SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS I

Minghao | Heat Stroke

The sun blazed down on the sandy beach as Seventeen's latest "Going Seventeen" episode was set to begin. It was a scorching summer day, and the members were feeling the heat as they gathered for their filming. Despite their cheerful demeanor, the heat was getting to them, and the staff could sense it. They had planned a series of games and challenges that involved plenty of running around, and the members were already starting to sweat under the relentless sun.

"Okay, everyone, let's get started!" shouted the director, his voice slightly strained from the heat. The staff quickly set up the cameras and equipment, while the members of Seventeen tried to keep their energy levels up.

"Do we really have to do this today?" S.Coups asked, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. "It's like an oven out here."

"Yeah, I'm dying out here," Joshua added, fanning himself with a piece of paper. "This is insane."

Woozi, trying to keep the mood light, joked, "If we survive this, we deserve a medal."

"Let's just get through this, okay?" Jeonghan said, smiling despite the sweat glistening on his face. "We're almost halfway through, and then we can get some ice cream."

As the day wore on, the heat continued to intensify. The members tried their best to stay upbeat, but it was clear that everyone was feeling the strain. Minghao, who usually had a calm and composed demeanor, was noticeably struggling. His face was flushed, and his breathing was becoming increasingly labored.

"Hey, Minghao, you okay?" asked DK, noticing his friend's discomfort.

"Yeah, just a bit hot," Minghao replied, though his voice was faint and strained.

"We should take a quick break," Seungkwan suggested. "Everyone's looking pretty exhausted."

But before anyone could respond, Minghao stumbled slightly and his breathing became more erratic. He tried to steady himself, but his legs gave out, and he collapsed on the sand.

"Minghao!" The members shouted in alarm, rushing to his side. The staff, who had been monitoring the situation, immediately sprang into action.

"Get some water and shade over here!" the director called out. "We need to cool him down!"

Jeonghan and Joshua were the first to reach Minghao, quickly lifting him into a sitting position while trying to fan him with their hands. Woozi grabbed a bottle of water and gently poured it over Minghao's head while S.Coups and DK placed a damp cloth on his forehead.

"Hang in there, Minghao," S.Coups said, his voice trembling with worry. "Help is on the way."

Seungkwan ran to the staff tent, grabbing a large cooler filled with ice packs. "We need to cool him down faster!" he shouted, handing the ice packs to the medics who had just arrived.

The paramedics carefully assessed Minghao's condition, checking his pulse and temperature. "He's showing signs of heat stroke," one of the medics said, taking Minghao's vitals. "We need to get him to the hospital immediately."

The members looked at each other, fear and concern evident in their eyes. "We're coming with him," Seungkwan insisted, his voice firm. "We need to be there for him."

The trip to the hospital was tense, with the members clinging to hope and praying that Minghao would be okay. The van was silent except for the occasional murmurs of concern as they watched Minghao being treated. The heat had left him feeling weak and disoriented, and it was a stark reminder of the toll that extreme weather could take.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, the doctors and nurses quickly took Minghao into the emergency room. The members were left in the waiting area, their faces etched with worry.

"I should have noticed sooner," Joshua said, his voice filled with regret. "He was really struggling out there."

"It's not your fault," Jeonghan reassured him. "None of us expected it to get this bad. We all saw how hard he was trying."

Woozi, sitting next to Joshua, added, "We need to be more careful in the future. It's not just about us; it's about taking care of each other."

The hours seemed to stretch on endlessly as the members waited for news. The once bright and lively atmosphere of the beach had been replaced by a heavy silence. They tried to distract themselves with small talk, but their minds were preoccupied with concern for Minghao.

"What do you think he's doing right now?" DK asked, attempting to break the silence.

"He's probably resting and getting the treatment he needs," Seungkwan replied, though his voice was thick with emotion. "I just hope he wakes up soon."

Finally, a doctor came out to speak with them.

"Minghao is stable now," the doctor said, offering a small, reassuring smile. "He had a severe case of heat stroke, but we've managed to cool him down and rehydrate him. He'll need to stay under observation for a while, but he should make a full recovery."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the group. "Can we see him?" DK asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, you can visit him now," the doctor replied. "But try to keep the visit brief. He needs rest."

As they entered Minghao's hospital room, they were greeted with the sight of their friend lying in bed, looking pale but alert. Minghao's eyes lit up when he saw his members, and a weak smile crossed his face.

"Hey, guys," he said softly. "Sorry for causing so much trouble."

"Don't apologize," S.Coups said, sitting by Minghao's side and gently squeezing his hand. "You scared us all. Just focus on getting better."

"Yeah, and next time, we'll make sure to do something less exhausting in this kind of heat," Woozi added, his tone light but sincere.

Minghao chuckled softly, though it was clear that he was still feeling weak. "Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate it."

Jeonghan pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, his expression serious but kind. "We were all worried sick. You're one of the strongest people I know, and seeing you like that was terrifying."

"I'm sorry for letting everyone down," Minghao said, his voice faltering slightly.

"You didn't let anyone down," Joshua said firmly. "This could have happened to any of us. We need to be more mindful of our limits and take better care of ourselves."

The room was filled with a comforting, if somber, enjoyment as the members shared stories and kept Minghao's spirits up. They spoke about the ridiculous moments from the beach shoot, trying to make Minghao laugh and forget about his ordeal.

"Remember when Seungkwan tried to hide from the camera behind that tiny beach umbrella?" DK said, laughing softly.

"And S.Coups ended up getting stuck in the sand while trying to dig a hole," added Jeonghan, grinning at the memory.

Minghao laughed weakly, the warmth of his friends' presence a soothing balm. "Yeah, that was pretty funny. I'm just glad you guys are here."

As the evening drew to a close, the members took their leave, promising to return the next day. Minghao's condition was stable, and the doctors were optimistic about his recovery.

The experience had been frightening, but it had also strengthened their bond as a group. They knew that they could face anything as long as they had each other. And as Minghao's condition improved, the members vowed to be more cautious and take better care of themselves in the future, ensuring that such a scare would never happen again.

The next day, the beach was quieter, and the members took a moment to reflect on the events. They stood together, their expressions serious but hopeful.

"Let's make a pact," Seungkwan said, looking at each of his members. "We'll always look out for each other, no matter what."

"Agreed," S.Coups said, nodding. "We're a team, and we'll get through anything together."

As they looked out at the serene ocean, the sun setting on the horizon, the promise they made to each other felt more meaningful than ever. They knew that with their unwavering support and care, they could overcome any challenge that came their way.