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"So... which one will we choose?" Asked Jisung curiously as the seven boys sat at the table in one of JYPE's conference rooms. They all looked at the several papers with different names and pictures on them.
"Does it matter?" Asked Seungmin. "As long as they do their job it shouldn't be a problem."
"It's different from our usual bodyguards." Reminded Minho, the leader of Stray Kids. "The threats we have gotten are serious and our managers and even JYP want us to have a guy with us 24/7. Which means he will live with us and be there when we work on our songs."
"So it should be someone we are comfortable with." Added Changbin.
"They are probably all boring and much older than us anyway..." Muttered Hyunjin uninterested.
"Not this one." Said Jeongin and pointed at one of the files. "Christopher Bang. He is... 27 years old and he is from Australia."
"Really?!" Asked Felix excited and snatched the paper from their youngest member. "Woah... he is actually good looking and our age."
"But wouldn't that make it weirder?" Asked Jisung. "If he is our age... would he be able to protect us?"
"He looks buff. At least as strong as Changbin." Said Seungmin, also looking at the pictures attached to the file.
"He knows several fighting styles... he has worked as a personal bodyguard before... he even worked at one of our concerts!" Said Felix as he read through the application.
"For real?" Asked Hyunjin with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, last year on our tour in Sydney. It says here that he has a great interest in music and even dancing."
"Sounds better than the others." Said Minho and the others nodded. "I'll tell our manager that we would like to meet him. They said we should get to know them personally to be sure it would work out for us."
"It's really serious, huh? When we can make such a decision for ourselves." Muttered Jisung with a frown.
"We have gotten lots of threats recently and the company still doesn't know who could be behind it. Even the police is looking into it but... better be safe than sorry."
"Alright. Let's meet this Christopher guy."
- ⛉ -
Two days later, Stray Kids sat in the same meeting room with their manager for the interview. "Hello, Mr. Bang. Welcome."
"Thanks for having me." Christopher shook hands with their manager, as he led the bodyguard to the big table where Stray Kids were sitting at.
"These are the boys."
"Hello, it is nice to meet you." Christopher bowed his head with a smile as the boys looked at him.
"Uhm yeah, nice to meet you too, Christopher." Said Minho.
"Please, call me Chris." Chris smiled and the manager gestured for the bodyguard to sit down.
"So, Chris," the manager started, "this is quite new for the boys. They had bodyguards before obviously, but never around them for the whole day. I can assume it is fine for you to stay at their dorm and to follow their every step?"
"Of course. I currently live in a small apartment nearby, but I don't even have plants, so moving out for an uncertain time is no issue at all."
"We uh-" Minho started. "We don't have a guest room though. Our dorm is made for only the seven of us..."
"That's fine. I can take the couch." Chris smiled.
"What about your fighting experience?" Asked Changbin, getting straight to the point. "We hope nothing happens, but if it comes down to it, we have to be able to rely on you."
"Of course." Nodded Chris. "I know taekwondo, hapkido and boxing. I also have basic training in first aid, as well as shooting with firearms. I go to the gym regularly and I used to be a swimmer and soccer player. Since I would stay with you guys, I would probably do some exercises while we are all in the dorm or in the dance studio."
"And what about our music? You wouldn't mind being there when we record?" Asked Jisung curiously.
"Not at all!" Chris said and then his ears turned slightly pink. "I actually am somewhat of a fan... not a hardcore STAY, but I do enjoy your music a lot. It would be my honor to help protect you."
The boys all smiled shyly and nodded and the manager turned to look at Minho. "You boys want to discuss it in private?"
Minho looked at the others before turning back to their manager and to Chris. "I think we all agree that we would like to try it with Chris. Maybe for a week and see how it goes?"
"Fine with me." Chris smiled and the manager nodded.
"Alright. I'll prepare a temporary contract." He got up and shook hands with Chris. "The boys will stay at the company until 5 p.m today. Then the companies bodyguards will drop them off at their dorm, so could you be there at let's say 5:30?"
"Works for me." Chris nodded.
"Thank you. We really want the boys to be safe."
"I'll do everything I can to protect them."
- ⛉ -
At 5:25 the boys sat in their dorm, cleaning up the last bit as they waited. "God this will be awkward..." Said Seungmin. "I hope it works out."
"Yeah, hopefully..." Muttered Hyunjin.
"He is kinda short, isn't he?" Asked Felix suddenly.
"Changbin is shorter."
"Hey!" Changbin threw a pillow at Seungmins head.
"Just... try to get along with him." Sighed Minho. "I'd rather have a guy our age who actually likes our music, than some dude who doesn't really want to be here." And right then they heard the door bell. "That's him I guess." Minho muttered and got up and opened the door. "Hello Chris. Please come in."
"Hello Minho, thanks." The bodyguard answered as he stepped inside.
"Hello." They all bowed their heads a bit and greeted each other.
"So uhm... there is the couch, please make yourself as comfortable as you can. If you need anything, let us know. Whether it's another blanket, a pillow or even a new couch. Just tell us."
"I'll be fine, but thank you." Chris smiled and placed his bag down.
"Is that all?" Asked Jisung as he looked down at the bag and Chris shrugged.
"Like I said, I only have a small apartment here in Korea. I have more stuff in Australia though."
"Why did you come to Korea if you don't mind me asking?" Asked Felix curiously.
"I don't mind at all." Chris smiled. "I just wanted to see more of the world, I guess. I learned the language when I was young, so it wasn't really an issue for me to find jobs here."
"But why a bodyguard though? Isn't that... dangerous?" Asked Jeongin.
"I like to protect others." Chris answered and then Minho stepped in.
"Let me show you the rest of the dorm and then you guys can chat some more, though we have an early schedule tomorrow morning."
Chris nodded. "Your manager send me the plan. I'll be ready when you are."
"Perfect. So over there is the kitchen, there's the three bathrooms and those are our rooms. We have three rooms, one with three beds and two with two beds."
"Can I see the windows?" Asked Chris and the other boys tilted their heads in question. "I heard those threats you guys received mentioned uh... 'kill you in your sleep'. Just want to make sure that your windows are safe from anyone trying to enter."
"Oh... makes sense, yeah, have a look."
Chris went through every room, looking at every small detail and taking in his surroundings. "He looks really professional." Whispered Jisung to Minho. "I think he will do a good job."
"Let's hope so."
- ⛉ -
The next morning Chris followed Stray Kids everywhere. He ate breakfast with them and watched them get ready to head to the company. Once they arrived, he followed them into the dance studio, where he did his own exercises, like push ups and sit ups in the back of the room, while the boys did their own warm up.
After a while Stray Kids played a song and started to go through some dance moves. "Is that the new song?" Chris asked and the others nodded with excitement.
"Oh right, you are the first who has heard it now." Said Felix with a smile.
"Please don't spoil it..." Muttered Minho.
"Of course not." Grinned Chris. "It sounds really cool though."
"Really?" Asked Jisung with a grin.
"Yeah of course! You guys are super talented."
"Thanks man." They repeated several moves, before they went on to the chorus of the songs and Chris frowned slightly.
"Those beats..." He muttered to himself, but Changbin must have heard him.
"Jisung and I worked a long time on that part. We had no idea what to do, until we heard a song on soundcloud. It had those old hip-hop beats and we thought it would fit really well."
"Definitely." Agreed Chris. "And are those horns in the background?"
"Yep!" Jisung grinned. "The same soundcloud gave us the inspiration for those."
"You're talking about CB97, right?" Asked Hyunjin and the two rappers nodded.
"Yeah, he is super talented." Jisung said.
"He has our style, for real." Jeongin agreed.
"I hope he makes a full album soon, though. He is getting more and more popular." Changbin said.
"Chris? You okay?" Felix asked as he realized that the bodyguard had spaced out a bit. Chris shook his head and then smiled at the boys.
"Huh?"
"You good? You spaced out on us." Felix said and Chris rubbed the back of his neck.
"Sorry. It's just- you listen to CB97?"
"Ye- wait, you know him too?" Asked Minho.
"I do actually. Personally I mean." Chris said and suddenly the floor became super interesting to look at.
"For real?!" The boys started to look at him with excitement.
"You know what he looks like?!" Asked Jeongin.
"Yes."
"He has a dreamy voice. He must have a dreamy face." Said Hyunjin.
"Nah, he is not that good looking." Laughed Chris.
"Oh man... really?" Groaned Jisung.
"Not everyone can be as good looking as you guys." Chris chuckled and the boys turned slightly red.
"Alright, back to training guys." Said Minho quickly. "We still have a lot to do."
"Yes, sir." Said Felix and they all started their choreography again from the beginning, while Chris watched them.
- ⛉ -
"So, how was the first week?" Asked Minho as he and Chris were alone in the living room. Chris had accompanied them for the last seven days, keeping an eye on everything and getting used to being around them.
"Good for me."
"Really?" Minho asked with hope and Chan nodded.
"Yeah. I have no complains."
"Okay... good."
"How about you? Anything I should know or change to make it easier for you guys?" Chris asked curiously.
"Uhm... no. Not really. I guess it helps that we like the same music and I know that the kids want to play some video games with you."
"Hahah yeah, I guess that helps to get along." Chan grinned.
"Later tomorrow we have to take the flight to Japan, as you know. So please get some rest."
"I will. And you rest too. You guys are really working a lot." They said good night and Chris made himself comfortable on the couch again. He took out his laptop and his headphones and signed in on his SoundCloud as CB97 and he started to work on some songs until early in the morning...
- ⛉ -
"Damn... that's a lot of people..." Jisung swallowed hard as they got out of the cars and headed towards the airport, where tons of fans were screaming and pointing their phones at them.
"Deep breaths." Minho told him. "We have enough security to keep them away from us." He said and glanced at Chris who was looking around, like the rest of the security men.
"Yeah, it will be fine." Said Changbin with a smile, but as they made their way further towards the check-in, the boys were more and more surrounded by the crowd of people and the security had problems to keep some of the fans at bay. There were simply too many and the fans had started to push, making it harder for the boys to stay close to each other.
And then out of nowhere a fan ran forward and crashed into Jisung, who started to fall, but thankfully Chris was right next to him, catching him before Jisung could actually hit the ground.
"I got you. Are you hurt?" Chris asked angrily and he glared at the fnagirls as he shielded Jisung with his body since more people tried to get closer to the idol.
"N- No, I'm good. Thanks." Jisung muttered and then he got up with Chris' help and they continued to follow the others. It was still chaos, until they made it to the boarding area.
"Are you okay?!" Minho asked Jisung carefully, as they sat down at the seats.
"Y- yes. I'm fine. Chris helped me." Jisung said and Minho turned to the body guard.
"Thank you."
"I wish I could have done more. You really aren't hurt?" Chris asked and checked him over.
"Really, I'm good." Jisung smiled up at him.
"You saw anything?" Asked another security guard, but Chris shook his head.
"No. No knife, no other object. Nothing. Maybe it was just a crazy fan who wanted to get close."
"Let's hope so."
"Alright boys," said their manager, "you can board the plane soon. Please get some rest, after we land, we will go straight to the hotel."
"Yes."
- ⛉ -
"Ugh finally..." Hyunjin flopped down onto one of the beds. There were two rooms, each with four beds in it.
"Get some rest. We will have a lot to do tomorrow." Said Minho to Hyunjin, Felix, Changbin and Seungmin, who all prepared for the night. Minho closed the door and was ready to go to the other room, when he spotted Chris leaning against the wall opposite of the two room. "What are you still doing here?"
"Making sure you will be safe?" Chris said a bit confused. It was still his job to watch them 24/7 after all.
Minho blinked at him confused. "Chris... we are in Japan. Surely we are safe here."
"We don't know that. We don't know anything about those guys who threatened you."
"You can not stand in the hallway all night."
"I-"
"You would be useless to us tomorrow. Surely our manager gave you your own room, right?" Minho asked and Chris let out a sigh.
"It's on the other side of the hallway." He said and gestured towards the very end.
"It'll be fine." Minho tried to reassure him, but Chris bit his lip, not looking convinced. "Alright, what if you sleep in our room?"
At that Chris looked up at him. "Y- Your room?"
"Both rooms have four single beds. In mine it's only Jeongin, Jisung and me of course. You can have the fourth bed. If then something happens, you would at least be close and hear it."
"I don't- I don't want to make you uncomfortable-"
"We're all fine with it, believe me. It would make us- me feel more at ease, knowing you're close by."
"I could still stay here and-"
"No, Chris." Minho said with an eye roll. "The hallway is not an option."
"Fine..." And with that Chris followed Minho into the room, where Jeongin and Jisung were chatting on one of the beds.
"Boys, get ready for bed. Come on."
"What about him?" Asked Jeongin as they spotted Chris behind their leader.
"He has to stay close to us, so he will sleep here tonight."
"Oh..." Muttered Jisung. "Is it because of me? Because of what happened at the airport?"
"No. Chris is just too stubborn for his own good."
"Uhm... okay?"
"I probably won't get a lot of sleep anyway " Muttered Chris under his breath, but Minho didn't seem to have heard him.
"Bed time. Now." And with that Minho turned off the light, forcing them to sleep.
- ⛉ -
The next day was a lot. They had interviews, did a quick video for a performance and later they were out, eating with the host at a fancy restaurant. Chris was always close by, but not close enough to be in the way. At some point the cameras were turned off and the host and the manager of Stray Kids talked about the video and the boys were allowed to have the rest of the day off.
"Just stay close to the hotel. You have to be back there by 9 p.m. I will call Chris to make sure you are there. Otherwise, have some fun. It will be all good here in Japan."
"Thank you." The boys bowed and then Minho turned to them. "Alright, what do you wanna do?"
"Can we get something to eat?" Changbin asked.
"We just ate!" Felix said.
"But I'm hungry!"
"You're always hungry!"
"Chris didn't have anything to eat, right?" Asked Jeongin and now all seven boys turned to their bodyguard.
"Huh?"
"Aren't you hungry?" Asked Seungmin.
"Uhm... no. Not really."
"Bullshit! Everyone has to eat after a while!" Said Jisung.
"What should we get?" Asked Felix.
"Ice Cream!" Yelled Minho and the boys all immediately cheered.
"Yes! Ice cream! Come on!"
"W- Wait..." Chris sighed and then walked after the seven boys, chuckling to himself as the boys finally were allowed to have some free time. And it was nice to see them just enjoying life for a while.
They went to the ice cream parlor and they all got different flavors when Minho spotted Chris fishing for his wallet.
"No no no, we will pay."
"I can pay my own-"
"We treated you." Felix grinned at him and then at Minho. "Minho-hyung treated you."
"But-"
"Nope." Changbin said and Minho quickly paid, forcing Chris to put back his wallet.
"Alright. But next round is on me."
"We will see about that."
"Uhm guys?" The others turned to Seungmin, who started to look a bit nervous. "Fangirls. They are coming this way."
"Damn it..." Minho muttered as they quickly rounded the corner, picking up their pace.
"Maybe they just want a picture and then they will leave?" Hyunjin offered.
"I doubt that." Sighed Jisung, letting out a groan. "They always shove their phones into our faces!"
"This way." Chris said and led them through another alley, where they hid behind the wall. But they could still hear the fangirls getting closer.
"Go." Chris said and the boys kept walking, until Felix, who was at the front, suddenly stopped. A man with a face mask stood in front of him and Felix took a step back, just as Chris sprinted towards him, barely being able to pull Felix behind him, as the masked man tried to stab him with a knife.
"Felix!" Minho and the others were immediately on high alert, while Chris tried to grab the man's hand, but the stranger was quick and he lashed out at Chris with the knife, scratching him at the side, before he started to run off, realizing that Chris was trained to protect the boys.
"Damn it!" Chris tried to run after him, but from behind all the other fangirls came running towards them, so he couldn't just leave the boys.
"Chris! Are you okay?" Felix asked in shock and with worry, but Chris simply took out his phone and called their manager.
"Sir, there was an attempt.... yes sir, yes... Understood." Chris hang up and send the manager his location. He looked at the boys, who looked at him with worry. "Cars will arrive to bring us back to the hotel. Just wait here a bit." He said and walked past the boys, straight to the swarm of fangirls that were just about to reach them, but Chris glared at them. "Leave. Now, before this get's ugly." Chris threatened and the girls backed off a bit in fear, but not before taking several pictures of him and the boys.
Chris looked over his shoulder, towards the boys, who were still shocked at what just happened, but thankfully after only 5 minutes, two black cars arrived and Stray Kids manager walked up to them.
"They are okay?" He asked Chris and looked at the boys with worry.
"All good." Chris said. "Just a bit shocked I guess."
"Good, thank you."
"Just doing my job." Chris shrugged and the boys were led into the cars and they drove back to the hotel, where the boys all assembled in one of the rooms.
"What the hell?!" Yelled Changbin angrily. "Why the fuck would someone try to stab us?"
"I don't know... but now we know it wasn't just an empty threat." Sighed Minho, equally angry.
"You're really okay?" Seungmin asked Felix, who nodded.
"Y- Yeah. I was just surprised."
"Thank god Chris-Hyung was there." Said Jeongin and the others nodded and looked at the bodyguard.
"You okay?" Minho asked with a frown. "You got- you're bleeding!" Their eyes widened as they saw Chris pulling his hand away from his side, red spots all over his hand.
"I'm good. Just a scratch." Chris mumbled, but Hyunjin already dragged him to one of the beds, forcing him to sit down.
"Why didn't you say anything?!" Minho scolded. "We could have gotten you to the hospital!"
"I'm fine. Really. It's just a scratch."
"It could get infected."
"I'm fi-"
"Take off your shirt."
"Wh- what?" Chris' eyes widened at Seungmin's words and Minho nodded.
"He is right. Shirt off. Now."
"But-" All seven boys looked at him and so Chris sighed in defeat and he carefully lifted his shirt. He expected them to agree, that the wound is not deep, but no one said anything and when Chris looked at them, he saw how wide their eyes were.
"You-..." Jeongin started, but he didn't finish.
"Those scars..." Changbin mumbled and Chris let out a dry laugh.
"Comes with the job description. It's not a big deal."
"Not a big deal? You are covered in scars!" Said Hyunjin in shock.
"Which only means I did my job. Seriously, stop being so dramatic." Chris said and tried to change the subject. "You see, my side is only scratched. It probably won't even leave a scar-"
"Did it hurt?" Minho suddenly asked and Chris realized that Minho stood slightly behind him, looking at his back, where most of his scars were.
"Some hurt." Chris said softly. "But not anymore."
"These are not from fighting though." Changbin pointed out, looking at his back as well.
"No. They are not." Chris agreed, took a towel and held it against the scratch to stop the bleeding, before putting his shirt back on.
"Chris-"
"It's all good." He said with a soft smile and then he turned to Felix. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it means to keep you guys safe."
"But-"
"No, you guys get some rest. It was a long day."
Minho nodded. "We will sleep in one room though. There is enough space here anyway and the beds fit two people."
"Who sleeps with Chris?" Asked Jisung.
"I can take the chai-"
"I will!" Jeongin said quickly.
"But I wanted to!" Pouted Felix.
"We can share Lixie!" Grinned Hyunjin.
"Yeah, youngest first, remember." Minho said and Chris simply stared at them.
"Uhm..."
"Oh, sorry... did we make you uncomfortable?" Asked Minho with worry, but Chris shook his head slowly.
"N- No uhm... it's fine. I was just surprised. You guys seem really close. I mean- not in a bad way or anything!"
"It's fine, Chris." They boys all smiled at him and Minho continued. "We know that we are a bit 'too close' for most people's liking. We just love each other though."
"And that's a good thing!" Chris added. "I am happy for you, no matter how deep that loves for you all goes."
"Thank you. Now, everyone go to bed. It was a long day."
"Yes sir." The boys said all good night to each other and then they got ready to sleep.
But in the middle of the night, Chris suddenly woke up to a tapping on the window. He didn't move and closed his eyes again, pretending to be asleep, hoping it was just the wind, or a bird. But of course that wasn't the case and soon he heard how the window got slowly opened and then one pair of feet landed on the ground close to Chris.
Chris didn't dare to breath, as he heard the intruder slowly walking up to them and Chris couldn't wait any longer, he jumped up and tried to tackle the figure to the ground, but the other man was strong and quick.
"Guys! Run!" Chris shouted and thankfully the others were immediately awake.
"What the fuck?!" Changbin yelled as Hyunjin had managed to turn on the light in the room, revealing Chris and a man punching and kicking each other.
"Go!" Chris yelled and they ran to the door of the hotel room, but just as Seungmin opened the door, they faced two more men. They looked a bit confused, but then they started to reach for the boys, who ran back inside and locked the door quickly.
"In the bathroom!" Minho hissed, just as Chris and the intruder crashed through a glass table near the TV.
"Chris!" Felix yelled in shock.
"G- Go!" Chris yelled and barely dodged another kick. Right then the other two men from outside had managed to kick open the door and the seven boys hid in the bathroom, locking it and pushing their own bodies against the door to prevent it from getting broken in.
"I'll call the police." Minho said and took out his phone, while Hyunjin took out his.
"I'll call manager!" And the next minutes the boys tried to keep the door closed, while they heard grunting and breaking of things from the other side.
"We have to help him!" Said Jeongin as they heard Chris cry out.
"We would only be in his way." Said Minho, though he sounded angry with himself.
"Not me!" Said Changbin and got up, but Felix held him back.
"Don't be stupid!"
"We have to do something!"
Right then they heard a faint sound of sirens in the distant that slowly came closer.
"Fuck!" One of the men yelled. "The police!"
"Just fucking go!"
The boys heard some rumbling and crashing and Changbin ran out of the bathroom, only to see Chris falling to his knees near the window.
"Chris!" He yelled and all seven boys were instantly next to their bodyguard, who had a heavily bleeding cut on his forehead.
"I'm fine..." Chris panted and spit out some blood. His nose was bleeding and his lip was split open at the side. He had bruises near his neck and his hands. His knuckles were also covered in red, though it was unclear if it was his blood.
"Shit, lie down." Said Minho and the boys carefully helped Chris down to the floor.
"Freeze!" Police officers entered the hotel room, directly followed by their manager and two other staff members. On the hallway, other guests and employees of the hotel had gathered, while the police tried to get everything in check.
"We called you, the intruders left already." Explained Minho in his broken Japanese.
"We are currently searching the area." Said one of the police officers, before looking at Chris. "Get a medic here." He instructed and another officer was instantly on the radio. "What happened?" The police asked and Minho, together with their manager and a staff member who spoke Japanese, he managed to explain the situation to the officer. Later Chris was treated by a medic, while the rest of Stray Kids discussed with their manager about the upcoming event.
"I don't know what the higher ups will say, but I think we have to stop this."
"What? But the performance-" Changbin started, but their manager interrupted him.
"Someone could try to harm you there. When you are open on the stage, there is no protection for any of you."
"But... are we supposed to just never perform again?" Asked Hyunjin.
"Of course not, but only after we found out who was behind the attack. Hopefully the security cameras from the hotel caught their faces." He said and asked the police.
"We are currently looking into it." Said the police officer from the side. "It is still early in the morning. Some of my men will stay guard. You boys should get some rest."
"Thank you." The boys bowed.
"What about you, Chris?" Asked Felix and they all turned to Chris who was walking up to them.
"I'm good. Just scratches. I don't need a hospital or anything."
"If you want, we can get you a flight back home." Offered the manager, but Chris frowned at him.
"I- I know I didn't do a good job, but I would like to stick around. If- if the boys want me around..." Chris mumbled, not meeting any of their eyes.
"Of course!" Said Minho instantly and the others nodded.
"Yah! Why do you say that?!" Exclaimed Changbin angrily at Chris. "You protected us! We would be dead without you!"
"He is right." Agreed Seungmin. "You did a good job in protecting us."
"But you almost-"
"Almost." Pointed Jeongin out. "You woke us up and you fought these men to protect us. We owe you."
"No it's uh-"
"Do you want to stay?" Asked Minho serious. "If you don't want to after today, then we understand."
"I want to!" Chris said immediately. "Please let me continue to take care of you."
"We would love to have you here."
The manager sighed. "Alright, Chris, you can stay with the boys again. I'll talk with the police about the performance tomorrow. This is more serious than we all thought it was. But we will find a solution. Don't worry."
"Thank you for your hard work." All eight boys bowed to their manager and the police officers and then the older men all left, though they reassured them that two officers were standing guard in front of their door, while more were outside, patrolling the building.
They closed the door and the eight boys were alone. "I don't think I can sleep tonight.." Muttered Jeongin.
"Try." Said Minho. "If we do perform tomorrow, then we have to be fit for our fans." And the boys tried, but after an hour, they were still awake. Lying on their beds in the dark.
"Say Chris," started Jisung, "how do you know CB97?"
"Yeah!" Said Hyunjin. "You never told us."
"Oh uhm... we go way back." Chris muttered next to Minho, who now laid next to him.
"He is from Australia too, right?" Asked Felix curiously.
"Yeah, he is."
"Is there a chance that you can introduce us to him?" Asked Jeongin.
"I don't know..."
"We want to collaborate with him!" Said Jisung excited.
"I know that he is really busy these days. He is... working on another job."
"Makes sense." Said Changbin. "He didn't post anything new in a while."
"He has other priorities." Mumbled Chris and then the room became quiet again.
"Holy shit!"
"What is it now, Jisung?" Asked Minho.
"We are trending on social media!"
"Seriously?"
"Well, Chris is."
"What?" At that Chris was wide awake again. "Why am I trending?"
"The most hashtags currently are #SKZBodyguard and #HotbodyguardinJapan, together with Stray Kids."
"Oh yeah, I see it." Grinned Felix as he looked at his phone. "The fans got you on camera. Even from before the flight..."
"Woah, Stays really love you." Said Hyunjin as he read through the comments.
"They are even already shipping us with you." Said Changbin with a grin, though Minho frowned at Chris.
"Sorry, if that is all too much for you, then-"
"No, no. It's- I'm good." Chris said quickly. "I don't mind. Your fans have the right to come up with ideas."
"Thanks. Now boys, try to sleep." Minho ordered and the boys put away their phones again until one after another slowly became more and more tired and soon all of them were asleep.
- ⛉ -
The next morning was kinda stressful for the boys. The manager had made several calls, with the company, with the police, with the company of the place where they would hold the performance and tons of other important people. In the end it was agreed that the boys were allowed to perform and the police had extra security, to ensure the safety of Stray Kids and their fans.
The fans were checked thoroughly at the entrance and several bodyguards were stationed all around the stage. Like Chris. He stood at the very front, in the middle, looking left, right and up to ensure that there was no one there to attack the boys. His right hand was at the holster at his side, keeping his hand near the gun the police gave him.
And at first everything was running smoothly. The boys performed, the fans were happy and the overall mood was fantastic. Until Chris spotted something at the side behind the stage. A hooded man, holding a gun.
Without thinking, Chris jumped up the stage, past a shocked Minho, who turned to the side, just in time as a bullet scratched the side of his cheek and his eyes shot wide open as he saw Chris tackling a man behind the stage. Another shot rang through the building, as the fans screamed and the police and bodyguards started to swarm Stray Kids and helped to guide the fans and staff members outside.
"Chris!" Minho had screamed and he saw Chris knocking out the man beneath him, only to get up and sprinting after two other men that were running away and Minho recognized them from the night before at the hotel. "Chris!" He yelled again and tried to run after him, but the bodyguards held him back.
"Stay here. The police got this."
"But Chris-"
"Is doing his job." The bodyguard growled and they started to get the boys out of there.
"Are you okay?" Asked Seungmin with worry as he looked at Minho's cheek.
"I'm fine. Let's worry about Chris. He ran after those guys..."
"Damn it..." Muttered Changbin angrily, hating that he wasn't able to help.
"He can take care of himself." Said Felix. "He- he got this. Right?"
"Of course!" Said Jisung. "Chris is strong and smart." But the boys couldn't help but worry about their personal bodyguard...
Meanwhile Chris sprinted after the two men until he ended up in the parking garage under the building. He barely saw one of the guys vanishing behind the cars and then it was completely quiet.
Suddenly a shot rang right past his ear and Chris himself shot in the direction of where it came from, but he only hit a car. He was breathing heavily but then he had an idea. He quickly hid behind a car and took the holster from his side, quietly throwing it at another car in the distance. The noise made the two men get up as they shot at the holster and Chris got the perfect shot and he managed to hit one of them in the shoulder.
"Argh! Fuck!"
Chris tried to shoot the other guy, but he was quicker and hid behind the cars again, while the other man crumbled to the ground, clutching his bleeding shoulder.
Chris walked through the sea of cars quietly and he barely managed to dodge as the last man almost shot him again. Chris shot back, both men shooting at each other, until they both ran out of ammunition and the attacker tried to run, but Chris was faster. He tackled the man and they both wrestled one the hard ground, punching and kicking each other.
Chris vaguely heard more men yelling in the distance, most likely the police, but what he didn't expect was that the man he was fighting took out a knife and rammed it into Chris' side, just as he managed to punch the attacker so hard that he passed out. Chris gasped at the pain in his side as he got away from the unconscious man and he leaned against one of the cars, holding onto the knife that was stuck in his flesh. He saw movement through blurry vision and he heard voices that sounded like he was drowning and then everything turned dark...
- ⛉ -
"Ugh..."
"Careful!"
Chris blinked awake, completely tired and exhausted.
"Take it easy, Chris." Said a familiar voice and Chris finally managed to focus his eyes on his surroundings. He was in a hospital. Surrounded by seven strays.
"Hey." Chris smiled and the boys around him all grinned at him.
"How are you feeling?" Asked Minho with a frown.
"I'm good. Just... tired."
"Makes sense." Said Hyunjin. "You were asleep for two days."
"Two days?!" Chris asked in shock and got up a bit, only to wince and fall back against the pillow.
"Careful!" Said Changbin. "You're not healed yet."
"Ugh... what happened? Are you guys okay?" Chris asked with worry, looking at each one of them, especially Minho's cheek, where a small scratch was visible.
"We are fine, you idiot." Said Seungmin. "We were worried about you."
"Yeah, you fought all three of those men alone! Crazy, man!" Said Felix.
"What happened?" Chris asked again and Minho started to explain.
"You knocked the first shooter out with one punch and the police managed to secure him quickly. You ran after the other two. One you managed to shoot in the shoulder and the other you also knocked out, but only after he stabbed you in the side."
"Ah... right. It's coming back now..."
"The police took all three men in for questioning and it turns out that they were hired by some super rich fan from another group."
"For real?" Chris asked in disbelieve.
"They were jealous of us." Seungmin said with a shrug. "Crazy those people, I'm telling you."
"Yeah, but the three men confessed everything and yesterday the police got the ones who ordered the assassination of us." Changbin explained.
"So... you guys are safe now?" Chris asked hopefully and the seven boys grinned at him.
"Yep! We are good now." Jisung said with a wide grin and Chris sighed in relief.
"Thank god." Chris grinned at them, though his grin quickly faded. "Guess that means you guys can finally get rid of me again."
"Y- Yeah..." Minho said and looked down. All boys looked kinda sad.
"I'll miss your couch." Chris said and the boys grinned.
"Haha sure." Said Jeongin and then a nurse entered the room.
"Christopher Bang?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"It is good to see you awake. These boys insisted to stay with you, I hope they didn't bother you?" Asked the nurse in Korean, though she had a slight Japanese accent.
"Oh no, not at all. Thank you for letting them stay here, though..." Chris turned his attention back to the boys. "You guys should head home. You didn't have to wait here at the hospital."
"We wanted to." Said Minho.
"Yeah, it was the least we could have done." Added Felix and Chris smiled at their words.
"Alright," said the nurse, "let us discuss the next steps." She went with Chris over instructions of how to treat the wound, the intake of painkillers and what he is physically allowed to do and what not. Turns out, he was not allowed to do anything really. The nurse expected Chris to be awaited by a girlfriend at his home, but Chris mentioned that he lived alone in a small apartment on the fifth floor. She recommended that he would stay longer in the hospital, but Chris refused that instantly.
"You can stay with us." Offetef Minho.
"Y- You guys?"
"Yeah!" Grinned Jisung. "You would have enough people around to help you."
"You guys are busy-"
"Not right now." Said Hyunjin. "We are kinda on break after all of it. JYP wants the media to calm down and then make us come back all cool and with a new concept to surprise everyone."
"We will see about the cool part..." Muttered Seungmin.
"Tsk, anyway, we are free to take care of you." Hyunjin winked at him and Chris was lost for words for a moment.
"Uhm... uh- y- your manager? What would he say? I'm not working for you guys anymore, right?"
"I mean... we could extend the contract, right?" Asked Jeongin.
"I wouldn't really be able to do my job in my current condition."
"That's only for the paper. We are safe now, thanks to you, so you can just chill at our place." Said Minho.
"Yeah, we will even give you a bed." Grinned Felix.
"I don't know..."
"Is he allowed to travel?" Asked Minho the nurse, who nodded slowly.
"If he has someone around to keep an eye on him, then it shouldn't be a problem. At least if the flight is not too long."
"Only to Seoul. We fly in three days and JYPE had booked tickets for you as well of course."
"You can just come with us then." Said Changbin. "We would feel better if we knew you are not lying half dead in your apartment somewhere."
"Okay, okay." Grinned Chris slightly. "I'll come with you guys."
And so four days later Chris found himself sitting on the couch in the dorm of Stray Kids again and the seven boys immediately started to get him pillows and blankets.
"Do you want anything to drink? Some water?" Asked Felix with worry.
"Or some snacks?" Offered Seungmin.
"How is your side? Do you need painkillers?" Asked Changbin and Chris let out a chuckle.
"I'm fine, guys. Please stop worrying."
"We only want you to be comfortable..." Mumbled Jeongin.
"And I appreciate it. But I'm fine. I promise. I had worse."
"That's... not a good thing, you know." Hyunjin pointed out with raised eyebrows.
"I know... but I know that my body can handle it."
"Just let us know if you need anything." Said Minho and Chris nodded.
"I will. Now you guys should also get some rest-"
"Nonono no, we will not let you sleep here on the couch." Said Jisung quickly.
"It's big enough to to fit ten people." Sighed Chris.
"Still. You should take a bed." Seungmin said, but Chris simply leaned back further into the pillows.
"Well I'm seated now. I'm not moving any time soon."
"How about a movie then?" Asked Felix and the others immediately lit up.
"Oh yes!"
"A horror movie!" Changbin suggested.
"Oh god no..." Felix whined and Chris also looked a bit unsure, but the others were already set on it and so the boys made themselves comfortable on and around the couches for the horror movie night.
- ⛉ -
The next couple of days the boys chilled at home. Chris was recovering surprisingly quickly and the boys only sometimes left, to go to the company, to work on a new choreography or on some songs. Overall they were still on 'vacation' after all the drama that had happened, but they already announced a new album in the next month, so they worked hard to make it even more perfect.
After a week though the boys had left for an interview and Chris was alone at the dorm. Only a few more days and he was allowed back on duty, to work as a full time bodyguard for Stray Kids under JYPE.
That day he was chilling in the living room, on the couch, working on a new song on his laptop, when he had fallen asleep and the boys came home earlier than expected.
"We are ba- Oh... ssshhhh" Jeongin was the first to enter and made the others go quiet as he spotted Chris asleep on the couch.
"He is finally getting some sleep, huh?" Hyunjin said fondly.
"Yeah, I hope his insomnia gets better." Said Changbin as they walked up to the couch.
Jisung was closest to Chris and he carefully took off the laptop from Chris' lap, trying not to wake him up. But Jisung couldn't help but glance at the monitor.
"Uhm.. guys?"
"What is it?" Asked Minho and the other boys came over.
"Is that...?" Changbins eyes widened in surprise.
"It's CB97's soundcloud." Said Jisung and looked at the site.
"I mean makes sense, right? They're friends after all." Said Hyunjin with a shrug.
"No, I mean... he is logged in as CB97." Jisung explained and that got the other's attention.
"What?!" They yelled and looked at the laptop and Chris let out a sleepy groan.
"Ugh.." He slowly blinked awake and then his eyes landed on the other boys in front of him. "Oh, you guys are back. How was the interview?" He asked with a tired, but kind smile. But then he started to frown, as non of the boys answered him. "Uhm... guys?"
"You are CB97?!" Jisung yelled and Chris' eyes widened slightly, before he quickly looked down at his feet.
"Oh... uhm... y- yes."
"That's so cool!"
"Huh?" Now Chris was the one who was surprised.
"We are huge fans man! That is soo cool!" Grinned Changbin.
"Uh- uhm..."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Asked Seungmin.
"I-"
"Don't you trust us?" Asked Jeongin.
"I- honestly, I didn't in the beginning. I mean, I just... I never wanted anyone to know." Chan mumbled, scratching his ears nervously.
"Why not?" Felix asked with a frown.
"I'm not made for fame. I want a simple and easy life." Chris shrugged.
"You got stabbed two weeks ago. That's not easy or simple!" Pointed Jisung out.
"You know what I mean." Chris groaned. "A life like you guys... that's not for me."
"I guess so." Mumbled Minho.
"Also what the fuck?!" Yelled Changbin and Chris looked at him confused.
"Huh?"
"You said that CB97 is not that good looking!"
"Right! How dare you lie to us, Chris!" Said Hyunjin, slightly offended.
"Uhm... because it's the truth?" Said Chris a bit confused. "I'm nothing compared to you guys."
"Unbelievable..." Seungmin muttered.
"What?"
"Just look into a mirror, yeah?" Minho said and took the laptop from Jisung and was about to give it back to Chris.
"Thank-"
"Only if you show us your new song!" Said Jisung with a sheepish grin. "I saw the unpublished file."
"I- I have to still work on that. It's not finished yet." Chris said quickly.
"What's the name?" Asked Hyunjin curiously.
"I was thinking of 'Railway'."
"Oh, is it about trains?" Asked Seungmin and Chris' ears became even more pink now.
"Uhm... I mean... yeah... kinda..."
"Not convincing." Said Jisung, shaking his head.
"It's probably about sex then." Muttered Changbin.
"Hey! Its not!" And now Chris' whole face was red.
"Ah yeah? Then play it." Teased Hyunjin.
"What- no-"
"Can we collaborate with you?" Felix changed the subject to save Chris.
"I- actually I was working on a song... one to make with you." Chris said and scratched the back of his neck.
"So you wanted to tell us?" Minho asked surprised.
"Yes!" Chris said quickly. "I wanted to! Especially at the hotel, but... I felt like it was not a good timing."
"Understandable. You needed your head to focus." Jeongin said.
"So, you want to work with us?" Jisung asked again and Chris nodded.
"Yes. If you want to-"
"Of course we want to!"
"Will you still be our bodyguard?" Asked Hyunjin.
"I talked to your manager. In three days I can be back on duty again and I will work as your main bodyguard. I won't be there 24/7, but at least at major events or airports." Chris explained and the others started to grin.
"Nice!"
"That's so cool!"
"The fans will love to see more of you." Said Seungmin.
"Yeah, especially the shippers." Grinned Jeongin.
"Back to the important things! Show us the songs you are working on!" Jisung laughed and plopped down onto the couch next to Chris.
"You sure?" The body asked and the idols nodded.
"Yes." Said Minho and the seven boys sat around him. "Let's make some music together."