The REPLAY of SKZ: Let's Go Back to Those Times

Chapter 7 - Chris

Hello! Another chapter is out! Before you start reading, please remember that all the things said in here are either plot points I decided to make up, plot points one of the boys mentioned/talked about or plot points the internet has mentioned. These characters, while modelled after real people (the 2018 Stray Kids and the 2023 Stray Kids + others), are NOT real. Alright, now that that's out of the way, enjoy! You can always ask questions about anything you find confusing!
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Walking through the streets looking like we did was embarrassing to say the least. People eyed us warily because we looked homeless and it was stressful trying to navigate around the huge city. We also had to walk the line of balance between making sure paparazzi didn't find us and not looking like creeps. We walked with our head down from one alley to the next, using only our phones as guides.

Eventually we make it to the street and then finally to the building.

"I... think it's this one." I say, looking down at the address given to me.

"Looks right." Woojin peers over my shoulder, his eyes flickering between the door and my phone. His hand reaches past my left hip and raps three times on the door.

A few seconds later and it opens. A spitting image of Woojin appears at the door. Huh? I'm almost inclined to look back at the original Woojin to try and figure out how he was already inside, or who the copy is, but a realisation dawns on me and I stop. This isn't 2023 Woojin, but 2018 Woojin. His face is younger—puffier—and so Woojin-like it's sickening. Blue-white hair styled over his warm, chocolate-brown eyes.

He looks both cautious and shocked to see a nearly identical copy of himself. Like he both expected it and didn't. Maybe Felix told him about the similarities. It wouldn't have surprised me and we definitely know Woojin enough to distinguish a fraud and the real deal. This guy certainly looked like the Tweedledee to Woojin's Tweedledum (A/N: "Tweedledee and Tweedledum" basically means "twins" for those who haven't heard of it)

Despite what the rumors say and others write, we are talking on a somewhat daily basis. Through video chats and messages, emails and voice memos. Our jobs and fame (or infamy, some say) will never let us be together in public. It would only hurt our careers, not matter how messed up that is. The rumors will be reignited and Woojin will have to face another onslaught of death threats and hate for something he didn't even do.

Speaking of Felix, behind the lookalike is a truly familiar face. His platinum blonde hair bounces on his head lightly, seemingly alive, when it should be inanimate like usual (when is it not?), and his pink-lipped over pearly-white teeth smile brightens exponentially when he sees us. His pretty freckles stand out against his plush, blushing cheeks and the fair skin underneath. Like always, he just radiates comfort and the sense of home.

Chan-hyung! Woojin-hyung! Come on in!"

Felix's call-out set the younger-looking Woojin back in motion. He widened the door further, and gestured in agreement to Felix's dialogue, to allow us to step through.

Once we cross the threshold, he nods and smiles politely, albeit nervous and fidgety. I wonder why, I hope we're not that foreboding. Maybe Felix told him about our jobs. Maybe we should hurry up then, less fuel to the fire the saesangs are sure to stir.

I peer at Felix more closely. He seems on edge as well, not an uncomfortable edge, but rather an anxious edge. Did they say something rude? Upsetting? Is he hiding a cut? A bruise? They wouldn't have hurt him, right? Maybe I wasn't worrying for nothing at all. He crosses his arms protectively, but smiles like not a single thing wrong anyways. Still, it sets me off into what STAYs call my "leader mode" and I tense in response, preparing to fight for his life if necessary. Woojin tenses in reaction to me, his protective gears turning just as quickly. If Felix notices, he doesn't comment on it. The other eyes us up and down, saying nothing, only observing.