9th member of Stray Kids // y/n

chapter 27 ~ awkward silence

Skzji pats Hyunjin on the shoulder, reassuring look in his eyes and a soft voice.

"Look, they aren't asking for much just twice a week. Look, why don't you go sit down with everyone, I still need to talk to Chan."
He motions with his hands to the living room where everyone is sat. Hyunjin rolls his eyes, leaving them both and trudges to the sofa with heavy feet.

"My lord, you lot are going to give me grey hairs at the age of 43."

"Hyunjin's just hangry. He's been living on those pills that the hospital gave him since his rehabilitation therapy started."

"I know, that's why the company is so concerned for his health. They want him to rethink whether the renewal is the best option. He is still our liability, and if something were to happen, JYP would be at fault."

"How long are you planning to keep this secret from him?"

"It isn't exactly a secret, Hyunjin-ah has been informed of his options before his therapy started, but at the moment, there are bigger problems."

"Like?"
Chan sighs, and Skzji hands him his phone, which is opened up on a news article. The headline is already misleading

DOES IT RUN IN THE GROUP?: STRAY KIDS MAKNAE I.N INVESTIGATED FOR BULLYING ALLEGATIONS.

Chan immediately frowns, scrolling past the hefty paragraphs of deceptive information mindlessly explaining how the maknae violently bullied two girls during his time at SOPA. He gets to the bottom of the page where there are five images attached displaying how Jeongin was being escorted up the stairs and into the glass doors by officers at Icheon metropolitan. Each one is very clear - almost 4k - but taken from an awkward angle from afar, meaning that he could have been followed by news journalists or sasaengs all the way from the company.

"Another fake bullying scandal, you've got to be kidding me. Hyung, please tell me the company is doing something about this."
He takes the phone back and puts it in his coat pocket.

"Yes, but because of the hyunjin thing that happened not that long ago, I think they are going to cover it up and keep the situation private."
Chan sighs heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"This is ridiculous, I'm not saying they should publicise what Jeonginnie has done, but let's just say what if and I mean what if because he will pay back everything. But if he doesn't and the company won't let him resign and he has to leave- how will they cover that up? Make him lie, again?"
Skzji sighs and turns around to the rest of the group that are in the living room, talking to Jeongin on the sofa, to get their attention.

It had been 6 days since the photos of Jeongin going to the police station had been leaked, and everyone was on the edge of their seat. The only time anyone left the apartment was to go to the company. The producing unit had finally finalised a set list for a potential album and had sent it of to the higher ups for approval and preparation for a comeback if the company was going to let us do it, with everything happening. Hyunjin walks into the kitchen, smiling, holding a piece of paper with something on it. You hadn't seen him this happy in a very long time, and it evoked a spark of sunshine in you, knowing that he was finally doing well.

"What you up to?"
Hyunjin leans on the island counter opposite you and places the piece of paper down and slides it towards you.

"My therapist told me to try to take interest in my hobbies again, so I decided to paint everyone something."
It's a watercolour painting depicting a white rabbit in a meadow of wild flowers. The rabbit, although painted in realism, is on its hind legs holding a daisy in its left paw.

"Hyunjin, this is so beautiful. I don't know what to say, thank you so much. How did you know that rabbits were my favourite animals?"

"How can you even ask that question with the hundreds of stuffed bunnies on your bed?"