K-pop sickfics/hurtfics

Hendery Wayv - PTSD/ Pannick attack

A/N : this is the last chapter of the year. I'm running out of ideas so I'm taking a little break. I will start posting again on the 6th of January. Don't hesitate to ask for requests in the meantime, they're so fun to do.
And Happy new year (a little in advance) everyone.

⚠️This story mentions Trauma (specifically related to childhood death), Panic Attacks, unintentional Self-Harm (unintentional scratching), Death and Drowning if you feel uncomfortable with anything please skip.
1400 words.

The air was warm, and the laughter of his friends echoed around him as Hendery stood at the edge of the water park. He wasn't in the pool, but close enough to hear the sound of splashing, the excited shouts of his members enjoying the day. He had always been okay with the pool itself, but the slides... the slides were different.

For Hendery, slides held a memory that he couldn't shake, a memory that clung to him like a shadow. It was a memory of loss, of a childhood friend, and a moment that still haunted him.

Flashback

It was the summer of his seventh year. Hendery and Xiaoming, his best friend, had been inseparable. The two had raced up to the top of a new water slide at the park. Xiaoming, the better swimmer of the two, had always been the one to take risks first. They climbed the steps of the slide, their laughter bouncing off the walls, not knowing that it would be the last time Hendery would hear that sound.

When Xiaoming reached the top, he slipped. His foot missed the edge of the slide, and his head slammed against the metal. Hendery's hand reached out, desperate, but it was too late. His friend lost consciousness almost instantly. Panicked, Hendery had called out, trying to catch him, but Xiaoming's body was already in motion, sliding down uncontrollably.

Hendery followed as quickly as he could, his heart pounding in his chest, but when he reached the bottom of the slide, Xiaoming was already sinking beneath the surface of the water. Despite his best efforts to swim toward him, Xiaoming's body floated too far, too fast. The lifeguard had rushed in, but it was too late. Xiaoming, an incredible swimmer, had drowned before they could save him.

The image of his best friend sinking, his unconscious body drifting to the bottom of the pool, was burned into Hendery's memory forever.

End of Flashback

Today, at the water park, the sight of the slides brought everything rushing back. The towering slides, the sounds of water splashing, the excitement in the air – it was all too much. Hendery stood at the bottom of the slide, his feet firmly planted, but his heart was anything but steady. The laughter of his members echoed in his ears, but inside, his chest was tight, and his breath was shallow. He tried to focus, tried to be part of the fun, but all he could see was the slide in front of him, reminding him of everything he had lost.

He had warned them: I'll stay here. You guys go on the slide. I'll just watch. The others had agreed without question, but Ten noticed the way Hendery's eyes darted nervously toward the slide.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ten asked, his voice soft, but Hendery just nodded, forcing a smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just don't want to go up there," he replied, though his voice was tight.

As the others began to climb the stairs to the top of the slide, Hendery tried to stay calm, but his anxiety was building. The sight of the slide, the twist, the steep drop, the colour – everything reminded him of that day, it was too much. His heart was racing now, his hands trembling. His breathing remained steady, but his head began to feel light. The images of Xiaoming's face, his limp body floating to the bottom of the pool, rushed through his mind.

Hendery squeezed his eyes shut, but it didn't help. He could hear the laughter of the others, see their excited faces as they reached the top, and then, the worst part – the water rushing through the slide, the exact same sound that had filled his ears that day. It was really too much.

He tried to force himself to breathe, but the air felt thinner. His hands instinctively dug into his legs, scraping the skin. He didn't notice at first, but soon, the pain of his nails digging into his flesh became the only thing that anchored him. He scratched harder, desperate to focus on something else, but the blood that ran down his thighs only made everything feel worse.

The anxiety consumed him. His pulse was racing in his ears. He could hear his own breathing, shallow but controlled, but he felt as if the world was spinning. The panic, the fear – it was all flooding back.

As the members began to slide down, Hendery felt his body tremble, his legs weak. His hands continued to scratch at his legs, the blood dripping slowly down toward his stomach as he sat down on the ground, his head feeling light. The dizziness overwhelmed him, and he could no longer stand. He had to sit down, or he would fall.

From a distance, everything seemed fine. The members laughed, splashing down from the slide, looking around for Hendery, but when they got closer, they saw it. The blood. The way Hendery's hands were still moving frantically against his skin, his nails covered in blood, his face pale and strained.

"Hendery?" Ten called out gently, stepping closer.

Hendery's eyes were distant, his face blank, like he wasn't really there with them. He wasn't looking at them. He was seeing something else – that day. Ten's heart clenched. Something wasn't right.

"Hendery, hey," Ten said softly, kneeling in front of him. He reached out to take Hendery's hands in his, trying to stop him from hurting himself further. But when their hands touched, Hendery jerked back, eyes widening with panic.

"No," Hendery whispered hoarsely, his voice shaking. "Don't... don't touch me..."

Ten's concern deepened. He could see Hendery's breathing was still steady, but his body was trembling, his face pale. His eyes were wide, as though trapped in some invisible storm. It wasn't just the anxiety anymore – it was something worse. It was like a flashback, a memory that was taking over.

The other members gathered around, confusion on their faces, but they knew enough to stay silent. They didn't know what was happening, but they didn't want to push him.

"Hendery," Ten said gently, his voice breaking through the haze. "You're safe. You're safe."

But Hendery didn't hear him. He couldn't hear anything. His world was filled with the image of Xiaoming, his body floating to the bottom of the pool, the terror of helplessly watching his friend drown.

Ten held Hendery tighter, pulling him into his arms. Hendery tensed, his body rigid, but eventually, the panic started to crack. His breath came out in ragged sobs, his body shaking as he crumpled against Ten's chest.

"Ten..." Hendery choked out, his voice trembling. "He... he drowned. He... slipped and hit his head... and... and I couldn't save him."

Ten held him tighter, his heart breaking as he whispered soothing words, even though he didn't fully understand. The others didn't push for more details. They simply stayed close, offering silent comfort as Hendery broke down in Ten's arms.

The members didn't know what to do, but they knew Hendery needed care. After some time, they gently helped him to the park's infirmary, where the staff there treated the deep scratches on his legs. The sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the quiet hum of the room as they helped Hendery sit on the cot. His legs were cleaned and bandaged carefully, and though the sting of the antiseptic caused him to flinch, Hendery remained still, his eyes unfocused, his mind still distant.

Ten sat by his side, never letting go of Hendery's hand, his presence a constant comfort.

The other members quietly stood by, offering their support. They didn't press him for more words. They understood now – whatever happened with the slide, it was more than just a simple fear. It was a memory that had been waiting for the right moment to resurface.

Once Hendery's legs were treated, they stayed in the infirmary for a while longer, quietly talking to one another to give Hendery time to breathe and regain himself. They reassured him, staying close, until he was able to stand on his own and slowly walk back toward the park's exit with them.

Thanks for reading. If you have any story in mind please don't hesitate. I take requests.