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"Taeyong, will you take Yuta to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, from sickness and in health, until death do you apart?"
"I do."
It was sunny in the afternoon when Yuta asked Taeyong to go out with him. Even though he had a long tiring day, he couldn't say no to him. In fact, he's also mad excited because he's been away for weeks and he missed his love so much. Yuta never loses energy wherever he goes. He is always excited whenever Taeyong comes around.
Taeyong rode the car and in one swift move, they were driving to wherever Yuta wants to go. He looked out of the window of his car and the leaves are slowly drying. It's near autumn and it's perfect time to feel the cold breeze coming. He can hear Yuta's laughter when a leaf flew to his face. It sounded so beautiful in his ears and wants to hear more of it. He might look ridiculous in front of him but as long as Yuta's happy, he's happy.
"Yuta, will you take Taeyong to be your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, from sickness and in health, until death do you apart?"
Silence is all they can hear. Yuta looked at his groom with a painful glance before he mouthed an "I'm sorry".
The last thing that Taeyong knew, he suddenly felt empty.
"Yongie ~" Yuta called as the winter cold gives his cheeks the reddish color. Taeyong got worried on how thin Yuta is wearing and they're walking down the street to skate which will make Yuta even more colder if he didn't cover himself properly. He tried to spot a clothing store to see if he can cover up Yuta's face with at least a scarf. He spotted a thick red scarf and immediately bought it. As Yuta walked inside the store, Taeyong wrapped his lover with the red scarf. Yuta giggled cutely and Taeyong can't resist to kiss his nose before covering it entirely.
"Let's go?" Taeyong grabs his hand and went straight to the skate park.
Taeyong grasped on the pew as he stumbled tiredly from all the crying happened earlier. He looked up, wondering what will happen now that the love of his life ran away from him. He doesn't know what to do. He wanted to get angry, cry again and feel betrayed but no matter how much he feels right now, he still love him.
He still loves Yuta.
It was in the middle of spring when Yuta brought Taeyong's favorite sweet potato while he assembled their tent. Though they lack in experience in camping and building a tent, Yuta looks glowing as the bonfire lights up. He's cooking his marshmallow while humming his favorite song. Taeyong took a bite on the marshmallow and his lover felt betrayed.
"Hey! I cooked that!" But Yuta only smiled when Taeyong whispered his sorry.
He stared at the open roof again. He couldn't stop thinking about all the things that happened before. It stopped snowing but he can't see the stars shining brightly.
He can smell it in the air. Yuta's scent. The red scarf he bought. Even he's not here beside him, he couldn't stop thinking about it.
He remembers it all too well.
"Nakamoto Yuta, will you marry me?" Taeyong asked as he kneeled on one leg with a beautiful diamond ring showing their engraved names on it. He looked up with all his eyes glued to the most beautiful human being he had ever seen. Watching Yuta gasp, he couldn't help but to chuckle a bit before taking his hands and kiss it.
YT 🖤 TY
Yuta stared back and forth from the ring and Taeyong and answered with a big 'YES' before being crushed by the smaller Taeyong from all the hugs he gave to him. He looked at him with a big smile on his face. He felt happy, he felt contented. He loves Taeyong and that's all that he can ask for. Yuta span around the center of the room, beaming with joy as he flaunt his engagement ring. He's engaged. He's finally engaged to the love of his life.
Taeyong, on the other hand, couldn't help but to happily take all the photos of him being so happy. He adjusted the film and captured another one where Yuta showed his loving gaze to him. Taeyong swore he isn't just in love. He is madly in love with him. He is crazy if he let this beautiful creature go. It was his best summer after all.
But no matter how much love he has to give to him, they are not meant to be together. He isn't his to begin with. He belongs to himself.
The door opened up again revealing the worn out Yuta behind. He didn't look back but he could feel him sit beside him, crying all his heart out with regrets of leaving the love of his life because of his fear.
"How about chocolate cake?" Taeyong asked his lover who's all looking at the slice of chocolate cake in front of him. Yuta asked Taeyong to accompany him in choosing their cake for the wedding but here he is, spacing out again. He tapped his lover's hand and asked him again when he got Yuta's full attention.
"I said.. do you like this chocolate cake?" Yuta smiled weakly and nodded. "Chocolate tastes better."
Taeyong sighed and held his hand. "Do you want me to take you to the cabin? It's mid autumn and you loves to play with the fallen leaves."
Yuta nodded. "Can we also go to your sister's house?"
"Of course." Taeyong said.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry Taeyong. I'm sorry I got tired and lost. I felt so scared of what will happen. I didn't know what to do. I just feel that I am not enough for you. I should have known before I even agreed to this. I should have known, I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry if I couldn't even protect you. I'm sorry that I am not there whenever you need me. I should have stayed by your side but I feel that I.. I haven't had enough to give you everything. I'm sorry, Yuta."
"But we tried, right? At the end of the day, we fought for it?"
"Yeah, we do. I'm thankful because I met someone like you."
"Taeyong..."
"Thank you that you made me happy even though we're not meant to be together... Thank you, Yuta."
"Thank you for everything, Taeyong. Just want you to know that I loved you. I really do."
With that, Taeyong pulled him closer. He gave his last hug and kissed his forehead good bye.
"Oh God." He whispered.
He knew that no matter what happens, he still loves him so much.
"Take care of yourself." He said, caressing every bit of Yuta's skin.
"You too.." Yuta couldn't speak well from all the tears falling down his eyes.
"I just want you to know that I forgive you." Taeyong said and closed his eyes to feel him.
"I forgive you too.."
And with that, Taeyong slips away, running down the aisle on the way out of their supposed to be promised land.