Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

The Hidden Strain (Sangyeon)

The practice room pulsed with energy, every mirror reflecting the synchronized movements of The Boyz as they rehearsed their latest choreography. Sangyeon stood at the front, sharp eyes scanning each member’s form and timing. As the leader, perfection wasn’t just expected of him—it was demanded. He wouldn’t accept anything less, not from his members and certainly not from himself.

“Eric, your timing is slightly off in the second chorus,” Sangyeon said, his tone steady but tired.

Eric nodded, a sheepish smile crossing his face as he adjusted his position. “Got it, hyung.”

Sangyeon exhaled, the tightness in his chest growing heavier with each breath. He pressed his lips together, ignoring the creeping pain. It had been there for weeks now—a constant ache, sometimes accompanied by dizziness or fatigue—but he didn’t have time to focus on it. Their world tour was just weeks away, and the weight of ensuring everything went smoothly rested squarely on his shoulders.

“Hyung, are you okay?” Jacob’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Sangyeon turned, forcing a smile. “I’m fine. Just tired. Let’s keep going.”

Jacob hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes. Sangyeon’s smile was unconvincing, but Jacob knew better than to press. Sangyeon had always been the group’s anchor, the one who carried their burdens without complaint. If he said he was fine, Jacob wanted to believe him.

The truth, however, was far from fine. Sangyeon had been battling a chronic autoimmune condition for years, one that flared under stress. The chest pain and fatigue were warning signs he chose to ignore. He told himself it was temporary, that once the tour began, things would settle down.

But his body had other plans.

The days leading up to the tour were gruelling. Between rehearsals, interviews, and planning fan events, Sangyeon barely had a moment to rest. The members noticed his increasing silence and the dark circles under his eyes, but they attributed it to stress.

“Hyung, you’ve been really quiet lately,” Sunwoo said one evening after practice. “Is everything okay?”

Sangyeon glanced up from his notebook, where he was reviewing setlists. “Just focused, Sunwoo. Don’t worry about me.”

Sunwoo frowned but didn’t push further. Still, tension lingered. Sangyeon’s usually calm demeanor had been replaced with irritability, and his patience wore thin more quickly than usual. He snapped at Eric during a particularly chaotic rehearsal, leaving the younger member visibly shaken.

Later that night, Juyeon approached Sangyeon. “Hyung, you’re pushing yourself too hard. We’re all here to help.”

“I’m fine,” Sangyeon replied curtly. “Go get some rest.”

But Juyeon couldn’t shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.

The day of the surprise live broadcast arrived. The members gathered in the dorm’s living room, excited to connect with their fans. Sangyeon sat in the center, his smile faint but present as they went live.

“Hello, The Bs!” Haknyeon greeted cheerfully, waving at the camera.

As the members chatted and joked, Sangyeon felt the familiar tightness in his chest return, sharper this time. His vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. He gripped the edge of the couch, trying to steady himself, but it was no use.

“Sangyeon-hyung?” Kevin’s voice cut through the chatter.

Before anyone could react, Sangyeon slumped forward, unconscious.

The room erupted into chaos. Jacob and Juyeon caught him before he hit the floor, while New quickly ended the broadcast.

“Sangyeon-hyung! Wake up!” Eric’s voice cracked with panic.

“We need to get him to the hospital,” Hyunjae said, his own fear barely contained.

The members scrambled to help, their minds racing with worry.

At the hospital, the doctor explained that Sangyeon’s collapse was due to extreme exhaustion compounded by his chronic condition. The members were stunned.

“Chronic condition?” Sunwoo echoed, disbelief in his voice. “What is she talking about?”

The doctor glanced at Sangyeon, who had regained consciousness but looked pale and defeated. “Your leader has an autoimmune disorder. Stress and overexertion exacerbate his symptoms, which can include chest pain, fatigue, and dizziness.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Jacob asked softly, his eyes glistening with tears.

Sangyeon sighed, guilt weighing heavily on him. “I didn’t want to worry you. You all have enough on your plates.”

“That’s not fair, hyung,” Hyunjae said, his voice trembling. “We’re a team. We’re supposed to take care of each other.”

“I thought I could handle it,” Sangyeon admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t want to let anyone down.”

The room fell silent as the weight of his words sank in.

The next few days were a blur of rest and reflection. The members took turns visiting Sangyeon in the hospital, each bringing small tokens of care—snacks, books, handwritten notes.

During one visit, Sunwoo sat by Sangyeon’s bed, uncharacteristically quiet.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you,” Sangyeon said.

Sunwoo shook his head. “Don’t apologize. I should’ve known something was wrong. I was too focused on myself.”

Sangyeon reached out, squeezing Sunwoo’s hand. “It’s not your fault. I should’ve been honest.”

Later, Younghoon and Jacob arrived, bringing a box of Sangyeon’s favorite pastries.

“You don’t have to do everything alone, hyung,” Jacob said gently. “We’re here for you.”

“Always,” Younghoon added with a smile.

Sangyeon felt a lump form in his throat. He had spent so long protecting his members that he had forgotten they were more than capable of protecting him, too.

Once Sangyeon was discharged, the group implemented changes to lighten his load. They divided responsibilities more evenly, with Juyeon handling choreography checks, Kevin overseeing fan interactions, and Hyunjae managing schedules.

The members also kept a closer eye on Sangyeon’s health, making sure he ate regularly and took breaks during rehearsals.

One evening, as they sat around the dinner table, Eric spoke up. “Hyung, you know we love you, right? Like, not just because you’re our leader, but because you’re you.”

Sangyeon smiled, his chest swelling with warmth. “I love you guys too. More than anything.”

As the group prepared for their world tour, there was a newfound sense of unity. Sangyeon no longer carried the weight of leadership alone, and the members felt closer than ever.

For the first time in years, Sangyeon allowed himself to lean on his team, knowing that they would always be there to catch him when he fell.