Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Burnout on the Horizon (Hongjoong)

The studio had become Hongjoong's second home. For the past few days, he had practically lived in it, surrounded by a wall of sound, computers, and endless cups of coffee. His dedication to ATEEZ's next comeback consumed him, pushing him to work tirelessly on their music and choreography. He could feel the pressure mounting, but he was no stranger to it—being both the leader and a producer meant he bore the weight of ensuring everything was perfect.

His laptop's screen flickered as he adjusted the volume on the latest track, his fingers moving instinctively over the keyboard. Outside, the sun had risen hours ago, yet Hongjoong hadn't noticed. The music pulsed through his headphones as he sat back, taking a brief moment to close his eyes. Exhaustion clung to his body, but he pushed it aside. He couldn't afford to stop—not when there was so much at stake. The fans were waiting, the team was counting on him, and he couldn't let them down.

But Hongjoong hadn't slept properly in days. His muscles ached from the long hours in the studio and rehearsals, and his mind was clouded with fatigue. Despite that, he continued, driven by the belief that this level of dedication was necessary. He was the leader, and if anyone had to sacrifice for the group, it was him.

A knock at the door snapped him out of his daze. Seonghwa stepped into the studio, his face lined with concern.

"Hongjoong, have you eaten anything today?" Seonghwa asked, glancing at the mess of takeout containers and half-empty coffee cups littering the desk.

Hongjoong rubbed his eyes, blinking blearily at Seonghwa. "I'll grab something later. I just need to finish this."

"You've been saying that for three days." Seonghwa's tone was gentle but firm. He crossed the room, placing a hand on Hongjoong's shoulder. "We're all worried about you."

Hongjoong offered a weak smile, trying to brush off the concern. "I'm fine. Really. I'll rest when it's done."

Seonghwa frowned but didn't push further. He knew Hongjoong too well. The leader's work ethic bordered on self-sacrificial, and getting him to slow down was no easy task. "Just... don't overdo it, okay? We need you at your best."

"I know," Hongjoong replied, though the words felt hollow even to him.

Seonghwa left the studio, but the weight of his words lingered. Hongjoong knew he was pushing his limits, but he felt trapped by the expectations he'd placed on himself. His mind raced with thoughts of unfinished tracks, the choreography that still needed refining, and the pressure of the upcoming comeback. He couldn't stop—not yet.

Later that afternoon, the group gathered in the practice room for rehearsal. The energy was high, with Wooyoung and San joking around as they stretched, and Jongho warming up his vocals. Mingi, Yeosang, and Yunho were going over the choreography in front of the mirror, while Seonghwa watched Hongjoong from the corner of his eye.

Hongjoong had arrived late, looking paler than usual, but brushed off the members' questions with a reassuring smile. "Just finishing up some things in the studio," he'd said, masking his exhaustion with a level-headed tone.

As the music started, Hongjoong threw himself into the choreography, his movements sharp and precise despite the fatigue weighing down his limbs. He focused on leading by example, pushing his body to keep up with the others. But with each passing minute, his vision blurred, and his legs grew heavier.

San, usually too engrossed in his own dancing to notice much else, picked up on Hongjoong's increasingly sluggish movements. He exchanged a glance with Yeosang, who frowned and subtly moved closer to Hongjoong, ready to step in if needed.

"Hyung, you good?" San asked, his voice loud enough to be heard over the music but casual enough not to draw attention.

"Yeah," Hongjoong replied, though his voice sounded strained even to him. "I'm fine."