Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

The Weight He Carries (Kai)

The rehearsal studio was alive with energy as EXO wrapped up another gruelling day of practice. Their comeback was right around the corner, and the anticipation in the room was palpable. Every member poured their heart and soul into every beat, every move, and every lyric. Kai, as the main dancer, took the lead, his movements razor-sharp, yet flowing effortlessly. But even as his body executed the choreography with precision, an ache had begun to throb through his back and legs.

He brushed it off, chalking it up to muscle fatigue from the intense schedule they had been keeping. Rest was a luxury he couldn't afford right now, not with the comeback so close. Besides, the team depended on him to set the standard in dance; it was his responsibility as the main dancer, a title he wore with pride—and a quiet, unspoken weight.

As they wrapped up, Baekhyun, ever the observant one, shot him a worried glance.

"Hey, Kai," he said, walking over, "you've been looking pretty beat lately. You okay?"

Kai flashed a quick, practiced smile. "Just a little tired. You know how it is."

Baekhyun narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, but even you have limits. Take it easy, okay?"

Kai nodded, waving him off. He appreciated Baekhyun's concern, but he didn't want anyone worrying about him. He would push through; he always did.

But as the days went on, the ache in his muscles grew from a mild annoyance to a constant, gnawing pain. Every kick, every leap sent a shockwave through his legs and spine, and each day, it took more out of him. He started relying on quick breaks between sets to massage his legs, hoping no one would notice. The more he pushed himself, the deeper the pain seemed to settle into his bones, as if it was becoming a part of him.

On the eve of their last rehearsal before the comeback, he found himself alone in the practice room, running through the choreography one last time. The music pulsed through the speakers, and he lost himself in it, dancing with an intensity he could barely muster. But halfway through a particularly challenging spin, his vision blurred, and his legs buckled beneath him. He crashed to the floor, gasping for air as pain radiated through his body.

He tried to get up, but his limbs refused to obey, leaving him helpless on the cold, unforgiving floor. Panic surged through him, and a flurry of thoughts flooded his mind. Was this it? Had he finally pushed too far?

Just as he tried to drag himself up, footsteps echoed in the hall, and Sehun's voice called out.

"Kai? Are you still in here?"

The door swung open, and Sehun froze when he saw Kai on the floor, his face pale and strained.

"Kai!" he shouted, rushing over. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

Kai managed a faint, strained smile. "Just... lost my balance."

Sehun's expression softened with worry. "Stay there. I'm getting Baekhyun."

Within minutes, the entire group was around him, concern etched across each of their faces. Baekhyun knelt down, placing a hand on Kai's shoulder.

"Kai, this isn't just exhaustion, is it?" Baekhyun asked softly.

For once, Kai didn't have the energy to argue. The pain was too much, his body worn to its breaking point. He looked down, shame flickering in his eyes. "I... I didn't want to slow anyone down."

Baekhyun exchanged a worried glance with Sehun before turning back to him. "Kai, you're our main dancer, but you're also human. You're allowed to rest."

Before he could respond, his legs began to cramp again, and he let out a quiet groan of pain. That was enough for the members; they decided he needed medical attention immediately.

At the hospital, Kai lay in the sterile bed, the bright lights above making it impossible to ignore the reality he was in. His muscles ached as if they were finally surrendering to weeks of punishment. It wasn't long before a doctor came in, the look on his face a mix of sympathy and concern.

"Mr. Kim, the good news is there's no severe injury," the doctor began, "but you've been pushing your body beyond its limits. Your muscles are inflamed, and if you don't rest, it could lead to long-term damage."

Kai closed his eyes, exhaling as a mixture of relief and frustration washed over him. Rest was not part of his plan. The comeback was days away; he couldn't afford to sit out now.

Sehun and Baekhyun entered the room, looking at him with understanding, yet unwavering resolve.

"Kai," Baekhyun said gently, "you can't keep doing this. We've seen you putting everything into this comeback, but at what cost? You have to think about your health, about all the years we still have ahead of us."

Kai looked away, biting his lip. He was afraid to admit it, but he'd been carrying the weight of his position for so long, afraid of letting the group down if he showed any weakness. "I just... I didn't want to be the reason we had to slow down. You all rely on me, on my dancing. It's my responsibility."

Sehun sat beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "But you're part of a team, Kai. We're all here because we love this, and we're here for each other. You don't have to bear that burden alone."

Kai's voice dropped to a whisper. "I just wanted to be good enough... to live up to everyone's expectations."

Baekhyun's expression softened, and he leaned in closer. "Kai, you're not just good enough—you're our center, our anchor. None of us would be here without each other. We'll get through this together."

There was a long pause as Kai absorbed their words, his usual confidence momentarily crumbling under the weight of his exhaustion and fear. For so long, he had placed his value in his ability to perform, to be perfect. But lying there, surrounded by his members, he realized maybe it was time to lean on them, just as they leaned on him.

Over the next few days, the members took turns visiting him, each bringing their own way of comforting him. Chanyeol would play his guitar softly, filling the room with calming melodies. D.O. brought home-cooked meals, insisting that a healthy body started with proper nutrition. Suho checked in with the doctors personally, reassuring Kai that his health was their priority.

But it was Sehun and Baekhyun who stayed with him the longest, reminding him of all the reasons why he was more than just their main dancer. They shared stories, laughed together, and reminded him that EXO wasn't just a group—it was a family.

As Kai rested, he began to confront the pressure he had put on himself. Each time he'd felt that ache in his muscles, he had ignored it, convinced that his worth lay only in his ability to push through. But now, he realized that his worth wasn't defined by his resilience to pain. It was defined by his passion, his dedication, and the strength of the friendships he had built within EXO.

By the time he was discharged, Kai had started to let go of some of the weight he carried. The fear of letting down his team had always been his greatest motivator, but now, he understood that he could trust them to stand by him, even in his weakest moments.

When the day of the comeback arrived, Kai was ready—but this time, he approached the stage with a newfound understanding. He knew he could lean on his members if he needed to, that he didn't have to be perfect.

As the lights dimmed and the music began, Kai felt the familiar thrill, but he also felt a sense of calm. The performance flowed like never before, each move infused with a joy and ease he hadn't felt in a long time. The cheers of the crowd washed over him, and he knew that, for the first time, he was dancing not out of obligation, but out of love.

Backstage, as the final note echoed and the lights faded, his members surrounded him, their faces alight with pride.

"You did amazing, Kai," Baekhyun said, pulling him into a hug. "You always do."

Kai smiled, his heart full. "Thanks... for being there for me. I couldn't do this without you guys."

Sehun grinned, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "And you'll never have to."

As they walked offstage, Kai felt a warmth in his chest—a warmth that told him he was exactly where he was meant to be. And for the first time, he knew he didn't have to carry the weight alone.