Idol [Lee Felix of Stray Kids]

84. Real Life

"Are you sure you're okay with watching Charlie for me for a few hours?" Hana asked her parents for what felt like the millionth thing time that morning and Avery let out an exasperated sigh at her daughter.

"Yes," she said, "you know your APPA and I love watching her whenever we can. And since you, AiDi and this sweet girl will be leaving for Japan in a few days, we want to enjoy her as much as we can."

The toddler in question squealed and babbled as she played with her grandmother's necklace, and Hana bit the inside of her cheek before AiDi showed up holding his camera, "come on, I'm sure Felix will be wondering why we're not at the concert yet before it starts."

"You two have fun, because we are going to have the best time ever when grandpa gets home from work." Avery said, "let the boys know that as soon as they are done with the concert that they are welcomed over for dinner as I'm sure they'll be starving after an eventful night."

Hana smiled and nodded, "we will and thank you again eomma for watching her for Felix and I."

Avery smiled and after they exchanged a few more words and highs, AiDi and Hana exited their family home and got into the van waiting for them to take them to the arena.

AiDi turned the camera on and did the usual greeting, "we would have been at the venue sooner but Hana here was having seconds thoughts about leaving baby Charlie home with our parents shown we went watch Felix, I.N and the rest of the guys voice the best performance ever." He rolled his eyes that Hana mimicked, "but alas we are heading to the venue!"

Hana shaking her head, smiled as she waved at the camera. This would be the first time in a while that she would be attending a Stray Kids concert without baby Charlie and she felt both happy and sad at the same time since she knew Felix would want to see their daughter right after the show but she also knew that Charlie needed some one on one time with her grandparents as they'll be leaving for Japan in a few days after Stray Kids finished their Australian leg of tour.

"We're here," AiDi grinned at the camera as he turned it around to show the arena that was already filled with fans lining the walk way to get inside, "come on."

The siblings stepped out do the van and were instantly recognized as fans screamed when they saw them. They waved at the lingering crowd before being escorted inside toward the backstage where Felix, I.N as the others were waiting for the start of the show.

"Hana!" Felix screamed upon seeing his fiancé and she smiled as they met halfway and exchanged hugs and kisses, "I thought you and AiDi weren't going to make it."

"We wouldn't miss it," her brother said as he held the camera towards, "but we almost did since she decided to have second thoughts about leaving Charlie with our parents."

Felix chuckled as he pulled his fiancée in giving her a kiss to the forehead, "I know it must have been hard leaving her behind for a few hours since she's always with us."

Just then, I.N approached, his aura brimming with excitement. "Hey you," he called out to them, and Hana's heart fluttered at the undeniable bond between I.N and her brother.

"Hi," AiDi greeted with a broad smile. "Are you excited to get on stage?"

"Yeah!" I.N replied, bouncing slightly on his feet. "How are you?"

AiDi's expression shifted slightly, and he momentarily glanced toward Hyunjin, who was engaging in conversation with Bang Chan, Lee Know, Han, Seungmin, and Changbin. The sight of Hyunjin made AiDi feel uneasy, a reminder of their unresolved tension. "I'm guessing you two still haven't talked?" he asked, tilting his head.

AiDi shook his head, his normally animated demeanor subdued. "Not yet. I'm just not comfortable getting close to him after what happened."

I.N regarded him with empathy, pulling AiDi into a comforting embrace. "Hey, it's okay. Just know that I'm here for you."

Lee Know, noticing the subtle exchange, turned his attention to Hyunjin, who stood at a distance, his hands balled into fists upon witnessing AiDi being hugged. "Why don't you try talking with him?" Lee Know proposed to Hyunjin, who looked lost in thought.

Hyunjin hesitated, the weight of their unresolved emotions heavy on his shoulders. Memories of their last encounter flooded his mind—the look of utter heartbreak on AiDi's eyes as tears streamed down his face after the confrontation regarding how he hadn't done anything to stop AiDi's and Hana's cousin, Dawn, from being touchy with him and how he didn't explain how he-Hyunjin-was already dating (at that time) AiDi. Everything had gone down hill that night and Hyunjin didn't know how to bring it up and talk with AiDi specially when AiDi refused to speak with him.

"Maybe this time will be different?" Han suggested, "just try to listen to him and see where he's coming from specially how you had told fans during a live that you two weren't dating before backtracking a day or so later."

"Talk to him after the concert," Bang Chan said and Hyunjin nodded as he looked over where AiDi and Hana were animatedly taking with Felix and I.N nor boys grinning and laughing at what the siblings said.

"Let's go you two!" Seungmin called for Felix and I.N and the two nodded before turning back to AiDi and Hana and exchanging warm hugs and kiss -Felix and Hana-before they rejoined the rest of the Stray Kids.

They'd do their usual routine with their chant before they ran onto the stage as fans screamed in support.

*****

AiDi and Hana stood backstage and took photos and videos from the side as they enjoyed the performance. They did eventually join the rest of the fans at the front and danced along with them.

During intermission, where the group went to switch their outfits, Hana and AiDi joined the group backstage.

"So going to tell me what's going on between you and I.N?" Hana asked as they walked towards the entrance to the backstage and raised a brow as she saw his turn pink, "and what about Hyunjin?"

AiDi sighed as they stopped, "I just... I'm not sure how to handle everything that's been going on. It's been such a mess since that night, and I don't want to make things worse."

Hana placed a reassuring hand on her brother's shoulder. "You know I'm here for you, right? Whatever it is, you can tell me. I hate seeing you like this."

He looked down at the floor, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him. "With I.N, things are great now. We have this connection, and I love spending time with him, but I can't shake off the feeling that I'm not being honest with myself about my feelings for Hyunjin."

"What do you mean?" Hana asked, intrigued and worried for her brother.

"I really liked Hyunjin. I still do, but after everything that happened, especially how he handled situations regarding Dawn, I just don't know if I can trust him again."

"Trust is hard to rebuild. But I think Hyunjin needs to talk to you too, especially if you're both feeling this weight on your shoulders," Hana advised gently. "Isn't it worth at least hearing him out after the concert?"

AiDi sighed again, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "Maybe. But what if it just opens up old wounds?"

"Sometimes, talking helps heal those wounds. Look at how Felix opened up about his struggles, and that brought him closer to us as a family. You might be surprised at how much a conversation can lighten that burden," Hana encouraged.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just wish things were simpler," AiDi lamented.

"Things rarely are," Hana smiled gently. "But tonight's about fun. Focus on the concert and enjoy yourself, okay? We'll deal with the hard stuff later."

At that moment, Felix and I.N emerged from their outfit change, their excitement palpable. "Guys! It's almost time for our second set!" Felix grinned, his eyes sparkling with energy.

"Let's go out and cheer them on!" Hana exclaimed, grabbing AiDi's hand.

"Alright, alright!" AiDi said, shaking off the heaviness for now as they followed their family and friends onto the stage, ready to embrace the wonderful chaos that was a Stray Kids concert.