"the paths we didn't take" - a charles leclerc x female!reader story
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years ago, charles leclerc and y/n were everything to each other—the kind of love that felt unbreakable, the kind you never see coming but never think will end. but they made a promise, one that broke both their hearts. after high school, they would let each other go. charles had his dreams of racing, and y/n had a world to explore, and they agreed it wasn’t fair to hold each other back.
so they did it. they cut all ties, erased each other from their lives, and tried to move on. no calls, no texts, not even a glance at an old photo. they built separate lives, pretending that what they had was just a chapter—until now.
when a chance meeting brings them back together in the streets of monaco, the weight of everything unsaid crashes down. the years have changed them, but some feelings are impossible to forget. can they face the pain of the choices they made, or are some loves meant to stay lost?
and finally the question remains, can you ever truly let go of your first love?
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Pairing: Idol Scoups X Solo Idol Y/n Genre: Romance/Angst/Second chance romance/Drama Plot: After a highly publicized breakup with Seungcheol, Y/n finds herself caught between the past and the present as she navigates love, heartbreak, and the pressures of fame. With the world watching her every move, unexpected encounters, media scandals, and unresolved emotions complicate her journey. As tensions rise and feelings resurface, she is faced with a choice—one that could change everything. Authors note: Hey everyone! I know it’s been a while since I last posted, but I’m finally back with a new story! I’ve put a lot of effort into this one, and I really hope you all give it a chance. Writing this wasn’t easy, but your support always keeps me going. Thank you so much for your patience and for sticking with me—I truly appreciate it! Please keep commenting; your words inspire me more than you know. Hope you enjoy the story! Love you guys 💕✨
Comment which is your favourite part of the story
And also feel free to make any request for any other members or other group
The bustling chaos of the airport filled Y/n’s senses. She pulled her cap lower over her face and adjusted her sunglasses, hoping to slip past unnoticed. It was her first public appearance since announcing the cancellation of her engagement, and she knew the media frenzy that awaited her.
But the fans were relentless. As she walked toward the departure gate, a small crowd gathered around her, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of questions.
“Y/n! Is it true you and Seungcheol broke up because of Sewon?”
“Do you regret ending the engagement?”
“What happened between you and Seungcheol?”
Y/n stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding. She forced a calm expression, though her hands trembled as she gripped the strap of her bag.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t be answering any personal questions today,” she said firmly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
The cameras continued to flash, and the murmurs grew louder, but Y/n kept walking. Her chest tightened with every step, each question cutting deeper than she cared to admit. By the time she reached her gate, she felt like she could barely breathe.
Finding a quiet corner, she slumped into a seat and closed her eyes, willing the tears to stay hidden. The echoes of the fans’ words lingered in her mind, reopening wounds she thought she had begun to heal. But as painful as it was, Y/n reminded herself why she had made the decision to walk away. It was for her own peace, her own worth things she refused to compromise any longer.
Seungcheol stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over Y/n’s contact. He had hesitated so many times before, unsure if she would even want to hear from him. But tonight, the emptiness in his apartment felt unbearable, and he couldn’t shake the need to hear her voice.
Taking a deep breath, he pressed the call button. The line rang, each tone dragging out the silence he dreaded. Finally, the call went to voicemail.
“Hey, Y/n,” he began, his voice low and uncertain. “It’s me. I… I just wanted to check on you. I know I don’t have the right to ask, but I hope you’re doing okay. I miss you."
He paused, the words catching in his throat.
“I… I’m sorry for everything. I hope someday we can talk. Take care, Y/n.”
Ending the call, Seungcheol let out a shaky breath and set the phone down. The emptiness lingered, but for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope—however small—that things might one day be different.
A day later, Seungcheol sat in front of his phone camera, his expression a mix of determination and vulnerability. He had debated for hours about making this video, but the backlash Y/n was facing left him no choice.
Pressing record, he took a deep breath and began to speak.
“Hi, this is Seungcheol. I know a lot has been said and speculated about my relationship with Y/n and the engagement we ended. I want to start by saying that Y/n has always been someone I deeply respect and care for. The decision we made to part ways was mutual, and it was a deeply personal matter.”
He paused, his eyes glancing down briefly before returning to the camera. “But what I cannot stand by and watch is the way she’s being harassed and blamed. Y/n does not deserve the hate or the accusations being thrown at her. She made the decision that was best for her, and I respect that wholeheartedly.”
Seungcheol leaned forward slightly, his tone growing firmer. “I also want to address the rumors about Sewon. She is a friend, nothing more. Any assumptions beyond that are untrue and have caused unnecessary pain to everyone involved.”
He exhaled slowly, as if releasing the weight of his words. “I’m asking, sincerely, for everyone to stop harassing Y/n. She deserves peace and privacy, just as any of us do. Please be kind. Thank you.”
With that, he ended the recording and uploaded the video, hoping it would help ease the storm Y/n was facing. As he sat back, he realized that while he couldn’t undo the past, he could at least try to make things right in the present.
Two days later, Seungcheol found himself dialing Y/n’s number once again. To his surprise, this time, she answered.
“Hello?” Y/n’s voice was calm but distant, guarded.
“Y/n,” Seungcheol said, his voice heavy with emotion. “Thank you for answering. I just… I needed to talk to you.”
She remained silent, and he took it as his cue to continue. “I know I hurt you. I know I let you down in ways I can’t even begin to make up for. But I want you to know how sorry I am. Truly. You didn’t deserve any of this—the doubts, the pain, the public scrutiny. None of it.”
“Seungcheol,” she interrupted, her tone sharp yet composed. “I didn’t answer this call to hear your apology. I’ve heard it before. What I needed from you was action, not words. And you failed me when it mattered most.”
He swallowed hard, the weight of her words cutting through him. “I know. I just… I hoped there might be a way to fix this. To fix us.”
“There’s no fixing this,” Y/n said firmly. “Not anymore. I gave everything to this relationship, and I lost myself in the process. I won’t do that again.”
Her words were final, and Seungcheol felt his chest tighten. “I understand,” he said quietly. “I just want you to be happy, Y/n. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I hope you find happiness too,” she replied
Under the bright lights of Y/n’s solo concert, Seungcheol and the members of Seventeen stood backstage, waiting for the show to begin. The crowd’s energy was electric, and their excitement mirrored the audience’s.
When Y/n finally took the stage, she owned it. Her presence was magnetic, her voice captivating as she performed with a passion that seemed to radiate beyond the stage. Seungcheol found himself mesmerized, his admiration growing with every song.
“She’s incredible,” Jeonghan whispered, nudging him. “No wonder everyone’s in love with her.”
Seungkwan nodded enthusiastically. “She’s not just talented; she’s got this aura. It’s impossible not to admire her.”
As Y/n finished her set and thanked the audience, her smile was radiant, lighting up the entire arena. Seungcheol couldn’t help but feel a spark of something deeper—a connection he couldn’t quite explain.
When they were finally introduced backstage, Y/n was gracious and warm despite the exhaustion evident in her eyes. She greeted each member with genuine kindness, and when her gaze met Seungcheol’s, he felt his heart skip a beat.
“You were amazing out there,” he said, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest.
“Thank you,” she replied, her smile soft and sincere. “I’ve heard so much about you and your group. It’s an honor to finally meet you all.”
That night, Seungcheol found himself lingering after the others had left, gathering the courage to speak again. “Y/n,” he began, his voice quieter this time, “I was wondering… if you’d like to grab coffee sometime. Just us.”
Her eyebrows rose slightly, surprise flickering across her face. Then, she smiled—a real, genuine smile that made his heart race. “I’d like that,” she said simply.
And so, it began. Coffee turned into late-night conversations, shared laughter, and a deep bond that grew stronger with each passing day. For Seungcheol, falling in love with Y/n was as natural as breathing, and in her presence, he felt like he had found a kindred spirit. The world seemed brighter, and the burdens of their demanding careers felt lighter when they were together.
Though their love story had its share of challenges, those early days were a reminder of the connection that had once brought them so much joy. And even now, as Seungcheol reflected on everything they had lost, he couldn’t help but cherish the moments that had made him fall in love with her in the first place.
As their coffee meetings turned into a weekly ritual, Seungcheol found himself looking forward to those moments more than anything else. Y/n had a way of making him laugh, even on his worst days. She listened intently, offering advice when he needed it and silence when words weren’t enough.
One evening, after a particularly long day of rehearsals, Seungcheol showed up at their favorite cafe, his exhaustion evident. Y/n noticed immediately and pushed a steaming cup of tea toward him.
“You look like you’ve been through a war,” she teased gently.
He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “Something like that. But seeing you makes it all worth it.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she hid it behind her own cup. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Choi Seungcheol.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he replied with a playful smirk. “It got me here with you, didn’t it?”
Their banter flowed effortlessly, the connection between them growing deeper with every interaction. Over time, Seungcheol began to realize that Y/n wasn’t just someone he admired—she was someone he wanted by his side, through every high and low.
One night, as they walked along a quiet street after another coffee date, Seungcheol stopped abruptly. Y/n turned to him, puzzled.
“What is it?” she asked.
He hesitated, his heart pounding. Then, he took a deep breath. “Y/n, I know we’ve only been seeing each other for a short time, but… I like you. A lot. And I was wondering if you’d give us a chance—like, a real chance.”
Y/n stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, he feared he had ruined everything. But then she smiled, her eyes softening.
“I’d like that,” she said simply.
Relief and joy washed over Seungcheol, and without thinking, he reached for her hand. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she squeezed his hand gently, and they continued walking, their steps perfectly in sync.
It was the beginning of a love story that would change both of their lives forever.
Three years into their relationship, Seungcheol knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted Y/n to know how deeply she meant to him and how much he wanted to build a future together. With the help of the Seventeen members, he meticulously planned the proposal.
The venue was a private rooftop garden, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and surrounded by blooming flowers. It was the same place they had shared their first late-night conversation about their dreams and fears. Seungcheol wanted the moment to feel intimate, just as their relationship had always been—a sanctuary from the chaotic world around them.
Y/n arrived at the venue under the pretense of a casual date. As she stepped onto the rooftop, her breath hitched at the sight before her. A path lined with candles led to Seungcheol, who stood waiting under an arch draped in soft, white fabric and flowers.
He smiled nervously as she approached, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. “You’re here,” he said, his voice tinged with both excitement and nerves.
“What is all this?” she asked, her eyes glimmering with curiosity and emotion.
Taking a deep breath, Seungcheol dropped to one knee, pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket. Y/n gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.
“Y/n,” he began, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. “From the moment I met you, you turned my world upside down in the best way possible. You’ve been my rock, my partner, and my greatest love. Every day with you feels like a gift, and I can’t imagine my life without you by my side.”
He opened the box, revealing a delicate ring that sparkled under the soft glow of the lights. “Will you marry me?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.
Tears streamed down Y/n’s face as she nodded, unable to find the words. “Yes,” she finally managed to say, her voice breaking. “A thousand times yes.”
Seungcheol stood, slipping the ring onto her finger before pulling her into a tight embrace. The sound of soft applause broke out as the Seventeen members emerged from their hiding spots, cheering and congratulating the newly engaged couple.
The night was filled with laughter, love, and promises for the future. For Seungcheol and Y/n, it was a moment they would treasure forever—a testament to the love that had grown between them, steady and unwavering, through every challenge and triumph.
But as the weeks passed, cracks began to appear in their seemingly perfect engagement. It started when Seungcheol grew closer to Sewon, a fellow idol he had known for years. Initially, Y/n didn’t mind; she trusted Seungcheol and knew how important friendships were in their industry. But gradually, his priorities seemed to shift.
Missed calls, delayed responses, and canceled plans became more frequent. Whenever Y/n tried to address the issue, Seungcheol brushed it off, claiming he was busy with group schedules and projects. However, Y/n couldn’t ignore the pattern: most of his excuses coincided with him spending time with Sewon.
One evening, after yet another postponed dinner, Y/n decided to confront him. She waited for him in their shared apartment, her heart heavy with unease. When he finally walked through the door, his tired expression did little to soften her resolve.
“Seungcheol, we need to talk,” she said firmly.
He sighed, dropping his bag onto the couch. “Can it wait? I’m exhausted.”
“No, it can’t,” she replied, her voice trembling slightly. “You’ve been distant lately, and I feel like I’m not even a priority anymore. What’s going on?”
He rubbed his temples, frustration flickering across his face. “Y/n, I told you, it’s just work. You know how demanding our schedules are.”
“Is it work?” she pressed, her eyes searching his. “Or is it Sewon?”
At her words, Seungcheol’s expression hardened. “Why are you bringing her into this? She’s just a friend.”
“Then why do I feel like I’m competing with her for your attention?” Y/n’s voice cracked, the pain she had been suppressing spilling out. “You cancel our plans to meet her, you talk about her all the time, and you don’t even see how it’s affecting us.”
“You’re overthinking this,” he snapped, his tone sharper than he intended. “Sewon has nothing to do with us. You’re making a big deal out of nothing.”
Y/n took a step back, stunned by his dismissiveness. “Nothing?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you even hear yourself, Seungcheol? I’ve tried to be patient, to understand, but I can’t keep pretending that everything’s fine when it’s not.”
He looked away, his jaw tightening. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“I want you to choose us,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “But it feels like you’ve already made your choice.”
The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavily between them. Seungcheol opened his mouth to respond but stopped himself. Instead, he turned and walked toward the bedroom, leaving Y/n standing alone in the living room, her heart breaking.
The days that followed were filled with strained conversations and unspoken tension. Y/n tried to hold on, hoping that Seungcheol would realize what was at stake, but his continued indifference only deepened the rift between them. Meanwhile, the rumors about him and Sewon began to spread, fueled by fan speculation and media reports.
Y/n found herself caught in a storm of doubt and heartbreak, unsure of how to salvage a relationship that seemed to be slipping through her fingers. And as much as she loved Seungcheol, she couldn’t ignore the growing feeling that she was fighting for something he no longer valued.
One rainy afternoon, Y/n received a message from Seungcheol, asking to meet at a small café they used to frequent during the early days of their relationship. Despite her reservations, she agreed, hoping for clarity amidst the chaos.
As she entered the café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of soft jazz music greeted her. Seungcheol was already there, sitting at a corner table, his hands wrapped around a steaming mug. His eyes lit up when he saw her, but there was a hesitance in his gaze.
“Thanks for coming,” he said as she sat down across from him.
Y/n nodded, folding her hands on the table. “What did you want to talk about?”
Seungcheol sighed, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his mug. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us… about everything.”
“And?” Y/n prompted, her heart pounding in anticipation.
“I don’t think I’m ready for marriage,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I was, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I’m too young. There’s so much going on in my career, and I feel like I’m being pulled in so many directions.”
Y/n stared at him, her chest tightening. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? Before proposing?”
“I thought I could handle it,” he said, his eyes filled with regret. “I thought my love for you would be enough to overcome everything else. But now, I’m not so sure.”
Her lips trembled as she spoke. “Do you even want to be with me, Seungcheol? Or am I just another thing you’re unsure about?”
“Of course I want to be with you,” he said quickly, reaching across the table for her hand. She pulled away, shaking her head.
“You can’t have it both ways,” she said, her voice breaking. “You can’t ask me to commit my life to you while you’re unsure about yours.”
Her voice was sharper now, the edge of frustration cutting through. “Is it about Sewon?”
Seungcheol’s silence spoke louder than words. Sewon’s name had become a sore point between them in recent months. A close friend and fellow idol, her bond with Seungcheol had always been evident. While Y/n had trusted him implicitly, the whispers of fans and the media began to seep into her mind, planting seeds of doubt.
“She’s just a friend,” he said, but his tone lacked conviction. “You know that.”
“Do I?” Y/n’s voice cracked, betraying the pain she had tried so hard to mask. “Do you realize how it feels to constantly see her by your side, laughing with you, leaning on you? And the worst part? You’ve never once tried to reassure me."
Seungcheol reached across the table, his hand hovering over hers. “I never meant to hurt you. You have to believe me.”
“Then why does it feel like I’m the only one fighting for this relationship?” She pulled her hand away, tears threatening to spill. “We’re supposed to be partners, Seungcheol. But lately, it feels like I’m competing for your attention.”
“Maybe… maybe we need some time apart,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Y/n felt her heart shatter. The engagement ring on her finger suddenly felt like a burden, its brilliance mocking her pain. She slipped it off and placed it on the table between them.
“If that’s what you want,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. “Then I won’t stop you.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
Y/n felt her heart shatter. The engagement ring on her finger suddenly felt like a burden, its brilliance mocking her pain. She slipped it off and placed it on the table between them.
Y/n stood, her chair scraping against the floor. “You already have.” Without another word, she walked out of the café, leaving Seungcheol sitting alone, the weight of his choices pressing down on him like never before.
*Flashback ends*
In the weeks that followed, Y/n channeled her heartbreak into her music. Late nights in the studio became her solace as she poured her emotions into lyrics and melodies. Each song she wrote was raw and vulnerable, capturing the pain, confusion, and longing she felt.
When her album was released, it became an instant hit, resonating with fans and critics alike. Tracks like "Falling Out of Love" and "Shadows of Us" topped the charts, their haunting lyrics striking a chord with listeners. In interviews, Y/n remained composed, describing the album as a reflection of her personal journey but never delving into specific details about her relationship with Seungcheol.
One particular song, "Unspoken Goodbye," drew widespread attention. Its lyrics painted a vivid picture of unreciprocated efforts and the ache of realizing love wasn’t enough to hold two people together.
“I reached for you in the dark, but you were already gone. Promises turned to whispers, and now I sing alone.”
Fans speculated endlessly, piecing together clues from the lyrics and her recent public appearances. Some sympathized with her, while others continued to draw comparisons between her and Sewon, fueling debates online.
Through it all, Y/n remained focused on her craft, using her art to heal. Though her heart was still mending, her music gave her
Months after the release, Y/n was invited for an exclusive interview with a renowned media outlet. The interviewer, known for their probing questions, eventually brought up the topic that many were curious about.
“How do you feel about Seungcheol now?” they asked, leaning forward slightly. “After everything that’s happened, do you still think about him?”
Y/n paused, her hands resting gently on her lap as she considered her words. She met the interviewer’s gaze, her expression calm but tinged with melancholy. “A piece of my heart will always love him,” she admitted, her voice steady but soft. “I could never hate him. He was a significant part of my life, and what we shared was real and meaningful.”
She took a deep breath before continuing. “It hurts me to see him getting hurt. Despite everything, I don’t wish pain or hardship upon him. I think that’s what love truly is—wanting the best for someone, even if they’re no longer in your life.”
Her candid response resonated with fans and viewers alike, painting a picture of grace and emotional maturity. It reminded everyone that even in heartbreak, love could leave behind a legacy of compassion and understanding.
Seungcheol watched the interview late at night, alone in his apartment. Her words echoed in his mind, filling him with a mix of regret and longing. The song, the interview, everything she had shared publicly—it all made him realize just how deeply he had hurt her and how much he missed having her in his life.
On an impulse, he picked up his phone and dialed her number. It rang twice before she answered, her voice cautious. “Hello?”
“Y/n, it’s me,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “I—I saw the interview. And the song. I just… I needed to tell you how sorry I am. For everything.”
She was silent for a moment before responding. “Seungcheol, we’ve already been through this. I’ve moved on, and you should too.”
“I know I messed up,” he said desperately. “But seeing you, hearing your words—it reminded me of everything we had. I miss you, Y/n. I miss us.”
Her voice remained calm but firm. “You miss what we had, Seungcheol, but that doesn’t change what you did. You made choices that hurt me deeply, and I can’t just forget that.”
“I’ll do anything to make it right,” he pleaded. “Please, just give me another chance.”
She sighed softly, her tone filled with a mixture of sadness and finality. “Sometimes, love isn’t enough. I’ll always wish the best for you, but I can’t go back to the way things were. Take care of yourself, Seungcheol.”
Before he could say anything else, she ended the call, leaving him staring at his phone, the weight of her words sinking in. For the first time, he truly understood that some things, no matter how much he wished otherwise, couldn’t be undone.
Months passed, and Y/n eventually entered a new relationship. Her new boyfriend was kind, understanding, and patient—everything she thought she needed to heal. On the surface, they seemed happy together, and the public saw it as her fresh start.
But deep down, Y/n couldn’t shake the emptiness she felt. The laughter didn’t feel as genuine, the conversations didn’t spark the same warmth, and despite her efforts to move on, her heart still ached for the love she had lost.
She found herself reminiscing about Seungcheol more often than she cared to admit—his bright smile, the way he always made her feel safe, the late-night talks where they dreamed about their future together. No matter how hard she tried to deny it, a part of her still belonged to him.
And no matter how much she wanted to forget, she couldn’t.
One evening, Y/n took the stage at a major rock festival, her energy electrifying the crowd. She had always loved experimenting with different genres, and this performance was one of her most powerful yet—raw, intense, and full of emotion. She poured her heart into every note, her voice carrying the weight of everything she had been through.
Backstage, her old friend Seungkwan watched from the wings, deeply moved by her performance. He had always been close to Y/n and seeing her like this—fierce yet fragile—made him realize how much she was still hurting.
Unable to ignore it any longer, he reached out to Seungcheol. “Hyung, you need to come see her. You need to hear her.”
Despite his initial hesitation, Seungcheol agreed. The two arrived at the concert venue unnoticed, blending into the sea of fans as Y/n performed.
Seungcheol’s heart clenched as he watched her under the bright lights, singing her heart out. He could feel her pain in every lyric, see the lingering sadness in her eyes. It was a painful reminder of everything they had lost.
And in that moment, he realized—he had never stopped loving her.
The moment Y/n stepped off the stage, her adrenaline was still pumping. The roar of the crowd echoed in her ears, but even their deafening cheers couldn’t drown out the heaviness in her heart. She barely had time to catch her breath before a familiar voice cut through the haze.
“Y/n.”
She froze.
That voice. That tone.
She turned slowly, her eyes widening as she met Seungcheol’s gaze. He stood just a few feet away, his expression unreadable, but his eyes—those same eyes she once drowned in—were filled with something raw. Something she wasn’t ready to face.
Before she could say a word, her boyfriend Minseong appeared by her side, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Hey, is everything okay?” he asked, glancing between Y/n and Seungcheol.
The tension was suffocating. The members of Seventeen and her own group lingered nearby, uneasy, unsure if they should step in.
Seungcheol let out a bitter chuckle, shoving his hands into his pockets. “So this is him?” His voice was sharp, edged with something close to resentment. “The guy you moved on with?”
Y/n’s jaw clenched. “Cheol—”
“Did he ever make your heart race the way I did?” Seungcheol asked, his voice rising. “Or did you just force yourself to move on because you were scared?”
The room fell silent.
Y/n took a shaky breath, her eyes burning. “You don’t get to do this,” she snapped. “You don’t get to walk back into my life after all this time and question my choices. You were the one who let me go.”
Seungcheol stepped closer, his frustration bubbling over. “Let you go? Y/n, you walked away!” His voice cracked slightly, and for a moment, the anger wavered, revealing the hurt beneath. “You left me. And now you’re here, acting like none of it meant anything?”
“It meant everything,” she shot back, her voice trembling. “And that’s exactly why I had to leave.”
Her boyfriend shifted awkwardly beside her. “Maybe we should talk about this later—”
“No.” Y/n shook her head, eyes locked onto Seungcheol. “You don’t get to stand here and act like you’re the only one who suffered. Do you think it was easy for me? Do you think I didn’t spend nights wondering if I made the right choice?”
Seungcheol’s breath hitched.
Y/n’s hands balled into fists. “I waited, Cheol. I waited for you to fight for me, to give me a reason to stay. But you didn’t. You let me leave. So don’t you dare show up now, acting like you still have a say in my life.”
Seungcheol stared at her, chest rising and falling with the weight of everything he wanted to say. The members of Seventeen shifted uneasily, exchanging glances.
Seungkwan finally stepped in, his voice gentle but firm. “Hyung, maybe this isn’t the right time—”
But Seungcheol ignored him. His eyes stayed on Y/n, desperate, pleading. “Tell me one thing,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Are you really happy?”
Y/n faltered.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
And in that silence, Seungcheol got his answer.
The morning after the heated confrontation backstage, the internet was in chaos. News outlets, gossip sites, and social media platforms were flooded with headlines, each twisting the story in its own way.
"Y/n and Seungcheol's Backstage Clash: Former Lovers Turn to Heated Argument at Music Festival!"
"Caught on Camera: Y/n and Seungcheol's Explosive Fight – Tensions Boil Over in Front of Seventeen and Industry Insiders!"
"Seungcheol Confronts Y/n Over Their Past – Did She Ever Move On?"
Fan-recorded videos from the concert venue circulated online, showing snippets of their intense exchange. Though no official statement had been released, lip readers and “insiders” claimed to have deciphered the argument. The drama escalated as netizens took sides.
🗣️ "Y/n deserves to move on. Seungcheol had his chance, why is he acting up now?"
🗣️ "You can literally see the pain in Seungcheol's face... he's still in love with her."
🗣️ "Not Seungcheol pulling a ‘are you really happy?’ moment like it’s a K-drama 😭😭"
🗣️ "Her new boyfriend just standing there while Y/n and Seungcheol basically confess their unresolved feelings 💀"
Within hours, major entertainment news outlets picked up the story. Some reporters speculated on whether the ex-couple had lingering feelings, while others accused Seungcheol of being possessive. Articles broke down the timeline of their past relationship, analyzing every interaction they’d had in public since their breakup.
A particularly viral article from Dispatch read:
"Inside Y/n and Seungcheol’s Emotional Backstage Confrontation: A Love That Never Faded?"
"Sources close to the artists claim that the fight was years in the making. ‘They never fully moved on from each other,’ an anonymous staff member revealed. ‘Everyone knew there was unfinished business between them.’"
Another gossip site went even further:
"Did Y/n Settle for a ‘Safe’ Relationship? Fans Speculate That Her New Boyfriend is Just a Rebound!"
Y/n’s company quickly released a short statement:
"Y/n had a private conversation with a colleague. We ask for your understanding and request that unfounded speculations be avoided."
But Seungcheol’s company remained silent, fueling more rumors. Some fans believed it was because he had nothing to deny.
Meanwhile, Seventeen’s members were being bombarded with questions during schedules. Seungkwan, who had been there that night, looked visibly uncomfortable when asked about it during a live stream.
“Ah… it’s not my place to say anything,” he murmured, avoiding eye contact with the camera. “I just hope people don’t believe everything they read online.”
Three days after the backstage altercation between Y/n and Seungcheol shook the internet, the idol finally addressed the controversy.
At midnight, Seungcheol went live on Weverse, looking visibly tired. Dressed in a simple hoodie and cap, he sighed before speaking, his voice softer than usual.
“First of all, I want to sincerely apologize to the fans,” he began, his fingers laced together as he bowed slightly. “I never wanted to cause a scandal or bring unnecessary attention to anyone, especially Y/n. That night… things got emotional, and I let my feelings get the best of me.”
He paused, exhaling shakily. “I know many of you have seen the videos and read the articles. There’s no excuse for what happened. It was a private conversation that, unfortunately, became very public. And for that, I take full responsibility.”
His eyes flickered with emotion as he hesitated before continuing. “I also won’t lie to you. The truth is… I never stopped caring about Y/n.”
The comment section exploded instantly.
Seungcheol swallowed hard, his hands slightly shaking. “I don’t expect anything to change. She has her own life now, and I respect that. But I also don’t want to pretend anymore.”
💬 “DID HE JUST CONFESS???”
💬 “Wait wait wait HOLD ON.”
💬 “HE STILL LOVES HER??? SEUNGCHEOL WTF”
💬 “Someone check on Y/n’s boyfriend bc there’s no way he’s okay rn 💀”
“I loved her. I still do. And that’s something I can’t hide, no matter how much time passes.”
A heavy silence filled the air. The weight of his confession was undeniable.
“I don’t regret what we had, and I will always be grateful for the memories. But I also know that some things… can’t be undone,” he murmured. “No matter what happens, I just want her to be happy.”
He looked straight into the camera. “To the fans who were disappointed in me, I’m sorry. To Y/n, if you ever see this… I’m sorry for putting you through this again.”
With one final bow, he ended the live.
But the internet was just getting started.
Within minutes, hashtags like #SeungcheolApologizes, #CheolStillLovesY/n, and #Y/nResponseWhen? trended worldwide. Fans were divided—some heartbroken over his pain, others hopeful that this was the beginning of something new.
A few days after Seungcheol’s confession sent the internet into a frenzy, Seungkwan found himself standing outside Y/n’s apartment, nervously shifting on his feet. He had sent her a text earlier, asking if he could talk, and to his surprise, she had agreed.
When the door finally opened, Y/n stood there, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on her face. She looked tired—exhausted, really. And Seungkwan hated knowing that he had contributed to it.
She stepped aside, allowing him in without a word. He hesitated for a second before walking inside, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.
Taking a deep breath, Seungkwan turned to face her. “Y/n, I… I’m so sorry.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
She raised an eyebrow. “For what exactly?”
His stomach twisted. He knew she wasn’t making it easy for him—and honestly, he deserved it.
“For dragging Seungcheol to your concert,” he admitted, guilt evident in his voice. “I thought I was helping. I thought if he saw you, if he heard you sing, he’d finally get some closure. I never meant for things to spiral like this.”
Y/n let out a dry chuckle, shaking her head. “Closure?” She scoffed. “Seungkwan, I was finally starting to move on, and now look at this mess. Do you know how many headlines I’ve had to ignore? How many people have been asking me about my relationship, about Seungcheol, about us?”
Seungkwan lowered his head, shame washing over him. “I know. And I can’t tell you how sorry I am for putting you through this again. I never wanted to make things harder for you.”
She studied him for a moment before sighing. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me,” she said, voice softer now. “But you should have stayed out of it, Seungkwan. It wasn’t your place to interfere.”
Seungkwan swallowed hard. “I get that now. And if I could take it all back, I would.” His voice cracked slightly. “I just—seeing you like that on stage, I knew you were still hurting. And I saw how much hyung was struggling too. I thought… maybe, deep down, you both just needed a push.”
Y/n’s shoulders slumped, and for the first time, Seungkwan saw the raw emotion in her eyes. “You don’t think I know that?” she whispered. “You don’t think I’ve spent every single day wondering if I made the right choice?”
His breath hitched.
“I still love him, Seungkwan,” she admitted, the words hanging heavy in the air. “But that doesn’t mean we can go back to how things were.”
Seungkwan felt his chest tighten. He had hoped—prayed—that maybe, just maybe, things would fall back into place. But Y/n’s expression told him everything he needed to know.
“I get it,” he murmured. “And I swear, I won’t interfere anymore.” He looked at her with sincerity. “I just want you to be happy, Y/n. Whether that’s with Seungcheol or not.”
For the first time that night, Y/n’s expression softened.
“I know,” she said. “And I appreciate that.”
The tension between them eased, just slightly. And as Seungkwan left that night, he hoped—more than anything—that one day, Y/n and Seungcheol would find the happiness they both deserved.
The buzz surrounding Y/n and Seungcheol hadn’t died down, and after weeks of speculation, Y/n finally agreed to an exclusive interview. It wasn’t to explain herself, nor was it to address the scandal directly—she simply wanted to remind the world who she was beyond the drama.
Sitting across from the interviewer in a beautifully lit studio, Y/n looked poised and elegant, her aura calm despite the chaos that had surrounded her lately.
Halfway through the interview, the inevitable question came.
“Y/n, with everything that has happened recently, I think what everyone wants to know is… are you happy?”
The studio fell into silence, and for a moment, Y/n only blinked, as if carefully choosing her words. The interviewer watched her expectantly, and fans watching from behind their screens held their breath.
Then, Y/n smiled—not forced, not hesitant, but genuine.
“I am happy,” she answered simply, nodding. “I have people around me who love and support me. I’m doing what I love. I’m growing, learning, and becoming a better version of myself every day.”
She paused, her fingers gently running along the armrest of her chair. “I think happiness isn’t just about one person, or one moment. It’s about finding peace within yourself, no matter what’s happening around you.”
Her words sent waves across social media. Some fans cheered her on, proud of her strength, while others couldn’t help but read between the lines.
No matter how people interpreted it, one thing was clear—Y/n wasn’t letting the past define her anymore.
💬 “She didn’t say she moved on. She said she’s happy… but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love him anymore.”
💬 “If she’s happy, then that’s all that matters. She deserves it.”
💬 “So this is really the end for her and Seungcheol?”
💬 “What if she’s saying this to convince herself? She looked kind of sad for a second.”
And whether Seungcheol was part of her future or not… that was a story only time would tell.
Just when the internet was beginning to settle down after Y/n’s interview, a single post sent fans into a frenzy once again.
Late at night, Y/n’s boyfriend uploaded a picture to his Instagram story—an intimate yet casual shot of him and Y/n. She was leaning against him, laughing softly, while he had his arm draped over her shoulders.
But what truly set the internet ablaze was the caption.
"Thanks for letting her go."
Within minutes, screenshots flooded Twitter, Instagram, and online forums. Fans and netizens had mixed reactions—some supporting the new relationship, others furious over what they saw as an unnecessary dig at Seungcheol.
It didn’t take long before Seungcheol’s name began trending again, fans anxiously waiting to see if he would respond.
💬 “OHHHHH HE’S PETTY FOR THAT 😭”
💬 “No way he actually posted this 💀💀💀”
💬 “Seungcheol, don’t look at your phone bro.”
💬 “He really said ‘I won.’ But did he, though?”
💬 “This feels kinda insecure… if you’re happy, why throw shade?”
💬 “Y/n deserves to be happy, but this caption was not it.”
However, Seungcheol remained completely silent. No statements. No cryptic posts. No subtle likes or unlikes.
Following the viral Instagram story from Y/n’s new boyfriend, media outlets wasted no time in picking up the drama. Within hours, headlines flooded every major entertainment site, further fueling the ongoing controversy.
📢 K-Buzz News: "Y/n’s New Boyfriend Takes a Dig at Seungcheol—‘Thanks for Letting Her Go’ Sparks Debate!"
📢 AllK-Entertainment: "Is It a Low Blow? Y/n’s Boyfriend Posts Shady Caption Amidst Seungcheol’s Confession!"
📢 Dispatch Exclusive: "Aimed at Seungcheol? Y/n’s Boyfriend Under Fire for His Controversial Instagram Post!"
The articles analyzed every angle of the situation—some supporting Y/n’s boyfriend, claiming he had every right to express his love publicly, while others criticized him for being unnecessarily petty.
One report even included insights from an anonymous industry insider:
"It’s no secret that Seungcheol and Y/n had a deep history. For a new boyfriend to make such a statement so publicly… it seems more like a declaration of victory than genuine love. Fans are divided, and understandably so."
Online discussions became more heated, with netizens and fans picking sides.
After days of silence, Seungcheol finally broke his silence—and he did it in the most Seungcheol way possible.
💬 “I mean… he’s not wrong, Seungcheol DID let her go.”
💬 “There was no need for this. If he was confident in their relationship, he wouldn’t have posted that.”
💬 “Is Y/n okay with this? She’s been trying to move on peacefully.”
💬 “This is getting so messy. I just want all of them to be happy.”
During SEVENTEEN’s sold-out concert, emotions were already running high, but no one expected the leader to address the controversy head-on.
Right before launching into a rap solo, Seungcheol took a deep breath, smirked slightly, and let the mic drop to his side for a second. The crowd fell silent, sensing something was about to go down.
Then, he looked out at the audience and said, “Someone decided to run their mouth… but I can’t just let that go, right?”
The stadium erupted in screams.
Without missing a beat, the beat dropped, and Seungcheol spit bars sharper than knives, delivering what fans immediately recognized as a freestyle diss aimed directly at Y/n’s boyfriend.
“You think you won, but why you still talkin’?
Got my leftovers, but you’re still stalkin’.
Holdin’ her hand, but you checkin’ my page—
You insecure, man, just stay in your lane.
The crowd went wild, some covering their mouths in shock while others jumped, hyped at the unexpected callout. Seungcheol didn’t stop there. He ended the rap with one last line that sent chills through the venue:
Talkin’ like you won but you don’t know the game,
She’s not a trophy, she don’t need a new name.
You flex online but we know it’s pretend,
If you gotta talk about me, are you really her man?”
“Real love don’t need a caption, it just stays.”
🔥 FANS. LOST. THEIR. MINDS. 🔥
💬 “DID CHEOL JUST DISS HIM LIVE???”
💬 “HE REALLY SAID I CANT LET THAT GO LMAOOO”
💬 “That was directed straight at him and everyone knows it 💀”
💬 “The way Seungcheol handled this was straight SAVAGE but CLASSY.”
As expected, clips of the performance exploded online within minutes. Hashtags like #SeungcheolDissTrack #StayInYourLaneand #ICantLetThatGo trended worldwide.
💬 “DID HE JUST CALL HIM INSECURE???”
💬 “Seungcheol said ‘you got her but you’re STILL mad’ LMAOOO”
💬 “This man had enough and snapped 💀💀”
💬 “Y/n’s boyfriend better not check Twitter today.”
💬 “The fact that he did this in a FULL concert with THOUSANDS of people watching… legendary.”
Even fellow SEVENTEEN members couldn’t hide their reactions—Mingyu was seen howling with laughter, Hoshi dramatically clutched his chest, and Jeonghan smirked knowingly.
Meanwhile, Y/n’s boyfriend remained silent on social media. No response. No clapback.
Because at that moment, Seungcheol had already won the battle without even trying.
The K-pop world is ablaze once again as Seungcheol's recent concert performance has sparked a fresh wave of controversy.
Leading outlets like Dispatch, AllKPop, and K-Buzz wasted no time covering the unexpected diss.
📢 Dispatch Headline: "Seungcheol's Savage Rap Sparks Speculation – Is Y/n's Boyfriend the Target?"
📢 K-Buzz: "‘Stay in Your Lane’ – Seungcheol Sends a Clear Message During SEVENTEEN’s Concert!"
📢 AllKPop: "Seungcheol Breaks Silence in the Most K-Pop Way Possible – Fans Call It the Ultimate Clapback!"
The viral moment had fans dissecting every line of the rap, with many convinced that the lyrics were aimed directly at Y/n’s boyfriend following his controversial Instagram post.
The reaction online was immediate:
One industry insider told Dispatch:
"Seungcheol is known for writing deeply personal lyrics, but this performance felt different. It was raw and deliberate—he knew exactly what he was doing."
Neither Seungcheol nor his agency released an official statement, but fans noticed that SEVENTEEN’s official social media accounts carefully avoided posting clips from that performance—further fueling the speculation.
💬 "He didn’t even name-drop, but we all know who he’s talking about."
💬 "Seungcheol said ‘stay in your lane’ and mic dropped. ICONIC."
💬 "If I were Y/n’s boyfriend, I would deactivate every social media app right now."
💬 "Seungcheol is fighting demons with a whole concert tour."
Meanwhile, Y/n’s boyfriend remained silent on the matter, with some fans calling his Instagram caption “the worst mistake of his life.”
As the drama unfolds, all eyes are now on Y/n, waiting to see if she will respond—or if she’ll continue to rise above the storm swirling around her.
After the chaos from Seungcheol’s viral rap performance, Y/n couldn’t stay silent any longer.
Furious over the public spectacle he made, she reached out to him directly—and it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.
The tension was thick the moment he answered.
“What the hell was that, Seungcheol?” Y/n snapped, skipping past pleasantries. “Did you really have to turn this into a public mess?”
Seungcheol sighed, already anticipating this reaction. “I didn’t mention anyone’s name.”
“Don’t play dumb!” Her voice was sharp with frustration. “You knew exactly what you were doing! You turned this into a damn spectacle, and now everyone is talking about it.”
Seungcheol, still heated from everything that had happened, scoffed. “Oh, but your boyfriend’s post wasn’t a spectacle? He went out of his way to take a shot at me, and I was just supposed to stay quiet?”
Y/n exhaled sharply, her patience wearing thin. “You don’t have to stoop to his level! Do you even realize what you’ve done? Fans are eating this up, and now it looks like some childish feud. And me? I’m stuck in the middle of it.”
Seungcheol was silent for a moment before he muttered, “He started it.”
Y/n let out a humorless laugh. “Oh, grow up, Seungcheol. This isn’t about winning or losing. This is my life you keep dragging into the spotlight.”
Her voice softened slightly, but the hurt was still there. “I just wanted to move on. Why couldn’t you let me?”
Seungcheol clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of her words. “Is that really what you wanted?” His voice was quieter now, raw with emotion.
Y/n hesitated for just a second. But she forced herself to stay firm. “Yes. And if you actually cared about me, you would have respected that.”
The call ended before Seungcheol could respond.
For the first time in a long time, he felt like he had truly lost her.
After their heated call, Seungcheol couldn’t shake the guilt gnawing at him. He knew he had hurt Y/n, and no words could undo the mess he had made.
So, instead of words, he chose actions.
Every single day, he sent her favorite flowers, carefully arranged and delivered without a note. He didn’t expect a response—he just wanted her to know that despite everything, he still cared.
At first, Y/n thought it was from a fan or maybe her company, but as the days passed, the steady arrival of fresh bouquets started to make her wonder.
Then, one evening, she finally acknowledged them—posting a picture of the flowers on her Instagram story.
🌸 "One of my fav things." 🌸
Fans immediately flooded the comments with love, but one particular comment caught her attention.
💬 "Minseong is so sweet for doing this!"
Y/n didn’t respond, assuming her boyfriend, Minseong, was the sender. But before she could even process it, a verified comment appeared below.
💬 Seungcheol: "They’re from me."
The internet exploded.
💥 Fans Lost Their Minds 💥
Y/n stared at the comment, her heart dropping into her stomach. She had unknowingly posted a gift from Seungcheol, and now the entire world knew.
💬 "OH MY GOD. SEUNGCHEOL, WHAT?!"
💬 "The audacity… but also… the romance??"
💬 "Minseong is getting secondhand embarrassment right now LMAO."
💬 "This man does NOT give up."
💬 "Y/n, girl, we need a response ASAP."
The moment Minseong saw the comment from Seungcheol, he was furious. His name was trending alongside Seungcheol’s, and fans were speculating about their relationship.
That night, he stormed into Y/n’s apartment, his jaw clenched, his voice laced with anger.
“Do you have any idea how humiliating this is for me?” he snapped, tossing his phone onto the table. “The whole internet thinks I’m some fool who’s been competing with your ex this entire time!”
Y/n, still overwhelmed by everything, took a deep breath. “Minseong, I didn’t know the flowers were from him. I thought—”
“You thought what?!” he cut her off, his voice rising. “That I’d waste my time doing some grand romantic gesture when I know you’re still stuck on him?”
Her eyes widened at his tone. “That’s not fair.”
Minseong let out a bitter laugh. “Fair? You’re the one making me look like an idiot while secretly holding onto the past.” He stepped closer, his presence suddenly suffocating. “You liked it, didn’t you? Knowing he’s still chasing after you?”
Y/n took a step back, her chest tightening. “I didn’t ask for this. I was moving on—with you.”
Minseong scoffed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “No, Y/n. You weren’t. You were just pretending to.”
His words struck deep, but before she could respond, his hand slammed down onto the table, making her flinch. He didn’t hit her, but his anger was dangerously close to boiling over.
That was it. The final straw.
Y/n’s voice was firm, unwavering. “We’re done.”
Minseong froze. “What?”
She exhaled, steadying herself. “This isn’t love, Minseong. You don’t trust me. You don’t respect me. And I refuse to stay in something that makes me feel like this.”
His expression hardened, but he didn’t fight her decision. He knew he had lost. Without another word, he grabbed his things and left, slamming the door behind him.
The moment he was gone, Y/n finally let herself breathe.
It was over. For good.
Following the sudden news of Y/n and Minseong’s breakup, fans speculated about the reasons behind their split—especially after the viral Seungcheol flower incident.
To address the growing rumors, Y/n’s company released an official statement:
📢 [OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM Y/N’S AGENCY] 📢
*"Hello, this is [Agency Name].
We would like to address recent reports regarding Y/n’s personal life.
After much discussion, Y/n and Minseong have decided to part ways. They will continue to support each other as colleagues and friends. We ask that fans respect their privacy during this time and refrain from spreading speculation that could harm either party.
Regarding the recent online discussions, Y/n has no involvement in any public disputes, and we kindly ask for understanding as she focuses on her career and well-being.
Thank you for your continued support."*
— [Agency Name]
Late at night, Y/n’s phone buzzed with a message from a number she hadn’t seen pop up in a long time.
💬 "‘No involvement’?? Her ex-boyfriend literally humiliated her, and they’re acting like nothing happened??"
💬 "I just know Minseong is punching the air right now."
💬 "Seungcheol’s somewhere smirking."
💬 "Hope Y/n is okay. She deserves better."
💬 "They didn’t even deny the flowers were from Seungcheol. Interesting… 👀"
Seungcheol.
Seungcheol: Hey… How are you feeling? Seungcheol: I heard about everything. I just… I wanted to check on you.
Y/n stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She knew she should ignore him. After everything that had happened, after all the chaos, it would be easier to just move on.
But a part of her—the part that still remembered how safe he once made her feel—couldn’t.
Y/n: I’m fine.
It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either.
Seconds later, her phone started ringing. Seungcheol was calling.
She hesitated before answering. “What do you want, Seungcheol?”
His voice was gentle, laced with something softer than usual. “I wanted to hear your voice, baby.”
Y/n’s breath hitched. “Don’t call me that.”
He chuckled, but there was an undeniable sadness behind it. “I can’t help it. You’ll always be my baby.”
She closed her eyes, gripping the edge of her blanket. “You don’t get to say that anymore.”
Seungcheol sighed. “I know I messed up. I know I’ve made things worse instead of better. But I meant what I said… I’m not giving up on you.”
Y/n swallowed, her heart racing. “You can’t just decide that.”
“But I can decide to keep trying,” he countered, voice firm. “I let you go once. I’m not making that mistake again.”
Silence stretched between them. Y/n hated how her heart betrayed her in that moment, how it ached at the sound of his voice, how it longed to believe him.
“I don’t know if I can do this again, Seungcheol,” she whispered.
He exhaled, his voice softer this time. “Then let me show you that you can.”
The world was buzzing with excitement—both Seventeen and Y/n had been nominated for the Billboard Music Awards. Social media exploded with congratulations, and fans couldn’t stop talking about how fate kept bringing them back into the same spaces.
That night, Y/n was in her hotel room when her phone lit up. Seungcheol was calling.
She stared at the screen, debating whether to pick up. But a part of her already knew—she would always answer when it was him.
With a sigh, she swiped the call open. “What do you want now, Seungcheol?”
His deep chuckle came through the line. “Can’t I just call to congratulate my baby?”
She rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat. “I told you to stop calling me that.”
“I’ll stop when you stop running away from me,” he said smoothly.
Y/n’s breath caught in her throat. “I’m not running.”
Seungcheol scoffed. “Then tell me why every time I reach out, you push me away. Every time I try to come closer, you take another step back.”
She clenched her jaw, looking away as if he could see her through the phone. “Because it’s easier that way, Seungcheol. You and I… we always end up hurting each other.”
His voice softened. “Not always.”
“Enough times.”
A pause. Then, “And yet… here we are. Still picking up each other’s calls.”
Y/n closed her eyes. He wasn’t wrong. No matter how hard she tried to stay away, something kept pulling them back together.
“Just tell me one thing, baby.” His voice was quieter now, more vulnerable. “Is there still a part of you that wants me?”
Silence.
Y/n knew her answer. But she also knew that saying it out loud would mean stepping back into a storm she wasn’t sure she could handle.
So instead, she whispered, “Goodnight, Seungcheol.”
And then she hung up—leaving him with the silence that said everything he needed to know.
The stadium roared with cheers as Seventeen was announced as the winner. The members hugged, overwhelmed with emotions as they took the stage to accept their first-ever Billboard Music Award.
Backstage, the energy was electric. Staff members, fellow artists, and friends were congratulating them left and right. Amid the chaos, Y/n found them.
Dressed in a sleek black outfit, she approached with a small smile. “Congratulations, Guys.”
The members turned to her, pleasantly surprised. Seungkwan was the first to pull her into a hug, followed by Joshua and Hoshi. They had always been close to her, and despite everything that had happened, there was no awkwardness—only warmth.
Then, her eyes met Seungcheol’s.
He stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “You are here.”
Y/n smirked. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
The members exchanged knowing looks before slowly dispersing, giving them space.
Now alone in a quieter corner of the backstage area, Seungcheol studied her carefully.
“Thank you for coming,” he said softly.
She shrugged. “You worked hard for it. You deserved to win.”
Seungcheol took a step closer. “And do I deserve another chance?”
Y/n inhaled sharply. “Seungcheol—”
“Listen to me, baby,” he cut in gently. “I know I’ve messed up before. I know I let you go when I shouldn’t have. But I swear to you, I’ve never stopped loving you.”
Her heart pounded, but she kept her face neutral. “It’s not that simple.”
“I know,” he admitted. “But I also know you still feel something for me. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he was right, and they both knew it.
Seungcheol sighed and reached for her hand, his touch hesitant but warm. “One date. That’s all I’m asking. No pressure, no expectations. Just you and me, like old times.”
Y/n bit her lip, her walls threatening to crumble.
One date.
That was all.
What was the worst that could happen?
“…Fine,” she whispered.
Seungcheol’s face broke into a boyish grin, his dimples showing. “Really?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s just one date.”
He chuckled, squeezing her hand. “One date is all I need.”
The entertainment industry was buzzing with new headlines the morning after Seungcheol and Y/n’s long-awaited reunion.
Photos had surfaced of the two enjoying a quiet evening at a luxurious yet cozy restaurant. Fans noted how they laughed easily, leaned close to talk, and looked at each other like no time had passed.
🔹 "Seventeen’s Seungcheol & Y/n Reignite Romance? Spotted on an Intimate Date!"
🔹 "Old Flames Reunite: Seungcheol and Y/n Seen Boarding the Same Flight Together!"
🔹 "Eagle-Eyed Fans Notice Y/n Wearing Her Old Engagement Ring—Is Love Back in the Air?"
“Look at the way Seungcheol is staring at her… He’s so in love.” – A fan commented on Twitter.
“It’s crazy how they just fit together. Like they were never apart.”
If the dinner date wasn’t enough, a bigger surprise came the next morning when both Seungcheol and Y/n were spotted at the airport—boarding the same flight.
Fans went into a frenzy.
“Where are they going together??”
“This feels like a drama plot… a romantic getaway???”
It started with a simple Instagram post.
Y/n wasn’t one to flaunt her personal life, but tonight, something felt different. She uploaded a picture of her hand resting against a bouquet of white roses—and on her ring finger, a brand-new engagement ring sparkled under the dim light.
💍 CAPTION: “Some things are worth finding your way back to.”
The internet exploded.
🔥 BREAKING NEWS: Y/n Is Engaged!
"Months after rekindling her romance with Seungcheol, fans noticed Y/n sporting a dazzling engagement ring. While no official statement has been released, the caption and the ring say it all!"
As the world celebrated, somewhere in the quiet of their own little world, Seungcheol pulled Y/n into his arms and whispered against her forehead:
📝 Fans React:
💬 “THEY’RE REALLY ENDGAME OMG 😭😭”
💬 “Seungcheol, you romantic fool, YOU DID IT!!”
💬 “The way this love story has come full circle… I’M SOBBING.”
“Told you I’d never stop trying, baby."
Seventeen’s leader, Choi Seungcheol, has just dropped the biggest bombshell during an album promotion event—he and Y/n are officially married!
During an interview for Seventeen’s latest album, the members were discussing the inspiration behind their new songs. When asked about the meaning behind a particularly heartfelt track, Seungcheol smiled knowingly.
“This one’s special. It’s about someone I love. Actually… I guess it’s the perfect time to say it—Y/n and I recently got married.”
The room went silent for a second before exploding into chaos.
The members clapped and cheered. The interviewers were speechless, fumbling for words before finally stuttering, “Wait—married?! Like, officially?”
Seungcheol grinned. “Yeah. Officially.”
As if that wasn’t enough, minutes after the interview aired, Seungcheol posted a never-before-seen picture of Y/n on his Instagram.
The photo was simple yet stunning—Y/n sitting in their living room, wearing one of Seungcheol’s oversized hoodies, holding a cup of tea with a soft smile.
The caption?
“Wifey. ❤️”
Within minutes, social media exploded.
Even celebrities joined in.
🔹 "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WIFEY????? SEUNGCHEOL PLEASE EXPLAIN.”
🔹 “Not only are they back together, THEY’RE ACTUALLY MARRIED. MY HEART CAN’T TAKE THIS.”
🔹 "This man just dropped a marriage announcement like it was a casual Tuesday.”
Jeonghan commented: “Wow, we lost him for real. Congrats, bro.”
Seungkwan: “I DESERVE CREDIT FOR THIS!!!”
Hoshi: “Does this mean I can still be part of your love story? 😭”
Following Seungcheol’s viral "Wifey ❤️" post, fans eagerly waited for Y/n’s response—and she did not disappoint.
She uploaded a candid photo of Seungcheol in their home, wearing a cozy sweater, running a hand through his hair as he smiled at something off-camera.
The caption?
“Hubby ❤️”
As expected, the internet went absolutely wild.
Mingyu: “Wow, you two are really doing this, huh?”
🔹 “WIFEY AND HUBBY POSTS ON THE SAME DAY???? THEY ARE SO IN LOVE I’M CRYING.”
🔹 “Y/n is now officially the luckiest person alive. Like. LOOK AT HIM.”
🔹 “THEY REALLY GOT MARRIED AND NOW THEY’RE CASUALLY POSTING ABOUT IT LIKE THIS ISN’T THE BIGGEST NEWS EVER.”
Jeonghan: “I give it 3 months before Seungcheol starts posting ‘My wife is the most beautiful person in the world’ every single day.”
Woozi: “Congrats, now please stop writing sad songs about her.”
Felix (Stray Kids): “This is actually the cutest thing I’ve seen in my life.”
After days of trending worldwide, Seungcheol and Y/n finally sat down for their first official interview as husband and wife. Fans had been eagerly waiting to hear their love story straight from them, and the couple did not hold back!
💬 Y/n: “A lot of people asked me this, and honestly, I asked myself the same thing at first. But… Seungcheol never stopped trying. Even when I was stubborn, even when I told him to move on, he just kept proving to me—through his actions, not just words—that his love for me never changed.”
💬 Seungcheol: [laughs shyly] “It was never even a question for me. I just knew she was the one, and I was willing to wait however long it took.”
💬 Seungcheol: “I was nervous. Like, really nervous. I had planned everything perfectly, but when the moment came, my hands were shaking.”
💬 Y/n: [laughs] “I noticed! He dropped the ring box at one point.”
💬 Seungcheol: “I wanted it to be special, but at the same time, I didn’t want some big public thing. So, I took her to the place where we had our very first date. Just the two of us. I told her everything I felt—why I loved her, why I’d never stop choosing her. And then I got down on one knee and asked.”
💬 Y/n: “And I said yes. Obviously.”
💬 Seungcheol: [groans] “Oh my God. They were worse than me.”
💬 Y/n: “It was adorable, actually.”
💬 Seungcheol: “So, before I proposed, the guys decided they had to be involved. I thought they’d just help with the setup or something, but no… they insisted on singing ‘Marry Me’ by Jason Derulo while I was proposing.”
💬 Y/n: “I walked into the venue and suddenly all of Seventeen was standing there, singing with way too much passion.”
💬 Seungcheol: “Jeonghan was even pretending to wipe tears like he was my mother.”
💬 Y/n: [laughing] “It was so chaotic but also the sweetest thing ever.”
💬 Y/n: “We really wanted to enjoy this moment for ourselves first. In this industry, so much of our lives is public, and we just wanted a little while where it was just us.”
💬 Y/n: [teasingly] “He was persistent. Annoyingly so.”
💬 Seungcheol: “I sent her flowers every day, wrote her letters, checked in on her, reminded her of all the little things I remembered about her. I just wanted her to know that no matter how much time passed, my love for her never changed.”
💬 Y/n: “At first, I was so set on keeping my distance, but then one day… I realized I didn’t want to run anymore.”
💬 Seungcheol: “So, you admit I won?”
💬 Y/n: [laughs] “You never had to ‘win.’ You were already the one.”
💬 Seungcheol: “I know our story has been crazy—lots of ups and downs. But I think that’s what makes it special. We grew, we changed, and we still found our way back to each other. And now… I get to call her my wife.”
💬 Y/n: “And I get to call him my husband.”
💬 Seungcheol: [grinning at her] “Best title I’ve ever had.”
As expected, social media exploded with love and admiration for the couple.
🔹 “This is literally a K-drama but real life.”
🔹 “Seventeen SINGING while he proposed? I need a documentary on this whole love story.”
🔹 “They were always meant to be. I’m so happy for them.”
With their love stronger than ever, Seungcheol and Y/n’s journey continues—but this time, as husband and wife.
My life every single day, it’s either barely any fics or they’re all x fem readers…like it’s not fair 😭
Not enough vander fics on here, I’m kinda concerned guys
MY EVERYTHING — KWON SOONYOUNG
SYNOPSIS — To Hoshi, you’re everything but his official girlfriend. So, of course, he will have to change that no matter what it takes… starting off with his long awaiting confession (and constant pestering from his dance mates).
PAIRING — best-friend!hoshi x crush-fem!reader (ft. performance unit of seventeen)
GENRE(S) — mini smau (27 photos), somewhat friends with benefits, friends to lovers, fluff, crack, angst if u squint (like seriously), and non-idol au but they are still dancers.
WARNING(S) — swearing, friendly fire, kys jokes (and threats), hoshi is a big loser over y/n like big, and minghao is harsh as hell but it’s funny.
PLAYLIST — the cutest pair by regina song, take a chance by wimy, everything by the black skirts, i’m in love with you by the 1975, all i need to hear by the 1975, soft spot by keshi, and bad by wave to earth.
NOTE — i was writing and listening to everything by the black skirts then this was formed…. purposely chose a svt member just for rhin so 🤣 enjoy… pls (and pretend i didn’t post four works in the last two days k thanks)
SEVENTEEN PERM TAGLIST — @macapunoz
© JUYEOZ
Pairing: Slash x Reader
A/N: Slash as a dad aka the cutest shit ever
Keep reading
cute guy in the park
this is oscar
where the bleep is oscar
reunited
a day with cooper
‘why do you read “various x reader stories?”’
first, i’m a narcissist and will not read it if it’s not about me
second, I love the feeling of people liking me
third, I was ignored as a child
retrouvailles ❦ | mlist
💌 reunion (eng) - the happiness of seeing someone again after a long time.
⤷ happiness? are reunions always happy though? when you are reunited with someone you want to see the least, does it make you happy?
profiles 1
profiles 2
one two three four five six seven
eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen
fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen
nineteen twenty twenty-one twenty-two
twenty-three twenty-four twenty-five
twenty-six twenty-seven twenty-eight
twenty-nine thirty thirty-one thirty-two
announcement🙈
profiles 1
profiles 2
prologue one two three four five six seven
eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen
fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen
nineteen twenty twenty one twenty two
twenty three twenty four twenty five twenty six
twenty seven twenty eight twenty nine thirty
thirty one thirty two thirty three thirty four
thirty five
epilogue 1 & 2
✨ pairing: idol!seungcheol x idol!fem!reader ✨ genre: angst ✨ summary: it's been two years since seungcheol betrayed you and two years since you saved his career. you're both struggling as you learn to forgive someone who has hurt you. ✨ read part 1 here! ✨background info: -i wanted the girl group y/n is part of to be small so i just chose blackpink LOL. the other 3 members of this group are named kiki, jia, and halle! -y/n is 4 years younger than cheol- she's dino's age. -their group (blackpink) debuted 2 years after seventeen ✨ a/n: oh my goodness yall. why is this the longest fic I've ever written in my whole life. this is my child, i'll never feel prouder of any of my other works than this one. this took 5000 years to write- to all the authors that write 10k+ fics, im dedicating this story to you bc idk how yall do it. ✨ disclaimers: you guys already know this is NOT how I see Seungcheol, how I perceive his role in svt, how I perceive his attitude towards women, and how I perceive him as an artist. he's merely just a placeholder for this story. i love cheol so so much he's such a beautiful human and I want to make you all know this story is completely fictional. I purposefully left out what he said because it is up to your imagination. if you're interested, dm me as i had originally written it in the story but decided to remove it so it doesn't distract from the plot!
The crowd cheers, deafening screams as Seungcheol waves goodbye with a huge smile on his face.
The second the stage screen door closes, Seungcheol’s hand drops with a deep sigh. He mechanically turns to the flurry of staff who help him remove his mic pack, eyes blank and heart heavy. When they’re done, he walks away, running a hand through his hair.
His group mates noticed the change in their leader the day it started. They don’t understand why he’s been acting the way he has been for the past 2 two years. Sure, he was acting quiet throughout all of dance practice, song recordings, music video records, and everything else they’ve needed to do in Korea but they thought he would’ve cheered up by now, especially since they're back on tour after almost 3 years.
It’s actually the opposite.
Seungcheol has gotten worse.
He shows up to his idol work like a robot, like he's not passionate about everything he worked so hard for before.
Everyone watches him walk away, not doing much to stop him. “Alright, I’m going to force it out of him,” Jeonghan says with determination, lightly jogging to catch up with Cheol. Jeonghan eventually corners Seungcheol, and before he can get a word out, Jeonghan places a hand on his shoulder.
“I don’t want to hear it, Cheol. We’ve given you your space, but we’re worried about you. At least tell me what’s going on. It’s been 2 years since you’ve turned into this zombie. You’re like a stranger to us,” Jeonghan says softly with kind eyes.
Jeonghan has been Cheol’s closest friend in the group. He knows he can trust him. But Cheol has been keeping this to himself because it would mean admitting the truth about who he is. He’s so ashamed of everything he said two years ago. He was younger and stupider, but it’s no excuse for how he hurt you.
“Cheol, please. Please talk to me,” Jeonghan begs.
Cheol closes his eyes and hits the back of his head against the wall.
“2 years ago at the MAMA award show, I was talking with Dongmin about Y/n from Blackpink and it got super intense and I got carried away and said uh…”
Jeonghan raises his eyebrows, not sure where this is going.
“Some really, really, really shitty things about her. I don’t feel like repeating it. Turns out she heard me because she happened to be walking in the area and to make everything worse, someone fucking recorded me and downloaded it onto a flash drive. Pledis found out before I did because a picture of the flash drive was sent to my manager. Then we found out the flash drive was given to y/n.”
Jeonghan would have never guessed that this is what’s gotten Cheol so locked up. He’s utterly surprised but stays silent and keeps his face neutral.
“I went to go see her myself, to beg for her not to make the recording go public because it would genuinely ruin me. But, do you know what she did with the flash drive instead, Han?”
Jeonghan can see the tears in Seungcheol’s eyes, hanging on to his waterline.
“She fucking destroyed it.” Cheol pauses, suddenly gasping for air as his shoulders begin shaking. “She, she- she crushed it to pieces,” he says, sobbing.
Jeonghan reaches forward but Cheol holds his hands up.
“There were no other copies; that was the only proof of what I said. And she destroyed it. She told me that I’d continue to have a successful career because no one would ever know what I’m really like. And I've been living with this guilt for years.”
Cheol takes deep breaths to control his sudden breakdown.
“Every time I get on stage, I remember that I’d have nothing if she chose to go public with that recording. She could’ve destroyed me and I would've deserved it. Sometimes I wish she did. Because I don’t deserve any of this. These fans, this career, the money, the fame, the luxury- it means nothing to me because I am a bad person. And I hurt someone. I can’t live like this. I’m swimming in guilt but don’t deserve forgiveness so what if it’s like this forever?”
Cheol can’t even look up, afraid that his longest friend would judge him for his actions.
“Cheol,” Jeonghan says gently. Seungcheol looks up with blotchy eyes. “I think you need to see her again. It’s been long enough- maybe the two of you can have a conversation- a productive one where you can show her that you’ve grown. You’re not that person anymore and you’re willing to make it right. Don’t let your guilt end your career. You were saved once. You may not be so lucky next time.”
-
The other three members of your group have no idea what you’ve been going through for the past two years. When you told Seungcheol no one would ever know about what he said, you meant it. You’ve been bottling up your pain and sadness for all this time and pouring it into your work. Blackpink has seen even more success with two new complete albums but you refuse to let yourself rest. If you’re not writing new songs or producing them, you’re choreographing dances for other younger groups.
Seventeen’s success these past two years has also been incredible. Three new comebacks all well received. Sold out concerts all across North America and Asia. Numerous awards won. You can’t really bring yourself to be happy for them when you know just how close they were to potentially not having any of it.
Much to your dismay, your group has become closer to Seventeen, but you have made it a point to excuse yourself from going to any dinners or hangouts with any of the members of Seventeen. It’s a running joke that they don’t remember what you look like because it’s been so long since they’ve physically seen you. The only members you’re actively friends with from Seventeen are Hoshi and Vernon. When you need help with choreography ideas, you turn to Hoshi who knows just the missing piece to your routine. When you need extra input on a piece you produced, you turn to Vernon, knowing just how much his fresh perspective can complete your song. And even though they’re some of your closest friends outside your group, you refuse to confide in them about just exactly why you can’t join them for a group dinner or why you can’t go to Seungkwan’s apartment for drinks.
Truth is, you’re afraid. You’re afraid to see Seungcheol in person because you know you’ll fall apart. So much time has passed, but it scares you that you’ll still see him in the same light. Your perception of him is permanently altered, so much so that being in the same room as him will make it difficult for you to be yourself.
On this rainy night, you’re holed up in your studio, mixing your groupmate Halle’s recording with the beats you produced the other day.
Tomorrow, you and your group are appearing on a variety show with all of Seventeen. You tried your hardest to get out of it, making up lame excuses, trying to set up overlapping appointments and nothing worked. It was time to face the music at last.
-
“Ughhhhhhhh, I can’t believe our call time is at 5! What the hell?” your other groupmate Kiki groans, rubbing her eyes. The four of you are all groggily standing outside the makeup room in your various pajamas, having literally rolled out of bed and into the car that brought you here.
Your group is extremely talented and very hardworking but even after all these years, you never get used to the early mornings. You used to constantly fight over who had to get makeup done first and eventually decided that it wasn’t fair for one person to be up earlier than everyone else. Now you all wake up at the same time and sit around and try not to fall asleep while waiting your turn.
You love these girls so much. They’re your sisters, your family, and you’d do anything to protect them.
Three hours later, you’re all glammed up and dressed up. After Seungcheol’s comments, you decided to no longer wear revealing outfits- choosing baggy shirts or longer skirts over the more… form-fitting stage outfits you’re used to wearing. But today, if you’re going to see him, you need him to know that his comments have not affected you and your choices. So here you are in a very sexy, according to your other groupmate Jia, matching top and pants set that shows off your lower back tattoos and skin in all the right places.
You’d be lying if you said you were feeling 100% confident. In fact, you were sweating behind the knees- stomach churning, fingers fidgeting.
Seventeen has already sat down into teams, and you and your group would be joining based on predetermined pairings. You’re with Hoshi and Seungkwan thankfully- two people you’re very comfortable with so everything should be okay.
Introductions are being made as each one of you steps out from behind a curtain, dancing to one of your songs. You’re going last, so you have a lot of time to mentally hype yourself up to the fact that you are about to be in the same room as Choi Seungcheol for the next eight hours.
“And last but not least, the leader of Blackpink. She’s not only an extremely talented rapper and singer but she’s Blackpink’s producer and choreographer. But it doesn’t stop there! She’s choreographed over fifteen ensembles for her fellow peers in K-pop! Talk about a triple threat! So let’s welcome, the one, the only, Y/N!!!!!!”
The staff, the host, your groupmates, and Seventeen cheer as you come out from the curtain smiling and waving before immediately dancing to some of the choreo from one of the songs playing. Once you reach the middle of the room, you bow and wave to the staff, host, and cameras, before doing the same to everyone you walk past to reach Hoshi and Seungkwan. You don’t look up.
-
Seungcheol keeps his face neutral when you make your appearance from behind the curtain.
Time has been quite good to you.
You’re even more gorgeous than when he last saw you. Your hair is much longer, your makeup light but perfect for your features. And your outfit. Damn, your outfit accentuates all the right parts of you body but Seungcheol shakes his head of these thoughts. Afterall, it is comments about your body that got him in trouble in the first place.
Despite the pretty smile on your face, he notices your eyes are quite dull. You look… sad. He can’t imagine how you must feel being in his presence again. He knows you’ve avoided hangouts with Seventeen on purpose. In the two years since the incident, he has not seen you in person once. Your absence is a consequence of his actions. All the dinners and games and moments you could’ve spent with everyone have been flushed down the toilet on your end. Your decision to not be around him lets him know that you have not forgiven him. That you are still hurt and ashamed and betrayed by his words.
It’s a message to him and to him only. That you will punish yourself over and over if it means being away from him. But this variety show was an obligation- something you couldn’t avoid. So he does his best to steer clear and keep his distance.
Seungcheol doesn’t notice Jeonghan’s eyes on him, his shiny eyes meaningless to everyone else, but not to him.
-
After a long day of filming, you head to the break room to grab a water while everyone mingles with each other. Today was quite hard. Despite the games you played with Hoshi and Seungkwan as the best people to be on a team with, you had to deal with Seungcheol talking and laughing. Your only consolation was that he was on the other side of the room and you didn’t need to interact with him.
Chugging the water, you fan yourself as you realize your body is overheating from stress.
Turning around to head back to the filming area, you come face to face with Seungcheol.
Your face falls, and your heart sinks to your stomach.
Face to face with him for the first time in two years, you take a long look at him. Long black hair, styled perfectly to sweep along his ears. Face still as handsome as the day he begged for your discretion with the recording. Thick eyebrows, chiseled facial features, kind eyes. He’s wearing a white baggy t-shirt that somehow hugs his thick arms. Have his arms always been that big? You shake your head of your thoughts and take a step back.
“What are you doing here?” you ask, finally breaking the silence.
“I uh wanted to talk to you,” he answers sheepishly.
You let out a small dry laugh and look away, running your hands through your hair trying to plan how you can get out of this conversation.
“Look, I know my word doesn’t hold much to you, but I’m really sorry, Y/N. I really genuinely am. I have been beating myself up about it all this time. I don’t know why I said what I said and I can’t take it back. But I want you to know that I really want to work on making this right,” Seungcheol says all in one breath.
Silence permeates the room again as he waits for you to say something. Anything.
“You’re wrong, you know,” you say quietly. “Your words hold a lot to me.”
Seungcheol feels the world crush at his feet. He should’ve known better. He’s been in the industry for a little longer than you have and as your senior, he should’ve known that you looked to him and the rest of Seventeen for mentorship.
“How can I make this right?” he pleads, suddenly feeling hopeless. It’s in Seungcheol’s nature to not leave anything unresolved. He needs an answer to this.
“Seungcheol…seeing you has reminded me of what I’ve been trying so hard to forget.” You can’t look at him when you say what you’re about to say because you know you’ll start crying. And you haven’t cried in front of him and you’re not about to start today.
“...I can’t forgive you. That would mean accepting your words and allowing myself to brush aside my feelings.”
“Y/n, please. What can I do or say to make this right? There has to be a way.” His eyes are pleading, full of desperation and agony.
“Nothing, Seungcheol. I can’t absolve you of your guilt and I’m sorry if you thought two years would change things.”
There’s an ocean of space between the two of you. Seungcheol has been swimming to reach you but he’s drowning now.
“How do I live with this?” he asks you quietly after a long period of silence.
You look him in the eyes, surprised to see the tears sitting on his waterline.
But you stand your ground.
“You just do.”
-
Is holding on to this anger good for you?
You ask yourself this question every day. Life has ultimately been so dreary and grey since this situation with Seungcheol happened. When you destroyed the flash drive with the recording, you thought you’d forget everything he said, but it turns out you remember everything—word for word.
You don’t realize you’re crying until you feel a tear hit your hand.
When will you stop crying about this? It’s been two years, for god’s sake. The pain has been endless, and it’s only hurting you over and over. And the worst part is you can’t talk to anyone about it- even your groupmates. You don’t want anyone’s perception of Seungcheol to change.
It’s been a week since you saw Seungcheol again and if your friends thought you were a recluse before, you’re even more reserved now. It’s another long night at your studio and you’re dozing off, too lazy to go back home when you hear a soft knock on your door.
Completely alert now, you hesitate as you walk towards the door.
You’re not expecting anyone and you know Kiki is back home with her family, Halle is at her boyfriend’s house, and Jia is out of the country for a brand deal. No one else on your team tends to stay late on a Friday, so there’s genuinely no one you know who would want to see you.
Apprehensive and tense, you open the door and come face to face with… Jeonghan?
After a few awkward greetings, Jeonghan takes a seat across from you and tilts his head as if reading you.
“Why are you here?”
“I know what’s happened between you and Cheol,” he says with kind eyes and a small smile.
You freeze.
“What do you know?”
“I know he said something to you that would’ve ruined his whole career if anyone found out. He won’t tell me what he said though.”
“Okay, so what do you want?”
“Y/n… in all the years I’ve known Cheol, I have never seen him like this. I don’t know what to do because no one else knows. So I’m here for a lifeline. When Cheol first told me everything, I was very disappointed. As his friend, I struggled for days about how someone I grew up with could’ve hidden this dark side of himself. It’s not really my place to forgive him or judge him because this has nothing to do with me but I’m concerned about how this is going to continue. How do you feel about all of this?”
“I feel like shit Jeonghan. I think about what he said every single day and there are times when I get sad about it and then there are times when I get so upset that I just want to strangle Seungcheol. These past two years have been hell so I don’t need you to come here and tell me how bad Seungcheol has it. I don’t care.”
Jeonghan sighs. You’re very stubborn, he’ll give you that.
“I just think you might feel better if you talked with him longer. You let him know how upset you are and maybe the two of you can work towards forgiveness?”
“It shouldn’t be on me,” you say quietly. “You can’t come here and ask this of me just because your friend is sad. What about me? If you knew what came out of his mouth that day, you wouldn’t be here.” You will yourself not to cry again. “It is not my job to make him feel better.”
“You’re going to be sad forever, y/n. There needs to be some resolution, even if you won’t ever talk to him again. What you gave him last week wasn’t a resolution.”
Now you’re seething in anger.
“How dare you come here and tell me to forgive your friend under the guise of it making me feel better. There was a resolution, you asshole. I told him that I’m not forgiving him, and sometimes that’s the way life goes. It is not fair that I have to forgive Seungcheol for slut shaming me and degrading me and sexualizing me. I already did the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do! I destroyed the evidence in this very room! Seungcheol didn’t even have to beg. I did it without him asking. He should be jumping over rainbows and dancing in the stars because there’s no proof anymore that he’s a complete fucking jerk! And I won’t let you come here and beg either.”
Jeonghan watches as anger warps your face, tears stream down your cheeks. He’s been so worried about Seungcheol that he’s honestly never thought about what exactly his friend actually said to you. He’s gotten some hints from your rant just now and he finally sees you for who you are.
Yes, you’re the Y/n. Producer, songwriter, rapper, singer, dancer, choreographer. But you’re a woman. You’re 25. Still so young. You were strong and brave for handling this whole situation with Seungcheol when you were only 23 and you’re still strong and brave now, even as you sink to the floor and bury your face in your hands, sobbing.
Jeonghan stands up and kneels next to you, pulling you into his arms.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers as he lets you cry into his shoulder.
-
In your emotional state, Jeonghan ends up driving you home, even coming inside to press ice packs to your swollen face. Neither of you says a word, not even when he tucks you into your bed.
“Just promise me you’ll consider talking to Cheol. Give yourself an ending. You’re going to keep suffering if you don’t. And trust me, we’ve all noticed your absence at our hangouts. We’re worried about you,” Jeonghan whispers before you leave.
-
You’re not quite sure what you’re doing here. The dark clouds and strong winds feel like a premonition of what’s to come.
Knock knock
The door opens and Seungcheol stands still with his mouth completely open- shocked that you of all people, would willingly show up at his apartment.
“Hey, uh what are you doing here?” Seungcheol asks once he’s done gaping.
“I don’t know,” you answer truthfully with a sigh.
“Do you want to come in? I can make you tea?” he offers sheepishly. “Sure.”
Taking off your shoes and handing your coat to Seungcheol, you apprehensively walk down the hallway deeper into the apartment. You’re greeted by a medium-sized chunky white dog who slowly walks up to you.
“This is Kkuma,” Seungcheol says from behind you. “She’s a little shy at first but she’s very friendly, I promise.” You kneel down to be closer to Kkuma’s level and she immediately jumps into your lap, sniffing your arms before curling up into them. You lightly laugh, patting her soft head. Seungcheol is surprised. Kkuma doesn’t easily warm up to people she’s never met before. Huh.
You play with Kkuma for a bit while Seungcheol prepares some drinks. The way Kkuma is sniffing you and constantly licking your face makes you think she knows you’re sad. And even when Seungcheol returns with two mugs in his hands, Kkuma never leaves your side.
The two of you sit on opposite ends of the couch. Still an ocean between you. This time you’re both floating. The ocean is still.
Is forgiveness still on the table?
Is forgiveness in your heart?
You know it’s not. Not completely. Not yet.
“Why did you say those things about me?” you ask quietly, breaking the silence. This is the question you’ve been asking yourself all this time. What did you do that prompted Seungcheol to have this perception of you? You’re afraid that other people think this of you.
Seungcheol doesn’t answer right away.
“I think I was just… talking out of my ass. I didn’t know you that well and was jealous that you had reached levels of success that we took twice as long to reach. I just wanted something to blame, to justify why you and your group were doing so much better than us. You know I’m Seventeen’s leader, but I’m one of the weaker dancers, I don’t produce music, and I can’t rap as well as the others. But you’re Blackpink’s leaders and you do all of that and more. I was undermining you to an extreme level. And I’m sorry. I really am. I know I’ve said it so many times, but really. None of our subsequent success means anything to me because I hurt you when you didn’t deserve it, and you saved me when I didn’t deserve it.
I think about you all the time. I think about what you’ve been going through. How you hide from the world, only showing up for comebacks. How you never join your group for interviews, how you don’t join us for hangouts, how you never go on variety shows or music release parties. I hate that I’ve made you feel like you’re worth nothing, that I stripped you of all your talents and achievements and attributed them to something extremely inappropriate. I want to make this right even if it means severing our connection to each other. Even if we never speak again. Even if I never see you again. Sure, I’m sad and depressed, but I know that you probably feel even worse having to live with this secret.”
Seungcheol can’t even look at you, too ashamed as he comes to terms with his actions.
He suddenly stands and gets down on both knees in front of you. He looks you directly in your eyes, taking your hands in his.
“I’m sorry, I just want to make sure you know.” He holds your intertwined hands as he bows his head and cries.
You look up at the ceiling. You came here to tonight because for the first time in two years, you’ve been open to forgiveness. It is not your job or responsibility to forgive. If someone hurts you, you don’t owe them anything. Forgiveness shouldn’t be the only way to feel lighter because you remember all the nights you spent crying, throwing up, lying awake, all because of the words Seungcheol said. You owe it to your heart to be true to what you want. And in this very moment, you just want to put this all behind you. You don’t want any more sleepless nights because of this.
There’s a man on his knees telling you he’s sorry, and for the first time, you’re ready to take it at face value.
You squeeze Seungcheol’s hands back.
-
It’s 4 in the morning and you’re fast asleep on Seungcheol’s couch with Kkuma curled up on your stomach. Seungcheol emerges from the kitchen and quietly lifts Kkuma up before returning to you. He brushes some hair out of your face and softly caresses your cheek with the back of his hand.
He wonders if you always look this peaceful when sleeping.
Lifting you in his arms, Seungcheol brings you to his room, tucking you into his bed. He grabs a few pillows so he can sleep on the couch, but you grip his wrist.
“Stay.”
Chapters 1, 2, 3 here
Chapters 4, 5, 6 here
Chapters 7, 8, 9 here
Chapters 10, 11, 12 here
Chapters 13, 14 here (coming soon)
Chapter 15 here (coming soon)
Chapter 16 (finale) here (coming soon)