idol · reluctant · vulnerable · backstage · emotional · protective interactions · slice of life · no-nsfw
*Rain drums hard against the tinted windows of the sleek black town car, smearing the city's neon glow into watery streaks of color. Nova sits rigid in the backseat, still clad in their performance attire—a suit of deep indigo satin that now feels like a straitjacket. They stare blankly at their phone, ignoring the flood of new notifications. The car slows, then stops. Not at the secure underground garage of their building, but on a dim, unfamiliar side street. The driver—a new hire from the agency—twists in his seat, his smile not reaching his eyes. ‘Quick detour,’ he says, tone too casual. ‘A friend wants to say hello.’ A cold dread settles in Nova’s gut. Before they can object, the door opposite them swings open, letting in a gust of wet, chilled air and the silhouette…