MARCH 13, 2020

The sun was setting as Hyunseung stepped out of the military base, his time in the service finally coming to an end. He squinted, shielding his eyes from the golden rays that bathed the world in an orange hue. A sense of relief washed over him, but it was tinged with uncertainty.

Hyunseung's mother and sister were waiting for him, their faces lighting up as they caught sight of him. They rushed forward, wrapping him in a warm embrace that seemed to temporarily chase away his doubts. "Welcome back, Hyunseung," his mother whispered, her eyes filled with tears of happiness.

As they drove back home, Hyunseung couldn't help but think about his time in the military. It had been a period of discipline, growth, and camaraderie. He had forged bonds with his fellow soldiers that he knew would last a lifetime. But despite the sense of belonging he had found during his service, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. His thoughts drifted back to his days with BEAST, the K-pop group that had been his entire world. The success, the fame, the friendships – it all felt like a lifetime ago.

Now, he found himself at a crossroads. He no longer had fame as he was the forgotten member of BEAST but he relished the new found peace and quiet.

As the car sped along the highway, Hyunseung couldn't help but let his thoughts drift towards Hyuna. Her smile seemed to linger in his memories, a constant reminder of the connection they had once shared. Despite the passage of time and the distance that had grown between them, he couldn't help but miss her presence in his life.

Hyunseung's mother noticed the faraway look in his eyes and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay," she reassured him, her voice full of warmth and understanding. "You'll find your way again, I know you will." With a deep breath, Hyunseung tried to focus on the present, on the love and support of his family. But even as they made their way home, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the decisions that lay ahead. What path would he choose?

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Across the city, in a luxurious high-rise apartment overlooking Seoul's breathtaking skyline, Hyuna found herself deep in thought. Despite her flourishing career and relationship with Dawn, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was missing.

As she stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, the vibrant city lights reflecting off her face, Hyuna couldn't help but feel a strange sense of longing. Her relationship with Dawn had begun as a whirlwind romance, but recently, she had begun to question if they were truly meant for each other.

A part of her couldn't deny that she had been projecting her desires for Hyunseung's edgy and rebellious style onto Dawn, who was naturally more laid-back and easygoing. He preferred jeans and a plain t-shirt. She had encouraged him to adopt a more daring image and push his boundaries, even though it didn't feel genuine to who he truly was. But she knew that this was not only unfair to Dawn but also a futile attempt to recapture a connection that seemed to have been lost in the past; she thought about her days in Troublemaker. Hyuna was filled with nostalgic moments, which she couldn't let go.

As she mindlessly scrolled through her phone, she came across an article announcing Hyunseung's recent discharge from the military. Her heart skipped a beat, a mixture of nostalgia and curiosity washing over her. What had become of him since they had last seen each other? Did he still think about her, too?

Despite her growing doubts about her relationship with Dawn, Hyuna knew she couldn't simply dive back into her past without first confronting her own feelings and desires. She needed to figure out who she was and what she wanted from life, both as a girl and as an artist.

For now, she would focus on her work and her relationship with Dawn, hoping to find clarity in the midst of her emotional turmoil. But as she gazed out at the city that had borne witness to her love and heartbreak, she couldn't help but wonder if fate would bring her and Hyunseung back together once again.

Author's Note: I wanted to write a more "true to life" story about these characters than my previous fanfiction. I am making this one like a slice of life with romance. Please let me know if you like it.

Previous Troublemaker fanfic: Beauty Before Beast