Kpop Sickfics & Hurtfics

Through the Fog of Exhaustion (Maki)

Maki, the youngest member of &TEAM, could feel the pressure of their upcoming debut weighing heavily on his shoulders. The rehearsals had been long and grueling, pushing everyone to their limits. As the youngest, Maki was determined to impress his members and fans, often putting himself in the position of working harder to prove his worth.

Each day, they practiced choreography that seemed to grow more intricate, while the pressure of promotions loomed larger. Maki had always been a quick learner, but lately, he found himself struggling to keep up. He brushed off his fatigue, telling himself that it was all part of the journey. But deep down, he felt the exhaustion creeping in, a dull ache that settled in his bones and weighed heavily on his mind.

As they gathered for another long rehearsal, Maki could sense the intensity in the air. He watched as his members—EJ, Fuma, K, Nicholas, Yuma, Jo, Harua, and Taki—pushed through the routine, their movements sharp and precise. Maki felt a pang of anxiety rise within him. Would he be able to keep up today?

"Alright, everyone! Let's go through the chorus one more time," their choreographer called out, his voice cutting through the fatigue that hung in the room.

Maki took a deep breath and nodded, shaking off the lethargy that clung to him. They began the routine again, and he forced himself to focus, letting the music guide him. As they moved in sync, Maki could feel the familiar rhythm, but with each count, his body began to feel heavier. It was as if the music was turning into a distant echo, fading away.

After several rounds, they finally took a break. Maki leaned against the wall, his breath coming in heavy gasps. He tried to swallow the discomfort, but a tickle in his throat and the pounding headache that settled behind his eyes made it hard to ignore.

"Hey, Maki!" Jo called, jogging over with a concerned look. "You okay? You've been a bit off today."

Maki forced a smile, shaking his head. "I'm fine! Just tired from practice." He hoped his upbeat tone would convince Jo, but he could see the doubt in his eyes.

"You should take it easy if you need to," Jo said, his voice laced with concern. "We can go over it again later."

Maki nodded, brushing it off. "No, I can do it! I want to make sure I'm ready for our debut."

As the others gathered around, Maki felt the warmth of their camaraderie. They had all been through so much together, but deep down, he feared that if he admitted his struggles, they would see him as weak.

That night, after another intense day of practice, Maki returned to the dorms and collapsed onto his bed. He felt as if he could sleep for days, but when he tried to close his eyes, an unsettling chill crept over him. He pulled the covers tightly around himself, shivering even as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

When he woke the next morning, Maki was met with a wave of heat. The blanket felt suffocating, and his head throbbed painfully. He groaned, realizing he had a fever. The thought of admitting he was sick made his stomach churn with anxiety. He was already struggling to keep up, and he couldn't afford to miss practice.

As he shuffled into the shared living area, he found EJ making breakfast. Maki mustered the strength to greet him, though his voice came out raspy. "Morning, EJ-hyung."

EJ turned, eyes widening with concern. "Maki! You look pale. Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine," Maki insisted, trying to sound cheerful despite the exhaustion clinging to his voice. "Just a little tired."

"Are you sure?" EJ asked, his brow furrowing. "You don't sound fine."

Maki waved him off and sat at the table. "I just need some food." As they ate, Maki could feel his focus slipping. Conversations flowed around him, but he struggled to follow along. When Jo mentioned a plan for the day, Maki found himself nodding absently, not fully understanding what was being said.