Stray

I’m going to attempt to write fanfic! Will be my first time ever writing fanfic. We will see how long this lasts

[straytiny56]

All Grown Up

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences.

Summary: Years after debut, Seventeen suddenly finds themselves struggling to accept that their beloved maknae has grown up.

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

The practice room smelled faintly of sweat, coffee, and the desperation that came with comeback season. In other words, home. You sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through your phone while the rest of the guys argued over choreography adjustments for what felt like the hundredth time that week.

"That move looks weird."

"It doesn't look weird."

"It looks weird when you do it."

"Wow."

You didn't even look up. Somewhere along the line, you developed the ability to tune out the boys at will.

You didn't even look up.

At this point, the boys' bickering had become background noise.

"Y/N."

A shadow suddenly appeared over your shoulder. Before you could react, a peeled tangerine segment was pushed directly in front of your face. You slowly looked up and saw Seungkwan standing there patiently, arm extended.

"Eat."

You stared at the fruit. Then at him. Then back at the fruit.

“Yes?”

"Eat."

"I'm not five."

"Never said you were."

"You're literally feeding me."

"Open."

Across the room, several heads turned at the conversation. Without missing a beat, Wonwoo glanced over from his phone.

"Just eat it."

"Why are you all like this?"

"Because if we leave you alone, you'll survive entirely on iced coffee."

"That's not true."

The others stopped bickering to look at you. You hesitated.

"...mostly."

A chorus of offended noises immediately filled the practice room.

"See?"

"I told you."

"This is exactly what I'm talking about."

Seungkwan wiggled the tangerine impatiently.

"Open."

With a dramatic sigh, you leaned forward and accepted the fruit. 

"Good," Seungkwan said, satisfied. The second he walked away, another hand appeared in front of your face.

This time holding a granola bar. You looked up again, still chewing the tangerine. Jeonghan smiled.

"Since you're apparently skipping meals again."

"Where are you people even coming from?"

You sighed, taking the bar too. They were your brothers. You'd long since learned that accepting the occasional forced snack was a small price to pay for being loved this much. You'd debuted at fourteen years old. The youngest member by a considerable margin. Back then, you'd barely been tall enough to keep up with some of the choreography.

The members had practically raised you. Which was sweet, at first. Now, years later, it was still sweet but just a little overbearing. 

"Did you eat lunch?" Jeonghan asked.

You groaned.

"Oh my god."

"That's not an answer."

"Yes."

"What did you eat?"

"Food."

"Y/N."

"Chicken."

"Good."

You buried your face in your hands.

A few days later, the group was filming content for the comeback promotions. You were sitting in front of the makeup mirror while stylists buzzed around the room. 

The concept this time was noticeably more mature than previous eras and the outfit you'd been given matched. A black jacket draped over your shoulders, a white blouse, silver accessories decorating your wrists and fingers. The makeup artist finished touching up your eyes.

"There."

You looked up and blinked. The reflection staring back at you didn't look like the fourteen-year-old kid who had debuted all those years ago.

You looked older, confident, cool, even.

"Wow."

You turned and saw Joshua had stopped dead in the doorway.

"What?"

He kept staring.

"Nothing. You just look different."

You narrowed your eyes.

"I've looked different for years."

"No, it’s just,"

Joshua gestured vaguely.

", different."

That was helpful.

The first member to truly malfunction was Mingyu. The group was taking concept photos when the photographer asked you to pose separately for a few individual shots.

"Perfect."

The photographer checked the monitor.

"Give me something a little sharper."

You adjusted your expression and the photographer nodded approvingly. Across the set, Mingyu happened to glance over, then immediately froze.

"Why does Y/N look like that?"

Everyone turned.

"Like what?"

Mingyu pointed dramatically.

"That."

Wonwoo looked and paused.

"...Oh."

"OH?" you repeated. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Nobody answered. You shook your head and went back to doing what the photographer asked. 

The situation deteriorated rapidly after that. Every member seemed to be experiencing some kind of delayed realization. It was like they'd collectively forgotten time existed.

"Y/N can drive."

Silence. The members looked at Vernon. Then at you.

You frowned.

"Yes?"

"Since when?"

"Years."

"Right."

You squinted suspiciously.

"What is happening?"

A week later, the members had gathered around one of the monitors while staff sorted through the first batch of teaser photos. You weren't paying much attention, after staring at screens all day, all the images had started blending together. So when a sudden silence settled over the room, you barely noticed.

"Oh."

You looked up.

"What?"

Nobody answered immediately but Mingyu was staring at the monitor.

"Wait."

"That's weird," Seungkwan muttered.

"What’s weird?"

Hoshi looked between the screen and you. Then he sighed dramatically.

"You used to be this big."

He held his hand about three feet off the ground. You immediately scoffed.

"That's not true."

"It definitely true."

"It really isn't."

"I remember carrying you around backstage."

"You still try to carry me."

"Because I love you."

"You're impossible."

Minghao laughed from where he was leaning over the couch.

"He's right, though."

"Don't encourage him."

"No, seriously." Minghao pointed at one of the teaser photos. "Sometimes I forget how long it's been. Then I see pictures like this and,"

He trailed off.

Seungkwan shook his head.

"I still expect them to ask us for permission before doing things."

"You act like I still need permission."

"Because what if you do?"

"I'm an adult."

"Technically."

"SEUNGKWAN."

The room erupted into laughter.

Through all of it, Hoshi continued looking oddly emotional.

"I can't believe you're taller than debut Y/N."

"I should hope so."

"No, but you were tiny."

"I was fourteen."

"Exactly. Tiny."

Later that night, after practice ended, you found several of the boys sitting around the dorm living room. They were all quiet, which was suspicious. You walked in cautiously.

"What are you discussing?"

"Difficult emotions."

You immediately turned around.

"Nope."

"Sit down."

You sighed and dropped onto the couch.

"What now?"

Seungcheol leaned back.

"We've come to a realization."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"We're old."

You blinked.

“Ha, knew that already.”

Seungcheol fixed you with the look. 

"And you're not a baby anymore."

The room grew quiet. Then-

"That's not true," Dino said automatically.

"Thank you," Seungkwan agreed.

"Wait," Jeonghan interrupted. "No. It is true."

"It doesn't feel true."

"It really doesn't."

You stared at all of them.

"Guys."

"Yeah?"

"I'm literally an adult."

"We know."

The way they said it sounded so deeply tragic. You laughed and the members looked at you. Suddenly, something softened in all their expressions.

Because they did know.

Of course they knew.

They'd watched you grow through every awkward phase, every success, every mistake. They'd seen you learn choreography, graduate school, gain confidence, find your voice as an artist.

They knew exactly how much you'd changed.

That was the problem.

They'd been there for all of it.

So somewhere in their minds, you still would always be the kid who nervously stood beside them at debut. The kid who fell asleep in waiting rooms, who needed help opening water bottles, who cried after difficult evaluations. Even though that person wasn't really a kid anymore.

Joshua smiled first. A warm, familiar smile.

"You've grown up well."

The others nodded.

"Very well."

"We're proud of you."

"So proud."

"You guys are making this weird."

"We're emotional."

"You shouldn't be."

"We raised you."

"You didn't raise me."

"We absolutely did."

The entire room agreed.

"Unbelievable."

But despite yourself, you couldn't stop smiling. Because honestly?Maybe they were right. You'd spent years growing up surrounded by thirteen older brothers who looked after you at every opportunity. Somewhere along the way, their fussing had become as familiar as breathing. Sure, it was embarrassing when Seungkwan reminded you to eat vegetables in front of staff. And yes, Joshua still acted like you were incapable of making responsible decisions. And apparently, no amount of growing up was ever going to completely change that. But every teasing comment, every check-in text, every hand on the shoulder was just their way of caring.

A few minutes later, you stood up.

"I'm getting food."

Instantly;

"Take a jacket."

"Text us when you get there."

"Don't go alone."

"Be careful."

You stared at them. Then Jeonghan smiled innocently.

"We're working on it."

You laughed so hard your stomach hurt, as thirteen offended voices immediately demanded to know what was so funny, you realized something.

Maybe they were finally accepting that you'd grown up, uut they would never stop caring.

And honestly? You wouldn't have it any other way.

[straytiny56]

Surprise?

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences.

Summary: You accidentally overhear Ateez planning your surprise birthday party, but you realize how hard they’re trying so you pretend not to know.

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

The problem with living with ATEEZ was simple. They were incapable of being subtle. And unfortunately for them, they were also incapable of hiding anything from you. Which made their current mission, planning you a surprise birthday party, completely doomed from the start.

It started three days before your birthday. You walked into the living room half-awake, hair messy, trying to figure out why there was aggressive whispering in the kitchen. You peered around the corner and saw Hongjoon standing in the center of the room, hands on his hips. The other seven were all sitting around the table staring and Mingi seemed to have a notebook. All looking disheveled, with pineapple hair. 

“Okay, we cannot let Y/N see the decorations,” Hongjoong says firmly. 

“And we can’t be suspicious,” Seonghwa adds. 

There’s a pause.

Then Jongho, very seriously: “They are going to know.”

You stand there, frozen in the hallway. A surprise party. For you. You should probably leave, but you don’t. Because it’s too late, you’re already listening. 

“…Do you think they already know?” Mingi asks.

“No,” Hongjoong says, too quickly. “We’ve been subtle.”

Wooyoung laughs. “We taped ‘SURPRISE PARTY MATERIALS’ on a box.”

Another pause.

“you did what?” Seonghwa asks.

“Oh they know, or they will.” Jongho says again.

“They do not know,” Hongjoong insists. “We are professionals.”

There’s a long silence.

“…We are not professionals.”

You quietly step back and walk away. Back in your room, you sit on your bed. You now know everything. But the effort they were making, they are trying really hard. You stand in your room for a moment, staring at the wall.

Then you make a decision. If they think you don’t know, you’ll keep it that way.

The next day? The worst acting you’ve ever seen. 

You woke up to the dorm being unusually quiet. That was a red flag already.  You walk into the living room. All eight of them are there, just sitting still. The TV wasn't even on. Hongjoong smiles too brightly. “Good morning.”

“It’s 1 p.m.,” you say.

“Good afternoon,” he corrects instantly.

You narrow your eyes slightly. “Why are you all sitting? The TV isn't even on?”

“We are- existing,” San says carefully.

You nod. “Cool.”

Your eyes drift down and peaking out from behind the couch is a balloon. You see Wooyoung subtly kick it back under.

Very subtle. You pretend not to notice.

“Oh,” you say casually. “Did you guys do something to the living room?”

Everyone freezes.

“No,” Yeosang says too fast.

You nod slowly. “Okay.”

You turn away. Behind you, you hear immediate whispering.

“They didn’t see it,” Wooyoung hisses.

“They saw it,” Jongho mutters.

“They didn’t react,” Hongjoong says, confused.

“Maybe they didn't see it then,” Yunho replies.

You bite the inside of your cheek to stop smiling. You decide to “leave the house” for a while. Mostly so they can finish without dying of stress. 

You come back an hour later and you immediately see it. Streamers are half-hanging from the ceiling, balloons being aggressively shoved behind furniture and a giant “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” banner half-unrolled on the floor before being yanked behind the curtain.

And all eight of them are moving like their lives depend on speed.

You stop in the doorway. Trying to be really quiet. San is holding a balloon pump like it is a weapon. Wooyoung is whisper-yelling, “MOVE FASTER THEY'LL BE BACK ANY SECOND,”

“I AM MOVING FAST,” Mingi snaps, while trying to get tape off of his fingers.

Seonghwa and Yunho are in the kitchen and you can see Yeosang looking out the window, lost in thought. You guess he’s meant to be the look out. Jongho is carrying a table alone and Hongjoong looks like he hasn’t slept in three days.

You decide to back out slowly, then you make a very loud noise just outside the door. All heads snap up. You open the door slowly, messing with the keys, taking extra time. You can hear them scrambling and whispering to hide stuff. When you look up all of them are standing, blocking the kitchen from view. 

“Oh! Hey guys! What’s going on?” 

A beat. 

San reacts first. “Nothing.”

Wooyoung nods. “Absolutely nothing.”

Mingi nods too hard. “Normal behavior.”

You glance behind them. And see a full box labeled: SURPRISE DECORATIONS DO NOT LOOK is half open.

You nod slowly. “Cool. Looks.. normal.”

San relaxes immediately. You feel something twist in your chest because they look so relieved. At that moment you become the best actor in the room. You walk past streamers that are still half-hanging, not even glancing up. You completely ignore Wooyoung nearly tripping over a balloon. And you pretend not to notice Yunho aggressively hiding a cake box behind the fridge.

You even help.

“Do you want me to grab snacks from the store?” you ask casually.

Everyone freezes.

“…Yes,” Hongjoong says slowly. “That would be helpful.”

“Cool,” you say. “Anything specific?”

“Anything,” Seonghwa replies too quickly.

You smile. “Okay.”

Then you leave. Once the door closes. Chaos. 

“They didn’t suspect anything!” Wooyoung whispers in shock.

“That was amazing,” Mingi says.

“Maybe they’re tired,” Yeosang suggests.

“They know,” Jongho repeats again.

“They do NOT know,” Hongjoong insists again.

Finally you return, again. This time the dorm is transformed. Not well, but the effort was there. Balloons were everywhere, streamers were slightly crooked, the banner taped just a little uneven, and the cake was lopsided. But it’s all there. And so were they. All eight standing in front of the kitchen again, nervous. Hongjoong steps forward. You already know what’s coming, but you act like you don’t.

He smiles. “Welcome home.”

You tilt your head. “Why is everyone standing like that?”

“We are… here,” San says. 

You nod. “Okay?”

Wooyoung shifts nervously. Mingi is looking like he’s about to explode. Hongjoong raises a hand. And you brace yourself.

“Sur-”

He pauses asSeonghwa elbows him slightly.

“-prise!” they all say together.

You blink. Then widen your eyes slightly, like it just clicked.

“Oh my god,” you say softly.

They all visibly relax. You cover your mouth.

“You guys… did this for me?”

San nods quickly. “Yes.”

Wooyoung blurts, “We tried really hard!”

You laugh. 

“Wow,” you say. “I didn’t expect this at all.”

And you see it instantly. The relief. Their shoulders drop and San smiles. The way Hongjoong looks less stressed for the first time in days.

Yunho and Seonghwa bring out the cake. It’s crooked, but beautiful. Seonghwa looks nervous presenting it.

“Happy birthday,” he says.

You smile. “It’s perfect.”

Wooyoung whispers, “It’s not perfect.”

“It is perfect,” you say immediately.

And your chest warms. Because they needed this to work. So you let it.

[straytiny56]

Wonwoo.exe Has Stopped Working

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences. A/N: This is my first "romance" themed fic!

Summary: You'd been playing games with Wonwoo for years. Somewhere along the way, he got a crush on you.

⋆ ♡ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ♡ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ♡ ⋆ ♡ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ♡ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ♡ ⋆ 

You'd been playing games with Wonwoo for years. It started casually, joining the occasional lobby when the members were bored, getting invited into discord calls, even being invited over to play some games in the dorm. Soon, though, you became his favorite duo partner.

Somewhere along the way, gaming with him became routine.

Most nights, if Wonwoo was online, you were too. The problem was that somewhere during all this, he had also developed a massive crush on you.

A fact everyone knew.

Except you.

"Nice shot."

You smiled at your monitor.

"Thanks."

"You're really good."

You laughed, 

"Wonwoo, we've literally been playing together for three years."

"Right."

Silence. You waited. 

“You are good though.”

Across the room, Mingyu groaned, gripping his hair.

"Oh my god."

Wonwoo immediately muted himself.

You heard muffled yelling through his microphone.

"Wonwoo? What happened?" you asked.

Then Wonwoo unmuted.

"Nothing!”

He cleared his throat

“Sorry, nothing happened.”

Meanwhile, in the background:

"THAT'S YOUR FLIRTING?"

"MINGYU SHUT UP."

Wonwoo threw a pillow at him.

The teasing got worse after that. Especially because Wonwoo kept trying. And failing.

For example:

One day you're sitting at the dining table talking about a game update.

Wonwoo walks in.

You smile.

"Hey, Wonwoo."

He freezes. Then he turns to you and says, 

"Your face looks good."

Silence. You stare. Taken aback. 

He stares. Completely mortified. 

Seungkwan chokes on his drink and Joshua slowly lowers his phone.

Wonwoo closes his eyes.

"...I mean."

"Wow," Minghao says.

"That's bad."

"It's not what I meant."

"You literally complimented her face."

"People do that."

"No they don't."

Wonwoo leaves the room. 

Attempt Number Two happens a week later. You're sitting beside him on the couch and your shoulder brushes his.

Wonwoo goes rigid. Of course, you don't notice but everyone else does.

"Hey, Y/N," he says suddenly.

"Yeah?"

He clears his throat.

"You know... if you ever wanted to..."

He stops. You wait.

"...play games."

You blink.

"Wonwoo, I already play games."

Wonwoo stares into the distance.

Like he's reconsidering every decision that led him to this moment. Jun starts laughs so hard he falls off the couch.

Attempt Number three, and it just keeps getting worse. 

The next attempt happened during a gaming session. You were playing with him and a few of the others. Wonwoo got knocked and you were carrying him.

Again.

"Nice!" you said after winning another fight.

"You're amazing."

You laughed.

"Aw, thanks."

His heart did a flip.

Okay. Okay. This was it.

Flirt naturally. Just be smooth, normal.

"Yeah. I mean..."

He paused.

"...if you were a weapon I'd definitely equip you."

Silence. Absolute silence.

Then Vernon’s voice came through another channel.

"Disconnect. Right now."

"What?" Wonwoo protested.

"That was painful."

You never seemed to notice. Or maybe you did and just found him amusing. Either way, you kept showing up. Kept sitting beside him and asking him to play.

Which is exactly why the members were losing their patience.

Finally, he was starting to get somewhere. The members were sprawled around the dorm. You sat cross-legged on the couch playing a game while everyone watched a movie.

Or tried to.

Because you were far more entertaining. At least to Wonwoo.

"You died again," he pointed out.

You glared at your screen.

"Don't speak to me."

A smile tugged at his lips.

"Cute."

You froze.

"...What?"

Wonwoo froze too. Everyone looked at him. Mingyu sat upright so fast he nearly fell off the couch. Wonwoo's face immediately turned red.

You stared at him a moment before laughing and shaking your head. 

He stared.

Nobody moved.

Then Joshua quietly whispered:

"Progress."

A week later you were in the kitchen with Minghao having some tea. Wonwoo was in the living room watching you. DK and Dino were trying to get him to talk to you.

"Go sit next to her."

"No."

"Hold her hand."

"No."

"Tell her she's pretty."

"I'd rather die."

"That's so dramatic."

“But it’s true. You’ve all seen it. I can’t get a full sentence out when im near her.”

Dino looked over and he nodded. They needed a plan. Its starting to get painful watching Wonwoo suffer like this. 

The time came. It was raining and you were all in the living room for a movie night. And once again he's staring at you instead of the screen.

"You know," Seungkwan says suddenly.

"We should all leave."

You glance up.

"What?"

"Yeah," Mingyu agrees.

"Let's go."

Wonwoo immediately knows where this is headed.

"No."

"YES."

"No."

"YES."

Within seconds everyone is standing, gathering drinks and snacks. Then they headed for the door. You look completely confused.

"Where are you guys going?"

Joshua smiles. Mingyu leaned over to Wonwoo and whispered. 

"Hyung."

Nothing.

"Either confess or I'm doing it for you."

Wonwoo finally looked at him. Mingyu smiled then got up and left with the rest of them. 

Wonwoo looks ready to launch himself out a window. Then the door closed.

Silence.

Just you and him.

You look over.

"Why are they acting weird?"

Wonwoo groans. You look at him confused. His expression softens immediately.

And there it is again. That look. The one he always gets, that makes your stomach flip. You set down your controller and stand up, facing him. 

"Wonwoo?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

His heartbeat immediately doubles.

"Sure."

"Do you like me?"

The world stops and Wonwoo freezes.

Neither of you move.

"...Was I that obvious?"

You burst out laughing. His ears turn red.

"Oh my god."

"No, wait, please-"

"No wonder everyone keeps teasing you."

Wonwoo covers his face.

"This is humiliating."

"It's a little cute."

He peeks at you through his fingers.

"Cute?"

You smile.

"Cute."

The look on his face is enough to make your heart skip. And apparently it’s enough to make him finally snap. Suddenly he's moving.

One arm wraps around your waist. The next thing you know you're being pulled sideways. Straight into his lap.

You gasp.

"Wonwoo!"

"I've suffered enough."

You laugh.

His hands settle on your hips.

"You have no idea how long I've liked you."

"Really?"

"Really."

His forehead bumps yours.

Soft and gentle. The complete opposite of how hard his heart is pounding.

"You're ridiculous," you whisper.

His eyes drop to your lips. Then back up.

Questioning.

You answer by leaning closer. That's all the permission he needs. His hand slides to the back of your neck. And then he's kissing you. He's been imagining it forever and still can't believe it's happening.

You melt into him immediately. Your fingers tangle in his hair.

And for a few seconds, the rest of the world disappears.

Until the door bursts open.

"FINALLY!"

You both jump apart.

The members flood back into the room.

Screaming and cheering.

"ABOUT TIME."

"TWO MONTHS."

"TWO WHOLE MONTHS."

You blinked.

"Months?"

Wonwoo groans.

"I've been trying to flirt with you for months. And apparently I'm terrible at it." 

"TERRIBLE?"

"YOU THINK?"

"MONTHS OF SUFFERING."

You laughed, burying your face against his shoulder. His arm wraps around your waist automatically. And despite the chaos surrounding you, Wonwoo only looked at one thing.

You.

With that same hopelessly lovestruck expression he's had since the beginning. Except this time, he doesn't have to hide it anymore.

[straytiny56]

Height Chart

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences.

Summary: You tried telling them you grew taller. You caused chaos instead.

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

You burst into the dorm living room,

"Guys!"

Nobody looked up.

Felix was on his switch. Han was lying upside down on the couch. Changbin, Hyujin, Leeknow, and Seungmin were sitting around the coffee table playing some game. Chan was at the counter working. And Jeongin was scrolling through his phone. You crossed your arms.

"Guys."

Still nothing.

“I grew taller!” 

Eight heads finally turned.

"...Okay?" Han said.

You blinked.

"Okay? That's all?"

Changbin glanced up. "How much?"

"Like almost two inches."

"Oh."

The room immediately returned to whatever it had been doing. You stared in disbelief.

"That's it?"

Felix shrugged.

"Congratulations?"

"Thank you."

"No problem."

And just like that, your monumental achievement was forgotten. You narrowed your eyes.

Fine.

An hour later, everyone was gathered around the kitchen table. You casually sipped your drink. 

"Anyway, now that I've grown taller..."

Nobody reacted. You continued, 

"...I think I'm taller than some of you now."

Several heads snapped up. You almost smiled.

Gotcha.

"Who?" Seungmin asked.

You shrugged innocently.

"I don't know. Maybe one of the shorter members."

"I know you're not talking about me," Jeongin said immediately.

"Why would I mean you?"

"Because you're looking at me."

"I look at everyone."

"You literally just turned your whole body!"

The others started paying attention now.

Excellent.

You leaned back.

"I just mean that some people are still shorter than others."

Silence. The boys looked around. Then, 

"Wait."

Felix pointed at Han.

"You're shorter than me."

Han gasped, 

"NO I'M NOT."

"You absolutely are."

"Since when?!"

"Since forever!"

Han jumped up from his seat. 

"Stand up."

Felix stood. The two immediately pressed their backs together. The rest of the boys crowded around.

"Han's shorter," Lee Know announced.

"LIAR."

"Why would I lie?"

"Because you're evil."

"Fair."

Within seconds, chaos erupted.

"No, no, no," Seungmin interrupted. "I'm pretty sure Felix is shorter."

Felix looked offended.

"I'm not shorter!"

"You literally are."

"I'm not!"

"Are too."

"Are not!"

"Are too."

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

Bang Chan sighed.

"This conversation is pointless."

You watched the disaster unfold with pride. Then Chan made the mistake of saying, 

"Obviously the tallest member is Hyunjin."

And then he was involved too. Hyujin smirked. 

“Well that's obvious.” 

Changbin frowned, pointing at Chan.

"Wait. Are you taller than me?"

The entire room froze. A dangerous question.

Hyunjin slowly smiled.

"Oh."

"Oh no," Seungmin muttered.

"Oh yes," Hyunjin replied.

Five minutes later everyone was standing against a wall. Someone had found a measuring tape. Nobody questioned it. Chan was attempting to organize the line.

"Okay, tallest to shortest-"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you're putting Hyunjin first."

"Because he's the tallest."

"Says who?"

"Reality."

"That's subjective."

"It's really not."

The argument was slowly becoming personal. 

"I am taller than Han."

"You slouch!"

"I DON'T SLOUCH!"

"You literally fold yourself in half every day!"

"THAT'S BECAUSE I'M COMFORTABLE!"

Felix and Han were measuring each other. Changbin and Hyunjin started comparing shoulders for some reason. Seungmin kept changing people's positions in line. Jeongin  was insisting he had grown recently. Lee Know was intentionally giving incorrect measurements. And Chan looked ten years older.

And you? You sat on the counter eating snacks. Watching.

Thriving.

Eventually, after nearly forty minutes of arguing, re-measuring, and accusing each other of cheating, the final height order was established. Everyone stared at the results on the wall. Then Han frowned.

"Wait."

The room groaned.

"Where's Y/N?"

Silence. Everyone slowly turned toward you. You looked up from your chips.

"Hm?"

"We forgot to measure you!."

You smiled.

"Yeah."

"So how much taller did you get?"

You stood. Walked over. And casually announced,

"I'm still shorter than all of you."

Dead silence. The realization hit simultaneously. The entire fight. The measuring and the yelling. Forty minutes of chaos for absolutely nothing. 

Chan stared at you, stunned. 

"You- but you- you're the one who started all this!"

"Technically, you started it."

"How?"

"I just said someone was shorter than someone else."

"YOU KNEW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN." Han yelled.

You grinned.

"Maybe."

Lee Know nodded approvingly.

"That's the funniest thing you've ever done."

You bowed.

"Thank you."

Then eight very betrayed members began chasing you around the dorm.

Worth it. Absolutely worth it.

[straytiny56]

Late Pickup

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences.

Summary: After a club meeting runs late, you are accidentally left waiting alone at school when your ride never shows up.

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

The parking lot was almost empty.

You stood under the flickering light near the front entrance of the school, hugging your backpack against your chest. The club meeting had ended over an hour ago. At first, you'd waited patiently. Checking your phone but there were no messages, no missed calls. You tried to call Chan first but it went straight to voicemail, then Leeknow, the same thing, voicemail. After twenty minutes, your phone had died. 

Now the sky was turning dark shades of blue and purple, and the cold evening air seeped through your jacket. You tried not to think about it. Tried not to think about how everyone must have forgotten.

Maybe they got busy. Maybe they thought someone else was picking you up. Maybe?

Your throat tightened. You swallowed hard and blinking rapidly. You weren't going to cry. But standing alone in an empty parking lot while the last teacher locked up the building made it difficult not to. 

The sound of tires screeching into the parking lot made you jump. A familiar black van came speeding around the corner before stopping far too quickly.

The passenger door flew open.

"Y/N!"

Han practically launched himself out of the vehicle. Behind him, Bang Chan was already unbuckling his seatbelt. Both looked absolutely panicked.

"OH MY GOD, I'M SO SORRY!"

Han reached you first.

"We completely lost track of time!"

Chan hurried over next.

"Y/N, I'm so sorry. Practice ran late and I had reminders set on my phone but they never went off and"

"We were supposed to leave forty minutes earlier"

"Actually over an hour"

"Chan hyung, that's not helping!"

Both of them were talking over each other so fast that you could barely understand them. And somehow, that made it worse. They looked genuinely upset and horrified. Like they hadn't forgotten you on purpose. They cared. And suddenly the wall you'd been holding together all evening cracked.

Your vision blurred. Chan stopped talking immediately.

"Hey."

His voice softened. The tears spilled before you could stop them. You covered your face.

"I thought everyone forgot me."

The words came out small and broken. 

Han looked devastated. Chan's face fell completely.

"Oh, jagiya."

Before you knew it, Chan was wrapping his arms around you.

You buried your face in his hoodie.

"I know, I know."

His hand rubbed soothing circles across your back.

"I'm so sorry."

Han stood beside you looking like someone had kicked a puppy.

"We didn't forget you."

His voice cracked.

"I swear we didn't."

You cried harder. Because you'd spent the last hour convincing yourself nobody remembered you. That maybe you mattered less. And now all that fear was pouring out at once. Chan held you until your breathing finally slowed. Then he gently guided you toward the van.

"Come on."

He squeezed your shoulder.

"Let's get you home."

The second you walked through the front door, the rest of the boys knew something was wrong.

"Why are their eyes red?"

Felix asked immediately.

"What happened?"

Han looked guilty, like he was confessing to a crime.

"We accidentally left Y/N at school."

The room fell into chaos.

"YOU WHAT?"

"FOR HOW LONG?"

"CHAN!"

"I know!"

Chan groaned.

The boys looked horrified. Felix was already moving.

"Nope."

He pointed toward the couch.

"Emergency comfort protocol."

"Emergency comfort protocol," Jeongin agreed.

Within minutes you found yourself buried beneath blankets. A mug of hot chocolate appeared in your hands. Snacks, plushies. Felix was pressed against one side, Han on the other. Chan sat on the floor next to you. 

"I'm really sorry."

Han said it for probably the twentieth time.

"We know."

Seungmin replied.

"Because you've apologized every thirty seconds."

You managed a tiny laugh. The boys cracked a smile, the tension easing. 

Chan glanced over at you.

"You know something?"

You looked down. He set his mug down.

"Being forgotten once doesn't mean you're unloved."

The room grew quiet.

"You hear me?"

You nodded weakly.

"I mean it."

Chan reached over and gently squeezed your hand.

"One mistake doesn't erase how much people care about you."

Felix immediately nodded.

"Exactly."

"We worry about you all the time."

Changbin pointed dramatically.

"Literally all the time."

"Some would say an unhealthy amount."

Lee Know added.

"You guys aren't helping."

Chan sighed. But you smiled. A real one this time. Han leaned forward, fake whispering. 

"You know what happened the second Chan realized the time?"

You shook your head.

"He almost ran a red light."

"I DID NOT."

"You absolutely did."

"I slowed down!"

"Barely."

The boys immediately launched into overlapping arguments. Within seconds everyone was talking over each other. The tension disappeared completely. Warm laughter filled the room. Something in your chest eased. These idiots cared. A lot. 

Felix suddenly pulled you into a side hug. Han copied him. Then Chan. Then somehow everyone was involved. A giant cuddle pile formed around you.

"Guys."

You wheezed.

"I can't breathe."

"Good."

The room erupted into laughter. And surrounded by warmth, soft blankets, and eight very clingy people, you believed them. You hadn't been forgotten.

[straytiny56]

Oops, We Left the Maknae

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences.

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

The airport had been chaos from the moment Seventeen arrived.

Everyone was exhausted after a packed schedule, barely functioning on caffeine and sheer determination. Managers were rushing them through security, staff were juggling the luggage, and the members themselves were practically sleepwalking. 

You, the youngest member of the group, had gotten separated during a gate change. One missed announcement, a crowded terminal, and some very unfortunate timing. 

By the time you  realized everyone was gone, the plane was already taxiing.

"...Oh."

You stared through the large airport window as your flight disappeared into the distance.

"...Well, that's not ideal."

Meanwhile, aboard the plane, thirteen exhausted idols were unconscious. Seungcheol had passed out before takeoff. Jeonghan was asleep with his head against the window. No one noticed the empty seat. No one noticed you were missing 

Hours later, the plane landed. The members slowly woke up. Stretching and yawning. 

"Why is my neck broken?" Mingyu groaned. 

"Because you're built like a giraffe," Seungkwan replied.

"Guys."

Joshua sighed.

Seungcheol was up first. “Okay,” he said automatically, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let’s move together. Don’t-”

He stopped. Something was off. He turned, eyes scanning the rows as members were grabbing their things. 

He started counting. 

“Seungkwan… DK… Joshua… Vernon…”

His brows furrowed. He counted again.

“…Jun… Mingyu… Hoshi…”

A pause. His expression changed.

“…Jeonghan… Minghao… Woozi…”

His voice slowed.

“Dino.”

He shook his head and looked again. 

Thirteen. 

His stomach dropped so fast it felt like the floor disappeared under him.

“…Where’s Y/N?”

Nobody answered. Everyone was still waking up, rubbing the sleep away from their eyes. Then it hit them one by one. 

Seungkwan blinked. “Wait.”

Hoshi slowly turned his head. “…Huh?”

Joshua looked up from his bag. “Oh.”

Mingyu froze mid-stretch.

“…Oh no.”

Suddenly, all at once. The plane exploded. 

“Y/N?!”

“WAIT, WHERE’S Y/N?!”

“I THOUGHT THEY WERE WITH YOU!”

“I THOUGHT THEY WERE WITH STAFF!”

“WHY DID NO ONE CHECK?!”

Seungcheol didn’t move. He just stood there for a second, staring at the empty realization in front of him. Then he grabbed his phone.

“Call the manager,” he said sharply.

Joshua grabbed the phone, already dialing as they were ushered off the plane. 

"They're not answering."

"Call the other airport."

"Doing that right now."

They were quickly moved into a private waiting room and they put their stuff in a corner. Minghao sat still. His face had gone pale. Normally he’s the member everyone looked to when emotions ran high. The calm one. But now even he looked rattled.

"They've never been alone in a foreign airport before."

Woozi was pacing. Joshua kept checking his phone every few seconds. Dino looked like he was seconds away from crying. Seungkwan had completely abandoned any attempt to stay composed.

"They must be terrified. We left the baby."

"Stop saying things like that!" DK snapped, clearly close to tears himself.

Finally, a manager burst into the room. 

“I found them!” 

Everyone jumped to their feet. 

"Where?!"

"They're safe."

The relief was so intense that several members nearly collapsed.

"They're still at the departure airport."

“What?” 

"They've been with airport staff the whole time." 

The next available flight was already being arranged. A few hours later, you finally landed. When you got off the plane, thirteen members and multiple staff were waiting. The second you made eye contact with Seungcheol, tears flooded your eyes. 

Suddenly you were crying. Not polite or quiet. Full on sobbing. You ran towards them and crashed into Seungcheol. He froze for a second before hugging you back. Honestly? He expected to be the one to cry first. 

"I thought- I thought you all left me!"

"We didn't mean to!" Seungcheol said immediately, hugging them so tightly they could barely breathe. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." 

Everyone joined in. A giant group hug formed around them. Jeonghan had tears in his eyes, brushing your hair back with shaky hands. Joshua patting your shoulder repeatedly like he was trying to make sure you were real. Seungkwan was openly sobbing.

"YOU SCARED US!"

"I scared YOU?!" Y/N cried back.

"You got left behind!"

"You left me behind!"

"That wasn't on purpose!"

Minghao pulled you into another hug, when the crowd finally loosened. The youngest immediately started crying again.

Minghao laughed softly.

"There they are."

You buried you face into his shoulder.

“I hate airports.”

A small laugh left him and he squeezed their shoulder.

"We're never letting you out of our sight again."

As they finally headed back together, you ended up squeezed between thirteen overly protective members. A hand on each shoulder. Someone holding your backpack. Someone else holding your hand. Seungcheol was checking every thirty seconds, and counting again. 

For the rest of the trip, nobody let you walk more than three feet away from the group.

[straytiny56]

Alone - Chapter 5 (Finale)

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences. Themes include fear, mild injury descriptions (scrapes/bruises), psychological horror, and supernatural elements. 

Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.3 Pt.4

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

The hallway ended without any warning. One moment you were walking and the next a door appeared. You practically stumble through slamming it shut behind you. Finally, you weren't trapped in a straight line. The relief was brief because you realize where you are. The room looked abandoned. Broken furniture was scattered around, dust covered shelves, and the walls were stained with age. Dozens of places to hide. 

The footsteps stopped right outside the door before you heard the handle being turned. You quickly backed into a corner as the door opened.

“Y/N?” 

Joshua’s voice came through, it was close. Too close. You duck behind an overturned cabinet. 

The voice moved through the room. No steps, almost as if it was gliding. 

"Y/N?"

Another voice.

Mingyu.

"Hey."

A pause.

"We found you."

The cabinet suddenly didn't feel like enough protection.

Y/N pressed herself further into the corner.

The voices moved around the room.

One after another.

Joshua, Seungkwan, Jeonghan, Woozi.

All perfect but fake.

Somewhere else, Wonwoo's flashlight flickered. Jun tightened his grip on Wonwoo's sleeve immediately.

"Please don't let that die."

The flashlight flickered again. Neither appreciated it.

The cat doodles continued down the hallway. Tiny drawings. One even had a speech bubble: HELP. 

Jun almost laughed. Wonwoo's expression softened briefly. He touched and the ink smudged. He looked at his hand shocked. He showed Jun.

"She's close." 

You heard movement. Not a voice this time, actual movement. Something passed your hiding spot. And for half a second you saw it. A shape. Tall, unnaturally thin. Its limb moved wrong. The shadows distorted around it, then it disappeared behind a shelf. 

For several seconds there was only silence.

"Y/N!"

Her head snapped up.

Real. That one was real.

"Y/N!"

Jun. Actually Jun. Not a copy. You practically launch yourself out of your hiding spot.

“Jun!” 

The room erupted. The thing screamed, not even close to human this time.The sound shook the walls. The door to the room burst open and Wonwoo appeared first, his flashlight cutting through the dark. Jun behind him. 

Both immediately spotted her. Relief hit all three of you at once but there wasn't time to enjoy it.

The thing moved.

Fast. Far faster than before. 

Wonwoo grabbed you hand. 

“RUN!”

They sprinted down the hallway. Wonwoo put you in the middle, still holding your hand and Jun grabbed onto your arm. They didn't intend to lose you again. Not again. The halls twisted as the three of you ran. Rooms started to appear and then vanish just as quickly. Doors were slamming. The voices behind you were gentle anymore, they were screaming. Dozens of voices started to overlap one another. The members, the staff, their own. All distorted. 

"STOP RUNNING."

"COME BACK."

"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO STAY."

The sound followed them everywhere. You stumbled, your knee screaming at you. Wonwoo immediately caught you. The three of you moved together. A unit. The thing shrieked again. It sounded afraid. Jun noticed first. Every time you stayed together, it got slower. When he grabbed your hand the voices became weaker. 

"It wants people alone." 

Wonwoo looked over,

“What?”

Jun’s grip on your hand tightened. 

"That's why it kept separating us. It wants us to be alone." 

The screeching behind you intensified. You look back and the shape flickers. Distorted. Like it was becoming unstable. 

And suddenly all three realized the same thing. Find the others. Stay together.

The remaining members stayed together. No exceptions. 

Seungcheol walked at the front. Joshua and Woozi carried the remaining flashlights. They all held onto each other. The deeper levels of the attraction looked nothing like the upper floors.

The walls were different. The hallways twisted in impossible directions. But they kept moving. Then Vernon stopped. Everyone nearly ran into him.

"What?"

Vernon pointed ahead. On the wall sat a tiny cat doodle.

Then another. Then another.

The entire corridor was lined with them.

Different sizes. Different expressions. Some smiling, some sleepy. One even looked annoyed.

DK laughed unexpectedly.

"That's definitely Y/N."

They followed the trail. They knew they were getting close. 

The chase wasn't slowing down. Your lungs burned. Your knee was failing. Jun wasn’t in much better shape. Neither was Wonwoo. The screaming was getting louder, closer. The hallway suddenly split. Three directions, then four, then five. The walls were shifting. It was trying to separate them again. Wonwoo stopped.

“No.”

“No? What do you mean no? We can't just stop!” You panicked. 

“It’s trying to divide us again.”

Another scream echoed. Closer. Much closer.

You looked behind you. For the first time she saw more than a glimpse.

The shape wasn't human. Not really. It was a silhouette stitched together from darkness. The sight sent fear racing through you. Jun saw it too. Wonwoo guided the three of you down the middle corridor. 

Then the hallway ended. Just like that. No escape, no doors, no turns. The three of you skidded to a halt. Silence fell. Even the screaming stopped. The three of you turned around. The thing stood at the far end of the corridor.

Waiting.

Watching.

The distance between them started to shrink. Your breath shook. Jun stepped slightly in front of you and Wonwoo moved closer, he squeezed your hand. There was nowhere left to go. 

The thing took another step.

The corridor lights flickered.

Darkness spread across the walls. Another step, closer, closer, then-

A crash. 

The entire corridor shook. The thing stopped and everyone froze. There was another crash, louder this time.

“Y/N!”

The voice echoed down the hallway. Real. 

Seungkwan.

Y/N's eyes widened. Jun spun around as Wonwoo pointed his flashlight at the wall beside them. It crashed inward, the three jumping back. 

A hidden door burst open and light filled the hallway. Suddenly you were wrapped in someone's arms. Mingyu was first, she looked around and saw them. The members were there. Running toward them.

"THERE THEY ARE!"

The relief in Seungkwan's voice almost hurt. 

Then the thing screamed. The loudest yet. The hallway shook violently making the lights burst. Darkness surged forward, one final time to separate you. But it was too late. Mingyu wrapped you in a hug, Joshua grabbed Wonwoo’s shoulder and Jun was pulled into the group. You all stood in a group. Together. 

The screaming intensified. Then cracked. Like glass breaking. The walls were trembling and the house shuddered. The thing stumbled back, its shape unraveling, the voices becoming scattered. Then the lights turned on again. All of them. It was almost blinding. Silence fell and this time it was ok. 

-------------------

A faint orange  glow appeared through a nearby door. Sunlight. Nobody had even realized how much time had passed.

The sun was rising. Then Seungcheol laughed.

The sound startled everyone.

Soon you were laughing too and then the rest followed. Laughing from pure exhaustion and relief. 

No one rushed toward the exit. You all stayed close. When you made it out you all finally took a breath. You looked around the group and saw everyone. Together and safe.

The ride home was quiet. They were exhausted. The sky outside had turned a pale gold as the bus pulled away from the house. Morning traffic was beginning. People were heading to work. The world looked completely normal.

You intended to sit by yourself but then the moment you sat down, Dino dropped into the seat beside you. 

“Absolutley not.”

You blinked.

“What?”

“No, you're not sitting alone.”

Before you could respond, Mingyu appeared.

"Move."

"I'm already sitting here."

"Move anyway." 

Soon you found yourself squished between Dino and Mingyu. You didn't complain. After a while most found themselves asleep. Jun finally looked over.

"Hey."

You turned.

"You okay?"

You looked around at everyone. Mingyu’s face was pressed against the glass, Dino was leaning against you. The others all in various positions trying to sleep. And you smiled. 

“Yea I’m okay.”

END

[straytiny56]

Alone- Chapter 4

Notes: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences. Themes include fear, mild injury descriptions (scrapes/bruises), psychological horror, and supernatural elements. 

Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.3 Pt.5

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

The video feed died and every monitor went black. No audio, no signal, just silence. 

Hoshi slammed his hand on the table. “No! No, no, no, not again!”

“Calm down,” Joshua said immediately, but even his voice had a tight edge to it now.

“There’s no signal,” a staff member said, checking the system. “Nothing is coming through from that area.” 

The remaining members regrouped near the center of the house. Nobody wanted to say it but they were exhausted. The sun had set hours ago, maps covered the floor, and flashlights illuminated the walls. They kept the radios on even though they still got nothing. 

Mingyu paced.

"Okay." 

The boys looked up. 

"We start over."

Seungkwan stared at him.

"Start over?"

"We have to."

Mingyu pointed toward the dark hallways.

"We found Y/N once."

He then gestured toward the monitor room outside. 

“We got the feed once.”

His jaw tightened.

"We can find them again. And we will."

Jeonghan exchanged a look with Seungcheol. Then nodded.

"He’s right."

Seungcheol stood. And looked at them all. 

"We need to go together this time."

Nobody argued. The house had already proven what happened when they split up. 

____________________________________

Wonwoo woke first, or he thought he did. The room was pitch black. He moved to stand up.

“Hello?”

Nothing. Just silence.

“Jun?”

Still nothing. He moved slowly, trying to maintain his balance.

“Jun”

A bit louder this time. Then he heard it, a breath. Not too far away. Wonwoo froze.

“Jun?”

A pause.

Then:

"Wonwoo?"

Relief hit so suddenly it almost made him laugh.

"Yeah. I'm here."

A rustling noise. Movement. Then another.Neither of them could see the other. But at least they could hear each other now.

"Dont move,” Wonwoo said.

"ok."

The reply came a little too quickly. He sounded shaken. Scared. Wonwoo carefully lowered himself to the floor, with one hand extended, searching.

The concrete felt cold beneath his fingertips. Dust coated the surface. Then, fabric. Jun's sleeve. Jun immediately grabbed his wrist. For several seconds neither let go. Everything was still quiet and dark but less lonely.

"We stay together."

Jun's voice was firm.

No hesitation.

Wonwoo nodded before remembering Jun couldn't see him.

"Yeah. We're not getting separated again."

Still holding onto each other's arm, they carefully stood.

One step. Then another. They moved together like that for some time till Jun's shoe hit something. A clatter exploded through the room. Both jumped.

"What was that?"

"No idea."

Wonwoo crouched immediately. One hand still gripping Jun's sleeve. The other searching the floor. Dust. Concrete. Then, plastic. His hand wrapped around a handle. Wonwoo felt and then clicked a switch. Nothing. He frowned and clicked it again, then a weak beam of light flickers to life. It sputtered and then steadied. Light cut through the dark room and both blinked adjusting to the new light. They finally saw where they were. Not an endless room, just weird. A concrete room with no windows and one door. Dozens of scratch marks covering every surface.

As if someone or thing had spent a very long time trying to find a way out.

Jun swallowed. They moved the light and it landed on a far wall. Both froze. Because drawn into the concrete, One ear slightly bigger than the other and whiskers uneven, was a cat they recognized immediately. 

One of your trail markers. She had been here.

You kept moving. Because every time you stopped, the footsteps stopped too. You kept drawing little cats here and there as you went, hoping it would help. The hallway you were in stretched endlessly, the same walls, same flickering lights. No turns, doors, or windows. 

At some point you stopped trying to count the lights or guess the time. The only thing that was consistent was the footsteps and the voices. 

“Y/n”

She froze. Joshua. Sounded exactly like him. Calm, gentle but there was something off about it. And you knew it wasn't him. You called out anyway.

“Im over here!”

Nothing. Minutes or maybe an hour? You couldn't tell anymore. Another voice drifted through. This time it was Seungkwan.

"Y/N!"

Her heart jumped. The voice sounded panicked.

“I’m here!”

You stopped and looked around and you heard the footsteps behind you stop too. Then Seungkwan's voice came again. Exactly the same, same tone, the same panic.

"Y/N!"

The realization hit you slowly.The voice wasn't getting closer. It was just repeating, like a recording. You backed away. 

“No.”

Then the voice laughed. Not Seungkwan's laugh. Something else, something wrong. You ran and you could hear the footsteps again behind you. The hallway blurred around you. Your shoes slipped on the smooth floor. Pain exploded through your knee as you hit the ground. 

“Ah!”

The impact knocked the air from your lungs, for a second it was hard to breathe. You laid there for a moment and took out your pen, you drew a cat face, tried to make it look sad then you found your footing and resumed moving. A scrape burned across your palms. Your hands were shaking but you couldn't keep still. You kept going, you can't run with your knee throbbing but you're trying. Finally a turn appeared, the first one she'd seen in what felt like forever. Y/N darted around it.

Immediately regretting the decision. The wall caught your shoulder and pain shot through your arm. You stumble knowing that it was definitely going to bruise later. 

The voices kept coming. Minghao, Hoshi, Jun. 

"We found you."

A pause.

Then,

"Come here."

You squeezed your eyes shut. It wasn't them. The response was immediate. Silence followed but it didn't feel threatening, just curious. Like it wanted to know why she wasn't listening anymore. 

Then you heard it. Wonwoo's voice. It was realistic enough to actually make you stop. 

“Y/n?”

It wasn't loud or urgent, just familiar. Safe and warm. The exact tone he used whenever she was nervous before shows. For one terrible second you wanted to believe it. To turn around and have it be him. To trust it was him

Then the voice said:

"You're alone."

Tears burned behind your eyes. More from exhaustion than fear. You wiped them away quickly and kept moving.The footsteps followed. Patient. Unhurried. Like they knew she couldn't keep going forever.

[straytiny56]

Alone — Chapter 3 =^.^= 

Notes- Once again: All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences. Themes include fear, mild injury descriptions (scrapes/bruises), psychological horror, and supernatural elements. 

Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.4 Pt.5

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

Nobody wanted to split up again. But they couldn't search the entire house as a group. Not anymore. After finding Jun, the members gathered while staff tried and failed to make sense of the changing layout.

"Theres too many rooms and hallways," Wonwoo said. "If we all stay together, we'll miss her."

Jun looked miserable.

"I should've stayed with her."

"You don't know that," Joshua said firmly.

"But-"

"Jun."

Joshua's tone stopped him immediately.

"We find her first."

The members divided into search teams. Wonwoo and Minghao took the eastern corridors. Jeonghan and Vernon checked the lower routes. Mingyu and Dino volunteered for the longer hallways. Seungchol and DK stayed in the center with radios and the maps. 

Jun refused to stay behind and joined Minghao and Wonwoo.

Meanwhile, Joshua, Hoshi, and Woozi headed back toward the control room.

"If any cameras survived," Woozi said, "we need eyes."

The others reluctantly agreed. It was the fastest way to cover everything.

"Radio every five minutes," Joshua reminded them. "No exceptions."

The groups separated.

Again.

The signs started appearing almost immediately.

"Over here."

Mingyu crouched beside a corner.

Scratches marked the wall. Dino's eyes widened.

"That wasn't there before."

A few feet away sat a small silver charm.

The one attached to Y/N's camera strap.

Mingyu picked it up carefully. His jaw tightened.

"She's been through here."

Dino immediately grabbed the radio.

"We found something."

"What?" Seungcheol's voice came through.

"We found one of Y/N's camera charms."

"Location?"

Mingyu relayed it immediately.

Across the building, relief spread through every team. Y/N wasn't gone. You were moving.

And they were getting closer.

Elsewhere, Wonwoo paused beside a distorted hallway.

Minghao almost walked past him.

"What?"

Wonwoo pointed silently. On the wallpaper, drawn in black marker, was a tiny cat. Two dots for eyes. Crooked whiskers. Tiny triangle ears. The drawings were barely bigger than a coin.  There were multiple leading down the hallway. A trail. Wonwoo immediately recognized them. 

"She did this."

Minghao blinked.

"You sure?"

"Those are her doodles, she does them when she's bored, cue cards, schedules, those were definitely her"

Minghao stared at the drawings.

Then he smiled, 

"Good."

Wonwoo looked deeper into the corridor.

"She's helping us find her."

Back in the monitor room, things were far less hopeful. Some screens remained dark and some just had static. The staff rushed between equipment stations trying to get things back online. Woozi was already leaning over a console.

"Anything?"

"Nothing," a technician replied.

Joshua folded his arms.

"There has to be something."

Hoshi was pacing the room restlessly. Then a monitor flickered. Once. Twice. Everyone froze.

A screen lit up. Then a third. The static cleared. And then a camera feed appeared. Woozi and Hoshi lunged toward the screen. Joshua stood up and grabbed the radio. On the screen was you. Crouched low but moving.

Joshua radioed,

“We got camera feed.”

"Can you see her?" Seungkwan asked.

Joshua didn't answer right away.

"Yeah. Yeah but we can't tell where she’s at. But there's something with her."

"What do you mean something else?" Jun asked. 

"We don't know."

Joshua's voice was strained now.

"It's just staying behind her. Every time she moves, it moves with her." 

You, of course, didn't know any of this. You didn't know the boys could see you, you didn't know they were looking for you. All you knew is that you were in this dark hallway. After you and Jun had separated you had run. Doors were locked which forced you to stay in this winding hallway which seemed to go on forever. 

There was a cleaning noise somewhere behind you. Metal hitting metal, but as you spun around but nothing was there. You stood up more and started moving faster, that's when you heard it. 

“Y/N”

It was soft, a whisper. But then it happened again. It sounded familiar, comforting. 

“Y/n”

It was closer this time, not behind you. Next to you. You turn and nothing, no one there. But the hairs on the back of your neck stood up. The feeling of being watched had returned. 

The lights started to flicker. For half a second you saw it. At the end of the corridor. Tall, motionless, waiting. The lights stopped flickering and stayed on. The thing was gone. You turn again and start walking faster. The sound of footsteps followed you, matching your pace. You stop and so does the sounds, the hallway goes quiet. 

You take off in a run.

The search teams had finally regrouped. The pairs made their way back to the center where Seungcheol and DK are. 

“Updates?” 

Mingyu answered first.

"We found her camera charm."

DK marked on the map where they found the charm. Wonwoo pointed towards an area on the map. 

"The cats continue from that hallway."

Minghao nodded.

"She's definitely leaving them on purpose."

Jeonghan crossed his arms.

"We found a lower route."

Vernon continued.

"And only one set of footprints."

Jun stared at the floor, still blaming himself. Still replaying the moment he lost you. Seungkwan noticed. For once, he didn't tease him. Instead he nudged Jun's shoulder.

"We're finding her."

Jun looked up and Seungkwan pointed at the maps. 

"We've literally followed her halfway across this nightmare."

A small laugh escaped Jun despite himself.

"Halfway?"

"Okay, maybe not. Maybe three quarters."

The tension eased, only slightly. 

Then Joshua's voice came through on the radio.

"Guys."

Everyone immediately grabbed for their radios.

"She's moving again." 

Back in the control room, Hoshi was practically pressed against the monitor. Woozi had three different maps spread across the desk. And Joshua stood closest to the screen. He was watching, waiting for something. The feed flickers but remains still. You were still visible to them, still running. Whatever was chasing you was getting faster. Joshua keyed the radio. 

"She's heading north."

DK immediately checked the map.

"That puts her near the eastern service corridors."

Wonwoo’s head snaps up, he looks at the map and points. 

“There.”

The guys go to move but Woozi’s voice through the radio cuts through

“Wait!” 

He shows Hoshi

“That’s the center, where they are! She's behind a door!”

Wonwoo was the first to move, he rushes down a hallway and sees the only door that matches the map of the house. His heart nearly stopped.The others not far behind. Wonwoo opened the door and there you were running towards him, you meet his eyes, relief flooding through you. 

“Wonwoo!”

Jun appeared behind Wonwoo.

“Y/N!”

Everything seemed fine. Then the building moved, the floor started to shake. Lights started to explode overhead. Glass falling down, sparks flying.  The path behind the two men vanished. 

“No!” 

Hoshi shouted through the radio. 

Wonwoo lunged forward. You did the same. Your hands almost met. Almost.

But then the corridor split apart. A wall slammed between them.

Jun grabbed Wonwoo's arm as the floor shifted beneath them. The last thing either of them heard was Y/N shouting their names. Then nothing. The video feed died and every monitor went black. The rest were left in an empty room. Nobody knew where Y/N had gone. Or where Wonwoo and Jun had disappeared to.

[straytiny56]

Alone — Chapter 2

Notes: Pt.2!  All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences. Themes include fear, mild injury descriptions (scrapes/bruises), psychological horror, and supernatural elements. 

Pt.1 Pt.3 Pt.4 Pt.5

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ 

Nobody waited. The moment the trackers disappeared, twelve members were already moving.

"Jun and Y/N are gone!" Dino shouted.

"We know that!" Seungkwan snapped.

The production staff tried to stop them. "Wait! You can’t go! We need security-"

"No.” 

The answer came from multiple members at once. 

If they were still in there, they weren't waiting. Not even a second.

The doors slammed open as the members rushed back into the attraction.

This time nobody was joking. Nobody laughed. Nobody even teased each other for being scared.

The place felt different now. Wrong.

"Jun!" Mingyu yelled.

"Y/N!"

No answer. Only static crackling from the radios. The group split up through different corridors.

Suddenly they heard it, 

"HELP!"

Everyone froze.

Jun's voice.

Wonwoo immediately turned toward the sound.

"Over there!"

They sprinted. The hallway twisted sharply. A door stood half open and sitting against the wall was Jun. His face was pale and he was shaking.

Terrified.

The second he saw them he tried to stand. Minghao helped him up and Mingyu went to his other side and wrapped his arm around him. 

“Are you ok?”

Seungchol asked as he stepped forward and started checking for injuries.  

Jun looked like he might actually cry.

"I lost her."

The words hit like a punch.

"What do you mean you lost her?" Minghao asked.

"We got separated."

Jun's voice cracked.

"The lights went out. I grabbed her hand. I swear I grabbed her hand."

His breathing became uneven.

"But when the lights came back..."

He swallowed.

"It wasn't Y/N."

Silence.

Jun's eyes looked haunted.

"There was something standing beside me."

A chill swept through the hallway.

Joshua placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Jun. It’s ok, it’s not your fault."

Jun looked down.

"I heard her screaming. So I started to chase the sound. I thought I was following her."

His voice dropped.

"But every hallway led somewhere different. Then I heard her calling my name."

Another pause.

"But she wasn't here.” 

The radio clipped to Jun's jacket suddenly crackled.

Everyone jumped.

Static. Static. Then-

"...hello?"

Her voice was tiny.

Weak but there 

Y/N.

Every member lunged toward the radio.

"Y/N!"

"Where are you?!"

"Are you okay?!"

The signal broke apart.

Static hissed through the speakers.

Then her voice returned.

"I'm scared."

The entire hallway went silent. Jun closed his eyes, Seungkwan looked ready to run through a wall.

"We're coming," Joshua said immediately. "You hear me? We're coming."

More static.

Then a noise echoed through the radio. A low scraping sound. Like something dragging across concrete.

Y/N stopped talking.

The boys exchanged uneasy looks.

"Y/N?"

No answer.

"Y/N!"

Then her breathing returned.

Fast. Panicked.

"It's here."

Nobody liked the way she whispered it.

"What is?" Vernon asked.

"I don't know."

Something slammed loudly in the background.

Y/N screamed and the radio exploded with static.

Several of them flinched. Then they heard footsteps.

Not hers.

Heavy and slow.

The sound continued for several seconds.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Getting closer.

Jun's hands clenched into fists.

"Y/N, run."

Another crash. More footsteps. Then her voice broke.

"It's not stopping."

Mingyu looked absolutely furious now.

"Tell us where you are."

"I don't know!"

Her voice cracked.

"I don't know where I am!"

The radio suddenly emitted a high-pitched screech.

Everyone covered their ears.

Then the signal changed and for a split second another voice came through.

Not Y/N's. Not human.

A distorted whisper.

"She's mine."

The radio died. Complete silence. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed.

Even the staff standing nearby looked horrified.

Then Jeonghan spoke.

"We need to find her. Now."

Wonwoo grabbed maps from the staff and started checking. DK and Woozi went back to the monitor room and started checking the cameras again.

The hallways on the maps no longer matched the ones around them.

Minghao stared at the walls.

"They changed again."

Jun looked toward the darkness ahead.

"I think the voice came from deeper inside."

"Then that's where we're going," Dino said.

No hesitation.

You were somewhere in this building. Alone and terrified. Being chased by something none of them understood.

And every single member had reached the same conclusion.

Whatever was hiding in the dark? It was going to have to deal with all of them first.

[straytiny56]

Alone - Chapter 1

Notes: This Y/N insert fic and horror(kinda?) AU with Seventeen. All members are portrayed in an entirely fictional setting and scenario that does not reflect real events, personalities, or experiences. Themes include fear, mild injury descriptions (scrapes/bruises), psychological horror, and supernatural elements. A/N- This is my first ever fanfic and my first post here! Id’d think I would continue this but let’s see how this does. Sorry for any mistakes, I'm horribly dyslexic. 

Pt.2 Pt.3 Pt.4 Pt.5

⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆ ┄ ⋆ ✩ ⋆

The production staff had been suspiciously cheerful all morning. That should have been everyone's first warning.

"Nope. Absolutely not." Seungkwan pointed at the black-painted building looming ahead of them. "I already know I'm going to scream."

The members laugh as the cameras follow them toward the entrance of the horror attraction prepared for the latest Going Seventeen special.

At the very back of the group stood Y/N. The youngest and quietest  member.  The one currently gripping the sleeve of Joshua's hoodie like it was a lifeline.

Joshua glanced down and smiled.

"Scared?"

You shook your head. Then a distant scream echoed from inside the building. You grabbed his sleeve tighter. The members laughed.

"That's a yes," Jeonghan said.

"I'm fine," you insisted softly.

The staff explained the rules. They would be entering in pairs and each pair would have to solve clues and reach the exit. The members immediately started arguing over partners.

"Not her."

"Definitely not."

"Absolutely not."

You blinked.

"What?"

"The scare actors are going to target you," Dino said.

"They always target the weakest person," Vernon agreed.

"You're literally sunshine in human form," Wonwoo added.

The debate lasted five minutes before staff finally assigned pairs.

You were paired with Jun. He immediately looked proud.

"I will protect you."

You laughed.

"Even from ghosts?"

"Especially ghosts."

Next was the order of who’d go first and last. 

“I’ll go,” Joshua said calmly.

Minghao raised a hand at the same time.

They paused.

Then Jeonghan sighed. “That’s actually perfect.”

The entrance doors opened. One by one, the pairs disappeared inside. Y/N and Jun were going last. They saw on screen how the others made it through, 

Joshua and Minghao made it out faster than even the staff thought. 

Seungkwan and Mingyu went next, both were yelling and eventually got out. Jeonghan and Hoshi went next. Finally once all the other pairs went through it was yours and Jun’s turn. 

When you entered the air felt colder. The lights flickered. You and Jun start following a narrow hallway lined with fake portraits. At least, they looked fake.

"See?" Jun said confidently. "Nothing scary."

A portrait beside him slowly turned its head.

Jun froze. You froze.

The portrait smiled.

Jun grabbed your wrist.

"We need to find that clue."

The camera crew behind them laughed. And for a while everything felt normal.

Jump scares.

Actors.

Hidden doors.

The usual haunted-house tricks.

Until you reached a crossroads. An intersection.

A staff member in costume appeared in one hallway and chased them.

Jun yelped.

You  laughed for the first time all night. Then another actor appeared. Then another.

The hallway filled with noise.

People running. Lights flashing. Someone screaming.

Jun pulled you around a corner.

"Go! Go! Go!"

They ran.

A door slammed shut behind them.

Silence.

The sudden quiet felt wrong.

Jun frowned.

"The actor should've followed us."

You looked around.

The hallway had changed. The decorations were gone, there were no more fake cobwebs or speakers. There didn't even seem to be cameras. 

Just a long corridor stretching into darkness.

"Jun?"

You look behind you and for the first time all night, he looked genuinely uneasy.

A voice crackled through his radio. Then dissolved into static.

"Guys? We got separated," he said.

No answer.

You felt a chill crawl up your spine.

Far behind them, something moved.

A silhouette.

Too tall. Too thin.

Standing perfectly still.

Watching.

Jun immediately stepped in front of you.

The figure smiled.

And the lights went out.

Meanwhile...

The rest of the members were laughing in the monitoring room.

"Jun is definitely overreacting."

"He probably found another actor."

"Y/N is fine."

Then the production director frowned and said "Where's their camera feed?"

The room slowly went silent. The staff started checking monitors. One monitor. Then another. Then another.

Nothing. Just static.

Another staff member checked his equipment.

"Their trackers disappeared."

Seungcheol narrowed his eyes,

"What do you mean disappeared?"

"I mean..." the staff member hesitated for a moment,  "They're gone."

For the first time that day, nobody laughed.

And somewhere deep inside the attraction, Y/N heard a voice whisper directly beside her ear.

"You're not supposed to be here."