A Backstage Love I Han Jisung x Reader

Encore, Please

The days blurred together in a whirlwind of rehearsals, photoshoots, and endless planning. Time sped up, and yet, I felt every second stretching out in anticipation. What had once felt like an unachievable dream was now becoming a reality—debut day was here.

I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in the group's iconic outfit, my heart pounding in my chest. It was hard to believe how far I'd come, from a trainee thrown into the whirlwind of competition to this—on the cusp of performing in front of thousands as an official member of the group. Not as a backup dancer anymore, but as a true part of the team.

I adjusted the mic pack clipped to the waistband of my pants, my hands shaking ever so slightly. It was hard not to feel the weight of everything. My mind raced as the final hours counted down.

There was no turning back now.

Han's voice broke through my thoughts, his familiar, comforting presence a grounding force in the madness. "You're going to crush it out there," he said, a small, reassuring smile playing at the corners of his lips. He had been by my side through everything—pushing me, supporting me, calming me when I needed it most. Now, here we were, in the final stretch, both of us facing the unknown, but somehow, I felt braver with him here.

"Thanks," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "Are you sure I'm ready?"

"You've been ready since day one," Han said, his voice steady, full of conviction. "Trust me."

A nervous laugh escaped me. "Guess I'm just nervous... but I'm excited too. It's my first time on stage as a member, not a backup."

Han gave me a playful nudge. "You've been a star since the first time you stepped foot into that practice room. This is just your moment to show the world what we all already know."

I shot him a grin, feeling a little lighter with his words. "Right. No turning back now."

The backstage area was buzzing with energy as the crew prepped everything for the show. The final touches were being made on the stage, the set, and the lighting. I could hear the faint hum of excitement from the audience filtering in from the wings. The anticipation was palpable.

Suddenly, one of the staff members popped her head into the room. "Five minutes until curtain, Y/N!"

I turned to look at him one last time before I get into position. "Do you remember when you asked what I wished for, when you caught that eyelash on my cheek? All those months ago?" He tipped his head in a silent reply. "This is what I wished for. Keeping both my passions. You and my career."

He looked taken aback by my words, with soggy eyes. "Y/N I.." He nearly sniffled "I'm so happy to be a part of your dreams. You deserve every success from here on out okay? Kill it out there, I'll be cheering you on from backstage." He shoos away some glitter from my cheek and kisses it softly while leaning toward my ear. "I love you Y/N."

I almost break seeing him all mushy and adorable like that. "I can't cry before I've even been out on stage Han!" I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of the pounding in my chest. This was it.

I took a deep breath, reaching out instinctively for Han's hand. He squeezed it gently. "You've got this," he murmured, his words more a promise than anything else.

The lights dimmed as I made my way to the stage. My feet felt heavy, yet light at the same time. Every step took me closer to everything I had worked for. I was no longer just a dancer on the sidelines. I was part of the group.

The moment I stepped on stage, the world outside of this bubble disappeared. The bright lights flooded the stage, and the screams of the audience filled my ears, but it was like I was in a dream. I was no longer the girl in the back, watching the others shine. It was my turn to shine, to prove that I belonged here just as much as anyone else.

As the music began, I could hear the thrum of my heart syncing with the beat. Every move, every step, felt effortless—this was what I was meant to do. And when it came time for my solo in the choreography, I hit every move perfectly. My body moved with the rhythm, my confidence rising with every cheer from the audience.

In that moment, I wasn't just performing—I was living my dream. Not even the saesang that chased me into my darkest days could put a stop to my happiness.

By the time the song ended, my heart was still pounding, but in the best way. The cheers from the audience were deafening, and the group of us stood together, hands raised in triumph.

I spotted Han in the back, standing with the other Stray Kids members, his smile wide and proud. He gave me a thumbs-up from the sidelines. The sight of him, cheering me on from behind the scenes, made my heart swell with gratitude.

As I stood there, basking in the applause, I realized how far I had come. From the stubborn girl I was, to this moment—standing confidently on stage, with the whole world watching.

And there he was all this time, cheering me on from backstage. If only I could show the girl I was a year ago this moment—the girl who thought her dreams were too far out of reach, who never imagined she'd be here, debuting, with Han right there behind her.

We had both come so far. And as the lights dimmed and the stage set for the next act, I knew, without a doubt, that this was only the end of my beginning.

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Hey, thanks for reading my story<3 I really love seeing some of the interactions  on here:')

Jisung:

*To the boy who taught me to love myself, no matter what my mind tries to scream at me.*