CONTENT WARNING: This story contains elements of non-consent/reluctance, blackmail, prostitution, and more. Do not read this if you are uncomfortable.
***
DING
Damn, another notification! I've gotten too many today to count! I guess it shouldn't be a surprise though....
DING
I check Instagram and see 5 more "heart eye emojis" under my latest post. As a fitness influencer I should be excited, but this just doesn't feel right.... My old content never got a fraction of this interaction, but that's because I hadn't taken off my shirt yet.....
I tried to start my influencer "career" as a personal trainer but soon found shirtless pics get way more likes. To my discomfort though, with this surge in engagement came a new follower demographic: gay men. Now I have nothing against homosexuals, but as a straight guy myself it's a little weird to see all these dudes thirsting over me.
DING
This time it's a drooling emoji to a video of me bench pressing. A strange shiver shoots up my spine as I try to wrap my head around being desired by people I'm not attracted to. But even as weird as it all is, I have to admit the attention is nice, plus who can deny all these likes?? A dozen brands have reached out for sponsored content just this week! That's more than I got all last year! So yeah, it's not the ideal situation but I can't complain.
DING
DING
DING
DING
DING
One thing that does creep me out though is the messages I receive. You wouldn't believe the nasty things these guys send. And the dick pics, God! So many dick pics!! An endless stream the second I took off my shirt. There are a few guys who aren't too bad though--ones who pay for my workout plans or just aren't as gross. One follower in particular, GreyBear72, tells me every day I'm the most beautiful boy he's ever seen. He really gasses me up and I'd be lying if I said it doesn't get to my head.
DING
"Your pecs look perfect in that last post."
Speak of the devil, it's my reply guy. I click on GreyBear's profile and swipe through his pics again. There's a few of old ones of him in the military but most are recent at the gym. He's probably over 50 but clearly still works out, and with how big his arms are I wouldn't be surprised if he's on steroids. He's tall, looks tough, definitely not the kind of guy I'd clock as gay. Hell, he seems nice enough, and I'm trying to grow my personal brand, right? Why don't I finally respond?
"Thanks man!" I write back.
There, quick and simple, just enough to keep him interested. I've been watching videos on how to cultivate an audience and realize I need to be proactive, even if it's uncomfortable..... Another week of shirtless content and my strategy seems to be working a little too well. My comments and DMs are flooded.
"OMG you're so sexy!"
"I wanna touch you all over!"
"Jesus fucking Christ!"
It's weird to get all this attention from horny males but I simply can't ignore their engagement. Besides, it's not like I'm gay so who cares! I'm making money, that's all that matters. And what better way to boost my likes than to post my number one request: squats. My followers have been begging but I've held off, feeling like it's a step too far. I've seen other gym bros post "butt content" and now that's all they do. I refuse to pigeonhole myself into being a booty influencer, but fuck.... I know it'll send me into the stratosphere.
The video I ultimately decide on feels rather innocuous, just a self-recorded clip of me squatting in basketball shorts, but I never could've expected the response. Within minutes my phone feels like it's going to explode! The likes, comments, shares, follows and DMs won't stop! Emoji after emoji of hearts, tongues, peaches, and eggplants. I realize a popular gay account reposted me, and while that makes me cringe my follower count just hit 50K! Holy shit! Is this the power of the butt???? Out of the hundreds of messages I'm receiving, I notice one from my most devoted follower.
"That is undeniably the hottest video I've ever seen. I mean it. Your ass is literally perfect."
I blush pink and wonder whether or not I should reply. Am I going too far...? Ugh, but this guy's been here since the beginning, I can throw him a bone.
"Haha, thank you! Wasn't sure if you guys would like it or not!"
"We both know that's not true," GreyBear replies with a wink. "You know exactly what you're doing."
My face gets even redder and I quickly quit the app. I put my phone down for a few hours and am still buzzing when I check it later.
"Holy fuck....!"
It just doesn't stop! I've already gained another 5 thousand followers and my likes are through the fucking roof! Reading my DMs though, I start to feel queasy.
"I need to rail that big ass!"
"Let me spread those cheeks and pound you out!"
"I'm gonna send you home leaking!"
Jesus! I've never read anything this lewd, and all directed at me! Not to mention whatever they say to each other when they share the video. Thousands of men talking about my ass......
GULP. "What the fuck did I do...."
Something's telling me I should probably google myself. Strangely, the first thing that pops up is a thread on a gay men's forum. I see they have threads on hundreds of Instagram "models", discussing every inch of our bodies and what they'd do to us. Mine is particularly graphic.
"Did you see the little slut finally squatted today? He must really want it."
"Oh please, he's straight. He's just milking us for likes."
"I really don't give a shit. He can milk me all day!"
I go all the way back to the first page and see some of these guys have been tracking me since the start.
"His arms are so perfect, I can't wait til he takes his shirt off."