SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS

Seungkwan | Asthma Part I

The early morning air was sharp and biting as Seventeen gathered backstage, readying themselves for their performance. A biting chill swept through the open venue, and despite the thick winter coats they were bundled in, the cold seemed to seep through to their bones.

"Guys, it's freezing out here," Joshua grumbled, tugging his scarf tighter around his neck. "I can't feel my fingers already."

"Same," Woozi muttered, rubbing his hands together as he huddled in his oversized jacket. "I should've brought more layers."

But despite the cold affecting everyone, it was clear that most of their attention was on one member in particular: Seungkwan. He was bundled in an extra-thick jacket, a wool hat pulled snugly over his head, and a scarf wrapped tightly around his neck. Even with all that, he still looked uncomfortable.

"Seungkwan, are you sure you're okay?" DK asked, approaching him with a concerned expression. "You're looking a little pale."

Seungkwan flashed a small, reassuring smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm fine, I'm fine," he insisted. "I'm just a little cold, but nothing I can't handle."

But the other members weren't convinced. Seungkwan had always been sensitive to the cold, and it wasn't rare for him to catch a cold or end up coughing uncontrollably after being exposed for too long.

"Seungkwan, seriously," Jeonghan said, his voice laced with concern as he approached him, holding out a hand. "Your throat's still a bit scratchy, right? Don't push yourself too hard today. We can rearrange the lineup if you're not feeling up to it."

"I'm fine hyung, really!" Seungkwan repeated, but his voice was quieter than usual, and there was a slight hoarseness to it. He immediately cleared his throat, but it didn't help much. "I'll be good. Just don't worry about me."

Hoshi, always the energetic one, eyed Seungkwan suspiciously. "You're shivering, Kwan. I can see it. Are you sure you can even hit your high notes like this?"

"I've been singing with a sore throat before hyung," Seungkwan replied, trying to sound upbeat, but his eyes kept darting around, avoiding the gazes of his worried members. "It's not a big deal."

"Seungkwan, you're literally always the first one to tell us if we're overdoing it," Mingyu said gently, stepping closer. "Why are you being stubborn now? We don't want you to make things worse for yourself."

Seungkwan shook his head, managing a weak smile. "I can handle it, I promise."

Despite his insistence, the members remained unconvinced. As they huddled together, their concerns about Seungkwan grew. There was a quiet murmur among them, a silent agreement that they would keep a closer eye on him throughout the performance.

"Maybe we should get you some warm tea or something," Wonwoo suggested. "Just to be safe."

Before Seungkwan could protest, the manager called them over, signaling that it was time to get ready. The performance was about to begin, and despite the growing worries about Seungkwan, there was nothing more they could do for now.

As they walked towards the stage, Seungkwan tried to smile, pushing the nagging discomfort aside. But the cold air bit at him harder with each step, and his throat felt like it was closing up. He hoped he could make it through the performance without his voice giving out.

The lights on stage flickered one last time, signaling the end of Seventeen's performance. The members gave their all, even as the cold nipped at their skin and the heavy layers weighed them down. Despite the frigid conditions, they powered through, giving their fans an unforgettable show. The roar of the crowd echoed in their ears as they bowed and waved, but all Seungkwan could focus on was the tightness in his chest and the shivering that had taken over his body.