STRAIGHTIES - a Stray Kids × Ateez fanfic

ACT 6

Piano chords filled the entire music room, echoing in the halls through the slightly open door. Jongho, following the beautiful sound, peeped into the room and found Chan immersed in his composition, playing passionately with his eyes closed and humming along.

"I have to sing this song" Jongho thought.

He had heard Chan play the piano countless of times, and he knew he wrote most of the music for his group. Maybe he could feature in one of his songs? Who knows. But it was worth the try.

He slowly came up behind him and waited for Chan to finish playing.

"Ahhh, that was great" Chan said to himself, unaware of Jongho's presence.

"Indeed, it was." He decided to introduce himself.

"Oh gosh- You scared me" Chan rose from his seat and closed the fall board.

"Oh no, no. Don't mind me. I just heard your song and really liked it, that's all. I'm Jongho, by the way."

"Oh, hi. I'm Chan. And thank you, you know, for saying that."

"Can I ask you something?" Jongho looked at Chan's music notes on the piano and then at Chan.

"Sure. Go ahead"

"Have you written any lyrics? For your song, I mean."

Chan laughed awkwardly and turned to grab a notebook that was laying next to his seat.

"I have, yes" he showed Jongho a page full of scribbles. "They're not anything special, but I think they quite fit."

He looked at Jongho for a good second and pointed at him, his eyes lighting up.

"Aren't you the one who has those amazing vocal skills?"

"Haa...I was planning to be humble, but yeah, that's me."

"That's perfect. Do you...perhaps want to help me with my song?"

"Well, if you insist"

Jongho took a seat next to Chan and silently read his lyrics, while Chan made some changes on the music notes.

"Wow, these are really good" he said. And it was true. Chan always poured his whole soul into songwriting, no matter the occasion. But he'd rather die than admit it.

"Do you actually mean that?"

"Obviously." Jongho set the notebook down.
"I'm so excited."

"Now you've said it, I am too. Shall we?"

"Bring it on"

Chan played the first chord and gestured towards the notes.

"You can tell when it's time to join me, right?"

"Of course"

Chan played again from the start and Jongho observed him as he slid his fingers on the keys with ease, not showing a single sign of reluctance. "Wasn't he just now being conscious about himself?" he thought. See, what Jongho hadn't yet realised was that Chan only gained confidence when he was performing, unlike him, who could simply start belting on the spot. He found it kinda attractive, though. Yeah, that's the impression Chan had left on him. Attractive.

***

The two turned out to be more than capable of working together. Willing, some would say. They would occasionally meet up for writing sessions in the music room, and the outcome was always far better than their expectations. Eventually, their love for music brought them closer and their relationship, which started as strictly professional, bloomed into something special.