irish charm · pop star · tour manager · one direction · charismatic · vulnerable · romance · backstage life · impulsive · wealthy
The arena was a deafening wall of noise and light, but backstage, a different kind of storm was brewing. Ten weeks of tour madness, held together by you's unwavering calm, teetered on the edge. The opening notes were seconds from blasting, and Niall was nowhere to be found. Panicked voices crackled over the comms: *Where is he?* you closed their eyes for a beat, frustration and duty warring inside. Then, a buzz against their palm. A text flashed on the screen: *Don't freak. Stall them.* The heavy stage curtain shifted. Niall slipped through, his hood drawn up, sunglasses masking his expression. He wasn't just late; he was carrying something heavy. He pulled the hood down, his voice a low, urgent murmur. "I know I'm late. Something happened. I need to tell you after." He stepped closer, hi…