Work Text:
It was late by the time Seungmin finally left the practice room. The building was quiet, everyone else had gone home hours ago, but he’d stayed behind, pushing himself through each dance move, trying to get everything just right. He thought the extra practice would help him feel better, but no matter how many times he repeated the steps, nothing seemed to click. He was tired—physically, sure, but mostly he was just worn out inside. His mind kept going over everything he felt he’d done wrong lately, each mistake making him feel smaller and more unsure of himself.
As he walked down the empty hallway, a strange heaviness settled in his chest. His stomach twisted, and he barely made it to a quiet corner before a wave of nausea hit him. He doubled over, feeling drained and dizzy. His eyes stung with tears, and he couldn’t hold them back any longer. Hugging his knees to his chest, he let himself cry, feeling small and lost.
“Seungmin?”
The voice was soft but surprised him. He looked up, his eyes blurry with tears, to see Lee Know standing nearby. Lee Know’s face softened when he saw Seungmin sitting there, and without saying a word, he walked over and sat down beside him on the floor. He didn’t ask questions or push him to talk. He just sat there, close and steady, letting Seungmin know he wasn’t alone.
After a while, Seungmin managed to speak, his voice a little shaky. “I… I don’t know what’s wrong with me, hyung. I keep trying so hard, but I just… I feel like nothing I do is enough.”
Lee Know’s hand reached out to rest gently on his shoulder. “It’s okay to feel like this sometimes. We all do,” he said softly. “You don’t have to keep it all together all the time, Seungmin. It’s okay to be tired.”
Seungmin let out a shaky breath, his tears still falling. “I just feel like… I’m letting everyone down.”
Lee Know gently rubbed his shoulder. “You’re not. You work so hard, Seungmin. And it’s okay to have days where everything feels like too much. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you’re human.”
Seungmin looked at Lee Know, seeing the quiet warmth in his eyes, and felt a little of the weight inside him lift. Lee Know wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close, and Seungmin let himself lean into the hug, finally letting out the feelings he’d been holding in for so long.
They sat there for a while, Seungmin letting his tears fall as Lee Know held him, a steady and calming presence by his side.
After a while, Seungmin’s breathing evened out, and the last of his tears dried. Lee Know gave him a gentle smile, helping him to his feet.
“Come on,” Lee Know said softly. “Let’s get you home. You need a break.”
Seungmin nodded, feeling a tired sort of relief wash over him. As they walked, Lee Know kept a steadying hand on his shoulder, guiding him through the empty hallways and out into the cool night air. The silence between them was comforting, and for once, Seungmin didn’t feel like he had to keep everything bottled up inside.
When they got back to the dorm, Seungmin’s exhaustion hit him fully. He barely had the energy to change out of his practice clothes. Seeing this, Lee Know gently nudged him toward his room, helping him settle into bed before grabbing a blanket and sitting beside him.
“Do you want me to stay for a bit?” Lee Know asked, his voice gentle.
Seungmin nodded, his voice barely a whisper. “Please.”
Lee Know lay down beside him, pulling the blanket over both of them. Seungmin shifted closer, letting himself relax against Lee Know’s warmth. The soft, steady rhythm of Lee Know’s breathing was calming, and as Lee Know wrapped an arm around him, Seungmin felt the weight in his chest ease a little more.
They lay there in comfortable silence, Lee Know’s hand gently rubbing Seungmin’s back. The warmth of the embrace, the safety of having someone beside him—it all brought a sense of peace that Seungmin hadn’t felt in days. He closed his eyes, his body finally letting go of the tension he’d been carrying.
“Thank you, hyung,” Seungmin murmured, his voice sleepy but full of gratitude.
“Anytime,” Lee Know whispered back, his voice soft and reassuring. “I’m here whenever you need me.”
With Lee Know holding him close, Seungmin drifted off to sleep, feeling safe and cared for. For the first time in awhile.
As the early morning light crept into the room, Seungmin stirred, his body instinctively shifting to wakefulness. His eyes blinked open, and for a moment, he felt an intense, unexplainable panic rise in his chest. The events of the previous night came rushing back, his mind replaying his breakdown, the tears, the overwhelming sense of failure that had weighed him down.
His breathing quickened, and he sat up, his gaze darting around the room as if searching for something to steady him. That’s when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Lee Know said softly, his voice calm and grounding. He’d woken up the second Seungmin had stirred, sensing the tension in the younger boy even in his half-asleep state. He sat up beside him, his hand warm and reassuring on Seungmin’s shoulder.
Seungmin’s breathing was shaky, his hands clenched into fists as he tried to pull himself back to the present. “I… I’m sorry,” he whispered, feeling a wave of embarrassment mix with the lingering panic. “I didn’t mean to… wake you.”
“Don’t apologize,” Lee Know replied, his voice gentle but firm. “It’s okay to feel like this. Just take a deep breath. I’m here.”
Seungmin closed his eyes, trying to follow Lee Know’s words, focusing on the soft, steady circles his hyung was rubbing on his back. The comforting touch and the calm tone of his voice started to ease the tightness in Seungmin’s chest.
“You’re safe, Seungmin,” Lee Know murmured, his hand never leaving his back. “Whatever you’re feeling, you’re not alone. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
The words sank in slowly, helping Seungmin release some of the tension he’d been holding onto. His breathing began to even out, and he opened his eyes, meeting Lee Know’s calm gaze.
Lee Know gave him a small, reassuring smile. “Better?” he asked softly.
Seungmin nodded, a little ashamed but comforted. “Yeah… thank you, hyung,” he said, his voice quiet. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over him now that the panic had passed.
Lee Know gently squeezed his shoulder, giving him a look of understanding. “You don’t have to be perfect all the time, Seungmin. You’re allowed to feel like this. And whenever you need someone… I’m here.”
Seungmin managed a small smile, feeling his heart lighten just a bit more. He didn’t have to face everything alone, not with someone like Lee Know by his side.