Stray Kids Sickfic

Hyunjin (Seungmin) - Leave/Stay

@Fancy_Yxu and @ziziiGirl2005 both requested for a rewrite with another member's POV. So, I did it in Hyunjin's POV. Hope you enjoy! 

Warning: Panic Attacks, but not in as much detail as the first version of this chapter. 

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Hyunjin had prepared to hear the words, but it still hit him like a freight train.

"Hyunjin is just going be on a short hiatus until these scandals simmer down." The manager said. There was a hint of regret in his tone - Hyunjin doubted it was his decision. Whoever made the decision was an asshole. Hyunjin hated them. But going on hiatus was better than being eliminated, and he'd do anything to stay with Stray Kids. 

"If anyone has any questions, please just take them up with any of your managers. We're happy to discuss the nuances of this with you." Hyunjin looked down at his hands, listening as the manager left the eight members alone in the conference room. He fiddled with his hands, picking at his nails and pulling fuzz off his sweatpants. Anything to distract him from the reality that this was official. He was officially on hiatus. 

"I'm sorry this is happening, Hyunie." Chan spoke up, resting a hand on Hyunjin's knee before moving it to grab his hand and stop his nervous fidgeting. 

Hyunjin stared at their adjoined hands for a second before nodding slowly. "It's alright, hyung. Really. I've thought it through for a while and I'm allowed to keep rooming and practicing with you guys, so it's not too big of a deal. I just can't be public for the time being." 

"Yeah. Sorry about all of this, Jinnie." Changbin said, shooting the dancer a sympathetic look. 

"Thanks, hyung, but I'm alright. Honestly. Disappointed and maybe a little pissed. But I'm alright." It was the truth. Hyunjin wasn't being eliminated. This was nothing like the survival show and nothing like the situation with Woojin. Hyunjin was going on hiatus - there's a huge difference. 

"It's fair to be pissed." Changbin shrugged. "I'm fucking pissed for you." 

"Changbin." Chan snapped, shooting the rapper a warning look. 

Hyunjin chuckled. "You might be more pissed than I am, hyung." 

The rest of the members chuckled softly, attempting to lighten the mood. That was until Felix cleared his throat and quietly whispered, "Seungmin? Are you okay, mate?" 

Hyunjin and every other member's eyes snapped over to the vocalist, who was sitting very still, head bowed. Felix, who was sitting closest to him, was looking around at everyone else like they'd know what to do. Seungmin didn't respond. "Mate?" Felix tried again, leaning closer to the vocalist. 

"Seungmin-ah, what's wrong?" Jisung asked, standing up from his chair and scurrying around the table to stand behind Felix and lean over the vocalist. There was still no response, but they gave him several seconds of agonizing silence to try to answer. Nothing. 

Though Hyunjin could hear him. No, not responding. He could hear him breathing. Fast, loud, and shallow. Hyunjin's eyes widened. He recognized that breathing pattern. Hadn't they all had panic attacks before? This industry was difficult to get through without a fair share of anxiety and its side effects. Hyunjin stood up just as everyone else did - seeming to catch onto Seungmin's troubles. 

"Seungmin." Chan spoke up, his voice tense as he called out to the younger. 

"Stop." Was the barely audible whisper that responded - though Chan had a feeling it wasn't a response, more an involuntary noise from the thoughts in his head leaking out. 

Felix and Jisung shared a look before Felix reached for the younger's hand and Jisung pressed his palm to his neck. 

Jeongin - sitting on his other side - also reached out and placed a hand on his thigh, rubbing his thumb over the fabric. "Hyung. Can you look at us? Can you tell us what's wrong?"