>the gym was closed
>Mikey is disappointed
>working out is one of her favorite things to do with you
>she gives you a proper workout, and manages to make everyone else look weak at the same time
>but some pipe burst and flooded the place so now you're back home after a walk around the park for some light cardio
>"I do not like breaking this routine, Anon. You must take care of your health."
>you don't think missing one day at the gym is that bad
>but you can still get a little workout at home
>Mikey blinks
>then she narrows her eyes
>"what do you mean, Anon?"
>there's still body weight stuff
>Mikey scratches her chin and nods slowly
>"You are right Anon. We will do what we can at home. I will start."
>you shrug
>works for you
>but Mikey directs you to lie on the living room floor in front of her
>you thought she was going first
>"I am. Clasp your hands together over your chest."
>you do as Mikey says
>then in one hand she grabs your two hands clasped together
>and with the other reaches between your legs to grasp a thigh
>brown fur on bare skin
>you shiver
>then she hauls you up off the ground with a soft huff
>"You are quite light, Anon. I will simply have to perform extra reps until you have more muscle."
>you barely register what she's saying
>your entire body has gone rigid and you're trying to focus on not getting dropped to the floor
>Mikey uses you like a barbell to do arm curls
>then your stomach flips when she heaves you up over her head to do overhead lifts
>then she lowers you to the floor to do rows
>the whole time you're getting a core workout as you have to hold your body still as a post
>Mikey lets you down onto your feet, then lays on the floor herself
>she holds her arms up in a ready position
>"Last set, Anon. Lay back."
>she wants to bench press you
>you are certain you'll fall and crack your skull
>"I will not let you down. Until the first rep."
>Mikey giggles
>you roll your eyes at the joke
>and then fall back into her waiting hands
>Mikey holds you up
>one paw between your shoulders
>the other just below the small of your back
>you're sweating
>she lowers you down
>holds you there for a moment
>then heaves you back up
>down
>wait
>up
>down
>wait
>*sniffsniffsniff*
>up
>you blink
>you must be imagining things
>Mikey does several more reps
>some of them take a little longer than others
>finally she finishes with one last burst of reps
>then Mikey turns and lets you down
>you clamber to your feet with a little effort
>your muscles are sore from just being used as a barbell
>Mikey is on her feet with a sweep of her wings
>she's smiling even more than usual after a workout
>you'd almost think she enjoys manhandling you
>"Why yes, I do, Anon. I always enjoying being close with you."
>there's a slight blush to her cheeks, but she still smiles proudly
>"Please, would you fetch us some water?"
>you nod and go into the kitchen
>by habit you pull open the fridge and look inside
>and a pang of craving hits you
>but you only have bottles of water in there
>nothing else
>not today
>you grab two bottles and return to Mikey
>she takes one and drinks deeply
>finishing with a sigh, Mikey smiles up at you
>"Very well. Now it is time for your workout."
>Mikey lays down on the floor in front of you
>you go to pick her up when she stops you
>"Hm. You are already used to lifting me. Let me add some weight."
>in a flash she's clad in armor
>full plate from head to toe
>only her ears are uncovered by gleaming golden with royal blue trim
>you try to keep your hands from shaking
>though you can't keep your palms from sweating
>when you grasp a thigh and clasped hand to lift Mikey
>you heave and she doesn't move
>"Try again. Remember to keep your back straight. Use your legs."
>you follow Mikey's advice
>and lift with all your might
>still nothing
>it's like trying to move a slab of solid iron
>Mikey coos
>"I apologize, Anon. Perhaps something more sixteenth century."
>there's another flash
>the full plate is gone, and now she just has a cuirass of polished steel covering her torso
>"That should be enough for you. You may proceed."
>you take her again
>feeling her thigh through her robe
>and her soft fluffy hands clasped around yours
>and lift
>she's heavy still
>but not impossible this time
>Mikey runs you through the same exercises she did
>first the curls
>only she manages to ambush you with a romantic gesture
>every time you lift her up she gives you a kiss on the cheek
>and every time you lower her she giggles
>then over your shoulders for squats
>Mikey whispers encouragement to you while her whiskers tickle your ear
>"Keep it up, Anon. Keep it up!"
>and with the overhead lifts her ears brush against your hair
>you set Mikey down for the bench press
>it's easier for her to get in position, fluttering her wings as she falls back into your waiting hands
>focus
>this is a workout
>you bring her down
>then push her up
>down
>up
>you're strong
>stronger than before
>not as strong as Mikey
>but strong enough to finish this
>by the end of the set your arms are trembling from the effort
>you hoist Mikey into the air one last time and then go limp
>Mikey flutters in the air
>"Well done Anon! Your personal best!"
>you give her a tired thumbs up
>feels like your arms are spaghetti
>"Good work deserves a reward."
>Mikey swoops down
>her arms slip under you, and you're lifted in a bridal carry
>all you can do is throw a lazy arm around her shoulders
>usually you're the one that's carrying her when she gets home from her work
>"Did you think I couldn't lift you so easily, Anon? If you like, I could do this for you more often."
>you'll have to think on that
>you think she just wants more chances to carry you around
>"Perhaps."
>Mikey flits you to your bedroom
>she lays you down on the bed so your head rests on her crossed legs
>"I seem to recall you enjoyed resting like this. Let me hold you a while, Anon. Then you should shower."
>you lie there a while and Mikey strokes your hair
>you promise to brush her fur in return
>but for now you're too exhausted to lift a finger
>"Not to worry, Anon. Every day we get a little stronger. Tomorrow we'll work legs so your arms are able to brush."