One step to the heart, 9th member of straykids

The Confession

The sun had long set over Seoul, casting the city in a glittering web of lights. Stray Kids were gathered in the studio for another long night of practice, but this time, the atmosphere was lighter. With a string of successful comebacks behind them, the group had found a comfortable rhythm, and Y/n was now as much a part of their family as any of the original members.

Bang Chan sat at the mixing desk, fiddling with a track they'd been working on. His eyes kept wandering to Y/n, who was laughing with Felix and Han on the couch. Her laughter was infectious, filling the room with warmth.

He'd been carrying this secret for over a year now—a secret that had grown heavier with every passing day. He was in love with her, deeply and irrevocably.

Bang Chan leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. Should he finally tell her? The timing never felt right, but maybe that was an excuse. Maybe he was just scared.

After practice, Bang Chan lingered behind in the studio, hoping to gather his thoughts. Y/n, ever the night owl, stayed behind too, scrolling through her phone on the couch.

"Y/n," he called, his voice softer than usual.

She looked up. "Yeah?"

"Can we talk for a second?"

Her expression shifted to one of curiosity. "Of course."

Bang Chan hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "I've been meaning to tell you something for a while now. It's... not easy to say, but I need to get it off my chest."

Y/n set her phone down, giving him her full attention. "You're scaring me, Chan. What's going on?"

He chuckled nervously. "It's nothing bad. At least, I hope not. It's just... I've realized something about how I feel."

Y/n tilted her head, her ocean-blue eyes searching his.

"I care about you more than I've ever cared about anyone," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "And it's not just as a friend or a teammate. I'm in love with you, Y/n. I have been for a while."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, the room felt completely still.

"I know this might complicate things," he continued quickly. "But I couldn't keep it to myself anymore. You mean too much to me."

Y/n's lips parted, but no words came out immediately. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face.

"Chan," she said softly, standing up and walking over to him. "I... I don't even know what to say. You've been my rock since day one. I didn't think I could ever be so lucky as to find someone like you."

She reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. "I feel the same way."

Bang Chan's heart swelled. "Really?"

She nodded. "Really."

He laughed, a mixture of relief and joy, and pulled her into a tight hug.

1 part leftttt!!!