” he murmurs, voice low near your ear. “relax a little.”

you swallow hard, hyperaware of the heat of his palms. “hard to relax when someone’s all up in my space.”

jaemin chuckles, his breath warm against your skin. “you’re welcome to tell me to move.”

you don’t.

instead, you let him guide you, let him adjust your stance by nudging your foot with his, let him drag his hand along your arm to reposition your grip. when you attempt another lift, he follows the movement, hands skimming down your sides in encouragement.

“just like that,” he says, voice smoother than it has any right to be.

you manage to get the bar up, but it’s not the weight making you feel breathless. it’s him.

the second you drop the bar back down, you realize how close you still are, his chest brushing your back as he leans in slightly. “better, right?”

you exhale shakily, nodding. “yeah. better.”

jaemin tilts his head, watching you. his lips curl just slightly, like he knows exactly what he’s doing to you.

“you sure?” he teases, voice dipping.

you turn your head just enough to meet his gaze, only now realizing how close your faces are. his eyes flicker to your lips for a second, too fast to be certain, but enough to make your stomach flip.

you wet your lips, your breath still uneven. “positive.”

his smile deepens, and just when you think he might say something else, he steps back, leaving behind nothing but warmth and the frustrating ghost of his touch.

“good,” he says simply, picking up his water bottle. “same time tomorrow?”

you roll your shoulders, trying to shake off the tension he left behind. “yeah. sure.”

jaemin grins, tossing you a wink as he walks off. “can’t wait.”

you don’t realize how long you stand there, gripping your water bottle like it might bring your heart rate back to normal.

you were struggling to lift weight, so why does it feel like he’s the one who completely knocked the air out of you?

—

after the deadlift incident, you found yourself avoiding jaemin. not because you disliked him, but because you weren’t sure how to handle the way he made you feel. his easy confidence, the way he got under your skin without even trying—it was distracting, and the last thing you needed was more distractions.

so, you started going to the gym at night, hoping for some quiet time to focus on your workouts. fewer people, fewer chances of running into him. it seemed like a solid plan.

until you walked in and saw him already there.

jaemin was standing near the squat rack, adjusting weights like he had all the time in the world. he noticed you immediately, a slow grin spreading across his face as he rested his hands on his hips.

“well, well,” he drawled, tilting his head. “didn’t expect to see you here at this hour.”

you sighed, already bracing for whatever he was about to say. “i could say the same to you.”

he shrugged, picking up a towel and tossing it over his shoulder. “what can i say? some of us are just dedicated.”

you rolled your eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at your lips. “right.”

jaemin stepped closer, his gaze flicking over you with something unreadable but undeniably amused. “and what about you? didn’t think i’d see you sneaking in for a late-night session. trying to avoid someone?”

your stomach twisted at how easily he caught on. “just thought it’d be quieter,” you said, keeping your voice light. “easier to focus.”

��ah,” he nodded, feigning understanding before smirking. “and yet, here i am. ruining your peaceful gym night.”

you exhaled, shaking your head. “not ruining. just… unexpected.”

jaemin stepped even closer, lowering his voice just enough to make the air between you feel heavier. “unexpected, huh? i’ll take that as a compliment.”

you opened your mouth to respond, but before you could, he leaned slightly to the side, as if assessing you. “so… what’s the plan for tonight? need another spotter? maybe a personal trainer?”

there was no stopping the laugh that escaped you. “you just don’t quit, do you?”

“not when i see something worth my time,” he shot back smoothly, his grin widening.

the tension was there, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. it was easy, playful, charged in a way that made you more aware of him than you wanted to be.

you sighed, shaking your head. “let’s just work out, alright?”

jaemin raised his hands in mock surrender, though his eyes still held that teasing glint. “whatever you say.”

and with that, he turned back toward his weights, leaving you standing there, already feeling like you’d lost some unspoken game.

—

the workout should’ve been simple. just you, the machines, and an hour of sweat and focus. but with jaemin there, throwing glances, flashing smirks, making casual comments that left your stomach flipping, it was anything but.

you were halfway through your set when he appeared beside you again, towel draped around his neck, arms crossed as he watched you with an amused expression.

“you sure you don’t need my help?” he asked, voice low, teasing.

you exhaled sharply, adjusting your grip on the bar. “pretty sure i can handle it.”

“mm,” he hummed, stepping just a little closer, enough that you could feel the warmth of him. “i don’t doubt you. but you did come here at night to avoid distractions, right? doesn’t seem like it’s working.”

you shot him a look, only for him to grin like he knew exactly what he was doing.

“you’re talking a lot for someone who’s supposed to be working out,” you muttered, refocusing on your reps.

jaemin didn’t move, just watched as you powered through the set, eyes flickering between your face and the way your body tensed with each movement. when you finally finished, you let out a breath, shaking out your arms.

“see?” you said, lifting your chin. “didn’t need you.”

he laughed under his breath. “sure. you looked good doing it though.”

you turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “you flirt with every girl at the gym, or am i just special?”

jaemin leaned in, lowering his voice just enough to send a shiver down your spine. “oh, you’re definitely special.”

your breath hitched, but before you could say anything, he grabbed his water bottle and walked off, leaving you standing there, heart pounding.

damn him.

��

the gym was supposed to be a place of focus, of self-improvement—not whatever this was. not standing here, watching na jaemin wipe the sweat off his forehead, chest still rising and falling from his last set, looking every bit like he belonged on the cover of a sports magazine.

you should’ve walked away the second he caught you staring. but of course, he had to notice.

“see something you like?” his voice was still a little breathless, but that didn’t stop the teasing lilt in his tone.

you scoff, crossing your arms. “just shocked you’re finally breaking a sweat. thought you were invincible for a second.”

he grins, stepping closer. “cute. but you know what’s actually shocking? how long it’s taken me to ask you out.”

your stomach flips, but you mask it with a raise of your brow. “is that so?”

he nods, resting his hands on his hips. “yep. been waiting for the perfect moment, but you keep distracting me.”

“me?” you let out a short laugh. “right, because i’m the one shamelessly flirting while pretending to teach proper form.”

he smirks. “see? you do pay attention.”

you roll your eyes, turning to grab your bag, but he shifts, blocking your path. “just one date,” he says, voice softer now, but still playful. “somewhere nice. no gym memberships required.”

you pause, weighing your options, not that there was ever much of a debate. with a sigh, you shake your head. “fine. one date. but if you show up in a muscle tee, i’m walking out.”

his grin stretches wide. “noted. though i can’t promise you won’t get distracted again.”

you push past him with a groan, but he just laughs, calling after you. “don’t be late, princess. i’ve been waiting long enough.”

—