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The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the university grounds where the graduation ceremony had just concluded.
Graduates are in their black caps and gowns streaming out of the auditorium with their faces beaming with pride and relief. Among them, Han and his best friend JL walked side by side, their shoulders occasionally bumping as they passed through the crowd.
"I can't believe we actually did it," JL said, adjusting his cap which was slightly askew. "Four years of sleepless nights and way too much caffeine."
Han laughed, eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm just glad it's over. Our families are probably already waiting."
As they stepped outside the venue, the scene before them was exactly as Han had predicted. His and JL's families are standing there together, along with their closest friends, all waving enthusiastically. But Han's eyes immediately found the person he's most eager to see. Cha Woongki is standing slightly apart from the others, wearing a gentle smile on his pretty face.
"There he is," JL whispered, nudging Han with his elbow. "Your personal cheerleader."
Han's cheeks flushed as he watched Woongki push through the small crowd to meet him. "You looked amazing up there, baby" Woongki said, reaching out to straighten Han's gown.
"You could see me from all the way back there?" Han asked, heart still fluttering.
"I'd recognize you anywhere, love," Woongki replied, eyes soft with adoration.
Steven joined them with a wide grin. "Congratulations, you two! Now you're officially unemployed graduates like the rest of us."
Everyone laughed as they gathered around the newly minted graduates. Han's mother fussed with his collar while his father took countless photos. JL's family showered them with congratulations, and their friends are all smiles.
After what felt like an eternity of photos and well-wishes, Woongki gently took Han's hand. "We have a surprise for the two of you," he said, leading Han toward where the cars were parked.
"A surprise?" Han and JL both curiously asked.
"You'll see," Woongki replied.
They were brought to a beautifully decorated restaurant that Woongki had rented for the occasion. The space is adorned with fairy lights and flowers, a long table is set with elegant dinnerware, and there is soft music playing in the background.
"Wow," Han said, eyes widening as he took in the scene. "Baby, you didn't have to do all this."
“Yeah, this is too much. A simple celebration is fine. This looks expensive," JL agreed.
"Today is a huge milestone, and you deserve to celebrate it properly," Woongki replied, squeezing Han's hand.
"Come on, just humor us, okay? We want you to have a memorable day,” Steven argued.
Han and JL could only sigh in defeat. Although deep inside, they're both delighted by the surprise.
Everyone found their seats, and the evening went on with laughter, stories, and delicious foods. Han's father shared embarrassing childhood stories, much to Han's dismay, while JL recounted their college adventures. Steven teased JL about his study habits, and their friends joined in with their own memories.
As dinner went on, Han noticed Woongki becoming unusually quiet. He reached under the table and squeezed Woongki's knee. "Everything okay?"
Woongki nodded, though his expression seemed nervous. "Yup. Just… enjoying the moment."
However, when dessert was served, Woongki suddenly stood up, clinking his glass with a spoon. The conversations died down as all eyes turned to him.
"I know this is supposed to be a celebration of JL and Han's graduation," Woongki began, voice slightly trembling. "And it is, we're all so proud of you both. But I'd like to take this opportunity to celebrate something else too."
He walked around the table to where Han is sitting and slowly knelt down on one knee. Gasps and murmurs immediately spread through the room as Woongki pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket.
"Han, my love," Woongki said, eyes locking with Han's. "From the moment I met you, my life changed in ways I never imagined possible. You've brought so much light into my world. Every day with you is better than the last, and I can't imagine my future without you in it."
Han's tears started welling up in his eyes as the room stays silent except for the soft music playing in the background.
"So," Woongki continued, opening the box to reveal a stunning silver ring with a single diamond. "Park Han, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"
Tears streamed down Han's face even more as he nodded vigorously. "Yes. Of course, I will," he managed to say through his happy sobs.
The room erupted in cheers and applause as Woongki slid the ring onto Han's finger.
But the surprises weren't over yet. Han reached into his own pocket and pulled out a matching velvet box.
"I've been carrying this around for weeks, wondering when the right moment would be," Han said, voice thick with emotion as he opened his box to reveal an almost identical ring. "I guess now is as good a time as any."
Woongki's eyes widened in surprise as Han knelt down in front of him. "Cha Woongki, you've been my strength, my support system, and my greatest love. Nothing would make me happier than calling you my husband for the rest of our lives. I'm never letting you go. Over my dead body. So… you must marry me."
Woongki laughed through his own tears as he nodded. "Is that a threat?"
Everyone in the room laughed at their antics.
"Yes. And I'm never letting you go, Hani. Yes, I will marry you."
Han slid the ring onto Woongki's finger, sealing their engagement with a tender kiss while their friends and family cheered wildly.
After the excitement settled down, they finished their celebration dinner with renewed joy. The conversations flowed even more freely now, with everyone discussing wedding plans and offering their help.
"We should have the wedding soon," JL suggested. "Maybe next month?"
"That's not much time to plan," Han's mother pointed out.
"Then we'll keep it simple and intimate," Woongki said, taking Han's hand. "As long as I'm marrying Hani, nothing else matters."
By the time they left the restaurant, everyone is buzzing with excitement about the upcoming wedding.
Han and Woongki went home that night with hearts full of happiness, already dreaming about their future together.
The next morning, they woke early to prepare for a celebration trip out of town with their families and friends. A beach resort had been booked for the weekend, giving everyone a chance to relax and continue the festivities in a more casual setting.
The drive to the coast was filled with laughter and music. Han sat in the passenger seat of Woongki's car, occasionally glancing at the ring on his finger and smiling to himself.
"Still can't believe this is real," he said, reaching over to squeeze Woongki's hand.
"Believe it," Woongki replied, keeping his eyes on the road but smiling. "You're stuck with me now."
"Good," Han said contentedly. "That's exactly where I want to be."
When they arrived at the beach resort, the afternoon sun is just perfect for outdoor activities.
Some of their friends immediately changed into swimwear and ran toward the waves, while others set up a picnic area on the sand.
Han and Woongki walked hand in hand along the shoreline, letting the cool water wash over their feet as the ocean stretch out before them, vast and endless, much like the future they’ll now face together.
"I used to come to beaches like this and dream about finding someone special," Han said softly. "I never imagined I'd find someone as wonderful as you."
Woongki stopped and turned to face him, the breeze blowing his hair across his forehead. "I used to think I was happy on my own, but meeting you showed me what true happiness really feels like."
They shared a sweet kiss as the waves crashed around their feet, lost in their own little world until JL's voice broke the spell.
"Hey, lovebirds! Come join us for volleyball!"
The rest of the day was filled with beach games, swimming, and lounging in the sun. In the evening, they gathered around a bonfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories under the stars.
Han found himself sitting between Woongki's legs, leaning back against his chest as they watched the flames dance with Woongki's arms wrapped around him, holding him close.
"This weekend has been perfect," Han murmured.
"It's not over yet," Woongki whispered, pressing a kiss to his temple.
The following weeks flew by in a whirlwind of wedding planning.
Despite the short timeline, everything came together beautifully with the help of their friends and family. They decided on a forest wedding, wanting a setting that felt magical and intimate, like something out of a fairytale.
The chosen location is a secluded grove surrounded by ancient trees with branches creating a natural canopy overhead.
A wooden arch is decorated with wildflowers and flowing ribbons, while a path of rose petals lead to where the ceremony would take place.
White lanterns hung from the trees, ready to be illuminated as dusk fell.
On the morning of the wedding, Han woke up with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
He and Woongki had stayed at a separate location the night before, following tradition, and Han already missed his soon to be husband terribly.
"You look like you're about to pass out," JL said, handing Han a glass of orange juice.
"I'm nervous," Han admitted with a nervous laugh. "What if I trip while walking down the aisle? What if I forget my vows? What if—"
"What if you stop overthinking and just enjoy the day?" JL interrupted gently. "You're marrying the love of your life. Everything else is just details."
Han took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right," Han said, taking a long sip of the orange juice. "You're absolutely right. It's just... a lot. But in the best way possible."
JL clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit. Now, let's get you into that suit. You have a magically decorated forest, in which I had half the contributions in preparing, to get married in."
Meanwhile, in a cozy cabin not too far away, Woongki is going through a similar routine, though with significantly less pacing.
He stood calmly in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting the lapel of his deep gray suit. Steven is there, acting as his unofficial stylist and morale officer.
"You look ridiculously gorgeous, Ki" Steven declared, stepping back to admire his work. "Han is going to lose his mind when he sees you."
Woongki chuckled as a soft blush became really obvious on his cheeks. "I hope so. I just want today to be perfect for him."
Steven stepped forward and stood beside him, both their reflections looking back at them. "Hey, listen to me. The details… don't matter at all. The flowers could wilt, the music could skip a tune, and a bird could even poop on your shoulder—"
“What?" Woongki laughed as he slapped the back of his friend.
“Just kidding. My point is that you should be worrying about none of it. What matters is that you and Han are standing under that arch, promising to spend the rest of your lives together. That's already perfect."
Woongki smiled, nerves finally settling. "Thanks, Steven. I needed to hear that."
Back at the main lodge, Han is finally dressed. He's wearing a cream-colored suit that made his skin glow, paired with a simple white rose boutonniere. As he looked at his reflection, he felt a sense of calm wash over him.
This is just right.
This was real.
Guests began to arrive, taking their seats on the wooden benches that had been arranged in neat rows facing the flower-adorned arch.
Sunlight is filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, making the atmosphere feel even more magical than it already is.
The groomsmen JL, Steven, Juwon, Chihen, Jeongwoo, and Shuaibo, are already in their places, looking sharp in their matching gray suits.
As the appointed time drew near, the flower girls made their entrance.
Yoona, Gehlee, Elisia, Hyeonju, Nana, Kotoko, Seowon, and Yunha, all dressed in flowing lavender dresses, walked down the petal-strewn path, scattering handfuls of white rose petals, giggling as they made their way to the front with their innocence and joy adding to the beautiful scenery.
Following them came Daisuke, looking very serious and important in his suit, carefully carrying two small velvet pillows, each bearing a golden ring. His slow walk brought smiles and a few happy tears to the faces of the guests.
Then, a hush fell over the crowd.
The music changed into a soft, piano rendition of White Lion's "Til Death Do Us Part" began to play, its romantic melody filling the forest air. And then they appeared.
Han and Woongki emerged from behind a curtain of trees, standing side by side for a moment before they began their walk together, deciding to break with tradition. They wanted to approach their future as equals, walking the same path from the very beginning. Woongki reached out and took Han's hand, fingers lacing together perfectly.
As we walk the golden mile
Down the pretty aisle
I know that you are mine
And there's nothing in this world
That I know I wouldn't do
To be near you every day
Every hour, every minute
Take my hand and let me lead the way…
Each step is a promise, each glance is a lifetime of love.
They reached the arch and turned to face each other, their hands still clasped tightly. Standing before them is Judge Jang Yijeong, a close family friend who'd agreed to officiate the ceremony. He smiled warmly at the couple.
"We are gathered here today," Judge Jang began with a clear voice, "in this beautiful place, surrounded by love and nature, to witness the union of two extraordinary people. Han and Woongki, you stand here not just as lovers, but as best friends, as partners, as two souls who found their missing piece in each other."
He paused, looking from one to the other. "Marriage is a journey, not a destination. It's about waking up every day and choosing your partner, choosing your love, choosing your shared future. It's about supporting each other's dreams and comforting each other's fears. It's about building a life that is greater than the sum of its parts..."
The ceremony went on longer than they expected it to be and both Han and Woongki are already eager to have it finished as soon as possible so they can finally call each other husband.
Finally, after a few more words, Judge Jang nodded to them. "And now, it's time for you to express your commitment in your own words. Woongki, you may begin."
Woongki took a deep breath, eyes never leaving Han's. He squeezed his hand gently before speaking.
"My love," he started, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I remember the exact moment I met you, I felt a love so profound it took my breath away, and I realized that my life before you was just a prelude."
He paused, a tear tracing a path down his cheek. "People say love makes you strong, but you've shown me that's not entirely true. You are my weakness. The thought of losing you is the only thing that truly terrifies me. But I've come to accept that. If you are my weakness, then I don't mind being stripped of all my remaining strength. I don't mind being vulnerable, being defenseless, if it means I get to stay by your side. I will love you and protect you with everything I have, until my mortal body is finally taken back by God, and even then, I believe my soul will search for yours in whatever comes next, in whatever timeline we meet, in whatever universe. I will love you for eternity."
Han is openly crying now, heart so full it felt like it might burst. He wiped at his eyes with his free hand, trying to compose himself for his own vows.
"Cha Woongki, my first and only love," he began, voice thick with emotion. "For the longest time, I thought marrying the love of my life would only ever be a dream, something I saw in movies, or something that happened only to other people. I told myself it was okay, that I could be happy just dreaming about it, that it would stay that way forever. I may be a hopeless romantic, but I know to myself that I built walls around my heart to protect it from the disappointment of reality."
He took a shaky breath, squeezing Woongki's hand. "And then I met you. You didn't just knock down those walls, you made me realize I never needed them in the first place. With you, everything feels real. The future doesn't seem like a distant, hazy dream anymore. It's tangible, it's bright, and it's something I can't wait to experience. I don't want to go back to just dreaming, because the future will only ever be realistic, and worth living, with you in it. You are my reality, and my greatest dream come true. And I love you more than anything in this world and the rest of the vast cosmos."
Judge Jang, along with everyone present, had to discreetly wipe away a tear. He let the moment hang in the air for a few seconds before speaking again.
"The rings, please," he said, turning to Daisuke, who proudly stepped forward with the pillows.
Woongki took Han's ring, hand trembling slightly. "With this ring, I pledge my heart, my soul, and my life to you. Always."
He slid the cool metal onto Han's finger.
Han then took Woongki's ring, his own hand shaking with emotion. "With this ring, I give you everything I am and everything I will ever be. Forever."
He placed the ring on Woongki's finger, completing their circle of love.
Judge Jang smiled broadly at them. "By the power vested in me by the state and by the love you have so clearly shown for one another, I now pronounce you husbands. You may kiss each other."
Woongki didn't need to be told twice. He cupped Han's face in his hands and pulled him into a deep, loving kiss as their friends and family erupted in cheers and applause.
The piano music swelled to a triumphant crescendo, celebrating their union.
All through your life
I'll be by your side
‘Til death do us part
Baby, I'll be your friend
My love will never end
‘Til death do us part
As they pulled apart, foreheads resting together, Judge Jang announced to the cheering crowd, "I present to you for the very first time, the married couple, Han and Woongki!"
They walked back down the aisle together, no longer as individuals but as a united pair with their hands clasped tightly.
The guests threw flower petals at them, laughing and crying with joy as they passed.
The wedding reception is held in one of Han's family owned hotel nearby, a huge hall is filled with long tables adorned with candles and wildflowers. String lights were strung between artificial trees, creating a magical canopy overhead as the sun began to set. A live band is playing soft, romantic music, and the air is filled with the scent of pine and celebration.
After dinner, under the glow of the lanterns, it’s time for their first dance as husbands.
The band began to play a soft, melodic tune, and the newlyweds were lead to the center of the dance floor.
Han wrapped his arms around Woongki's waist, pulling him close until there’s no space left between them. He rested his head on Woongki's shoulder, closing his eyes and just breathing in the moment, the scent of Woongki's cologne, the warmth of his body, and the soft music surrounding them.
They swayed together, moving in perfect harmony as if they'd been dancing this way their entire lives. The world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them, lost in their own bubble of love.
Han could feel Woongki's heart beating against his chest.
"I could stay like this forever," he murmured against his neck.
"Me too," Woongki replied in a low whisper. "But we'd probably get some complaints. Our guests might want to eat cake."
Han chuckled softly, lifting his head to look at him. "Right. Cake. Important wedding stuff."
As the song ended, their friends and family joined them on the dance floor. The next few hours were a blur of laughter, dancing, and celebration.
They cut their three-tiered vanilla and raspberry cake, playfully smearing a bit of frosting on each other's noses.
They shared dances with their parents, a tender moment with Han's mother that brought tears to both their eyes, and a surprisingly emotional dance with Woongki's mom, who whispered words of encouragement and pride.
Their friends pulled them into group dances, spinning them around until they were dizzy with joy.
JL and Steven gave a hilarious and heartfelt toast that had everyone laughing one minute and crying the next.
As the evening wore on, the party gradually wound down. Guests began to say their goodbyes, offering hugs and well wishes to the newly married couple.
Eventually, the music stopped, the caterers packed up, and everything grew quiet once more.
"Everyone's gone," Han said, voice soft in the quiet night.
"Finally," Woongki replied with a grin. He took Han's hand and pulled him outside the hall where there is a huge pool glistening with clear water and a few sets of tables and chairs. "I believe we were interrupted earlier."
He took out his phone, found a slow, romantic song, and placed it on a nearby table. As the melody filled the air, he once again pulled Han into his arms.
This dance is different from their first. It is much slower.
There was no audience, therefore, no expectation.
Just the two of them swaying under the stars.
Han looked up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears of happiness. "I love you."
Woongki smiled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his lips. "I love you."
They danced in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, just enjoying the peace and each other's presence.
The moon, the stars, the skies, seemed to be celebrating with them, the night alive with the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of crickets.
As the song neared its end, Han tightened his arms around Woongki's neck, resting his cheek against his chest. He listened to the steady beat of his heart, a sound that had become his favorite lullaby, his favorite rhythm, his favorite everything.
They stood there long after the music stopped, swaying to a silent rhythm only they could feel, wrapped in each other's arms under the vast, starry sky.
“There’ll be good times.”
"And there'll be bad… but I will stand beside you all the way.”