"No, you're not actually doing a push-up at all," Wonho said, laughing as Hyungwon struggled to do something in the approximation of a push-up (which looked more like he was picking a fight with the floor). "You need to bend your arms at the elbow and actually...you know...push up."
"I don't think I have enough arm strength," Hyungwon muttered, defeated, as he collapsed on the floor.
"You have to work up your strength a little every day," Wonho said with a sympathetic smile, rubbing Hyungwon's back in circles. "I'll help you out, okay?"
"Fine," Hyungwon muttered. "I'll do your stupid push-ups."
"And sit-ups," Wonho added. "And some planks, maybe some leg lifts-"
"No?" Hyungwon tried, but Wonho just smacked him lightly on the back.
"Yep! You're my new workout buddy from now on, okay? You keep me honest about my workout schedule and I'll help you start building up muscle mass."
Hyungwon blew out a breathy laugh. He didn't believe that Wonho needed anyone to convince him to work out. He seemed very dedicated. "Fine," Hyungwon said, not because he enjoyed doing push-ups, but because it gave him an excuse to work on their friendship. And besides, hadn't Dr. Irving told him that a healthy body was important for a healthy mind or something like that?
And maybe if I start working out, I'll tire myself out more so I won't dream.
"Just be ready to catch me if I pass out," Hyungwon said, not looking forward to the prospect of working out each night.
Wonho just laughed, sounding anxious. "Of course I'll catch you. I'm a personal trainer. 100%, definitely will catch. You can count on me."
Kihyun entered the room, giving them each a strange look. He'd just come from his shower, and his hair was still wet, water droplets hitting the ground as he paused. "What's going on?"
Wonho grinned up at Kihyun, already having forgotten how cold Kihyun had been to him earlier. "Workout session! C'mon, join us!"
"No."
"All right, we tried," Wonho said easily, and Hyungwon gave him an exasperated look.
"You wouldn't shut up until I agreed to do your stupid push-ups, and he gets off easy with just a simple no?"
Wonho grinned, guilty. "Look at the time, gotta change into my pajamas."
Hyungwon huffed, and Kihyun sat down on his bed, keeping an eye on Hyungwon as the taller quickly changed as well, sitting down on his own bed.
"Feeling all right?" Kihyun asked. It was a general question, about Hyungwon passing out earlier, but also a more specific question as to whether Hyungwon felt all right about going to sleep.
Hyungwon bit his lip. "I'll be fine," he said, laying down.
"Don't worry," Kihyun said, laying down in his own bed. "I won't let you die in the middle of the night."
"Okay. Thanks."
"Mmhm."
Kihyun remained quiet. He had his right arm behind his head and his left hand held up, blocking the light from the ceiling. He stared at the jagged scar running across his palm like some twisted palm line meant to divine his future. The scar was thick and ropy, having healed a long time ago, but not so long ago that the event had faded in Kihyun's memory. He wondered what sort of future the scar would predict. Violence? Trauma? Pain?
"Good night, Kihyun," Hyungwon said softly from the other side of the room.
The lights went out, and Kihyun lost sight of his left hand.
