Stray Kids Oneshots & Sickfics

Minho: Skyward

•Skz: Minho
•CW: acrophobia, descriptions of anxiety and panic attacks.
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It was the night before the biggest performance of the year. The stadium was sold out, the crowd buzzing with anticipation. It was the moment every K-pop idol dreamed of — an opportunity to shine, to show their talent to the world. But for Minho, it was a nightmare.

He wasn’t afraid of the crowd, nor the lights or the music. He loved performing, loved the energy of the stage. It was the heights that terrified him. Even as a child, the idea of looking down from any great height made his heart race, his palms sweat, and his breath catch in his chest. He could barely climb a ladder without shaking, let alone stand on a high platform hundreds of feet above the crowd.

Tomorrow, during their final performance of their world tour, the group was set to perform from a giant, rotating stage that soared high above the arena. It was the highlight of the show, the dramatic moment where the audience would watch in awe as the members danced and sang while suspended above them, the arena's lights shimmering like stars below. Minho had managed to block out the overwhelming fear for months of rehearsal, but now, the reality was setting in.

He sat alone in his dressing room, his head buried in his hands, his knees drawn up to his chest. He had always hidden his fear well, but today, the thought of stepping onto that platform made him feel like he was choking.

A soft knock on the door made him look up, wiping away the tear that had slipped down his cheek.

"Lee Know?" It was Chan, the leader of the group, and his voice was gentle, concerned. "Are you okay?"

Minho forced a smile, but it was shaky at best. "I'm fine. Just tired."

Chan stepped inside without waiting for a response, his eyes narrowing as he saw the obvious distress on Minho's face. "Don't lie to me. What's really going on?"

Minho sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's the stage tomorrow," he confessed. "I'm terrified. I can’t... I can’t do it. What if I freeze up? What if I can’t breathe? What if I fall?"

Chan sat down beside him, his presence calm and steady. "I understand, Minho. Heights are hard. I get it. But you're not alone. We’re all in this together."

Just then, the door swung open again, and in came the rest of the members. They each took a seat, forming a circle around their friend.

"Hyung," Jisung spoke up, his voice light but serious, "you’re not the only one with fears. I’ve got a lot of things that make me anxious — but you know what? We’re family. We take care of each other."

Hyunjin, who had been silent until now, leaned in slightly. "Remember the first time we went on stage together? We were all nervous, all of us. But we learned to trust each other, and that made us stronger. Tomorrow, you’re not facing that platform alone. We’ll be right there with you."

Changbin, who had been leaning against the wall, nodded in agreement. "We know you, Lee Know. You’re one of the bravest people I know. Every time you step on that stage, you leave everything out there. This is no different. We're a team. We got you."

Minho's heart began to settle, just a little. His bandmates had always been his rock, but now, hearing their words of encouragement, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn’t alone.

“We’ll help you," Felix said, his voice soft but firm. "If you need to hold on to someone, we’ll be there. If you need a break, we’ll cover for you. But you don’t have to face this fear by yourself.”

Minho looked around at the faces of his bandmates, their unwavering support giving him strength. Slowly, he stood up, his legs shaking slightly, but he felt grounded knowing that they were with him. “Okay,” he whispered. “Okay, I’ll do it. For you all. For us.”

*

The next night, as the performance began, Minho's heart pounded in his chest. The lights were blinding, and the sound of the crowd was deafening, but as the stage slowly began to rise into the air, he froze. His eyes widened, and his breath hitched. The world seemed to tilt beneath him, and panic started to rise.

But then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Chan, steadying him, silently telling him that he was not alone. Jisung flashed a reassuring grin from the opposite side, and Felix, ever the sunshine, gave him a knowing nod. Even Seungmin, from a few feet away, sent him a warm, encouraging smile.

In that moment, Minho took a deep breath. With the support of his friends, he stepped forward, lifting his head and focusing on the music. He danced and sang with all his heart, the fear of the heights fading, replaced by the connection he shared with his bandmates and the love of the fans.

The platform spun, and Minho soared, not just above the crowd, but through the fear that had once controlled him.

The rest of the performance was flawless, and as the last note echoed through the stadium, Minho's heart swelled with pride. He had done it. Not by facing the fear alone, but by leaning on the strength of those who loved him.

And together, they had reached new heights.

(911)