Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

The Space Between Us (Yeosang, San, Wooyoung)

The gentle hum of voices filled the dorm as Ateez returned after another gruelling day of training. Everyone was exhausted, yet spirits remained high, filling the air with laughter and camaraderie—everyone except for Yeosang. Over the past few weeks, he'd withdrawn further and further, distancing himself from the group as the ache in his heart grew. He skipped meals, stayed silent during practice, and rarely joined in their laughter. Where he had once been quietly confident, he was now a shadow, carrying a sadness that had not gone unnoticed by his members.

It started two weeks ago, when Wooyoung, his best friend since they were teenagers, began spending more time with San. Yeosang wasn't one for physical affection, but Wooyoung's need for touch had always balanced well with Yeosang's quieter, reserved nature. Over time, Yeosang had grown used to Wooyoung's constant affection—the playful nudges, random hugs, and teasing gestures. Wooyoung's friendship had become a source of warmth and grounding for him. So, when Wooyoung grew closer to San, Yeosang felt a pang in his chest that he hadn't anticipated.

Wooyoung and San had become inseparable, always laughing and whispering inside jokes, often seen with arms draped over each other's shoulders. And then, they'd gotten matching tattoos—a small symbol inked on their bodies to commemorate their friendship. It was like a punch to the gut for Yeosang. He couldn't help but feel that he was being replaced, as though he was somehow no longer needed in Wooyoung's life.

The more Yeosang thought about it, the deeper his insecurities ran. He became convinced he had done something wrong, that he'd pushed Wooyoung away with his reserved nature. To punish himself, he fell into a self-destructive routine. He skipped meals, barely slept, and threw himself into gruelling rehearsals, each session pushing his body beyond its limits. Every ache and exhaustion felt like a form of penance, a way to atone for whatever invisible fault had caused Wooyoung to grow distant.

One night, after another taxing day, Yeosang sat in his room, the emptiness in his chest feeling heavier than ever. Unable to face the pitying looks from his members, he locked himself in the bathroom, sinking down to the cool tiles, hugging his knees to his chest. Waves of self-doubt crashed over him, his hands shaking as he wrestled with his emotions.

On the other side of the door, Seonghwa's voice filtered through, low and gentle yet brimming with concern. "Yeosang? Are you alright?"

He didn't respond, clenching his jaw to keep himself from crying. The world around him felt dim, his heart heavy, and before he could stop himself, he felt his head spinning. Darkness crept over his vision as he slumped against the tiles, the dull sound of his body hitting the floor echoing in the bathroom.

Outside, Seonghwa's heart skipped a beat. He knocked louder, panic seeping into his voice. "Yeosang! Answer me!" He jiggled the handle, realizing it was locked. "Yeosang!"

The urgency in Seonghwa's tone caught San and Wooyoung's attention in the living room. They looked up, alarmed by the worry etched into Seonghwa's face as he pounded on the door. Wooyoung rushed over, panic flooding his expression.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Seonghwa's voice was thick with worry. "Yeosang's in there, and he's not responding."

Without hesitation, San braced himself and kicked at the door, managing to break it open. The sight before them made Wooyoung's heart drop. Yeosang lay slumped on the floor, his skin pale, a bruise already forming on his forehead.

"Yeosangie!" Wooyoung dropped to his knees, his hands trembling as he tried to wake him. He pressed his hand against Yeosang's cheek, cold beneath his touch. "Please, wake up..."

San, his hands shaking, quickly dialed Hongjoong. His voice wavered as he explained the situation, his eyes never leaving Yeosang's still form. The rest of the members arrived swiftly, and together, they rushed Yeosang to the hospital, staying by his side through the long, agonizing hours of the night.

When the doctor finally emerged from Yeosang's room, his expression was somber, fatigue and concern in his eyes. He explained to the group that Yeosang was severely malnourished, his body weakened from neglect and overexertion. It had reached a point where his body could no longer sustain itself under the strain he'd been putting on it.

Wooyoung's heart shattered as he took in the doctor's words. How could he not have noticed? The person he'd called his best friend was lying in a hospital bed, too weak to wake up, and it was as if he was seeing Yeosang for the first time. Tears streamed down his face as he remained by Yeosang's side, a painful knot of guilt twisting in his chest.

Two days passed in quiet agony before Yeosang's eyes finally fluttered open. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nose, and it took him a moment to realize he was in a hospital. Turning his head, he saw Wooyoung slumped in a chair beside him, his eyes swollen and red from crying. As Yeosang shifted slightly, Wooyoung's eyes snapped open, relief flooding his face as he gripped Yeosang's hand tightly.

"Sangie," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "You're awake."

Yeosang blinked, his heart sinking at the sight of Wooyoung's tear-streaked face. Guilt weighed heavily on him, and he instinctively tried to pull his hand away, thinking Wooyoung was there out of obligation. But Wooyoung's grip tightened, his face breaking into a soft, relieved smile. "Don't you dare move," he said, a tear slipping down his cheek. "I've been so worried about you."

Wooyoung's words, laced with affection and worry, cracked the walls Yeosang had built around himself. Unable to hold back any longer, he broke down, sobs wracking his body as he clung to Wooyoung. Weeks of loneliness and hurt poured out, and Wooyoung held him, whispering words of comfort, trying to ease the pain he hadn't known he'd caused.

Just then, San entered the room, his face softening at the sight of Yeosang awake. He approached cautiously, concern etched into his expression. "Yeosang, how are you feeling?" he asked gently.

Yeosang's tears intensified, guilt and shame crashing over him as he glanced between Wooyoung and San. His voice came out as a shaky whisper. "I thought... I thought Wooyoung didn't need me anymore," he admitted, the vulnerability in his words breaking Wooyoung's heart. "I thought I'd done something wrong, so I punished myself... skipped meals, pushed harder in practice... I just wanted to understand what I did to drive him away."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Yeosang's confession settling over them. Wooyoung's eyes filled with regret, realization dawning on him. He reached for Yeosang's hand, his own voice barely holding steady.

"I'm so sorry, Yeosang," Wooyoung whispered, his voice breaking. "I didn't know... I didn't realize how much you were hurting. San and I got closer because I needed physical affection, and I thought... I thought you were okay with me finding that with him. But I never meant for you to feel left out. I never stopped being your friend. I just... didn't think about how it might look to you."

San nodded, guilt mirrored in his eyes. "Yeosangie, if we'd known how you felt, we would have done things differently. We didn't mean to hurt you."

Yeosang took a shaky breath, wiping at his eyes. "I didn't mind Wooyoung's affection," he admitted, his voice so quiet it was almost a whisper. "I actually missed it... I just didn't know how to ask for it."

Wooyoung's heart clenched as he realized how much he'd taken their friendship for granted. He'd assumed Yeosang would always be there, that nothing could shake the bond they'd built. But now, seeing the toll his actions had taken on Yeosang, he vowed to never let him feel alone again.

In the days that followed, Yeosang slowly began to heal. The members, united in their concern, took turns ensuring he ate all his meals and got ample rest. Seonghwa and Hongjoong prepared nourishing meals, determined to help Yeosang regain his strength. Yunho and Jongho arranged small, uplifting activities to help lighten his spirits.

And Wooyoung? He was almost never seen without an arm slung over Yeosang's shoulder, pulling him close, ruffling his hair, or simply hugging him. Each touch was an unspoken apology, a quiet promise that he wouldn't let Yeosang feel overlooked again. San, too, went out of his way to include Yeosang in small gestures of affection, sitting with him during meals and sharing light-hearted jokes to ease the tension.

One night, as the members gathered for a quiet evening in the dorm, Yeosang looked around the room, a warmth settling in his chest. The love and care his friends had shown him these past weeks had mended something within him. And though it would take time to fully recover, he knew one thing with certainty:

He was loved, needed, and irreplaceable. And in their warmth, he found a place he could finally call home.