Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

In the Quiet Darkness (Mark)

Mark was used to long days. As the  Main Rapper, Main Dancer, Sub-Vocalist and one of the most hardworking members of NCT 127, he thrived in the chaos of packed schedules, endless rehearsals, and performances that seemed to blur together. It wasn't unusual for him to push through exhaustion, his adrenaline fueling him even after the most grueling days.

But today, something was different.

It had been a particularly demanding day, full of travel and back-to-back stages. The city they had flown into felt like a distant memory, the flashing lights of the airport and the bustle of fans an exhausting blur. By the time they arrived at the hotel, Mark's head had begun to throb faintly, an uncomfortable pressure behind his eyes that he had initially brushed off as the result of jet lag and stress.

But as the night progressed, the dull ache in his head evolved into something far worse.

They were all gathered in the hotel suite—a large space meant to accommodate most of the members while they decompressed from the day's events. The room was filled with the sounds of chatter, laughter, and the soft buzz of the TV. Everyone was unwinding, eating takeout, and talking about their next set of performances. Mark sat on the edge of the couch, trying to focus on the conversation but feeling increasingly detached from everything around him.

The pain in his head had become sharper, more insistent, pounding against his temples with every heartbeat. His vision began to blur, and the lights in the room, though dim, felt glaring. Sounds that would have been a comfort—Yuta's boisterous laughter, Doyoung's teasing remarks—were starting to feel like daggers in his skull.

He rubbed his forehead, willing the pain to subside, but it only worsened. His stomach churned uneasily, a wave of nausea creeping up on him. He hadn't eaten much during the day, but now the mere thought of food made him feel sick.

Suddenly, a particularly loud burst of laughter from Johnny across the room sent a sharp, stabbing pain through his head, and Mark winced, instinctively curling in on himself.

"Mark, you okay?" Jaehyun's voice cut through the haze, calm but concerned.

Mark forced himself to sit up straight, offering a weak smile. "Yeah, yeah. Just tired, I think."

But even as he said it, his voice wavered. He couldn't bring himself to look at Jaehyun—couldn't look at any of them. The light was too harsh, and everything around him felt too overwhelming.

He needed to get out of there.

Mark stood up abruptly, the sudden movement making his vision swim. The room tilted, and he swayed slightly, his hand gripping the armrest of the couch for balance.

"I'm gonna go... lie down for a bit," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Before anyone could respond, Mark slipped out of the suite, the door closing behind him with a soft click. He didn't stop until he reached his own room down the hall, fumbling with the keycard as another wave of pain crashed over him. His hands were shaking as he finally got the door open, slipping inside and immediately shutting it behind him, plunging the room into darkness.

The moment the lights were off, he felt a small sense of relief. The pounding in his head didn't stop, but at least he wasn't being assaulted by the brightness of the suite or the noise that had been drilling into his skull.

He stumbled toward the bed, collapsing onto it with a groan, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes in a futile attempt to alleviate the pressure. His entire body was tense, his muscles tight with the effort of trying to hold himself together. He had never experienced pain like this before—not to this extent. It was as if every nerve in his body had become hypersensitive, reacting to the slightest stimuli with searing intensity.