♥

**Excerpt from the story. Does not chronologically precede Chapter 1.

“You look so handsome.” Jaejoong whispered as he straightened the tie around Yunho’s neck. “It’s a shame you can’t dress yourself though.” He jibed.  It was loose, and Yunho never really had figured out how to fasten the damn thing properly.

Yunho smiled at the boy’s words, his eyes glazing in contentment as he watched the serious expression plastered over Jaejoong’s face. He always stuck out the tip of his tongue when he concentrated, so it wasn’t a surprise that he was doing it now.

It was cute. It was the kind of thing - having him so close, so naturally - that reminded him why he loved his best friend so much. Jaejoong was always there for him, no matter the situation. Rain or shine. It didn’t matter how large or tiny the problem; Yunho could count on Jaejoong to be by his side.

And he would be there for as long as they were together.

Because Jaejoong loved Yunho, too.

“You look beautiful too, Jae.” Yunho responded as he glanced the boy up and down. Jaejoong wore a simple, white suit - in contrast to his own stark, black one. He looked breathtaking as ever, with his flawlessly pale, porcelain skin and thick raven hair that draped down to frame his face. Yunho had always thought that Jaejoong possessed an indefinable beauty. A beauty that was unrivaled by any and all. A beauty that he so desperately hated the thought of losing.

Jaejoong scoffed at the compliment. “Sometimes I think you forget that I’m a man.” He remarked, teasingly smiling up at Yunho as he finished preparing the latter’s tie. He took a step back, nodding in approval at the sight.

“Either way is fine for me.” Yunho replied, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

Jaejoong sighed at the contact; tilting his head to gaze at the hand that rested gently on his body.

Yunho leant his face inwards, bringing himself closer to smaller man.

“Don’t.” Jaejoong suddenly demanded, placing a hand firmly into Yunho’s chest.

“Do what?” Yunho asked, dejected and a little confused. He remarked the sadness that pooled in Jaejoong’s eyes as he withdrew backwards, wondering what it was that could change his mood so quickly. Although he had an idea. He just didn’t want to admit that this was happening.

“Make this harder than it already is.” Jaejoong replied. Anguish choked in his throat and caused his voice to rattle at the thought of their position.

“I don’t know what else to do..” Yunho whimpered in response.

“Forget.” Jaejoong said, plainly. “Forget what we are. What this is,” he motioned between the two of them with his hands. “I can’t give you what you want, Yunho.” He sighed, a tear b in the corner of his eye as he met the stare of his lover.

“Neither can she.” Yunho replied. “I want you, Jaejoong. It’s always been you. This..” He mimicked the motion of hands, signaling all around the secluded room that they stood in. “This wedding is what my parents want for me.”

Jaejoong let his tears slip; his hope drowning in the sorrow that engulfed their love. He knew Yunho loved him, and that was exactly the reason why this hurt so much. Jaejoong would forever be the best friend in the eyes of the world beyond the two of them. Yunho would forever be hounded to marry and someday he’d have the children that Jaejoong could never give him. Jaejoong couldn’t be the barrier between Yunho and his family, even if it meant letting Yunho go. He’d stand up there at the altar as Yunho’s best-man and he’d smile when he had too; even if his heart was bleeding on the inside and the life he’d known was being torn from under his feet.

Because he loved Yunho.

“Jaejoong?” Yunho asked, tentatively.

Jaejoong hummed in response as Yunho moved closer, allowing his lover to wrap his arms around his waist and pull into a tight hug.

“I love you.” He whispered in the boy’s raven hair.

Jaejoong’s heart all but ripped in two as a silent tear slid down his cheek.

“Do you still love me?” Yunho asked further.

Jaejoong nodded his head. “I’ll always love you.” He replied.

A silence enveloped the two as they stood in each other’s embrace. All until Jaejoong leant away, prying the hands of his childhood friend, companion and lover from around his waist.

Yunho allowed a single tear to escape down his tanned, almond skin.

“That’s why I have to let you go.”

♥

A/N: An idea that came to me a while ago, that I'm deciding to write down now. Characters are fictional for the purpose of this story. Please do not plagiarize.

A massive thank you to BigBangVIP @ Corrupted State of Mind Graphic Request Shop for the wonderful poster and background!

Thanks to U.N.I.Q.U.E~ review and one-shot shop =) for the review up to Chapter 1. It was quite helpful!