Saviors

2

   Jihoon swayed in his standing position and closed his eyes. Little beads of sweat trickled down the sides of his head, dampening his black hair. The only sound in the practice room was the sound of heavy breathing. Jihoon's  eyes fluttered open and he glanced around at his members surrounding him. They were all laying on the cool, wooden floor.

   "Jihoon? You okay there? You look a little dizzy."

   "I'm fine Jisoo Hyung." Jihoon delicately stepped around his tired members and walked to the computer plugged into the speaker. He replayed the song and began dancing again, in the middle of the circle left by the bodies of his members. I need to practice some more, I don't want to hold back the group.

   "Jihoon, you should take a breather, relax a bit. You've been practicing twice as much as any other member. You need to take it easy." Seungcheol told him. He stopped dancing, the voices from the song filling up the practice room. Jihoon turned off the music and sat gingerly on the cold practice room floor, rubbing his sore muscles. He looked down at his hands that were fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Jihoon's hair fell in front of his face and covered his eyes. He looked up at Seungcheol and mumbled sadly,

   "I don't want to hold back the group. Dancing isn't my strong point."

   "Hold us back?" Jihoon lowered his head, sure that he was going to get yelled at because they thought he just said that to get attention, "you have grown the most out of all of us in dancing. You came here knowing nothing about dance, I should know, I've been with you from the beginning. Don't say that you will hold us back." Jihoon bit his lip, now in an awkward situation. He didn't want to argue with Seungcheol but he was afraid that everyone thought he was fishing for compliments. He didn't like being praised. He didn't know how to accept it without seeming conceited. Jihoon buried his head in his hands, embarrassed and uncomfortable. But hearing that just strengthened his resolve. His resolve to not disappoint anyone. He started to push himself up but was met by a large hand on his shoulder, pushing him down.

   "Nuh uh, mister. You sit your butt back down." He said in a fatherly, yet playful tone.

   "Alright Seungcheol Hyung."

   "Why so serious Jihoon? Lighten up a little bit." Jeonghan pushed his shoulder playfully. A couple of people chuckled a bit and Jihoon blushed. They took a ten minute break to eat their minuscule lunches then went back to practicing. They practiced another ten or so hours, only stopping for little breaks, until Seungcheol finally turned of the music. He fell into the floor dramatically, where most of the members were already resting. Once again, Jihoon was the last one standing.

"We should go home soon." Seungcheol huffed out. There was a chorus of tired 'yeahs' and a few members sat up. Seungcheol suddenly looked at Jihoon. "Will you be coming home with us?"

"No, I still need to work on our songs." Seungcheol sighed.

"When will you be coming home?" Jihoon looked at the clock, which read 10:09.

"Two-ish? Three-ish? Sometime around then."

"Do you want someone to stay back with you? Maybe give you a second opinion?" Seungcheol asked while looking around the room for volunteers. The members just gave him tired looks, none of them wanting to stay behind for another couple of hours. Only Soonyoung, who was behind Jihoon, still looked energetic. He wants someone to stay behind and actually listen to my songs?! They aren't ready yet and no one even wants to stay behind with me.

"But they aren't good yet!" He blurted out.

"I'm sure they're fine." Jisoo said reassuringly. Jihoon still looked shocked at the thought of it and shook his head vigorously.

"Then let someone at least bring you some food."

"I'll eat when I'm home."

"Fine." With him winning the argument so easily, Jihoon wasn't actually sure that he won. It was just like Seungcheol to say something then do the exact opposite. Seungcheol stood up. "Alright, let's leave Jihoon alone to work his magic."

"It isn't magic."

"Sure, little fairy." A couple members teased, meaning well. Jihoon gave them a little glare. It was just like them to tease Jihoon just because he was the shortest and not even the youngest. The members said their goodbyes and filed out of the practice room. Soonyoung stopped and gave Jihoon a lopsided smile.

"Come home soon!" He sang cutely, then waved goodbye and left. Immediately Jihoon let out a sigh he didn't know he was holding. It wore on his nerves, being around so many energetic boys at once. They weren't energetic though, at the end of the day. Jihoon gave a little yawn and shuffled into his studio, ready to submit himself to several hours of more work. He sat heavily in the office chair that was in the room and pulled out some headphones, a piece of paper, and a pencil. Then he turned on the music and got immersed in his work.

Only about fifteen minutes had passed before there was a quiet knock on the door. He didn't hear it through his headphones and the knock came again, louder. Jihoon pushed the headphones onto his neck.

"Come in." He called quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful mood he was in. The door opened slightly and Wonwoo slipped inside, holding a grocery bag. Jihoon gave a tiny bow that Wonwoo barely returned. Under the elder boy's eyes were black bags, making him look like a racoon. Jihoon's stomach clenched at the slightly annoyed look on his face.

"Mianhaeyo." Jihoon mumbled, looking down. His throat felt tight. This was exactly what he wanted to avoid. To become a burden. Wonwoo must be annoyed with him for being so needy. For keeping him from his sleep.

"Eh? What do you mean?" Wonwoo sounded shocked. Jihoon clenched his jaw. I don't want to be seen as weak.

"Nothing Hyung, don't mind me." Wonwoo gave him a confused look but set down the still warm bag of takeout. They said their goodbyes and Wonwoo left, shutting the door quietly behind him. Jihoon stared at the bag of takeout food and contemplated how he acted. Am I being to weak? Do they think they need to take care of me? I am acting like a child. I should distance myself from the problem. The problem being them. And with that thought he quickly ate the takeout as to not seem wasteful, even though he wasn't hungry. He then continued working, his mind elsewhere.