SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS I

Woozi | Seasickness

The salty air whipped at Woozi's face, carrying with it the scent of brine and freedom. He stood at the railing of the ferry, his eyes squinting against the sun's glare, a nervous smile playing on his lips. This was it. His first time on a boat, his first time truly experiencing the vastness of the ocean.

He'd been excited, bubbling with anticipation for the past week. The members had planned a trip to a secluded island, a chance to escape the city's clamor and reconnect with nature. Woozi, usually content with his studio and his music, had been surprisingly enthusiastic. The thought of fresh air, clear skies, and the rhythmic sway of the waves had stirred something within him, a longing for a different kind of inspiration.

"Woozi-hyung, look!" Seungkwan, ever the energetic one, pointed excitedly at the horizon. "The island! It's so beautiful!"

Woozi squinted, trying to make out the shape through the haze. "I can barely see it, Seungkwan. It's so far away."

"It's like a dream," Seungkwan said, his eyes sparkling. "Imagine, hyung, all that fresh air, all those trees, all that peace and quiet. We can finally relax and have some fun!"

Woozi smiled, a genuine smile this time, the excitement momentarily pushing aside his nervousness. He had to admit, the prospect of escaping the city's noise and stress was appealing. Maybe, just maybe, this trip would be the perfect escape, the perfect opportunity to recharge and find new inspiration.

But as the ferry began to rock gently, a familiar tightness settled in his stomach. He tried to ignore it, focusing on the vibrant blue of the water, the playful dance of the seagulls, the distant silhouette of the island. He even hummed a melody, a cheerful tune he'd composed for the trip, hoping to distract himself.

"Woozi-hyung, you're humming! That's a new song, right?" Seungkwan asked, his voice full of curiosity. "It's so pretty! What's it about?"

Woozi chuckled, his voice a little shaky. "It's just a little something I wrote for the trip. It's about... the sea, I guess."

"The sea?" Seungkwan tilted his head, his eyes wide. "That's so cool! You're so talented, hyung. You can write a song about anything!"

Woozi blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. He wasn't used to receiving so much praise, especially not from Seungkwan, who was always so full of energy and enthusiasm.

"It's nothing special," he mumbled, trying to downplay his accomplishment.

"Of course it's special!" Seungkwan insisted. "You're a genius, hyung. You can write songs about anything, even the sea!"

The humming turned into a silent whimper as the rocking intensified. His stomach churned, a wave of nausea washing over him. He clutched the railing, his knuckles turning white. The world around him seemed to tilt and spin, the horizon a blurry mess.

"Woozi-hyung?" A concerned voice broke through the fog of his discomfort. It was Seungkwan, his face etched with worry. "Are you alright?"

Woozi forced a smile, his voice shaky. "Just a little... seasick."

Seungkwan's eyes widened. "Seasick? But you're a pirate! You're supposed to be fearless!"

Woozi chuckled weakly. "I'm a pirate of the studio, Seungkwan. Not the sea."

Seungkwan, ever the optimist, patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, hyung. I'll get you some ginger ale. It'll help."

He disappeared into the bustling crowd, leaving Woozi alone with his churning stomach and the relentless rocking of the ferry. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on the rhythm of the waves, hoping it would soothe him. But the rhythm was now a cruel mockery, a constant reminder of his discomfort.