Two Weeks Later.
The hospital smelled different now.
Not like fear. Not like despair.
But like flowers courtesy of Vernon and DK and sweet tangerines, which Seungkwan insisted were "the only fruit Shua's stomach will handle." It smelled like home. Like love.
Joshua was recovering.
The wound had closed with stitches. The bruises were fading. But the emotional damage still lingered. He was quieter. His movements were slower. He still flinched when doors opened too quickly, or when hands approached too fast. But he was healing.
And his boyfriends were there for every second of it.
They never left him alone. One of them always slept beside him in the hospital bed Jeonghan during the night, Seungcheol during early mornings, Minghao during the afternoons with calming music. Jun read stories aloud, Woozi played soft melodies on his phone, and Chan played with his fingers when words were too hard.
Joshua didn't speak much.
But he listened. And slowly, carefully... he started responding.
Smiles were rare but they happened. A small one when Seokmin tripped over a chair trying to bring soup. A twitch of the lips when Mingyu accidentally spilled orange juice all over Jeonghan's pants. A soft laugh when Vernon called the group "SEVENTEEN: Hospital Edition."
Every tiny smile felt like sunlight after weeks of rain.
Discharge Day.
Joshua stood near the entrance of the hospital, bundled in an oversized hoodie, his frail frame still weak. His hands clutched the sleeves nervously. Even though he was surrounded by all twelve members, his heart was pounding.
"Do we... do we have to go out through the front?" he asked softly.
Seungcheol looked at the manager.
The manager shook his head. "No. We arranged a private exit. Press isn't allowed. No cameras."
Joshua sighed in relief.
But as they were about to move, A Staff came rushing out, holding her phone. "It's just been announced the woman who stabbed Joshua was charged with premeditated assault and harassment. They confirmed she was behind the dating rumors and death threats."
The Staff showed the article.
The headline read:
> "Sasaeng Fan Behind SEVENTEEN Joshua Scandal Confesses: 'I Did It To Hurt Him'."
Public Apology From Fans Trends Worldwide.
#WeAreSorryJoshua, #JoshuaDeservedBetter, and #ProtectJoshuaNow trend globally.
Joshua stared at the screen, breath caught in his throat.
It was the first time... he saw the world defending him.
And it didn't feel like too late.
"Shua," Woozi said gently. "You don't have to forgive anyone. Not now. Not ever. But... you need to know that more people love you than hate you."
Seungcheol placed a hand on his shoulder. "You almost left us. We'll never let that happen again."
Jeonghan leaned in, brushing his fingers over Joshua's cheek.
The dorm was the same.
Same walls, same couch, same kitchen with Seungkwan's ridiculous "No Bananas Allowed" sign taped to the fridge.
Same bunk beds, same scent of Jun's shampoo mixed with Woozi's fabric softener.
But he wasn't the same.
Joshua stood just inside the dorm's entrance, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands, clutching at them like he'd never let go. Everything felt too loud. Too exposed. Even though they had come in quietly, no press, no cameras... just them.
