Put your lips on my scars and teach me to love • SeKen

Ken: Hakdog

Ken is called back by the company that he auditioned for. He expected it because he believes in himself and his talents, but it's surprisingly. . . unexpected still. There was a small part of him, a teeny tiny part that thought he wouldn't make it so there's still that same old doubt, but in the end, that little nugget of worry passes.

In the morning a day before his 21st birthday, he flies for Manila. It's an opportunity he can't let go so despite his impending birthday that only a handful of people ever celebrate back home, he follows his dreams and his dreams lead to Makati.

There's only one person he knows in the company, it's the same person who recruited him. Directly from the airport and with his duffel bag in hand, he arrives at the company address looking a little sheepish and awkward as he stands at the gates, asking the guard if he was in the right place.

Ken receives a text from his recruiter telling him to just walk right in. He's a little self-conscious of how he's acting at the moment. Afraid that he's being judged and observed even before entering the premises. Finally gaining the confidence, he does as told and tries to spot his friend among the staff.

He spots a guy dancing in the studio and recognizes him immediately.

"Josh!" Ken calls and said guy stops to eye him.

Recognition sets in and Josh's face lights up.

"Ken! Ken! Pasok ka," Josh tells him and he steps inside the studio.

"Ahh, nag pa-practice ba kayo?" Ken asks as he is lead further inside.

"Onting practice for fun lang since busy mag accept ng auditionees ngayong araw."

He spots three other men in the doorway of another room but they pay him no mind, too busy talking with each other so he doesn't bother with greeting them. Josh introduces him to some of the staff, Ate Rappl, and Ate Anne. He tells the dancer that Ms. Hong, their teacher, and Sir Robin, their CEO is judging an auditionee at the moment so he has to wait for a little while.

Ken doesn't mind because their studio looks amazing with the eggshell white walls and roof length mirrors. It's aesthetically pleasing and he wonders if this is where he'll have to perform his piece. Excited to perform and show them what he's got, he turns to Josh with a question.

"Dre, pwede maki-practice? Sabay lang sayo, onting warm-up na din para sakin," he asks the rapper and Josh grins at that.

"Oo! Pwedeng pwede. Tara dun tayo sa side na yon," Josh agrees and beckons for him to follow.

Ken drops his bag against the wall as Josh sets up their music. Adjusting his clothes and tying his shoes tight, Ken waits for it to play.

Josh picks a song and Ken feels it flow in his veins, rousing his spirit that's borne of the art of dance.

River by Bishop Briggs echoes in the studio and Josh aligns himself beside Ken. The dancer doesn't move yet, observing Josh as he dances. It seems that Josh has choreographed the chorus part and Ken is amazed at how full of popping energy each move Josh makes. He wonders if his own style of dancing would stand up to the challenge.

The bridge comes up and this is where Ken's soul lunges forth.

He dances. Just his usual way of dancing. The flow and strength restrained and controlled matches with the beat and he feels sinuous with the song. There's no adrenaline yet because it's only a warm-up but he knows in every line he makes that the way he dances is breathtaking.

It's not about bragging what he can do, it's about knowing his strength, and that strength is his body beautifully moving from one way to another. It's the way he dances, the way he moves. He is certain in his own body that he does it very well.