Chapter Text
It was 11 pm and The air condition hummed as the group just finished a 5 hour long practice ,the blood saga concert was just around the corner while they were getting slammed with schedule so tight that they’re going on a four hours sleep due to that they were getting mentally and physically drained.
Heeseung departure from the group wasn’t doing them any favour having to relearn every choreography from scratch and redoing some lines wasn’t the best thing to do in such short time.
“This day is finally over !!”jake lying flat in the middle of the room grunting while trying so hard not to fall asleep right there on the cold floor.
The other 5 individuals were scattered across the room trying to take to take oxygen in while trying their best not to pass out and having one of the members drag them out.
Zoning out from the corner of the room sat Sunoo getting distracted bij thought that toke over his mind
I messed up the second part in bite me..
Why does my voice sound like that?.
Is that how I sound.
Maybe I should stay a little more and practice
Did I do a good job with the high note?
Maybe i should practice that to-
“Earth to Sunoo ,you still there?”
Says ni-ki jokingly as he was inches away from the latter face. Sunoo could smell his musk and sweat scent from that close,he solved them away trying to create space between them but ni-ki wouldn’t budge as he was giving him that smug smile again.
“Ya..I told you to cut that out “ said Sunoo after getting cut from his train of thought
”not my fault that you have noodles for arms “getting a few laughs from behind from none other then his hyung line joining in for the jokes.
By that time he started to take notice in his surroundings ,the whole group were busy packing up ready to head home and sleep their minimal 3 hours sleep before this whole cycle gets repeated again and again for the next month
With each comes and tour passing they were getting used to this type of schedules ,the type that makes you rethink your whole life decision and if this was the career you wanted to pursue for the rest of your life, the type were you get numb from following instructions and getting yelled at by stylist for gaining just enough weight to make them mad.
even mangers that swore that their artist health is at priority will turn a blind eye as soon as an Idol shows a slight lack of effort .
There really is no wining in the idol life huh..
Well Sunoo got used to it by time but most recently this started taking effect on his mental health,he would hear stuff about himself from staff who he sometimes never met .some of them wouldn’t even hide the fact that they’re taking about him ,displaying it as “teasing” “room for improvement “and that may look harmless to everyone.
But to him it hit deep into his heart . some stuff said can be hurtful,he even tried his best to ignore them but having access to the Internet is not the best decision.
Having the role of main vocalist suddenly thrown upon him made him the center of attention for criticism.He spent countless hours perfecting his pitch, hoping to sound as good as Heeseung, yet no matter how much he improved, he could never convince himself that he was good enough.
By the time they were done packing Sunoo haven’t moved a muscle from his place
“You planing on sleeping here?”Sunghoon said jokingly,that is when he looked up noticed all of them patiently waiting for him by the door.
Ah they are waiting for me
“I think I am gonna stay for a bit ,I’m not really satisfied with the last part..”said the latter while trying to get up after siting for too long
“Maybe a couple more hours and I will be home I just need to perfect it “he added
“Would you like me to stay?I can help you with the choreo and you can maybe buy me dinner next time”said ni-ki trying to accompany the older but also wanted to get something out of it.
Haaa this little brat..
“In your dreams ni-ki , you don’t need to stay I can handle it”.
“you sure ?I mean it’s already late and tomorrow is another day we can perfect it together in the morning “added jungwon looking already tired and seconds away from sleep but still he was worried for his hyung working himself to exhaustion.
“Yeah I am sure, I’ll be home by 3 max..”
trying to convince the leader was hard but he really wanted to stay for more practice but also having a moment with himself.
Jungwon didn’t look convinced for a second but at that moment he just wanted to crash in and sleep the entire week away ,then who will attend his schedule then? yeah right like they would get a week long break a month before their tour starts.
“Fine but please try not to overdo yourself we still have a schedule waiting for us next day”
“Hmm”
That is all the response the members got before they left for the night.
Sunoo stared at the silhouette in the mirror
“Okay let’s get this done.”
Music blasted through the speakers while he tired his best to concentrate.
After some time passed he stared at the clock above
02:42
He should head home.
His limbs burned, screaming at him to rest, while his body trembled from hours of dancing without a single break.
He started packing his things after calling an Uber, trying to kill time until it arrived. Since his manager was probably asleep by now, he figured he shouldn't bother him this late at night.
Once he was done, he decided to wait outside the HYBE building so it would be easier for the driver to spot him.
The night breeze always sent a chill down his spine. Even with a hoodie that covered most of his figure, he could still feel the cold.
Even members knew he was sensitive to the cold. Some of them would even offer him their clothes whenever moments like this came around. Sometimes he thought they hovered over him too much, but deep down, he knew they just had a soft spot for him.
After spotting his ride,he slid into the back seat and quietly greeted him before buckling his seatbelt. Too exhausted to pay much attention, he rested his head against the cool window and pulled out his phone, scrolling through social media as the city lights blurred past outside.
The warmth inside the car was comforting after standing in the cold. His eyelids grew heavier with every passing minute, and a wave of exhaustion settled over him. At first, he blamed it on the endless hours of practice. It wasn't unusual for him to feel drained after days like this.
But this felt...different.
His vision slowly blurred around the edges. The words on his screen became impossible to focus on, and his grip on his phone weakened until it nearly slipped from his hands.
He blinked several times, trying to stay awake.
Why am I so tired...?
His breathing became slower, his thoughts foggy, as though an invisible weight was pulling him into a deep sleep against his will. He tried to sit up straighter, but his body refused to listen. Even lifting his head felt impossible.
The last thing he registered was the gentle hum of the engine fading as the car rolled to a stop.
Confused, he tried to glance out the window, but his vision had already gone dark.
Then Everything faded to black.