Chapter 4

The sun was beginning to set over the bustling artist area of Lollapalooza, casting a golden glow on the energy-filled festival grounds. The sound of music echoed in the distance, blending with the hum of conversations, laughter, and last-minute preparations. Stray Kids had arrived hours earlier, and the artist area was abuzz with activity as they prepped for their highly anticipated 10 PM performance.

Alex sat with her back against a shaded tent pole, a quiet smile on her lips as she watched the chaos unfold around her. The boys were scattered—Changbin was deep in conversation with their sound engineer, Han and Felix were playing some kind of loud, chaotic card game with another artist, and Lee Know was stretching dramatically on the ground, claiming he needed to "preserve his energy."

Chan was a whirlwind of focused energy, pacing back and forth as he triple-checked setlists, coordinated with staff, and made sure everyone was where they needed to be. Even amidst the chaos, his eyes would constantly drift back to Alex, softening every time they met hers.

Alex toyed absentmindedly with the ring on her finger, still in awe of how perfectly it fit—not just physically, but emotionally. Chan's proposal was everything she could've dreamed of, and the warmth of the memory brought a subtle blush to her cheeks. Her mind drifted to that moment as her fingers traced the band, the weight of the promise it carried settling comfortably in her chest.

Hyunjin plopped down next to her with a dramatic sigh, breaking her reverie. "I swear, Chan-hyung's gonna pace a hole into the ground," he said, nodding toward their leader. "I thought he was stressed during Kingdom, but this is a whole new level."

Alex chuckled softly, her gaze following Hyunjin's. "It's his process. You know he's just making sure everything's perfect."

Hyunjin groaned playfully, leaning his head on her shoulder. "I know, but it makes me anxious just watching him."

"Then stop watching and stretch with Lee Know," Alex teased, nudging him gently. "He looks like he's preparing for a gymnastics competition."

Hyunjin smirked, leaning in close to whisper conspiratorially, "Don't let him hear you say that. He'll make us all join him."

Their laughter was interrupted by Chan's voice calling out, "Five-minute check-in, everyone! Let's gather up!"

Hyunjin groaned dramatically as he stood, offering Alex a hand to help her up. She took it with a grateful smile, brushing off the back of her shorts before following him toward the group. Chan stood at the center, clipboard in hand and a commanding presence that immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Alright, team," Chan began, his voice steady but tinged with excitement. "This is it. This is our biggest audience yet. Big stage, big audience, and big energy. Let's give them a show they'll never forget."

A chorus of cheers and agreements followed, and Alex felt a swell of pride for the man standing before her. He was in his element, leading with confidence and care, and it was impossible not to admire him.

As the group dispersed to finalize their pre-show rituals, Alex lingered near the edge of the bustling tent, trying to stay out of the way but unable to take her eyes off Chan. His usual calm determination was infused with an extra spark tonight—a mix of excitement and pride that radiated off of him.

When the final check-ins were complete, the boys began gathering near the backstage area, the buzz of anticipation palpable in the air. Alex made her way toward them, catching Chan's eye as he stepped away from a conversation with a staff member. He grinned at her, his dimples on full display as he opened his arms.

"Come here, love," he said softly, pulling her into a warm hug.

Alex melted into his embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of him and feeling the strength in his arms. "You're going to do amazing," she whispered, her voice thick with pride and affection. "I'm so proud of you."

Chan pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his hands coming up to cradle her face. "Thank you," he murmured, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "Having you here makes it even better."

Their moment was interrupted by Felix, who bounded over with his signature bright energy. "Alex! You've got to give us all some good luck kisses before we go!" he exclaimed, his grin wide and mischievous.

Alex laughed, letting go of Chan to oblige. Felix leaned down slightly, and Alex pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, making him beam. One by one, the other members followed suit, each cheek kiss accompanied by a playful comment or exaggerated "thank you" for the luck.

When Alex reached Lee Know, he stood with his usual air of calm confidence, arms crossed as he watched her approach. His gaze flickered briefly to the engagement ring on her finger before returning to her face, an unreadable expression in his eyes.

"Minho," Alex greeted softly, her smile warm as she stepped closer.

Lee Know's lips quirked into a faint smirk, and as Alex leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek, he turned his head just enough that her lips brushed the corner of his mouth instead. The touch was fleeting, but it sent a jolt through Alex, her cheeks flushing at the subtle intimacy.

Lee Know leaned in closer, his voice low as he whispered, "I'd love an invite next time. I think we could get more than three orgasms out of you between the three of us."

"Oh my god. How much did you hear?" She whispered her hands coming up to cover her mouth and cheeks in embarrassment.

"Every last pleasurable scream, noona. I'd love to hear you scream mine next time." Minion whispered in her ear, tucking. Strand of hair behind her ear.

Alex froze, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as Lee Know pulled back with a mischievous grin. The audacity of his words left her momentarily speechless, her brain struggling to catch up with the situation. Minho seemed completely unfazed, his smirk growing wider at her obvious embarrassment.

"Minho!" she hissed under her breath, glancing around to see if anyone else had overheard. Thankfully, the rest of the group was too preoccupied with their pre-show rituals to notice.

Lee Know leaned closer, his voice still low and teasing. "Relax, noona. It's just a little harmless fun. You know I can't resist teasing you." He straightened up, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt with a casual air. "But seriously, you looked and sounded amazing last night."

Alex's jaw dropped, her mind racing with a mix of shock, embarrassment, and, if she was honest with herself, a faint flicker of something else she didn't dare name. Before she could form a coherent response, Lee Know leaned in again, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.

"See you after the show," he murmured, his voice laced with that familiar cheeky charm. Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned and jogged off to join the rest of the group, leaving Alex flustered and rooted to the spot.

Alex stood there, frozen in place, her cheeks burning as Minho's words replayed in her mind. She tried to shake off the heat rising to her face, pressing her palms against her cheeks in a futile attempt to cool herself down. "He is so infuriating," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the buzz of activity around her.

Before she could dwell on it further, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out, grateful for the distraction, but when she saw the notification on her screen, her breath hitched.

@gnabnahc posted a photo.

Her thumb hovered over the notification for a moment, a sense of nervous anticipation building in her chest. With a deep breath, she tapped it, and the screen opened to reveal the picture Chan had just posted. It was a close-up of her hand, her engagement ring glinting beautifully in the golden sunlight, her soft smile just visible in the background. The caption was simple but heart-stopping:

"She said yes. 💍❤️"

Her heart swelled as she stared at the post, her emotions swirling in a mixture of love, pride, and disbelief that this was her life now. Her fingers trembled slightly as she tapped the comments section, already overflowing with messages from fans.

The comments section on Chan's post was nothing short of explosive, with fans pouring in their love and excitement from all corners of the world. The sheer volume of reactions was overwhelming, and Alex couldn't help but smile as she scrolled through them.

Top Comments:

•@stayforever: SHE SAID YES?!?! OMG CHAN OPPA YOU'RE ENGAGED?!?! WE LOVE THIS FOR YOUUUU! CONGRATS TO BOTH OF YOU!!! 🥹❤️

•@straykidshugs: I AM CRYING AT WORK. THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER. ALEX UNNIE YOU'RE GORGEOUS AND WE LOVE YOUUUUU! 🥰🥰

•@lovingchannie: LOOK AT THAT RING! CHAN YOU ABSOLUTE KING, YOU DID AMAZING! 💍😭

•@alex_is_our_unnie: The way Chan looks at Alex in this picture even though we can't see him... YOU CAN FEEL THE LOVE. WE STAN THIS COUPLE FOREVER.

•@chaoticstay: HELLO TO MY NEW PARENTS. YOU CAN'T JUST DROP THIS BEFORE LOLLAPALOOZA AND EXPECT ME TO BE OKAY!!! 🥹

•@straykidsupdates: Breaking: Bang Chan of Stray Kids is ENGAGED! Stay is so happy for him and Alex! We are sobbing collectively.

Fan Reactions on Twitter (X):

•"Bang Chan just announced his engagement with Alex before performing at Lollapalooza. This man really gave us no time to process anything. 🥹❤️ #StrayKids #ChanEngaged"

•"THE WAY HE POSTED 'SHE SAID YES' RIGHT BEFORE TAKING THE STAGE???? This man is in love, and I am here for it. 💍🔥"

•"Stay, let's all collectively cry because our leader is so happy. Alex, welcome to the family officially. We've loved you forever! 🥰"

•"Bang Chan and Alex are proof that true love exists. Now excuse me while I sob into my lightstick during their performance tonight."

The buzz backstage at Lollapalooza was electric, the atmosphere humming with excitement and anticipation. The crowd's roaring energy outside the stage was palpable, even through the thick walls of the artist area. Stray Kids was minutes away from stepping onto one of the biggest stages of their career, and Chan was at the center of it all—focused, calm, and radiating confidence.

Alex stood off to the side, still scrolling through the flood of comments on Chan's Instagram post. The overwhelming love and support from Stay brought tears to her eyes, and her heart swelled with pride for the man she loved. She wanted to talk to him, to thank him for sharing their joy so openly, but the chaos of pre-show preparations made it impossible to grab his attention.

"Alex!" Felix called out, snapping her out of her thoughts. "We're about to head out. You're coming, right?"

She nodded, tucking her phone away and following Felix toward the stage entrance. The rest of the members were already gathered, their hands stacked in a circle as they huddled for their final pre-show cheer. Alex hung back, giving them space, but Chan caught her eye and smiled warmly, mouthing the words, I love you. She smiled back, her cheeks flushing as she mouthed the words in return.

The lights dimmed, and the opening notes of their intro track began to play. The crowd erupted into deafening cheers as the group ran onto the stage, their presence commanding and electric. Alex watched from the side, her heart pounding with excitement and pride as the boys launched into their first song.

The energy was palpable, the crowd an ocean of waving lightsticks and cheering fans. The bass reverberated through the ground as Stray Kids owned the stage, their synchronized movements sharp and precise, their voices filling the night air with electrifying energy. The group's charisma was magnetic, and Alex could feel the pride swelling in her chest as she watched Chan lead his members with confidence and ease.

She stood just offstage, tucked away in the shadows where she could see everything but remain unseen. Her hand instinctively went to the ring on her finger, her thumb brushing over the smooth band as she took in the overwhelming sight of thousands of fans waving their lightsticks in time with the music.

Midway through the set, after finishing an intense and high-energy performance, Chan stepped forward to address the crowd. The other members stood back, catching their breaths as they looked on with supportive smiles, clearly in on whatever their leader was planning.

Chan's voice, slightly hoarse from the performance, rang out through the speakers. "Lollapalooza!" he shouted, his Australian accent thick and warm. The crowd roared in response, the sound deafening as fans cheered and screamed his name.

"How's everyone doing tonight?" he asked, his dimples flashing as he grinned. The response was thunderous, a wave of excitement rolling through the crowd. Chan chuckled softly, his hand reaching up to adjust his in-ear monitor. "You guys are incredible. Seriously, this is a dream come true for us. Thank you so much for being here with us tonight."

The cheers grew louder, and Alex could see the other members exchanging amused glances as Chan subtly glanced toward the side of the stage where she stood. She furrowed her brows in confusion, unsure of what he was up to.

"But," Chan continued, his tone softening as he stepped further forward, his hand gripping the microphone tightly. "There's something I want to share with you all tonight. Something really special."

The crowd quieted slightly, a murmur of curiosity spreading through the audience. Chan turned to look at his members, who nodded encouragingly, their expressions warm and supportive. Then he looked toward Alex, his eyes locking onto hers, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Alex," he said into the microphone, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Can you come here for a second?"

Her eyes widened, her heart pounding in her chest as every pair of eyes in the massive crowd seemed to turn toward her. She shook her head slightly, mouthing, No way! But Chan only grinned, extending his hand toward her.

"Come on, love," he coaxed, his tone gentle but insistent. "Don't be shy!"

Alex froze, every muscle in her body tensing as thousands of eyes seemed to zero in on her, the spotlight metaphorically and physically shifting in her direction. She shook her head again, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. But before she could even think about retreating further into the shadows, two very familiar forces appeared at her sides.

"Let's go, noona!" Hyunjin's mischievous grin was matched only by Lee Know's sly smirk as they each grabbed one of her arms.

"What are you doing?!" she hissed, her voice barely audible over the crowd's cheers and laughter as fans began to notice what was happening.

"Helping!" Lee Know replied cheekily, his grip firm as he and Hyunjin began to tug her toward the stage. Alex dug her heels in, half-laughing, half-protesting as they practically dragged her out of the safety of the shadows and into the blinding light.

The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles as the two members triumphantly pulled Alex onto the stage, both of them waving to the audience like they had just scored the winning goal in a soccer match. Chan's grin grew impossibly wider as he watched the scene unfold, his eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and adoration.

Alex's laughter finally bubbled over as she stood center stage, flanked by Hyunjin and Lee Know, who looked far too pleased with themselves. She shook her head, muttering, "You two are ridiculous," though there was no real heat behind her words.

Chan stepped forward, his smile softening as he reached for her hand. The crowd quieted slightly, their energy still buzzing but now tinged with curiosity and excitement. He pulled Alex closer, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as he held her hand up, the engagement ring catching the stage lights and sending tiny rainbows dancing across the stage.

"For those of you who aren't STAY. This," Chan began, his voice steady and full of pride, "is Alex. The most incredible woman I know."

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, the energy in the air palpable as Chan's words echoed across the massive venue. Alex felt her face flush even deeper, but the warmth in Chan's eyes grounded her, giving her the courage to stand there in the spotlight with him.

Chan glanced down at their intertwined hands, his thumb brushing over her engagement ring. He took a deep breath, his smile widening as he looked back out at the crowd.

"And as of yesterday," he continued, his voice thick with emotion, "she said yes to spending the rest of her life with me."

The roar from the crowd was deafening, a wave of cheers, screams, and whistles washing over the stage. Fans waved their lightsticks frantically, and Alex could see the glowing signs declaring love for Stray Kids and their leader. The overwhelming outpouring of support was enough to make her chest tighten, her heart swelling with gratitude and awe.

Chan turned back to her, his dimples deepening as he cupped her face gently. "Thank you for saying yes," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the crowd but loud enough for her to hear. "I love you."

"I love you too," Alex whispered back, her voice trembling with emotion. She could feel the tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, but she held them back, focusing instead on the warmth radiating from Chan's gaze.

Hyunjin and Lee Know stepped back, giving the couple space as the crowd continued to cheer. Felix, ever the mood-maker, bounded forward with a wide grin, grabbing the mic from Chan's hand.

"Can we get a round of applause for Alex, everyone?" Felix shouted, his energy infectious. The crowd responded enthusiastically, their cheers growing even louder. Felix turned to Alex, his grin playful. "You're officially Mom of  Stray Kids!"

The crowd's cheers grew louder at Felix's declaration, and Alex couldn't help but laugh, her nerves melting away in the warmth of the moment. She shook her head at Felix's antics but gave a playful wave to the audience, earning another wave of excited screams.

Chan chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "You're handling this like a pro," he murmured in her ear, his tone filled with pride and affection.

"Yeah, well," Alex replied, her voice just loud enough for him to hear, "it's hard to stay nervous when you're surrounded by so much love."

Hyunjin stepped forward, grabbing the mic from Felix with an exaggerated flourish. "Alright, alright, enough stalling!" he shouted, earning a laugh from the crowd. "We still have a show to put on!"

"Yeah, you're right!" Lee Know added, his voice carrying over the buzz of the audience. He turned to Alex with a sly grin. "But don't think you're off the hook, noona. You owe us a celebration after this."

Alex rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "We'll see."

"Hold her to that, Stay!" Hyunjin shouted, pointing dramatically toward the audience. The fans responded with a resounding cheer, clearly loving the playful banter.

Chan shook his head, grinning as he gently guided Alex back toward the edge of the stage. "Alright, you two, stop distracting her. We've got a show to finish."

Hyunjin and Lee Know pouted dramatically but stepped back, letting Chan lead Alex to the side. Before she stepped offstage, he caught her hand, pulling her in for a quick kiss on the forehead. The crowd erupted once more, their cheers almost deafening.

"I'll see you after," he said softly, his eyes locking with hers.

Alex nodded, her smile warm and full of love. "Go knock 'em dead."

Chan gave her one last grin before turning back to the stage, his commanding presence immediately taking over as he rejoined the group. Alex retreated to her spot just offstage, her heart still racing from the whirlwind of emotions.