Chapter Text
It happened right when no one was expecting it. But then again, amidst the bright lights and joyous screams of the crowd, who would've known it would happen? One second, they were in a state of excitement and adrenaline, and then in the blink of an eye, everything was crashing right before their very own eyes.
As the lights above the stage gave out and fell, Soonyoung saw how everything changed. In just a matter of seconds, the cheering turned into cries of fear and the once euphoric atmosphere within the place morphed into one of shock. Everyone in the venue was reduced into a state of panic and terror as they watched the thirteen idols helplessly.
Soonyoung saw, from the corner of his eye, a couple of staff members trying to get their way onto the stage to attempt to get them away from danger, but he knew that it would've already been too late.
He didn't even think twice. He pushed his members away as quickly as he could as the broken lights completely crashed down onto him. His mind didn't even register the pain, because the moment it fell on him, darkness consumed his vision as he vaguely heard the faint shouts of someone calling his name.
...
Jeonghan stared in horror at the sight in front of him as his heart pounded out of his chest with immense worry and fear. It felt like time had stopped. Wasn't it that just a second ago, they were performing? How did it all come to this? Everything was happening way too quickly. Jeonghan could barely hear the panicked shouts of everyone around, all he knew was that he needed to get to where Soonyoung was, to see if he was all right. He got up shakily, only to be stopped by a hand grabbing his. When he turned around, Seungcheol's pleading eyes met him.
"Hyung, let me go."
But Seungcheol only shook his head, still holding onto Jeonghan. Tears had started to form in the older's eyes. "Don't. You're gonna get hurt, too."
Jeonghan was getting annoyed. Why couldn't he understand? Why couldn't Seungcheol understand that he just wanted to check on Soonyoung? He tried to get away from the elder's grasp, but Seungcheol only held on tighter. "Hyung, let go-!" He cries out, voice breaking. He didn't care that his mic was still on, didn't care at all that everyone in the venue probably heard everything he was saying. He didn't care about any of that at all. He just needed to get to Soonyoung, was that too much to ask for?
Before he even knew what was happening, Seungcheol had managed to pull him down onto the stage, hugging him from behind. "You might get hurt, too. Please..." he heard the utter fear and desperation in the elder's voice, could feel how his voice shook with every word that left his mouth. Upon hearing the other speak, Jeonghan was reduced to a crying mess, watching helplessly and ppraying with all his heart for some sort of miracle that Soonyoung would be okay.
...
The ride to the hospital was completely silent. Following the events of what occurred just minutes ago, everyone couldn't really find the words to say, and though they tried to comfort each other every now and then, it was all just uncertain reassurances that even they didn't quite believe. Jeonghan tried to think positively as much as could, tried to reason with himself that Soonyoung would be all right, but every time he closes his eyes, the image of the younger's limp form on that stage would flash right before his eyes. They had left the venue about fifteen minutes ago, but he can still feel Soonyoung's hand on him as had pushed him and the others away, can still see and smell the blood staining the floor, can still hear everyone's panicked screaming echoing within the stadium. It was all embedded in his head, rooted into every part of his brain that made it impossible to get away from.
"It's all right, hyung." Chan, who was sitting beside him, took Jeonghan's hand and smiled through tear-stained cheeks. "Soonyoung-hyung will be okay."
Jeonghan only nodded, even though he could see through the younger's eyes that even he wasn't sure about what he said. "Yeah...yeah, he will be." But it was like there was a hole in his words - it felt empty as though he was telling a lie. Well, it wasn't really a lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth either. They had all seen how the lights completely crashed onto Soonyoung, they remembered the amount of blood that quickly spread onto the stage immediately after. Maybe he would be fine soon, but for sure he wouldn't get out of that without an injury. They all just hoped that it wouldn't be lethal.
"Why did this have to happen...?" Chan wondered aloud, leaning his head onto Jeonghan's shoulder. His voice trailed off as he stared out the car window.
And Jeonghan asks himself, too: why did this have to happen to them? Why did this have to happen to Soonyoung? He silently cursed the world for letting something like this happen to someone as loving and precious as Soonyoung. It wasn't fair. Today was supposed to be spent performing, not them going to the hospital. Today was meant to be a good day...why did it suddenly turn into this?
"I don't know either, Chan, I don't know too..." he says quietly, tears brimming at the corner of his eyes.