The buzz of the wedding only increased with time after the couple took their vows. Taehyung was sure he was on his fourth glass of wine of the evening by now, which wasn't surprising to any of his friends because he was sitting across Jeon Jeongguk at the table the friend group occupied. Chatter was lively amongst the friends, regardless. Taehyung hadn't been talking much since Jeongguk's arrival and nor had Jeongguk uttered many words. However, every time he did speak, he sounded cheerful and completely... satisfied with himself, with the state of life he was living. He took over his father's business a few years back, a while after he graduated from University. Taehyung had seen it in the tabloids. Jeongguk treated his friend group to a meal and drinks soon after, to celebrate. Tadehyung didn't show up, though the invitation was for all the people in their group chat.

Taehyung was listening to the conversation that flowed like water amongst his friends when the loud sound of clinking glass silenced the entire wedding hall. Taehyung turned his head towards the source of the sound, only to see the Groom's brother announcing that they would be raising a glass to the newly wedded couple. Everyone obliged and the occasion was followed by different people giving speeches and lastly, the bride.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have to first thank you for coming to our wedding. I started dating Minjun in college but I have known him since he went to high school too. I don't think any of his colleagues know about me from back then, though" Her voice rang across the wedding hall and Taehyung saw Jimin and Seojoon shake their heads, agreeing with the bride.

"Minjun never mentioned her," Jin said.

"We were friends back then and I wanted to go to the same college as him, continue to be friends with him" The bride continued and Taehyung felt his heart clench in his chest. "So I would say, throughout all the years we have been friends and then lovers, I think the biggest problem we have faced was having to part ways when we were selected to two different universities. We were devastated back then, but this worked as a breaking point for Minjun and me because it was through this scenario that we realized our feelings for each other"

Taehyung gulped. He rolled a piece of tissue between two fingers– something he would do when he was nervous. He kept his eyes on the bride who continued her speech and he didn't dare look actress the table, where he could see from the corner of his eyes a figure sat frozen.

"Minjun was the best person I have known in my whole life. I knew that he was the one when he let go of his dream university and decided to go to the same one I got selected for. Because if he went to his first-choice university, we would never have been able to be together. When we would have been living on the opposites of the country"

Taehyung took a shaky breath. He could see Jeongguk's figure move ever so slightly. Taehyung desperately wanted to move his head sideways and take a look at the other man across him. However, he could not. He didn't have the courage to.

"Yeah, I do remember that Minjun changed his university suddenly. He didn't tell us the reason, though" Namjoon said.

"Wow, they were committed to each other. That's true love right there" Jin said with satisfaction. This made Taehyung whip his head towards Jin, who happened to be seated next to Jeongguk.

Just as Taehyung turned to look at the bride again, he was stopped in his tracks by the dark orbs that were staring back at him. When Taehyung's gaze locked against Jeongguk's, he had no willpower to tear himself away. And the bride continued with her speech.

"Love is about making sacrifices," She said. "You know you love someone when you put their needs in front of your own. You don't love someone if you aren't willing to make sacrifices"

Taehyung watched as Jeongguk's gaze darkened in a manner that made his heart heavy. Jeongguk's round, puppy–like eyes narrowed, and Taehyung remembered how he hated seeing the other man with the same expression ten years ago– looking sad and conflicted and... regretful? Is it regret or betrayal that was reflected in his eyes? Taehyung couldn't exactly tell.

The expression Jeongguk wore flashed Taehyung ten years back, looking at Taehyung with the same, cold expression, filled with sadness and that time, definitely betrayal.

"It's Beckson isn't it?" Jeongguk's voice echoed in Taehyung's head.

Taehyung had been sitting in front of Jeongguk in their shared dorm room. "Yes, it is and he is only-"

"He's taking you away from me"

"What? No one's taking me away from you. Don't be ridiculous"

"Oh I'm being ridiculous?"

"And dramatic. It's not that deep"

Jeongguk had scoffed, anger flushing his whole face red. "I'm dramatic for wanting to save our relationship? "

"That's not what I meant-"

"All Beckson wants is to drag you to that university, away from me, so he can have you all for himself. And you're too fucking shallow to see it"

"That's not fucking true. You know I don't like how you imply that I would just break up with you if we went to different universities. Do you believe that our relationship is that fragile?"

"At this point, yes. Because you are not making any effort to keep our relationship afloat. This ship is sinking and it's all because of Beckson and you don't see it! All you have been talking about for the past week is about Beckson and his new ideas and bullshit! Like he is some god that showed you a different path to life!"

"You really are ridiculous for even putting it that way. He only showed me another path that I could take. And I decided for myself that I am actually passionate about it"

"Because he told you about it. Who is he to come into our relationship and give you ideas like that?"

"Jeongguk, me, choosing a university that has a good law program has nothing to do with our relationship"

"It has everything to do with our relationship! We were planning to go to the same university and he told you about some other university and changed your mind about going with me. Now he wants to attend the same university as you. How would we even continue our relationship when you're on the other side of the country? And it's so fucking obvious that he wants you"

"You're just jealous"

"I'm not jealous! But I can see it when someone is trying to take you away from me"

"Baby no one is taking me away from you. I'm only saying that I want to go to a different university"

"And what the fuck is wrong with the one we planned on going?

"For fuck's sake, Jeongguk. Are you even listening to me? The university we planned on doesn't have a good law program!"

"You never wanted to be a lawyer! You wanted to study business, like me. And now suddenly you want to be a lawyer"

"I'm just eighteen. I am allowed to change my mind about my future. I realized that I'm more passionate about law than business. It fits me more, Jeongguk. We have been together for 2 years and you also know how much I love justice and want fairness with everything. You know me well. Can't you also see that I would make a great lawyer?"

Jeongguk was silent at that, his face still flushed with annoyance.

Taehyung sighed. "This university has the best law program in the country. It suits me well, Jeongguk. And Beckson said-"

"There we go again. Beckson, ,Beckson,Beckson! Maybe you should go and date him instead"

"Jeongguk!" Taehyung snapped.

"Taehyung," A voice said and Taehyung's eyebrows furrowed as his tender eyes kept locked against Jeongguk's deep gaze.

"Taehyung!" The voice came again and Taehyung finally tore his gaze away from Jeongguk, shifting his gaze to the man on his side, calling his name. Jimin watched him with a confused stare and Taehyung realized that not many people remained at their table. The wedding guests were walking around, talking with others. He spotted a few of his friends in the crowd as well, talking with people.

"What?" Taehyung asked Jimin.

From the corner of his eye, Taehyung saw Jeongguk stand up from his seat and start walking away. Jimin's gaze followed him and he looked at Taehyung again. "There's going to be fireworks outside, shall we go?"

"Yeah" Taehyung nodded, standing up. He followed Jimin outside, along with the guests who had already started streaming out of the hall. The fireworks display started minutes later and Taehyung stared in awe at the dazzling splashes of colour across the night sky. The booming explosions in the sky mirrored the thunderous emotions in his heart. And he still couldn't shake the memories the bride's speech had stirred within him, nor her words.

The fireworks only made things worse. He remembered back in school, over a decade back, they had a festival and Jeongguk and Taehyung had just started talking with each other. He remembered the starry sky illuminated with vibrant colours of explosions and the way the two of them stood next to each other, entranced in the scenery above them. He remembered their fingers grazing ever so slightly, and Taehyung had dared to entangle his fingers with Jeongguk, his heart beating in his throat from the anxiety. He remembered the euphoria when Jeongguk squeezed Taehyung's hands and it was the first time they had held hands.

Taehyung remembered switching his gaze from the fireworks to the boy next to him, only to find him staring back at Taehyung. He remembered smiling, heart heaving from happiness. And he remembered the way Jeongguk's lips felt against his own that night. They were each other's first kiss. As well as many other first times.

They were sixteen, fresh in high school. Teenagers with no grasp of the depths of life about to unfold for them. They became adults together, who planned their whole futures together. Only to be crushed to dust, by no one but themselves.

Taehyung sighed now, diverting his gaze from the vibrant display of fireworks. He looked around him. Jimin was nowhere to be seen and he didn't recognize anyone around him. Anyone, but the man who stood a few feet away from him.

Jeongguk.

Jeongguk's head turned towards him as if he had sensed Taehyung's eyes on him. Taehyung's heart leapt in his chest, and his heartbeat only increased when Jeongguk started making his way towards the other man. Jeongguk paused in front of Taehyung, eyes hidden in the shadows of the night.

"Quite the display" Jeongguk remarked, almost to Taehyung's surprise.

Taehyung nodded, trying to look unfazed. "Indeed"

"Remember over ten years ago, when we had our first-"

"I remember" Taehyung cut Jeongguk off. "How could I not" He muttered.

Jeongguk smiled. "You've ruined fireworks for me"

When Taehyung looked at him, he was no longer smiling. And he had no reply to Jeongguk's statement.

"You know, Taehyung," Jeongguk began, his tone dripping with sass, "fireworks are funny things. They light up the sky for a moment, but then they fade away, leaving nothing but darkness."

Taehyung turned to face Jeongguk, his heart pounding, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension in the air. He knew that this conversation would be anything but simple.

Jeongguk continued, his eyes locked onto Taehyung's with an intensity that cut through the night. "Just like our past, huh? A bright burst of love that disappeared into nothingness."

Taehyung felt a lump in his throat, the weight of their shared history heavy in the air. Jeongguk's words left the door to the past slightly ajar, revealing a depth of pain and unresolved issues that Taehyung had never fully comprehended.

With a knowing smile, Jeongguk turned away and started to walk back into the venue. "Enjoy the fireworks, Taehyung. They're as fleeting as your feelings for me were"

As Jeongguk disappeared into the crowd, Taehyung was left standing there, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. He wanted to say so many things. However, he was met with cold air and cheers around him.

Taehyung sighed, face scrunched with sorrow and distaste. Was it truly Taehyung's feelings that were so fleeting? Or was it Jeongguk's understanding of those feelings that had faltered and crumbled under the weight of their circumstances?

As the night's festivities continued, Taehyung was left with Jeongguk's parting words echoing in his mind and a bitter taste of unfinished business.

🪢

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