You're the One

-29-

They began working straight away – there really was no time to loose. Chan had made a new schedule for them, but he explained how it was more like a rough draft.

"We have to be smart about this. As soon as 3RACHA has finished the track, we'll listen to it together. Then DANCERACHA can start to think about possible dance moves that will work with the beat, at the same time as we start writing the lyrics. You really can't relay on the time estimate on this schedule– as soon as someone is ready to pass on the torch, you have to be there to step up. This means that you rest when you can, and pay attention to how the different teams are doing. It also means that when you're not actively working on this, you do what you can to help those who are, whether that is cooking, doing laundry or cleaning. Whatever they need. I expect no one to exploit this last part." Chan looked at I.N pointedly, but the sly fox kept his innocent expression.

"We might hit a snag along the way, so any time we can save will give us more room to fix those problems when or if they occur. That's why it's so important that we do this seamlessly. I want the video to be as mind blowing as it can be, so instead of recording it in our dance studio I want to shoot it at a location. Seungmin and I.N will start to research for possible locations right away, since they can't rehearse the vocals before the lyrics are done." Seungmin nodded seriously and his gaze became a bit unfocused. In his mind he was already scanning his memory for places they could pull off recording a video in secrecy."

"We need to get our noonas in on this plan. I would like to trust them with this, but the risk is too high. We will simply have to lie to them. It doesn't feel good to do so, but I think they would help us if they knew what we're planning, so they will probably forgive us if they find out afterwords. I want to play it off as a surprise for Park Jin-young. That will explain the secrecy, but give us access to the budget we need." Chanbin's reaction to Park Jin-young's name was an automatic response at this point, he practically snarled. Then he put up a cute face, as a different thought struck him. "I know my noona will forgive me. She says she loves me like a son." Seungmin just rolled his eyes. "That's because you look like a baby." Everyone's eardrums suffered as Changbin yelled: "Take that back right now!"

"Focus!" Bang Chan said with so much authority that Felix felt a shiver go down his spine. The leader was so hot when he took charge like that. Felix wanted him to take charge and give him some orders in private. All of a sudden he was reminded of how intoxicating it had felt to kiss Chan's bare skin. He forced himself to take a few deep breaths. Focus, indeed.

"Finally I would like to address the theme of the song, and get your opinion. We have always tried to write songs with topics STAY can relate to. I would like to inspire them to be themselves and to proud of who they are. To show them that even though they feel like they don't fit it, they are lovable. That it's OK to be different."

Jisung nodded vigorously. "It's fantastic when you can show who you really are and not just... I don't know... cosplay as a boring "normal" person." He made air quotes around "normal", and Minho thought his little squirrel was the cutest thing he had ever seen. It was clear to him that this theme resonated with his boyfriend, who found it more difficult to not care about other peoples opinions then what Minho did. Because Minho simply didn't give a fuck.

Chan smiled at Jisung. "Exactly. I want us to show our colours. Let's show JYP, STAY and everyone that will listen that we're a group of freaks."He grinned wickedly. Hyunjin looked from Chan to Jisung and Minho, sitting together on the loveseat, and back again. "Are we really doing this, Chan hyung?"

Bang Chan looked him straight in eyes and said: "If we're doing this, we might as well go all in."

Jisung jumped up from the loveseat as if someone had poked him in the ass with a red hot poker. He jumped up on the table, made a dramatic posture and started....rapping. "2022 we're gonna get 'em. Stray kids in the building. We're gonna go all in!"

It was pandemonium. Everybody got up from their seats and started hyping Jisung up even further. As each member sang or rapped their parts, Chan knew he didn't have to ask if they were on board with this plan. The answer were there in the jumping, the hyping, the back patting and in the lyrics themselves: "I do it with my gang." Chan felt relived that his proposal had been accepted and so fucking blessed knowing that they would do this as a family. He looked over at Felix, mesmerized by how happy he was looking right now. I really want to be the reason you're this happy – one day.