ENHYPEN

𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬 | NI-KI

ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈

Ni-ki stared at the ceiling of the dorm room, the soft hum of the air conditioner the only sound breaking the silence. He could hear his hyungs in the living room, their laughter and chatter a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside him. He was only 18, but sometimes it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on his shoulders.

Stressed out. Feeling lost and I don't know what to do now. What I chose ain't really gonna work out. Fallin' six feet underneath the floor now. Think I'm gonna tap out.

He remembered the early days, stepping into the world of I-Land at just 15. Back then, the excitement of pursuing his dreams had fueled him, kept him going through the grueling training and intense competition. But now, four years later, the hate and negativity seemed to overshadow everything else.

Ni-ki sat up, running a hand through his hair. The comments, the accusations, the endless scrutiny—they all played on a loop in his mind. People called him mean, cold, a bully. They said he was too mature, too arrogant for his age. But they didn't see the kid still trying to learn, to grow, to understand the world around him.

Feel bad, go to bed. Wake up even worse yeah. So sad, in my head. Feeling like a curse. I need medicine, medicine, medicine.

He knew his hyungs worried about him. They saw the toll it was taking, but he didn't want to burden them with his pain. He tried to smile, to laugh along, but the shadows in his heart refused to lift.

With a sigh, he pulled out his phone and scrolled through social media. The hate was relentless, cutting into him with every word. He knew he should ignore it, but it was impossible to escape. Even now, years after I-Land, people still held on to their negative perceptions.

All my skeletons out for the taking. Yeah, I don't even know if I'ma make it. I'm afraid of myself and I hate it. All my skeletons out for the taking. Somebody take 'em.

He put the phone down and buried his face in his hands. He felt like he was falling apart, the pressure eating away at him. The public's expectations, the antis' venom, the solo stans' criticism—it was all too much.

A soft knock on his door made him look up. Sunoo stood there, his eyes filled with concern. "Hey, you okay?"

Ni-ki forced a smile. "Yeah, just tired."

Sunoo didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. Instead, he walked over and sat beside Ni-ki, pulling him into a comforting hug. "We're here for you, you know that, right?"

Ni-ki nodded, feeling the sting of tears in his eyes. He leaned into Sunoo, taking solace in his hyung's warmth. "I know. It's just... hard."

I wanna run away, the day to day is taking its toll on me. And I'm tearing at the seams. Throw it all away. Give a fuck about what they say. I gotta disagree. This ain't really fun for me.

"You're not alone," Sunoo whispered. "We all see what you're going through. And we hate seeing you like this."

Ni-ki swallowed hard, the tears finally spilling over. "I just wish... I wish people could see the real me. Not the version they created in their heads."

"They will," Sunoo assured him. "And even if they don't, we'll always have your back."

Ni-ki clung to those words, drawing strength from them. He wasn't alone. He had his members, his family. And no matter how much the world tried to tear him down, he knew they would always be there to pick him back up.

Feel bad, go to bed. Wake up even worse yeah. So sad, in my head. Feeling like a curse. I need medicine, medicine, medicine.

As the night wore on, Ni-ki found himself surrounded by his hyungs. They didn't need to say anything; their presence was enough. They knew his struggles, his pain, and they stood by him, offering silent support.

In that moment, Ni-ki realized that while the hate might never fully go away, neither would the love and support of his members. And that, more than anything, gave him the strength to keep going.

All my skeletons out for the taking. Yeah, I don't even know if I'ma make it. I'm afraid of myself and I hate it. All my skeletons out for the taking. Somebody take 'em.

He closed his eyes, letting the comfort of his family wash over him. He would face the world again tomorrow, but tonight, he was safe. He was loved. And that was enough.

ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈

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