"First to Fall"

The gym was nearly empty at this hour, the last of the evening sunlight streaming through the high windows, painting the weights and treadmills in gold. Alex—your March Aries boyfriend—was already there, of course. He always was. First to arrive, last to leave, pushing himself harder than anyone else.

You leaned against the doorframe, watching as he finished his last set of pull-ups, muscles flexing under the thin layer of sweat on his skin. His breathing was heavy, but his grin was sharp, victorious.

---

"Took you long enough," he called, dropping to the ground with effortless grace. His hazel eyes locked onto you, bright with challenge. "I was starting to think you chickened out."

You rolled your eyes, stepping fully into the room. "Or maybe I just don’t feel the need to sprint everywhere like a maniac."

Alex laughed, loud and unapologetic, before closing the distance between you in a few quick strides. His hands found your waist, pulling you in. Even now, breath still uneven from exertion, he radiated heat—like a furnace, like a wildfire contained in human skin.

"You love it," he murmured, voice low and teasing.

You did.

That was the problem.

Because Alex was relentless—in everything. In workouts, in arguments, in love. He didn’t do anything halfway. If he wanted something, he took it. If he loved someone, it was with his whole chest, no hesitation, no fear.

And right now, he wanted you.

His fingers traced your hip, thumb pressing into the dip of your waist. "Race you to the showers?"

You scoffed. "You’re exhausting."

His grin turned wolfish. "And you’re stalling."

Then, before you could protest, he took off—laughing as he sprinted down the hallway, leaving you no choice but to chase after him.

Because that was Alex.

Always first.

Always daring you to keep up.

And God help you, you always did.