[Back home, his weird "obsession" with his workout would be something inspired by boredom, or maybe (if he could find a willing victim), something spurred by "friendly" competition. Here, however, what started as a way to pass time has become something of a habit, an innocuous action turned into a coping mechanism and a nervous habit, even if he would say he's never nervous.
And maybe he hadn't been. Before Cerealia.
Now, he's a nervous wreck, breaking down at the edges, and desperately trying to hold it together before he starts to not feel like himself anymore. Each squat is another force of effort, something he can focus on as real.
He barely looks up, still going on like a madman as he talks (it's a learned skill).]
Everything okay?
[Because why wouldn't that be the first consideration?]
no subject
And maybe he hadn't been. Before Cerealia.
Now, he's a nervous wreck, breaking down at the edges, and desperately trying to hold it together before he starts to not feel like himself anymore. Each squat is another force of effort, something he can focus on as real.
He barely looks up, still going on like a madman as he talks (it's a learned skill).]
Everything okay?
[Because why wouldn't that be the first consideration?]