Bruises
synopsis: Mingyu can’t stop worrying, while Riko feels like she’s already been left behind. When she shows up anyway, it ends with a fight turning into soft apologies, showers and hugs
tags: angst, hurt/comfort, kinda miscommunication, Mingyu is a but mean 🥲
taglist and request open <33
dedicated to @rosemary-luvs (angstt ficc for mll) andd @sarangshiii (hope you like the shipp <33)
Mingyu is a confident man.
He is confident in his passion, in his members and his work.
But one thing that made him shaky was Riko.
Being on tour was stressful enough.
Being on tour while the person you loved was recovering from an accident was something else entirely.
When the accident happened and she was in the ambulance to the hospital, he took a different path from the members.
He knew that when she’s awake she’d feel overwhelmed .
Anxious. Upset.
He wanted her to have something to hold.
They had spotted this plushie shop a while before they had gone to the soundcheck with Mingyu promising they’d come back to look after the concert. It only felt right to get her something from there.
The shop was too bright.
Mingyu stood in front of the rows and rows of plushies, eyes skimming through each section until his eyes caught on to the ridiculous shark. It was sitting awkwardly in the midst of other sea creature themed stuffed animals with its mouth stitched like a crooked grin.
It was huge. Ridiculously huge.
Riko would love it.
And she did.
She hugged it tight when he gave it to her. Held it close each time the nurse came in to check on her.
The worry set in the next day when they came in to remove her chest tube.
She asked for Seungcheol.
He wasn’t upset that she chose Seungcheol, he knew why.
Seungcheol has always been for them, Seungcheol comes with this warmth that feels like a long hug in times of need. A grounding figure in a storm.
But he also knew she chose seungcheol because she was scared.
She was scared of the procedure but even more worried about Mingyu.
She didn't want him to see her in pain.
She’s always done that.
Hiding away until it has passed then finally admitting to her struggles.
He had spent most the night looking through videos and articles about collapsed lungs and rib fractures to the point that he could possibly do the procedure himself. The videos gave him this horrible feeling of dread especially knowing that Riko would be going through that made him feel even more helpless.
He stood outside the room with the other members, waiting patiently for the procedure to be done.
“Don’t stress Mingyu…it’ll only make her feel worse” Wonwoo pushed him to sit on the bench next to him and Seokmin.
Riko’s aunt and brother patted his shoulder then told him they’re going to look for something Riko would like to eat .
When Seungcheol came out of the room, Mingyu was relieved, getting up from the chair eager to know everything.
“She’s okay, they’re dressing her wound and getting her a new gown” he continued “She cried but there were no other complications” Cheol gave him a small smile before going to find her brother.
When he went in the room again she was fitted with a brace over her clothes. For a minute all he wanted was some time alone. Just the two of them but he knew it wasn't possible now, just hold on a little longer.
That night, Mingyu stayed overnight instead of Riko’s Aunt and brother. She was fitted with her vest, laying while watching something on the television.
They hadn't talked much.
Just pleasant silence.
Until he heard sniffling.
Mingyu got up immediately, going to stand next to her as she looked up at him with tears filling up her eyes.
“I’m sorry” she mumbled, gripping her shark plushie so tight. Her shoulders trembled slightly, breath uneven in a way that made his chest ache
“No, what are you sorry” his voice softer than he intended as he sat down slowly on her bed, giving her time to push him away if she wanted to.
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face now. He put his arms around her, careful not to hurt her more.
“I ruined everything. The tour and and all the plans I–” a sob cut her off, she turned her face away covering it with her hands.
“Baby” Mingyu tried even more gently, hands pausing before around her wrists “Can..you look at me?”
Her breathe hitched again before her voice broke “You’re supposed to be enjoying our last night here, but now you’re stuck here because of me”
He frowned immediately.
“Hey. No, look at me please ” he said firmly. She lowered her hands, her eyes were with lashes clumped together and her lip caught between her teeth so tight he worried it’d draw blood.
“You didn’t ruin anything” he said quietly, hands cupping her face
“Bu—”
“I want to be here” He insisted, the helpless ache sitting deep in his chest.
“I want to be with you”
Her gaze dropped, trying not to look him in the eye but Mingyu knew better tilting her face.
“I’m serious, you think I'd rather be at the hotel? Knowing you’re here hurting”
He leaned slowly, resting his forehead against hers.
“I want to be here with you…I’m worried because I love you” giving her a quick kiss on her nose then laying down, pulling her as well.
“I just..I hate feeling like this” she admitted “like I can’t even breathe without help”
He tightened his grip slightly
“I know,” he said quietly. “But you’re still getting through it”
She let out a shaky breath, the tension leaving her shoulders as she leaned on to him properly.
The room fell into a quiet silence as she drifted off to sleep, one arm around the shark while the other held on to his.
Bangkok February 2026
It hasn’t been long since her accident but it feels like eternity since he last saw her.
Riko had been staying at her family home in Japan with her brother and aunt, going through recovery. She face timed Mingyu every night, her head peeking from the blanket as she dozed off when he spoke.
But
The past week was rough, they barely texted each other with his energy drained from touring and hers from physio.
He had gotten a “fighting” from her in the group chat before the concert.
The cheers from fans kept his adrenaline going jumping up and down, spraying the water on carats all filled him with joy. But he loved the idea of flying home to Riko even better.
To help take care of her
Wake up with her in his arms or vice versa
Making her breakfast and accompanying her to physio
It all filled him with eagerness but also unease
Would she be okay?
How long till her lungs are strong again?
Would she want him to help?
All the thoughts flooded into him in the changning room after the final stop but it all halted when he stepped out to absolute ruckus.
Members talking over each other all crowded giving hugs asking questions
“When did you get here?”
“Are you okay!?”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Did you come alone?”
He heard a small laugh
Her laugh.
Riko stood in the middle, slightly pale and tired.
“I’m okay, I promise” she reassured, nodding quickly. “I just got here, I wanted to surprise you guys”
“You flew?” Wonwoo asked, voice gentle but face worried
She nodded.
“I got cleared” she added quickly “I wouldn’t have come, if I wasn't"
Seungcheol came forward giving her a hug “ You’ll tell us if you feel worse yeah?”
She gave him a hum before her eyes locked onto Mingyu, moving away from Seungcheol
“Hi” she giggled standing infront of him, slightly nervous from the look on his face.
“Let’s give them a minute” and the members left, leaving the two of them alone.
“What are you doing here?” asking, his tone mixed with worry but sounding a lot harsher than he intended.
Riko’s smile dropped slightly, “I wanted to see you guys..”
Mingyu’s jaw tightened slightly, running a hand through his hair as he looked at her properly.
Up close, he could see it.
The faint shadows under her eyes, the way she was holding herself just a little too carefully, like every movement was measured.
“You flew,” he repeated, quieter this time. Not angry. Just…processing.
Riko shifted her weight, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.
“I missed you,” she said simply.
“How..What are you doing here?!? You should be resting?” his voice wasn’t loud but it wasnt soft either, more controlled and on edge
“My doctor” her smile completely gone, looking more worried
“And he thought it was a good idea?”
“ I thought you’d be happy” she admitted, voice slightly shaky
He froze.
“I..I am happy” he said finally, but the words came out unevenly, like they got caught somewhere on the way out.
Riko’s brows pulled together slightly.
“That doesn’t sound like it,” she said quietly.
Mingyu shut his eyes for a second, exhaling through his nose. His hand dragged down his face before he looked at her again.
“I missed you,” she repeated, quieter. “And I didn’t want to sit at home feeling useless anymore.”
His jaw tightened slightly at that.
“You’re not useless.”
“That’s not how it feels,” she admitted, her voice small but steady. “Everyone’s moving on and I’m just… stuck trying to breathe properly.”
That hit him harder than anything else she’d said.
For a moment, he didn’t respond.
Didn’t argue.
Just looked at her.
“And you think pushing yourself like this is going to fix that?” he asked, softer now.
The door opened before she could respond.
“Okay lovebirds enough chatting, the cars have arrived” Hoshi beamed, putting his arm around Riko’s shoulder walking towards the door.
She got into the car taking the seat next to the window and Mingyu joined her soon after.
The car ride was quiet.
Not the comfortable kind. The silence was filled with tensions, questions and guilt with the hint of frustration.
He glanced at her again.
“You’re sitting weird,” he muttered.
Riko blinked, turning her head slightly. “I’m not—”
“You are,” he cut in, softer this time. “Does your side hurt?”
She hesitated for a second too long.
“…a little.”
Mingyu exhaled, looking away, his hand coming up to rub the back of his neck.
“You should’ve told me.”
“I didn’t want to start another lecture,” she said lightly, trying to ease it.
He didn’t smile.
“It’s not a lecture if I’m right.”
That made her go quiet again.
At the hotel, the members naturally split off, voices fading into the hallway until it was just the two of them.
Mingyu opened the door first, stepping aside to let her in.
“Sit,” he said immediately, nodding toward the bed.
Riko let out a small breath, half amused, half tired.
“Yes, doctor.”
He didn’t react to the joke.
She noticed.
Slowly, she sat down, easing herself onto the edge of the bed. The movement was controlled, but not effortless.
Mingyu’s eyes followed the entire thing.
“You’re exhausted,” he said.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not.”
“ I said I’m fine” she let out a huff of frustration resisting the urge to roll her eyes at his insistent behaviour.
It didn’t sit right with him
But he didn’t push again.
Instead, he turned away slightly, grabbing a bottle of water and handing it to her.
“Drink.”
She took it without arguing this time.
“Thank you.”
Another silence.
Thicker now.
Riko glanced toward the bathroom after a moment.
“I’m going to shower,” she said softly. “I feel gross after the flight.”
Mingyu nodded.
She stood carefully before making her way inside, closing the door behind her.
The room felt too quiet without her.
Mingyu stood there for a moment, running a hand through his hair again.
He hated this feeling.
The distance.
Even when she was right here.
He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.
He was happy she came.
He just…couldn't get past how fragile it all still felt.
Like one wrong move and she’d end up back in that hospital bed.
He heard heavy breathing and then sniffling making him stand up, worry flooding his veins making his way to the bathroom. He gave a knock
“Riko, you okay?”
She didn’t respond but he could hear her breathing getting worse like she was struggling.
“Can I come in?” his hand was already on the door knob waiting for an answer but it didnt come.
“I’m coming okay?” his voice was soft, all the guilt building up in him
He paused for a minute before opening the door.
Riko stood there, tears streaming down her face. Her hands were trembling as she struggled with the strap of her brace, tugging at it in frustration.
“This stupid thing won’t come off—” her voice broke, breath uneven.
Mingyu’s expression fell instantly.
He knew it wasn’t just the brace.
It was everything.
“Hey… hey,” he said softly, stepping toward her. “Come here.”
He reached for her hands, gently stopping them from pulling at the strap.
“Let me help, okay?”
His fingers worked more carefully this time, loosening the tension instead of forcing it.
The strap gave way.
Riko let out a shaky breath.
And that was it.
Mingyu didn’t think twice.
He pulled her into his chest, one arm wrapping around her carefully, the other steadying her.
“Hey… it’s okay,” he murmured, his voice softer than before. “I’ve got you.”
Riko didn’t say anything at first.
She just clutched onto him, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt as her breathing came in short, uneven bursts.
Mingyu felt it immediately.
“Hey… slow down,” he murmured, one hand coming up to cradle the back of her head gently, guiding her closer against him. “You’re okay, I’ve got you.”
Her breath hitched again, a quiet sob slipping out before she could stop it.
He held her tight, swaying slightly giving her occasional peckson the top of her head.
“Come on..let’s slow down okay” he murmured into her hair and she gave a tiny nod.
“In… slow,” he whispered.
He exaggerated his own breathing, steady and controlled.
“…and out.”
Riko tried to follow, but it came out shaky at first.
“That’s okay,” he reassured immediately. “Again.”
His thumb brushed small, grounding circles against her arm.
“In…”
A little better this time.
“…and out.”
The panic didn’t disappear all at once.
But it softened.
Her breathing evened out enough that the sharp edge of it faded, turning into quiet, uneven inhales instead of gasps.
“I’m sorry” she whispered
“Dont do that” he pulled away just enough to look at her properly, cupping her face.
“You have nothing to apologize for baby, if anyone it should be me apologizing”
She moved away hiding her face in his shirt hugging tighter “I get why you were angry,maybe it was a bad idea to come here”
Mingyu let out a sigh “It was wrong of me to yell at you,especually after you came from a flight just to see me”
He rubbed her back slowly “Do you want to shower?” he asked, loosening her brace when she hummed.
And that’s when he saw it.
Properly.
Not just a glimpse.
Not something half-hidden.
Everything.
The bruising along her ribs.
Faded in places, darker in others. The way it spread wider than he expected. The small, healing scar where the tube had been, still angry against her skin.
And how her frame had changed.
Subtly.
But enough.
His chest tightened so suddenly it almost hurt.
“Riko…” his voice dropped, barely above a whisper.
She stilled.
Immediately aware.
“It looks worse than it is,” she said quickly, instinctively trying to cover it with her hand.
Mingyu gently caught her wrist.
“Don’t.”
Not firm.
Just… soft.
Careful.
She hesitated.
Then let her hand fall.
His fingers hovered for a second before resting lightly against her side—avoiding the worst of the bruising like it was instinct.
“You are the strongest person I know…” he said quietly.
Her eyes filled instantly.
“And I am so, so proud of you.”
Riko’s breath caught.
Like something in her chest had been pulled too tight for too long—and finally snapped.
Her lips parted, but nothing came out at first.
Then—
A sob.
Not sharp like before.
Softer.
Quieter.
But heavier.
“I feel like I've done nothing, everyone is moving on while I’m still stuck” words just tumbling out messy and rushed.
“I couldn’t breathe on my own, I couldn’t move properly, I needed help for everything. I hate it. I feel so useless”
“Riko.”
Her name, gentle but firm.
That made her stop.
Mingyu tilted her face up slightly, forcing her to look at him—not harshly, just enough that she couldn’t hide.
“You survived something scary,” he said quietly. “That’s not nothing”
She shook her head weakly.
“It doesn’t feel like it.”
“I know,” he said immediately. “I know it doesn’t.”
His thumb brushed under her eye, wiping away tears carefully.
“You went through all of that and you’re still standing here”
Her breathing hitched again.
“And you got on a plane,” he added, softer now, almost in disbelief. “Just to come see me.”
That broke her all over again.
“I missed you,” she cried quietly.
He pulled her into him again, one hand cradling the back of her head, pressing her gently into his shoulder.
“I know,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss into her hair. “I know, baby.”
She clung to him, fingers bunching in his shirt, her body shaking slightly with each quiet sob.
“I felt so stuck,” she admitted into his chest. “Like everything just stopped and I was the only one not moving forward.”
“You’re not behind,” he said softly. “You’re healing.”
She let out a shaky breath.
“It doesn’t feel that nice.”
“It will,” he murmured. “Just… not all at once.”
His hand moved slowly up and down her back, steady, grounding.
“You don’t have to rush this,” he continued. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”
A pause.
“Not even to me.”
After a few minutes, her breathing started to calm again, settling into something softer.
Tired.
Drained.
Mingyu pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her.
Her cheeks were flushed, lashes damp, but her expression wasn’t as tight anymore.
“Still want that shower?” he asked gently.
She let out a small, breathy laugh.
“…yeah.”
He smiled faintly, reaching up to brush her hair back from her face.
“Okay.”
They showered together, he helped wash her hair and hold her when her side hurt too much. Mingyu stepped out quickly, rushing to get towels and bundling her up quickly then going to help her get dressed.
He moved slowly,careful hands reaching for her clothes, unfolding them, bringing them closer.
“Arms up a little,” he said quietly.
Riko obeyed, wincing just slightly as she lifted them.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered immediately.
“It’s okay,” she shook her head. “It’s not you.”
When the shirt brushed over her side, he paused instinctively.
“Does that hurt?”
“Just a bit…keep going.”
He nodded, continuing carefully until it settled properly.
“There,” he murmured, smoothing the fabric down like it mattered more than it should.
It wasn’t perfect.
But she looked more comfortable.
More like herself.
Next was the brace.
Mingyu hesitated for a second, then glanced at her.
“Okay if I fix this?” he asked.
Riko gave a small nod.
“Yeah.”
He stepped closer again, his hands slower now—more confident than before, but still gentle.
He adjusted the straps, checking the tension, making sure it sat right without pressing too harshly against the bruising.
“How’s that?”
She took a breath.
“…better.”
“Too tight?”
“No.”
“Too loose?”
She shook her head slightly.
“It’s good.”
Mingyu nodded, but still ran his fingers lightly along the edges, double-checking like he didn’t fully trust it.
Only when he was satisfied did he step back.
By the time they made it back to the bed, Riko looked like she could barely keep her eyes open. MIngyu let out a small chuckle “come on time for bed”
She didn’t argue this time.
Just eased herself down carefully, letting out a small breath as she settled against the pillows.
Mingyu adjusted them behind her without being asked, one hand steady at her shoulder.
“Too high?” he asked.
She shook her head slightly.
“It’s okay.”
He moved around to the other side of the bed, climbing in beside her more carefully than usual.
There was a brief pause.
He glanced at her before shifting closer, slow and deliberate, sliding one arm around her.
Not pulling her in right away, just resting there, giving her time.
Riko moved first.
Carefully, she leaned into him, her head finding its place against his chest like it always did. The moment she settled, she let out a quiet breath.
Like she’d been holding it in all day.
Mingyu’s arm tightened slightly around her, his hand resting gently along her side, thumb brushing small, absentminded circles.
“Are you comfortable?” he murmured.
“Mm,” she nodded faintly. “Don’t move.”
He huffed softly, the corner of his lips lifting.
“Wasn’t planning to.”
The room fell quiet.
Not heavy.
Not tense.
Just… still.
Riko’s breathing started to slow again, evening out as she relaxed further into him.
Her fingers, still curled loosely in his shirt, softened their grip little by little.
Mingyu stayed still.
Completely still.
Like even shifting an inch might disturb her.
But his mind didn’t quiet as easily.
His eyes flicked down every few seconds.
Watching.
Listening.
Counting without meaning to.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
After a while, Riko shifted slightly, her breathing catching for just a second.
Mingyu tensed immediately.
“Riko?” he whispered.
No response.
A small sound as she pressed closer, her hand tightening weakly in his shirt.
“…I’m here,” he murmured, softer this time.
Her breathing steadied again.
Slow.
Even.
He let out a quiet breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
Taglist : @rosemary-luvs @ami-kay-01 @aevenfics @socksfirst1 @paulina15
i hope thats everyone...i realized someone deactivated the account im guessing? not sure
All pictures are from pinterest, Dividers from @saradika-graphics
please not everything is fictional
Inbox always open for chats <33