In his defence, Junhui knew he should have been more careful especially when the competition was a week away. He also knew that falling into an uncovered drainage that he has managed to avoid for the 10 years of his life in Seoul sounds absurd and totally stupid. Especially when he fell alone with his friends having the front row view but no one managed to stop him from making a fool of himself. Well, it was not his fault. Vernon looked particularly cute that day with a pink beanie on top of his head.

 

“I swear to God, Jun hyung, you will be dead by the most absurd cause at this rate.” Xu Minghao, his best friend, huffed from the side. The younger looked rather unimpressed by his condition. 

 

“I think Hoshi hyung will kill you before you manage to get yourself killed though…” Lee Chan, the youngest of their team, added warily. He also looked unimpressed at the cast around Junhui’s feet.

 

“Argh, shut up both of you!” Junhui whines as he casts a look at his feet. He felt like he was the most idiotic person ever for falling into the drainage. While watching his crush too on top of that. Somehow the situation gets more pathetic as he delves deeper.

 

“You’re saying your thoughts out loud but I second that.” Minghao snickered. 

 

“Third.”

 

“Get–” Junhui’s words were cut short when the door to his private room was opened. 

 

A middle aged man garbed in doctor’s scrub shuffled into the room followed by his friend, Kwon Soonyoung and Lee Jihoon. The elder offered a small smile at him while Jihoon looked at him pitifully. 

 

Junhui is not daring enough to take a look at Soonyoung because even at a distance, he can feel the other’s fuming eyes on him. 

 

“So, Mr Wen. I’m Dr. Lee.” The doctor started before he was cut by Junhui.

 

“Please tell me I can still dance next week or I’ll be dead before you manage to let me out of here.” The younger one pleaded.

 

“Unfortunately, after a discussion with your coach and your lead choreographer, I’m sorry but we agreed that you’re not allowed to do any strenuous activity for at least two months, dancing, especially.”  

 

“No! But our competition is next week. Who’s going to be Vernon’s partner? Who’s going to lead for my part? This can’t be that serious!” 

 

“Well, Mr Wen, your ankle is fractured from the accident on top of a dislocation so I don’t think it’s not serious. You’re quite lucky to get away with only a fractured ankle.” The doctor said in a serious tone. 

 

“But sir, I dance for a living…” 

 

“Now it’s study for a living. You should focus on your study for these few resting months” Another voice chipped in from the door making Junhui’s pale face pale even further. 

 

Standing at the door is their coach who appeared to be in an amicable mood but Junhui knew that he would be burnt alive after the doctor stepped out of the room. Junhui shut his mouth and looked down to his feet in resentment and resignation while his doctor and coach talked. 

 

“Jun hyung, are you okay?” A familiar voice asks as the owner’s shadow towers over Junhui. 

 

“Hansol-ah,” He whined when he saw the person by his bedside. The older male shamelessly shoved his face into the younger’s stomach, ignoring the fact that their friends were around and kept growing in number. 

 

“Shh, shh, I know you didn’t mean to fall into the drainage hyung…” The younger tried to assure him while petting his head.

 

“He may be stupid but not to that level yet.” Minghao savagely notes in the background.

 

“I would gladly shove him down there if we don't have any upcoming competition.” Soonyoung huffed.

 

“I hate you guys so much.” Junhui sighed. 

 

“Dang, hyung we saved your sorry backside and this is how you repay us?” Mingyu snorted.

 

His question caused the rest of the team to laugh before Jeonghan reminded them to keep their voice lower since they were in a hospital. 

 

“So, how do we handle this issue?” Seungkwan asked when every member of the team was in the room as their coach followed the doctor out. 

 

“Seungcheol?” Joshua called for the leader while Jun shifted nervously on the bed. Though he cannot move much as there are five other people sitting on his bed with him. With the exception of Vernon, he wanted everyone off his bed.

 

“Nothing much. It’s not like Jun can miraculously dance next week.” Seungcheol responded with a sigh. 

 

“I’m so sorry hyung, everyone. I have caused a great inconvenience to everyone.” Junhui acknowledged his mistake and bowed toward his teammates. 

 

“It’s okay hyung.” Dokyeom assured him while Seungkwan and Vernon patted his back reassuringly. 

 

“What’s done is done. There’s no use crying over spilled milk.” Wonwoo added.

 

“At least we know hyung is that whipped and blind.” Mingyu snickers along with Dino and Minghao, making Junhui roll his eyes at them.

 

“We only have a week to either find a replacement or change the choreography altogether.” Jihoon said, looking worried as his eyes wandered to Soonyoung who was leaning on the wall.

 

Soonyoung, who has not said a word since he entered the room, raised his head when the attention of the room focused on him. 

 

“What do you think, Jun?” He asks.

 

“Huh? Me? I mean, of course I don’t want you to replace me but at the same time, I’m also not that selfish to jeopardise our winning chance.” 

 

“Good that you are aware of this. Vernon-ah, what do you think as Jun's partner?” 

 

“I… Can I suggest that I’m not joining this one? I mean, we all have partners minus the solo part but I don’t think any of us want anyone to replace Jun hyung for this. Can both of us withdraw as a pair then it won’t be that hard to rearrange the choreography.” 

 

Silence enveloped the whole room as everyone turned to the second youngest in disbelief. 

 

“Hansol-ah…” Junhui called in a serious tone. 

 

“It’s actually doable, but are you serious?” Soonyoung waited for Vernon to confirm his wish before humming in acknowledgement.

 

“No no no– what the heck?”

 

“I mean, I'm sure he wants to be here accompanying you instead hyung.” Mingyu shrugged. 

 

“You mean, Vernonie is taking responsibility for the accident?” Jeonghan giggled. The room burst into laughter while Junhui kept looking at Vernon who started to avoid his eyes. 

 

“Oh well, I need to go back to the studio to make some adjustments. I need everyone to be at the studio at five o’clock sharp. No excuse except for Jun and Vernon.” Soonyoung then added before bidding farewell to everyone, pulling Jihoon along with him. 

 

“We ought to keep going too. I still need to pick up my dog and send it to my brother before training starts.” Seungcheol then patted Junhui on his back, wishing him a good rest and getting well soon.

 

“Also, don’t be late, I’m not covering your asses from Hoshi’s rage today.” Jeonghan added from the door after he was dragged by Seungcheol. 

 

One by one, the team bid their farewell with Wonwoo and Mingyu being the last. Junhui sighed in relief as the door closed behind Wonwoo. He then tugged Vernon to sit at the empty space by his side. 

 

“Are you sure you want to withdraw from the competition? But you said you’re looking forward to it.” Junhui asked in concern. 

 

While it was nice to know nobody is going to replace him as Vernon’s partner, he knew that it was unreasonable on his part to be jealous of that. They are professionals but that part is so unlike him. 

 

“I looked forward to it because it will be our first competition after the semester break and because you’re my partner. Since you’re not going to be there, I don’t want to burden other hyungs to make me comfortable.” 

 

“Are you sure about this? You’re not going to regret this don’t you, Hansol-ah?” Junhui’s question caused Vernon to laugh out loud. 

 

“Nonsense. I’m happy to be here accompanying you.” 

 

“Thank you, Hansol-ah.” 

 

---

 

 

“All the best and break some legs guys!” Junhui typed the words in the groupchat on the day of the competition while Vernon was cutting some pears and apples for him.

 

He complains while reading the replies out loud to Vernon when other members for missing the competition and for playing house with Vernon since the younger had been the one who took care of him in the whole duration of his break. 

 

“They will be the third performer.” 

 

“Oh wow, that’s a lucky number. Did Cheol hyung really pull the number?” 

 

“Nope, they sent Jeonghan hyung for that of course.” Junhui said, making both of them laugh. It was plain obvious that the team did not trust Seungcheol’s luck and instead trusted the angel of luck, Yoon Jeonghan, to draw their turns instead. 

 

“Wait how many teams are participating this time?” 

 

“Seven. They’re not too early and not too late in turn. Lucky number indeed.” Junhui hummed in acknowledgement.

 

“Then hyung, last night Minghao hyung gave me some ideas for activities we can do today.” Vernon said as he handed Junhui the fruits and sat on the chair by the bed. 

 

“Oh? What is it? I think we did everything we could do while I’m in this condition.” Junhui asks in interest. 

 

They had been stuck in the room for the week so most of the activities they do are studying, playing board games and watching some variety shows on the television. 

 

“Kwan gave me a few card games but Minghao hyung gave me these…” Vernon rummaged in the large bag that he had with him when he arrived earlier that morning. The younger took out a box of colourful permanent markers that Junhui recognised as part of Minghao’s arts stationeries. 

 

“I’m a bit sad that I didn’t think about this earlier but better late than never, hehe…” Vernon added, giggling as he set the box on the table at the foot of the bed, near to Junhui’s casted leg. 

 

“Are you doing what I think you’re going to do?” Junhui gulped. While he knew Vernon’s parents are both artists, he never saw Vernon drawing anything for the duration of them knowing each other. His talent in art seems to be dancing instead. 

 

“Yes! I’m going to draw on your cast. Don’t worry my parents are artists.” 

 

“While I don’t doubt that Hansol-ah, I’ve never seen you draw anything…” The older trails nervously. 

 

“Hyung doesn’t think I can do this?” The younger sent him a pitiful look, his big eyes seeming teary with a pout on his face. 

 

Junhui is everything but weak. However, that kicked puppy look is going to be the death of him. He is already weak to the younger, now adding the puppy face, he is doomed to follow whatever Vernon wants for the rest of his life…not that he is complaining. 

 

“ I know you can do it. Okay, go on. Just don't draw something inappropriate.” 

 

“What are you implying? Hyung~” Vernon whined. 

 

Junhui laughed at his cuteness before assuring the younger one that he had faith in him. 

 

Their evening was filled with laughter and colours. Junhui was satisfied with the cute doodles he had on his cast after Vernon was done with it. He did not hold back on praising the younger man, making him turn red and proceed to hit Junhui instead for teasing him. 

 

“How are you feeling today, hyung?” Vernon suddenly asks.

 

“Hm? Good, great even. Thank you for doing this for me.” 

 

“Ayy, what do you mean? Of course I would do this for you.” Vernon huffed at the statement. He does not need a ‘thank you’ for doing something good to someone he likes. 

 

“Come here, climb up on the bed.” Junhui suddenly said after Vernon finished putting all of the stuff and card games away from the table. 

 

“Why hyung, do you need anything?” 

 

“Let’s watch a movie together.You’re staying here for the night right?” 

 

“Yes. But won’t it be too tight for you if I join you? Not to mention your leg hyung.” 

 

Junhui shook his head in disagreement. He just wanted to be close to Vernon therefore his leg would not matter. 

 

After moments of tugging and pulling, Vernon agrees to join him on the bed resulting in Junhui doing his silly little victory dance. 

 

The duo spent their evening having a hushed conversation about the movie. Before they knew it, both fell asleep with Vernon leaning on Junhui’s shoulder and Junhui’s head resting on Vernon’s head. The older male has his arms around the younger.

 

None of them noticed when the door was opened and eleven heads popped up with various expressions on their faces at the cute scene in front of their eyes. 

 

Jihoon moved his hand away from Soonyoung’s mouth before signalling Chan to close the door. Joshua also pulled his hand that he had slapped on Dokyeom’s mouth to keep the younger from making noise as soon as the door was opened. 

 

The team shared secret smiles and victory cheers to their friend who finally got their s together. 

 

Later that evening, Junhui and Vernon woke up to a first place competition trophy on the table with a note from their friends.

 

“A little victory present for you both who won in life. We love you!” 

-seventeen