the moment chris fell in love with star!reader.
warnings: none! pairing: youtuber!chris x star!reader
the backround dancers outfits all glimmered as they walked past. backstage was both the most exciting and nerve racking thing no matter how much you did it. your anchor to any speck of peace was your three bestfriends conversating in the corner of your dressing room as your makeup artist touches up your makeup.
once she was done you were left alone with the triplets, not having noticed their lack of conversation now. you were too distracted by the fact that your thigh garter had untied itself for the second time, acrylic nails left no room to tie it back up yourself so instincitvely you go to ask for nicks help again.
turning, you sigh "i hate to ask again but-" you let out a small 'oh' as you turn around and notice 2 of 3 triplets are now gone from the room. presumably for the bathroom.
acting as if he hadn't been paying any mind before that moment he lets out a confused "hm?". although, unbeknownst to you, his eyes had been on you through the reflection in the mirror for nearly a whole minute prior to turning to face him.
you glance around to see if your makeup artist might still be present, because although you and chris are close- it still feels a little awkward to ask him to come fix the broken outfit piece.
seeing nobody else present you push up out of the vanity chair and walk toward him "i just need you to tie this in the back, reaally tight so it doesn't fall off out there" you say reffering to the stage.
"yea for sure" chris tosses his phone lazily on the empty couch cushion beside him. it isn't until your close that chris takes notice of just how well made and gorgeous your stage outfit is. a simple admiration, nothing more.
he scoots forward to the edge of the couch, leaning over to focus as he takes the lace of the thigh garter between his fingers. something about seeing him get closer, so focused on tying it as you'd asked is both sweet and attractive.
he makes a point of not looking up at you as he does it, taking longer then anticipated by the silky lace being difficult to tie. as the lace slips out of being tied again he swallows thickly, murmurring a soft sorry as he scoots closer - like it'll help him focus.
"'s okay" you reply softly. and you mean it. his knuckles occasionally brushing your thigh and the focused look on his face isn't exactly unappealing to you. nothing wrong with finding your friend attractive right? just simply observing a fact.
when he pulls the lace tightly, it makes you stumble forwards slightly, nearly onto him if his hand on your hip and yours on his shoulder didn't prevent that.
both of you awkwardly giggle, chris muttering "my bad" as he looks up at you for the first time, his chin nearly brushing your skirt when his head lifts. you tell him it's okay again and then this time when he gets back to it, he succesfully ties the lace.
he doesn't mean to be weird but subconciously his hand lingers against your thigh for a moment. he notices the distant look in your eyes and the fidgeting. "you nervous?" he questions with concern, his hand leaving your thigh (dissapointingly so).
you consider the seat next to chris but seeing as nick and chris's phones as well as a takeout box were filling it, you just sat on the edge of the arm of the couch. "a little, i feel so unprepared" you swipe a hand over the top of your hair with a sigh, peeking out into the hallway where your dancers are prepping - which means it's showtime soon.
chris's hand reaches out to smooth out your skirt gently as he shakes his head "y're gonna do great you always do" he tells you truthfully with a shrug.
"oh do i?" you say, overdramatically kicking your feet and pretending to be flattered. the corners of chris's mouth quirk up, a soft huff of a laugh leaving his lips as he nods "mhm".
if it were anybody else, you would notice the way he subtly avoids eyecontact. but with chris you find yourself doing the exact same, looking off to eye anything else - the mirror, the floor, your makeup, anything but him. before his hand can slide away from your skirt, you catch it and stand up off the couch, gently tugging him with you. you're a touchy person anyways so chris doesn't read too far into it.
"you know what would take away my nerves?" you pull him behind you for a short walk to the vending machine as he responds with a playfully irritated "what." already knowing you’re up to something by the tone in your voice.
"a dr pepper paid for by my favvourite triplet-" you draw out the word ‘favourite’ to suck up to him even though there isn’t really a world in which he would say no anyways. you're only asking him because your wallet is nowhere near you right now and chris has no problem with paying for your food or drink often times anyways. chris shakes his head with a playful "shut up", only releasing your hand to take out his wallet for you. he hands you what you need for the drink. you give him a quick grateful side hug, then get your drink.
maybe it was the tension from a few moments before, something about the backstage lighting making your highlighter glow, the way the stage outfit held your body perfectly or just the few seconds of peace you take to drink your soda - but in this moment, staring at you, chris realizes no part of him can accept that his love for you simply stops at friendship.
"something wrong?" chris realizes he's been caught staring.
"no, just- good luck" there's an awkardness to his rushed words before he walks off.
an awkardness that you only notice because you've been staring too.
a/n: if this sucks i can re-write it bc i don’t love this tbh