AU where Grace ends up on the COI station for whatever reason (happened upon AT-5 while investigating other areas of space effected by astrophage or smth). Informal introductions are going on in a meeting room and Ava asks the question that's on everyone's mind, "Why is a scient teacher so buff?"
Grace blushes at the compliment and explains about the fitnessgram pacer tests back on Earth. Says his older brother used to make them do it in their teens, and then his twin made them keep up with the tradition after he got his doctorate under the guise of "brotherly bonding".
He explains that typically the goal for push-ups is 100 in under 5 minutes and due to the limited space on the station that'd be one best one to demonstrate, that he'd be happy to do so if they like.
Grace then whips out one of the remix versions that was a favorite of Colt's. Lets them know this version is a little harder because it speeds up sometimes and and the goal of 100 is meant to be reached around 3.5 minutes. He cockily adds that anyone is welcome to join him "if they think they can keep up."
A few people cajole others into participating since Ava hasn't stopped anyone from getting into position. While Simon did like to exercise in his cell as a means to keep busy, his ego's not so big that he wants to preform in front of anyone, so he just stands to the side and watches.
Grace ends up wiping the floor with most of the people who joined in. A few make it close and keep up for a while but no one makes it past the 80's and he, of course, manages to get 100 with only a light sheen of sweat. He also had managed to lock eyes with Simon towards the end and wow, he could probably keep going the whole five minutes if Simon would keep looking at him like that.
Standinf up with a slight smirk he says if that was too hard for them then he'd be happy to explain the One Punch Man and Sportacus workouts instead.
Then Rocky breaks the tension and asks why everyone's heart is beating faster when only a few of them were actually doing the exercise. The group gets awkward and some a little red in the face, then Ava clears her throat and gets them back on track from her previous question.
Everyone starts moving to sit down and Grace, feeling bold, slides his hand across Simon's lower back as he walks by to find a seat. He can feel eyes on him as he sits down and clears a space for Rocky, but doesn't look back because why did he do that?? Why did he think touching Simon like that was appropriate!
Ava instructs Simon to make sure the doors are secured and then settle in. He ends up sitting next to Grace because while everyone is curious about the Eathling and Eridian, no one actually wants to get too close yet.
Grace, still a little flushed from the impromptu workout and flirting, stares straight ahead trying to figure out how to apologize to the other man. He nearly leaps out of his seat as he feels Simon's foot graze the inside of his ankle and silently thanks the stars the lights are turned down for the projector, because he definitely looks like a tomato now.
Rocky chirps quietly at his increased heart rate, but Grace just pats the top of his xenonite suit instead of answering.
