PUSH 2 START

Seungmin, the week after the squad finishes learning the constructive routine, is chosen to be a flyer.

It definitely was not where he expected to be placed, but despite his hesitation, he trusted Felix and Coach Lauvs judgement. The team seemed to agree as well. Though a lot of them were a bit hesitant in accepting their own positions, they all seemed to band together when Seungmin asked for a couple of third party opinions from more experienced cheerleaders.

"A flyer?? Really? I thought they'd have the smaller omegas do those positions." Hyunjin provides, forking rice into his mouth. Him, Jisung, Minho, Changbin, and Felix were currently out together, getting dinner.

It's Saturday, and none of them have classes or practices. So getting together was almost inevitable on a day they are all available.  Changbin was a production major like Jisung, and Hyunjin was a dance major with Minho.  Both of them are alpha's, though in Seungmins honest opinion, they seem too bratty and immature to take on such title taking rolls.

"Yeah, I didn't know they let giant dogs on top of pyramids and shit. Guess they've been fooled by the mutt's doll face." Minho teases, shoveling some pasta into his mouth. "Aw, hyung, if you think I'm pretty you could just say that." Seungmin reciprocates, making a kissy deadpan face at the other across the table.

"Nobody wants your herpe kisses, dog. Shut up." Minho returns. Seungmin only laughs, conversation carrying on casually, the others much too used to their bickering.

"It's not about subgender or size Hyunnie, not when you've got good bases. Although Seungmins stature does make his body better suited for the position. He's kind of tall, so it looks good when he's posing, and his specific weight class is greatly suited for being tossed around to the point he has enough mass to be controlled but the right lightness to not be lost in the wind."

'Prove it.' Seungmin can't help but think as he pokes at his leftover sushi rolls. "Plus, coach Lauv said considering he was an ice skater, flyer will be a great position for him, perfect even. She thinks he can get it down in a couple weeks."

"Yeah, all that cheer stuff sounds complicated, like it's tiring." Hyunjin says. "I've watched you guys in practice, I would probably get kicked off the team for knocking down a tower or something." 

"Alright, Mr expert dancer and double major Hwang. I think you're just being ridiculous, cheering and dancing are in the same ballpark." Felix's responds. "I would say the only difference is the dangerous stunts in cheer, but you guys have got the same thing in dance routines don't you?"

"Yeah. Hyunjin is just stupid." Minho answers for him, earning a side eye and scowl from said dancer.

The table of students laugh and fall into a comfortable rhythm of chatter, catching each other up on updates and things happening in their separate lives. Felix tells them all he's perfected a peach cobbler recipe and promises to make some for them, Hyunjin and Minho complain about upcoming competitions, Changbin and Jisung talk about a track their working at and so on.

Somewhere within the chaos Felix tells the table about their upcoming competition 'So You Think You Can Cheer?' where they're supposed to be advancing to the preliminaries if they win the ticket to officially enter the competition. "Why do they hold preliminaries and the final showdown till after you get new team members?" Jisung questions at some point while the blonde is explaining the rankings.

"It's a complicated setup, so that's a good question Sungie. It's strategic. They want to see what you do with old and new resources; the difference between your performance and cooperation with new people is part of your score during finals." the blonde explains. Jisung looks dazed by the onslaught of information until Seungmin sees a lightbulb spark above his head, effectively distracting him.

"Oh oh! Simmie! You remember that song you sung in the booth the other day, I up-""Hey." a voice interrupts before the beta can elaborate, every head at the table turns to the edge, where an uncomfortably familiar alpha is standing, looking sheepish despite his tattoos and sleeveless shirt.

It's silent for a moment before everyone, except for Seungmin, lights up in greeting, singing hello's like they've all known each other for a lifetime, the familiarity making the omega's chest ache.

"Channie! Hi! What are you doing here?" Felix takes the lead, which is expected, Seungmin busies himself by pulling out his sketch pad, eavesdropping while he tries his best to act unshaken. "What's up guys? I was here waiting for my two friends, but they both canceled." The alpha gives a tentative smile, scratching the back of his head. It makes Seungmin sick, cause he knows what the next words from the table are gonna be.

"You should join us!" Yongbok chirps, already scooting further into the booth and making room for the other. "Yeah, the more the merrier." Changbin agrees, Hyunjin and Jisung are no doubt silent out of consideration for their omegan friend. Seungmin is grateful that his two companions aren't helping the rest of them curate his downfall.

As Chan sits, they fall into excited chatter, discussing everything and nothing, and Seungmin stays out of it. He spends this excruciating time designing away because it helps him to cope with the knowledge that Chan is rubbing Felix's thigh beneath the table.

He forgoes his attempt at finishing up his sushi out of sudden loss of both appetite, as well as motivation to stay at the table. He wants to thug it out, to forget about his stupid crush and simply enjoy the company of his friends, who he's been wanting to get together with for weeks. But when Seungmin catches the very powerful scent of cream rootbear mixing with marshmallows it's his last straw.

He can't and he won't sit here for the next 2 hours and act like he's having fun anymore, it's far too late and much too tedious of a task. Not to mention the aching of his heart in a rhythm that usually beats with his affection for Felix. It's excruciating to lie and watch while one of his favorite alphas mingle with a man at which Seungmin can't compare.

It's ten minutes later when the omega gives in, the combination of sweetness between the alpha's scents making his blood boil and his body sick. Most would find it pleasing. But Seungmin finds it —as well as his steadily chilling meal— repulsive.

It's not the easiest to get away from his friends, but Seungmin will have to figure it out. Because his mood is only going to continue to plummet as time goes on. That's a reality the omega does not want to deal with.

"Hey, guys, I'm gonna go to the bathroom." He informs the table. "Great! We'll come too." Felix says as the rest of them start to shift and shimmy from the booth, panic spreads through the omegas body, having forgotten about how much they rely on each other's presence and tend to stay glued to one another. He had to think of something, quick.

"No! No.." Seungmin chuckles nervously. "No, that's okay. The food just got here. I don't want it to get cold." The omega chances a glance at Hyunjin and Jisung, who are both looking at him with pitying looks of grief. Even if they couldn't smell it on him, they know him well enough to put the pieces together, and conclude that their Minnie will not be returning to the table once he leaves.

Seungmin gives them a gracious look of affection, subtle enough he hopes the rest of the boys miss it's meaning as he turns and heads for the restroom. His beta's won't follow, mostly because of the leveling look he gave them, which more than informs them that Seungmin is going to be okay. He's grateful for their concern and support, but he doesn't want to ruin their night.

Seungmin has strapped in for an hour-long walk, having rode 10 minutes to the restaurant with Lix from practice, when someone pulls up next to him on a motorcycle, revving loudly and echoing in the streets. A Yamaha R1. Seungmin can only identify it now because another one of his favorite people —unfortunately— went on and on seemingly forever about how awesome it was when he'd gotten it fresh out of highschool.

The driver rests the weight of himself and his bike on his legs as he opens his helmet, Minho's unimpressed and stupidly handsome face peeking from between the bow's decorating the head piece. A loser in a hot body, Felix, Jisung, and him liked to call it. But Seungmin likes bows, so he's not particularly against the rivaling decor. He just likes teasing his favorite person.

"Minho hyung." Seungmin says simply, little smile already playing at his lips as he watches the stupid look of irritation the older man gives him. "Kim Seungmin. As always your a terrible fucking liar. Hurry up. I haven't got all day." He scolds, deadpan expression never faltering.

"Your foods gonna get cold, hyung." Seungmin laughs as he walks closer. "Well I could be back in 20 minutes before my pasta is beyond resurrection if you'd shut up and get on the bike." Seungmin giggles as he swings his leg over the vehicle, putting on the spare helmet with bunny ears hanging from it. Pink ones.

Much like Felix, Minho cares not for stereotypes. And he enjoys all things of all types despite his subgender. It's refreshing.

Maybe in another life, Seungmin could have fallen for Minho instead. Much broader in frame, sharper in tongue. A love for dancing and dangerous machinery. And they could have gotten married, been the bickering couple their friends tease them about acting like all of the time. But not here.

Here, Seungmin loves Felix, he realizes as they kick off, Seungmin holding on tight to Minho's waist. A love deep and strong, rooted love like oak trees and completely unmovable. Here, Felix has Seungmin's heart. And though it's not the prettiest reality at times, it's a faithful one. Even if it does hurt. Even if Chan is the one who Felix wants. But right now, that harsh truth doesn't have to eat him alive.

Seungmin cuddles into the alphas back the whole way home, Minho's banana pudding scent being lost in the wind but still managing to comfort the omega on their way back home. Minho doesn't commonly voice his affections, but his actions speak measures that are mountains wide. He really would be a good alpha, if only.

When they pull into the parking lot of the student dorms, Minho taps Seungmin's thigh two times to get him off his bike faster. At least that's what he would tell him if he asked. But Seungmin knows it's because Minho wants to make sure he was zoned back after the ride.

Both of them pull off their helmets, shaking their hair out when the air hits it. Minho gives Seungmin a look, masked concern, the omega concludes. And knowing his hyung, he feels like a verbal expression of gratitude just isn't enough. Good thing this is Lee Minho, his soulmate in another universe.

After placing the extra helmet back on the bike, Seungmin stands in front of the vehicle, leaning forward over the handles as he presses their lips together sofly. Minho closes his eyes, hand coming up to caress the back of the omega's neck in a silent show of affection and guidance.  They only move against one another for a few sweet seconds before Seungmin pulls away to breathe, smiling at Minho with starry eyes full of affection.

"Thanks, good night hyung.

It's silent for a few beats before Minho replies, fulfillment present in a way that's not romantic, but every bit as important.

"Good night, Kim Seungmin."

࣪ ִֶָ☾.

As the weeks pass, it seems to Seungmin that Felix pays most attention to him because he's a newbie. Which should be discouraging, but to Seungmin, who can't help but beam every time Felix compliments his improvements, he can't get enough.

Granted, he'll never get used to being the center of the alphas focus, and he still can't get a grip on his fumbling when he looks at him for too long. But if he said it didn't feel good to get better at something  — and be complimented daily by your crush— he'd be telling the lie of the century.

The more Felix pays him positive attention the more Seungmin improves. He's always been a hard worker naturally, that on top of the others encouragement and his competitive need to be great is only making him a better athlete as the days pass.

An added victory to Seungmin's win is he's done a great job balancing his law degree with practice and work, Coach Lauv says he and the rest of the team are shaping up to be competition ready. It's true that Seungmin gets less sleep, and that sometimes he forgets to eat because he's so in the hurry to get extra practice or study time in, but pain is gain. And things are going great.

It all comes crashing down on top of him one Monday, when Seungmin's borrowed a dance studio to practice the new cheer routine after getting a few hours of studying in. On this day, his issue wouldn't be the practice, it would be the fact that when he unknowingly blacks out, and that when he comes through, there's a very unwanted person pouring water on him and tapping his face.

"Hey. Hey hey, yeah, just like that Seungmin. Wake up." Chan encourages as the law student comes to, he bolts up right, nearly stopped mid movement by the horrid headache he was nursing.

Staring at one another, Suengmin touches one of his large paws to the spot in the back of his head the pain is resonating from, whining at the pounding against the inner walls of his skull. "What the hell are you doing here? I thought you and Jisung were working on a track together today." Seungmin panics, very ungracefully.

"Uh. I was heading to the studio for that just now actually, but I walked past and was gonna say hi, until I realized you were kinda pale and breathing really slowly." Chan explains simply. "Are you okay? I'm pretty sure you hit your head really hard. Do you need-"

"No, no, large beefy alpha male who smells like creamy root beer. I don't need anything from you. I was fine, I'm fine. I was just.. Napping." he replies quickly, snappy. This dude was the last guy he wanted to catch him in such a situation. Or really, the last person he wanted to see at all.

Alpha Christoper, who Felix hasn't stopped talking about since dinner. He's from Australia too, and he's so hot and he smells so good. Seungmin's happy he excused himself the other day and let his studies envelop him. He thinks it would have been a bummer if he was to vomit of pure envy all over everyones food.

"Napping? I was tapping your face for a full minute. I was a second away from just taking you to a hospital." Chan reasons, he looks genuinely concerned, Seungmin almost feels bad for hoping he choked on his food the other day.

"Well.. thank you. I'm okay though." Seungmin lies, he hurts in multiple different areas, and his eyes ache when he moves them. But he's got shit to do.

"I appreciate-" Seungmin withholds a wince when he moves to get up, Chan puts his beefy thick arms out, standing behind Seungmin as he rises like he's scared he will fall again. "I appreciate your concern but I have someplace to be innn-" the omega checks the time on his phone. "4 hours ago? Fuck. I have missed calls from everybody, it's so late already."

Chan gives Seungmin a sympathetic look, like he's the reason Seungmin has missed work and cheer practice, as well as valuable study time. "This throws off my entire rhythm I've had working the past couple weeks." the law student tugs at his hair, stressed and incredibly pissed off  at his own lack of disipline.

No. This isn't how it was supposed to go, everything was blending together so well, all of his responsibilities keeping him swaddled tightly in a compact process of order. This was really gonna fuck up his cycle.

"Hey, don't you think that you're worried about the wrong thing here mate? I mean, you just passed out.""Napping. I was napping. Shhh. And why are you still here? Thank you for waking me, sorry to bother you but it's late and we should both go." Seungmin rises, nearly falling flat on his ass at the way the light of the room and gravity affects his balance. He doesn't remember being so sensitive to lights, how weird.

The omega walks across the room, fetching his bag and heading to the exit, before Chan steps in front of him, blocking his way to the door. Him and Seungmin do a little left and right shift, Chan not budging when he tries to get past. It's very irritating.

"What's your problem??" Suengmin questions, blinking in blank confusion. "Don't you think your brushing this off a little too easily?? I mean, you were just laying on the floor breathing so slowly I had to check you for a pulse. And you're as pale as a ghost." Chan gestures to the omegas' general physique. "Oh dear, guess I should get some sun then." Seungmin deadpans, staring at the alpha with dwindling tolerance.

"I can't just let you walk out of here in such poor condition. Are you feeling ok?" Chan tries to press a hand to his forehead, Suengmin gently pushes the limb away, only soft about it since he understands the other is simply being kind. But he doesn't need the affection, he doesn't want it.

"Don't you think you're overstepping, Chan-ssi? What does this have to do with you? I'm fine." Seungmin stares at the other, Chan seems to be in himself losing patience with Seungmin, good, maybe he'll let him go then.

"You know what you're right. I'll tell the others then, so they can-" "No!" Suengmin immediately objects, if his friends hear about Chan's concerns Seungmin will never hear the end of it. He likes being taken care of, but he does not like being harassed and coddled. Plus, there's nothing going on with him. He's just busy, it's accomplishing. It's a good thing.

"Well then work with me here Seungmin. You don't look good at all." Ouch. 'Okay, Mr testosterone and protein, I may not be your type but that's no reason to be a bitch.'  "--when was the last time you ate? How many hours have  you slept within the past week?" This guy really was fucking annoying. Seungmin is fine. He just has shit to do. And being here was not helping him with his time management.

"Are you even listening to me? This isn't funny.""Yes! Yes! I hear you. I'll do better, but if you really hate the color of my skin so much then I should get some rest."

"What? No. That's not-""Hyung. It's just been a rough patch. I've gotta get some rest. Just like you said. Right?"

At the honorific, Chan melts, and it almost makes Seungmin feel bad for manipulating him.

"Just, don't tell anyone else. I'll do better. I promise. I was just a little distracted with the next competition coming up. I'll be ok." Seungmin presses, because Chan is caving. And now it's just a matter of escape.

"You promise?"

"Yes. I really have to go hyung, I'm tired."

".. alright. I'll promise to keep quiet as long as you promise to be better about yourself." Chan shifts, standing to the side to allow Seungmin past.

"Of course, hyung. I'll see you later. Yeah?"

And with that, the omega flees. The older male's words left behind in the silence of the studio with him.

࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Seungmin doesn't sleep that night, to busy locked in his nest, trying to catch up on hours of missed studying and make up for his lack of his favorite betas. Both busy with their own tasks and responsibilities.

He tells his boss he had a family emergency, desperately hoping to not be fired, and the dear manager, bless her heart, has mercy on him.

It's not until late the next day, after a long shift, that Seungmin drags himself back to his and Hyunjin's dorms, body finally giving out beneath him before he can even get in the shower. He doesn't think much of it before he fades out of consciousness, too caught up in how many hours of study and practice time he'll lose if doesn't get up early before classes. Which unfortunately, turns out to rightfully be the last of his worries.

The world is dark, Seungmin feels no more conscious than a rock, sitting somewhere motionless and without use. His throat is dry, the back of his head is throbbing, he can't move, and he can't wake up nor fade back out. But somewhere within his prison, a memory plays. He doesn't know why, or what it's coming back to him now for, but even in his paralyzed state, he can identify when the memory is from.

First year, back when Seungmin was only developing feeling for Felix, and could actually hold a conversation with him.

"If you love designing and music, why did you become a law major?"

Seungmin shrugs. "I can't perform forever, I fucked up my shoulder for baseball and I couldnt do that forever either. Plus, I like arguing and law brings in the bacon. It sets me up for a future, so in my free time when I'm not in the courtroom, I can do what I want with the money I make. And, I'm helping others as well as myself. It just checks every box for me for the century or so I'll be alive. It's convenient."

Felix laughs. "You talk about life like it's some chore, Mimi." Seungmin tries to ignore the way his heart stutters at the nickname. "It is, isn't it? None of us asked to be here, yet just surviving is the most complicated thing ever. I just want my life to not be a failure. This sets me up for that."

The blonde chuckles, Seungmin likes the sound. "Well you should remember there's a difference between surviving and living. I think doing the former is pointless without doing the latter. They go hand in hand, probably why their synonyms."

It's Seungmin's turns to laugh, simply because Felix's presence brings him joy. But he doesn't let the advice go undocumented, he tucks it away for another time. Because even though he can't seem to to warrant himself to take it seriously at the moment, he feels the blonde's words will be important in the future.

࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Much to his dismay, Seungmin does not wake up in his own bed, rested and very hungry, yes. But not in his own bed. His nest either, nor the floor, which hasn't become uncommon these days, no. But a hospital bed.

The room smells like sanitizer and alcohol wipes when he comes to, lights bright above his head and offensive to his sensitive eyes when he blinks them open for what feels like the first time in days. Panic doesn't flood Seungmin like you'd expect it to, a part of him knew one day either his lovesickness or level 8 supressants would take him out. Most unfortunate he has to go so early.

"I can see the light." He croaks as he reaches a sore arm towards the ceiling, multiple relieved giggles and exhales erupting softly from around him.

"Hi, Seungmin? How are you feeling?" An unfamiliar voice comes from his right, he blinks multiple times to clear his vision which albeit only works a bit considering he isn't wearing his contacts, but it's worth a try. He also doesn't turn to see who it is talking to him, no doubt a nurse. It's not his friends. So it doesn't matter.

"Like I need electrolytes and bananas, stat." He does a weak little punch at the mattress, attack 50, damage 0. Another voice comes from his right. "Yeah, he's fine." with a new eruption of laughter from the group, and Seungmin heart monitor increases by tempo when he recognizes it.

"Oh, my husbands here." He says, gripping the air in his right hand weakly; still a menace and much bolder only because nothing feels like reality at the moment. He only realizes he's smelling his boys scents when he's been awake for a minute or 2, the scent of plain hospital so overbearing.

Small strong hands push their way into Seungmin's, he hasn't yet processed who they are, but he squeezes them happily anyways, before exhaustion overtakes him again, and keeping his eyes open is suddenly a bothersome chore. Seungmiin decides not to fight it.

"Night." Is the only warning the room gets before Seungmin fades back out, lacking the strength to stay awake. He hears little hushed sounds of giggles and "night nights" before the white ceiling fades to black again. This time much less alarming. Seungmin sure he'll be able to escape it when the time is right.

When he comes too again, things are a lot clearer, he blinks slowly at first, then rapidly, forgetting once again he has no contacts in. When he's adjusted as well as he can, he chances a look elsewhere not at the ceiling, glancing around the hospital room. What he spots both breaks his heart and heals him.

On the furniture to his left, Hyunjin, Felix, and Jisung are all cuddling on a couch, entangled in one another, contact at multiple points as they sleep. Coconut, cherries, and marshmallows all mix in the general area, and it smells like somebody amongst the 3 is about 2 days pre rut. Whoever it is, they should be preparing a rental room, not sitting in a hospital crammed on a couch because of the Seungmin.

To his right there's 2 empty arm chairs, both have scattered accessories and personal items sitting on them, one of them smells like Changbin, wonderful dark chocolate that never fails to bring him comfort, and banana pudding, that makes Seungmin smile with excitement of seeing another one of his favorite people.

It's odd to think that he happens to wake up when everybody is here, or- present in the hospital. When he hears footsteps, Seungmin doesn't know why, but he closes his eyes quickly, waiting in silence as 2, no, 3? Pairs of steps tread into the room. Seungmin smells the third person before he sees him, Chan. What was he doing here? For fucks sake.

"Thanks hyung, for coming to see Seungmin. We were supposed to be here like 30 minutes ago though to be ready for when he wakes up. Why'd you come so late?" It's hard for Seungmin to focus on Changbin's words when he smells coffee, probably piping hot, wafting into the cool room. Fuck his usual iced americano, that aroma is heavenly, he needs it, now.

"Well.. I actually came to apologize to you guys."

The hushed whispers from the 3 of them dead for a moment, Seungmin thinks Minho and Changbin might be looking at each other with question painting their expressions. For a second Seungmin is as confused as they are, perplexed even, until a conversation comes back to him. One he Chan had in the studio before he blacked out and woke up in a hospital.

"Well then work with me then Seungmin. You don't look good at all --when was the last time you ate? How many hours have you slept within the past week? Are you even listening to me? This isn't funny."

"Yes! Yes! I hear you. I'll do better, but if you really hate the color of my skin so much then I should get some rest."

"What? No. That's not-""Hyung. It's just been a rough patch. I've gotta get some rest. Just like you said. Right?"

At the honorific, Chan melts, and it almost makes Seungmin feel bad for manipulating him.

"Just, don't tell anyone else. I'll do better. I promise. I was just a little distracted with the next competition coming up. I'll be ok."

"You promise?"

"Yes. I really have to go hyung, I'm tired."

".. alright. I'll promise to keep quiet as long as you promise to be better about yourself."

"Of course, hyung. I'll see you later. Yeah?"

Suddenly something clicks into place, and the dull ache he felt after he'd woken up in the studio, eased by now, throbs with the reminder. Chan thinks him being in the hospital is his fault. And now he's gonna air Seungmins business out to his hyung's, and he'll never hear the end of it. It's not like he meant to. But they don't care. If he doesn't do something, this will prove to be a real inconvenience.

The heart monitor Seungmins hooked to beeps loudly a couple times, the snitching machine, and there's a shift in the room. Three bodies move to look at the omegas' motionless figure, before Changbin speaks to interrupt the silence. "Min?"Silence follows again, and Seungmin decides the jig is up. He does a little finger twitch for dramatics, before fluttering his eyes open, blinking at the 3 figures standing near his bed. They crowd around, Binne on the left, Chan and Minho on the right.

"Hey baby. How you feelin'?" Changbin brushes his hair off of his forehead, no doubt nappy strands sweeping back and falling over his face again. "Like shit." Seungmin responds, Changbin and Chan laugh, Minho just stares at him. "You look like it too."

"That's rich coming from you, hyung." Seungmin reaches a stiff arm up, grabbing and holding Minho's hand. Usually, Minho would pull away and buck at him, even actually hit him on occasion, but now, he looks worried and tired. It breaks Seungmin's heart. Which completely shatters when his usually stubborn hyung takes his arm, feeling his pulse in his wrist and kissing it, holding his hand tightly.

"You stupid little sophomore. Your supposed to be smarter than those idiots, and you go and overwork yourself into a coma, you make me sick. I'm tired of you."  Minho says, trying to add bite to his words, but it doesn't work much when Seungmin can see worried tears welling in his eyes, poker face weakening with his wobbling voice; and hands that are holding onto Seungmin for dear life.

"Coma??" Seungmin questions, eyes wide with question at the word. "What the hell happened?"

"You overexerted yourself Mr. Kim." A new voice comes, polite, clear, a woman, a nurse. She walks into the room, dark hair in double braids, clipboard hugged to her chest."Hi. My names Nurse Nina, I was responsible for monitoring you the past week."

"Week??" Seungmin croaks, he has the urge to freak out, sit up, something, but he has no bodily strength. All of what he can muster is going to holding onto Minho's hand.

"Yes sir, week. You've been here, at the hospital with us for 7 days. Unconscious and in a mostly medically induced coma. We had to give you a generous amount of medicine so your body had time to recover, so your time out was prolonged. When your friends brought in they said you wouldn't wake up, but that you were breathing and still had a pulse. You were indeed alive, but you showed concerning signs of exhaustion, overexertion, starvation, dehydration, and stress. Not to mention you had an untreated head injury, which was why you couldn't wake up."

As the nurse explains his symptoms, Seungmin can't help but be horrified at his own state of body. That doesn't sound like him at all. Seungmin works hard, but he's not so driven to the point of being made into a hospital patient.

"Wait wait wait, you're right I don't remember eating or drinking or sleeping much, but I hadn't done that on purpose. I don't do that- I-""As much as I want to scold him for being so careless I have to admit it really doesn't sound like him. It's unusual." Changbin chimes in, gesturing towards Seungmins fragile frame in the bed.

"Of course not Mr. Seo, it wasn't. This is what we like to call UDOS, or unconscious disregard of self-perseverance. When he scanned Mr.kims head to see the damage of his injury it showed us there was no activity in his right parietal lobe, meaning his self awareness had been influenced by a set of goals. In other words, your brain worked against your body to complete the things you set your mind to."

"This actually happens quite often. In college students such as you all and even in older adults with grand jobs and many responsibilities. "I'd hate to make it seem like you going into a coma is a good thing, but it turns out when you hit your head and it sent you into the coma, your mind.. How do I put this simply? Reset? So you have your self awareness back. For example. Are you hungry?

"Starving."

"Thirsty?"

"Parched."

"Are you aware you have a heat soon?"

"Sadly."

"Great! You see? You're all too educated on where you stand now. I know you're feeling weak and helpless right now, but that's a good thing. It means your mind is taking your body into account once again, making you a relevant factor in your path to success. Which is how it always should be. You should always come first, Mr. Kim. No amount of success is worth your life. Please remember that."

Seungmin nods in understanding, everything sinking in. It all seems to make sense now, everything playing apart. But as much as he doesn't want to get Chan in trouble or relive the unfortunate symptoms of his UDOS, there's still a piece missing.

The Omega looks at Chan, who's playing with his fingers. He gives the man a sincere look of apology before he opens his mouth to ask his next question.

"I understand so far, but if what gave me my concussion came from me hitting my head then that means it started when I hit my head in the studio and continued when I went to sleep that night. How is that possible?"

"What?? You hit your head and you didn't tell anybody?" Minho is the first to get on him, he squeezes his hand in a crushing grip, Seungmin whines in response. "Hyung!"

"I'm afraid that his neglect to pay attention to his injury was also made by his UDOS, but very good question Mr. Kim. Great looking out." Minho's hold on him gradually loosens at the nurses words, but the second oldest still glares at him like he's done it on purpose.

" To answer your question, Mr. Kim, I'm going to have to assume that you were on that floor in the studio where you say you hit your head for multiple hours before you were able to regain consciousness and proceed back to your dorm where your friends found you. Something would have had to wake you up while you were there, but we'll discuss that later."

Nurse Nina glances at Chan as she says this, and Seungmin thinks at some point while he was out even if Chan wasn't as gracious about showing up during visiting hours, he still made sure the tell her what happened. And Seungmin is grateful.

"While you were unconscious —the first time—  the swelling in your brain somehow managed to go down while you were out. This tells us that the degree at which you hit your head was only enough to keep you in a coma for a short while, which is why the last four days of your coma was Medically induced. But because you didn't come to receive care the first time after you woke up it got worse, which in turn kept you out for a longer period of time. The medicine he gave you was strong, which is why you were out for an additional few days, but it also made sure the swelling your brain was not going to go back up."

"Dammit Min, you know how lucky we got this time that it wasn't worse? Who woke you up? What kind of person pulls you unconsciousness and leaves you there for it to get worse?" Changbin sounds angry, Seungmin can smell the dark chocolate and banana pudding coming off of both of them in angry aggression waves, obliterating Chan's scent of concern and fear. He pointedly does not look at the eldest alpha, the other two are much too observant.

Aware of his own intentions are not, the only reason Chan let him go that day was because he asked him to. It wouldn't be fair for him to bear the burden of his friends, no, their friends because Seungmin's stupid brain was working against him. As much as he disliked Chan at first, it just doesn't seem right.

" Some athlete from the dance department, I don't remember his name or his face, but he needed the studio. Don't blame him. It wasn't his fault. I'm fine, that's what matters."

At his request, Minho and Changbin drop it. Seungmin doesn't miss the look of sincerity Chan gives him. Something about the expression screams grateful and humble, and despite his earlier issues, he doesn't regret helping other male. Why? Seungmin isn't particularly sure himself.

࣪ ִֶָ☾.

It's a few hours later, when Jisung and Hyunjin are crammed to the sides of him in his hospital bed, Felix and Minho sitting at the foot, when nurse Nina is monitoring Seungmin as he downs 3 cups of electrolyte water. She laughs as he finishes the liquids in record time, Minho telling him to slow down before he chokes and water boards himself with a fond eye roll.

"Alright Mr.kim, you'll have to drink a little more to restore strength in your body, before you have any caffeinated beverages. But you can eat what you like. I can get you food from the cafeteria, or your friends can go get you something. Plenty of salt and light on the sugar, but now that your awake we'd like to keep you and monitor you for about 3 more days. If all keeps looking up, we can release you at the end of that trial. How's that sound?"

"Wonderful!" Jisung cheers, as if his last name is kim. When Seungmin makes no objections, the nurse takes it as a go ahead, smiling after checking something on her clipboard and exiting the room.

"They need to give that woman a raise, she was so attentive the whole time you've been here." Felix is the first to speak, scrolling through his ipad for places for them to get food, Changbin pointing at something on the screen.

"A better subject would be me feeling like we should be scolding you for letting your health get so bad. But then again we hadn't noticed, and you'd done so unconsciously, so-" Hyunjin contemplates, scratching his head.

"We could always scold him for simply working too hard." Felix supplies, the room is silent for a moment, and Seungmin lets out an exasperated sigh, all too aware of what's coming next. The space erupts into chaotic scoldings coming from every direction, all of the boys talking over each other. With them finally having a valid reason to come at Seungmin, they hold nothing back. The omega doesn't know whether to roll his eyes or smile, so he does both.

"Okay okay okay! I get it, I'm sorry, please shut up." Seungmin yells over their combined volume, unusually loud. But it seems it's the only thing that can stop them from tearing him to pieces before he can even be conscious for a full day.

"I don't think you do Simmie. You don't understand how scary it was when we tried to wake you up and you wouldn't budge. I nearly had a heart attack." Jisung tells him from his left, Hyunjin on his right tailing on. "Yeah. I was alarmed but Jisung started crying immediately, he was balling like a newborn."

"Dude, shut up! I had a really long day!" Jisung reaches over Seungmin, hitting Hyunjin for ratting him out. "Aw Sungie, you were crying for me? I knew you were obsessed with me but you've got to keep it together."

Seungmin knows now isn't the time for jokes, but he can't help but poke fun at them. He's just so gullible. "Don't start with me! You were in a coma! I had the right to be emotional." "Of course Sungie, I love you, I'm so grateful." Seungmin dramatically wraps his arms around the others neck, placing strategically wet kisses on the betas face. Jisung groans in disgust at the saliva, but otherwise lets him. His cherries are full of contentment and relief, as are the rest of their scents, it almost makes Seungmin wanna give them real kisses.

The mood settles from joyful to simplistic after a while, casual chatter and catching up about everyone's lives and the week Seungmin missed, even Chan. Who the omega can tell is still battling an inner turmoil, no doubt about him. He'll have to talk to the other later, but he's grateful the alpha lays their unforgettable topic to rest for now.

Changbin spoils Seungmin and gets him a seafood boil. So now he sits in his hospital bed with his friends, getting full whilst they scent him heavily, beta and alpha aromas drowning him till his own cinnamon is undetectable.

It was that way anyways, Seungmins scent is weak from his lack of food and water over the past couple weeks, on top of that there's 5 other people in his room, all feeling protective and territorial after a serious scare. So his not being on scent blockers or suppressants mean little to nothing right about now.

There's a lot of details. They have to work out while Seungmin it's still admitted, but he thinks everything is gonna be okay. Because at the end of the day, things worked out.