The Anchor in His Storm
Choi Seungcheol (S.Coups) x Reader
Genre: Angst, Comfort, Fluff, Established Relationship
Summary: Seungcheol is exhausted. The members are exhausted. After a grueling week of nonstop schedules, they finally return to practice โonly to be told another packed week is ahead. The weight of leadership crashes down on him, frustration simmering beneath his skin. No one can calm him downโฆ except you. So when a desperate member calls you, your voice is all it takes to break through his walls.
Warnings: Mentions of exhaustion, overwork, emotional vulnerability, soft boyfriend Seungcheol being cared for
The practice room was unbearably silent.
Not because things were peaceful, but because exhaustion had stolen the membersโ voices, their energy drained from the past week of relentless schedules.
Seungcheol stood in the center, fists clenched. His eyes swept over his members, his brothers, who were sitting on the floor, sweat dripping, chests heaving, bodies barely holding themselves up.
And yet, the company had just sent word: More practice. Another hectic week ahead. No breaks.
โLetโs run it again,โ Seungcheol forced out, though his voice lacked its usual fire.
Joshua rubbed his face tiredly. โBroโฆ we canโt.โ
Seungcheol exhaled sharply, his frustration simmering. โWe have to. We donโt have a choice.โ
Jeonghan, lying flat on the floor, opened one eye. โYou mean you donโt have a choice. Youโre forcing yourself to push through this, and we all know why.โ
Seungcheolโs jaw tightened. โI'm the leader. If I stopโโ
โYou donโt have to do this alone,โ Jeonghan interrupted.
The words struck something deep in Seungcheolโs chest. But before he could respond, a voice suddenly cut through the tensionโ
โHyung, Iโm calling Y/N.โ
Seungcheolโs head snapped up as Seokmin held up his phone, already ringing.
The call connected, and your sleepy voice filled the room. โHuh? Seokmin? Whatโs going on?โ
Seungcheol swallowed. He hadnโt spoken to you all day, hadnโt even had time to breathe properly and now, now, he was seconds away from breaking.
โY/N?โ Seokmin handed the phone to Seungcheol.
For a moment, he hesitated.
But the second he heard you softly call his name, โCheol?โ the dam inside him cracked.
His fingers curled around the phone, grip tightening. โBabyโฆโ His voice wavered, his exhaustion evident.
โWhatโs wrong?โ You asked, concern lacing your tone.
Seungcheolโs throat burned. He had held everything in for so long, had been strong for everyone, but hearing you, his safe place, shattered every wall he had built.
โThey wonโt let us rest,โ he finally admitted, his voice raw. โWe just finished a full week of schedules, and they want us to keep going. The guys are exhaustedโฆ and Iโโ His breath hitched. โI donโt know what to do anymore.โ
There was silence on the line. Then, you exhaled softly.
โCheol,โ you murmured, your voice a gentle balm to his frayed nerves. โYou need to stop carrying this burden alone. Look at your members. Theyโre already giving their all for you. Now, let them take care of you, too.โ
Seungcheolโs gaze flickered to the members, who were all watching him quietly.
Mingyu gave him a small nod. Jeonghan offered a lazy thumbs-up. Even Wonwoo, barely keeping his eyes open, muttered, โSheโs right.โ
Seungcheol closed his eyes, exhaling shakily.
You continued, โBaby, youโre human. Youโre not invincible, and you donโt have to be.โ
Something inside him broke. The weight on his shoulders, the exhaustion pressing against his ribs, all of it suddenly felt too much.
And for the first time in forever, Seungcheol let himself fall.
โIโm tired,โ he whispered.
โI know,โ you soothed. โSo stop holding it in. Let them see that their leader is human, too.โ
Seungcheol opened his eyes.
The members werenโt waiting for a command. They werenโt expecting him to be strong. They were just there, his family, standing beside him, ready to carry the weight together.
Slowly, Seungcheol exhaled.
โLetโs stop for today,โ he finally said.
A collective sigh of relief filled the room. Seungcheol felt his own body relax as he sank onto the floor, resting his head against the wall.
Through the phone, you smiled. โFinish up and come straight to me.โ
You lowered your voice, soft and warm. โIโll make you feel better.โ
Seungcheol shut his eyes for a moment, letting the comfort of your words settle deep in his bones.
โYeah?โ he murmured, the exhaustion in his voice now mixed with something lighter, something like hope.
โYeah,โ you promised. โNow get your ass here, leader-nim.โ
For the first time in days, Seungcheol let out a real, genuine chuckle.
The members all exchanged looks, rolling their eyes. โWow. That was fast,โ Dino mumbled.
Jeonghan smirked. โAnd that, boys, is the power of love.โ
Seungcheol ignored them, already grabbing his bag. โAlright, letโs clean up and leave.โ
As the members moved sluggishly to gather their things, Seungcheol kept his phone close to his ear, (after giving back dk's phone, he asked you to call him instead so he can keep hearing your voice) listening to you talk about how youโd prepare his favorite meal, how youโd let him vent as much as he needed, how youโd hold him until he fell asleep.
And suddenly, for the first time in a long time, he felt like he could breathe again.
Because no matter how heavy the burden, he had you.
A/N: Wrote this because sometimes, even the strongest leader needs someone to lean on. This is for the Carats who just know Seungcheol needs a hug (and a break). Hope you enjoy! โก