A Backstage Love I Han Jisung x Reader

Stepping Back

The party was in full swing, the atmosphere buzzing with energy as laughter and conversations filled the room. I had been chatting with a few of the other dancers, trying to keep my mind off the strange flutter in my chest that had started the moment Jisung invited me. But it was impossible to ignore him-his infectious laugh echoed through the room, and I couldn't help but steal glances in his direction.

As the night wore on, I found myself near the snack table, reaching for a glass of water when I felt a presence beside me. I glanced up, and there he was-Jisung, his bright eyes sparkling with mischief as he approached.

"Hey, Y/N," he said with a grin, leaning casually against the table. "Having fun?"

I hadn't realized until now just how wonderful my name sounded on his lips. Catching myself staring for a moment too long, I quickly nodded, struggling to maintain my composure. "Yeah," I said, my voice steadying, "it's nice to unwind a bit".

He chuckled, his gaze warm and inviting. "I'm glad you came. It wouldn't have been the same without you."

My heart did a little flip at his words, but I quickly dismissed it, reminding myself of the boundaries I needed to maintain.

Just as I was about to respond, Jisung's expression shifted slightly. He leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "Hold still for a second," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat as he reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against my cheek. I couldn't move. My heart was pounding so loudly in my chest that I was sure he could hear it. My face felt like it was on fire, a deep blush spreading across my cheeks as he gently plucked an eyelash from my skin.

"There," he said softly, his face still close to mine as he held the tiny lash between his fingers. "Make a wish."

The world seemed to blur around us, time slowing to a standstill. The chatter and music faded into the background, leaving just the two of us in this quiet, suspended moment. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne, a warm, woodsy fragrance that lingered in the air. His wrist, so close to my face, carried the same subtle scent, and I noticed a small scar on his forehead that I had never seen before, staring back at me like a hidden story.

"Y/N?" His voice pulled me back to reality, and I realized I had been holding my breath. "You okay?"

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile as I tried to calm the frantic beating of my heart. "Yeah, just... wasn't expecting that."

He grinned, his playful demeanor returning. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I just thought you might want to make a wish."

I hesitated, the tension between us crackling in the air like a blazing flame. What do I wish for? I thought dryly to myself. Do I wish that Jisung felt the same way about me? Or do I wish these feelings would go away for Jisung? Slowly, I closed my eyes and made my silent wish-more for the sake of ending the moment than anything else. When I opened them again, Jisung was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"What did you wish for?" he asked, his voice teasing.

I shook my head, the blush still lingering on my cheeks. "If I tell you, it won't come true."

He laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Fair enough. Guess I'll have to wait and see."

As he stepped back, the tension between us snapped taut, like a fully stretched rubber band, and the noise of the party rushed back in. I took a deep breath, struggling to steady myself as I watched him rejoin the others. My heart raced, my mind swirling with confusion and an emotion I couldn't quite name.

In that fleeting moment, something had shifted. The safe distance I had carefully maintained between us felt like it had been crossed, and I wasn't sure how to feel about it. All I knew was that Jisung had gotten under my skin in a way that both thrilled and terrified me. The simple act of removing an eyelash had shaken the walls I had built around myself, leaving me vulnerable in a way I hadn't been prepared for.

I glanced over at him, watching as he laughed and joked with the others, completely unaware of the turmoil he had just stirred within me. It was in that moment that I realized, with a sinking feeling, that my resolve to keep things professional was beginning to crumble.

But I couldn't afford to let that happen. I had worked too hard to get here, and I couldn't risk everything for a fleeting moment of weakness. As much as I was drawn to him, I knew I had to keep my distance. For both our sakes.

And yet, as the night went on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had irrevocably changed between us, leaving me to wonder what the future might hold.

I felt so overwhelmed with all these emotions swirling inside me. The intensity of my feelings for him was undeniable, and that realization hit me like a freight train. But no matter how strong these emotions were, I couldn't let them jeopardize everything I had worked for. Not now, not ever. The weight of that decision pressed down on me, and I knew I needed to do something before I lost control completely.

As the party continued around me, I quietly slipped out, leaving the laughter and music behind. My breath was shaky, my mind racing as I stepped into the cool night air. The distance between us felt like a lifeline, something I desperately needed to hold onto.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found the number of one of the managers. It rang twice before they picked up, sounding surprised to hear from me so late.

"I've been meaning to ask," I said, my voice more composed than I felt, "I have some vacation days I haven't used yet. I'd like to take one tomorrow."