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It was the first February 14 that passed after their debut. Hyeongjun, now that he felt more comfortable with his bandmates, he wanted to do a nice little gift for them. For that reason he carefully planned the delivery of his gifts.
It wasn't really a big deal. He just wanted to give them a little chocolate bar with a ribbon and a post it that said: 'Happy Valentine's Day. Let's keep growing and take care of our health :D '.
He already had all five chocolates ready that morning. The day before he had told his manager that he was going to buy some sweets, and their manager decided to have his assistant take him - for greater security and since he was busy keeping an eye on the band's schedule - . The candy store was on the way to the company, and Hyeongjun had already watched it for a long time.
He had tied a yellow ribbon and a blue post-it as a decoration and a base for his message, after thinking carefully about the colors he should use. He thought about using black and yellow, as their band logo, but it seemed too gloomy for Valentine's Day, so he decided on his favorite color; blue. That was the simplest part of its elaboration, the hard part was thinking about the message that he would write.
Hyeongjun wasn't very good with words, he still didn't quite express himself to his members as he would like. Most of them were so expressive and outgoing that he would just shut down or get stuck trying to say something with the same spirited essence as them. It was very difficult.
And it was equally difficult to write it. He barely thought about the first two words and he would get stuck, not seeming quite like it and start over. He didn't want to put something short and without feeling, he had enough with the time they recorded the New Year's greetings and the games they played, ending with their wishes for the year, and how his brain dried up trying to say something good to Jiseok.
It wasn't that he wasn't sentimental - well, he wasn't that much - but he really wanted to take care of his members and dedicate some nice words to them. He was frustrated for a long time that night, but in the end he had it ready. A short and cute message, concise. It sounded very used but it was safe, right?
He kept the chocolates in his lunch box in the company refrigerator while he thought of a good time to deliver them. If he had left them in the apartment, he ran the risk that some of the boys would see them and his plan would be ruined, so he decided to take them to work.
The morning had been very busy, he had guitar practice with Jiseok from seven thirty to nine thirty. A half hour break for a bite to eat and then two more hours of band practice. That was fine, except for when he wanted to get a yogurt out of his lunch box and Jooyeon was pacing the company kitchen room at that very moment. The shriek he emitted died almost immediately, forcing himself to remain calm.
"You scared me, Jooyeonie!"
Fortunately, he didn't raise any suspicions - perhaps because he was already skittish and the bass player was already used to his reactions -.
Since it was essentially a busy day, in addition to Stray Kids preparing for their comeback and having already set aside the practice room and instructors, their manager told them that there was no vocal or dance practice for him and Gunil and that they could leave. A well-deserved rest after spending many hours in the company preparing and rehearsing.
However, Hyeongjun and Gunil did practice for a while in their room, back at the apartment. Every practice time was precious and Hyeongjun was determined to have more vocal participation in the very near future. He had even improved with the steps of God's Menu that Gunil taught him and helped with some tips, although his hyung kept making them better by continuing to refine his details.
Hyeongjun decided to start his delivery of chocolates precisely with his leader, since he was close by; like roommates they were. He let several minutes pass and it seemed to him that Gunil would not leave the room yet, so he put his plan into action. He took the lunch box out of his backpack and put the chocolates in the pocket of his hoodie; they were small and not noticeable so that was a big plus.
Gunil was wearing headphones so he didn't hear the noise of the wrappers or the closing of his backpack and lunch box. He sat on his bed and rested his fists on his knees, adopting an expression of great thought. His eyes were narrowed as he went over the words he would say. Well. Now he just had to get the drummer's attention.
"Hyung!" He called a little loud, but not so loud that it wasn't a scream. Gunil seemed to sense his call, turning to face him with that universal 'Are you talking to me?' gesture.
The guitarist nodded. Gunil took off his headphones and looked at him. Hyeongjun took the chocolate that had been placed next to him, and stood up. "Hyung, I wanted to tell you Happy Valentine's Day", he held the chocolate in front of him and towards the dark-haired man, who quickly smiled so that his dimples became so visible.
"Hyeongjunieee, thank you very much", the older one took the chocolate and walked closer. He stopped quickly to get closer to him. Hyeongjun sensed a hug coming, so he braced himself. "You wouldn't have bothered, that's a nice touch," he added as he gave him a bear hug. Hyeongjun smiled a lot too.
"I wanted to. I wanted to do something for you all, even if it was small."
"Aigoo, my cute Junhanie, that's a nice gesture from you," Gunil replied, smiling at him one last time before lying back down on his bed so he could unwrap the chocolate at his leisure. "Then tell me what you want, okay? Hyung will buy you some snacks next time", the drummer read the note with cheeks still stretched from the smile he was wearing.
"It's okay, hyung."
Hyeongjun decided to slip out of the room after feeling more and more shy and embarrassed as the seconds passed.
First of five. The mission was progressing.
He went out into the hall and closed the door behind him. His next target was Seungmin. The keyboardist was the second one with whom he used to feel relaxed, so he was optimistic that he could do well without difficulties.
He heard a bass being played and immediately closed his eyes and shrugged as he passed Jooyeon's room whose door was ajar. He almost tiptoed and reached Seungmin's door. Once there, he knocked a few times and heard a "It's open" as an invitation to come in.
Once inside, he saw that Seungmin was lying on his bed; watching something on his phone. His eyes moved from the screen of his device to Hyeongjun, who saluted with a very small bow.
"Hi Seungminnie, sorry to interrupt you," he began softly. Seungmin sensed that it was something important, so he sat up and crossed his legs to lean his back against the wall. "It's okay, Hyeongjunnie, what's up?" He asked, his deep eyes still watching him in a very calm way.
Hyeongjun, who had his hands at his sides, took a chocolate from his pocket and offered it to his bandmate by stretching out his arm. "Happy Valentine's Day", he managed a slight smile, feeling a little nervous.
Seungmin was shocked at this, taking the gift and standing up when he saw what it was. "Wow, thank you very much," he approached him in a gesture of giving him a hug.
The guitarist allowed himself to be hugged and felt the short squeeze followed by a couple of soft pats on his back; which he also imitated. Seungmin's hugs were like that, although they were nice anyway.
"It really is a great detail, Hyungjun-ah," O.de murmured in his ear. "Thank you very much," they parted ways and Hyeongjun noticed that he himself was smiling a lot too.
It was something nice. He said goodbye, leaving Seungmin alone in his room again.
And he still had his hand on the doorknob as he gritted his teeth and looked towards Jooyeon's room. It wasn't his turn yet. He would leave the thunderous ENFP last, preparing for it with every target he beat. Yes, their targets were the other members.
He looked down the hall, where someone could be heard watching television. Heard a voice, surely Jungsu's. Upon arrival, he found his hyung watching a drama. He was quietly singing the opening or ending of a drama.
Hyeongjun walked around the sofa, pausing near the kitchen door to look at the television screen. It was an ending and they were showing images of the next episode. But Hyeongjun didn't want to disturb Jungsu in the middle of enjoying the OST. So he went into the kitchen where he was sure he would find Jiseok.
Indeed, there he was. But he caught him just as the boy with the big, expressive eyes was leaning back as he drank straight from the juice cardboard bottle, facing the open refrigerator door.
The words were out of his mouth before he knew it.
"Jiseok-ah, don't drink from the bottle!"
Gaon almost choked, immediately closing the cardboard bottle and putting it back in the refrigerator. He had been caught red-handed. "I-I was... I-I wasn't doing that. I was smelling the juice," he stammered defensively. Hyeongjun shook his head. "Don't tell anyone, Hyeongjunie. Besides, it's almost over. It has very little left, really," he clasped his hands together pleadingly.
Hyeongjun decided to leave it like that so he could carry out his delivery well. "Okay," he replied. Casually looking around the kitchen as Jiseok now nonchalantly ate a granola bar. "Um, Jiseokie?" He called out to him as he leaned against the small kitchen island, just on the other side of Jiseok. The boy widened his eyes, finishing eating his snack and watching him carefully. "Happy Valentine's Day," he held out his hand and showed him the chocolate inside his palm.
Jiseok immediately squealed with happiness and ran around the island to hug him - almost tackle him - . Hyeongjun giggled lightly, hugging him too. "Aigoo, thank you so much, Hyeongjunnie!" He gave a couple of little jumps on his heels and took the little gift. "It's chocolate?"
"Yeah," he replied smiling. He took a small step back and saw the other guitarist mentally debating whether or not to eat it now.
"I want to eat itttt, but I also want to save it. It looks like it's one of the ones I like more", Jiseok commented, still looking at the chocolate package. Hyeongjun laughed again.
"Do as you like," he answered a little amused. Jiseok nodded vehemently as he sat down on one of the high chairs in the kitchen. Hyeongjun waved his head gently and walked out into the living room.
There he met Jungsu again. The keyboardist had already finished singing along with the OST of his drama, which was paused.
Perfect timing.
Hyeongjun was about to greet the older man when he beat him to it. "Hyeongjunnie!" He cheerfully expressed.
Junhan walked up to him, "hi hyung." His hands were in his pockets and he was fiddling with the last two chocolates he had left. "Look, I wanted to give you this," he presented the chocolate that was in his hand. Jungsu made an 'o' in shock in his mouth , and Hyeongjun continued. "It's for you, Jungsu-hyung. Happy Valentine's Day."
Jungsu took the little detail. "Wow, thank you very much, Hyeongjun-ah," the elder replied. He read the little note and looked back at his dongsaeng. "Happy Valentine's Day," he said smiling as he hugged him. Hyeongjun let go and hugged him back, feeling content. Jungsu gave him a squeeze before pulling away. "I promise I'll buy you something these days. Food, some dessert, or drink... Whatever you want, Hyeongjunie," he expressed with hyung's warmth.
The younger nodded, although he really didn't want anything. It was enough for him to know that his members had really liked the gift.
"Did you give the others chocolates?" He asked curiously, turning the wrapper over and playing with the yellow ribbon between his fingers.
"Yes. Well, I have Jooyeon lef".
"Ooh, you left the hardest for last," he heard Jiseok's voice intervene.
The other guitarist was under the kitchen door frame, he finished closing it and approached with his eyes even bigger with curiosity to find out the gossip. Jungsu agreed with his comment, nodding as Jiseok moved behind the sofa and rested his forearms on the back of it.
Hyeongjun pursed his lips and frowned, but ended up nodding as well. "Yup, um..." He didn't know what else to add, so he instinctively lowered his gaze to his feet for a few seconds. Jungsu and Jiseok kept whispering and laughing.
In the end they ended up saying, almost in unison. "Good luck, Hyeongjun-ah."
"Let's hope Jooyeon doesn't get too intense," Jiseok covered his mouth with his hand to keep himself from laughing so hard.
"You can do it, fighting!" Jugsu raised a fist, wishing him good vibes. Suddenly Hyeongjun felt a little dazed, but he nodded again.
"Thanks?"
His feet carried him back into the hallway as Jungsu and Jiseok continued to cheer him on in whispers. Arriving back at Jooyeon's door, he felt his body sink into the floor.
The bass was no longer heard. Hyeongjun swallowed thickly, his mouth feeling dry. He would have had a glass of water when he was in the kitchen, but hey.
It was now.
He had prepared for this. Each objective had been meticulously placed, going up in difficulty in order to prepare for the grand finale. He took a deep breath and brought his fist to the door. He knocked a few times until he heard Jooyeon's voice.
"Come in".
The young bassist was sitting in his chair, his phone propped up as a screen, and next to it was a small notebook and a pen and pencil. Jooyeon had his headphones in his hand, and he placed them on the desk to smile at him widely.
"Jooyeon-"
"Hyeongjunnieee", he jumped to his feet and almost as fast as our star boy slammed the door. "Come in, come in," he immediately slung his arm around the other's shoulder, bringing him with him and leading him to his side of the room. "What brings you here, my friend?"
The animosity was overflowing. But Junhan could handle this. He smiled and laughed softly a couple of times.
"Well..." He steeled himself. He flashed through the goals in his mind, though it was still enough for Jooyeon to notice that he was getting ready to say something. At least he had given him time, looking at him with a smile. Hyeongjun took out the last chocolate from his pocket and offered it to him. "Here. Happy Valentine's Day, Jooyeonie."
The shriek of delight almost made him deaf. Even though Jooyeon didn't have a high-pitched voice, he was equally loud when he put his mind to it. And Hyeongjun almost freaked out.
Closing his eyes in shock, he also felt Jooyeon's arms wrap around him in a hug. It was like a boa constrictor, Hyeongjun felt trapped. It lasted a few long seconds as Jooyeon thanked him.
"How cute! A chocolate! My Hyeongjunie gave me a chocolate!"
The tallest one took off just to take a closer look at the gift. Hyeongjun was able to breathe. The smile on Jooyeon's face was indelible. And since the boy had a big mouth, his smiles were brighter than the sun. He looked at the guitarist again, and Hyeongjun braced himself for the imminent second hug.
As they parted, Jooyeon ruffled his hair with his other hand. And he read the message in the chocolate several times. Hyeongjun was getting his nerves in check.
"Who would have thought? You surprise me more and more, Hyeongjun-ah," he commented with great happiness.
Junhan could feel the heat invade his cheeks. He pretended to be upset and rolled his eyes, although he couldn't stop smiling.
"Thank you very much," Hyeongjun widened his smile until he felt his cheeks ache. "Come, I'm gonna give you another hug," he stretched out his arms but Hyeongjun dodged him and headed for the door. Jooyeon pouted and groaned. "Another hug, Hyeongjun! Come on!"
"No. I've had enough," he answered and laughed at the pout the bassist was making. Junhan turned the doorknob.
"Come here!"
But Hyeongjun slipped out and ran. He still heard Jooyeon's calls saying "one more hug!", "let me give you a kiss!", "on the cheek!"
Hyeongjun went back to the living room, where he gasped for air. He clutched his chest as he went around the sofa.
"Did it go well?" Jungsu had paused his drama again and was looking at him in confusion. Jiseok and Seungmin came out of the kitchen and looked at him too.
Jiseok caught on quickly and began to giggle as Jooyeon came over and positioned himself on the other side of the sofa. Both trying to see which side won the other and depending on that to go to their goal. For Hyeongjun, the goal now was to hide in his room. Lock himself in the safety of it, away from any excited ENFPs.
"Hyeongjun-ah! Be my valentine!"
Hyeongjun shook his head. He was laughing.
In spite of everything, and after so much time, he felt good. He was comfortable with his members, had gotten used to them and was confident that together they were a great team. And although each one was different, although at times he felt himself to be the one who stood out the most, he knew that it didn't matter; that made them stronger and united.
"Hyeongjun-ah!"
Junhan found an escape option after seeing how Jooyeon was briefly distracted by the others' comments. Jiseok cheered Jooyeon on, while Jungsu and Seungmin told Hyeongjun that he could do it. Hyeongjun started running.
He ran and did not look back. And as soon as he walked through the door to his room and Gunil's, he felt like a winner. Gunil looked at him with a raised eyebrow. The leader was lying on his bed watching something on his phone.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's okay".
Yes. It had gone very well. Hyeongjun thought, taking out his water bottle from his backpack.