Chapter Text
Whispers echoed through the crowd among a few frantic screams, yelling out to the idol no one ever thought they would see collapsed upon the floor, barely breathing, barely conscious. Ricky should’ve seen it coming, the way Gyuvin’s skin has been coming out paler by the day, sweat lining his forehead in the brutal cold weather of Korea before leaving to Hong Kong.
It all started around a month ago, the preparations for the concerts were intense, everyone on tight schedules, dangerous diets, no exceptions. 1 week to fix, learn, any new adjustments to the choreography, songs for zerose’s present. This time the song for the Singapore stop was a Chinese song - 不为谁而作的歌 otherwise know as Twilight by JJ LIN.
Ricky, thinking that since Chinese was his native language, then he should finally get a few more lines. He was incorrect, with 13 seconds of the intro being all he gets to sing.
Even so every morning was the same, wake up, shower, stare in the mirror reflect on his choices to become an idol, message Gyuvin, avoid wakeone staff, and get hurried out the door to practice.at this practice in particular was when Ricky started to notice that something was off with Gyuvin.
Sure, practice was hard on everyone but today it seemed Gyuvin was struggling. After the Kuala Lumper concert, we had less than week before we had to preform for the Singapore stop. We didn’t have time for mess ups, people slowing us down. However its never usually Gyuvin.
Gyuvin is the type of person to maybe make a few mistake when he’s learning the choreography, but once he’s got it down, he never forgets. During breaks he pesters the other members, wiping sweat all over them, laying on the person closest to him, whole body weight ploughing into them, pestering them for a piggyback. He brings up the energy in the practice room even during its dullest moments.
Today however was the opposite, everyone overtired and exhausted from the previous concert, eager to get back to the hotel and rest. However, due to the continuous sloppy mistakes from Gyuvin, at the moment it seemed near impossible.
Adjusting the cap back on his head his gaze tightened as Gyuvin prepared to go for another run-through of iconik. Everyone looked fed up but still stood in their positions, for yet another run-through.
After one more failed attempt Gyuvin sat on the ground looking defeated.
“Gyuvin what’s going on? This isn’t like you” Hanbin spoke in a soft yet semi-frustrated tone.
“I’m not sure…I think I’m just overtired I stayed up pretty late last night, I promise I’ll get this down before Singapore.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’m sure you’ll be fine tomorrow, all you need is a good nights sleep. Ricky, can you take him back to the hotel while the rest of us go to practice the new song cover?”
Perking up at the sound of his name, Ricky walked over to Gyuvin, softly sitting beside him. It was weird to see Gyuvin this quiet, even with all the time he’s known Gyuvin for, it catches him off guard every time.
“Hey..cmon, lets go back and rest for a bit” Ricky helped Gyuvin up, holding him by the arm, pulling him towards himself.
Gyuvin then proceeded to put all his weight upon Ricky, collapsing like a noodle.
“Ricky-ah, carry me please…I’m too tired” Gyuvin pouted, trying to persuade Ricky, even though he already knew the answer.
Ricky shoved him off and started walking towards the exit. He ended up walking towards a vending machine, stopping to get a strawberry milk can for himself. Now spotting it, also a mango smoothie for Gyuvin.
While paying, Gyuvin appeared again, leaning against the wall with his belongings held in his hands. This time though was when Ricky really got a look at him. Gyuvin staring blankly at the floor, zoned out. Ricky could see the line of sweat still dripping down his chin from the heavy practice, breathing still slightly laboured, face a bit pale.
Looking up, he meets eyes with Ricky sharp face of concern, an expression he doesn’t see very often. As if they were silently communication Gyuvin replies.
“Don’t worry Rik, I promise I’m fine. I just had a late night and so my energy is low.”
Ricky gives him another look before passing him the mango smoothie.
“Hopefully this gives you a bit more of a boost”
Gyuvins eyes start to twinkle as he looks at Ricky, a small soft smile creeping on his face, grabbing the smoothie from Ricky. Grasping hands as he does so.
Ricky looks around to see if anyone else is in the hallways yet finds no one and continues to let Gyuvin hold his cold hands in his warm ones as they walk out the door to the hotel, hats and masks adjusted.
Once they get back to the hotel, Rickys follows Gyuvin into his room. Gyuvin flops onto his bed, trying to grab Ricky and drag him down as well. He dodges and then grabs the blanket, throwing it on Gyuvin.
“There, now rest. Ill be back later after vocal practice.”
A few whines are heard before Ricky steps out the door, leaving to practice without his vitamin-Gyuvin.