20

Timeline: March 2021

SEVENTEEN had a schedule today—filming their music video for "Not Alone."

The waiting room buzzed with quiet energy. Stylists moved back and forth, setting up equipment and racks of outfits while the members of SEVENTEEN trickled in, stretching, yawning, and laughing softly among themselves. The early sunlight spilled through the large windows, catching on the silver accents of their performance gear.

"I still can't believe we're filming this early," Jeonghan said as he took a seat beside Joshua.

"It's called Idol life," Joshua grinned.

"At least we're not filming any choreography," Wonwoo said while sipping an Iced Americano.

"Aiii, hyung! Don't jinx it; we're doing dance practice later," Vernon whined.

The door opened with a gentle creek, and Scoups stepped in. His hair was still slightly tousled, and he gave a sleepy nod to the staff before walking toward the members. He plopped down next to Mingyu and leaned back against the chair.

Mingyu noticed the oddly quiet behavior of Scoups. "Hyung, are you okay? You look like you're still in bed."

"I'm good, it's just...I'm thinking something," Scoups smiled faintly.

"Ehh...hyung, are you thinking about the MV?" DK asked.

"Nah...it's Heyoung," Scoups said, wishing Heyoung was with him.

That got everyone's attention. A few heads perked up, and the quiet room turned into a room of teasing for Scoups.

"Wait—Heyoung-noona?"

"Did we miss something?"

"Hyung! It's the Heyoung effect!"

"Hyung! Did you confess or something?"

Scoups nods his head, "Yeah, I told her how I feel–I told her I liked her, not just a friend during our friendly date last Valentine's Day."

"Wahh...you actually said it? Like, "I like you," just like that, Hyung?" Hoshi excitedly said.

"Yeah, pretty much of it," Scoups grinned.

"And? What did she say after you confessed?" Jeonghan had a questioning look on his face but with a hint of tease to it.

"Heyoung didn't say yes or no but she said she was scared and not ready to commit, not just yet," Scoups said.

Woozi suddenly chimed in and said, "So...what now? What will you do about it, Hyung?"

"I understand her and I told her that I'd wait...I'm not rushing it or forcing her to do it. We're going to take it slow–I want her to feel safe with no pressure to. And I also told her I would court her," Scoups said. "Probably, Jaehyuk-hyung will kill me if I hurt Heyoung."

On the other side of the room, Jun crossed his arms and leaned his back on the chair, "That's actually romantic, Hyung."

"It is also rare...most people push too hard or give up too fast," Minghao added.

"You're really serious about Heyoung, aren't you?" Joshua warmly smiled.

"Yeah, I'm not going to play around—I want her to know that whatever pace she needs, I'll match it with her," Scoups said.

"Hyung...you're kind of like the main lead who actually gets the girl," Seungkwan sincerely said.

All of the SEVENTEEN members laughed.

"Alright! Let's finish this MV and make it look like you're not alone, Hyung," Hoshi said.

Scoups smirked, "And that's the plan."

=====

On the other side of the story, Heyoung sits at her desk, eyes slightly red from staring at her screen—papers and hard drives are stacked around her. She's editing a music video on a tight deadline. Then, Aerum entered the room holding a flash drive.

Aerum saw that Heyoung was still working and she wanted to add her unfinished work to her so that she could go home early.

"Oh, Heyoung-ssi, since you're already editing one of TXT's comebacks, you won't mind taking these Going SEVENTEEN clips too, right? They need to be sorted by tonight," Aerum smirked.

Heyoung blinked tiredly, "Tonight? I still have two sequences left for the main cut..."

"Well, you're the fastest editor here. Unless...you want to explain to our boss why it got delayed?" Aerum shrugged.

Much to Heyoung's hesitation, Aerum drops the flash drive on Heyoung's desk and walks off without waiting for a reply. Ayun, who's been observing quietly from across the room, walks over with a cup of coffee.

"I see Aerum-ssi gave you more work again, didn't she?" Ayun softly said.

Heyoung sighed and forced a smile, "It's fine, I can manage it...I just need to stay a bit late again."

"You've been staying late all week, that's not fine, Heyoung-ya. She's been giving you more work ever since you and Scoups-ssi...being close to each other," Ayun said, placing the coffee down on Heyoung's desk. "Give me some of the files, I'll handle some of the GoSe clips. Just focus on finishing the TXT clips."

Heyoung had her eyes widened because of the help that her Ayun-eonni offered, "Really? But won't that mess up your own schedule? How about your child at home, eonni?"

"Hey, it's fine...let's finish this together—and maybe do me a favor next time. And don't worry about my kid at home, I hired a nanny," Ayun grinned.

Heyoung genuinely smiled at her Ayun-eonni, "You had yourself a deal, eonni."

=====

Ayun yawned, "I can't feel my back anymore!"

Heyoung softly laughed at her Ayun-eonni.

They waited for the elevator to open, when the elevator's door slid open—SEVENTEEN was inside, fresh from dance practice, towels around their necks, and sweat still glistening.

SEVENTEEN made some space for them to join them in the lift.

"Whoa, working late again, Heyoung-noona?" Mingyu grinned

Jeonghan elbowed Scoups, "Looks like someone's been waiting for their special someone."

"Oooh, the editor and the leader—what a plot twist!" DK teased.

Scoups cleared his throat but with a hint of a smile, "Guys..."

"I just finished editing some files," Heyoung said as her face slightly turned pink.

Ayun raised her eyebrow, "Maybe blushing the entire time when we edit some GoSe clips."

"We should leave them alone before this elevator gets too awkward," Joshua chuckled.

The group laughs as Heyoung hides her face in her coffee cup. Scoups quietly step aside to make room for her.

Scoups lowered his head and whispered softly in Heyoung's ear, "Want me to give you a ride to your apartment?"

"Only if you don't mind more teasing tomorrow," Heyoung shyly smiled.

Scoups grinned, "Don't worry about me, I'll survive."