The following day, both of them have pounding headache from drinking too much last night. Baekhyun already prepared some hangover soup for them when Chanyeol stepped out from his room. The tall male greets him a good morning, which he return. Maybe if Chanyeol didn't started to talk about random topic, it'll be really awkward for the both of them.

Maybe he didn't remember anything that happened last night? Baekhyun thought.

*

"... Just like what the elders said, 'Marriage isn't something that when you got burned, you'll just throw it away' because marriage is sacred." The councilor, Oh Sehun said, eyeing Chanyeol and Baekhyun, who was forced to sit in. "Also, communication is very important for the couple, as well as to your future in-laws. If there's an impending conflict between two parties, let's say - meddling in-laws - you two should resolve it without raising your voices to each other."

"Umm... I-I'm not--" 'I'm not his partner!' is what Baekhyun was about to say, but the councilor interrupted him.

"Both parties should have long-term goals; personal, family and career goals, which should be discuss by both of you. Intimacy and sexual relations are also important. Soon to-be-husband," councilor Oh gestures to Chanyeol, "has his needs. And so thus the wi- I mean the other half," the councilor gesture a hand towards Baekhyun, which made Chanyeol stifle a laugh when he saw Baekhyun's jaw hang low, "has his needs as well. There's a big difference between love making and just having sex. Making time for each other is also an important part for the couple."

Baekhyun unconsciously cranes his neck to Chanyeol when the councilor mentions about having time for each other, and noticed how his childhood best friend looks bitter. But who is he to pry in Chanyeol's relationship? They're might be friends but they also have limitations.

"Lack of time for each other are just one of the reason why couples seprated. Incompatibility, insecurities with your partner and trust issues are also one of them. If in case one of you felt something like that, tell your partner how or what you're feeling. Again, resolve your conflict by talking to each other. Marriage is...." The councilor then continues.

*

"Are you okay?" Baekhyun asks Chanyeol while they riding his car once the counselling was done.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Chanyeol avoids looking to his eyes.

"I don't mean to meddle with you and Iseul, but I just want you to now that I'm here for you in case you need someone to listen to you." Baekhyun said truthfully.

The drive to the Pastor's office is rather quiet than before. Chanyeol, most of the time, just stare outside the window and sigh occasionally. Baekhyun has an internal battle whether to encourage the former to be vocal about his problems or not, but he guess Chanyeol would open up to him when he's ready.

They talked to Pastor Kim Joonmyeon regarding with the wedding for half an hour before they decided to take their lunch in one of their favorite fast-food chain.

"Iseul doesn't like burgers," Chanyeol started after biting his double pound cheese burger, "not even fries or sundae. She said it's fattening. If she knew that we pig out on ramyun last night, she'll go ballistic on me again."

"Again?"

"She got mad at me before when she knew that I ate one whole, big serving of lasagna, meatballs, four slices of pizza and coke, and finished everything in one sitting."

"Wow!"

"Yeah, wow. I looked like a pig after that. You see, when I was in Boston, school was really stressing me out plus there's also times that I was really homesick, so food always comforted me that I ended up getting fat. And Iseul hated me for that. She didn't talked to me for a month until I lose some pounds." Chanyeol admits.

"That's sad."

"It is. I tried to control myself not to eat unhealthy foods since I don't want Iseul to get mad at me."

"No. I mean it's sad because she's trying to control you. I understand that she's concern about your well-being but she should try to loosen up once in a while, no offence." Baekhyun grabs his coke and sips a little. "If I were your girlfriend, I'll make my research and try those veggie burger or low-carb lasagna recipes from the internet, instead of depriving you from your little happiness." Baekhyun ranted.

Chanyeol's lips are slowly tugging upward then says, "Maybe I'll be a happy boyfriend if you were my girlfriend, Baek."

Baekhyun's eyes widen, suddenly realized what he just ranted, blushing so hard.

"You're cute whenever you blush like that." Chanyeol added.

Whenever? Shit am I that obvious everytime I'm with him? Damn it! Baekhyun mentally slap himself.

*

When Baekhyun went back to his apartment, he was surprised to see Kyungsoo's room was opened and see his best friend unpacking his baggage. He thought Kyungsoo would stay for a few more days at Jeju to unwind yet he's back.

"I still have tons of work to do." Kyungsoo said.

Baekhyun plops on Kyungsoo's bed then sigh.

"I can't do it anymore."

"Huh?"

"I can't be Chanyeol's wedding coordinator anymore."

"Why? I thought you two get along pretty well?"

"That's the point. We're both getting along really well to the point that I'm getting comfortable around him, and that's bad news for me. For my heart too. He's getting married in a month and the more I stay beside him, the more I got selfish of him. I don't want ending up being the cause of his and Iseul's misunderstanding. I don't want that, Soo."

Kyungsoo laid down beside his best friend then ask, "So what are you going to do then."

"Please be Chanyeol and Iseul's wedding coordinator."

***

A month had passed and Chanyeol was about to tie the knot with Iseul, but the said bride was always missing in action. She would always cancel, last minute, to her meeting with Baekhyun and her fiancée, that sometime she and Chanyeol would end arguing and compairing each other with their other colleague's partners, hurting each other's pride. But it was when Chanyeol starts compairing her to Baekhyun that makes her very irritable. He knows how close the two of them since they're childhood best friends, but there's her gut feeling which she couldn't pin point, why, everytime her fiancé would compare her to his best friend whenever they argue, her instinct tells her that there's something wrong with Chanyeol. She couldn't tell what it is, but something akin to... a change of heart?

So one time when she called Baekhyun and asked the wedding planner if he could accompany her for her gown fitting. She can hear the other's hesitation over the phone, but Cho Iseul is very persistent and Baekhyun ends up agreeing to her.

Iseul and the designer are arguing whether to fit the wedding gown or not.

"Why not?" Iseul asks the designer irritatingly.

"There's a belief that if you wear your wedding gown, your wedding will be off." The designer answer.

"How should we know if the gown fits? Baekhyun, please enlighten his mind about my point." She said demandingly.

"Calm down you two, please. Zitao, let's not try to stress the bride further, okay?"

"But Baekhyun--"

"I know it's the tradition, but Iseul is very stressed out so let her do what she wants, okay? Besides, she also has a point. What if the gown was loose or tight--"

"Are you saying that I'm fat?" The bride interrupted.

"No, of course not. I'm sorry Iseul, that's not what I meant." He apologizes but she only answered her with a roll of her eyes.

"That customer of yours is a brat!" Zitao hisses under his breath, careful for Iseul not to hear what he says.

"Let's just try to understand her, all right? Please? For me?" Baekhyun pleaded.

"Whatever. But don't blame me once your groom stood you up on your wedding day." Zitao said louder for Iseul to hear before leaving the two of them.

Baekhyun asks Zitao's assistants to help Iseul with her gown as he waits for her just outside the dressing room. Little did he know, the groom is on his way to meet his bride.

After Iseul wears her wedding gown, one of Zitao's assistants, calls for Baekhyun to see the bride. Baekhun gives Iseul a very pleased smile, silently telling her that the gown looks so beautiful on her.

Baekhyun was busy laying out the trail when suddenly, Iseul happily called for her fiancé's name.

"Yeol! What do you think of my gown? Do you like it?" Iseul ask while she runs her hand over the lace of her gown.

But instead of answering her, she saw her fiancé standing still and just staring at something, or rather someone, behind her. Iseul slowly looks behind her and saw Baekhyun also staring back at Chanyeol.

The two of them are staring at each other. She can totally feel it. It wasn't just a stare of two men in a fight or misunderstanding. It's different. She can feel the longingness that the wedding planner is radiating, but with Chanyeol, it's like... sadness.

What is going on with them? Iseul thought.

"Hey Yeol! Your bride is asking for your opinion about her gown." Baekhyun started, trying to ease the awkwardness.

"Oh... yeah.... I think it's good. But why did you wear your dress?"

"Will you please stop being so conventional? It's my dress and I'll do what I want. I just want to know if this would really fit or not." Iseul rolls her eyes to Chanyeol

"Can I talk to you for awhile, Baekhyun?"

Iseul frowns how her fiancé blatantly ignores her.

"Yeah, sure."

Baekhyun and Chanyeol excused themselves, leaving Iseul alone.

"Kyungsoo said you switched schedule with him again. Why?" Chanyeol asks once they're out from everyone's earshot.

"Because there are things that I also need to attend to, and that's the only way I can do so your schedules won't delay." Baekhyun was said, not meeting the taller male's eyes.

"Are you avoiding me?"

"No. Why would I do that?"

"I don't know," Chanyeol frowns, "maybe because I kissed you that night?"

Baekhyun pressed his lips into thin line. He didn't know what to say or how to react now that Chanyeol brought the topic.

"Are you mad at me because of that? Please tell me the truth."

"No. Why would I? I don't think you even mean to do that."

"Look. If you're mad because of that, you should've just tell it right to my face instead of ignoring my calls or text messages! You're always not in your office whenever I tried to talk to you personally!" The taller male said, obviously annoyed.

"I said I was just busy, okay?"

"No you're not! You're trying to push me away and distance yourself!"

"So what if I am? What is it to you?" Baekhyun raise his voice. "It's not going to be the end of the world if you didn't see me or talked to me! Why are you making thing complicated when you can just ignore it?"

Baekhyun didn't understand why the latter is mad at him. He looks at the gaping Chanyeol and starts to feel regretful. He honestly don't know why but seeing Chanyeol like this, with unreadable expression, Baekhyun could feel a dull ache on his chest, especially when his childhood friend passed by him, slightly bumping his shoulder, and left without any word.

"Why do you keep on confusing me, Park Chanyeol?" Baekhyun sighs.

***

There's less than three weeks before Chanyeol and Iseul's wedding yet the two haven't bought their wedding ring. Chanyeol just can't decide what to buy alone since he knows that Iseul might throw a fit if it wasn't according to her taste. He and Baekhyun haven't talked yet or see each other after their little drama three days ago. There are times that he found himself just staring at Baekhyun's name on his contacts on his phone but doesn't have enough courage to call or send the latter a message.

Baekhyun on the other hand tries to busy himself with work. He would always goes to his office even before the sun goes up and leaves the building at midnight. He said he's just making use of his time and work efficiently since sleep wouldn't bother to visit him, and it worries Kyungsoo a lot.

Kyungsoo, being the mother hen as he is, would often nags at his best friend whenever Baekhyun skips his meals and just have a cup of coffee instead (he consumes more than five cups per day), telling Kyungsoo that he doesn't have an appetite to eat.

It was a Friday and Chanyeol was leaning over the glass, looking for a perfect ring that Iseul might like? Kyungsoo, his now wedding planner, was supposed to help him in choosing the ring but the said male is busy since he also needs to attend his other client's wedding.

Chanyeol was so immerse in his hunt for the ring that he failed to notice someone standing beside him.

"Ehem."

Chanyeol lift his head up when he hears someone clears their throat. His face is devoid of any emotion yet deep inside he's panicking.

"Kyungsoo said he was sorry if he can't help you today, so he asked me to accompany you instead of him." Baekhyun said, looking down at the pristine white tiled floor of the jewelry shop.

"Is that so?" He asks. Baekhyun nods.

The two of them shares an awkward silence and it's eating Baekhyun alive. He didn't know what to say or how should he start a conversation with Chanyeol. He considers it as his most awkward moment of his life.

"Have you... made your vow yet?" Baekhyun started trying to break the ice.

"Not yet. I was busy." The tall male answered.

No you're not! Chanyeol's inner self protest.

"Hmm..." Baekhyun hums as he nods. "You should start writing it. You only have less than three weeks before your big day."

And the start of being your old maid days... Baekhyun's inner diva commented.

"I..." Chanyeol slowly looks at the small male and continues, "actually don't know how to make one."

"That one was actually easy. All you have to do is to use this," he points at Chanyeol's chest where the tall male's heart is located, "and it'll help you on how to write your vow. Just write what your heart's telling you, and before you knew it, you've made your vow." Baekhyun said with a smile.

Chanyeol looks at his childhood friend and tries to digest everything that the small male tells him. Of course he should've made his written vow for Iseul, he wasn't really busy for the past few days, but everytime he tries to write his vow for his soon-to-be wife, his mind went blank that he can't write anything and it only made him frustrated at the end.

"I'm not sure if she'll like this one, but tell me if you think it's okay." Baekhyun nods.

Chanyeol takes a lungful of air, then clears his throat before he starts;

"It's been a long time since you and I were together yet it seems as if it was only yesterday. For you I was like an open book that you could easily read, yet I'm not quite sure if you fully understand..." he then looks at the smaller male and grabs the other's hands, taking the wedding planner by surprise, gasping when he gently squeezes his hands.

"With you, it feels as if my life is complete. I always wanted to be the first person you'll see when you wake up in the morning and the last before you sleep at night. I wanted to come home to your homecook meals after my hectic day at work. I want to be you confidant, your pillar of strength, the source of your smile and the culprit for making you blush. I want to see myself with my hair turning gray and skin wrinkly, holding your hand just like this, and standing side by side just like this. I don't care whatever might come to us. As long as your here right beside me, I'm sure, everything will be alright."

Baekhyun gulps and blinks his eyes in haste, trying to keep his tears at bay because he's not sure whether Chanyeol was still referring to Iseul or him. Or maybe he's just assuming everything since he's in love with this man in front of him. But also, he wants to keep reminded himself that what he's feeling right now might be just another one-sided. Chanyeol is about to get marry Iseul in few weeks. He doesn't want to hurt his self further since he knew to himself that Chanyeol is straight and--

"I am so much in love with you." Chanyeol whispers, making Baekhyun tilts his head up and meet his gaze.

Is this even real? Baekhyun wants to smash his face to the wall because he might be dreaming again. He's getting really confuse right now because as far as he's concern, Chanyeol just wanted to hear his vows for Iseul... but why is he staring at him seriously as if everything that the soon-to-be husband's vows was meant for him.

"Mind to care what you two are whispering to each other?"

The two suddenly whip their heads to where they hear the voice. It was Iseul. They're both unaware what Iseul heard or seen so Baekhyun immediately retrieve his hands from Chanyeol's grasp, which Iseul didn't miss.

"Umm... h-he's practicing his vows for your w-wedding day." Baekhyun stutters. "Right, Yeol?"

Chanyeol didn't respond and just look at his fiancée.

"Are you really practicing your vows for me, to him, Park Chanyeol?" Iseul asks with straight face.

Sensing that the two might argue inside the store, Baekhyun butts in and tries to ease the tension. "Yes, Iseul. Chanyeol here asked me if I could help him with his vows for you. And to be honest, it's really romantic. I hope you'll like it once he reads it in front of you and everybody else on your wedding day." He then smile at Iseul before he takes his leave after he bid them goodbye.

***

Baekhyun was shuffling on his seat and Kyungsoo glares at him.

"Will you stop it?"

"Let's go home now, Soo."

"But Baek, Chanyeol and Iseul invited us here. The party has barely started, and if we leave, it'll be rude of us."

"Please, Soo."

"Baekhyun--"

Kyungsoo wasn't able to say anything when the crowd started clapping their hands once the couple arrive at the venue.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Cho's voice reverberated as he talks in front of the microphone, "tonight, we'll celebrate my daughter and my soon-to-be son-in-law's engagement ceremony." The crowd applaud once again.

Iseul's father went on to his speech, which Baekhyun never paid attention to. He looks at the people around him, in awe as they watch at the engage couples in the stage, then reality hits him hard.

He's not ready to give Chanyeol to anyone. His heart still yearns for the person whom he love for the longest time, yet he knows that his feelings will never be reciprocate. He loves Chanyeol and God knows how long he waited for him. But here he is, watching the man he loves standing with the woman he loves.

Woman.

How he wished he'd become a girl so that Chanyeol won't get disgusted of his gender orientation.

"...Baek? Baekhyun!" Call his name.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"Huh?"

"You're crying."

Baekhyun wipes his tears that he didn't knew were falling down his cheeks.

"Please let me go home now, Soo. Please..." Baekhyun hiccups.

Kyungsoo felt guilty for forcing his best friend to attend Chanyeol's engagement. He wanted to slap himself for being insensitive and adding salt to his friend's wound. Kyungsoo then help Baekhyun to stand up and usher him to the parking lot, little did they know, someone is watching them.

"I'm sorry, Baek. I know I'm a bad friend." Kyungsoo said once they reach the parking area of the hotel where Iseul and Chanyeol's engagement party takes place.

"It's okay, Soo. I'm not mad at you--"

"Baekhyun?"

The said male turns behind his back and saw Chanyeol standing not too far from them.

"Can I talk to you?" Chanyeol asks.

Kyungsoo knew it's his time to excuse himself and give the two their time for them to talk.

"Baekhyun."

"What now, Chanyeol?" The wedding planner turns his back to the tall male.

"Don't leave."

"What?" Baekhyun scoffs. "Why? I mean, I don't think my presence is important here anyway."

"Please Baek."

"Why?"

"Because you just can't leave like that."

"Why?"

"Because I know... I know that you have feelings for me and--" Chanyeol was cut when Baekhyun laughs exaggeratedly. Mocking him.

"Me? Feelings? For you? Never knew Boston could turn you into a jerk Chanyeol! I never have feelings for you..." Baekhyun lifelessly said the part of his sentence.

"Don't you dare lie to me Baekhyun!"

"And so what?! So what if I'm lying to you? What is it to you? My feelings doesn't concern you when you're straight as fuck and is engaged to a beautiful girl that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with! So what if I've waited for you to come back from Boston, only to find out that you're going to marry? And so what if I am gay and been in love with you since eighth grade? And so what, Chanyeol? You'll never return my feelings anyway because you're straight and my feelings for you will always be one-sided!" Baekhyun said, his face now wet with tears.

"Baek--"

"What's the meaning of this?" The two both look at the source of the voice and saw Iseul standing not too far from them. "Did I heard that right, Baekhyun? You're inlove with my fiancé? How pathetic!" Iseul scoffs.

"Iseul." Chanyeol calls the woman's name as if trying to warn her not to start a show.

"I was confident to leave my fiancé with you because I thought he's in good hands, but I thought wrong. You did not just fancy my fiancé, you actually wanted to be in my place!"

"Cho Iseul, stop it!"

"What Chanyeol?! Don't tell me you're taking this fag's side?"

"I SAID STOP IT!" Chanyeol yells, distraught with Iseul's confronting Baekhyun.

Iseul stop and sends Chanyeol a death glare. Baekhyun has his head down, already sobbing hard with Iseul's hurtful words, yet the girl is not done with him yet.

"Listen to me very carefully, Byun Baekhyun. You will never, ever have Chanyeol because he's not gay and will never ever be gay because of you. In short - he will never fall for someone like you."

"I said stop it already, Iseul! Please!" Chanyeol runs his hands on his hair frustratingly and looks at the dejected male. "I'm so sorry, Baek--"

"Chanyeol, will you do me a favor?" Baekhyun bravely lift his head up and look straight to the tall male's eyes. "Let's stop being friends. I can't take being your friend anymore."

"Yeah, because you like him, whore."

"Iseul!"

"Whatever!" Iseul stomps her feet and walks back inside the function hall and leave the two male at the parking lot.

"Baekhyun..."

"Please Yeol... I'm beyond broken now and besides... Iseul is right. I'm a faggot. You're straight. I like men. You like girls. You're engage. I was your wedding planner and... we're just like that. So let's stop being friends." Baekhyun opens his car door while hiccuping, leaving Chanyeol behind and not wanting to hear the other say anything that might hurt him further.