Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

The Cost of Perseverance (Hunter)

Hunter's heart raced as he moved across the dance studio. The music blasted through the speakers, a relentless beat that matched the pulse of his determination. The practice session was intense, and the members of Xikers were giving it their all. Hunter, too, was pushing himself, his focus sharp despite the growing ache in his shoulder and the persistent sting in his ankle.

He had been feeling it all day—a nagging pain that seemed to flare up with each movement. It started as a dull throb but had worsened as the hours went by. But Hunter was determined not to let it show. He didn't want to be a burden, especially when everyone was working so hard.

As the choreography hit a particularly demanding section, Hunter twisted his body into a complicated move. His foot slipped on a slick spot on the floor, and he lost his balance. He tried to catch himself, but the sudden jolt sent a sharp pain shooting through his ankle. He stumbled and fell to the floor, a gasp escaping his lips.

The music abruptly cut off, and the room fell silent. The other members of Xikers rushed to Hunter's side, their faces a mix of concern and confusion.

"Hunter! Are you okay?" Minjae's voice was laced with worry as he knelt beside him.

Hunter tried to smile, but the pain was too intense. "I'm fine," he said, though his voice was strained. He attempted to push himself up, but his ankle refused to cooperate.

Junmin and Sumin helped him back to a sitting position, their expressions grim. "You don't look fine," Sumin said. "What happened?"

Hunter hesitated, not wanting to admit the extent of his injury. "I just slipped. It's nothing serious."

Jinsik, who had been observing from the sidelines, stepped in. "Hunter, you're limping. That doesn't look like 'nothing serious.'"

Hyunwoo, Junghoon, Seeun, Yujin, and Yechan gathered around, their faces showing a mix of concern and frustration. They could see through Hunter's attempts to downplay the situation.

"Hunter, you need to sit down," Seeun said firmly. "Let us take a look at your ankle."

Hunter hesitated, but the pain was becoming unbearable, and the weight of his members' concern was undeniable. He finally relented, letting Minjae and Junmin carefully examine his ankle. They winced as they touched the swollen area.

"It's definitely swollen," Minjae said, his voice tense. "We need to get you to a doctor."

"No, it's really not that bad," Hunter protested weakly. "We've got practice to finish."

Junghoon, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "Hunter, you're not going to be able to continue like this. If you don't get checked out, you could make it worse."

Hunter's pride was battling with the pain, but he knew they were right. He had been pushing himself to the limit, trying to be the best leader and performer he could be. Admitting he was injured felt like admitting weakness, but seeing the genuine concern on his members' faces made him realize how wrong he was.

"Alright," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll go."

The members helped him to the van, and the journey to the clinic was filled with quiet, worried glances. Hunter sat in the back seat, his head resting against the window, trying to focus on something other than the throbbing pain.

At the clinic, the doctor quickly assessed Hunter's condition. After a thorough examination, the doctor turned to the group with a serious expression.

"He has a significant ankle sprain," the doctor said. "He'll need to rest and avoid putting weight on it. I'll prescribe some pain medication and suggest physical therapy to help with the recovery."

Hunter's heart sank. He knew this would mean missing out on practice and possibly delaying their upcoming performances. The thought of letting down his members made him feel even worse.

The members rallied around him as they left the clinic. They took turns carrying Hunter and making sure he was comfortable. Despite his initial resistance, Hunter began to see how much they cared about him. They didn't just want him to recover physically; they wanted him to be okay emotionally, too.

Back at their dorm, the atmosphere was somber but supportive. Minjae, Junmin, and Sumin helped Hunter get settled on the couch, propping up his injured ankle with pillows. Jinsik brought over some ice packs and pain medication.

"Make sure you keep your foot elevated," Jinsik instructed, handing Hunter the ice packs. "And take the medication as prescribed."

Hunter nodded, though his eyes were clouded with worry. "I'm really sorry about this. I didn't mean to disrupt everything."

Yujin shook his head. "It's not your fault. Accidents happen. What's important now is that you take care of yourself so you can get back to full strength."

Yechan added, "We've got this. We'll adjust the schedule and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your health comes first."

As the days passed, Hunter found himself adjusting to a new routine. He was no longer the one leading the practices or rehearsals, but he was still very much a part of the process. His members made sure he was involved in everything they could do from the couch, discussing choreography and set lists with him.

Junghoon and Seeun took on the role of checking in with Hunter regularly, ensuring he was sticking to his recovery plan and providing emotional support. Their constant presence helped alleviate some of his guilt and anxiety.

One evening, as Hunter sat with his members around him, he realized how much they had done for him. The apartment was filled with laughter and chatter as they shared stories and caught up on things they had missed. Hunter felt a warmth in his heart, a sense of belonging that was more comforting than he had expected.

"I just wanted to say thank you," Hunter said, his voice sincere. "You've all been amazing. I know I've been a bit of a mess, and I appreciate everything you've done."

Minjae smiled, placing a hand on Hunter's shoulder. "You don't need to thank us. We're a team, and we look out for each other. You've done the same for us many times."

Junmin nodded. "Exactly. We're here for you, just like you've been there for us."

As the weeks went by, Hunter's ankle slowly healed, and he began to regain his strength. The physical therapy sessions were challenging, but he was determined to recover fully. The members continued to support him, celebrating his progress and offering encouragement.

One day, as Hunter was finally able to put some weight on his ankle and move around more freely, he joined his members for a small celebration. They had prepared a meal together, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and relief.

"I'm really grateful for everything," Hunter said as they sat down to eat. "I couldn't have made it through this without all of you."

Yujin raised his glass in a toast. "To Hunter—our leader and our friend. And to the strength of our team."

The members cheered, and Hunter felt a profound sense of appreciation for the bond they shared. He knew that while his injury had been a difficult experience, it had also strengthened their connection as a group.

As they enjoyed their meal and laughed together, Hunter realized that the true strength of their team lay not just in their performances, but in their ability to support and care for each other through both the highs and the lows. And for that, he was eternally grateful.