He’s still laughing to himself — giggling, really, and damn near hysteric over the mental image of sweating Seukhye out — when the low voice shatters his thoughts. Taehyung jolts upright so fast that his head spins, and pain lightnings along his spine and through each limb, sending him reeling back fast enough that his head connects to the wood. His vision fogs. Stars rocket across the grey. His head throbs to his heartbeat. A low whine tears from him, and his hands lift with an aching slugishness to cradle his head.
It takes Taehyung a moment to collect himself all over again from where he’s writhing on the floor of the practice room. A long moment, really, because by the time he uncurls and pushes himself upright, his head no longer hurts, and his pulse has dropped to a more regular rhythm, and he can breathe.
The smile Taehyung offers is apologetic, and he’s slow as he pushes himself to his knees, and the to his feet. He sways at first, and there’s a moment where he’s not sure his legs will hold his weight, because they still feel like they’re the consistency of jelly, but they do hold, and en as Taehyung sways he smiles.
“I’m okay.”
And it’s not a lie for once. Contrary to his previous beliefs and naive notions, Seukhye’s still deeply rooted into his being, fingers clutching his heart and sickly smile tainting his memory. But for the first time since their break up, he’s feeling better. His thoughts are clear, if not dulled and muted by encroaching exhaustion, and his chest feels lighter than it’s felt in a long time.
And suddenly his offered smile is that much more real, wide and rectangular and full of teeth.
“I probably need some water. And to sit some down until I can feel my legs again. But I feel… Human. I feel human again. It’s so nice.”
Taehyung gestures over his shoulder somewhat absently, the thought occurring to him only as he speaks. “You’re the next person scheduled, right? I, uhm. I can go. I didn’t mean to stay over. It felt so nice to dance and destress and feel okay again for a little while.”
Of course he worries, Hoseok always does. Albeit consecutively being the bad boy through high school, the one standing on the front line of the bullies people scattered away from, he has always been a good hearted kid. He just never fit in with the meager, careful kids, A simple reason to seek out those who acted more recklessly, with more risk taking finess than those who desired to stay inside. It’s a fact proven by the way he’s still taking care of one of his younger classmates even now, after so many years. He simply can’t let the little rascal go, not when he knows how many troubles he actually has. It makes him anxious to a certain point.
This is another one of those moments, where he can’t help himself and he ends up crouching beside the other male, eyeing him almost curiously while, at the same time, focusing on letting the long strands of his black fringe fall to shade the azure hue of his irises. He isn’t in the mood for questions. Not again. " You sure?“ He questions, as he remains in a position most people would have considered unstable, something he fails to reflect over. Since his legs can bear so much more strength than they are supposed to.
At first, he isn’t really reassured by the smile he’s given, by the way it seems so genuine. It’s surprising to say the least, considering the fact that the other had collided with the floor again only moments ago. or so Hoseok believes — is almost entirely sure. It’s something he does himself sometimes, to shove away the brimming emotions that surface to taint his mind at the stupidest of times. But he also knows, that everyone isn’t like him and he shouldn’t assume they are. Never. It makes him shake his head briefly, and he simply nods.
” You can have some of mine. “
The way he moves is quick, almost too quick, pushing his legs up to stand straight before scrambling around in his back for his water bottle. holding it out for the younger to take without much thought; without giving him a chance to answer. The rest of the sentence has had Hoseok envious for quite a few seconds, when he finally plops down onto solid flooring again, knees drawn towards his chest as he hums silently. ” No rush, take your time. “ He adds, blinking a few times before running his fingers through dark strands, blue glinting in fluorescent luminescence yet again.
"Ah , it really looks like we come here for the same reasons, to destress I mean. ” He laughs head tipping backwards for a moment. But then he’s up and moving again, dragging his feet across the open expanse. “ Mind if I start? Time is limited after all. You can stay for as long as you want, I don’t mind. ” He stretches his arms upwards for a moment, fingers curled around his Ipod as he motions towards the stereo, to hook it up in order to proceed with his own playlist.