35

The building is dim and quiet, but the tension inside is thick. The lobby is nearly empty, just the echo of footsteps as Heyoung and Scoups walk briskly side by side toward the executive meeting room. The air between them is tight—neither has spoken since parking Jaehyuk's car in the underground garage.

Scoups pushes open the meeting room door.

HYBE Meeting Room — low lighting, long glass table

Sitting at the head of the table is the CEO of HYBE, stone-faced, fingers steepled. Jaehyuk stands just behind him, arms crossed, jaw tense. A few senior managers sit off to the side.

A manila folder lies open on the table, a few printed documents spread out. No one speaks as Heyoung and Scoups enter.

They exchange a glance. Heyoung's hands instinctively curl into fists at her side.

"Take a seat." The CEO calmly but firmly said.

They obey without a word. The silence is heavy as the CEO taps the folder once with his finger.

"We received a report earlier today. Anonymous submission. Claimed that two people within our company—one an artist, the other an employee—are in a relationship."

He slides one of the papers toward them. It's a printout of a blurry photo–Heyoung and Scoups on the cabin deck, standing close together, their foreheads touching.

Heyoung's breath catches. Scoups stare at it, then back up—jaw clenched.

"We traced the timestamp. Less than 24 hours ago. Remote location. No public access." The CEO added. "Anything you'd like to say before we continue?"

Silence.

Jaehyuk doesn't look at either of them.

Heyoung slowly straightens in her seat, meeting the CEO's eyes. She opens her mouth—but Scoups speaks first.

"It's true." Scoups protectively said.

Heyoung turns sharply toward him, surprised—not by the truth, but by how quickly he admitted it. She reaches for his hand under the table, but he keeps both of his on the surface, steady.

"We've been careful. Professional. We haven't let it interfere with our work." Scoups calmly and sincerely added.

The CEO dryly looked at him, "Unfortunately, perception matters more than intention in this industry."

Heyoung firmly replied, "We didn't plan for it to happen. But we didn't lie to anyone either. We kept our distance at work."

"I asked them to be discreet. Not... hide in plain sight." Jaehyuk said as he stepped in.

"We weren't being reckless. We just needed a few days away." Scoups said.

The CEO leans back in his chair, expression unreadable. The silence that follows feels like an eternity.

"There will be an internal review. Both of your positions may be affected—temporarily or permanently. If fans get wind of this, we'll need a strategy." The CEO sighed.

"I understand."

"So do I."

The CEO closes the folder slowly, almost deliberately.

"You'll be contacted again in 48 hours. Until then, stay quiet. No social media. No contact with external press or staff. Dismissed."

Scoups stands first, then helps Heyoung to her feet. Jaehyuk doesn't say a word as they walk past him—his expression unreadable, but his clenched fists say enough.

As the door shuts behind them, the hallway outside suddenly feels colder. Neither speaks as they start walking. But their hands find each other, fingers lacing tightly, silently promising: whatever comes next, they'll face it together.

=====

The night air is crisp and quiet. Seoul's skyline stretches out in every direction, glowing under a blanket of stars and city lights. Heyoung and Scoups stand side by side at the edge of the rooftop, away from cameras, eyes, and judgment. Below them, the world moves on like nothing happened.

They haven't spoken since leaving the meeting room. Heyoung finally breaks the silence.

"So... this is real now." Heyoung softly said

Scoups slowly nods, "It was always real. Now it's just... exposed."

She wraps her arms around herself, not because she's cold—but because everything feels heavier than it did twenty minutes ago. He notices and shrugs off his jacket, placing it over her shoulders without a word.

Heyoung whispered, "I knew this might happen someday. But I didn't think it would feel like... this."

Scoups quietly replied, "Like we're being punished for being honest."

She exhales shakily. He turns to her, his voice a little firmer now.

"Do you regret it? Us?" Scoups asked

She immediately shakes her head.

"Never."

He looks relieved but still burdened. He leans against the railing, eyes closed for a beat, trying to hold it all together.

"What if they really separate us?" Heyoung gently asked

"They won't." Scoups firmly declared.

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I won't let them." Scoups said as he looked at her.

He steps closer, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

"I'll fight for this, Heyoung. For you. For us. No matter how ugly it gets." Scoups softly declared.

Her eyes begin to shimmer, not with fear—but with the quiet courage of someone who knows she's loved deeply. She takes his hand, squeezing it.

"Then I'll fight with you." Heyoung barely whispered.

They fall into silence again, standing close to the wind brushing past them—an island of calm in a world that may soon spin too fast.

=====

The dorm door clicks open softly. Scoups steps in, head slightly bowed, moving slower than usual. The quiet hum of the TV and the rustle of snack wrappers fill the air.

Seungkwan, Hoshi, Woozi, and Mingyu are lounging around the living room, half-watching a drama, half-scrolling through their phones.

They all glance up the moment they hear the door.

"You're back." Mingyu softly said

Scoups nods silently, taking off his shoes. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes are tired — not just from the long day, but from everything he's been holding in.

Woozi set his phone down, "You look like someone just told you SEVENTEEN's disbanding."

Scoups forces a laugh but doesn't respond. He slumps into the couch beside Hoshi, running a hand down his face. The others exchange quiet glances.

Hoshi gently asked, "The meeting didn't go well?"

"They're doing a review. Said there could be consequences. For both me and Heyoung." Scoups replied

Seungkwan sincerely looked at his Hyung and said, "Hyung... we're sorry."

Scoups shakes his head, "It's not your fault. We knew this could happen. I just... I didn't want it to blow up like this. I didn't want her to get dragged into it."

A silence settles, the kind filled with unspoken support.

Woozi quietly but steadily said, "We've known about you two for months, hyung. And we've watched how you treat her. How she makes you better. This isn't something you have to feel guilty for."

Mingyu nods as he agrees, "Yeah. You didn't do anything wrong by loving someone."

"She's strong, hyung. And she chose you just as much as you chose her. You're not carrying this alone." Hoshi added.

Scoups presspresslips together, eyes blinking quickly like he's trying to stop the emotions from rising. But Mingyu reaches over and pats on his shoulder.

"You've always carried us through the worst of it. Let us carry you for once." Mingyu softly said.

That hits home. Scoups finally exhaled, broken, a little grateful.

Scoups said in his voice hoarse, "Thank you. Really. I don't say it enough... but you guys mean everything to me."

Seungkwan gently smiled, "We know. And so does she."