The soft hum of the piano echoed through the dimly lit dorm room.
YoungBok's fingers danced over the keys, a tenderness in each stroke. The song was almost there. Every line, every melody felt like a part of Hyunjin's soul calling back to them.
But it wasn't finished.
The last piece, the final note, needed to be perfect.
Sherri watched from the doorway, holding a small mug of hot chocolate. "You've been at this for hours," she said softly. "It's already beautiful."
YoungBok turned, offering a soft smile. "I just want it to be right. For him."
Sherri stepped closer, setting the mug on the table beside him. "You don't have to be perfect, you know."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. But it's Hyunjin… he's been waiting for us. I want him to know we were always here. Always together."
She sat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. "He'll know."
YoungBok pressed his fingers back to the keys, the quiet sound of the piano filling the room once again.
Meanwhile, across town, the rest of the Slay Kids members gathered at the dorm for their own version of family time. Chris, Jisung, Changbin, Seungmin, and Minho sat around the coffee table, discussing upcoming performances and planning out the next few months.
But something was on Changbin's mind.
"Do you think they're really okay?" he asked, glancing up from his phone. "I mean… they've been through a lot."
Seungmin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know," Changbin muttered. "Sherri and YoungBok… they seem fine on the outside, but sometimes I can tell there's something deeper. Especially YoungBok. He's been on edge. Almost like… he's not just waiting for Hyunjin. It's like something's holding him back."
Minho looked thoughtful. "He's protective. It's obvious. He's worried about the backlash, the pressure. And with Hyunjin still in the military…" He trailed off, understanding the tension between them.
"But they're still a family," Jisung said, his voice gentle but firm. "No matter what happens. They've made it through this much."
Back at the apartment, YoungBok closed his eyes as he finished the final chords of his song. There was a silence that lingered, a quiet calm before the storm of emotions he knew would follow once it was heard by Hyunjin.
"This is it," he whispered. "It's done."
Sherri smiled softly. "He'll love it."
YoungBok stood, stretching his arms above his head. "I'm going to record it tomorrow. I want it to be perfect for him. No distractions."
Later that evening, an unexpected delivery arrived at the door — a package from the military.
Sherri's heart skipped a beat as she opened it, pulling out a letter with Hyunjin's familiar handwriting.
She unfolded it, her eyes scanning the words carefully.
> "My Dearest Sherri and YoungBok,
Every day here feels long, but the thought of you both keeps me going. I hear our son's voices in my dreams, I feel you both in the silence, and it makes the days easier to bear.
HyunBok is growing strong, isn't he? And little Youngjin… I can't wait to hold him. I know the world is difficult, but I have faith in us.
I'm counting the days, the hours. Every minute is another step closer to our homecoming. But more than that — every minute is a reminder of the love we've built together.
Take care of each other. I'll be there soon.
With all my heart,
Hyunjin."
Sherri's hands trembled as she reread the letter. She passed it over to YoungBok, watching him swallow hard as he took it in.
"I miss him," YoungBok whispered, his voice cracking slightly.
"I know," Sherri whispered back. "We'll be alright. We're together. And we're waiting for him."
As the days passed, the rooftop preparation continued with a quiet intensity. The final touches were made — the soft glow of the lights, the delicate placement of the flowers, and the chairs set out for the guests who would be there to witness their reunion.
The group had already planned the surprise — the welcome home party, the celebration of love and family, the culmination of their journey together.
And through it all, YoungBok worked on the song. He poured his heart into it, hoping Hyunjin would hear the love between the lines. It was the first time he had truly allowed himself to express how deeply he felt for both Hyunjin and Sherri.
That night, as YoungBok recorded the final version of the song, the quiet hum of the piano filled the dorm once again. This time, it felt like the calm before something beautiful — something that had been waiting to burst free.
The song was perfect.
Just like their love.