Run into Sin | Jikook

⋆Part 16⋆

Dance practice ends up extending longer than usual today. Even when the night falls upon them and most of the students have retreated back to the comfort of their homes, Jeongguk's still practising.
The studio's lights are dimmed, adjusting to the darkness of outside. Hoseok's taken a recess to grab dinner for them from the local takeaway down the road, claiming he won't be longer than twenty minutes. Jeongguk's stomach rumbles from the lack of nutrients and calories but he forces himself through the routine.

As the performance draws closer, Hoseok grows more and more brutal with their timetable. He expects the utmost perfection from Jeongguk and doesn't accept anything less. He doesn't let up on Jeongguk, or himself, as they practice hours upon hours. They run through each step repeatedly, attempting to synchronise flawlessly.

Jeongguk feels lethargic. His bones feel heavier than his body can handle, weighing him down with faintness that threatens to overtake him. He's his own worst critic, though. He'll never give himself a break even if he deserves one, always pushing himself to be better.

When Hoseok slips into the studio with two bags full of takeaway boxes and notices Jeongguk's body swiftly moving to the slow, sensual song they're meant to perform - he clicks his tongue.

He walks over the stereo, turning it off and fixing Jeongguk with a motherly, disappointed look.

"You're going to drop if you overwork yourself like this," Hoseok's scolds, voice tingled with firmness but also concern. He sighs as he sits down, patting the space besides him.

"I'm tough, hyung. I can handle it."

Nonetheless, Jeongguk does accept the food. As much as he wants to restrict to ensure he has an impeccable body for the performance, he knows he has to make up for the calories he's burnt from hours of exercise. He sits down besides his older friend, crossing his legs and begins to dig in.

"I know you can. Otherwise you wouldn't be here."

"True."

Hoseok's blind faith in him makes him believe, too.

He had arrived at the dance academy with limited skills to show but a burning desire that emanated off him. Everyone could see it. Everyone could recognise it. Jeongguk had a skill so intricate, so carefully devised within him that he had been storing away to prevent his family finding out. When he had arrived to university, he had realised—with a start—he was allowed to be open. It had been liberating, it had opened up horizons that Jeongguk had only ever dreamt to.

Hoseok had taken a liking on him upon first sight.

He had approached him after their training lessons, patting him on the shoulder and persuading Jeongguk to go for a coffee with him. As they had sat in the coffee shop till the late hours, sipping back countless cups—Jeongguk learnt that Hoseok had been dancing for years.

They taught each other, transmitted skills off each other. Jeongguk could never dance with anyone else now as well as he can with Hoseok. A part of him believes his purpose has been to form an undefeatable dynamic with the older man.

Hoseok chews on the pork slowly, thoughtful expression fixed over his face. He hums as he waves his chopsticks in the air, subconsciously drawing closer to Jeongguk.

"I've been meaning to ask you, have you sorted out your financial situations? Since you've not talked about it recently."

Jeongguk freezes as soon as the question is out there. It hangs heavy in the air between them, immediately thickening the tension. He's sure his subtle, yet obvious, stuttering at Hoseok's words gives him away.

"A-ah. Not really."

Guilt trickles down the back of his neck, extending down to his spine as he attempts to remain a composure over himself. He stirs around the noodles in the takeaway box, not daring to look up and maintain eye contact with the man.