Work Text:
Being asked what it was like to work with his boyfriend had become a daily routine for Riku. Sometimes it came from friends while they sifted through T-shirts in a shop aisle. Other times, it was from excited clients, curled up on the sofa in his office, clearly hoping for a romantic story to heighten their own wedding anticipation. Even his mother liked to ask, every single time they spoke on the phone, despite the fact that he'd already answered the question about a billion times.
Still, Riku never showed a hint of annoyance. He’d simply lean back, phone in hand, listening for the sound of water to confirm Daeyoung was still in the shower and couldn’t overhear. Then, without fail, he’d smile and say, “Mom, you know we’re the perfect team. Of course it’s amazing to date your own company’s wedding singer.”
It wasn’t the fact that Daeyoung was a wedding singer that made him amazing to date. Well… not only that.
Daeyoung was the sweetest, kindest person Riku had ever met. His warm, nurturing nature made everyone around him fall for him, platonically or sometimes even more. Riku had seen clients call off their weddings at the last minute, and more than once, he was almost certain something between the couple shifted right after they met Daeyoung. Still, it only ever made him laugh. It didn’t make him insecure or jealous. If anything, it made him proud. Out of all the people in the world, he was the one who got to lock down the most handsome, most charming man alive.
Well, lock down in the boyfriend sense. There still wasn’t a ring on his finger.
Another question he often got asked was would he plan his own wedding if Daeyoung proposed. And every time, he’d wave it off with a little snort, saying he didn’t have time to think about his own hypothetical wedding while juggling a dozen real ones. He’d always add that being married didn’t matter, because he was secure in their relationship, and a piece of paper wouldn’t change that. That was the version Daeyoung was hearing, too.
And all of that was true… unless it wasn’t.
Because sometimes, like any long-term couple, they fought. And sometimes, the fight happened at the worst possible moment: right before a gig.
It didn’t happen often. Neither of them was the confrontational type. Sure, Riku could get annoyed or pissed off now and then, but Daeyoung always knew exactly which buttons to press to calm him down. Most of the time, they’d hug it out. Or kiss it out. Or… something-else it out, if they had the time.
Then they’d show up at the wedding venue all smiles and good vibes, professional, polished, and ready to wrap the day with two more satisfied clients.
But sometimes, it just wouldn’t work out that way.
Sometimes, they were simply a couple like any other who couldn’t solve an argument within a time limit. So they’d move through the day anyway, still professional, still faking good vibes, still wrapping up the job with two newlyweds far happier than them.
As one of the most reputable self-employed wedding planners in Seoul, Riku couldn’t afford to risk his reputation over a silly little fight. So even today, he was sucking it up, clutching his folder to his chest as he stood in a dark corner of the venue, quietly observing everything to make sure it was all running on schedule and exactly as planned.
It was all fine. He even managed to giggle a couple of times when the venue staff, who knew him well enough to notice when something was off, threw in a joke or a light comment. For a moment, he almost forgot it all: the stupid argument, the way he’d slammed the apartment door behind him, too angry to wait for Daeyoung to finish getting ready so they could leave together.
He almost forgot that next weekend, they were scheduled to fly out for a destination wedding he’d planned months ago, the one that would have them spending an entire week in a romantic hotel on a beautiful coastline… while still mid-quarrel.
“Riku,” Sion hissed his name from the side, crouching behind his camera, “It’s almost Daeyoung’s time. Should I tell Yushi to keep filming the newlyweds while I focus on him?”
“You two are in charge of photography and video, not me. Do as you will. Weren’t you supposed to plan that beforehand?”
“Someone’s on his period, I guess,” Sion huffed, lifting his camera back to his eye.
“Riku-san?”
Before he could even shoot back a reply to Sion’s petty jab, another voice pulled his attention. It was Sakuya, the young waiter he’d recently started working with. “Should we serve the main course now, or wait until Daeyoung finishes his song?”
Riku was so close to losing it, to tossing his folder aside, storming out for a breath of fresh air, maybe even screaming into the parking lot.
But he couldn’t crack, not over Sakuya’s question. It was only his third gig. Of course he needed to ask. Normally, Riku wouldn’t have minded, not at all. He prided himself on being patient with new staff.
But not today. Not when every little thing somehow came back to Daeyoung.
He was saved by Ryo, who quietly stepped in and pulled Sakuya aside. Ryo must have noticed Riku was on the edge, he leaned in and whispered the answer to the younger waiter, sparing Riku from having to say a word.
Riku didn’t get a moment to brace himself. No time to emotionally prepare, to pull himself together, to numb his upset heart, because then he saw him. Daeyoung was walking down the aisle. The new suit fit him perfectly, tailored sharp to his slim frame. His steps, as always, were precise, rehearsed to perfection. But his eyes… his eyes gave him away.
There was hesitation.
This wasn’t the confident, easygoing Daeyoung who lit up every venue. This was someone troubled, burdened. And Riku didn’t know if it was something only he could see because he knew, or if everyone could feel it.
Daeyoung reached the front. The spotlight found him. The music swelled. He placed a palm over his heart, the microphone steady in his other hand. Shaking. Subtle. Too subtle for anyone else to notice. But not for Riku. He saw it. And he knew.
Riku’s hands trembled as they held the setlist, the name of the song printed clearly at the top of the page.
Marry Me, Maktub.
It was a common choice for weddings, the one Daeyoung often performed, unless the couple requested otherwise. Riku had known it would be sung, but still, it hit differently once Daeyoung’s voice began, soft and gentle.
It had been three years ago when Riku first saw Daeyoung, at a wedding much like this one. He’d stepped in as a last-minute substitute for a wedding singer who had called in sick. Even with the short notice, Daeyoung appeared calm, relaxed, with a big smile that framed his face perfectly. And he sang this song. Exactly this song.
Back then, Riku had been sitting in the corner of the venue, at the same angle he found himself in now, right next to his then-superior. And he remembered, as if it were yesterday, how he forgot to breathe, how he forgot to move, how his eyes stayed glued to nothing but Daeyoung for what felt like the entire night. He fell in love at first sight, at the first note of the song.
Shortly after, when Riku opened his small wedding planning company, the first thing he did was dial Daeyoung’s number, the one his finger had hovered over so many times before. But this time, he had a reason to call, not just the wish to see him again. That time, he asked Daeyoung if he wanted a permanent collaboration with his wedding planning business.
One thing led to another, and just a few months later, they started dating. A few months ago, they began living together, too.
Riku sniffed, subtly wiping his nose with the back of his hand as he hid his face behind the papers he was holding. He broke down, tears streaming down his face, unstoppable. He didn’t want to listen to the song, to Daeyoung’s husky voice, barely holding back tears of his own, but he couldn’t help hearing it.
He dared to look up for a moment, just to make sure Daeyoung appeared professional and presentable. Their eyes locked immediately. Daeyoung had been searching for his gaze since the song began. When their eyes met, a faint, almost invisible smile of relief flickered on Daeyoung’s face, right before his voice grew heavier, clearly holding back tears.
Marry me
Will you hold my hand
He couldn’t take it anymore. Riku stood up, the paper still pressed against his face, and headed straight for the exit door.
Marry me
Will you be with me forever
He walked toward the exit. Slow enough to draw everyone’s attention, but fast enough to get away.
All the rest of my life
I only want to live as your man
Riku burst into tears the moment he stormed through the staff-only door. The paper slipped from his hands onto the floor as he bent down, clutching his knees and sobbing loudly.
Marry me darling
Will you marry me
Daeyoung’s voice still pierced through the walls. Riku could still hear him, still imagine him.
He closed his ears as a million flashbacks flooded his mind, all the happy memories they’d built together, all the weddings they’d attended side by side.
And suddenly, he wasn’t angry anymore. Just sad. And that sadness slowly morphed into anxiety. What if Daeyoung took his words for granted? What if his storming out of the flat, yelling, “I’m sick of you, I don’t want to see you again,” was taken too literally? What if he’d thrown away a relationship full of love over a moment when his feelings had boiled over into a harsh attitude?
He was afraid of what awaited him once he left the cramped storage room, but he had no choice.
“Riku-san,” Sakuya’s voice came, accompanied by gentle knocks on the door. “Are you okay?”
Riku sniffed, wiping tears from his face with both hands. “You can serve the main course now.”
Before Sakuya could step inside, he spoke again, “I’m not here to ask about that. I was just wondering… is Daeyoung hyung in trouble?”
“In trouble? Did he make a mistake?” Riku’s heart skipped a beat.
“No, no, he was perfect. The emotional delivery was amazing. The newlyweds were so happy and touched. But it looks to me like you’re upset with him. Is he in trouble?”
Without even realizing it, Sakuya’s innocent questions helped Riku steady himself. He sniffed one last time, gathered the papers from the floor, and dusted off his outfit. “No, but maybe I am.”
For the rest of the ceremony, he avoided Daeyoung’s gaze, though it was difficult. No matter where he looked, Daeyoung was there, watching him. He couldn’t cry anymore, not while working. He couldn’t put himself or any of the guests through such an uncomfortable situation. It was already enough that his staff knew.
But it was helpless. His eyes kept drifting back to his boyfriend. It was a habit, an addiction.
If they hadn’t fought, right now they’d be hiding in the kitchen, eating leftover appetizers and some of the desserts while the rest of the event played out on its own. They’d laugh and comment on everyone’s outfits, and they’d get just a little more annoying whenever Sakuya walked in, knowing how easily he was irritated by their obvious couple behavior.
But none of that was happening. Instead, they were both sitting in their own corners, invisible to everyone else but visible to each other.
The evening went on like that until everyone had left, including the newlyweds and all the staff. It was empty, with just the abandoned tables, flowers, confetti scattered on the floor, and the two of them.
It was a habit for Daeyoung to stay and wait until Riku was done with his work. Riku was always the first to arrive at the venue and the last to leave, usually accompanied by Daeyoung, who, as Yushi sometimes joked, was more like his assistant than a wedding singer. Not even tonight did Daeyoung leave once his job was finished. He stayed behind, patiently waiting for Riku to finish filling out the reports at one of the empty tables, quietly eating the last piece of cake before Riku turned the next page.
That was how Daeyoung knew how close Riku was to being done. And the very last forkful of cake was always taken by Daeyoung, who would feed it to Riku before offering him a hand to go home.
Despite everything, Riku caught sight of Daeyoung’s hand at the corner of his vision, gripping the edge of the white tablecloth. He whimpered, too afraid to look up, knowing he’d break down in tears. But he didn’t have to, because Daeyoung was the first to speak, gently placing his other hand on Riku’s back.
“Darling, can I ask you for a dance?”
Riku looked up immediately, confused. But all his wide, puzzled eyes saw was the sweet smile on his boyfriend’s face, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, carrying a quiet worry that Riku was still mad at him.
Without saying a word, Riku slipped his hand into Daeyoung’s, and was gently led to the dance floor, the very same one where the happy newlyweds had danced just an hour ago.
Daeyoung held his waist, his touch soft and reassuring as he guided their movements. Relief flooded his chest when Riku rested his head on his shoulder, moving in time with him.
“I’m sorry for today,” Daeyoung whispered. Their steps slowly faded until they were simply swaying in place, their bodies melting into one. “I’m sorry for everything. I shouldn’t have started this, especially on a day we had to work. Hell, I shouldn’t have started it at all. I should have—”
Riku hushed him, their eyes locking in a steady, uninterrupted gaze, for the first time since they had gone to sleep the night before.
“I’m sorry too. I overreacted. I said things I didn’t mean because I was scared I might lose you.”
“Hey,” Daeyoung’s hands moved from Riku’s waist and hand to gently cup his face. “You could never lose me. You know that. I love you so much, I can’t imagine a single day without you. When I saw you leave during the song, I was terrified you’d leave me behind. I was afraid our song made you realize you no longer needed me.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“Yes. As soon as I calmed down a little, drank a glass of water, and saw you walk back in, I knew I was overreacting,” Daeyoung leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Riku’s lips. “I knew a stupid little argument like this could do no harm to us. But still… am I in trouble?”
“In trouble?” Riku laughed, furrowing his brow in confusion.
“Yeah. Sakuya asked me if I was in trouble because I made you cry. So, am I?”
A genuine laugh slipped from Riku’s lips. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Daeyoung, his hands locking behind his back. Their hips resumed swaying together.
“You’re not in trouble. We’re not in trouble. We’ll work it out and come out even stronger.”
Daeyoung’s hands gently patted Riku’s fragrant hair, his lips planting soft kisses atop it. And they danced, they danced a dance they both knew would never end. A dance with no song to mark its length, only the raw music of their beating hearts.
They danced to the sound of relief, to the melody of unconditional love.
They danced a dance that only paused when Daeyoung cupped Riku’s face once more, their gazes locking again.
“Love, I know you always brush the conversations about it away, but you do know I really want to marry you, right?”
A low, shaky breath escaped Riku’s lips. It was a mix of being caught in the moment, a sprinkle of pure joy, and the sudden realization that every time he’d deflect the topic, bringing up his job instead, he was really just running away from disappointment. From a fear that, while dedicating his life to making strangers’ weddings perfect, he might never have his own.
“Really?”
And yet, he still doubted. Not their love, their bond, or their relationship, but whether he would ever be proposed to.
“I can’t believe you’re even asking that,” Daeyoung laughed, not as a joke, but from the joy of seeing hope and excitement sparkle in Riku’s eyes. “Every time I sing at weddings, I imagine the day I’ll be singing at our own. Every time I watch the newlyweds, I picture just how beautiful we’ll look when it’s us. That’s all I want in life, to be married to you.”
“So… is that a proposal?”
“No,” Daeyoung shook his head, a playful grin on his face. “Of course you’ll be proposed to in a way you’ll be able to retell for decades. You deserve more than just a shabby dance in someone else’s wedding venue. I just need to know that you want it too.”
“I do. Of course I do.”
The dance continued to the symphony of their promise, the promise to love each other, to want each other, to be each other’s forever. But one question still waited to be answered.
“So, I guess we’ll have to hire another wedding planner and a wedding singer,” Daeyoung murmured into Riku’s hair, still gently kissing it. “So… who’ll be our wedding singer?”
“Sakuya.”
Whenever he was asked what it was like working with his boyfriend, moments like these were exactly why he always answered with “amazing.”