Chapter 2: The Pain Before the Storm
Chapter 2: The Pain Before the Storm
"Don't go today, sunshine..."
The morning sun rose gently, but the warmth didn't reach the Stray Kids household that day.
Something felt... off.
The air was too still. The house too quiet.
Even the pets—Hyunjin's parrot, Jeongin's fish, and Felix's clingy cat—were restless. The sky, although clear, felt heavy.
8:45 AM – Kitchen
Seungmin hummed softly, stacking toast while flipping pancakes like a pro.
"Good morning, my oversized clingy octopus family~!" he sang teasingly.
Silence.
Usually, Han would tackle him by now. Felix would whine for attention. Chan would be pouring coffee while giving forehead kisses.
But not today.
They were all just... staring at him.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? Did I grow another head overnight?" he joked, smiling.
Felix walked up and hugged him tightly from behind.
"...Don't go out today, Minnie."
Seungmin blinked. "Huh?"
Han added softly, "I had a weird dream. You were calling out for us but... we couldn't reach you."
Leeknow stared at his untouched plate. "The kind of dream you can't shake even when you wake up."
Jeongin clung to Seungmin's arm. "I've had this weird chest pain since morning. I thought it was gas but—" he paused, dead serious for once, "It's not."
Chan came closer. His eyes were dark with something unspoken. "Cancel your errand. It can wait."
Seungmin's heart fluttered at the concern, but he forced a smile.
"I wish I could, but it's important. I need to drop off the documents for that art exhibit planning, remember? The gallery needs it today or we lose the spot."
"But why does it have to be you?" Changbin asked quietly. "Let someone else do it."
Seungmin sighed, setting the spatula down. He looked at each of them—his silly, dramatic, overprotective, hopelessly-in-love husbands—and gave a soft, affectionate smile.
"You're all acting like I'm not going to come back..."
They didn't answer.
The silence spoke louder than words.
9:12 AM – At the Door
He stood by the entrance, coat on, bag packed.
The eight stood in a line in front of him like bodyguards refusing to budge.
He rolled his eyes.
"You babies."
Still, no one laughed.
So, Seungmin softened, stepping forward to each one, one by one.
To Felix , he placed a kiss on his forehead.
"You're my sunshine too, you know."
To Jisung , he kissed his temple.
"No more late-night snacks without me."
To Leeknow , he kissed the crown of his head.
"You're my forever pillow."
To Jeongin , he squished his cheeks before kissing them.
"Don't cry. I'll scold you if I find out you skipped dinner."
To Changbin , he cupped his face, smiling softly.
"You're stronger than you think. Don't blame yourself."
To Hyunjin , he ran his fingers through his hair before leaning in.
"You're allowed to cry. But just know I love you, always."
To Han , he placed a kiss on his nose.
"Sing something for me when I'm gone, alright?"
Finally, he stood before Chan .
Their leader. His first love. The one who always carried everyone's weight.
Seungmin held his face gently, then kissed him tenderly on the forehead.
"I'll be back before you miss me."
Chan's hands trembled as they gripped Seungmin's sleeves.
"Don't say it like it's goodbye."
Seungmin smiled, pressing their foreheads together.
"It's not. I'll be back. I promise."
9:25 AM – The Door Closes
They stood there, frozen, as the door shut behind him.
Hyunjin immediately burst into tears.
Felix sank to the floor, hugging his knees.
Jisung began praying under his breath—something he never did.
Chan just whispered into the silence:
"Please come back to us, sunshine."