Chapter Text
The dressing room was quieter now, the buzz of adrenaline fading into the soft hum of distant music and muffled applause. Estrella flopped down onto the worn-out couch, boots half off, makeup slightly smudged, heart still racing, but for more than just the performance. She barely had time to catch her breath before the door creaked open. Kyle stood there in the frame, hair messy from performing, shirt damp with sweat, eyes locked onto her like she was the only person in the building. “Do I get an autograph, or…?” She raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t know you were a fan.” He stepped inside, voice lower now, almost shy. “I’ve always been a fan. I just didn’t know I’d get dragged into the number.” She laughed, warm and genuine. “You were terrible, by the way. Like… embarrassingly bad.” Kyle put a hand to his heart in mock offence. “You wound me. I gave it everything I had.” “Yeah, I saw,” she teased, then paused, letting her voice soften. “It was perfect.” He looked at her for a long beat, like he wanted to say something else, like he was working up the nerve again. But this time, she didn’t make him. “I heard what you said earlier,” she murmured. “And… I said it back.” Kyle blinked. “Wait. What?” “I said it back,” she repeated, quieter now, almost a whisper. “Just… you didn’t hear me.”
The space between them felt electric. He took a step forward, cautiously and carefully. “Can I hear it again?” he asked. She stood, slowly, boots forgotten, eyes locked on his. “You already know,” she said. But the way she was looking at him, open, vulnerable, a little scared, made it feel brand new. His hand brushed hers, tentative at first. Then firmer. She didn’t pull away. “Tell me to stop,” he said, voice barely above a breath. “I won’t.”
That was all it took.
He closed the space between them, and then his lips were on hers, soft at first, hesitant, but she leaned in like she’d been waiting for this the whole time. It wasn’t rushed, and it wasn’t showy. Just full of all the things they hadn’t said out loud yet. Her hands slid up to his neck; his fingers settled at her waist. Time blurred around them, distant sounds forgotten. The only rhythm now was the beat of her pulse and the warmth of his mouth on hers.
When they finally pulled apart, just enough to breathe, they didn’t let go.
“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” he whispered against her lips. “Next time,” she murmured, “don’t wait until the final call.” Kyle laughed, forehead resting against hers. “Deal.” A knock jolted them back to reality. “Group photo in ten minutes!” someone shouted through the door. Estrella groaned, forehead still against his. “You realise if I go out there with lipstick smudged, I’m blaming you.” Kyle grinned. “Worth it.” She kissed him once more, quick and soft, then stepped back, already reaching for a makeup wipe. As he turned to leave, she called after him. “Hey, Kyle?” He glanced back. “I like you, too. Like… a lot.” That grin, the real one, the one that crinkled his eyes, lit up his whole face. “I’ll be right outside.”
She turned back to the mirror, cheeks flushed, heart unsteady in the best way. The girl in the reflection looked different now, still glittering, still fierce, but lighter, somehow. Like she’d finally let go of something she hadn’t even realised she was holding.
And maybe, just maybe… she was ready for more than the spotlight.
Estrella emerged from her dressing room just as JJ called out, “Group photo, everyone! Come on, let’s do this.” He stood by a glittering backdrop, phone in hand, already scrolling through his camera roll to pick the perfect filter. The small crowd of performers gathered: Sissal in her signature sunglasses, Hálfdán waving a miniature Icelandic flag, and Matti fussing over his hair. Kyle lingered near the side, leaning casually against a soundboard. When Estrella joined the line beside him, their shoulders brushed for a second, just enough to remind them of the quiet promise they’d made.
The photographer counted down. “Three, two, one—smile!”
Flash. In that instant, Kyle turned and offered Estrella a gentle, reassuring smile. She returned it with a small nod, careful to keep her expression natural. JJ peeked at the camera screen and muttered, “Huh, what? Oh, okay,” he says, referencing a meme. No one else noticed. The secret between Estrella and Kyle stayed hidden in that smile. They held poses for a few more shots. JJ darted behind them, striking a ridiculous pose as though auditioning for a late-night sketch comedy show. Sissal made peace signs. Hálfdán tipped an imaginary hat. Matti dabbed, and the photographer clicked again. “Perfect,” the photographer said, lowering his camera. “Thanks, everyone. You can relax now.” The performers drifted apart, laughter bubbling as they congratulated one another. Sissal joked about needing coffee, and Hálfdán teased Matti about his hair products. JJ loudly declared he had a million memes to post, then tottered off, reciting lines from a Trisha Paytas video for no apparent reason.
Estrella and Kyle exchanged a quick glance. Once the others had begun drifting back to the green room or toward the bar, Kyle leaned in close enough for her to hear. “Hey,” he said softly, “can we step out for a second?” She nodded and slipped her hand into his. They wove through the scattered groups of performers, past racks of costumes and makeup tables, until they reached a quieter hallway. The muffled thump of music and laughter faded behind them. Here, the low light and the slight hum of an air vent made it feel like their own private bubble. Kyle pressed his back against the wall, taking a slow breath. Estrella settled beside him, her heart still fluttering from the display earlier. She glanced down at their joined hands. “If anyone saw that look during the photo, they’d think something’s up,” she whispered.
He nodded. “Exactly. We can’t let people know about us yet—especially not now.” He ran a thumb over the back of her hand. “I don’t want to risk anything with the televote. If fans think we’re a couple, it could affect how they vote on either of us.” She sighed, nodding against his shoulder. “I know. They’ll pick favourites based on how they see us. I can’t afford any distractions right before the final.” Kyle’s eyes were steady on hers. “Same here. I want the focus to stay on your performance, for both of us. We deserve that chance before any gossip spreads.”
Her lips curved into a small, determined smile. “So we keep this between us—for now. No PDA, no hints. We just act like nothing changed.” She pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. “We protect each other’s chances.” He closed his eyes for a moment, leaning into her. “I’ll do anything for you, Estrella. Even if it means keeping the best thing that’s ever happened to me a secret.” She let out a soft laugh. “Is that cringe?” she teased, though her voice wavered with emotion. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to me, too, but I can’t let anyone see that yet.” He grinned. “Not cringe. Just… realistic. We’ll wait until after the final. When nothing else matters except how well we did.” Estrella nodded again, pressing her forehead against his. “After the final, we’ll worry about everything else. Right now, we focus on the song, on the stage, on the performance.” Kyle offered one last, reassuring squeeze of her hand. “Deal.” She lifted her head, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Let’s go back” They turned and walked back down the hallway, stepping into the warm, bustling noise of the backstage area. Performers were chatting, costumes were being changed, and JJ was already live-streaming from a corner, glancing up only to flash them an innocent thumbs-up before thrusting his phone back at the screen.
Estrella and Kyle caught each other’s eyes once more across the room—same secret smile, same unspoken promise. Then they moved apart to rejoin the madness, determined to keep their relationship hidden until the final performance gave them every possible chance for success.