There were many things to rejoice over, even a few things unsaid to the public just yet. Leon found himself working against time to prepare everything in quality. Practice with the boys for upcoming performances, give out their hearts to the gifts to the public such as mixtapes and comebacks, being hands-on in every project he committed himself to as an individual, and many more. The time frame of the world was too short for a man with many dreams and ambitions. For a man securing a legacy by being selfless in aspects, he is familiar with. But, sometimes time had to give their hands to people like him who defied it and went with the world's tilt as well. While Leon was being the responsible artist he was, his mischief had to go somewhere. All the youth he had in him was an unconquered flame that he loved, but he couldn't suppress it always. Or else the oxygen might run out and extinguish what made him so bright. That's why he was so thankful for platforms he could release the other quieter aspects about him, such as SKZ Records, and SKZ Players.
Of course, he didn't want to relinquish this opportunity alone. Among the eight, he knew many were willing to partake but only a few truly related to the piece he prepared. The good thing is, the person in his mind might be hard to win over, but a few kisses and sweet words will make him say yes. "Please, Minho hyung."
Did he agree? Any person blessed to see the omniscient perspective of the story definitely knows the answer. When the second eldest was approached about the project, he did give a blank stare, but not a defiance to participate. Minho knew that if he gave no answer just yet, it would allow him to hear Leon ramble about the project and state it in undertones of pleading and excitement. Two emotions he loved hearing and seeing from the younger boy. So when Leon went to talk about it all, and tell him the pros of his yes, he couldn't even stop his smile. It was also adorable for him because the younger boy didn't even notice the yes in his eyes because of how immersed he was in convincing him. Some of his words were not even about the project but compliments coming his way like Leon saying how he was perfect for all these characters they were to play. And how the young boy really wanted to work with him, and just two of them. Even if it was so cute, and a sight Lee Know wanted to watch for the rest of his life, he wanted to take away the stress from the young boy from his possible no. And let him know that the chances of him not wanting to be part is at zero percent. "Bubs, as cute as you ramble, you need not convince me anymore. I'm in for this duet song with you."
So ladies, gentleman, and the rest who are graced with unseen crowns, two boys present to you their SKZ Player song. On the 16th of June, the year 2021 with no warnings or hints beforehand, an MV by Leon and Lee Know is released on Youtube.
Lee Know, Leon "FanFiction Boy (나의 꿈의 남자)" [Stray Kids: SKZ-Player]
Lyrics by: Lee Know, Leon
Composed by: Leon, 방찬 (3RACHA), 한 (3RACHA)
Arranged by: Leon, 방찬 (3RACHA)
The video starts with a girl on her laptop. She appears to be working hard and studying, a designated agenda for the evening. But as the lights dim out through the window, she can't stop herself from going on her phone. The audience has no idea about what app she is on, or what she is reading about because the camera spans her emotions as she reads what's on her screen. All the expressions she gives that shift from one to another, are replicas of what fans feel. But the twist to this is as she starts to convince herself to close the app and start studying once again, two voices speak to her. Two voices that replicate what she imagines the two male lead to sound like in what she was reading, and at this the song starts.
"Do you imagine me in your head?
Bring me to life in what you've read?
Baby, I'm fascinated. I'm interested.
Tell me more of where you rewrite me to be."
Lee Know's voice was soft and airy to everyone's ears. It was so lucid that it convinced the girl, and the listeners, that he was only a dream. A dream she wished to come through but forced to only manifest in pages she reads and writes. A predicament many fans find themselves in, and immediately it was a song relatable to many. And as he goes on, seemingly serenading her until she falls asleep, many are left to wonder if she wakes, is he still there?
"Mhm, I've come across versions of me.
My oh my, never did I imagine myself to be.
But baby, you make me suit them all.
I'm the bad boy, I'm the one next door.
In another, I can be your other lover.
My oh my, I'm flattered honestly."
The girl wakes up with no boy insight, and she believes that her tired eyes fool her the night before. Her life played out as it usually did, so the plot twist gave her a waking moment even if her eyes had been open for a few hours. Never did she expect to see them both in her school. Lee Know whose voice sweetly drifted her into the realm of sleep sat next to her, and he handed her a rose. A gift that left the other people in her class staring and asking her questions as the music goes on, until the beat drops. At the drop, it was as if it triggered the entrance of a man. A man who she labeled as a bias wrecker, whose voice tickled at her neck as he greeted. But not only did his actions surprise her, his voice that transitioned into a rap that was rich and deep had her heart racing. Mimicking what she felt when he suddenly appeared on her screen.
Leon whispered the rap in her ear as if telling her a secret as he met the eyes of the other boy. A wink sent to Lee Know, as he sat next to her. And if it wasn't enough to give her a heart attack, the chorus being sung by both boys in a harmony that covered bass and falsetto, did the trick.
"Don't you worry
Don't you worry, jagi
I can be
I can be Your FanFiction Boy"
The next cut wasn't at school anymore but at the mall. The boys were leading her to many shops, always looking back at her even if they knew she was following. Even if her eyes wandered over prices, and places she felt out of place, the feeling couldn't settle because they made her belong. Their hands that were soft yet unwilling to let go proved that to her. And it was a perfect opportunity for the speech to be sung as the verse. Leon's voice in the first half, one that was as rich as his rapping earlier but singing melodies, felt like a hug. How he sang it to her on one knee, as he asked for her opinion on the clothes. The other boy cut in gently, smiling at her as if he heard the thoughts in her head. All that told her lies because he was telling her that she wanted her to not be ashamed.
"Tell me, tell me, tell me oh so honestly
How many stories have you read with me reimagined?
Do they make up for my absence from your bed?
Don't hide those apps or erase them in your history,
Because I love living somewhere nearby you, jagi."
With each outfit they wore, the scene changed with them. The grunge clothes gave her night skies with motorcycle rides. A tailored suit guested her in the ballrooms wherein both asked her hand to dance. A simple laid back outfit transported her home, with them in her bed and laughing as books were creating the only space they had from one another. And the repeated pre-chorus by Lee Know, now softer but more rapid in pace had her racing through all these scenarios. As if she was reading different stories all at once.
It was too good to be true. For them to fit her picture, and she almost pushes them away. And every time she tries to say goodbye, it alternates to her closing the tab on her computer and seemingly deleting an app on her phone. But every time she did it, she was pulled into a boy's embrace. Wiping away tears she did not know poured out, and it perfectly synced with the chorus. Both boys telling her that they could be who she wanted them to be, even if it was all fiction. Even if it was all in her head.
"I can be...
Your Fanfiction Boy until you're ready.
Until you don't need me
I'll be your FanFiction Boy."
It all ends with her not closing the tab nor deleting the app, but rather moving to continue working. They fade right before her eyes with a smile, but she knew they were there somehow. Even if they were miles away, their essence was somewhere near. Wherever she needed them to be in her life. And she finds peace in that, as they do as well.
-----
The release of the video and song had them trending. The first is because Leon and Lee Know haven't uploaded in SKZ-Player or SKZ-Record for so long. So for a collaboration between the two to surface and release on an unannounced date had many on edge because of the notification button. Second, fans heard them clearly. The boys were familiar with their posts, such as fanfiction. And it left them in panic, whether from emotions running on positivity, euphoria, shock, and many more fan feelings. Third, the message of the boys telling them they didn't mind, also brought a certain comfort. What others would call as crazy, or delusional was something the boys treasured. Something the boys were okay with and encouraged if it made them nearer to those who support them. Fourth, who wouldn't wish to hear both voices, and see these dashing men on their screen? All these reasons and more private ones caused many to tweet, add to their Instagram stories, and other ways to give their own reactions to what was released. #FanFictionBoy, #Lee Know, #Leon, #TheyKnow, and other tweets that were present in more than a thousand posts had brought them attention to those who didn't even know about it at first.
Even if they did not speak aloud, many other artists also were impressed at the bold statement in the song. FanFiction was a topic many would tread on, but here they were stating their own beliefs on it. In a manner that did not push for attention because of angry words. Instead, through a song worth the rewind for years. And Stray Kids knew this because of the private messages sent their way, even to the members who did not feature on the track. Leon's own friends from around the world, others he knew should be sleeping, the rest working, but all tuned in and his phone had almost gone low bat from answering them all. His attention on the phone though was delayed an hour after release because for the release and the hour after, he was occupied by his boys.
Even their own group members were anticipating when it dropped. Many contributed to the process, most especially their leader. But the final product was one that only Lee Know and Leon had seen before the drop. So Chan dragged them all to the living room to watch it together. Pulling the two main members in the middle in order to avoid escapes. With this, even if the two tried to shy away from the attention and affection, they couldn't. And even if they were not cuddled up on the couch, it wasn't lived down for quite a while, safe to say.
"I know this can sound rude, but at least you're only their FanFiction boys, hyungs. They get your FanFiction version but we can call you ours, the only true version, even if it's in secret."
"...are you jealous, Lixie?"
"...no...a bit...hug please?"
A/N: Hi! The idea of the song and lyrics are actually a draft of a song I composed. I edited a few things of course but yes I thought why not share that fun fact with all of you. If you want to imagine it to an out-there song in Kpop, I suggest Pied Piper, it has the same atmosphere and vibe.
I want to thank you all for your anticipation and patience, it means much. Whatever way you show that, whether by reading, by voting, by commenting, by following, by messaging, and all the ways. It really matters much to me.
I asked questions last week, and so far I only saw two or three comments. I truly appreciate it by the way, but I'll push the answers to the next chapters just in case someone decides to ask. That's it for this update <3 I hope you liked it. - Aid.