19. The Spotlight Beckons

2 2 0
                                    

The day of SEVENTEEN's comeback had finally arrived, and excitement crackled in the air. Jeonghan stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his outfit for the stage. The makeup artist had worked her magic, enhancing his features while still keeping him looking natural. As he stared at his reflection, he couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and exhilaration.

“Looking good, Jeonghan!” Hoshi called out from across the room, a broad grin on his face as he checked his own look. “Ready to steal the show?”

Jeonghan chuckled, the anxiety easing a little. “Just trying to keep up with you.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll shine like you always do,” Hoshi reassured him, giving a thumbs-up before turning back to his own preparations.

As the members finished getting ready, the atmosphere grew increasingly charged with anticipation. S.Coups walked in, dressed sharply in a stylish outfit that accentuated his features. His eyes lit up when he saw Jeonghan, and he made his way over, his expression softening.

“You look amazing,” S.Coups said, brushing a thumb over Jeonghan’s cheek, causing a blush to creep up his face. “You’re going to captivate everyone out there.”

Jeonghan felt his heart flutter at the compliment. “Thanks. It means a lot coming from you.”

“Let’s make this performance unforgettable,” S.Coups added, his voice filled with determination. Jeonghan nodded, feeling a rush of confidence surging through him.

As they gathered for their final pep talk before stepping onto the stage, the energy was electric. The members stood in a circle, each sharing their excitement and reminding one another of the hard work they had put in. Jeonghan could see the determination in everyone’s eyes, and it fueled his own resolve.

“Let’s do this for our fans, for ourselves, and for the journey we’ve had together,” S.Coups said, his voice steady and inspiring. “On three—SEVENTEEN!”

“ONE! TWO! THREE! SEVENTEEN!” they all shouted in unison, the bond between them palpable.

With that, they made their way to the stage, the roar of the crowd echoing in their ears. The lights were blinding, and Jeonghan felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. But as he stepped into the spotlight, the nervousness melted away, replaced by a fierce determination to give their all.

The performance began, and they launched into the choreography, every movement crisp and fluid. Jeonghan felt alive, the music coursing through his veins as he lost himself in the rhythm. S.Coups was a constant presence beside him, their movements perfectly synchronized as if they were one entity.

The crowd’s energy was contagious, and Jeonghan fed off it, his smile growing wider with each passing moment. He glanced at S.Coups, who was fully immersed in the performance, radiating confidence and strength. It was in these moments that Jeonghan felt their connection deepening, a shared understanding that transcended words.

As they reached the climax of the performance, Jeonghan felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through him. The choreography was intense, demanding precision and synchronization. They nailed every move, their bond shining through as they effortlessly complemented each other. It was a dance of passion, commitment, and love.

When the final note rang out and the stage dimmed, the audience erupted into applause and cheers. Jeonghan could hardly believe it. They had done it. He turned to S.Coups, his heart racing, and they shared a triumphant grin, their unspoken joy filling the air around them.

After the performance, the adrenaline was still pumping as they headed backstage, greeted by their fellow staff and friends. Cheers erupted around them, and Jeonghan felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

“You guys were amazing!” DK exclaimed, bouncing with excitement. “You brought the house down!”

“Seriously, that was the best performance I’ve ever seen,” Joshua added, giving them high-fives as they walked by.

Jeonghan felt a warm glow in his chest, his smile stretching from ear to ear. But as the congratulatory words washed over him, he spotted S.Coups across the room, surrounded by other members, laughing and celebrating their success. A pang of longing shot through him; he wanted to share this moment together, just the two of them.

“Hey, I’ll be right back,” Jeonghan said to Hoshi, who was still buzzing with energy. “I need to find Seungcheol.”

He made his way through the crowd, weaving between congratulatory hugs and excited chatter. Finally, he spotted S.Coups leaning against the wall, his expression softening when their eyes met.

“Hey, you,” Jeonghan said, his heart racing as he approached.

“You did fantastic out there,” S.Coups replied, pulling him in for a brief but warm embrace. Jeonghan melted into the moment, feeling the weight of the world lift off his shoulders.

“Thanks! I couldn’t have done it without you by my side,” Jeonghan admitted, pulling back to look into S.Coups’ eyes.

S.Coups chuckled softly. “We make a great team, don’t we?”

“Definitely,” Jeonghan agreed, feeling a rush of affection for the man in front of him. “I wanted to share this moment with you.”

They stood in a comfortable silence, the noise of the celebration fading into the background. It felt like the world had paused just for them, and Jeonghan could see the pride and love shining in S.Coups’ gaze.

“Let’s go somewhere quieter,” S.Coups suggested, taking Jeonghan’s hand and leading him away from the chaos. They found a secluded spot on the rooftop, the cool night air a welcome relief from the heat of the performance.

As they stood there, overlooking the city lights, Jeonghan felt the weight of the day settle into a peaceful calm. “I’m so proud of us, of everything we’ve accomplished.”

“Me too,” S.Coups replied, his voice low and sincere. “I’m glad we’re doing this together. It means everything to me.”

Jeonghan turned to face him, the moonlight illuminating S.Coups’ features in a soft glow. “I’ve never felt more connected to someone in my life. You make me want to be better.”

S.Coups stepped closer, his gaze steady. “And you inspire me every day, Jeonghan. Your passion and kindness push me to be the best version of myself.”

In that moment, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them and their shared emotions. Jeonghan took a breath, feeling the warmth of their connection deepen. “Can I… can I kiss you?”

S.Coups’ eyes widened slightly, a smile breaking across his face. “I was hoping you would.”

Jeonghan’s heart raced as he leaned in, their lips meeting in a gentle but electrifying kiss. It was soft, filled with all the emotions they had built up over the past few weeks—the love, the support, and the understanding. Time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, feeling the world fade away.

When they finally pulled away, both breathless, S.Coups rested his forehead against Jeonghan’s, a contented smile on his lips. “Wow.”

“Yeah,” Jeonghan breathed, still caught in the moment. “Wow.”

“Let’s keep this moment in our hearts, no matter where our journey takes us,” S.Coups said, sincerity radiating from him.

Jeonghan nodded, feeling a sense of certainty wash over him. “Always.”

As they stood together, the stars shining brightly above them, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them hand in hand—together, as partners and as SEVENTEEN.

---

Under the Same Sky Where stories live. Discover now