2025 | SKZ ANGST/COMFORT

ONLY.

Muttering and cries were heard from a distance. Approaching the room, the members sat together in a table as Lino looked down, pensative. Felix was the first one to look badly defeated. He sobbed like a little kid, tears ran through his cheeks non-stop like his cries were going to last forever. Hyunjin and Bangchan tried to comfort him with gentle head pats, but couldn't hide their teary gazes and shaking breath. The weather was heavy, cold. Today was their last night together, and it was late. Changbin walked to one side and another, hands in his face, trying to stop his own tears away from falling. Han looked lifeless as he sniffled loudly, looking at the empty plate on his table, Minnie and Jeongin right by his side.

– Y'all don't need to cry. – Minho said calmly, his eyes stared at the ground with no emotion; shaky, but no feeling exposed – I promise I will be okay.

– We know. It's just.. it won't be the same, get it?.. – Bangchan scratched his nose and sucked his breath in a loud sniffle. Lino looked up in a weak smile, his lovely eyes seemed to sparkle at the sight of his members.

– Honey, don't go so early.. we still got time. – Han got up and placed his hand on Lino's shoulder, his tone shaky and desesperate. His eyes seemed like a pure definition of suffering, the gaze of a lost child, of a hopeless adult; his eyes becoming more teary on his bottom lid.

– We will miss you so bad. This really looks like I nightmare. I want to wake up so badly. – Seungmin spoke shakily and silent. His redish cheeks turning lighter as silent tears fell straight from his eyes.

– It'll be alright. Before you notice, you'll wake up and I will be there. – He said in a comforting tone and his lips started to tremble a little. Lino would bite his lips and look up, taking a deep breath, his hands shaking in Han's hand that soon realized and held his hand tighter. – It's okay. We're okay. – He said almost gasping for air and then his head fell and he'd hide his eyes, sucking his breath. Lino felt his heart sink. He tried his best to hold back tears, but the overwhelming and scary feeling of leaving his members, of going to a whole different new world, so far and silent from his actual world. For a moment, Stray kids was his world, STAY was his world, but now. He noticed how bigger the world was, and his heart couldn't take it.

Felix watched and tried to catch a breath as his continuous sobs were stopping him. His vision was blurry because of so many tears shed. Hands shaky on his lap, he'd hold his pants tightly and try to remain himself calm – well, he wasn't calm at all – but at least quiet. His chest felt so painful, he tried his best to calm down, but it really felt like scars were being created inside him and they wouldn't heal so soon. The time seemed to stop. How could they miss somebody who wasn't gone yet? It really felt impossible to look behind to happy memories. The feelings overwhelmed the members and for a second they stared into eachothers eyes, before a sound that seemed like a shutdown to their heart echoed around the room.

It's the clock.

11 P.M.

No more cries. Just silence.

Bangchan stood and walked near Lino, that got up from his table. His legs seemed to tremble as he looked down, unable to make contact with the leader. Was this really happening? Was this a nightmare? How could a dream weight their minds and hearts so much? Even the weather was sad now, the skies runned in darkish clouds that covered the moon that was the only thing they hoped to lurk tonight. Han broke down in tears, clinging himself to Lino and holding him tightly, as he didn't wanted him to go. The members stood and walked near them, and soon hugged them both too. Bangchan held his emotions inside as a few tears fell in and dripped down his chin. He would warm himself in the hug, the silence right now felt like a fever memory, a deja-vu, something they could remember even in next lives. For a moment this hug felt like a tight rope wrapping around them. Their hearts were broken, but so alive, as this wave of sadness was the last raindrop of a rough storm. 

– We love you. We will always stand for you.. no matter what. – Changbin said quietly and with his voice so shaky, his tone seemed to fail for a minute. He'd pat Lino's shoulder as he nodded with his head.

– Don't let yourself get weak, we know how strong you are. – Jeongin finally spoke, quietly but so sadly you could feel a knife craving deep inside your heart.

– Alright.. – Bangchan breathed heavily and tried to clean his face – Lee Know. You will be fine. Stray Kids will be fine and STAY will be fine. – He looked deeply into Minho's eyes, who seemed to tremble with defeat and tears.

– This isn't our last goodbye, y'know.. there are more to come. – Hyunjin sniffled and smilled weakly, his lips trembling – We will always find you, doesn't matter where you are.

– You guys better buy a new pair of tissues for when I come back, I can't let Hyunjin starve like this. – Minho said weakly, his smile was sweet but also so suffering. The members laughed a little and their cheeks seemed to brighten up with that warm red.

– I will miss you, hyung! – Felix sobbed in a discret weak but comforting smile and bumped his head into Lee Know's chest, tighting more their hug as the members pushed themselves closer to the hug. Their grip was as strong as a diamond, hard to break.

Rest.

They'll be back.

Before you finish crying.