♥║ forty-five ║♥       

You're going.

No, I should stay home.

You need to go.

I'll make it worse.

You love him too much to not go.

What if it hurts him more?

He wants you to be there for him.

Maybe...

You're going.

Fine. Oops, had my fingers crossed.

Jungkook is shaking his head, about to go right back up the stairs when he runs into Mina, of course. He sighs automatically as she stands at the top of the stairs, hands on her hips with her eyebrows raised, waiting for him. He doesn't want to cave, but she won't stop glaring at him if he doesn't.

"Mina..."

"Don't you have somewhere to be?"

He gives her a look. "Should you really talk to your orabeoni that way?"

"Right now, you're just an older kid that needs advice."

"An older kid that needs advice from a younger kid?"

"Kookie, older doesn't mean wiser."

He huffs. "Mina, I'm really not in the mood. Would you just move so I can go to my room?"

"To get your hoodie, right? It's windy outside."

"No, Mina. To lay down."

"You don't have time to lay down!" she argues, eyes widening. "Taehyungie is waiting for you."

He purses his lips, eyes softening when he looks down at her. "You're too young to understand what's happening, Mina. I can't just go pick him up."

"I'm not stupid, Kookie," she snaps, though she looks upset he would consider the idea. "I know what marriage is."

"That's not what I meant--"

"You're just scared," she says, crossing her arms.

He scoffs, albeit he tries to not be offended by an eleven year old. "Scared? Of what?"

"What people think."

"That's absolutely not true."

"Oh yeah? Would you kiss him in front of everyone?" she asks, almost teasingly as she gapes at him, making him gape in return.

"N-no, not in the middle of a wedding, Mina."

"Why not?"

He groans. "Why are all of my family members encouraging me to actually crash a wedding?"

"Because it's how fairytales go, you dork." She shakes her head as if she can't believe his ignorance. "The knight always has to save the damsel. Remember when Eric almost got married to Ursula when she hypnotized him? Ariel came in and saved the day. It's the same thing, basically."

"Except there is no magic or mermaids in this world," he points out. "And this most definitely is not a fairytale world."

"Says you! Who says it can't be a fairytale world?"

He pinches his eyes shut, rubbing his forehead. "Mina--"

"Fine, Kookie. But you're only going to grow old and alone because you're too afraid to be a knight!" she calls over her shoulder before slamming her bedroom door shut.

He stares at the wooden door, bewildered.

Maybe he should be searching for new family members.

He sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair.

Who the hell is he kidding? An eleven year old just had to slap sense into him. He is too afraid to be a knight, but he can't exactly depict why. No, he isn't afraid to kiss Taehyung in front of a crowd. No, he isn't afraid to tell everyone he's in love with another boy. He'd gotten in a fight over all of that, anyways. So what's actually making him so hesitant to leave the house?

He begins to pace the hallway subconsciously, raking his fingers through his hair over and over as he ponders his options. He keeps trying to rationalize not going versus going and vice-versa. One is a safe choice while the other will always be the unknown.

Is it worth the risk, even if he makes Taehyung's life harder by going?

Is it selfish of him?

He groans in frustration, pacing a moment longer before he checks his time on his phone.

Shit.

The ceremony is starting.

Maybe that's the cue he's needed all along to race down the stairs and out the front door.

***

Taehyung is standing at the altar with his heart in his throat, his stomach churning and his eyes burning as he fights more tears. He can't cry with everyone present. They'll only mistake his waterworks for that of joy when it couldn't be farther from the truth. Everyone is still piling in, taking their seats. Bogum has stayed close to Taehyung's side since their hug-fest.

Taehyung isn't used to the reassuring pats from his older brother. He keeps looking over his shoulder every time Bogum makes the slightest gesture of comfort. It's just a foreign feeling that he can't quite brush off. He keeps expecting an insult or perverted reply about Aecha entering any minute.

The wedding planner snatches Bogum away, though, so he can escort Aecha's maid of honor inside. Taehyung isn't sure who his best men are, if he's being honest. One boy he knows from across the street and he always comes over to water Mom's garden in return of pay. Undoubtedly, all four of the men are being paid to be here today. None of them have even bothered to introduce themselves, knowing they'll never see Taehyung again.

He's sure Aecha is in the same predicament. He can't imagine a woman, much more uptight than his own mother, allowing her daughter to have any actual friends present. Maybe in the crowd, like Taehyung's friends are, but never on stage in the limelight.

Taehyung searches the crowd, finding his five best friends offering gentle and kind smiles. His chest constricts at the empty spot next to Jimin, but he knows better than to hope for anything. He already told himself not to blame Jungkook if he doesn't show. He can't imagine having to go to Jungkook's wedding if he isn't the other half getting married. It's probably easier this way to not see him...

He can't lie to himself. Nothing about not seeing Jungkook is easy. However, he can admit that seeing him sitting stoic in the crowd would probably be ten times worse.

He feels like the room is closing in on him at this point, the walls seeming to get closer and closer to crushing him. He tries to keep his eyes straight ahead, focused at a random spot on the closed double doors, but his head keeps lowering and his shoulders keep sagging and it's getting harder and harder to pretend like he wants to be here.

When he watches his mother walks in, he instinctively holds his breath, knowing that means Aecha is close behind. He nervously glances to the priest, but the elder man is casually skipping over his script, unbothered by the tension in Taehyung's body. The boy swallows the lump in his throat, trying to soothe his nerves. It'll be over soon. He and Aecha are friends. She doesn't want this any more than he does. She understands. It could be worse....

And yet none of these thought help calm him. If anything, he only feels more terrible. Aecha doesn't deserve this.

Does he?

He supposes he can't be the judge for himself.

Taehyung clasps his hands in front of him, but he ends up fidgeting with his fingers instead of giving off a relaxed vibe. He curses at himself and tucks his hands behind his back instead.

He nearly jumps out of his skin when the infamous wedding music starts overhead, causing sweat to break out on his forehead beneath his hair.

The double wooden doors creak open, propped so they don't close again. Taehyung chews on his bottom lip, probably appearing like any normal nervous groom to those in the crowd that don't know him. He catches sight of one woman already dabbing tears from her eyes with a tissue.

Bogum and Aecha's maid of honor come through first, his brother offering another sympathetic look when he gets to his side again. Taehyung watches the next couple stride through, his heart picking up pace with every moment that passes. He feels light-headed. Part of him prays he actually faints, if only to delay the inevitable a little longer. The other part of him just wants this to be over with.

He closes his eyes for only a brief second, trying to compose himself to where he isn't a rattling mess in front of her. Yoongi was right. He needs to be strong enough for Aecha, too, knowing she's probably just as unnerved. He can't be so selfish to think he's the only victim in this situation. Aecha has complained far less than him this entire time, but she's already voiced how affected she is. He has to respect that there's more than one relationship being tarnished here.

When his eyes open, there she is in the doorway, her father's arm linked with her own. Her eyes meet his and she tries to smile--there's tears in her eyes, but Taehyung is certain they're none of happiness. The least he can do is smile in return, but he'd be lying if he said it didn't make his own eyes sting.

Her steps almost look like they're being taken in slow motion to him. His own body feels like it's lagging when he squeezes his hands together behind his back, dipping his head to hide his glistening eyes. It seems like it takes eons for Aecha to reach him, but he can't avoid her presence when she's next to him, her perfume filling his nose and her own uneasiness passing over to him. He swears she'd be able to hear his heartbeat pounding.

The priest offers them a kind smile, raising his hands. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today..."

Taehyung doesn't hear the rest of his speech. His ears seem clogged, like his brain is refusing to absorb any words other than his own thoughts. His vision is blurry, undoubtedly from the tears he can't manage to control anymore. His legs are shaking, his nails are digging into his palms, his back is sweating--he truly is suffocating.

The priest holds the two rings in his palm, then says, "If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together--let them speak now or forever hold their--"

"I object!"

Taehyung's heart sinks, the haze fading from his mind.

Everyone turns.

It is not one, but two people who shouted the phrase.

Jungkook, who stands sweaty and panicked in the open doorway of the church--and Jisoo, a quiet girl Taehyung vaguely remembers from his chemistry class.

Gasps erupt, but mostly a lot of confused exchanges of looks, everyone curious as to who these two invaders are--who would dare ruin such an important day.

"Oh?" the priest looks shocked as well, but tries to contain himself. "What reasons do you both have to prove this couple is unfit to be together?"

Jungkook gulps, him and Jisoo looking at each other in surprise, but also in question as to who will go first. Then, simultaneously--

"I'm in love with him."

"I'm in love with her."

More gasps, more confusion, but Taehyung and Aecha are both grinning now, also provoking more confusion from the audience.

The priest chuckles, hesitant. "I'm sorry. Sir, you're in love with her?" He raises an eyebrow at Jungkook.

"No," Jungkook says, taking a few more steps closer. "I'm in love with him."

Taehyung is holding back a sob when their eyes lock--these are happy tears.

"T-then, you must be in love with him as well," the priest sputters, turning to Jisoo.

Jisoo smiles, leaving her seat and bravely walks up to Aecha, taking her hand. "No, Father. I'm in love with her."

Taehyung is still staring at Jungkook, and there's the slightest quirk to Jungkook's lips that has Taehyung's feet moving on their own. He doesn't care about his mother watching, about the crowd cringing, about the business he potentially ruined. He doesn't care about anything except throwing himself into Jungkook's arms and kissing the hell out of him.

So that's what he does.

And if anything, the grossed out scoffs that evokes from the crowd only pushes him to kiss Jungkook harder.

"Enough!"

His mother's shout pulls him away, albeit Jungkook's arms stay wound around his waist. A peek back at Aecha and Jisoo show the two in the same position, unbothered by the gaping eyes and jaws.

His mother is steaming, stomping over to him. "Taehyung, I will not allow such insolence. Truly, the audacity you have to--"

"Actually, I think that's enough out of you, Mother," Bogum catches her wrist, halting her in her steps.

She gawks at him. "Bogum," she breathes with disbelief. "What do you think you're doing? I thought you agreed Taehyung needs this marriage."

Bogum's eyes lock with Taehyung's, then flick down to his hand interlocked with Jungkook's. "He did need this marriage," he whispers, barely loud enough for his brother to hear. "But not to marry. To gain his confidence to stand up to you."

She gasps. "Why, I--"

"I'm the eldest," Bogum points out. "I'm the one who wants to be married. Why chain Taehyung down before his life has even begun?"

"I can't believe this," she says, shaking her head as she yanks out of his grip. "How did my only two children become so disobedient?"

"He's right, dear." Taehyung's dad stands and nods to Taehyung. "This was never meant to happen. If anything, this is a sign for you to rethink your priorities."

As his mother gawks at him in betrayal, Aecha's mother is heard shrieking, "No! This is not happening! You leave this instant, you filthy leech!" She's jabbing a finger in Jisoo's chest.

"With pleasure," Aecha replies instead, taking Jisoo's hand as she descends the stairs of the platform.

Her mother squeals maniacally. "Aecha, don't you dare walk out that door!"

She chases the couple outside.

Majority of the crowd is watching everything in awe, some are filming, and some have straight up left with a shake of their heads.

"Taehyung," his mother says again, ignoring his father's plea for her to stop. "You will leave this church with me and--"

"Find your own life, lady!" a shout comes from the crowd.

And Taehyung doesn't have to see them to know it was Min Yoongi himself.

She glares at the crowd as a whole since she doesn't know who spoke.

"Mom," Taehyung speaks, hesitantly stepping away from Jungkook. "You can force me to marry someone else. You can kick me out of your house. You can do whatever you want, but it's never going to stop me from wanting to be with Jungkook. That's not something you can change by keeping us apart."

She stomps up to him until she's so close she has to look up to meet his eyes. She jabs her finger into his chest. "You will not step another foot into my household so long as I am breathing," she says through gritted teeth, then angrily pushes past him.

Taehyung clenches his jaw, but he does not let her look back at a crumpled son--he remains tall when she takes one last glance back in hopes her son will follow.

He doesn't.