#req'd

The sudden noise causes you to shoot up, whipping your head to look at the young man sitting in the chair next to you. His light brown hair is styled away from his face, leaving his forehead in full view. His tan skin stands out against the crisp black and white of his tux and your eyes can't help but wander over the elegant slopes of his face. You can't help but note that this stranger looks very very handsome. You hadn't even noticed him before now, too engrossed in your own little world to pay attention to your surroundings. 

You choke on your spit just a little before forcing out a somewhat pathetic "I wasn't falling asleep." The stranger laughs at what you say and you can't help but chuckling with him just a little, realizing the obviousness of your lie. 

"Hey, I don't blame you. This award show is boring as hell." 

You turn to the stranger, a totally serious look on your face. "My mom organized this event." His eyes widen almost comically as he sits up straighter, already fumbling over his apologies. It's your turn to laugh wholeheartedly at his helplessness. His previous shocked expression turns into a playful scowl and he narrows his eyes at you. 

The presenter's echoing voice is what draws your attention back to the stage in front. The man takes out a new set of cards, reading through them at a quick pace as he fixes the glasses perched on his nose. You feel the handsome stranger lean in closer to you on your side. "You know, I bet he's gonna mess up this next guy's name." You raise a questioning eyebrow at your seat partner before focusing back on the presenter. Sure enough, he completely butchers the winner's last name, stumbling through the syllables of the word with great difficulty. 

You turn to the young man beside you once again. "How did you know that was gonna happen?" He shrugs, not even sparing you a glance as he answers swiftly. "I already know exactly who'll win what award." Your eyebrows draw together at his confession. "What? How?" 

"Because it's rigged." He turns his gaze towards you, a serious look to his face. It only lasts a second though, before he bursts out laughing. His laugh is full in its glory, a melodious sound that escapes him as he bends forward slightly. He quiets down only after there's a small shush from behind you both.  "Oh my God, you should've seen the look on your face just now!" 

You roll your eyes at him and move one of your hands to slightly push at his shoulder, a smile finding its way to your face despite yourself. "So how do you know?" 

"I caught a peek at the presenter's cue cards earlier." He says nonchalantly as he rummages around for something in his blazers inner pocket. You huff out a small laugh. "Cheeky." 

He clicks his tongue as he pulls out a bag of peanuts, plopping one of them into his mouth with ease. Your stomach growls slightly at the sight. You hadn't eaten anything since lunch. "You've got snacks?" You question in disbelief, not having seen any form of food anywhere at the venue. 

Another peanut finds its way into the guy's mouth. "Yeah, I smuggled them in. You want some?" You nod eagerly, reaching into the small package and pulling out a handful of nuts. The guy chuckles as you plop a few into your mouth and you look at him in confusion. "What's so funny?" 

"Nothing. It's just- I find it funny how you don’t even know my name and yet you’re accepting my offer of peanuts. These could be poisoned, you know?” 

You bring your hand up to your mouth to stifle a snicker, before reaching over and grabbing another handful from the small plastic bag in mystery guy’s hands. You cock your head as you shoot him a crooked smile. “I’ll take my chances.” Your currently leaning across the boy, your faces only inches apart as you notice his breath hitch. His eyes flicker briefly down to your lips and you freeze, still close enough to the see the elegant curve of his dark lashes. 

“Donghyuck.” He breathes out. “My name is Donghyuck.” A playful smile forms on your lips, still dangerously near his. “I didn’t ask for your name.” His eyes shift to the side nervously, and you can see the way goosebumps erupt on his caramel skin, before his eyes come back up to meet yours. “Well, I thought you should know, regardless. Seeing as I’m the guy who’s been keeping you awake for the past thirty minutes.” 

Finally, you pull yourself back, leaning against your seat as you gaze over at Donghyuck, whose shy expression has turned into a coy smile. “Y/n.” He blinks once in confusion and a small chuckle falls from your lips. “My name is Y/n. It’s nice to meet you Donghyuck.” You hold out your hand, watching as his long fingers engulf yours in a short handshake. He wears an almost boyish grin on his face when you next look at him. “Well, it’s nice to meet you too, Y/n.”

The next hour or so of the event is spent with you barely holding back a laugh at whatever witty commentary Donghyuck has to offer, emptying out the bag of peanuts and avoiding the glares and shushes of those around you. Not once do your eyes droop with the lively boy next to you, and by the end you feel lighter and filled with more energy than you have in a long time. 

It seems almost far too soon, when the curtains close on the stage and the people around start standing up to shuffle out of the auditorium. You join the crowd, Donghyuck still beside you as you continue to talk about idle things, smiles on both your faces.

After a while you reach the exit and the both of you are left standing side by side under the night sky, a cool breeze ruffling through your hair. A small moment passes where none of you talks, and you use that brief time to glance at Donghyuck’s face underneath the meager glow of the streetlight in front of you. The light casts moving shadows over his elegant features, and his windswept hair paired with the pristine tux he’s wearing make him look like he just stepped out of an old hollywood movie. 

His phone buzzes and you watch as his face shifts to an almost annoyed expression once he glances at the screen of the device. “What’s up?” You break the silence, only for Donghyuck to shoot you an apologetic look. “Ah, I- My brother just texted that he’s locked out of his apartment and I have to go save him. I actually wanted to invite you out to dinner…” His voice trails off as he types something on his phone, undoubtedly and angry text at his brother from his adorable scowl. There’s a flutter in your stomach at his last words and you tap his hand to get his attention. His gaze shifts to you and you simply gesture towards the device in his hands. 

Wordlessly, he hands it over to you. You type in your name and number, unable to hide the way your lips curl upward as you do so. “Well we can reschedule then. Call me. Or text, whichever you prefer.” You hand his phone back to him, only just stifling your laughter at the way his mouth hangs slightly open. You can hear your mother's voice somewhere behind you. Whipping your head around, you find her in the crowd, her eyes no doubt searching for you. 

You turn once again to Donghyuck and, in a quick motion lean up to press a chaste kiss to his cheek. “Thanks for tonight.” Turning on your heel as quick as you can to hide your blush, you find your way over to your mother. She nods at you and heads for the car, you following suit.