InsaneJournal

Who: Lo and Steve.
What: A business meeting.
When: Friday afternoon, 4/10.
Where: Lo’s office.
Rating: PG!
Status: Complete!



Steve had called ahead anyway. He knew he didn’t have to, but it just felt rude to not make sure he wasn’t interrupting anything. He’d put on one of his better outfits, not wanting to look too much like a gym bum but not wanting to look, well, not like a personal trainer, either. Before heading into the office, he made sure he had everything he thought he might need: resume, business cards, certifications. Check, check, and check.

Taking a deep breath, he walked inside and took a sit in the main room while he waited, feet planted firmly on the floor with his hands folded in his lap.

Lo smiled when his secretary told him that Mr. Rogers had arrived. He stood up, straightening his very expensive silk tie, and walked out into the main room, smiling when he saw his guest. “Mr. Rogers! Thank you for coming to see me.”

Steve smiled in return and stood up, holding out his hand.

“Thank you for having me. Really. I didn’t expect such a sudden response, it’s sort of humbling.” He shrugged and laughed a little.

“Well, I’m always in need of a good personal trainer for clients. Unfortunately, especially since I work with celebrities, personal appearance is so often rated higher than talent.” Lo shook his hand firmly but not too firmly, motioning for him to step into his well appointed office.

“Well, honestly, part of the reason I decided to move to California was because of that,” Steve admitted as he headed into the office. “New York’s not bad, but California has that image, I guess. It’s paid off for the most part.”

Lo nodded and sat down at the table he’d appointed for meeting with clients. He preferred seeing people closer, liked that it made his clients trust him more easily. “Can I get you something to drink? Water? A soda?” He didn’t think this guy drank anything harder.

"Hmm? Oh, water would be great, thanks." Steve smiled as he sat down. He took his papers from his bag and set them on the table. "I brought some things, so you can double check I'm a decent trainer and all."

Lo stood up to get a bottle of water for Steve from the minifridge under the bar in the corner of the room. He got a diet Coke for himself, and returned to sitting down. “Ah, thank you. I have no doubt that you are, but it’ll be nice to give to my clients.” He smiled and looked over the table. “The best endorsement for a personal trainer is the trainer themself.” And Steve was a glowing example of what most men wanted to look like.

He seemed to understand what Lo was saying, and blushed a bit under the vague compliment. “It’s just hard work and dedication. No different than most other things in life.” In Steve’s mind, he just got lucky with genetics when it came to his physique. No one to thank there but God.

“That’s very true. Unfortunately most of my clients want quick fixes and shortcuts. But I trust that you’ll let them know that’s not possible, yeah?” Lo couldn’t help but smile briefly at Steve’s blush as he scanned Steve’s credentials.

"Yeah, of course," Steve said. He tried not to fidget much, but sometimes falling under scrutiny made him anxious. "I try to make people see that better and longer lasting results come from hard work. Quick fixes don't give people abs or muscle definition."

Lo smiled, sipping his soda. “So. Would you like me to refer you to everyone, or would you like me to refer you to a few people? How can I help you?”

“Oh, well. Maybe just a few people?” Steve asked, laughing. “Just while I get up and going. Don’t wanna be overwhelmed or anything, right?”

“First I’ll try to give your name to clients of mine who I think will get on with you. People who have a straight work ethic, people who understand that easy and exercise don’t mix. We’ll see who responds, and then we’ll take it from there.” God, this kid was cute. Lo looked down at his hands, trying not to grin.

"That sounds great," Steve replied, not trying to hide his grin at all. "I have a few extra business cards with me, so they can just give me a call or drop by the clinic when they have time."

“That sounds perfect.” Lo couldn’t help but smile, glad that he could help this kid out. “I’m glad I can help your success in any way. I’m a good judge of character, at least I like to think so, and you probably deserve to succeed.”

“Thanks,” Steve said, meaning it. Not a lot of people, he found, were so keen to help other people, especially when the other people were younger like him. He just hoped he could live up to the expectation now.

“You’re quite welcome.” Lo took another swig of his soda, chuckling. “Maybe I should come work with you a few days. I’ve noticed I get a bit more tired easily lately.”

“Well,” Steve said, “I’d be more than happy to work with you. But the first thing I’d tell you is probably no soda.” He laughed a little.

“But... but soda.” Lo pouted out his lower lip. “It’s a diet! ... what about scotch? If you tell me no more scotch, I don’t think I can do it.” He grinned brightly.

“Easy on the scotch,” replied Steve, laughing a bit more. “Maybe you could just be working too hard?”

“That’s probably it, it usually is.” Lo sighed. “But I do love work. It’s difficult for me to go cold turkey. I guess I could try to cut off an hour or so early every day.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a strong work ethic,” Steve said. He believed it, too. “But too much work isn’t good for anyone.”

“So people tell me, but I keep wanting to prove them wrong,” Lo quipped. “I guess I could go out with the significant other more so they don’t think I’m neglecting them.”

“Seems like pretty good motivation to me.” Steve smiled.

“Probably none better,” Lo chuckled. He stood up to rifle through his desk for some papers, making sure that he got permission from Steve to distribute his phone number. Lo was a lawyer at heart, and he liked to make things as legal as they could be.

“Probably not.” Steve sat there patiently, in no rush to do anything. He, too, liked things to be done right, and so could appreciate the thoroughness that Lo was going through. It definitely made him feel better in the long run, anyway. At least he knew this wasn’t going to end up being a disappointment.

Lo smiled as he handed Steve over the papers. “They’re just consent forms for me to give your number to clients.” He smiled. “I’m looking forward to a beneficial partnership.”