Idol [Lee Felix of Stray Kids]

56. Real Life

The summer heat stubbornly lingered into September, creating a stark contrast to the cold tension that had settled over the Stray Kids dormitory. The first nights of the Maniac tour in Seoul had seen the group riding high on adrenaline, the cheers of the crowd still reverberating in their minds. Yet, amidst the laughter and familiar warmth of family, Hyunjin found himself encased in a heavy blanket of regret and guilt.

In this dynamic, Hana and AiDi remained steadfast anchors alongside Hana's husband Felix and their one-year-old daughter, Charlie. The little girl's laughter was a bright melody amidst the chaos, bringing joy that momentarily filled the void between members. But for Hyunjin, something felt terribly wrong between him and AiDi, a disquiet gnawing at him.

Since their argument three weeks prior, Hyunjin had made countless attempts to mend the widening rift. Each time he approached AiDi, he was met with a cold stare; those playful, mischievous eyes now guarded, filled with hurt instead of laughter. Their once-easy conversations had given way to heavy silences, and with every passing day, Hyunjin ached for the banter they used to share.

"AiDi, can we talk?" Hyunjin had ventured, desperation lacing his voice. AiDi froze for a moment, his expression frosted with pain before turning away, leaving Hyunjin in his lonely turmoil.

"Give him time," Hana had advised gently during a family photoshoot for a magazine called Smart. She had positioned herself beside him, her oversized hoodie a comforting shield against the world.

"How much longer does he need? It's already been three weeks," Hyunjin had replied, frustration bubbling beneath his surface. AiDi's absence was palpable; each day without him felt like an eternity filled with suffocating silence. "He's been avoiding me since the Seoul incident."

Hana sighed, searching for the right words to convey her empathy. "Try to see it from his perspective, Hyunjin. He believed you wanted to be close. Your kiss after Charlie's birthday was a moment of connection, and then you asked for space as if you were breaking it off. That was a hard blow."

Hyunjin clenched his jaw, forced to confront the painful truth in her words. He watched AiDi across the gathering space, laughter ringing out as he chatted animatedly with Lee Know and Changbin. Nearby, Seungmin and Han engaged in a playful guitar duel, while Bang Chan, I.N, and Felix monopolized the grill, serving up food for the lively family gathering. At the heart of it all, Charlie basked in the warmth of attention, her joyful babbling filling the air.

"AiDi was left hurt when you asked for space," Hana continued, her voice steady. "You were trying to figure things out, but he needed assurance from you. That day was a whirlwind, and he was left feeling abandoned."

Hyunjin felt his heart sink at the accuracy of her portrayal. The space he had thought was necessary had only caused AiDi pain, creating a chasm that filled him with regret.

"What can I do to fix this?" he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the sincerity in his eyes searching for a solution. The urgency to mend what had been broken weighed heavily on him.

"Talk to him, but not as someone trying to comfort him—speak as a friend who genuinely cares," Hana encouraged, her hands resting warmly on his shoulders. "He's still your friend. Show him you understand why he feels the way he does."

Though the advice felt simple, Hyunjin understood that something had to change. That evening, while the gathering buzzed around him, his mind remained focused on the shared moments with AiDi—laughter, connection, and the depth of feeling they'd built over the years. There had to be a way to rekindle that bond.

Later, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting twilight hues around him, Hyunjin found himself outside on the balcony. He noticed AiDi alone on the porch swing, silhouetted against a fading sky. With a deep breath, he summoned the courage to approach.

"AiDi," he called softly, trying to keep his voice steady. The younger Park sibling looked up, surprise flickering in his eyes, quickly replaced by apprehension.

"Hyunjin," AiDi replied coldly, the tension thick in the air.

"I know you probably don't want to talk to me," Hyunjin began, heart hammering in his chest. "But I need you to hear me out. Please."

After a hesitant pause, AiDi nodded, his body language still guarded. Hyunjin stepped closer, taking a careful breath.

"I never wanted to hurt you," Hyunjin said earnestly. "When I kissed you after Charlie's birthday, I thought we were on the same page. But when I asked for space... it was the worst decision I could've made. I didn't understand how much it would hurt you."

"Did you ever think how it felt for me?" AiDi interrupted, bitterness edging his voice. "You kissed me, then walked away as if it meant nothing. I thought we had something special, but then you treated it like a mistake."

Hyunjin felt the intensity of AiDi's pain strike him hard. "I'm so sorry," he managed, his voice shaky. "I was scared. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and I didn't know how to handle it. I thought taking a step back was right, but it only pushed you away."

AiDi's gaze dropped, the anger ebbing away to reveal fragility beneath. "It hurt more than you know," he admitted quietly. "I felt like I lost someone special, and it made me question my worth to you."

"Nothing matters to me more than you, AiDi," Hyunjin insisted, stepping closer, desperation steeping his voice. "You're not just a friend; you're so important to me. I've missed you every single day since our fight. I just want to fix this—whatever it takes. I don't want to lose you. I want us to be something more."

For a moment, AiDi's defenses began to collapse, the coldness in his expression fading as he processed Hyunjin's heartfelt confession. Slowly, he met Hyunjin's gaze, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Maybe... can we start over?" AiDi suggested, voice cracking. "Rebuild everything we lost?"

A wave of hope washed over Hyunjin, warmth blooming in his heart. "Yes," he replied, voice steady and filled with sincerity. "Let's take it one step at a time. I'm here for you, now and always. I'll never walk away again."

In that moment, they stood together in a fragile silence, but the air buzzed with newfound possibility. They knew they had a long road ahead, but they had taken the first crucial step toward healing. As the stars began to twinkle overhead, the shadows of their argument slowly receded, replaced by the glow of a bond that could only grow stronger with time.