Now playing UNBASHED OF LOVE THEME SONG - Afterglow by Taylor Swift

"You still don't know how to tie a necktie?!" Sunoo's mother complained, going in front of her son to the work he should already know how to do by now.

"You look really good in this dress, mom." Sunoo hugged his mother as she chuckled and hugged her back.

"Jay and Jungwon are getting married today, not you!"

"Does someone have to get married for me to compliment my own mother?" She sucked on her teeth, planting a kiss on his cheek.

"Let's go, we'll be late, the venue is almost an hour from here!" They hurried to grab their necessary things and got out of Sunoo's house where they saw Kaito opening the car door for them.

"You look nice today." Kaito smiled as Sunoo did the same.

"I know." He chuckled, getting in the passenger's seat as Kaito started the engine.

He can't remember the last time he's attended a wedding, probably when he was five years old even. But he's so happy that the latest one he'll be going to is his friend's. He reminisced the time Jungwon and Jay had a crush on each other during middle school. Like the time Jay first saw Jungwon in the library because he was 'studying', he fell and the younger helped him up. Then they became friends through Sunoo himself, which he was very proud of because you could say that without him, Jay and Jungwon wouldn't be a thing.

Then Jay asked Jungwon out in front of the whole cafeteria in year 12, and the relationship grew to become stronger as to their feelings too. He watched them become friends, lovers, and God could he cry cause he grew up with them and now he'll be watching them become officially each others.

He was jealous though, if only he could have something like that too. But that will come in a few, time will take care of it, he thought.

On the way there, his mother can't stop complimenting Kaito which had Sunoo in a puddle of embarrassment but Kaito himself seemed to like it. Jay and Jungwon offered Sunoo to take a plus one and of course, he would bring his boyfriend.

Yeah..boyfriend. Still feels weird.

They eventually arrived at the venue, getting out of the car as soon as they parked. They gasped at how beautiful it was. It was outdoors and it was decorated simply yet there was something so elegant to it. Maybe it was the chairs, the buffet, or maybe that bigass wedding arc that was decorated in flowers.

"Jay hyung really is so rich." Sunoo laughed, heading his way to the back where he could meet the two.

"Sunoo hyung!" Jungwon happily spoke his name as he entered the room, the two immediately hugging as Kaito smiled at the sight.

"Congratulations, I am so so happy for you." Jungwon smiled widely at Sunoo's kind and soft words, holding his hand really tight.

"I'm scared, hyung." Jungwon mumbled as Sunoo asked Kaito to leave for a bit since this might become personal.

"Scared? Why? Maybe you're just nervous."

"I am, I really am! Now that I'm here, I worry that Jay hyung might not appreciate me long enough. I'm not that much of a good cook as him, I'm not as organized as him, I don't know how marriages work, will Jay hyung still love me when I'm old and wrinkly?" Sunoo laughed, cupping Jungwon's shaking cheeks.

"That's why marriage is so beautiful! Of course, Jay hyung will still love you that way, he'll stay with you till the day death do you apart. You will grow old together and I just think that is so sweet. Don't be scared. You get out there, say your vows and next thing you'll know, you'll be living in an amazing house with your amazing husband who will cherish and love you forever."

A tear left Jungwon's eye as Sunoo immediately wiped it.

"No no, don't cry now, your makeup will get ruined!" Sunoo chuckled as Jungwon gave him a tight hug.

"Thank you, for everything Sunoo hyung. I don't know where I would be without you. I wish you the best in life, you deserve everything good." Jungwon spoke, as Sunoo's eyes started to become watery as well, trying not to cry.

"If you keep talking, I'm gonna cry." Sunoo replied, voice cracking as he wiped a tear that came down his cheek. Jungwon was his little brother and seeing him finally have the love of his life, of course, he would cry. He used to be the one taking care of Jungwon, buying him ice cream when he scrapes his knee from biking or helping him study when he has a hard time in school. And now, Jungwon has someone to take care of him for the rest of his life and that said someone is Jay.

Sunoo pulled away from the hug, the door opening as Jungwon awkwardly smiled.

"Ni-ki.."

Sunoo sniffled, turning around to see Ni-ki smiling a bit.

Oh c'mon, I literally just wiped my tears.

"Congratulations, hyung. I'm so happy for you." Ni-ki went up to hug Jungwon and Sunoo stepped aside, coughing.

"I'll uh, get to my seat now." Sunoo spoke, glancing once at Ni-ki before exiting the room.

Ni-ki's smile turned awkward as Jungwon sighed.

"It's my wedding day, Ni-ki. Don't ruin this." Jungwon hissed at him, having a feeling that drama will go down between the two this day.

"Relax Jungwon hyung, I'm not gonna do anything stupid. You just go there and kiss Jay hyung like what you always do." Ni-ki teased Jungwon till the very end, as Jungwon sat straight on his chair.

"I really love Sunoo hyung, he deserves someone who will treat him right. And that someone is you. I like Kaito, but he can't compare to the happiness you bring Sunoo hyung. Can you please do that? As a wedding gift?" Jungwon's cat doe eyes pleaded as the younger chuckled yet nodded.

"I'll try my best, Jungwon hyung."

-

"Now for the exchanging of vows."

Jungwon held on to Jay's hand tight, looking at him right in the eye, where it sparked like it always had.

"Before standing up here, my palms were so sweaty. I thought that after this, Jay hyung would regret his choice and such. But after everything he's done for me, I've never felt so sure in my life that this person loves me and I'm glad that it's him. I grew up having a crush on him and now I'm standing here, about to marry the one and only person who makes me the happiest. I guess you could say that he fell first, but I fell harder."

The guests cooed in awe, making Jungwon all red. He hasn't been so public about love ever since Jay asked him out so it took a lot of his courage to say those, even to his family who loved teasing him.

Jay smiled, his heart warmed as he heard those words. Jungwon was not as vocal as Jay in terms of showing love in words but he managed to make the older fall for him even more.

Sunoo's smile grew a bit smaller, glancing the other way as he sees Ni-ki way over the right side. He bit his own gums to keep himself from feeling sad on this happy day, looking back to the main couple.

"My Jungwonie looks so nice today, doesn't he? Sometimes, I feel like he doesn't know how much I love him. I would do anything for him, from going to the market to buy his favorite food at two in the morning to walking through fire just to be with him. I still vividly remember the important things that happen between us, like our first dates, our first I love you's. We sure fight a few times, but we just work things out, because if you really love that person, it's worth fixing, right? No matter what happens, my heart will always be for him."

Ni-ki's head went down to look at Sunoo who was smiling softly at Jay's words.

If you really love someone, it's worth fixing.

The crowd's smiles softened when the two placed the rings on each other's fingers, Jungwon's cheeks becoming a hot red as well as his heart. He was so close to crying from happiness.

"I now officially pronounce you spouses for life. You may now kiss your husband." The officiant had finally spoken the words that everyone's been waiting for, both Jay and Jungwon leaning in for the most lovable kiss they have ever shared.

Everyone stood up and clapped to the fullest to express their joy for the newlywed couple, as Sunoo looked back and made eye contact with Ni-ki for a second, not even thinking to look away.

Kaito who was beside Sunoo of course noticed this, digging his own nails onto his own skin.

After moving locations for the reception, Sunoo sat down on one of the main fancy chairs in the ballroom with his plate full of fruits.

"It's a wedding, and all you're eating are fruits?" Heeseung asked as Sunoo nodded his head with a mouth full of watermelon.

"Look at how many private chefs Jay hyung hired, do you think he could be our wedding planner?" Jake mumbled to Sunghoon as Sunghoon raised an eyebrow.

"Are you forgetting you're just as rich as him?" Jake nodded, forgetting that he's a whole millionaire with his own company.

"What about you, Kaito? You're not gonna eat?" Sunghoon asked the older as he shook his head and smiled.

"I'm not that hungry, thank you." Kaito sighed, watching Sunoo eat peacefully. There was no time to feel full when he has a lot on his mind to think about.

"Hi everyone!" Runa approached the table as everyone greeted her.

"I'm gonna go get food, I'm hungry from all that shouting in the court. Oh and, I saw Ni-ki by the stairs, he seemed upset, one of you guys should talk to him." 

The whole friend group hummed, wondering what Ni-ki could be sad about. It was a happy day, what was there to be upset about?

"I'll go-" Heeseung stood up but Kaito stood up after as well.

"It's okay, I'll go." Kaito smiled, pushing back his chair and heading to the stairs near the ballroom exit.

There, he saw Ni-ki with his forearms rested on his knees that were apart, sighing and sitting down beside him.

"Why aren't you eating with the others?" Kaito asked as Ni-ki didn't even bother to answer. He was too blank to reply.

"This is a Sunoo thing, isn't it?" 

Kaito mumbled as the younger turned his head. He didn't think Kaito, of all people, would be the one talking to him right now, in one of his most confusing moments.

"It sucks, I know. You like someone, and then they're with someone else, yeah yeah." Kaito laughed a little, remembering that he felt this way with Runa and Ni-ki back then too.

"It's different. I'm sorry Kaito but, I really do love Sunoo hyung. He means..the world to me." Ni-ki mumbled as Kaito nodded.

"I know, you make it obvious." Ni-ki laughed at Kaito's comment, both looking down on the floor with many dull eyes.

"That's why I'm handing him over to you."

Ni-ki's head turned again but quickly this time. If he heard that right, hand him over?

"I'm..sorry?"

Kaito let out a small chuckle, eyes watering.

"Sunoo still loves you, I see it every day. He looks at you like as if you're the only one he's thinking about. I really really like him, but I don't think It'll ever compare to how you guys feel for each other. He keeps telling me that he likes me, but..I just don't believe it, and that's okay. Not everyone gets what they want, right?"

Ni-ki spot a tear come out of Kaito's eye. He now understood how Kaito felt, and now all he could ever feel for him is a pity.

"You'll find the one for you soon, I promise." 

"Yeah, I said that to myself when I was eleven, fourteen years later, still didn't happen." Kaito tried his best to laugh it out but all he wanted to do right now was cry. It hurts, but it will pass, he's been through this.

Ni-ki spent the next ten minute hugging Kaito, letting him cry on his shoulders, and patting his back. They just sat there, away from all the happenings of the ceremony, comforting each other.

"Thanks..a lot." Kaito sniffled, as Ni-ki nodded, bringing his hand out for Kaito to shake.

"Friends?" Ni-ki asked, wanting so dearly to become friends with him ever since they were little, to which Kaito replied with a hug.

"Friends."

-

"Get in, get in!" Jake, Sunghoon, and Heeseung got in after they helped Sunoo's mother get inside the car, as Sunoo stood outside with Kaito.

"I'll drive this time." Sunoo smiled, as Kaito blocked his way.

"Actually, you won't be getting in that car."

"Excuse me? This is my car." Sunoo scoffed with a bit of a humorous tone as Kaito shook his head, gently dragging Sunoo to where Ni-ki's car was parked, the said latter waiting inside the car.

"That's..no-" Sunoo tried walking away, as he met eyes with Kaito.

"You go..ride with your new boyfriend."

Sunoo's eyebrows furrowed, feeling confused over everything. 

"What?"

"You don't like me Sunoo, you like Ni-ki."

"E-Excuse me? I do like you! Who told you that? Ni-ki? Don't believe him-"

"He didn't tell me anything! I see it. Isn't this better? For the both of us? You're happy, I'm happy." Kaito really took all of himself not to cry at that moment and it was thanks to Ni-ki.

"No Kaito, I really do like you.." Sunoo held on to Kaito's hands, trying to get him back but the older just hugged him, tightly.

"Don't make this harder for yourself, Sunoo. Just be with him, it's what your heart wants." Kaito cupped Sunoo's cheeks as the younger's lips shivered.

"Get in." Kaito opened the door for Sunoo, the younger getting in whilst eyes watering.

The engine started, passing by his own car as he wiped his own tears, noticing Ni-ki's presence. Kaito's words rang in his ears, and he can't forget them.

"Sunoo hyung." 

Sunoo stuttered a 'hm', startled by the sudden sound of his voice. He wasn't planning on talking but now he has to, and he guesses this is what Kaito wanted.

"Yeah?" Sunoo cracked up a smile, gripping a bit on the soft fabric of his pants.

"Remember that question you asked me six months ago?" Ni-ki smiled, glancing at the older.

"What..question?" Sunoo raised an eyebrow, finally remembering it. The time when he cried a lot, the time Kaito courted him, the time he waited for so long.

"I have an answer now." 

Sunoo gulped, gaze turning to the younger. Why was he so eager to know? He couldn't keep Kaito off his mind but he couldn't keep Ni-ki off as well. But there's only one space for one.

"I do. I do love you."

Sunoo gripped harder, turning his frustrated body.

"Then why did it take you so long? I came back to Japan and all I ever got from you was the silent treatment. Six months later, you just decide to say this out of the blue? Do you know how long I waited for you? Tell me, if it weren't for Jay hyung and Jungwon getting married, would you come back here? Hm? I hate you, stop doing this! You make me want to hit myself, my heart just keeps going back to you and I hate it. Why are you like this? Why am I like this? Why can't we just be together, peacefully, without any problems? Can't we have that? No?" 

Ni-ki smiled, finally hearing the words he's been wanting to hear after a while. Sunoo really does love him. He just can't express it properly.

Sunoo sat there after saying those words, tears streaming down his face. His head and heart were hurting, wanting everything to go back to where it used to be.

"I waited for you to come back here, to tell me you love me. I'm sorry that I didn't love you enough back in high school. I was lost, and I don't think that's all my fault. I really do love you Ni-ki, so why do you have to make things so complicated? I tried my best, to make us work because honestly, I don't think I'll ever love anyone as much as I love you. We're so near each other..but still so far away." Ni-ki can't help but smile even whilst parking the car right in front of Sunoo's house. With all that rambling, they didn't even notice they arrived.

"You're not even gonna say anything..I'll go now." Sunoo mumbled, getting out of the car as he headed fast for his front gate with Ni-ki behind him.

"I'm sorry, for everything. If you love someone, you'll do everything in your will to fix it, right? I'm trying too, Sunoo hyung. I love you more than you love me, and if you're willing to, I want to try again. Please." 

Sunoo's tracks stopped, it was no use wiping his tears as they just came back.

Why did Ni-ki just have to be the one for him?

He can't deny it anymore, he can't hide or run from it either.

He loves Ni-ki, and that was final.

Before getting inside the already unlocked gate of his house, he can't help but drop all of his pride and the next thing he knew, he was running back to Ni-ki, jumping on him to wrap all of himself on him, catching their lips on each other.

Even though the moment was sweet, Sunoo's tears can't help but fall. Their lips moved in sync, fitting perfectly on each other's, like they have been longing for this moment for years. Ni-ki's figure started walking towards the door with closed eyes and balance, swiftly dropping both himself and Sunoo on the couch, not breaking the kiss.

Ni-ki's hands reached to intertwine with Sunoo's, a tear falling from his eyes as well. Meanwhile, Sunoo's hand cupped one side of Ni-ki's cheek, a soft smile appearing on both their faces. Neither wanted to pull away, but one did, resting on each other's forehead.

"I'm sorry I made you wait." Ni-ki mumbled, happily laughing a bit. Sunoo crept another smile, his thumb caressing Ni-ki's soft hands. They didn't have to say a word, they already knew how they felt.

They were finally here, in front of each other, ready to make things better.

It's all they ever wanted.

Despite years of fighting, years of waiting, the ending was the best part.

"You were worth the wait."

Thank you for reading UNBASHED OF LOVE.

Till the next book, Rey.