One Shots Book

Strength To Go On (Kstar)

People Involved: Vik, JJ
Ships: kinda Kstar? But it's minor
Word Count: 1230
Idea: People will always trip and fall. There's no avoiding it. But why, still, do we choose to encourage tripping in our advice? JJ tries to explain this idea desperately to an exhausted Vik.
Extra Notes: This is based off a little quote I came up with. It's part of the dialogue in the story, but it's also at the end of the story. I kinda like it, but let me know what you think. Until next time, Peace my Cheeses! I love you all <3

Vik had reached an end. He had been desperately scraping away for too long. What few crumbs of strength he could previously dig free were gone now. He had licked the bowl clean, nothing else remained for him.

Yet, he still had more work to do. Nine more hours of editing, he estimated, as well as three recording sessions within the next few hours. But he could push himself through no more. His energy reserve was emptied.

Vik felt himself drop onto his keyboard, shocking himself into awareness. He pushed his chair back, barely able to force his body up and off the seat. His legs stumbled as he dragged himself to the kitchen, desperate for some caffeine. Maybe that would help, at least for a little while. His brain was screaming for sleep, eyes strained and bloodshot. Still adorned in his glasses, Vik crashed into the kitchen.

JJ watched as the shaky figure dragged itself into the kitchen. He was rarely up at this time himself, but decided to awake early this morning. Well, early being one in the afternoon. However, he was shocked to see Vik. Vik had been running on Australian time for so long, JJ was convinced the boy would never see sunlight again. And as he observed the boy longer, JJ let out a gasp.

"Vik, you look like shit." Vik wanted to chuckle at the words, as a way to brush them off, but he couldn't even do that. The short boy simply threw his body towards the counter, holding himself up with the smooth surface. He dragged himself towards the coffee pot, groaning when he found it empty. He moved to begin brewing a fresh batch, but his legs gave out before he could. The boy fell to the ground, a little noise of surprise escaping his lips. JJ was quick to his own feet, rushing over to Vik's crumpled form. When JJ arrived, Vik was desperately trying to push himself back up. JJ stopped the younger, scooping him up into his arms. Vik let out a whine of protest, but JJ paid it no mind. He wasn't blind; Vik desperately needed sleep.

"JJ, I have more work to do. Just let me get some more coffee and I'll be good as-" Vik's whines were cut off by a loud yawn, his jaw stretching open to its extent. Vik tried speaking again but yet another yawn consumed his words first.

"Yeah right, like I'm going to let you work. Come on, you're going to sleep." JJ finally reached the his own room, pushing open the door and setting Vik on his bed.

"Are we in your-" Vik was cut off once more from speaking, and he let out a frustrated cry afterwards. He hated this, so much.

"Yeah, that way I make sure you sleep. Lay down and get comfy." Vik remained upright, however, and looked at JJ. His bloodshot eyes were becoming blurry, and JJ realized Vik was moments away from tears. Rather than freak out- as JJ normally would when strong emotions were involved- JJ wrapped Vik into a tight hug. The smaller boy let out a pitiful sob before the tears began flowing. JJ simply held the boy close, rocking them slightly on the bed. Vik cried for what must've been a good fifteen minutes, no words exchanged between the two. When Vik stopped, he still clung tightly to JJ's shirt.

"I'm so sorry." The youngest's voice was broken and strained, thirst and exhaustion was evident. JJ simply nodded and the words he said confused the tired boy in his hold.

"Never put your best foot forward Vik." Vik looked up at JJ, being met by a serious expression.

"What?"

"People always say to put your best foot forward. And I'm telling you to never do that." Vik was even more confused now. What was JJ getting at?

"JJ, I'm tired. Can you please just explain it to me?"

"I think telling someone to put their best foot forward to start off is the worst thing you can do. It gives them a false sense of hope, I believe." JJ looked down at Vik, the two pairs of brown eyes meeting. Vik could see the sincerity in JJ's eyes, but Vik was still confused. "If you always try to put your best foot forward, you wouldn't be able to get anywhere. And if you did eventually use the other foot to move forward, you would trip, wouldn't you? And when you do trip, it destroys the confidence you just gained." Vik nodded slightly although he wasn't quite getting it. He looked down at JJ's shirt.

"Do you maybe have an example? Because I'm trying here but I'm really tired and nothing is making sense."

"Alright Vik, look at it this way. In most sports, the best starting position is with your non-dominant foot forward. That way, when the time is right, you can use all the strength in your dominant foot to push yourself forward. And that makes a lot more sense to me." Vik sits in JJ's arms, contemplating the words. They were true, but Vik hadn't ever thought of it that way. He looked up at JJ once more, noticing all the things about JJ he hadn't before. Siting here, running on only luck, Vik had met a new side to JJ. A smarter side, a thinker. Vik didn't know JJ had it in him. When JJ made eye contact with Vik, the younger smiled.

"That was really smart. I didn't know you could be so smart." JJ chuckled at the smaller's words, assuming they were only being said because of how tired Vik was.

"Yeah, well I may not be too smart but I can try. Now why don't you lay down for me, and cuddle up nice and tight in my blankets. I'm going to come back with some water for you. We'll talk more once you've slept." Vik nodded happily, reaching a dazed phase of sleepiness. JJ looked really pretty like this, Vik decided. Vik let out a small giggle, yawning as he curled up in JJ's bed. The blankets smelt heavily of the older boy, allowing Vik to take a long whiff of the scent. JJ had always smelt nice, and Vik had found himself jealous from time to time. But now, bundled up in the scent, Vik could only find comfort and warmth.

Vik hadn't realized JJ had left until he returned again with a cup of water. Vik carefully unraveled himself from the bedding to take a few, small sips of the water. He had decided he wouldn't drink too much, that way his bladder wouldn't drive him out of JJ's bed earlier than he wanted it to. After handing the glass back to JJ- who placed it on the bedside table- he lay down in the blankets again. He looked hopefully to JJ, the older noticing the stare.

"Yes, Vik? What's up?" Vik smiled largely and made grabby hands at JJ. The taller male couldn't help but chuckle; Vik would hate himself for this after some sleep. Nonetheless, JJ succumbed to Vik's request and moved under the blankets. Vik squealed small, immediately curling into JJ's chest and passing out. JJ chuckled, kissing the top of his head. "Don't worry kid, I've got you. And I'll always be here for you."

~~~Quote of the Story~~~
"I think telling someone to put their best foot forward to start off is the worst thing you can do. It gives them a false sense of hope, I believe. If you always try to put your best foot forward, you wouldn't be able to get anywhere. And if you did eventually use the other foot to move forward, you would trip, wouldn't you? And when you do trip, it destroys the confidence you just gained. Look at it this way. In most sports, the best starting position is with your non-dominant foot forward. That way, when the time is right, you can use all the strength in your dominant foot to push yourself forward. And that makes a lot more sense to me." -Hope Star