You sprinted through the airport, weaving between passengers, your breath heavy as you pushed forward. The gate was in sight—just a little farther. But as you reached it, you skidded to a stop, chest rising and falling rapidly.

DELAYED – 1 HOUR.

A mix of relief and frustration washed over you. With a sigh, you found a seat near the gate, pulled out your phone, and started scrolling aimlessly.

That’s when you noticed him.

Mariano Sori.

Even if you weren’t into rugby, it was impossible not to recognize him. At 7’8”, built like a tank, and with thighs that could crush boulders, he was a giant in more ways than one. His black graphic tee clung to his broad chest, and his thick legs stretched out in black shorts. A MacBook rested on one of his massive thigh as he was typing something, until he looked up.

His eyes met yours, and for a second, you froze. Then, he smiled. It was warm, kind, nothing like the intimidating force he was on the field.

You quickly looked away, pretending to be focused on your phone, but your heart was still racing. Not from the sprint—but from him.

A sudden announcement broke your thoughts. There was a seat upgrade available—for a surprisingly cheap price. Without hesitation, you went to the counter, paid for the upgrade, and returned to your seat, waiting for boarding to begin.

When the call finally came, Mariano was the first to stand. You followed soon after, stepping inside and searching for your new seat—only to find him sitting right there.

He looked up again, slightly surprised. “Oh, is this your seat?”

You nodded, and he immediately stood to let you through—only to hit his head on the low cabin ceiling with a quiet grunt. He crouched slightly, rubbing the spot before stepping aside.

Sliding into the window seat, you settled in as he carefully sat back down beside you. His legs already spread slightly, but it was clear even that wasn’t enough. He hesitated, then turned to you, his voice soft and shy.

“Mind if I spread my legs? It’s kinda cramped over here.”