𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅𝒔 - 𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓰

𝓒𝓱; 86 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰

"How many times do you have to return to the hospital?" Chan asked after he and Minho came to pick up his medications, carrying a plastic bag in his hand, within it, a few pre-scribed boxes of pills. They strolled through the past familiar white halls, knowing this maze on the palm of their hands by now. Minho kept his eyes on the lookout for the room he had to be in. "They have to track my recovery process, so I only have to return here for regular check-ups." 

Minho's returning to the dance scene had to be with the help of his physiotherapist, and, of course, the people around him for a safe recovery. So far, that went with no problem. After his check-up, he and Chan planned on visiting the studio. 

"Hello, Minho," his therapist greeted, welcoming them in. "If it is okay for you, you may sit down over there." She motioned to some space in the room for Minho as Chan took place on one of the seats, placing the bag down beside the chair.  

She walked back in, a clipboard in hand and a few scans in her hand while she looked over them briefly. "You are recovering very well," she exclaimed. "But that does not mean to put too much pressure on your body just yet. I advise you to take things easy with your practices so your spine heals well as well as your legs." 

"Thank you, ma'am." Minho thanked her while he stood up from his place, curling his hand around his jacket, and taking it along with him. Chan got up from his seat as well, Minho waiting for him at the door. 

Though it was only mid-way Autumn, clouds from their mouths escaped into the sky, the rustling of a convenience store-like bag accompanying them on their walk to the studio with an occasional conversation here and there, otherwise in relative silence, until the building appeared in the distance, peeking above the other buildings surrounding the area. 

Minho joined Chan in trying to push open the heavy door as it was too rusty at the edges for one man alone to open, having to lean their bodies against it for it to budge this time. It may sound strange, but Minho loved it. This is how it has always been. It's how things were supposed to go. And he missed it. He felt like he had missed a part of his life. Now, he is slowly regaining back that all over again. His life. 

"The group is joining us today," Hyunjin filled in from his stance by the boxes, fixing the sound, upon Minho and Chan entering the studio. "How was your check-up?" the taller continued. "It was fine. She told me not to pressure myself too much, and that I am recovering well." 

"Good." Hyunjin nodded. 

Soon people flooded in one by one, creating a bustling atmosphere in the studio room. Minho had received a few surprised and welcoming notes from the others upon seeing him for the first time after a long while. And after him having socialized with them, everyone turned to their own spot, waiting for the teacher to start her speech. 

Jisung and Chan sat in the back, watching all of the dancers. 

Minho had begun to go back to the original level he had when gaining back his skills, dancing with just as much intensity as he did before. Jisung could see it. He had even turned to train with Hyunjin alone beside the group practice. And with every fall, he had chosen to stand back up again, trying until he got it right. 

It has been a few months since the case and it still roamed clear in the back of Minho's head. He reminisced it every time when looking at his reflection. It is a moment his thoughts took control as his parents' words remained loud enough in his mind. "I hope you are happy." his mother had snarled that at the end of the hearing before she got dragged away with a few officers. Both he and Jisung had been called to court to speak. 

"Minho.. what if I can't do this?" Jisung failed to catch his breath. It stopped somewhere in his throat to the point he felt light in his head. Minho squeezed Jisung's hand, holding onto it, not thinking of letting go any time soon for that matter. 

Yes, he himself felt terrified as well, but it didn't help for him to also start panicking now that they stood in front of the tall doors that would probably decide their future. "We can't go back now, Love," Minho spoke in some courage. "Besides, you are not alone in this." He pointed to their hands. "I'll be holding your hand like this the entire time." 

"We just have to speak the truth, Jisung. We are speaking the truth. They can not go against that." 

They met with Jisung's family in the court upon pushing open the tall doors, sitting down a few seats apart from them. On the other side of the room sat Seungmin, Felix, Chan, and Hyunjin. Everyone was there. They all had decided to come here on their own accord. If it meant they could help their friends and support them, they would go through everything. Ms. Hwang and Mr. Hwang sat down in front of the courtroom, close to their clients. Hyunjin's family had chosen to be in charge of both Minho's and Jisung's cases as their lawyers which Minho would be grateful for to Hyunjin for the rest of his life. If he hadn't acted on his own back then, they wouldn't have had so much support right now. He cast Hyunjin one glance from the other side, Hyunjin giving him a reassuring nod. 

Of course, Minho couldn't miss the glares of his parents, lowering his head in response. Jisung's father folded his hand into a fist, glowering at Jisung and Irene to which Jisung had begun to stare down at the cuticles around his nails, biting at his lip while his eyes flickered across the room. The only thing that held him out of that state was the sudden touch on his hand. Jisung turned to look. 

There, Minho stared out in front of him, his hand laced on top of Jisung's, sparing him no glance. But the touch was enough for Jisung to calm down, and a weak smile to appear on his face. 

As the courtroom emptied, Minho and Jisung stood up, their friends also rising from their place, the shuffling of footsteps echoing through the space, and the doors closed behind them. Outside everyone met with each other, taking each other in for hugs, and speaking encouraging words to each other. Jisu approached Jisung, wrapping her arms around her son. "I am so proud of you, Ji." 

She unclasped her arms, turning herself to Minho. "I am so proud of you as well, Minho. You're very strong." 

"Everyone did well," Hyunjin remarked, patting them on the shoulder. "Thank you for letting your family be our lawyers." Minho stared into his friend's eyes. "I mean it." 

"I know you do. Luckily, my parents wanted to help." 

"They are closing the court soon. Let's go," Seungmin announced, earning a nod or hum in agreement from the others as everyone prepared to go home. Felix placed his hands on Jisung's shoulders, giving them a little squeeze. "Let's go. You did well today, Ji." 

"Thanks, Lix." Jisung placed a hand on top of his friend's. 

"How long will it take 'till the next hearing?" Chan asked his boyfriend upon appearing at his side. "It depends on if the evidence is clear enough, the weight of the crimes and damage they have committed. Judging from that, I don't think it will take much time." 

Hyunjin looked back at the rest, following behind them, chatting, and walking with hooked arms. "I just hope it won't end up to our disadvantage.." 

Even if it has been a few months, the matter still tugged at the back of their minds, roaming and causing a sense of anxiety to ignite within each and everyone in a different way. All they could do was wait, and try to continue with their lives.