Chapter Text
Chan watched with a bright smile as the seven boys of Stray Kids headed through the airport. The group was on their way to China for an award show and Chan couldn't be prouder of the boys. They had truly grown in the last couple of years.
They had released album after album and they quickly rose in popularity. Chan had been the one who wrote most of their songs, together with Changbin and Han of course. Fans had called them 3Racha as they were the producing team for Stray Kids and even though Chan wasn't officially part of the group, he felt like he belonged with them.
Right now, Chan and some staff were a bit behind the idols, watching the boys from the back as they walked through the airport, though... two girls had their cameras not on Stray Kids, but on Chan. He wasn't sure where to look, as he limped through the airport, supporting his weight with the new cane he had gotten from the boys a while back.
His hand clutched onto the silver wolf that was engraved at the top and he tried to take deep breath. He had never minded cameras when he was a trainee, but with his cane... the media only saw him as a failure. But Chan himself got quite famous in the kpop industry, due to him being Stray Kids' main producer, working closely with the boys on music and even living with them. Because of that though, he had his own growing fanbase.
Many people shipped him with the members, wanting them to interact more, while other people were annoyed with Chan constantly being around Stray Kids. The boys though didn't mind of course. They loved Chan and saw him as part of their team. But getting more or less treated like an idol still felt weird to Chan.
He limped into the airpost with the other staff members, while the crowd around them closed in, with more and more fans swarming Stray Kids, trying to get close to the idols.
Chan leaned heavily on his cane, his leg acting up again and then suddenly one of the fans hit the cane with their leg and Chan lost his balance. He almost fell down, if it wasn't for Minho, who happened to be one step in front of him.
"You okay?" Minho asked with worry as he held onto Chan's arm, steadying him, while another staff member picked up Chan's cane.
"Y- yeah, thanks." Chan smiled and Minho grinned back behind the mask he was wearing.
"This is insane..." Minho growled, looking around the pushing fans that shoved their phones into their faces and Chan took his cane back from the staff and they continued to follow the others.
"Stay close to me." Minho said and stayed behind Chan, glaring at ever "fan" that dared to get too close to them.
After a while they finally made it through the check in and they were in a calmer area, where they waited to board the plane.
"Sorry." Chan mumbled as they sat there and waited and Minho looked at him with a fond eyes.
"Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong."
"You shouldn't have to protect me." Chan muttered, scrunching his nose slightly, annoyed at himself.
"We protect each other, remember?" Minho smiled and Chan let out a giggle.
"Hehe, right. Thanks Min."
"Come on, skrr!" Han suddenly grinned at them and the two smiled back. "Let's show China what we got!" And so they started to board the plane.
The flight was quick and with no issues and as soon as they made it into the center of Hong Kong, they were met with the giant buildings of the city and they soon stepped into their hotel.
"Alright, you boys have some stuff to film, so you have 1 hour, before we get picked up again. So get some food in you." Chan explained as they looked at the food that the staff members had already ordered for them.
"Aye aye, Channie!" The boys grinned and dug in, though Chan headed back out to talk to the staff members. The promotion in China was tight, with only limited time, but he still fought for some free time for the boys. They had worked hard and deserved some hours off to enjoy the city instead of constantly working. But for now... they had an interview.
"And you boys are nominated for best album." The lady from the interview pointed out as she sat opposite of the seven boys, while Chan stood backstage with their managers, a bright and proud smile on his face.
"Yes. We still can't believe it." Hyunjin answered with a smile.
"That album really is amazing. Truly a masterpiece." The interviewer said.
"Changbin and Han worked together with Chan hyung on it." Seungmin pointed out and the interviewer nodded.
"Ah yes, the producer."
"Yes. Though Chan is more than a producer." Changbin added. "He is our friend and a part of this team." He said and the others immediately nodded.
"Would he mind to join us in this interview?" The woman asked and now they all turned to look at the other.
"Uhm... I don't know... Chan hyung?" Minho asked with a grin and Chan's eyes widened in shock.
"I- I..." He stuttered, but the interviewer gave him a kind smile.
"It's not live. If its not working out for you, then we will simply cut it out."
"Yah, come on, hyung!" Han grinned and so Chan gripped his cane tightly and he limped into frame. He bowed down to the interviewer and sat onto the couch where the boys made some space for him.
"So, Bang Chan, you are the mastermind behind Stray Kids music?" The lady asked and Chan shrugged with a nervous smile.
"Ah, it's not just me. Everyone is contributing, especially Changbin and Han. They are great producers."
"I see. Is it true that you had auditioned at JYP before?" She asked next and Chan could feel Minho's hand on his back. It grounded him and made Chan remember that he had the boys there with him.
"Yeah... before I got this injury." He said and gestured at his bad leg. "I was a trainee, but then the accident happened. Thankfully though JYP offered me to learn about producing and so I stayed with the company."
"Now that is wonderful. It must be exciting to be this close to one of the top rising young kpop groups."
"It is, I feel very honored." Chan grinned and the other boys nudged him gently.
"It wouldn't have been possible without Chan hyung." Felix said.
"I can see how close you boys are." The interviewer nodded with a smile and soon the whole interview was wrapped up and Chan let out a heavy sigh as the eight boys walked through the city. They had off after the interview, thanks to Chan's negotiations with their managers, though it was already late anyways, with only a few people around and so they had decided to get some real food in them.
"It was awkward." Chan whined while they walked through a street that was much more quiet.
"No, don't worry. You did great." Felix smiled at him.
"Ugh... I should just stay in the back next time." Chan mumbled.
"You're part of this team, Chan hyung." Jeongin told him. "You are the reason we are Stray Kids."
"Yeah, you literally named our group, picked each of us as a members and you write most of our songs."
"I guess- agh..." Chan hissed slightly as his bad leg buckled and the seven boys immediately turned to him with worry.
"All good?" Han asked with worry.
"Ye- yeah. All good..." Chan said and gave them a smile, but it wasn't convincing.
"Your leg hurts, doesn't it?" Seungmin asked with a frown.
"Ah no, it's fine."
"Hyung-"
"No really, it's perfectly fine."
"Come on, I'll carry you." Hyunjin suddenly said with a grin and got down in front of Chan.
"But-"
"Your leg hurts." Changbin told him. "Stop being so stubborn hyung."
"But I can still walk." Chan pouted.
"Nope. Hyunjin will carry you." Minho took Chan's cane from him and then Chan let out a sigh, complying and getting onto Hyunjin's back.
"Hehe, relax hyung. We got you." Seungmin grinned as he petted Chan's butt and Chan finally relaxed and leaned his head onto Hyunjin's shoulder.
"Thank you guys." He mumbled with a smile and soon they reached a burger place to eat some food.
-♫⋆｡♪-
After they ate, boys headed back to the hotel, though instead of going to their separate rooms, all eight were in Minho's room, sitting comfortable on either the bed or the couch, as they scrolled through their phones, leaning against each other.
"They... they think you two are dating!" Felix laughed suddenly and the others looked up.
"Huh?"
"Hyunchan! Omg that's cute!" Felix giggled and showed Chan the posts that were on social media. There were several pictures of Stray Kids walking down the street, with Chan on Hyunjin's back.
"I didn't even see any cameras..." Minho growled slightly. They always knew that becoming idols would mean they would have less privacy, but this... to secretly take pictures and videos of them when they have free time is not okay...
"Hyunjin the knight in shining armor, carrying his princess." Seungmin read with a grin.
"More like a koala." Han added.
"Hahaha!"
"Guys..." Chan giggled along with them, but then he saw another post. One were fans wrote horrible comments underneath.
Pathetic.
Shouldnt he leave the boys alone?
He is so clingy to them.
He should be ashamed.
They are probably annoyed by him.
"Chan? You okay?" Jeongin asked as he noticed Chan's frown.
"Hm? Ah, yeah. Of course-" He tried to dismiss it, but Minho already saw the same post with the mean comments.
"What the fuck..."
"It's fine-"
"No it's fucking not! What the hell?!" Minho growled and the others also looked at those comments, though Chan only rolled his eyes.
"Calm down guys. It's the same people as always so-"
"What do you mean?" Hyunjin asked with a frown and the boys looked at some of the accounts, scrolling through their replies that showed several insulting comments about either Chan or some other members.
"They have been saying all this shit? For how long?" Changbin asked with a frown.
"Just ignore them." Chan again tried to calm the others down, but they wouldn't hear it.
"No, lets go live." Minho said and Chan's eyes widened.
"We can not just go live! We need staff here."
"You are staff." Han grinned at him.
"You know damn well that doesn't count."
"I don't care." Minho said and simply started a live stream on his instagram.
The comment section immediately filled up and fans all over social media talked about the live as all 7 members were present. Though they didn't have a real setup. The boys were partly not even fully in frame and Chan purposely scooted more against Seungmin, to be less visible.
At first Stray Kids were nice, talking about their excitement of being overseas and for the award show, but then they mentioned the hateful comments.
"It's really not okay." Changbin said honestly and with clear disappointment.
"Yeah, Chan is a part of our team and a friend." Han added.
"He is the best guy and the reason why we are even a band." Minho said and the others cooed at Chan who was off screen, trying to hide his red ears.
"So if you disrespecct Chan or any of our members, then don't consider yourself a stay."
And with that Minho ended the live stream. He knew it was harsh and that JYP won't like it, but someone had to say it.
"You guys are crazy..." Chan said, though he couldn't help but chuckle slightly. He loved that the boys were brave enough to say their opinion. Standing up to wrong-doings is one of the most important things.
"If it happens again, we will make another live. Maybe even a statement on our official account." Changbin said.
"Just don't get into trouble because of me." Chan told them. "I can take care of myself."
"We know." Hyunjin said softly. "But we also want you to know that you can rely on us."
"Yeah, fighting alone is a battle already lost." Changbin added. "And we know you would do the same thing for us. You always fought for us, so elt us do the same for you."
"... you guys..." Chan smiled widely and Han stretched out his arms wide.
"Group hug!" He yelled and they all laughed as they jumped onto the bed, hugging Chan more or less as they became one giant pile of tangled limbs on the bed. One might think they are silly and crazy, but the boys shared a bond they were proud of. They would always stay together.
-♫⋆｡♪-
The next day the boys had another short shooting in the morning, until later that day when they finally prepared for the award show.
It was a big event, with a red carpet and a huge venue and Stray Kids had prepared a specials tage for the show, hoping to captivate many people.
But for now, the seven idols all put on their fancy designer suits and Chan helped them to put their ties on and just as the boys were ready to head out, they all got together and grinned at Chan.
"Here Channie, for you." Han gave Chan a tie and the producer blinked up at them.
"Eh? For me? Why?" Chan asked confused, as he saw that the boys didn't just have a tie for him, but they held out a whole suit.´for him as well.
"You have to look presentable." Minho grinned.
"Me? But I'm just with the staff-"
"Heheh nope." Felix giggled and all seven boys grinned at him.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"Surprise." Changbin handed him an envelope and Chan's eyes widened.
"What the-... I'm- I'm nominated?" He asked in shock as he read through the invitation.
"Yes!"
"I- no I- don't dese-"
"You deserve it more than anyone, Channie hyung!" Hyunjin told him.
"I- I got nominated... wah..." Chan smiled slightly and the boys grinned even wider now.
"There is one more thing." Han said and Chan perked up again.
"Huh?"
"You will perform with us." Minho told him and for a second Chan's heartbeat stopped.
"Wh- what...?"
"You wrote the song, you made every beat and you were there for rehersal. We know you know the song in and out." Changbin said.
"Yeah so don't try to talk your way out of this." Seungmin smirked.
"B- but-... I can't dance..." Chan said quietly.
"After we performed the side effects remix, we will sing Social Path." Minho explained. "That's when you will join us."
"We will all just walk around and not be in formation." Jeongin explained. "So don't worry."
"I... wah... you guys...." Chan tried to fight back tears and the other grinned at him as they handed him the suit.
"Come on, we have to get ready." Minho grinned.
"Oh and don't worry, you will sit with us at the table." Hyunjin told him.
"You sure?" Chan asked.
"Yep. We talked about it with our managers." Minho nodded.
"Alright... let's do it." Chan grinned and they prepared for the red carpet.
-♫⋆｡♪-
Chan wasn't part of Stray Kids, so he was a bit behind them and he had to admit that he was nervous standing on the red carpet alone, while the media took hundreds of pictures of him.
But his heart eased up immediately as he saw that Stray Kids were waiting for him at the side, reassuring him that he wouldn't have to walk alone inside. And so he tried to enjoy the moment and he smiled kindly at the media, while he leaned onto his cane, before he limped off to the side to make room for the enxt guests.
Stray Kids headed then as eight into the venue, where a staff member guided them to their table and soon the whole show started. There were many people there, several groups and soloists from either JYP or other companies and many idols Chan knew personally.
Overall the vibe was great and everyone had a good time, but then the award came up that Chan was nominated for and the boys all sat there, nervous and hopeful.
"And the award for best producer goes to..."
Chan closed his eyes, feeling the hands of the others on him.
"Bang Chan! Congratulations!" The host announced and Chan stopped breathing, his mouth and eyes wide open in shock, while the boys had jumped to their feet as they celebrated Chan's win.
"Get up there!" The boys pulled Chan up and Minho linked his arm into Chan's, to help him up the stairs. From then on Chan leaned onto his cane and he limped over to the host, who handed him the award and Chan stopped in front of the microphone.
His eyes traveled over to the seven boys who grinned up at him with pride.
"Wah, I- I don't really know what to say." Chan chuckled and gave the audience an eyesmile. He knew that they were all there. Stray Kids, Twice, Brian, Bam, Wooyoung and so many more. "First of all, thank you all so much for this award. Standing here right now... it still feels unreal. When I first started as a trainee, I wasn't sure where the path would lead me, but music is turly a special thing. It led me to Stray Kids and it made me kept going and even though plans have changed, I am happy where I am now. I am grateful to the boys who are always at my side." He grinned at Stray Kids, who cheered him on loudly.
"Hehe, so yeah, this," he held up the award, "will always remind me to keep on going and that music can truly safe people. So I will make more music for everyone who wants to feel understood and seen. So, thank you Stray Kids and thank you Stay and thank you everyone who always believed in me." And with that, Chan bowed his head and he limped off again, where Minho and Changbin already waited for him with bright smiles, while the crowd cheered and clapped for him.
Changbin took the award, while Minho helped Chan down the stairs and they headed back to the table, where the other boys hugged Chan and ruffled his hair.
"You did it hyung!" Jeongin cheered.
"We're so proud of you!" Hyunjin added.
"Thank you all. It wouldn't have been possible without you guys." Chan smiled and he caught the eyes of Sana and the others in the back who all looked at him with fond smiles, but then the next award was already announced.
"The award for album of the year goes to... Stray Kids!"
"What?!" The sven boys looked up in shock and now it was Chan who grinned and pushed them towards the stage.
"Ahaha, go go go!" He laughed and Stray Kids stumbled onto the stage, where they bowed down and received their award.
"Thank you so much for this award." Seungmin said. "Whenever we receive an award like this, I think about all the people who made it possible for us to stand here. And I especially want to thank 3RACHA." He said and Changbin and Han started to giggle next to him, just like Chan who looked up to them proudly.
"Chan, Changbin and Han have always put so much of themselves into our music, so I'm really grateful that I get to sing the songs that they have created. Overall, we as a team trust each other completely and I'm proud that we can continue making music as Stray Kids." He finished and Minho took over.
"Like Seungmin said, we dont just perform these songs, but we put pieces of ourselves into them. And we will continue to work hard, especially 3Racha," Minho told them with a smirk and the audience laughed as Changbin playfully hit Minho's arm, "and we will continue to move forward together, as eight.
And most of all, thank you Stay! Without you, we wouldn't be standing here today. So thank you all for making it possible for us to keep doing what we love. We'll work hard. Thank you Stay!"
And with that they finished their speech and they headed back to their table, where this time Chan cheered them on.
"You guys deserve it!" He grinned and the others blushed slightly.
"Ah it's always exciting." Han grinned.
"We are so grateful to Stay...." Hyunjin mumbled with a smile, but then a staff member walked up to the eight boys.
"You have to come backstage to prepare for the performance." They said and Stray Kids nodded and so they headed behind the stage and changed outfits and soon they started their show.
The crowd was hyped and the whole venue turned into a festival as Stray Kids sang song after song, with fireworks all around.
And then it was time for their last song, Social Path and Chan was moved up with the stage lift in the middle of the stage and instead of Felix starting his iconic phrase, it was today Chan's honor to sing out loud.
"Gave up! My youth!
For my! Future!
I just! Want to!
Rise up! Stronger!"
He yelled into the microphone with a bright smile and the song started to play, with Stray Kids jumping around the stage.
All other guests and idols were on their feet now, dancing and moving along to the song, as Stray Kids waved at the fans and they simply enjoyed to be on stage and when the song reached it's climax, the seven band members gathered around Chan and they jumped around him in the circle, all smiling brightly and they knew they would stay together forever, as eight.