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The practice room was alive with energy, music blasting as Seventeen rehearsed for their upcoming performance. Mingyu danced with his usual energy, his bright smile masking the dull ache that had been steadily growing in his stomach since the morning.
He chalked it up to something he ate or maybe just exhaustion from their busy schedule. His Hyungs and Dongsaengs were working hard, so he refused to be the one to complain.
"You okay, Gyu?" Joshua asked during a water break, noticing Mingyu wincing slightly.
"Yeah, I’m fine, Hyung," Mingyu replied with a grin, waving off the concern. "Just a little tired."
Joshua didn’t press further, and practice resumed. Mingyu powered through the pain, unwilling to let anyone notice how bad it was getting. By the time they returned to the dorms that night, he was barely holding it together.
While everyone else drifted off to sleep, Mingyu curled up in his bed, clutching his stomach as the pain became unbearable. He bit his lip, stifling groans that threatened to wake the others.
In another room, Seungcheol tossed and turned, unable to shake a nagging feeling that something was wrong. His leader’s instinct, or maybe his parental sixth sense, kicked in. He got up and walked toward Mingyu’s room.
"Mingyu?" he whispered, opening the door softly.
The sight before him made his heart drop. Mingyu was drenched in sweat, his face pale and contorted in pain.
"Hyung... it hurts," Mingyu whispered weakly, his voice trembling.
Seungcheol didn’t waste a second. He rushed to Mingyu’s side, gently shaking him. "Why didn’t you say anything earlier?!"
Seungcheol quickly woke the rest of the members, his voice laced with urgency.
Within minutes, their manager, Seungjun, was helping carry Mingyu to the van. The members were frantic, their worry etched across their faces. Mingyu clutched his stomach, barely able to speak as the pain consumed him.
At the hospital, the doctor took one look at Mingyu and immediately ordered tests. After what felt like an eternity, he came out with grim news.
"His appendix has ruptured," the doctor said gravely. "He needs emergency surgery. It’s a dangerous situation, but we’ll do our best."
The members were stunned into silence. Mingyu was always the strong one, the one they relied on. Seeing him like this felt surreal.
"You guys should head home," Seungcheol said after a moment, turning to the younger members. "Jeonghan, Seungjun, and I will stay."
"But—"
"No buts," Seungcheol interrupted firmly. "You need rest. Joshua, take them home."
Reluctantly, Joshua gathered the younger members and led them back to the dorms. None of them slept that night, their minds filled with worry for their Hyung.
The surgery was successful, but it left Mingyu in immense pain. When he woke up, the ache in his abdomen was unbearable, and every movement felt like a monumental effort.
Seungcheol and Jeonghan stayed by his side, holding his hand and reassuring him.
"It’s okay, Gyu," Jeonghan said softly, brushing hair from Mingyu’s sweaty forehead. "You’re going to be fine. Just rest."
Over the next few days, Mingyu slowly began to recover. The pain was still there, but it lessened bit by bit. The hospital room became a second home for Seungcheol, Jeonghan, and Seungjun, who took turns caring for him and keeping him company.
When Mingyu was finally discharged and returned to the dorms, he was greeted with hugs and cheers from his members. They were overjoyed to have him back.
For the first few days, Mingyu was careful, genuinely needing help with tasks like getting water or reaching for something on a high shelf.
But as the pain lessened, his mischievous side emerged.
"Kwan-ah, can you get me water?" Mingyu called out from the couch, grinning at Seungkwan.
"You just drank water!" Seungkwan protested, but he still fetched the bottle.
"Jeonghan-hyung, can you fluff my pillow?"
"Seriously, Gyu?" Jeonghan said, laughing but obliging.
The members indulged him, glad to see him back to his playful self. Mingyu basked in their care, milking it for all it was worth.
Despite his recovery, there were moments when Mingyu’s pain flared up unexpectedly. During these times, the members’ lighthearted teasing turned into genuine worry.
One night, while they were watching a movie, Mingyu suddenly clutched his stomach, his face contorted in pain.
"Are you okay?!" Wonwoo asked, rushing to his side.
"I... I’m fine," Mingyu said weakly, trying to brush it off.
"Fine my foot!" Seungcheol exclaimed, already calling the doctor.
The members hovered around him, their concern palpable. They stayed by his side until the pain subsided, taking turns sitting with him late into the night.
As Mingyu’s recovery progressed, he became more aware of how much his members had done for him. One evening, while they were all gathered in the living room, he decided to express his gratitude.
"I just... wanted to say thank you," Mingyu began, his voice soft but sincere.
The members turned to him, surprised.
"For everything," he continued. "For taking care of me, for putting up with my antics, and for being there when I needed you."
Seungcheol ruffled his hair. "That’s what family is for, Gyu."
Jeonghan added, "Just don’t scare us like that again, okay?"
"I won’t," Mingyu promised, smiling through the tears that welled up in his eyes.
And in that moment, surrounded by his brothers, Mingyu felt truly grateful and loved.