Seoulstruck (Stray Kids, 18+)

Chapter 17: Good Times

Changbin happily followed Felix to the bar, a bright warmth spreading from where the Aussie's hand held his own. He didn't seem real, almost too lovely a person to exist. Chan moved to follow them, his forearm being held back by Minho. "You don't need to insert yourself in everything that boy does," he said. Chan pursed his lips, knowing this time, Minho wasn't being mean, he was simply right. The producer nodded, stepping back, the cat-like man releasing him. He watched Felix rush off with his boss's son, taking a sip of beer to distract himself.

Felix patted the seat next to the one he took for himself, ordering them a soju and two shot glasses. "I had no idea you'd be performing, tonight," he said, pouring the first round. "A friend of mine is coming on, a bit later, so I couldn't say yes to Chan's invitation." Changbin smiled, accepting the shot. "Well I'm glad you still got to see it," he said. Felix smiled, his cheeks sparkling every time he did. He lifted his shot, the two clanking their glasses together before drinking, Felix immediately pouring another. "So... what made you want to become a rapper?"

Changbin appreciated the question, most people fixating on the fact his father owned the production company, usually with some accusatory tone in their voice. He shifted in his seat, thinking over the question. "Well... I always enjoyed this style of music since I was little," he said. "My father exposed me to a lot of good music and rappers always seemed to honest and strong. I was inspired to write my own lines. I remember one year, I signed up for a school festival and performed something I'd written and... it went so well, I realized it was what I wanted to do with my life." Felix leaned on his elbow as he listened. "Wah," he exclaimed, "so you must really love it, then." Changbin nodded, looking up at Felix. "What about you?" The Aussie man cocked an eyebrow. "Hm?

"Do you have any big dreams or aspirations?" Felix thought the question over for a moment, smiling to himself. "Well... I'd love to own my own bakery, one day," he said, "but... I really love my life, right now. I love my workplace, I love my coworkers, I love this city... so I'm mainly just focused on experiencing what I can while I can." He looked back up into Changbin's eyes, the rapper's heart skipping a beat. "I definitely didn't expect to meet so many awesome people so quickly." Felix looked out to the crowd,watching where Chan, Minho and Seungmin stood, the fellow Aussie waving, Felix raising his glass in response and taking a shot. "I feel really lucky." He thought for a moment before asking. "So! Changbinnie!" Changbin felt his heart melt at the nickname. "What's your life like outside of rapping? Any schooling? Dating? What's your family life like?" Changbin chuckled, taking another shot before answering the laundry list of questions.

"It's fairly boring. I was studying nursing and nutrition in college since, unlike music, it was an interest of mine I didn't already know how to do. I've only had one girlfriend in my life and that was fairly short-lived. And my family is... well, they're pretty wonderful." Felix smiled, reaching out and patting the rapper's bicep, doing his best not to feel the man up too obviously. "You sound well-rounded," he said, supportively. Changbin nodded and shrugged. "Looks can be deceiving," he said. Felix cocked his head, pouring them both another shot. "Do you feel there's something you lack?" Changbin thought for a moment, looking the Aussie up and down for a moment before meeting his eye with a smile. "Not anymore," he said. Felix radiated sunshine when he smiled, raising his glass for another toast. "To good times, then."

Not long after the soju bottle was emptied, the announcer returned to call J.ONE to the stage. "Oo! Hannie!" Felix perked up, standing from the seat at the bar. "That's my friend!" Changbin chuckled, taking the man's hand, once again, the pair rushing out to where the others stood. Seungmin moved back to his place at the front, readying his camera, Minho looking pleased with himself.

The music began, lights and smoke filling the stage, creating a somber mood, Han Jisung slowly emerging as he began rapping into the mic. His words were speedy, his flow an even pace. The lyrics were emotionally charged, expressing feelings of alienation and solitude, starting out quieter and building as the song continued. The beat intensified toward the end, the entire crowd bobbing along, cheering madly as the song finished. Felix was ecstatic, Changbin and Chan were impressed. Minho was speechless.

Jisung ditched his gear and ran out to hug Felix, picking the Aussie man up and twirling him around. "You did so well!" Felix cried, holding the rapper tight. Jisung put him back down, smiling and extending his hand out to Changbin. "SPEARB, right?" Changbin nodded, the pair complimenting each other for a moment, Jisung smiling, turning to look at Minho. The pair locked eyes, time stopping. "Quokka!" Minho exclaimed, Chan looking at Jisung and giggling. Jisung's smile faded, slightly. "What... exactly does that mean?"

"It's a really cute animal from Australia," Felix said, elbowing him. "He's right, you do resemble one." Minho smiled. "Chan showed them to me," he explained. "They're really adorable." Felix pulled an image up on his phone, showing it to the rapper. Jisung couldn't argue. At least Minho found him cute.

"Is anyone else starving?" Minho asked, bringing up a restaurant nearby on his phone. "Let's go get dinner." Felix liked the sound of that, having skipped dinner to get to the club, on time. "I'm down!" Minho took Jisung by the elbow, inquisitively. "What do you say?" The rapper felt his ears burn, nodding, anxiously. Minho smiled, satisfied, calling Seungmin back over to them, the large group of 6 leaving the club and heading out toward the restaurant. "Should I invite Jinnie?" Minho asked. Chan pursed his lips at the thought. "Why am I asking you guys?" Minho corrected himself, calling Hyunjin to come out to meet them.