The dancers stood at their positions and waited for the pounding music to lighten the speakers. A tall figured male walked over to the music player and plugged in his phone. Once it was plugged in, he pressed play and raised the volume a bit higher. He turned his back to the station and viewed those who were waiting.

“Remember, follow the music and feel the beat. First move, right hand up and move it down. You’re tapping your feet to the ground like you’re walking. With this, turn the body a bit forward.” He practically yelled to be heard over the loud music. The dancers nodded their heads and faced the mirrored wall. The tension in the room kept rising and the temperature reached to its max.

The dance was getting harder and harder. Each beat that skipped, a mistake would be made. A guilty look would be plastered over the dancer’s face and it was obvious. To learn a new dance was hard, but not learning to continue after a mistake would be harder. However, the dance was cleaner after ten redoes. The choreographer looked at the time displayed on the wall and sighed.

“They’re still not here. We’ll do it one more time and you guys can go.” He replayed the track one last time.

“We’re late to practice. Hurry up and get in the car!” Doojoon buckled his seatbelt and looked out the passenger’s window. The other members weren’t in a rush and rather took their time leaving the apartment.

“Late by only a few minutes.” Junhyung stated.

“We practically stayed up all day yesterday, hyung.” Dongwoon opened the car door and sat in the front.

“We have been practicing the dance for a week now. Today is the last day so why don’t we take it easy?” Yoseob rubbed his hand on Doojoon’s shoulder which created warmth.

“Even if it’s just practice I want to make the fans happy about our hard work.” The engine started and the car began to move down the driveway.

“They know we are hard workers. If they tell us to take breaks it means we’re being too extreme to the point where we might die.” Yoseob replied to Doojoon’s statement. Doojoon eyed Yoseob through the rear view mirror and huffed at him.

He was right.

The door to the practice room opened and their new release song played softly in the background. The group went in and greeted the choreographer.

“Finally, you guys are here." He smiled at them and walked over to the speakers. “Shall we get right to it?”

One two three. One two three.

Each step that was made, a number would be said. Counting numbers was an easier trick to follow the notes of the song. The day was disappearing as the sun lowered itself. The boys were still practicing and putting in confidence with their dance.

“I can’t get this part right." Hyunseung stood still and stared at himself in the mirror. He sighed and watched as the others moved swiftly to the music. He was struggling, but he didn't want to show it.

As the next day got closer, the members decided to get some rest. With their upcoming performance tomorrow, they had to get enough energy saved up. The group separated and went out the door one by one except for Hyunseung. Junhyung noticed him just standing there exhausted.

“Seung, let’s go home now.” Junhyung held his bag in his hand and spoke with a soft voice. Hyunseung’s breathing was heavy and he looked at Junhyung as sweat rolled down his forehead.

“I’ll go home later. I want to practice a bit more.” Hyunseung walked over to the radio quickly.

“Okay, but don’t push yourself too much.” Junhyung assured Hyunseung that he was okay with it, but he was frowning in the inside. He was afraid that Hyunseung would overwork himself and exert a lot of exhaustion. Junhyung was soon out the door after Hyunseung nodded in response. The song played for the thousandth time and Hyunseung positioned himself between the line of the mirrors.

Hours of hard work was put into the routine, yet he was still getting frustrated. Each time he started over, he would put more strength and power into it. Hyunseung listened to Junhyung’s words, but he couldn’t help but to push himself more and more until he was fatigued. Their comeback meant so much to him and he wanted it to be perfect. However, something accidental happened that changed everything. Possibly his dancing.

His feet moved to the rhythm, but it was too fast to catch up. His feet tangled themselves together and he tried to support his fall but failed to. His knee touched the ground and he felt a minor pain in his ankle. The pain grew worse to a point where Hyunseung couldn’t feel them anymore.

“Agh!” Hyunseung laid on the floor and hid his eyes behind his forearm. The pain was rising. He steadied himself up, but it took him more than ten minutes just to stand up right. He needed to hold something for support, but he could only use his arms.

“I should stop before it gets worse.” Hyunseung shut his eyes tightly as he made his way across the room. He turned off the music and turned off the lights. His home and bed was waiting for him anyways.

5:24 PM

Everyone sat down and watched as the makeup artists touched up their concealer and foundation. Hyunseung kept wincing in pain everytime he moved his leg. He didn’t tell the others about his injury because he knew they wouldn’t allow him to perform.

“Why, why you leave me alone baby. I’m still loving you.” Yoseob was warming up his vocals and trying to remember the meaningful lyrics. He moved his hands to raise his voice at the right pitch. The time was coming and the fans’ scorching screams could be heard throughout the auditorium.

Junhyung put on his leather printed jacket and looked in the mirror. He could see Hyunseung in the back smiling at him and it made his cheeks warm up. He moved next to Hyunseung and noticed he was having trouble getting out of the chair.

“Are you okay?” Junhyung lended his hand for support and Hyunseung quickly grabbed it. The others looked over and showed concern.

“Y-yeah, my leg fell asleep.” Hyunseung felt guilty for lying, but he didn’t want Junhyung or the other members to worry. He especially didn't want to be told that he couldn't stand on stage anymore. Je didn’t want to throw away all that hard working practice just to quit.

“Alright, you guys are up.” One of the staffs working backstage led the boys to the stage and queued them when it was the right time to start their performance. When the audience settled down with their pounding hearts, they stepped on the stairs and walked out. That’s when the song started to play.

Hyunseung’s frustrations were starting and his heart wouldn’t stop beating fast. Every step that he made, he would panic and think that he made a mistake even though he didn’t. The part was coming closer. Hyunseung tried to slow down and not to stiffen his movements, but it was hard not to.

Stop.

Gasps were heard and some whispered an “oh no”. Hyunseung held his ankle tightly until it turned bright red. He was angry with himself. The others kept performing, but they were staring at him worriedly. The only performer that stopped was Junhyung. He walked over to the member that was sitting in pain on stage and grabbed his hand firmly.

“Let’s get you backstage.” Hyunseung looked over at the staff and noticed them gesturing him over.

He didn't want to stop.

He used Junhyung’s hand as support to get him standing again and looked at Junhyung.

“I don’t want to stop.” Hyunseung let go of Junhyung’s hands. His eyes were begging him for permission to continue. Junhyung knew how much this performance meant to him, it was quite hard to say no.

The performance overall–at least everyone was happy.

“I told you not to push yourself.” Junhyung placed an ice pack on the leg that was resting on a pillow. His voice was stern and it showed his annoyance. “You need to listen to my words, seriously.”

Hyunseung was silent. He watched Junhyung sigh every minute that passed and he couldn’t help but feel sorry. Of course, if he wasn’t standing on stage right when it was their comeback he would’ve felt like he let the whole team and the special fans down.

“I wanted to give it my all.” Hyunseung looked at his bandaged ankle.

“That’s one reason why I like you.” Junhyung coughed and looked straight ahead, trying to avoid eye contact with Hyunseung. He kind of felt like he made things awkward between them now.

“That was sudden.” Hyunseung’s cheeks were light pink. He could feel the color getting darker every second.

“D-do you want water?” Junhyung asked while he was still trying to avoid those pretty eyes.

“Y-yes please.” Junhyung got up from the couch and made his way to the kitchen. When he got out of Hyunseung’s view, that’s when he smiled all the way.

Moments later Junhyung came back with two glass cups in his hand. He handed one to Hyunseung and took a sip at the same time he did.

“You don’t really have to stay up this late, Junhyung.” Hyunseung looked at the clock that was ticking on the white wall.

11:04 PM

“If I go to sleep now, who is going to take care of you?” Junhyung eyed Hyunseung suspiciously. “Don’t say you are, you’re bad at it anyways.” He pointed at Hyunseung’s ankle and raised his eyebrows. Hyunseung felt flustered at his statement.

Junhyung chuckled and got up from the couch, “Let’s try to get you on your feet.”

Hyunseung watched as Junhyung extended his arm. He hesitantly accepted the hand that was in front of him and grabbed hold of it. When Junhyung pulled Hyunseung up, he lost balance and moved his foot backwards. This caused Hyunseung to lean against him and have his chest rest against Junhyung’s.

“Ah, sorry.” Junhyung lowered his hands to Hyunseung’s small waist and pushed him away from his body. His cheeks were heated and he turned his head the other direction.

Hyunseung laughed softly, “This is why I like you.”

Junhyung’s eyes widened and his smile took over his face.

“I like you more.” Junhyung looked at Hyunseung’s hazel eyes.

“I think your words made my ankle better.” Hyunseung buried his face at the crook of Junhyung’s neck. Junhyung could feel the air Hyunseung breathes in and out.

I will always be here for you. No matter what and I promise.
My hand will always help you stand tall. I'll be your support.