Keeping your eyes open at what must be one of the must boring events you’ve ever been to when you’re already low on sleep is an exceptionally hard challenge. Luckily, your seat partner seems determined to keep you awake.
words: 1.5k
requested by anon:
“hello i was wondering if you could write something where you’re at an award show and the only thing keeping you awake is the guy sitting next to you’s commentary ? (johnny or donghyuck pls) ty !”
notes: i tried to make this as bubbly and light as i could because it just really fit with the theme for me, so expect a lot of giggles and smiles throughout this small drabble. (also i hope you don’t have a peanut allergy or else this could be awkward jahsdfv) anyways, hope you enjoy reading, anon! ♡
"And the winner is…"
A name foreign to you is called out and the ring of applause that sounds out from around you is what forces your eyes back open from where they'd been drooping shut. You subtly try to stifle a yawn behind your hand before clapping along, a beat later than the crowd. The past few days had been particularly tiring for you, and between work, your studies and outings with your friends you had found close to no time to sleep.
And of course, as fate would have it, during your one free day, you mom dragged you to one of her many events. Some award show that also doubled as a fundraiser for whatever organization your mother was currently working with. You could never quite keep up with the amount of times she bounced around between jobs.
Your eyelids fall dangerously low again as you hear a voice right beside your ear. "Falling asleep, are we?"
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.
However, once at the car, you allow yourself one last glance over your shoulder. A smile tugs at the ends of your lips when you spot Donghyuck do a small victory dance as he looks down at his phone, where you had saved your number, and your name, complete with a heart.
[6:55pm] the sun is beginning to set in the distance as you stand under one of the trees near the lake. your stance is firm, both feet planted securely in the soil as you direct your wand towards the open water. you call out the spell for what seems like the millionth time today and watch in defeat, as it fails yet again.
you let your hand slump down against your side before groaning loudly, your headache from earlier making its return behind your closed eyes. suddenly, you notice a flash of yellow robes behind you, and before you can even turn around, you feel hufflepuff!mark's arms wrap around your waist.
he kisses your cheek before burying his face in your neck, placing another quick kiss to the area. the action immediately makes you relax against him, letting a relieved breath fall from your lips. "how is it that you always find me when I need you most?" you ask, your previous frown replaced by a growing smile just by your boyfriend's presence.
"guess i have a sixth sense." he says with a giggle and you near snort while shooting him a look over your shoulders. "i saw you from up on the tower." mark admits as one of his hands moves to engulf the hand with which you hold your wand.
you shake your head, trying slightly to wiggle out of his grasp, but he holds you tight, safe in his embrace, as always. "come on, y/n, you can do this. i know you can." mark lifts your hand that's wrapped around your wand, positioning it so it's tip is towards the water.
"mark", you whine, "it's not going to work." mark chuckles slightly at your tone. "yes it will, just have patience." you huff. "that's easy for you to say, you're a hufflepuff."
mark fixes your stance so that your back is straight. "focus" he reprimands, voice still soft as he does so. you roll your eyes but do as he says. mark's hand is steady around your wrist as you twirl your hand, the words of the incantation falling from your lips.
your mouth falls open in shock at the stream of light that leaves the tip of your wand, cascading beautifully across the water. it takes you a few seconds to register what you had done before you squeal out in happiness, turning around in mark's embrace to face him.
he's smiling, eyes crinkling as he looks at you with fondness and pride. there's a million words running through your head as you look at him, but three of them stick out from the mess. you place your hands on either side of his face. "i love you."
you watch as mark's cheeks color the lightest shade of pink, an adorable habit of his whenever you said those words. it takes him a beat to answer, and you can see the way his eyes sparkle even if the light around you had long vanished.
finally, he moves his face closer to yours and presses a chaste kiss to your lips.
