—

"I'm gonna shit my pants, you know."

"You're not gonna shit your pants, hyung."

"I'm gonna shit my pants!"

"Hyung, you won't—"

"I shouldn't have eaten so much spicy food. Wanna know why?" Jimin chuckled, "Because I'm going to shit my pants."

The boy's eyes rolled.

"Aigoo, are you the bride or are you the groom?"

Jimin looked at his friend through the mirror, trying feebly to laugh at the crude joke. Except the tie around his neck felt really, really tight for no reason and every reason at all. He couldn't decide whether or not he wanted his hair parted in the middle, or if he should tell the stylist to comb his bangs down. Or maybe he should just keep it the way it was.

He glanced at Jungkook through the mirror, and saw only him. All of his other groomsmen: Yoongi, Namjoon, Seokjin and Taehyung, had all made their way out to the beach, but he was still here. 

Just like old times.

Jimin shook his head, "I don't know anymore."

Then he realized he'd messed up all the hard work he'd done on his hair for the past ten minutes, and let out a frustrated groan. His short fingers played with the brown tendrils, trying to smooth down that one cowlick that wouldn't stay in place no matter how hard he tried. 

Jungkook laughed as he watched his friend from behind and shook his head. Jimin wasn't a very good actor. He knew him better than anyone else, and could see through his frazzled facade. His obsession with his hair was only a distraction to keep his food down while they awaited his big moment. Because, in reality, Jimin was nothing more than a walking load of butterflies.

They had come such a long way together. 

It was fascinating to Jungkook how much closer he was to Jimin than he had ever been to Jaewon. And he supposed that that was due in part to the connection they shared. The two were, in every way, soulmates from the very beginning. 

Despite the differences between them, from their age to their personalities, taste in music, hobbies and all, he felt closer to Jimin than anyone else. He felt like he and Jimin were born from the same comet. 

 And now, that worried him, because Jimin was tying the knot. 

As happy as he was for his hyung, he couldn't help but feel that marriage would separate them. No more sleepovers, or days out in the city, late night drinking. All of his favorite things would be replaced by third-wheeling with Threxia and Jimin.

Maybe it's time for me to find a girl of my own.

"What about Chaejin, from the froyo shack?" Jimin joked aloud with smiling eyes, "You seem to like her a lot. It sounds to me as though you're... falling, for her."

Jungkook went red in the face. 

Jimin laughed heartily at his dongsaeng's expression, holding his stomach and resting on the vanity for support for fear that he might double over. But Jungkook wasn't so much embarrassed at the fact that he knew about his crush on Chaejin, or the time that he broke two of froyo place's tables when he slipped on their wet floors—

okay, maybe he was a little embarrassed about that

— he just really hoped that Jimin didn't hear all of his thoughts before that, all the strategically hidden ideas and feelings from years past, because if he did, he wouldn't let him live it down for all of eternity.

Literally.

Jimin was still giggling, but Jungkook didn't really find it funny. Their clairvoyance was sometimes a gift. Right now, he thought it to be more of a nuisance. His eyes rolled and he turned his back to Jimin, fixing his cufflinks and tuxedo.

Can you stop doing that?

Gosh, you always pry when I'm thinking about something serious...

Lol, my bad. It kinda just happened, I don't know.

But to be fair, you always pry while I'm thinking about something serious, too.

Ramen isn't serious, Jimin.

Your mom isn't serious.

You really make me question who the older one is here sometimes.

The door opened. 

"Father Cho says it's showtime." Yoongi poked his head into the room, catching a glimpse of a hysterical Jimin and the blushing maknae. 

"Thanks, Yoongi." He said, his voice nearly drowned out by Jimin's booming laugh.

The sight made him Yoongi shake his head. He backed out of the room, muttering to himself, "What are they always thinking about that's so funny anyway?..."

Jungkook turned back around, looking at the watch on his wrist, "Jimin, we gotta go."

"No, no, no, no, wait — my hair is still bad!"

He grabbed the boy by the collar of his tux, dragging him out of the room, "Your hair is already parted the right way, idiot. Now come on."

They exited the villa, walking down the sandy path in a slow trot. The waterside venue had already been set up thanks to Seokjin, who kindly offered to plan Jimin's big day. Dozens of white chairs in neat rows seated all of their friends, and the few family members of the bride and groom who had already crossed from the earthly plane. 

The two boys walked down the aisle together toward the altar, where Father Cho waited for them. Applause sounded from their guests, and the reality of the moment settled in for them both. The four other groomsmen also stood at attention, lined up on the right beside the priest in height order; On the left were Threxia's four bridesmaids and maid of honor. 

From his vantage point in the middle of the white aisle, Jimin could see Yoongi's discontented demeanor, and guessed it was because his height caused him to be in the front of the line of groomsmen. He laughed at this, but it did nothing to soothe his nerves.

The two stepped onto the altar, Jimin taking center stage while Jungkook stood close between he and their other friends. Between the light murmur of the guests, the distant crash of waves, and the orchestra, Jimin felt like his knees would melt to butter under him. He didn't like being the focus of all their attention, and prayed that Threxia was almost done getting ready so he could just get this out of the way. 

Jungkook didn't have to look at Jimin to know how nervous he was. His hands folded in front of him and spine upright — it was all another illusion. Jimin could fool anyone with his cool behavior, but not Jungkook. And now it was the younger's turn to laugh.

Truly, he had been holding in that laugh since they'd first stepped onto the aisle, and now it came loose as an ugly snort. He sent a hand to his mouth to hide it, hanging his head down so the guests wouldn't see. But his actions and lack of subtlety had already earned him Jimin's attention.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

"Nothing you're just," Jungkook shook with laughter, "You're gonna be so married after this."

"That's kind of the point of a wedding, Jungkook." Taehyung said, further down the line.

"I know but, you're going to be with Threxia for eternity. Like, eternity eternity." Jungkook explained.

"That's like, all of the years." Namjoon tacked on. All of the groomsmen looked back at him before Seokjin cut in sarcastically, "Thank you, Namjoon."

"You must be so whipped to be doing this." Jungkook smiled at his friend.

"Or just plain crazy." 

"Yoongi!" Namjoon scolded.

"What? Someone has to be realistic about it."

"He's right though, guys." Taehyung spoke, "This is beyond a lifelong commitment, Jimin. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I th—"

"Sorry! Can't cancel the wedding now." Their eldest smirked, "I invested too much time into styling the venue and sending out invitations. So it's a no from me."

"Shut up, Seokjin." Jungkook laughed. He turned back to Jimin, who indeed looked like he was going to shit his pants now. He rested his hand on his shoulder and started, "But Jimin," 

"Are you sure this is what you wanna do?"

Jimin smiled harder than ever.

And now, here she was. The bride, in a beautiful white gown that suited her petite frame and sun-kissed skin perfectly.

This was his Threxia.

 His forever girl. 

Jimin felt tears prick at his eye and reached for the handkerchief tucked in his breast pocket to wipe them away. The guests awed, and photographers captured it all on film.

Jungkook could not be any happier than in this moment, in this now.

But suddenly, as Threxia neared them, with her late abuelo on her arm, darker thoughts began to plague him.

Hey, Jimin?

Yeah?

Do you ever think of Minji?

Jimin shifted uncomfortably.

Minji?...

Of course I do. She was my first love.

Why do you ask?

What if you see her again? Like when she dies?

I don't know... 

But I do know that Threxia is the one.

How do you know that?

Everything happens for a reason, Jungkook.

Their slow dance had only just ended when Jungkook decided it was time to get back into the regular rhythm of things.

"Go Threx! Go Jimin! Let's go!!" Jungkook screamed at the top of his lungs, causing the couple at the center of the room to bust out in laughter. The other three attempted to calm him but he kept on hooting. Taehyung joined in with a smile  and mouth full of rice, "Yeah!! Park Threxmin!"

The room exploded into laughter and Threxia, changed into an extravagant hanbok, buried her face into Jimin's shoulder to hide. 

Threxia's tío, the unofficial host of the reception, stood beside the newlyweds with a mic in his hand, "One more time for Mr. and Mrs. Park!"

Jimin was smiling, the boys were cheering, the rest of the room was clapping. Yoongi gave two thumbs up to the groom, which were gladly returned. Jungkook's cheeks hurt a lot from smiling so hard. He was extremely proud, happy that his friend had found a kind, loving girl like Threxia to share his soul with.

And according to the garter toss that followed, he was next in line after Jimin. 

The boys applauded and cheered as they realized that Jungkook caught the garter, Jimin even going so far as to point at Chaejin at table six. The girl blushed red, like Jimin's hanbok. Jungkook laughed it off, but he wanted to scream.

The reception settled down soon after. All the guest ate and laughed heartily like never before. Good feelings mingled in the air with the fragrance of paella and rice cakes. The boys, also seated at the table of honor, ate and joked. Jungkook sipped on champagne and conversed with them too, occasionally stealing glances at Chaejin, who was sitting with her friends around the table and exploding into laughter. She fixed her falling dress strap then she caught sight of him and winked.

That's when Tío stepped back into the center of the hall with his mic and all. 

"And now for the second slow dance of the night," He boomed, voice thick with a Argentine accent. Jimin, across the room talking with his mother, went doe-eyed. 

A second dance?

"Jeon Jungkook," Tío bit back his laughter, "would you please join Jimin on the floor?"

The crowd smiled and laughed and whistled and roared, pushing Jimin into the center of the room while Yoongi shoved Jungkook out to meet him. The two had matching nervous smiles on their faces as their host stepped away, and Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud began to play.

"Hey, what's this?" Jungkook laughed, pointing at Jimin.

"Did you know about this?" Jimin pushed his friend's shoulder, but his eyes smiled.

"I thought you planned this!" 

"It must've been Threx." Jimin scoped the room until his eyes landed on his new wife. Her grin was telltale and large, hands clasped as if she had been waiting on this moment for years. He narrowed his eyes jokingly as he muttered, "That little snake."

Without warning, Jungkook drew him in by his waist. His neck grew warm, the crowd ooh-ing at his daring move. Jimin scowled, moving his hands down to Jungkook's waist, and the boy's up to his shoulders.

"You seem to forget who's older here, kiddo." Jimin muttered, so only he could hear. But Jungkook only smiled, "This is going to be our song from now on, hyung."

Jimin sighed, "I don't know how I'm going to explain this to my kids."

"Oh, come on. I think this is a good memory to have, I think we look great!"

"Just shut up and twirl me."

Jungkook chuckled, spinning him out and in and bringing him back again.

"You know, I never really got to thank you for being there for me..." Jungkook trailed off, putting his chin on Jimin's shoulder, "back in the hospital, I mean."

"You were there for me more than I was for you."

"No, seriously. I really would have given up if it wasn't for you, Jimin."

"Aigoo, don't make me cry now. I'm wearing expensive makeup today."

"Fine." Jungkook sighed, but just letting Jimin know what he meant to him was enough. He ended up smiling in the end as he whispered to Jimin, "You're off beat."

"Your mom is off beat."

"I'm gonna start singing."

"Please don't."

"So honey now!—" 

"Jungkook, please shut up."

"—take me into your loving arms!"

"I'm gonna punch you in the neck."

"Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars!" Jungkook belted along animatedly, earning cheers from Namjoon. Jimin shook his head, but he was smiling, which gave his mischievous dongsaeng an idea. 

"You better not." Jimin warned, sensing he was up to something.

But the kiss had already been planted on his cheek.

"Love ya, Jiminie."

Jimin stumbled backward, wiping as much of the kiss off of him as possible. Jungkook pointed, doubling over as he snickered away, "You should see the look on your—"

And this is why the saying goes "karma's a bitch."

For Jungkook only got two seconds of laughter in before Jimin had done the very same to him. He looked over at Jimin, surprised that he had actually reciprocated his affection, touching his hand to his cheek in disbelief. Speechless, he looked at his hyung for an answer. But his only reply was,

"I love you too, big head."

"Oh my god, get a room!" Threxia hollered on her end of the space, fake-retching in disgust, "I'm gonna throw up! Here it comes, here comes my ssambap and rice!"

The two turned to her as she continued her dramatics.

"She's the one." Jungkook said, "You gotta marry her."

Jimin nodded in agreement, but his brows pulled inward as he put two and two together.

"But Jungkook, I already..."

"Already what?" Jungkook asked. 

Jimin snorted.

"Pabo."

+

the last two chapters of this story mysteriously got deleted so please be patient, as i'm going to have to retype and edit them from memory.