2.04 ARTIFICIAL LOVE: Spotlight

Oasis has reached quite a peak in his career. His fans are numerous and his reputation pristine. The venue that's rented for his fansign is nothing to scoff at and there are hundreds of attendees. There would have been more if Oasis had booked a bigger space but he hasn't. Not because he doesn't have the means but because he simply chose not to.

For all intent and purposes, Beomseok should have disappeared into the crowd; be just one of many floundering fans with starstruck eyes and desperate for even a glimmer at his idol. He even did his best to tone down his appearance, trading his signature black graphic tees with a loose off yellow crewneck. His usually black jeans are replaced with loose, slacks, grey in color and he even wears a mask to obscure the majority of his face.

Honestly, Beomseok thinks that he looks pretty lowkey. He's even done his best to cover most of his tats. Which is why he finds it strange that people won't stop glancing over. And sure, Oasis has way more female fans than he does male ones but Beomseok is hardly the only exception to the rule.

So he chalks up the attention to Kim Dayoung at his side. Because she was a girl who demanded attention from her looks alone. Her bleached hair fell down to her tiny waist, curled fashionably at the tip. Her makeup is light, but on her doll-like face, it looks ethereal. Today, she wears a dainty white dress with chiffon sleeves and a transparent over skirt that reaches her feet. She's effortless in her beauty and sometimes ends up looking more like a celebrity herself instead of the popular Oasis fansite master, thiirstyrubii.

It's thanks to her that Beomseok finds himself at the front of the line instead of the far back and it's thanks to her that he gets one of the best seats in the house. Kim Dayoung may or may not be a chaebol. Beomseok doesn't know the details of her life but what he does know is that she's loaded to the teeth. The only reason why Beomseok is even her friend, outside of their shared love with Oasis and the fact that she's an avid fan of his tattoos and probably one of his best-paying clients.

And so the two of them end up seated right up in the front, below the stage and Beomseok is suddenly hit with realization as the venue darkens.

"Oh shit," he hisses, just above a whisper, "Oh fucking shit."

Even if he can't see Dayoung in the dark very well, he can hear her smirk in her voice, "Buckle up, big guy. And try not to faint because our Kang Siwoo is oof. He's a whole three-course meal." He can hear her wet her lips and he's not going to deny it.

There's a screen on stage and it comes to life and Beomseok recognizes the mix used for the prologue video for Oasis's upcoming project.

It's a low sound, haunting even, as black wings fold over the screen. A single red feather flutters down. Kang Siwoo hasn't even made an appearance yet and Beomseok is floored, shattered, shaken, shooketh to the core.

The scene reminds him of a dream and he's nostalgic about something he can't put a finger on.

Beomseok chalks it up to Siwoo's artistic prowess, being able to invoke such deep-rooted emotions.

The black wings open up and fangirls squeal. Beomseok can barely keep himself contained because he's being swept up in the hype and can feel his blood brimming with energy.

Kang Siwoo stands there with his new promotional look. His hair is platinum with the signature vermilion strip. He wears a white shirt and it's loose, hanging off one shoulder. Netizens call him fluffy. But they call him deadly too. Beomseok agrees with both.

His eyes snap open and there's a ring of fire within. The camera zooms up close and everything darkens. A string of words appear along with Kang Siwoo's silky voice,

"—fate comes when it is least expected, passionate, intoxicating and completely unforgiving."

The fans are cheering and Beomseok is too. He can't help it, he's swept up by the waves.

And then the spotlight shines and everyone quiets once more, Beomseok's breath stilts as he hears footsteps just ahead of him and it really, really starts to sink in that that's Kang Siwoo. That he's right there.

It takes some courage to look up and when he does, Beomseok doesn't think what he sees is real.

Kang Siwoo, stage name Oasis, is everything Beomseok expects and more. He's stepped out of the TV screen and he's both real (he's right THERE) and unreal (and still looks like a damn CG).

Siwoo smiles and he's the sun, an angel incarnate, especially with that platinum hair and white outfit. "Hello everyone, I'm so happy to see you all today!" He waves and bows and Beomseok still isn't convinced this is real life. He's wearing those contacts too, the one that gives his eyes that red ring. He's ethereal, a fairytale prince, magical and—

Kang Siwoo sweeps his eyes across the venue and Beomseok freezes because those smoldering eyes fall on him. And they stay on him. One second, two seconds, three—

It's long enough that people start looking in his direction and even Dayoung seems momentarily confused, peaking over her camera and looking between Oasis and Beomseok like there's some hidden narrative to be discovered. There isn't, of course, because Lee Beomseok is just a lowly fan whose soul was currently being dissected by his one and only idol.

Kang Siwoo's lips eventually curl upward. "I see that there are more male fans than last time! Ah that's pretty cool, isn't it? I hope everyone has been welcoming and kind."

The crowd chirps up in agreement and Kang Siwoo's eyes turn to crescents as he laughs.

Only then does he look away and Beomseok's shaking, finally taking a breath after almost fainting from oxygen deficiency.

He feels a nudge on his side and when he looks over, Dayoung is grinning at him.

"Shut up," he hisses even though she doesn't say anything. Her grin widens into silent laughter as she shrugs and turns her attention back to the stage.

The fansign progresses with funny skits, a few songs, and a Q&A. It's all standard stuff and Beomseok has seen these things a million times on social media. But it's different in person, it's different when Kang Siwoo is right there just a few meters away. And when Oasis wanders close to the edge of the stage Beomseok is horrified with his thoughts because he thinks, if he just nudges himself forward and reaches—

That's when he remembers that this isn't a concert, it's a fansign which means there's a fansigning part. And Beomseok doesn't know why he doesn't think about this before but he suddenly snaps to Dayoung with his eyes wide.

"Noona. Dayoung-noona." he hisses as low as possible, his voice is drowned out by Kang Siwoo doing something cute on stage while he explains the concept of his upcoming album.

"What?" Dayoung hisses back. She doesn't look away from her camera and diligently snacks about a million photos.

"I…" He doesn't know what to say. He's scared? Yeah, he's fucking terrified because the connection he feels towards Kang Siwoo feels magnified. And maybe it's because he has the heart of a fifteen-year-old girl or something. It's not normal and Beomseok knows that. He wants to be normal. Kang Siwoo is an idol and Beomseok is a fan. There's a line between them and he knows and understands that deeply.

And yet, why does he just want to cry like a dumb bitch when he looks at the star?

Why are Beomseok's feelings so out of control?

Dayoung finally looks over at him and spots his panic. She smiles a little and puts a hand on his thigh. "It's okay. I get it. It's super intense the first time but trust me when I say that it's worth it."

On the stage, Kang Siwoo trips. His expression falls and the crowd coos at him. Beomseok thinks he's imagining things when it seems like Oasis is turning his gaze away from their direction. As though he might have been looking in the first place, but that can't be.

It takes the idol a second to recover. "Aigo, even though I've come so far I still can't do anything about my clumsiness…it's really embarrassing, you know?"

The crowd cheers and calls him cute which only incites the idol to pout. He's really cute, Beomseok thinks fondly.

It isn't long until the table is brought out.

Oh shoot it's time for the signing and they're in the front. Beomseok's in a state of panic but Dayoung is merciless and gives him no reprieve. She eagerly drags him out of his seat and brings him into the line. "Don't worry," she says with a wink, "I'll go first. You'll do fine!"

Beomseok isn't fine at all.