I'M No Mercy | Changkyun | Monsta X

03. I am Here

"Be careful with your words, kid. You may be K.Will's whore but he can't defend you now. And you better not tell anyone about this, or I'll make sure you're not debuting."

One last blow to his side and he was now alone in the room. Crying.

You are stronger than this, I.M.

He managed to get up, and after fixing his clothing and hair, he washed his face again, and got on his way out of the company.

"You still here?"

Changkyun didn't notice for how long he lay on the bathroom floor crying, but it was apparently late now.

"Yes, Hyunwoo-ssi. I was practicing," he lied.

"Well, let's go home, we have a heavy schedule tomorrow and I need you to rest. I know you didn't sleep much last night, I'm glad you practiced more today though."

Unfortunately he barely practiced, he didn't get to sleep before dinner as he had planned, and now he was hurting too bad to dance better than today at all.

~*~

"Do you feel sick, Kyunnie?"

Changkyun was touched by Kihyun's tone, he may not treat the maknae as a friend, but Changkyun was more than glad to receive the same motherly treatment as the others. Kihyun showed him most of the little interaction and affection he received at the dorm since the end of No Mercy.

"Just a bit tired, hyung," he could feel the other members' stare on him.

Kihyun didn't believe him but didn't insist. The next morning he woke Changkyun the last so he could get more sleep. "Breakfast is ready, take your time on the shower and then come to the kitchen, okay?"

"Thank you."

If walking was a rather painful, Changkyun couldn't imagine how hard practice was going to be. His skin was so bruised where the trainees had hit him he had to make sure to wear clothing that covered it. Everyone was at the table when he entered the kitchen.

"You okay? You're walking weird."

"Jooheon don't speak with food in your mouth, same goes for you Hyungwon" nagged Kihyun changing the attention to the other rapper so they wouldn't ask Changkyun anything.

"Kihyun you always talk with your mouth full of food, it's gross." Minhyuk barely dodged the slice of cucumber thrown at him. "Seriously?"

"Manager will be here soon, here," Hyunwoo placed some plates in front of Changkyun and asked him to start eating.

~*~

Practice was indeed challenging, but Changkyun ignored the pain and managed to dance each choreography without being scolded by any of his members or causing them to start over.

"That was almost perfect, take a break, there's a few takes from the MV that need to be re-shooted, so be ready to leave in half an hour" announced the leader.

"We should have some barbecue tonight," whined Jooheon.

"You know we can't eat that until after debut, and even then it may be only once until promotions are over; I'll make sure to cook something delicious, though."

"You're the best, eomma."

Kihyun rolled his eyes at the rapper's choice of honorific.

The members left the room on pairs leaving the maknae behind, who took advantage of this to lay down on the floor and groan. "Regretting debut?"

"Hyung," Changkyun stood up and bowed when he realized K.Will had been observing him from the door. "No, of course not, hyung."

The older smiled and signaled for the other to follow him. Changkyun rapidly grabbed his stuff and complied. The hallway was busy with people going around getting things ready for their newest group debut, and trainees going out for lunch — at least with their senior around they couldn't tease and torment Changkyun, but he was worried that being seen in company of K.Will would only worsen the rumors.

"This morning I was giving vocal classes to a trainee who shared with me something very interesting..."

Changkyun showed no reaction to K.Will's words, however he was panicking and anxious inside. Would the trainees go as far as to get him in problems? What would've they told the older? He hadn't done anything wrong, but he couldn't prove his innocence in case of any lie brought up by those who had been tormenting him for the past weeks — he also didn't have anyone to back him. "Yes?"

"Changkyun-ah; you'd tell me if anything or anyone is bothering you, right?" He stopped outside the toilet-dressing room, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Of course, hyung," he lied. Telling the trainees on him would only bring more teasing and stress to Changkyun; he could endure it by himself, not involving adults. Changkyun spotted a group of trainees at the end of the hall. "I have to meet my members in ten minutes, I better get ready," he bowed causing the other's hand to fall of his shoulder, "thank you for worrying, hyung. Everything's alright, I'll see you around."

When Changkyun arrived to the parking lot five minutes late everyone was already on the van waiting for him. He mumbled an apology, but only the manager and the leader weren't either asleep. Or completely ignoring him.