In the vibrant city of Seoul, where skyscrapers pierced the heavens and the streets bustled with life, the members of ATEEZ resided in their luxurious dormitory, a hub of creativity and camaraderie. Among them, Wooyoung, the charming and energetic vocalist, stood out with his infectious laughter and captivating presence. His radiant smile and playful demeanor brought joy to all who knew him.
However, on this particular day, a somber cloud hung over the dormitory. Wooyoung, usually the epitome of health and vitality, lay huddled in his bed, his body wracked by a relentless fever and incessant coughing. His normally rosy cheeks were now pale and drawn, his eyes dull and heavy-lidded.
Hongjoong, the group's leader, paced anxiously outside Wooyoung's room, his heart heavy with concern. He had tried to persuade his ailing bandmate to seek medical attention, but Wooyoung had stubbornly refused, insisting that it was merely a temporary indisposition.
"He's getting worse," Hongjoong muttered to himself, his voice tinged with worry. "I can't let him suffer like this any longer."
With newfound determination, Hongjoong knocked firmly on Wooyoung's door. "Wooyoung-ah, it's me. Please open up. You need to see a doctor."
Silence.
Hongjoong knocked again, louder this time. "Wooyoung, don't be stubborn. Open the door."
Still no response.
Hongjoong's patience began to wane. Desperation gnawed at his core as he realized the severity of the situation. He couldn't stand idly by while his friend's health deteriorated.
"Wooyoung!" Hongjoong shouted, his voice echoing through the dormitory. "If you don't open this door right now, I swear I'll kick it down."
A faint groan came from within the room.
"Hongjoong-hyung?" Wooyoung's voice was weak and raspy.
Hongjoong's heart skipped a beat. "Wooyoung, you're awake. Open the door, please."
Slowly, the door creaked open, revealing the haggard figure of Wooyoung. His body trembled violently, and his eyes met Hongjoong's with a mixture of shame and resignation.
"I...I'm sorry, hyung," Wooyoung whispered, his voice barely a murmur. "I should have listened to you."
Hongjoong's anger instantly dissipated, replaced by a wave of dizziness. He reached out and gently placed a hand on Wooyoung's shoulder. "It's okay, Wooyoung. We're going to get you help."
With Hongjoong's assistance, Wooyoung made his way to the nearest hospital, where he was promptly admitted. As the doctor examined him, Hongjoong anxiously paced the waiting area, his mind racing with worry.
Finally, the doctor emerged from Wooyoung's room, a somber expression on his face. Hongjoong's heart sank as he realized the gravity of the situation.
"Your friend has a severe case of pneumonia," the doctor explained. "He needs to stay overnight for observation and treatment. We'll need to administer antibiotics and monitor his condition closely."
Hongjoong thanked the doctor and made his way back to Wooyoung's room, where he found his ailing bandmate hooked up to an IV drip, his breathing labored. Wooyoung's eyes flickered open as Hongjoong approached the bedside.
"Hyung?" Wooyoung croaked, his voice weak and hoarse.
"I'm here, Wooyoung," Hongjoong said, his own voice thick with emotion. "Don't worry, you're going to be okay."
Wooyoung managed a faint smile. "Thank you, hyung," he whispered, his eyelids fluttering closed.
Hongjoong spent the rest of the night by Wooyoung's side, monitoring his condition and offering words of encouragement. As the hours passed, Wooyoung's fever gradually subsided, and his breathing became more regular. By morning, he was well on his way to recovery.
The following day, Hongjoong helped Wooyoung check out of the hospital and return to the dormitory, where he was greeted with a chorus of concerned voices from his bandmates. They fussed over him, showering him with affection and well wishes.
"Wooyoung-ah, you had us worried sick," San exclaimed, his eyes glistening with relief.
"Yeah, don't ever scare us like that again," Seonghwa added, his voice soft and soothing.
Wooyoung smiled weakly, his heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you, guys," he said, his voice still raspy. "I'm so glad to be back."
As the days turned into nights, Wooyoung gradually regained his health and vitality. He resumed his vocal lessons and dance practices, eager to make up for lost time. However, Hongjoong made sure to keep a close eye on him, determined to prevent any setbacks in his recovery.
One evening, as the group gathered in the living room to watch a movie, Hongjoong noticed that Wooyoung was absent. He searched the entire dormitory but couldn't find his bandmate anywhere.
"Has anyone seen Wooyoung?" Hongjoong asked, his brow creased with concern.
The other members shook their heads, their faces mirroring his own unease.
"Maybe he went out for a walk," Yeosang suggested.
"I'll call him," Yunho said, reaching for his phone.
However, Yunho's call went unanswered. Hongjoong's heart pounded in his chest as a wave of panic washed over him.
"Something's not right," Hongjoong said, his voice laced with dread. "We need to find him now."
The members of ATEEZ raced out of the dormitory and began searching the surrounding area, calling out Wooyoung's name with increasing desperation. As night fell, they continued their search, their hearts heavy with worry.
Hours turned into a sleepless night as the group frantically searched for their missing friend. They checked every street, every park, and every alleyway, but there was no trace of Wooyoung.
Just when their hope began to dwindle, they spotted a familiar figure slumped on a bench in a dimly lit park. It was Wooyoung.
Hongjoong rushed to his side, relief washing over him as he realized that Wooyoung was alive. However, his relief turned into concern as he noticed that Wooyoung was shivering uncontrollably, his body still wracked by a fever.
"Wooyoung! Are you okay?" Hongjoong exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion.
Wooyoung's eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile spread across his lips. "I'm sorry, hyung," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I went for a walk and...I got lost."
Hongjoong hugged Wooyoung tightly, tears of joy and relief streaming down his face. "It's okay, Wooyoung, it's okay," he whispered with conviction, as if the words themselves could weave a protective shield around them both.
Wooyoung clung onto Hongjoong just as fiercely, his own emotions a turbulent mix of shock, relief, and overwhelming gratitude. "I was so scared," he managed to choke out, his voice barely audible. "I thought... I thought I'd never see you again."Hongjoong pulled back slightly, just enough to look Wooyoung in the eyes. "You're safe now," he said gently, wiping away the tears from Wooyoung's cheeks. "We both are. And I promise, I won't let anything like this happen again."The room around them seemed to blur into insignificance, the walls and clutter fading in the presence of their reunion. Nothing else mattered in that moment but the palpable bond between them, forged through trials and nurtured by an unwavering trust."I know," Wooyoung murmured, his tears beginning to subside as he rested his head against Hongjoong's shoulder. "As long as we're together, I know we'll be okay."Hongjoong nodded, holding him close and feeling an unspoken vow settle between them. The others watching near, but not wanting to disrupt their bonding time.
Despite the chaos and the world's uncertainties, their connection remained a beacon of hope and resilience. And with that strength, they knew they could face anything that came their way.
