CHEOLSOO (SEVENTEEN) Softly Drawn Together

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Over time, Scoups and Joshua become close friends, sharing small but significant moments. Scoups, who is usually guarded, finds himself relaxing around Joshua, finding comfort in his quiet presence. Late-night talks become routine, with Joshua offering a listening ear and a steady shoulder.

One night, there’s a soft knock on S.Coups door. He opens it to find Mingyu standing there, visibly shaken

S coups

(opening the door) Mingyu? What’s wrong? Are you okay?

Mingyu

(stammering) I… I didn’t know who else to talk to, hyung. I… someone on staff… they made me feel uncomfortable.

S coups

(his brow furrowing) Mingyu, what happened?

Mingyu

(hesitantly) They kept bothering me, asking to see me alone. And then they wouldn’t… they wouldn’t back off, no matter what I said. I didn’t know what to do, so I came here.

S coups

(a calm but deadly edge to his voice) You did the right thing coming to me, Mingyu. Don’t worry—I’ll handle this

Scoups pulls Mingyu inside, sitting with him and talking gently until Mingyu finally drifts off to sleep, still visibly shaken. As soon as Mingyu is resting, Scoups stands up with a hardened expression. Quietly, he slips out of the room, not noticing Joshua watching him from the balcony.

Joshua watches as Scoups disappears into the night, a tense aura around him. He frowns, his mind racing.

Joshua

(thinking to himself): I know what you’re doing, Scoups . You’re going to protect him… protect all of us.

Joshua watches until Scoups is out of sight. A few minutes later, he decides to check on Mingyu himself. When he enters Scoups's room, he finds Mingyu sitting up, looking lost and scared.

Joshua

Mingyu? Hey, are you alright?

Mingyu

(shaking his head) I… I don’t know. I just feel so… vulnerable. Like I can’t do anything about it. (looks around) Where… where did hyung go?

Joshua

(sitting beside him) He went to make sure this never happens again, Mingyu. You’re not alone in this, okay? We’re all here for you.

Mingyu

(nodding slowly) He went out at this hour… (pauses, worried)

Joshua

(don't know what to answer)

Joshua talks with Mingyu gently, offering comfort until Mingyu finally drifts back to sleep. Joshua stays by his side, waiting until he hears footsteps approaching hours later.

The door opens, and Scoups steps inside. His expression softens in surprise when he sees Joshua waiting there.

S coups

(quietly) Joshua… you stayed?

Joshua’s gaze drops to Scoups ’s hand, noticing fresh bruises on his knuckles. His smile softens as he realizes just how far Scoups went for Mingyu.

Joshua

(smiling softly) Yeah. Mingyu was pretty shaken up, and I didn’t want him to be alone. I… I wanted to wait for you, too.

S coups

(sighs, sitting down heavily) Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you sometimes.

Joshua

(placing a reassuring hand on Scoups ’s shoulder) You don’t have to do this alone, Scoups. I know you feel like you have to protect everyone, but… you don’t have to shoulder it all by yourself.

S coups

(looks at him, a hint of vulnerability in his gaze) Sometimes, it feels like I have to.

Joshua’s gaze lingers on Scoups ’s bruised hand, realizing how much Scoups sacrifices to keep them all safe. He knows then that Scoups needs someone to look out for him too.

The next day, Mingyu hears the unsettling news that the staff member involved has simply vanished. He feels a wave of relief, though he can’t shake the eerie feeling left in its wake.

Mingyu

(thinking) He… really made sure. Hyung actually made sure I wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

Mingyu is both shocked and grateful, trusting Seungcheol more than ever.

As time passes, Joshua begins to wait up for S coups each night, noticing more and more of Scoups ’s quiet efforts to protect everyone: the late-night meetings, the phone calls, the subtle but firm warnings to anyone who dares to cross a line. Each time, Joshua feels himself drawn closer, falling harder for the man who would go to such lengths for them.

And he sees something else—a change. Scoups ’s shell, once so guarded and strong, begins to crack open, bit by bit, revealing glimpses of the softer, more vulnerable person beneath. Joshua finds himself delighted by these glimpses, and soon they both slip into an easy, playful rhythm of friendly teasing and flirting.

Joshua, bold and sassy, brings out a side of himself that surprises even him—confident and a little cheeky. Scoups, though often caught off guard, finds this side of Joshua irresistibly charming.

One day, after a long company meeting, Seungcheol comes home late. Tension radiates off of him, his shoulders hunched and his face drawn.

As he enters the apartment, he sees Joshua sitting on the couch, immersed in a book, a peaceful presence amidst his chaos

Joshua

(glancing up, smiling softly) Hey, late night again?

S coups

(sighs, sitting down beside him) Yeah… company stuff. (shakes his head) It’s exhausting.

Joshua sets his book down and reaches over, resting his head on scoups shoulder and resting his hand on Scoups ’s, his thumb gently brushing over his knuckles. Instantly, some of the tension eases from Scoups ’s shoulders.

Joshua

(teasing) You look like you’ve been carrying the weight of the world. But hey, I’m here now. You can take a break, y’know?

S coups

(chuckles, leaning back a little) Yeah? You gonna make all my problems disappear?

Joshua

(grinning) Who knows? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.

They share a quiet laugh, Joshua’s smile so warm that Scoups finds himself relaxing even more. He glances down at their joined hands and back at Joshua, his heart beating a little faster.

Without thinking, Scoups inches closer, his gaze lingering on Joshua’s face.

S coups

(barely above a whisper) I’ve wanted to do something for a while now… but I was scared.

Joshua

(his gaze soft, encouraging) What is it?

S coups

(voice soft) Joshua…

Joshua doesn’t pull back; he tilts his head slightly, his eyes gentle and welcoming.

Joshua

(barely a whisper) Yeah?

He leaned in, not holding back the affection he felt. The kiss they shared was slow, unhurried, filled with all the emotions Seungcheol had kept buried for so long. And in that moment, he realized he wasn’t afraid anymore.

They pull back just a fraction, eyes locked, breaths mingling in the quiet space between them.

S coups

(smirking) I could get used to this.

Joshua

(raising an eyebrow, smirking back) Oh, could you now?

Scoups lets out a quiet laugh, his thumb brushing over the back of Joshua’s hand, neither of them in a hurry to let go.

They sit there in silence, a new understanding passing between them—one they both know has been there all along, just waiting for the right moment.

S coups

"I… don’t want to lose you

Joshua

You won’t. I promise."