"Healing Steps"

35 0 0
                                    

In this oneshot, Hoshi gets hurt while dancing, leading to sadness and frustration. The other members notice and do their best to cheer him up.
________

Hoshi lay on the couch in the practice room, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he stared at the ceiling. His ankle was wrapped in a bandage, elevated on a cushion, a stark reminder of the injury he’d sustained earlier that day. It wasn’t a severe injury, but it was enough to keep him from dancing for a while, and that thought alone was enough to bring tears to his eyes.

Dancing was Hoshi’s life—it was his passion, his way of expressing himself, and now he was forced to sit on the sidelines. The frustration and sadness weighed heavily on him, and despite the members’ efforts to cheer him up throughout the day, he couldn’t shake the gloom that had settled over him.

Jeonghan was the first to notice Hoshi’s quiet despair. He had been watching Hoshi from the doorway, seeing the sadness in his friend’s eyes. Without saying anything, he walked over and sat down beside him, gently ruffling his hair. "Hey, tiger," Jeonghan said softly, using the nickname he knew would bring a small smile to Hoshi’s face. "How are you holding up?"

Hoshi shrugged, trying to put on a brave face. "I’m fine, hyung. Just... frustrated, I guess."

Jeonghan nodded, understanding. "I know how much this hurts, Hoshi, but you need to give yourself time to heal. We’re all here for you, you know that, right?"

Hoshi nodded, but the sadness didn’t lift.

Jeonghan knew it would take more than words to cheer Hoshi up, so he quickly devised a plan. He sent a message to the other members, and within minutes, they all gathered in the practice room, each one determined to lift Hoshi’s spirits.

**Seungcheol** was the first to act. Knowing how much Hoshi loved to lead their dance practices, he pulled up a chair and sat beside him. "How about this, Hoshi? You can still lead us, even from here. We’ll run through some of the choreography, and you can guide us like always."

Hoshi’s eyes lit up a little at the idea. "You want me to coach you guys from the sidelines?"

"Of course," Seungcheol grinned. "Who better to make sure we’re doing it right?"

The members all lined up, waiting for Hoshi’s instructions. At first, he hesitated, but then the familiar joy of teaching and perfecting their routines took over. He started giving pointers, correcting their moves, and even laughing at their mistakes. For a moment, the sadness was forgotten.

But as they practiced, Hoshi couldn’t help but feel the sting of not being able to join them on the floor. The smile faded slightly, and Joshua noticed.

To cheer him up further, **Joshua** pulled out his phone and said, "Hey, Hoshi, how about we record a message to send to your family? They’d love to hear from you, especially with all the hard work you’ve been doing."

Hoshi smiled softly at the thought. His family had always been his biggest supporters, and sending them a message would definitely brighten his day. He agreed, and Joshua recorded a short video of Hoshi talking about their recent activities, making sure to highlight all the fun moments they’d shared. As they watched the video together, Hoshi felt a warmth in his chest, knowing his family would be proud of him no matter what.

Next, **DK** and **Seungkwan** decided to lift the mood with a bit of comedy. They began to reenact some of their silliest moments from past performances, exaggerating their dance moves and overacting their facial expressions. The others joined in, and soon, the room was filled with laughter. Hoshi couldn’t help but chuckle at their antics, feeling the weight of his injury lighten as he watched his friends being goofballs just for him.

**Woozi** noticed that Hoshi was still a little down, so he quietly sat down beside him, handing him a pair of headphones. "Here, listen to this. It’s a new track I’ve been working on. It’s got a beat I think you’ll like."

Hoshi put on the headphones, and as the music filled his ears, he found himself nodding along to the rhythm. The beat was infectious, and even though he couldn’t dance, he could still feel the music in his soul. "This is amazing, Woozi. Thank you."

Minghao, **Mingyu**, and **Vernon** decided that a change of scenery might help. "How about we take a break and go get some fresh air?" Minghao suggested. "A little walk—well, I’ll push you in a wheelchair, so it’ll be more of a ride—might be just what you need."

At first, Hoshi was reluctant, but the thought of getting out of the stuffy practice room sounded appealing. They brought him outside, pushing him through the park near their dorm. The fresh air and the sight of the blue sky above helped clear his mind, and he felt a little more at peace.

Back at the dorm, **Jun** and **Wonwoo** had prepared a small surprise for him. When Hoshi returned, he found his room decorated with pictures of the group, each one capturing a moment of joy and laughter they’d shared. There were notes of encouragement pinned up, each one written by a different member. "This is so thoughtful," Hoshi said, feeling a lump form in his throat. "Thank you, guys."

But the final surprise came from **Dino**. He had been working on a special dance routine, one that didn’t require much movement but was still powerful in its expression. "I made this for you, hyung," Dino said shyly. "It’s a way to show that even if you’re not moving, you can still feel the dance."

Hoshi watched as Dino performed the routine, and he was moved by the grace and emotion in each movement. It reminded him that dance wasn’t just about the physicality—it was about the passion and the feeling behind it.

By the end of the day, Hoshi felt overwhelmed with gratitude. His ankle still hurt, but his heart was light, filled with the love and support of his members. He knew that recovery would take time, but with his friends by his side, he was confident he could get through it.

As they all gathered in the living room that night, laughing and talking like always, Hoshi realized that no injury could take away the bond they shared. He wasn’t just a dancer—he was a part of something bigger, something that made every step, even the ones taken slowly, worth it.

"Thank you, everyone," Hoshi said, his voice filled with emotion. "You’ve really made me feel better today."

Seungcheol smiled and ruffled his hair. "That’s what we’re here for, Hoshi. We’ll always have your back, on and off the dance floor."

And with that, Hoshi knew that he wasn’t alone in his healing journey. With his members beside him, he felt stronger, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Seventeen oneshots Where stories live. Discover now