Seventeen | Sickfics - Hurtfics I

Seungcheol | Overworked Part I

Two months from now, Seventeen would be gearing up for their highly anticipated comeback, and the schedule was packed to the brim. Dance practices, photoshoots, recordings—each member of the group was juggling countless tasks. As the days passed, the pressure mounted, and exhaustion began to take its toll on everyone.

But for Woozi and Seungcheol, the weight of their responsibilities felt especially heavy. Woozi, the mastermind behind their music, often found himself locked away in his studio, tirelessly working on compositions and arrangements. He pushed himself to the brink, pouring everything into his work until he could hardly breathe, consumed by the need to perfect every detail.

Then there was Seungcheol, the general leader of the group. He carried the burden of not just his own duties, but the well-being of every member of Seventeen. Constantly checking in on schedules, ensuring everything was running smoothly, and managing the countless tasks that came with leading such a large group, he hardly found time to rest. His role demanded that he always be present, always be strong for his members.

Despite the chaos, they all tried their best to maintain an energetic, positive façade, not wanting to show any weakness. They didn't want to risk letting exhaustion or sickness affect their performances, knowing that it could impact the whole group. They always smiled, always stayed upbeat when they were together—yet behind the scenes, the toll was becoming unbearable.

It wasn't until one fateful day that Seungcheol's body could no longer keep up with the grueling schedule. His exhaustion had reached a breaking point, and he collapsed under the weight of it all. The vibrant leader, always the pillar for his members, had finally run out of energy.

This moment became a turning point for the group, a reminder that even the strongest among them needed rest and care, not just for the sake of their performances, but for their own well-being.

Tomorrow would be another grueling day. A photoshoot from 8 AM to 1 PM, recording from 2 PM to 8 PM, and then dance practice stretching from 9 PM to 2 AM. After that, they could finally head home—but for Seungcheol, the day wouldn't be over just yet. There were still documents to check, responsibilities to fulfill.

He woke up at 4 AM, feeling the exhaustion settle deep in his bones. A dull dizziness lingered, a remnant of the ten-hour dance practice they had endured the day before. As he sat up, he glanced around the dimly lit room. Jeonghan and Joshua were still fast asleep in their beds, their breathing slow and steady. It seemed he was the first one awake.

Hoping to shake off the dizziness, he forced himself to his feet and trudged toward the bathroom. A cold shower might help, he thought. But as the icy water cascaded down his body, the lightheadedness refused to fade. He ignored it. There was no time to dwell on fatigue.

By 5 AM, he was downstairs in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the group. Cooking for thirteen people was no easy task, but he had always enjoyed making meals for his members. It was tiring, but in a way, it was also comforting—one of the few things that made him feel grounded in the chaos of their schedule.

At 6 AM, breakfast was ready. He made his way upstairs to wake everyone up, starting with Jeonghan and Joshua. When he entered the room, he found them already awake, scrolling through their phones.

"Hannie, Shua, breakfast is ready," Seungcheol called.

Jeonghan let out a small hum of acknowledgment, while Joshua responded with a sleepy, "Just going to get ready."

"Five minutes," Seungcheol reminded them. "I want us to eat together."

Next, he headed to the 96z room. After knocking, he stepped inside to see Jun already dressed, while Wonwoo sat on his bed, still lost in sleep's grasp. Hoshi and Woozi, who had worked the hardest the night before—Hoshi on their choreography and Woozi on their final track arrangements—were still sleeping soundly.