K-pop sickfics/hurtfics

Zhang Hao Zb1- Lupus

This chapter is way shorter than the last two, but it's longer than most of chapter I made.
Anyway I hope you like it.

@Heyolli here's your requests.
1300 words.

Zhang Hao sat in the corner of the practice room, head bowed, sweat dampening the back of his neck. His limbs ached—not the pleasant burn of a dance rehearsal, but a deep, gnawing pain in his joints that never fully went away. His knees throbbed. His fingers, even when relaxed, felt inflamed. His lungs felt tight as if his own body were shrinking around him.

He checked the clock. They had another hour of rehearsal left.

He closed his eyes, reached into his bag quietly, and pulled out his pill case.

Morning meds. Evening meds. Flare-up pills. Anti-inflammatories. Steroids. A complex regimen, neatly arranged, like the choreo he performed so flawlessly every night.

He took two pills dry, not bothering to find water. He couldn't risk anyone noticing.

He had told himself he'd only keep it secret until debut. But debut came, and so did their first showcase. Then came fan meetings, interviews, variety shows, and then another comeback. The pressure never stopped. The love never stopped either. But neither did the pain.

And so he kept pushing, kept dancing, kept smiling.

But he was starting to crack.

That night, back at the dorm, the other members were still gathered in the living room, laughing over a variety show they'd just filmed. Zhang Hao had slipped away early, claiming he was tired.

He didn't even make it to his bed.

He collapsed onto the floor of his room, curled up beside the wall, shaking with exhaustion. His bones felt like they were on fire. Every movement sent sharp stings up his spine. He bit his lip to stop a sound from escaping.

He was so tired of this—tired of pretending he wasn't hurting, tired of hiding pills in his pockets, tired of worrying that one day, he wouldn't be able to dance anymore. What would happen to him then?

What would happen to ZEROBASEONE?

A sob escaped before he could stop it. And another. Until they came in waves.

He didn't hear the door open. Didn't notice the soft footsteps until someone knelt beside him.

"Hao?" came a voice, trembling with confusion and fear.

It was Hanbin.

Zhang Hao tried to wipe his face, hide the tears, force a smile, say he was fine. But he couldn't lie anymore. His body, his soul—they were both done.

"I can't..I can't do this," he whispered. "I don't know how much longer I can keep going."

Hanbin reached out gently, brushing hair from Hao's face. "What's wrong? Are you hurt? Should we go to the hospital?"

Zhang Hao hesitated.

And then the dam broke.

"I have lupus," he said, the words falling out in pieces. "I was diagnosed before debut. It... it causes pain. Fatigue. Flare-ups. It never goes away. I take medicine every day just to keep up, but it's getting worse. And I didn't want anyone to know. I didn't want to ruin this."

Hanbin just stared at him, stunned. "You've been dealing with this... alone?"

"I thought if I told you... you'd all worry. Or think I couldn't handle being part of the group."

Hanbin shook his head, eyes now shining. "Hao, no. You're the strongest person I know. This...this doesn't make you weak. It makes you incredible."

Zhang Hao finally let himself cry fully, all of the pain and pressure pouring out in Hanbin's arms. His leader didn't speak much, just held him tightly, grounding him like a rock in a storm.