Hyunjin softly sighed once all the band members were comfortably settled in their eight-seater van. He was sitting at the very back, in between Seungmin and Minho.
The interviews ended up being way more than 'a bunch' and succeeded to convert Stray Kids into Sloth Kids, as Lee Know had commented when they were bidding their departure.
And to make their worn out moods even grumpy, Mr Myung's call came as a fairy godmother to jinx it.
"We have no alternative." Changbin's solace in the most feeble way to acquiesce to the harsh reality obtained groans and wails from almost everyone.
After an internal painful cry and loads of prayers for some pleasant news from the dismal tape recorder, Chan reluctantly accepted the call and clicked on the speakerphone option to let the others hear the staff's replies directly.
"Yes hyung?"
"Chan-ah, I know that y'all are tired at the moment and want to rest but... erm, sorry to say that you'll have to be prepared by 4 a.m. sharp for the early morning shoot of that ad film... I hope you remember the Pacemaker's contract.."
It was more agonising than a heartbreak would feel. At times, the idols doubted the fact that they were also human beings and not machines. 'Cause sleep is a birthright for humanity's sake.
"Don't worry hyung, I remember well and Stray Kids will be ready by 4. Thanks for the reminder."
The leader hung up before the other had a chance to speak even one word further and was welcomed by multiple condemning whines from each member.
"So that means.." The maknae's voice emerged as hostile and when the rest faced him, displaying their attention, Jeongin's expression screamed distress.
"..that we'll have only three hours of sleep again." And that miserable piece of information turned all the others' faces duller too.
Jisung patted the youngest on shoulder, sharing and gaining sympathy, while the remaining bandmates tried to pacify their agitation in their own ways.
The drama llama, being extra as usual, threw light and harmless punches on Minho and Seungmin's arms while hitting his head on the seatback like a betrayed person, huffing his cheeks and pouting to no one. His adorable dramatics; Stray Kids couldn't miss them as the rest mentally chuckled at their cute dumpling.
Whilst the danceracha leader sat like a stone, undisturbed by the fist nudging him constantly, Seungmin raised his hands to cup around the tallest's face, pausing his little tantrum.
Hyunjin removed the invisible tears from his face and let the vocalist guide his head to his shoulder. The ferret-like realised that Seungmin's shoulder was his favourite pillow as he relaxed the instant he leaned on it.
"Comfy?" Came the younger's hushed tone for only him to hear and he nodded in response. He didn't see the satisfied smile that rested on the puppy-like's face.
All the idols had literally dozed off during the leftover journey to the dorms. All but Hyunjin.
The dancer felt something off in the eerie silence, not like Stray Kids were always noisy. However, this particularly felt strange and uncommon.
Hyunjin normally wouldn't rely on his intuition. But this time, for the sake of his bandmates' safety, he gently straightened up his head from Seungmin's shoulder soundlessly so as not to wake up the others. He rubbed his eyes, which were hazy due to exhaustion, and looked around to find anything that'd be peculiar.
The dancer's heart skipped a beat and he practically jumped on the seat when his gaze fell on Seungmin. Red, it beamed red on the sleeping figure, sharp and intentional.
Hyunjin followed the path of the ray of light from his eyes. It was long and bright, but he couldn't see it anymore outside the glass window, in the pitch black of the midnight. He yelped when the laser was directed into his eyes the next moment. He squeezed shut his eyelids and tightly engulfed the threatened singer's body in his arms, waking up most of the others.
He shouted when something poked on his back and clinged to the puppy-like more. His heart was pounding wildly with real tears resisting to escape the closed eyes. He heard a faint sound of someone familiar calling his name in the background.
Minho. Hyunjin's Minho hyung.
"H-hyung!" He whisper-yelled amidst the tiny hiccups, detaching from Seungmin but kept his eyes pressed together.
The instant he felt someone's arms surrounding his trembling form, out of reflex, he flinched and then attempted to yank away those hands.
Hyunjin stopped his movements when he got pushed into someone's chest, held firmly, and the male's soothingly pleasant smell made him melt. The arms embracing him began to caress his back, provided a sense of security.
Listening to the steady heartbeats right against his ears, the ferret-like tried to calm down his own rushing ones.
"Jinnie~" A soft, truly mellow voice echoed in the interiors of the van. It sounded Chan's; it was Chan's.
The homely warmth of the voice, the chest and the arms around him made Hyunjin part his eyelids since he was convinced of being out of danger.
He was met with the sight of his bandmates' concerned faces, that shot a pang of guilt in his heart for being the reason behind their furrowed expressions.
The dancer pulled out from the haven-like chest, which turned out to be Seungmin's and was relieved to see no lasers pointed at anyone in his view. He hugged the younger hastily, surprising everyone.
"Sorry" mumbled the dancer before backing away from Seungmin, who smiled reassuringly, not minding the sweet act.
"What happened baby? Tell us if you're comfortable, yeah?" Changbin's gentle tone enveloped him in a protective and warm layer.
Hyunjin nodded in response, albeit he didn't want to ruin the others' minimal sleep by sharing his dangerous experience. There's always a tomorrow; with that thought in mind, the dancer settled on lying.
"Nightmares.." He muttered with difficulty, but thankfully the anxious bandmates bought it without any objections.
Hyunjin wasn't a coward but sensitive.
"Oh, honey," Jisung, who faced him by turning behind, lamented and his facial features relaxed simultaneously.
The dancer involuntarily got startled by the feeling of palms around his cheeks, yet eased knowing that the owner was Minho. The elder manoeuvred Hyunjin's face towards his direction and the ferret-like found himself on the verge of crying again as he witnessed the amount of care and affection radiating from Minho's eyes.
Lee Know held his face so tenderly and cradled his image as if he was the most precious person on the planet. The elder's serenely fond look made Hyunjin feel lost in a realm of peace and love.
He didn't wish to return back to the reality, brimmed with problems and sacrifices and dangers.
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A/N
This ISN'T the heartbreaking twist I told y'all about.
It's yet to come...
Next chapter will be total fluff and then the real angst begins.
Maybe a double update forthcoming..
Happy 2k !! We like fr reached here so early.
I'm so grateful for all the support and love y'all show. I hope to stand upto your expectations.
Now, seriously prepare yourselves cuz I'll be cruel in the further story (but I assure yall that boredom isn't located in my books).
Fighting !!!
YOU ARE READING
ALL? ► H.hj Centric
Fanfiction«The way someone could stay that oblivious while being surrounded by seven lovesick simps is beyond words.» + «They all can even die for each other, but there's only one thing that none can do: share Hyunjin.» _________________________ Hwang Hyunjin...
