Mingyu was five years old when it happened. One moment, he was playing on the balcony, and the next, he was dangling precariously from the 15th floor, his tiny fingers clutching the cold metal railing. He screamed for his parents, tears streaming down his face as he felt the terrifying void beneath him. The memory was seared into his mind, a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the fear of heights that followed him into adulthood.
Mingyu often found himself staring up at tall buildings with a mix of awe and dread. He hated that his fear could control him so completely. But he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness and terror from that day. Even now, as a member of SEVENTEEN, he kept his fear hidden, not wanting to burden the others with his past trauma. The members knew Mingyu had a fear of heights, but they didn't understand the depth of his phobia. They would often tease him, thinking it was just harmless fun.
During a Going Seventeen episode, the members were tasked with a bungee jumping challenge. Mingyu's heart sank when he realized he had lost the game and would have to jump. He tried to remain calm, but the fear gnawed at him. He stared at the bungee jumping platform, his heart hammering in his chest. "They don't know how bad it is," he thought, trying to maintain a composed facade.
The other members, unaware of the severity of Mingyu's acrophobia, continued to tease him lightheartedly. They didn't realize how much their words cut him. Hoshi chuckled. "Are you scared, Mingyu? It's just a jump. You’ll be fine!" Jeonghan grinned, nudging Mingyu. "Come on, Mingyu, it’s not that high. You can do it!"
As Mingyu stepped onto the bungee jumping platform, he tried to calm his racing heart. But as soon as he looked down, the world tilted, and he was no longer on the platform. The world around Mingyu blurred as he was thrust back into his childhood memory. He could hear his own cries for help, feel the cold metal of the balcony railing beneath his fingers. His heart raced, and his breathing became erratic.
Mingyu's breathing became shallow. "No, not again," he thought, panic rising in his chest. He tried to step back, but his legs wouldn't move. He felt like he was falling, his mind trapped in the past.
Jeonghan noticed Mingyu's pale face and frozen stance. "Mingyu, are you okay?" he called out, but Mingyu didn't respond. S.Coups rushed to Mingyu's side, trying to pull him back. "Mingyu, it's okay. We're here," he said, but Mingyu didn't seem to hear him. He was trapped in his mind, reliving the terror of that day.
Mingyu's body began to shake uncontrollably, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He was no longer aware of his surroundings, lost in the depths of his panic. Mingyu's world was a blur of fear and confusion. He couldn't hear Jeonghan or feel the comforting hand on his.
Wonwoo's heart ached as he watched his friend suffer. "We need to get him out of here. This is too much for him."
Jeonghan and S.Coups didn't give up. They kept talking to Mingyu, trying to break through the fog of his panic. Jeonghan gently rubbed Mingyu's back, trying to bring him back. "It's okay, Mingyu. We're not going to let anything happen to you."
After what felt like an eternity, Mingyu's breathing began to steady. He still felt dizzy and disoriented, but the comforting presence of his hyungs helped ground him.
Mingyu blinked, his vision clearing slightly. He saw S.Coups and Jeonghan's concerned faces. "Hyungs," he whispered, his voice shaky. S.Coups smiled, relieved. "You're okay, Mingyu. We're here." Jeonghan hugged Mingyu tightly. "We won't let anything happen to you."
With great care, S.Coups and Jeonghan guided Mingyu off the platform. He was barely conscious, his body limp with exhaustion. They carried him to the waiting car, hoping to get him to a safe place where he could recover.
As they drove home, Mingyu drifted in and out of sleep, his mind and body exhausted from the panic attack. The members exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do. Wonwoo watched Mingyu with concern. "We need to talk to him about this. We can't let him go through this alone."
The others nodded in agreement, their hearts heavy with guilt and worry.
When they finally reached home, Mingyu woke up, feeling disoriented but slightly better. The members helped him inside, their concern evident in their every action.
S.Coups sat beside Mingyu, his voice gentle. "Mingyu, can you tell us what happened? Why are you so scared of heights?" Mingyu took a deep breath, feeling tears prick at his eyes. "When I was five, I almost fell from a balcony. I was hanging from the 15th floor, crying for my parents. I thought I was going to die."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. The members exchanged looks of shock and guilt, realizing the depth of Mingyu's fear. Jeonghan's eyes widened with shock. "Mingyu, we had no idea. Why didn't you tell us?"Mingyu looked down, his voice trembling. "I didn't want to seem weak or be a burden. I thought I could handle it."
The members realized how much their teasing had hurt Mingyu. They felt a deep sense of guilt and vowed to be more supportive and understanding. They pampered Mingyu, making sure he felt loved and safe.
Joshua hugged Mingyu tightly while S.Coups knelt in front of Mingyu, his eyes full of determination. "You're not weak, Mingyu. And you're definitely not a burden. We're here for you, always."
Hoshi wrapped an arm around Mingyu's shoulders. "We're in this together, okay? You're never alone."
Mingyu smiled weakly, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "Thank you, Hoshi. That means a lot."
Jun hugged Mingyu tightly. "You're not weak, Mingyu. You're one of the strongest people I know. We're here for you."Vernon placed a reassuring hand on Mingyu's shoulder. "From now on, we’ll be more considerate. We promise."
Seungkwan hugged Mingyu tightly. "You're not alone, Mingyu. We're here for you in every step of the way."
Mingyu felt tears of gratitude fill his eyes. "I love you guys. Thank you for everything."Dino gave Mingyu a reassuring smile. "We love you too, hyung. No matter what."
S.Coups smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Mingyu's shoulder. "We're always here for you, Mingyu. Never forget that."
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