Mischief Managed (Stray Kids Oneshots)

A Moment of Solace | Hwang Hyunjin

The studio was quiet, the only sound the rhythmic tapping of a pen against a notebook. It was late, the kind of late where the exhaustion from a long day of practice had already started to settle in. Despite the late hour, Hyunjin was still at his desk, furiously scribbling in his notebook. The flickering light above him cast long shadows, but it didn't seem to bother him. The soft glow illuminated his face, the lines of concentration etched on his features.

You had just finished helping with some of the other members' preparations for their upcoming performance, but your mind kept drifting to Hyunjin. It wasn't unusual for him to stay up late, especially when there was something on his mind. He often lost himself in his art, whether it was drawing, writing, or practicing his dance moves.

Tonight, though, there was something about him that seemed different—more withdrawn. Usually, he was the bright spark in the room, filling it with his infectious energy, but now, he seemed lost in his thoughts. His usually lively eyes were distant, and there was a heavy air about him that you couldn't quite put your finger on.

You watched him for a few moments before making your way over to him, your footsteps soft against the floor. You leaned against the edge of his desk, letting out a quiet sigh. He didn't look up at first, his pen still moving furiously over the pages.

"Hyunjin," you said softly, your voice breaking the quiet rhythm of the room.

He paused for a moment, the pen halting mid-air, before his eyes lifted to meet yours. For a second, there was a flicker of recognition, then the same distance returned.

"Hey," he said, his voice quieter than usual. He quickly glanced back down at the notebook, almost as if avoiding your gaze.

You furrowed your brow. "You've been at this for hours, haven't you?"

He shrugged, though the movement was sluggish. "Yeah. Just... trying to get it right."

You bit your lip, not convinced by his nonchalant tone. You knew Hyunjin well enough to recognize when something was bothering him, even if he tried to hide it. He wasn't good at masking his emotions, especially around you.

"Is everything okay?" you asked, your voice gentle. "You seem... off tonight."

Hyunjin didn't answer right away. He just stared at the notebook in front of him, the corners of his lips turning down slightly. It was rare for him to show any vulnerability, but something about tonight felt different. He was always so composed, so full of confidence. You'd never seen him like this before.

"I don't know," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I guess I just feel like I'm not enough."

The words hit you harder than you expected. You had never heard Hyunjin speak like this—so unsure of himself. He was always the one others turned to for reassurance, the one who exuded confidence, both on and off the stage. To hear him doubt himself like this made your heart ache.

"What do you mean?" you asked softly, your hand gently resting on his arm. "You're more than enough, Hyunjin."

He finally looked up at you, his eyes searching yours, looking for something—reassurance, maybe, or just a reminder that he wasn't as alone as he felt.

"I don't know," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I look at the others, and they all seem so... perfect. They all have their moments. But me? I feel like I'm just... here. Like I'm not really contributing in the way I should."

You shook your head immediately. "That's not true," you insisted. "You're one of the most talented people I know, Hyunjin. You bring so much to the group, and they all admire you. They look up to you. And I do, too."

He let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. "You don't get it. I look at myself and I just don't see what they see. I don't know how they can put up with me sometimes."

You couldn't believe what you were hearing. Hyunjin, the one who made everyone laugh, who lit up the room with his smile and his charm, was feeling this way? It was hard to wrap your head around it, but you could see the pain in his eyes. It was raw and vulnerable, a side of him he rarely showed anyone.

"Hyunjin," you said, your voice steady but full of warmth. "You're more than enough. You've always been. You don't have to be perfect to be valuable. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You're incredible just as you are, and that's more than enough."

He remained silent for a moment, the words seeming to settle into him slowly, but you could see the tension in his shoulders begin to ease, just a little. He leaned back in his chair, looking up at you with a soft expression.

"I don't deserve you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Your heart melted at his words. You had been friends for a while now, and over time, you had grown closer, but hearing him say something like that made you want to hold him, to remind him that he was more than enough, no matter how much doubt he had.

You reached out, gently cupping his cheek with your hand. His skin was warm beneath your palm, and he leaned into the touch, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

"You deserve all the love in the world, Hyunjin," you said softly. "And I'll always be here to remind you of that."

His eyes opened again, and there was a softness in his gaze, a quiet appreciation that made your heart flutter. He didn't say anything, but he didn't need to. The way he looked at you told you everything.

Hyunjin took a deep breath, his shoulders finally relaxing as if a weight had been lifted. He offered you a small smile, the first genuine one of the night.

"Thanks," he said quietly. "I guess I just needed to hear that."

You smiled back, your thumb gently brushing against his cheek. "Anytime, Hyunjin. You're never alone in this. Remember that."

For the first time in what felt like hours, there was a peaceful calm that settled over him. He was still Hyunjin—the confident, talented artist who poured his heart into everything he did—but now, there was a quiet strength behind his eyes, a recognition that he didn't have to be perfect to be worthy of love, of admiration.

You stayed with him for a while longer, just talking, sharing quiet moments that were filled with comfort and understanding. As the rain continued to fall outside, you both found a sense of solace in each other's company, a reminder that even the brightest stars needed someone to guide them through the darkness.

And in that moment, you knew that no matter what Hyunjin felt—no matter the doubts or insecurities—he was never truly alone. Not as long as you were by his side.

4o mini