24
Tae Hyun stood before the bathroom mirror, fussing over the subtle shimmer he’d just blended onto his cheekbones. Beside him, Yoo Mi fussed over his outfit, a precision whirlwind of intense focus and exuberant energy. Tae Hyun hadn’t realized how much he missed her until she’d shown up at Jason’s villa with Seong Woo in tow. She’d taken a few days off from filming her most recent movie–a low-budget indie film about a lonely young widow who finds love in the arms of the kindhearted woman next door–just to attend.
“I never would’ve done something like this before you,” she privately confessed to Tae Hyun over drinks the day before. “I’ve kissed my costar so many times that I probably qualify as a lesbian now.”
“That’s not how it works, Yoo Mi.”
Yoo Mi dismissed Tae Hyun with a casual hand wave. “How would you know? Have you ever been a lesbian?”
But that was the night before. On his wedding day, Yoo Mi was more concerned with steaming the wrinkles out of Tae Hyun’s linen pants as he got ready. “Whose genius idea was it to get married in linen, anyway?”
Tae Hyun tried not to chuckle as he put the finishing touches on his eyeliner. “Yours. ”
Yoo Mi snorted. “I know, darling. That was a rhetorical question. Now, hush and finish your face. You need to get dressed.”
Yoo Mi had practically squealed when Tae Hyun invited her to Thailand for the wedding. Then she’d dropped everything, flown to Phuket, and orchestrated a wedding fit for a king in a matter of days. And the outfits? They were a work of art.
For Tae Hyun, that meant a white, open-weave linen shirt with a slight shimmer, a relaxed fit, and a plunging neckline over finely-tailored high-waisted, white linen pants with a wide leg silhouette that promised to gently billow in the ocean breeze.
“I am finished.” Tae Hyun turned around to pluck the shirt from its hanger. “Help me put this on?” he asked, lifting his arms.
Yoo Mi quietly huffed, but it was more for show than drama. “Of course, darling.”
With Yoo Mi’s help, Tae Hyun managed to get his shirt on without smudging his makeup and ruining the pristine white linen. He wanted it to look good in at least some of the photos, even if it would be covered in sand by the end of the ceremony. Then he slipped off his shorts and stepped into his pants.
Tae Hyun smiled as he surveyed the final look in the mirror. His makeup was flawless, and not a single crease mark marred the linen shirt. He ran a hand through his hair, styled into a soft, windswept look that would undoubtedly be ruined by the ocean breeze. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but the overwhelming joy to come. He looked perfect. It was time.
“Oh, Tae Hyun,” Yoo Mi reverently whispered.
Tae Hyun glanced over his shoulder to see his friend standing behind him, tears sparkling in her eyes. She was effortlessly elegant in a breezy coral sundress with delicate floral embroidery on the bodice and lace detailing on the neckline. He quickly grabbed a handful of tissues and handed them over.
“Stop!” Tae Hyun playfully scolded. “You’ll ruin your makeup.”
“But you look so stunning,” Yoo Mi insisted, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. “And, of course, I wore waterproof eyeliner. I highly doubt this will be the only time I cry today.”
“At least stop before you make me cry,” Tae Hyun teased. “I don’t want my eyes to be all red and puffy.”
Yoo Mi huffed. “You’re such a diva.”
“I learned from the best.” He offered Yoo Mi his arm. “Shall we?”
Yoo Mi took Tae Hyun’s arm, a proud smile on her face. Together, they descended from the bedroom suite to the main level. Yun Seo, elegantly dressed in a teal version of Yoo Mi’s sun dress, stood waiting for them, her arm linked with Seong Min’s. Attending the wedding as Yun Seo’s date rather than as Tae Hyun’s bodyguard, Seong Min had traded his suit for a more casual, short-sleeved button-down in a complementary teal floral print. Del Sakdathorn, one of the villa’s two caretakers, stood beside them brightly smiling, a hand-woven basket of flowers in her arms.
Yun Seo dropped Seong Min’s arm and rushed to her brother, her eyes shining. “You look amazing, oppa!” She leaned in for the barest kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you,” Tae Hyun beamed. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Already down on the beach, sir,” Seong Min replied. Even on his off days, he still refused to call Tae Hyun simply by name. “If you’re ready, we can escort you down now.”
“Wait,” Yun Seo said. “First, there’s this.” She produced a small velvet box from behind her back, holding it out to Tae Hyun. “Courtesy of Jason.”
Tae Hyun took the box, his fingers trembling as he opened it. Inside, nestled on a pillowy bed of ivory silk, was a delicate gold chain with a tiny amethyst fox pendant. It was an exquisite piece of craftsmanship. But it was the meaning behind it that truly took his breath away. It was a replica of Jason’s first-ever gift to him–a small ceramic fox figurine. Tears immediately blurred his vision. “Oh my gosh.”
“No, no,” Yoo Mi gently chided him, swooping in to dab the tears away. “What did you say about crying?”
Tae Hyun laughed, shaking a few tears loose that Yoo Mi caught with her tissue. “I think that’s already out the window.” He turned to Yun Seo, holding out the necklace. “Will you do the honors?” He closed his eyes as she fastened the clasp around his neck.
“It’s beautiful,” Yun Seo murmured. “He has excellent taste.”
Tae Hyun smiled. “Of course, he does. Why else would he marry me?”
Yun Seo chuckled. “Then I guess we should get down to the beach.”
Del led the wedding procession, walking past the pool to the beach stairs with Yun Seo and Seong Min following behind, quietly laughing and talking to one another. Tae Hyun brought up the rear, arm in arm with his best and oldest friend, Yoo Mi, anticipation nearly bursting inside his chest.
The sun had just begun its descent, painting the sky in a breathtaking canvas of pinks, oranges, and purples. The warm breeze carried the scent of salt and sea. They were in paradise. As they reached the bottom of stairs, Jason, Seong Hyeon, and Seong Woo had already gathered near the water’s edge, the vast expanse of Koh Sirey Bay opening behind them.
Jason was immaculately dressed in a crisp white slim-fitting linen suit jacket with a mandarin collar and matching white linen trousers cuffed slightly above the ankle. A neatly folded, coral silk pocket square poked up from the jacket’s breast pocket. Like Tae Hyun, he was also barefoot. Jason’s face beamed with the setting sun’s golden glow. His eyes, fixed on Tae Hyun, were filled with a love so pure and intense that it made Tae Hyun’s knees weak.
Beside them stood Run, his guitar slung over his shoulder, and Del’s younger brother, Beam, holding a hand drum. But Tae Hyun’s heart skipped a beat as he spotted someone he hadn’t expected. Raven Wild, enchanting in a flowing peach sundress, nodded to Run and Beam, who began to play. The familiar melody of Freefall Into You filled the air, transformed into a haunting, ethereal soundscape by Raven’s husky contralto.
Tae Hyun’s breath caught in his throat, tears welling in his eyes as he walked towards Jason, his heart overflowing with joy. Time seemed to slow, each step a lifetime, each grain of sand apparent beneath his bare feet. But, by the song’s end, Yoo Mi delivered him to Jason’s side, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears, before taking her place beside Yun Seo.
Jason took Tae Hyun’s hands, gently squeezing them as their eyes met. “You look so beautiful,” he whispered. “Are you ready?”
Tae Hyun nodded as a single tear escaped, tracing a path down his cheek. “I’ve never been more ready, hyung.”
“Wonderful,” Seong Woo boomed. Yoo Mi had confessed to Tae Hyun that her husband hadn’t stopped grinning since Jason had asked him to officiate. “Then let’s have a wedding.”
Jason and Tae Hyun turned to face Seong Woo, the sun-kissed ocean sparkling behind him like a million tiny diamonds. Seong Woo’s smile was wide, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he continued. “If you had told me I’d be officiating a wedding one day,” he said, his voice filled with a playful warmth, “I might’ve believed you. But if you’d told me it would be the wedding of two of my favorite people, I would’ve laughed in your face.” He paused, a mischievous gleam in his eye. “And yet, here we are, celebrating the love between my dear friend Jason Park and my wife’s best friend, Woo Tae Hyun.”
Yoo Mi politely cleared her throat. “Darling?”
Everyone chuckled, Seong Woo included. “Yes, yes. I’ve rarely seen two people more in love, more deserving of this happiness,” he continued. “All the trials they’ve faced and obstacles they’ve overcome have only strengthened their bond. So it is my honor to stand before them as they proclaim their love to the world.” He turned to Jason, a gentle smile on his face. “Would you like to go first?”
Jason nodded, his gaze returning to Tae Hyun, his eyes filled with a love so intense it could melt the hardest heart. “Tae Hyun,” he began, strong and earnest, “for a long time, I believed I was unworthy of love. That the darkness inside me–the anger, the hurt–made me unlovable. I pushed people away, built walls around my heart, and convinced myself that I was better off alone.” He paused for a deep breath. “But then you came into my life. You, with your blinding smile and your infectious laughter, your passion and your kindness. You shattered those walls, piece by piece until there was nothing left but the raw, vulnerable truth of who I am.”
Jason’s eyes softened as he tenderly smiled. “You see me, Tae Hyun. You see my flaws, scars, and insecurities, and you love me anyway. You make me want to be better, to be worthy of the incredible gift of your love.” His voice cracked as he continued. “I love everything about you, Tae Hyun. I love the way your ears turn red when you’re embarrassed, the way you call me out on my bullshit, and the way you always have my back, even when I don’t deserve it.” He squeezed Tae Hyun’s hands. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone, Tae Hyun. Not even myself. Every day with you is a gift–a reminder that I’m capable of love, happiness, and a future I never thought possible.”
“So today,” Jason announced, clear and strong, his eyes shining with fresh tears, “I stand before you, not as the son of a billionaire or an actor playing a role, but as a man who is deeply and impossibly in love. And I promise to cherish that love, nurture it, and protect it with every fiber of my being. I promise to be your partner, your confidante, your biggest fan, and your fiercest protector. I promise to love you, Tae Hyun, for the rest of my days.”
Jason’s lovely words hung between them for a long moment before Seong Woo finally spoke again. “Tae Hyun?”
“Jason,” Tae Hyun began, his voice trembling as he stared into Jason’s eyes, “I never thought I’d be standing here, saying these words. For so long, marriage seemed like a distant dream, an impossible fantasy in my world.” He paused, softly chuckling. “I built walls around my heart, too. I convinced myself that love was a luxury I couldn’t afford–that it would only complicate my life, my career.” He squeezed Jason’s hands, grounding himself in their comforting warmth. “Then you came along, hyung,” he continued, his voice gaining strength. “You, with your unyielding spirit, your fiery passion, and your unwavering belief in me. You saw through the masks I wore and the carefully constructed facade I’d built to protect myself.”
Tae Hyun gently smiled, his eyes sparkling with love and gratitude. “I admire your strength, courage, and boundless compassion for the people you care about. You taught me that it’s okay to let my guard down, to be vulnerable, and to trust in something bigger than myself.” He paused, blinking away the tears in his eyes. “I love your fire, your stubbornness, and your refusal to back down from a fight. I love the way you challenge me, make me laugh, and make me feel safe.” His smile widened as tears streamed down his cheeks. “I love how you never try to control me. I love how you encourage me to chase my dreams and be the best version of myself. I love you, Jason-hyung, more than words can express.”
Tae Hyun raised his chin and proudly let his voice ring out. “Today, I stand before you, not as an idol, not as a performer, but as a man who has found his soulmate, his partner in life, and his one true love. And I promise to love you fiercely, support you unconditionally, and cherish every moment we have together. I promise to be your safe haven, your loudest cheerleader, and your most loyal friend. I promise to love you, Jason, not just for today but for all the tomorrows to come.”
The hushed sniffles and choked sobs from their small gathering of witnesses faded into the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore. The world seemed to hold its breath as Jason’s gaze locked onto Tae Hyun’s, a promise of love and devotion reflected in the depths of his eyes.
“And now,” Seong Woo announced, “it’s time for the rings. ”
Seong Hyeon stepped forward, presenting a black velvet ring box. Inside, nestled against the plush fabric, were two simple yet elegant bands of brushed gold, their edges softly beveled. Each bore an inscription on the inside–their initials and the date, a forever reminder of this day, this moment.
Jason took one of the rings, his fingers trembling as he lifted Tae Hyun’s hand. He slid the band onto Tae Hyun’s finger, the metal cool on his warm skin. Tae Hyun, in turn, took the second ring, his own hand shaking as he placed it on Jason’s finger.
“Do you promise,” Seong Woo asked, resonating with gentle authority. “to keep your vows and love one another unconditionally?”
“I do,” Jason firmly responded.
“I do,” Tae Hyun replied, tears welling in his eyes as he met Jason’s gaze.
Seong Woo broadly smiled as he spread his arms wide. “Then I pronounce you both married.” He winked, a playful grin on his face. “Now, kiss each other!”
The sound of the waves seemed to swell in a crescendo of joy as Jason cupped Tae Hyun’s face in his hands. Time stood still as their lips met, a gentle touch that blossomed into a passionate embrace. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the rose gold sand under a sapphire sky.
At that moment, there were only the two of them–their souls intertwined, their love a beacon on the vast expanse of the ocean. Tae Hyun felt the warmth of Jason’s tears against his cheek, the strength of his arms holding him close. All his remaining doubt and anxiety melted away, leaving behind a pure, unadulterated joy .
Tae Hyun didn’t know what the future held or what challenges awaited them beyond that idyllic paradise. But one thing was certain. Wherever their journey led, they would face it together. Hand in hand, heart to heart, bound by a love that had weathered storms and emerged stronger, brighter, and more radiant than ever before.