String to my heart ♪ Mark Lee

♪ 50

When did my small thoughts start?
Can I stay with you forever?
Other people's stories about us separating are unimaginable to me
At some point, they freeze me

♪

Mark stood under the stage lights, the empty arena surrounding him like a hollow shell.

The crew moved in the shadows, adjusting sound and light cues but the focus remained on him and the other members as they rehearsed for tomorrow's concert.

The music echoed through the vast space, filling the silence but the pounding rhythm only seemed to intensify the ache in his body.

His muscles were screaming. The relentless repetition of the choreography had left his legs trembling with each move, his lower back burned with every sharp twist and jump as the pain radiated like fire up his spine.

His chest tightened with each breath, the strain of singing and dancing simultaneously making it feel like he was constantly on the edge of collapse.

The song's final note echoed through the empty arena and the members hit their ending poses, their heavy breaths filling the silence.

Mark held his position, forcing his body to stay still despite the sharp pain in his back and the tremor in his legs.

As the music faded, he straightened raising a hand slightly.
"Break" he called out, his voice strained but steady.

He turned and walked to the side of the stage, sitting down on one of the crates near the edge. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

The other members exchanged glances, concern flickering across their faces despite their own exhaustion. They didn't say anything at first.

Jaemin was the first to approach, grabbing a bottle of water and handing it to Mark as he sat beside him.

"You good?" Jaemin asked quietly, crouching beside Mark as his own chest heaving as he tried to catch his own breath. His eyes scanned Mark's face, searching for signs of anything serious.

Mark nodded as he unscrewing the bottle cap with trembling hands and takes a sip of water.
"Just... A little sore in my back" Mark admitted, his voice low as he tried not to draw attention to himself.

Jeno walked over with his brows furrowed as he knelt down in front of Mark, resting his arms on his knees.
"Are you sure? You've been moving stiff."

"I'm fine" Mark said, forcing a small convincing smile.
"It's nothing serious, just tight muscles I think."

Chenle who had been stretching a few steps away sauntered over and crouched down to Mark's level. Without hesitation, he reached out to ruffle Mark's damp hair.
"This is why you should take care of yourself like me" he said with a teasing grin in his face.
"My son is still a child, what am I going to do with you huh?"

Mark let out a weak laugh, swatting at Chenle's hand but lacking the energy to really stop him.

Jisung dropped down onto the floor nearby, groaning dramatically as he stretched out his long legs.
"I'm hungry" he announced, his voice cutting through like a whine.

"Don't remind me of food please" Haechan groaned from across the stage, flopping onto his back as if he just finished a marathon.
"If I start thinking about food, I'm never getting through the next set of practice."

Jaemin rolled his eyes but smiled as he stood back up. His cheerful tone back.
"You guys are hopeless, let's focus on surviving rehearsal first then we can eat."