Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Breath by Breath (Wonjin and Jungmo)

Carateume47

It was late, far later than they'd usually stay back at the practice room, and most of the other Cravity members had already left for the dorms, their exhausted forms practically melting out the door. But Wonjin and Jungmo remained, their mutual dedication to perfecting their performance for Ace of Ace keeping them rooted to the hardwood floors of the studio.

The dimmed lights cast long shadows, and the building had grown quiet save for the faint music emanating from their practice room and the occasional murmur of the remaining staff. Wonjin's brow was slick with sweat, his breathing slightly unsteady as he powered through yet another round of their choreography. He was having trouble mastering a specific part of the dance, a fast-paced series of spins and quick footwork that left him feeling off-balance and frustrated. Each time he messed up, he'd grit his teeth and start over, pushing through with pure determination.

Beside him, Jungmo was quick to notice the way Wonjin's movements were growing sloppy, his rhythm falling slightly out of sync as fatigue began to set in. Jungmo himself was exhausted, his muscles aching from hours of practice, but seeing his younger friend pushing himself so hard worried him.

"Hey, Wonjin," Jungmo finally called, placing a hand on his shoulder after another failed attempt. "How about I grab us some water? You can take a quick break, and we'll try again after."

Wonjin barely looked at him, just nodded absentmindedly, his gaze still fixated on the mirror as if the dance moves would somehow click if he just practiced one more time. But even as Jungmo slipped out to get water, Wonjin started again, repeating the sequence over and over, each attempt becoming more frantic as his patience wore thin.

By the time Jungmo returned with two bottles of water in hand, he found Wonjin still practicing, his face flushed a deep red, his breathing heavy and shallow. He hadn't even stopped. Concern flashed across Jungmo's face as he quickly moved to his friend's side.

"Wonjin, take a break. You're pushing yourself too hard," Jungmo said firmly, handing him a bottle.

Wonjin reached for the bottle, his hand trembling as he unscrewed the cap. "Just... one more time," he muttered, his voice shaky as he took a few sips of water before trying to catch his breath.

Jungmo watched him carefully, noticing the way Wonjin's chest heaved with each breath, as if he couldn't quite get enough air. "No, listen, you need to take a real break," Jungmo insisted, gently putting a hand on his shoulder to stop him from getting up.

Wonjin brushed his hand off and took a few steps back, his gaze determined but his breath unsteady. "I can do it... just one more try..."

Before they could even start, though, Wonjin doubled over suddenly, a sharp, dry cough escaping his lips. He tried to straighten up, but another cough shook his frame, followed by another, until he was caught in a fit he couldn't seem to control. His hand went to his chest, clutching it tightly as the coughing worsened, and his breaths became strained and shallow.

Alarmed, Jungmo rushed over to him, grabbing his shoulders. "Hey, hey! What's wrong?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady despite the worry that had crept in.

But Wonjin couldn't answer. His chest rose and fell in rapid, uneven bursts, and his eyes were wide, panicked, as he struggled to catch his breath. A tear slipped down his cheek as he kept gasping, clutching at his chest, the panic in his eyes growing as he realized he couldn't seem to get enough air.

Jungmo's heart pounded as he realized what was happening—Wonjin was hyperventilating. He quickly adjusted his grip on Wonjin's arms, his touch gentle but steady as he tried to ground his friend.

"Wonjin, listen to me," Jungmo said, his voice calm but firm. "You're okay. Just focus on my voice, alright? Breathe with me."

Wonjin's eyes were squeezed shut, his grip on Jungmo's arm tightening as he fought to get control of his breathing. Jungmo took a deep breath himself, exhaling slowly and deliberately, hoping that Wonjin would follow his lead. "In through your nose, out through your mouth," he instructed softly, guiding him through each shaky breath.

Slowly, Wonjin began to mimic him, his breaths still uneven but slowing as he tried to match Jungmo's pace. He clutched onto Jungmo's arm with a desperate strength, as if letting go would make him spiral again. Jungmo didn't mind; he adjusted his stance, supporting Wonjin as he guided him through the panic attack, watching as the fear slowly began to fade from his friend's eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, Wonjin's breathing steadied, the panic retreating as he took a few deeper, calmer breaths. Jungmo let out a quiet sigh of relief, giving him a small smile.

"There you go... you're okay," he murmured softly.

But as soon as Wonjin could catch his breath, his composure crumbled. He let out a soft sob and pulled Jungmo into a tight hug, burying his face in his shoulder. Jungmo wrapped his arms around him without hesitation, one hand rubbing soothing circles on his back as he held him close.

"It's okay, Wonjin," Jungmo murmured gently. "You're doing great. You don't have to push yourself so hard."

Wonjin's shoulders shook as he cried, the exhaustion and frustration of the night catching up to him all at once. Jungmo held him patiently, letting him release all the pent-up emotions that had been building.

"I'm sorry..." Wonjin managed to whisper through his tears. "I just... I can't seem to get it right, and I don't want to let anyone down..."

Jungmo shook his head, gently pulling back so he could look Wonjin in the eyes. "Hey, you don't have to apologize. Everyone has a hard time sometimes. Pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion won't help, though. We're all here to support you, okay?"

Wonjin nodded, sniffling as he tried to steady his breathing again. He still felt a faint ache in his chest, his breaths shivering slightly as he tried to calm down. "I just... I wanted to prove I could do it," he admitted quietly, his gaze dropping to the floor.

"You already have," Jungmo assured him, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze. "You're incredibly talented, Wonjin, but you don't have to be perfect every single time. Sometimes, taking a break is the best thing you can do for yourself."

Wonjin managed a small, grateful smile, though his chest still felt tight, and he let out another small cough, his breath still a little unsteady. Jungmo's brow furrowed with concern as he watched him, but he kept his arm around his friend, offering silent reassurance.

"Come on, let's sit down for a bit," Jungmo suggested, leading Wonjin over to the bench by the wall. They sat down, and Wonjin leaned back, closing his eyes as he tried to relax. Jungmo stayed beside him, handing him the water bottle and making sure he drank slowly.

The room was quiet for a moment as Wonjin took small sips, his breathing still slightly uneven but gradually calming. He clutched his chest lightly, the sensation of tightness lingering as his body tried to recover.

"Thanks, Jungmo... for being here," Wonjin said after a moment, his voice soft but genuine. He looked up at his friend, gratitude shining in his eyes. "I think I really needed this."

Jungmo offered him a reassuring smile. "Of course. We're a team, remember? We've got each other's backs, no matter what."

Wonjin smiled, the weight of the night lifting slightly as he felt the warmth of his friend's words settle in his heart. They sat there for a while longer, letting the tension ebb away as they quietly shared the moment, the bond between them growing even stronger.

After a few minutes, Wonjin finally felt his breath steady completely, and though his body was tired, his spirit felt a little lighter. He turned to Jungmo, a newfound determination in his eyes. "I think... I'm ready to try again. But maybe... with a bit more rest in between."

Jungmo chuckled, nodding approvingly. "Sounds like a good plan. And hey, I'll be right here to make sure you don't overdo it."

With a smile, they got back to their feet, ready to tackle the choreography once more—this time, together, taking it one step at a time.