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The whole group was worried as Jisung came into the dorm only to lock himself in his room. He seemed so distressed, no one wanted him to be like that. Everyone knew it wasn't his fault, it was just the way he is, this wasn't new, after all, they had been doing it ever since they were trainees. They just happened to be caught.
But Jisung was taking it much harder. After all, he was the main culprit, the one to blame everything on. He didn't understand how the others weren't mad. He quite literally put all their careers in jeopardy because he... likes kisses.
Maybe it was weird to be making such a big deal out of nothing, but the situation had escalated so much it was out of anyone's hands at this point.
Jisung had always been a fan of kisses, such a small act that held so much meaning. And that meaning for him was just that he adored, cared and even loved someone. So he wasn't shy to deal them out to anyone who fit that description. Just like how kisses could always calm him down when he felt anxious, or cheer him up if he felt sad. Kisses were like... the cure for all evils when it came to Jisung.
So when he became a trainee and had to go through withdrawl it was not the easiest of times. But then Chan started befriending him and when he noticed, he was already finding himself asking for it.
- You seem really nervous, Sungie, what's wrong?
- Don't worry about it. — Jisung answered shortly, looking back to the middle of the studio where they were previously having dance practice.
Chan sighed, he was obviously worried for his friend who was clearly not fine. But he also wasn't sure of what to do.
- Jisung, look at me. — Chan held the younger's hands, the two looking now at eachother. — You know whatever is wrong, it will be okay. I'll help in whatever I can, no second thoughts. We don't have many people by our side. It's you and me Sungie. And I don't want to see you like this.
Even then, Jisung kept quiet, looking at the other trainees who seemed to be judging them. So Chan just let out another sigh, sitting next to the younger. He would not give up on his friend.
And later, back at the dorm, the two were in their shared room, Jisung in his pijamas and Chan... as he came to the world. Jisung didn't mind, he got used to it after a few days. He still remembered how Chan had sat him down and talked to him about feeling more peacefull when he was naked. And that got the young rapper's mind to work.
- Hey Chan? — Jisung sat up in his top bunker, Chan approaching him with a soft smile. — Can I kiss you?
- I'm sorry, did you just ask if you can kiss me?
- Yeah.. It's just... You had the courage to talk to me about wanting to be naked and... I'm sorry I don't know how to word this. — Jisung shook his head. — I know it's weird but I guess it's just a me thing. I like kisses. They make me calm, happy, they mean that I love and care for someone and I wanted to share this with you too because...
Jisung didn't finish his jumble of thoughts as Chan kissed him.
- Like this?
- That was perfect. — Jisung said with a smile.
They would kiss everyday from then on, I guess you can say to anyone from the outside they seemed to be dating, but they knew better than to put it such a label. They were just the bestest of friends, they loved and cared for eachother and expressed it through kisses.
Then Changbin came around. One of the people that most humbled Jisung and it didn't take long for him to join Jisung and Chan in a little trio of friends.
Admittedly, Jisung wanted to kiss Changbin but was scared to do so, since the older had such a dark aesthetic and seemed so serious most of the times.
- Jisung, just do it. — Chan laughed at the drama the younger was making.
- He will think I'm weird! — Jisung pouted.
- Sung, we both know and trust Changbin, he won't think you're weird. Besides, that boy really needs some light in his life, just so he can get through his "I love dark" phase.
Jisung stopped at that, looking judgementally at Chan and his all black outfit.
- Stop, I just look good in black!
- I know you do.
The two laughed before sharing a kiss, going on about their day. Chan was right, Changbin, even if lowkey scary, was an extremly chill guy, Jisung didn't need to be afraid.
So at the end of the day, when Changbin was about to leave to go home, Jisung walked him outside, fidgeting with his fingers.
- See you tomorrow Hanji? — Changbin showed a small smile, ruffling the younger's hair.
- Yeah, see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Changbin.
Without much thought, Jisung pecked his friend's lips before going back inside, leaving Changbin preplexed.
The poor boy had to go home and come back the following day where it seemed that Jisung was avoiding him.
- Chan? — Changbin called during break. — Jisung... yesterday he... he kissed me..
- Finally he got around to do it. — Chan laughed. — Don't make a big deal out of it Changbin. We're just his best friends. He's just showing us that with kisses.
Changbin nodded in understanding, thinking back to his moments with Jisung and Chan and the more he thought about it.. besides from almost positively having seen the two kiss, he noticed kisses had this good effect on Jisung. And who was Changbin to deny his best friend that?
So when Jisung was alone in the corridor, he almost screamed when someone hugged his waist and pulled him to a soft kiss.
- Next time don't run away, Hanji.
Jisung was really lucky in the friends he was given, he thinks. Not everyone would be so open about kissing their homie.
After Changbin came Jeongin, a young boy coming from almost the other side of the country who Chan immediately took under his wing. And Changbin and Jisung were just as quick to make the youngest feel at home with them.
Jeongin was really shy and reserved but he saw things. He saw the close friendship the three older boys had and wanted to be a part of it.. fully a part of it. So Jisung was understandably shocked when one day, while in one of the practice rooms, going over some exercises with Jeongin, he asked for a kiss and the younger actually pecked his lips.
- S-sorry... I just.. I saw you Chan and Changbin do it and I thought.. — Jeongin visibly calmed down when Jisung flashed a smile.
- It's okay, baby, don't worry. I was jist surprised. I only didn't kiss you before because I didn't know if you'd be okay with it, I wanted you to be more at ease with me. — Jisung explained, pecking the younger's lips. — But it's completely okay, hm? Kiss me whenever you want. I'll leave it to your own pace. So you can get more used to it.
Jeongin never actively kissed Jisung after that until one day where, after a live Jisung made, they were in the dorm talking.
- Do you.. do you really not remember us kissing in the practice room? — Jisung asked quietly.
Jeongin let out a chuckle, observing how shy Jisung seemed just making such an innocent question. He knew Jisung had talked about it in some videos how the two had kissed, and Jeongin always insisted they didn't out of embarrassment. Not for kissing his friend, but having that be the only time he had the courage to do something like that. And here they were now. Jisung seemed rather.. sad, thinking of how one of his so important kisses was just forgotten.
- How could I forget? — Jeongin replied kissing Jisung once again.
From then on, Jeongin started getting a lot more confidence to do it, he would try to not hold back and, whenever he wanted, to kiss Jisung.
After Jeongin, was Seungmin, someone so serious that Jisung honestly thought he would get punched if he tried to kiss him, but that didn't stop him. So it happened when they were all having lunch together. Laughing over something Jisung had said.
- Oh.. Seungmin you have something on your mouth. — Chan pointed out as the younger tried to wipe it off.
- Here, let me help you.
And before he knew, Seungmin was kissed by Jisung, who giggled when he pulled away.
- There, all done.
- I just knew you were gonna do that. — Seungmin laughed.
- Am I that predictable? — Jisung pouted.
- Your kisses are like friendship validation at this point. If you get a kiss means you're in the group. — Changbin said with a laugh.
- I kinda like that actually.
But Jisung would learn not everyone in the group would have his kisses when... Hyunjin came along. Ironic, being that Hyunjin was now one of those who Jisung kissed the most, alongside with Minho and Felix. Along with being the one who Jisung kissed in the video that got him in this mess
Everyone remembers how Jisung and Hyunjin were always fighting for stupid reasons. But not everyone remembers or knows that they were the only ones who could fight eachother. They had this exclusive rivalry, if anyone else tried to mess with one of them, the other would always protect him. And maybe that was the reason why Jisung found himself wanting to give that "validation" to Hyunjin too.
- And why would you care for what they say? — Jisung crossed his arms watching as Hyunjin killed himself dancing.
- You don't understand, Jisung, no one tells you the only reason you'll debut is because of your looks. — Hyunjin sighed, pausing to drink some water from the bottle standing next to Jisung.
- Yeah, because no one envies me to that point. — Jisung rolled his eyes. — You have the looks and the talent, you dumbass.
- Yeah, as if I'm gonna listen to you of all people.
Hyunjin was about to go back to practice when Jisung pulled him back, pecking his lips softly.
- If you don't believe me, then go ask Chan and talk to him, but just take some rest, you're one step away from passing out. — Jisung said before leaving the room.
Then there was Felix who was...the easiest, if Jisung was honest. Felix was a really cuddly person so they just inherently had a conversation about kisses.
- No... I mean, I thought about it but... I don't know, I think the others would feel uncomfortable with kisses. — Felix shrugged.
- Oh trust me, they wouldn't. — Jisung laughed thinking of all the kisses he had shared with everyone.
Felix looked at him curiously before seeing his "twin" lean in and peck his lips.
- Don't worry about kisses, no one minds, here. — Jisung said with a giggle.
Then there was Minho, someone who, as soon as Jisung set eye on him, he knew he wanted to kiss that boy. Chan would never tell that to Jisung, but that was a great contribution to him going up to Minho and inviting him to his friend group.
And as soon as Minho was officially introduced, not by a manager, to the others, him and Jisung were immediately glued to the hip, spending a lot of time together.
- Well, guys, I'm going home. — Changbin announced as he was about to leave, only Jisung and Minho left in the practice room.
- Oh okay, be carefull. — Jisung said, eyes turning away from Minho.
- I will be, tell me when you two get home too. — Changbin pecked Jisung's lips before leaving, waving at Minho on the way out.
- I... I didn't know you two were dating.. — Minho said, arms dropping from their previous place on Jisung's waist.
- We're...not. — Jisung pulled a face at the older.
- You two just kissed.. — Minho ran a hand throug his hair, eyes still on the younger.
- Yeah, I... kiss all my friends. — The rapper shrugged. — It's how I show them I love them and care for them. Little kisses. I.. thought someone had told you at this point.
- Oh... no, nobody told me... So you kiss all of them? Changbin, Chan, Seungmin, Jeongin, Hyunjin, Felix..?
- Hum.. yeah.. Sorry, you must be thinking I'm a weirdo..
- No, not at all! — Minho was quick to say, holding one of Jisung's hands. — I'm thinking.. don't you.. love and care for me too?
Jisung was visibly blushing as he nodded, both boys leaning in for a long and slow kiss.
Those first kisses with everyone, all well accepted, thankfully, were someting that... they started doing regularly. Jisung still remembers how once the group had sat him down only to ask if it was okay for him if they kissed eachother as well.
- Oh.. you weren't already doing that? Of course it's okay. We're all best friends. I kiss you because I love you guys, and of course I won't mind you showing eachother you love eachother too. It will be our thing.
And it was indeed their thing. Trading kisses whenever the cameras couldn't get them, goodmorning kisses, goodnight kisses, you name it.
And that was the problem. Sometimes there were cameras where they least expect it. Some may say it comes with the territory of being an idol, others might say it's an invasion of privacy. To Jisung it was his demise when videos came out of him and Hyunjin kissing at the back of the building where they would have their comeback.
It was nothing much. Being the first comeback after his hiatus, Hyunjin felt fairly nervous and went to get some air. And when Jisung went to get him the two spoke about the situation, Jisung ending up giving Hyunjin a good luck kiss to give him strength. He should've waited for when they were back inside to kiss, he should've made sure no one was filming them but at the time he just cared about a friend in need.
And that's what brought him here, locked in his room crying for what might be his ruined carreer. And then there was a knock.
- Sung? — Chan spoke from the other side. — We're here for you. You did nothing wrong. Please remember that.
- Sungie.. — Hyunjin called. — Thank you for that kiss, it made me have the confidence to nail that comeback stage.
- You know we love your kisses right? And we all kiss, it could've been any of us, don't beat yourself up for that. — Seungmin's voice sounded.
- Hanji, we'll solve this. But we have to do it as a group. As a family. We won't let you go through this alone. — That was Changbin saying.
- No one blames you. No one would ever blame you. We thank you for bringing this thing into our group, it does make us all closer. — Jeongin told the boy locked up in the room.
- Please come out so we can pepper you full of kisses and cuddles. — Felix's voice tried to sound happy and enthusiastic even if he was worried for his friend.
- Hannie.. Please open the door for me? — Minho's plead was followed by a click of the door.
When the door slowly swung open, it revealed Jisung with his teary eyes and tear stained cheeks. Minho wasted no time in hugging him, leaving a slow kiss on his lips.
- I love you. — Minho said lowly, hugging Jisung tighter. — We all love you.
- I love you. I love all of you. I'm sorry, I didn't want to ruin everything for us.
The group was quick to join the hug, all squeezing Jisung in their hold, laughing when the boy started complaining.
- Han Jisung, you didn't ruin anything, we'll fix this, okay? — Chan was the first to reassure him, leaving a soft peck on his lips. — Stray Kids are here to stay.
- What if JYP sends us away? — The younger asked softly, another kiss being planted on his lips, this one by Jeongin.
- JYP needs us more than we need him. We'll still have our Stay even if we leave the company. We'll just.. make it on our own, okay? We'll manage. — Chan said making Jisung smile.
- How about, we watch Your Name, Howl's Moving Castle and whatever other movie you want? We'll make a lot of food to eat the whole time, what do you say, Sungie? — Seungmin said, running a hand through the boy's hair.
- Sounds amazing.
The rest of the day and night was spent on the couch, the eight boys in their pj's watching movie after movie as they ate, most of them also cuddling Jisung and giving him the softest kisses, that made him smile. He was thankfull for the friends he was given.
The next day Jisung woke up still on the couch, being embraced by Minho, as he was laying o the older's chest, Changbin and Chan's heads laying on his lap as Felix had his head on Jisung's shoulder. All in all, they were big pile of cuddles, as they all fell asleep while watching another movie of Jisung's choosing.
As the boy looked at his phone he spotted a message from the CEO, saying he needed to speak to him immediately.
- Don't worry, I'll be there with you. — Jisung was startled as he hadn't noticed Chan had woken up and peeked over the message.
- Thank you Channie. — Jisung smiled as a kiss was delivered to his pouty lips.
The two carefully got up and went to their rooms to dress up. Jisung was scared, dreading the conversation awaiting them. But he trusted Chan, he knew nothing bad would happen to him as long as his leader was there.
So as they were waiting for the CEO to call them in, holding hands tightly, Chan left a kiss on the top of the younger's head before speaking.
- How do you feel?
- Scared. I understand they will do what they think is best for our career but.. What if they want me out? What if we have to stop all of this?
- I won't let any of that happen.
- You worked so hard for Stray Kids, Chan. We can't let it all go to waste.
- And it won't. But more than our artistic career, I care the most for you. All of you. You guys are my family, everything I have. I won't let anyone fall behind and I won't allow any of you to be hurt in anyway. Even if through kisses withdrawl.
The last sentence certainly put a smile on Jisung's face. Yeah, he knew he would be fine as long as his members and his leader were by his side.
And as quickly as they went inside the office, they were back to the dorm, six curious faces awaiting them.
- I'm sorry.. — Was all Jisung could say before running to Minho's embrace.
- We have a week to find somewhere to stay. As of now, Stray Kids are no longer a part of JYP Entretainment. — Chan announced. — It was my decision to terminate our contract after we were told the conditions we would have to go by after this scandal.
There was a silence, broken by the younger aussie of the group, who spoke up with a smile on his face:
- Okay, let's start searching for a house, then. Can we make it work with a two room apartment? It would be cheaper for us.
- Yes, and we can get part-times, just to make ends meet. — Changbin continued as the rest of the group agreed.
- Y-you are not mad? — Jisung raised his head, watching as everyone shook their heads.
- I told you no one would be mad. Their conditions were horrible, I would not allow that to happen. — Chan interjected.
- It wasn't that bad... — Jisung pouted at Chan's pointed look.
- Okay, then let's see. I won't even mention that in last resorce they wanted you out of the group, because that was ludicrous. Raise your hand if you would be okay with Hyunjin having another six month hiatus and Jisung a one year hiatus. — At that, everybody stood still, horrified at the idea of not having the whole team once again. — Raise your hand if you'd be okay with altering the images to change Jisung into a girl and launch a dating rumor about Hyunjin. — Again no hands were raised.
- Why Jisung?
- They said it would be more believable since I'm shorter. — Some of the member couldn't help but laugh at that.
- Would you be okay with Stray Kids not taking part of any variety show, vlive, nor fan sign, cutting contact with Stays and the rest of the world? — The group shook their heads. — And lastly, would you be okay with minimal phisical contact between all of us? And yes, that includes no kissing.
- BLASPHEMY! — Jeongin yelled, making the others laugh at his outburst.
- Aww, the baby likes our kisses. — Seungmin teased, before delivering a kiss to the youngest's lips.
- Shh it's supposed to be a secret. — Minho joined on the teasing.
- You chose the right thing Chan, as always. But.. what about... our songs? And everything really. — Hyunjin asked.
- Stray Kids was a name chosen by us so it will remain ours. And the songs are basically the same case, we produced them, our name is all over the credits, they can't take that away from us. From now on we'll have to do everything by ourselves. Choreographies, photoshoots, album arts, everything. But we can do it. We'll take a break to manage everything and gather money and then we'll be back on track.
- Let's do it then. — Jisung spoke up as the rest of the group smiled.
Finally their quokka had understood they weren't mad, and not as scared as they probably should be, they trusted eachother and that's all it took for them to make it work.
That afternoon the news about their departure broke out, shocking the world and certainly the fandom.
And it was two years from then, living still in a small two bedroom appartment, that Stray Kids started a new live on their own instagram account.
- Are you ready? — Chan asked the rest of the group, all of them clearly nervous and excited. — One, two...
- Step out! Hello we are Stray Kids! — The whole group spoke with huge smiles, the comment section already going wild.
- We must've scared you, Stay, we just disappeard into thin air with nothing but a tweet saying we were sorry. — Chan started.
- Truth be told, we've been working for this moment. Now that we do not have a company you can imagine how it's all a bit harder for us, but we managed. — Minho continued.
- You have seen us in various places, working in stores and coffee shops. And even if it seemed like we were following our own lives, Stay, you supported us and still showed your love. — Changbin was the next to speak.
- But, we would never give up our dreams, just like we always told you to not give up yours. It took us longer this time to be ready, but we're here. — Hyunjin, after speaking, looked at Felix to continue.
- Our new album, and first album as an independant group, is coming, we're finally ready, but are you ready, Stay? This time one hundred per cent by us, everything on it, you will get tired of seeing our names in the credits. — Felix giggled by the end.
- We wouldn't leave you hanging like that, and we didn't want to just drop some teaser and give you cardiac arrests. — Seungmin joked.
- It's been too long since we last met, hasn't it Stay? We have a lot to tell you and a lot to share, so worry not, from now on you will have Stray Kids as unfiltered as it gets. But first we have something we should probably explain to you. — Jeongin then looked at the last member left. Jisung looked at all the members before looking into the camera, seeing all the supportive comments before speaking.
- You all know what led to us leaving our previous company, and all of you have been wondering what is up with those pictures, haven't you, Stay? I'm here to say that... — Jisung paused as he felt Minho's hand holding his and Chan's hand on his shoulder. — They were true. And I will not hide it nor shy away from it, at least not anymore. It was always a good joke, how no one would give me kisses, wasn't it? Well, jokes on you, Stay, I got all the kisses I've wanted, are you jealous? And before any weird questions about if me and Hyunjin are dating, we are not. Ew. I believe that the intent of an action is in the people who partake in it. We kiss as friends. And we feel comfortable doing so, and I hope you feel comfortable with that idea too... because it won't stop even if you don't.
The group laughed as they loosened up, continuing their live as if they were talking to friends, because in the end, they were, Stay were like friends to them.
Stray Kids certainly wasn't expecting for that album to be their most successful to date, nor the overwhelming support they got, not only from fans but from friends and other idols who made sure to help promote their music.
Stray Kids are fine, and they will be fine, as long as they remain together...
...and have their rightfull kisses.