Work Text:
Changbin didn't often feel insecure over his voice. Everyone seemed to love it and constantly praised him for his unique rasp and grit. Sometimes it was a heavy weight to bear. People seemed to judge him by his voice only and their impression of him was the furthest thing from the truth. His voice wasn't an automatic personality test for classifying him as mean and unfriendly. Especially as an extrovert.
When he was given the chance he could usually change people's minds about who he was as a person. Hopefully into a lasting memory of how respectful and kind he is. Or even how silly he could be and how he liked making other people laugh.
The comments online were a bit harder to combat. And he knows, he knows he shouldn't let online comments affect him. It's hard though. He's done so much growth in becoming more kind and friendly over the years. He's been much more receptive to skinship and letting his clingier boys cuddle up to him or sit in his lap. He had no qualms over making a fool of himself. But still. The comments continue.
His biggest career asset managed to keep people misinformed over his character.
So he does the only thing he can think of.
He finds Chan.
Now Chan is pretty predictable. He can typically find his hyung in his room, the gym, or the studio based on the time of day. His hyung likes his routine, which makes it significantly easier to find him.
Considering it's the afternoon after lunch, he wouldn't be surprised if his hyung was still at the studio.
He drops a kiss to the top of Jeongin's head on his way out, "I'm going to the studio. Have fun baby."
He misses the concerned look the maknae gives him.
The drive to the studio is short due to it being in between rush hours. He makes his way inside greeting the people he passes politely.
He knocks on the studio door before opening it. Chan is looking at him with a smile, "Hi Binnie."
"Hi hyung." He smiles. The relief is nearly instant once he's in Chan's presence.
"Are you…able to pause?" He asks.
"Of course," Chan agrees easily.
Changbin sits on the couch and waits for Chan to turn and join him.
"What's going on, Binnie baby?" Chan asks.
"I made the mistake of going online to read comments over our last performance." He admits softly.
"Ah." Chan hums.
His hyung joins him on the couch and invites him to cuddle into his side. "Want to tell hyung what you're upset over?"
"Same thing as always." He mumbles as he curls into his hyungs side.
"You're my tender-heart, of course those types of comments bother you," he says gently. "I love your tender-heart. I would never ask you to change that as it's so fundamental to who you are. I will ask you to be more mindful of reading comments. People will judge you for anything due to ignorance, inexperience, and jealousy. It's not fair to you to burden yourself with strangers complex feelings."
He nods. He knows. "I know. I was hoping the perception would have changed by now."
Chan kisses his forehead, "Bin, you have to be comfortable enough in yourself and who you are in case the perception never change. The people who actually matter to you...they all know the type of person you are. You are sweet, thoughtful, considerate, kind, respectful, and humble. You are a doting hyung, a reliable friend, and a beloved boyfriend, hm?"
Changbin nods. Chan is right. The people who matter love him.
"Do you want to know something the seven of us keep secret from you? You have to promise to not tell the others," Chan says quietly.
Changbin looks up at Chan warily, "What?"
"We kind of love that your voice intimidates others. If someone is intimidated purely by a voice, then they're not someone we want to trust." Chan shares, "But. When you get protective, your voice gets a bit deeper and more gravely and we absolutely adore it."
He can feel his cheeks heat with the unexpected compliment. His hyung was shameless.
"Hyung," he whines, feeling shy, but also he has butterflies in his stomach.
"It's true, baby. We never went to invalidate how you feel about your voice, but we want you to know how grateful we are for it. We love your voice, but we love you more." Chan says.
"Love you too," he mumbles.
Chan had a way of boosting his confidence and mood so easily. Chan helps remind him of the simple truths in their lives, and it's enough to give him a much more optimistic take on things.
And really, if the people he loves most in the world love his voice, why should he care about a few comments online?
They don't get the opportunity to cuddle and kiss Bang Chan himself. Maybe they were jealous. Rightfully so.