Twice one-shots

Silent struggles (Jeongyeon)

Author's Note: If you have emetophobia and eating disorders. Please don't read, if you do read at your on risk 

Jeongyeon sat at the dinner table, pushing her food around with a fork, her mind clouded with a mixture of guilt and relief. It had been like this for weeks now – every meal a battleground between hunger and fear, every bite a painful reminder of her own weakness. She excused herself early, retreating to the bathroom with a heavy heart.

The other members exchanged concerned glances but said nothing. They had noticed the changes – the way Jeongyeon seemed to shrink into herself, the bags under her eyes that no amount of makeup could hide. But they didn't know how to breach the silence that had settled around her like a suffocating fog.

Days turned into weeks, and Jeongyeon's distance grew. She moved out of the dorm, citing a need for space and privacy. The once lively exchanges between them became sterile, revolving only around schedules and rehearsals. Jeongyeon withdrew into herself, her laughter a distant memory.

It was Nayeon who couldn't bear it any longer. She called an emergency meeting with the other members, her voice tinged with urgency and worry. "We can't let this continue," she insisted, her eyes pleading for understanding. "She's slipping away from us."

They nodded in solemn agreement, a silent pact forming among them. One by one, they approached Jeongyeon, not with questions or accusations, but with gestures of care and concern. Mina left a handwritten note on her doorstep, reminiscing about their shared moments of laughter. Sana sent a bouquet of flowers with a simple card that read, "We miss your smile." 

Dahyun left a batch of homemade cookies, a reminder of their late-night baking sessions.

At first, Jeongyeon was resistant, brushing off their attempts at reconciliation with a polite but distant demeanor. But slowly, like cracks in ice thawing under the warmth of the sun, she began to thaw. Tzuyu invited her for a quiet walk in the park, where they talked about everything except what lay heavy on Jeongyeon's heart. Chaeyoung organized a movie night, insisting that she needed a break from work.

And then there was Jihyo, the leader whose quiet strength had always anchored them all. She approached Jeongyeon with a cup of tea, sitting beside her in a comfortable silence that spoke volumes. "You don't have to face this alone," she said softly, her gaze steady and unwavering.Tears welled in Jeongyeon's eyes, emotions she had buried deep threatening to overflow. For the first time in months, she allowed herself to lean on them, to accept their love and concern without the weight of guilt dragging her down.

It wasn't an instant fix. Recovery was a long and arduous journey, with setbacks and triumphs woven together like a tapestry of hope and resilience. But with each small gesture of kindness, with each shared moment of laughter and tears, Jeongyeon found herself believing once more – in herself, and in the unwavering bond that held them together as nine.

And as she stepped back into the light, surrounded by the warmth of their love, she knew that she was never truly alone.