OT8

66 0 1
                                    


Hope you like it, i can't wait to listen to their new comeback!!!

The world of ATEEZ had always been a whirlwind of lights, sounds, and never-ending schedules. The boys were used to the hectic pace of touring, rehearsing, and recording. However, with their recent comeback promotions, the toll of their busy lives was beginning to show. Late nights turned into early mornings, and before long, the effects were impossible to ignore.

The morning after a particularly demanding concert in Seoul, the shared dorm was quiet. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting stripes of light across the carpet. Wooyoung had just woken up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, when he noticed that the usually boisterous atmosphere of the dorm was oddly subdued. He glanced around to find Mingi curled in a ball on the sofa, and San sitting on the floor with his back against the wall, looking pale and distant."Hey, guys," Wooyoung called, his voice a bit hoarse. When there was no immediate response, he pushed himself off the bed and approached his friends. "You okay, Mingi?"Mingi groaned softly, burying his face in the cushions. "I feel like death," he mumbled. "My throat hurts, and I think I'm burning up.""Same," San added, rubbing his eyes tiredly.Worry started to blossom in Wooyoung's chest. "Let's check everyone else." He padded softly down the hall to the other rooms, finding the rest of the members in various states of disarray. Hongjoong had his head dangling off the edge of his bed, his breathing labored; Seonghwa was piled under blankets, his skin clammy; Yunho was in the kitchen, trying to make tea but looking unsteady on his feet."Guys," Wooyoung called out again, this time more insistent. "We have to do something."As he hurried back to the common area where Mingi and San were huddled together, they were soon joined by Yeosang and Jongho. As they exchanged worried glances, it became clear that this was more than just fatigue. They all had varying degrees of cold and flu-like symptoms. It wasn't long before the house turned into a bustling caregiving zone."Okay, first things first," Wooyoung began, taking charge despite feeling unwell himself. "We need to make sure everyone's hydrating and resting. Yunho, can you help me get some warm water and soup?"Yunho, often the one to take on the role of the responsible older brother despite being one of the youngest, nodded. He didn't protest as he leaned heavily against the counter. Wooyoung frowned but didn't dwell on it. Everyone was struggling.They set about making warm tea and broth, their hands moving quietly in a rhythm that felt almost natural. Jongho, with his strong voice, attempted to lift the spirits of the group by singing softly, but the effort drained him more than he anticipated. When he stopped, he saw Seonghwa shake his head."I wish we could cancel today's schedule," Seonghwa murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But we're supposed to film content. They won't understand.""Then we need to tell them the truth," Wooyoung replied, his determination shining through. "We can't push through this. We need to recover first."Mingi coughed, rising on the sofa to lean against it. "I'm not sure if they'll listen..."The conversation continued to feed the worry gathering at the back of their minds, but they all knew they had to at least try. After they finished preparing the tea and soup, they gathered together in the living room, where they could feel the warmth of each other's presence.With bowls of soup steaming in their hands, they sat together on the floor, sharing what little energy they had left. Wooyoung had called their manager and explained the situation, seeking advice and expressing their concerns. In response, the manager promised to do his best to reschedule things, but they needed to prioritize their health.Just when the silence of their suffering felt too heavy to bear, the door to the dorm creaked open, and in walked their manager, flanked by a doctor with a medical bag."Alright, boys," the manager said firmly, his expression one of both concern and relief. "I'm taking no chances. We're going to check on you, and we'll get you some medication to help speed this along."The doctor nodded, already assessing the situation, tapping a thermometer against his palm. "Let's see how everyone is doing."One by one, the members surrendered to the doctor's examination, explaining their symptoms while he took their temperatures. Most were running mild fevers, though Mingi's was alarmingly high."Let's focus on Mingi and then go from there," the doctor directed as he checked Mingi's throat, his expression serious. Mingi grimaced, but he managed a small smile to ease the tension. "Just a little poke," the doctor said, lifting a syringe. "And then I'll give you something for the fever."Once the doctor finished up with Mingi, he turned to the others. "You're all experiencing mild viral symptoms; rest, hydration, and medication are key. Stay warm and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it."As the doctor left, the boys settled back onto the couch, leaning against each other where they could. It was comforting—a small island of warmth amid the storm of their mutual suffering. Wooyoung found his lean frame resting against Mingi, who had a soft smile on his face despite his discomfort. "Are you feeling better with the meds?" Wooyoung asked gently."A bit," Mingi admitted, his eyes drooping slightly. "But I think I need some more care to get through this.""Don't worry; we'll take good care of you," Jongho chimed in, determination contrasting with his own fading energy. They all knew they were in this together.Gradually, they fell into a rhythm of caring for one another. They took turns preparing warm drinks, sharing blankets, and making pillows out of the couch cushions. As night fell, they transitioned from soup to comforting, soft foods that required minimal effort to consume.With giggles breaking out occasionally, the sound echoed in their shared living space. They inevitably found humor in their situation, sharing stories from their past tours and laughing at the shared absurdity of their present condition. In those moments, they forgot about their runny noses and throbbing heads—replacing worry with camaraderie. When San started to tell a humorous story about a prank gone wrong during a radio interview, everybody leaned in, fueled by laughter, and for a moment, the sickness threatening to engulf them didn't seem like such a burden.But the reprieve was fleeting. As the laughter faded, exhaustion reclaimed its hold. One by one, they drifted off to sleep, leaning against one another, their bonds forming a protective cocoon that shielded them from the outside world.By morning, things were palpably different. The sun peeked through the curtains, illuminating the sleeping figures of ATEEZ. Wooyoung blinked awake first, the remnants of illness still clinging to him, but the warmth of his friends nearby felt restorative.As he reached for his phone to message their manager for an update on their schedule, Mingi stirred beside him. "Is it morning?" he croaked, voice barely above a whisper."Looks like it," Wooyoung replied, his smile softening the edges of their worried atmosphere. "Let's take it easy today. I think we can all use another day of rest."Mingi smiled weakly. "Agreed. Just us, meals, and plenty of sleep."As the day went on, their slow recovery began. They read books, watched movies, and offered up laughter once more. In those moments, they found strength in notion that no matter how challenging the struggle, they were never alone. Each cough and sneeze was just another chance for them to support each other.And as ATEEZ, they found that the most beautiful memories could emerge—even from illness—when shared with those you love.

ATEEZ SICKFICSWhere stories live. Discover now