SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS I

Wonwoo | Scratch by a Cat

The afternoon sun cast long shadows on the streets of Seoul as Wonwoo, Seungcheol, and Mingyu strolled through their neighborhood. The trio was enjoying a rare day off from their busy schedules with Seventeen, soaking in the relaxed vibe of the city. Mingyu, with his usual lively energy, was chatting about the latest movie he'd seen, while Seungcheol and Wonwoo walked alongside him, occasionally chiming in.

Wonwoo was known among his friends for his love of cats. His apartment was filled with cat-themed decorations, and he often talked about adopting one of his own. His friends, though not as passionate about felines, knew well enough not to question his affection for them.

As they turned a corner, Mingyu suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes catching sight of something on the sidewalk. "Hey, check that out!" he exclaimed, pointing toward a small, scruffy cat huddled near a trash can. The cat had fur that was matted and dirty, but its eyes gleamed with a sharp intelligence.

Wonwoo's eyes lit up immediately. "Oh my god, a cat!" He quickened his pace, barely noticing the concerned glances exchanged between Seungcheol and Mingyu.

"Wonwoo, wait up!" Seungcheol called, but Wonwoo was already approaching the stray, a smile spreading across his face.

"Hey there, little guy," Wonwoo said softly, crouching down and extending his hand. The cat looked up, its ears flicking. It was clear that the cat was wary, its body tense.

Seungcheol and Mingyu exchanged uneasy glances. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Mingyu asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Wonwoo, however, was already too absorbed in trying to win over the stray's trust. "It's okay, I've handled cats before," he said confidently. He slowly reached out to pet the cat, his movements gentle and careful.

The cat's eyes narrowed, and before anyone could react, it swiped its paw across Wonwoo's hand with a swift, angry motion.

"Ouch!" Wonwoo yelped, pulling his hand back. Blood trickled from a few deep scratches.

"Oh no, Wonwoo!" Seungcheol rushed over, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright?"

Mingyu hovered behind, unsure whether to offer comfort or stand back. "That cat's really angry. Maybe it's better to leave it alone," he suggested.

Wonwoo, despite the pain, seemed more concerned for the cat than himself. "It's alright. It's probably just scared," he said, wincing as he inspected the scratches. "But we should get this cleaned up."

Seungcheol nodded. "Let's head to the nearest pharmacy. We need to get you some first aid."

The three friends walked briskly to a nearby pharmacy, Wonwoo cradling his injured hand. As they entered the store, Seungcheol led him to the first aid aisle and began gathering supplies. Mingyu, meanwhile, kept casting glances toward the door, as if hoping the cat would miraculously appear and apologize.

"Do you need any help with that?" Seungcheol asked as he handed Wonwoo an antiseptic wipe and some bandages.

"Thanks," Wonwoo said, carefully dabbing at the scratches. "It's not too bad. I've had worse from cats before."

Seungcheol raised an eyebrow. "You've been scratched before? I thought you were always so good with them."

"Most of the time, yes," Wonwoo admitted, "but sometimes, even the sweetest cats can get scared or defensive."

As they finished up, Mingyu offered a small smile. "Well, at least we're getting better at these first-aid sessions. We had a lot of practice back when Seungcheol kept getting into mishaps."

"Hey!" Seungcheol protested with a mock glare. "I don't remember asking to be the accident-prone one."

They finished their errands and left the pharmacy, with Wonwoo's hand now wrapped in clean bandages. "Thanks for sticking with me," Wonwoo said sincerely. "I didn't mean for things to turn out like this."

"No worries," Mingyu said, placing a reassuring hand on Wonwoo's shoulder. "We're a team. Besides, you're the one who loves cats. We just need to make sure you're okay."

They walked back toward their starting point, but the mood was more subdued now. Wonwoo was lost in thought, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the spot where he had seen the cat.

"Do you think it's still there?" he asked suddenly.

Seungcheol frowned. "You're not thinking of going back, are you?"

"Maybe," Wonwoo said softly. "I just... I feel bad for scaring it. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to help."

"Well, it's probably best to leave it alone for now," Mingyu said. "Maybe someone else will come along and help it out. Cats like that, they're usually very independent."

They continued their walk, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics, though Wonwoo remained a bit preoccupied. As they neared the end of their stroll, Seungcheol spoke up.

"You know, Wonwoo, this just goes to show how much you really care. Even when it's tough, you're always thinking about others. It's one of the things we all admire about you."

Wonwoo smiled, though it was tinged with a bit of sadness. "Thanks, Seungcheol hyung. I just hope that cat finds a safe place."

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange, the friends reached their homes. Seungcheol and Mingyu waved goodbye, watching as Wonwoo entered his apartment building.

That evening, as Wonwoo settled into his apartment, he found himself reflecting on the day's events. He carefully cleaned and bandaged his hand, taking extra care not to irritate the scratches further. He then sat down at his desk, where he kept a journal, and began to write.

September 17, 2024

Today was a bit of a roller coaster. I finally saw a stray cat up close, and I was so excited to help it. But it didn't go as planned. I ended up getting scratched pretty badly. It hurt a lot, but what hurt more was the thought that I might have scared the cat away. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to show it a little kindness.

I guess sometimes, even when we have the best intentions, things don't always turn out the way we hope. I've always thought of cats as these calm, gentle creatures, but today reminded me that they're just like any other animal-sometimes scared and defensive.

I hope the cat finds a safe place. I've been thinking about adopting one for a while now, and this experience just makes me want to be even more prepared and understanding. Maybe next time, I'll be able to help better.

For now, I'm going to focus on getting better myself. It's not a big deal, but it's a good reminder of why it's important to approach things with patience and care.

Wonwoo closed his journal and leaned back, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. He knew that he would continue to love and care for cats, no matter how many scratches he got. The experience had been a tough lesson, but it was one he was ready to learn.

As he turned off the lights and headed to bed, he hoped that tomorrow would be a better day, both for him and for all the cats out there.