Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Shadows Beneath the Spotlight (Mackiah)

The day was bright and sunny, a stark contrast to the heaviness Mackiah felt inside. As he prepared for the upcoming group interview, he looked at himself in the mirror, forcing a smile onto his face. The reflection staring back at him was not the upbeat, charismatic rapper fans adored. Instead, it was a tired soul, weary from bearing a weight he was not ready to share.

Mackiah took a deep breath, reminding himself of the motto they all lived by: "We shine together." He straightened his posture and practiced his usual banter in his head, hoping that if he just smiled hard enough, no one would see the storm brewing beneath the surface.

His bandmates—Kamden, Brian, Jiho, Siyun, Kyrell, and Seungmo—were already in the van, chatting excitedly about their recent comeback and the upcoming interview. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, a stark reminder of the joy they usually felt together. Yet, Mackiah felt like an outsider in his own group, standing on the fringes of happiness.

"Hey, Mackiah! You ready?" Kamden called out, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Yeah! Just... giving myself a pep talk," he replied, forcing a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. The others exchanged knowing glances but chose to let it slide, not wanting to disrupt the cheerful energy.

As they settled into the van, Mackiah found himself squished between Kamden and Jiho, who animatedly recounted a funny incident from their last photoshoot. He smiled and laughed at the right moments, but his heart wasn't in it. Instead, he was preoccupied with thoughts of his family back home, the news he had received that weighed heavily on him.

The interview was set in a bright studio, filled with soft lights and a casual atmosphere. Fans would tune in to hear them talk about their new music and the challenges of their recent comeback. But for Mackiah, the real challenge lay in maintaining his facade while grappling with his family issues.

"Welcome, AMPERS&ONE! We're so excited to have you here!" the host beamed, ushering them into their seats.

As the interview began, the questions flowed naturally, focusing on their latest album and the inspirations behind their music. The camaraderie among the members was palpable, laughter echoing as they bantered back and forth. But with every passing moment, Mackiah felt the pressure building in his chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that his smile was painted on, and eventually, it would crack.

"Alright, Mackiah," the host turned to him, a playful glint in her eyes. "We know you're the resident mood-lifter. How do you keep such a positive outlook, especially with all the pressure that comes with being in a group?"

For a brief moment, Mackiah felt a surge of panic. The question struck too close to home. How could he explain that he was struggling with family issues without revealing the secret he had kept buried deep within? "I guess I just try to focus on the good things in life," he replied, his voice wavering slightly. "And, you know, lean on my members for support."

The host nodded, seemingly satisfied. "That's a great approach! But, do you ever feel overwhelmed?"

His heart raced at the implication, and in a moment of vulnerability, he let slip, "Well, sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. But I'm... I'm okay."

The moment the words left his mouth, the studio fell silent, and he felt every pair of eyes on him, including his bandmates. Kamden's expression shifted from playful to concerned, while Jiho looked genuinely worried.

"Wow, that sounds heavy," the host said, her tone shifting to one of empathy. "Is there something specific weighing on you?"

Mackiah's mind raced, panic rising as he sensed the awkwardness creeping into the atmosphere. "Uh, no! I mean, just... life, you know?" He attempted to redirect the conversation, but the damage was done. The tension in the room was palpable.