You stepped into the elevator with your heart beating a little too fast.
The ride up was quiet, only the hum of floor numbers lighting up one by one and the faint echo of rain still tapping outside. You stood between Chan and Felix—your hands clenched in front of you, trying not to fidget, but failing.
What surprised you most wasn't the meeting itself. It was the fact that all eight of them were coming with you.
When you reached the floor, a staff member greeted the group, clearly not expecting the full lineup of Stray Kids to walk in.
"Oh. Um..." She blinked. "This was scheduled as a private meeting."
Chan's hand found yours. "We're keeping it private," he said with a calm smile. "Just... not alone."
The conference room was sleek and cold—polished wood, soft overhead lights, large monitors dimmed to standby. At the far end of the table sat two representatives from JYPE: a PR manager and a legal advisor. Their postures stiffened when they saw the full group walk in.
Chan motioned for everyone to sit before pulling out your chair beside his.
You fidgeted in your lap.
The meeting began. "Bang Chan, thank you for coming," the PR rep started. "We wanted to address last night's... public moment."
Felix let out a breath through his nose, muttering under his breath, "That's one way to put it."
"We were... surprised," the rep continued, "but also relieved to see the online response was largely supportive."
They looked between you both. "We do, however, need to formally document the nature of this relationship and how it may intersect with future media, appearances, and promotions."
Before either of you could speak, Han leaned forward.
"I just want to say," he began, voice clearer than usual, "I've never seen him smile the way he did last night. Not on camera. Not even with us."
Lee Know nodded once. "She didn't distract him. She focused him. That stage energy wasn't chaos. It was control."
Hyunjin leaned back in his chair. "It didn't feel like something reckless. It felt... right."
Jeongin smiled. "The crowd figured it out. And they loved it. I was watching."
Seungmin shrugged. "I still think we need thicker walls, but... honestly? It's kind of cool to witness something real in this industry."
Then Felix leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, fingers threaded together. "I need to say something too," he began, voice softer than the others—but no less firm. "Because... I saw it first."
He looked between the reps and you, then toward Chan. "I was the one who helped get her to New York," he admitted openly. "Booked her flight. Got her pass. I wanted her here—not just for Chan, but because I believed she'd belong." His voice grew steadier. "I've known Chan for over a decade. I've seen him carry this group—our pressure, our weight—even when he's breaking. And I've seen him hide himself to protect us."
He paused, exhaling slowly. "But when she walked in, he didn't disappear into leadership mode. He opened up. He laughed louder. He focused better. And last night?" Felix smiled, proud and a little awestruck. "Last night, we were the strongest we've ever been on stage."
He turned his gaze toward the table. "That energy didn't just come from us. It came from her too. From what she gave to him—confidence, love, clarity."
Then he looked up again, eyes glassy but bright. "Some people walk into your life and change your rhythm. But she didn't change his. She helped him hear it more clearly."
Felix leaned back slightly. "That's not scandal. That's home."
Then Changbin—who'd been unusually quiet—finally spoke.
His voice was soft. Measured. But when Changbin spoke like that, people listened. "I watch people. That's what I do," he said, leaning forward. "I'm not the first to rush in. I don't always talk about what I see—but I feel it."
He glanced down, then met the rep's gaze. "And when she came into our world, it didn't disrupt anything. It aligned something."
He turned slightly, eyes drifting toward you. "You didn't just ground Chan," he continued, voice low but sure. "You grounded the leader. And that's different."
The room stilled. "Last night on stage," he went on, "something changed in all of us. Not just him. We felt power out there. Real power. It wasn't just a show. It was like we were finally breathing in rhythm again. Balanced."
Felix nodded silently beside him, moved.
Changbin's eyes were steady now, voice growing more confident. "I've seen idols fake relationships for media attention. I've seen fans catch on—and pull away when it feels hollow. But this?" He motioned between you and Chan. "This isn't hollow. This is the kind of love that makes people better. Stronger. More human."
He leaned back finally, resting both hands on the table. "And I think anyone who wants to protect this team should protect that."
The room fell still.
You blinked quickly, swallowing emotion as Chan gently squeezed your thigh under the table.
The PR rep shifted. "Well..." she said, visibly thrown. "That... actually makes this easier."
The legal advisor cleared his throat. "We do still have to ask a few formal questions."
You straightened.
"Are you in a romantic relationship with Mr. Bang Chan?"
"Yes," you answered softly, but clearly.
"Is this relationship consensual, undisclosed prior to this event, and not formed during the execution of any professional contracts or obligations?"
You nodded. "It started privately. During personal time. No professional overlap."
Then they turned to Chan. "Would you like to share, for documentation purposes, how this began?"
You glanced sideways at him—and then watched as he straightened, calm and proud.
He told them everything. From the first moment. To Orlando. To the letter. To the airport. To New York. To last night.
His voice never wavered.
You fidgeted with your nails under the table, heart thundering, barely able to breathe as he described you—his words full of sincerity and clarity, unashamed of a single detail.
And when he was done, there was nothing but silence.
Then the legal rep nodded. "Thank you. You'll both receive paperwork to review. Ms. [Y/N], you don't have to sign anything today. Take your time. It's your story too."
Chan replied quickly, "We'll go through it together."
"And finally," the PR rep added, "since Chan has discretion in public disclosures, the choice to make a formal announcement lies with him."
He didn't hesitate. "I'll prepare something."
The meeting ended. The room emptied slowly. But Chan stayed right beside you the entire time.
The moment the doors closed behind the reps, it was like a pressure valve finally released.
Chan pulled tight to his side, his hand protectively on your back as if to say: It's done. I've got you.
And then—
Han cracked first. "Okay but seriously—if I ever fall in love, I want that kind of speech."
"I thought you didn't believe in feelings," Lee Know deadpanned.
Han tossed a sugar packet at him. "I didn't until today."
Seungmin stretched in his chair, sighing. "Can we all agree it's kind of annoying how romantic this got? Like, they got the legal department blushing."
Hyunjin nodded dramatically. "We should start charging people to witness this kind of devotion."
Jeongin chimed in with a grin. "Should've brought popcorn."
Even Changbin—stoic and thoughtful as ever—shook his head, a smile creeping across his face. "I mean, I'm still trying to pretend I didn't hear you say 'bootcamp skincare,' but otherwise... 10 out of 10. No notes."
Felix was leaning back in his chair, arms folded behind his head with the most satisfied smile. "Told you it was real."
You and Chan looked around the room, laughter bubbling up between you both.
"I feel like I just survived an emotional talent show," you whispered to Chan.
He snorted. "You won gold."
As everyone regrouped and started walking down the hall, Chan tugged you gently to the side again, the two of you falling into step together just behind the group.
"I've been thinking about the announcement," he said, his voice quieter now. "I still have full say in how we do it."
You tilted your head, listening.
"I want to go live," he continued. "But this time... with you. Just for a bit. I want them to see you. See us. Not as a scandal. Not some headline. But as something real."
Your heart skipped. "Are you sure?"
He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I don't want to hide you. I'm still Bang Chan—same guy who works too hard, loves music, and eats ramen at 3 a.m.—but I also want STAYs to know I've found something good. Something that keeps me grounded."
Your eyebrows lifted, smile pulling at the corner of your mouth. "You're going to bring me on live? With your fanbase watching?"
He grinned. "Not for long. Just a hello. A glimpse. You won't have to say anything if you don't want to. I'll handle the chaos."
You tilted your head playfully. "You're letting the internet meet your soft side."
"I'm letting them meet the one person who makes me feel more like myself," he said, eyes serious now. "And if they love me, they'll get it. Because I'm not different. I'm more."
You softened. "I'll be there. Quietly... like a good secret weapon."
He chuckled and brought your hand to his lips, brushing them across your knuckles. "You'll always be my favorite plot twist."
**********
Later that afternoon, after the meeting had wrapped and the weight of it all had finally lifted, the group settled into the private hotel lounge—coffees in hand, laptops open, casually checking flight times and reworking their schedules for the next leg of the tour.
You were tucked into the corner of the couch, legs curled up beside you, still half-replaying the morning in your head when Chan slid in beside you.
His hand found yours. "We've got one last day in New York," he whispered, close to your ear. "What do you say we do something... unforgettable?"
You turned to him, a soft smile tugging at your lips. "Unforgettable, huh?"
He leaned in a little closer, mischief glowing behind his eyes. "Come with me. I've got a plan."
You raised an eyebrow. "Does this plan involve me running through the rain or climbing fire escapes?"
He smirked. "You'll see. Trust me."