As Lance spotted Edwin on the bench press, he found himself mesmerized by the actor's form. The way Edwin's muscles tensed and relaxed with each rep, the determined set of his jaw, the slight sheen of sweat on his brow – it was all Lance could do to focus on his spotter duties and not get lost in his admiration.
"Damn, Kasper," Lance panted as they finished a set of squats, his eyes inadvertently trailing over Edwin's toned physique. "If acting doesn't work out, you could always join me on the field. You've got some serious stamina."
Edwin wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning. "Thanks, but I think I'll leave the tackling to you. I prefer my bones unbroken."
As they moved to the treadmills for a cool-down jog, Lance couldn't resist a bit more playful flirting. "You know, Edwin, we make a pretty good team. Maybe we should make this a regular thing." His heart raced, and not just from the workout, as he imagined spending more time with Edwin like this.
Edwin, still oblivious to Lance's subtle advances, nodded enthusiastically. "That's not a bad idea. It's nice to have a workout buddy who can keep up."
Lance grinned mischievously, seeing an opportunity for some teasing. "Keep up? I'm impressed you can keep up with me, old man. Aren't you worried about throwing out your back or something?"
Edwin nearly stumbled on the treadmill, shooting Lance an incredulous look. "Old man? I'm only four years older than you, Castellan!"
"Four years is a lifetime in athlete years," Lance quipped, enjoying the way Edwin's eyes narrowed in mock indignation. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you next time. Wouldn't want you to break a hip."
Edwin rolled his eyes, but there was a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Please. I could run circles around you any day of the week. Some of us age like fine wine, you know."
"Oh, is that what they're calling it these days?" Lance laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'll remember that when I'm wheeling you around in your chair at the ripe old age of 35."
Edwin reached over and playfully swatted at Lance's arm. "Keep it up, youngster, and I'll show you just how spry this 'old man' can be."
Lance bit his lip, trying not to read too much into Edwin's words or the casual touch. He reminded himself that Edwin was just being friendly, unaware of the effect he was having on him.
As they finished their workout, Lance couldn't help but notice how the exercise had brightened Edwin's mood. The tension that had been evident when discussing his father had eased, replaced by a relaxed smile and easy laughter.
"You know," Lance said as they gathered their things, "I meant what I said earlier. We will figure this out, Edwin. You don't have to face this alone."
Edwin paused, his green eyes meeting Lance's gray ones. "I appreciate that, Lance. Really. It's good to know I have people in my corner."
Lance's heart swelled at the gratitude in Edwin's voice. "Always," he said softly, then quickly added with a grin, "Someone's got to keep you young, after all."
Edwin chuckled, shaking his head. "And there you go again. You just can't help yourself, can you?"
"Nope," Lance admitted cheerfully. "It's part of my youthful charm."
As they walked out of the gym together, Lance couldn't help but feel a bunch of emotions. Concern for Edwin and the situation with his father, determination to help clear his name, and the ever-present undercurrent of his growing feelings for the actor. He watched as Edwin ran a hand through his dark hair, the simple gesture making Lance's heart race.
A moment of silence fell between them, and Lance found himself desperate to prolong their time together. His gray eyes lingered on Edwin's profile, a hint of longing in their depths. Apparently, these feelings plaguing him were getting harder to resist.
"So," Lance began, trying to keep his voice casual, "what are you up to after this?"
Edwin sighed, his green eyes clouding with worry. "I'm meeting with my attorney later. Need to go over the case, see where we stand."
Lance nodded, his heart aching for the actor. He hesitated for a moment, gathering his courage. "Listen, Edwin," he said, his voice slightly uncertain, "I was wondering... would you like to grab dinner together later? After your meeting, I mean."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lance felt a rush of anxiety. He wasn't sure how Edwin would react to a man asking him out to dinner, even if it was just as friends. Lance held his breath, waiting for Edwin's response.
To his surprise and delight, Edwin's face lit up with a warm smile. "You know what? That sounds great, Lance. I could use some good company after dealing with all this legal stuff."
Relief and joy flooded through Lance, and he couldn't help the wide grin that spread across his face. "Fantastic! I know this great place downtown. How about I text you the details later?"
Edwin nodded, his green eyes twinkling. "Sounds perfect. I'll let you know when I'm done with the lawyer."
As they prepared to part ways, Lance felt a surge of happiness he couldn't quite contain. "Same time next week for our workout?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound too eager.
Edwin grinned, the smile reaching his eyes and making them sparkle in a way that made Lance's breath catch. "You're on, Castellan. But fair warning - I'll be expecting you to keep up with me next time."
"Oh, don't you worry about that, old man," Lance teased, his heart light. "I'll be ready for whatever you throw at me."
With a final wave, Edwin headed towards his car. Lance watched him go, his gray eyes following Edwin's retreating form. He couldn't believe his luck - not only had he managed to ask Edwin to dinner, but the actor had accepted without hesitation.
As Lance made his way to his own vehicle, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He knew that helping Edwin clear his name would be a challenging journey, but he was committed to being there every step of the way. And now, with the promise of dinner hanging between them, Lance felt a glimmer of hope for something more.
He climbed into his car, already planning the perfect restaurant for their evening together. As he drove away from the gym, Lance allowed himself to dream, just a little, about the possibilities that lay ahead. Whatever happened, he was determined to be there for Edwin - as a friend, as support, and maybe, someday, as something more.