SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS I

Minghao | Back Pain

The members of Seventeen gathered in their favorite lounge, the sunlight streaming through the large windows, illuminating their tired but happy faces. The world tour had been a whirlwind of performances, fan meetings, and countless memories, and now they finally had a week to rest.

"Can you believe it's finally over?" S.Coups exclaimed, stretching his arms above his head. "I feel like I've been on autopilot for months!"

"Right? It's so nice to just sit and do nothing for a change," Joshua added, sinking into a plush couch. "I think I'm going to binge-watch everything on my list."

"Don't forget to take breaks between episodes, though," Jeonghan teased. "We don't want you turning into a couch potato!"

The laughter echoed around the room, but Minghao sat a bit apart, rubbing the small of his back discreetly. He managed a smile, but his mind was preoccupied with the nagging pain he had been feeling for weeks.

"Hey, Minghao hyung!" Dino called, noticing him. "What's up? You seem a bit quiet."

"I'm fine," Minghao replied quickly, forcing a grin. "Just tired, I guess."

"You sure? You can always tell us if something's bothering you," Jun said, his expression turning serious.

"I said I'm fine," Minghao insisted, hoping to deflect the concern. "Really. Just need to rest a bit."

"Alright, but if you need anything, just shout," Hoshi chimed in, giving him a supportive nod. "We're all here for each other, remember?"

Minghao nodded, grateful but still feeling the weight of the pain he didn't want to burden his friends with. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, guys."

"Let's do something fun this week!" Seungkwan exclaimed, breaking the momentary tension. "How about a game night? We can order tons of food!"

"Count me in!" Vernon said, his eyes lighting up at the idea. "I'm always down for snacks and games."

"I'll bring my Switch," Wonwoo said with a smirk. "Prepare to lose, everyone."

As the conversation flowed into plans for the week, Minghao felt a warmth in his chest. Even amidst his pain, he couldn't help but feel grateful for these moments with his friends. They were his support system, and though he kept his struggles to himself, their laughter was the best medicine he could ask for.

The first day of their week off arrived, and the dorm buzzed with energy. The members had set up a cozy space in the living room, complete with blankets, snacks, and games. Minghao joined them, but the familiar ache in his back persisted, making it hard to fully relax.

"Alright, who's ready for some Mario Kart?" Hoshi called, holding up the console.

"Me! I'm going to crush you all!" DK declared, his competitive spirit igniting the room.

As they started playing, Minghao found himself laughing along, but every twist and turn in the game sent jolts of pain through his back. He shifted in his seat, trying to find a comfortable position.

"Hey, Minghao, you okay?" Joshua asked, glancing over. "You seem a little tense."

"I'm fine hyung," Minghao said, forcing a smile. "Just trying to focus on the game."

"Liar," Seungkwan chimed in, not missing a beat. "I can see the pain in your eyes, even if you're smiling. Come on hyung, you can tell us."

"I said I'm fine!" Minghao snapped, the words slipping out sharper than he intended. He quickly softened his tone. "Sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice. Really, I just need to move around a bit."