Work Text:
During the month of December the airports are in chaos. This was a fact that Hwanwoong knew, that was the reason why even though it was vacation time, he preferred to go somewhere that wouldn't involve leaving the country. People pointed at him and called him “ambitious” for not wanting to spend all the money he was earning since his agency had amazing results with the two idol groups he had made, but Hwanwoong had listened to his parents “don't trust yourself when the things seem to be going well.” So he had decided not to stop and work more and more.
Hwanwoong had been a dancer for a while in his youth and was once lucky enough to make friends with some smart people in the entertainment industry. Hwanwoong had seen many injustices from the front row towards some artists he had worked with, his cunning and defensive spirit caused him to be kicked out of various agencies just because he, being a simple dancer, had dared to defend the artists he worked with. Some said that he was troublesome, others admired him for his bravery. He asked several people what could be done to stop this abuse and they all said that it wasn't something that could be done overnight. Hwanwoong didn't think so, there must be something to do. And then his grandmother left him a large inheritance. Along with other intrepid friends, they created an entertainment agency, recruited boys and did the best they could, always looking out for the well-being of the boys who trusted him. Hwanwoong become the CEO, perhaps he isn't an expert in managing a company, but his friends trusted that with his personality they could move the company forward. Hwanwoong got everything: sponsors, producers, composers, stylists, everything. They debuted a girl group that surprisingly did excellent from the beginning, due to the popularity the group got contracts alone and they were able to debut a boy group that also did well and then the company was leading the industry. Not only were his groups popular, he was popular. A young CEO who built an empire, of course it was something to talk about, but he was focused on giving the world to his boys and showing that good treatment led to good performance and good results.
However, Hwanwoong knew that it could be temporary. So he stayed on the alert, catching any opportunity for his company to grow. He had gotten an investor from Australia, it was a huge opportunity that he couldn't miss. So when the investor said that he would sign the contract in Sydney, he wanted to kill himself. But for his company, he would get into an airport with the New Year's festivities even though he hated it.
And just as expected the airport was chaos. Many people came and many wanted to leave. Sighing, he sat down to wait, studying the cards that the publicist and administrators gave him about the topics he was supposed to discuss with the investor until he heard something that threw him off balance.
"It's impossible! You can't do it! How is it possible that they cancel a flight and reschedule it in three hours?” The loud voice of a young man drew the attention of not only Hwanwoong but everyone around.
“Sir, an apology but we had a complication. The only available plane you can take is the one I already told you about.”
"No! I can not wait that long. I'm supposed to arrive at 9pm, I can't arrive at 3am. At that time it would be late. I don't know how they're going to do it, but the plane must leave in an hour at most."
"Sir, I repeat it. It's not possible. I'm sorry for the inconvenience but…”
"No!" The boy lunged at the airport worker and started pulling his hair. "If they don't put me on a plane, I'm going to sue them and you'll lose your job."
"Policeman!"
Great. Among the things Hwanwoong hated were injustice, mistreatment, and abusive customers. So he got up from his place and went to them, Hwanwoong wasn't tall compared to that guy but he managed to separate them. The boy continued to yell and then Hwanwoong got fed up so he punched him on the cheek which made him shut up at last. When the security people arrived, Hwanwoong told them that he would take care of it. He pushed the man until he pushed him away enough, his plan was to say some strong words but what he didn't expect was for the man to fall to the ground and start crying. Which made him annoyed even more, he hated when people didn't know how to deal with frustration. He was going to leave him alone and forget about it but hearing it caused him to stop.
“I'm the worst person, sorry. I didn't want to do it. I don't know why I did it, but I've been planning this all year. Due to my work I couldn't leave earlier and everything was supposed to be fine but… They canceled the flight. Why?" The man hugged his knees and continued to cry. Since he became CEO, he has related to many people and has been in many situations, he learned to read people and this guy's tears weren't just because he didn't know how to handle his frustration, they were also pure sadness and melancholy. Seeing people suffer was something Hwanwoong couldn't bear.
"Ah... Come on, what's wrong with you?"
"It doesn't matter anymore! I'm stranded!" The man continued to cry and runny nose, in addition to which he continued to attract the attention of everyone around. "I should have known that I was born to be unhappy and miserable. Look at me! I'm on the ground of an airport crying and with a bleeding bruise.” Hwanwoong looked at the fist with which he hit him and saw that he was wearing his rings, maybe he had hurt him. He sighed and looked at his watch, his flight was in three hours so he could reassure this guy.
"Come on." He extended his hand to him. “You are very stressed, maybe you need someone to listen to you, in addition to treating that wound. I'll take care of it, okay?" The man stopped running his nose and looked at him, Hwanwoong felt a little bad for thinking about a dog that had been kicked when he saw the man with bright eyes and his body trembling, but the truth is that he was very similar.
Hwanwoong bought a first aid kit and in a cafeteria treated the wound on the cheek of the man who had stopped crying, however he continued to struggle to stabilize his breathing since he had cried very hard and for a long time.
When he finished, he asked him if he wanted to drink something and he said he just wanted water, after taking a sip he dropped some tears again which he wiped away immediately.
"Ok… I hit you, I brought you here and cleaned your wound, however I don't know your name. I'm Yeo Hwanwoong." He said as he handed him a napkin to wipe his tears.
"I'm Lee Keonhee."
"Keonhee. I'm sorry about the hit but you were being an idiot to someone who is just doing his job, I know I shouldn't have but I don't tolerate injustice."
"Yeah well… me neither. I'll try to apologize but…" His nose turned red and he started crying again. "They canceled my flight."
"Where would you go?"
"To see my love." Curiosity, another Hwanwoong trait, got the better of him.
"Well… inconveniences pass. Why don't you just tell him what happened and that you'll be arrive later?"
"I wish I could but I have nothing on him but his name."
"What?"
"It's a long story."
"I have time and I feel like you need to talk so…I'm listening."
Last New Year, Keonhee had his vacation period. Keonhee was a vocal teacher at a music academy and had saved up to spend New Years abroad. After having investigated he decided to go to Sydney, because it was the best place because there he could enjoy the new year before anyone else. He booked everything and spent an incredible three days getting to know the city through a guided tour, ate in good restaurants, saw the opera, even went to the Blue Mountains. And for new years he was supposed to buy a cruise tour but the traffic for the party made him not arrive on time so he just watched as the ship left. Believing that he was unlucky, he sat on the ground willing to spend New Year's there anyway he could also watch the fireworks for free.
Then he felt how behind a person began to get closer.
Keonhee's eyes sparkled in such a special way when he remembered it.
A man with black hair and dressed in a white shirt and black pants sat next to him. The man told him that he had seen him from the restaurant that he was on the other side of the sidewalk and that he found it strange that over time he would just sit there and no one would do anything about it. The man apologized for his audacity when he saw that Keonhee didn't say anything, he told him that his name was Lee Seoho and that unless it bothered him or he was straight, he wouldn't ask him if he would like to have a glass of wine with him.
Was he going to turn down the invitation? Of course not. He had found a handsome man who spoke his language in a big city in a dreamy time. Maybe this was the gift that life gave him after losing the cruise money. It wasn't like he expected anything else or something to put his feelings into. It would only be one night, he had nothing to lose.
They shared a few drinks at the same place Seoho had mentioned, where he told him that he was a pilot and that Sydney had been his most recent destination. Keonhee found it interesting and asked him about all the places he has been to and Seoho told him many interesting stories about the whole world, about the weather, the food, the people. Everything, in such a detailed way that Keonhee could feel that he also knew those places. Seoho was the best company he had had in a long time, he talked witty and made him laugh. They went from drinking wine to remembering their childhood and when they learned to ride a bicycle, so they rented two and rode around the bay. Later they ate something light in a bar where they continued to get to know each other as well as dance for a while.
And when Seoho painted Keonhee's face with neon paints he realized that maybe he lied to himself when he thought he could keep his feelings away. Seoho hadn't only saved the night for him but also made his heart race and made him feel special with his gaze. And maybe at that moment he thought that he would have something to lose if the night ended and he didn't get kissed by the handsome pilot.
When they left that bar they did it holding hands as if they had known each other for years and not just three hours. It all felt so natural, so right. As if it were fate.
Seoho proposed to play a game to get to know each other well where everyone would say a piece of information about themselves. Keonhee started by telling him that his favorite color is white, Seoho said that he hadn't liked anyone in three years until he saw him sitting on the sidewalk in the middle of the sunset. Keonhee told him that he always wanted to date a pilot or a doctor. Seoho said that he is a great pilot and that he had a doctor friend who told him that doctors are often unfaithful. Keonhee said that his sister read that pilots are also often unfaithful. Seoho told him that he was different and after seeing him it would be impossible to look at someone else. Keonhee didn't believe him, Seoho took off a brooch from his shirt and put it in his hand, it was circular and with the drawing of an airplane in the middle. He told him that he bought it at age 8 when he decided to be a pilot when he grew up. So when he decides to pursue something he liked, he was serious. Keonhee didn't want to accept it but Seoho told him that it was his way of expressing the feelings that he didn't understand how they were born and grew so fast.
They went to a public viewpoint at the foot of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, facing the opera house, to wait for the new year. With their hearts and minds full of feelings, they did not hesitate to kiss when everyone shouted "Happy New Year!" and fireworks adorned the sky. It was a beautiful setting, so beautiful that Keonhee cried and Seoho had to hug him tightly to comfort him.
When Keonhee felt better, Seoho talked about what they could do to stay up all night, Keonhee joked that he didn't usually sleep with someone on their first date, Seoho blushed and said that he had no hidden intentions and just wanted to be with him even if they just talked all night.
With the fireworks still in the sky, Seoho received a call. They urgently needed a pilot, he could not refuse. Heartbroken and after a kiss full of emotions, both held hands and promised that they would return to that same place next year and spend the whole night together.
It all happened so fast that neither of them thought to ask for the other's number. All they had was a name and a promise.
"And he aren't have Facebook or any social network?" Hwanwoong asked after hearing the story.
"No. He said he's a distracted person and if he had social media he would only waste more time and not properly prepare himself to be a better pilot."
"And he hasn't looked for you?"
"I… I don't have networks either. I only have Instagram but I use it for food photos. It doesn't have my name."
"sillys." Keonhee laughed a little.
"It's what everyone tells me when I tell them the story, that and that I'm a naive idiot."
"Why?"
"Because I'm betting a lot on going back to a country abroad believing that something ephemeral that I had with a stranger means something. My sister says that it was too little time that we spent together to do something like that and that maybe all he wanted was sex but that his work ruined his plans and that he said about the promise because the pilots are dedicated to sugarcoating their lies."
"And what do you think?" Keonhee sighed and took another sip of water, took from his coat the circle brooch with the drawing of an airplane in the middle.
"I don't know…I just…I know he's a stranger but…I want to see him again and trust that night. I know it doesn't make sense but why is time important when even after a year I still feel the same way? Even if no one understands… I feel deep inside that he will be there."
Keonhee covered his face with his hands and cried again with a cry that moved Hwanwoong.
The young CEO had been locked up for a long time in a world where he could only see his company and its surroundings, which made it a bit incredible to see that something like what Keonhee had just told him had really happened. That out in the world, there were still people with pure hearts like Keonhee and that love stories were born naturally and were free from other people's bad intentions.
People called him greedy, ambitious, greedy just because he didn't spend the money he had earned. His father always told him that money had to be used correctly and that if it was used to help people it would be the most appropriate… well, then that's what he would do.
He got up from his place, walked through a large part of the airport and went to a booth.
"I want a private plane."
Hwanwoong had to drag Keonhee to the plane, the boy refused to let Hwanwoong make such an expense. So Hwanwoong after securing Keonhee's belt gave him his card and told him who he was and he was flying to Sydney too anyway. Keonhee how the weird person he was gave him his address and told him that he would appreciate it if he sends him autographed albums from his agency bands.
During the time that their flight lasted they talked about music, Keonhee was very skilled and knew a lot about vocal training. Hwanwoong offered him a job and Keonhee said that he would think about it.
Shortly before arriving in Sydney, Hwanwoong read in his email that the meeting had been brought forward so his time was running out. So when landing he got up in a hurry.
"I have to go. Thank the gods we rented this private plane, my meeting was brought forward. See? It wasn't money wasted, if it hadn't been for you I would have lost my investor." Keonhee still in his seat took his hand and looked at him with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you for being an angel today Hwanwoong. I will leave a good review of you on Pann. Please give me your account number though, I must pay you something for the trip."
"It's not necessary… It will be enough if you invite me to your wedding with your pilot." Keonhee smiled. "Thanks for inspiring me."
"Thanks to you, if it hadn't been for you I would have lost my love."
"Good luck, Lee Keonhee."
"Luck, Hwanwoong.*
Hwanwoong got off the plane and a car was already waiting for him. Before going up he looked at the night sky and saw the stars. And he remembered what his mother always told him: “Despite being a drop in the ocean, we can make a difference.”
And he was satisfied that he could be a ray of help and hope for change in a world accustomed to indifference.
*.*.*.*
After taking the last selca on the plane, he took out the brooch Seoho gave him and pressed it close to his heart. The trip with Hwanwoong made him understand why Seoho liked airplanes, they were used to do magic in the sky and that was beautiful.
When trying to put it back, the brooch fell to the floor and went rolling down a corridor. Keonhee tried to go for him but he still didn't unfasten his seatbelt, he wanted to let go but his seatbelt got stuck, so he began to struggle.
He was so focused on the belt that he was startled when a person appeared in front of him giving him the brooch.
"I think you lost this."
His heart stopped, looking up and seeing Seoho smiling at him dressed in his pilot uniform, his eyes filled with tears again but for the first time in a year, he felt happy and relieved.
Seoho helped him unbuckle the belt, when it was loose they hugged tightly.
"I have to thank the airline for not honoring my vacation and making me fly a private plane." Seoho said in his ear.
"I didn't ear your name…how...?"
"It was at the last moment, the other pilot had a setback and he thought that I wouldn't arrive so that is why he introduced himself to you. When I arrived he told me that there was no time and he made me fly... what a small world."
"You… did you remember our promise?"
"Every day." They parted, Keonhee smiled before giving him a kiss. Seho smiled. "I often thought of you as the most beautiful of memories and wished you were with me, so I could delight myself with your smile. Call me crazy but this year I could only fall more in love with you."
"I missed you like you don't have an idea. Sometimes I thought I was crazy and that I had hallucinated everything and that I wouldn't see you again but… Thanks for showing up."
"Stop crying…" Seoho wiped his tears away with his hands and caressed his cheeks. "We are together, you shouldn't cry. Today, let's have our eternal night and know the scope of our love while we wait for the arrival of the new year."
Keonhee nodded, took a last sip, and gathered his luggage. He took Seoho's hand and together they got off the plane.
"How did you get a private plane?"
"It's a long story I'll tell you later… Let's exchange numbers first and consider opening a Facebook profile, I don't want us to get lost again."
"Whatever you want."
🛩️🛩️ T H E E N D 🛩️🛩️