As the morning sun filtered through the windows, Joshua dragged himself out of bed, his limbs heavy and his head pounding with each step. He knew he was sick, the signs of fever and fatigue all too familiar, but he couldn't afford to miss another day of practice, not with their comeback drawing closer.
With a deep breath, Joshua forced himself to ignore the ache in his body and joined his bandmates for their daily schedule. But as the day wore on, his condition worsened, his steps faltering and his movements sluggish.
Summoning all his strength, Joshua approached their leader, Scoups, to request a break, hoping for understanding. But to his dismay, Scoups' response was anything but.
"You think you're the only one tired?" Scoup's voice cut through the air like a knife, his frustration evident as he berated Joshua for his perceived laziness. "Don't be lazy joshua our comeback is near and We're all exhausted too, but we're here, giving it our all. You should too."
Heart sinking, Joshua bit back the retort that threatened to escape his lips, his eyes downcast with shame as he realized he couldn't explain the depth of his illness to his leader without seeming weak.
Later during dance practice, Joshua's struggles became increasingly evident as he stumbled over his steps, his body betraying him at every turn. Frustration mounted among his bandmates as they were forced to repeat the routine again and again, their patience wearing thin.
As Hoshi and Chan's shouts pierced through the air, Joshua's heart sank deeper into despair. The realization that his boyfriends couldn't see his struggle to understand his pain.
Tears welled up in Joshua's eyes as he struggled to maintain his composure, the weight of their words crushing his spirit. How could they not see that he was battling something beyond his control? But just as he attempted to push through the pain, his vision blurred, and darkness closed in around him.
With a soft thud, Joshua collapsed to the ground, unconscious, his body finally shutting down to the demands of his illness.
Panic erupted among his boyfriends as they rushed to his side, their voices a blur of concern and fear. Minghao quickly dialed for medical assistance while Jeonghan cradled Joshua's head in his lap as his breaths came in shallow, labored gasps panic surged through jeonghan his heart pounding with heavy guilt for not recognising Joshua's condition sooner.
As the ambulance arrived, Vernon and Mingyu helped the paramedics carefully lift Joshua onto the stretcher, their hands trembling with fear and uncertainty.
Jeonghan and Scoups exchanged a silent glance, their hearts heavy with concern for their unconscious boyfriend. Without a word, they climbed into the ambulance, their faces drawn with worry as they held onto Joshua's hand tightly. In the following cars, the rest of the group followed closely behind, their expressions a mix of fear and determination. Jun gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white with tension, while hoshi sat beside him, his eyes fixed on the flashing lights ahead, and other members silently praying for their hyung.
As they raced through the empty streets, the silence in the ambulance was deafening, broken only by the steady hum of the engine and the occasional siren wail. Jeonghan squeezed Joshua's hand reassuringly, his heart aching with worry for his unconscious boyfriend.
Jeonghan glanced at Scoups, his eyes filled with concern. "He's going to be okay, right?" he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. Scoups nodded, his voice filled with determination. "He has to be," he replied, his gaze never leaving Joshua's pale face.
