Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

The Dark Before the Dawn (New)

Carateume47

The Boyz were known for their unbreakable bond, their laughter, and the warmth they radiated both on and off stage. But lately, Chanhee—better known as New—had become a shadow of himself. The bright, witty boy with a sharp tongue and infectious smile seemed to fade into someone withdrawn and unreachable.

At first, it was small things—missing breakfast, staying in his room longer than usual, not engaging in the group conversations like he used to. His mood fluctuated, and the shine in his eyes seemed to dull with each passing day.

Hyunjae noticed the changes before anyone else. As one of the observant member, he prided himself on knowing the members inside and out, understanding their needs even before they voiced them. And Chanhee, his usually vibrant, talkative younger member, had grown quieter by the day.

It started subtly. Chanhee missed a few schedules here and there. It wasn’t entirely unusual—sometimes, members needed a little time to recharge, and the constant pressure of the industry often made it difficult to maintain an unbroken streak of energy. But Hyunjae noticed that it wasn’t just missing schedules; it was the way Chanhee began to withdraw from everything.

During team meetings or practices, when the members were discussing upcoming performances or joking around, Chanhee remained silent, his eyes glassy and unfocused. When he did speak, his voice lacked the usual energy, and his words were softer, more fragile.

“Chanhee, what’s wrong?” Hyunjae asked one day, as he watched his younger member fidgeting with his water bottle, eyes darting nervously around the room.

“Nothing,” Chanhee responded quickly, flashing a half-hearted smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He tried to stand up and join the others for their next practice segment, but Hyunjae could see how his movements lacked the usual precision.

There was something deeper than mere exhaustion going on, but Hyunjae didn’t want to press too hard. He had learned to respect the personal boundaries of his members, understanding that sometimes, they just needed time. But Chanhee was pulling away, and it felt more than just exhaustion. Something else was brewing—something Hyunjae didn’t yet understand.

As the days passed, Hyunjae tried to reach out more, but it always seemed to fall flat. The members were concerned as well, but no one knew how to address the issue. Every time Hyunjae asked if Chanhee was okay, he received the same response: “I’m fine, hyung.”

But Hyunjae wasn’t convinced.

One night, after a particularly intense practice session, Hyunjae found himself alone with Chanhee in the practice room. The younger member was wiping the sweat from his forehead, avoiding eye contact with everyone else. Hyunjae approached him slowly, choosing his words carefully.

“Chanhee, I know something’s bothering you. You can talk to me, you know? Whatever it is, we’re here for you.”

Chanhee stiffened, his eyes flicking to Hyunjae before quickly looking away.

“I’m fine. Just tired. It’s nothing, hyung,” he said, a little too quickly.

But Hyunjae could see through the lie.

“You’re not fine,” Hyunjae said firmly, stepping closer. “You’ve been pulling away from all of us. You’ve been quieter than usual. I’m worried about you.”

Chanhee’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, he didn’t say anything. The silence in the room was thick with unspoken words. Then, suddenly, Chanhee snapped.

“I said I’m fine!” he yelled, his voice sharp and defensive. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

Hyunjae flinched, taken aback by the outburst. He hadn’t expected that. “Chanhee…”