Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

Reaching out (Maki)

The practice room was alive with the rhythm of determination. It had been months since &TEAM had formed, and the nine members were working tirelessly to prepare for their debut. Each member had their quirks, their strengths, and their own way of expressing themselves, but Maki, the youngest, was a little different. His love language was physical affection—a hug, a pat on the back, leaning on someone during a break. It was how he connected with the people he cared about, and for Maki, the group was becoming his family.

Maki’s energy was infectious. Even on their most exhausting days, he could be found draping an arm around Taki, giving a quick squeeze to Nicholas, or playfully poking Yuma’s cheek. It was his way of silently saying, I’m here for you, and I care about you. Most of the members welcomed his warmth and affection. They saw it as a sign of the unbreakable bond they were forming as a team.

But Harua was different.

Harua was reserved by nature. Quiet and introspective, he wasn’t the type to express himself through touch. He valued his personal space, not because he disliked the others, but because that was simply who he was. Despite their differences, Maki admired Harua. He found himself wanting to be closer to him, to break through the wall of quiet confidence and become his friend.

At first, Maki’s attempts to connect were subtle. A hand on Harua’s shoulder after practice, a quick pat on the back after a successful run-through of choreography. Harua didn’t react much, but he didn’t pull away either, which Maki took as a good sign. Encouraged, Maki began to lean more into his affectionate nature.

During breaks, Maki would sit beside Harua and rest his head on his shoulder. He’d take Harua’s hand to lead him to the cafeteria or place his hand on Harua’s knee when they sat together. But while Maki’s intentions were pure, Harua began to feel uneasy. He didn’t dislike Maki—in fact, he admired the younger member’s openness and warmth—but the constant proximity made him uncomfortable.

Harua didn’t know how to address it. Confrontation wasn’t his style, and he didn’t want to hurt Maki’s feelings. So, he started to avoid him.

At first, Maki didn’t notice. He was too focused on rehearsals and adjusting to their gruelling schedule. But over time, the signs became harder to ignore. Harua began sitting at the far end of the table during meals. During breaks, he’d quietly slip out of the room before Maki could approach him. He started partnering with other members during practice, always finding a way to keep his distance.

Maki tried to tell himself it was just a coincidence. Harua was probably busy or tired, he reasoned. But the doubts crept in. Had he done something wrong? Was Harua mad at him?

The realization hit him one evening when he reached out to pat Harua on the back, and Harua instinctively flinched, stepping away. Maki froze, his hand hovering in the air.

Harua muttered a quick apology and left the room, leaving Maki standing there, feeling cold and hollow.

The change in Maki was immediate.

He stopped clinging to the other members, stopped offering hugs or leaning on them during breaks. He became quieter, retreating into himself. He spent hours in his room, claiming he was tired. He skipped meals, saying he wasn’t hungry. The once-bubbly youngest, who had brought so much light to the group, seemed to dim.

The other members noticed.

“Did anyone get a morning hug from Maki today?” Taki asked one morning, his voice tinged with concern.

“No,” Nicholas said, frowning. “He barely said good morning. He just went straight to his room.”

“He’s been skipping meals too,” Yuma added. “I saw him pick at his food yesterday, but he didn’t really eat anything.”

K crossed his arms, his expression serious. “This isn’t like him. Something’s definitely wrong.”

That evening, the members gathered in the common room, their worry for Maki heavy in the air.

“We need to talk to him,” EJ said. “He’s clearly not okay.”

“But how do we bring it up?” Jo asked. “He’s been avoiding us too. He barely even looks at us during practice anymore.”

“We just have to be honest,” Fuma said firmly. “If we don’t, he’s going to keep shutting us out.”

They agreed and made their way to Maki’s room. K knocked gently on the door.

“Maki, it’s us,” he said. “Can we come in?”

For a moment, there was silence. Then came a muffled, “...Okay.”

When they entered, Maki was sitting on his bed, his knees pulled to his chest. He looked smaller than usual, his face pale and his eyes rimmed with red.

“What’s going on, Maki?” EJ asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Maki hesitated, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his sweatshirt. The concern in their eyes made his resolve crumble.

“I just wanted to be friends with Harua,” he said quietly, his voice trembling. “But I made him uncomfortable.”

The room fell silent.

“I thought… if I was making him uncomfortable, then maybe I was making all of you uncomfortable too. So I stopped. But—” His voice broke, and he buried his face in his hands. “I just wanted someone to hug. I didn’t mean to make anyone feel bad. I’m sorry.”

The members exchanged glances, their hearts aching at Maki’s words. Harua stepped forward, his expression a mix of guilt and determination.

“Maki,” he said, kneeling beside the bed. “I’m sorry. I should’ve talked to you instead of avoiding you. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be your friend—I just… I’m not used to physical affection. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like you. I was wrong to make you feel like you had to stop being yourself.”

Harua hesitated, then reached out and pulled Maki into a hug.

Maki froze, his tears soaking into Harua’s shirt.

One by one, the other members joined in, wrapping their youngest in a cocoon of warmth and love.

“You don’t ever have to hide how you feel, Maki,” K said.

“We love you for who you are,” Nicholas added.

“And we’re here for you,” Taki said firmly.

From that day on, Maki returned to his usual affectionate self, but with a newfound understanding of boundaries. Harua, for his part, made an effort to accept Maki’s hugs and even initiated them from time to time.

They became inseparable, often seen laughing together, leaning on each other, and sharing subtle gestures of affection. Their bond became a testament to the power of understanding and communication—a reminder that even the smallest gestures could bring people closer.