Chapter 48
Winning Hearts
“Don’t be too loud,” Dae-Jung hushed the other boy.
They peeked around the corner, and seeing no one there, they raced ahead, diving into their shared bedroom. The younger of the two wiped sweat from his forehead, grinning at Dae-Jung, “Hyung, that was awesome!”
“Of course it was,” he boasted lightly, chuckling and sliding the DVD into the player. “You really wanted to see this, so I had to do it for you.” He ruffled the boy’s hair, leaning back as the video began playing.
The beach and guests were dyed sunset orange. Changmin stood at the front of the gathering of people, hands clasped behind his back formally. Beside him, Kyuhyun stood nervously, his sleek black tux making him infinitely more handsome. A procession of figures trailed down the aisle, all of them only adding to the extravagant scene.
White balloons and confetti fluttered around in the air, never quite settling in one place. Rose petals in pink and red littered the white, make-shift walkway upon the sand. Gusts were boxed into their seats with thick satin ribbon and bouquets of red, white, pink, and pearls.
Every guest wore a pin of red on their body and a ring of flowers upon their heads. Kyuhyun fiddled with his hands, only stopping when Changmin appeared to make a snarky remark.
“Is that you, hyung?” the boy asked, blinking at Dae-Jung, who in turn, grinned and laughed.
“Yeah, that was me,” he affirmed.
Music began playing through the small ceremony. Soon enough, there was a change in Kyuhyun’s expression, his eyes becoming more sober and sweeter. He straightened up as a white-clad male took measured steps down the aisle.
Their eyes never left one another, even as words were spoken and rings were exchanged.
It didn’t seem like they were at a wedding anymore. There was something else – a barrier of sorts – that surrounded the newlyweds.
“Kyu-Appa is handsome,” the little boy stated in awe, giggling when he watched his parents kiss. “What are they doing?”
Dae-Jung made a face at the kiss. “It’s something gross that adults do. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh…okay,” he nodded, reaching for the older boy’s hand, holding it tightly as he started jumping a little. “Look, look! They’re talking!”
Ryeowook took one of Kyuhyun’s hands, gazing up at him so tentatively and intimately, the crowd seemed to be quieter than pure silence.
“Kyuhyun…,” he uttered softly, “thank you for showing me how to trust again, and love again. You’re the last person who will ever make a place in my heart. If I ever lost you, that would be the true end. Saying goodbye to Hyungsik was inevitable, and if I had to say goodbye to you as well, I don’t think I could. I would rather disappear than continue struggling to repair myself over and over again in this world. You aren’t my one and only, but you’re the one who changes everything: reconstructs my world, lifts me up, and reminds me that maybe not everything has to be a tragedy. There can be happiness at the end of darkness, so long as someone’s willing to wait right at the edge for you.”
“Are they talking about me?” the little boy pointed at himself, eyes wide with fear, “Why did Ryeo-Appa say bye-bye to me?”
Dae-Jung, in 9 years of wisdom, said, “It’s not you, Little Hyungsik-ah. They’re talking about the one you were named after.” He smiled, hugging the six year old child, “Your parents named you after my older brother.”
“Really? Where’s Big Hyungsik-hyung then?”
“He lives on a hill,” Dae-Jung replied, “we visit him every summer, so we’ll take you this time, okay?”
Hyungsik nodded earnestly, seemingly giddy.
Kyuhyun dropped his paper, abruptly hugging Ryeowook. The other male laughed softly, returning the bone-crushing hug gently. “You make me fall for you again and again, every day of my life.”
He leaned down, tilting Ryeowook’s head back as they kissed to the cheers and explosions of confetti and rice.
The video paused.
“What are you two doing?” Kyuhyun’s voice came from behind them. He was carrying a bag of groceries and a very large giraffe stuffed animal in his other arm. His eyes focused on the screen more clearly and he blanched. “Oh don’t tell me you’re watching this. It’s so old and cheesy.”
“Are you calling our vows cheesy and old?”
Kyuhyun froze, turning around to see Ryeowook glaring up at him. Smiling hopefully, he offered the giraffe to his spouse, but received an eye-roll and pout. Ryeowook walked ahead of him. Kyuhyun glanced back at the kids, “It’s your fault he’s mad now.”
“Don’t blame us for your mistakes, appa,” Hyungsik stated severely, “that’s bad.”
Dae-Jung stifled a laugh, grinning at Kyuhyun. “Yeah! Don’t blame us.”
“You snotty little—”
“—are you bullying my babies?”
Kyuhyun’s mouth shut. “No…,” he whined.
Ryeowook reappeared with an apron around his waist and an annoyed glare in his eyes. “I’m sure.” He pushed Kyuhyun aside, waving for Dae-Jung and Hyungsik to come over. “Let’s go to the kitchen. I’m making lunch, okay?”
Hyungsik flew at his parent, giggling as he was hoisted up into Ryeowook’s arms. “Appa! Appa! You were so pretty!” He started talking a mile a minute about the wedding, tugging on his father’s hair out of excitement.
When Kyuhyun turned around after putting the groceries down on the counter, he saw Dae-Jung standing there, looking up at him. “What’s up, kiddo?” he crouched down, patting the boy’s head.
Dae-Jung grinned, quickly hugging the man. “I love you, Kyuhyun-hyung.”
“I love you too,” he chuckled, lifting the boy up with ease. Kyuhyun brought him to the table where Hyungsik and Ryeowook were busily making sandwiches together. Setting him down in the seat next to the little boy, Kyuhyun walked around to stand behind Ryeowook.
The two kids were chatting excitedly about something or other, and when they were turned away, Kyuhyun tipped his husband’s head back, silver bracelet jingling near Ryeowook’s ear, and then he kissed him softly and sweetly. “I love you, Ryeowook.”
"Always...it will always be you," he murmured, smiling. The children turned back then, looking at the two adults curiously. Ryeowook laughed softly, holding Kyuhyun's hand on his shoulder as they continued working on their task.
The End.
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