#lee know x male reader angst
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
Text
Scars - Lee Know x Male Reader
warnings: mentions of self harm, mentions of childhood abuse, mentions of depression
Scars.
Minho hated them on his body.
He felt like he was tainted or ruined.
And when something is ruined, you either destroy it, or hide it.
Minho does both.
He locks himself in the bathroom and glides his razor blade along his smooth skin, watching in tears as the blood trickles down. He hated it. He hated his body, and he hated what he does to it. He then uses foundation, or long sleeves to hide everything. He has more of them on his thighs. That's much easier to hide.
Why did he start doing this? Because he hated the scars from his childhood. He hated the scars his horrible family gave him. So he gives himself more scars. Sometimes, he feels like he deserves it…he feels like he deserved the abuse he went through and his self-hatred now.
He's done a great job at hiding the scars on his beautiful body, but it won't be so easy anymore now that he has a boyfriend. Mn. He's been dating Mn for a few weeks now, but they've known each other since they were trainees. He knows that his boyfriend wouldn't hate him or shame him for the scars, but part of him can't help but think he would. Part of him was afraid if Mn would leave him because of the scars. So he hid it.
Mn was aware of Minho's past, but he's never seen the scars. Minho always avoids the topic, so he decided to wait until Minho was comfortable. He wanted nothing more to hug his beloved and tell him he would always love him no matter what. But for now, Minho wasn't allowing it.
One day, Minho was in Mn's bedroom after a shower. He was covered only by the towel around his waist and he came to borrow one of his shirts since his were in the laundry. He loved wearing his boyfriend's clothes, since they were always so big and cozy. He had an adorable smile on his face as he takes a black shirt that said "Tell your cat I said pspsps" with a cat on it from Mn's drawer. And then he hears the door open.
Mn comes in to get his charger and he sees his boyfriend. he smiles but his eyes slightly widen as he sees the scars on Minho's body. Seeing that, Minho sets the shirt in the drawer and puts his hands over his chest.
"I..I'm sorry"
Mn was heartbroken to see his darling apologize for his scars. He takes a step forward and speaks in a soft tone.
"Why are you sorry, sweetheart?"
Minho begins tearing up. He hated himself. He hated that he couldn't be better for Mn.
"It's just- I'm hideous…I'm sorry I'm not beautiful..you deserv-"
His unnecessary string of apologies was cut off by Mn pressing his lips onto his. Their kiss was soft and tender, as if Mn was telling him how much he loved him without words. But he'd do it with words too..
His tall frame let him pull his boyfriend to his chest. Minho rested his head there. On the place he could feel loved. The one place he felt safe. His lips curve into a small, relieved smile as he listens to his boyfriend's steady heartbeat. If Mn was there, nothing would happen to him.
Mn had his hands on Minho's sides as he pulls away from the embrace. He wipes away a tear from his beloved's beautiful face.
"You're beautiful. Don't listen to anyone else or yourself when it comes to this. You're so goddamn beautiful. And I love you so much."
Mn leans down and gently kisses the scars on Minho's shoulders and back. He works his way down to his chest and stomach and then presses his lips onto every scar on his arms. Minho was taken aback. He knew that Mn would react like this, but that one part of him…the part that hated himself, was the most powerful. It made the poor boy think that Mn would hate him. But he was practically worshipping his body and treating his scars like they were strands of gold.
"Y-You're not mad?"
"Of course not, darling…don't ever think I'll be mad at you for this. I love you. I love everything about you."
Minho couldn't help but smile. There were still some tears on his face but Baek wiped them away. He gently picked his boyfriend up and put him on the bed and began kissing the scars on his thighs while whispering sweet nothings.
The world doesn't seem too bad for Minho.
If this was a war, he had an ally. A powerful one.
#stray kids x male reader#stray kids x male reader angst#stray kids x male reader fluff#lee know x male reader#lee know x male reader angst#lee know x male reader fluff#lee minho x male reader#lee minho x male reader angst#lee minho x male reader fluff
61 notes
·
View notes
Text
would you still love me?
lee know x male reader wordcount: 1.6k genre: angst, zombie apocalypse au, non idol au
you and minho had always been good friends, good enough that people would always think there was something more than friendship in your relationship.
but everything changed the day the government announced there was a virus going around in korea.
streets were covered in blood, cities were polluted with the entities people call 'the undead' or 'zombies'.
every day was hard. keeping safe from the zombies, protecting the people you love from them; it was all too hard.
not until you were bit.
you and your group of friends had been staying at a run-down building somewhere in seoul for the past week. it had been two weeks since you, minho, jisung, and yongbok ran away from home. the four of you had been stocking on instant ramen, chips, and other foods.
it was a 'normal' day for you, waking up to check if there were zombies near where you were staying, preparing a small meal for all of you, gathering essentials like food, water bottles, and more. until you spotted a few zombies coming from the southeast.
you quietly return back to the small apartment you and minho found while exploring the small building. "leemin? hanji? leeyong? are you there?" you whispered. "(reader), we're here!" minho shouts. you run to where you heard minhos voice in a hurry.
"minho! dont be too loud. i saw a few zombies while i was finding us food." you shush him as soon as you see him. yongbok and jisung give you a weird stare but continue on with what they were previously doing.
"oh. well, if you're really that scared, we could board up the entrances and windows of this building once we get enough supplies for the four of us." minho remarked almost sarcastically
"i'm being serious, lee minho." you sneered. "sorry, sorry. i was also serious, you know? i just came off... sarcastic." minho apologizes calmly. "whatever, im going to check again." you mumbled.
you were about to go back down until you heard loud banging by the entrance of the building. you look to your group of friends in a panic. "guys, i think now is the time we run." yongbok gulped
you run down the stairs to check if it were zombies that were banging on the door or just the wind hitting the entrance. you looked out of the window of the 1st floor.
there they were. alive zombies banging on the one thing that had been protecting all of you. you rushed back up to tell your friends what you had seen, but they were already coming to you.
"guys, the zombies... they're banging at the entrance... what do we do?" you trembled. "we'll be okay, right?" jisung questioned as he looked into minho's eyes.
"jisung-" minho is cut off as a loud bang of metal clashes on the floor and footsteps are heard running into the building.
"just... go back up! hide in our room, i'll try to ward them off." you exclaimed, "no, we can't leave you here!" yongbok stuttered. "just go. they're almost up here." you insisted. minho takes one long look at you and takes your friends arms. "im sorry." minho muttered as he brought yongbok and jisung up the stairs and into their room.
you look down the narrow staircase. what you had heard was true. a group of zombies were running up the stairs. your life had flashed right before your eyes, all the happy moments you had with minho and your group. mostly minho.
you ran up the stairs, you occasionally shouted so that the undead knew you were still there. you felt like your heart was about to explode.
and there he was. minho. he had been following you ever since you had reached the floor that the three were on. he had caught up to you and held your hand. "come on, don't be too slow, or else the zombies'll catch up!" minho joked as if you two weren't being chased.
you and minho had eventually reached the top floor. and the group of zombies were still following the both of you up the staircase. you didn't know what to do after you two got up to the roof, but minho knew what he was going to do.
"hey, zombies! come catch us!" he shouted. a few seconds passed as the footsteps came louder. then you see the first few zombies. "(reader), trust me, okay?" minho whispers to you.
the zombies come in a line, all running to the both of you. minho quickly pulls you to the side, and most of the zombies fall off the rooftop. except for one.
one of the zombies was smarter than rest. the zombie ran to you. grabbing your arm and biting it; hard. you screamed in pain, feeling a tingling feeling in your arm. "MINHO, HELP!" you shouted. you kicked the zombie off of you, and it fell down the building with a splat.
"oh god... (reader)..." minho says as his eyes widen. "it hurts... minho..." you groan. "i'm so sorry." minho mutters as he starts to regret the decisions he just made.
the both of you walk back to your groups room. you have a ribbon tied around your arm, it being tight enough that it stings. you and minho finally reach the room that yongbok and jisung are waiting at.
jisung stares at you with knitted eyebrows and downturned lips. "(reader), are you okay?" yongbok asks, looking at the bite on your forearm. "i... i was bit." you stutter.
the two best friends' eyes widen. minho starts to tear up. "...i was too reckless." minho mumbles. minho looks down as he wipes off his tears. "its not your fault. i'll be okay, i promise. don't cry." you turn to comfort him. you hold minho by the shoulders and hug him softly. "thank you," you whisper into his neck.
the four of you walk out of the building as you tighten the ribbon around your arm. you all eventually find an exit after walking the empty streets.
there was one con to this exit, though. there was another group of zombies that were walking around. the only thing you could do to get out of the town was to distract the zombies.
you walk behind a trash bin in a narrow alleyway, you get ready to shout as loud as you can as to distract the zombies and climb up a ladder further into the alley, but a sharp pain in your arm brings you to your knees.
jisung finds you laying on the floor clasping onto your arm for dear life, something giving him a feeling that the ribbon tied around your arm isn't enough to stop you from turning into something you hate with your whole heart.
"minho! (reader) collapsed, come quick!" jisung shouts. "jisung... shut up. the zombies... they'll hear yo-" a pain in your gut cuts you off.
minho and yongbok rush to where they heard jisungs voice, but they weren't the only ones who rushed to the both of you.
"the zombies- they heard you!" minho shouts "just go that way!" minho adds as he points further into the alley.
you all run deeper into the alleyway, it being dark even though it was still daytime. the zombies followed your group, but they came slowly, as if they were teasing you.
you all had finally reached the end of the dark tunnel like alleyway, but it gave you a realization that you had all missed the nearest ladder to where you were nearest to.
you felt like you were going to collapse then and there. the exhaustion of running made you want to give up already.
you look around the alley for anything that could be used to escape and get out of this lifeless town.
and there it was.
you found a steep flight of stairs going up to the building to the side, but someone would have to distract the zombies so they wouldn't notice the others running up.
"guys, you all should go up those stairs," you point to your group, "if you go there, you'll be able to go to the other side of the building and get out of this damned town." you add. "what about you? aren't you included?" yongbok questions
"i'm not included, i wont be coming with you all." you reply. "WHAT? no, you have to come... you have to..." minho demands. "i have to distract the zombies so you all can get out safely-" "i dont care if we don't get get out safely. we can't just leave you here!" minho shouts.
"i'm infected either way, i won't be any help to you guys." you mumble. "but- we cant-" minho cuts himself off. minho sighs deeply and looks to his feet then to the approaching entities.
"okay. i'm sorry. i'm so sorry." minho says as he hugs you tightly. "i love you." minho sobs into your shoulder. you share your last group hug with the most important people in your life
the three quickly climb up the staircase, careful not to make too much noise. minho is the first to be able to get up. he watches as you slowly walk nearer and nearer to the undead.
"i love you too." you whisper to yourself. the zombies fully engulf you until the group can't see you anymore. minho falls to his knees as he holds his hair and cries silently.
"let's just... get out of here. i'm sorry." yongbok says as he pats minho's back. "he's... gone." minho cries out.
the three quickly run out of the abandoned town and eventually find a safety camp after roaming around.
minho never forgot you.
requested
#kpop#kpop angst#skz#skz angst#stray kids#stray kids angst#skz lee know#stray kids lee know#lee know#lee know angst#lee know x male reader#lee know x male reader angst#lino#lino angst#lino x reader#lee minho#lee minho angst
125 notes
·
View notes
Text
HEYYY
okay, too much.
Hello. You can call me Jay. I've noticed the absolute scarcity of male reader posts on Tumblr, so I just wanted to hop in and write some. Please only request sfw, because I'm absolute shit at writing smut. I guess I can do suggestive stuff, but definitely not full on smut.
I write for Stray Kids only atm.
You can request fluff and angst. I'm fine with anything when it comes to angst, so don't hold back.
REQUESTS OPEN
#stray kids#stray kids x male reader#stray kids x male reader angst#stray kids x male reader fluff#bang chan x male reader#bang chan x male reader fluff#bang chan x male reader angst#lee know x male reader angst#lee know x male reader fluff#lee know x male reader#lee minho x male reader angst#lee minho x male reader fluff#lee minho x male reader#hwang hyunjin x male reader angst#hwang hyunjin x male reader fluff#hwang hyunjin x male reader#hyunjin x male reader angst#hyunjin x male reader fluff#hyunjin x male reader#changbin x male reader angst#changbin x male reader fluff#changbin x male reader#minho x male reader angst#minho x male reader fluff#minho x male reader#seo changbin x male reader angst#seo changbin x male reader fluff#seo changbin x male reader#han jisung x male reader angst#han jisung x male reader fluff
5 notes
·
View notes
Note
Okiee,
Hear me out. Need more dad skz series. I loved the Felix one so much 🤗🤗 Maybe Hyun or Minho as single dad series 🥹
🧚♀️ Anon
I don't know why but Minho with a toddler sent our thoughts spiraling and @galaxycatdrawz and I came up with enough for a proper series. I hope you enjoy it dear🤭🖤
Always back to you
Pairing: Minho x m!Reader (mention of OT8)
Word Count: 7716
Summary: Balancing his career and personal life as a single dad of a toddler isn't exactly always easy for Min. Luckily he has you, his assistant and the only person his son lets close enough. Minho couldn't be more grateful for your presence in their life.
Warnings/Tags: fluff, single dad!min, angst
PART TWO
do not repost, translate, or plagiarize my works in any way here or on other platforms. ©️writingforstraykids 2024 -
The summer air is heavy with the scent of blooming jasmine as Minho walks hand in hand with his son Minjun through the bustling streets of their quiet neighborhood. The day is fading into a warm, golden evening, casting long shadows on the sidewalk as they make their way to the local park.
Minho, usually surrounded by stage lights and the constant hum of a lively crowd, cherished these moments of normalcy. His career often pulled him into whirlwinds of tours and interviews, making these quiet, uninterrupted days with Minjun so much more important and special.
As they approach the park, Minjun’s grip tightens with excitement, his little legs speeding towards the familiar rusty swings and the slightly chipped slide he claims as his castle. Minho watches, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, as Minjun throws himself into the simple joy of play. His son's laughter rings clear, blending seamlessly with the distant sounds of other children.
“Daddy, come!” Minjun calls out, tugging at Minho’s jeans, pulling him towards the sandbox.
Minho sits down beside Minjun, rolling up his sleeves and helping him dig and mold the damp sand. They work together, Minho guiding Minjun’s small hands to shape the walls and towers. He listens intently as Minjun explains the details of each tower and the imagined dragons that would guard them.
“Daddy, dragons need names!” Minjun declares, his brow furrowed in the serious concentration of a three-year-old.
“How about Flame and Spark?” Minho suggests, watching as Minjun’s face lights up with approval.
“Yes!” Minjun beams, his hands moving with purpose as he places tiny sticks to represent the fearsome dragons.
As they played, Minho felt the weight of his other world—the stage, the lights, the music—melt away. Here, in the sandbox, none of that existed. There were no cameras, no managers, no fans. Just him and Minjun, building a sand fortress strong enough to withstand any siege, imaginary or otherwise.
After their castle was deemed sufficiently dragon-guarded, Minjun tugs at Minho’s hand, leading him to the ice cream stand nestled at the corner of the park. The line is short, and soon Minjun is proudly holding a cone much too big for him, dripping chocolate down his arm.
“Look, Daddy! It’s melting!” Minjun giggles, licking his arm in an attempt to catch the runaway ice cream.
Minho pulls out some napkins, cleaning up the sticky mess with a practiced hand. He watches Minjun attack the cone with a grin, chocolate smearing over his cheeks and nose.
“Is it good?” Minho asks, giggling, his heart swelling at the sight of such simple happiness.
“So good!” Minjun announces, offering Minho a taste. The ice cream is sweet, and the rich chocolate flavor is a perfect end to their day out.
They find a bench nearby. Minho listens as Minjun rambles on about the adventures of Flame and Spark, his imagination running wild. The park begins to empty as families head home for dinner, the sky painted in strokes of orange and pink. “Dumpling?” Minho asks softly, and his son looks up at him with big, brown eyes. “Daddy needs to work tomorrow again.”
“Daddy, why?” Minjun’s question comes softly, almost lost in the breeze.
Minho’s heart clenches. It is a question he dreads, knowing his answers might never fully satisfy the curiosity of a three-year-old. He pulls Minjun closer, holding him in a gentle embrace. “You know how Daddy dances and sings for many people?” Minho starts, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. Minjun nods, his eyes wide. “Well, sometimes Daddy has to go places so all those people can see him perform. But I always come back. Do you know why?” Minjun shakes his head, his eyes searching Minho’s. “Because you are my most important audience. And I promise, no matter where I go, I will always come back to you,” Minho says, his words heavy with the truth of his emotions.
Minjun seems to try and comprehend this for a moment, then smiles, seemingly satisfied with the answer. “Promise?” he holds up his pinky.
“Promise,” Minho links his pinky with Minjun’s, sealing the vow. “Let's go home?”
“Home,” he nods satisfied.
Minho would've never had a child this young in this industry if he would've known what would happen. He and his wife got married rather young as well, soon deciding they'd like to have a kid. Mainly because she didn't want to be alone so much with him gone for work often. Everything seemed fine until it turned out they'd be having a boy and not a girl. His wife had wished for a girl dearly and seemed disappointed. Maybe he ignored how much because once their little wonder was there, his wife soon distanced herself from both of them. They were already in the process of getting a divorce when Minho had accidentally listened in to a phone call from her saying she'd probably give up their son for adoption.
Minho knew he couldn't let that happen. He couldn't risk his sweet baby ending up in a family that maybe wouldn't treat him well, so he had long talks with his friends, who promised to support him. Chan made sure to back him when they talked to their boss, making sure that Minjun could stay at the company or on tour. They all knew Minho would be able to focus on his work more, knowing he was within reach when his little boy needed him. The only issue at hand was how much Minjun dreaded being separated from Minho, barely trusting his friends to take care of him for a while.
That was until you came along. Somehow, you found a way to the little boy's heart that made him trust you. You were the only one besides Minho who could calm him down and keep him occupied. Initially, you've simply been Minho's assistant, helping him keep track of his schedule and everything. But being with Minho meant being with Minjun.
Through this, you grew rather close with all of them, becoming a vital part of their group. Minho was thankful to have you around, and you two worked well together. You love taking care of the little one and you would've never expected to get so close to them, especially Minho, seeing him during his rawest moments.
-
Minho is up early, as usual, feeling the quiet anticipation that always comes with a new day. Today, he'd take Minjun with him to dance practice.
The morning was a rush of activity. Minho prepared a quick breakfast, all the while keeping one eye on Minjun, who seemed happy about accompanying him to work.
"Are you ready, baby?" Minho asked, slipping on Minjun's small backpack filled with snacks, a change of clothes, and, of course, his favorite bunny plushie. Jisung had bought it for Minjun's second birthday and he hasn't left the house without it ever since.
"Yes, Daddy!" Minjun chirps, practically bouncing on his toes. His enthusiasm is infectious, and Minho can't help but laugh as he scoops up his son and heads out the door.
The drive to the studio is filled with Minjun's questions about everything he saw. Each question is punctuated with wide-eyed wonder, making Minho smile. He explains as much as he can, from the tallest buildings brushing the sky to the bustling morning crowds. Upon arriving at the studio, Minho sets Minjun down, taking his hand as they walk inside. The building was already buzzing with activity, music faintly echoing from the practice rooms.
"Guys, look who I brought!" Minho announces as they enter the main dance studio. The music stops abruptly, and the boys turn around, their faces lighting up at the sight of Minjun.
"Minjunnie!" Chan exclaims, his voice full of warmth. He crouches down to Minjun's level, greeting him with a gentle high-five. "Look how much you've grown already again!"
The other members crowd around, each taking turns to say hello. Felix shows Minjun a quick magic trick, pulling a coin from behind his ear, which delighted Minjun to no end. Hyunjin hands him a small package of his favorite gummy bears, and Innie helps open it.
“Y/nnie should be here soon,” Jisung tells them, glancing up from his phone.
Minjun peeks up at the sound of your name, bouncing excitedly. “Y/nnie?” he asks with wide eyes, turning to Minho.
“Yeah, Y/nnie will play with you,” he laughs at his son’s excitement.
“Gosh, he really loves him,” Seungmin laughs.
“As he should, Y/n is taking such good care of him,” Changbin chuckles, and Minho hums agreeingly.
Minho sets up a small, cozy corner for Minjun with some toys and a soft blanket. "You can play here while Daddy practices, okay? I'll check on you all the time."
Minjun nods, already distracted by the toys, but his eyes keep straying to the center of the room where the dance practice will take place.
You join them soon after, greeting them all with a wave. “Hi, buddy,” you greet Minjun cheerfully and sit down on his blanket next to him.
“Hi,” he smiles at you happily, handing you his fire truck. “Play?”
As the practice kicks off, Minho joins the rest of the group in the center. The music pounds through the speakers, a rhythmic base that fills the room with vibrant energy. Minho was in his element, his body moving with precision and grace, a testimony to years of practice and passion.
Minjun watches, wide-eyed, from his corner. The sight of his dad and the others dancing seemed to fascinate him. His little feet tap along to the beat, and it isn't long before he stands up, mimicking the moves in his own adorable way. He stumbles and lands on his butt, giggling at himself as you help him back up again.
“You're okay, dear?” you chuckle, and he nods.
Seeing this from the corner of his eye, Minho felt a surge of pride. During a brief water break, he walks over to you. "Do you want to try dancing with us for a bit?" he asks.
Minjun's enthusiastic "Yes!" was all the answer Minho needed. He leads Minjun to the center of the room, the members clearing some space for them. Minho shows him a simple move, a gentle sway combined with a clap. Minjun follows eagerly, his small body moving in sync with Minho's.
The room is soon filled with cheers and claps from the other members and you, encouraging Minjun, who beams under the attention. Chan turns down the music and suggests, "Let's do a little dance circle. Minjun can start!"
What followed was Minjun at the center, trying his best to keep up, his movements more enthusiastic than rhythmic. Each member joined in, adding their own moves, making it a fun, chaotic dance party that had Minjun laughing uncontrollably. You laugh watching them, seeing how much fun they have with the little boy.
After the dance circle wound down, Minho takes Minjun back to his corner, both panting slightly from the exertion. "You're amazing," Minho praises him softly.
“Takes after his Daddy as it seems,” you chuckle, and Minho smirks.
“My little dancer,” he smiles fondly, poking his son's cheek. Minjun's proud little smile is worth more than any applause Minho had ever received on stage.
You hand him the juice box Minho packed for him and help him with the straw. “Drink something,” you tell him gently, and Minjun does eagerly. You bite back a laugh at him, kicking his feet happily.
As the practice resumes, Minjun's energy eventually fades. He plays with you quietly with his toys, occasionally glancing up to watch his dad. The day passes in a blur of music, laughter, and dance. By the time practice wrapped up, Minjun was dozing off in his little corner, exhausted by the day's adventures. His head resting on your leg, breathing peacefully amidst the chaos. Minho carefully picks him up, his heart full as he feels Minjun's steady breath against his neck. “Thank you,” he smiles at you as you pack up everything for him and hand him the backpack.
“Of course,” you mirror his smile. “Tomorrow, we'll meet at the studio.”
“Yeah,” Minho nods. “When was it again?”
“At ten,” you tell him. “Do you need me to keep an eye on Minjun?”
“That would be great,” he nods gently.
“Okay, I'll be there,” you assure him, grabbing your jacket.
“Thank you,” he nods quickly.
“Mr. Lee - Minho,” you quickly correct yourself, sometimes still falling back into old habits. “You don't have to thank me all the time. It's fine.”
“Still,” Minho shakes his head. “It's a lot easier thanks to you…Do you need a ride home?”
“I'll be fine, thank you,” you assure him kindly. “You should get the little superstar to bed,” you say fondly, making Minho chuckle. You exchange your goodbyes before you both leave.
"Did you have fun today?" Minho whispers as he carries Minjun to the car.
"Mhm... best day," Minjun mumbles sleepily, his words slurring together.
Minho smiles, his eyes soft as he settles Minjun into the car seat. "Me too, buddy. Me too."
-
Minho's day starts early again, but this time there's a tangible buzz of excitement that courses through him. Today isn't just about dance practice; he's scheduled to record a new track with Chan, and he's bringing Minjun along to the studio once more. As they prepare to leave, Minho checks that he has everything Minjun might need—snacks, toys, and a little book of stories, just in case the session stretches longer than expected.
Minjun, now familiar with their routine, waddles around excitedly, chattering about seeing “uncle Channie” and the "music room."
The drive to the studio is filled with Minjun's usual observations, his voice a constant, cheerful hum in the background. Minho answers each question with patience, his mind simultaneously running through the lyrics and melodies he'll soon be recording.
Upon arrival, the studio feels like a second home. The familiar faces of the staff greet them warmly, and the scent of coffee mingles with the underlying electrical buzz of equipment. Chan is already there, headphones on, nodding along to some beat only he can hear. He lifts his head as Minho and Minjun enter, his face breaking into a wide grin.
"Look who's here! Hey, Minjun, high five!" Chan calls out, and Minjun rushes over, slapping his palm against Chan's outstretched hand. “How's my little Jiho?” he asks fondly and Minho smiles at the nickname Hyunjin had come up with, which stuck.
“Good,” the little boy nods happily.
Minho sets up Minjun's little corner, not far from the recording booth, where you're already waiting, having arrived a few minutes earlier. You have brought a new set of coloring pencils for Minjun, and he dives right into them with delight.
"Ready for a big day, Minjun?" you ask, helping him spread out his coloring sheets.
"Yes! Daddy sings, I draw!" Minjun declares, his focus intense as he selects a green pencil and starts scribbling. You chuckle softly, busying yourself as well by planning Minho's upcoming week.
Minho and Chan discuss the session with the producer, going over the song's structure and the tone they aim to capture.
As they start recording, Minho slips into the booth, the microphone in front of him a familiar friend. Outside the booth, you keep Minjun engaged, but his eyes often drift to his father, watching through the glass as Minho sings.
During playback, Minho steps out to listen, standing beside you and Minjun. He watches for Minjun's reaction, hoping to see a sign of approval. Minjun looks up, his eyes wide, and claps his small hands together.
"Daddy's song!" he exclaims, and Minho laughs, bending down to ruffle his hair.
"That's right, dumpling. Did you like it?" Minho asks.
"Love it, Daddy! You and uncle Channie sing nice!" Minjun responds, and Chan, overhearing, chuckles, giving Minho a pat on the back.
"It's a hit then, we have our toughest critic's approval," Chan jokes, making you all giggle.
The session continues, with Minho going back into the booth several times to refine his parts. Between takes, he checks on Minjun, always making sure he's happy and occupied. You seamlessly take care of Minjun, ensuring he's entertained but also quiet whenever the recording light is on.
As the afternoon goes on, the final parts of the track are recorded. With the professional part of his day winding down, Minho's attention fully returns to Minjun, who by now has created an impressive array of colorful drawings. "What do you say we show these to uncle Channie, huh?" Minho suggests, and Minjun nods enthusiastically, gathering his artwork.
Chan admires each drawing, making a big deal out of Minjun's artistic skills, which makes Minjun beam with pride. "We've got a future artist on our hands, Minho," Chan says, ruffling Minjun's hair.
"Maybe, but no matter what, I just want him to be happy," Minho replies, his voice soft, filled with love.
As the day comes to an end, you help pack up Minjun's things while Minho prepares to leave. He thanks you again, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Really, Y/n, I don't know what I'd do without your help," he admits.
"It's always a pleasure, Minho. Plus, I get to spend the day with this little guy," you say, tickling Minjun gently, pulling a giggle from him.
"Did you have fun today, Minjun?" he asks his son fondly.
"Yes, Daddy! Sing with uncle Channie again?" Minjun asks, his voice sleepy but happy.
"Absolutely, buddy. We'll come back soon," Minho promises, a smile crossing his face as he focuses back on the road.
One month later
Minho sits on the edge of the sofa, his tour outfit half-on, the rest laid out meticulously across the sofa. Minjun, sitting cross-legged with his blanket clutched tightly to his chest, watches his father with large, worried eyes. The tension between wanting to be there for his fans and needing to comfort his son gnaws at Minho, creating a knot of anxiety that settles heavily in his stomach.
“Buddy, you know Daddy has to go sing for all the people who came to see us tonight, right?” Minho’s voice is soft but carries an underlying note of apology. The stage was calling him, but his heart was anchored right there.
Minjun’s lips quiver as he shakes his head vehemently. “No, Daddy! Stay, please. Don’t go!” His voice breaks as he begins to sob, tears streaming down his cheeks. The sight tears through Minho’s heart like a dagger.
Kneeling in front of his son, Minho wipes away the tears with a gentle thumb, his own eyes misting over. “Oh, my little boy, I wish I could stay... But remember how we talked about Daddy’s job? How there are so many people waiting to hear our songs?” He tries to infuse some enthusiasm into his voice, hoping to sway his son’s mood.
But Minjun was unyielding. His small body trembles with sobs, each cry slicing through Minho’s resolve. “I want Daddy... no songs... stay... please…” His words are punctuated by hiccupping sobs, each plea making Minho’s heart sink more firmly to the ground.
“Minjun, I need you to be strong for Daddy now, yeah?” he asks, but his son shakes his head with a weak sound. Minho quickly finishes dressing, he could hear the distant echo of the others warming up. The show was imminent, his cue to leave fast approaching. He merely has an hour left.
“You'll join us for a last talk?” Jeongin asks, and Minho nods, scooping Minjun up and following him outside.
Chan talks them through the process once more, glancing at Minho, who's rocking his crying son in his arms. He can tell Minho is starting to get worried and stressed out by his son's discomfort. Which is bad because they need him tonight. It's the final concert of their tour, and this is important.
Minjun wails pathetically in his arms, and Minho closes his eyes in defeat for a moment, shaking his head. “Sorry, you guys keep talking,” he says, quickly leaving the room, not wanting to disturb them any longer.
Jisung watches them worriedly and glances at Chan. “You think Jiho will be okay before we start?” he asks.
“I doubt it. Min said he's having a rough day,” he shakes his head.
“Shit,” Seungmin breathes out. “We need him tonight, Channie hyung.”
“I know,” Chan nods. “We can't help much, we know how needy his baby boy gets sometimes. We can only make sure we're all ready.”
-
Minho paces through the room, gently rocking his little boy in his arms as he talks soothingly to him. His son seemed to have realized he wouldn't see him for the next two hours, which must've caused the sudden mood swings. Minho is starting to feel stressed, glancing at the clock up at the wall and realizing he'd have to be on stage in ten minutes. He should be preparing himself mentally right now, getting a moment of peace before their intense evening. But he isn't relaxed or calm at all. The sound of his son wailing in his arms is cutting through him like knives, knowing he'd have to leave him here in a bit. He knows his friends loved their little boy, but not when he was fussing around before a show, which is why he left their room a while ago. “Shh, dumpling, please,” he tries, soothingly rubbing his back. “It's okay, yeah?”
Minjun responds with another sob, his little hand clinging to his shirt. Minho's sure his stage outfit will be stained with drool and tears later, and he feels his throat tighten as his exhaustion and frustration take over for a moment. His body will be exhausted before performing after pacing for almost an hour, carrying his son, who's only growing heavier. “Please,” he whines, knowing his own distress isn't exactly calming his baby boy.
The door opens, and Changbin shoots him an apologizing look. “Min, we should leave.”
“I know, I'll be right there,” he tells him, flashing him a stressed, weak smile.
“Two minutes,” he reminds him and leaves again.
“Please stop crying, Minjun, please,” he begs, feeling tears burn in his eyes.
The two minutes are over way too soon, and Chan opens the door this time. “Min, I'm sorry. We should go,” he tells him.
“I know, okay?!” he snaps at him, his emotions getting the better of him. “I didn't choose this, Chan, but I can't just leave him here either! I can't leave him at the hotel for that long, he's too young!”
Chan lifts his hands in an attempt to show him he's not here to pick a fight. “Min, I know, I know it's shit,” he tells him soothingly. “We can start five minutes later, but you need to get ready,” he says gently, stepping closer. “Let me take him for a moment, yeah? You should change your shirt and let someone fix your hair real quick. Come here, Jiho, hm?” Minho reluctantly lets go of him and flinches heavily as the cries of his son grow louder. He looks at Chan with tears in his eyes, who gently rocks the little one in his arms. “It's okay, Minnie, go on,” he tells him kindly. “He'll be okay.”
Minho fights with himself for a moment before leaving the room. His friends look at him compassionately as he passes them, and Felix follows him into their dressing room. He takes over for their stylist, helping Minho change his shirt and gently smoothing out his hair. “Take a deep breath, yeah?” he says gently, and Minho nods, doing as he's told. “Y/n will be here in a few minutes.”
Minho frowns at him. “No, Yongbokie, it's his day off,” he shakes his head.
“He's the only one your son accepts besides you. Chan called him a bit ago,” Felix tells him and soothingly rubs his shoulders.
Chan joins them with an apologizing look and a screaming Minjun. “He started kicking,” he tells him, and Minho closes his eyes in defeat, taking him again.
“I'm sorry,” Minho says, voice quivering as it all gets a little too much to handle. “I'm so sorry. I didn't want this, not like that.”
“We know,” Chan assures him kindly. “But we also know why you decided to pull through with this.”
Minho fights back tears, shakily rubbing his temple with one hand. He's starting to get a headache, and honestly, he just wants to go back home. “But-I know it's all getting too much,” he says shakily. “He's so clingy I can't go anywhere, and he's crying as soon as I'm gone. I know how annoying it is for you all, even if you try to hide it,” he says.
“That's your own worries speaking, hyung,” Felix assures him. “We love him, and yes, days like today are rough, but we know why you do it, and we promised to support you with it.”
“It's okay, I promise,” Chan adds gently.
You rip the door open, a little out of breath from rushing up the stairs. “I'm here, sorry, there was so much traffic!” you apologize and quickly make your way over. “You guys should go,” you urge them and gently ease Minjun out of Minho's arms. “Hiii, baby,” you say softly, smiling as the little one tiredly buries his face in your neck, hiccuping your name between broken little cries. You soothingly sway from side to side, rubbing his back and talking to him calmly. Your own calm demeanor does wonders for the little boy who grows still in your arms, little hand gripping your sweater as his body's shaking. You look up and notice Chan and Felix have left, but Minho's still here, staring at the two of you in wonder. You can spot the tears in his eyes and flash him an encouraging smile. “Go on, I got him.”
“Are you sure?” he asks nervously. “I know it's your day off.”
“I like taking care of him, it doesn't feel like work,” you assure him before glancing down at the sniffling boy in your arms. “We'll have so much fun, yeah? Your daddy has to work now, but I'm here,” you tell him and gently pat his back. “You want your plushie?” you ask and earn a weak little nod. “Go,” you whisper toward Minho, who gives himself a push. “Oh, look, here it is,” you say, handing Minjun his favorite plushie.
The boy pulls the fluffy bunny to his chest and cuddles into you. As the stage door clicks shut behind Minho, leaving the bustling sounds of the backstage crew prepping for the night's performance, the room he exits from fades to a quieter atmosphere.
The walk to the stage is the longest walk of his life. Each step echoes with Minjun’s sobs, and each beat of his heart synchronizes with the distant thumps of the bass drum from the stage. Behind the curtains, the crowd's roar is deafening, a stark contrast to the quiet, tearful goodbye he had just endured. Minho takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and trying to gather his thoughts. Jisung gently takes his hand, Chan squeezes his shoulder, and Felix straightens his jacket. Minho's eyes flutter back open as the music starts, and he tries to push everything else away. He needs to focus.
You hold Minjun closer, feeling his little heart beating against your own. His sobs begin to subside, his breath evening out as he clutches his bunny tightly. The stuffed toy seems to offer him the comfort he seeks, his tiny fingers threading through its soft fur.
You rock gently, humming a tune that you've noticed often calms him down. The melody is simple yet soothing, and as you continue, Minjun's grip relaxes. His eyes, puffy and red from crying, start to close. It’s moments like these, where the world slows down, that remind you why you cherish your role so much—not just as a caregiver but as a steady presence in this little one's life. You would've never thought you'd enjoy looking after a kid this much.
Around you, the room is scattered with signs of Minho and his friends' hurried exit. Costumes hang on racks, makeup kits are left open, and a few sheets of music flutter slightly from a nearby air vent. It's a world of glamour and chaos mixed with those quiet moments you share with Minjun.
Minho’s life, a blend of public performances and private moments like these, paints a vivid picture of the sacrifices and joys of his career. As you adjust Minjun in your arms, preparing to sit down with him until he falls asleep, you think about the pressure Minho faces. It's not just about being a performer but also being a father and a friend—balancing each role under the watchful eyes of the public and his friends.
Outside, you hear the faint sound of the crowd, a rumbling wave of excitement for the show about to start. It's a sound you've grown accustomed to, down to the lights, music, and energy that Minho will soon be enveloped in. Yet here, in the quiet room with Minjun finally drifting to sleep, the noise seems worlds away.
Your thoughts drift to Minho and the stress practically dripping off his body. You understand his dilemma. Being a parent is challenging enough without the added pressures of a demanding career. Minho's struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy for Minjun while meeting the expectations of his career is a tightrope walk that few can comprehend fully.
As Minjun's breaths deepen, indicating he's fallen asleep, you carefully adjust him on your chest. You ensure his favorite bunny is tucked beside him and gently pull a small blanket over his little body to keep him warm.
This tranquility is what you hope to provide for Minho as well—a sense of peace amidst the storm of his responsibilities. As the caregiver, your role extends beyond just watching over Minjun. It's about offering both father and son the assurance that they are not alone in this journey, and you can tell Minho needs it more with every passing day.
With Minjun settled, you step out of the room to catch a glimpse of the show on a monitor in the hallway. Minho is on stage now, his presence magnetic, pulling the audience into his performance. The contrast between the father you saw earlier and the performer now captivating the crowd is stark. Yet, it's this duality that defines him.
As you watch, you feel a sense of pride in Minho’s resilience and determination. It reinforces your commitment to support him in any way you can. When the show ends, you know he'll return, exhausted but fulfilled, eager to hear that Minjun was fine, that in his absence, everything was okay.
This is your world as much as it is theirs—a world of late nights and lullabies, of cheers and tears. It's a delicate balance. As the crowd’s applause echoes down the hallway, blending with the soft sounds of Minjun's peaceful sleep, you smile to yourself, ready for when Minho returns, ready to reassure him that everything is indeed fine.
Minho is the first one to return, a relieved smile covering his lips as he sees his son peacefully asleep on your chest. “You're an angel,” he breathes out, collapsing on the sofa next to you and gently fondling his son’s hair. “He didn't stop crying for an hour, I was about not to perform tonight.”
“All he needed was some peace and his favorite plushie,” you chuckle softly. “Also, he was very tired from all the crying, so that probably did the trick.”
Minho laughs weakly and shakes his head. “You handle him so much better than I do.”
“It's basically my job now,” you tell him. “Also, you were stressed and freaking out. He can sense that and it probably didn't help him calm down,” you say softly. “Not that it's your fault, everyone would have been.”
Minho hums gently and studies your face for a moment. He doesn't know if he'll ever be able to express how much it means to him to be able to trust someone with his little boy. “You know what he calls his favorite plushie?”
“He didn't tell me yet,” you shake your head, frowning at him curiously.
“He calls him Y/nnie,” he says with a tired smile, watching your expression change to one of surprise and joy. “You mean a lot to him, so I'm glad you don't mind taking care of him.”
“Oh,” you nod in surprise. “That's sweet.”
“I thought you'd like to know that,” Minho hums before pushing himself up. “I should go and take a shower. I'll come get him after.”
“No rush,” you assure him kindly.
The others are quiet whenever they have to get something in the room and leave quickly. Chan quietly thanks you for getting here on such short notice and saving the day, which you wave off with a gentle smile.
Minho shuffles back inside a little later, wearing a comfy sweater and matching sweatpants. His fluffy hair falls freely around his face. He grabs his bag from a chair and fumbles for his phone to call one of their drivers.
“I can take you back, I'm driving there anyway,” you tell him, and he drops his phone back into the bag with a thankful smile. “You got everything?” you ask, and Minho nods, grabbing his glasses from the table. He puts them on, running his hand through his hair tiredly, and makes his way back over to you.
Minho reaches for Minjun, craving to hold his little boy again, and gently lifts him up. Minjun stirs in his sleep, and Minho quickly nestles him against his chest, soothingly fondling his hair.
“Daddy,” he mumbles drowsily, little hand curling up against his neck.
“I'm here, baby,” he says softly and kisses his head. “Go back to sleep.”
The sight of Minho like this, looking so soft and vulnerable with his sweet boy resting against his chest stirs something in you you can't really explain. A sudden urge to take care of both of them overwhelms you, and your eyes trace Minho's features. You know he's pretty, he's a visual for a reason and still, you're stunned by how beautiful he gets in moments like these.
The door opens, and Minho turns a little, meeting Chan's caring expression with a tired smile. “Everything alright?” he checks in, making sure Minho is okay after this rough night.
“Yeah,” Minho assures him gently. “We're okay.”
“You did well today, Min,” Chan tells him warmly and gently squeezes his shoulder.
“Thanks, hyung,” he says genuinely.
“Thank you again, Y/n, I wouldn't have called if there had been another way,” Chan apologizes again.
“I know,” you assure him. “I didn't mind, if you need me, I'm here,” you tell them and get up.
“You should get some rest. Do you need a driver?” Chan asks, and Minho gently shakes his head.
“Y/nnie said he'd take us,” he tells him, and Chan hums agreeingly.
“Alright then,” Chan nods before grabbing his own things and waving goodbye.
Minho exhales softly and shifts on his feet, feeling the intensity of the concert creeping up on him. His legs hurt, and his arms are tired, but he doesn't want to let go of him yet. If someone asked him to go to sleep right here he could without a second thought. He carefully tilts his head and his neck cracks at the movement. For a second, pain tints his features, and you frown at him.
“You're okay?” you ask gently, already grabbing your stuff and his bag.
“Mhm,” he hums, gently swaying from side to side to keep Minjun asleep. “Just exhausted…and everything hurts.”
“You definitely need some rest,” you respond gently, adjusting his bag on your shoulder. “Let’s get you both home.”
Minho nods gratefully, his gaze lingering on Minjun’s peaceful face as they follow you out of the room. The walk to the car is quiet, with only the occasional whisper of wind and the distant sound of the city at night. Once Minho settles Minjun into the car seat, he collapses into the passenger seat with a sigh of relief.
The drive is smooth and uneventful. You keep the radio off, allowing the silence to settle comfortably around you, broken only by Minjun's gentle breathing in the backseat. Minho’s head leans against the window, eyes closed, but you can tell he isn’t really asleep; he is just resting, processing the day.
“Y/nnie,” Minho finally speaks, his voice quiet in the dark car. “I really can’t thank you enough. Not just for tonight, but for everything. You’ve become… a lot more than just an assistant to us.”
Your heart warms at his words, and you glance at him briefly before focusing back on the road. “I’m glad to be here, Minho. You and Minjun mean a lot to me, too.”
A small smile tugs at Minho’s lips. “I'm lucky to have you,” he murmurs, his voice laced with fatigue. You can't help the warmth spreading through you at his words. If there's one thing you've learned in the years of working for him, then it's that he’s completely honest when he's tired.
As you reach the hotel, you help him gather everything and support him as he carefully lifts Minjun, who mumbles sleepily but doesn’t wake. Minho leans against the wall of the elevator, eyes closed as he fights falling asleep on the spot. He readjusts his grip around Minjun, burying his nose in his hair, and breathes calmly.
You search for Minho's keycard for the room and gently guide him down the hallway, opening the door for him. You stop there, and Minho turns around inside, flashing you a tired smile. “Come in for a moment?” he asks gently.
“It's fine, really,” you assure him.
“Let me at least make you some tea, please?” he asks, and you can tell he's trying to give you something back for today. You can't deny him that.
“Okay,” you nod and step inside, pulling the door closed. You follow Minho inside, and he tells you to drop his bag somewhere next to the bed.
Minho carefully puts Minjun down, tucking him in. He smooths his hair back and plants a gentle kiss on his forehead. “Goodnight, baby,” he whispers.
Minho quickly makes you both some tea and hands you a cup. “You should get some sleep too,” you suggest as you walk towards the small living room area, where Minho has slumped onto the couch.
“Just a few minutes,” Minho says, his eyes already closing. “I’m too tired to move.”
You sit down next to him and gently ease the cup from his hands, not wanting him to burn himself by accident. “Min,” you say gently as he tilts to the side, body growing heavy against you. “You should really get some sleep.”
“Thanks for tonight, Y/nnie,” Minho whispers as you give up the fight and let him rest his head on your shoulder.
“It’s no problem, really,” you reassure him. You pause, considering your next words. “Minho, you’re doing an amazing job with him. I hope you know that.”
Minho smiles weakly. “I’m trying. It’s hard to know if I’m doing enough, you know?”
“You are. More than enough,” you tell him kindly.
“I feel like I owe you an explanation... or maybe it’s more of an apology for tonight,” Minho mumbles sleepily.
“There's no need, I promise,” you tell him, but Minho shakes his head.
“I hate that my work pulls me away from Minjun,” he starts, his voice tinged with frustration. “And nights like tonight make it all feel ten times heavier. I worry about the effect it’s having on him.”
“You’re doing the best you can,” you reassure him. “And it’s clear to everyone, especially Minjun, how much you love him. He knows, Minho, how much you care.”
Minho nods, taking a deep breath. “Thanks, Y/nnie. I... sometimes I just need to hear that. It gets a bit overwhelming trying to balance everything. And tonight, seeing him so upset, I felt like I was failing him.”
“You’re not failing him,” you say firmly. “Every single time he looks at you, he does so with so much love. That’s not failure.”
Minho pulls back his head and looks at you drowsily, a sincere smile breaking through his exhaustion. “I’m really glad you’re here. Not just for Minjun, but for me too.”
“I told you the first day we met I'm here to make your life easier,” you tell him gently. “It doesn't matter if that's by planning your week or taking care of the little one.”
“He really loves you, I hope you know that,” he tells you and swallows at the joy in your eyes. “I… never mind,” he shakes his head and rubs his face tiredly, taking off his glasses. “I should get some sleep before I keep on rambling and keep you up.”
“You should,” you giggle. “I'll let myself out.”
“Goodnight, Y/nnie,” he says softly.
“Goodnight, Minho,” you say and decide it's your time to leave.
Minho drags himself to bed, crawling under the covers and joining his baby. He smiles as Minjun wakes up and crawls on his chest, getting comfortable there.
“Missed you, daddy,” he says softly.
“Missed you too, dumpling,” he says fondly and kisses his head. “Let's sleep now, yeah?” he asks, already drifting off to sleep.
“Y/nnie?” he asks.
“Y/nnie's in his room,” Minho answers and squints at him as his son shuffles off him and searches the bed. “Minjunnie,” he groans softly and turns onto his side.
His son makes a succeeding noise and shoves his little bunny into Minho's face. “Y/nnie!”
“Oh, I should've known that,” he laughs at himself before pulling him into a hug. “Come here now, yeah? Daddy's tired, baby.”
“Story?” he asks and Minho closes his eyes in defeat at the soft, tiny voice of his son.
“There once was a little boy. He was really tired, and his daddy was also very tired. They went to bed. The little boy fell asleep. The end,” he says and Minjun makes a protesting little noise.
“Stupid, daddy,” he laughs.
“Yeah, stupid,” he giggles and plants a few kisses all over his son's adorable little face.
“Story, please?” he giggles, scrunching his little nose at his father's sudden love attack.
Minho smiles, his exhaustion seeping away slightly in the joy of the moment. "Alright, my love, one story, but then it's really time to sleep," he says, adjusting himself so Minjun is comfortably nestled against his side, their heads sharing a pillow.
"Okay, daddy," Minjun agrees eagerly, his eyes wide with the anticipation of a bedtime story.
"Once upon a time," Minho begins, his voice soft and melodious, perfect for a bedtime tale, "in a faraway land, there was a brave little knight named Minjun."
"Like me!" Minjun interrupts with a giggle, his small fingers playing with Minho's hand.
"Yes, just like you," Minho confirms with a grin. "Minjun was the bravest knight in all the lands, and he had a magical friend, a dragon named Sparky."
"Dragon!" Minjun exclaims, delighted. "Does he breathe fire?"
"He does," Minho nods, "but Sparky only breathes fire when he needs to protect the kingdom. Most of the time, he's very gentle and loves to play."
Minjun listens intently, his imagination painting the scenes as his father describes them. "One day," Minho continues, "the kingdom faced great danger. A mysterious fog covered the land, making everyone feel very sleepy and lazy."
“What's fog, daddy?” he asks, his voice sounding a little sleepy by now.
“You know when it's cold, or it rains, and the air is all gray and heavy?” he asks, and Minjun nods.
“Fog is stupid,” he declares, making Minho bite back a laugh.
"So no one wanted to play or work," Minho adds, noticing Minjun's concerned frown. "Minjun and Sparky had to find the cause of the fog and save the kingdom."
"How did they do it?" Minjun asks, his voice filled with worry for the characters.
"Well," Minho says, drawing out the suspense, "they went on a grand adventure. They traveled through the Enchanted Forest, across the Silver Mountains, and finally to Crystal Lake, where the fog was thickest. They found out that the fog came from a sleeping spell by a lonely wizard who just wanted some friends," Minho explains. "Minjun offered to be the wizard's friend if he would lift the spell."
"Did he do it?" Minjun's eyes are hopeful, his small body tense with excitement.
"Yes, he did," Minho smiles. "The wizard was so happy to have a friend that he not only lifted the spell but also promised to use his magic for good. Together, they returned to the kingdom, heroes who had saved the day."
Minjun yawns, snuggling closer to his father, his eyelids heavy. "I like Minjun. He's nice," he mumbles sleepily.
"He is," Minho agrees, his voice a whisper now. "Just like you, my brave little boy."
As Minjun's breaths even out into the steady rhythm of sleep, Minho continues to hold him close. The story's end morphs into a quiet night. He lies there in the darkness, feeling the weight of his son's trust and love, anchoring him more firmly than anything else could.
In the silence of the room, with Minjun's soft snores as the only sound, Minho reflects on the day. The responsibilities of his career, the bright lights of the stage, and the cheers of the crowd—all of it fades into the background when contrasted with the peaceful, sleeping form of his son. Here, in the dim glow of the nightlight, Minho finds his truest joy.
He whispers a promise into the darkness, a vow to always return to this, to Minjun, no matter where his life takes him. "Always back to you," he murmurs, gently kissing Minjun's forehead. With that promise cradling his heart, Minho allows himself to drift off to sleep.
PART TWO
MASTERLISTS | PROMPT LIST | GUIDELINES
Taglist (Please let me know if you want to be added to or removed from the taglist):
@atinyniki @zehina @silverstarburst @aaa-sia @lilmisssona @kthstrawberryshortcake @channieaddict @soullostinspaceandtime @rebecca-johnson-28 @lixie-phoria @kibs-and-bits @xxstrayland @ihrtlix @pheonixfire777 @mellhwang @palindrome969 @michelle4eve @harshaaaaa @rylea08 @heeyboooo @manuosorioh @gisaerlleri @andassortedkpop @lailac13 @bbokari711 @kazuuuaaa @rssamj @wolfyychan @stellasays45 @chrizzztopherbang @ionlyeverwantedtobeyourequal @silentreadersthings @myforevermelody143 @kevcanwait @queer-possum
#stray kids#skz#minho#lee know#minho x reader#minho x male reader#minho fluff#minho angst#minho fic#lee know x reader#lee know x male reader#lee know fluff#lee know fic#lee know angst#stray kids fic#stray kids x reader#stray kids scenarios#stray kids fluff#stray kids angst#skz fic#skz fluff#skz angst#skz x reader#skz x male reader#dad!minho#dad!lee know
598 notes
·
View notes
Note
I urgently need you to write about what if SKZ are upset/crying
you write so well that I cry every time from your works, they break my heart :( You're born for angst ❤️🔥🫶🏻
SKZ feeling upset/crying
angst, fluff, consolation, tears
𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧
Chan cries often, but he does it alone.
Because...he shouldn't cry. That's what he thought.
Chan helps everyone, he gives advice to everyone... but he is not able to help himself.
He looks like a drowning man, but he is drowning in his problems, he is drowning in self-hatred.
Oh...he thinks that he is absolutely ugly, that he is always behind and that he is always bad.
Tears of desperate pain choke him as he covers his mouth with his hand and hugs his knees to his chest as he sits on his bed in his room.
He knew he wasn't worthy of the fans' love or your love. What did he do to deserve you?
He slowly and surely destroyed himself from the inside.
It will be late Friday evening, Chan has had a terrible day today. He made a few mistakes, he's very absent-minded
He came home and immediately burst into tears. He collapsed exhaustedly on the bed, his body trembling with shame and tears.
He lay down in a ball and covered himself with a blanket, he wants to hide from the whole world.
You arrived a little later than Chan. you tensed up because the apartment was quiet and dark.
You went through all the rooms, but didn’t find Chan there, although his shoes and bag were in the hallway.
Your heart sank when you saw him in the bedroom, you felt his pain on you.
You entered the room and sat down on Chan’s bed, Chan was lying on his side, covered with a blanket up to his head, he was breathing heavily and sobbing. You saw several drunk bottles of whiskey on the table, it seems things are bad. You stroked Chan’s head and back as he lay under the blanket. You rubbed his back again and again. Your heart ached with every tear he shed, it hurt too much. Chan feels your gentle touch and sobs loudly. Tears dampen the pillow, his body tenses for a moment, but then he slowly turns to you and looks at you with wet brown eyes, full of pain and regret. “Y/n...you shouldn't have seen this... I'm sorry...” his voice trembles, he tries his best to stop himself from screaming, “I don't want anything to happen in our relationship because of me- that’s bad... please forgive me" ..."Channie..please tell me everything that bothers you...I will help you" Tears flowed from his eyes, he sobbed loudly and squinted. Y/n ran thumb over his cheek, wiping away large tears, they looked like pearls. Chan felt disgusted with himself, he was disgusted by his appearance and existence. The sobs slowly subside under your touch, and Bang Chan looks at you with sad eyes, they beg for help, shining under the light. * “I can’t stand it anymore... I want to stop... please help me...” Chan's voice cracks. as he speaks quietly, not daring to look away. Y/n smiles at him tenderly, but doesn’t promise anything yet.
"I know how hard it is for you and how hard you try...you are such a wonderful person, Channie...my beloved wonderful man. Why don't you take a rest?" You spoke quietly, stroking Chan’s hair. Chan wanted to protest because there was too much work, but he felt like he was breaking down inside. Chan sighed and laid his head on Y/n’s chest, he didn’t want to say anything, they understood each other without words. They are connected at the soulmate level. He didn't want to think about work right now. They lay there for a while, and Y/n gently stroked her lover's hair. Chan felt warmth spread throughout his body as you whispered soft words of comfort, “Go to sleep, my love... We’ll figure it out tomorrow.” Eventually, Chan's sobs subsided and he fell asleep in your arms. Your love will heal him, it will give him redemption. You are his sin, but at the same time his protector, you are his eternal love. Thank you.
𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰
He is always strict with himself, he strives for an ideal that does not exist.
He literally wants to be the best everywhere and in everything.
He may be on strict diets, exhaust himself with dancing, or spend a lot of time in the gym. This all indicates that he feels bad in his soul.
He won't ask for help, he's not a weakling.
It will be evening, late evening in the dance studio, he is sitting on the floor and breathing heavily.
He worked out so much again for so long. His bones ached, his heart beat wildly, just a little more and he would collapse, but he wouldn’t stop.
Why do so many people underestimate him? Minho wants to be the best.
You will go into the studio and sit quietly next to him, resting your head on his shoulder. He won't notice you at first.
His mood will improve slightly when he sees you and rests his head on yours.
Y/n took his hand, squeezing it a little. You felt how tired Minho was, you felt that he was being destroyed from the inside, he needed help. Minho intertwined his fingers with yours and his breathing calmed down a little “Y/n, it’s late, go home” He said, straightening his wet hair from sweat. "I was expecting you, you've been training all day." "You know the comeback is coming soon and I can't—"
You stop him and stroke his face, he looks like an upset cat. You straighten the strands of hair that fell on his forehead, “I know, but if you go on stage like this, STAY won’t be happy...take care of yourself first.”
He wants to argue with you, he doesn’t want to seem weak. He would never be weak, “Y/n, it’s really okay,” but when he tried to stand up, his legs gave way and the pain in his hip intensified. You jumped up after him so he could lean on you. "Don’t be a hero, Min, we’ll BOTH go home now,” he wants to object again, but the pain in his thigh intensifies and he makes a face, allowing him to be led to the sofa. You ran for the first aid kit, giving him painkillers.
"I will remind you of this, Y/n" he grins through the pain, but allows himself to lean on you and lead him to the manager's car. He is grateful to you, maybe he will start to feel better about himself. In the car, he takes you to his side and kisses you on the the top of the head.
𝐒𝐞𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐢𝐧
Changbin is rarely sad, he is always positive
Perhaps...he will be sad because some STAY don't like his appearance.
He will be quiet and taciturn, always looking at the phone screen.
One evening he comes up to you while you are preparing dinner and asks “Y/n...am I really that scary?”
You frown and don’t understand why he says that.
"Binnie, is something bothering you? You're handsome, baby."
He frowns and hands you the phone. He read the bad comments again.
You go up to him and pat him on the head, his head was at the level of your chest when he sat.
"Honey, antistay no one and you should ignore their words."
Before continuing, you handed Changbin his phone number, but with a post where there was a post where Changbin was considered the best. He is the best.
He will smile and lean towards you for a kiss.
He will shine all evening, he will be like the sun.
𝐇𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐢𝐧
"Leave me the fuck alone for once"
Hyunjin will be furious, he was extremely annoyed by everything and everyone
As soon as he says this phrase, then you really should leave him alone.
He will pour out his sadness and melancholy in his paintings, he will completely throw all his emotions onto the canvas.
But
He will come to you later, but he will still be upset.
He will constantly talk about how terrible he is, how unworthy he is of your love, and may even question your relationship itself.
But he wasn't really asking you questions, he was just insecure and needed you to repeatedly tell him it was all bullshit.
You will run through his hair, stroking his cheeks and wiping away the tears from them.
Oh...it seems prince is a whiny boy.
Although fans believed that Hyunjin was perfect in everything, Hyunjin himself did not think so. He was absolutely afraid, he is afraid of everything.
He will wrap his long arms around your body while his head is on your chest, he quietly sobs and mutters something like: “please... don’t leave... don’t be disappointed in me.”
Give him love and care. Gentle kisses and long hugs will suit him.
He will cry for a long time, but because of his love for you.
Hyunjin is the sweetest person you've ever met. On the outside he is cold and inaccessible, but in reality he is vulnerable and soft.
Will fall asleep on you while you play with his hair.
"Sleep sweetly, my angel"
𝐇𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠
Jisung wasn't as extroverted as everyone says
He is actually sad a lot, there are too many doubts in his head.
He may get upset over little things.
At one point it all resulted in tears.
You found him in tears in the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror and crying. He cried so hard and a lot.
His soul seems to be rotting from the inside.
“There is no loneliness worse than loneliness in society. Everyone laughs, but you want to cry.” This describes his life
You will hug him tightly while his limp arms cling to you.
He cries quietly in your arms, but does not explain the reasons. But you don’t ask him to tell you.
Even the funniest person can be broken at heart.
Jisung has lost his way out of his darkness.
He had not seen a way out for a long time. He was lost in the dark forest of his own thoughts.
need to live, not exist.
Will you be his light in this pain?
Then, Jisung will say for the first time that he appreciates you. Cherish these words until the last moment.
𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐱
He tries not to be upset, because the sun is never sad.
Felix hides his upset under a smile.
But... he won't deceive you.
He is too open and soft with you
He will cuddle up to you and tell you everything, he will be open with you and tell you about all his experiences.
"You came and everything became better"
He feels good and calm with you. You are his sedative.
He is like a kitten that needs all the love and affection.
He will sob and talk about all the problems.
You gently stroke his back, sometimes stroke his head. Throughout his story, you give him tactility and kisses.
The sadness will soon go away and you will go bake brownies or some other sweet together.
After crying, his face is little reddish, his eyelashes are pinched and his lips are swollen...he is a crying angel.
You will fulfill his every wish in order to prevent his tears! You have to tell him a lot of exciting stories to make him smile.
He must love flowers. Give him a bouquet)
If one kiss was not enough, then ten, if ten were not enough, then a hundred and even more.
The sun is shining again, and your sun happily moves around the kitchen and cooks with you.
𝐊𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐦𝐢𝐧
You didn’t know the last time you saw Seungmin sad, he didn’t care about anything at all.
He is sad alone, but he often remembers you. Thinking about you gives him peace.
He listens to any music and looks at your photos. He thinks a lot
You never touch him when he's sad. You just give him your soft toy and a glass of water.
It will take him a few hours, but he will be completely back to normal.
Seungmin never shares his experiences, but you know everything that happens on a subconscious level.
Perhaps he likes to go for a walk when bad thoughts come over him.
Only then will he call you and ask you to come.
You will walk in silence, only his cold hand gave him away.
Surrounded by your scent and beautiful views, he felt better.
When you get home, help him change and lay your head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
He will feel better.
𝐘𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧
He hides his emotions.
No one needs to know how he feel.
Jeongin didn’t like unnecessary attention and didn’t talk much about his feelings.
But you know Jeongin from bones to toe.
He seems angry, but he is only upset in his heart.
Jeongin will be clingier than usual and won't talk much.
You ask what happened, and he will exhale heavily and try to tell you.
Jeongin's story will be a little incoherent, but he put his soul into his experiences.
You will help him solve his problems, because nuna/hyung always loves him!
He will feel better with your presence, as if you transferred your positive energy to him!
You will go for a walk, and then go shopping, because Jongin feels better when he buys new beautiful clothes.
#stray kids#stray kids x reader#skz headcanons#stray kids imagines#skz female oc#skz reactions#stray kids reactions#stray kids headcanons#bang chan x reader#lee know x reader#seo changbin x reader#hwang hyunjin x reader#han jisung x reader#lee felix x reader#kim seungmin x reader#yang jeongin x reader#stray kids angst#skz angst#angst#skz au#skz scenarios#skz fluff#stray kids fluff#skz#skz imagines#kpop#kpop male idol#kpop male oc
534 notes
·
View notes
Text
BELOVED | OS
lee minho x m!reader
angst + breaking up & getting back together + fluff + crying + drunk minho + idol! au
a/n: loved writing this. i love writing for minho. also— s/n = stage name. n/n = nickname. i/n = idol name
the headline reads this— “stray kids rapper s/n seen talking to i/n a lot more recently. ever since their collaboration with their hit song ‘sing to me’ fans have seen them interact every show or-“
minho stops reading. he doesn’t want to read more. his mind is already working, y/n indeed has been interacting with i/n after their collab. he hasn’t seen anything more than their occasional hello’s or respectful bows, but what are these comments saying?
‘s/n definitely fell in love, like who wouldn’t? i/n is BEAUTIFUL!’
‘s/n once again proving he can pull’
‘the behind the scenes of sing to me was so wholesome!’
‘stop they get so gushy around each other! have you seen how she nervously rubs s/n’s arm when they interact?’
minho’s heart is heavy. genuinely, it seems like you’re taking a liking of i/n.
“y/n and i/n?” chan questions when the younger comes to him about his grievance. he literally didn’t know who else to go to. “minho aren’t you doubting y/n’s love for you?
minho scrunches his nose a bit, “i’m not. i’m just saying everyone is seeing things that i’m not sure about.”
chan drops the beat he’s making and spins around to face minho. he sighs discreetly, “have you talked to y/n about this?”
“yes.” he lies.
chan raises a brow, clearly not believing him. minho doesn’t like that, so he stands up and leaves. chan doesn’t bother with him, if minho doesn’t want to talk he won’t. he simply shakes his head and hopes for the best.
the best turns out to be the worst. two days later images and texts start circulating. it’s hard to decipher whether it’s true or not. to minho, the texts sound exactly like y/n. he hears you talk about your management trying to fix this but you’re too calm about it. it eats away at him. even when you pepper him with “reassuring” kisses, even when you call him to tell him about the latest updates. he doesn’t believe that there really isn’t anything between you and i/n. he finds himself looking at those (edited) pictures and he ends up believing that you two look good together.
better than what he and you would ever be.
after months of being at your place, which had become his as well, he moves his things bit by bit. you don’t notice at first, too drained from all the meetings and gatherings management has made you go through. your too tired to love him correctly. too tired to stay awake during a conversation. he feels abandoned.
when the final statement gets out the public, it says this— “we have come to announce that as much as we appreciate the support fans have given s/n, we ask fans to respect the idol’s wishes. he has no dating contract, but chooses to keep to himself and focus on his music career. s/n is willing to let fans know if he ever does have something to announce. until then, all images or content published to harm the idol’s reputation and career will be taken down and seeing foreseeable action….” minho stops reading.
he’s standing in the kitchen. there’s so many things going through his head. it’s been like that these last couple of weeks. why haven’t you talked to him about it? sure, he doesn’t mention it, but why haven’t you said anything to him?
could it be… true?
“hey, baby,” you chirp happily as you walk through the door.
maybe he’s overreacting. he should apologize and move all his things back.
“where were you at?” he asks as he receives the hug from you.
you always smell so good. he loves being engulfed by your cologne as much as by your big, warm hugs- he shoves you off.
“why do you smell like that?” he stares at you.
“huh? like what?” you question, taken aback by his change in mood. you sniff yourself, unsure of what he’s talking about? “do i smell different?”
“you smell like you have expensive perfume on. not cologne. you only wear cologne.”
you blink, perplexed. “uh, well maybe i/n’s perfume clung onto me? i mean we did hug goodbye before leaving the gathering-“
“gathering? what? why were you two at a gathering?”
“our managers just wanted a clear run down-“
“of what? your love lives? because clearly you two have something going on, right!?”
you look around, unsure of what the hell is happening. “what? no! minho what-“
“so you have been meeting up with her! ugh i’m so stupid! i should have known!” he pulls at his hair, frantic, “your the worst! i really hoped it wasn’t true! a-and you come home fucking smelling like her!?”
“minho-“ you try to reach for him but he steps aside and grabs his things— his phone, his wallet and his keys. yet, he throws his keys at you.
“i’m leaving. you and me are done, y/n. i’m clearly not what you want anyway. she’s pretty, famous, everyone sees it! i was just hoping you didn’t.”
his eyes are glassy. he’s going to cry the second he steps outside your apartment. yet, you can’t do anything. he’s not letting you.
he leaves you alone in your apartment, defeated.
abandoned.
“minho? what’s wrong-“ chan doesn’t finish when minho hugs him and bawls his eyes out.
it’s been years since minho had actually cried like this. he can’t believe what he’s hearing either. y/n? cheating? impossible, just yesterday you were telling me about your anniversary plan.
he stays silent though, soothing minho until the younger finishes crying. he won’t pry. he’ll just hope everything gets better….
“she’s a lot better than me, right hyung?” minho’s soft voice asks.
“hm?”
“is that why? because she’s better?” and he cries again, “i hope so…. he always did deserve better.”
“oh minho….” and he’s back to soothing him.
——
days pass. minho doesn’t answer your calls. he doesn’t even read your texts (he does, he just removed the send read receipts). he doesn’t come out to see you when you come to the dorms and try to talk to him.
at some point, he hears seungmin say “poor y/n.”
poor? why? clearly your living your best life, with i/n. he’s not in the way for your true love. he’s not a bother anymore. he’s not yours anymore.
“ugh,” he sniffles, wiping his nose. why does he keep crying over you?
well, he does know. he loves you. and reading the new articles of you and i/n making a new track for your upcoming album makes him feel even worse. what does she have that he doesn’t? are you happier with her than what you’ve ever been with him?
the spiraling.
he doesn’t want to deal with it anymore. yet, why does he believe your messages? he’s unsure, uncertainty drives him to drink it away.
jisung’s still at the studio. no one is witness to him leaving and taking a cab to your place. he doesn’t know why he’s going. there aren’t tears pouring down his eyes no more. it’s just a constant yearning for you even in his hazy state. he was in the wrong, wasn’t he?
for what? for seeking you out?
for breaking up with you?
for not telling you how he felt regarding everything?
“minho?”
oh. your voice. it’s just as good as he remembers it.
“baby, why are you crying?” you take his hand, “hey, minho? have you been drinking?”
he shakes his head, you place your other hand on his cheek and eye him. he is drunk, because he leans in for kiss. you accept it.
“come on, let’s get you inside.”
“no! what if she sees me-“
“no one but you and the guys are allowed in here.” you say strictly, knowing he’s drunk. “come in,” you bring him inside, careful because he’s stumbling over his own steps.
you tuck him into the couch. you and minho would always keep blankets in the living room in case you two spontaneously had movie or tv nights. so you take a blanket and put it over him after laying him down, he quickly huddles into the couch, curling in on himself. you know exactly what to do in this situation. you make him something warm, something he also did for you when you would come home drunk after a night with friends.
“n/n,” he calls out to you while you’re lost in your own thoughts in the kitchen.
“yes?” you walk over to him, peering over from behind the couch and looking at him.
he doesn’t notice, but he knows you’re listening. “i’m sorry….”
“for?”
“for thinking you cheated. for everything.” he sniffles.
“oh, baby,” you walk around the couch and squat down before him. his eyes are teary, nose stuffy. you kiss his nose, “i forgive you baby, i know you had your reasons, we didn’t talk about it.”
his bottom lip quivers, “can we sleep together?”
“of course baby, when you wake up…”
“there will be soup?”
you nod, “there will be soup…”
#kpop x male reader#x male reader#kpop x reader#kpop x top male reader#kpop oneshots#sub!idol#sub!kpop#x male top reader#stray kids x you#stray kids x male reader#stray kids angst#skz x you#skz x male reader#sub!stray kids#lee know x y/n#lee know x male reader#lee minho x reader#stray kids oneshot#skz oneshots#lee know oneshot
239 notes
·
View notes
Text
Losing Humanity: OT8 X Male!Reader Pt. 3
Pairing: Vampire!Hyunjin x Male!Reader (end game) | Side pairings: OT8 x Male!reader, Vampire!Felix x Lycan!Chan, Vampire!Minho x Lycan!Han
Genre: Angst, smut, horror | Au: Resident Evil: Village, vampires, werewolves/lycans, hybrids.
Word Count: 6k
Summary: Following a dreadful experiment, YN has to wrestle with his new body and abilities. With the help of the four lords and their sons, he might be able to find the family and purpose he'd been looking for.
Overall Tags: strangers to lovers, exes to lovers, secret romances, feuding families, omegaverse, alpha/beta/omega dynamics, graphic depictions of violence, blood and violence, mad science experiments, eventual smut, male reader fic, graphic depictions of human to monster transformations, horror, suspense. anal sex, anal fingering, loss of virginity, virgin!reader, threesome -/m/m/m, group sex, rimming, blowjobs, rough blowjobs, water sex, outdoor sex, harem but one end game, happy ending, tentacle sex, hallucinations, psychological horror
Disclaimer: These works are completely fictitious and for entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to reflect or label the members of Stray Kids in any way. The events within never took place. Thank you.
Previous < | > Next
****
The day turned into night. The cold might have pierced your skin once, but it did nothing to you now. You stayed huddled underneath a tree, arms around your knees and you wept for hours. You only moved when you started hearing soft footsteps coming from the distance. A part of you considered letting the predator just take you. Why should you fight them? It wasn’t as if you had a home anymore. The warm memories of your parents turned as icy and hard as the snow underneath you. You questioned their love for you over and over underneath the still moon. If they’d loved you, they never would’ve sold you off. If they’d loved you, they’d sacrifice themselves rather than you. But, whatever stalked you eventually disappeared and left you in the lonely woods.
You crossed through dense bushes before the smell of cooking meat caught your attention. The savory scent made your stomach growl, and you moved towards it. In between the shrubbery, you saw flickers of light and the crackling of a fire. Every sense suddenly amplified. You heard soft, cheerful humming. You smelled the saucy rabbit stew in a large pot above a smoking fire; wisps of human sweat and blood mingled with the fragrance and you drooled. Hunger brought you to the edge of the clearing, where you saw a horse and cart tethered to a tree. Propped up in the back was an immensely large man. The jacket and vest he wore strained against his belly, and you hardly saw a neck. You recognized the man immediately. The Duke, as people called him, was a regular visitor of the village.
“Ah, Master YN,” the man beamed happily when he saw you. He kept his fire close to him, sprinkling herbs into the pot. You wondered briefly how he’d grab it. “What brings you out here ton-Oh my,” his smile faltered when he saw your half-torn, blood-stained clothes and hands, “My dear boy, what happened to you?”
“A few things,” you replied, eyeing the steaming pot. You licked your lips seeing the brown gravy hanging off the wood spoon above it.
“Must have been quite heavy things,” he said. “I have a coat you may wear. It’ll keep you warm in this biting cold.”
“No, thank you, sir. I don’t feel very cold.”
When you stepped into the light, The Duke gasped softly. He glanced at the rest of you, then said, “It appears Master Felix succeeded in his endeavor after all. Have they already let you loose upon the Huntsman?”
“Huntsman? No. I left.”
“What for?”
“My family.”
“The same family who sold you to me?” He sounded confused by this.
“Yes.”
He saw your crestfallen face, and said, “Well, if you will not have my coat, then take some of my wine. It is a fine vintage from House Dimitrescu. You might enjoy it much more than this stew.”
He pulled out a decorative bottle from the holder hanging from the door. Grabbing a wine glass, he poured and handed it to you. You gulped when the sweet scent of blood hit your nose. Timidly, you moved closer. The fire bathed you in warmth as you took up the glass. The mixture of scents in the air made you nearly dizzy. You took a sniff of the glass, grabbing hints of bold grapes and virgin blood-
Virgin blood?
“What is this?”
“Your new family’s speciality,” he answered. “Sanguis Virginis. Maiden’s Blood. It’s very…full-bodied.”
You did not want to think about the meaning. Instead, you took one sip and let out a soft groan. It tasted better than any stew or cooked rabbit. You gulped down the rest of the drink, feeling life slipping back into you.
“Have a seat, young master,” The Duke insisted, “Warm yourself with wine and fire.” When you sat on a stool near him, he said, “So, what possessed you to leave your new family and seek out the old?”
You contemplated this for a moment, then said, “I wanted to go home. I woke up in this unfamiliar place alone and only thought of going back to my family.. I’d hoped they’d want me back. I thought maybe they did not know what would happen to me. I…I know it sounds ridiculous now.”
“There is nothing wrong with having hope,” he assured you, stirring the stew before leaning to taste some. Nodding, he grabbed a bowl from nearby and began ladeling the stew, “If it eases you, they did not know exactly what might happen to you. I will admit I do withhold some facts when making these kinds of deals. I simply told them you’d be put to good use in Castle Dimitrescu, and they put the pieces together themselves.”
“They still traded me,” you grumbled before taking another drink of wine.
“Out of necessity,” he said, scooping up stew and hungrily eating it. “Your father told me your mother was incredibly ill with consumption. He claimed she was on death’s door.”
“She was. She appears fine now.”
“With the right amount of treatment and medication, it seems so,” he confirmed. “Aside from illness, starvation and poverty in general can make the strongest man desperate.”
“Are you telling me this was okay because they were desperate?”
“Not at all. I find the act despicable, but that is the only explanation I can give you,” he said.
“You don’t find it despicable enough to not broker the deals though,” you remarked.
“I am a businessman first and foremost, Master YN,” he said. He ate more stew, gravy dripping down his chin before he mopped it up with a handkerchief. “Master Felix came to me with a deal: if I supply him with villagers, he’d pay me handsomely for them. I did not inquire about his intentions, since I have a similar deal with his mother, but it became clear when the first experiment failed.”
“What happened?”
“The subject turned into a hideous, ferocious beast,” he said, “And terrorized the village. The Huntsman managed to overpower the creature and kill it, but had no idea where it’d come from. I knew.” He washed down the stew with a beer bottle. He belched through his napkin, then continued, “I did not advertise the deal due to the morbid nature, but it soon caught on in the nearby village and beyond. I simply made the deal happen. I am only a middle man.”
“A middle man that sold people to monsters.”
“It’s not one of the nicest parts of business, but it was nothing personal, I assure you.” He then said, “It may sound insensitive, Master YN, but you should be grateful you came out like this and not like the monsters or corpses that preceded you. I am no expert in scientific experiments by any means, though I will say you seem to have been a clear success.”
“How grateful I am,” you rolled your eyes. You finished off your second glass, and went for a third. “I’m a monster now.”
“We are all monsters, just different breeds. Some might say your parents are monsters for giving up their only child to save themselves,” he said. “A few dare to say Mother Miranda is a monster herself, even when she protects these lands.”
“She doesn’t do that well of a job if we’re all starving and living in shacks.”
He ate another spoonful of stew, then said, “But she keeps the monsters at bay. They obey her every word and whim, and fear her above all others. Well, perhaps aside from Master Chan, but that is the power of an alpha lycan, I suppose.”
“Master Chan?”
“Master Chan Heisenberg,” he answered. “The eldest son of Karl Heiseberg, followed by his brothers Changbin and Jisung, called ‘Han’.” He paused over his bowl, “Did you not know?”
“I know there are other lords, but I didn’t bother with them.”
“Hmpf, you should bother with them now before they bother you,” he warned. He hesitated, “The Heisenberg pack lives in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the land. Heisenberg created them from three boys he’d found in the village. Your new mother believes he stole her idea, but I think the man simply felt lonely working in his factory. The boys help him, from what I understand, yet there are whispers Master Chan has been doing some solo projects.”
“Any warnings I should heed?”
“Approach with caution,” he said. “The Heisenbergs do not have the restraint and refinement of House Dimitrescu.” He chewed a hearty piece of rabbit, washed it down with beer, “Then, deep in the valley lives the doll maker, Donna Beneviento with her son, Master Jeongin. The pair keep to themselves in the dank, old estate by the waterfall, but those who go there have never come back.”
“Jeongin?”
“Rumor was he was the son of the family’s gardener. He’d been very ill several years ago, and Lady Beneviento took pity on him. The treatment…well, let us say it left the boy speechless.” He gulped the rest of his beer, “In the reservoir up north is Salvatore Moreau, a being of twisted flesh and his son, Seungmin, who is his pride and joy. The beauty and the beast rule over those dangerous waters.” He then said, “I am sure you will meet the others in time. Mother Miranda will hear of Master Felix’s experiment soon enough and will likely want to see the result for herself.”
Meeting the real Mother Miranda struck a fear in you that the wine couldn’t drown out. The ruler of the land, she’d been around for as long as you could remember. A goddess of black magic, she’d given the people health, prosperity and safety. You often questioned exactly what your people paid in return for these benefits, but your questions were met with scoldings. Seeing yourself and the tales of this new “family”, you’d gotten your answer. You finished off the bottle of wine when The Duke asked you another question.
“What shall you do now?”
You paused, thinking it over as you ran your thumb over the intricate floral metal on the bottle. “I don’t know,” you answered honestly. “I don’t wish to go back to the castle, but I cannot go home either.”
“You can drift as the Huntsman does,” he suggested. He then looked up into the trees, “Or perhaps your companions might have some ideas.”
“Companions?”
You glanced up to see dozens of glowing eyes looking down from the dark trees above. Suddenly, you became aware of the shifting in the branches. Their appearance didn’t surprise you. Perhaps in the back of your mind you knew they’d followed you to the clearing. Them and whatever creatures you assumed lurked in the darkness. Standing from your seat, you examined the bats more closely. Full bodies covered in fur, they were a bit larger than the bats you turned into during flight. Those were the size of mice, whereas these were average size.
“They have been listening for quite some time,” The Duke said. “It appears they are waiting for you.”
Their eyes followed only you. A ripple of unrest went through them, and you felt it in your chest. “Yes,” you said softly, looking at one particular bat nearest you, “Yes, it feels that way.”
“If I were you, I would visit my creator,” he said, finishing off his stew and getting seconds. “Master Felix is a man of science. He may be able to explain things to you, if you accept your newfound state.”
“I don’t want to see that bastard,” you grunted, and your distaste showed in the bats above. Walking closer, you sensed a connection growing between yourself and these animals. Both creatures of the night, hungry for blood and the dark places of the world, you sensed yourself merging with them in your heart. “He made me this way. Even if my family sold me, he turned me into this monster.”
“That word once again,” he scoffed. “‘Monster’ is such a broad term.”
“It is the only one that explains what I am,” you said, reaching up to the bat, who did not flinch when you touched its head.
“You will not know what you truly are until you speak with the one who made you.”
It squeaked a few more times, and you knew it used its echolocation to find you.
“I’m right here,” you said gently once underneath it. “Don’t worry, little friend. I’m here.”
It flew towards you, and when you held out your arm it clung itself to your chest as a baby would a mother. You stroked its head while you walked, finding a sense of purpose with your new friend.
“Clearly, a close connection with nightly creatures is one of them,” Duke continued. “That owl has been staring too.”
You turned to a separate tree where a brown and white barn owl sat watching, as Duke said. “It may be that Master Felix required a person who blends in with darkness and can speak to other nocturnal beasts. The best place to start is at the castle.”
“Don't want to lose your contract with them, eh?” you asked, noting his insistence you return to the castle.
“That and that her newest son's prolonged absence may inspire Lady Dimitrescu to send her minions into the village. They may not be lycans, but they are just as deadly.”
“Minions?”
“The Moroacia and Samca, the failed experiments of Master Felix or his mother's victims. They are bloodthirsty, mindless creatures that will invade in droves, killing anyone within reach.” He shuddered, “Terrifying things. I suggest to save the innocent souls down below, you return to your new home.”
“It isn’t my home.”
“I’m afraid it is,” he said. “Where else will you go?”
You looked down at the bat in his arms. It likely lives in a cave with its colony. A cave could be a good form of shelter, and with the bats overhead, you wouldn’t be alone. The group then shuddered and shook as if sensing your need for flight. It took one to fly off before the rest of them began following them.
“Wherever they’re going,” you said, nodding up to the bats. “Thank you for the wine, Duke, but I think I should get going. The night is still young, and I have to get moving.”
“I pray you find shelter tonight,” he replied with a nod, eating more stew. “I’d caution against the beasts of the night, but I imagine it is you the beasts should fear.”
You weren’t so sure about that. Even when you fought off that lycan, which still surprised you, you didn’t know the extent of your abilities. You almost did not want to know. The more you knew, the more beastly you felt. Walking from the clearing, you held onto the bat against your chest. You stared up between the trees, seeing the rest of the colony not too far ahead. You couldn’t properly follow them from the ground, so you released your walking companion and bent your knees. In a spring upwards, you twirled into a flight form. You soared over the canopy of trees, the nighttime breeze blowing through as you flew. You stayed behind the group as they led you back to a familiar place.
Castle Dimitrescu.
Apprehensive, you slowed down as you saw the tall turrets and towers. Duke’s advice came back to you. Going back will give you answers, but going back also cemented the truth: you’d become something far worse than any human alive. You still went towards the castle, your friends making a turn and aiming at the lower areas. Through a tight hole in one wall, you escaped the freezing cold for the dark, damp heat underneath. Even in complete darkness, you saw everything. The unlit torches, the empty barrels, the cell doors and the torture devices around the dark dungeon came to you crystal clear.
The flock finally stopped in the middle of the labyrinth, starting to hang upside down from the stone ceiling. Yes, being underneath a place of blood and death did not sound ideal, but where else could you go? Finding an abandoned cell with a wooden bench, you discovered a strange kind of peace amongst the bats. They did not show scorn or distaste for you. They wouldn’t trade you for food. In fact, you’d never felt more at peace with any living being. Laying on the long bench, exhaustion finally came over you. As the comforting presence lulled you to sleep, you wondered if your parents regretted their decision and perhaps want you back.
No, they wouldn’t.
****
Hunger. Unimaginable hunger. It hollowed out your stomach and left your throat dry. The only thing keeping you shuffling through was the smell. Blood. Sickly sweet and fresh came in a gust of wind through the castle dungeons. Days had passed since you tasted the blood in Duke’s wine, and your hunger had returned in full force. It became your every waking thought as you stumbled through the catacombs. The scent grew thicker the closer it came, almost enough that inhaling it brought it to your tongue.
“Hun…Hungry…” the word escaped your lips in a hoarse voice.
You came upon the body in one of the northern parts of the dungeon. Several bodies hung from the ceiling, their limbs slashed to drain the blood from them into large vats. You’d managed to feed off the leftovers the Lady and her sons discarded. Yet, they didn’t yield much blood so the rats became a second option. After drinking the blood of the dead and animals, fresh vats seemed like an oasis. Seeing the dark red liquid sitting alone in a large bucket, you could not resist. You cupped your hands in the thick substance, and took greedy gulps. A low groan escaped you after that first drink, the warmth breaking through the cold stiffness in your body, and you drank more of it. You should feel disgusted, but your hunger won out.
“I knew you were down here.”
You smelled him before you even looked up. You didn’t know which one, but the faint scent of pomegranates came from somewhere nearby. His voice bounced off the walls, and you whipped around. Hyunjin appeared out of his blowfly colony, walking over to you with a smug grin.
“I told Mother I heard something scurrying around the dungeons,” he said. “It’s you that’s been feeding off our scraps.” He looked up into the rafters to see your colony, “And you’re the reason the bats are still around.” He looked over your disheveled appearance. Your matted hair, blood stained wearing ragged clothing, you were not a pretty sight. In wanting to escape the truth, you only brought it to life more. “You poor thing,” he frowned, cautiously approaching you, “You went home, didn’t you?”
His voice was a tender caress this time, meant to soothe instead of seduce. You couldn’t answer. His footsteps came closer, and you flinched when you felt a hand touch your shoulder.
“We tried to warn you,” he said, “But I suppose it was best you saw it for yourself. You must be in so much pain.”
He lifted your face to meet his, and you saw the beauty before you. Unlike when you first arrived, he showed no eagerness to hurt you.
“I don’t remember anything about my life before Mother,” he told you, “But I sometimes imagine I ended up here the same way as you. I’m sorry your family did this to you.” He wiped your face with an embroidered handkerchief, “You’re better off with us than with them. Mother would make sure you were well fed and cared for. Even if she’s upset with Felix for creating you, you are one of us now and that makes her your mother too.”
“She’s not my mother,” you said through gritted teeth.
“She is now,” he said, wiping blood from your mouth and cheeks. “What mother would sacrifice her child to save herself? A real mother would have given up her life rather than let her child suffer. Mother isn’t like that. She’d kill anyone who tried to harm you.” He then said, “Felix, Minho and I would not let anything happen to you either. You’re our brother now, and we stick together.”
“You are not my family,” you said through a hoarse throat. “They are my family,” you nodded to the bats above.
“Can they feed you properly? Give you a warm bath and fresh blood to drink? This place, as lovely as it is for storage, is not fit for a son of Lady Dimitrescu.”
“I’m not her son.”
“Come with me,” he said, standing and offering his hand. “Please? At least to let Mother and Felix know you are alright. They have been sick with worry over you. They think The Huntsman got you. Can you at least do that?” He batted his lashes and pouted his full lips. “There’s more food in it for you, if you do. Then you can come back down here and be with your ‘family’ if you want to.”
You considered the pros and cons of returning to the surface. Yet, staring into Hyunjin’s eyes, you didn’t see any deceit. He gently caressed your cheek as he examined your face. You looked over his full pouty lips, still stained by his blood consumption. The mole just underneath his eye made him seem more human somehow. You touched his cheek to feel his warmth on your cold fingers. His skin, supple and smooth, remained unblemished by time or age.
“Is my beauty enough to entice you?” he smirked, watching you examine him.
You didn’t answer. Your thumb went down his cheek to his bottom lip, grazing just underneath it on his chin. Hyunjin leaned closer to you, and you smelled the blood on his breath.
“Going upstairs offers much, much more than what this dungeon can,” he said, voice low between you. “I promise my bed is warmer and softer.”
“The Duke said your mother would kill the villagers if I didn’t come back,” you told him. “Is that true?”
“Partly,” he replied, tucking hair behind your ear. “My brothers and I managed to convince her otherwise, but her restraint only lasts so long. Those villagers…they might rather burn you than embrace you, yet that doesn’t justify such a grizzly end. Come upstairs with me,” he gently nuzzled your nose, “And let her see that there’s no need for rash actions.”
Even if they’d rather kill you than accept you, thinking about your neighbors and friends suffering such cruel fates was enough. “Alright, I’ll go.”
“Good,” he said, letting your thumb slide between his lips for a brief moment. He gave it a soft suckle before letting go. “A nice castle and servants aren’t the only benefits to being in our family, I promise you.”
You followed Hyunjin through the dungeons, the both of you taking your separate forms to fly through the castle. While he moved into millions of tiny pieces, yours took up a bit more space. Your body still shivered remembering Hyunjin’s soft lips around your thumb. He was by far the most beautiful being you’d ever seen, perhaps more so than his brothers. The trickle of his pomegranate essence made you hungry for something aside from blood. The sort of hunger you felt when you kissed Elijah behind his family’s barn or when Stephan stole a kiss outside the church. You never went the entire way those times, but you still remember the tightness forming in your stomach and how your body yearned for their touch.
There might be one benefit to being a monster.
He led you through the opulent, elegant halls of the castle into a lounge area in front of a fireplace. In the room, you saw Felix reading against his mother’s side on a couch, while Minho sat nearby idly playing a harp. The three of them turned as Hyunjin and you came back into the room. Felix stood up before his mother did, putting the book down and coming over to you.
“YN, where have you been?” he asked, scanning over your face. “I’ve been looking for you for days. Where did you go? What happened to you?” You snarled when he tried touching you. He didn’t appear very surprised, stepping a foot away. “Where have you been?”
“He’s been in the dungeons,” Hyunjin said. “I told you something was down there.”
“It’s you that’s been taking the leftovers?” Felix asked you, but you did not answer.
“But, sweet boy,” Lady Dimitrescu stood up from her seat, “You could’ve had your fill here. I wouldn’t have denied you fresh prey,” she came over to you in long strides. Unlike Felix, she did not cower away when you snapped your teeth at her. “Here,” she poured wine from a decorative bottle into a spare wine glass. You recognized it as the same bottle The Duke offered. “Drink this. You must be starving after feeding off scraps.”
You tentatively sipped from the glass, then downed the drink in several gulps. You licked up what spilled from the sides of your mouth, then started licking the inside of the glass. You never tasted anything so delicious before. It reminded you of those hollow days back home when food was so scarce. Nothing ever made your belly feel full. When your father managed to find food in the woods, you remembered devouring it as if it might be your last meal.
“Proper table manners seem to go out the window when you’re starving,” Minho commented, plucking at one of the strings.
“Do not be so harsh so soon, Minho,” Lady Dimitrescu said to him. “Your new brother has been through a serious change. It must’ve been difficult managing it alone,” she bent down to you, cupping your cheek. She felt warm, and smelled of roses. “I will admit I am intrigued. Felix’s experiments normally turn into lycans or die in the first few minutes, but you held out. The fact you can remember your previous life is also remarkable.”
You wished you’d woken without memory. Then it wouldn’t hurt so much.
“But then again, memory can be a burden,” she said, sensing your sadness. “Here,” she brought you over to the sofa where she poured you more wine. “Drink your fill. Rats and corpses aren’t fit for any son of mine.”
You drank your second glass as quickly, not bothered by the sick feeling growing from drinking so fast. About to wipe your mouth with your sleeve, Lady Dimitrescu offered you her handkerchief instead. You cleaned your face with it, smelling more roses as you wiped off the excess. She appeared nothing like what you’d been told your whole life. The other villagers spoke of her ruthlessness; that anyone who made the trek up her castle never returned. You’d learned that was true, yet it did not scare you. She did not look at you with malice in her eyes, but instead tenderness. She repeatedly filled your cup when it emptied. She cleaned your mouth and the dirt from your face. It did not seem to bother her as you thought it might.
“Alright, you’ve seen I’m safe,” you said, finally full, “May I go back now?”
“You wish to go back to that damp place?” she asked in surprise. “It’s filthy down there, and those bats-”
“-Are my family,” you told her. “They don’t cast out their own kind. They don’t point guns at them and tell them to leave. They saw me as I was and didn’t call me a monster or a beast.” Anger elevated your voice, pain coming up through your throat like bile.
“Well, they’re bats, so I imagine they can’t talk to begin with,” said Minho, only to be smacked lightly by Felix.
“I know how childish it sounds,” you snapped at him, “But I’d rather be in the dark with them than in the light with people who’ve used me.” You glared at Felix, “I remember everything you did to me. I remember you cutting me open like a dead fish and sticking that thing inside me. I can still feel it wriggling,” you closed your eyes to the sickening feeling in your stomach. “You’re the reason I don’t have a family anymore,” you said.
“No, your family is the reason you don’t have a family. I simply took advantage of their situation,” he said simply.
“Felix…”
“If what the Duke says is correct,” he said, ignoring his mother, “It hardly took any convincing at all. All he said was there’d be money and food in it for them, and they jumped at the chance. What kind of parents do that to their child? Surely, this is a question you’ve asked yourself multiple times since then, no?”
You didn’t know how to answer. He seized a chance at your hesitancy, “You may continue thinking you are some sort of ferocious monster, but you cannot deny it. I’ve made you far better and greater than any being outside these walls. You’re fast. You’re strong. You’re deadly. Those pathetic weaklings in the villages will be terrified when they see you coming. The lycans themselves will run in terror at the sight of you,” he stepped closer. “I have given you a gift, YN. Do not waste it wallowing in self-pity in our dungeons with the bats and rats and corpses.”
“I do not want to scare anyone,” you said. “I did not ask for your ‘gift’. It’s made me a monster.”
“You’re only a monster if you continue to act like one,” he replied sharply. “Please, YN,” he came over to where you sat, sincerity in his eyes, “Do not go. Not yet. We need you and you need us. Mother,” he glanced at the Lady, “Tell him. Tell him he doesn’t have to go anywhere. He’s safer here than anywhere else. You will be the mother he could only dream of.”
Lady Alcina did not answer at first. She examined her eldest son quickly, seeing the desperation he masked so well. Stroking your hair, she looked down at you.
“You went to the village,” she said when she saw your sad eyes.
“I did.”
“And?”
The stinging sensation in your nose returned. You tried sniffling and wriggling it out, but it brought with it more tears. You’d spent weeks in the dungeons reliving the moment over and over again. Your father had pointed his gun at you. He actually threatened to shoot you. You saw their cold faces once more, swimming to the forefront of your mind to haunt you. To them, you’d become a deranged animal that needed to be put down rather than embraced. Seeing your dirty hands and clothes, you might actually be that animal. You smoothed back hair from your face as you fought off tears. You wanted to go home, but where was home now?
“Oh, sweet boy,” she cooed. She then lifted you from the sofa like a mother would with a baby, cuddling you to her chest and stroking your hair. “It is for the best in the end,” she said, holding you close. “Those village fools fear what they do not understand. They allow their ignorance to cloud their judgment. They would never have accepted you, but that won’t happen here.”
“You’re our brother now,” Hyunjin said, sitting on the arm rest. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I certainly won’t,” said Felix. “I went through too much trouble creating you. I won’t let you be destroyed so easily.”
“It’s my job to protect the members of this family,” Minho told you, “And that includes you.”
“You don’t need your bat friends when you have us,” Hyunjin came closer to meet your eyes. “We will take care of you. I’ll take care of you.”
You looked into his eyes once more, and fresh tears came.
“I think a nice bath and a good long sleep is in order, hm?” Lady Alcina asked you, and you didn't refuse.
She brought you further into the castle with Hyunjin behind her. In a room of marble stone, the Lady gently removed the rags you wore while Hyunjin prepared the bath. You did not see the point in shyness, so you let her peel the sticky, smelly layers piece by piece. Neither of them spoke as she lowered you into the warm tub. Lady Alcina did not leave your side the entire time, taking it upon herself to bathe you. It’d been too long since you felt such gentleness.
“If you still wish to go back down there when you wake,” she said, carrying you into a bedroom after washing and drying you, “You can go.”
“Really?”
“If it makes you more comfortable here, then I will not protest. Unlike that simpering wench of a mother, I wish for you to be happy.”
She laid you down on a soft bed like a newborn, pushing hair from your face and caressing your cheek. The exhaustion finally started coming over you in the comfort of this new bed. It certainly beats the old cot back at home and your dungeon bench. Your eyes started falling shut as you savored her fingers gently scratching behind your ear and scalp. It had been something your old mother might have done once, but not anymore.
Alcina Dimitrescu didn’t care about your pointed ears or claws.
****
“Magnificent…Absolutely magnificent. You say he tore the beast apart?”
“Yes,” Hyunjin answered in a whisper. “He lifted him in the air while still in his bat swarm form, and tore his head off. It was incredible. I’ve never heard of anyone defeating a lycan before; it usually takes several gunshots for them to go down. Even Heisenberg’s boys have trouble with the particularly feral ones from time to time. We certainly can’t do what he did.”
Felix told him to follow you, but he would have done it on his own anyways. He didn’t want to lose another brother. He’d flown some distance behind you to avoid detection, then tailed you into the village. He’d sensed the lycan just as easily as you, ready to fight it off, before he saw you take it on by yourself. Hyunjin couldn’t believe his eyes. Lycans, he knew, were nearly indestructible, yet you tore them apart with little effort. Whatever Felix injected into you made you stronger than anyone else. Maybe even stronger than those Heisenbergs.
“What else did you notice?”
“Well, his parents are cruel, that’s for sure. You should’ve seen it, Felix,” Hyunjin frowned. “He begged them to let him come home, and they turned him away. I heard the whole thing. He would’ve stayed there longer if the villagers hadn’t come back from church.” He pushed hair from your face, his fingers feather-light on your skin. “How could a parent do that to their child? It’s always astounded me. These people sacrifice their children to keep on living. That mother should’ve let her sickness consume her rather than give up her son to an unimaginable fate.”
“Yes, yes, yes, that’s all very sad,” Felix said dismissively, “What else did you notice about him?”
That you’re a tortured soul who seeks a proper home and family. Hyunjin examined your face. He took in the shape of your eyes and nose; the curve of your lips and your soft cheeks. It was a face only Gods could create. He could spend forever painting you and find each picture more beautiful than the last. He’d been shocked when he found you in the dungeon, dirty and living off scraps. You should be sitting in the conservatory amongst the blooming flowers, or in the music room playing the piano with your lovely fingers.
“Hyunjin!”
“He’s not that much different from us,” he finally answered, wishing Felix would leave the Frankenstein act for another time. “He picked up on Chan and Changbin before I did.”
“Chan and Changbin were there?”
“Yes, and Jisung too,” he said. He hadn’t told you about the three wolves that had stalked you in the forest. He’d spotted them whilst trying to catch sight of you again from above. “I believe they caught him by chance and didn’t know what or who he was.”
“Wonderful,” Felix scoffed. “Now those damned mongrels know about him. They’ve likely already gone to their scoundrel father and told him. Mother Miranda will know sooner than I would’ve liked.” He took a deep breath. “I have to tell Mother. She’s already upset with me for doing the experiments without Miranda’s permission. Hearing about this will make things worse.”
“She has every right to be angry at you.” Minho appeared in the doorway, stern and stoic as always. He walked into the bedroom, hands behind his back, and stood beside Felix. “She thinks you’re trying to replace Jimin-”
“-That isn’t what I’m doing-”
“-I know it isn’t, but she doesn’t,” he cut him off. “Felix, you need to go and explain yourself. If Mother Miranda confronts her about it, she'll need to know what to say. If we're lucky, Miranda will see this as an effort against the Huntsman-”
“-It is an effort against the Huntsman-” Felix argued hotly.
“-And not punish all of us for your reckless actions.”
“You do recall assisting me, right?” Felix said, fully turning to him. “You held him down; you injected him. You’re equally guilty.”
“That was because I believed in your vision, and I still do,” he said. “The Huntsman is a greater threat to our family than Mother Miranda realizes, and I’d do anything I could to stop them. But, we cannot kill them if we’re all dead.”
“Miranda wouldn’t kill us or Mother,” Felix argued. “We’ll get a slap on the wrist and be warned to never do it again.”
“Felix, what you’ve done is far more serious and you know that. You stole Cadou parasites from Moreau, who was given those by Miranda herself,” he said. “When she learns you’ve been basically stealing her property, she might not be so lenient. I told you the consequences of these experiments when you started them, and you ignored me every single time. This one is the last one,” he nodded to your sleeping form. “If he dies, that’s the end of it. No more mad-science experiments, got it?”
Hyunjin watched Felix stare at him defiantly. “No.”
“What do you mean ‘No’?”
“No. I will not stop trying until the Huntsman is dead.”
“There are other ways.”
“Name them.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps if all of us put our pride aside, we can work with the other lords to destroy him. The other houses cannot handle them on their own, but if we do it together-”
“-I can’t believe you’re suggesting that,” Felix huffed. “Us working with those weaklings. It’s prosperous.”
“They are far from weak, and you know that. Tsk all you want, Felix, you know it’s true. You’ve seen what those Heisenbergs can do in and out of their wolf forms. Lord help that Huntsman if they end up near the reservoir when Seungmin is around, and have you forgotten what Jeongin can do with flowers and dolls? If we combine all those skills, we have a fighting chance. Hyunjin,” he turned to him, “Back me up on this. We cannot keep having let down after let down; failure after failure like this.”
Hyunjin did not know how to answer. He thought about his mother’s teary eyes when she stared at Jimin’s crystalized corpse in the music room. She wept for weeks. She still does though she hides it from them. Hyunjin hated thinking Felix tried replacing Jimin so soon after his death. Jimin was their brother, their blood. When he explained his intentions, Hyunjin stood behind him out of hope. Staring down at you, he wondered if you really could kill the Huntsman. He thought about you ending the same way as Jimin, and it made him sad. However, the alternative is to work with the other families. Hyunjin did not care for any of them either way, but his family did so he joined them in their distaste. Yet, he could not deny their strengths.
“It’d be great if we could have both,” he said.
“Yes, but sometimes we cannot have both,” Felix said.
“Maybe this time we can? YN might not be able to do it alone. He’d need help, and if we all join forces-”
“-I said ‘no’!” Felix said through gritted teeth with a foot stomp. “I don’t want anything to do with those damned dogs!”
He turned into his swarm and blew through the doors. Neither Minho or Hyunjin brought up the reason Felix may dislike the idea of an alliance.
Chan Heisenberg.
****
A/N: So, has YN found a new home or will he drift off again? Sorry this update took so long. Just been having trouble finding inspiration lately. Hope this makes up for that <3
#stray kids#stray kids fanfiction#stray kids fanfic#hwang hyungjin#lee felix#lee minho#hyunjin x male reader#male reader x hyunjin#felix stray kids#hyunjin stray kids#lee know stray kids#skz#skz fanfiction#skz fanfic#skz angst#skz imagine#skz x male reader#stray kids x male reader
45 notes
·
View notes
Text
Hyunjin × M! Reader - Dancer AU I SMAU | Chapter 18
Ch. 18 - Twink Coded I Previous Chapter | Next Chapter I
I Story Masterlist I
Written: No
Smau: Yes
Warnings: Swearing, fighting, implied ED (if you squint), angst
Taglist: @silverstarburst @virluna148 @galaxycatdrawz @onementally-unstabel-kid @uso-dakedo @lampcults @chaer4life @kkurbys @gnusihcom @mellhwang @sleeping-demons @kuuroomiii @twobluegoldfish @chuuchuu1224
Bold can’t be tagged. Please check your tag settings to be notified.
#stray kids#skz#skz smau#skz imagines#skz x reader#stray kids smau#bang chan#changbin#hyunjin#lee know#san#ateez#ateez smau#itzy smau#skz x male reader#stray kids x male reader#angst#skz angst#hyunjin x male reader#hyunjin x reader#skz fake texts#skz texts#stray kids x reader#stray kids texts#hyunjin texts#hyunjin fake texts
76 notes
·
View notes
Text
(리노) lee know.. maybe the stars lied
male reader
warning.. very slight angst w comfort, minho raising his voice, minho's not that good at comforting reader
you sighed as you looked down at your phone. your blind date going wrong in so many ways so now here you are— standing outside of a restaurant.
you loosened your tie as you unbuttoned some of the buttons on your dress shirt. a hand ran through your hair as you pondered to yourself about what to do now.
the faint sound of a motorcycle interrupted you. a familiar black motorcycle stopped in front of you. you didn't even need to look at his face to know who it was.
" minho.. " you looked up at him, your eyes glistening under the moon.
" get on. " his soft voice snapped you out. you immediately got on top of his motorcycle, your hands automatically wrapping themselves around his waist.
the feeling of his waist in your arms gave you a sense of comfort, the warm heat radiating itself off of him only adding to it.
he started up his motorcycle and dashed away from that restaurant.
the sudden speed startled you, forcing you to grab onto minho tighter as if your life depended on it. you leaned towards him, your cheek against his shoulder, feeling the vibration in his voice rumbled inside you.
" let me guess, it all went wrong again? " minho asked. you gave no response making minho only drive faster, him already knowing your answer.
you stared at the starry skies above, wishing on every star that maybe one night you would find the right one that's meant for you.
the grumbling of the motor finally came to a stop, with minho helping you get off of the motorcycle. you looked around your scenery and realized just where minho had brought you.
it was the spot where the two of you became friends for the first time. you still remember it as if it was just yesterday.
a quiet sob left your lips as you buried your face into the palm of your hands. tears after tears kept coming after one another.
a cough interrupted your self wallowing.
an intimidating guy was offering you a pink napkin with cute rabbit embroidery. a stark contrast with his black leather jacket and his dark piercing eyes.
you quietly accepted the napkin— muttering a quiet thank you.
" so.. relationship problem or..? " the guy started. you nodded while blowing into the napkin. " yeah, just got dumped by my two-year boyfriend. found out he was cheating all along. "
he nodded in sympathy, seemingly understanding your pain.
" minho. nice to meet you. " you wiped the last tear on your face, turning to actually look at the guy next to you. " yn, likewise.. "
you finally notice how attractive the guy is. from his sharp eyes to his pointed nose down to his toned body.
but instead of saying anything else, you decided to admire the view in front of you.
the stars littered on the night sky— painting the dull sky and giving it some life. the crescent moon seems to be the cherry on top as it perfectly complimented the stars.
oh, how you remembered vividly wishing on a shooting star about how you wanted to meet the love of your life just like this, the glimmer that the star left behind perhaps a promise towards you.
minho's back rubbed circles on your back in an attempt to comfort you, trying to come up with decent enough advice for you.
" this is the third time, you should just give it up, yn. " minho's voice brought you back from your reminiscing.
you crossed your arms as you shrugged his hand off " ugh, i told you already no! "
you could see the way minho's lips tugged downwards.
as much as you wanted to disagree with him he was right. maybe love isn't for you. maybe the stars just lied to you.
" honestly, why do you care so much? you're just a friend anyway.. "
minho grunted, standing to stare down at you in anger.
" friend this.. friend that.. are you fucking blind, yn? can't you see im in love with you?! " minho raised his voice at you.
you looked up at him in shock, trying to process the confession.
" you know how i probably won't give two shits about your love life if i didn't obviously love you! " minho sighed.
" i wouldn't even bother picking you up from your failed dates and driving you here if i didn't love you, yn. you're the only boy i've ever done all these things for. "
you stutter and stumble over your words, the sudden confession obviously messing with your head.
minho however got tired of waiting and decided to smash his lips onto your own. his soft lips molded perfectly with your own.
you decided to go along with it and let him take the lead.
the kiss was everything you ever wanted it to be.
it was sweet and passionate, minho slowly leading the rhythm with you following.
the two of you finally let go of each other as a string of saliva connected the two of you.
" let's go back to my place and i'll show you how long i've been waiting for this moment. "
i um don't know if this can even be considered angst but
#tehhyunie writes!!#skz x reader#skz x male reader#skz angst#lee know x reader#lee know x male reader#lee know angst#kpop x reader#kpop x male reader
125 notes
·
View notes
Text
Masterlist by victorbutnotreally
Victor | he/him | 21
about me + request rules
requests are open! taglist and emoji anons are open as well <3
taglist:
@forever-atiny
emoji anons: 🌵
all pictures used in my works are from pinterest. credits to the owners.
all dividers in all my fics by the talented @cafekitsune
my darling moots <33:
@james-is-here @1leeknower @hw4-l1z @leeyasuojihan @fuck-i-lost-my-gender @leezanetheofficial @caffeinatedgenius @straykids-2001 @oimitocat @kimaixun @yongbokkk @dope-lovers @chansslvr @hynzsn @xavi-in-kpopland @stickymusictale @ho3central @unbashedalpacatheorist @gentkei @luvkyu @acidangel-fromasia @theo4eve
key:
smut - ◭
fluff - ♥
angst - ✦
suggestive - ♢
smau - ◩
random/ crack - ◍
platonic-❆
thoughts-☾
recent:
Pretty Lady(Minho x male reader)◭♥
Scream(Minho x male reader)◭♥
One Last Time(Minho x male reader)✦
stray kids ot8
OT8 reaction to intimidating male reader ♥ ♢
Life Over Death ✦ ♥❆
YOU WHAT??? ◍❆
I'm Sorry ✦❆
bang chan
Late Nights ◭
Mother Hen ♥❆
lee know
Scars ✦ ♥
Serenade ♥
Kitty cat ♥ ◍
Academic Validation ✦ ♥
untitled.✦
Pretty Lady◭♥
Scream♥◭
One Last Time✦
seo changbin
Panic Attack ✦ ♥
hwang hyunjin
Missed You ♥ ◭
sunshine artist!hyunjin x grumpy writer!reader ♥☾
model♢☾
han jisung
Just a Joke? ♥ ✦❆
OMG ◩ ◍
Barely there ✦ ♥
lee felix
That's obviously not what I meant ◍❆ ♢
kim seungmin
I don't know ✦❆
yang jeongin
"Shh"◭
#stray kids x male reader#stray kids x top male reader#sub!skz#bang chan x male reader#lee know x male reader#lee minho x male reader#lee minho x top male reader#changbin x male reader#felix x male reader#jeongin x male reader#han x male reader#han jisung x male reader#hyunjin x male reader#bang chan x male reader fluff#bang chan x male reader angst#lee know x male reader angst#lee know x male reader fluff#hyunjin x male reader angst#hyunjin x male reader fluff#changbin x male reader fluff#han jisung x male reader angst#han jisung x male reader fluff#kim seungmin x male reader#yang jeongin x male reader#stray kids masterlist
89 notes
·
View notes
Text
Why not?...
Lee Minho x Male reader.
Reader is kinda childish when it comes to Minho in a way. >Minho calls reader BunBun while Reader calls Minho minmin.<
You and Minho have been friends since the beginning of kindergarten, always together and never apart.
Hand holding one another and sticking up for each other neither of you guys could ever be separated.
"Look minmin! it's a caterpillar!" You uttered being 5 years old as you point at a caterpillar, 6 year old Minho looks at it before looking at you with a disgusted expression.
"It has too many arms, bunbun..." Minho uttered as I quickly lifted you up moving you behind him while you jsut pouted crossing your arms.
"But it's so cute~" You whined while minho just pulled you away from it like was gonna harm you. Minho rolled his eyes as he huffed having alot of attitude despite being a kid.
"It's poisonous." Minho uttered as he makes you sit down the sand play area - grabbing a sandcastle making equipment, a shovel, bucket, etc...
You could barely remember it - he was your little protector since childhood and while you two grow up.
You couldn't help but notice how everything slowly shifted to place.
"But minmin...you said we could today..." 12 year old you pouted as you sat at the edge of his bed, running your hands through your hair while minho focused on his project.
"I said there MIGHT be a chance we could.." 13 years old Minho said as he grabs the hot glue gun and does his work. You crossed your arms as you pouted.
"Fine then I'll go a-" "No you won't" Minho interrupted you briefly as he sighed, looking at you with his stern gaze that others would be intimidated off but not you.
Never you..
You held your breath as you looked at him with an angry pouty look trying to be angry but the look minho gave you was too cute...cute?...nah funny.
"Pft-.. you look like a gargoyle..." You laughed while minho grumbled a hint of red against his cheeks as he looked at you, briefly frowning before a soften gaze was placed for a bit.
You're voice is like music to his ears...
"But she said she loves me, minmin!" 16 year old you uttered in pure distress as you whimpered sobbing mess as you desperately gripped on his shirt while 17 year old minho softly caresses your back.
"I know..." Minho muttered as you both hid behind a wall away from the horrid scenery of your girlfriend kissing another man.
Minho looked at the ways the bouquet of flowers you bought was now on the ground a mess and thrown easily.
How badly wanted to destroy her life then and there...
Maybe not the best way to act upon or think of when angry but she betrayed and hurted someone who loved her.
Specially someone like his best friend who he cares for alot...
You both laid upon the soft grass, having a picnic as you gaze upon the stars—they shined so brightly against the dark purple-ish blue sky and how the moon was lightning up the way.
"Aren't the stars beautiful tonight, minmin?..." You spoke calmly as you sighed—Minho hums in response as he continued to glance your way.
Look into your eyes as they reflect the stars in the night, laying beside one another as your hands were grazing against each other.
"They are...they look so beautiful..." Minho muttered, you chuckled a bit as it was slightly rare for Minho to speak in such a sweet and soft tone. Mostly quiet and a hint of sass but still...
Minho couldn't help but feel the way his heart slightly flutter at the sound of your voice, the butterflies swirling around his stomach, his ears red and his lips into a small smile.
Looking at the way your side profile looks, he thinks you look beautiful even if you find yourself being insecure about it—the way your lashes flutter with each and every blink, your cheeks puffing up with every smile you make.
You were seventeen now and minho was eighteen...
He was gonna be going away for college very soon—but he'd stop a year just to wait for you...
You sighed softly as you slowly closed your eyes and just feel the wind and coldness of it pass through your bodies—slowly feeling another warmth as minho's hand gently covered yours.
"BunBun...You're shivering, you're cold too..." Minho mumbled as he slowly gets a blanket beside him but he still didn't let go of your hand—you slightly opened your eyes as you look up at him.
His face card was always insane to you, he was adorable but also fierce. He was handsome but also hot?...you couldn't help but admire how his brows were furrowed and how how much he prioritizes you above anyone else.
"I am...minmin...can we stay like this forever?.." You asked as you slowly intertwined both your hands together—sharing your warmth as minho's eyes soften and slowly pulled you into a hug.
You found yourself nuzzled against his neck as you both cuddled underneath the stars, the silence were peaceful and so comforting towards you both.
"Of course, BunBun...Remember always together in forever?.." Minho muttered the same words you spoke when you were little—earning a soft chuckle from your lips as you sighed and repeated.
"Always together in forever..."
You slowly closed your eyes as your breathing steadied—Minho was awake still, holding your sleeping figure as he gently tightens his hold. His chin over your head as he sighed.
Feeling a tear slid down his cheek whilst he thinks about everything...about you..
"You know minmin...If you were a girl...I'd date you..." You uttered being sick and in bed whilst he fed you your soup—hearing your words as he froze a bit.
Minho chuckled nervously as he sweatdrops a bit, gulping the lump forming in his throat as he repeats your words inside his head before slowly parting his lips and speaking as well.
"Why not now too?..." Minho muttered cheekily trying to hide the fact that he was nervous and flustered at the thought—looking down at you, gently moving the little pieces of hair stuck against your forehead.
You were warm, very hot infact due to the fever—slightly sweating as you gaze upon him, you could barely think or register your words. The warm your body was making made you hazy.
"Because you're a boy...and everyone knows boys can't like boys..."
You uttered softly—Minho froze at your words as he felt suddenly sick to his stomach at the way it dropped, eyes brimming with tears as his breath slightly stopped. Looking down at you who looked so innocent while saying those hurtful words...
Minho shuddered as he sniffled quietly remembering that moment...oh how cruel was this world to him. Holding you tightly as he tried to stop himself from crying, maybe trying to comfort himself too knowing the fact he couldn't have you.
Maybe in another life...he can have you...
ᯓᡣ𐭩Mxlist°
Author's note: I'M KINDA BACK Y'ALL, ANYWAYS FOR MY MALE READERS IF THERE ARE ANY. HERE Y'ALL GOOOO!!
#skz#stray kids#inspiration#fanfic#kpop imagines#skz x reader#ideas#kpop#skz angst#lee know x reader#lee minho#lee know x male reader#male reader#kim seungmin is so cute#Yes this was inspired by that one movie line and anime film in Nana.
39 notes
·
View notes
Note
hiya i wasn’t sure if your requests r open but can i request a Minho x male reader w anxiety that usually covers their face and wears a mask? basically 9th member prompt w angst and comfort ^^
lovely the way you are. - l. mh
summary › anxiety is something that plaques many people, including idols. before going on stage, you always wore a mask, making an excuse that you just didnt want any germs. but what if a member finds out the actual reason why?
genre › angst w comfort
pairings › lee know x male!9th member!reader
warnings › reader has anxiety.
You wore your mask and put your hood over your head, looking down as you hid your face from the flash of the camera in the airport. You knew what you were getting yourself in to when getting introduced to idol life, but one thing you couldn't get rid of was; showing your face to the entire world.
Minho glanced at you while you tried to avoid all the cameras, looking worried for you until they reached the vehicles. He knew you wore masks alot and hid your face before music shows, but he didn't know why, and never knew why he didn't ask.
You two shared a vehicle with Felix and Seungmin. You sat beside Minho while the two others sat beside each other. Still, during the ride, you only took off your hood but not your mask. He looked at the other two who were sleeping and decided to ask you a question.
“ (name), can i ask you something? ” He asked. You nodded, and he decided to ask the big question.
“ why do you hide your face? I just - just wanna know. ” You looked away from him. Minho frowned, but he still wanted answers. Looking away from him wasn't an answer at all. You wanted to say something, but something in your throat stopped you, like it was refraining you to not speak.
The car stopped in front of the hotel and you were the first one to get off. Minho looked at you disappointingly, not like he was disappointed in you, but he just wanted answers. He woke the other two up and let them off the car first.
You two shared rooms since there were only 4 rooms left in the hotel. You sighed, shoving your hands in to your hoodies pockets as you jogged over to inside of the hotel. You unpacked your bags and took off your mask. Minho walked in the shared hotel and placed his bag beside the bed.
You knew he wanted to continue that conversation from earlier, and it made you anxious. Should you tell him why you wore a mask? You went inside the bathroom as he began unpacking.
You took a shower and put on your clothes inside of the bathroom before washing your face with the products you brought with you.
Shortly after you got out, Minho went inside the bathroom. Looks like he didn't wanna talk about it. You sat down on the bed, scrolling through your phone as you looked at the new pictures of you in the airport. You felt a bit guilty that stays couldn't see your face properly, but you didn't exactly liked how you looked during that time.
Minho came out of the bathroom and sat beside you, drying his hair before he placed a hand over yours, looking at you with worried eyes.
“ why? ”
He said, softly. You looked down, wanting to avert your gaze from the other male. It was weird, he's never felt like this before. Tears overflow your eyes as they dropped on to your cheeks. God, you couldn't handle it.
“ I just.. I can't handle the attention. I-It makes me anxious. ” You still averted your gaze from him. You couldn't bear to look at that worried look on his face.
Minho held your hand tight, rubbing his thumb over your hand.
“ please, stay close to me. you had me worried every time. ”
Minho hugged you, wanting to feel the warmth of you against his skin. God, he's still so worried.
“ just hold my hand if you're ever feeling anxious, okay? ”
You felt like .. crying. Even if you already were. For the rest of the night, you poured your feelings out to Minho until you got tired and fell asleep.
#stray kids#stray kids x y/n#skz#skz fanfic#skz x male reader#stray kids x male reader#lee know x male reader#lee know x reader#lee know stray kids#stray kids lee minho#stray kids lee know#stray kids angst
181 notes
·
View notes
Text
Always back to you - Chp.5
Pairing: single!dad!Minho x male!Reader (Chanlix | OT8
Word Count: 6696
Summary: Just as everything seems to go well a call from the past messes with Minho's mind. His ex is set on getting her son back, ready to destroy everything you've built.
Warnings/Tags: fluff, angst, date night, yejun's a bitch
A/N: Thank you for all the love so far for little Minjun and his family🤭🖤
PART FOUR | PART SIX
Minho stretches his tired body, glancing over at you in the corner of the room. You're currently taking some calls to sort out Chan's upcoming schedules, and he can't bite back a small smile while watching you. After your fight, Chan made you stay by making you responsible for his own schedule and wanting to keep you around.
They're taking a short break from practice, and Minho is glad to rest his body for a bit. He glances around the room and frowns as he can't find Minjun and his current assistant. “Y/nnie?” he asks gently as you end your call. “Where's our boy?”
“O-Our-,” you stammer, eyes widening at him.
The silence that follows is loud. Around the room, heads turn, the abrupt outburst of movement marking a collective interest in the unfolding drama, or rather, the slip of the tongue that Minho just let loose. The members, more or less familiar with the private dynamics slowly simmering between you and Minho, can hardly contain their amusement.
"Did Minho just say 'our boy'?" Jisung repeats, his voice teasing as he nudges Chan with his elbow, a knowing grin spreading across his face.
Chan doesn’t miss a beat. “Yeah, Minho, since when did Y/nnie and you start sharing custody?” he chimes in, laughter tinting his voice as he looks over at you both, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
Minho, usually so composed, feels a warm flush spreading up his neck, coloring his cheeks as he meets your startled gaze. He hadn’t even realized what he'd said until it was echoed back to him, and now, caught in the playful teasing of his friends, he finds himself grappling for a response.
"I just meant—" Minho starts, trying to backpedal, but Felix cuts him off, practically bouncing in his seat with delight.
"Aww, look at him! He’s embarrassed! Minho hyung, it’s cute, really. Embrace the family vibes!" Felix teases, his voice light and teasing.
You, still slightly flustered by Minho’s unexpected inclusivity, try to regain your composure. "Minjun is just with Hyejin," you manage to say, redirecting the conversation to the young boy's whereabouts. They went somewhere else to play. He should be nearby."
Yet, the teasing doesn’t stop there. Throughout the rest of the break, the members throw in casual jokes about family planning and shared parenting. Their banter is light but pointed, a humorous acknowledgment of the evolving relationship dynamics within their circle.
As the laughter and jokes continue, Minho finds himself looking over at you, and something about your shy smile, the way you're trying to hide your own amusement, settles the warmth in him more firmly. It's a reassurance, a silent acknowledgment that maybe, just maybe, he didn’t misspeak after all.
As practice resumes and the members scatter back to their positions, Minho pulls you aside for a quick, private word, his expression earnest. "Hey, about earlier," he begins, his tone soft, apologetic. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It just... came out."
You shake your head, dismissing his concern with a gentle smile. "It’s okay, Minho. Really, it was sweet," you assure him, your voice just as soft. "I guess it’s just a bit new to me, but not unwelcome."
Minho’s eyes search yours, looking for any sign of discomfort. Finding none, he allows himself a small, relieved smile. "It felt right," he admits. You already feel like family, you know?”
The word 'family' hangs between you, a weighty yet comforting promise of what’s slowly knitting together.
"Thank you, Minho," you reply, your heart light, warmed by the sincerity of the moment. "That means a lot to me. I'll go check on him, yeah?”
“Yeah,” he nods, watching you leave.
As soon as you leave, Changbin asks, “Do you know Minjun's new nickname for Y/nnie?”
“Huh?” Minho frowns at him, grabbing his bottle of water.
“He called him his new mum,” he laughs, and Minho's blush deepens. “He also said you're like Lix and Chan hyung.”
“Oh, you can't tell only half of the story,” Jisung protests. He added, “He said you're kissing like Chan and Lix.”
Minho chokes on his water, tears shooting to his eyes as he coughs. Seungmin pats his back forcefully and starts laughing at him. “He what?” he wheezes, trying to catch his breath.
“Yeah, he even showed Chan hyung that it's not on the cheek but on the lips,” Changbin snickers.
Minho blushes furiously before dropping back onto the floor with a groan. “Well, he's not lying,” he says, and his friends start laughing. Minho inhales shakily, keeping his eyes on the floor. “I still don't know if it's a good idea. I don't want to pull him into the public aspect of my life. I'm also not quite sure if I'm what he needs,” he admits, and they all grow quiet again. “There's a lot of bullshit in the back of my mind about what happened with Yejun. I don't feel like I'm enough for Minjun either.”
“Does it feel right being with Y/nnie, though? If everything else wouldn't matter for a second…does it?” Felix asks gently.
“It does,” he nods.
“Maybe being with Y/n would help your insecurities regarding Minjun,” Hyunjin reminds him.
“You wouldn't be the only parent he has then..sort of,” Jeongin agrees.
Minho hums agreeingly and is about to answer when the door opens. He doesn't have to turn around to identify the small steps echoing on the floor. Minjun closes the distance between them and crawls into his lap, hiding his face in his shirt. Minho frowns and wraps his arms around him as he feels him tremble. “Baby, what's wrong?” he asks worriedly.
“Hyejin is mean,” he sniffles. Chan looks up and frowns at Minho.
“Mean?” he asks confused. “Did she say something bad?” Chan asks him gently.
“She said shut up,” Minjun answers, looking at him with teary eyes. “I just showed her my drawing.”
Minho's heart sinks at how timid he sounds. He cuddles him close and kisses his head. “It's okay, baby. Do you want to show me instead?” he asks soothingly, and Minjun nods.
“I'll handle it,” Chan promises and gets up quickly.
“Where's your drawing, mate?” Felix asks encouragingly, and Minjun gets up, wiping his cheeks with his sleeve.
-
Chan leans against the wall in the elevator, watching you cautiously. You two just got back from handling the situation with Minho’s new assistant, who seems hopelessly overwhelmed by taking care of Minjun. “You love him, don't you?” he asks.
“Minjun?” you ask.
“No, Min,” he chuckles softly. You remain silent for a moment, almost squirming under Chan's observant gaze. “Do you love him?”
“Why?” you ask quietly. “Would that be an issue?”
Chan tilts his head at you. “As long as you don't hurt him, there's absolutely no issue. I'm just asking because he means a lot to us. Minjun does, too. Minho has been hurt very badly before, and I won't let that happen again.”
“I know; he's scared of getting hurt again,” you nod gently and fidget with your hands. “I do love him. Minjun and he mean a lot to me, and I have no intention of hurting either of them.”
“Okay,” Chan nods gently. “Minjun called you his new mum,” he smirked, and you bit back a laugh.
“Sounds like him,” you giggle. “Really, Chan, I don't want to be a distraction or anything. I know that's probably easier with you and Felix, but-.”
Chan giggles softly and shakes his head. “Since we're both part of the group, every argument carries a certain risk. I think you being with them takes a lot off Minho's shoulders with Minjun.” He shoves his hands into his pockets and nods gently. “I'll be there if you need anything. I'd rather have you two get some help than get into another argument that lasts for weeks. He doesn't do well with conflict,” he laughs.
“Me neither,” you laugh.
“And you're sure you want to take over organizing both of our schedules? With Minjun?” he asks gently.
“Oh, Minho's schedule can be done whenever he's available. Minjun doesn't feel like a job, and the older he gets, the less he'll be around the whole day,” you chuckle softly. “Also, let's not get ahead of ourselves; Minho and I haven't named our situation yet.”
Chan hums softly. “If it takes too long, let me know,” he smirks, leading you back to the practice room.
Minjun is sitting on Felix's lap as you enter the room, his drawings spread out on the floor with the others inspecting them closely. He explains them in detail, amusing everyone present with his sweet way to do so. Minho watches him fondly, and looking at him you realize that this soft side of him made him stand out to you in the first place. Chan takes his place next to Felix, hand resting on his thigh naturally as he joins the discussion of Minjun's masterpiece. Minho reaches for your hand, pulling you into his lap and resting his head on your shoulder. You're a little surprised by the sudden display of affection here with the others, but the knowing smiles tell you that not only Chan knows. “What happened with Minjun?” he asks quietly.
“Hyejin yelled at him. She didn't realize that being your assistant comes with taking care of Minjun properly. She had already refused to play with him, so he told her about his toys and drawings because he was bored, which annoyed her.
“Told you your replacement is shit,” he says quietly enough for only you to hear.
“Idiot,” you chuckle fondly, smiling as he intertwines your hands. “Well, I'm officially your assistant again. I won't let anyone treat Minjun like that.”
Minho's hold on you tightens. “That's why I trust you with him.” You squeeze his hands lovingly, leaning back against him.
-
Minho giggles stupidly as he watches you stitch up the back of Leebit’s head. You've just spent a while trying to figure out a way to include some of his cologne in the plushie to make it smell like him for Minjun, much to his amusement.
“You're so easily entertained sometimes,” you roll your eyes at him fondly. Minho circles the table, steps behind you, and wraps his arms around your waist.
“You're amusing to watch sometimes,” he gives back, kissing your cheek. “But adorable.”
“Well, thanks. Not my fault your son is so attached to you,” you tease him gently, smiling as he runs his hands down your thighs, resting his head on your shoulder.
“Hey, how is the sheer amount of love my son has for me my fault, huh?” he asks, gently squeezing your thighs. “It's not like I'd get what's so special,” he snorts.
“You're his father, and compared to some other people we won't name here, you're actually there,” you say, and Minho bites back a laugh. You shake your head, focusing on the stitching, though the warmth of Minho's presence makes it hard to concentrate. "I think you underestimate your charm, Minho."
"I could say the same about you," he whispers back, his voice low and affectionate.
As you finish up with Leebit, Minho gently takes it from you, examining your work with an appreciative eye. "Perfect. He won't even notice the fix. You're amazing, Y/nnie."
The praise, sincere and simple, stirs something deep within you, and you find yourself turning to face him, his hands still circled around your waist. "I just don't want him to feel so alone whenever you're gone," you say.
Minho nods, his gaze softening. "You're so sweet. Don't you ever leave us, dear."
"Even when it gets complicated?" you ask, needing to hear his answer. You haven’t been this close to someone in ages, and you know Minho is a lot further than you in a few areas, but his prior hurt can’t be disregarded.
"Especially then," Minho affirms, his thumb tracing circles on your hip. "We're in this together, right?"
"Right," you agree, leaning in to kiss him—a sweet, affirming connection that promises more than words could.
-
The ring of Minho’s phone cuts through the quiet of his living room. Glancing at the caller ID, his stomach tightens uncomfortably; Yejun’s name flashes across the screen, bringing with it a cascade of unwelcome emotions.
He hesitates for a moment before picking up. “Yejun.”
“Minho,” her voice comes through, falsely cheerful. “I’ve been thinking a lot about Minjun. I want to take him to the U.S. with me for a while. Just a trip. It could be good for him.”
Minho’s grip on the phone tightens, his other hand balling into a fist at his side. Did she already forget the debacle from last time? “Yejun, we’ve talked about this. Minjun doesn’t want that. Not without me.”
There’s a pause, and when she speaks again, her tone has cooled significantly. “You just don’t want to let me have him,” she says.
“That’s not it,” Minho replies, struggling to keep his voice even. “It’s about what he needs. And right now, he needs stability, something you walking in and out of his life doesn’t provide. Especially not after last time.”
Yejun’s laugh is sharp, biting. “Oh, now you’re the perfect father, huh? Wasn’t so perfect when we were married. Always away, always working. You were a shit husband, Minho.”
The words sting more than Minho likes to admit. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath and reminding himself that his being away often hadn’t been the core issue. “I was not perfect,” he continues, the weight of their failed marriage always a tender wound. “And I am sorry for my part in what happened between us. But this isn’t about us, Yejun. It’s about Minjun.”
Silence stretches on the other end before Yejun’s voice cracks through, icy and menacing. “You’re keeping my son from me, Minho. You might fool everyone else with your doting father act, but I know the truth. I know who you really are.”
“You don't know shit, Yejun,” he says firmly. “You haven't been there for the past four years. Don't act like you know anything about me and my relationship with Minjun.”
“It doesn't matter if it's true or not if someone else believes me,” she says lowly.
Minho feels a chill run down his spine. “Yejun, please. Let’s not do this. If you want to see Minjun, you can visit here and spend time with him where he’s comfortable. That’s fair, isn’t it?”
“Fair?” Yejun spits the word out like it tastes bitter. “You expect me just to accept scraps of time with my own son? You’ve turned him against me, Minho.”
“That’s not true. Minjun is old enough to know what he wants. And right now, he doesn’t want to go with you,” Minho insists, his voice firm. “He’s happy here, with his life here.”
There’s a venomous pause before Yejun’s voice lowers, a dark promise threading through her words. “You may have won this little round, Minho, but this isn’t over. I will have my son back. And I’ll destroy your life if I have to for taking him away from me. I’ll make you pay yourself stupid once I take him back in.”
“You chose to go away. You handed over full custody to me; technically, I could make sure you never see him again, which I don't because that's bullshit. But don't twist things,” Minho’s heart races with a mix of anger and fear—anger at her threats and fear of what she might be capable of. “Yejun, don’t do this. Don’t make threats. Let’s try to handle this like adults, for Minjun’s sake.”
Yejun’s laugh is cold, devoid of any real humor. “Oh, honey. This is just the beginning. I left because I had to, not because I wanted to. You made our life impossible. Remember that.”
With a click, she hangs up, leaving Minho staring at his phone, her words echoing in his head. He slumps back into the sofa, the weight of the call settling over him like a heavy blanket.
After a few moments of stunned silence, he stands, pacing the living room. The threat Yejun posed was not just to his tranquility but to Minjun’s well-being. He knew he couldn’t take her words lightly. Yejun was unpredictable, and if her past actions were any indication, she was capable of following through on her threats.
He needed to be proactive. First, he would need to talk to his legal team about securing his custody of Minjun, ensuring that Yejun couldn’t just take him without consent. Then, he would need to sit down with Minjun and prepare him, just in case Yejun tried to contact him directly.
By the time you arrive back home with Minjun, he is mentally exhausted but knows the day is far from over.
Minjun greets him with a smile and runs into his arms the moment he reaches him. “Daddy! I'm home!”
Minho hugs him tightly, lifting him up and spinning him around, Minjun’s laughter a balm to his frayed nerves. Setting him down, he kneels before him, looking into his son’s eyes. “Buddy, we need to talk about something important,” he begins, his voice soft but serious.
Minjun’s face sobers, sensing the gravity in his father’s tone. “Is everything okay, Daddy?”
“Everything’s going to be okay,” Minho reassures, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “We just have some things to sort out, you and I. But no matter what, we’re together in this. Okay?”
“Okay, Daddy,” Minjun nods, trust shining in his eyes.
As you sit down together, Minho’s heart swells with love for his son. No matter what Yejun threatened, he would protect Minjun and ensure his happiness. They were a team, and together, they could face anything - even this.
Minho fills you in quietly later as Minjun is playing on the carpet not far from you. Your heart sinks at her threats, and you almost feel sorry for her twisted view of what happened. That couldn't be healthy.
-
Minho’s sleep is uneasy, his dreams filled with vague, unsettling images. He awakes with a start to the intrusive buzzing of his phone. He reaches out groggily, the glow from the screen harsh against the dim light of early morning. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, Minho’s gaze settles on a flood of notifications—missed calls, texts, and several urgent notifications from various news apps.
As he scrolls through them, a cold knot forms in his stomach. Each message seems to echo the same shocking revelation: “Yejun reveals Minho is dating his son’s babysitter!” and “Questions arise over Minho’s capabilities as a parent!” His heart pounds as he reads snippets of articles, each one painting him in an increasingly unfavorable light.
Beside him, you stir, your brow furrowing in sleep. Minho’s first instinct is to protect you from the storm that is about to break. He slips out of bed, his mind racing as he tries to process the information. How had things spiraled out of control so quickly? He knew Yejun was bitter about their past, but to go this far was something he hadn't anticipated.
He paces the room, his phone almost slipping from his sweaty palm as he tries to call Chan, his first person to turn to when his public life's falling apart. Chan had a way of handling these situations that made him feel safe. After several rings, a groggy voice answers.
“Min? It’s...what time is it?” Chan sounds disoriented, but he snaps to attention as soon as Minho begins to speak.
“I'm sorry for waking you, Channie hyung,” he says quietly, feeling a little guilty for disrupting his already fucked sleep schedule.
Chan sits up at the timid sound of his voice. Minho doesn't call him ‘Channie hyung’ often; It's usually when he's feeling anxious or very thankful about something. He doubts it's the latter. “Minnie, what's wrong?” he asks gently, slipping out of bed to let Felix keep sleeping.
“Channie, it’s all over the news. Yejun... she told them about Y/nnie and me. She said I can’t take care of Minjun properly. It’s a mess,” Minho’s voice is a mix of anger and desperation.
“What?!” Chan’s voice suddenly becomes sharp and angry. “She did what? Hold on, I’m checking this now.”
Silence fills the line for a few moments before Chan speaks again, his voice icy. “I see it. This is bullshit, Minho. She’s crossed a line. I’m calling the PR team. We need to handle this swiftly.”
“Thanks, hyung. I...I don’t know what to do,” Minho confesses, running a hand through his hair. His heart feels like it is being squeezed in his chest, the anxiety making it hard to breathe.
“Just stay put and try to keep calm. I’ll handle the media part. You just... make sure Y/nnie is okay. He's going to be dragged into this mess too,” Chan advises, his voice calm, but Minho can hear the underlying strain.
Minho nods, though Chan can’t see it. “Yeah, I’ll talk to him. Thanks, Channie, seriously.”
“Always, mate. We’re in this together,” Chan reassures him before hanging up.
-
Minho slipped out of the house quietly soon after, relieved that Minjun and you were still peacefully asleep. He needs to clear his head to handle everything calmly, and Chan will be busy for a while now.
Minho steps into the practice room and stretches his tired body, warming up. He turns on the music a little more quietly than usual and closes his eyes, taking deep breaths as he prepares his body for the usual strain of dancing.
He grabs his phone after a while and swallows hard. It isn't just the messages or missed calls—it's headlines, the kind that blur the lines between personal and public in the most invasive ways. “Stray Kids’ Minho’s Ex-Wife Claims Neglect—Says He’s Too Busy Dating Babysitter to Care for Son.” The words are crafted to scandalize, and they do their job perfectly.
The news is spreading fast, and with each passing minute, the narrative is slipping further from his control. Yejun had not only threatened him in private but also taken her grievances to the most public domain possible. The implications were catastrophic, affecting not just him but also Minjun and you, who had been nothing but supportive and loving towards both him and his son.
Minho gets lost in their newest choreo, moving his body precisely to the music, and tries to stop thinking about it for a while. Chan finds him there about an hour later, turning the music off as the song ends. “Thought I'd find you here.”
Minho pants softly and grabs the towel Chan holds out for him, wiping his face. “Needed to clear my head.”
The room is silent, heavy with unsaid words, until Chan finally speaks, his voice tight with anger and concern. “This is messed up, Min. She can’t just throw you to the wolves like this.”
Minho sighs, rubbing his temples. “I know, but she’s doing it anyway. She’s making it all public and dragging Y/n into it, too. It’s getting out of hand, and I’m worried about what this is doing to Minjun.”
Chan’s jaw clenches, and his protectiveness over his friend is evident. “We’ll fix this, okay? I talked to the PR team to see how we can counteract these claims. And I’m here, whatever you need.”
Minho looks up, startled as the door opens and Felix steps inside, followed by the rest of their closest friends. “Sorry, we're a little late.”
They all gather on the floor next to Minho and Chan, reassuringly patting his back as they do. “Let's deal with this bitch once and for all,” Jisung says firmly, feeling the need to protect little Minjun from this mess.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Seungmin asks, glancing at Chan questioningly.
“Everyone of us will publish a statement; I already talked that through. Minho shouldn't have any issues proving he's the one worthy of custody in case she snaps and takes him to court. Hyunjin, Innie, you have an interview coming up; be prepared for dumb questions.”
“I'll make them look stupid instead,” Hyunjin grins, pulling a weak laugh from Minho.
“Have you talked to your parents yet?” Jeongin asks Minho, who shakes his head.
“I forgot about that,” he admits, already searching for his phone.
“Might be a good idea to clear things up with them first,” Changbin agrees.
“Whatever happens, we have your back,” Felix promises.
“Thank you guys, really. Just…if you find ways to ease Y/nnie with this, I'd be grateful. He's not exactly prepared for the public’s shit as we are.”
“Of course,” Chan assures him. “Now go call your parents.”
The support is reassuring, but the problem looms large and unyielding. As the day progresses, you come to find Minho, your expression fraught with worry. Seeing you so distressed adds another layer of guilt to Minho’s already heavy conscience.
“Hey,” he says softly as you hand over Minjun to Jisung, who leaves you some space.
“Hey,” you echo, swallowing hard. “Minho, maybe I should just leave,” you suggest hesitantly, the words paining you even as they leave your lips. “If I’m not around, she won’t have another reason to attack you like this.”
Minho looks up sharply, his eyes locking with yours. “Y/n, no. Leaving won’t fix this. It’s not your presence that’s the problem—it’s Yejun. And I’m not going to let her chase you away. You mean too much to me, to Minjun.”
Your eyes fill with tears, touched by his words but still shaken by the rapid unraveling of your quiet life. “But Minho, this is getting so big. What if it affects Minjun more than it already has? What if your career—”
He shakes his head, hands finding yours. “Look, whatever happens, we face it together. Yejun is trying to isolate us and make us feel weak by dividing us. I won’t let her. I love you, Y/nnie, and I need you to know that.”
The affirmation, so heartfelt and desperate, breaks through your resolve to distance yourself. You nod, squeezing his hands back, finding strength in his conviction.
“We’ll deal with this,” Minho continues, his voice firm despite the chaos around you. “I’ll talk to the lawyers, and see what legal avenues we have to protect ourselves and Minjun. And Chan is right—we’ll work with the PR team to set the record straight.”
True to his word, Minho arranged meetings with his legal team, and together with the public relations department, they began crafting a response that would address the allegations head-on. Chan was a constant presence, offering both strategic advice and moral support, and his friendship was a steady force in the tumult.
As the week progressed, strategies were implemented. The company issued a statement denouncing the unfounded accusations and highlighting Minho’s dedication as a father, accompanied by testimonials from colleagues and friends outside the group who vouched for his character and his role in Minjun’s life.
Yet, despite the countermeasures, the shadow of the scandal lingered. The press was relentless, and the public's appetite for celebrity drama was insatiable. Minho found himself scrutinizing every decision and every interaction with Minjun and you, aware that the eyes of the world were now critically watching.
Minho asked you to move in with them so it'd be easier for him to keep you safe. It didn't change much for you since you've been staying over a lot already and barely went back home. So, of course, you said yes.
Two months later
Felix's birthday is just around the corner, and you're almost a little surprised when he comes to you to invite you all. He giggles at your stunned look and tilts his head at you. “You look like you've seen a ghost.”
“I'm just…did you ask Min?” you ask nervously.
“No,” Felix shakes his head. “He's busy right now, and I'm inviting you as you are part of his and, therefore, our family.”
“Oh,” you nod gently, a shy smile covering your lips. “Sure, I'd love to be there,” you nod. “I bet Minjun would love it as well, and Minho will surely be there.”
“Lovely,” he smiles and gives you a gentle hug.
Minho later walks in, Minjun sitting on his shoulders with a wide grin. “Y/nnie!” Minjun shouts and waves at you. “Look, I'm tall!”
“Oh yeah, you're really tall now, buddy!” you assure him.
Minho giggles softly, stopping in front of you and greeting you with a soft kiss. “Hey there,” he says fondly.
“Hey,” you smile back at him. “Ready to go home?” you ask, and Minho hums softly.
“Minjun is staying over at Chan and Felix's tonight,” he says, and you frown at him, surprised.
“The whole night?” you ask, and Minho hums agreeing. Over the past two months, you've been letting Minjun stay with all of the boys for a few hours each. It helped him grow less dependent on Minho, and he became more confident about staying somewhere else for a while. Minjun seemed happy, and Minho was more than glad. It allowed you all to grow together. “What's the occasion?” you ask curiously. Chan and Felix had been the ones Minjun loved staying with a lot. Chan once told Minho how much Felix loved having him around, and so the two of them made sure their boyfriend and son got what they loved.
“Maybe I just want to take you out for dinner without having to glance at the time,” he smiles softly, letting Minjun down as he spots his beloved ‘Changnin’. Minho’s hands find your waist, eyes growing soft the longer he looks at you. “Maybe I want to kiss you stupid after without worrying about a certain someone bursting in and going ‘eww’.”
You giggle softly at the memory of Minjun catching Minho kissing you a little more passionately than he'd do in front of him. “Sounds lovely,” you chuckle.
Minho hums gently, searching your eyes as if he doesn't know if he should keep talking or not. “Maybe…Maybe I'd be ready to take the next step,” he says, and your eyes widen. “No pressure or anything, though. Just..if it feels right if we're both comfortable tonight…I think I'm ready.”
You can't bite back the giddy smile covering your lips. Over the months you've been with Minho, you have never gone much further than kissing. He once covered your neck with loving little bites, but you didn't get much further with Minjun, only a few doors further. You've been able to tell how Minho grew a little impatient every time things were developing into something more, but there was simply no chance you two could take the time you'd need for your first time together with a child around the house. “You're sure?” you ask gently, and Minho nods.
“I'm sure, my love,” he says sweetly, making your stomach flutter already.
“I love you, Min,” you whisper, watching his eyes sparkle with joy.
“I love you too, Y/nnie,” he says softly. “Come on, let's make sure Minjun is with Chan and Felix,” Minho suggests with a playful nudge, guiding you toward them.
Felix is already fooling around with Minjun, and Chan is watching them fondly. “Are you ready to go?” Chan asks as you reach them.
“Yeah, everything is done,” Minho nods, smirking at Minjun. “Are you ready to stay with Lix and Channie?”
“Yes, Daddy,” Minjun nods happily, and Minho crouches down in front of him.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow, yeah? Uncle Channie will take you to the studio with him if you want to,” he tells him, gently squeezing his little hands. “Be good, yeah? No discussions about bedtime either, baby.”
“Yes, Daddy,” Minjun nods eagerly and tightly hugs him goodbye. “I love you,” he says softly.
“I love you too, dumpling,” Minho smiles and kisses his cheek, gently brushing back his curls.
You gently rest your hand on his shoulder, silently reminding him to let go of him. It’s also the first night for Minho without his boy since Yejun left. Minho does, and Minjun’s hugging you goodbye tightly. Chan chuckles softly, noticing Minho’s worried frown. “I’ll return him intact, I promise,” he winks at him, and Minho relaxes with a chuckle.
Felix lifts up Minjun, smiling reassuringly at Minho. “We’ll take good care of him,” he tells him.
“I know,” he assures them gently. “Just new for me as well,” he laughs, gently poking Minjun’s cheek. “Be good, yeah?”
“You too,” he says, making everyone giggle.
Minho rolls his eyes fondly, winking at him. “Yeah, okay.” His hand finds yours as they leave, and you squeeze it softly. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but he’s growing up way too fast,” he chuckles with a soft sigh.
“Mhm, yeah, I can’t believe you saying this either,” you snort teasingly.
“Shut up, will you?” he laughs, gently shoving your side. “Alright, let’s go,” he gives himself a push.
The two of you reach his car outside the building. As you both settle in, a sense of nervous excitement fills the air - a mixture of anticipation for the evening ahead and the deep emotional connection that has grown between you two.
Back at home, the two of you get ready, and you let Minho match your outfits since he has a way better eye for what’s needed in public. You barely got used to people taking pictures of him when you were only his assistant, but now you had to excel yourself as his boyfriend. Minho does his best to make you feel comfortable and look presentable for pictures whenever you’re out together. Once he’s done, he hums to himself happily, smacking your butt lovingly. Typical.
The drive is quiet but comfortable, filled with shared glances and soft smiles, each exchange weaving a deeper layer of intimacy. As you arrive at the restaurant, Minho’s hand finds yours, his grip reassuring and warm. You soon blend out the people around you, focusing on him only. This isn’t very hard to do because something about Minho caught your attention long before you started dating.
Minho is more relaxed lately now that the whole mess with Yejun is settled. All of his friends repeatedly spoke out for him, and two weeks ago, Minho attended a press conference dealing with the matter. You know that hadn’t been easy for him, but he had been rather open and honest, making sure all the rumors were addressed and settled. He also made sure to clarify that you’ve been working for him for years, slowly taking more and more care of Minjun and growing closer with him in the process. She did her best to take him back to court, but looking at the circumstances, it only benefited Minho, who refused all of the payments she’d have to make for dragging his name through dirt and spreading lies.
After dinner, Minho suggests a walk, and you wander through a nearby park adorned with twinkling lights and soft shadows. You stop beneath a street lantern, its soft glow painting the scene in an almost magical light. Minho turns to you, his eyes reflecting the twinkling lights, his face etched with tenderness.
“Y/nnie,” he begins, his voice a whisper of emotion. “Being with you has made me happier than I’ve been in a long time. I feel like I can finally breathe like I’m more myself than I’ve ever been.” You listen, your heart swelling with each word, the sincerity in his voice anchoring the swirling emotions inside you. “And I want to share everything with you. Not just the dinners or the walks, or the laughs we have with Minjun. I want to share all the moments, even those we’ve yet to live,” he continues, his hand reaching up to gently caress your cheek. “I love you so much, and I’ll be there as long as you let me.”
The emotional weight of his words pulls you closer, and you find your lips meeting in a kiss that speaks volumes. It’s tender at first, explorative, and as if each of you is memorizing the feel of the other. The kiss deepens; it grows more passionate, fueled by the months of growing love and restrained desire.
Minho’s arms wrap around you, pulling you closer. His hands trace the lines of your back, pressing you into his warmth. You respond in kind, weaving your hands into his hair, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss until it’s all that exists in the world - the two of you, beneath the warm lights, lost in each other.
Eventually, the need for air forces you apart, but only slightly. Foreheads pressed together, breathing mingled, you share a quiet laugh - a moment of pure happiness and mutual understanding.
“Let’s go home?” you ask gently, and he hums in response.
The walk back to the car is filled with easy silence, which is comfortable and reassuring. Once home, Minho leads you to your bedroom, his hand steady in yours, a silent promise of what’s to come - a night of exploring, of loving, of affirming the feelings that have been simmering beneath the surface for so long. His lips entangle yours in a passionate kiss as he silently closes the door behind you. The back of your knees hit the edge of the mattress, and you both drop down into it. Minho hovers over you, eyes filled with nothing but pure adoration and love. He’s bracing himself next to your head, caging your legs in with his knees, and leans down, capturing your lips in another fierce kiss. His body moves on its own, searching yours, and the minute your hands find his hips, he lowers himself onto his elbows, closing the distance between your bodies. “Shit,” he mutters against your lips as you arch into him.
You reach down, testing the waters and palming him through his pants. Minho’s hips stutter, a soft moan leaving him, head dropping against your shoulder. “Minho?” you ask softly, noticing how desperately his body reacts to your every touch without him even fully realizing it. “When was the last time you had some time for yourself…like this?”
Minho laughs, planting a row of gentle kisses against your neck. “My sweet love, you have no idea,” he chuckles. “Remember that clingy kid of mine?” he asks, making you laugh as well.
“Right,” you giggle and kiss his cheek.
“Just tell me what you need, love; I’ll do it,” Minho promises gently, smiling down at you fondly. “We have time.”
Minho’s whispered promise lingers in the air, the warmth of his smile making your heart flutter. The room feels isolated from the world, a private sanctuary where the past complexities and external pressures fade into the background. Here, it’s just the two of you, bound by an intimacy that has deepened with each shared struggle and joy.
You guide his hand beneath your shirt, letting him explore your bare skin. Your breath hitches as he follows your silent directions with attentive care. Minho’s touch is skilled, a perfect blend of tender and assured, driven by his desire to bring you comfort and pleasure. His eyes never leave yours, seeking confirmation and encouragement, his own desire mirrored in the deepening blush of your cheeks.
“Is this okay?” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. His fingertips trace patterns along the waistband of your trousers that leave you breathless.
“More than okay,” you manage to reply, your voice a whisper caught between sighs. The room fills with the sound of your intertwined breaths, a testament to the closeness that both of you cherish.
Minho’s movements become more purposeful. His free hand cradles your face, his thumb caressing your jawline as he watches the effects of his actions reflected in your expressions. The world narrows down to the shifting shadows cast by the dim light, the soft bedding beneath you, and the man who has come to mean so much. He has barely touched you and you’re already melting into a puddle. How the hell would you survive this?
PART FOUR | PART SIX
MASTERLISTS | PROMPT LIST | GUIDELINES
Taglist (Please let me know if you want to be added to or removed from the taglist):
@atinyniki @galaxycatdrawz @silverstarburst @aaa-sia @lilmisssona @kthstrawberryshortcake @channieaddict @soullostinspaceandtime @rebecca-johnson-28 @lixie-phoria @kibs-and-bits @xxstrayland @ihrtlix @pheonixfire777 @mellhwang @palindrome969 @michelle4eve @harshaaaaa @rylea08 @heeyboooo @manuosorioh @gisaerlleri @andassortedkpop @lailac13 @bbokari711 @kazuuuaaa @rssamj @wolfyychan @stellasays45 @chrizzztopherbang @ionlyeverwantedtobeyourequal @silentreadersthings @myforevermelody143 @sapphirewaves @lost-in-avoidance @moonchild9350 @spicxbnny @queer-possum @james-is-here @roriiror @minholover1 @cb97s-laptop @iknowyouknowminho @dis-trict9 @constrellar
#stray kids#skz#minho#lee know#skz fic#stray kids fic#minho fic#lee know fic#minho x male reader#lee know x male reader#stray kids x male reader#skz x male reader#minho fluff#minho angst#lee know fluff#lee know angst#stray kids fluff#stray kids angst#skz angst#skz fluff#skz fanfic#stray kids fanfic#lee know fanfic#minho fanfic#minho x reader#lee know x reader#stray kids x reader#skz x reader#dad!lee know#dad!minho
207 notes
·
View notes
Text
The last moment of affection
Peiring:Lee Minho x Han Jisung
ONLY APPEARANCE AND A LITTLE CHARACTER ARE TAKEN FROM REAL PEOPLE. DOES NOT REFER TO REAL IDOLS.
Tag:doomed love, angst, suicide, drugs, death.
Minho and Jisung had a complicated and complex history. Their relationship was riddled with complex emotions and tension, laced with doubt and deception. They managed to change each other's lives, but, unfortunately, not for the better. How did this story begin? What happened at the end? A love story is never happy, love is cruel, and trust destroys hearts.
They began writing this story when they were students in high school.Both are only 17 years old. Minho is the leader of the basketball team, and Jisung is a very attractive guitarist in the school band. Minho is harsh and rude, while Jisung is loud, cheerful and very gentle. Minho immediately noticed Jisung in the crowd, bright blue hair visible in the crowd. Jisung dressed the way he wanted, he did what he wanted...and then Minho wanted Jisung. Jisung immediately fell in love with Minho, maybe this story is about true love? Jisung also paid attention to Minho, but noted him as a very rude and wayward young man.
–"Look, Sonnie, Minho is staring at you again,” Felix whispered in Jisung’s ear and glanced towards Minho, who was sitting at the opposite end of the dining room.
–"He recently invited me to his home..” Jisung whispered mysteriously in response and looked at Minho and waved his hand.
–"And what did you do?"
–"Damn, first we watched anime... and then... he kissed me." Jisung's cheeks turned red and he was sure that Minho was grinning at such Jisung. Felix's eyes widened and he squeezed Jisung's shoulder approvingly, "YOU HAVE TO TELL ME EVERYTHING."
This was the beginning. Everything was like something out of a stupid novel or, even worse, a romantic drama. The relationship started fast and furious, Minho loved a lot of emotions and Minho loved Jisung. Jisung always dreamed of being loved and wanted to love. Minho lifted Jisung to heaven.
–"So gentle when you're embarrassed"
–"Please,Ho..Kiss me again"
Soft laughter, hot hands under a T-shirt and such familiar lips on the skin. The idea of falling in love with Lee Minho was the best thing in life.
–“You look like my dream...you feel like the most pleasant alcohol,” Lee whispered and kissed Jisung aggressively, hovering over him on the sofa. They met at Minho's house, these were secret meetings. Jisung's family only knew Minho as Jisung's friend. But should friends kiss?
–"Sonnie, play the guitar for me. You play so beautifully" Jisung would compose hundreds of lyrics for Minho, Minho would become his eternal muse.
Minho gave Jisung the brightest love, they call it "Eros". Such love is passionate and flaming, implying a loss of control due to love... they have long ceased to control themselves. They seemed to shine with each other. They had so many moments together, so many tender and sweet memories.
And also, as Jisung said, Minho fucks him well. Yes, with Minho it was definitely the best sex, leading to languor and stars in the eyes. Lee Minho knew how to make things pleasant.
Jisung thought about Minho before bed, thought about him in the morning, and thought about him always, absolutely always. Minho settled in Jisung’s thoughts and in his heart, becoming Jisung’s very dream. Han Jisung knew how to love. And Minho...oh dear Minho. Minho never thought he wanted to settle for just one. Lee Minho wanted to take everything at once.
Minho has always been a person prone to cheating. He couldn't stop at one person, one story. But when he decided to cheat on Jisung, his long-term partner and lover, it was too much even for him.
Minho:Hyunnie) can you come to my house by 7:30 pm?
Hyunjin:I can, Minho, what happened?
Minho: Jisung and I had a fight, I'm so bored...
Hyunjin: Omg, I'll be there soon. wait with alcohol.
Minho: Tanks 💌👌🏻
Oh yeah. Minho and Jisung started arguing a lot. Minho often disappears, he's just bored with Jisung. Jisung is too nice, Jisung is too soft and Jisung loves him too much. It was suffocating Minho, he wanted freedom and more lust, Minho wanted more sex. Jisung tried many times to have a normal conversation with Minho, but every time the same short message awaited him: “Don’t bother me, I’m busy.”
Busy...When will you find time for Jisung?
–"Haven't you talked again?"
–"Lix...he always disappears somewhere, he always goes with Hyunjin...it's like I'm nobody"
–"Please Jisung, talk to him."
–"But I don't want to hurt him."
–"Aren’t you in pain yourself?”
Those around Jisung clearly noticed how he was losing interest in life. He couldn't understand how he could think like that...he would never leave Minho, and that thought haunted her every night. He could not fill the emptiness in his soul, and the moral pain became unbearable.
–"I want to watch a movie with you, Sonnie"
–"Min!! I'm so happy, of course I'll come...how about tonight?"
But there were no films. Minho loved the body, Minho doesn't need Jisung's soul. He invited Jisung to indulge in the passions of the night. Jisung is in pain again, but he allows Minho to do it.
Jisung:Minnie, We need to talk
Minho:About what?
Jisung:I know it will hurt. forgive me, you were my best boyfriend...I really love you so much, I always do. I love you until my knees tremble and my heart hurts... but it’s time to end this. You always disappear with Hyunjin or Chan, you always avoid me, it hurts me. I want to end this relationship.
Minho:Oh so pretty)Yeah, we are breaking up. I do not love you. Sorry, I'm late for Chan :)))
Pain.Jisung is so stupid, yes, stupid. It hurts so damn much. It’s as if a tormenting frost has set in on your soul, and the flowers are dying in the frost. as if his heart had been torn out of his chest and left him, leaving only emptiness in him. Full of despair, he experiences a loss of interest in life. Further we go, worse it becomes. Previously, he could find joy, happiness, pleasure in life even in the little things. But now all the days have become gray, devoid of meaning and purpose. It’s dark inside him, a dark forest, as if his soul is immersed in absolute darkness.
"Can I just leave?" - such thoughts arise in him more and more often. What does he have to lose? He lost his soulmate, his family, his love. What's left? Endless emptiness and pain. It's so easy to just stop existing. It's so easy to stop feeling pain. Jisung is unable to live without Minho. Jisung's soul completely dissolved in Minho, but he just laughed at him. Probably Jisung has no value since Minho cheated on him... probably Jisung is not good enough for Minho... Jisung promises to improve. Jisung wants to go back to Minho, but sees him either in Hyunjin’s company or in Chan’s Company.
Jisung's too kind heart hurts, he completely stops socializing. He leaves the group, now the guitar is his past. He dyed his bright blue hair black and permed it, so he's now curly. Jisung wears glasses and dresses modestly, Jisung has lost himself. Han Jisung killed himself. The world is like cracked glass, fragments fly in different directions. Jisung only allowed Felix to come near him, and Felix’s heart ached so much for his friend. Felix doesn't want to lose Jisung.
But Felix didn't have extra ears or eyes, he couldn't always be with Jisung, and Jisung only communicated with Felix. This night will be the loneliest.
Night. White sheets, the silence of the night and only the cool air brought Jisung to consciousness. What a terrible feeling, why does love hurt so much? He missed Minho, he believed that Minho was not bad, but it hurt so much. It hurt as if I had been hit with all my might right in the chest. Jisung saw life next to Minho. Jisung destroyed himself, he gave up his dreams and career. Jisung can't be himself anymore, so what's left? Black curls fell on an unnaturally pale face, Jisung got out of bed and found some pills in the medicine cabinet, he didn’t care what they were. Jisung didn't realize what he was doing or why he was doing it. He just wants to stop feeling pain, pills relieve pain.
Jisung:Sorry, Felix
Jisung:It will be better, better for everyone.
Jisung:I'm so scared, but I have to do it.
Jisung:Sorry bro...you were the best.
Han Jisung turned off his phone without seeing Felix's tirade and the message "I'M ALREADY ON THE GO, PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING." Oh.. Jisung just didn't want to be stopped.Death for lunch today, bon appetit.
Jisung looked at the pills that were lying on a snow-white plate. There is no doubt that Jisung is just tired. Many people say that after death... it is calm and good there, which is what Jisung wanted. Jisung locked himself in the kitchen after changing into a black shirt and black pants, his black curly hair falling over his face. First pills...second...third...fourth...he lost count, I think there were about 30? The last thing Jisung felt was the feeling of doomed love, “I’m sorry that I love you so much, Lee Minho,” Han Jisung’s very last thought.
But Lee Felix didn’t have time, he had to break down the door to the kitchen, where he saw Jisung already dead. He sat just like he was alive, only he would never speak and would never walk. Lee Felix will blame Minho and tell everyone to blame him for Jisung's death. Han Jisung is no longer in pain, he is no longer afraid or in love.
#stray kids#stray kids x reader#skz headcanons#stray kids imagines#skz female oc#minsung#lee minho x han jisung#skz minsung#lee know x male reader#lee know x reader#lee minho x reader#lee know#han jisung#han jisung x reader#han jisung x you#skz lee minho#skz lee know#skz han#stray kids reactions#stray kids han#skz angst#stray kids angst#angst#bang chan#hwang hyunjin#lee felix#minho x jisung
126 notes
·
View notes
Text
DO ME BETTER | SKZ
༘۠ minho & hyunjin (seperate) x gn!reader
༘۠ angst + light fluff + insecurity + commitment issues + crying + 9thmember!reader + breakups + producer!reader
༘۠ a/n: implied male reader but it’s still gender neutral.
minho watches you as you come inside the bedroom. he’s missed you all day, it was his day off yet you were cooped up in the studio with jisung all day. it was your day off too. yet you chose to work.
he notices how you’re awfully quiet. had you not seen that he was in your room?
“ah, did you eat what i took you?” minho asks when you start changing into something to sleep in.
you turn to look at him over your shoulder. he’s bewildered at how cold your eyes seem, no— you’re tired. duh. you didn’t look at him like that when he dropped the food off earlier, right? he thinks. remembering back— you didn’t look at him that time, you were too immersed in the beats you and jisung were making. you barely acknowledged him. your “love you, be safe back to the dorm” felt normal, so he had given it no thought. or… did you sound disinterested?
“yeah,” you say dryly, putting your dirty clothes in your basket.
“oh, okay,” he says. he questions the heaviness in his heart.
what’s going on? is he really upset for your cold tone? your cold shoulder? everyone has bad days, maybe the managers said something that upset you? or jyp? he tries not to think about it, just stares at your back as you sleep. he was hoping you’d cuddle him, that always helps you when you’re in a bad mood.
is he… not reliable anymore?
“y/n?” he asks softly, hoping you’d be awake.
you are. you just can’t bring yourself to talk to him, to see him… to acknowledge him. you don’t know why and that’s what hurts. you screw your eyes shut when you feel his finger trace a soft line on your back. that cute action that reminds you of a cat messing with you when you’re sleeping isn’t warming your cold heart. it upsets you so.
seeing how you don’t react, minho pulls his hand back. he hugs the plushie he had gifted you for your anniversary, it’s a white goofy f/c cat that reminded him of you. you didn’t kick him out of your room, so maybe he’s just overthinking.
yeah… it has to be that.
yet, when morning comes and he’s not greeted by a good morning kiss…
“kiss,” he demands.
you stare at him, not even glancing down at his lips or anything, just blankly staring at him. the atmosphere is weird, it’s… not loving. he purses his lips, understanding that he will not be getting a kiss. what’s happening? he sits up, your eyes go back to your phone.
“yah,” he snatches the device away and shoves it under his thigh. you glare at him, “did i do something?” he asks, upset, “what’s going on?”
there, he asked it.
“the hell are you talking about, minho?” you move about and try to take your phone back, but your shoved back. “give me my phone back.”
he glares at you, trying to read you.
“my phone, now.”
he takes your phone out from beneath him, but instead of giving it back, he unlocks it and goes through it. you try to take it back, but he moves around and constantly blocks you from doing so. you have nothing to hide. you wouldn’t do him dirty like that. app after app, minho finds nothing. yet, why does that make him feel worse?
“give me that,” you huff when you finally snatch it out of his hands.
he stares at his empty hands before looking at you. he… he doesn’t know how to feel.
“l/n y/n…. what the fuck?” he asks, glaring at you.
you give him a look. minho’s hair is still a mess, the sleep is still evident in his features. he looks silly… but why can’t you adore it right now?
“i think we should break up.”
“….what?”
after days of feeling nothing but cold heaviness, your heart feels crushed. minho is someone who always holds a stern expression. minho doesn’t like to worry others with his feelings. sure, he’s shown more of his softer sides to the group, but you’ve seen him anxious, sad and insecure.
but heartbroken? it was something you never wanted to see from him, much less cause it.
yet here you are, dropping the words you’ve prayed you’d never utter.
minho’s staring at you. his eyes flicker across your face. you notice the way he grips the sheets. the way his lips twitch. you could almost hear the broken pieces of his heart pump like crazy for survival.
“eh- what are you talking about?” his voice cracks.
goodness, what are you doing?
“you love me. what are you saying?” he says, eyes wide and still flickering between your eyes and lips and the room.
he wants to cry. he’s confused. you know him too well.
“i don’t…” you inhale when his eyes still on something in the bed. maybe the plushie? “i don’t know… minho… i just feel so… blank. i… can’t even bother with myself… how can i bother with you? i hate that… that you’ve felt like a burden.”
“oh…” a burden? had he done something? “when… did you start feeling like this?”
you sigh, unsure. it’s embarrassing. “i… don’t know actually. suddenly we don’t feel compatible.”
he blinks, finally staring at you again. he realizes how you’ve suddenly pulled back, you started working more, selling beats and putting everything before him. at some point he got too bored of being in the studio with you all day. you’d abandon him in the dorms, you’d listen less to what he has to say.
“try. please,” he begs.
you stare at the wall across from you. you have posters mounted up, some vinyl cases, a picture of him and you on your anniversary outing. his body on top of you feels surreal. he’s warm… your not that cold anymore.
“i am trying, but i don’t know why it’s not working. i don’t know— maybe i’m broken in more ways than one.”
he’s crying. something is soaking up your shirt. you know it’s his tears.
“minho…”
his sadness always turns to anger. “you know what this is? my love for you and your love for me are different because of you. i’d give you my life without you asking, but you wouldn’t even give me a moment of your time because your time is too precious to waste on me.”
you look at his glassy eyes. his nose is red and his weight on your lap is more unbearable by the second.
“you said you’d never do that.”
ah…. you did.
you hug him, tight and with a slight tremble. you screw your eyes shut. you love him, you know you do. you’re just having a mental block. it has to be that.
“okay baby…. i’m sorry…” you whisper.
and he clings to you like his life depends on it.
you click your tongue in annoyance, “ugh, hold on, hyunjin is all up on me.” you glare up at the blonde, who stares at you with surprise.
he’s already insecure of whether people like him for who he is or for his looks. you’ve always helped him with his insecurities. he doesn’t get upset when you’re too deep in your video games, but lately he’s been out modeling and with a hectic schedule. he misses you. you always let him lay on you or sit on your lap while playing but now that he tried, you got aggravated.
sometimes you glare at him playfully, but today it doesn’t feel like that.
“um, i’ll be on your bed,” he says, upset that you practically sighed and went back to your video game without responding.
and he feels alone again. even in your room, he feels unseen. all week he’d been out modeling and socializing, it’s draining. he’s not a very social person, he tries of course, you always push him to take chances but he feels so drained. he wanted to be with you, in your arms.
everyone sees him for his looks. everyone talks to him for his skills. yet, you always talk to him about the most randomest things. you make him feel important in ways the world doesn’t. it’s the second day he’s been back from his busy schedule. yesterday you were at the studio all day, didn’t even know he had returned.
he had expected you to get off early to come see him but you didn’t. he’s already upset at that, of course he knew you were busy even on your days off. you’re a workaholic.
yet, not even a text? he and felix went to check up on you and chan in the evening. maybe he’s overthinking, maybe he’s being dramatic — but you didn’t even seem happy to have seen him. you hugged him, sure. you let him pepper your face with kisses, sure. but… he doesn’t remember feeling that warmth of being with you again after so long.
“are you going to sleep here?” you ask.
he looks away from his phone. he was staring at a random video, not realizing how much time had passed.
“do you want me to leave?” he asks as he sits up to look at you.
“uh, yeah?” you’re not looking at him.
he watches you move around, turning off your pc and setting your controls in their designated place.
“oh… uh, okay?” he collects his blanket and his phone. “um…. baby are you okay?” he asks, still sitting on your bed.
you sigh, glancing at him over your shoulder. “yeah, why?”
he fidgets, “you kinda… haven’t really spent time with me since i came back.”
“just figured you wanted your space from being surrounded by so many people.”
he frowns, “well, yeah but… i mean not you guys and especially not you… i love you.”
there’s sadness in his tone, you can hear it. you genuinely can’t remember when you thought so bitterly of his presence. is it because everyone acknowledges his talents? his skills? is it because suddenly he started outshining you? what is it? why do you feel so bitter?
“right, well,” you shrug, walking over to your bed. “we should go to sleep, i think we have a meeting with the managers tomorrow evening.”
hyunjin hesitates before getting up. “ah… okay…” he stares at you, as you crawl into bed. “good night.”
“mm, good night.”
“love you.”
“mhm, see you tomorrow.”
hyunjin isn’t someone who gets angry over this. sure he playfully gets upset and puts up a tantrum but the atmosphere is not one to do so. he suddenly sees how uninterested you are of him. has he done something?
“so, is this what we are now? two people who can’t say ‘i love you’ to each other?” he asks, glaring at you. he’s not mad, why does he sound mad? why did he say it like that?
“sorry,” you say, sounding as genuine as you possibly can. “i love you baby, good night.”
he isn’t satisfied with that, but seeing as you genuinely look like you’re going to sleep, he takes it. he goes to his room and sleeps with a heavy heart. he had hoped to be cuddled up with you. to talk about anything and everything. the next day you’re the same, he doesn’t notice it, because you and 3RACHA are hooked up with studio work.
he mentions it. over text. he’s not a coward, but this time he was scared to even see the expression on your face in case what he’s thinking is true. yet, you lie. what would he know? it’s over text. you calm him down, shower him with reassurance and even go as far as saying you’ll take takeout to eat while watching his favorite show.
it works. he doesn’t suspect a thing. you cuddle up to him and as much as that envy and bitterness is still evident, you try. you try to love him and bring out that genuine love you’ve always had for him. yet, you feel horrible. why can’t you love him like before? why does he have to be so loved by everyone else?
you’re back to square one the next day.
and he notices the pattern eventually.
“i can't do this. i can't be everything to you one minute, then nothing to you the next." he says early in the morning one day.
everyone is already out and in the van, you and him had stayed back because you two chose to sleep in for one more minute. you’re running late if you both don’t leave that door now. yet, you feel like you’re late. late in doing what you’ve had pending for days.
“then let’s breakup.” you say coldly.
he grips his bag strap, staring at you under his bucket hat. “i- i didn’t say it for us to breakup over, i just- i want to understand what’s going on, y/n.”
you side eye him before continuing to shove your things in your bag. “with the way you said it, i thought you’re over us.”
“no, i—“ hyunjin looks around, “i’m just- did i do something? did something happen? why are you suddenly weird to me? you don’t say i love you unless i point it out. you clearly ignore my existence some days and then you’re all over me when i point it out.”
“well maybe you’re overthinking-“
“i’m not! i know what i feel. what i see. you don’t… y/n be honest… what’s going on?”
you take a deep breath, glaring at your bag for a hard minute. “i feel like i’m not enough for you.” you say, “you’re too important. you’re too popular. shit, the troy sivan was eye fucking you. we aren’t the same.”
hyunjin gapes at you, too speechless to even get out a noise.
“you’re not even here as much. you’re at the peek of your career, almost everyone here is! all i got for me is my producing skills. and no. i’m not jealous, i just don’t think you and me have anything in common anymore.”
“i… you…” hyunjin swallows, feeling horrible at the lump in his throat. “you’re still y/n… i’m still me… nothing has changed-“
“what a fucking lie, you know it.” you grit, glaring at him. “we have nothing anymore, nothing but group title, nothing but teamwork.” you pause when you see the tears in his eyes. you take a step back, realizing this isn’t what you can deal with anymore. not as a partner. “i’ll love you, hyunjin…. just not like before. all i can offer you is our music career and mutual affection. nothing more-“
“hey, what’s going on? you two okay?” chan asks, watching you as he walks through the door. “we have a busy day.” he pauses when he sees the redness in hyunjin’s eyes and in your ears. “is… are you two fighting?”
“not anymore,” hyunjin says, swallowing and walking past you.
you look away from chan’s questioning eyes. you feel horrible now that the actuality is weighing down on your shoulders. yet, there was nothing more to do. you only feel bad because you could’ve done better. you only feel bad because you let it get this far.
but you both know that there was love. and those memories were genuinely beautiful.
#kpop x male reader#kpop x reader#kpop x top male reader#x male reader#x male top reader#stray kids x you#stray kids x male reader#skz x male reader#skz x reader#skz imagines#lee know x male reader#lee know x reader#stray kids angst#kpop angst#lee know x you#lee know x y/n#lee know angst#kpop imagines#kpop oneshots#kpop x gender neutral reader#x gender neutral reader#stray kids x female reader#hwang hyujin imagines#hwang hyunjin x male reader
171 notes
·
View notes
Text
pairings: lee know x gn!reader genre: angst
"don't fall in love with your best friend" was something you wished you had thought earlier.
seeing them together now, made your gleeful smile drop. your mouth hung slightly open, not believing the sight before you.
minho, your best friend for a long time, aka, someone you've grown feelings for since the past years, was being all lovey dovey with someone else.
you had a confession all planned and prepared, but seeing all this, maybe you should've done that months before.
if you weren't too afraid of ruining your friendship, if you gave more signs, maybe he wouldn't see you as a friend all this time.
but here you are, a stupid fool for falling in love first, for having romantic feelings for your best friend.
your blank stare was cut short by minho calling for you in the distance, a bright smile on his face when his eyes had landed on you.
"y/n, hello!" minho waved at you, summoning every butteflies inside your stomach.
he spoke with his partner for a short moment before running to walk with you, "where have you been? i haven't seen you all day."
"it's a secret." you simply said, avoiding to answer the question honestly.
"come on~ tell me!" he nudged your shoulder playfully as the rest of the walk was filled with laughter and random conversations
be his friend, don't fall in love.
#skz#stray kids#stray kids imagine#stray kids x reader#kpop#kpop imagines#kpop x reader#skz x reader#lee know#lee know angst#lee know x reader#stray kids x gn reader#stray kids x male reader#stray kids x female reader#lee know x gn reader#lee know x male reader#lee know x female reader#skz x gn reader
195 notes
·
View notes