Stubbornness (Keeho)

859 13 1
                                        

Keeho was known for being the glue that held P1Harmony together. As their leader, he believed it was his responsibility to ensure the group ran smoothly, no matter the circumstances. Whether it was dealing with grueling schedules, comforting a member through a tough time, or perfecting a performance, Keeho never allowed himself to falter.

But even Keeho had his limits, though he was often the last to admit it.

It started with a dull ache in his stomach one evening during dance practice. It wasn't sharp or overwhelming, just persistent enough to notice. He winced slightly as they went over the chorus choreography for the third time, his movements faltering for a fraction of a second.

"Hyung, are you okay?" Jiung asked, pausing mid-step.

Keeho waved him off, standing upright and forcing a smile. "Yeah, just a cramp. Let's keep going."

The members exchanged uncertain glances but didn't press further. Keeho had always been the type to brush off minor discomforts, and they knew better than to push him when he was in one of his stubborn moods.

By the time they got back to the dorm that night, the ache had grown worse, radiating through his abdomen and leaving him light-headed. But Keeho was determined not to make a fuss. The members had been practicing relentlessly for their upcoming comeback, and he didn't want to disrupt the flow.

As the others dispersed to their rooms, Keeho retreated to his own, collapsing onto his bed with a groan. The pain sharpened, and he clutched his stomach, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. It's probably just something I ate, he told himself. I'll sleep it off, and I'll be fine by morning.

Morning came, but Keeho wasn't fine.

The pain had intensified overnight, and he felt nauseous and feverish. His head throbbed as he forced himself to sit up, his vision swimming. The logical part of his brain told him to call for help, but his pride wouldn't let him. He didn't want to be a burden—not to his members, not to the staff, and certainly not to the fans who were eagerly anticipating their return.

Dragging himself out of bed, he splashed cold water on his face, willing the feverish flush to fade. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, noting the dark circles under his eyes and the pallor of his skin. Pull yourself together, Keeho. They're counting on you.

When he joined the others in the kitchen, he plastered on his best "leader" smile. "Morning!" he said, his voice a little too cheerful.

Jongseob raised an eyebrow. "Hyung, you look like you've been hit by a truck. Did you even sleep?"

"I'm fine," Keeho replied quickly, grabbing a piece of toast. "Just stayed up late reviewing choreography. Let's get going—we've got a packed day."

The members exchanged skeptical glances but didn't push him. Keeho had a knack for deflecting concern, and they knew he wouldn't open up unless he was ready.

As the day progressed, it became increasingly clear that something was wrong. During dance practice, Keeho's usually sharp movements were sluggish, and he stumbled more than once. Jiung, who had been keeping a close eye on him, finally stopped the music.

"Keeho, what's going on?" Jiung asked, crossing his arms. "You're not yourself today."

Keeho waved him off. "I'm just tired. Let's keep going."

"No," Theo interjected, stepping forward with a frown. "You've been off all morning. Sit down."

"I said I'm fine!" Keeho snapped, his voice louder than he intended. The room fell silent, the tension thick. Keeho sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sorry. I didn't mean to yell. Let's just get through this, okay?"

Reluctantly, the members resumed practice, though they couldn't shake the nagging worry. Keeho's condition was deteriorating before their eyes, but he refused to acknowledge it.

It all came to a head during vocal training. As Keeho attempted to belt out a high note, his vision blurred, and his knees buckled. He collapsed to the floor, clutching his stomach as a wave of pain and nausea overtook him.

"Keeho!"

The members rushed to his side, panic etched on their faces. Theo knelt beside him, placing a hand on his forehead. "You're burning up. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I'm fine," Keeho mumbled weakly, trying to sit up. "I just need a minute."

"No, you're not fine," Theo said firmly. "You're going to the hospital."

Keeho shook his head. "It's just a stomachache. I don't need—"

Soul, who had been silent up until now, suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife. "Stop it, Steph. You're not invincible."

The room stilled, and all eyes turned to Soul. His voice was calm but firm, carrying a weight none of them were used to hearing. For a moment, it was as if even the air had grown heavier.

Keeho blinked, caught off guard. Soul was usually quiet and easygoing, often the one to lighten tense moments with a well-timed quip or his unique sense of humor. This version of him—a voice of reason, steady and resolute—was something Keeho hadn't seen before.

"Soul..." Keeho started, but the younger member wasn't finished.

"You always take care of us," Soul continued, his gaze unwavering. "You push yourself so hard because you think it's your job to handle everything. But what good is that if you end up like this? You're not a superhero, hyung. You're human, just like the rest of us."

Theo raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. Jiung and Intak exchanged wide-eyed glances, and Jongseob muttered under his breath, "Wow, didn't see that coming."

Keeho opened his mouth to protest, but the sheer determination in Soul's expression stopped him. His usual excuses—"I'm fine" or "It's nothing to worry about"—suddenly felt hollow under Soul's piercing gaze.

"Soul's right," Theo said, crossing his arms. "We don't expect you to be invincible, Keeho. But we do expect you to be honest with us when something's wrong."

Keeho looked around at the faces of his members, all of them filled with concern. His stubborn resolve wavered, and for the first time, he truly allowed himself to see how worried they were.

"You're all really worried about me, huh?" Keeho finally said, his voice softer.

"Obviously!" Intak exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "You collapsed, hyung. What did you think we were going to do, just ignore it?"

"You scared us," Jiung admitted quietly. "We're a team, Keeho. If one of us is struggling, we all feel it."

Keeho exhaled slowly, the weight of their words settling over him. He glanced back at Soul, who was still watching him intently, his rare seriousness unwavering.

"I didn't realize you could be this... intense," Keeho said, attempting a weak smile.

Soul's lips twitched, but he didn't back down. "I don't usually have to be. But sometimes, you need to hear it."

Keeho chuckled weakly. "Alright, I get it. I'm going to the doctor. You guys win."

The others let out a collective sigh of relief. Even Soul's usually composed face cracked into a smile, and Keeho couldn't help but feel a little lighter.

As they headed out together, Keeho finally allowed himself to relax, knowing that his members would always be there to pick him up when he couldn't carry the weight alone.

Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2Stories to obsess over. Discover now