By Your Side

Chan blinked slowly.

The first thing he noticed was how great he felt. The pain he sensed previously had completely disappeared.

He groaned softly when another pain slowly ached his muscles and the back of his head.

He tried to sit, only to find himself struggling to just lift his head. His body weighed so heavily on the floor that he couldn't find the strength to really move. He sighed a bit, now completely lucid and finally understood what happened to him.

He fainted.

And looking around, the staircase just in front of him plus the pain on his back, he understood he fainted and fell off the stairs, surely hitting his head on every step and explaining the small bump he had.

He waited a bit before trying again to sit, leaning his back against the wall and trying to process his situation.

Without a second thought, he took out his phone, looking at the time. He remembered leaving the practice room to go to the restroom at ten.

Approximately five minutes had passed, which meant he didn't faint for too long.

He let out another sigh, more of relief, slowly standing up. The kids didn't need to know, he clearly fainted because he forgot to eat, and their practice had gone longer than usual. And maybe because he hadn't really slept those last days.

He didn't feel anything terrible, his body was aching as if he had a rough workout and his head hurt a bit, but nothing too bothering. Other than that, he was fine.

He nodded at himself when he was sure he wasn't going to pass out again, walking upstairs and decided to eat something from one of the vending machines. He wondered if the kids were hungry and decided to buy them some snacks.

Walking back into the practice room, they were all sprawled on the floor, using their phone or just trying to rest. He couldn't help but smile fondly.

"I got some food," He spoke, everyone looking at him and almost jumping on him.

"My favorite !" Jisung yelled as he took a bag of cookies, opened it and ate one with a grin, "thanks hyung !"

Chan grinned while the others were busy opening all the bags, eating with happy smiles, "Anything for you," he replied softly because it was true. He would do anything for them.

They always told him he wore his heart on his sleeve and they were right, especially when it was about his family. Just seeing them smile and laugh together eased him and in those moments he would just forget about his struggles and worries.

He loved them too much.

"Time for practice !" Minho yelled.

Practice had been harder, his muscles burning in agony and the pain from his fall was not helping either. His movements were a bit more restrained, not wanting to feel the annoying pain pulling him back.

He hoped no one noticed, but of course, under the scrutinizing gaze of Minho he hadn't any chance.

"Hyung, something's wrong ?"

Chan smiled, shaking his head, "Nah, I think I'm just tired," he answered, half honestly, he was tired. But they didn't need to know the real reason.

Minho nodded with a frown, Chan didn't like it at all, Minho was better with always a smile on his face and his typical teasing trait, "We just have a few songs to do, think you can try harder ? Your moves were a bit shallow."

Chan nodded, too bad for his muscles begging for some rest. "Yeah, sorry."

They all got back in position before Minho turned on the music, and they all fell silent as they danced, only small pants and groans and sometimes loud cheering to hype up everyone could be heard with the music.