Jay x Daniel - You Came With the Spring

Chapter 16: passing time (Daniel)

LKM was a nightmare, but it was the only thing keeping Daniel sane after Jay's unexpected text.

Jay voiced his mistake in pursing him - that he hoped there were no hard feelings. Those few, dismissive words still stung weeks later, though he still kept the messages saved as a solemn reminder. So that every time he'd reimagine a kiss, a touch, he'd shut it down.

By this point Daniel knew the difference between reality and false hope. Jay was just a flicker of love interest, a rush of novelty. He wasn't naïve enough to fall for the first person to show interest. Here in LKM, he was swept up by a new kind of rush.

Beautiful boys, oh the beautiful boys. With their glowing skin and tight asses. I love those tight asses. As he's carried off into a little fantasy, he feels a tap on his shoulder.

Sian, one of the agency's veteran talents, appears from behind. "Ah, Daniel. You memorize the new steps in yesterday's routine?"

Daniel relaxes an easy laugh. "You know me."

Sian sighs dramatically, "Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. Take it easy on me, you make me look bad. Is there anything you can't do?"

"I can't raise one eyebrow."

"Oh really?" Sian raises one eyebrow. "Now who would want such a useless talent?"

"The only thing that got you into the agency," Daniel agrees.

Sian hums, nodding in feigned seriousness. "My saving grace."

As they chuckle, the instructor waltzes into the training room, his skin tight black uniform stark against his pale skin. Upon his presence the other 20 or so talents gather at the back of the room. He moves in sure steps, his form reflecting off the many mirrors. It resembled a formation of black bodies surrounding the curious young boys.

"I hope all of you have memorized the new steps, we're doing something different today," the instructor says.

Sian slides into line beside Daniel, his one eyebrow raising again at the new change in the instructor's orders.

Instructor Ju looks the boys up and down. "You will be splitting into two groups. Those who are proficient in yesterday's steps, and those who are not. You will either learn the new portion of the dance, or practice the previous based on the group you are in. Sian, Gin, Daniel!-"

The boys jolt at the commanding tone.

"- I trust you have a firm grasp of it. You three and myself will watch demonstrations and be in charge of placement."

Sian smiles, shouldering Daniel playfully. Just as a small patter of excitement washes over the trainees, Instructor Ju cuts through it with his next words. "From this day forward, this will be the routine. Those who fall too far behind will be dropped from the program."

+++

One day to memorize was brutal for the blunt of the trainees. Most of them had to practice hours outside of the session, and much of their studies were suffering. It only became worse when language and singing adapted to the same method as Instructor Ju's. It showed results, and that was what LKM desired.

It was difficulty from every corner. You might have been chastised for not getting enough sleep one day, or for not memorizing the steps the next. Daniel felt a pit in his stomach as he swung through the steps, his mind hazy from overuse but his wonderful body remembering the movements with ease. The boys beside him furrowed their brows in intense concentration. One of them being Sian, the boy lightly cursed under his breath, an uncharacteristic action.

Sian stopped for a break and Daniel followed.

The bleached hair on Sian's head stood stark against his skin, beautifully matching his features. Changed features, whether styled hair or surgery, meant you were an investment. LKM was stingy on it's investments, it meant that Sian has a lot of expectations riding on his shoulders.

And the stress showed.

Sian's eyes were distant and a small crease was working between his eyebrows, deepening as the days waged on.

"This is a shitty dream," Sian sighed, only half joking.

"Tell me about it," Daniel tossed him a water.

"What do you mean? I remember watching your interview, you said you weren't passionate about any of this." A smile waned on his lips.

"You're right."

A laugh. "Then why?"

"Good distraction."

"One hell of a distraction," the boy puzzled, "Can't you be normal and get a hobby or something?"

A blush crept onto Daniel's face. "I don't know."

Sian's eyes trained on the brunette and stared at him for a few seconds before turning away.

They continued their practice for the rest of the session, occasionally smacking one another to throw them off balance.

So continued their routines for the coming weeks.

+++

A wet towel smacked against Daniel's face, covering his shameless grin.

"God! Stop it with that smile!" Sian gasped.

"No," Daniel laughed brightly, unsticking the towel and tossing it back at his friends face.

Sian's lips twitch, a sly smile trying to worm it's way through. "Fuck you."

The brunette paused a few beats, contemplating what he said. Fuck him? Before he swallowed, clearing the thought. He was glad that the steam had built up in the room, he didn't need anyone questioning the flush to his face.

It had been months since Daniel had been accepted into LKM, he felt at home in the tiled halls and polished rooms. Living in his beautiful form during the day was both hell and bliss - hours of treacherous work, yet hours of being surrounded by equally beautiful boys. His nights were very lonely in contrast, hell in their own way when he wasn't kept busy. He mainly spent his time putting on extra practice on languages because they were his weakness as he had often gotten some heat from his language instructor. But some nights ended pitifully with his hand between his legs and Jay's name on his lips.

Those nights have become less frequent as time went on. A small blessing.

The steam sweltered and furled, clinging to Daniel's skin. He savored the feeling of the heat in the sauna, the cast of polish wood reflecting on his skin, and the heady taste of sweat on his tongue.

A day of relaxation is what he needed. For the first time, he eased into his skin, grateful down to his core. It was time I let go of Jay. . . It's past time, really.

Shadows covered the entrance of the glass door, followed by excited chatter. The door to the sauna swung open and in walked a group of boys, skinny and pale and covered in goosebumps. Walking in last was a blonde, tall and fit, a beautiful sculpt to his body. His hair covered his eyes and a smirk played on his lips.

The color drained from Daniel's face.