SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS

Dino | Abuse Part II

As the members crowded around Dino, panic surged through the studio. Seungcheol, his heart pounding, quickly assessed the situation. Dino lay on the floor, pale and trembling, and it didn't take long for the realization to hit him.

"Jae!" Seungcheol turned sharply, anger boiling inside him. He stormed over and grabbed Jae by the collar, pulling him close. "What did you do to him?"

Jae's eyes widened, caught off guard by Seungcheol's fury. "I didn't do anything! He just couldn't keep up!" he protested, attempting to shove Seungcheol's hands away.

"Can't keep up? Look at him!" Seungcheol shot back, gesturing wildly at Dino. "He's barely conscious! This isn't just about dancing; this is about his health! You've been pushing him too hard!"

"Don't turn this around on me! He needs to toughen up!" Jae snapped, trying to maintain his composure, but the anger in Seungcheol's eyes was intimidating.

"Toughen up?" Seungcheol's voice rose, trembling with rage. "You think your treatment to him will make him better? He's our maknae! He's struggling, and instead of helping him, you're making it worse!"

Dino's faint groans echoed in the background, and Seungcheol's heart sank further. He could see the concern etched on the faces of the other members as they surrounded Dino, trying to comfort him.

"Jae, this isn't a game," Seungcheol continued, his grip tightening. "You need to take responsibility for what you've done. If something happens to him, it's on you."

Jae's expression flickered, uncertainty creeping into his demeanor. "I was just trying to make him better," he mumbled, but it sounded hollow, even to himself.

"By abusing him? By breaking him down?" Seungcheol growled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You need to understand the difference between discipline and cruelty."

As the commotion continued, Wonwoo stepped forward, his voice steady. "We need to get Dino some help hyung. He can't stay here."

Joshua nodded, his eyes filled with worry. "Call an ambulance. He needs medical attention now."

Seungcheol released Jae, who stumbled back slightly, the weight of the confrontation settling heavily on his shoulders. He glanced at the scene unfolding, the members working to keep Dino stable, and felt a flicker of regret deep within him.

"Jae, you need to understand," Seungcheol said more calmly, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. "Being a choreographer is about guiding us, not breaking anyone. If you can't see that, then maybe you don't belong here."

Jae's expression hardened, but he said nothing. The truth hung in the air, palpable and undeniable.

As the sound of sirens approached, Dino's hyungs rallied around him, their concern unwavering. Seungcheol made sure Dino was being cared for before turning back to Jae, whose face reflected a mix of frustration and fear.

"You are not going to meet us ever again," Seungcheol warned, his voice low. "You hurt one of my brothers, especially our maknae. Wait till the karma comes to you, I hope you'll experience hell than what you did to our Dino!"

With that, he turned back to Dino, focusing on his maknae as the sirens drew nearer, hoping that this would finally lead to the change everyone needed.

As the sirens echoed closer, Dino lay on the floor, his breathing shallow and labored. Seungcheol knelt beside him, his heart racing as he noticed a trickle of blood seeping from Dino's nose. Panic surged through him.

"Dino, stay with us," Seungcheol urged, gently wiping away the blood with the sleeve of his hoodie. "Help is on the way, okay? Just keep your eyes open for me."