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Was it truly fair? Having to bear every irritation, punishment, scolding, any storm that the members threw at him. He had to bear all of S.Coups anger, scoldings and punishments. All the fights with Jeonghan. Joshua getting offended and irritated easily. Jun lashing out, accusing him of lacking respect despite his efforts. Hoshi's nagging, the harsh measures he took when his patience waned. Wonwoo's constant teasing and the lack of opportunity to talk back and express how annoying it was. Woozi's harsh words and jokes, his scoldings and cold shoulders. The8 and DK temper issues, Mingyu's teasing and nagging. The constant fights with Seungkwan, the arguments with Vernon. All of this, simply because he was the youngest—the maknae.
Dino despised being the maknae of Seventeen. The way he was treated often bordered on roughness, with jokes that crossed boundaries and an endless stream of punishments. Many members were relentlessly tough on him, making it hard for him to feel cherished, yet he was still expected to respect them.
Honestly, he didn't know. Did they care? They were supposed to care. Yes, they may be nice sometimes, say things like it was all for his own good, that they were taking care of him, but... It didn't feel like that. Dino was tired.
He was terrified of making even the tiniest mistake, dreading the teasing or, worse, the punishment that would follow. These days, the members were all on edge, and Dino bore the brunt of their frustrations. He became especially cautious, constantly reading the room, afraid to speak up, and letting everyone else guide the conversation.
Would this ever end?
-
"It's NOT like that! Why can't you get it correctly?" Hoshi was losing patience. Well, everyone was. They were just too stressed, and their teamwork was unraveling the more they practiced. They desperately needed a break but couldn't get one, and the strain was making everyone increasingly harsh.
"I will teach him-" Dino offered, trying to save Joshua.
"Dino, this is not about you. Why are you getting involved? Do you respect my leadership that little?" Hoshi snapped, too worn out to tolerate any interruptions.
The maknae's throat tightened. "No-"
"THEN why are you interrupting me?" His harsh gaze bore into him, making him flinch.
"Hyung, I-"
"Dino, enough talking back. Shut up now" S.Coups commanded.
"But-"
Before the youngest could finish, the older one grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the room, not giving him a second chance to speak. The abruptness of the action made Dino's heart race, and he struggled to control his breathing, taking deep breaths to avoid trembling in front of his leader.
Once they were alone, S.Coups fixed Dino with a steely gaze, his grip on his arm so tight it left faint marks. "When I say to stop talking, what do you do?" He demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Stop talking" The dancer responded, managing to keep his voice steady. He forced himself to maintain eye contact, determined not to show any weakness despite the knot of fear tightening in his stomach.
The tallest leaned in closer, his eyes piercing through Dino. "Then you shut up and stop interrupting Hoshi. Go back inside"
-
Dino didn't speak for the rest of the day. Not that anyone noticed; everyone was too busy fighting.
He skipped meals, even when two different groups of members made food. Instead, he stayed in the living room, oblivious to who was around him, staring at the TV without really watching. He could hear some members joking, but he didn't join in or acknowledge anyone.
Time passed in a blur until Jeonghan approached him. "Go to eat right now."
The youngest flinched. "What?"
"I said, go to eat" The vocalist commanded. Ah, so he had noticed Dino hadn't eaten yet. Jeonghan was one of those members who could switch from being easy to talk to one moment to demanding respect the next, and right now the latter seemed to be the choice. Of course, it was much more common with the maknae.
The youngest briefly considered saying he wasn't hungry, but thought better of it. He walked toward the kitchen, where Mingyu was busy cleaning dishes. Spotting him, the tallest spoke up.
"Help me out here" He requested, causing the maknae to suppress a sigh. Mingyu noticed the reluctance, arching an eyebrow. "What's that about?"
Dino remained silent, wary of being seen as talking back, and moved closer to help with the cleaning.
"Mingyu asked you a question" The8 interjected firmly from where he was still seated at the table.
"Nothing... Just wanted to eat" The younger one replied, trying to maintain composure in his voice.
"Wait, what? You haven't eaten yet?" Jun chimed in, surprised and visibly annoyed at the fact that he was notifying them that late.
"But we didn't leave any food!" Vernon interjected, judging him for not telling earlier.
"Oh" Dino mumbled, feeling a pang of embarrassment. "Then I will clean and leave"
As he began helping Mingyu with the cleaning, the dancer could hear the voices from the other members, discussing his absence at the meal or commenting about how he didn't tell them in advance. He tuned them out, focusing on the task at hand. Eventually, he found himself alone in the kitchen, finishing the cleaning on his own.
"Lee Chan"
Dino didn't flinch this time. Hearing Seungkwan's angry tone, he turned around.
"What's this about you not having eaten?" The vocalist scolded, arms crossed in frustration.
"I forgot" The younger one replied flatly, sounding uninterested. It wasn't that he meant to be disrespectful; he was just utterly exhausted.
"That's a lame excuse" Seungkwan nagged, growing increasingly frustrated. If he thought Dino was trying to provoke a fight, he was mistaken, but he seemed oblivious to that fact.
"I wasn't trying to-"
The vocalist growled in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "Coups hyung! Dino is talking back to me!"
Wonwoo, who had been watching from the doorway, teased. "Ah, someone is in trouble~"
Dino felt a sense of dread as he recognized the distinct sound of THE footsteps approaching the kitchen.
"What's going on?" S.Coups asked, his voice tinged with fatigue from dealing with their frequent squabbles.
"He's talking back!" Seungkwan declared, frustrated and dramatic.
"You, come here" The leader commanded, his voice tinged with annoyance as he firmly gripped the dancer's arm, pulling him towards a secluded corner in the house.
Of course, Dino found himself on the receiving end of discipline once again, this time more than just a stern talking-to. By the time it was over, the maknae was left trembling, his nerves on edge. Released from the grip, he hurriedly made his way to the bedroom. It was late, and Woozi had just returned home. Collapsing together in the hallway, both exhausted, the producer shoved him away with a tsk.
"Get out of my way" Woozi snapped, quickly moving out of Dino's line of sight.
Oh. Ow. The youngest stood there in silence for a few seconds before slowly making his way to the room. Quietly and slowly, he lay down in bed and stared into nothingness. His expression was blank, his mind disconnected.
Throughout the night, his mind raced yet remained devoid of any coherent thoughts.
-
The dancer was exceedingly cautious. He refrained from unnecessary talk or jokes, and when he did speak, it was with utmost respect, wary of any potential consequences. He wasn't Dino. It felt as though he had become a stranger to himself.
While he had stopped flinching at the scoldings after enduring several of them, he instinctively flinched when DK touched his shoulder. Slowly turning his head to look at him, he encountered a surprised expression on the vocalist's face. DK gently squeezed his shoulder, glancing around the room, but Dino remained fixated on him, oblivious to everything else.
"Would you mind coming with me to the bathroom?" DK asked gently, his thumb stroking his dongsaeng's shoulder.
The dancer didn't dare to disobey. He quickly rose to his feet and followed the taller one out of the practice room, expecting to head to the bathroom. Instead, DK guided him to an empty vocal room.
Though Dino was filled with questions, he suppressed them, reluctant to complain or talk back. It was DK who broke the silence.
"Nodi... Are you okay?" His question was hesitant, but it struck Dino so hard it left him momentarily speechless.
"Eh?" It was the only response he managed. He stood there, staring at the oldest, looking lost and uncertain. Slowly, his body began to react, and he started to tremble slightly.
DK could see the struggle behind Dino's blank mask, the effort it took to keep himself together. "Dino..." He murmured, the pity in his tone making the maknae's low lip quiver for a second.
Dino simply nodded as a 'I'm all good', but his response was shaky and unnatural. He seemed strangely blank and unresponsive.
"Hey, no need to do that..." It was pity. What shone through DK's eyes right now, as he pulled Dino closer, slowly and carefully observing his reactions as he embraced him: it was all pity.
Dino didn't react, move, bury his face on his hyung shoulder, or whatever that was expected from him right now. He just stood there, quietly staring at the wall as DK hugged him tighter.
Observing the dancer's lack of response confirmed to the oldest that he was doing the right thing. He began to gently stroke Dino's back in a soothing motion, attempting to calm him. However, it was evident that the maknae's emotional barriers were impenetrable, signaling to DK that the situation was more serious than he had initially realized.
He pulled Dino even closer, perhaps trying to reassure himself as much as the younger boy. The younger one remained still. His heart ached deeply, tears welling at the corners of his eyes, yet he couldn't even break down. He just stared ahead, lost in his thoughts.
"I want to go home" He simply mumbled, his eyes fixed on the wall.
"Home? Okay, we are going back to the dorms. Fuck practice" DK attempted to lighten the mood with a joke, but the air remained tense.
No. Not that home. But Dino didn't specify, and let DK separate the hug. They locked eyes for a moment, the tallest's expression gentle as he rubbed his dongsaeng's arms up and down, hoping to soften the blank mask that veiled his emotions.
Understanding what was likely going through the maknae's mind, DK assured him that he would retrieve their belongings himself and return with Dino's bag—and that's exactly what he did. Ignoring the questions from the other members, he simply stated that the youngest needed to go home, grabbing his bag before returning to Dino.
They silently walked home, which was really different from their usual lively conversations, DK firmly holding the dancer's hand. The youngest couldn't find reassurance within himself. He couldn't even feel angry for abruptly leaving practice, he couldn't scold himself for letting the vocalist see him vulnerable. Instead, he walked alongside DK like a robot, obediently following each directive.
DK opened the dorm door and gently rubbed the dancer's back, guiding him inside with care, intent on giving him the healing time he needed. Dino remained silent, not uttering a word even when DK suggested they do whatever he wanted. He simply lay down in bed, allowing himself to be tucked in by the older boy, and they shared the quietest time they had ever experienced together. They held hands, gazing silently into the distance.
Every attempt at conversation was met with silence from the youngest, who refused to respond to any questions, no matter how close they came to addressing reality. DK was good at catching people's emotions, Dino was good at building walls and hiding them.
-
While DK didn't say anything explicitly, the other members weren't oblivious; some had already started to piece things together. They had noticed how Dino flinched every time he was reprimanded, and although they hadn't paid much attention to it initially—everyone had their own issues—now, their concerns took a back seat.
A few of them attempted to message DK, seeking answers, but he remained unresponsive. Dino could only imagine the frustration building among the members. Why would two of their own skip practice as if it were inconsequential, then refuse to explain themselves? He guessed they were in their right to be angry.
The first ones to arrive home were Jeonghan and Wonwoo. Upon entering, they found DK gently stroking Dino's wrist as they watched TV in the living room, with chips and sweets scattered around. The youngest tensed slightly, anticipating a scolding, remaining still as the two members set their things aside, hoping to evade notice.
Not a word was shared as Jeonghan and Wonwoo approached the couch, sharing glances with DK. The rapper settled next to Dino, causing him to tense when he placed his hand on his thigh.
Jeonghan coughed slightly, clearing his voice. "Dino-yah, baby..."
Dino remained silent, his heart racing as he kept his composure by focusing on the TV.
"Dino?" The vocalist repeated, his tone gentle.
"Yes?" The youngest replied, sounding nonchalant, as if his sudden departure from practice earlier hadn't happened.
"How- well... Do you want to talk?" Jeonghan chose his words carefully, ensuring he didn't give the impression that Dino was in trouble.
"No" He replied flatly, his response met with Wonwoo's reassuring squeeze on his thigh and DK's gentle stroking of his wrist.
Regardless of whatever theories Jeonghan and Wonwoo might have formulated on their way home, Dino offered no confirmation or elaboration.
-
Most members had a sense of what was happening, though some were more uncertain. They hadn't discussed it much, focusing instead on a full day of practice, but a common understanding prevailed: judgment would be reserved until the seriousness of the situation was understood.
The dorm was unusually quiet. Seungkwan struggled to engage Dino in casual conversation, Vernon busied himself analyzing the situation, Mingyu took charge of making dinner, and The8 had been gently petting Dino's hair for a while now. Meanwhile, S.Coups, Jeonghan, and Wonwoo were engaged in a discussion in another room, obviously sharing their thoughts.
If Dino spoke or responded, his tone held a distant chill—not disrespectful, but guarded, as if he were protecting himself behind walls of ice. The members handled him delicately, sensing this uncharacteristic behavior from Dino, treating him like glass.
The maknae was tough, so usually, there wasn't a single sign of something going on. This led the others to sometimes take him for granted, assuming that he, being their strong maknae, could handle anything thrown his way. But now, he seemed like a different person altogether. He wasn't the Dino they knew—no one could recognize him in this state.
Upon arriving home, Joshua, Jun, and Hoshi immediately sensed the tense atmosphere without needing any explanation, quickly catching that things weren't going well. Despite their exhaustion, Joshua made an effort to gently encourage Dino to join them for a meal. The maknae did his best to appear normal, but there was an underlying fear of disobeying them as he followed them to the kitchen.
Even as Dino ate slowly, Jun and Hoshi lingered nearby. The tallest stood beside him, his hand resting firmly on the youngest's shoulder as he silently assessed how he was coping. Meanwhile, the older dancer couldn't let the situation go unaddressed.
"I'm sorry" Hoshi stated firmly, not out of anger but with a desire for Dino to hear and understand his apology clearly.
Dino's body didn't react immediately, but after realizing the question was directed at him, he eventually responded without turning or moving. "Why?" He set his food aside, his gaze fixed ahead.
"I scolded you for no reason yesterday" Hoshi began, wanting to express more but finding his words stuck in his throat. He noticed how distant and cautious the youngest seemed, almost as if he was detached and... afraid?
Dino responded with a noncommittal hum. He didn't want to falsely reassure and say things were okay, or be truthful about his feelings and get into trouble for it, fearing repercussions for speaking out. It would be considered talking back, right?
Hoshi waited in silence for a few moments, unsatisfied but sensing Dino's reluctance to engage further. He exchanged a knowing glance with Jun, silently acknowledging it was best to leave Dino alone for now.
-
Woozi opened the door expecting to hear the usual clamor of the members voices. However, as he walked inside, he almost thought everyone was asleep. Lights were on, and everyone was gathered around Dino, each trying to comfort their youngest member in their own way. Having spent a long day working, Woozi had momentarily forgotten about the tensions from practice, but seeing the maknae surrounded by concerned faces, a sense of unease settled over him. Something was definitely amiss.
It wasn't as if things had been going well lately. Tempers had been short, and conflicts frequent. Yet, suddenly, all of that had dissipated into an eerie atmosphere of a weird calmness. The members sat in silence as Dino quietly leaned against DK's shoulder, seemingly drifting off, trying to relax but remaining alert under the watchful gaze of everyone.
"You all should go" Woozi cut through the silence, the members finally realizing his presence.
Glances were exchanged among the members and then towards Dino, who remained unresponsive. DK nodded subtly, silently signaling for everyone to give them space. They reluctantly withdrew their hands from around the youngest member, leaving behind their best intentions, and followed Woozi into another room.
"Aren't you all going to explain what's going on?" The producer inquired, still bewildered by the rare sight displayed. The scene he had just witnessed—everyone gathered around Dino in such a protective manner—was highly unusual. For most of them, tough love had always been the norm, making such display of tenderness by every single one of them all the more perplexing to him.
"We know as much as you do" Seungkwan interjected, as frustrated as everyone else was.
"Well, you have been hours there by now" He pointed out, his tone betraying a hint of insecurity. Had they messed up for real this time?
"And what's your point? The past hours have been exactly as you have seen" S.Coups countered, his voice edged with weariness.
"Is he sick or something?" The shortest probed further, trying to find any reason that wouldn't let everyone single one of them feeling deadly levels of guilt.
"Let's not beat around the bush. We all know what this is about" Jeonghan chimed in, his expression serious.
"We do?" Vernon inquired.
Some members appeared bewildered, while others showed signs of... guilt. They had acted impulsively in the past, and some were aware of their actions but struggled to rein in their emotions. A silence enveloped a room full of people, until The8 spoke up.
"He's scared of us"
...
Dino was afraid of them.
Of his own hyungs.
Weren't they supposed to be a family?
-
Dino was uncertain how to process it all. He woke up to DK's comforting embrace around his torso and Jeonghan planting a gentle morning kiss on his cheek. Jun had brought him breakfast in bed, and Mingyu hovered nearby, constantly checking if the food was to his liking.
They... They knew. It was unmistakable now. They were aware they had been in the wrong. Yet, Dino couldn't help but feel unsettled by this realization. It meant they had known all along they were being difficult on purpose, choosing not to change their behavior until now. Of course they knew; it was evident to anyone that their treatment towards him had been overly harsh.
As soon as Dino emerged from his room, Joshua tousled his hair in a friendly gesture and Seungkwan complimented his outfit, an unusual praise coming from him. Wonwoo, walking alongside him towards the living room, asked about his sleep without a hint of teasing. Meanwhile, The8, noticing the lack of space on the couch, pulled Dino to sit onto his lap with a gentle insistence.
The youngest tried hard to maintain the same nonchalant demeanor he had the day before, his blank expression wavering slightly. However, when Woozi approached and draped an arm around his shoulders, squeezing gently and leaning in to assess his condition today, Dino felt his composure slipping. He suddenly felt intensely scrutinized and vulnerable, his heart racing with uncertainty.
"Are we hurting you, Chan?" Vernon was the one to ask, leaving everyone in a quiet state.
Honesty and discomfort permeated the atmosphere. All eyes turned to Vernon, The8's grip around Dino's waist tightening involuntarily, while Woozi's hand firmly clasped his shoulder. The youngest remained speechless, but for the first time in days, there were obvious emotions in his face: surprise, fear, hurt.
DK swallowed hard, sensing how uncomfortable everyone was, so he decided to talk. After all, he was the one that had been getting through Dino the most. "We have been unfair a few good times, haven't we?"
Dino was at a loss for words. He couldn't bring himself to be honest right now; he feared it might be used against him. But then, Woozi leaned into his ear, whispering with the most reassuring and protective tone he had ever heard coming from him, his hand still squeezing his shoulder. "It's okay"
The maknae's carefully constructed facade began to crack, his expression gradually becoming less guarded, revealing a hint of sadness underneath. The8 rocked him gently, his gaze as tender as everyone else's, patiently waiting for Dino to open up.
Anxiety gripped the dancer's heart, causing it to race faster. Sensing his distress, Joshua reached out to gently caress his other shoulder, trying to soothe him. "Easy there. Breathe, kid" He said in a calm and reassuring voice.
The maknae was uncomfortable with the sudden vulnerability that enveloped him and the pity he sensed from everyone around him. But was their concern truly genuine? He couldn't be sure. They couldn't change overnight and expect him to trust them immediately.
Mingyu approached him slowly, extending a tentative hand to pat his back. "You are okay. You can talk to us" He said gently.
Dino felt an urge to mention how the last time he was honest, he was punished for it. But he held his tongue; saying so would have been disrespectful. Instead, he remained silent, head bowed low.
The members began to realize that trust had been damaged, and Dino wasn't ready to open up about it. If they wanted to regain his trust, they would have to make amends and handle the situation delicately, not push him further.
Dino sighed softly at the sudden silence and got up from The8's lap, slowly walking away. The members watched him go, hesitant but understanding his need for space. However, just as he was about to leave the room, S.Coups appeared and gripped his arm firmly to stop him in his tracks.
And there it was: the truth laid bare for everyone to see. Dino's facade completely crumbled. His body visibly trembled, and the fear in his eyes as he looked up at S.Coups was unmistakable. The other members felt their hearts shatter, guilt and sorrow washing over them as they finally understood the depth of the impact their actions had on their youngest member.
The oldest didn't realize until he catched a glimpse of the whole group. Broken, 11 broken expressions stared right at him so intensely he almost felt like a monster. His eyes moved back to the maknae, and then he saw it.
"Dino..." S.Coups began, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and regret.
The dancer's breath hitched, struggling to hide his raw emotions, his eyes becoming all water.
"Please" Dino whispered, his voice breaking. "Just let me go."
The leader's grip softened, but he didn't let go entirely. Instead, he looked around at the other members, seeking their silent support.
"Let him go" Jeonghan commanded, shaking his head.
S.Coups hesitated for a moment before releasing Dino's arm. The young dancer stepped back, his eyes darting around the room, searching for an escape. The weight of their collective gaze bore down on him, making it hard to breathe. Without a word, he left with quick steps.
He found a quiet corner in the dorms, away from everyone. He sank to the floor, his back against the wall, and let the tears flow freely. The fear, the hurt, the exhaustion—it all came crashing down at once.
As he sat there, he thought about the sincerity in their eyes, the regret in their voices. Part of him wanted to believe them, to give them another chance. But another part of him was still too wounded, too scared to trust again.
-
Over the rest of the day, the members were extremely cautious.
S.Coups realized that his usual authoritative leader stance was breaking them apart instead of pulling them closer, and was now more reserved and careful. He watched from a distance, making sure not to overwhelm Dino, his heart churning each time he reminded himself how the maknae's eyes shook with fear towards him. When he did approach, his touch was light, a hand on the dancer's shoulder or a soft pat on the back, his eyes conveying deep regret and a promise that he would mix his tough love with real care.
Of course, as always Jeonghan took on the role of the gentle caretaker. He stayed close to Dino without crowding him, offering soft words of encouragement and tender smiles. Whenever the maknae looked his way, the vocalist would give a small, reassuring nod, as if to silently say, "I'm here for you."
Joshua wanted to believe that he didn't hurt Dino that much. After all, the maknae himself would usually say that he took care of him well. But still, still... he felt a profound guilt that wouldn't leave his mind calm, so he made sure to take extra care to check in on Dino’s emotional state. He would quietly ask how he was feeling, if he needed anything, and respected the maknae's space if he didn’t feel like talking.
Jun wasn't truly sure about what to do. In the past, he had been mixing treating Dino like a friend and taking advantage of his hyung position at the same time, but now that he needed to act like a real older brother, he felt lost. So he pushed through his own boundaries, offering comfort through gentle physical contact. He would sit beside Dino, holding his hand or rubbing his back in slow, soothing circles. Calm and steady, wanting to provide a sense of stability and security.
Hoshi, feeling particularly guilty and embarrassed about his actions, was the most cautious. He approached Dino with visible trepidation, his voice soft and earnest, his usual confidence around the maknae gone. He apologized again, his sincerity clear, and made sure to give his dongsaeng plenty of space, stepping in only when he felt Dino needed support.
Wonwoo, reserved with these matters, decided to use his calm demeanor to provide a sense of quiet support, knowing that the dancer already had plenty of members to talk to and it could become overwhelming. He didn’t say much, just sat next to Dino when he had the opportunity, working on his laptop while occasionally stealing soft glances in the maknae's direction, offering a comforting silence.
Woozi felt helpless. He didn't have a single idea of what to do, so when the day's dance practice was over, he invited an exhausted Dino to take a nap in his studio. He focused on creating a comfortable environment, setting up a cozy corner in the room with pillows and blankets, inviting the youngest to join him. When Dino sat down, Woozi brought over a guitar and softly strummed calming tunes, using music to create a soothing backdrop for the evening.
The8 was attentive and observant, always nearby in case the little one needed anything. He made sure Dino had some tea, and of course had to make him learn breathing exercises to feel better and calm down on his own, gently teaching him how to take care of himself in case he ever felt as anxious as he was just hours before.
Mingyu was especially concerned, but tried his best to appear as approachable and calm as possible, not wanting to add further stress. He would bring the kid snacks or anything else he might need, without making a fuss about the actual situation. His touch was light but constant; reassuring pats on the arm, brief hugs, gentle kisses, whatever made both of them feel better. Dino would roll his eyes from time to time, but that didn't stop the tallest from showing his dongsaeng how much he appreciated him.
DK, with a sunny smile, tried his best to lighten the atmosphere. He made sure to include Dino in casual conversations, always steering them towards topics that were light-hearted and comfortable. His jokes were gentler, always checking the dancer's reaction to ensure he wasn’t pushing too hard, and even when he struggled with knowing if he was doing things right or not, his heart lightened each time Dino approached him first.
Seungkwan toned his usual energy and teasing down, speaking to the maknae in a softer, more soothing voice. He praised Dino for little things, like finishing his meal or later joining the group in the living room, constantly reinforcing positive behavior with gentle words of encouragement. It was quite awkward to not tell the younger one constantly what he had to do and not to do, but before he knew it, acknowledging his efforts became natural.
Vernon, typically laid-back, was more attentive and considerate this time. He avoided any teasing, instead engaging Dino in low-key activities like watching a movie with him or listening to music together while the other members made dinner. His goal was to make the maknae feel included without any pressure, and of course let him know in his own way that he would be there too.
-
Dino's eyes were half-closed, reacting to DK's gentle touch in his hair as they lay in bed, alone. The day's events had left him drained; each member had taken their turn to ensure he knew they were sorry. He wanted to feel reassured and comforted, but instead, he felt guilty. As the maknae, he shouldn't be the one causing everyone concern. He believed he should have borne everything himself; after all, they were the hyungs, and their choices shouldn't be questioned.
DK gazed at him fondly, resting his head on his hand to get a better view, while his free arm gently caressed his dongsaeng's nape. A small smile crossed his face, though he sighed softly, knowing things weren't okay yet. Dino's next words only confirmed this.
"I'm sorry" Dino mumbled, filled with disappointment in himself, anger at everyone else, and frustration towards life.
The oldest shook his head, having anticipated the maknae's words. "No. We are sorry, Nodi" He said, his voice thick with sincerity. "We didn't realize... We didn't understand how much we were hurting you."
"But I-... I was supposed to-"
"Shh, don't. We need to do better" DK interrupted gently, moving closer. "We will do better. Just... give us a chance to prove it to you."
Dino searched his hyung's face, looking for the sincerity he so desperately needed to see. Slowly, he nodded, though the doubt in his eyes hadn't completely faded. DK knew that regaining his dongsaeng's trust wouldn't be as simple as saying kind words, but he was determined to make it right.
"I will start now" He said with a bigger smile, though it held a hint of sadness. He leaned in and encircled his arms around Dino in an annoyingly sweet embrace, peppering his cheek with gentle kisses.
The youngest let out a small whine, but he couldn't resist returning DK's hug with all the strength he had. The older one didn't mind it, welcoming him warmly. He knew that from now on, he-. No. Everyone, everyone would do whatever it took to support Dino, even if it meant giving him the world.
"I love you, Nodi" He whispered softly, his embrace tightening reassuringly. "We all do."
Dino nestled into DK's embrace, feeling the genuine warmth and support radiating from him, letting it mix with his previous hurt and pain. For the first time in days, a sense of relief was let in, even if he wasn't sure it would last for long.
As they held each other in silence, Dino began to believe that maybe, just maybe, things could get better from now on.