Stray Kids Oneshots & Sickfics

Jeongin: The Cost of Silence

•Skz: Jeongin (I.N)
•Hurtfic, Sickfic
•CW: head injury, collapse, hospital, self-belittling
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The day had started like any other for the K-pop group Stray Kids. Their practice studio was filled with the sound of upbeat music as they ran through their newest choreography for the upcoming concert. The members were all focused, their movements sharp and synchronized. But amidst the bright energy and the flashing lights, one member, Jeongin, was hiding a secret.

Jeongin had always been known for his strong stage presence and reliability. As a vocalist and dancer, he carried the weight of the group's performances with ease, always striving to be the best he could be. But that morning, something was off.

During the second round of their complicated routine, Jeongin had collided with his bandmate, Hyunjin. The two had been rehearsing a fast spin move, and in the heat of the moment, Jeongin miscalculated the timing. Hyunjin's elbow caught the side of his head, sending a sharp pain racing through his skull. He stumbled, dizzy for a moment, but quickly regained his footing, pretending nothing had happened.

"Sorry, Innie!" Hyunjin exclaimed, worry flashing in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

Jeongin waved him off with a smile, though his head was pounding. "I'm fine, don’t worry. Let's just keep going."

But the truth was, Jeongin wasn’t fine. His head ached unbearably, a deep, throbbing pain that only worsened as the minutes passed. He could feel the dizziness creeping in, but he didn’t want to stop. Not in front of his bandmates, not when they were all depending on him to lead them through this final rehearsal.

He tucked the pain deep inside, ignoring the nausea building in his stomach as the choreography picked up again. He could push through this, he told himself. He always did.

The rehearsal continued, and Jeongin danced, smiled, and sang as if nothing had changed. But as the hours dragged on, the pain became unbearable, a pulsing headache that felt like it was cracking his skull open. His vision blurred intermittently, and every time he moved too quickly, his world spun out of control. But he kept it to himself, not wanting to become a burden.

During the break, the other members gathered around, chatting and laughing as they sipped water and ate snacks. Jeongin leaned against the wall, pretending to stretch, his hand pressed lightly to his temple to dull the ache. He was certain no one noticed, and even if they did, he didn’t want to worry them.

That evening, as they prepared for the live performance, Jeongin's condition worsened. His movements were slower, more deliberate, and his smile became strained. The bright lights of the stage seemed to amplify the pain in his head, each thumping beat of the music making it worse. But still, he didn’t tell anyone.

"Innie, you okay?" Bangchan, the group's leader, asked as they stood backstage, waiting for their cue to go on.

He gave him a thumbs-up, his grin wide but far too stiff. "Yeah, all good! Just excited and a bit nervous."

As the music started, Jeongin pushed through, performing with the energy he always had. But halfway through their set, he felt something snap. A sudden, intense wave of dizziness overtook him, and his vision blurred completely. He tried to steady himself, but his legs felt weak. The world tilted as he stumbled forward, his body barely staying upright.

Chan's sharp eyes caught the shift in his posture. "Jeongin?" he called out, but the sound was muffled to him, as if it came from far away.

His mind went black for a split second, and he collapsed, hitting the stage with a sickening thud.

The music screeched to a halt. The audience gasped, but all Jeongin could hear was the pounding in his head. He felt hands on his body, but they felt distant, like he was floating in a fog. Someone was shouting his name—Chan, Hyunjin, Changbin, Minho; they were all around him, panic written on their faces.

"Jeongin!" Changbin cried, his voice desperate. "Innie, are you okay? Someone call an ambulance!" Minho shouted.

He blinked, trying to clear the fog, but his head throbbed mercilessly. "I—I'm fine..." he murmured, though his voice was weak and unsteady.

"You're not fine," Chan said sharply, his hands gently gripping Jeongin's shoulders. "What the hell happened? You’ve been acting off all night."

Jeongin tried to push them away, but his body wasn’t cooperating. The pain in his head was unbearable now, a blinding force that made it impossible to think straight.

"Just a headache," he whispered, trying to play it down. "It’s nothing. I don’t want to make a scene."

But the truth was, his injury was much more serious than he’d realized. The collision earlier had caused a concussion, and without rest or treatment, it had worsened. Now, it was spiraling into something far more dangerous.

"That’s it," Minho snapped. "We’re not waiting any longer. You’re going to the hospital."

As they rushed him off the stage, the remaining members stayed close, their faces filled with worry and confusion. Jeongin felt guilty, like he was letting them down. He’d kept it all hidden for so long, and now they were seeing the consequences.

At the hospital, the doctors confirmed what Jeongin had feared. The concussion was severe, and without proper care, it could lead to permanent damage. The doctor scolded him gently for not seeking help sooner. Jeongin had risked his health to keep up appearances, to maintain the illusion that he could handle everything on his own.

As he lay in the sterile hospital room, his bandmates sitting nearby, Jeongin finally allowed himself to break down. The tears came quietly, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. He had been so determined not to burden anyone, to keep up the image of the perfect idol, that he’d pushed his body and mind to the brink.

Changbin was the first to speak, his voice filled with quiet regret. "Jeongin, why didn’t you tell us?"

He swallowed hard, unable to meet her gaze. "I didn’t want to be a burden. You all have so much on your plates already, and I didn’t want to make it harder."

"Jeongin," Minho said, his voice soft but firm. "We’re a team. We don’t want you to suffer in silence. We want to help you, not just on stage, but off stage, too."

Jeongin nodded, his heart heavy with guilt. He had been so focused on not being a burden that he had failed to see that the burden was the silence itself. His team had always been there for him, even when he didn’t realize it. And now, they were here, supporting him through the hardest moment of his life.

"I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I should have trusted you."

Hyunjin squeezed his hand gently. "Next time, don’t hide it from us. We’re stronger together. You don’t have to carry everything alone."

Jeongin smiled weakly, his body exhausted but his heart lighter. He knew he had a long road to recovery ahead, but for the first time in days, he felt like he wasn’t alone.

And that made all the difference.

(1203)