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Stray Kids have been prevalent in the underworld for the past decade. The term for a leader is exactly a decade as well, which means that a new leader must be nominated from the main 8.
Everybody thought that the next leader would be Lee Know or Changbin, since they are the eldest or closest with Chan. But the result proved the rookies of the gang otherwise. Yang Jeongin, the youngest was chosen to be the new leader. It was decided after a week long discussion between the main 8, and other executives and today was the welcoming party. All 7 of the 8 were extremely proud of Jeongin, or their I.N for securing such a high position in just a decade even though he’s the youngest.
“Jeongin, congratulations!” was a sentence I.N had heard countless times for the past few days after the declaration. Although he liked the praise he was getting, he felt like it got repetitive and was trying to find his way through the sea of executives, rookies, other members and staff towards his the former leader who was at the bar counter downing a drink like a man deprived deprived of water.
He finally reached the counter or and put a hand on his the former leader’s shoulder. “Boo.” He whispered. The leader feigned a scared expression and put a hand on his heart.
“Iyen-ah, you scared me y’k now?” He replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Awh~ I really wanted to scare you. You seemed like you were floating on a field of sunflowers or something but I thought you were zoned out and it would be easier for me to scare you “ I.N replied.
“Sorry Iyen~ I’m not as oblivious as I may seem ~ “ Chan replies. “Want a drink, leader?~” he offers.
“I mean, sure? Nothing too strong though – I don’t want to end up like how Jisung is after 2 cups of beers” Jeongin laughs.
They spend some time chit-chatting and taking sips of their drinks in intervals. After a while, Hyunjin came around and threw himself on Jeongin and ruffled his hair entirely out of place.
“My Iyen is at such a high position now~ You should be rewarded a lot more than just the measly gifts and drinks you get from this ceremony~” He mumbles whispers in his Jeongin’s ear.
Jeongin just smiles and pats his back. “Sorry, but I’m not free today hyung. And I thought we wouldn’t bring this up in public.”
“You’re very mean, Iyen-ah. I’m offering you something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you refuse it?”
“You do you, I guess.” Hyunjin sulks.
“Sorry hyung. I’m just not in the mood and to be honest, the ‘once in a lifetime experience’ was a 2 year experience for me. You know that damn well how and why it had to end as well.” Jeongin replies sternly.
“Alright, I’m gonna be with Changbin hyung then. He’s much better than this boomer!”
He says in sing song voice and leaves as if nothing happened.
Jeongin sighs and downs an entire cup of beer in one go. “Uh – Iyeni, that was mine –“ Chan spoke up.
“Oh, sorry hyung. I feel like all the energy I had just got drained by him.” He mumbles.
“It’s fine, Iyen-i. It’s your big day after all.” Chan tries to soothe him.
“Thanks hyung. Y’know? The fact that you’re here genuinely makes this ceremony 10x better.” Jeongin replies.
Chan puts his hand on Jeongin’s shoulder and says “You’re still the same old Jeongin I know. Always trying his best while keeping others happy.”
The night went on without trouble and it was about 2am. The rest of the members were passed out at various parts of the building.
Felix and Seungmin fell asleep while playing LOL in the game room. Minho and Jisung were in the main office but the door was locked and lights were off. Changbin was found dead asleep on the sofa in the spare office and Hyunjin fell asleep between Changbin’s thighs. It was not an unusual sight to see, if the rest of the members were to be honest.
Chan and Jeongin were the only people that were actually awake in the entire building. Even the executives had left for the night.
“Sooo – Are we gonna stay here or go back home?–“ Chan asks.
“I do not want to deal with a half fucked Hyunjin, hyung – Let’s go back home and take a day off.” Jeongin replies.
“As you wish, leader~” Chan snickers. Jeongin just sighs and stumbles all the way towards their car. Although Jeongin had only drank half of what Chan had, he felt and looked way more drunk than Chan. ‘How does Chan drink manage all that alcohol and still stand and walk straight?’ Jeongin thought.
And just as he was about to get lost in his train of drunk thoughts, Chan made a ‘tch’ noise, which in turn made Jeongin return to reality. “What is it hyung?” he asks, not understanding why Chan looks like someone just cursed his entire bloodline.
“A crow, actually no, multiple crows took a shit on the bonnet of my car.” Chan answers with gritted teeth. Jeongin barely holds in a laugh before replying, “Just ask one of the cleaners at home to clean it for you?–“ “They’ll scratch the bonnet and ruin its shine.” He says sternly.
“Then let’s go home, get a good night’s sleep and I’ll help you clean it up, okay” Jeongin tries to calm him. Chan sighs and replies, “Alright, Don’t change your mind later on –“
They get in the car and halfway to their journey home, Jeongin who was half asleep in his passenger seat was jolted awake by an anomaly. What was the anomaly?You may ask.
It was Chan’s hand on his thigh. ‘Meddle About’ playing on loop at a low volume so that it doesn’t disturb Jeongin.
He blinks his eyes a few times, looks at the warm, muscular, and totally sexy hand on his thigh – (that that was def Jeongin’s train of thought) and back at Chan before the latter notices that Jeongin is awake. He gives a squeeze to his thigh and says “You’re awake, Iyen?~ Weren’t you all sleepy and tired a minute ago?~” Chan smiles lazily and pats his thigh.