Standing Again

Seokmin went to his physical therapy session. He entered with his wheelchair, he rolled himself toward the parallel bars. His jaw was sit, determination etched across his face. Jisoo walked alongside him, his
clipboard tucked under his arm.

"Ready to push yourself today?" the physical therapist said.

"Ready as I'll ever be"

Seokmin's legs were moving. His hands were on the parallel bars still but his legs responded more to him this time.

Another progress for him.

He kept looking at Jisoo's direction, and Jisoo kept giving him thumps up and encouraging him with words.

"Good. We've been making progress, and I think it's time to take it up a notch. Let's try the crutches today" the therapist said.

Seokmin paused, his hands on the wheels of his chair "Crutches, huh? Bold move"

Jisoo stepped closer "You've been doing well. This is the next step-literally"

Seokmin shot him a sideways look "Was that a pun? Because it was terrible"

Jisoo smirked, handing him a towel "Focus, comedian"

The physical therapist brought a pair of crutches, adjusting them to his hight.

With both of thier help, Seokmin carefully rose from his wheelchair, his legs shaky but steady enough.

"Take it slow. Left foot first, then shift your weight. The crutches will do the rest" the therapist said.

His first step was woobly, the rubber tips of the crutches squeaking against the polished floor.

Jisoo hovered nearby, his hands twitching like he wanted to catch him but knew better than to interfere.

"This feels weird. Like I'm learning to walk all over again"

"That's because you are. Now stop complaining and keep going" the nurse said.

Seokmin gritted his teeth and pushed forward, step by step, until he reached the end of the parallel bars. His breath came in short bursts, but his grin was there "Not bad for a guy who was in a wheelchair this morning" he said.

"You're doing great, but don't push yourself too hard. You still need these crutches for support. Practice more when you get home. With company of course" the therapist said and Seokmin nodded.

Then he turned to sit back on his wheelchair. Jisoo handed him a water bottle this time "Not bad at all. You'll be running marathons in no time"

Seokmin chuckled, opening the water bottle and taking a sip "Marathons might be pushing it, but I'll settle for walking like a normal person"

As he caught his breath, Jisoo glanced to his watch "I almost forgot-I've got a dinner tonight"

Seokmin could feel his heart picking up, dinner with who?

"Really? Uh...with who?" he tried to sound casual, like it didn't matter.

But it did.

"It's kind of a big deal. Work related"

Seokmin was relieved, he then looked up "A big deal, huh? Fancy people and fancy food?"

"Something like that. It's important for us to show up. They say important people would be there"

"Don't let anything stop you from enjoying fancy dinner, though" Jisoo's lips quirked into a small smile.

...