Falling Short of the Summit (Lune)

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Lune's alarm buzzed earlier than usual, and he groggily turned it off, groaning as the sound worsened the dull throb in his head. For a moment, he considered calling out to E-Chan in the next room to let the leader know he wasn't feeling well, but the thought of missing today's variety show shoot stopped him.

This wasn't just any schedule; they were filming for one of the biggest outdoor variety shows in Korea. The concept? Climbing challenges—a chance for Lune to showcase his hobby and let the fans see a different side of him. He couldn't let the team down.

Pushing himself out of bed, he shuffled to the bathroom. His reflection wasn't great—pale skin, dark circles, and a sheen of sweat already forming on his forehead. Splashing cold water on his face, he gave himself a pep talk.

"It's just a cold," he muttered. "You've got this."

When they arrived at the filming location, Lune's spirits lifted for a moment. The towering climbing walls were more impressive than he'd imagined, with various obstacles and challenges that promised excitement and competition. The energy among the members was infectious.

"Look at that wall!" Harry June said, pointing to the tallest structure. "I bet Lune-hyung's already plotting his route."

"Plotting how to win," Lune replied with a smirk, trying to inject some of his usual enthusiasm into his voice.

E-Chan noticed Lune rubbing his temples and asked, "You okay? You've been quieter than usual."

"I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well," Lune lied. He couldn't risk being sidelined before the shoot even began.

As the cameras started rolling, the boys threw themselves into the challenges. They laughed at each other's struggles with balance beams and joked as Junseo dramatically exaggerated his fear of heights. Lune tried to keep up, but each movement sent another wave of dizziness crashing through him.

When it wasn't his turn, he sat quietly in the shade, gulping water and hoping no one noticed how often he was wiping sweat from his brow.

Finally, it was time for the main event: the individual climbing challenge. Each member was tasked with scaling the wall in record time, and Lune was the final competitor.

As the others went ahead, showing various levels of skill and humor, Lune's nerves started to kick in—not from the challenge itself but from his worsening condition. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and his hands were trembling slightly.

When his name was called, a surge of adrenaline momentarily cleared the fog. Climbing was his element. He could do this.

The moment his hands gripped the first hold, everything else faded away. His movements were quick and deliberate, each grip and step a testament to his experience.

"Lune's a natural!" Heechan cheered from below as the others clapped and shouted encouragement.

"You've got this!" Yuku added.

Lune pushed himself harder, scaling the wall with practiced ease. The cheers of his members and the filming crew fueled him, and he felt a flicker of pride.

But halfway up, the adrenaline began to wane, and the feverish haze returned. His vision blurred, and his head spun. He blinked rapidly, trying to focus on the next hold, but his body wasn't cooperating.

"Lune! You okay?" D1 shouted, noticing the hesitation in his movements.

"I'm fine," Lune called back, though his voice sounded weak even to him.

He reached for the next hold, but his grip faltered. The world tilted violently, and before he could react, his hands slipped.

Gasps erupted from the crew and members as Lune fell. Fortunately, the harness caught him, stopping his descent. He dangled limply for a moment before the safety team lowered him gently onto the mat below.

The members sprinted to his side, panic etched on their faces.

"Lune!" E-Chan dropped to his knees, shaking Lune's shoulders gently. "Hey, wake up!"

Lune's face was pale, his skin clammy. He stirred slightly, a weak groan escaping his lips.

"He's burning up," Junseo said, pressing a hand to Lune's forehead. "Why didn't he say anything?"

The medics on-site rushed over, checking Lune's vitals.

"He's dehydrated and feverish," one of them said. "We need to get him to a hospital."

At the hospital, the doctor confirmed that Lune had been battling a viral infection that had worsened due to overexertion and dehydration. He needed IV fluids, medication, and most importantly—rest.

Back in the waiting room, the members sat in tense silence.

"He should've told us," D1 said, his voice tinged with frustration.

"He probably didn't want to let us down," GK replied softly.

"But it's not letting us down to take care of himself," Heechan countered.

E-Chan, ever the leader, ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "We need to make sure he knows that."

When Lune woke, he was met with concerned faces and a lecture from E-Chan.

"Do you know how scared we were?" E-Chan said, his tone firm but his eyes soft with worry. "You can't push yourself like that, Lune. If you're not okay, you have to tell us."

"I'm sorry," Lune whispered, his voice hoarse. "I just didn't want to miss the shoot. I didn't want to let you all down."

"You'd never let us down," Yuku said, leaning closer. "But you scared us. Please don't do that again."

The rest of the group echoed the sentiment, their teasing laced with genuine concern.

Over the next week, Lune was confined to the dorm to recover. His members took turns cooking for him, making sure he stayed hydrated and didn't lift a finger.

"Don't even think about touching that remote," Junseo joked one evening, snatching it out of Lune's hand.

Despite their lighthearted teasing, Lune could see how much they cared. They brought him his favorite snacks, stayed by his side during fevers, and even played board games to keep him entertained.

When Lune finally felt well enough to walk around, Yuku surprised him with a small climbing wall they'd rented for the dorm.

"Think of it as practice," Yuku said with a grin. "But only when you're ready."

Lune's eyes misted with gratitude.

The experience had been terrifying, but it brought the group closer. Lune learned that he didn't have to face challenges alone, and his members proved that they'd always be there to catch him—whether he was climbing a wall or battling an illness.

"Next time," E-Chan said one evening, "just tell us when you're sick, okay?"

Lune nodded, a small smile on his face. "I promise."

And as the group laughed and teased each other, Lune felt a warmth that had nothing to do with fever—just the unshakable bond of family.

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