The day had been just like any other rigorous dance practice, vocal rehearsals, and constant meetings with staff members. Joshua had always been the type to carry the weight of his responsibilities silently. His smile never wavered, his words always kind, and his laughter easy to the public. But lately, something had begun to fray at the edges of his seemingly perfect facade. The long hours, the pressure to perform, and the burden of always being the reliable one had slowly worn him down.
Joshua knew he wasn’t the strongest physically, and he often pushed himself past his limits to keep up with the others. But he didn’t want to be a burden. He couldn’t. So, he kept smiling, kept pushing, even though his body was screaming at him to stop.
That day, practice had been especially grueling. Seventeen was preparing for an upcoming tour, and the stakes were higher than ever. Joshua’s limbs felt like lead as he moved through the choreography, his vision swimming slightly. But no one noticed. Why would they? Joshua was always so good at hiding his pain.
It wasn’t until they were running the routine for the fifth time that his body finally gave in. As they finished a particularly difficult part, Joshua’s knees buckled, and before anyone could react, he collapsed onto the floor.
For a few moments, there was stunned silence.
"Joshua?" Seungcheol’s voice was the first to break through the panic. He rushed over to Joshua’s side, closely followed by the others. Mingyu was already lifting Joshua’s limp body into his arms, his face pale with worry.
“Call a medic!” Jeonghan’s voice trembled, but he was trying to keep it together for everyone’s sake.
“Hyung, hang in there,” Woozi whispered, kneeling beside him, his usually composed expression filled with fear.
Joshua’s breathing was shallow, and his face had lost its usual color. The members crowded around him, each one frantically asking what had gone wrong, blaming themselves for not noticing the signs earlier. But no one had. Joshua had hidden it all too well.
The next few hours were tense. The group’s manager had called a doctor, who assured them that Joshua was simply exhausted and needed rest. But that didn’t ease the tightness in their chests. They all felt guilty, how could they not have seen that Joshua had been struggling? The pressure, the fatigue, the weight of being an idol it had all been too much for him.
As the doctor left, the members gathered around Joshua’s bed in the dorm. He was still unconscious, his breathing finally steady, but his face looked tired and fragile. He had always been their pillar, the calm and gentle force that held them together. Now, seeing him like this made their hearts ache.
Jeonghan sat at his bedside, his hand gently stroking Joshua’s hair, his eyes filled with unshed tears. “Why didn’t you tell us?” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Why did you think you had to carry this alone?”
Seungcheol stood by the window, his hands clenched into fists. He blamed himself for not noticing the signs earlier. He was their leader he should’ve been more aware. “We should’ve been there for him,” he muttered, his voice thick with regret.
Each member took turns staying by Joshua’s side. Mingyu cooked warm meals, even though Joshua wasn’t awake to eat them yet. Woozi sat quietly, composing music on his phone, hoping that the soft melodies would comfort Joshua when he woke up. Vernon and Chan tried to make the room as comfortable as possible, bringing in extra pillows and blankets.
It wasn’t until the following morning that Joshua finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he didn’t know where he was. The familiar warmth of the dorm and the sound of his member's soft breathing surrounded him. He turned his head and saw Jeonghan asleep in a chair beside him, his head resting on the edge of the bed.
Joshua tried to sit up, but his body felt heavy and weak. The memories of yesterday came flooding back the exhaustion, the collapse, the worry on everyone’s faces.
Jeonghan woke up at the sound, his eyes wide with relief when he saw Joshua awake. “Joshuji!” He immediately reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly.
Joshua looked away, guilt twisting in his chest. “I didn’t want to be a burden…..I'm sorry”
“You’re not a burden,” Seungcheol’s firm voice cut through the room as he walked over. The others soon gathered around the bed, their expressions filled with concern and affection.
“You’re our precious angel,” Mingyu said softly, placing a warm hand on Joshua’s shoulder. “We’re supposed to take care of each other, right?”
Joshua’s eyes filled with tears. He had always tried to be the strong one, the dependable one. But in that moment, surrounded by his members’ love and care, he realized how much he had been holding back. “I’m sorry for making you all worry…”
Woozi shook his head. “No more apologizing. We’re family, Joshua. We love you, and you deserve to rest too.”
For the next few days, the members took turns caring for Joshua. Jeonghan made sure he had plenty of water and vitamins, always reminding him to rest. Seungkwan kept the atmosphere light, cracking jokes and telling stories to make Joshua smile. Seokmin and Vernon helped him stretch his legs and gave him light massages to ease the tension in his muscles.
Minghao brought Joshua his favorite snacks, always making sure that he was healthy. Jun and Hoshi spent hours just sitting with him, talking about anything and everything to keep his mind off the stress. And Mingyu stayed close, giving him his hoodie to wear whenever Joshua felt cold.
Little by little, Joshua’s strength returned. But more than that, he felt his heart lighten. He had been so afraid of being seen as weak, but now he knew that his boyfriend's saw him for who he truly was someone who was loved and cared for deeply.
By the end of the week, Joshua was back on his feet, though the members still refused to let him overwork himself. He was showered with affection back hugs, playful teasing, and endless compliments. Every moment was filled with love and warmth, reminding him just how much he meant to each of them.
One evening, as they sat around the dorm, watching a movie together, Joshua found himself sandwiched between Seungcheol and Jeonghan, with Chan sprawled out on the floor nearby. He felt the overwhelming sense of family, of belonging, and smiled to himself.
“I love you guys,” he whispered softly, almost to himself.
Jeonghan heard him and ruffled his hair gently and kissed his forehead.“We love you too, baby. Don’t ever forget that.”
And for the first time in a long while, Joshua truly believed it. He wasn’t just a performer or a role model. He was their precious angel, and they would always be there to remind him of that.
-----------THE END----------
