Work Text:
The wedding wasn’t extravagant, but it was theirs.
As golden afternoon light poured through the trees and painted everything in a warm hue, the garden venue was filled with the gentle buzz of string instruments. The faint breeze from the seaside blended with the smell of fresh flowers.
Teerak was standing at the altar, breathing steadily. He didn't feel anxious. He was prepared, if anything. However, his heart skipped for a moment when he saw Muenfah standing there in his perfectly fitted black suit, staring at him as if he were the most valuable person in the world.
He looked at the seats in the front row, where their loved ones were seated.
As though they still remembered him as the young child who used to rush into their room following nightmares, his parents' faces were a mixture of happiness and nostalgia. As elegant as ever, Teerak's grandfather nods his approval. As Muenfah's best man, Lee stood next to him with his arms folded but his trademark smirk softened slightly. Already wiping at her eyes, Babe muttered something about not crying.
Then came Real and Hia, who were much too arrogant and were likely betting on how long the ceremony would go on before Teerak broke down in tears. (Joke’s on them—he was determined to make it to the vows without tears.)
And, of course, Type and Joy had been whispering loudly about something that was surely not appropriate for a wedding.
The ceremony was straightforward and sincere.
And then, it was time for their vows.
Teerak turned to Muenfah, hands trembling slightly as he reached for him.
Late at night, his feelings spilt onto paper in a sloppy handwriting that covered pages and pages. He didn't need any of it, though, as he stood here with Fah's fingers wrapping around his own.
His words were sincere.
Teerak said, "Muenfah," in a soft but firm voice. "You never left, even though you entered my life at a time when I most needed you. You shielded me without asking for it. Even when I didn't see myself, you saw me."
Fah grounded him by rubbing his thumb across his knuckles.
"I vow to spend the rest of my life proving that I deserve you, even if I'm not sure what I did to earn it. Loving you isn't frightening. It's not difficult. And I don’t need forever to promise you anything, because I am certain that I’ll love you for as long as my heart allows me to.”
He swore he saw the corner of Fah's lips twitch upward as the wind carried his words into the air.
Then, it was Muenfah’s turn.
He spoke steadily and firmly.
“You used to doubt yourself a lot,” he said, his tone warm, familiar. “But I never doubted you—not even for a second. The first time I said we were a couple, I did it to protect you.” A pause. “But somewhere along the way, I realized something.”
He exhaled slowly.
“I didn’t want to pretend to be yours. I just wanted to be yours.”
Teerak felt his chest tighten.
“You don’t have to be perfect for me. You don’t have to be anything but Teerak. And I promise, no matter where life takes us, I’ll always be standing right here. Next to you.”
Rak was pulling Fah forward before the officiant could finish speaking, their lips meeting in a familiar kiss.
Teerak's grandfather was nodding in agreement, Babe was sobbing into a tissue, and Type and Joy were shouting that they had "won the bet" (whatever that meant) somewhere in the distance.
However, Rak could only feel Fah.
And that was more than enough.
————————————
The reception was a blur of laughter, dancing, and far too much champagne.
Rolling his eyes at the microphone in his palm, Lee got up to make a toast. "Okay, I won't get sentimental, but—"
“Liar!” Babe called from the crowd.
Lee ignored her. " but, congrats, little brother. At last, you turned him into a man of honesty."
The visitors burst out laughing.
Fah's eyebrows went up. "I turned him into a man of honesty?"
Rak sulked. “Why does that sound like an insult?”
Lee grinned. “You know exactly why.”
Teerak's mother then moved forward and gave the microphone a quick tap. She smiled pleasantly, and the room fell silent.
Her voice was full of excitement as she said, "I want to express how proud I am of my son." "You've always had the largest heart, Teerak. And now you have someone who will adore it and keep it safe. Muenfah." With kind eyes, she turned to face him. "I notice how you gaze at him. I see how you look after him. And that's all I could ever hope for as a mother."
Respectfully, Muenfah lowered his head a little. "I swear, I'll look after him. Always."
After remaining silent for the majority of the night, Teerak's father eventually spoke. "And you'll have a very angry father-in-law to deal with if you don't."
The room erupted in laughter, yet he was telling the truth.
Overwhelmed by gratitude, Teerak glanced between them. Even though his parents had always been watchful of him, their eyes were filled with trust tonight.
And he realised for the first time
This wasn’t just his love story.
It belonged to all of them.
————————————
It was a lengthy yet peaceful drive. Everything felt cosy and comfortable because of the engine's hum, the swaying of the trees along the road, and the golden light coming in through the windows.
Rak blinked the last of his sleep from his eyelids as he stretched in the seat. "Again, where are we going?"
Fah, whose eyes had been on the road, just grinned. "You'll see."
Rak scowled. Ever since they had left the city, he had asked the same question, but each time Fah had refused to respond.
Rak's breath froze in his throat as the car turned around a well-known section of shoreline.
The beach is amazing. The blue sea that never ends. The small beachfront hotel standing next to the palm trees.
His heart skipped a beat.
“No way,” he whispered.
Fah's grin softened as he turned into the parking area. "Thought we needed to go somewhere special for our honeymoon."
Rak turned towards him, feeling emotion tighten his chest. This beach wasn't your typical one. It was the beach, where Fah had given him his first kiss during a power outage, and where they had gone on their first trip together with their friends.
He took a big swallow. "You brought us back here, really?"
Fah gave a shrug. "Obviously. It’s where we started, isn’t it?”
Rak threw his arms around Fah and launched himself at him before the car had completely stopped. He whispered, "I love you," against his husband's shoulder.
With a laugh, Fah kissed Rak's hair. "I know."
Their hotel room resembled their university trip room almost exactly it was small but comfortable, with white linens, soft lighting, and a sliding glass door that led to an oceanfront balcony.
Rak felt a wave of déjà vu as he brushed his fingertips over the bedframe. He could practically hear their friends' laughter from years ago if he closed his eyes, and there was a subtle hint of salt in the air.
Fah approached him from behind and put his chin on his shoulder. “Brings back memories, huh?”
Rak grinned and turned. “Yeah. As in the last time we ended up sharing a room, and-"
The lights abruptly flickered and went out, as though the universe wished to remind them.
Rak let out a gasp. "Oh, come on! This can’t be happening again.”
In the darkness, Fah's deep chuckle rumbled. "Déjà vu."
Rak moaned and reached out to smack at him without thinking. "Did you have this planned?"
Even though Rak couldn't see it, Fah lifted his hands. "It's not my fault that the wiring in this place is still awful."
In the darkness, every sound seemed to be heightened, including the gentle hitch in Rak's breath, the faint rustle of fabric as Fah approached, and the distant waves outside.
Then fingers brushed against his cheek.
Rak froze.
Fah's voice was familiar and low. "I kissed you first the last time."
Rak's heart was racing. Naturally, he recalled. Years ago, when he had kissed back just as hard.
A warmth spread through his chest.
Even in the darkness, he grinned. "Will you do it once more?"
Fah hummed. " Do you want me to?"
Rak made no hesitation at all. "Yes."
And then slow, deliberate, impossibly gentle lips against his.
Rak melted into it, sliding his fingers into Fah's hair and putting his arms around his neck. It felt exactly as it had then, yet entirely different because there was no longer any doubt or pretending.
This was real.
"You definitely planned this," Rak said breathlessly as they eventually began to separate.
Fah grinned in the shadows. "Maybe."
Rak sighed but remained motionless. Rather, he rested his forehead against Fah's and snuggled into his warmth.
Outside, the waves carried on their gentle rhythm, the only witness to the quiet, eternal affection between them.