(no subject)
Marry U
Chen/Xiumin; PG; ~1,200w.; AU
A wedding is as stressful for the bride's maid as it is for the bride.
For its_rayning's birthday back in November.
Luhan let himself sink heavily into a chair in the corner of the make-shift dressing room. It was finally over. All of the planning and hard work was finally going to mean something. His best friend was finally getting married. He couldn’t help but smile at this thought. Ever since they’d met in university, he’d always wished Minseok the best. The older man had been nothing but caring and sweet and everything he could ever want in a best friend, yet none of the men he’d dated seemed to take note of this. Luhan’s smile faded as he remembered the numerous boyfriends who’d wanted the bun-like man for nothing more than an “easy lay”. That all changed, however, when one Kim Jongdae entered the scene. His melodic voice and easygoing nature quickly had his older friend swooning. And so, the two became attached at the hip almost immediately, filling their friends’ lives with the sickeningly adorable gestures that made up their blossoming relationship.
Minseok and Jongdae had been together nearly four years by the time the latter worked up the courage to propose - though they’d all known how Minseok would respond. The planning period began shortly afterwards. Being simple men, they wanted a low-key event that wasn’t as flashy as what they’d seen on television prior; marriage was about the two permanently joining together and they didn’t want patterned napkins or imported cuisine to distract from their love for one another. (Their college-graduate budget only helped to support this plan.)
Somehow, in the few short months they’d given themselves before they were to be wed, the couple, along with the help of their closest friends, managed to arrange exactly what they’d dreamed the event to be. Luhan, who had been chosen as Minseok’s best man - or bride’s maid, as Wu Fan had dubbed him - even before the proposal, liked to take most of the credit. Wanting only the best for his best friend, he’d put his all into his work, possibly lying to the older about how he’d gotten the venue at such a low price. (He’d been meaning to start dating again anyway.) Unlike most couples, though, the men only seemed to grow closer as the looming date drew nearer and nearer. Whenever they disagreed, they found a happy medium; if their voices ever rose they would find a way laugh it off, even when they were driven to the brink of insanity with the stress weighing them down. Their friends were beginning to think they weren’t actually human.
Here they were now, on the day of the wedding. Minseok fluttered about the room, eyes wide and arms never ceasing their frantic movements. Luhan could only pick up bits and pieces of his mutterings, but he could tell the elder was terrified that Jongdae may cancel at the last moment, suddenly declaring his love for his own best man, and ride off into the sunset with Wu Fan, leaving him as alone as he’d been before the younger had squirmed into his life. Taking one last deep breath, Luhan hoisted himself up and made his way over to the panicking groom
“Baozi,” The college nickname had stuck, much to the chagrin of the elder. “Everything’s going to be fine. Jongdae loves you.” He let his hands rest on Minseok’s shoulders.
He frowned.
“Trust me.”
With this he led Minseok to the door, rubbing his shoulders once last time before starting to lead the procession. The hallways were already littered with confetti from the runaway flower-girl, a long, white sheet of fabric stretched from Minseok’s door to the altar. Taking a one last gulp of air, Luhan opened the doors to the sanctuary and took a step back. He watched with misty eyes as Jongdae and his gang of almost merry men marched up to their spots. A glance around the room had him smiling again in seconds. Each line of pews was decorated with the ribbon he’d spent hours preparing the night before. Confetti was dusted along the aisle, flecking the white of the ground with red. At the far end of the space stood Jongdae, fidgeting in his spot, but grin locked in place. His face was flushed with what Luhan assumed was anticipation. His pressed black suit hugged him in all the right places, something he knew the elder would process right away.
Turning away from the other groom, Luhan sent Minseok a reassuring smile and made his way down the aisle. The stares from the small audience was almost disconcerting, but he managed to keep his smile sincere as he turned to watch Zitao and later the groom himself walk in tune with the organ’s haunting tune. He nearly melted from the looks the soon-to-be betrothed sent each other; if he thought their pre-marital love was sweet, this had all of his teeth falling from his mouth in an instant
Luhan watched as they snuck glances at each other and as their fingers brushed. He watched as Jongdae stumbled over his vows and as Minseok still cried. He watched as Minseok wiped his tears away, recalling the time they tried to learn Mandarin and as their fingers shook when exchanging rings. He watched as their gazes never left each other after that moment, watched as the tears continued to fall, as they clung to each other’s hands as if their lives depended on it, as they leaned in for their first kiss as husbands, Minseok nearly missing the younger’s mouth. He watched as they laughed, too overjoyed to really care what anyone else thought. And for once, Luhan knew his friend was in good hands
An hour later found them seated in the banquet hall across the street, Minseok and Jongdae never leaving each other’s sides. Luhan, finally finding the opportunity, stood up, clearing his throat and tapping his champagne flute lightly.
“Since the very day I met Kim Minseok, I knew he was something special. And after knowing him for as long as I have, I can definitely say this observation was correct.” He sucked in a breath. “Minseok is the greatest friend I could ever ask for. He’s been there for me when I’ve needed him and even when I haven’t. I’m not sure where I would be without him, so thank you, Baozi.” He stuck his tongue out playfully in their direction. “In our college days, it pained me to see the emotion damage those… assholes did to my best friend. I had been about to offer myself as a potential candidate when Jongdae finally arrived. To see Minseok smiling again meant the world to me and for that I have to thank Jongdae. These two are truly meant to be and anyone who says otherwise can leave now. So, here’s to the happy couple; may their lives be happy and healthy.” With this he raised his glass, waiting for everyone else to do the same.
As the couple took their first dance, Luhan smiled. The pure joy on Minseok’s face reassured him that this was a great decision. A presence appearing next to him forced his gaze away; the generous discounter. He stood up and made his way to the dance floor; now to work on his own love life
Chen/Xiumin; PG; ~1,200w.; AU
A wedding is as stressful for the bride's maid as it is for the bride.
For its_rayning's birthday back in November.
Luhan let himself sink heavily into a chair in the corner of the make-shift dressing room. It was finally over. All of the planning and hard work was finally going to mean something. His best friend was finally getting married. He couldn’t help but smile at this thought. Ever since they’d met in university, he’d always wished Minseok the best. The older man had been nothing but caring and sweet and everything he could ever want in a best friend, yet none of the men he’d dated seemed to take note of this. Luhan’s smile faded as he remembered the numerous boyfriends who’d wanted the bun-like man for nothing more than an “easy lay”. That all changed, however, when one Kim Jongdae entered the scene. His melodic voice and easygoing nature quickly had his older friend swooning. And so, the two became attached at the hip almost immediately, filling their friends’ lives with the sickeningly adorable gestures that made up their blossoming relationship.
Minseok and Jongdae had been together nearly four years by the time the latter worked up the courage to propose - though they’d all known how Minseok would respond. The planning period began shortly afterwards. Being simple men, they wanted a low-key event that wasn’t as flashy as what they’d seen on television prior; marriage was about the two permanently joining together and they didn’t want patterned napkins or imported cuisine to distract from their love for one another. (Their college-graduate budget only helped to support this plan.)
Somehow, in the few short months they’d given themselves before they were to be wed, the couple, along with the help of their closest friends, managed to arrange exactly what they’d dreamed the event to be. Luhan, who had been chosen as Minseok’s best man - or bride’s maid, as Wu Fan had dubbed him - even before the proposal, liked to take most of the credit. Wanting only the best for his best friend, he’d put his all into his work, possibly lying to the older about how he’d gotten the venue at such a low price. (He’d been meaning to start dating again anyway.) Unlike most couples, though, the men only seemed to grow closer as the looming date drew nearer and nearer. Whenever they disagreed, they found a happy medium; if their voices ever rose they would find a way laugh it off, even when they were driven to the brink of insanity with the stress weighing them down. Their friends were beginning to think they weren’t actually human.
Here they were now, on the day of the wedding. Minseok fluttered about the room, eyes wide and arms never ceasing their frantic movements. Luhan could only pick up bits and pieces of his mutterings, but he could tell the elder was terrified that Jongdae may cancel at the last moment, suddenly declaring his love for his own best man, and ride off into the sunset with Wu Fan, leaving him as alone as he’d been before the younger had squirmed into his life. Taking one last deep breath, Luhan hoisted himself up and made his way over to the panicking groom
“Baozi,” The college nickname had stuck, much to the chagrin of the elder. “Everything’s going to be fine. Jongdae loves you.” He let his hands rest on Minseok’s shoulders.
He frowned.
“Trust me.”
With this he led Minseok to the door, rubbing his shoulders once last time before starting to lead the procession. The hallways were already littered with confetti from the runaway flower-girl, a long, white sheet of fabric stretched from Minseok’s door to the altar. Taking a one last gulp of air, Luhan opened the doors to the sanctuary and took a step back. He watched with misty eyes as Jongdae and his gang of almost merry men marched up to their spots. A glance around the room had him smiling again in seconds. Each line of pews was decorated with the ribbon he’d spent hours preparing the night before. Confetti was dusted along the aisle, flecking the white of the ground with red. At the far end of the space stood Jongdae, fidgeting in his spot, but grin locked in place. His face was flushed with what Luhan assumed was anticipation. His pressed black suit hugged him in all the right places, something he knew the elder would process right away.
Turning away from the other groom, Luhan sent Minseok a reassuring smile and made his way down the aisle. The stares from the small audience was almost disconcerting, but he managed to keep his smile sincere as he turned to watch Zitao and later the groom himself walk in tune with the organ’s haunting tune. He nearly melted from the looks the soon-to-be betrothed sent each other; if he thought their pre-marital love was sweet, this had all of his teeth falling from his mouth in an instant
Luhan watched as they snuck glances at each other and as their fingers brushed. He watched as Jongdae stumbled over his vows and as Minseok still cried. He watched as Minseok wiped his tears away, recalling the time they tried to learn Mandarin and as their fingers shook when exchanging rings. He watched as their gazes never left each other after that moment, watched as the tears continued to fall, as they clung to each other’s hands as if their lives depended on it, as they leaned in for their first kiss as husbands, Minseok nearly missing the younger’s mouth. He watched as they laughed, too overjoyed to really care what anyone else thought. And for once, Luhan knew his friend was in good hands
An hour later found them seated in the banquet hall across the street, Minseok and Jongdae never leaving each other’s sides. Luhan, finally finding the opportunity, stood up, clearing his throat and tapping his champagne flute lightly.
“Since the very day I met Kim Minseok, I knew he was something special. And after knowing him for as long as I have, I can definitely say this observation was correct.” He sucked in a breath. “Minseok is the greatest friend I could ever ask for. He’s been there for me when I’ve needed him and even when I haven’t. I’m not sure where I would be without him, so thank you, Baozi.” He stuck his tongue out playfully in their direction. “In our college days, it pained me to see the emotion damage those… assholes did to my best friend. I had been about to offer myself as a potential candidate when Jongdae finally arrived. To see Minseok smiling again meant the world to me and for that I have to thank Jongdae. These two are truly meant to be and anyone who says otherwise can leave now. So, here’s to the happy couple; may their lives be happy and healthy.” With this he raised his glass, waiting for everyone else to do the same.
As the couple took their first dance, Luhan smiled. The pure joy on Minseok’s face reassured him that this was a great decision. A presence appearing next to him forced his gaze away; the generous discounter. He stood up and made his way to the dance floor; now to work on his own love life