writetomyheart | [team five] untitled

just a quick, short drabble. sorry for all the angst OTL

"There's nothing else he can do but that," Junmyeon says quietly, his eyes not quite meeting Sehun's. It's the look of guilt, although Junmyeon had nothing to feel guilty about. If anything, it would be Sehun who should feel guilty. After all, he begged his older friend, a young physiotherapist in training, to help his best friend Jongin, although he knew it was impossible.

The doctors told him that months ago, right after Jongin was released from an hours long surgery. Jongin would never be able to dance again, no matter how well the therapy would go. Jongin could regain full mobility, but it would be a too big strain on his legs, his knees and ankles in particular, if he still pursued a professional dancing career. And not even a genius like Junmyeon would be able to change that.

Yet, Sehun had clung onto that hope that one day Jongin would be able to dance again. He wanted to see the burning passion in Jongin's eyes, the brightness on Jongin's face. He couldn't stand seeing his best friend so shattered, so heartbroken, so lethargic. When he asked Junmyeon for help, at that time, he knew that Jongin wouldn't be able to dance again, yet he fed both Jongin and himself with false hopes. Because the more he talked about a bright future, the more life it brought to Jongin. He wanted to make Jongin smile and believe again, so he used more pretty words, painting a future that was nowhere close to reality. And now, almost a year after that car accident, Jongin was able to use his legs again - to walk only, not to dance for hours without break.

"I'm sorry," Junmyeon whispers. "But he has to give up that dream of his. There's no way he can dance professionally, but you knew that right from the start. Dancing for hours straight... He needs to aim for another career option if he doesn't want to end up unable to use his legs someday."

"But there is a chance that he could continue dancing, right? Just for a few years?" Sehun asks. If Sehun is in so much pain hearing the diagnosis, then how much more would it tear Jongin apart to hear this verdict? If there is just the tiniest speck of hope, then Sehun wants to hold onto it. Miracles do happen to a few lucky ones, right?

"No, Sehun," Junmyeon says. His voice is firm, expression grim, unlike before. "Do you think Jongin could handle spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair?"

When their eyes meet, Sehun deflates. Junmyeon is right. Jongin hated the first few months in hospital, when he wasn't allowed to get up on his own. Jongin was a free soul. He hated being tied down, unable to use his legs and feet - unlike Sehun, who wished he could trade his pair of legs with Jongin, just to see his best buddy reverting back to his old, cheerful self.

"There's really no other way?" Sehun asks again in a softer tone. This time, it's him who can't look the other in the eyes.

"There isn't. Please try to tell Jongin somehow."

But how? Bringing Jongin these news would be like a stab to Jongin's heart, and Sehun wasn't ready to kill his best friend's soul.

you're up next,

elindar :)