When the cameras are shut, and there is no light to see their figures, they can speak. They can be the other versions of themselves, not held at a non-existent scale. And they can cry, they can laugh, and they can converse with those they long to talk to.
Stray Kids, ATEEZ, and BTOB were granted the chance to speak with one another. To spend time even if they had nothing more to film. And when they were left alone they also held private moments. Sometimes they even get to spill a few things that would never be notified to the staff nor to the public.
"Ah Channie, I heard you talk to Peniel about Leon. Do you get jealous of how many groups, and people he works with 24/7? Or do you feel bad about him working a lot?" 3Racha, BTOB Minhyuk, and ATEEZ Hongjoong were together still 'brainstorming.' But since it involved things that were meant to be a surprise, they were able to avoid this part being filmed. Also, given that it was late at night so who was there to film them?
In reality, they were done for the day. There were things that had to be polished but could be accomplished when refueled by sleep. Yet they didn't want to say goodbye for the night, adding maybe an hour or two to converse and strengthen the chemistry of friendship. This involved food, and questions. It couldn't just be one of them, it had to be both. That's why on their tables were left out notebooks, laptops, and phones. But besides those essentials were others as well, such as around five full plates of food, and drinks they were enjoying. The eldest in the room decided to ask since they were talking about their group members. A part of the reason was he was fired many questions because of his senior experience among the others. So he went in with something at the tip of his tongue. It had been there ever since the subject of the sentence was with them. But he only got to ask now when they were no longer working. Now was the right moment, he thought.
The three Stray Kids members, and not publicized boyfriends of Leon and one another, had shared a look. It was not one of panic but just contemplation. Their hands also gave it away as it slid past the other as if the answer was in their hands yet was in contemplation to be given. Many had asked them this, in interviews, interactions with other idols, and other instances. But unlike there, there were cameras to their faces so a scripted answer was given. And the two other idols with them probably knew that yet asked now for a more sincere answer. An answer that they were okay sharing.
"Before Stray Kids, Leon already worked with countless people and teams with his areas of expertise. So when we met him, we considered ourselves lucky because he had a name already. That's why before and up until now, we're not jealous of him. What's funny is we find ourselves more jealous of the people he works with. If that makes sense." Chan genuinely told the other two about how they perceived it as. His eyes were soft and not straying from the other two he was speaking to, this was in order for the trust he had for them was clear. He was sharing this sincere answer because he trusted both. But he knew by their faces they heard him, and understood him to an extent but wanted more clarity. So he allowed his eyes to meet those he loved once again for help and confirmation of their sharing, he knew they could elaborate. Maybe share their own perspective on the situation and make it seem more real.
Yet the most nervous among the three sharing about it surprised even the other two. The boy was the shiest among the three yet always loved talking about his team, and his work. His seriousness to the question of his senior even urged him to lean more forward in his seat to tell them of his explanation. The other two in the room also picked up his tone and body language, also considered this an honor to hear these answers. "Leon hyung works a lot because he holds more than two professions, I would say. But we love it because it makes him happy. But at the same time, we worry a lot, even us younger than him, who he always takes care of, wants to give back the care. Anyways, since he works a lot, he doesn't have leisure time. So he's not in the dorm, we rarely see him outside of being Stray Kids. So we're jealous of the people who meet him and take the time we could've had bonding with him more."
The other two were able to read more into the situation and understood now. When you were in a group, most of the time these were the closest people you have in your life. You spend every waking day in the industry but not alone if you were in the group. Yet curiosities didn't stop there and it had the ATEEZ leader ask a question. "Oh! So are there times you guys were outwardly jealous and he knew so? Like...times you guys were obviously jealous? Because of course we shield the intensity of what we feel but sometimes we slip up, and that isn't bad. But I'm just wondering." They had sensed his nervousness asking the question as he went to ramble longer. His eyes grew wider as he started to realize how it sounded, maybe invading boundaries. But the smile Changbin gave him, and the short assurance that they weren't offended, had the leader cool down.
Now... when did they make it clear that they had their hold on Leon? There were many silent but let's recount some significant ones that even had the other party wonder.
"Funny for you to ask though Hongjoong hyung, one was during the filming of Kingdom. We seemed to have forgotten that Leon already worked with SF9."
After the events of the introduction round, all the groups were directed to leave. Not many interactions were made because of the number of people who stayed with them. A threat of a camera suddenly turn on. But that did not stop one group from saying hi to one person who they haven't seen around much. Maybe even going deeper than a greeting is what was to happen. So even if there was silence, and many people who hid behind it, they called out. Well, one member called out for them.
"Before we were just asking when you'll be taking your talent to stage. Didn't think our first live encounter with your performance is in a competition, Leon."
The boy who stood quite a few feet away from them was unsure of whether he heard his name. Even Stray Kids weren't sure if they heard it right because of the distance. But thankfully, the group that stood in between them was able to affirm. With Bobby of IKON looking at him for more than a few seconds one could say. So Leon took the initiative to bow at Bobby first before looking beyond and seeing that indeed SF9 was beckoning him to come near. With a quick word to Chan of where he'll be going, he proceeded to go near the other group. What he didn't know was that when he had turned around, Chan and the rest of the boys were glaring daggers at Leon's back. And Bobby had hidden in his group who only teased him for reacting like that towards Leon. What to say? He was a senior but wasn't the most vocal yet that didn't mean he wasn't any less friendly. Guess he'd just have to wait until given a chance to speak with Leon himself and spend more than a few minutes.
The boy wanted to shy away from the other prying eyes yet couldn't miss the opportunity to say hi. A greeting that was well deserved after how many months or perhaps years of not seeing one another. "Dawon sunbaenim, I didn't think this would be when we meet again. But I am glad to see you all and am honored. Hello, SF9 sunbaenim." But before he could even walk at the pace he was, the same man he called by name dragged him to their proximity quickly. He was also keen on giving the younger boy a head pat but realized something. The boy wasn't smaller than him anymore, in fact, he was a bit taller. Yet before he could point that out immediately, one of his members greeted the boy. "Ah, enough of that sunbaenim, we said to call us hyung in the past, Leon. Are we strangers now that you're a monster performer, young man?" Jaeyoon decided to tease the younger boy, trying to test if what he had heard was right. The bestowed "international hyung" title Leon honed, was it present in a group of him as the youngest?
"I apologize, hyung. I am like the rest. My group and the others are intimidated by your presence... and height." With his remark, they were sure this was also the boy they met before. He was surely younger in the past, and as time passed in seasons, he had to change to survive and live. But he was the same boy at the soul. And they were the same teasing hyungs to him. "Ah, Leon! What do you say about height? You were already tall before as well, and now you're even taller than me!" Dawon decided to interject his observation, and this got the whole group chattering with the boy. Even pressuring him kindly to tell his height that he had not revealed with the public yet, for by a miracle he had grown a bit again. "Hyungs... fine, fine. Just because you have the hyung and senior card. But, I was 178 cm then I grew taller in our last comeback somehow. I'm 180 cm already but hyungs, almost all of you are taller than me. So you can't tease me for this!"
The interaction that was only witnessed by the groups, and some of the staff, had everyone in heart eyes almost. They were supposed to not see this interaction if Leon had been disqualified. So thank the heavens common sense allowed him to be included in the lineup of Stray Kids. Yet while most had heart eyes, the boy's group had other things brewing in them. It wasn't too bitter, yet they had to hold their tongues from spilling and had to dig their feet to the ground in order not to approach. But maybe someone didn't hold on too deep and found himself marching to get their member. Who was it?
This might seem quite unexpected but it was Seungmin. He had seen the glints in his boyfriends' eyes that threatened to glide away and let out the explosion of emotions. Specifically the emotion of jealousy from his other members, so he decided to intervene. But it does not save him from that emotion, just at hand, he had the most control over it. Which was being tested as he had seen the pulls of the older boys to his member. The older boys kept him with them, locking their arms with the boy and even placing their arms at his back. "Hello sunbaenims, may I just excuse Leon hyung? The manager said the ride is near and would like us to gather close by our side." But he didn't do more and turned away, walking slowly to wait for his hyung to catch up. And as he faces the directions where the other boys are, he knew that Leon would be in the center later for no one else to see as they boarded. While he surveyed the faces and the possible scenarios, Leon said a quick goodbye to SF9. "Call us, okay?" With a promise of affirmation, they let him go. But one of their members couldn't help but speak out loud about what he had seen. "Is it just me or were Leon's members staring at us the whole time we had him?"
Yet no one would surely know unless the boys do tell the story themselves.
The two other rappers in the same room could only let out laughs as they heard of it. They also witnessed that and felt warmhearted about the friendship displayed. It made them crave to be close to the other groups as well. But now hearing how sudden they pulled away Leon from SF9, had it seem hilarious. "Ah, is this before or after you heard about the comments of the fans?" What Hongjoong brought up was unfamiliar to the boys, and it was obvious from their confused glances and telling eyes that they wanted to know more. He didn't know what troubling waters he could throw Leon into. But why not? And it was not only him who remembered the comments, as the glimmer that passed through Minhyuk's eyes told the younger boy he knew as well. "Some of the viewers took notice of how Leon chooses his clothes, a bit like how SF9 presents themselves. After a few searches, and discovering his contribution to some of their tracks, others suggested that Leon might suit being a member of SF9."
The comment was heard but not immediately digested. It was as if the boys had taken time to consider the word for word before what ATEEZ leader sank into their minds. Good thing they were able to hide their eyes from saying the plans they have after hearing this so-called comment and the thought of viewers. But before they could plot at that right moment, the BTOB member had cut in. "Is that really the most obvious you guys had been? I mean, I only remember the suddenness of Leon being pulled away because you mentioned it. Maybe there are more obvious ones?"
"There was," the answer of Changbin had made all attention focus on him. Even his two group members wondered what he was specifically referring to. "The junior girl group that tried to set Leon and their friend together." These few words had made the other two remember instantly. "We told Leon that the director was calling him for set design then I think Felix told off the girls. Stating that Leon was taken by other things than the romance possible to brew."
Some groups were backstage, and others were outside. All patiently waiting for their turn to perform, or a possible award to have been won. Stray Kids were among the group to perform, and waiting in a costume had them feel a heavyweight but worth it. The costumes and stage design set were among the things that further highlighted their performance and maybe an underlying message. Yet as mentioned it was heavy and could make them possibly sweat if they didn't stay in their dressing room. But going out was inevitable, such as for bathroom use and that was why Leon left. The boy wanted to use the washroom before they attached the last pieces to his costume and excused himself.
But it had been more than five minutes. So without worrying their manager too much, Felix and Han asked to check on him. With their manager trusting them to be prompt about it, he let them go. The two affirming the others they'd be back with Leon. But to the two boys' surprise, Leon was near their dressing room. Just surrounded by a few girls seem to belong to one group. Their group name might've not come to the two Stray Kids members but from their recall, the group had debuted one or two years after them.
"--- likes you, Leon sunbaenim. I mean we all are amazed by your work but she likes you best." One of the girls nearest to Leon was pushing one girl forward. Yet all their smiles were not purely sweet. It might've been sweeter yet it hid an agenda, which might've been trying to get Leon to be interested romantically to their member. "She always screams when she sees you on screen, even in a picture. She also was jealous of the girl you were within Century Soulmate, sunbaenim." Jealous huh? Well, I'm sure my whole group is two after hearing you attempt to flirt with our member. This was the thought of Felix and Han as they approached to save their hyung from replying.
Leon was smiling at the girls, amazed at how bold they were to him. How direct they were to confess feelings and such, this had him hanging around longer instead of dismissing politely immediately. But at the thought that two had joined them, he knew most likely it was his members. Even if Leon didn't distress his need for help, two boys meddled. "Hi, I hate to cut in but Leon hyung, our stage director is waiting for you in the dressing room. It's your concept about the stage design I think?" At Han's words, Leon already focused on him. He didn't say out loud but he loved how Leon directed his gaze to him as he spoke. And gods, his smile after hearing about what he said, had his energy given an extra charge.
"Thank you, Hannie and Lix. I must be going, ladies. Good luck with your performance, and maybe we'll cross paths as you continue in the industry. Farewell for now."
Before the girls could squeal and chatter, two boys had now stared at them. With one speaking firmly, a smile on his face yet his words were a bit sharper. "Ladies, I just want to tell you now so that your hearts don't wait too long. But in our company, dating is possible but strictly monitored for a reason. Leon hyung, as you can see and have heard, is a busy man. He is taken... by many things. So I am warning you now that romance and relationships are not a priority of our hyung." His tone had the girls notice the tension, and bow to him respectfully.
"Now, as my hyung said, we wish you luck." And with that Felix turned and didn't look back. Han briefly scanning the girls and leaving as well. Excited to tell Felix's words to the group but also a linger of jealousy left as he recounts the stories to tell the boys.
The other two had been wide eyes when the Han told the tale. They couldn't imagine. "I didn't expect for Felix to be sharp about that. But what can I say, I guess for his members it comes out. Specifically to Leon." Hongjoong's remark had Minhyuk agreeing and the other three smiling, even though they didn't know until that event. And by then they weren't officially one another's so what more now.
"Ah... do any of you like Leon? It's taboo in Korea but we know many just keep quiet about it in the industry. So if you're only comfortable to answer." Minhyuk's question once again had them looking at each other and thinking.
If they only knew... but would the three boys let the two trustworthy friends in their relationship status?
A/N: Hello! So I decided to update two of my books per week to not be fatigued. I wanted to inform you so I am transparent with the reality :>
I hope it's okay that for Round 3, Leon would be part of the Rap unit. Because first, he is one of Stray Kids' producing members and he is a rapper. Two, there are many talented people in the dance and if he is part it would be hard to write it in. Also, in the introduction round, he has shown the dancer/acrobat he is. So he can show his other strengths too. I wanted to inform you even if this isn't the next chapter for the Kingdom that I will write here.
Next, so I have been asking for the group added members to write next. As of now, I'm sure that the nearest to come is an ATEEZ added a member as many requested. For the second book after that, I am debating between ENHYPEN and Monsta X. The other groups you suggested are written down, I am just waiting if there were any more thoughts so I would know what is order I'll be working on. Thank you for waiting! - Aid.