I can't live without you.. || Chanmin

A Fractured Connection

Seungmin sat by the window of his small, sterile room, the afternoon light casting long shadows on the floor. Outside, the faint chirping of birds seemed to mock the silence that clung to him like a second skin. The days here all felt the same—bland, repetitive, and devoid of meaning.

But today, something was different.

His chest felt heavy, an uneasy knot forming in his stomach. He had been through enough dark nights and lonely mornings to recognize his own feelings of despair, but this wasn't that. This was something else—something external, like a faint echo of pain that didn't entirely belong to him.

He tried to push the feeling away, chalking it up to paranoia or the side effects of his medications. But the sensation lingered, gnawing at him, growing stronger with every passing minute.

Something had happened.

Seungmin's thoughts immediately went to his members. The last time he'd seen them had been the day they'd visited him. Their faces had been full of love and worry, their hugs lingering as if they didn't want to let him go. He hadn't stopped thinking about that visit, replaying every moment like a lifeline.

But now, the memory felt tainted by a wave of unease.

Seungmin stood abruptly, pacing the room as his mind raced. "Get it together," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. "They're fine. They're strong. They're... fine."

But the knot in his stomach only tightened.

Unable to ignore the feeling any longer, he hesitated for a moment before walking to the door. He pressed the call button, and moments later, a nurse appeared.

It was Nurse Yumi, one of the few staff members he felt comfortable talking to. Her kind smile faltered slightly when she saw the urgency in his expression.

"Seungmin, is everything okay?" she asked gently.

He hesitated, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I... I need to talk to my members," he said, his voice trembling. "Please. I need to see them."

Yumi's expression softened, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. "Seungmin, you know the rules. We can't just—"

"Please," he interrupted, his voice breaking. "Something's wrong. I can feel it. I don't know how to explain, but... please. I need to know they're okay."

Yumi studied him for a moment, her brow furrowed. "Seungmin, your members care about you deeply. If something had happened, they would have told us. But I can check in with them if that would make you feel better."

Seungmin shook his head, his fists clenching at his sides. "That's not enough. I need to see them. I... I can't explain it, but I just know something isn't right."

Yumi sighed, clearly torn. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Let me talk to the doctor," she said softly. "I can't make any promises, but I'll do what I can."

Seungmin nodded, his heart pounding as he watched her leave the room. He sank back onto the edge of his bed, his hands trembling slightly.

The minutes that followed felt like hours, every second stretching into an eternity. His mind replayed the last moments he'd had with each of his members—their smiles, their words, their lingering touches. He clung to those memories, but they only made the ache in his chest grow stronger.

Finally, Yumi returned, her face unreadable.

"The doctor agreed to let you make a video call," she said, her voice gentle. "It's not the same as seeing them in person, but it's a start."

Seungmin's shoulders sagged with relief. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

A few minutes later, Seungmin sat in a small office, a tablet propped up in front of him. Yumi dialed the number, and the ringing seemed to echo in his ears.

When the call connected, Seungmin's breath caught in his throat.

The members' faces filled the screen, their expressions a mix of relief and worry. Felix and Hyunjin sat closest to the camera, their eyes slightly red as if they hadn't slept. Lee Know, Han, and Jeongin crowded behind them, their faces pale but filled with warmth at the sight of Seungmin.

"Seungmin!" Felix exclaimed, his voice filled with a mixture of joy and concern.

"Hey, Minnie," Han said, his smile forced but genuine.

Seungmin's eyes scanned their faces, his heart racing. "What happened?" he asked immediately. "You all look... I don't know. Different."

The members exchanged glances, their hesitation speaking volumes.

"Seungmin," Hyunjin started, his voice careful, "there's a lot we need to talk about, but we're okay now. Just... focus on yourself, okay?"

Seungmin narrowed his eyes, his chest tightening. "That's not an answer. What aren't you telling me?"

It was Felix who finally spoke, his voice soft but steady. "Chan-hyung had a rough night. But we're here for him, and he's going to be okay."

Seungmin's heart sank. "What do you mean, 'a rough night'? What happened?"

Hyunjin placed a hand on Felix's shoulder, his own voice trembling. "He's been struggling, Seungmin. Just like you. But we found him in time, and we're not letting him go through this alone."

Seungmin felt tears sting his eyes, his hands clenching into fists. "I knew something was wrong," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I could feel it."

Felix's expression softened, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "He misses you, Minnie. We all do. And we'll be here for you just like we're here for him."

The call ended too soon, but it left Seungmin with a mix of emotions—relief, guilt, and an overwhelming longing to be with them again. As he returned to his room, he made a silent promise to himself: he would fight harder, for their sake.

Because they needed him just as much as he needed them.