Under the Same Sky

33. The end

The day began like any other, but it carried a sense of finality, an unspoken recognition that something was coming to an end. The members of SEVENTEEN gathered in their practice room, not for a grueling rehearsal or a last-minute performance prep, but to reflect on the journey they had walked together for over a decade. Today wasn’t about the music or the spotlight—it was about them.

Jeonghan stood quietly in the corner of the room, observing his members with a bittersweet smile. His eyes drifted to S.Coups, who was busy chatting with Hoshi and Woozi. Even after all these years, the sight of Seungcheol still made his heart skip a beat. It wasn’t just the years of friendship, or even the love they had built—there was something deeper, something irreplaceable about the way they had grown together.

Jeonghan moved towards him slowly, letting the warmth of the room soak into him. The memories of late-night talks, shared meals, and quiet moments came flooding back. It had all been worth it, every single second.

“Hey,” he said softly, tapping S.Coups on the shoulder.

Seungcheol turned around, his face lighting up instantly at the sight of Jeonghan. “Hey yourself. You alright?”

Jeonghan nodded, though his eyes betrayed the emotions swirling inside him. “Yeah, just... thinking.”

S.Coups tilted his head slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. “About what?”

“About how we got here,” Jeonghan said, his voice barely a whisper. “About how much we’ve been through together—how much we’ve changed.”

Seungcheol smiled softly, his hand reaching out to brush against Jeonghan’s arm. “We have, haven’t we? But that’s life. We change, we grow, and somehow we end up right where we’re supposed to be.”

Jeonghan’s heart swelled at the words. They had always been a team, no matter what obstacles had come their way. And today, as they stood at the precipice of something new, he felt more certain than ever that this was where he belonged.

“I’m proud of us,” Jeonghan said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m proud of you.”

S.Coups’s eyes softened, and for a moment, they stood in comfortable silence, letting the weight of the years wash over them.

“Let’s go join the others,” S.Coups finally said, nodding toward the group.

As they made their way to the circle of members, the atmosphere in the room was filled with both joy and nostalgia. Mingyu was teasing Wonwoo, as always, while Hoshi and Woozi bantered over something silly. Joshua and Seungkwan were engaged in a quiet conversation with DK, who, true to form, was making them laugh with his antics. The8 and Dino sat side by side, watching the scene unfold with quiet smiles.

Jeonghan took a deep breath as he looked around. This was his family. They had shared everything—successes, failures, moments of pure joy, and times of hardship. But now, the future seemed uncertain. Not because they would drift apart, but because they were all ready to embark on the next phase of their lives.

As if reading his thoughts, Joshua suddenly spoke up, his voice filled with warmth. “It’s been a long ride, hasn’t it?”

The room quieted, everyone turning their attention toward him.

“It has,” Seungkwan agreed, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Mingyu smiled, his eyes glinting with emotion. “We’ve been through so much together, but I think the best part is that we’ve always had each other. No matter what happens next, that won’t change.”

“Exactly,” Woozi chimed in. “We may be closing one chapter, but the story isn’t over. We’re just starting something new.”

Jeonghan felt a lump form in his throat as the weight of Woozi’s words settled over him. This was it—the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

S.Coups stepped forward, his usual leader-like composure giving way to something more personal, more intimate. “We’ve grown up together, shared our dreams, our successes, our fears. But what I’m most proud of is that we never gave up. We’ve always been there for each other, no matter what. And that’s what’s going to keep us connected, even as we move forward.”

There were nods all around, the room filled with a quiet understanding.

“Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together,” S.Coups continued. “And even if we’re not always standing on the same stage, or in the same place, we’ll always be a family.”

Tears welled up in Jeonghan’s eyes, and he wasn’t the only one. It was impossible not to feel the gravity of this moment. This wasn’t just a group of boys who had come together to make music—it was a family bound by something far deeper than fame or success.

“Let’s make sure we stay connected, no matter what,” Jeonghan said softly, his voice barely audible but carrying enough weight to make everyone nod in agreement.

As the final words were spoken, the room fell into a comfortable silence. It wasn’t the end, not really. They all knew that. But it was the closing of a chapter that had defined them for so long.

That night, they gathered at one of their favorite restaurants. It wasn’t fancy, but it didn’t need to be. The laughter flowed as freely as the drinks, and the teasing never stopped. They reminisced about old times, shared their hopes for the future, and, for the first time in a long while, allowed themselves to simply enjoy the moment without the pressure of what came next.

Jeonghan found himself sitting quietly beside S.Coups, the two of them watching their members with fond smiles.

“You think we’ll be okay?” Jeonghan asked, his voice quiet enough that only Seungcheol could hear.

S.Coups chuckled softly, nudging him with his shoulder. “We’ll be more than okay. We’ve got each other. That’s all we need.”

Jeonghan smiled, leaning his head on S.Coups’s shoulder. The night stretched out before them, full of laughter, love, and endless possibilities. And as they sat there, surrounded by the people who had become their family, Jeonghan knew that whatever came next, they were ready for it.

Because they weren’t just SEVENTEEN—they were a bond that time couldn’t break. And that was a new beginning worth celebrating.

The End.