Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Breeding Mistrust (Matthew)

The first signs of trouble began with the little things-missing keys, misplaced belongings, and a growing sense of unease that Matthew couldn't quite shake. It started small enough that he brushed it off as just part of the pressures of being in a high-profile group like ZeroBaseOne. But as days turned into weeks, the frequency and severity of these incidents escalated, leaving Matthew in a state of constant anxiety.

At first, the others didn't notice. The band was focused on their busy schedule: rehearsals, interviews, and performances. But Matthew's increasingly erratic behavior soon caught their attention. He was jumpy, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a constant edge of fear. The once easy-going Canadian now seemed burdened by an invisible weight.

Jiwoong, ever perceptive, was the first to pick up on Matthew's distress. During one of their rare moments of downtime in the lounge, he noticed Matthew flinch when a loud noise came from the hallway. Jiwoong exchanged a worried glance with Zhang Hao, who had also been sensing something was off.

"Matthew, you okay?" Jiwoong asked gently.

Matthew forced a smile. "Yeah, just a little tired. Nothing to worry about."

But Jiwoong wasn't convinced. He noticed how Matthew's eyes darted around the room, as though expecting someone-or something-to come through the door at any moment. Over the next few days, Jiwoong's concern deepened. He saw Matthew pacing in the corners of rooms, constantly checking behind him, and the way he seemed on edge even during the most mundane tasks.

Zhang Hao and Hanbin joined Jiwoong in their concern. They began to notice similar signs in their interactions with Matthew-hesitation before answering questions, an aversion to physical contact, and an ever-present air of paranoia. Hanbin, who had always admired Matthew's strength and calm, was troubled by this new version of their leader.

"Something's definitely not right," Hanbin said during a private conversation with Jiwoong and Zhang Hao. "He's not just stressed-he's scared."

"Do you think it's something personal, or is it work-related?" Zhang Hao asked, his brow furrowing in thought.

"Could be both," Jiwoong replied. "But whatever it is, it's affecting him deeply. We need to find out what's causing this and help him."

The group's investigation began discreetly. They observed Matthew's interactions, his routine, and the people around him. One evening, Taerae noticed that Matthew had been unusually quiet and withdrawn. Ricky and Gyuvin, who had noticed a similar change, decided to follow Matthew discreetly after practice to see if they could uncover anything suspicious.

Their vigilance paid off. One night, they saw Matthew talking nervously to someone in a dimly lit alley behind the practice studio. The figure was shrouded in shadows, and although Matthew seemed to be pleading with them, Ricky and Gyuvin couldn't hear the conversation.

The next day, they confronted Matthew, who was visibly shaken by their questions. "It's nothing," he insisted. "I just had some personal matters to discuss."

But the group was not convinced. They continued to probe, examining security footage and tracking Matthew's movements more closely. Their efforts seemed to confirm their worst fears-someone was indeed stalking Matthew and manipulating his environment to drive him to the edge.

The breakthrough came when Yujin, who was investigating the staff's behavior, found a suspicious pattern. One of the staff members, their manager, had been present in many of the locations where Matthew experienced problems. He was often seen lingering in the background, always just out of sight but never completely absent.

Yujin shared her findings with the others. "It's our manager. I've seen him in all the places where Matthew-hyung has had issues. He's been tampering with Matthew-hyung's things and creating situations to make him paranoid."

The group was shocked. Their manager, who had always seemed supportive and professional, was revealed to be the source of their leader's distress. It was a betrayal that stung deeply.

"We have to confront him," Jiwoong said decisively. "But we need to be careful. If we're wrong or if he finds out we're onto him, it could make things worse for Matthew."

The members devised a plan. They would set up a controlled situation where they could catch the manager in the act. They arranged for Matthew to be alone in a secure room, while the rest of the members monitored the situation through hidden cameras they had set up.

The night of the confrontation, Matthew was placed in the room under the pretense of a meeting. The members watched as the manager entered the room under the guise of checking on Matthew. He was caught on camera tampering with Matthew's belongings, his actions confirming their suspicions.

When the evidence was clear, Jiwoong and the others approached the manager in a coordinated effort. They confronted him with the recordings and the evidence of his sabotage. The manager, initially defensive, eventually broke down and confessed. His actions had been driven by a twisted sense of control and jealousy over Matthew's success and the group's popularity.

The confrontation was intense, but the manager was removed from his position, and the situation was reported to the appropriate authorities. Matthew, once the truth was revealed, was devastated but relieved. The burden of constant fear and mistrust was lifted from his shoulders.

In the aftermath, the members rallied around Matthew, offering their support and understanding. The trust and bond within the group were tested but ultimately strengthened. They worked through the emotional aftermath together, reaffirming their commitment to each other as a team.

Matthew's recovery was slow but steady. With the support of his members and the removal of the toxic influence, he gradually regained his confidence and sense of security. The group's unity became their strength, and they moved forward, their bond deeper and their resolve stronger.

In the end, the experience had been a harrowing one, but it served as a testament to the strength of their friendship and the resilience they had built together. The shadows behind the spotlight had been driven away, and ZeroBaseOne emerged not just as a group of performers but as a family bound by trust and unwavering support.