Pixel post dividers for everyone! It's not much, but feel free to use them if you'd like.
I don't know the ideal size for these, so let me know if they're too tall. I can make them a bit shorter next time.
Pairing: Bang Chan x Female Reader | Stray Kids & Female Reader
Fandom: Stray Kids
Tags/Warnings: Fluff, tiny bit of angst, jealousy???, slow burn for SURE, sorry not sorry
Chapter Summary:
The night just won't end, and you really don't want it to. You spend just the last bit of your day with your favorite person, all the while struggling with the oath you made to yourself a long time ago.
Key:
“Italics in quotes” = Speaking in Korean/different language.
Full sentences in just Italics = Readers personal thoughts.
Hana — HON-NUH
Notes:
So…we're back??
Y'all have no idea how guilty I've felt for putting this off for so long 😭 I was really sick for a while, and going through some stress, that I really had no motivation until now. But I'm so glad I'm back!
WERE BACK BABY
🩵 Ordinary — Alex Warren
Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12?
Part 11
While you have been a fan of Stray Kids, its not enough to make you remember every single detail of them. To be honest, you found that a bit creepy, knowing every little thing. However, you suppose if its something the group shares to the world, fans are bound to keep it close to their hearts to show that they care. So, when you found out that Vanilla is Christopher's favorite ice cream flavor, you actually weren't too surprised. It's basic and has just enough sweetness to not be overboard, something that seems to represent him quite a bit.
The two of you just sat on a bench outside of the shop together, ice cream cones in hand. Christopher paid, of course, not giving you a chance to pull your wallet out. He was pretty quick to give you the 'I invited you so I'll pay' claim. Knowing you couldn't argue with him, you let him do what he wanted. At this point, you're starting to learn more and more what Christopher is like as a friend…someone outside of the K-Pop industry.
The internet is a two-faced creature, you like to think. With people not having to show their true selves, they can easily lie to the world as though it didn't have any consequences. You can lie about yourself, or lie about others. In the K-Pop industry, some stars have lied to the world about themselves just to keep up their reputation. Showing themselves to be the nicest and understanding person on camera, but soon be cruel and greedy behind the scenes.
When you first found Stray Kids on the internet, you had an inkling deep down that these guys weren't faking anything. They just seemed way too genuine, did things that most didn't even on screen, that made you think that they were pure souls. And that only proved you were right when you finally met Christopher at your job.
You admire him so much, you hadn't realized that this simple 'fan crush' you have for him was much deeper. Which is why it hurts more and more each day, no matter how many times you tell yourself it's fine. That it was for the best. That this man, this amazing idol, would marry his job if he could.
Maybe…maybe you should focus on Hwan's crush on you, instead…?
"So," Christopher's voice breaks the comfortable silence, grabbing your attention. You didn't know you had just suddenly gone in the zone, so far deep in your thoughts, that your cone was practically half gone already. "You said you hung out with Hana, right? And a college friend?" He asks curiously, probably just trying to start a conversation, but also wanting to know more about your day. "What did you guys do?"
A warm smile graces your features, heart completely full of happiness from the day with your friends. "Yeah, Hana and Hwan. I met Hwan in college. We share a class, so we'd hang out often at the coffee shop on campus to study together or something. He's been helping me with my Korean writing, too." You tell him honestly, dropping your hand to your lap to let it relax for a bit, since you've been holding the ice cream cone to your face for a bit. You make sure not to tip it or anything. "I wanted to introduce Hana and Hwan, so we all met up at a café. It was kind of awkward—well, okay, it was really awkward, because Hana did not hesitate to show that she didn't like him at all. Which, I get it, I guess. From the whole Karaoke thing."
You shrug with that last comment, not noticing the small frown on Christopher's face as you do. He takes one more bite of his half-eaten ice cream cone before resting his arm on his lap like you, giving you his full attention. Even though you told Hwan about the incident earlier, you have to admit that you've been coping more and more with it.
"She was just being protective. But I eventually got them talking, and they found a similar interest. I think…the game was like…Kenshin Impact or something?"
The laugh that escapes Christopher pauses your story, and your cheeks flush lightly as you look at him. It was light and airy, like a giggle, and he waves his hand at you in defense. "Sorry, sorry—it's called Genshin Impact. You were close."
You snort, humming in realization. "Oh! Oops, my bad. It was talked about so much today between them, and I said it earlier, too! Wait…" you pause, narrowing your eyes at no particular spot on the ground beneath your feet as you think this over, "Oh, God…did I say it right earlier?"
Again, Christopher laughs, but you fall along with him. The embarrassment you had for messing up in front of him was small, barely there, because with him…with him, you don't feel like he thinks of you any less if you mess up on something like that.
"Anyway," you continue, finishing up the last bit of your ice cream before it melts completely, "They became friends, I think, because of that game. Talking about it a lot. And we were there for like hours! But then we left it and kind of just…walked. That's when we found a park, deciding to hang out there for a bit longer, swinging and stuff. it was fun."
When you glance at your idol, now done with your story, you were a little surprised he was staring right at you. Eyes soft and concentrated, with a small relaxed smile on his face. You felt….seen.
"That's good," he hums thoughtfully, finally breaking his gaze from you, "I'm glad. It sounded like a lot of fun."
You nod, not really sure what else to say. Leaning back against the bench, your gaze roams your semi-dark surroundings. It's starting to get pretty late, but you didn't mind at all. You didn't want this moment to end with him, even though it’s going against your oath of keeping your distance.
"Hwan, was it?" Christopher speaks up again, and you turn to him almost too quickly to show that you were listening. Once you nod in reply, you catch him stroking his chin, the smile fading to a look of deep thought. "He's a guy? Like, uh…" he pauses, almost as though he just realized how weird that sounded. "Is he the only friend you've made from school?"
As soon as that sentence is spoken aloud, you notice how sad that really sounded for you. You nod once more, chuckling sheepishly at the idea, albeit curious on why thats the one thing he took from your story. "Yeah. I don't know…I think I just struggle a lot at approaching people. And he was the one who came to me in class, honestly. He just…kinda sat right beside me—it startled me, too—and he just started talking to me. He's really nice, though. After the first day of meeting, he asked if I wanted to hang out and study together. And he offered to teach me to write Korean. Oh, and he spoke to me in English. I guess he was raised in America, so that was pretty cool."
You continue to ramble, not really noticing the way Christopher stiffens beside you. "Actually, it's finny because—" you let out a soft giggle, "Hana was telling me that she thinks Hwan likes me. Like…like-like me. Saying it was pretty obvious and stuff."
"Do you…like him?"
That question catches you a bit off guard, turning to Christopher with slightly widened eyes. He looked so…serious about his question, enough to make you wonder why he was so invested in this idea. The only thing you could think of was the way Hana reacted to Hwan at first, too. How she was so protective and rude because of what you experienced. Maybe thats what it is.
Hana teased you about the idea of you and Hwan earlier, saying you liked him and such when she talked about the obvious signs you clearly didn't notice. You feel your cheeks begin to warm up, and you shrug with a nervous giggle, "I-I don't know, to be honest. He's really sweet. Has been really kind to me from the start. And, um…I mean, it was mostly because Hana was intimidating him, but she kept asking him questions like, 'why are you friends with her?' Or something. And he gave this speech about…about how kind I am, and how much he cares about me. He said something about my emotional side—that I'm incredible because I can connect with people so easily."
Wow…that sounded way more cheesy when you say it out loud like that, and you rub the back of your neck in embarrassment. "A-Anyway, it was really sweet of him to say that stuff. That doesn't mean I like him or anything…" You let out a sigh, shoulders slumping the more you think about this. "I don't know…maybe I do…?"
Christopher shifts beside you, clearing his throat awkwardly as he finally breaks his gaze away from you once more. "He sounds nice," is all he really says, surprisingly. You…were hoping he'd say more, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
He then stands up, large hands smoothing down his hoodie as he does. "It's getting pretty late. I'll walk you home. It's nearby, isn't it?"
You blink up at him, watching the way he stuffs his hands in his pockets, looking around at your surroundings….as though…he were avoiding you. The air has suddenly gotten awkward, and you're not sure if you're the reason why. Did…you say something wrong?
"Uh…sure. Yeah, it's close."
Luckily, conversation flows between you two as you walk side by side. He's quick to be on the side closest to the semi-busy street, cars passing off and on. It was cute…how protective he is, even if he doesn't realize it.
"How have you been lately?" You ask him, glancing over and up at him as you two walk. It may be dark outside, but the florescent lights from the shops and restaurants you pass light up your path pretty easily. It frames his face, despite the hood being up, shadows dancing this way and that. "Sleeping okay?"
Christopher gives you one of his special reassured smiles, chuckling quietly to himself. "Yeah. I'm keeping my promise, I swear."
You shake your head in amusement, but you can't really tell if he's lying to you or not. You're sure, however, that he isn't the type to break promises. "Well, that's good. I'm glad."
He hums, "The other guys want to meet you, by the way."
"Huh?" You almost trip over your feet, staring up at him in such surprise, it makes him giggle. "Really? Wait…do you talk about me or something?" You know you're close with Christopher, given you're friends and all, but you really didn't expect him to talk about you to the other Stray Kids members. The members, who are like his brothers. Although, you can't forget you met two of them already, the rest of 3Racha.
"Sometimes," he admits sheepishly with a shrug, avoiding eye contact. "Jisung and Changbin talked about you the first chance they got. And the others had mentioned they recall seeing you around the JYP building from time to time."
You suppose that makes sense, since you're a housekeeper who moves around the building a lot. The two floors you clean, anyway. And with their reputation of working pretty late in the night, you're not surprised they were around when you were, too.
"Oh…well…" you feel your cheeks warm up, excitement bubbling in your chest at the idea of meeting the others. "That'd be really cool. I've always wanted to meet them all. It was cool to meet Han and Changbin that day. They were really nice."
"Yeah, they thought you were great. They keep bothering me to invite you to meals and stuff."
You couldn't help but to blink at that, a little puzzled. Maybe he's just been so busy to do so, but you wonder why he never did invite you again to meals with them, especially if they asked him to. Not that he has to, and it doesn't bother you that much. You just wish he would have invited you more.
Keep your distance. Keep your distance…
With a shrug, you push those thoughts to the back of your mind. Deciding it best not to dwell on it too much. It was for the best, that he didn't invite you too often, anyway. And knowing that he didn't…maybe that's a sign that there really isn't a chance with him in the end.
