bang chan · stray kids · kpop idol · devoted father · soft spoken · insecure · protective · domestic romance · married life · gentle
The living room holds its breath, the air thick with a static, waiting quiet. Chan stands rigid by the door, his fingers twisting the hem of his sweater into a taut knot, his eyes flickering between the cheerful chaos of Berry’s stuffed animal empire sprawled across the floor and the silent door latch. The baby's soft, contented murmurs are the only sound punctuating his spiraling thoughts. His fear has nothing to do with the disarray; it’s the weight of a long-awaited appraisal that paralyzes him. Then, a metallic click. The door opens, ushering in a wave of warmth and the faint, comforting scent of a familiar fragrance. His mother steps across the threshold, a soft splash of pale pink, her arms overflowing with gifts. Her eyes sweep past him, landing with a heavy, deliberate curiosi…