Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Strength in Vulnerability (Taki)

The room buzzed with energy as &TEAM prepared for their next promotional event. It was a whirlwind week—photoshoots, interviews, and a packed schedule of live performances. Taki could feel the weariness settling into his bones, but he was determined to keep up with his cheerful persona. Being the bright, bubbly member had become his thing, and he loved the role, even if it came with a bit of extra pressure.

But today was different. There was a slight pulse behind his eyes, a familiar warning of an impending migraine, that he tried to ignore. They'd had so many packed days recently, and the last thing he wanted was to become a burden by admitting he wasn't feeling well.

The team's manager clapped his hands, calling everyone to attention. "Alright, everyone, five minutes until we head out. Make sure you have everything."

Taki put on his signature smile, nodding along with the others. He rubbed his temples as subtly as he could, hoping that maybe, if he ignored it long enough, the migraine would subside. But the pressure only worsened, and with each passing moment, he felt his vision narrowing, the bright lights around him starting to sting.

K seemed to notice, nudging Taki gently. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, a bit of concern laced in his voice.

Taki smiled, brushing it off. "Yeah! Just a little tired, that's all," he replied quickly, waving a hand to dismiss K's worry. He knew K was observant, always looking out for the younger members, but he didn't want to add to anyone's load.

As they shuffled into the van, Taki positioned himself at the back, hoping to get some quiet. His head throbbed, and he squinted, trying to avoid the piercing daylight streaming through the windows. Every jostle of the van made his headache worse, and by the time they reached the venue, the pain had transformed into a full-blown migraine.

When they stepped out, cameras flashed, and fans cheered. Taki's stomach churned as the noise hit him like a wave. He forced himself to smile, masking the agony behind his usual bright grin. He could handle this. Just a few hours, he kept repeating to himself.

During the interview, Taki's smile began to falter. He missed a few questions, zoning out as his vision blurred and his ears rang. Fuma, who was seated beside him, noticed his lack of response and gently tapped his shoulder, bringing him back to the present.

"Hey, Taki, they asked about your favorite moment from the tour," Fuma whispered, a hint of concern slipping into his voice.

Taki blinked, trying to focus. "Oh, right, sorry," he mumbled, quickly giving an answer he hoped sounded coherent. He glanced at Fuma, flashing him a reassuring smile, but it didn't seem to work—Fuma's worried gaze lingered.

The interview dragged on, and Taki felt his strength waning. Every light felt like a laser, piercing into his skull. He gritted his teeth, trying to stay grounded, but his vision was doubling, and nausea crept into his stomach.

Finally, they were ushered backstage for a short break before the next segment. Taki slumped against the wall, closing his eyes and pressing his fingers into his temples, desperate to alleviate the pain. He barely registered when Yuma crouched down beside him, voice soft and tentative.

"Taki, you don't look too good," Yuma said. His usually cheerful tone was replaced with worry. "Are you feeling sick?"

Opening his eyes slightly, Taki forced a weak smile. "It's nothing, just a headache," he mumbled. But he could see Yuma wasn't buying it.

Yuma's frown deepened. "That doesn't look like 'just a headache.' Why don't you sit this one out? I can tell the others—"

"No!" Taki interrupted, a bit too forcefully. He softened his voice, noticing Yuma's startled expression. "I mean, I don't want to let anyone down. I can get through this. It's not a big deal, really."

Yuma looked hesitant, but Taki's words seemed to reassure him, albeit temporarily. "Alright... but tell me if it gets worse, okay?"

Taki nodded, grateful for Yuma's understanding. He straightened up, taking deep breaths to push through the nausea. They had a performance up next—he could do this. He had to.

Back on stage, the music blared through the speakers, and Taki could barely hear over the pounding in his head. He missed a few steps, stumbling slightly as the lights swirled around him. Jo, who had been dancing nearby, quickly caught Taki's arm, steadying him with a worried glance. Taki forced another smile, mouthing, "I'm fine," but Jo's expression remained skeptical.

The performance ended, and as they exited the stage, Taki's legs gave way. He sank to the floor, his vision swimming as the pain intensified, every breath feeling labored.

"Hey! Taki!" Nicholas called out, kneeling beside him. The other members quickly gathered around, concern written across their faces.

"I'm... I'm sorry," Taki whispered, his voice barely audible as the pain made it hard to speak. "It's just a headache. I didn't want to worry anyone."

K knelt beside him, his expression stern yet gentle. "Taki, you don't have to hide it. We're a team, remember? We look out for each other."

Taki's eyes filled with tears, both from the pain and from the guilt of keeping his condition hidden. He nodded, feeling too exhausted to keep up any pretense. "I just... didn't want to be a burden," he murmured.

"Don't say that," K replied firmly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're never a burden, Taki. None of us would ever think that."

As the staff brought some water and a cool cloth, the other members worked together to make Taki comfortable. Fuma gently draped an arm around him, rubbing soothing circles on his back as Jo adjusted the cloth on his forehead.

"Close your eyes, Taki. Try to rest," EJ said softly, brushing Taki's hair out of his face.

With the team surrounding him, Taki felt a sense of calm seep through his pain. The other members took turns sitting beside him, each offering small words of comfort or just their quiet presence. Slowly, he began to relax, the pain easing slightly under the warmth of their care.

As the minutes passed, Taki felt the migraine dulling, the pressure in his head lifting. He opened his eyes, finding the concerned faces of his team still close by. He offered them a small, tired smile.

"Thank you... all of you," he said softly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Yuma grinned, ruffling Taki's hair gently. "You don't have to worry about that. We'll always be here for you, no matter what."

K gave him a reassuring nod. "Next time, don't hesitate to let us know, okay? We'd rather you tell us than push yourself too far."

Taki nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude. Being open about his struggles hadn't come easily, but he realized he didn't have to carry the burden alone. With his team by his side, he knew he'd never have to.