23

It is another busy day for SEVENTEEN; they are busy preparing for their debut anniversary.

The SEVENTEEN members are sprawled around the lounge section of the studio — some on couches, others on the floor. The staff is resetting the lights for the next shoot. Snacks are open, drinks are scattered, and laughter is echoing.

Jeonghan lays down across the couch. "I swear if I have to smile at the cake again, my cheeks will cramp."

"You smiled like you were going to cry, Hyung!" DK said.

"I mean...I was! I saw the calories," Jeonghan replied.

Laughter fills the room.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Scoups sits with his phone, grinning like a lovesick high schooler. He quickly types something and laughs under his breath.

Mingyu quickly noticed Scoups' lovesick look. "Uh-oh...look at our leader-nim."

"Why is Coups-hyung grinning like that?" Dino asked

"Maybe he is watching cat videos?" Hoshi said

"Ani...that's Heyoung just texted me look," Wonwoo said, without looking up from his book.

Everyone turns to look at their leader-nim—Scoups freezes mid-text, realizing he's been caught.

"What? I can't be happy on break?"

"Unless it's Heyoung-noona saying she's proud of you!" Seungkwan dramatically said. "Ani-ya...give us your phone, Coups-hyung!"

"Hyung, blink twice. I'd noona just call you cutie," Vernon said

"You guys are so unbelievable," Scoups said, shoving his phone into his pocket.

The door swings open and in walks Jaehyuk, holding a clipboard and a drink. He pauses the moment he senses the tension.

"Did I miss something?" Jaehyuk suddenly asked.

"Ani, Hyung—but your future brother-in-law is blushing over your sister!" Hoshi said.

"Oh? Again?" Jaehyuk teased.

Scoups groans. "Hyung, don't join them–"

"Coups-ya, don't worry about it—I already told Heyoung that if you mess up, I have your baby pictures ready to go viral," Jaehyuk said

"HYUNG, YOU'RE BLACKMAILING ME!"

Jaehyuk smirked. "That's family, Coups-ya."

The whole room bursts into chaos.

"Exposed!"

"Coups-hyung is so doomed!"

"Jaehyuk-hyung! Do it!"

"Honestly, I support this...Let's name it now—CheolYoung? SeungYoung?" Jeonghan teased.

"Wait...if they get married, does that make Jaehyuk-hyung our brother-in-law?" DK suddenly asked out of nowhere.

Jaehyuk slowly nods, "Which means I'll be your manager and your brother-in-law—double the power."

"Aniii...we're never going to escape!" Seungkwan exclaimed.

Scoups just smiled in defeat, "I regret ever checking my phone."

"But you don't regret talking to her, right?" Minghao asked.

Everyone became quiet as they waited for the response.

Scoups sighed, "No...I don't."

=====

The bright studio lights dim one by one as the filming wraps. Staff are packing up equipment, the anniversary decorations are slightly tilted from hours of movement, and the members of SEVENTEEN are stretching, yawning, and grabbing their things.

"That's a wrap, everyone! Great job today!" The director shouted.

DK collapsed on the couch, "I forgot how exhausting smiling for five hours straight is."

"Your face barely moved. What are you talking about?" Jeonghan said.

"I think my back aged ten years during that group photo," Hoshi said.

"It is worth it though...six years," Wonwoo said as he quietly zipped up his backpack. "It is still surreal."

Scoups smiled, "You guys did well today. Thanks for making it fun...and chaotic as usual." Finally relaxing into a chair.

"What now? Going home? Hit the showers or hibernate?" Mingyu asked.

"Hmm...shower especially in silence with a candlelight—no one around me for twelve hours," Joshua answered.

Everyone nods in agreement, looking ready to go—until a familiar voice speaks up.

"Wait..." Dino suddenly said.

Everyone pauses and turns to the maknae.

"What if...we grab some food first?" Dino said.

Seungkwan instantly replied, "YES!"

"I thought you were going to suggest something crazy...like karaoke," Hoshi said.

"Karaoke...after food?" Dino unsurely said.

"He's dangerous...he's evolving, Hyung!" Vernon exclaimed.

"What kind of food are we talking about?" Jeonghan asked out of nowhere.

"Meat? Samgyeopsal...maybe some spicy tteokbokki on the side?" Dino replied.

Minghao suddenly raised his eyebrow, "You're buying?"

"Emotionally..." Dino muttered.

Jaehyuk walks in, overhearing the boys talking.

"If you're all eating, I'm driving exactly none of you—unless someone promises not to blast trot music this time," Jaehyuk said.

DK immediately rejects, "Not me, Hyung. I'm all ballads tonight. My soul is tired."

"Let's do it...my treat—for old-time's sake," Scoups said.

As soon as he said that, everyone immediately cheered.

"Wahh...are you okay, Coups-ya? Is this another effect?" Jeonghan teased.

Scoups smirked, "Let's just say I'm in a good mood."

"Okay, okay! Let's go before all the good meat places close!" Dino said, standing up from his seat.

Excited chatter fills the air as the members start grabbing jackets, checking their phones, and yelling over each other about who's riding with who. The energy, though tired, is warm and buzzing.

"Someone call ahead—make sure they have enough for thirteen starving wolves," Hoshi said.

"And tell them to clear a room—we're so loud," Joshua added.

Scoups turned to Jaehyuk and grinned, "You coming?"

"Sure, if I get to tell Heyoung that you will be the one paying," Jaehyuk answered.

Scoups sighed, "Alright...let's go."

=====

The restaurant is buzzing with life. SEVENTEEN occupies two large tables pushed together in a corner—meat is sizzling on grills, side dishes cover every inch of the table, and the members are chatting, eating, and so on.

"I needed this more than therapy," DK said with a mouth full of lettuce wrap.

"I'm grilling here, but I don't remember signing up to cook for everyone." Mingyu sighed.

"You volunteered by being tall and closest to the grill," Wonwoo teased.

"Also...we like watching you suffer," Jeonghan also teased.

Everyone laughs as Scoups checks his phone subtly — again. A message lights up the screen

Heyoung<3

I just finished work!

Be there in 10 minutes

Scoups tries to hide his smile but fails spectacularly, and his members see it.

"Coups-hyung grinning again!" Dino declared.

"Heyoung effect!"

"Lovesick Coups-hyung!"

"Code pink heart emoji!"

Jaehyuk leans back with a smug smile, "Guess who just texted me? Heyoung just literally texted—Oppa, where exactly are you guys sitting?"

The group explodes.

"SHE'S COMING HERE?!"

"Oh, this just got good."

"Ani...quickly clean up the table—hide the chaos!"

"Someone please straighten Coups-ya's shirt!"

"Nah...It's already too late, He already looks like a nervous teenager." Jeonghan teased.

"Can you all not act like I'm about to propose?" Scoups groans.

Just then, the restaurant door opens. The wind chime jingles. Heyoung steps inside, wearing a casual work outfit, her hair pulled back. She scans the room—and then spots them.

"She's here! Heyoung-noona is here!" Hoshi loudly whispered.

Scoups quickly stands up—almost knocking over a side dish, "Heyoung-ya! Over here!"

Heyoung smiles and waves, walking over to the group. She greets everyone cheerfully with little bows and a warm smile.

"Sorry, I'm late...you guys look like you've been here for hours," Heyoung said.

"We have five years waiting for you...It's worth it, though." Seungkwan teased.

"Noona! Come sit next to our lovesick pup, leader-nim." Dino teased.

Soon, the members parted like the Red Sea, so Heyoung ended up sitting right next to Scoups, who was visibly trying to stay cool. He offers her water, napkins, and lettuce wraps all at once.

"Are you hungry? We saved you some meat...well...Mingyu grilled it but I supervised him." Scoups said.

"Oh really? A supervising leader-nim." Heyoung teased. "I'm so honored, leader-nim."

"You two are sickening," Jeonghan said as he pretended to puke. "But I love it."

Jaehyuk who's pretending to check his watch. "Alright, I'll give you guys exactly thirty minutes before I start asking serious questions."

Heyoung pouted. "Ani...Oppa! You're not scaring him—he already offered me his last piece of pork belly."

They all continue eating, the teasing softening into laughter, warm glances, and a glow that only comes after years of friendship — and maybe the start of something more.