"We met because a book convention" Ike Eveland x Male Reader

Chapter 9: It's really happening (YN's POV)

Y/n POV (Triggers for this chapter: Medicine, needles, fainting and panic attacks)

We had 30 minutes before we went on stage. I started to feel a little short of breath, and a little woozy too. I pulled out my phone and opened Messenger. 

Mysta (Big bro)

Me
Mysta, do you have those medication shots for my fainting?

Mysta: No, I think I sent ur agent a set just in case tho

I gave him a thumbs-up reaction. I looked around. Ike was in a deep conversation with Mandy. Rinn was talking to Kenny and Matty. Cally had gone to the restroom. The moment I needed her. I sighed to myself and tried to reach for my water. It was on the coffee table... on the other side of the room. 

I felt my breathing get worse. My hands were shaking and I started quietly gasping for air. I started to have a little bit of tunnel vision. Thankfully Ike noticed and immediately came to my side. He crouched in front of me and made me focus on him. 

"Y/n, focus on me, okay? Listen to my voice and take deep breaths" I nodded. I took a few deep breaths. I was still shaking and I started to feel really cold. "Ike... can... can you... never mind" I mumbled and stood up to get my water. About halfway to the table, I felt myself grow colder. 

A few more steps, Y/n. Deep breaths, and focus on getting your water. I felt myself drop. I didn't hit the floor though. My vision went black but I didn't feel the floor. I heard shouting for Cally and a small, sharp pain in my arm. I could feel myself being held. I heard muffled voices. I felt the floor. I could tell I was lying completely flat.  

20 minutes until we were on stage. I could smell those awful salts and I sat straight up. Ike braced me. "Y/n, relax. You're okay" he spoke gently. I laid back a little. Ike wasn't blurry, unlike everything else. I could hear Mysta and Cally speaking. "Ike" I quietly spoke out. He looked at me. "did you give me my medicine" I could still feel the point of the needle in the crease of my elbow. Ike nodded. "Thank you" I sat up slowly and carefully pulled out the needle. Cally gave me a plaster to put on it. I still couldn't see properly and Ike somehow knew. 

He put the plaster on for me. I rubbed my eyes and everything began to clear up. Rinn, Matty and Kenny kept the area clean for me. Ike stood and helped me up. He gave me my water and I drank it in sips. "Y/n, you need to tell me next time" He scolded me with a soft yet stern voice. I felt bad. Did this show that I didn't trust him? I do trust him but...

"S-sorry, Ike" I whispered. He pulled me into a tight hug. He smelled really nice. Like...... vanilla. I hugged him back.  After we pulled away from each other, Rinn came back to the room. "Go on stage, there are five minutes until we are supposed to be on, and I want you guys to be situated and content with where you are, okay?" We all nodded and Rinn took us on stage. The curtain was down. There were these little armchair seats that two people could sit on. Of course, we doubled up. 

Ike and I sat together.  Kenny and Matty sat together. 

We were all a little nervous. I felt my nerves slowly drift away as the medication took effect. I looked over at Ike, who was bouncing his leg. Subconsciously, I placed my hand on his knee to stop him. I felt him jump at my touch. He looked over at me and gave me a thankful smile. I took my hand away. I felt my heart pounding out of my chest. I knew it wasn't the nerves or anxiety. This felt different.

I looked over at Kenny and Matty. They were flirting. We could tell they were flirting. 

We got the queue to sit up straight and the intercom started. "Welcome everyone to The Writers Loung, 2023!" We heard some whispers. "To start today, we have some fantasy writers. You may know them. We have Ike Eveland, Y/n Rias, Kenny Hales and Matthew Casey!" The crowd gave a cheer at each name. 

The curtain raised and I looked out at the crowd. There were so many people. The intercom started again. "We will have Matthew start with his book" 
Matty stood up. His voice showed that he was extremely confident.  
"I've always been interested in enemies becoming lovers" he started. "In the second book of the series, You can feel the struggle between Marshel and Hiroshi. I couldn't fully portray Hiroshi's awakening the way I would've liked to. I feel like Marshel~~~" He continued. When he was finished, some of his readers asked some questions and he answered. Next was Kenny. 

Kenny spoke about his characters first. He spoke about his struggles with finding a way to show it without it seeming like 1934 Germany. "Ah, despite me being from Germany, I did not want it to be based in Germany, but it kind of happened anyway" He spoke. His voice was louder than his usual, quiet demeanour. He talked about his ideas for his next book. He talked about his inspiration. It was heartwarming. 

It was my turn. I went to the mic after Kenny finished answering questions. 
"Hello Everyone" I spoke with a little quiver in my voice. "I will start with my inspiration for the characters, and it might seem a bit... selfish...
The older brother character, Lincon, was based on my brother. When we moved to where we live now, we got separated. He fought so hard for me, just like Lincon does for his little brother in the camp." I heard a bunch of "awwww" in the crowd. "As for the little brother character, Max, I wanted the reader to relate to him. When Max realises he's not Maxine anymore. When he needs his brother to help him when he discovers that; maybe I'm not okay." I stopped to catch my breath.

"my struggles were trying to show the readers that it's okay not to be okay" I bowed and sat down, knowing I was finished.

Ike stood up and went to the microphone. He explained his book and the reason behind it. He felt like he was always stuck in a cycle.

I remember he told me that. The main character was also based on one of his friends. His friend was stuck in a cycle. Wake up, work, eat, sleep. Once a week he would socialize with his friends but that's it. The crowd was humming and giving "awe"s at some points. 

I looked at Ike. He was filled with passion, talking about his novel. When he talks about it in conversation, you wouldn't think he was proud of it.

He continued. "my struggle with this book, was finding the motivation to keep writing this."  I understood the feeling. Writer block took me two years to write my book. "I found that having certain things in the background helped me focus, like music. Drinking water helps too!"

He finished his statement. Some of his readers asked questions. He answered them with honest answers, then sat down beside me again.

The intercom started again. 'onto our next section, mutual questions and opinions!" we all lost colour. The voice laughed. "just kidding, this is the end for the fantasy block this morning"

We breathed a sigh of relief.

The curtain went down and we all went off stage. Ike, who I never realised took my hand and squeezed it to get me to look at him. "We did it, y/n, the scary bit is over!" we hugged each other tightly. He smelled really good as I stated earlier. Matty and Kenny's families met them behind the stage and they got hugs and were friendly with each other. Mysta, Vox, Shu and Luca came over to Ike and me and hugged us tightly. 

Mysta was the first to let go, then Vox, then Shu, then Luca. Ike and I just beamed at each other. "It happened!!" we said at the same time.

Chapter 9 ends. Word count- 1393