Chapter Text
Stray Kids & Itzy:
Five minutes of silence passed since both Hwangs left the room when it felt safe enough to speak again.
“… Took them long enough.” Changbin scoffed as everyone let out the breath of relief they were holding.
“For reals…” Seungmin nodded, exchanging wry smiles with Felix.
“Seriously! Any longer and I would thrown him out of the dorms! He’s been his salty self for the past 3 weeks!” Jisung shook his head in exasperation as he took a gigantic chomp of his pizza.
“And in our room too!” Jeongin giggled.
“For RE-ALZ! That’s the thing!” Jisung whirled his head from left-to-right, addressing the whole group. “He doesn’t stay by himself when he’s in a bad mood. He makes it KNOWN to ERRBODY that he’s mad! He’s super obvious!”
“Yeji Unni’s the same!” Chaeryeong voiced out as she put her chicken wing down. “She tries to put on a front, but it’s so obvious when she’s upset! She was so sad these past few weeks.”
“He’s better make it up to her… Or I’ll kill him.” Ryujin nonchalantly downed a cup of coke.
The boys grimaced. Ryujin NEVER joked about hitting or killing any of the guys. If it was coming from her, they knew she meant it.
“Next time, let’s just lock them in a room together.” Yuna said cheerfully before taking a huge bite out of her pizza, causing a ripple of quiet laughter to run through the group.
“What did they fight about anyways?” Chaeryeong frowned, looking around at the boys. “Anyone know?”
The Stray boys shrugged carelessly.
“Does it matter?” Changbin snorted with a mouthful of chicken. “It’s not like this is the first time.”
“True…”
“Yeah.”
“That’s right.”
To be honest, none of them should have been surprised. They grew up watching Yeji and Hyunjin fight and make-up countless of times. No matter how bad it got, they’d always find a way back to each other. That’s how they always were, that’s how they always will be. They all knew it.
“What matters is that they make up.” Chan concluded with a broad smile. “For their own sakes, you know.”
“And ours.” Minho’s mutter caused everyone to crack up.
“…How do we know they’re actually making up and not fighting?” Felix looked up innocently.
“Wanna go spy on them, Oppa?” Yuna turned to Jisung expectantly.
“Sure.” He returned her smile, standing up with her.
“Me too!” Jeongin, refusing to be outdone, jumped to his feet to latch onto Jisung’s arm.
“I wanna see too.” Ryujin stood up, causing Chaeryeong and Lia to rise with her.
“Are we all going?” Seungmin asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I’m good.” Chan shook his head as did Changbin and Minho.
“Share the tea when you come back.” Minho lazily waved the centennials away.
“I hope they’re ok…” Yuna’s lips puckered into a pout, causing Jeongin to make a face as their older members smiled dotingly.
“… Me too.” Felix’s nervous giggle caused the girls to exchange smiles at how much of a sweetheart he was.
“Me three.” Lia showed him her eye-smile causing him to blush and look away.
“Don’t worry… This is the Hwangs we’re talking about.” Jisung threw his arm around him comfortingly with a wide grin, but not before giving Yuna an affectionate pat on the head.
She perked up at the head pat and blinked prettily at him, prompting an obnoxious cough from Jeongin, which she pointedly ignored.
“They’ll be fine.” Seungmin agreed, also wrapping an arm around the shy member as he pulled Jeongin to his side to prevent any more conflicts between the two youngest members.
“Hmm…”
“You sure?”
“What do you think they’re-“
“Oh my gosh!”
“What the?!”
“OH MY!”
“HUH?!”
“They’re-“
“Kissing!”
“SHUSH!”
“Quiet!”
“They’ll hear!”
“YOU shush, Shin Yuna!”
“Would you stop?!”
“Both of you calm down!”
“Stop! We’re too loud!”
“Look! They’re running away now!”
“It’s all your fault acorn-head!”
“Says the one with the scratchiest voice!”
Everyone spoke at the same time, exclamations, interjections, and shrieks happening simultaneously that no one could hear what he or she was saying, even less so what the others was saying. Spoken thoughts and loud perspectives mixed into one and in the midst of the chaos, Hyunjin and Yeji took the opportunity to escape.
Before Hyunjin turned the corner, he made sure to level a glare at the spying group as he pulled Yeji alongside him. They were out of the hallway before anyone could react, moving so quickly so that nobody could chase after them. For a moment and a half, the group just stood there, stunned at what they had just seen.
“I can’t believe this…” Ryujin’s lips curved into a smirk, secretly pleased that she and Yeji were now even in terms of witnessing each other’s PDA.
“Seriously!” Lia giggled, tightly gripping Chaeryeong’s arm as she fanned herself to cool down her blushing cheeks.
“I always knew Hyunjin was crazy, but I never thought he’d be this bold.” Jisung marveled, a snicker exiting his mouth.
“Oh my gosh.” Felix let out a nervous laugh as Yuna and Jeongin smiled embarrassedly.
“… At least now we know how they make-up.” Seungmin’s voice was quiet as he turned to face the group with a sly smirk.
“By making out?!” The 00-liner boys exclaimed at the same time, causing a chorus of laughter to echo throughout the hallway.
They quickly filed back into the Stray Kids’ practice room, a clamor of voices as they eagerly filled the older Strays.
“Hyung! You won’t believe this-“
“They kissed!”
“They were making out!”
“Shamelessly!”
“Hyung! They’re official, right?!”
“They wouldn’t kiss if they weren’t!”
“They ran away when they caught us spying.”
“Hwang couple!”
“Kissing! They kissed!”
“… Kiss?” Chan was momentarily stunned, at a complete loss for words as he tried to take everything in.
“Dang it!” Changbin bellowed. “I missed it!”
“You guys didn’t record it?” Minho looked at the group with betrayal.
“It happened too fast Hyung!” Jisung laughed. “And that punk ran away as soon as he saw us.”
“You ok?” Felix giggled as he hugged Chan, who was still speechless. “You’re completely dazed, Hyung!”
“I am…” Chan said in a hollow voice, although a smile started to warm on his face. “I am.”
“Why?” Changbin rolled his eyes, obviously still disappointed that he had missed the highlight. “It’s not like we didn’t know.”
“Knowing and SEEING it are two completely different things.” Seungmin chuckled.
“I agree.” Yuna chimed in, nodding with a pout on her lips. “They’ve always been fishy about their relationship status. But now, there’s no more denying it – it’s obvious they’re together.” She flipped her hair sassily, causing the older girls to laugh and pull her into their arms.
“Obviously…” Ryujin smirked, humored by the Itzy youngest.
“Now and forever…” Chaeryeong sang-song, causing another round of chuckles to ripple through the group.
“So… they made up right? They’re back together?” Jeongin asked excitedly.
“They’ll ALWAYS be together.” Jisung slung an arm around the Stray youngest with a bright grin.
And no other statement could have been truer. They all exchanged smiles and smirks as a sense of peace came over all of them. It wasn’t the first time Hyunjin and Yeji fought and made-up and it probably wouldn’t be the last, but for now, at least the rest of them could rest easy knowing that the Hwangs were in the right place regarding their relationship.
“200,000 won that Hyunjin marries first.” Minho breezed over as they settled back onto the floor to finish their midnight snacks.
“300,000 won that Oppa marries Yeji Unni.” Yuna added cheekily, causing the Stray member to give her a cold stare as their other members smirked.
“… That’s a given.” Minho deadpanned.
“Really?” Felix asked good-naturedly.
“What makes you so sure?” Lia asked with a giggle.
“Because that kid’s stubborn.” Chan chuckled. “Hyunjin, I mean… He’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants.”
He’s wanted and waited so long for her. And now that he has her, he’ll never let her go.
Soobin:
“I’m taking Soobin,” were the first words Hyunjin announced, rather than his usual greeting.
“… What?” Yeji blinked in confusion.
“Just letting you know, Soobin’s mine. Just saying.”
His smug voice startled her into a smile.
“Since when?” She giggled.
“Since he came out to grab lunch with me last week. One-on-one!” He puffed up.
“Really?”
She was pleasantly surprised. Soobin was very shy when it came to strangers and Hyunjin wasn’t exactly the friendliest the first time they met. However, she had heard from Daehwi that Soobin was starting to hang out more with the 00-liners boys and she was proud to know her shy friend was stepping out of his bubble. Additionally, it was apparent that once she was out of the picture, Hyunjin had no qualms about warming up to him right away. According to Daehwi, Hyunjin acted EXACTLY the same way she did around Soobin – “totally soft, borderline whipped”. And Yeji knew it was true by the dopey smile that was currently on Hyunjin’s face as he declared his stake on their bunny-like friend.
“So back off.” Hyunjin lifted his head arrogantly.
“And if I don’t?” She raised an eyebrow, her head tilted to the side as she gazed at him challengingly. “I knew him first you know.”
“Time doesn’t matter! The heart does!” He barked dramatically, honing his gaze on her.
Brown eyes resolute, he stared into her soul with the most seriousness in the world, but she refused to back down, stubbornly keeping her eyes on his. A total of 10 seconds passed before they both cracked. They collapsed to the floor together, laughter echoing from their lungs.
“You’re crazy.” She wheezed, shaking her head.
“You love crazy.” He smirked, causing her to smack his shoulder.
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, giggles still trailing out of her lips as he chuckled.
She scooted closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder with a content hum as she took a few more moments to calm her mirth. It was after she had caught her breath that a sudden realization popped into her mind.
“… Weren’t you jealous of me and Soobin a few months ag-“
He hurriedly cut her off with a kiss.
“Hyunjin-“
Kiss.
“Wai-“
Kiss.
“Hyunjin!” She giggled, pushing him away.
“Bygones will be bygones.” He dismissed, landing a failed attempted kiss on her jaw when she turned her head. “I’ve admitted my wrongdoings.”
“More like you fell for his sparkling eyes, right?” She teased.
“Is there anyone who’s immune?” He huffed, pouting when she dodged another kiss. “Seriously! I didn’t even realize my heart could flutter for a boy.”
“Flutter?”
“Don’t you dare look at me like that, Hwang Yeji! I know yours does too! We like the same things!”
She was startled into another bout of laughter as Hyunjin glared at her, attempting to steal more kisses as punishment (not that she was complaining).
Daehwi:
“I’m already preparing my ‘Best Man’ speech, just saying.” Daehwi winked.
“Who says I’m choosing you?” Hyunjin exchanged smirks with Yeji as their friend squawked.
“Ex-CUSE me?! You have ME to thank for this happening right now! I’d BETTER be your Best Man!” Daehwi was indignant, his eyes the biggest they had ever seen it.
“Who says I’ll marry him?” Yeji asked innocently.
This time, Daehwi smirked as Hyunjin whipped his head to Yeji so quickly that his neck cracked, eyes bulging out of their sockets as his lips jutted into a pout.
“Yeji!” He looked completely betrayed.
“You want to marry me?” She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Eventually! Someday!”
“I’m not waiting until we’re forty!” She scrunched up her nose. “That’s too late for me!”
“Then we’ll marry earlier!” He practically whined.
Yeji and Daehwi had a good laugh at that.
“A-and what is… early, exactly?” Yeji giggled.
“Good luck with that.” Daehwi snorted. “The most popular member of Stray Kids deciding to marry early? And to the leader of Itzy? Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”
“I’ll make a deal with Stays! Just like how you’re planning to make a deal with ABNEWs.” Hyunjin barked defensively.
“Are you really planning to make a deal with your fans?” Yeji turned to Daehwi, raising an eyebrow.
“I have to! I’m the only son! I need to get married and have kids early for my mom!”
“What a good son.” Hyunjin deadpanned, causing Yeji to elbow him with her shoulder.
It was too late. Hyunjin’s sarcasm set Daehwi off and the next thing she knew, Yeji was sandwiched between two sensitive boys who blasted off at each other regarding things not even worth mentioning. She sighed and shook her head at the two drama kings, letting them duke it out as she sipped on her ice Americano. While most days she would have been annoyed that she was stuck with the most emotional boys in the world, she couldn’t help but smile at the moment. Even though she thought they were being ridiculous, there was something nostalgic about this scene – Yeji with Daehwi and Hyunjin as they went through life together, both the good and the bad. It was a scene that Yeji hoped she would see forever.
2Hwang:
“Shrimp crisps?” Yeji was startled into a pleasant smile by the bag of chips that Hyunjin surprised her with, dangling it in front of her face. “What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing.” Hyunjin shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk tugged on his lips.
“I thought you don’t compromise the best things in life?” She teased as she ripped the bag open to plop some into her mouth.
“I don’t…” A devilish smirk grew on his lips.
Before she could ask him what he meant, his hands snaked around her waist and he tugged her forward. She let out a yelp as she was yanked forward and the next thing she knew, she was caged in his strong arms, nose-to-nose with him. She blushed and tried to back away, but he tightened his hold around her.
“I have the best thing right here.” He murmured, his smirk melting into a soft smile.
“… You remembered-“ Her breath hitched as his hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing the crumbs off her lower lip.
“Of course…” His whisper caressed her lips, causing the slowing of her heartbeat and the rising of anticipation in her bones.
Her eyes fluttered shut as he leaned forward to capture her lips with his, gentle and intimate. And it was as they kissed that Hyunjin found himself remembering the first time his heart went a beat faster for Hwang Yeji.
Flashback to 2015 Hyunjin:
Hyunjin rushed into the convenience store so fast he almost knocked someone over.
“Sorry!” He bowed his head in a quick apology before darting away, briefly making eye-contact with a boy whose lips were pursed into a grimace. The boy was probably around his age, judging by his school uniform, but Hyunjin didn’t have time to make friends at the moment. Before the other person could say anything else, he rushed to the chips aisle.
He was late. He was supposed to be at the JYP building 10 minutes ago for their group practice. Their evaluation was in three days and the older Hyungs made it known that they would not tolerate any funny business. He knew he was going to get an earful from everyone by the time he got there, but he didn’t care – not when Daehwi had been sobbing his eyes out in the bathroom during lunch break.
Daehwi had been feeling homesick, his emotions raging all over the place due to missing his mother as well as their tough practice schedule. Hyunjin knew his feelings all too well and could totally relate. After all, Daehwi was his best friend and they were fairly similar in terms of how they handed their emotions – they hated to talk about it, but desperately needed comfort; they hated the attention, but wanted somebody there. So Hyunjin being the best friend that he was, knew there was probably no better way to cheer Daehwi up than to grab his favorite snack: Shrimp crisps. While Hyunjin normally made it his mission to convert as many as he could to Choco Boys, today would be the exception.
He ran through the aisle and silently thanked God that he was the lucky recipient of the last package. He snatched the last shrimp crisps, racing to the cash register. He barely heard the soft groan that came out of the aisle. Apparently, someone else wanted the chips he grabbed but they were a second too late.
Oh well. Too bad, so sad. Hyunjin needed it more.
He didn’t even wait for the clerk to hand him the receipt and was already out the door as soon as he paid. He was sprinting up the hill to the JYP building when a sudden gust of wind knocked him over. He yelped, falling back as the chips went flying into the air. He raced for the chips, his heart pounding in his chest in relief that the package was still intact. He was about to go on his way when he made the mistake of looking up. And just like that, he was rendered frozen, unable to move at the sight in front of him – down the hill, just a few yards in front of him was Hwang Yeji.
Hwang Yeji. ‘The cat from Jeonju’… Hyunjin’s ‘twin’.
He was still weirded out when he looked at her. How on earth did they look so similar? The day they were introduced, he immediately called his mom, demanding answers to questions such as whether she had abandoned a child at birth, or if he was adopted, or if he was a clone. Let’s just say he didn’t think his questions through and his mom was still mad at him even though he was the one who ended up crying after getting lectured. Sometimes he hated how limited (or nonexistent) his filter was.
Anyhow, it shouldn’t have been a big deal, seeing her at the convenience store. All the trainees went there. But Hyunjin was young and stupid and still utterly fascinated by the individual who looked so much like him that his eyes were glued to her whenever he saw her. All concept of time disappeared whenever Hwang Yeji was around.
He stared at her in a daze, his eyes fixed on her face. She looked so… sad? Confused? Wait, why was she sad? Hyunjin watched as she took an ice cream cone from a stranger with a bewildered expression. Her kitty eyes were wide, just like the way Hyunjin would make them when he was pretending to be innocent; only with her, it wasn’t pretend. She was actually innocent, he was sure of it. He kept watching as the other person shoved a bag of… Homerun Balls? Into her hands.
It was when he saw the Homerun Balls it hit him. The person a step too late behind him, who groaned as he paid for the chips… was her. Hwang Yeji wanted the shrimp crisps. She wanted the shrimp crisps and he took them. That’s why she was sad.
And just like that, he could move again. But rather than going up the hill, his feet took him back down, his eyes locked on the girl who stood still in a daze as the Homerun Balls stranger walked away from her.
If Hyunjin had a little more awareness, he would have noticed that the stranger she had been talking to was the same boy he had crashed into earlier.
“Choi Yeonjun, aren’t you the ladies man?”
If Hyunjin had been paying attention, he would have remembered that name. But he wasn’t and he didn’t because he was focused on one person, and one person only.
Before he knew it, he was standing in front of her, the shrimp crisps in his hands. Their eyes met and immediately locked together, dark brown to dark brown. For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other like they always did since the first day they met – curious and bright. They were like toddlers experiencing their own reflection for the first time, completely fascinated and taken by each other. At least, that’s what it was like for Hyunjin. Staring at Hwang Yeji was like looking into a mirror – strange yet familiar. And it was because of this that Hyunjin’s body moved on its own.
He held out the shrimp crisps. He watched as the dazed look in her eyes morphed into surprise as her kitty-eyes widened. She stared at him, puzzled, as he impatiently shook his hand, motioning for her to take them. He kept his eyes on her as she slowly reached to take them. And then, she smiled. She smiled and suddenly, Hyunjin’s world didn’t make sense anymore.
He shouldn’t have been as affected as he was. They had the same face, didn’t they? But for some reason, seeing that kitty-like face beaming into a shy smile threw his heart into chaos. For the first time in the 15 years of his life, his heart beat a second faster for someone else.
He could feel his blood rushing to his cheeks so before he could completely embarrass himself, he snatched the Homerun balls out of her hands and took off running. He left before she could say a single word to him, and didn’t stop running until he was at the JYP practice room. He felt embarrassed, but she’d forgive him, wouldn’t she? He couldn’t have gone to Daehwi empty-handed so it was fair to trade the Homerun balls with her favorite snack right?
“What’s this for?” Daehwi asked blankly when Hyunjin tossed the Homerun balls into his lap.
“They ran out of shrimp crisps.” Hyunjin slid to the floor next to him, keeping his eyes fixed on the wall as he tried to cool the heat from his cheeks.
“… Thanks Hyunjin.”
“No problem.”
Author’s Note:
Little did they know at the time, that was the only the start of their journey, the birth of something wonderful in store for them.
For Yeji, it was also more. It was the beginning of her love story, a love story with two different boys. One would be her first and the other would be her last, but the origin of both would be the same – the convenience store. Call it fate or coincidence, but for Yeji, it was the unfolding of her love.
The end.