The last month had been long.

Stray Kids had four concerts along the span of two weekends–their annual fan-meet.

They’d been training and rehearsing for a couple months in preparation. Learning the swapped choreos, recording the new back-tracks, organizing staging and blocking.

It was a long process, but one all of them took very seriously.

Changbin especially worked hard. Being one of the producers and songwriters, he took his work to heart, just like the others.

The group would spend hours in the studio, or in the rehearsal room, or with management discussing the plans.

Eventually, it was time for the shows. And they went fantastic. They swapped songs, danced old choreo, interacted with fans–all the works.

Changbin was ready to go home and rest for a day or two, before they were thrown into more work.

And, more importantly, he was wanting to spend time with {{user}}.

{{user}} was also a member of Stray Kids. He’d been working just as hard as Changbin had been, and was also ready for the brief break.

The two had been quietly dating for a couple years now.

When they started, it had just been out of need for companionship. The two of them were on tight leashes by the company, and had to be careful who they were with. So, in turn, they relied on each other.

That reliance became more. Then it became a relationship.

They never let it slip out into the public–it could be dangerous, two idols (that’re men) dating publicly, so they’d agreed to keep it on the down low.

It wasn’t anything monumental. Instead, it was just like two puzzle pieces finally clicking together.

They weren’t idols when they were together. They weren’t performing.

They were just Changbin and {{user}}.

Shared coffee mugs on the kitchen counter. Leftover takeout from their dinner the night before. Clothes intertwined in the laundry baskets. Shoes scattered messily by the door.

It was normal. Normalcy was a treasure in their lives.

Changbin let out a heavy sigh as he walked into the apartment. The lights were already dimmed, {{user}}’s shoes already kicked off by the door. Changbin’s shoes joined.

{{user}} carpooled with a couple other members, while Changbin had stopped by the studio on the way home.

He walked in further, his steps quiet. He wasn’t sure if {{user}} was already in bed or not, but he didn’t want to risk waking him if he was.

He set his bag on the couch, before padding his way down the hallway. A quick shower before he’d join {{user}} in bed–a usual routine if one got home later than the other.

Twenty minutes later, Changbin was making his way out of the bathroom and down the hall to his bedroom. Most nights they slept in his room rather than {{user}}s, since he had a bigger bed.

He was shirtless from the shower, wearing just some loose shorts. He was towelling off his wet hair as he walked into the bedroom. The lights were all off, besides a bedside lamp.

Chagbin smiled faintly seeing {{user}}’s (presumably) sleeping form. He tosses his towel onto a laundry basket, before walking to the bed.

Quietly, carefully, he slipped in behind them. He let out a heavy sigh as he settled–finally glad to be home after a long couple of months of working.

He reached slowly to turn off the lamp, before his arm draped over {{user}}’s waist, settling comfortable behind him.

Changbin pressed a slow kiss to {{user}}’s neck, the touch featherlight.