Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

Shadows in the Mirror (Jacob)

Carateume47

Jacob stood in front of the practice room mirror, his movements mechanical as he followed the choreography. The other members danced around him with energy and precision, their steps fluid and confident. He couldn’t help but glance at Juyeon and Q, whose movements seemed effortless. Compared to them, Jacob felt stiff, awkward—like a puzzle piece forced into the wrong spot.

“Focus, Jacob,” he muttered under his breath, pushing the negative thoughts away.

The group ran through the routine once more, the music pounding in Jacob’s ears. Despite his best efforts, he could feel himself lagging slightly, his timing just a fraction off. When the song ended, Sangyeon clapped his hands.

“Good work, everyone. Let’s take five,” their leader announced.

Jacob slumped against the wall, wiping sweat from his brow. His breathing was uneven, but the ache in his chest wasn’t from physical exhaustion—it was the creeping sense of inadequacy.

“You’re doing great, Jacob,” Q said as he grabbed a water bottle. “Seriously, your footwork has gotten so much better.”

Jacob forced a smile. “Thanks. Still got a lot to work on, though.”

“You’ll get there,” Juyeon chimed in. “You always do.”

Jacob nodded, but their encouragement only deepened the gnawing doubt inside him. He knew they meant well, but how could they possibly understand? They were naturals, born to dance. For Jacob, every step felt like a battle.

As practice continued, Jacob offered to run out and grab snacks for the group. It was a small reprieve, a chance to escape the suffocating weight of his own thoughts.

“Don’t forget my chocolate milk!” Eric called after him with a grin.

Jacob managed a laugh and waved as he left the room. The cool evening air hit his face as he walked to the convenience store, and for a moment, he felt a sense of calm. But as he picked out chips, drinks, and other treats, the doubts crept back in.

You’re holding them back. They deserve someone better.

By the time he returned to the practice room, Jacob had almost convinced himself to push through the night. He would work harder, stay later, and perfect every move. But as he opened the door, the words he overheard shattered that resolve.

“Jacob? His dancing is really weird,” Younghoon said with a chuckle.

The laughter that followed felt like a knife twisting in Jacob’s chest. The bag of snacks slipped from his hands and hit the floor with a loud thud, silencing the room. All eyes turned to him.

Younghoon’s face went pale. “Jacob—”

“It’s fine,” Jacob said quickly, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. He bent down to pick up the bag, avoiding everyone’s gaze. “Let’s just keep practicing.”

The room was tense as they resumed practice, but Jacob barely registered it. Younghoon’s words echoed in his mind, blending with every criticism he’d ever received.

That night, Jacob stood alone in his room, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The fluorescent light cast harsh shadows over his face, emphasizing the exhaustion in his eyes.

He turned to the side, scrutinizing his body. His shoulders slumped, and he felt a pang of disgust.

“If I looked better... if I was leaner, stronger... maybe my dancing wouldn’t look so bad,” he murmured to himself.