Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Echoes of Strength (Park Hyunjin)

Hyunjin had always known that being the main vocalist in a rising group like Big Ocean came with sacrifices—long hours, minimal sleep, pushing his body to its limits daily. But lately, the price felt far heavier than he'd anticipated. It started with minor aches and bouts of fatigue that he chalked up to their relentless schedule. After all, they were constantly in motion, from practices to performances to promotional events. But as days turned to weeks, the small annoyances intensified into gnawing pains in his joints, his limbs feeling inexplicably weighted, like he was dragging himself through sand. Even his energy, once as boundless as the ocean, seemed to slip through his fingers no matter how hard he tried to hold on.

It grew harder to keep up appearances. Each practice left him more drained than the last, his body throbbing and his head spinning by the time he left the practice room. Even standing up felt like a struggle, and he'd begun to dread their most strenuous dance practices, his heart pounding at the thought of pushing himself through them. Still, the idea of voicing his struggles terrified him. Being a main vocalist was an honor and a responsibility, and he felt it was his duty to stay strong, to be a steady presence for the group. Admitting to something that might seem like a weakness felt like he would betray the trust his members placed in him.

So, he made a choice. He kept quiet, throwing himself into every performance, every practice, every fan meeting, determined to hide his struggles from his bandmates and the world. It was better this way, he convinced himself. He didn't want to burden anyone or draw unwanted attention.

One afternoon, after a particularly gruelling choreography session, Hyunjin found himself at his breaking point. His legs ached with a deep, relentless throb, and his lungs burned with every breath. He'd barely made it through the dance routine without collapsing, pushing past his limits until his vision blurred around the edges. As they finally called it a day, he forced a tight, controlled smile and told the rest of the members that he wanted to stay back for extra practice. It was a lie, but it allowed him the space he so desperately needed.

As the others filtered out of the practice room, chatting and laughing, Hyunjin made his way down a quiet hallway to an unused practice room he'd discovered weeks ago. The room was dark, unused, a hidden space that he'd come to rely on when he needed a break, somewhere he could just breathe without worrying about being seen. Slipping inside, he closed the door softly behind him, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief as he sank to the floor, letting his heavy limbs sprawl out. He rested his head on his bag, closing his eyes and letting the weight of exhaustion pull him into a shallow, dreamless sleep.

Time lost meaning, and Hyunjin wasn't sure how long he'd been resting when a faint creak brought him back to consciousness. His eyes snapped open, heart hammering as he registered the figure in the doorway. It was Chanyeon, his fellow member, staring at him with an expression of utter concern.

"Hyunjin?" Chanyeon's voice was soft but laced with worry as he took in Hyunjin's pale face and the exhausted slump of his body.

Hyunjin forced himself to sit up, heart pounding as he scrambled to cover up his vulnerability. "I... uh, I was just taking a quick rest," he stammered, forcing a grin that felt painfully fake. "Long day, you know?"

But Chanyeon wasn't buying it. He knelt beside Hyunjin, his gaze steady and serious. "Hyunjin, you look like you're about to collapse. How long have you been feeling this way?"

Hyunjin hesitated, panic creeping into his chest. He didn't want to admit to how hard things had been, how long he'd been pushing himself past his limits. "I'm just a little tired," he said, forcing a casual tone. "It's no big deal, really."

But Chanyeon's frown deepened, his brow furrowing as he studied Hyunjin's face. "This isn't just a little tired, Hyunjin. You look like you're in pain." He reached out, placing a hand on Hyunjin's shoulder, his touch warm and grounding. "You don't have to hide this from us."

Hyunjin's throat tightened, the words he'd held back for so long threatening to spill out. But just then, the door opened again, and Jisoek, their leader, stepped inside, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. He glanced between Hyunjin and Chanyeon, his face etched with concern.

"What's going on?" Jisoek asked, his gaze settling on Hyunjin with a softness that made Hyunjin's resolve crumble.

Chanyeon looked at Hyunjin, silently asking for permission to explain. Hyunjin hesitated, the shame bubbling up inside him, but he couldn't find the strength to stop Chanyeon. He was too tired, too worn down to keep pretending. Chanyeon took a deep breath and said, "Hyunjin's been hiding how unwell he's been feeling. He's exhausted, and it's more than just a little fatigue."

Hyunjin looked down, shame and embarrassment flooding him. "I didn't want to worry anyone," he murmured, barely audible. "I thought if I just pushed through, it would go away."

Jisoek's expression softened, and he stepped forward, resting a comforting hand on Hyunjin's shoulder. "Hyungie, you don't have to push through something that's hurting you. You're important to us, and you're not alone in this. We're your team; let us help you."

The weight of Jisoek's words broke something in Hyunjin, and he felt a tear slip down his cheek, followed by another. He'd spent so long hiding his struggles, so afraid of appearing weak, but here they were, offering him nothing but understanding and support.

"I... I don't even know what's wrong with me," Hyunjin admitted, his voice choked. "My joints ache, I'm tired all the time, and I just feel... weak. I didn't want to drag anyone down."

Chanyeon's hand tightened on his shoulder. "Hyun, your health matters more than anything else. We're not going to let you go through this alone."

Jisoek nodded, his expression calm but determined. "Being strong doesn't mean you have to handle everything on your own. It takes real strength to admit when you need help."

Hyunjin nodded, his defenses crumbling as he allowed himself to lean into their support. For the first time in weeks, he felt the weight on his shoulders lessen, the fear and shame giving way to a sense of relief.

In the weeks that followed, the three of them worked together to adjust Hyunjin's schedule, ensuring he had ample time to rest between practices. They encouraged him to see a doctor, and with their unwavering support, he finally agreed. The diagnosis wasn't easy to hear—an autoimmune condition that would require careful management—but with his bandmates by his side, he felt ready to face it.

Together, they established a routine that allowed Hyunjin to take care of himself without feeling guilty or ashamed. Chanyeon and Jisoek were there for every step, reminding him that his worth wasn't defined by his physical strength but by his heart, his resilience, and the love he poured into his music and his team.

Though the journey was difficult, Hyunjin knew he wasn't alone. His group was more than a band; they were his family, his sanctuary, and with them by his side, he could face anything. And together, they were unstoppable.