Oddinary [Stray Kids]

17

Chapter seventeen: He knows

A deep sigh leaves I.N's lips as he walks towards the hideout. Thoughts about how it's all going to be when he'll be going back roam his mind once again. These days, he isn't himself at all. He changed from the bubbly, smiley person he was, to this lifeless, sad being. It's not like he didn't expect this to happen. It's just that he didn't think it'd be this early. It's only been a couple of months since he entered this universe and this group. It's only been such a short time, but he still got attached to these people who he truly considers his friends. He cares about them more than anything in this world and would do anything to keep them safe and to be around them.

Currently, the boy is inside the elevator. A tear runs down his face but he wipes it off quite fast, not wanting to concern anyone that might be entering the small room later on.

As the doors open, he puts a smile on his face. You could almost see it wasn't genuine, but he knew how to fake it. He had to learn how to do it. The brunet enters the living room and is faced with a blond man taking a nap on the couch. The fake smile he once had on his face turns into a genuine one as he walks towards the couch and carefully lifts Felix's head up, putting the boy's head on his lap. While his long fingers run through the blond's hair, his smile slowly fades away. A tear leaves his eye but he wipes it off his cheek.

"Why do I have to go, Lix? Why?" the brunet mumbles with his gaze on the other's peaceful expression. "I don't want to go back. I can't." he whispers and, even though he's been trying his hardest not to, he starts crying. The man puts his free hand on his face and lets out quiet, pained sobs. A tear drops down from his face, landing on Felix's forehead.

The blond frowns at the wet feeling on his forehead and later on, at the sounds of the younger's sobs, too. He opens his eyes and widens them at the sight of I.N resting his face on his palm while quietly crying. Felix gets up and scratches his head, looking around the room. "Oh, you woke up." the brunet says as he fakes a smile the nth time today. He tries wiping the tears off his reddened cheeks, yet they keep coming, falling beautifully on his smooth face. The older sighs and puts his hand on the brunet's leg, grabbing it lightly.

"What happened, I.Nnie? Why are you crying?" the blond asks quietly, trying to comfort the boy. Even though it's already been five days since he found out I.N is not who he thought he was, he still can't get over it. A part of him wants to be by his side and still treat him the way he used to, but the other side keeps making him hold back and not interact with him.

"Nothing happened, really. I just..." the brunet looks down at his lap as tears keep flowing down his face. "Why do I have to leave?" I.N mumbles, his lips forming into a pout.

"Hmm? What'd you say?" Felix says as he caresses the younger's head now, moving his fingers through his soft hair.

"You'll send me back now that you know. You'll take me back to that living hell." he whispers as he starts fidgeting with his silver rings. "I don't wanna go there, Lix. I don't want to see them again. They'll treat me as bad as they used to before I got here. I don't wanna go through that again, Felix. Please..." the brunet says fast after looking at the frowning boy beside him. The boy sniffles, this time letting out louder sobs as Felix embraces his body tightly. He hugs the older back, closing his eyes and letting it all out. His hands start to unknowingly shake and deep inhales and exhales enter and leave his body. "Please..." he repeats, this time softer and lower. "Don't...don't send me back."

"Shh, it's okay." the blond whispers while softly running his fingers through I.N's hair. "You'll be alright, I promise."

A couple of minutes later, the younger stopped crying and softly broke the hug. He started wiping the tears off his cheeks, this time them not getting wet anymore. His eyes looked everywhere but Felix's face. He was too scared of what could happen if he'd look at him, look him in the eyes. He truly didn't mean to let the blond know about his thoughts. I.N didn't want him to know that he already knew about him leaving. He even made a plan that could help him not go back there. But the plan was ruined by this sudden breakdown. He still doesn't know why he blurted out everything he had in his mind. But he's sure of one thing: he's definitely not gonna be able to stay in this universe. Not anymore. Now that Felix knows what's in his mind, he's definitely going to send him back.