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His shoulders slumped and his back hunched as he took a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Seungmin, exhausted and tired, finally reached his shared dorm with Felix. His vocal lessons were longer today than any other day because of his own request.
Times like this always had a huge impact on his mind and mental health. Being an idol isn't easy at all, no matter how great
it seems from afar, but only those who work hard constantly to maintain consistency know it all.
And Seungmin was one of them.
He didn't like it when things slipped from his hands, especially when it was related to his performance. He had always been doing great with his voice and with his performance on stage. But sometimes he could feel how even a little setback could affect him.
And now was one of those times, when Seungmin wasn't feeling his best. He wasn't feeling perfection in his voice, in his practices, or in anything at all.
Seungmin opened the door to his room,
dark and gloomy.
But peaceful.
He lay on his bed with closed eyes, and the first thing-or person-he saw was...
Chan.
The leader of Stray Kids.
The one he loves the most.
Seungmin had always been fond of Chan. Not because Chan was his leader; his feelings were a little different. Chan was someone who would think of others before himself, who could do anything for his members.
He's responsible, kind, loyal, and a great person.
At first, Seungmin had thought those feelings were just admiration for his hyung. Chan had always been with them. Seungmin never liked how he and Chan used to fight in past years, which he had also told him after finally finding the courage during 2 Kids Room.
For which he was glad.
He cried. But that was real.
Chan had always been clingy, and for Seungmin, physical affection was something he wasn't much used to.
But Chan always liked to hug him, which he always rejected or acted like he didn't enjoy, even though inside he could feel his heart pounding.
But Chan is like this.
Clingy, super flirty, and cheesy.
With everyone.
Which never failed to make Seungmin's chest ache.
Seungmin finally confronted those feelings blooming inside his chest because of his leader.
It was a crush.
A tiny one.
Seungmin thought it would fade with time, but instead it grew more than he could imagine, to the point where a mere look from Chan made butterflies erupt in his stomach.
And it was becoming difficult to hide.
But Chan...
He continued to be like this.
Those hugs, smiles, and teasing never changed.
Seungmin never even let him get a hint of his suffering. But whenever he felt burdened or low, Chan was there.
But as a leader.
And Seungmin knew he could never change that.
No matter what his feelings were, Chan would only see him as a little brother like the other members. He always treated all the members the same.
But Seungmin wanted a little more.
And in a moment like this, where he was already mentally exhausted from overworking himself for the upcoming comeback, for which he wasn't feeling his best, and those overwhelming feelings for Chan-
Together, they were making things harder for him.
Like he was trapped in a house with only one door connecting two rooms.
Either this or that.
One room where he wanted to be a perfect Seungmin for STAYs, for the members, and work hard.
And the other where he wanted love.
Especially from that particular person.
As exhaustion won, Seungmin drifted into dreamland.
Finally far away from all thoughts.
Chan.
Their comeback.
STAYs.
Everything.
The next day was the same.
Felix chimed into his room to wake him up. Even though Seungmin was a morning person, sometimes he let himself rest a little longer.
"Morning, Minnie," Felix exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, morning," Seungmin replied in a hoarse voice.
"Are you okay? You look... tired," the blonde said with concern.
"I'm good."
"If you're not feeling well, you can skip today's practice and rest."
"I'm fine. Just didn't sleep much," Seungmin replied, walking towards his bathroom.
Seungmin got ready and ate breakfast with the very energetic Felix.
He's literally a sunshine ball.
No matter how tired Seungmin was, Felix always managed to brighten his mood, even if only for a little while.
But it really helped.
The duo arrived at the dance studio, greeting everyone, but Seungmin's eyes were fixed only on Chan.
He was smiling.
Today a little more.
He looked happier than any other day.
Chan, Changbin, Hyunjin, and Jeongin were already there. The group was only waiting for the Minsung couple.
Seungmin sat on the couch far, far away from Chan, and Felix sat between Jeongin and Changbin, talking while briefly touching their biceps.
Soon, the Minsung couple showed up, apologizing for being late. Apparently, they had taken too much time eating breakfast.
The group lined up in their positions. As Chan started the music, they moved together, their movements synchronized.
For the first two hours, everything went well.
Seungmin moved with the rhythm, his movements sharp.
Everyone told him he was doing great.
But Seungmin didn't feel it.
The group took a short break, some sitting on the couch, others sprawled across the floor, catching their breath.
Chan handed everyone water.
A good leader.
Lastly, offering Seungmin a bottle, he sat beside him.
Seungmin's breath hitched for only a second.
"You did great earlier," Chan said suddenly.
"You think so?" Seungmin whispered.
"Yeah. Don't push yourself so hard, Min. I know you practiced vocals for extra hours last night," Chan smiled.
Seungmin's heart shuddered.
Warmth spread across his chest.
Chan looking after him, taking care of him, was the best feeling he could ever experience.
But then again-
He's their leader.
Of course he didn't want his members to overwork themselves.
"Says the one who didn't leave the studio while working on new songs," Seungmin replied, his savage side never leaving.
Chan chuckled softly before moving his hand to Seungmin's head and patting it lightly.
"Don't worry about the comeback. You'll do great."
Seungmin only nodded with a small smile.
Chan's words somehow melted his heart.
That's why no matter how much he tried, he could never stop his feelings from growing for Chan.
The second round of practice started as the group lined up in their positions again.
The music played.
Only the sound of sneakers hitting the wooden floor echoed through the room.
Seungmin felt his steps faltering, breaking his rhythm. His movements weren't as sharp as before.
The weight of not performing well settled heavily in his chest.
His faltering movements forced the group to restart the song again.
His members didn't complain.
Instead, they asked if he wanted another short break.
They looked concerned.
Especially Chan.
But Seungmin shrugged it off with his usual sassiness.
The music started again.
Seungmin focused on staying in sync.
Even though his body was exhausted.
He needed a break.
Desperately.
His movements started going off sync again.
His vision blurred.
The last thing he heard was Chan screaming his name before everything went dark.
───୨ৎ───
The car echoed with Seungmin's soft laugh at the joke his boyfriend made.
His boyfriend, Chan.
Then the headlights flashed, screeching tires. A scream, and then-
Seungmin woke up with a jolt in a white room, probably a hospital. His chest felt heavy as he breathed, the only thing he remembered was the car crash he got into with his boyfriend.
His boyfriend, Chan.
He wasn't there.
He was alone.
Panic surged through his chest as he started looking everywhere. The nurses came a minute later, trying to calm Seungmin down.
But Seungmin didn't listen to them. He needed to see his boyfriend, to know if he was alright.
They both had been in the car, and not seeing Chan was making him panic.
He removed the IV needle from his hand, rushing towards the door even though he could barely walk. The nurses tried to stop him, and just then the other members came in without Chan, who was still talking with their manager.
"Seungmin, oh god, what are you doing?" Jisung spoke before holding one of
Seungmin's hands, trying to help him up.
"Thank god you're alright," Felix said and held his other arm, eyes glistening a little.
"Get him to bed first," Minho added, helping both Jisung and Felix. Seungmin looked like he was about to faint again.
He didn't understand anything.
"Where is my boyfriend?" Seungmin asked them.
The members looked at each other for a good minute before they actually understood what Seungmin had just said.
Boyfriend.
Seungmin had a boyfriend.
Wait.
And then chaos.
"Wait, what? Seungmin, you have a boyfriend?" Hyunjin asked as dramatically as he could.
"Hyung, are you on drugs?" Jeongin asked nonchalantly.
Changbin and Jisung shouted in sync, making everyone deaf.
"WHAT-NO! SEUNGMIN, YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND BUT NEVER TOLD US?"
Felix, who was practically crying at this point, finally spoke.
"Minnie, I'm your bestie, your roommate, yet you never told me about this."
In all the chaos, Minho didn't say anything. He just looked at Seungmin, trying to find any reason why it might be a lie.
He found none.
The nurses looked at each other, traumatized by the loud kids before deciding to leave the room.
Seungmin stared at all of them. He couldn't understand why it was shocking for them that he had a boyfriend. They had all been friends for so long. Since high school.
He took a deep breath, trying to stay composed. His mind ran with billions of possibilities about what might have happened to his boyfriend, making his head spin.
"Please tell me where my boyfriend is... Is he... is he alright?... We got into the crash together and now-"
Seungmin pleaded, tears gathering in his eyes.
All of them went quiet.
They didn't expect Seungmin to cry.
The menace of their group, Seungmin was one of those people who didn't cry easily no matter how hard the situation was, and seeing him cry made the other members feel more worried than confused.
Felix was quick to embrace him gently, giving Seungmin a quiet reassurance of something none of them knew.
Jisung sat next to him, rubbing his back.
Jeongin handed him water.
The room went silent except for Seungmin's muffled sobs.
The members looked at each other, confused and pitiful.
The door clicked again, and suddenly everyone's attention was on the entrance, anticipating the only person
who could handle the situation.
And they were right.
It was Chan.
Finally done talking with their manager,
Chan's gaze immediately went to the members. They were awfully silent, which was weird.
And then he heard the muffled sobs.
Seungmin was crying.
His stomach churned at the thought.
He quickly gave Felix a look, a silent order to move. Sensing the atmosphere wasn't weird.
It was tense.
Felix moved aside, and that's when Chan got a full look at Seungmin, his face buried in his hands as he sobbed quietly.
Chan moved without thinking.
Minho gave him a silent nod.
Something wasn't right.
Chan knew he could always trust Minho with everything. Minho might be playful, but when it came to serious matters, he handled them more efficiently than anyone else.
Minho stopped Chan before speaking.
"He's asking for his boyfriend."
"What?"
"Well, yeah. But your reaction is the least dramatic."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY BOYFRIEND?"
Chan asked again, his jaw tightening at the word.
Seungmin had always been the type of person who kept his personal life secret, like setting a boundary around his private space.
But personal space between Stray Kids never existed, so it was normal for them to share things, even about their personal lives. Just like how Minho shared when he confessed to Han in front of all of them.
They all knew they had liked each other for a long time, and it was never hidden from them.
Because they trusted each other.
But it wasn't the fact that Seungmin had kept all of them in the dark that made Chan angry.
It was that particular word.
Boyfriend.
Which was making him furious.
Chan didn't know why.
Seungmin was an adult, and very responsible. He was allowed to date. He could date whoever he wanted.
Then why did something burn inside him at the thought of that?
Maybe because Seungmin hadn't shared it with anyone.
Yeah, of course.
Otherwise, he wouldn't feel this worked up.
Chan cleared his throat before taking a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Seungmin.
The kids looked at each other, but none of them said anything. They knew it wasn't the right time, especially when Chan was furious.
"Seungmin," Chan said, his voice a little colder than it should have been.
And Seungmin froze.
Recognizing the voice, he slowly looked up, eyes red and puffy.
Chan gulped at the sight, suddenly feeling guilty for the boy.
But before he could say anything, Seungmin stood up from the bed, limped forward, and launched himself into his arms.
"Channie," he cried out loudly, hugging Chan even tighter.
And that's when something clicked in Minho's mind, because he was the only intelligent one in the room.
But he always forgot he had a boyfriend with a big mouth and no self-control.
"What the hell, Chan hyung?" Jisung shouted, making a comical face.
And only then did it click for Changbin, then Jeongin, and then Felix.
So yeah, Hyunjin was still trying to figure out what was happening. (Paboracha leader for a reason.)
They all looked at Chan with wide eyes, while Minho could only sigh.
"You're the boyfriend Seungmin was talking about?" Changbin asked.
"You never told us you guys were dating," Jeongin said, sounding offended.
Chan glanced at Minho, silently pleading, please help me.
Minho only shrugged.
It's your mess.
Chan looked down at the crying boy again, who was practically glued to his chest.
Chan hugged Seungmin too.
Seungmin looked up at him.
"Are you alright? Did you get hurt?" he asked, roaming his hands all over Chan's face.
"I'm fine, Seungmin. Why would I get hurt?" Chan replied calmly, wiping the tears from Seungmin's face.
"But... but-"
"Seungmin... is Chan your boyfriend? The one you were talking about?" Minho suddenly asked, making all the kids fall silent.
Seungmin nodded, his head pressed against Chan's chest.
Chan frowned.
But somewhere, his heart felt lighter.
"Seungmin, look at me. Am I your boyfriend?"
"Yes... what are you saying? We were coming back from our date, then you suddenly crashed into the woods.... I'm glad you're alright."
"Date," Han pointed out.
"Seungmin... listen. You fainted during practice, probably because of overwork," Chan stated, confused by the whole situation.
"What?... No. I remember we crashed our car. You were bleeding, I was bleeding, but I'm glad you're alright," Seungmin said, resting his face against Chan's chest.
"Seungmin, I think you've got it wrong. You really fainted during practice. We were all so scared. Maybe you're saying this because you're stressed..."
Chan tried to explain.
Keyword: Tried.
Emotions flashed across Seungmin's face. His lips turned into a pout, eyes glistening again.
"Are... y-you saying I'm making up... stories?" he stammered.
"No... no, Seungmin-"
"Yes, you're Chan.... You don't love me anymore.... You hate me now because I'm annoying.... You love someone else."
Seungmin cried and fell to the floor.
Chan panicked.
He didn't know how to handle this situation.
How to handle Seungmin.
He crouched down, trying to hold Seungmin's hand.
"Don't touch me," he growled at Chan.
It was like a wife getting angry at her husband.
"You hate me now, don't you? I don't wanna see your face."
Behind them, the members watched the drama unfold.
"I know it's not the time, but this is peak," Han giggled.
Jeongin and Hyunjin nodded at his statement.
"I've never seen Seungmin like this," Hyunjin said, making them all agree.
"Chan hyung looks like he lost a war," Felix spoke as he captured photos.
Changbin recorded a video beside Felix, thinking they'd need this in the future.
Minho only wished this would be over soon.
Chan's mind wasn't working.
He felt anger, panic, and exhaustion all at once.
Seungmin's words weren't making any sense.
They had never gone on a date.
They weren't boyfriends.
And his lovely members weren't helping much either.
His jaw clenched.
He never let situations hover over him.
But this wasn't something in his control.
"All of you. Out."
His voice was soft, yet cold.
He didn't want to scare Seungmin.
The members left quietly, knowing well this wasn't the place to talk or joke around.
Seungmin's words were serious.
Chan's frustrations were genuine.
And now they could only wait for Chan to give them an explanation.
Chan sighed in relief as the door closed and looked at Seungmin, who was still crying.
"Seungmin, look-"
"No. You hate me now. You're not the person I fell for in high school. You think I'm making up stories. Am I crazy?"
Chan froze.
His mind fogged up.
He didn't know what the right thing to say was.
What Seungmin would actually believe.
It wasn't easy.
Seungmin didn't know what he was saying.
But Chan did.
None of it was true.
But for Seungmin, it was.
And if Seungmin's truth was different from his...
Chan would gladly accept it if that's what made Seungmin calm.
"No, baby, you're not. I was... I was only teasing you. I'm sorry," Chan said as he pulled Seungmin into his arms.
Chan didn't know if it worked, but Seungmin did stop crying.
Maybe it worked.
"I fucking hate you. You always tease me. Do you know how scared I was?"
He hit Chan's chest weakly.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me, okay?" Chan smiled, trying to act like the perfect boyfriend from Seungmin's imagination.
Seungmin nodded.
Chan felt the burden finally leave his shoulders.
At least Seungmin was calm.
And he was cooperating.
Chan gently lifted Seungmin and sat him back on the bed, covering him with the sheets.
Seungmin was finally stable.
Even smiling now.
Chan stared at him for a few minutes.
It was beyond his imagination.
But he needed answers.
He needed to know what story Seungmin was actually believing.
"So... you were saying we got into an accident?" Chan asked, gently stroking Seungmin's hair.
"Mhm... you don't remember?" Seungmin tilted his head.
"Kinda... haha," Chan laughed nervously.
"What?... Are you hurt? Is it serious?"
The sudden panic in Seungmin's voice was raw.
Chan's heart swelled at the sight.
"I'm perfectly fine. Just got a little scratch, but it's healed now."
"I swear, if you're lying... I'm gonna kill you."
"You won't. You love me."
Chan looked at him, caressing his cheek.
"I hate you."
Seungmin blushed a little.
But Chan was right.
He really loved his boyfriend.
"I don't understand one thing. Why were they all shocked when I asked about you, like they weren't with us in high school?"
"Who? And high school?" Chan asked, confused.
"Our friends. Who else?" Seungmin shrugged.
Chan thought for a second.
He needed a good answer to make Seungmin believe him.
At least for now.
"They... they were teasing you too."
"You're cruel," Seungmin grumbled. "Did you actually forget some things?"
"Haha. I'm fine, Seungmin."
"You literally just asked me about our high school."
Seungmin rolled his eyes.
"Let me tell you properly so you won't ever forget."
Chan's brain couldn't function.
Seungmin was ranting out a story that wasn't real.
It never happened.
Yet Chan held his hand gently, listening to every word, as if listening hard enough would somehow make it true.
But it didn't.
And after a very long story about their high school romance up until now, Chan finally managed to convince Seungmin to take his medicine and sleep.
Because he needed the rest.
Chan called the nurses and asked about the medication.
Seungmin took it and lay back on the bed, still holding Chan's hand.
Who knew?
Maybe he'd be the old Seungmin again once he woke up.
"Don't leave while I'm sleeping," Seungmin said before closing his eyes.
"I won't. Now sleep, baby," Chan replied and kissed his temple.
It didn't take long for Seungmin to drift into dreamland.
Chan stared at him for a good minute before standing up and quietly leaving the room.
At least one job was done.
And now he needed answers.
For those stories.
For Seungmin's behavior.
For everything.
"So... is he okay now?" Minho was the first to ask when Chan stepped into the corridor.
"He's sleeping now, but..."
"But he still thinks you're his boyfriend," Changbin completed for him.
"Yeah... but why are you guys still here?"
"How can we leave, hyung? We're worried about Seungmin hyung too," Jeongin said, looking concerned.
"Exactly. He's not acting like himself," Felix added.
"I understand. That's why I'm going to meet his doctor," Chan announced.
They all followed him.
───୨ৎ───
"There are no signs of any injury on his head. He just fainted because of stress and mental pressure," the doctor spoke while looking through Seungmin's report. "He's perfectly fine physically."
"Then why is he saying all those things that never happened?" Felix questioned.
"He told me that we're dating since high school, and apparently we went to the same school," Chan clarified.
"Is it true?" the doctor asked.
"No. None of it is true. It's like Seungmin has changed. He's sensitive, more emotional, and he's seeking me out to rely on. Seungmin never does this," Chan added, confusion and frustration mixing in his voice.
The doctor went through the reports again and thought for a moment before speaking.
"According to what you've said, I don't think Seungmin's case is complex. He's just using these unconscious narratives as coping mechanisms for his stress."
"What? I don't understand."
"The brain sometimes creates narratives to protect itself from overwhelming stress."
"Then why does he think Chan hyung is his boyfriend?" Hyunjin questioned.
"The human mind is complicated. Perhaps the person Seungmin loves or admires is similar to Chan."
"But why me?" Chan asked.
"It's simple. The person his mind chose as safety is you."
After a long moment, Minho spoke.
"So what should we do now?"
"Right now, Seungmin believes those memories are real. Arguing with him won't help. What he needs is stability and reassurance."
"We understand. Thank you, doctor."
They all greeted him and left.
Chan still couldn't understand a lot of things.
Why him?
Out of all people, why had Seungmin chosen him as a safe person?
Why had Seungmin been taking so much stress?
And why hadn't he noticed any of it until now?
Chan rubbed a hand over his face.
Something about this situation bothered him more than it should.
He couldn't understand why.
───୨ৎ───
The room smelled of antiseptic and flowers. Seungmin opened his eyes with a wide smile on his face.
Glancing at his side, he noticed the flower pot of pink lilies. It must've been Chan's doing.
His smile faded as he noticed Chan's absence.
His eyes glistened. Chan had promised him not to leave while he was sleeping. He needed him here. Now.
Seungmin tried to stand up from the bed and walk, but failed after three steps. So the nurse was right. He needed rest.
A sigh escaped him before he sat on the bed again and looked for his phone. He could call Chan. He hadn't seen his phone since the accident either.
His hands fumbled through the drawers as he opened and closed them. His phone wasn't there.
He looked again in the last drawer.
Fortunately, he found it.
Seungmin had imagined his phone to be completely broken, or at least damaged a little. But despite the accident, his phone was fine.
Actually, it looked almost new.
Maybe Chan had already fixed it for him, Seungmin thought as he picked it up, placing his thumb on the screen to unlock it.
When the bright screen lit up, Seungmin frowned.
He remembered clearly that his wallpaper was a photo of him and Chan from their first date. Kinda sappy, but Seungmin had always been the more emotional one in their relationship.
The wallpaper wasn't there.
He checked his messages.
Half of the contacts were people he didn't even know.
His frown deepened.
He opened social media.
The first post that caught his attention was a picture of himself.
Someone had posted it with the caption:
"Please get well soon, our puppy. We miss you."
Puppy?
What the fuck was going on?
And it didn't stop there.
There were countless posts and comments from people wishing him a fast recovery.
By the time Seungmin was done checking the phone, he was convinced that this wasn't his phone, and neither did the things he remembered match his reality.
Then what exactly was this?
He saw his photos all over social media.
He found out he was an idol.
An idol.
In a group named Stray Kids.
And his boyfriend was no one other than the leader of the group.
His high school friends were the other members.
And that's when it all clicked.
The hesitation.
The questions.
The confused faces when he asked about his boyfriend.
So what Chan was saying might be the truth.
That he had actually fainted during practice.
But he remembered clearly.
The date with Chan.
The accident.
The tears when he saw Chan wasn't moving after they crashed into the woods.
Seungmin's head was hurting.
He didn't know what he should believe.
Was he going crazy?
Was all of that a dream?
Or a lie?
Or had he somehow been transported into another world like in those books?
Seungmin laughed at the thought.
It was a bitter realization that he was not the Seungmin who existed in this world.
He was not the Seungmin everyone knew.
And especially, the Chan in this world wasn't his boyfriend.
None of this made any sense.
Yet Seungmin clung to it like fragile hope.
And if it was true...
Then he just wanted to go back.
To his boyfriend.
To his home.
Before Seungmin could stop himself, he was already crying.
He didn't know if anyone would believe him if he told them he didn't belong in this world.
People would call him crazy.
Of course they would.
Even he sounded crazy.
Seungmin laughed bitterly.
Taking a deep breath, he wiped his tears and put his phone back in the drawer.
He needed to think.
If this was actually true, then he needed to do something.
If this wasn't the world he belonged to, then he had to find a way to return to his own.
He remembered watching that sci-fi movie once.
He immediately regretted not paying attention to it.
If only he had paid attention to the movie instead of Chan that night, he might be home right now.
He didn't know what he should do, but for now, he had to pretend he didn't know anything.
Because who knew?
They might put him in a mental asylum after hearing his thoughts.
Yeah.
He had to figure this out.
But without any help.
Seungmin's head pounded.
Now he felt more embarrassed than emotional.
Remembering all the tantrums he had thrown at Chan last night. (Well, not his boyfriend.)
He cringed.
So he had been all clingy towards a guy who wasn't actually his boyfriend.
But he had felt warm.
The exact same warmth he felt with his Chan.
Seungmin cringed even harder.
But did it really matter?
If he could have a doppelgänger in another world, then his boyfriend could have one too.
And the fact that even in another world they were close...
That had to be destiny.
So until he returned to his own world, he needed Chan as emotional support.
He nodded to himself, fully agreeing with his own logic.
"Sorry, Chan," Seungmin muttered under his breath.
───୨ৎ───
For the first time in Chan's life, his members sat quietly in the living room while he got ready.
He had called all of them to come to his dorm.
Apparently, after considering Seungmin's health and the stress that may or may not have affected not only Seungmin but the other members too, Chan had come to a decision.
He knew how hard they all worked for everything, from group projects to individual schedules and brand deals.
Especially Felix.
His members were not dolls or robots meant for display.
They were humans too.
And it pissed him off how everyone kept trying their best, sacrificing so much, yet still not getting appreciated enough.
So after talking to his manager last night- Actually, it wasn't a small talk or asking for permission.
It was more like demanding and informing his manager that he was taking his members on a two-week vacation.
Without any third-party involvement.
They all needed rest.
Their manager accepted it much faster than Chan had expected.
Of course, the manager had also consulted Seungmin's doctor regarding his condition, and it was reasonable for them to take a break.
Not only because of one member's condition, but because of the entire group's continuous hard work.
Chan put on his jacket and took one last glance at himself in the mirror before striding out of the room.
Minho gave him a skeptical look.
Beside him, Changbin sat scrolling through something on his phone.
Felix, Jeongin, and Han were sitting on the couch, watching something Felix was showing them.
Hyunjin was seated at the dining table, sketching the fruits placed in the center.
Chan cleared his throat before chuckling.
Well, it wasn't every day he saw them being this quiet and well-behaved.
The members turned to look at him.
Chan sat on the couch beside Han.
Hyunjin joined them too.
"So, I talked to our manager last night. I asked him to give us a two-week vacation, considering Seungmin's health and our exhausting schedule."
"What did he say?" Jeongin was the first to ask.
"Fortunately, he agreed. And even if he didn't, we would've gone anyway," Chan laughed.
None of them moved for a whole minute, as if they were still processing what Chan had just said.
"'Rest' and 'vacation' sound strange coming from your mouth," Minho pointed out.
The others nodded slowly, as if they still hadn't fully understood that-
They.
Were.
Going.
On.
A.
Two-week.
Vacation.
Thirteen minutes and fifty-six seconds.
The exact amount of time his kids could stay quiet.
Chan might note it down somewhere.
After all, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
"OH MY GOD, WE'RE GOING ON VACATION!" Han and Changbin shouted in sync.
"AND FOR TWO WEEKS!" Hyunjin continued.
"IS IT FUCKING REAL?" Felix asked in his deep voice.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EARS!" Jeongin practically rolled across the couch.
Minho rolled his eyes at their dramatic reactions, as if it wasn't a big deal.
But honestly, it was a relief for him too.
"I know we're all doing our best, but we need proper rest. And it's not selfish to ask for a healthy environment to rest in. It'll only help us perform better," Chan said.
"Oh my gosh, I should probably go pack my things!" Jeongin exclaimed before literally running toward his room.
"You guys should too," Chan pointed toward Changbin, Felix, Hyunjin, Minho, and Han. "Pack your things. We'll leave in the evening."
Minho nodded and dragged Han with him, heading back to their dorm to pack the necessary luggage.
───୨ৎ───
The car ride was eerily silent. Seungmin hadn't said a word since his discharge. Even Chan was a little shocked, but he chose not to comment on it.
Seungmin sat quietly in the car, looking out the window with his knees pulled up to his chest. He kind of looked like a puppy right now.
But Seungmin's mind was a mess.
Chan had dropped information out of nowhere. Apparently, they were all going on a vacation.
Like, why did they all have to go together?
Why were things so messy right now?
Firstly, he got into an accident. Then he woke up in a world he didn't belong to. And now he had to go on a vacation with everyone, which meant all eyes would be on him.
What the fuck.
He didn't know how to act anymore.
He knew he wasn't the Seungmin Chan and the other members knew. He wasn't the "Idol Seungmin" everyone was familiar with.
And if he tried to act like him, everyone would get suspicious.
If he didn't act like himself, like last night, and tried to keep his distance, they would definitely notice that too.
Either way, he would be the one suffering.
Seungmin couldn't afford to let them know he didn't belong here. They'd definitely think he was going crazy and, who knows, might even put him in a mental hospital.
He was already tired of hospitals.
So now, the only option left was to go with the flow while being perfectly himself.
Maybe a little vacation wouldn't hurt.
But he missed his boyfriend.
They always went on vacations together. It was the first time he'd be alone.
Well, not exactly alone.
This world's Chan was by his side.
But he still wasn't his boyfriend.
Seungmin frowned.
Does Idol Seungmin love Idol Chan?
Just like he loves his boyfriend Chan?
Well, that was Idol Seungmin's problem.
His hand moved instinctively, grabbing the sleeve of Chan's jacket.
"Emotional support," he mumbled under his breath.
───୨ৎ───
The members were waiting when Chan and Seungmin arrived.
Felix had finished packing, while the others sat scattered around the living room.
"Finally," Hyunjin groaned dramatically. "I thought you two got lost."
"They were at the hospital, genius," jeongin replied.
"Still."
Seungmin stayed unusually quiet as Chan placed his luggage near the door.
Nobody pointed it out.
After what happened in the hospital, everyone was simply relieved to see him standing.
The ride to the vacation house began soon after.
The drive to the vacation house passed in laughter and endless conversations.
No matter the universe, Seungmin somehow managed to become the center of chaos.
By the time they reached the beach house, he had fallen asleep against Chan's shoulder.
Chan carefully carried him inside and laid him on the bed.
After making sure he was comfortable, he quietly left the room.
The house was silent.
The ocean waves echoed softly outside.
Chan stood on the balcony for a moment, staring at the dark sea.
The doctor had said Seungmin needed reassurance.
Maybe that's all this was.
Maybe the stress had simply become too much.
Either way, Chan only hoped Seungmin would smile like he did today when he woke up tomorrow.
───୨ৎ───
Seungmin sat on the wooden deck overlooking the sea.
The evening breeze was cool, carrying the scent of salt and water.
The sun had already disappeared beneath the horizon, leaving behind streaks of blue and grey across the sky.
It was beautiful.
The whole day had been fun.
Swimming in the ocean.
Playing games on the beach.
The barbecue party.
The laughter.
The conversations.
Every moment felt warm.
After waking up, he had forgotten for a moment that he wasn't in his own world.
And he had acted exactly how he normally would.
He buried his face in his hands.
How embarrassing.
Still...
Chan had played along.
He always did.
A wave of guilt settled in Seungmin's chest.
Maybe he should tell him the truth.
Maybe Chan would believe him.
Or maybe he wouldn't.
A light tap on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.
Speak of the devil.
Chan stood beside him.
"Why are you sitting out here?" he asked, draping his jacket over Seungmin's shoulders.
Seungmin immediately held it tighter.
"It's beautiful here."
Chan nodded before sitting beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The sound of the waves filled the silence.
"Did you enjoy today?" Chan asked softly.
Seungmin hummed.
Then he looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Everything about Chan felt real.
Warm.
Genuine.
Yet none of it truly belonged to him.
"Seungmin."
Chan's voice pulled him back.
"Yeah?"
Chan hesitated.
Maybe he wouldn't remember this tomorrow.
Maybe everything would go back to normal.
But he wanted to say it anyway.
"You're important to me."
Seungmin blinked.
"I always worry about you."
The younger stared at him.
"That's because you think I'm him."
Chan frowned.
"Him?"
"The Seungmin from this world."
The words slipped out before Seungmin could stop them.
He laughed awkwardly.
"There. I finally said it."
Chan stayed quiet.
"You all think I'm acting strange," Seungmin continued. "But I'm not. I'm just... not the Seungmin you know."
The confession hung between them.
The waves continued crashing against the shore.
Chan shook his head softly.
"You worry too much."
"See?" Seungmin pouted. "You think I'm crazy."
"I don't."
Chan's expression softened.
"You are Seungmin."
The younger froze.
"No matter what version."
Chan smiled.
"You'll always be Seungmin." Chan said before he cups his face kissed his forehead.
The wind blew softly around them.
And suddenly...
Something inside Seungmin ached.
Not because of the universe.
Not because he was lost.
But because deep down...
He wanted this.
Someone who stayed.
Someone who worried about him.
Someone he could lean on.
Someone who chose him.
Openly.
Without hesitation.
The longing buried deep inside his heart finally surfaced.
Warm.
Gentle.
Painful.
The world around him began to blur.
The sound of the waves faded.
The sky dissolved into streaks of light.
Voices echoed somewhere far away.
And slowly-
The universe changed once again.