❝ink scars❞ ┅ markhyuck

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"good work today," the instructor called from the corner as he walked closer towards the male, "remember, we only have a week left. don't let your guard down now."

"thank you, i understand." he replied, almost automatically. he didn't even make it ten steps before he stopped and bent down to take his point shoes off his feet. he flung them to the floor without a second thought.

the muffled thud of satin shoes hitting the cold, wooden floor echoed behind him as he pushed the studio doors open, and the fluorescent light spilled out in the hallway.

he just couldn't stand wearing them any longer.

he has a new performance in less than a week—but it could also be his last.

"haechan, don't forget to rest, okay?" the instructor's voice followed him out of the door.

haechan. the name people see, hear, and shout every day. to the world, he was the perfect ballerino. the prodigy with a perfect form, delicate hands, and a graceful arch of his back.

people flood him with flowers in the theatre, positive words on his socials, with words like pure and angelic.

innocent.

he stopped by the windows at the end of the corridors, staring at his reflection. his face was flushed, jaw clenched, and his eyes—those weren't the eyes of someone innocent. they were tired. bitter.

he was so tired of being someone else's masterpiece.

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✎ M A R K S O I

lowercase intended.
➙ gang au, contains 18+ scenes, heavy mentions of substances, guns, gangs, and physical violence.
similarities to any names mentioned in the story (other than nct's names) are purely coincidence and unintentional.
this story is completely FICTION and the idols' character in this book does not depict them in real life.