Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

Shared Burdens, United Strength (EJ)

It was the kind of performance that demanded everything from them. The stage lights were blinding, the music a powerful pulse that reverberated through their bodies, and the choreography fast, sharp, and intricate. The crowd’s energy was infectious, and for the moment, everything felt right. But that night, for EJ, something went wrong.

He had executed a jump with a perfect spin, but as he landed, his right ankle twisted sharply to the side. A surge of pain shot up his leg, but before he could react, his body forced him to carry on, slipping into the next move as if nothing had happened.

The adrenaline coursed through his veins, blurring the pain, and he finished the routine without showing any sign of distress. His mind was solely focused on the performance, and the last thing he wanted was to slow things down, especially with Harua struggling behind the scenes.

Harua had been suffering from severe gastroenteritis for the past few days. He could barely keep anything down, and it was clear that the young member wasn’t recovering as quickly as they’d hoped. EJ could see it in his pale face and how he staggered offstage after each performance, leaning heavily on his teammates for support. But what truly weighed on EJ was how, despite his condition, Harua still pushed himself to the limit for every performance. EJ knew Harua needed help—he needed the group's full attention—and he didn’t want to be the one to take focus away from him.

So, when the performance ended and the members shuffled offstage, exhausted but high on the energy of the crowd, EJ pretended as though nothing was wrong. He was fine. He’d deal with it later.

“EJ, you good?” Fuma asked, his voice light, but concern lurking behind his eyes as he reached out to pat his shoulder.

“Yeah, just a little tired,” EJ replied, smiling through the pain. He shifted his weight slightly, hiding the wince that threatened to surface as his injured ankle sent another sharp throb up his leg.

“Alright, but you know if you need anything, I’m here,” Fuma said, though his gaze lingered on EJ’s face for a moment longer than necessary.

EJ nodded quickly, trying to act casual, but his mind was elsewhere. Harua had retreated to the corner of the room, his face pinched in discomfort, clutching his stomach as he leaned against the wall. His breathing was uneven, and his pale complexion made him look like he was on the verge of collapse. EJ could see the strain in his younger member’s body, the way his hands shook slightly as he tried to stand.

Without a second thought, EJ limped over to him, his ankle barely registering as a problem in his mind anymore. He reached Harua and immediately placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Harua, hey… you okay?” EJ asked softly, though he could already see the answer.

“I—I’ll be fine,” Harua muttered, but his voice was weak, strained. “Just need to sit down for a second.”

“You’re not fine,” EJ countered gently, guiding him to a nearby chair and helping him sit. “Let me help you, okay? Just rest.”

The younger boy nodded, his eyelids fluttering with exhaustion. He was too sick to argue, too fatigued to deny the offer, and so EJ did what he could to help. As Harua leaned back, eyes closed, looking even more fragile than usual, EJ decided he’d take care of things, no matter how badly his ankle hurt. Harua needed him now more than ever, and there was no time to waste on his own injury.

For the next few days, EJ barely had time to think about his ankle. He spent his nights staying by Harua’s side, making sure he drank enough water, eating even the smallest amount of food, and trying to calm his stomach when the vomiting wouldn’t stop.

It didn’t matter how exhausted EJ was from the performances or how his ankle continued to swell. He focused solely on Harua. He didn’t want his younger member to feel even more alone or overwhelmed by his sickness, and in his mind, his injury was secondary. He had made it through the performance, hadn’t he? A little pain wasn’t going to stop him now.