Work Text:
Rosewood Gardens, Jasmine City, Woodwork, 2018
"You may now kiss..uh..the..uh...you may now kiss each other!"
Peals of laughter erupted from the couple in front, followed by a chaste kiss and the cheering of the attendants of the wedding.
Yifan breathed a sigh of relief.
After months of preparation, weeks of fidgeting--courtesy of Chanyeol-- and endless days of stress, and confusion and Baekhyun's emotional breakdown on his birthday, finally, both were married. He looked at Kyungsoo, who was standing beside Baekhyun. He, alongside the couple and Yifan were the most involved in the wedding preparation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and uh..Mr. Park Chanyeol and Byun Baekhyun!"
Catcalls and whistles, along with a huge round of applause, and another round of laughter erupted and this time Yifan joined in, putting away his emotions and worries just at least for today.
***
Reception immediately followed in the garden, with guests milling about the place. It was picturesque, with a koi pond on the side, vines of flowers hanging overhead, and a miniature bridge, it was perfect for the couple who wanted a small, intimate gathering. He looked for his table and shook his head when he saw where he would be seated.
The Presidential Table was normally for the couple and their parents but Baekhyun was adamant in sitting both males-- him and Kyungsoo-- with them. It erupted a small protest from the latter, but as usual, he was silenced when Baekhyun gave them his puppy eyes and knew he would have his way when Yifan touched his neck and sighed.
Once seated, Yifan looked around and saw Minseok and Luhan on table number three, together with Yixing and Jongdae. He waved at them, and was given an enthusiastic wave by Luhan, a smile on Minseok, and a cute wave by Jongdae, Yixing busy with his phone. A slight turn of his neck made him see something that sent a churning in his stomach he hadn't felt in a long while. Yifan sighed, it was going to be a long day.
As the blue afternoon sky turned to oranges and violets in the horizon, guests started to raise from their seats and occupy the dance floor, bodies swaying to the tune of some modern music Yifan heard on the radio. He wanted to go home but he knew Chanyeol would be upset if he did, and because he still hasn't delivered his Best Man Speech. It was actually just very short. But because Yifan was an introvert, and public speaking wasn't his forte, he practiced until his voice was a bit hoarse.
Another hour has passed before everyone has stopped dancing and it was now time to deliver his speech. He moved to the center and took hold of the microphone, hands shaking a bit, he cleared his throat, and spoke.
"Hi, uh, I'm Wu Yifan, Chanyeol's Best Man, and I'm honored to be one...."
After his speech, a crying Chanyeol embraced him, while a teary-eyed Baekhyun gave his hand a squeeze. Next came Kyungsoo's brief message that actually made Yifan's throat constrict. He never knew Kyungsoo, despite the murderous gaze and cold manner could give that kind of message. He sent a teasing gaze to his friend's way and was met with a cute pout from the latter.
***
"Hey!"
He turned around and came face to face with a tipsy Kyungsoo, holding a bottle of wine. He was about to take the bottle since a drunk Kyungsoo was a dangerous one but the other male stopped him.
"Don't hyung. I worked hard for this wedding. I deserve this drink!" The male said, words a bit slurred.
"I did too," Yifan chided, "but you don't see me chugging on a bottle of wine like its water."
Kyungsoo looked at him, and with a scoff, " That's because you're scared.."
"Of what, exactly?" Yifan challenged.
Kyungsoo narrowed his eyes at the male.
"Of losing control. Of remembering."
Yifan had no response to that. He forgot that a drunk Kyungsoo could also be very blunt. He cleared his throat and looked towards the dance floor, where a couple of people were dancing. Baekhyun and Chanyeol were in the center, giggly and smiling, sometimes kissing each other, neither one shy about showing affection to the other.
"They look very happy." Kyungsoo sighed, hugging the bottle of wine to his chest.
Yifan looked at his friend. Kyungsoo can also be very emotional when drunk.
The latter sighed. "I hope we can be happy too, ge, especially you.", Kyungsoo smiled dreamily, "Especially Wu Yifan."
Yifan felt his heart clench.
***
A few hours later, Yifan was driving a very drunk Kyungsoo home, the other's back to him, miraculously quiet. When they arrived at the male's apartment, the latter didn't move and Yifan thought that Kyungsoo had fallen asleep. When he was about to wake him up, a teeny voice asked him a question he wasn't ready to answer.
"Ge, do you still think about Junmyeon hyung?"
Yifan turned to look at his passenger. "Why the sudden question? "
Kyungsoo shrugged. "Just..the ballroom looked like the one in La Pristina, many summers ago, when you danced with him." He sighed. "It just brought a lot of memories."
Yifan felt himself recoil at the words, eyes downcast. He did remember that night with Junmyeon, and the dance, but he wasn't ready for questions.
It has been six years and if Yifan was truly honest, he wasn't ready for anything related to Junmyeon. It was ridiculous and he honestly felt pathetic now.
"So?" Kyungsoo says.
He sucks in a breath, stalling for a moment, "Sometimes, I go weeks, months when I don't think about him, and I'll be fine. But, other times, like today when I saw his namecard, I just..." Yifan sucked in a breath,
"What?" Kyungsoo asked, straightening in his seat, genuinely curious.
He leaned on the steering wheel, "I feel small."
"Small?"
He released a breath he was holding, voice a little shaky when he spoke, "Yeah. I feel inadequate, that I'm not enough. I remember I wasn't enough for him."
Quietly, Kyungsoo asked, "D'you still love him?"
"I honestly don't know what I feel." Yifan said, facing Kyungsoo now.
"What if he comes back?"
Yifan straightens in his seat and clutches the steering wheel, hard.
"I don't know.", he says, shaking his head, as if to chase the thoughts away.
Kyungsoo noticed his expression, and sighed expresiion sad and melancholic at the same time.
"Sorry, I was just curious, and besides don't you think I can relate to you?"
"Idiot! Tao's coming back, he said so himself. You're being overly dramatic."
"Yeah, I know. But until now, I still don't know where I stand in his life. Like are we more than friends or are we just friends or friends with benefits?.." Kyungsoo sighed, hugging his knees to his chest. "It's confusing and tiring, actually."
"What? Your relationship?"
"No," Kyungsoo straightens, "Needing to guess where you stand in someone's life is."
He continues.
"Waiting for someone you love to come back is a lot harder than fighting to get them back", Kyungsoo mutters, unaware of his hyung's earnest stare at him.
Kyungsoo though, still oblivious, continues, this time with a somber tone in his expression,
"But sometimes, its all you can do, you know?," then with a sigh, "Because if they truly love you, they will come back."
And at that, Yifan had nothing to say.
***
Dreeving City, St. James, 2018
It was a Monday and Junmyeon knows he's in trouble when he wakes up in an unfamiliar bed, groaning in pain when he tried to move his head. He can feel movement beside him and a few seconds later, an arm drapes around his waist and pulls him closer. He can smell the familiar cologne filling his nose and that's when it hits him.
'Shit! I slept with Kyuhyun!'
Carefully, he tries to get up from the bed but the arm around him is strong and refuses to let go. He clears his throat loudly and without care now, proceeds to manually remove the hand on his waist.
"Mm, Junmyeon-ah. Let's just stay in bed today." The arm on Junmyeon's waist gets a little tighter, face buried on his hair.
"No, thank you", Junmyeon strongly stands up, and forcefully pushes the male, "I have to be in court by 10."
"It's only 8." He was pulled once again into the bed, now on top of the male who proceeds to feel him up. "We still have time for another round."
This time Junmyeon uses his strength and pulls away from Kyuhyun, feeling around for his pants at the same time.
"I'm not drunk anymore", he says without mercy, looking Kyuhyun in the eye.
The male looks up at him with wide eyes, then after a beat, smiles and says, "Good one, Junmyeon-ah!"
He groans in frustration, dresses himself hurriedly, quickly gathers his things and heads out without so much as a goodbye.
"Call me!" Kyuhyun shouts after him.
He wrinkles his nose in annoyance, 'Not on this life, buddy'
He glances at his watch, a limited edition rolex given by his dad and his annoyance triples when he sees the time. He hails a taxi and gives his address, resting his head by the window, he wills himself not to sleep as his hangover takes over.
***
It's been 6 years and Junmyeon is happy. Or so, he says.
Who wouldn't be? He thinks. He's a sought after celebrity lawyer, a household name after he won an impossible case of a celebrity housewife against his A-list actor husband. He also appears often at lifestyle magazines, attracting both genders' attention because of his incomparable good looks, and, as a bonus, gets to sleep around whenever he wants, with whoever he likes. Really, Junmyeon thinks, this is the life. He's glad he followed his father's advice.
Fucking glad.
***
After a stressful day at his office, with another celebrity wishing to separate from his partner, Junmyeon decides to surprise Sehun and pick him up from his school.
Sehun is 16 now and is in his last year of High School. He wanted to legally adopt his nephew, and everything was already set before he backed-out. It's not like he doesn't want Sehun to be his but the fact of the matter is that the kid is not his.
Sehun is his sister's son, not his, and Junmyeon doesn't want that fact erased. So he settled on being his guardian, and after a year, they moved out here, in a different country. Away from his father, his family, his friends. Away from everyone.
He was pulled from his musings when a grumpy looking Sehun appeared in front of him.
"Sehunnie!" He says and was about to envelop the latter in a hug when the kid pulled away from him.
"Hyung!", he whined, looking around, "I told you not to call me that, especially here."
Junmyeon smiled. "Why? It's not like somebody's gonna deduct coolness points from you."
Sehun sighs, and pouts some more.
"I'm not cool, hyung. I have glasses, and these terrible braces. My classmates laugh at me in secret when I talk and the only friend I have is Jino, and he doesn't even speak Korean."
"It's not cool for a teenager to ramble like that", Junmyeon says, a glint of teasing in his eyes. "That deducts coolness points from me."
Sehun whines, and crosses his arms on his chest.
Junmyeon smiles at his nephew. Although Sehun looks mature for his age and has grown alarmingly fast, he's still a kid at heart.
"I'm just teasing. You'll always be cool to me."
Sehun frowns at him. "You always say that."
"Yep!" He stands and walks towards their car, Sehun at his heels, still a bit down. "Now, that it's sorted. What do you want to watch for our movie night?"
He grins when Sehun looks up at him, beaming.
***
"Junmyeon-ssi, it's Leeteuk. Your father wants you and Sehun home for this coming festival. He told me to inform you in advance for you to clear your schedule. He says further details will be known to you for the next few days but I believe Jongin will be home too. We'll see you on the 20th. Good day.
He curses the keyboard, eyes stinging a little. Great, he thought. He's losing his mind. All because of that stupid voicemail. All because of an award ceremony that'll probably be boring and useless. All because of the possibility of meeting him again. Great, just perfect. Six fucking years. He's really glad he followed his father's advice.
Fucking glad.
***
Yifan gapes at the artwork in front of him.
"Hyung! I never knew you could do something like this!"
Minseok smiles, a little bashful. "D'you think Luhan will like it?"
"Like it?! Are you kidding? He'll love this. You can even sell this off."
Minseok is red in the face now, clearly overwhelmed. "Okay enough. Just take care of it, alright?"
"Yessir." Yifan salutes. "But hyung, are you really sure? I mean, Luhan can be really weird and moody."
"I've been with your cousin for almost a decade.", Minseok smiles. "I think I've seen it all."
Yifan shrugs. "Suit yourself. But just remember that I warned you."
"Yeah, yeah." Minseok pats him on the back. "I can't believe I'm proposing, and in La Pristina too."
"Me either, but its obviously the next step for you guys," He turns serious and faces Minseok. "I'm really happy for you both."
Minseok smiles at him. "Thanks. That's a lot coming from you. Anyway, where's your next assignment?"
Yifan has achieved his dream of working as a photographer for the life and culture magazine he was aiming for. He remembered that after he got the call, three years ago, he was so excited to tell Junmyeon about it that he forgot they broke up and he didn't even know where Junmyeon was. It was a long night for Yifan and the days that followed found himself, completely immersed on his new job that his bosses and editor-in-chief were impressed. Yifan wants to say it was because it was his dream, but he can't completely deny the fact that it was also an effort to forget someone he knew he couldn't.
He smiled at Minseok and tried to chase away the old memories.
"I'm still not sure, but the exchange program I applied for is for a year or two so, if everything goes well, and I'm approved, I'll probably be in South America this time next year."
"Hmm. You sound really excited." Minseok says, looking fondly at Yifan. The other just nodded and beamed at him.
They both enjoy the silence for a moment, basking in the calming ambience of the small coffee shop when Minseok clears his throat and tells him another news.
"My dad says Junmyeon will be in La Pristina this year for the festival. His dad's receiving some special award for his service to the town and, well..he wanted Junmyeon and Jongin there."
Yifan gulps.
Minseok notices a slight tremor in his friend's fingers, and sighs. "I just wanted you to know in advance."
"W-when did you learn about this?" Yifan asks.
"Last week, my dad just said it casually." Minseok sighs again. "I'm sorry about this, but it's been six years and I had to do something. I think its time you face him and ask for closure."
Yifan starts to stand up, and is about to leave when Minseok stops him, eyes pleading.
"Please. It's been six years, and you need this, badly, both of you. I don't know about Junmyeon and I worry about him too. But he's not here and I'm not gonna wait for a decade before you start fixing your life."
He yanks his hand. "I'll see you on Monday at the airport, hyung."
Yifan steps backward and bows at Minseok, picking up the canvas, he heads for the exit, eyes stinging, lips quivering.
***
La Pristina, Flower Festival, 2018
Yifan adjusts his lens and focuses on the smiling kid in front of him, looking up at the balloons. He zooms in on the smile and clicks.
"Come on, hyung," Kyungsoo yanks his arm, "the parade's about to start."
Yifan allows himself to be pulled, and the both of them places themselves up on a railing, better position for him to take a photo.
He captures the place, alive and bursting with colors, people milling about everywhere. The Flower Festival here at La Pristina was a world-famous event that all photographers at his magazine want to cover. Fortunately for Yifan, he was given the priveledge of covering the celebration this year so he gets to work and at the same time, enjoy the festivities. After avoiding it for so long, Yifan felt happy coming back to this place. Sure, every nook and cranny of the place brings back memories but Yifan thinks, or rather believes that maybe, he needs to come back to finally move on. The opportunity presented by his magazine for an exchange program in South America would be a much needed respite but first, he needs to come here at La Pristina.
After the parade, Kyungsoo drags them to the plaza, trying hard to see what was going on at the front.
"Come on Soo." He says, wiping his face with a towelette. The sky was an endless, cloudless blue today but the sun was beating down hard and Yifan can feel his polo shirt getting soaked with sweat.
"Everyone's waiting for us at the house." Yifan says, trying hard to drag his friend away from what he was looking at. But despite his small stature, Kyungsoo was very strong and Yifan was heaving just trying to pull him.
Kyungsoo faces him, and points out to a tent near the front where people are gathering.
"I saw Junmyeon-hyung by that tent."
Yifan froze, he sighed and was about to reply when his phone rings and Baekhyun's name flashes on the screen.
"Okay come on, Soo. We really need to go."
Kyungsoo hesitates, pulling him towards the tent. "But Junmyeon-hyung's right there. Aren't you gonna talk to him?"
Yifan sighs. "Now's not the time, Kyungsoo, don't look at me like that." He drags the other away from the tent and starts walking towards the other direction, heart beating fast. "Now we have to go, before Baekhyun unleashes his madness."
***
"This is neat!" Sehun says, looking everywhere, almost bouncing on his seat. "Oh look at that, hyung. That's so cool!"
Junmyeon smiles at his nephew and looks around. It was truly a sight. It has been a long time since he witnessed the Flower Festival in his hometown but he thinks that this is grander and bigger than before.
Bigger floats, more colorful flowers, more variety too, and the tourists have probably tripled. He glances at the plaza, where the portico is primped for tonight's event and Junmyeon averts his glance, stomach coiling.
He knows there's a big chance of meeting Yifan again, and Junmyeon thinks he's ready. But if the sight of something so memorable for the both of them sends him into a frenzy, how much more seeing the man himself?
***
It was nearing dusk now and the sky is painted in pastel colors of purple and pink, beautifully blending with the lights on La Pristina's town square where the most beautiful flowers, fairylights, and bright lanterns adorn the town's spacious portico. It was a breathtaking sight and as Yifan prepares to capture the place, a sense of deja vú washes over him. A sweeping glance through his lens takes his breath away and he stills.
Seated on a park bench, a few feet away, is Junmyeon, face illuminated by the twinkling lights, hair flown by a light breeze, a soft smile playing on his lips, and Yifan releases a soft gasp. He was ethereal.
Yifan sucks in a shaky breath and takes a step forward, and hesitates, and takes another step, then another, and another one, then he was almost running now.
As if in a trance, his feet starts walking towards Junmyeon when he was interrupted by a teary-eyed Kyungsoo calling out to him.
"Hyung! I was looking everywhere for you."
Yifan stares at Kyungsoo, taking in the latter's red-rimmed eyes, and flushed cheeks. "What happened to you? Why are you crying?"
The shorter male sniffs, and takes a deep breath. "It's Tao."
***
Junmyeon seats himself in the bench while waiting for Sehun and Jongin, enjoying the festive air. He looks around and finds himself entranced by the fairy lights, twinkling overhead. He sighs and averts his eyes. When a large drum signals the start of The Festival Dance, he stands up and starts to make his way out of the plaza when a familiar figure catches his attention.
There on the portico, guiding a smiling Kyungsoo towards the middle of the dance floor is Yifan. His Yifan. Their hands entwined, swaying along with the music and Junmyeon finds himself weak on the knees at the sight. With all the strength he has left, he turns away from the sight and heads out, no destination in mind, eyes blurring.
He calms himself after a while. It's been six years, of course Yifan has someone new. Junmyeon himself has been sleeping with a lot of people, albeit, nowhere near a relationship, it still counts. But Yifan, with Kyungsoo, he smiles bitterly and shakes his head.
He wants to laugh. Or cry. Or scream. Really, this is karmic payback. His ex-boyfriend with one of his closest friends. He runs and finds himself on the edge of town, fewer people milling about. He climbs the big water tank and finds himself laughing again when he realizes where he was. The place where Yifan asked him to elope with him.
He leans on the railing and breathes. This is the perfect time, he thinks. He mutters a silent plea and dials the numbers.
***
For a 29-year old photographer who keeps himself fit through exercise, the climb up to the water tank would not be taxing.
But add the anticipation, and the conflicting emotions and Yifan found himself breathing hard at the top, leaning against the tank and catching his breath.
When Baekhyun received a call, he never thought that it would be for him. 'It's Junmyeon-hyung', Baekhyun says, 'he wants to talk to you.'
The water tower at the edge of the town would always hold a special place in Yifan's heart.
He asked Junmyeon to elope with him here.
And a year after the male left him and the country for good, he came back here and wailed.
He smiled sadly at the memory. Now, it seems the tower will bear witness to another one of Yifan's heartbreak milestones and his heart clenches at the thought.
A throat clears, he turns around and finds himself face to face, after six years, with Junmyeon.
"Yifan." A lilt in the voice.
A crack on his heart. "Junmyeon."
"You look good." Junmyeon smiles, and it takes everything in Yifan not to fall down on his knees and ask Junmyeon to take him back. Instead, he grits his teeth, nails digging into his palm and smiles back.
"You too."
Jumyeon averts his gaze. A little too much eye contact, he thinks, and he'll probably break. "I-i owe you a-an...apology, and an explanation."
"Okay." Yifan says and proceeds to sit, gesturing for Junmyeon to do the same.
"I don't know where to start." He pauses. "The letter, you didn't deserve something like that."
Yifan smiles good-naturedly and sighs.
He glances at Yifan and his calm demeanor settles him.
"I had a sister once, when I was younger, before Jongin was born. Seohyun noona was a lot older than me but we were very close, she acted like my mom more than a sister at most times. I was a rebellious kid before. I made friends with the wrong people and my father didn't like it. But I was young, and really stupid. I thought I was cool and all that."
He sighs and Yifan just nods at him to continue.
"One night, after another fight with my father, I ran away and stayed with those friends. My sister was already married at that time and was living quite far from us. When she heard about that I ran away, she went here straight away with her husband, leaving their baby with a friend. My friends, the ones that I stayed with, a few of them were older than me. One of them, looked at me differently and instead of being scared, I was actually excited. One day, after school, I went home and found ourselves alone on the house, and at that time, I found myself really scared. He attacked me and before he could really do anything, I whacked him with a bat, and ran outside. It was raining and already very dark, I didn't know where I was going and just kept running. I passed out due to exhaustion some time in the night and when I woke up, I was in the hospital."
He released a shuddering breath.
"They said it was an accident, I couldn't understand at first. My sister's husband died on impact, while Seohyun noona was in a coma. I've never ran that fast in my life. I found her in the ICU, gashes on her face, bruises on her arms. The only thing keeping her alive was a machine and different tubes were connected to her frail body. She woke up a little and that's when I made my promise."
"What promise?" YIfan asked, tone gentle.
"That I would take care of her son. It was my fault Sehun's an orphan, and it was something my father knew I would honor for the rest of my life, so, that's what he used against me, for me to leave you."
Yifan looked at him and Junmyeon trembled with what he saw in the other's eyes. Understanding, awe, love, a variety of emotions but not one was negative.
"You're amazing." Yifan sighed, dreamily. "But, you do realize it wasn't your fault?"
"I know that now. But, at that time, I was so confused and Sehun was so young, I didn't want him to live with my dad."
"We could have just took Sehun with us." Yifan said.
Junmyeon shakes his head. "No, we couldn't. It was a mistake at the first place for us to leave just like that."
Yifan grows quiet, mulling over the other's words in his head. "Yeah. We were young, impulsive. We thought we could make it." He sighs. "Too bad real life sucks."
Junmyeon looks at him, he was about to speak when Yifan stood up. Confused he followed the other and looked at the blond questioningly.
"Thank you for telling me. It was a relief." Yifan smiled.
"Were you blaming yourself, all these years?" Junmyeon asked.
"I was hurt, and you just left, and the letter didn't help much either. But now," he smiles, "I'm okay."
Yifan turns to him, "Thank you, Junmyeon-ah."
He shook his head. "No, I should thank you. I've been...really bitter and spiteful all these years, but now.."
"We're both okay." Yifan says, smiling at him, gums in full display, and despite the cold, Junmyeon felt himself warmed all over.
***
For the next few days, they would be inseperable. Their friends wanted to pry, especially Baekhyun, but for the others, they were satisfied with the progress. Both looked happier, and that was enough.
At their first meet-up after six years, Baekhyun ended up crying on Junmyeon's arms. Apologizing for not being there for him, being mad for missing his wedding and a few other things that turned out to be a jumbled mess because he was crying so much.
"No, I'm the one who needs to apologize. I ran away from everyone, and pushed all of you away. Especially Baekhyun and Luhan-hyung, who were calling and texting me unceasingly, being understanding with me."
Luhan brushed off his apologies, while the others just smiled at him good-naturedly and all but Yifan enveloped them in a great big group hug. He was a bit teary-eyed when they broke apart.
Baekhyun's wish of them being complete again came true at Minseok's proposal. Yixing and Jongdae came a little later as they had to fetch Zitao from the airport and Jongin, with Sehun in tow, had to go home a little earlier than the rest, but it was fine, Junmyeon thought. He was okay. Yifan was okay. They were all okay.
Another week would pass, and it's time to go back, and Junmyeon is still not clear about his relationship with Yifan. It was clear he was not with Kyungsoo since Zitao proposed to the guy on their last night together, and he looked very happy about it. Minseok and Luhan-hyung were engaged too, and Jongdae and Yixing are living together in the city. Even Jongin has someone.
But what about them? Sure they had closure and everything was going well and his father's stopped meddling now, due to his old age or any other reason, Junmyeon didn't know. So, what was stopping them?
***
"I'm sorry, Junmyeon. I can't." Yifan sadly stated, eyes not meeting Junmyeon's.
Junmyeon's sure he just heard his already cracked heart break a little more, ignoring how he feels. "But, we're okay now, right? My dad's not really meddling anymore, Yifan."
YIfan sighed. He held Junmyeon's hand in his, heart soaring at how well their hands fit together. Then he smiled, and looked Junmyeon in the eye. "I know he's not, and even if he is, I still wouldn't let it stop me from getting back with you."
"But what's stopping you now?" Junmyeon whined, then stilled. "You..Are you with someone else?"
Yifan snorted. "I wish it was easy to move on from you, but it's been six years and the most I've ever done with others is the ocassional one-night-stand. I believe you do the same?" Yifan laughed at Junmyeon's shocked expression. "Sehun told me, don't bother denying."
Junmyeon mumbled something Yifan was sure was threatening. After all, his beloved was a ruthless celebrity lawyer now. He looked at Junmyeon sulking and smiled.
"Hey."
"What?"
"Let's give each other a year, or two. Afterwards, if we're still sure with each other, then we'll see how it goes."
Junmyeon cursed. "A year? or two? Are you crazy?" He looks at Yifan, eyes pleading, shining with tears. "For six years, it has only been you and no one else. I don't need another year, or two. I want you. I want us. I just.." He closes his eyes, tears falling. "Please Yifan, just..tell me what to do."
Yifan closes his eyes and pulls Junmyeon towards him. He wants this too, the both of them and for six years, it has only ever been Junmyeon and no one else. But, he also knows that he needs to heal, that he needs to find himself again. True, he has already forgiven Junmyeon and feels nothing of any form of resentment towards the other, but the feeling of not being good enough is still on his mind, still haunts him everytime and he knows that as long as he feels that way, he can never offer Junmyeon the kind of love he deserves.
"I will wait, if that's what you want, Yifan. For a year, or however long it takes..I promise."
"They only need me over there for two years."
Junmyeon straightens and wipes his tears. " I can wait for two years, Yifan."
Yifan smiles.
Junmyeon continues. "And I'll also take the time to heal, maybe learn more about myself, what I really want in my life. I know I want you in my life though, so there's that." He looks at Yifan, and says in a timid voice. "Just promise me you'll come back to me..all right?"
Yifan kisses him on the mouth, the action making Junmyeon breathless, afterwards they part, and Junmyeon buries his face on Yifan's chest.
Yifan sighs and kisses his forehead. "I promise."
***
Rosewood Hotel, La Pristina, 2020
The sky was a clear sea of blue, void of any clouds, and with the sun shining bright, Yifan thinks its the perfect day for a wedding.
He takes in a big gulp of breath and faces the mirror, straightening his bow tie and trying to to shape his hair in place. He makes eye contact with the person behind him and laughs, Minseok looks terrified.
"I told you to reconsider." He shakes his head and tuts. "Now, there's no going back, hyung."
Minseok glares at him. "I'm not having second thoughts." He sighs. "I'm just nervous.."
"I told you this morning that gulping three cups of coffee is unhealthy. You look really frazzled, hyung."
"Ugh. I wish Kyungsoo was here." Minseok says. "And why are you here Yifan, it's only 7 AM."
Yifan shrugs. "I just wanted to see how I looked in this suit." He looks at Minseok still looking anxious. Yifan takes the other and guides him in front of the mirror. "You'll do fine. You're the only person I know who can withstand Luhan's crazy, you did it for ten years and you'll do it for the rest of your life, and if that's not bravery, I don't what is."
Minseok snorts. "It's called love, Yifan."
Yifan just shrugs and was about to answer when Baekhyun comes in, looking harried, Chanyeol not far behind, glasses askew.
"This idiot, lost his bow tie." Baekhyun says, gritting his teeth. He looks at Minseok apologetically. "Do you have extra?"
"I have one." Yifan says. "It's in my bag, wait here." He nods at Chanyeol who gives him a grateful smile.
Luhan and Minseok decided to hold their wedding ceremonies at La Pristina, but at one of its hotels. Luhan has a thing for old structures and buildings so when the place was available for their wedding, they wanted it here. It was hard, however, to gather all of them since everyone was busy. Jongdae and Yixing were in China, both busy with their Masteral degree, Kyungsoo and Zitao flew to the States at the beginning of the year and was considering staying there for good, while Baekhyun and Chanyeol busied themselves with running their family business. Jongin was busy with university in South Korea and Junmyeon and Sehun were in another country. Only Yifan had no problems with the date since his time was up in South America anyway. But still, with a bit of arguing, and complaining and whining from Zitao, a date was decided and a month later, they're all here, once again, at La Pristina. A little wiser, a little older, but still the same friendship. He sighs when he hears a loud thud from the room next to him. Really, he thinks. They should be getting ready. He knocks on the room and was met with an angry scream from Kyungsoo and Zitao moaning.
Yifan shakes his head and slowly opens the door, not wanting to disturb the lump still sleeping on the bed. He walks towards the windows, and opens it, letting the air and the light in. The person on the bed groans, surfaces from the mountain of pillows he is buried in and smiles sleepily at Yifan.
"Good morning, Yifan."
Yifan feels himself blush and averts his gaze from the other's nakedness, flawless skin bathe in sunlight. Like this, Junmyeon looks ethereal. Hair mussed, naked and happy. Yifan remembers how much he dreamed of seeing this for the last two years he was away. He sighs, feeling overwhelmed with love and suddenly, he knows what he needs to do. He zeroes in, though, on the marks and love bites he made last night and his face reddens even more, making Junmyeon smile from his position on the bed.
"Are you remembering something dirty, Mr. Wu?" Junmyeon says, almost purring and Yifan smirks.
"It's dirty all right." He says, predatory look on his face, making Junmyeon squirm. "And it involves, you, me an--"
"Hyung! I need that bow tie-- Oh my.." Baekhyun enters their room, and watches them shamelessly. "Please continue, I just need that bowtie for my idiot husband." He walks to the dresser table and retrieves the bow tie and smirks at them on his way out. "Enjoy, you guys."
Junmyeon snorts and looks at Yifan's blushing face. He motions for the other to come, smiling as he did so. "I love you."
Yifan smiles, bringing Junmyeon's hand to his lips. "I love you, too."
Junmyeon notices Yifan's troubled gaze. "What is it?"
"I thought of doing this tonight, after the wedding..but, I figured, why not now? When it's just the two of us, and if I get to wake up, everyday, like this for the rest of my life, then I'll be the fucking happiest man in the world."
He retrieves a small velvet box from his pants pocket and Junmyeon chokes at the sight of a silver wedding band, three diamonds glinting in the sunlight. Yifan repositions himself on the floor, and kneels at Junmyeon who by now was a crying mess on the bed.
"Kim Junmyeon, after all that's happened to us, we're here, together and so in love. And I'm thankful I got to fall in love with you again after everything that's happened. So, baby, marry me? I'll make you happy, I swear."
Junmyeon chokes and goes to Yifan, nakedness be damned, and kisses him full on the mouth.
"Is that a yes?" Yifan asks, breathless.
Junmyeon just nods, too choked up to even say anything and Yifan slides the ring. He hands Junmyeon a note, crumpled from being in his pocket for too long and heaves a sigh. Finally, he thinks and looks at Junmyeon lovingly.
Junmyeon,
I wanted to fall in love again, but I always knew at the back of my mind that it wouldn't happen unless it was with you.
If you're reading this, it means you've accepted my proposal and we'll now continue our journey to forever.
I love you.
Happy Anniversary.
Your future husband (hopefully),
Yifan