Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Anchored by Strain (Eunsoek)

Eunseok had always been the composed one. Even in the whirlwind that was RIIZE's rapid rise to fame, he remained a constant, quiet force—steady, reliable, and unflinchingly calm. While others thrived in the spotlight, engaging with fans, bouncing off each other with their bright personalities, Eunseok found solace in being the anchor of the group, someone the others could depend on.

But as the group's popularity soared, so did the pressure.

Every performance had to be flawless. Every public appearance had to reflect the image of success they had so carefully cultivated. And Eunseok, despite his composed front, was feeling the weight of it more than anyone realized. The spotlight that once felt distant had begun to close in on him. His more extroverted members—Sohee, Sungchan, Anton, Shotaro—seemed to navigate the rise with ease, thriving in the attention and public adoration. Eunseok, however, felt the gap between him and the rest of them widening, the pressure to keep up becoming suffocating.

He wouldn't show it, though. How could he? He was supposed to be the reliable one, the one who never faltered. Admitting that he was struggling, especially in the midst of their most intense promotion period yet, felt like a failure.

"Eunseok, are you good?" Shotaro's voice broke through his thoughts one afternoon during rehearsals.

Eunseok snapped out of his daze, blinking rapidly. "Yeah," he said, forcing a smile. "I'm fine."

But he wasn't fine. His body felt heavy, his chest tight with exhaustion, and his mind raced with thoughts of inadequacy. Was he pulling his weight in the group? Did the fans even notice him compared to the others? He had read the comments online, the comparisons to the louder, more engaging members. He wasn't as flashy, as energetic, as easy to love in the eyes of the fans.

It had been a brutal week of back-to-back performances, interviews, and practice sessions that seemed endless. There was no time to rest, no time to breathe, and certainly no time to address the gnawing doubt that had taken root in his mind. He hadn't been eating properly, barely getting by on energy drinks and quick snacks in between schedules. He told himself it was fine, that he could handle it. He always had before.

The others were too wrapped up in their own routines to notice anything was wrong. And that was how Eunseok preferred it. He didn't want to be a burden. Not now, when the group was riding such a high.

It wasn't until the night of their biggest performance of the week that his body finally gave out.

They had just finished performing in front of a live audience, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins as they waved to the screaming fans. Eunseok's vision swam as the lights dimmed, and he struggled to keep his breathing steady. His legs felt like they were made of lead, each step heavier than the last. The noise of the crowd was deafening, and for a moment, the edges of his vision blurred, darkness creeping in.

"Hyung, come on!" Sungchan called, turning to him as the group made their way offstage. But Eunseok didn't answer. His body swayed, and before anyone could react, he collapsed.

Chaos erupted.

"Eunseok-hyung!" Anton's voice was sharp, panic lacing his words as he rushed to Eunseok's side. The others quickly followed, gathering around him. Sungchan knelt beside him, gently shaking his shoulder, but Eunseok didn't stir. His skin was clammy, his breathing shallow.

"We need to get him to the medic," Sohee said, his voice strained with worry. Seunghan and Shotaro carefully lifted Eunseok off the ground, supporting him between them as they hurried backstage.

The ride to the hospital was a blur for Eunseok. He was dimly aware of the voices around him, the concerned whispers of his members, but he couldn't summon the strength to respond. His body was screaming for rest, and his mind was too clouded with exhaustion to form coherent thoughts.