Straight-ish (Hwang Hyunjin Fanfic)

32

Within a week, Hyunjin was going stir-crazy. He couldn't stand staying cooped up for even another minute. He convinced Seungmin to let him go to the studio, but only if he promised to watch classes, and NOT do any dancing. Maria came by to pick him up on her way in and Seungmin made her swear on her pointe shoes that she wouldn't let Hyunjin dance. She suggested that he could critique her classes and sit in on his own, that way he could have some input, and so he could focus on something other than his looming doctor appointment.

He watched as the girls in Maria's class performed the choreography he had helped to create and was able to suggest a few things to help clean it up. In his own classes, his students were happy to see him, even if he'd only been gone for two classes. Everyone was concerned for him but glad to know he was still trying to be involved. Just analyzing the choreography was enough to make him tired, and he took a nap in the break room during Maria's last class. Before he laid down, he called Seungmin to let him know he was going to stay and watch the guys practice for an hour or so. Seungmin was concerned that the loud music was going to cause a lingering headache, but he also knew there wasn't much use in arguing when it came to dancing. When Maria came in to wake him, he let her know he was staying and would have Seungmin pick him up. He thanked her for the day and went to the practice studio to wait for Minho and Felix.

He felt like it had been ages since he had danced. He had about a half-hour before the guys would get there, so he plugged in his phone to the sound system and played a slower track. He needed to move. As the strings and piano began, he sang along as he swayed slowly, "Love hits hard, I know... All your lights are red, but I'm green to go..." When the chorus picked up, he turned slowly, sweeping his foot and stretching forward. He slowly melted into the music, his body moving fluidly with the flowing piano and the melancholy lyrics. He tried to remember not to do too much, but his body, being possessed by the music, didn't allow for such behavior. He found peace for the first time in several days as he felt the notes moving through him and he bowed and swayed. He gracefully worked his way to the floor, recognizing that he was beginning to get dizzy. He continued with the sweeping movements he used during floor work, finally settling into a child's pose at the end of the song. He rested there while he waited for the room to stop spinning.

"Seungmin would kick your ass, you know that?" Felix asked, having watched most of his performance. When Hyunjin didn't respond to him walking in, Felix knew how desperately he needed this, and let him continue. He had kept a close eye on his friend and at first, was concerned when he moved to the floor but recognized what he was doing.

Hyunjin looked up to him slowly and grinned. "What he doesn't know doesn't get me in trouble?" Hyunjin asked with a cute smile.

Felix grinned and sat beside him on the floor. "I get it, mate. I thought I was going to lose my freaking mind after I busted my knee up. I know I started dancing too soon after the surgery, but I seriously couldn't deal with it. It was my therapy. Of course, it's probably why I am back in physical therapy," he finished with a chuckle.

Hyunjin nodded and grinned. "It's what keeps the monsters away, Lix," he whispered. Felix wrapped an arm around him and hummed in understanding.

"Let's get you out of the middle of the floor before Min gets here, or he'll whip both of us," Felix suggested. "You have your pain relievers with you?" he asked. Hyunjin nodded and Felix jogged over to get him a cup of water at the bubbler. "Go ahead and take it, whether you need it now or not, because you're going to wish you had. I've had a couple of concussions in my time."

Minho walked through the door as Hyunjin was finishing his water. "Hey, stranger! How are you feeling?" Minho asked enthusiastically.

"Like I bounced my head off the floor, but otherwise, good!" Hyunjin answered with a grin. "I just wanted to come and watch you guys tonight. I feel like if I at least watch, I won't miss so much."

Minho grinned and answered, "I'm glad you're feeling well enough to be here. I won't even tell Seungmin you were dancing." Felix and Hyunjin looked at each other quickly then back to Minho, both looking like they just got caught with hands in the candy jar. "Relax, Lix isn't freaking out, so you must not have gone beast mode. I know what it means to you. Just do NOT overdo it. Okay?"

Hyunjin nodded with a guilty grin. He leaned back against the mirror for a long while, just watching the other two dancing. He noticed a couple of steps where they were each doing something a little different. It was just a turn of the foot, but he caught it. He flagged them down and asked about it. "Lix, is that your knee or is the step off for one of you guys?" They backed up and went through the verse again, catching what he was talking about. Felix watched Minho and realized what he was doing differently. Felix reminded him that they had changed it up a bit the day before and Minho nodded, matching the way Felix was moving. Hyunjin tried to take note of the change, hoping he'd have time before the performance to learn any changes. He knew practice before then was going to be scant. He had grudgingly suggested they find an understudy for him, but they stubbornly refused. His head was still spinning from the little bit he had done. He watched them for a little while longer, wishing desperately that he could get up and dance through it with them. He shot a message to Seungmin that he was ready whenever he could get there. He sat back against the mirror and closed his eyes for a few minutes while they were taking a break. The guys came and sat with him, just chatting until Seungmin got there. They helped him get to his feet and Seungmin helped him to the car.

"You're too tired, babe," Seungmin whispered as he helped him into the seat, guarding his head against hitting the top of the car. "Maybe next time, either go to class or practice, okay? Keep me from worrying."

Hyunjin grinned and nodded, nearly dozing off before Seungmin could even get around the car to the driver's side. "I miss it, Minnie. I miss it badly," he mumbled. He hung his head in shame and admitted, "I danced a bit before the guys got there, but it was a slow song, and I didn't go crazy, even did part of it on the floor."

Seungmin snickered and confided, "I know you do. I knew you couldn't be there all day without giving in. How are you feeling?"

"Dizzy and tired, but happy," he smiled, eyes closing again.

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