141 Yoga Studio AU - Johnny
Inspired by @l3ibnest's picture set here. Might continue it to get to that delicious biting pic, but for now... (Up next: Gaz)
"Oh no." I muttered to my friend as I looked at the four men in the front of the class. "They're hot." What kind of yoga class needed four instructors anyway? But as the one with dewy skin and big doe eyes patted the one with the mutton chops on the shoulder, it became clear that I? I was an idiot. I should have never let my friend drag me here.
Wait, is that one in a skull mask? I squinted up at the front of the class. And it was in that moment that exact guy caught my gaze. I flushed, quickly dropping to a cross-legged position from standing, as if the weight of his gaze pinned me down. My friend's head whipped down to give me a frantic, accusatory look. I tried to play it off, stretching a leg in front of me and bending forward.
Skull Mask said something to Mohawk, and Mohawk turned. Oh, god, he had those kinds of eyes where he looked like he was permanently wearing eyeliner. And they were turned right on me. I ducked my head over my leg, continuing to stretch as my heart leapt up into my throat. Glancing up, I saw him give skull mask a friendly punch and turn, eyes still on my location. I suddenly felt like a prey animal.
No no no no- Oh, but he looked like such an asshole and he was coming right this way and he was just my fucking type.
"Mornin', you two.." He stopped in front of us, grinning at me. "Haven't seen your face in our class before. Tryin' something new, or are you old hat at this?"
My heart stopped. Scottish, too!? Kill me!
I didn't look up. Kara kicked me. "New." I said too loudly.
"Ah, beautiful! You picked a good class to start with. Vinyasa helps you learn the basics of breathing with your movements." I looked up and found his head cocked to the side, eyes locked on me, that grin still in full force. It hurt my eyes, it shone so brightly. Why why why why why-
I cleared my throat. "That sounds good." I squeaked. My friend chuckled.
"So you're leading the class today, Johnny?" My friend asked. Thank God, those eyes were off of me.
"Yeah. Kyle says hi by the way." Johnny winked. And then I saw her; beautiful, confident friend of mine flush a shade of red that I thought only visible to certain shrimp.
"Tell him I say hi back, then." She practically purred in spite of it.
"Aye, can do." And then those eyes were back on mine. "Do you know how these classes work, hen?" He asked me.
"I mean- follow the leader, right?" I looked up at him, wondering if I should stand and look him in the eye. But that'd be impossible anyway, considering he was standing at something at or over six feet tall. And when he laughed at my comment, I could swear I felt the heat of eyes on me from around the classroom.
"Aye, s'pose that's the basics. But there's a reason I'm saying hello." He offered me a hand up. "Yoga as we teach it here at 141 is about understanding how your body moves against itself. A lot of studios will give you a load about energy flow or chakras, but-" Johnny threw a sideways glance before leaning in to say "-think that might be best left to others, y'ken?" I nodded.
"My friend is Indian, I get it." I replied stupidly.
"Aye, good to hear." He replied indulgently. "Point being, we focus on the athleticism of yoga. Strength, movement, flexibility." He gestured to the class. "And we keep class sizes small to keep an eye on you. If you're struggling with a pose, or might be about to hurt yourself, we step in, help out." His eyes bore down on me once more. "And that means we gotta put our hands on you."
Long way 'round to ask permission to touch me.
"Generally speaking it's the hips and back that folks struggle with." He's really making sure it's okay, goddamn.
"That's fine. I'm not precious about my personal space."
"Good." He seemed to become one big smile, then. "Then I look forward to class. We're wheels up in fifteen." He winked and turned back to the other men.
"Hips square," He called out and I saw his feet walk past me. I was shaking trying to hold this - what was it? Three legged dog? - and I suddenly felt big, strong hands readjusting me. But damn, it felt like silk when my hips squared, even if my arms were still shaking.
"Nice, right?" He replied, releasing me and moving to help another student.
I was sweating, red-faced, and anxious by the time I finished class. How the fuck did all these women look so graceful and here I was, needing constant readjustment.
"You did good." Johnny approached me once more. "But you need to work on your confidence."
"Aye. You were so focused on getting into the pose, you weren't feeling yourself, y'know?" He fell gracefully into warrior one, keeping his eyes on me. "Slow and steady, like this. That fluidity is part of the flow we're going for in Vinyasa." And like water, he returned to casually resting a hand on his hip.
"Crazy." I murmured, eyes glued to the lines of his arms and hands.
"Nah, you'll get there." He gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Hope to see you next week." And with that, he jogged to the front of the class, where the other instructors had gathered. Skull Mask leaned in to say something, and Johnny laughed, playfully shadow-boxing the man. And those blue eyes found mine one more time as Skull Mask handed him a smoothie.
The next week was much the same. I still felt stupid and gangly, but Johnny was patient, giving me attention where he could. And god, did he look good up at the front, with his loose tank top showing every lithe muscle under that tanned skin. Strong calves and thighs flexing under his shorts. He looked like a Greek god. Even if his mohawk did begin to wilt from sweat partway through.
The flow was the same as last week, and I felt relief wash over me when I recognized some of the poses. Johnny was touchy with everyone, it seemed. Careful, but kind. Soft taps on the shoulder, or respectful brushes against hip or neck to guide a student into their pose. But with me… His hands slid just a little more comfortably over my skin when he adjusted me, and I wondered for a short time if it was in my head. But when a strong hand wrapped around my ankle where I'd seen him simply guide Kara's with a palm, I knew he was doing it deliberately.
"All good, hen?" He'd asked with a lopsided smile after the session, eyes flicking down, then dragging back up.
"Very." I returned his smile, swiping sweat from my chest.
"Good. Same time next week." He flashed a wink over his shoulder as he moved on.
"Lucky." My friend stood next to me, watching him leave without acknowledging her.
I hummed noncommittally, scrubbing sweat from the back of my neck as I watched him talk to another student. He was boisterous, throwing his head back to laugh. Even after all that, he had energy to spare.
Which is why it shouldn't have surprised me when, after about a month of lessons, he bounded up to me where I sat sipping a smoothie at the cafe next door.
"There you are, hen!" He slid easily into the seat next to me. "Simon said he saw you here." Simon. The one with the skull mask. "I wanted to congratulate you on your progress. You're takin' to this like a fish t' water."
"Thanks. You're a good teacher." I said, tongue numb and clumsy from the frozen drink.
"Eh, that only goes so far." He waved me off. "Listen, I had another question for you, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't misreading things." He paused, sobering as he looked for me to agree.
"Uh yeah, sure, ask away." I blinked.
A beat passed between us as my brain chugged to catch up with the question. "…huh?"
"Single. Are you involved with anyone? I'm-" He chuckled. "I'm asking you out."
"…you can do that?" I asked again, feeling suddenly weightless and unmoored. This man? This sexy, athletic, Scottish fucking- "I mean, uh, yeah, I'm single. I'm- yeah, absolutely, I'd… I'd love to."
"Great!" He grinned suddenly. "I'll text you the details, then. I've already got your number." He winked, and slid out of the seat. "Wear something pretty, now." He squeezed my shoulder and left, leaving me sipping my smoothie minutes later, head spinning, uncertain if that had actually happened.
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