Mischief Managed (Stray Kids Oneshots)

Through the Storm | Hwang Hyunjin

The soft sound of rain against the windows was a steady backdrop to the otherwise quiet studio. The lights were dim, casting a cozy ambiance over the room as you sat on the couch, watching Hyunjin work. He was at his easel, a brush in his hand, his gaze fixed on the canvas before him. It had been a long day of rehearsals, and while the other members had retreated to their rooms, Hyunjin remained here, as usual, focused on his art.

You had come to visit, knowing how much he valued his alone time with his creativity, but lately, you had noticed a shift in his energy. He had been quieter than usual, his once effortless smiles now tinged with a subtle heaviness. It worried you, seeing him like this. Hyunjin was the type of person who radiated warmth, someone who effortlessly lifted the spirits of those around him, but tonight, there was a certain sadness that lingered around him, like an unspoken weight he hadn't shared with anyone.

You watched him for a moment longer before standing up and walking over to him. He didn't seem to notice at first, his focus solely on the strokes of his brush.

"Hyunjin," you said softly, your voice breaking the silence.

He paused for a brief second, his hand hovering over the canvas, before turning toward you with a small smile. "Oh, hey. Didn't see you come in."

"You've been here a while," you replied, sitting on the edge of the table beside him. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Hyunjin's smile wavered slightly. His eyes, usually bright and full of life, seemed clouded, distant. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it again, as if unsure of how to express what was on his mind. Instead, he gave a small shrug, his gaze shifting back to his painting.

"I'm fine," he said quietly, though the way his voice faltered made it clear he wasn't convincing anyone, especially you.

You studied him, your heart aching as you noticed the tension in his shoulders. The confident, playful Hyunjin you knew was hidden beneath layers of doubt, and you could sense that something deeper was bothering him.

"Hyunjin," you said gently, your hand resting on his arm. "You don't have to hide it. You know I'm here for you, right?"

His eyes flickered toward your hand, and for a moment, it seemed like he might say something, but instead, he let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair, the brush dropping onto the table with a soft clink.

"It's just..." He trailed off, running a hand through his messy hair. "I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough. I see the others, how effortlessly they do everything, and I start questioning myself. Am I enough for this group? For all the fans who support us? I don't know if I'm really as talented as they think I am."

His words hit you like a punch to the gut. Hyunjin, the charismatic performer, the graceful dancer, the one whose talent and energy captivated the world—he felt like he wasn't good enough? You wanted to reach out, to wrap him in your arms and tell him that he was more than enough, that he was everything the group needed, everything his fans adored. But instead, you stayed silent, just letting him speak.

"I try so hard," he continued, his voice thick with emotion. "But sometimes it feels like it's not enough. I feel like there's always something missing, something I can't get right. And the pressure... it's like this constant weight on my chest, making it hard to breathe."

You could feel the pain in his words, the weight of his self-doubt crashing down on him. It was hard to reconcile this version of Hyunjin with the confident, playful one who often made everyone laugh with his charm. The realization that he was struggling so deeply shook you to your core.

"You're more than enough, Hyunjin," you said quietly, your voice unwavering despite the sadness you felt. "You don't need to prove anything to anyone. You already give everything you have, and that's all that matters."

He looked at you, his eyes searching yours, as if trying to find the truth in your words. "But what if I'm not enough? What if I let everyone down?"

"Hyunjin," you said firmly, your hand gently cupping his cheek. His skin was warm beneath your touch, and you could see the exhaustion in his eyes. "You could never let anyone down. You bring something unique to this group that no one else could. It's not about being perfect. It's about being true to yourself, and you do that every single day."

His lips parted, as if he were about to argue, but the words didn't come. He stayed still, allowing your words to sink in. For a long moment, there was only silence between you, broken only by the soft patter of rain against the windows.

Then, slowly, Hyunjin reached up, placing his hand over yours, his fingers warm and steady. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice soft and sincere. "I don't say it enough, but... I really appreciate you. You always know how to make me feel better."

A small smile tugged at the corners of your lips. "That's what I'm here for, right?"

Hyunjin chuckled quietly, his usual playful nature returning, albeit with a hint of vulnerability still lingering in his eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," you replied, your smile growing as you stood up, offering him a hand. "Now, how about we take a break from all this work? Maybe a walk in the rain?"

He hesitated for a moment, glancing at the painting he had been working on, but then he looked back at you, his expression softening. "Yeah, a walk sounds nice."

With that, you both left the studio, stepping into the cool night air, the rain falling softly around you. As you walked side by side, the weight that had settled on Hyunjin seemed to lift just a little, replaced by a quiet comfort, and for the first time in days, he allowed himself to breathe.

The silence between you was no longer heavy. It was comfortable. And as you both walked through the rain, sharing stories and laughter, you knew that even in his moments of doubt, Hyunjin was never truly alone. And no matter what the world threw at him, you would always be there to remind him of his worth.

4o mini