The sun was rising and the light was painting the sky a beautiful golden color. The birds sang and flew to the ground every so often to eat. There were fewer birds during this time of the year, so their song was quieter. The trees waved in the cold wind as the last of their leaves fell to the ground. The day was cold, but the sun hid the look of the approaching winter by leaving everything colored in a warm gold. There was a small church that rung it’s bell at the strike of seven.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Changjo looked up to Chunji and smiled. Today was his birthday; it was his eighteenth birthday. He was dressed in a simple suit that he had in his closet for a while now.  His hair was straightened and fell gently across his face. He was standing confidently, but how he curled his toes gave away his nervousness, although no one could see.

“I’m sure,” he said. He was sure of his decision, and he was sure that he would never regret it. They stood at the entrance of the small church that lay outside of the city in the countryside. They stayed there for about a week for preparation before coming.

Chunji had spent the entire time making sure that they were sure of their decision. They had spent the last two months planning it out. Chunji worked with Andy nonstop to try to find another way, but they couldn’t find one. In order for Ricky to take back his company, she had to no longer be claimed as a dependent to her father. The quickest way to do that, other than waiting until she was twenty, was for her to get married. Immediately, Changjo volunteered.

They discussed it in private after Ricky threw a fit, and now was the day. They had snuck around during these last two months making calls and arranging the small private wedding. They went apartment shopping and put down a deposit for a small apartment across town. Now was the day.

Ricky has still yet to show, but Changjo just put it as her getting ready. Even though no one was here, they were still going to take pictures as proof and to mask their charade with.

Chunji walked off saying that they he was going to call Ricky, leaving Changjo alone. He was feeling a little tired of just standing, so he decided to walk around. He stopped before a small booth. On the door, it said, “Confessions,” so he went in. He sat down and looked around, but he didn’t expect someone to speak to him.

“Confess your sins and all will be forgiven.” Changjo jumped at the voice. It wasn’t deep, but he knew it was male, but his voice broke. “Even if it is not your religion, having a quiet ear listen will help ease your burden.” Changjo looked at the mess before him. He could see the shadow of the person, but he could not see his face. He could see that he had light brown hair and pale skin, but that’s about it.

“I don’t really think sharing my worries with a stranger is a good idea,” said Changjo. The other male chuckled at his response, and Changjo couldn’t help but to find his laughter pleasant.

“You may be right, but I won’t hunt you down. And you may never see me again, so it won’t hurt.” Changjo stifled his laughter as the man’s voice broke every so often. “In this booth, I am vowed to secrecy.” Changjo nodded and thought for a while.

“I’m scared.” The figure nodded. “I am marrying my best friend today. It’s not for love like how everyone wants it to be, but I am doing it to help him. I am trying to protect him, but I’m scared that I will fail.”

“He is male?” The figure asked. Changjo nodded. “And he is your best friend?” Changjo nodded once again. “And you are doing this for him?” Changjo nodded once again. “You are a good man.” Changjo smiled at the man’s words. He thought that he would get talked down on since they were both male, but instead the man praised him.

“Changjo!” A yell resonated from outside the room. “Ricky’s here!” Changjo quickly stood and bowed before the figure.

“Thank you,” he said before quickly running out. He rounded the corner back to the main entrance to be met by Chunji and Ricky. Ricky was dressed in a simple yet elegant light, pale green dress that she bought a couple of weeks ago. It was made of satin and hugged her lightly across her abdomen, but draped down graceful to her feet. She had her hair layered and wore her gold necklace as well as simple god earrings. She had a small bouquet of Iris flowers and short wedge heels that matched her gold jewelry. She looked beautiful.

“Ready to go?”  She asked Changjo. Changjo just nodded before taking his place at the altar. Chunji took his seat, but before they started, someone else came in. Ricky turned and gave the person a hug.

“Juniel! Thank you for coming!” She squealed. Juniel just nodded with a guarded smile and went to take her seat. A few moments after, a woman came in. She was accompanied by someone whose face was hidden by a hood. His light brown hair hung out and all that could be seen was his nose, for his lips were covered by a scarf. He seemed to be a monk. The woman was dressed as a nun, but only her eyes were visible due to the scarf that she wore as well. They made their way to the sides of the altar before they were accompanied by a priest.

Changjo couldn’t help but look at the monk, who was across from him, and Ricky looked at the nun across from her. All she could see where her eyes, but she thought her eye were the most beautiful that she has ever seen.

“We will, now begin,” said the priest. The precession went by quietly with only the priest’s voice echoing through the church. They made it to their vows and kept it short.

“I promise to protect you,” said Changjo.

“I promise to make you happy,” said Ricky.

It was short. It was to the point, but they meant it. They placed their rings and finished their wedding quickly. Juniel was in tears, and so was the nun. Chunji just looked on quietly and comforted Juniel every so often.

“I now pronounce you married.” The priest was aware of the circumstances beforehand. He was a friend of Andy, so he knew what was going on. Even though he didn’t agree with the reasons behind it, he couldn’t help but to help. Changjo grabbed onto Ricky’s head and just placed a kiss onto his forehead, like he always did when he wanted to comfort Ricky after he fought with his dad, or when he got teased by the neighborhood bullies, or when he got worried about the future. He hugged her close before they pulled away and bowed towards the priest.

“Thank you Siwon,” they said together. Siwon waved them off with a smile before leaving to head back to his church.  

“You look very pretty.” Ricky turned around to see the monk. He was no longer bowed down, so you could see just a little bit of his eyes, and they were large just like the woman’s. They must be related.

“Thank you,” she said. She bowed deeply to them both.

“Yes you are, and you will be taken care of,” said the nun. Ricky smiled at her words before he was tugged away by Chunji.

“Come on guys, we need to go back and move your stuff to your new apartment!” Ricky and Changjo followed quickly, but not before looking back and waving a thank you and goodbye. Juniel had left immediately, saying something about an appointment.

The ride back was filled with nothing but legal talk. They were talking about what the next step should be, so they didn’t notice the news on the radio.

“A local church here in the country side has just collapsed. After its collapse, it has caught on fire by what we believe were left over candles. The authorities are trying to get in to see if there are any survivors, but have been unable to as of yet.”