⁺◦ 𝔥𝔬𝔱 | 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 .

↳ 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐨 .

seeing chan enter the studio with crutches and a bandaged knee knocks the breath right out of you. there's something about seeing him in a weakened state that leaves you feeling nauseous.

suddenly, the ability to tie your pointe shoes has escaped you entirely. no matter how many times you try, all you can do is fumble the ribbon over and over.

embarrassment sets out on a mission to color your cheeks the subtlest shade of red. you feel the heat rush to your face all in an instant. you're hoping, praying, even, that no one's noticed.

how long is this rehearsal supposed to last for? you wonder, but you're really wondering how long you'll have to be cooped up in this room with chan, minghao, and ms. kim.

you look up through long eyelashes, trying to focus on the clock that sits faithfully above the ginormous mirror. instead of catching a glimpse of the small machine, a pair of brown eyes bore into your own.

"you know," chan starts, then takes the ribbons in his hands. "you've always been bad at tying your shoes. i actually think you're worse at it now than when we were kids."

only when he's finished tying your shoes does he move his hands away from you. as insane as it sounds, you've lost all of your vocabulary. you have no clue what to say to chan because nothing's the same anymore.

then, there's this feeling of urgency that gives you all of the knowledge of language that you need to scold chan. "what are you doing here? aren't you supposed to be in the hospital? why aren't you following the doctor's orders? chan, do you know how unsafe it is to go against what the doctor says?"

chan's eyes pass over your face, then he explains why he's here. "(y/n), the doctor was the one who signed the papers for my release. the doctor was also the person who told me that getting out of the house and staying active is good for me. so, technically, i am following the doctor's orders."

"chan, i'm-"

he pulls you into a hug and your body folds in his arms. you're left with no other option but to let chan keep you from becoming a puddle of sadness.

"stop apologizing for something that isn't your fault, (y/n)." chan has a way with words that's indescribably impressive, but not even his words can make the nauseous feeling that you feel go away.

ever since you've become friends with him, you've brought nothing but trouble into his life.

he would be better off without me in his life, wouldn't he? the thought runs through your brain so quickly that you can't even fight against it.

after some time passes with chan holding you together, the thought doesn't subside. the thought grows, multiplying into many thoughts that make you think that your friendship with chan should come to an end sometime soon.

"enough with all of the hugging, we should probably start rehearsing now." minghao says smoothly.

you glare at minghao as if looks could kill, but you know that he's right. now that you think of it, you should probably start distancing yourself from chan.

who am i kidding? there's no way that i could ever get used to not being his best friend. no amount of distancing can make me feel ready to leave him behind.

"you don't have to listen to him if you don't-"

"no, he's right." you startle because you realize that you're agreeing with minghao for the first time ever. "we should start rehearsal."

"(y/n)," chan calls your name, while you untangle his arms from your waist.

you hop up, suddenly eager to start rehearsal.