requested by Lalunna on AO3..
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Seventeen had been running from one schedule to another for weeks, barely having time to rest between music shows, interviews, and rehearsals. Every member was feeling the pressure, but Mingyu, being the dedicated perfectionist he was, refused to show it. His broad shoulders carried the weight of every performance, every fan's expectation, and every bit of the exhaustion that crept up with the non-stop lifestyle.
They were at the airport again, preparing to catch another flight for their next schedule. Mingyu could already feel a slight pounding in his head, but he shrugged it off. It was just part of being overworked—everyone felt this way at some point, right? He tightened the straps of his backpack and plastered on a bright smile as he followed the rest of the group through the terminal. The airport was crowded, as expected. Fans and reporters lined the walkways, hoping to catch a glimpse of the group.
It wasn't unusual for them to be mobbed at airports—Seventeen was used to the chaotic greetings of their dedicated fans. But today felt different. The crowd seemed larger than usual, the screams louder, and the air thinner. Mingyu tried to shake it off, following the others as security ushered them through the crowd. He took a deep breath, trying to ignore the growing discomfort in his chest.
But as they walked further, the pounding in his head grew more intense. His vision blurred slightly, and the noise around him became muffled, as if he were underwater. His legs felt heavy, almost like they were moving through quicksand. A sense of nausea started creeping up, and Mingyu swallowed hard, trying to push it back down.
As they continued walking, Mingyu suddenly stumbled, his legs feeling weak beneath him. Wonwoo, who was walking beside him, immediately noticed the way Mingyu swayed.
"Mingyu, you okay?" Wonwoo asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Mingyu nodded automatically, flashing a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."
Wonwoo frowned, clearly not convinced, but before he could say anything else, the fans surged forward, pushing against the barriers. Mingyu instinctively took a step back, the dizziness intensifying.
His heart was racing, and he felt his breath come in short, shallow bursts. He didn't want to make a scene, didn't want to worry the fans or his members, so he kept moving forward, though his body was screaming at him to stop.
The lights of the airport seemed too bright, and the flashes from the cameras felt like they were burning into his skull. His vision swam, and the next thing he knew, his legs gave out beneath him.
The world tilted as Mingyu collapsed to the ground.
The moment Mingyu collapsed, chaos erupted.
"Mingyu!" Jeonghan shouted, rushing to his side as the tall figure crumpled to the floor.
Seungcheol and Seungkwan were right behind him, pushing through the crowd of fans and staff to reach their friend. Wonwoo, who had been standing next to Mingyu, was frozen in shock, his eyes wide with panic.
Seungcheol's hands were shaking as he placed them on Mingyu's chest, trying to figure out what had caused him to collapse. "He was fine a minute ago," Seungcheol said, his voice strained. "I don't know what happened."
"Mingyu, hey, wake up!" Seungcheol's voice was filled with urgency as he gently shook Mingyu's shoulder, his heart racing.
Jeonghan knelt beside him, his face pale with worry. "Get security to clear the area," he instructed one of the staff members, his voice shaky but firm. "He needs space."
