Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

When Silence Speaks Louder (Minghao)

DanielleValks

Minghao had felt the creeping fatigue for weeks now. It started as a minor inconvenience—his throat scratchier than usual, his limbs heavy after a long day of rehearsals. At first, he dismissed it, assuming he just needed a bit more rest. Seventeen’s comeback was fast approaching, and Minghao didn’t want to hold them back. He was one of their lead dancer, their artist who set his body in motion to bring their music to life. What was a little fatigue compared to his responsibility?

Each day, he rehearsed with the others, perfecting formations, pushing harder than he ever had. But he couldn’t shake the feeling of something deeper lurking under the surface. His chest had started to feel tight, and every breath felt slightly harder than the last. He’d hide a cough behind his sleeve, offering a smile to any member who noticed, brushing it off with a casual laugh and a quiet assurance, “It’s nothing. Just tired.”

The others were too busy to see past his facade. They were all caught up in the whirlwind of preparing for their comeback. Some of them did notice Minghao’s pale complexion, his growing silence, but each time he flashed that small, reassuring smile, they let it go, too wrapped up in their own exhaustion to probe further.

The final week of promotions arrived, and Minghao felt a bitter relief. Once this week was over, he could visit his family in China and finally rest. The thought of home soothed him. But with each passing day, his symptoms worsened. His throat burned, and his chest felt like it was caving in. Still, he pressed on, swallowing his pain, refusing to let his exhaustion break him.

But on the last day of their comeback stage, as the final song came to an end and the lights faded, Minghao felt his vision blur. He staggered backstage, his breath coming in gasps. The other members gathered around, patting each other on the back, laughing, high on the energy of a successful performance. Minghao forced himself to join in, forcing a smile as he hugged each of them, pretending everything was fine. He made a mental note to rest as soon as he was on the plane to China.

Returning home was supposed to be his solace. He had missed the familiar sights of his hometown, the comforting presence of his family. But as soon as he arrived, his body betrayed him. The moment he stepped through his family’s door, his mother noticed the faint wheeze in his breath, the way he held himself as if he could barely keep standing. She placed a hand on his forehead, feeling the unnaturally warm skin. “Minghao,” she whispered, her voice filled with worry. “You’re burning up.”

Minghao tried to laugh it off, giving his mother the same smile he’d given his members. “I’m fine, Mom. Just a bit tired.”

But as she looked into his eyes, she saw the truth. The exhaustion, the weight he had been carrying alone. Tears welled in her eyes as she realized how much her son had been suffering. “Why didn’t you say something?” she asked, voice breaking.

Before he could answer, his legs gave out, and he collapsed in her arms. She barely managed to hold him up, her heart pounding as she watched him struggle for air. “Hao! Stay with me!” she cried, feeling the panic grip her as she watched her only son’s face pale even further. She didn’t waste a moment, rushing him to the hospital, the entire drive blurring as she fought back her tears, watching her son’s labored breathing, his chest rising and falling in shallow gasps.

The doctors took him in immediately, the severity of his condition evident as they assessed him. His mother could only stand there, watching helplessly as they moved him into intensive care. They explained that his pneumonia had gone untreated for too long and that his lungs were struggling to function. When they told her he’d need ventilation, her world came crashing down. She couldn’t understand why his friends hadn’t noticed, why no one had stopped him from pushing himself this far.