Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

The Wake-up Call (Serim)

The lights of the concert hall dimmed, and the roar of the crowd filled the air, a wave of anticipation and excitement. Serim stood backstage, his heart racing, adrenaline coursing through his veins. It was their first night on the world tour, and the energy from the fans was palpable. But beneath the thrill, a nagging pain twisted in his abdomen, a familiar reminder of his unpredictable illness.

Over the past few months, Serim had learned to mask his discomfort. His diagnosis of Crohn's disease had come as a shock, the reality of managing a chronic illness clashing with his dreams of performing on stage. He had been careful, modifying his diet and routines to avoid flare-ups, but the pressure of the tour loomed ahead, and the fear of disappointing his members gnawed at him.

"Serim-hyung, are you ready?" Seongmin asked, his voice bright with enthusiasm as he adjusted his outfit in the mirror. Serim forced a smile, nodding even though he felt a wave of fatigue washing over him.

"Of course! Let's give them a show!" he replied, but inside, the tension in his abdomen tightened. He took a deep breath, willing the pain to subside. The last thing he wanted was to worry his members.

As they stepped onto the stage, the lights illuminated their faces, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Serim felt the rush of adrenaline drown out the pain for a moment, and he poured himself into the performance. He danced and rapped with vigor, the music filling the air and carrying his spirit higher. Yet, with each passing song, the pressure in his abdomen grew unbearable, but he refused to show it.

After the show, the members celebrated in the green room, their laughter and excitement infectious. Serim joined in, cheering and sharing stories about their performance, but a part of him felt detached. He excused himself to the restroom, where he took a moment to breathe, leaning against the sink as waves of nausea hit him.

"Come on, Serim! We're doing a group photo!" the voice of Allen called from outside. Serim took a deep breath and straightened up, forcing a smile back onto his face before stepping out to join his members.

As they gathered for the photo, he felt the warmth of their camaraderie surrounding him, and for a moment, he forgot his pain. But as the night wore on, exhaustion set in, and he made his way to his room, collapsing onto the bed. He closed his eyes, allowing the darkness to wash over him.

Days turned into weeks, and as the tour progressed, Serim learned to manage his symptoms in secret. He adjusted his meals, avoided triggers, and relied on medication to keep the worst of his symptoms at bay. He made sure to keep his spirits high during rehearsals and performances, not wanting his members to worry about him.

But the unpredictable nature of Crohn's disease took its toll. On days when he felt good, he pushed himself harder, wanting to prove that he could keep up with the others. He thought of the fans, the promises they made to each other, and the dedication he felt toward his role as leader.

However, he couldn't shake the feeling of isolation. The more he hid, the more detached he felt from the group. He longed to share his struggles, but the fear of burdening them kept his lips sealed.

"Are you okay, hyung?" Minhee asked one night, concern etched on his face after noticing Serim's quiet demeanor.

"Yeah, just a bit tired," Serim replied, forcing a smile. "You know how it is with touring."

Minhee nodded, but Serim could see the doubt lingering in his eyes. It was only a matter of time before someone figured it out, and he felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.

As the tour continued, Serim's condition began to worsen. The pain in his abdomen intensified, often leaving him doubled over during practices. He relied on painkillers to keep going, desperate to not let the members see how much he was struggling.