effie | stray kids

insomnia + tears.

sleep was a talent effie was very proud of having. fans always made fun of her because she can sleep in literally any situation.

but effie being able to sleep was also a talent chan was jealous of.

-

"ef? are you asleep?" the leader's voice whispered to the girl. effie was on her computer, inspired by a dream to write a couple of lyrics on her notes.

effie furrowed her brows, "yeah. what's up? are you okay?" chan wasn't the one to leave his dorm room at 2:00 am, it was usually a hyper felix who consumed too much sugar.

"i don't know- i just, can't sleep," his voice was laced with fatigue and stress. effie, being a very caring person towards chan, who practically raised her, immediately shut her computer and beckoned him to sit next to her.

he sat down with a small sigh, "i don't know why. it's been affecting me a lot, and it-" he huffed. "i don't know, effie. i don't know what's wrong with me."

effie felt a wave of unhappiness and frustration that she couldn't really help him, because she never experienced insomnia before. "nothing's wrong with you." her head whipped to glance up to the bunk bed she shared with jisung as he rolled over, "do you want to get out of here for a while?"

the blond boy nodded his head, so effie took his hand and guided him to the door. "put on your shoes," she softly laughed as he looked lost for a moment. after a few minutes of chan tripping over hyunjin's shoes, they made it out of the dorm, and into the cold air. luckily, the two slept with hoodies, so they were okay.

effie stuffed her hands into her pockets as they walked to their closest convenience store in comfortable silence. "have you tried speaking to someone about this?"

chan shook his head, "you're the only person i've told about this."

effie nodded, "just know that we're here for you, okay? and take care of your health. you're a great leader, you know? it's okay to think about yourself sometimes."

sighing, chan stared at the passing streetlamps, "it's just, i dont want to disappoint anyone, you know?" his voice was quiet, but it was so late out, that the only sound was his voice.

effie stopped and looked at the leader straight in the eye, "no. just no. you have never disappointed anyone. you will never disappoint anyone. you aren't a disappointing person, chris. you know how much we look up to you? i don't look up to anyone, except you. you know why? because you're awesome, and i'd never trade you for anything."

chan knew effie meant it, because she only called him chris when she really cares about something. he felt so overwhelmed that effie really did care, and did think he was a good person, that he started crying.

he buried his face into her neck, "thanks. i actually feel a lot better now. you just have a way with words, that makes me cry."

effie hugged him back, startled when tears rolled off her cheeks as well. chan had only cried a few times in front of her, and she loved that he was open with her.

"you know what would make you feel even better? an ice cream sandwich. come on, i'm paying this time." chan smiled at her as they made their way into the 24-hour shop.

as they reached the dorms, chan said that he was going to bed, his eyes closing already. effie wished him good night contently, happy she was able to help the person who helped her.

-

sorry this part's so sad, i've been feeling like a sad uwu for chan these days idk why.