"I don't know what I'm doing", Kun mumbles, stressed.
"Think about it this way, you're just constructing a day to the person you love how much you love them. You've done this before, don't think about the extra details."
Jungwoo laughs. "Weren't you freaking out proposing to Jisung?"
"Shut up."
"Do you actually scare anyone besides Jeno who's scared of everybody?"
"Woo, I love you."
"As you should."
"Where are we going again?" Ten asks.
"I don't know, your boyfriend won't tell me."
Yangyang rolls his eyes. "All you need to know is that it's gonna help you with proposing to Xiaojun. Just trust me."
"Does Jisung, Jaemin, or Winwin trust you?"
"Why?"
"Just answer the question."
"Hold on", Yangyang says, slowing down to type on his phone.
A minute later, Chenle laughs. "Isn't Winwin one of your best friends?"
"He's like that with all of us."
"So, you gonna trust me?" Yangyang asks Kun when Jisung and Jaemin have responded.
"Honestly, not really."
Ten, Jungwoo, and Chenle burst out laughing.
"Kunnie, I love you."
Kun smiles at Ten. "It's appreciated, Tennis."
➳
"I'm nervous", Nina says.
"Me too."
"At least you're not giving a speech."
"You're the one that wants to do it!" Lace defends, and then gets up to wrap Nina in a hug. "And it's sweet of you and adorable. Your parents are gonna love it."
"One, you're adorable and two, I hope so."
"I'll give you a pass for right now. You don't have to hope, they will. You can just stand in front of them and they'll smile. I think they might end up in tears, but, like, good tears."
"I don't really want them to cry."
"Then...don't think about that part."
Nina sighs and then turns to face Lace. "You're lucky I love you."
"I know." Lace pulls Nina in closer. "I love you too."
➳
"I can't believe it's already been three years. Time has gone by so fast."
Renjun approaches them and smiles at Chenle. "I knew this day would come. Well, I knew your wedding day come and divorce doesn't seem like a word in either of your dictionaries."
"Lele once threatened me by saying that if I ever want a divorce, he'll make it one of the most annoying things I'll ever have to deal with."
Chenle kisses his husbands cheek and smiles. "That still stands."
"I know."
"Do you think you'll renew your vows?" Minjae asks her parents.
"I'm not sure we'd do it like this", Jaemin answers. "We can eat cake and say how much we love each other any time."
"We're doing it!" Yuta exclaims. "Doie said-"
"He's thinking of divorcing you", Doyoung finishes. When Yuta looks at him, Doyoung gets a little worried that he's hurt Yutas feelings but his husband just smiles and kisses him.
"No", Yuta tells him sweetly when he pulls away.
"He's not allowed to divorce you?" Ana questions, trying not to laugh.
"Nope. Neither is Yongie."
Taeyong smiles. "Good, I don't want to."
"That's really cute but Lele is getting jealous!" Renjun calls at them.
"Watch it, Huang!"
➳
"I can't believe I'm doing this again", Jisung mutters, loud enough for Chenle to hear.
Chenle gives Jisung a look. "Do you not wanna do this? We can stop right now. I can-"
Jisung grabs Chenles face and kisses him. He smiles at how adorably confused Chenle looks. "If you're gonna ramble about something while everyone watches us, can it please be about how much you love me?"
That brings Chenle out of his daze. He gently smacks Jisungs arm, which makes his husband giggle. He smiles before he realizes he is and smacks Jisung again. "Damn you."
"I love you too."
"You're doing it backwards!" Ten calls at them.
"Thanks, we had no idea!"
When Chenle focuses back on Jisung, he gets lost in Jisungs pretty eyes and pretty smile. "I love you", he murmurs, so quiet that only Jisung can hear it. Jisung nods, wanting to let Chenle continue before speaking. "I think everyone here knows how much I love winning, but I realized that when it comes to you, I'm perfectly fine losing. This is cheesy, everyone, shut up or if you're one of the kids, please don't say anything."
"He's so nice to us", Jeno mumbles, making his husbands laugh. Haechan caresses Jenos hair while Mark squeezes his hand and Jaemin smiles at him,
"If I have you, I've won. I was so wrong about us-I didn't even think there would be an us. I tried not to and I feel really stupid for trying to hold myself back from one of the best things to ever happen to me. When I finally let myself like you, I was so scared. I didn't think you'd think I was worth it and I didn't really think I was either but then I got to realize that you are the last thing I have to be scared of. In the relationship before you, I had to hold my breath and I had to try so hard to be someone worthy of his attention and even that wasn't enough. With you, I can breathe. I've never had to try. I didn't on the first few dates we went on 'cause I was so sure that you wouldn't want the real me." Jisung smiles, having known that Chenle did that. "But you do. You became another safe place and I've never not felt safe and at home with you. I've accepted that I love you more than the words in the dictionary. Those words aren't enough but I'll keep using them, hoping that I'll find a combination close enough to explain exactly what I feel for you. These next words are much simpler than I need but until I find the right words, they'll work. Jisung." Jisung smiles. "You are...so beautiful. You have such a strong heart and a strong mind. I love how much you love the people who are important to you and I love how you love people. How you go out of your way and comfort zone to try. I think it's beautiful that you get happy from other people being happy but I want you to have your own happiness and I promise that as long as we're together-so the end of time-that I will always make sure you're happy. I love you, Jisung."
"Fuck", Jisung says, wiping away his rapidly falling tears.
Haechan points behind Jisung. "The tissues are over there!"
Chenle smiles and grabs the tissue box and holds it in front of Jisung. After Jisung finishes wiping his eyes and discards the tissue, he takes his retakes his place in front of Chenle.
"Let's hope I can keep it together long enough to say everything."
"Good luck!" Nina calls.
"You can do it!" Yuta adds, grinning.
Jisung smiles at them and then focuses on his husband. "I don't think I've told anyone this, but now seems like a good time. When I started falling for you, I really hoped that you'd be the one. We talked about so many things and whenever you referenced the future, I would think of how much I wanted to be in it."
Chenle can barely believe it, tears already threatening to spill. "What?"
Jisung gives Chenle a small smile and continues. "Sometimes, I have a hard time trusting people and letting myself love them but I've never had a problem letting myself love you. I can't remember it exactly but I do know that there was a point where I saw you smile and laugh and told myself I wanted to be responsible for those reactions. Your laugh has always been one of my favorite things about you and I really do think you have one of the most beautiful smiles ever. And just you..." Jisungs eyes soften. "You're so pretty." Chenle smiles. "You've had my attention for the longest time and I am so, so happy that you love me. I'm...I'm still struggling to understand why you and other people do, I've been so stuck on the reasons why someone wouldn't. I've had so many hard days-I still have hard days sometimes, but somehow, that's never pushed you away." Chenle shakes his head, because it wouldn't. "I appreciate that you always show me support and that you always wanna do whatever you can to make me feel better, even when I don't always allow it. I wanna say thank you for loving me and loving me extra hard on those days where I don't like myself or don't think I'm worth it. I feel special to you and that's perfect 'cause you are so goddamn special to me. I'm not sure I can express how happy I am that it's you and I'm really glad that renewing vows is a thing so I can feel like I'm marrying you all over again. I love you, Chenle Zhong."
Eyes wet with tears, Chenle lightly punches Jisung on the arm. "Dammit, Jisung!" Jisung and their audience laugh. Chenle takes a breath to calm down and lets out a sniffle before letting himself make eye contact with his husband again. "I love you, Jisung Park."
Jisung nods and destroys the small distance between them to kiss Chenle. Overwhelmed with everything Jisung, Chenle can hardly remember how to kiss but he manages and feels a lot better when he's rewarded with Jisungs pretty smile afterwards. Everyone starts cheering.
"You're my third favorite couple!" Ten shouts.
Chenle looks at him, mouth open in shock. "Who's your first and second?"
Ten grins as he pulls his boyfriend closer. "Me and Yangyang, then Xiaojun and Kunnie."
"Okay, fair."
Jisung gently taps Chenle and points to the beautifully decorated three-tiered cake on the table near them. "Cake time?"
The hopefulness in which Jisung asks is adorable, making Chenle laugh and ruffle his hair. "Of course."
"We're cutting it together", Jisung insists, remembering how impatient Chenle was on their actual wedding day.
"You eat the slice we cut."
Jisung rolls his eyes. "Fine by me."
Jisung can feel Chenles impatience radiating from him as they slowly cut out a slice of cake that is then cut up into three parts. Amused by the look Jisung gives him after getting his slice and Ninas, Chenle kisses his cheek and pretends he doesn't notice Jisung trying not to smile. He stays cutting up the cake while Jisung sits down.
"That was nice", Nina tells him.
"It was", Lace agrees.
"Thank you."
"Thank you", Chenle says with a smile, delivering a slice of cake.
Chenle finds Jaemin, Mark, and Kun surrounding the cake when he goes back. When Mark notices him, he hands him a plate and then waves him away, fixated on calculating how many plates he can carry realistically and not drop.
Kun turns to him with a smile and turns Chenle around to face the direction of his familys table. "Go sit down and enjoy your cake. The speeches were lovely."
"But-"
"Nope, go sit down, Jisung and Nina miss you."
"It's been-"
"A millisecond too long, go sit down", Kun urges and gently pushes Chenle forward.
After Nina is down eating, she goes over some of the things she wrote down but only ends up remembering a single phrase and two words. The nerves hit her at full force, knowing that very soon she's gonna be standing up in front of everyone and trying not to make a mess of her words as she attempts to tell her parents how she feels about them. It helps that she has Lace for moral support but she's still anxious.
"Where are you going?" Chenle asks when he sees his daughter get up.
"I have to do something", Nina says quickly, not wanting to be questioned further.
Johnny appears with a microphone and gives Nina a reassuring smile. "You got this."
"Thanks."
"You don't have to look at anyone", Johnny continues. "You can look at the wall. You can look at me and I'll make a funny face or you can look at your parents who will be nothing but happy."
Nina hugs him. "Thanks."
Johnny ruffles her hair. "Anytime, cupcake."
Nina takes a deep breath before moving to the front center of the room. Some people are already looking at her but Johnny still taps an empty wine glass with a spoon, splitting up the attention between Nina and himself. He smiles as he says, "Nina would like to start our toasts."
Jisung and Chenle are quick to turn in their seats, facing where their daughter is. Smiles appear on their faces, already joyed by the gesture.
Now that everyone is looking at her, Nina feels a little bit startled. She attempts a smile that is quickly followed by another deep breath she's not sure did anything. "Um, I know this is a vow renewal but I want to say congratulations to my parents, Chenle and Jisung. You two are such a good example of a healthy and loving relationship and I'm very happy to get to see that. I'm also just so happy I get to witness this. I still wish I got to be at your wedding", Nina chuckles and feels a little better that she gets a positive reaction. "But I'm fine as long as I get to be with you two and be your daughter. You two are wonderful together and I personally think the three of us make a perfect little family."
"We do", Chenle and Jisung say in unison and then smile at each other before turning back to Nina.
"Not only as your daughter but in general, I hope you two stay together forever. It's very clear that you make each other happy and I want both of you to be happy as well. I love you."
"We love you too!" Chenle shouts.
"We do!"
As soon as Nina is within arms reach, she's being engulfed in a tight hug by her parents. Her head gets attacked with kisses which make her giggle.
"I loved that", Chenle tells her sincerely when he pulls away.
"I didn't feel like crying a second time", Jisung says. "But I was close."
When Nina sits down, she gets yet another hug, this time from Lace. "You did so good!"
Nina smiles. "Thank you."
More toasts are said and then after confirming that everyone is ready, they all move into the next room over which contains a dance-floor. Everyone gathers around on each side of the room, creating a circle for the married couple to dance in the middle of.
"I practiced dancing with Nina so I should be better", Jisung tells Chenle, remembering how he'd accidentally stepped on the males foot on their wedding day.
"It's fine as long as I get to dip you."
Jisung lets out a deep sigh, lips quirked up as he tries not to smile directly. "We'll see."
Chenle laughs because he knows he's gonna get his way and interlocks their fingers. Slowly, the two begin to move, eyes zeroed in on each other.
"I love you", Chenle says softly.
Jisung grins. "I never get tired of hearing that."
"Good. I never get tired of saying that."
"Good", is all Jisung can get out before Chenle kisses him.
"Remember when you told me you're not really a PDA person?"
Chenle rolls his eyes. "Of course you remember that."
"It's important."
"And my favorite chip flavor isn't?"
"That's secondary."
"Whatever." Jisung chuckles. Going back to Jisungs question, Chenle responds. "I didn't think I was but then I met you and it became impossible to keep how I feel about you to myself. I see you and I just wanna be in your arms or you in mine and then you'll just look at me and sometimes, in those moments, I crave nothing more than to kiss you. And so I do it. I know you like when I do things like this in front of strangers anyways."
"It's cute and I love seeing you all possessive. It's so funny when you glare at everyone who looks at me."
"I just want them to know you're taken and will forever be taken by me."
Jisung laughs and then brings his head forward to rest against Chenles. "You're so cute. And don't worry, I don't want to be with anyone but you. That's not changing."
The fact that it's their three-year marriage anniversary should be enough for Chenle but there's still a little doubt when he asks, "Promise?"
Jisung gently nods against him. "I promise with my life. I didn't always love it but now, I do. 'Cause it has you. And Nina and our friends. I found my home and my safe place. You're what I need."
Chenle smiles that beautiful and adorable smile that Jisung loves so much. "You're also what I need, Jisung Zhong." Right as the song ends, the couple hurries over to their daughter. "Your turn", Chenles says.
Next are the best friend dances which Chenle, Mark, and Jeno do a lot less gracefully than Jisung, Jaemin, and Haechan.
"Jisung, let's show them how it's done", Yuta says when it's his turn.
"Kun, don't let me down."
Kun laughs. "Didn't you, earlier, say you're okay to lose when it comes to Jisung."
"I did but that doesn't mean we have to lose."
More time is spent dancing and then some people get the idea to go back to the dining room for more food. Kun lazily keeps track of time, waiting for something that can't seem to come soon enough. He gets a few pat on the backs, some being seen by Xiaojun who just looks at his unofficial husband in confusion.
"Uh, what's going on with Kun?" Xiaojun asks Ten after seeing Yuta talk to him and then look in his direction.
"What do you mean?" Ten asks and glances at Kun, hoping he looks as oblivious as he'd like.
"I've seen like three people pat his back and his spoken to like four people he's never spoken to before."
"Well, he's not awkward with people, right?" Yangyang asks, joining them to help Ten. "Maybe he's just mingling and talking about how much he loves you."
"And the pats on the back?"
Yangyang shrugs. "Can mean good luck, you know. Maybe these people are wishing you two well. Is that so bad?"
"No", Xiaojun mumbles and looks back over at Kun. Finding him free, he makes his way over and kisses his cheek as a greeting.
Kun smiles as he looks at his gorgeous boyfriend (read as: unofficial husband). "Hey, you."
"You've been quite social tonight."
"I'm trying to slowly eliminate any awkwardness with these people. Haechan also asked me to tell him what he talked about so he can create a few scripts in his head to study."
Xiaojun laughs. "What if someone goes off script?"
"Oh, I already asked this, panic."
Xiaojun laughs again and then wraps his arms around Kuns neck and smiles at him. "Let's dance outside before we leave, it looks pretty."
Kun nods. "Agreed." Just because he wants to, Kun pecks Xiaojuns lips. "I love you."
Xiaojun smiles. "I love you too."
➳
"He doesn't know anything, right?" Kun asks Jungwoo who's standing with Taeil, Shotaro, and Hendery.
"Nope", Jungwoo answers. "He also doesn't know what time it is and he has no interest in being helpful to anyone but Affinity who just told her where one of her family members was."
Kun has to hold back his laughter, which causes him to smile. "He's so cute."
"Speak for yourself, he shrugged me off and then stopped acknowledging my presence."
Hendery laughs and hugs Shotaro against him and kisses his head. "Remember, it's good that he's distracted. He'll remember later and apologize anyways."
Shotaro nods. "You're right."
"I still can't believe someone can make Shotaro obedient."
"I hope the next time you upset Ten, he locks you onto your terrace and gives you a box that doesn't help you at all. Bonus points if it makes you more uncomfortable actually."
Yangyang makes a face. "Damn. What did I do?"
"Does Ten know he-" Hendery grins at their three person audience and then turns to Shotaro and pecks his lips, easily making his partner shut up.
Shotaro blinks at Hendery in shock. "Wha-"
"Your lips were distracting."
Shotaro turns bright red and leaves in search of Mark. He finds him on the other side of the room with his husbands. "Hi, hi, hi", he says in greeting. "I need to steal Mark. I promise you can have him back, I don't even want him like that, thank God for all of us."
"What-" is all Mark can get out before he's dragged away.
"Where are they going?" Affinity asks, appearing with her siblings.
"No idea", Haechan answers. He takes notice of Affinitys brownie, Minjaes sugar cookie, and Reeses small cup of ice cream. "The hell did those come from?"
"Doyoung put out more cookies and brownies", Minjae answers. "There's still some cupcakes too. Reese can show you where the ice cream machine is."
"Okay, Reese come with me", Jaemin says and gently moves his son in front of him to guide him.
Eventually, it reaches Kuns long-awaited moment. He exhales as he walks around in search of Xiaojun. With a polite smile, he steals him away from Jaehyun and Sungchan and leads the male over towards one of the exits. Afraid he'll start losing his nerve if he gets questioned, he's quick to explain. "Chenle told me that they have a garden here and I think now is the perfect time to slip away and dance outside."
Xiaojun looks around, relieved that no one seems to be paying attention to them. "Nothing important is happening, right?"
"Nope". For added measure, he begins playing with Xiaojuns necktie. "I'd like to have you to myself for a moment anyways."
Picking up on the hint now, Xiaojun grins. "Do you seriously want to-"
"Yes", Kun says, cutting him off in fear of Ten overhearing them and then texting about in the groupchat. Without another word from Xiaojun, Kun begins leading him outside. He tries to subtly check the time and begins feeling antsy from the thought that he'll miss the timing to propose.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Xiaojun asks, skeptical about the darkened pathway they're walking along.
Kun spots the ribbon he'd wrapped around a tree and texts 'Now' to Jungwoo who does his job, lighting up the entire view ahead of them.
Xiaojun looks around in wonder, enchanted by the flower-shaped LED lights that illuminate the rest of the path that leads to a cozily decorated gazebo. All the lights help Xiaojun see the real flowers that would otherwise be hidden by the darkness of the night. Slowly, he walks along with Kun towards the gazebo where he can get a better look at the makeshift bed, made up of multiple multiple pillows and what looks like a minimum of three fluffy layers. Behind is a projector.
He spins towards Kun, looking at him with equal parts confusion and curiosity that makes Kun laugh. "There's a sheet I can pull down so we can watch. Also", he points to the small snack table on the side. "There's a few snacks." Kun checks the time again, gaining Xiaojuns attention.
"Are you in a rush?"
Deciding to screw the damn time, Kun gives Xiaojun a smile. "Nope. I thought I might need to but it's fine." He holds out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
"Well if-"
"Yes or yes?"
Xiaojun chuckles and nods, understanding that he doesn't need to worry. "Yes", he says, taking Kuns hand.
The two dance around until they get dizzy. Kun is happy that Xiaojun is enticed by the small charcuterie board that was set out, along with other mini items, giving him to place a mini pillow under his knee and take the ring out of his jacket.
"So what's this for-oh my God!" Xiaojun exclaims, so startled he nearly drops a grape.
Kun gives him a nervous smile and waves him over. Bewitched, Xiaojun sets his cup down and goes over to Kun who takes hold of his hands. "I wanted to wait until a significant time to do this but I think we're close enough. Or if not, it's okay. I want to be with you, anyways." Xiaojun gulps, trying to wrap his head around what's happening. "Really, I do think we're around the time where I couldn't sleep because I was too busy thinking about the fact that I'm in love with you. That was a daytime realization and I'm pretty sure I accidentally spilled coffee in my kitchen that day." Xiaojun laughs. Kun smiles, feeling a little more confident than before. "Honestly, I thought I would feel worse. I've seen it described as feeling like the world is ending but when I realized that, my world didn't end. It barely changed actually, though sometimes when I think about it, it feels like my world got warmer. My point is that it was comfortable, so easy to settle with and I acknowledge that it's like this because of you. I've never fallen harder for anyone than I have for you and I don't have the best track record with relationships but you make the hard parts worth it. I know that I wanna be with you and that I want to marry you. I'm too comfortable calling you my husband, even if some of that time is just in my head. I want to be around you all the time and I'd write I love you on every surface in our apartment if I could." Xiaojuns breath hitches, anticipating Kuns next words, which makes Kun feel better. "If there's someone in this world that's made for me, it's you. I'm done with anyone else, I pick you and I'm sure that I'll always pick you. I love you. I'd be the happiest if you'd agree to let me marry you and be your husband officially?"
"Yes", Xiaojun says excited. "Yes, yes!" He pulls Kun up and doesn't hesitate to kiss him. It's almost enough (keyword: almost) to make Kun forget what else he'd planned for this proposal but he manages to remember just before the fireworks go off. Xiaojun laughs and turns to Kun, fondness immediately filling his expression. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Kun nods up towards the sky. "Look."
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I've never been so in love
I'm so happy I get to marry you
Love, your angel
"Someone was confident."
"I actually got yelled at by Chenle and he told me that if I didn't add that last line, he'd rewrite the whole message. And then Jungwoo made a joke he didn't like and then told me that asking you is just a formality."
Xiaojun smiles. "Jungwoo does have a point, but I still appreciate this. I never thought I'd get something like this, I always thought that I'd just be the one to do it."
"You don't have to worry about that. I'll gladly continue loving you in all the ways you understand. It's so easy."
Xiaojun pulls Kun in even closer. Enough that at the right angle, their foreheads will touch. "It's so easy loving you too, angel."
The two kiss again and then they actually make use of their setting. Kun pulls down the sheet that's hanging from the roof so they have a surface for the projector. Kun then joins Xiaojun on the makeshift bed and the two immediately begin cuddling. Aware of the old previews, Kun has no shame when he turns to Xiaojun and captures his lips with his. Xiaojun immediately kisses back and holds onto Kun so it's easier for him to deepen the kiss.
Their attention doesn't leave one another until the music from the disc menu starts playing and Xiaojun realizes that it's his favorite rom-com. He looks at Kun and tries not to smile. Kun can't help but smile at his reaction and follows it up with a forehead kiss.
"You're perfect", he mumbles.
"Even though I'll watch the same move eight times?"
"Even if you watch the same movie eight times", Kun agrees. "You still get excited when the main character and love interest get together and you still get giddy over certain scenes. It's so cute. I can't find anything wrong when you react like that."
"You wanna know something?" Kun hums. "If you didn't propose to me, like ten minutes ago, I'd do it right now."
"You still can", Kun shrugs, "it's just already confirmed."
"Okay, then will you marry me, angel?"
Kun holds onto Xiaojuns arm and gives him that adorable smile that makes Xiaojun weak. "I'll say yes every time you ask."
Xiaojun attacks Kuns face with kisses. When he pulls away, Kun sees his eyes are full of adoration. "I'm so in love with you."
"Me too."
IT IS DONE
I know I didn't mention every single character this chapter, like I didn't say Haeun or Ana or Winwin and I could be missing other people, plus I didn't mention the side characters but they were there
Thinking about it now, I'm not sure how much sense it makes but in my mind, ChenJis party started late enough that it's normal for everyone to still be there at midnight and I was gonna have Kun propose like five minutes after him and Xiaojun started dating which I did mention was close to 3 a.m. so I was thinking like 2:40 a.m. but that is way too late (for me anyways) so I let that idea go mid-writing
Also the point of acknowledging that it's past midnight means that Kuns not proposing on ChenJis wedding anniversary and "stealing their spotlight" or unintentionally making the day less special cause it was someone elses day first or anything like that. I know that the day after seems pretty close so I was gonna mention that ChenJi finding the number 3 so significant they're celebrating three days after the third week of the third month they've been married but I didn't get a chance to add it so if you care, here it is. If you don't give a fuck, that's great as well
Not sure I'm gonna write anymore for XiaoKun 'cause I'm running out of ideas for the weddings and I don't want them all to seem the exact same. We also have TenYang and RenWinSungs weddings and I'm lucky I came with an idea for how each relationship has progressed over time so I can kinda send the weddings into two different directions (also got a theme for renwinsung which helps) but I'm not sure how much more I can come up with lol
This is so long, I AM SORRY. I hope you have a morning, day, or night!
I love you
Not proofread *red heart*