Seungcheol stood outside the courtroom, his steps uneven as he paced the small hallway near the exit. He had already given his witness statement, following the testimonies of his fellow members just a few days prior, but his mind was a whirlwind of possibilities, each outcome running through his thoughts, overwhelming him. The room just beyond the heavy door held the answers he so desperately needed, but the noise of his own racing thoughts drowned out all other sound. At least the media had been kept out of the building; here, he was free to unravel in peace.
For the past few months, the scandal had been front-page news, its details dissected relentlessly by tabloids and news outlets. It had only taken this long for the legal system to catch up, four long months after the events that had sparked it all. The CEO of a prominent entertainment company had helped orchestrate the downfall of a member within one of the nation's most beloved K-pop groups. It wasn't a story that could go unnoticed. National headlines had turned into international ones as the situation unfolded, shaking the entertainment world to its core.
A sudden crack of wood hitting wood echoed through the hall, sending Seungcheol's nerves into overdrive. He began to tap his foot anxiously against the carpeted floor, his mind spiraling into overthinking. Time felt as though it had slowed to a crawl, stretching the minutes into what seemed like hours.
And then, the door flung open. Aerin emerged, her eyes immediately scanning the hallway for him.
"Aerin!" Seungcheol called out before he could stop himself. Her head whipped toward the sound of his voice, and when their gazes met, the smile that spread across her face hit him like a tidal wave of relief.
"So?" he asked, trying to brace himself for the worst. He had prepared himself for disappointment, for failure, but the sight of Aerin, so vibrant and confident, immediately calmed the storm inside him.
Without missing a beat, Aerin nodded energetically, her smile growing with each passing second. Seungcheol, overcome with joy, lifted her into the air, spinning her around in pure elation. When he set her back down, his lips found hers in a passionate kiss, a moment of shared triumph that made everything worth it. The people responsible for the chaos, Hyunjae and her father, had been found guilty. A victory not only for Aerin but for the entire industry. The CEO's manipulations had come to light, and while the punishment seemed severe, it was a necessary reckoning. The testimonies from other idols under Pledis sealed the deal, and now, Pledis was set to be acquired by Big Hit—hopefully a fresh start for everyone involved.
The two of them stood in the embrace, still lost in the gravity of the moment, until a chorus of exaggerated gagging noises interrupted them. Aerin pulled away with a chuckle. "Oh, shut up, guys."
Behind them, the members of Eclipse were grinning widely, their expressions warm and teasing. "Congrats, you two," Aki said, breaking free from the group to offer her own congratulations. Seungcheol greeted each of the girls with a side hug, his connection with them growing stronger over the course of the past four months.
"Same to you," Aki responded, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Now, we'll leave you two lovebirds to your couple stuff!" With a mischievous wave, the girls disappeared, likely to celebrate the good news in their own way. They deserved it.
As the sounds of camera flashes grew louder from outside, Seungcheol turned to Aerin, his hand finding hers with a comforting squeeze. "The reporters are waiting outside. Do you want me to go out first and clear the way for you?"
Aerin, however, surprised him with a sudden surge of confidence. She turned to him, her voice steady. "Cheol... we're free now. I think it's time we stop hiding."
Seungcheol's heart swelled at her words. He squeezed her hand tighter, a smile spreading across his face. "Fuck, I love you so much."
As they made their way back to the dorm later that evening, Aerin's relationship with Seungcheol's members was evident in every exchange. Her bond with Jeonghan, for instance, had evolved into a playful but undeniable love/hate dynamic, one that was instantly showcased when he side-hugged her after teasing her about the news.
Seungcheol shot an amused yet pointed glare at Jeonghan, his member's antics nothing new. Despite the long-standing friendship they shared, there was still a bit of playful rivalry between them. "Everyone's on the rooftop," Jeonghan said, guiding them through the hallways.
As they emerged onto the rooftop, the lively chatter and laughter of the Seventeen members filled the air. Mingyu spotted them first, his face lighting up as he ran toward them. But when he reached Seungcheol, the usual easygoing demeanor of the younger man shifted into a mock pout.
"No 'hey, my wonderful leader, I'm so glad you're back'?" Seungcheol grumbled, watching as Mingyu wrapped his arms around Aerin's shoulders rather than turning attention to him.
"Oh please, she's one of us now. Plus, we like her more," Jeonghan chimed in, his voice full of mischief as the group burst into laughter.
And so, the night stretched on, full of lighthearted teasing and celebrations. The tension that had clung to Seungcheol and Aerin for so long had finally dissipated, replaced with the warmth of unconditional support and love. For once, it was as if the world outside of their little bubble didn't matter—they were free, and that was all that mattered.
