It was the day of the press conference. San and Wooyoung were sitting backstage with their friends. It would be an understatement to say that they are nervous. They were anxious, overwhelmed and feared their future but were also somehow excited about the reactions of their fans. San was a little bit more relaxed than his boyfriend. He knew that there were people in South Korea that supported them because he's read enough supportive messages in the last 24 hours to know that they shouldn't worry too much but on the other side there were a lot of bad comments about their relationship that made his heart ache.
Wooyoung, on the other hand, took the public's opinion very serious. It was really hard on him. He was afraid someone might take San away from him. Above all, he was worried about the reputation of Ateez, because no matter how the fans would react, it won't pass by the group without a trace.
Lost in thoughts, the two did not immediately notice that the conference had already started and that they were only seconds away from facing their fears. When the time came, Seonghwa took them in his arms and accompanied them outside to the others.
As soon as the two were in sight, the screams of the fans began to numb their ears. The two looked into the crowd and saw many happy faces but also some angry and disappointed ones. After bowing, they sat down on the empty chairs next to Seonghwa and dared to hold each other's hands under the table. They just needed each other's strength.
After briefly addressing the reason why the press conference was taking place, the fans in the crowd were allowed to ask questions and only questions that weren't too private or intimate. Of course Wooyoung and San would try to answer all of their questions but they could also refuse to answer.
"Who knew that you were in a relationship?" The first fan was allowed to ask.
"Our parents and Seonghwa knew." San answered her shortly and she seemed pleased but raised her hand again.
"What about the other members? Why didn't you tell them?"
"We were very secretive about our relationship. We never really dared to tell anyone. For Seonghwa..." San trailed off and looked to his left to his best friend. "Seonghwa knew because we were both friends with him in high school, but Woo and I didn't know each other. We had a crush on each other and then he introduced us." San looked to his right side to Wooyoung and smiled at him, receiving a little smile back. The fans went crazy at the small gesture.
Another hand rose, signalling a new question.
"How did you manage to keep your relationship alive for two and a half years?" A girl with light pink hair asked.
"When we had just debuted, we always eased each other's insecurities and gave one another strength. Everything would magically turn better when we were together. We believed in each other and were great supporters - And we've lived like that up until now. Of course we fight as well, but our arguments were never harmful to our relationship because we solve our problems." Wooyoung answered the girl's question.
After many questions the last question that was asked was a rather weird one.
"Have you never thought of the consequences for Ateez when you are so selfless and destroy the group's reputation? There are so many girls in the world you can love ... why do you have to be gay?"
San and Wooyoung looked at each other and gulped. They somewhat expected such a question but were visibly taken aback.
Before one of the two could answer the question, Seonghwa snatched the microphone out of Wooyoung's grip and stood up. He saw the boys tensed reactions and he just had to stand up for his friends.
"I think I speak for them when I say that you don't fall in love with the gender, you fall in love with the person. Nowadays you should not be so narrow-minded and accept every single person as they are. They didn't do anything wrong. Love should never mean having to live in fear. The people who don't allow such a young couple to love each other don't deserve love themselves. As hard as it may sound now, but why are there still people who don't allow or accept same-sex love? Everyone should be allowed to live the way they feel most comfortable." Seonghwa smiled at the thought of acceptance for every individual.
After Seonghwa finished his sentence, a girl in the front row got up and unexpectedly asked something that even made him catch his breath.
"So, are you gay yourself?"
Before he could answer the staff announced that the press conference is over and that Ateez had to leave for practise. The fans seemed disappointed that the girl's question was left unanswered but forgot after they saw that Wooyoung and San got up and walked back into the backstage area behind Jongho while holding hands.
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"Omg they are holding hands! Did they hold hands under the table?" A girl squealed and made the whole room burst into giggles and aww's.
When walking into the backstage area, the two heard the squeals and laughed together. They had imagined it to be far worse. Now the couple just had to wait to see how the fans worldwide would react, as only a small number were allowed at the conference.
