For Life (EXO Fanfiction)

Chapter 6

The next three hours passed in a blur. The boys are going backstage hurriedly after every song to change to their next outfit. I can see them panting and wincing while trying to catch their breath. But my heart is still so happy just by looking at them because they all look so happy and excited.

Excited to go back on that stage and perform more for more than a thousand fans on that arena.

"Ah, I love this chaos." I even heard Kai say.

Even I am already panting. I kept on going back and forth from the backstage and waiting room. Some props needs last minute attention and it seems like more and more staff needs help with something, either to be translated or to be fixed. Man, Korean's way of assigning task to someone new or lower in position is seriously tiring.

I had to sneak off when it was Kyungsoo and Chanyeol's stage because For Life part is seriously my favorite part of the Elyxion setlist among others. And I cried. The silence for that stage after hearing the arena go wild is amazing!

The boys are already performing Power and I am seriously tempted to hide again on the side of the stage because I badly want to watch even just one of the song they are peforming all together.

"Eris-ssi, you can stay at the side and watch. They might call your attention for water or anything." That's manager-nim, who I believe is lowkey giving me permission to watch the concert because obviously, the water and snacks and towels that the boys can use are already prepared on one part of the stage.

But seizing the opportunity, I thanked him and made my way to the side. And I almost cried seeing how happy they are. Playing on that stage performing for everyone and just basically being back together.

If only they can also do a video call with Lay right now, these fans will lose it. I'm not the only one craving for OT9 interaction.

I laughed out loud when Sehun splashed water all over Kai's face and Kai kicked his butt. They are all smiling while dancing and if that isn't the softest thing I've seen, I don't even know anymore.

The only thing that somehow made this moment a bit frustrating is the translator. Like, Ate Gurl, come on. You had so many opportunity to make this concert even more fun, but you just lost them all, are you kidding me?

Shaking my head from time to time, I tried my mighty best to ignore the failed translations and just enjoyed the concert.

I almost died at times that Minseok will sing his lines and look at where I'm at. Dude, I will be freaking lying if I say I didn't imagine him staring at me and singing his lines for me. Those are the things a fangirl like me do.

They waved and smiled and played and slayed. 

They had a short break and the instrumental for "For Life" was played for the fans to sing along to while they prepared for the next stage. I made my way back to the changing room and arrived there just a few seconds before they did.

"Eris-ssi! How was it? Are we doing okay?" Chen excitedly asked me and I felt that everyone was waiting for me to answer so I did.

"Nope. Not okay, you are doing sooo good! You guys are amazing!" And that's when I saw the member's faces lit up proudly and with relief.

Boy, these guys really don't know how great they are, huh? And right then and there, I made a promise to remind them that every chance that I'll get.

When they said goodbye before the encore, I was one of the thousands of fangirls on that arena who said "No, don't go."

And when they finally wrapped up the concert.

I could've stayed beside the stage and just feel that after concert warmth like all the others did on their sections but I have a job to do, so I went backstage after they exited.

"Good job, everyone! Thank you so much for your hardwork!" That was Suho and was followed by everyone thanking the staff.

They are not just thanking them, they are bowing continuously and I felt goosebumps all over my body. This is the humbleness that EXO is famous for. After years of being on the top and achieving things, they remain humble and always appreciates the efforts of people helping them everyday.

Then I was surprised when Suho turned to me and did a deep bow, "Thank you for your hard work, Eris-ssi."

I was about to cry when Baekhyun rushed over to me, "No crying! We are going to eat. But let us first make sure that everyone was able to leave the arena safely."

I didn't understand what he means at first because they already said goodbye. I thought they are about come out again as a surprise. But they didn't. Apparently, they can't anymore, as much as they want to. What they all did is to seat on a part of the backstage where the seats on the arena can be seen but they cannot be seen from the front.

They are already chatting there, pointing at something on the sections from time to time. Then Minseok looked around, when he was not able to find what he was looking for, he turned to the direction where I am and his face scrunched in confusion and waved at me, wanting me to join them.

They all signalled for me to join them aside from Sehun who is busy trying to reach out for a small sailormoon wand thing that is almost at the backstage and ChanBaek who are already taking as much pictures as they can.

Huh. So this is what's happening after the concert while fans are all reluctant to leave. EXO is watching them.

I hurriedly walked towards them before I feel overwhelmed and cry again.

"You'll still be with us until tomorrow morning, right?" Jongdae asked me as soon as I sat down beside him.

"Yeah. Manager-nim told me he asked for me to accompany you, guys until your flight."

"That's cool! You can come with us later. We'll just have dinner with the staff before we call it a night." He said then gazed back to the part of the arena we can see.

"This is still so overwhelming for us, you know. Touring around the world. Meeting people. Getting this amazing support." He said, and it sounds like he's mostly talking to himself. Making his self believe that everything is indeed happening and it's real.

Kyungsoo, who is beside him, tapped his shoulder while smiling. It's like his way of telling him that he knows exactly what Jongdae feels.

"Well, I am not surprised, at all." I told them. "You guys, have been working so hard. For us, fans. For everyone who believes in you. Even for those who doubted you. I am so proud and so lucky to have known each and every one of you. I can't even imagine what my life would've been like right now if I haven't heard your music."

No one answered me. When I turned to look at them, I almost felt like crying once again.

They were smiling gratefully at me. I know they have been reading and hearing this everyday, but the look I am seeing from them right now is that kind of look that you'll easily know how grateful they are for what I've just said, but have a hard time believing it.

And my heart aches all of a sudden. They shouldn't be feeling that way. They shouldn't be doubting what they have done to other people's life. I suddenly realized that maybe, due to how harsh and complicated and stressful life is, specially for famous people like them... it is hard to accept how deserving they are of every blessing they get.

An overwhelming feeling of protectiveness filled my heart. How I wanted to wring internet troll's necks right now. Those people who have nothing better to do. Those "fans" who act like they own idols and make them feel like they do not own their life or deserve happiness. But I can't, and I only have a very limited time to actually make them see how precious they are.

So I smiled my best smile and said, "You guys deserve every blessing and success, you know," then I turned my gaze to the stage, "You and your hardwork and passion deserves the world."

I heard someone sniff but I didn't turn to look. I'm just so happy to say that out loud and for them to hear it in person.

'Cause it's true. We're dropping fact bombs here, fam. Fact bombs for the Kings only.

❤