SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS I

Joshua | Fever Part III

The rest of the members were already getting dressed, excited for the concert that was about to begin. Joshua took a few more steadying breaths before walking back to join them, hoping that the makeup and his usual bright demeanor would be enough to mask the fact that he was slowly falling apart.

Just a little longer, he thought again, as he forced a smile. I can make it through this. I have to.

The atmosphere backstage was electric, filled with anticipation. The countdown to the concert had begun, and the entire arena buzzed with the energy of eager Carats waiting to see Seventeen perform. Joshua stood with the others, trying his best to keep his focus on the excitement of the moment, but the heaviness in his body and the lingering fever were impossible to ignore. Despite that, he couldn't let himself dwell on it.

I can't let them down. Not now, he thought, taking slow, steadying breaths as he glanced at his members, each of them buzzing with excitement. They were all determined to give their fans the best performance possible, and Joshua was no exception, even if his body was protesting every movement.

Seungcheol, as usual, was the first to rally everyone with a quick motivational speech, pumping them up for the show. "We're doing this for Carats, for all the people who've supported us from the beginning. Let's make this unforgettable," he said, his voice strong and steady. Everyone cheered in response, clapping each other on the back and exchanging smiles.

Joshua's mind raced as he listened to Seungcheol's words, the heat in his body making him feel distant and disoriented. His heart pounded in his chest, a sharp contrast to the cool air around him. He could feel the sweat on his forehead, his hands slightly trembling, but he pushed it all down, forcing himself to focus on the upcoming performance.

The lights dimmed, and the announcement came that the concert was about to start. The crowd erupted in cheers, their shouts vibrating through the entire venue. Joshua felt a rush of adrenaline hit him, but it quickly mixed with a wave of dizziness. He stumbled for just a second, but quickly caught himself, thankful that no one had noticed. He was determined to push through this.

As they walked onto the stage, the roar of the Carats welcomed them like a tidal wave, and Joshua felt his spirits lift for a moment. The energy was palpable, and he could almost forget about the way his head spun and the heat radiating from his body. The other members smiled and waved, their energy infectious, and Joshua did the same, but it took more effort than usual.

The music started, and the lights flickered on as they moved into position. The adrenaline began to take over, and despite the lingering sickness weighing down on him, Joshua threw himself into the performance. His body was aching, his steps felt heavier than usual, and his vision was slightly blurry at times, but as soon as he stepped into the rhythm, it was like everything else faded away.

Focus on the music. Focus on Carats, he told himself over and over. They're here for you. I can do this.

He managed to match his energy with the rest of the members, singing and dancing with all the passion he could muster. But each move felt like it took more energy than the last, and he could feel himself starting to fall behind, even if it was just a little bit. The dizziness and heat never fully left, but he kept moving with the choreography, forcing himself to keep up.

The fans' energy was infectious. Joshua couldn't help but be caught up in their cheers, the way they sang along to every song. Every time he saw their faces, their expressions full of love and excitement, he felt a sense of purpose that kept him going. But with each passing song, his body grew more and more exhausted, his steps becoming sluggish. He had to constantly remind himself that he couldn't stop. The spotlight was on them, and he couldn't afford to let anyone see how much effort it took just to stand and perform.