“I don’t even know why I’m helping you,” Changmin rolled his eyes as he strung lights across the terrace railing. The sun was just beginning to set and Ryeowook smiled at it, closing his eyes and breathing deeply for a moment. That was certainly one of his favorite times of day. “It’s not like you appreciate me.”

Ryeowook shot Changmin an annoyed glare. “Oh stop it already,” he pouted, disentangling a string of white lights, “that was a year ago and I can’t help that Kyuhyun showed up at my home to tell me he loves me.”

“But it all happened too fast!” he whined for the hundredth time. “I didn’t get any notice until so many days after you guys got together.”

“You know now though,” Ryeowook reminded him, “and you’ve known for a long time now. We haven’t left you out of anything.”

Changmin grumbled, pinning the edge of the banner to one end of the terrace, “Yeah, you guys tell me a little too much about your progress.”

“Kyuhyun was just a little overly excited…,” he blushed, fumbling with a box of red rose petals, “and he didn’t go into detail, right?”

“Yeah,” Changmin snorted, “when you were around. He was uncensored to the max when we were alone.” He shuddered, locking the other end of the banner into place. “But anyway, why are you doing this?”

Ryeowook tossed the petals across the expansive floor, watching the red forms dot the pure white marble, “Because I owe it to him.”

“Not because you love him…?” Changmin teased.

“Of course that too,” Ryeowook assured, chuckling, “but…it’s definitely partly because I owe it to him.”

“You should be thankful that Victoria wanted to go here for vacation, or else I would’ve never come and helped,” he complained.

“I’m sure,” Ryeowook smiled, catching Changmin’s playful grin.

“We should hurry before the sun fully sets,” the latter remarked, seeing the light falling behind the trees.

Kyuhyun trudged through the front door of the Italian villa. It was a place he had purchased after learning that he loathed Paris, and after Siwon has sold his shares of the company to Kyuhyun. That was perhaps the last thing he had expected, well, that and the letter that came with the report.

Kyuhyun,

I’m not sorry. You could probably guess that. I’m disappointed and hurt, but that’s to be expected. I’ve been rethinking the harsh words you slapped me with and it made me realize how pathetic and pitiful I’ve become. When you of all people feels bad for me, I must own up to how poorly I’ve been conducting myself.

With that said, I’m getting away for a while. The company shares are yours. I’m selling our business venture in California for money to aid me in travelling and settling.

I think I’m going to see the world for a while.

You’re certainly not invited. So it’s goodbye for good.

Don’t ever regret what you’ve given up to be with him. If he’s not worth it anymore, then you’ll be alone forever.

Goodbye, Kyuhyun.

Siwon

It was very much in his style. Even after suffering a somewhat humiliating situation at the airport, he had the nerve to still speak so haughtily. But then again, that was what made him so worth it for Kyuhyun.

If Siwon was anything less than arrogant and self-absorbed, Kyuhyun couldn’t imagine ever looking up to him. Giving him power would certainly not have been in the deal.

He looked around the elegant home, noting that most of the lights in the European style home were off. Frowning, Kyuhyun walked to the kitchen, setting down the bags. “Ryeowook?” he called, turning a corner and entering the high ceiling living room.

No one.

“Where are you, Ryeowook?” Kyuhyun asked, voice rising in volume. His heart was beating a little faster and his feet were moving hastily as he hurried to the second floor, still calling out Ryeowook’s name.

The master bedroom was lit up and Kyuhyun hurried inside. There was still no one. “Where are you…,” he breathed, confused and worried. Just as he was about to call Ryeowook, he noticed a red card on the bed.

Slowly, he picked it up, opening the envelope. A familiar silver bracelet tumbled out, along with a crimson note card.

I wouldn’t make you do it twice.

“Hmm?” Kyuhyun frowned, holding the bracelet delicately in one hand and the card in the other.

There was a soft creaking noise across the room. His head lifted and he saw the double doors of the terrace swaying with the night breeze. Something was flickering in the darkness. Kyuhyun circled the bed, carefully approaching the glass doors.

Pushing it open with his fingertips, he peeked out onto the empty terrace, eyes widening.

Lights. So many lights.

Ryeowook sat on the railing, feet dangling a little above the accessible side of the terrace floor. He was surrounded by twinkling white lights, eyes focusing on Kyuhyun as the man stood still, stunned. Tilting his head, Ryeowook smiled and slowly pointed upwards.

Following the silent direction, Kyuhyun listened to fireworks explode overhead and then his eyes adjusted to the brightness.

Marry Me?

His head lowered and then he saw Ryeowook standing, both hands cupped together. There was an open ring box in his palms. Under the faint light, Kyuhyun could make out the silver band in the red ring cushion.

“And what if I said no?” Kyuhyun asked, placing his hands over Ryeowook’s, heart beating erratically.

The slender figure shrugged, leaning forward just a bit, a breath away from Kyuhyun’s slowly nearing face. “You didn’t give up on me…I won’t give up on you.”

He chuckled, closing the gap and pressing their lips together. “I could never marry anyone else,” Kyuhyun whispered, taking the ring and box, closing it as he slipped it into his pocket. Without further ado, he wrapped his arms around Ryeowook, pulling their bodies together until there was barely a breath separating them.

“You’re the last person I will ever marry,” Ryeowook murmured into the kiss, closing his eyes and melting into the embrace.