Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

Soured Smiles (Sohee)

Milk was more than a drink for Sohee; it was his solace. No matter how gruelling practice was, how long the recording sessions stretched, or how exhausting the promotional schedules became, he could always count on the creamy comfort of milk to soothe him. His love for it was legendary within RIIZE, becoming both an inside joke and an unspoken rule: don't touch Sohee's stash.

The dorm's fridge often looked like it belonged to a dairy aisle rather than a home for seven idols. Cow's milk, almond, oat, and an assortment of flavored varieties filled every shelf. Sometimes, he'd even sneak in a novelty brand he'd discovered online.

"Do you ever get sick of it?" Anton once asked, watching Sohee drink a strawberry-flavored milk during breakfast.

"Never," Sohee had replied confidently, his trademark grin lighting up his face.

That evening, practice ran late. Sohee stayed behind after the others, determined to nail a tricky vocal run. By the time he returned to the dorm, his muscles ached, and his throat felt dry. All he wanted was a cold glass of milk before crashing into bed.

The dorm was quiet when he arrived. Most of the members were either already asleep or holed up in their rooms. He made a beeline for the fridge, pulling out a carton of plain cow's milk he vaguely remembered buying earlier that week.

The first sip was... strange. Not bad, but not quite right. He chalked it up to his exhaustion and downed the rest of the glass. He grimaced as he finished, a faint sourness lingering on his tongue. Weird, he thought but dismissed it as his imagination.

Too tired to care, he shuffled off to bed.

Sohee jolted awake a few hours later, his stomach twisting painfully. Cold sweat coated his skin, and he felt a nauseating wave roll through him. Before he could fully process what was happening, he stumbled out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.

His knees hit the floor as he leaned over the toilet, retching violently. His body heaved again and again, leaving him gasping for breath between bouts.

The commotion woke Sungchan, who immediately ran to check on him. "Sohee, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Sohee couldn't respond. His pale, sweat-drenched face and trembling hands were answer enough. Sungchan crouched beside him, a hand on his back as Sohee continued to retch.

Once the worst of it passed, Sohee leaned back against the cool bathroom tiles, his chest heaving. "I don't know... stomach hurts... so bad," he managed to whisper.

Sungchan frowned, brushing damp hair from Sohee's forehead. "You're burning up. Stay here. I'm getting the others."

It didn't take long for the other members to gather. Wonbin handed Sohee a glass of water, but as soon as he sipped, his stomach rebelled again. He barely made it to the toilet before vomiting.

"Hyung, you look terrible," Anton said, worry etched into his young face. He pressed a hand to Sohee's forehead and winced. "You're really hot."

"Food poisoning?" Seunghan suggested, his tone laced with concern.

Shotaro, the eldest, was already on the phone with their manager. "We might need a doctor. He's feverish and can't keep anything down."

"No, no doctor," Sohee croaked, shaking his head weakly. "Just need... rest."

But by morning, his condition hadn't improved. Every attempt to hydrate or eat ended in violent vomiting. Sohee was pale and visibly weaker, barely able to lift his head from the couch where the members had settled him.

Sungchan, ever the attentive roommate, decided to investigate. He remembered Sohee mentioning milk the night before and checked the fridge. His eyes landed on the nearly empty carton in the trash. He pulled it out and sniffed cautiously, recoiling at the sour stench.

Checking the expiration date, his face paled. "It expired last week!"

Carrying the carton to the others, Sungchan held it up like a detective presenting evidence. "This is it. The milk. It's way past its date."

"Of course, it's milk," Shotaro said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Only Sohee could be betrayed by his favorite drink."

"Not the time for jokes, Taroro," Seunghan scolded, glancing worriedly at Sohee, who was curled up on the couch, groaning softly.

The next two days were a test of patience and care. Sohee's symptoms persisted, leaving him weak and miserable. The usually cheerful vocalist, known for his playful energy, was reduced to quiet whimpers and pained groans.

The members rallied around him, each taking on a role to ensure he was as comfortable as possible:

Shotaro, the eldest, coordinated with their manager to clear Sohee's schedule for the week. He checked in frequently, offering quiet reassurance. Eunsoek stayed by Sohee's side, helping him sip electrolyte drinks and nibble on crackers when he felt up to it. Seunghan meticulously researched remedies for food poisoning, preparing herbal teas and bland soups. Wonbin set alarms for Sohee's medication, ensuring he didn't miss a dose. Anton, despite his inexperience, cleaned up after every mess without complaint, even when it meant staying up late. Sungchan, ever the mood maker, tried to lighten the atmosphere with jokes and funny stories, though most only earned weak chuckles from Sohee.

One evening, as Sungchan sat by Sohee's bedside, scrolling through his phone, he glanced at the younger. Sohee looked small under the blanket, his usual brightness dimmed by days of sickness.

"You've got everyone worried, you know," Sungchan said softly. "It's too quiet without you messing around."

Sohee gave a feeble laugh, his voice hoarse. "I didn't think milk could do this to me... I feel so useless."

"Hey." Sungchan's tone was firm. "You're not useless. You're just human. Even if you don't sing or dance for a few days, you're still our Sohee. Don't forget that."

Sohee's eyes welled up, a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. "Thanks, Sungchan-hyung. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

As the days passed, Sohee's strength slowly returned. By the end of the week, he was sitting up, sipping soup without any trouble. The colour returned to his face, and his cheeky grin made its first reappearance.

The members, relieved to see him recovering, teased him relentlessly.

"You owe us for this, Hyung," Anton joked. "I cleaned up so much puke, I should get a medal."

"Yeah, and no more expired milk," Sungchan added, wagging a finger.

To ensure there wasn't a repeat of the incident, Eunseok instituted the Milk Safety Protocol:

1. Check expiration dates before drinking.
2. Weekly fridge clean-outs.
3. No hoarding milk at the back of the fridge.

Though the experience left Sohee wary of milk for a while, it also deepened his appreciation for his members. Their unwavering care reminded him that he wasn't just a vocalist or performer in their eyes—he was family.

As they gathered in the living room one evening, laughing over a silly variety show, Sohee held up a fresh, unexpired carton of milk.

"To my RIIZE brothers," he said with a grin, "and to never drinking expired milk again!"

The room erupted in laughter, their bond stronger than ever.

RIIZE will always be 7