Stay Strong Seventeen

Dino

"Dino" Mingyu called softly "Why do you still have that bandage on? It's been over a week, isn't it healed yet"

Dino looked up he looked a bit nervous at first but then he chuckled "Yeah well it's taking its time" ...

Mingyu stood up walking his way "Show me" he flopped next to the younger, they were eating peacefully when Mingyu noticed the bandage and decided to take another look, Dino hesitated at first but couldn't say no and extended his arm to Mingyu to have a look

"The bruise is still there" Mingyu announced sounding worried "Are you sure you've been treating it well?"

Dino nodded "Yes I have I promise"

"Then why isn't it healing? Stay here let me get the first aid kit I'll apply you the medicine and bandage it myself"

Dino didn't say much, he nodded not wanting Mingyu to worry about him and longer. The older disappeared for a while and Dino sighed deeply, looking down at his arm he felt all types of guilt "Please heal" he said muttering to himself and wondered if he should show Mingyu the other bruises that stained his body with that blue and purple shade.

They weren't healing and Dino was tired of hiding them.

His thoughts were soon cut off when Mingyu came back "Thank you" Dino said, his eyes a little tired and voice extremely thankful, if it wasn't for Mingyu Dino wouldn't probably have eaten today. The older was taking good care of him and he was forever grateful to him.

"There, you should give it time to heal, try to get some rest and finish your plate"

Dino nodded "I will"

"Do you want more?"

Dino nodded and Mingyu chuckled patting his head playfully "Why don't you stay here tonight? It's already too late to leave and Wonwoo will be home any second"

Dino nodded "I'd like that thank you"

The night passed rather quickly and Dino enjoyed spending time with Mingyu and Wonwoo, he woke up feeling refreshed and ready to work again but the pain in his chest reminded him again that his bruises weren't healed. In the washroom, he checked on them and they were basically the same from a few days ago and it hurt everytime he made a sudden move or used more muscles than he should.

But he pushed them aside, they are just bruises and they'll heal soon ... right?

A few days pass by,

Joshua made the same comment "You're wearing that bandage for days what's wrong?"

Dino looked up and thanked heavens that Mingyu wasn't around to hear that "Nothing, Mingyu helped me bandage it, it's just a bruise, it's healing"

Joshua nodded "Okay, be careful okay?"

Dino nodded again,

Another day
Another practice, another performance, another bruise

A week later,
Same thing

And Dino was on the verge of breaking down, he wouldn't come out of his room and so far, he had one hell of an anxiety attack that left Seungkwan in tears. He reassured them that he was okay but it was obvious that he was struggling, little by little, his body was giving up, until that one morning.

Seungcheol have had enough

"I'm waking him up, I need to talk to him I can't just stand here and wait"

Last night, Dino skipped dinner, had a quick shower and ignored everyone who tried calling him to check on him. They were all worried but all what the younger wanted to do was to sleep.