Chapter Text
Soonyoung knew he should've listened to Seungcheol. He really should've listened to his overprotective, overbearing, and more importantly right leader.
Why?
Because he's currently lying on the floor of the dance studio, his head thumping aggressively, his legs turned to jelly, and he can barely breathe.
Why?
Because he decided to stay back and work on choreographies despite the oldest telling him to rest.
Why?
He has no idea.
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So Soonyoung laid there, his eyes growing heavier as the minutes ticked past. Leaving him lying in a pit of guilt, his heart hurting just as much as his legs and back. He truly wished he had his phone on him. But alas, the rectangular device laid across the room, placed perfectly on the bench, playing the drowning sounds of Seventeen's songs.
Just when Soonyoung gave up, he heard the door creak open before a small gasp. His heart dropped recognising Chan's voice. The light patter of Chan's footsteps was enough to wake Soonyoung up once more.
"Hyung!" Chan shouted, his hands hanging in the air uncomfortably, unsure of where to put them. Soonyoung hissed at the sudden loud noise, turning his head away. "Quiet Channie." He mumbled, ignoring the painful look of concern Chan shot him.
"I'm calling Cheol-Hyung." The younger said aloud, more to himself than to Soonyoung as he dialed the number. "Chan-ah." Seungcheol's chirpy voice sung through the phone, sending a wave of guilt through Soonyoung.
"C-Cheol-Hyung, Soonyoungie's hurt." Chan whimpered, his hands finally resting on Soonyoung's legs. The commotion on the other side of the line stopped scarily quickly. Seungcheol didn't speak for what felt like hours.
Finally, in a small, concerned voice, he asked, "How bad?" As if expecting the worst. Chan choked back a sob, his thumb rubbing circles onto the older's leg. "H-He's not even awake Hyung. He's just lay-laying here." Chan murmured.
Seungcheol's breath hitched audibly, Soonyoung's face contorted into embarrassment as he heard the oldest say he'd be there in ten before abruptly hanging up.
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Soonyoung didn't know when Seungcheol got there, or how he was transported back to their apartment, but here he was. He dazedly awoke to someone's fingers combing through his hair, a soft hum filled the room as he tried to figure out where he was.
"You're awake." Seungcheol's low voice broke the silence engulfing Soonyoung. "Y-Yeah." Soonyoung replied sheepishly, attempting to sit up but Seungcheol refused, forcing the younger to lay back down on his lap.
"Soonie you need to stop staying late at the studio." The leader scolded softly, his fingers returning to the younger's hair, grounding him. "You can lean on us baby. We're your family. We'll help you when it gets too much," the older paused momentarily, catching his breath. "Your talents can't be used when you're constantly undermining us when we tell you to slow down. You're human Soon."
As Seungcheol finished his rant, Soonyoung sniffled, feeling the tears forming. Seungcheol noticed the latter's breathing growing faster, immediately pulling him to sit. "No, no, no, don't cry. Jeonghan will kill me." To that, Soonyoung let out a soft chuckle, the sound familiar yet foreign to the oldest.
"There's my baby tiger." Seungcheol whispered, cupping the dancer's cheeks softly. Just then, the door to Seungcheol's room opened and Jeonghan walked in. "Soonie!" He rushed over, sitting in front of Soonyoung and pulling the dancer into his arms.
"Aw, honey, you should've told us you couldn't handle the workload." He murmured against Soonyoung's hair, rubbing the latter's back soothingly. "I'm sorry. I just thought I could handle it but I was wrong." Soonyoung apologised, nuzzling closer to the warmth Jeonghan provided.
"I've been replaced." Seungcheol smiled, gesturing to the second oldest. "He's always been my favourite Hyung." Soonyoung replied, shooting Seungcheol a smirk as Jeonghan chuckled. "You've always been my favourite Dongsaeng. Don't let Dokyeomie know." Soonyoung laughed freely at Jeonghan's comment, content in staying in the older's arms for longer.
With that, Soonyoung eventually fell asleep, his soft snores filling the room as the oldest two watch him doze off peacefully, silently promising to recognise when their dance leader needed a break and to never let him work himself this hard again.