It had been weeks since Heechul announced getting married on My Little Old Boy. He had said about getting married next year, in 2023. Something that none of the members knew about. As Jungsu read the articles the next morning, his heart shattered into pieces. It had been 20 years and he had not once confessed to his same age friend. He had tried to show it many times, and although it was cringy, he sometimes said "I love you" to the other but it seemed like Heechul took it as a joke or as Jungsu's kindness and friendship towards him. Jungsu couldn't do anything but cry. During the times Heechul dated women from the industry, he had tried to keep the pain to himself and listen to his friend say many good things about the said woman. At those times, he wondered why couldn't Heechul's partner be him. Well, of course, he hadn't confessed. He always thought that his feelings for the younger male was obvious but it seemed that the younger did not see it. As Jungsu held it in for the past 20 years of loving Heechul secretly, he decided to keep it in once and for all. 

Now it was the day when they had to practice the choreography for their new album. Heechul had noticed that Jungsu was avoiding his calls, his occasional greetings and messages, and eye contact. "Why is he avoiding me," Heechul thought to himself. "Jungsu isn't like that for no reason." Thus, he decided to confront his only hyung and ask about the things that have been bothering him. Unfortunately for Heechul and just like Jungsoo always said, he was fine and doing well, while flashing his dimple smile. A few days had passed and they gathered again to eat. And again, today, Jungsu avoided Heechul for one reason. He loved the other too much that he couldn't think he could handle it when they're beside each other. Because of that, they sat at opposite ends, ignoring the chaos and noise made by the other members. As soon as they left for the meal, Heechul asked Jungsoo once again about his trouble, and of course, Jungsoo once again said that he was fine. 

One late night, Heechul visited Jungsoo at his apartment, bringing some things that were oblivious to Jungsoo. "What are those?" the elder asked. "For you," Heechul replied with a smile. "Why? What's going on? Are you sick? Do you want me to take care of you? No, I'm busy. Where's your fiancée? Call her." Jungsoo rushed to say. "Jungsoo-ah please stop asking so many things at once!" Heechul exclaimed but continued, "There's nothing going on, I'm not sick, Yes I want you to take care of me like you always did and my fiancee is abroad." "So you came because you're bored? Do I look like someone you can come too when you're bored? I have a lot of work to do. Wait, you came here to tell me something right?" Jungsoo blabbered which made Heechul nod. As they sat on the sofa of Jungsoo's apartment, Heechul stared at Jungsoo who was holding his princess, Shimkoong in his arms. "Jungsoo-ah. Be the MC of my wedding," Heechul started. At the moment those words came out of Heechul's lips, Jungsoo's world was crushed. He only came back to his senses when Heechul gave his shoulder a nudge. "Oh...Okay... Well, I'm gonna have to check my schedule first," Jungsoo said which made Heechul smile. 

And today was the day, Heechul's wedding. Jungsoo had not slept a blink last night, his memories coming back to the day he first met Heechul where he knew at first glance, he would love the other as more than a member and a same age friend. Then it drifted to their memories of the Incheon Battle, skinships on stage, and the tears and the happy memories they spent together. But today, Jungsoo had no choice but to get up from bed, no matter how he wanted to sleep in, for he could not bother to disappoint his only friend. As soon as Jungsoo arrived at the parking lot of the hotel where Heechul's wedding was held, he let out a big sigh wondering if it could be him marrying Heechul if had just confessed. 

Jungsoo walked to Heechul's room, putting on a fake smile on his face. And as soon as their eyes met, Heechul beamed, but on the other hand, tears came down from Jungsoo's face like some waterfall. "Jungsoo-ah why are you crying?" Heechul approached him. "I have something to say but I hope you won't think different of me when I say it," Jungsoo said as Heechul only looked at him, telling him through his eyes to continue. "Saranghae," Jungsoo sighed as he tried to maintain an eye contact with the person in front of him. "What did you say?" "I'm sorry that I love you. It's been 20, 22 years since I've been feeling this way but I never had the perfect timing to tell you," Jungsoo smiled. He continued, "I think I just wanted to let you know before you get married and be commited to someone else forever. I also want to thank you." "For what?" "Literally everything," Jungsoo once again smiled but Heechul could see through him and knew the hurt feelings behind it. " I think I should be the one to thank you. For everything too," they both smiled. "You know how I wasn't myself and barely had any dreams when I first started in this industry but you gave them to me. When the sky above me was dark, you'd always be the stars to shine them. When the lights weren't working, you'd always be the one to change them for me. When the ship I was sailing almost came to an end, you continued it for me. When I thought I lost my way, you'd clear the path so that I could see it clearly again. When everyone thought being with me was heavy, you'd lift me up so they'd think it was light. When all the rain came towards me, you'd always be there to put an umbrella over my head. When I thought I was falling off from a thin rope, you'd give me another one so that each rope would be thicker. Most of all, you gave me the love no one else could give but the love I took for granted and didn't see," Heechul said, making eye contact with his friend. Jungsoo's eyes were swollen and red, tears falling down faster than the speed of Heechul's words. "Heechul-ah, I'm sorry to say this at a time like this. I know it's not the perfect timing but I didn't know when else I could say what I truly feel," Jungsoo once again faked a smile. "I couldn't count the things I am grateful for towards you but I'll just say anything that comes to my mind." "You didn't prepare a speech?" Heechul said which made them both laugh. "As I said, I couldn't count the times I've been grateful towards you, and even in the future I will be," Jungsoo smiled and continued, " You know, I don't even know how I've come to the point where I could still love you as more than a friend. But anyways, I'd like to thank you for many things. For being my pillar when I couldn't handle it all alone, for being the father of our 13 children, for being my same age friend, for speaking out for me when I couldn't, for defending me in many ways no one else could, for being someone to lean on when I had no one else by my side, for disciplining and taking care of the kids when I was not available, for reminding me always to take care of myself before others, for complaining for me when I was scared to, for being just a partner in crime, and for giving me the friendship and family I never thought I needed. I cannot say it all but I know you can see through me. Despite of all the bad things that happened to us, especially our famous Incheon Battle, you have never left my side and even took care of me more after that. Maybe I got the wrong idea more after that but even before that battle, I was already sure of what I felt towards you. But it seems that in this life, we are not meant to be," Jungsoo smiled as tears rushed down Heechul's cheeks. "Stop crying or maybe the others would think I fought with you again. Hahahah," Jungsoo laughed recalling the memories of the battle all of Korea knows. "Jungsoo-ah, do you believe in things like the next life?" Heechul questioned and Jungsoo nodded. "Let's meet in the next life and get married to each other, nae chingu," Heechul smiled and opened his arms to envelop a smiling Jungsoo in a tight hug. "Come on, let's go, you can't be late for your own wedding," Jungsoo tapped Heechul's shoulder to release himself from Heechul's tight hold. 

As they walked side by side towards the venue, they talked about the good and bad times they had spent together, especially the first times they did as best friends. The first time they met, their first dance practice together, when Heechul would hold a sleeping Jungsoo above a metal box, to their first win with their single U, the Incheon Battle, their silent treatments towards each other, the days they both enlisted, and so many more memories. Their bond that day was only broken after an employee had called out Jungsoo to practice his lines. 

When the lights dimmed down, Jungsoo knew he had to start speaking and introduce the groom who was about to walk the aisle. As Heechul stood at the end of the aisle, waiting for the signal to walk, he eyed Jungsoo, mouthing, "I love you and thank you." And Jungsoo couldn't do anything but smile as he watched his friend, his first and last love, walk down the aisle with the person who was not him. As soon as the program ended, Jungsoo talked with Heechul and his wife. When he was about to leave, he gave Heechul a big hug while inserting a small piece of paper in the younger's coat and left with a wide smile on his face. 

Looking at Jungsoo leave, Heechul could see the pain the other felt. He knew Jungsoo too well. As soon as he placed his hand on one of the pockets of his jacket, he felt the small piece of paper Jungsoo had left. 

It read:

"Heechul-ah,

              It's me Jungsoo. You must've been startled when I told you all the things I wanted you earlier. And I didn't do it to stop you from the wedding because that's not me and because I know you couldn't love me the same way I do towards you. 22 years since I met you and loving you was easy. I tried to shift my brain to unloving you but it is not as easy as loving you. Although I've said all those things, I hope you won't take it to heart because I'll try to move on. Just give me time and I will be able to finally move on from the 22 years I've loved you. Well, I can say that I wasted my youth in loving you but no one else could compare. Chukhahae on your wedding and be sincerely happy. I'm wishing you this from the bottom of my heart. I'll always be the best friend you need. Nae yeongwonhan sarang, nae chingu. I wouldn't be able to love someone else but you. For the last time, saranghae~

                                  - the angel who lost its wings :))

P.S. Okay, let's get married in our next lives ㅋㅋㅋㅋ"

As Heechul read the piece of paper, he couldn't stop his tears from falling to the point where even s couldn't stop him. They tried coaxing him with many other things but it wouldn't work. They asked him but he wouldn't tell. 

"I'll be sure to find you and marry you in the next life,  Jungsoo-ah. I'll never let go of you when that time comes."