Chapter Text
Seungkwan felt largely out of place. His tie was lopsided and his hair was all mussed up. He didn't want it to be like that. In fact, if Seungkwan had a choice, he wouldn't have a single hair out of place. This entire thing was becoming a cumbersome task for his fragile state of mind.
All the greeting and the hand shaking, normally, he would have loved all of it. All the praise and admiration because he finally did something right. Yet somehow, everything just ended up going wrong, no matter how much he loved writing.
He wrote because he enjoyed it and he wrote because he could create. It was all so exhilarating and surreal. Today was the day everyone applauded him because his creations wove around the minds of many and lead him to a prestigious award that many authors could only dream of attaching to their professional names.
As much as he enjoyed his adoring fans, there was only so much he could take. His day had been pretty bad so far. He had stepped on his cat. He spilt orange juice all over his new manuscript. He accidentally shredded some congratulatory cards from his family. He tripped and fell down the stairs. The bruise was so bad, he had to ask his next door neighbor to help him put makeup on it. This led to her spilling her hot coffee on both herself and his dress shirt, and If that wasn’t bad enough, the taxi he hired almost drove him to the wrong place. Because of that, he was late to the rehearsal and he may have botched up his speech during practice. Everything just seemed so nightmarish. It was almost as if today just wasn't meant to go well.
Seungkwan knew his editor Mr. Choi was worried for him. He also knew what he would say to him. 'Boo Seungkwan! You are an amazing author. No one can compare to your greatness. You needn't fret for you shall do the best!’ Or at least that's what Seungkwan hoped he would say.
He spotted the blonde haired main apologizing to a waiter for knocking down the elaborate display of crystal cups.
Seungcheol wasn't exactly the soft and encouraging type when it came down to it. Sure, he'd get Seungkwan all fired up and ready, but he wouldn’t excessively praise Seungkwan because he for one knew how large Seungkwan's head could get. Seungcheol would just pat his shoulder and shove him up with some slightly encouraging words. That was the dynamic between the two. Seungcheol and would occasionally try bring up the topic of emotions and problems (out of courtesy and concern, of course) but Seungkwan would start acting oddly, or at least more than usual while trying his level best to escape. Then Seungkwan would abruptly change the topic with absolutely no skill but Seungcheol was all too happy to discuss other things.
A slightly taller man walked up to Seungkwan, a golden platter on one hand (laden with some of the salvaged crystal glasses filled to the brim with liquid courage/stupidity). It was a god send. Before the man could offer a glass to the frazzled guest of honor, Seungkwan grabbed one and downed it in one go.
The man flinched slightly, not quite sure if the writer standing in front him of was completely sane. He did seem to be tensed and uncomfortable with his badly styled hair and tie that just wouldn’t sit. The man felt a bit of sympathy for the disheveled author literally gulping the sparkling champagne. The perfectly groomed waiter decided that he would give himself 3 minutes. Just three. He glanced at his watch and quickly placed his platter on a vacant table. He grabbed the slightly tipsy Mr. Award winner and dragged him to the men’s room.
“I don’t know why I’m doing this, but just give me three minutes okay?” The man huffed out. Seungkwan stared at the interesting person in front of him. He didn’t really understand what was going on, but this wouldn’t be this first time a male tried to get with him in the bathrooms. It was the first time the man was so attractive but hell would freeze over before Seungkwan accepted a some random guy's advances.
“Geeed awai frooom meh!” Seungkwan slurred, trying and failing at pushing the really attractive man away from him.
“Just, wait! I have three minutes to make you look normal and make sure you won’t fall over okay? So jut calm down. I won’t do anything to you!” The man hissed.
Seungkwan froze, closed his eyes and stood as still as he could, even with all the swaying. Seungkwan felt nimble hands run through his hair. He would be lying if he said it didn’t feel good. He would also be lying if he said he didn’t miss those fingers when they left his now perfect hair. He felt a tug at his shirt and the panic resurfaced. His eyes shot open as his buttons slowly came undone by those same fingers. This wasn’t right. Seungkwan wanted to protest, he wanted to tell him he lied about not doing anything. He wanted to run. He wanted to hide behind Seungcheol’s large form.
“I cannot believe you couldn’t even button your shirt properly… and it doesn’t match with your tie. Ah man! Maybe three minutes wasn’t enough?” The man mumbled while staring at the buttons on Seungkwan’s shirt. Seungkwan let out a sigh of relief and the man looked up from his awkward half crouch.
“What is it?” He asked.
“Uhh, huuuh? Nuffiiin, iii waaas woooorried thaaat you was like eferyone else…” Seungkwan tried to say.
“Huh, well I didn’t understand a word of what you said. Here drink some water, that should help,” Mr. Waiter replied curtly, passing an unopened bottle to Seungkwan. Where had that bottle come from? Was all that ran through Seungkwan’s head while the waiter man continued to fiddle with his buttons.
True to his word, three minutes later, Seungkwan was ready for his big moment in the spot light. He was still a bit tipsy but it was just enough to give him the extra confidence and courage her normally lacked. He looked at himself in the mirror, quite happy with what he saw.
“Just one more second,” The waiter mumbled. He quickly undid his own tie and wrapped it around Seungkwan’s neck. He leaned in close and deftly wove the satin fabric into an elaborate yet spectacular bow tie. All Seungkwan could do was stare into the slightly taller man’s eyes (a/n I checked! By one centimeter…..)
Seungkwan would normally use his artistic prowess and prattle on about how beautiful this stranger’s face suddenly seemed but holy shit, waiter guy was attractive. Like model attractive. Like I decided to have a love child with Di Caprio attractive. Like Seungkwan was about to topple over attractive.
“Here all done, now get out of here!” The waiter said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He no longer seemed uptight and far away. All of Seungkwan’s stress and uneasiness seemed to dissipate and his words seemed to reappear.
“I would like to introduce the man of the night, a spectacular author whose marvelous works have brought him much fortune and fame, Mr. Boo Seungkwan!” A loud voice echoed around the room. Seungkwan had no choice but to make his way towards the stage. He didn’t have a chance to thank the mysterious waiter. He looked back and saw adoring faces, but not the one he was looking for. He had no choice but to look forward and keep walking. His face morphing into a charming smile and his stride confident and sure. This was him. He had so much to say and he knew how exactly to say it. The kind man seemed to have given Seungkwan his words back.
Seungkwan walked up to Seungcheol and gracefully accepted the mike with a cocky smile aimed at his editor. Seungcheol smirked, glad that Seungkwan was feeling better. His awkward attempt at a pep talk could be scrapped and he would live to see another day.
Seungkwan held the mike up to his mouth hoping to be loud and clear enough for a certain person to hear.
“Words are paint on a canvas. Canvases are nothing but sheets ready for a new universe. A place where the impossible can happen. A place where people can find what they’re looking for. But the only way we open up that new world is with this one. Little things that happen every day, funny stories you hear from friends and family, interesting encounters, a little help from a stranger… I’m am thankful for all of these little things. It may not have seemed like much when you shared your time, but to me, it means the world. These little things have lead me to where I am now, and have cultivated me into who I am now. That being said, I wish everyone luck and I thank you all for your hard work. Please feel free to drink the store room dry! Have a good night everyone!” Seungkwan ended with a smile. The chuckles here and there motivated him and he felt light. Sure, he hadn’t said it like he wanted to, but it was good enough for now. He just had to win again, so he would get to speak better the next time around.
Seungkwan made his way around the hall, carefully untying his bow tie in hopes to return it to the mysterious waiter. He was congratulated many times and he received many smiles but honestly, all he wanted was one, from the handsome man who gave him a little bit of luck and belief with a strip of cloth and the styling of his hair.
O.o
By the end of the night, Seungkwan had already folded and unfolded the tie multiple times. He hadn’t found the handsome man anywhere. He felt like shit to be honest.
Seungcheol spotted his dejected friend moping in a corner. Boo Seungkwan was an amazing orator and he had epic people skills, but when it came down to it, Boo Seungkwan was an open book.
“Looking for someone?” He asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Cheol, I met someone amazing but I let that person get away…” Seungkwan muttered
“Well Kwannie, it is getting late, we can ask around tomorrow…” Seungcheol replied.
“That won’t work, he was with the caterer… I think.” Seungkwan reasoned.
“Then win again, we’ll call the same caterer every time till then, you can come and see if you find him.” Seungcheol stated firmly.
“He probably won’t be working there by the time I win again… but, you know what Cheolie? It’s worth a shot.” Seungkwan exclaimed, ready to get back to work. He dashed off with a half assed good bye and all Seungcheol could do was laugh. Whoever this man was, he made quite the impression on his little Boo.
One year later
Seungkwan wasn’t nervous this time. His tie matched his shirt, his hair was immaculate and he was grinning. Sure His goal was lame. Sure that man may have left because he hadn’t seen him since then BUT he had to hope. He also had to look good in case the man did come. Seungkwan spotted a disheveled waiter shuttled from guest to guest offering champagne in fancy looking flutes.
His hair was a bird’s nest, his eyes were blood shot. His shirt was buttoned wrong and his tie didn’t match his outfit.
His eyes dragged Seungkwan in, His caramel colored hair looked beautiful under the light. His hands seemed so graceful while handing out crystal glasses. Seungkwan anxiously rubbed the black tie in his pocket.
Seungkwan walked up to the tired waiter. He took the platter and placed it on the table next to him.
“I know exactly why I’m doing this, so just give me three minutes okay” Seungkwan smiled