Mischief Managed (Stray Kids Oneshots)

The Studio Confession | Bang Chan

The studio was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of dimmed lights as a mellow beat pulsed in the background. The energy that filled the room during the day had faded, leaving behind a calm that seemed to wrap around you and Chan like a warm blanket. You sat on the small couch in the corner, watching as he tinkered with the controls, his face lit up with concentration. He seemed tireless, despite the late hour and countless hours of work.

As he leaned closer to the console, you took a quiet moment to admire him. Chan was always so focused, his eyes sharp as he adjusted the smallest of details, making sure each beat sounded just right. It was mesmerizing to watch him in his element. And if you were honest with yourself, your feelings went well beyond admiration. You'd found yourself drawn to him from the very start, and those feelings had only grown stronger over the months.

But tonight, something felt different. Maybe it was the warmth in the room, or the way Chan's usual confidence softened in the quiet of night. Whatever it was, it made the weight of your unspoken feelings feel a little heavier, and you found yourself wondering if now was the time to say something—finally, after months of holding back.

Suddenly, Chan's gaze shifted, and he looked up at you with a gentle smile that made your heart flutter. "You okay over there?" he asked, tilting his head as he observed you.

You forced a small smile, though you knew your heart was racing far too fast to keep your cool. "Yeah, I'm fine," you replied, but the lie must have been too transparent.

He chuckled, crossing the room to sit next to you on the couch. His face was close enough that you could see the faint shadows under his eyes, the soft stubble he hadn't bothered to shave, and the warm concern in his gaze. "Come on," he teased softly. "I know that look. Something's up."

Your pulse quickened, and for a moment, you were certain you couldn't go through with it. But something in his gaze, the gentleness, and the way he seemed genuinely interested, gave you the courage to take a leap. You took a shaky breath, glancing down at your hands before finally speaking.

"Chan, I... I think I like you. A lot." The words spilled out before you could overthink them. "I know you're probably focused on work and that this might not be the right time, but I just... I couldn't keep it to myself anymore."

You held your breath, bracing yourself for whatever response would follow. The seconds felt like hours as you dared to glance up at him, your cheeks burning with embarrassment and nerves.

Chan looked stunned, his eyes wide as he processed your words. His lips parted as though he wanted to say something, but no words came out right away. You felt the need to fill the silence, to somehow make this less terrifying.

"I'm sorry," you stammered, feeling a knot of regret forming in your chest. "I didn't mean to make things weird. I just... I couldn't keep pretending I didn't feel this way. I know you probably don't—"

"Wait," Chan interrupted, reaching out to gently grab your hand before you could finish. His grip was warm, reassuring. His expression softened, and a small, almost shy smile crept onto his lips, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of your hand.

"You... you like me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded, feeling your cheeks heat even more. "Yeah. I like you a lot, Chan. I think I've liked you from the moment I met you."

To your surprise, a laugh escaped him, light and almost incredulous. "I can't believe this," he muttered, shaking his head slightly, his cheeks dusted with a faint blush. "I thought I was hiding my feelings so well."

Your eyes widened. "Wait... what?"

He glanced up at you, his smile growing. "I like you too. A lot more than I probably should. I just... I didn't think you'd feel the same way."

A wave of relief and excitement washed over you, and you couldn't help the smile that spread across your face. "You really mean that?"

He nodded, letting out another soft chuckle. "Yes, I do. I kept finding excuses to have you come by the studio because I couldn't get enough of having you around. I thought I was being subtle, but I guess I wasn't as smooth as I thought."

You both laughed, the tension between you melting away into something warm and comforting. The usual confidence Chan exuded was softened by a vulnerability that made you feel closer to him, like you were seeing a part of him he rarely shared with others.

"Can I... can I tell you something?" he asked, his gaze dropping briefly before returning to meet yours.

"Of course."

"I was worried you'd think I was just some workaholic, that all I cared about was the music," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I've been doing this for so long, I sometimes forget how to slow down. Then you came along, and you reminded me what it's like to feel something... real."

Your heart ached at his words, at the honesty in his eyes. You reached out, gently squeezing his hand. "You're not just a workaholic, Chan. You're dedicated, talented, and one of the most caring people I know. And for the record, I don't mind being here with you, even if it's just watching you work."

He looked down, his smile turning soft and shy as he glanced back up at you. "Thank you. I don't think I've ever had someone who just... understood me like this."

A comfortable silence settled over you both, and you felt a wave of affection swelling in your chest. After a moment, you realized you were still holding hands, and neither of you had any intention of letting go.

"So... what do we do now?" you asked, unable to contain your smile.

Chan took a deep breath, glancing over at the console and then back at you, his eyes shining with a new spark. "Well," he said, his voice laced with a newfound confidence, "we could finish this track, and then maybe... grab some late-night food?"

You chuckled, nodding. "That sounds perfect."

He stood up, reluctantly letting go of your hand but not before giving it a final squeeze. As he walked back to the console, you noticed the lightness in his steps, the extra energy in his smile as he resumed his work. And as the beat pulsed softly in the background, you knew that something between you and Chan had shifted.

This wasn't just another late night in the studio. This was the start of something real, something worth staying up late for—over and over again.

4o