Minghao Seventeen - ignored

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@StanYeonjunNoona here's your request. Hope you like it.
1000 words.

The atmosphere in the dorms was tense. The members of Seventeen, usually so harmonious, had found themselves in a heated argument over something small and inconsequential. Minghao had tried to mediate at first, his usual calm demeanor attempting to bridge the growing divide, but the tension had only escalated. When someone's sarcastic comment struck a nerve, Minghao's frustration boiled over.

"Maybe if everyone actually listened instead of just arguing, we wouldn't be stuck like this!" Minghao snapped, his voice louder than anyone had ever heard it. The room fell silent for a moment, the other members staring at him in shock. It wasn't like him to lose his temper.

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, his tone sharp. "We're all under pressure, Minghao. Don't act like you're the only one who cares."

"I never said that!" Minghao shot back, his voice wavering slightly.

Seungkwan muttered under his breath, "You're not helping, though."

The words cut deeper than they were meant to, and Minghao's shoulders sagged. He turned away, muttering, "Forget it," as he left the room. The others watched him go, a mix of guilt and irritation lingering in the air.

Later that day, the group reconvened for dance practice. The air was thick with unspoken tension, but professionalism pushed them forward. The music blared, filling the studio as they ran through their intricate choreography. Despite the lingering unease, they moved in near-perfect unison, each member immersed in the rhythm, until a misstep broke the flow.

Minghao and Dino collided mid-move, their timing slightly off. Both of them went down hard, a thud echoing in the studio as they hit the floor. Dino cried out, clutching his ankle. He glanced toward Minghao, worry flickering across his face, but the sharp pain in his ankle distracted him too much to act on it.

"Are you okay?" Seungcheol asked, his voice laced with concern as he knelt by Dino's side. Jeonghan quickly brought over an ice pack from the mini-fridge, and the others hovered, offering words of reassurance.

Meanwhile, Minghao pushed himself up slowly, a sharp pain radiating through his lower back. He winced, his face pale as he tried to stand. "My back..." he began, but his voice was drowned out by the commotion around Dino.

"Minghao, seriously?" Wonwoo snapped, looking over his shoulder briefly. "Can't you see Dino's hurt?"

"Yeah, stop trying to make everything about you," someone else muttered under their breath, though Minghao couldn't tell who.

The words stung more than the pain in his back. He clenched his jaw, swallowing down whatever protest he might've made. He didn't want to argue anymore. He didn't want to make things worse.

The rest of practice passed in a blur. Minghao pushed through the discomfort, gritting his teeth and ignoring the sharp twinges each time he moved. No one seemed to notice his stiffness or the way he leaned against the mirror for support when the choreography didn't require him to move.

In the days that followed, Dino's sprained ankle improved under the watchful care of the others. Minghao, however, found himself withdrawing further. The pain in his back didn't subside. If anything, it worsened. Each day, he found himself wincing at even the smallest movements, his usual grace hampered by the injury he was trying so desperately to hide. The others, still nursing their irritation from the argument, didn't pay much attention. If they noticed his discomfort, they didn't say anything.

It all came to a head during another practice session. Minghao's back had reached its limit, and as he attempted a particularly demanding move, a searing pain shot through him. He collapsed to the floor, his breath hitching as he tried and failed to push himself back up.

"Minghao!" Dino was the first to notice, his eyes widening as he rushed over despite his still-healing ankle. "Hyung, what's wrong?"

The room fell silent as the others turned, their irritation giving way to concern. Seungcheol knelt beside Minghao, his hands hovering uncertainly. "What happened?"

"My back," Minghao managed through gritted teeth, his voice strained. "It's been hurting since... since the fall."

Realization dawned on their faces, followed swiftly by guilt. They had dismissed him, ignored his pain, and now it was clear just how much he had been suffering.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Jeonghan asked softly, his voice tinged with regret.

Minghao gave a weak laugh that turned into a grimace. "I tried. You didn't want to hear it."

The weight of his words hit them hard. Without wasting another moment, Seungcheol called their manager, arranging for Minghao to see a doctor. The diagnosis confirmed their fears: a severe back sprain that had been exacerbated by continued strain.

Over the next few days, the members rallied around Minghao, their guilt fueling their care. Jeonghan made sure he had everything he needed, from warm compresses to snacks. Joshua sat with him during stretches prescribed by the physiotherapist, offering quiet encouragement. Seungkwan hovered, fussing over him like a mother hen, while Dino, hobbling on his mended ankle, apologized profusely for the initial collision.

"You don't need to keep saying sorry," Minghao told him one evening, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's not your fault."

"It feels like it is," Dino replied, his expression earnest. "And I... I feel awful that we didn't listen to you."

The sentiment was echoed by the others. "We should have been there for you," Seungcheol admitted, his voice heavy with remorse. "We're sorry, Minghao. We let our frustration blind us, and you got hurt because of it."

Minghao looked around at his members, their faces etched with guilt and sincerity. Despite everything, his heart swelled with affection for them. "I forgive you," he said softly. "Just... don't ignore me next time, okay?"

They nodded fervently, their determination to do better clear in their expressions.

In the days that followed, the dorm was filled with warmth and care. Minghao's recovery became a group effort, and the tension that had hung over them dissolved in the face of their shared affection. By the time he was well enough to return to practice, the bond between them felt stronger than ever.

One evening, as they sat together watching a movie, Seungkwan draped a blanket over Minghao's shoulders. "You're not just important to the team," he said. "You're important to us. Don't forget that."

Minghao's smile was small but genuine. Surrounded by his members, their care a tangible presence, he felt a sense of peace he hadn't realized he needed.

They were his family, imperfections and all, and he wouldn't trade them for anything.

Thanks for reading. If you have any story in mind don't hesitate. I take requets.

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