A Backstage Love I Han Jisung x Reader

Dazed Lights

The next morning, I wake up feeling strangely clear-headed. Maybe it's the lingering calm from my visit to the hidden sanctuary or the exhaustion that finally caught up with me. Either way, I know I need to address the situation with Han before it spirals out of control.

When I get to practice, Han is already there, warming up with his usual energy. He catches my eye and grins, that easy, carefree smile that's starting to feel a little too comfortable. I force myself to smile back, determined to keep things light.

"Hey," I say as I drop my bag on the floor and start stretching next to him. "How was the rest of your day yesterday?"

He shrugs, "Pretty good. Just relaxed, played some games. You?"

I nod, keeping my voice casual. "I went to one of my favorite spots in the city. It always helps me clear my head."

"Sounds nice," he replies, leaning a little closer. "Maybe we could go together sometime?"

There's a hopeful note in his voice, and for a split second, I consider it. But then I remember why I'm doing this. The contract. The boundaries. The fact that getting too close would only complicate things for both of us.

"I usually go there to be alone," I say, keeping my tone light, almost playful. "It's my little escape from everything."

His expression falters for a brief moment, and in that second, something inside me shatters. He quickly recovers, nodding as if he understands. "Oh..." He continues, his voice steady but distant, "I get it. Everyone needs a place like that."

I smile that has the shadow of despair in it, relieved enough that he's not pushing the issue. We continue with our warm-up, and I make sure to keep our conversation on neutral ground—nothing too personal, nothing that might lead him to think there's something more.

Throughout the day, I notice the subtle shifts in Han's behavior. He's a little quieter, a little more reserved around me. It's not that he's distant, but there's a change in the way he looks at me, as if he's trying to figure out where we stand. I can tell he's a bit hurt, maybe confused, but he doesn't say anything, and I'm grateful for that. The last thing I want is to make things awkward for both of us.

As practice continues, I focus on the routines, letting the music and the movement distract me from the unease simmering beneath the surface. I catch glimpses of Han in the mirror, and each time, I remind myself why I need to keep things this way. It's for the best, I tell myself. For him and for me.

But there's a small part of me that wonders if I'm making the right choice. If maybe, just maybe, I'm missing out on something that could be real.

By the end of the day, the tension between us has settled into a quiet understanding. We're friends, and for now, that's all we can be. Han doesn't push, and neither do I. But as I walk home that evening, I can't shake the feeling that this is only the beginning of something more complicated.

The city lights blur past me as I walk, the music thrumming in my ears. I've made my decision. Now I just have to stick to it, no matter how hard it gets.

I turn up the volume, letting the gritty vocals and heavy guitar riffs drown out my thoughts. The steady beat of the drums matches the rhythm of my footsteps, grounding me in the present moment. The night air is cool against my skin, the streets unusually quiet for this time of evening. I feel a strange sense of calm, as if everything is finally falling into place.

I approach the crosswalk at the next intersection, barely paying attention as the light turns green. My mind is still on Han, on the choices I've made, and on the boundaries I need to keep. I step off the curb, my gaze fixed on the sidewalk ahead, unaware of the danger speeding toward me.

The blaring horns and screeching tires barely register over the music in my ears. By the time I realize something is wrong, it's too late. A flash of headlights, far too close, blinds me. Panic surges through me, but my body is frozen, unable to react in time.

The impact is sudden and brutal. My body is thrown to the ground with the sounds of my ribs crinkling like the chomp of a potato chip and my legs become so lose I- I can't feel them. There is pain exploding through every nerve, except for my legs. The world spins, the music still echoing faintly in my ears as chaos erupts around me. I can hear shouts, sirens, the screeching of tires against the cement just below my body. Everything feels distant, like I'm trapped in a fog. People are rushing to my aid but they can't hear me. Hello? Please help me. I think something is wrong with my- my ribs. Then I realize my lips aren't moving, and neither are my limbs.

Flashes of red lights cut through the darkness, but I can't focus on anything. The pain is overwhelming, dragging me down into a void where everything blurs together. I try to move, to cry out, but my body refuses to respond. My mind is slipping away, the world fading into a dull, throbbing blackness.

The last thing I hear before everything goes silent is the wail of a siren, then nothing. Just darkness.