Smile Again
Title: Smile Again
Author: his_angel16
Pairing: Kemaru, onesided!Soohyun/Kibum
Genre: Fluff Angst (purely accidental)
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Mobile phone
Summary: Shin Soohyun didn’t know that his life would drastically change that year.
A/N: Written for heartl0ck. It turned out a bit differently than I hoped, but I hope you like it.
*The italicized words are present day; the unmodified words are the past.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, the black suit and white dress shirt making me seem more extravagant than I would have liked. As I straightened my tie, someone called my name, telling me it was time to start. Sighing, I stood, looking over at the groomsmen. This wedding would pass in slow motion for me. In a few torturous hours, it would all be over. I planned on skipping out on the wedding, but that wouldn’t have been fair to them. No, it wouldn’t be fair at all and I was one who believed in fairness, even when it meant I would be the one in pain.
I left the small room, the others behind me. I pasted on a fake smile as I approached the alter. I was dreading the Wedding March being played on the organ by a friend of ours. It made me physically sick just to be here, among people who would wish them a lifetime of happiness. But like I said, I believed in fairness. Taking my spot next to the minister, I kept my smile in place as the music began. I tried to keep smiling for my friend’s sake, but looking over at his soon to be life partner, I felt my heart twist painfully. If only we hadn’t fallen for the same man…maybe things would be better. It seems like a lifetime ago that my life spiraled out of control. It happened almost a year ago, in the last months of the year…
Soohyun smiled as he approached the little café he always met his friend at. They were to work on their university project and then spend the entire weekend together. Most people who witnessed the two together would think that they were a couple, but that wasn’t quite true. Soohyun met Kevin their first year at the university. He pitied the younger for not knowing where to go. Kevin had grown up overseas and moved to South Korean in order to resume his studies away from anything that might distract him. Soohyun willingly took the younger under his wing and showed him around, the two becoming brothers in a short amount of time.
He waved to the waiter as he entered. Being there so frequently caused him and the waiter to become friends. He sat at the usual booth by the west window, awaiting Kevin to turn up. He whistled to himself as he watched the passersby out the window, searching for his friend. He received a text message from the other, saying that he was running late and would be there in about five minutes. Five minutes turned quickly into ten as Soohyun kept waiting. It wasn’t like his friend to be so late. It’s not as if they had planned this on a whim or anything. They were planning on working on their project since it was assigned and this weekend was when they scheduled to do it. He sighed, gaining the attention of the waiter.
“Is Kevin-ssi not coming?” Eli asked, sitting down across from Soohyun. His eyebrows were pulled together in worry.
“I don’t know, Eli. He messaged and said he would be here in five minutes, but that was ten minutes ago,” Soohyun replied. He returned to gazing out the window, a sigh of relief escaping him as he watched Kevin cross the street and hurry toward the café.
Eli quickly vacated the seat across Soohyun and went to get them their usual dishes. Kevin smiled as he walked over to where Soohyun sat. taking his place, his smile slowly faded as he realized Soohyun’s sour mood.
“What’s with your mood?” Kevin asked, apparently oblivious that he was the cause of it.
“You said your were going to be five minutes. That was now thirteen minutes ago. Where have you been?”
Kevin frowned at the elder as he unwound the scarf from around his neck. “I was running late, Soohyun. Calm down. You act as if you and I are dating.” Kevin laughed nervously at that thought. Surely there was nothing between them that caused Soohyun to think he had feelings for him.
“Thanks to you, we’re behind on our project. We need to get started before we fall too far behind to where we can’t catch up to the others.”
“Soohyun, we still have all weekend. Calm down. I have something important to tell you.” Kevin smiled at the thought of explaining to Soohyun why he was so late. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Eli returned.
“Hi, Kevin,” Eli greeted him, setting their usual iced teas and fried rice dishes in front of them.
“Hi, Eli.” Kevin looked down at the food, his mouth watering at just the sight of it. “This looks great, as usual. Give my thanks to the chef.”
“I’ll tell Alexander that you like it.” Eli laughed as he walked off, a smile on his face. Kevin would think that a slice of bread would taste amazing if Xander made it. Shaking his head, Eli went through the door to the kitchen to pass the message on to the elder.
“So, what made you so late?” Soohyun took a bite of the rice, chewing it thoroughly as he waited for the younger to speak.
“Oh, that’s right! I met someone. And not just someone, a special someone!” Kevin straightened his posture at the mere mention of this mystery man. “He and I met in the library and he said that he’s willing to tutor us this semester if we fall behind.”
Soohyun sighed, placing his chopsticks on his plate. “Kevin, we’re already behind. You have flaked out on me this entire year. I don’t even know why I agreed to taking the same courses as you. You’re never on time, you never participate in the projects, you always leave hours before we’re even finished on the work.”
Hearing his friend’s words, Kevin pouted. “You could have told me you didn’t want to work with me on this! I can take a hint, Soohyun. Gosh, you’re so temperamental sometimes. All you had to do is tell me that you hated being paired with me for projects and I would have found someone else.”
“Kevin, you aren’t listening. You’re work in every aspect of school is horrid. All you ever do is talk about useless things like fashion trends and makeup tips.” Soohyun sighed at the hurt look on the other’s face. “I’ll do the work myself. When you figure out what’s important, call me.”
Soohyun stood, leaving the younger to sit there silently. He strode away from the café, hands stuffed into his pockets and eyes downcast. He knew he had spoken harshly to the younger, but he was irritated at Kevin’s carefree attitude about everything. He walked until he reached the movie theatre his roommate worked at. He greeted Kiseop as he walked inside, heading to one of the various rooms. He sat down in the middle of the space, staring at the screen, but not seeing any of it. When the credits scrolled, he stood and made his way out, bumping into someone and causing their drink to spill down the front of the both of them.
“Great,” the other murmured, looking down at his now ruined suit.
“I-I’m sorry. I was distracted. Here, let me help you with that,” Soohyun offered, only to be stopped by a glare from the other.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll just go home and change before coming back to meet my date.”
“Uh, this might come out wrong, but just come back to my dorm room. I think I might have a suit that’ll fit you.”
The stranger looked at Soohyun before he let out a chuckle. “Do I seem easy to you?”
“Uh, no, it’s just that it’s my fault that your suit is ruined, so I wanted to try to help.” Soohyun felt like an idiot offering to give this person a suit. He didn’t even know his name yet he was saying that he trusted him enough to allow him to come into his dorm room. He mentally slapped himself at that. “Well, I’ll be going then.”
“Wait.” After glancing at his watch, the younger sighed. “I only have an hour before I need to meet my date and my house is a twenty minute drive from here. How close is your place?”
“It’s a five minute walk.”
“Let’s go then.”
Soohyun led the way to his and Kiseop’s dorm room at the university. He turned the lights on and headed for his closet, pulling out various suit ensembles. He tossed them onto his bed and motioned for the other to pick out the one he liked best.
“Letting you choose the one you like best is the least I can do for ruining yours.” He watched as the stranger sorted through them, finally picking up a navy blue suit with a bright white silk tie.
“I like this one.”
“Then it’s yours.” Soohyun was about to say more when the other unfastened his suit jacket and pulled it off, tossing it to the floor as he went to unfasten his white dress shirt. Soohyun felt his face burn slightly at the other’s bold move of undressing in front of a complete stranger. He averted his gaze to anywhere but the other person occupying the room.
After changing into the clean suit, the stranger turned to face Soohyun. “I’m Kibum. Sorry that I didn’t introduce myself earlier, but I was a bit stressed at what to do. Thanks for letting me use this suit.”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, no problem. I’m Soohyun. Nice to meet you.” Exchanging names hadn’t been as awkward as he thought it would be. Then again, Kibum had changed in front of him without even caring about it. “So, Kibum, do you go to school around here or something?”
“I work at an office that belongs to my dad’s friend. He said his son wanted to meet me, so that’s who I’m meeting tonight.”
Soohyun nodded before the words sank in. “Wait, so you’re into men?”
Kibum looked at him, smiling. “Yeah, I am. Is that a problem for you?”
“Not at all. I’m like you in that aspect.”
Soohyun and Kibum talked on their way back to the movie theatre. They said their goodbyes at the door and Kibum entered the building, waiting for the person he was to have a date with. Soohyun turned, seeing Kevin walking up, dressed as casually as he always was. The only thing that was different was his expression. He seemed unsure of himself for once. Soohyun grabbed Kevin’s arm, making him jump.
“What are you doing here, Soohyun?” Kevin asked.
“I’m just leaving. What are you doing here?”
“I’m meeting someone for a date. Why? Jealous?”
Soohyun laughed. “As if! You know there’s no spark between the two of us. I have more chemistry with Kiseop than I do with you and he’s totally dull.”
Kevin smiled. “Well, I’ll be going in now. My dad set me up on a blind date. I’m nervous, but I hope it works out.”
“It’ll work out.”
“How can you be so sure that it will?”
Soohyun smirked. “It’s you that they have to try to resist. And if I was into the pretty boy type, I’d have asked you out already.”
“Thanks, Soohyun. I’ll be going in, then.”
Soohyun opened the door for Kevin, closing it after him and walking back toward his dorm room. He hoped everything would be fine for his friend. After all, Kevin was hard to resist. He once found the younger attractive when they first met, only to figure out that they weren’t compatible with each other at all.
Kevin walked slowly through the lobby of the building. He glanced around, trying to find someone that might be the person he was supposed to meet. His eyes stopped scanning the room when he recognized the man he wanted to tell Soohyun about. He approached the man from before, smiling as he turned around.
“Kibum-ssi, what are you doing here?” Kevin asked him, still smiling.
“I’m waiting for someone. My dad set me up on a blind date with his friend’s son,” Kibum replied, sitting down and motioning for Kevin to do the same. “I’m glad I ran into you. I feel like I’m suffocating from all of this pressure of waiting for someone. He’s probably some stuck up, snobby brat who doesn’t think much of anyone.”
“My dad set me up with someone, too. Which, he’s late now. I can’t believe I’m actually waiting for someone my dad picked out for me. Knowing my dad, the guy is probably as boring as watching paint dry.” Kevin looked up as the door opened and his dad entered, followed by the president of the company his dad worked for.
“Oh, so, you’re over here?” Mr. Woo asked, smiling at his son. Both Kevin and Kibum stood, each looking at their dads, not knowing that they were supposed to be the other’s date.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” they both asked the men in front of them. They paused and looked at each other.
“Wait, a minute. Does that mean…?” Kibum looked from his dad to Kevin, then to Mr. Woo. “Dad, I thought that the person I was meeting the son of your friend.”
“You are,” Mr. Kim replied. “This is my friend, and the young man beside you is his son, Sunghyun.”
Kibum looked at Kevin. “Sunghyun?”
Kevin nodded. “I usually go by my English name, so that’s why you didn’t realize it before. I’m Woo Sunghyun. Nice to meet you.” Kevin stopped for a moment before he remembered what he and Kibum had said about each other before they knew who the other was. “Oh my gosh! I made a fool of myself earlier!”
“What are you talking about, Kevin? I was sitting here with you and you didn’t say anything that…” Kibum’s sentence dropped as he realized his mistake as well. His eyes widened before he narrowed them at Kevin. “Yah, what did you mean by that?! How am I as boring as watching paint dry?”
“You called me a stuck up brat who doesn’t care about anyone! For your information, I care about a lot of people!” Kevin glared at Kibum. “I most definitely am not stuck up!”
“And I’m not boring!”
“Seeing as the two of you already know each other, this will be easier to say,” Mr. Kim announced, stopping their argument. “Starting today, the two of you are to get to know each other. After the new year, I want to know how you feel about each other romantically. We’re hoping that you’ll both agree to a marriage by the end of next year.”
Kibum and Kevin stared at him, eyes wide. “Are you saying that you want us to marry each other?” Kibum asked his dad. When Mr. Kim nodded, he sighed. “How are we supposed to agree to something like that when we don’t know each other?”
“That’s why we arranged this meeting. From now on, focus on getting to know each other and hopefully, love with follow. I know it’s rushed, but you see, I’m not going to be around forever. You need to take over the company and I need to know that you’ll be taken care of well. My friend’s son was the only one I knew I could trust.”
“We’ll leave the two of you to get better acquainted,” Mr. Woo said before he and Mr. Kim left the building. Kibum and Kevin were surrounded by silence as they sat down. They didn’t know how to react to their dads’ wishes of getting to know each other and giving them an answer when the new year came.
“What are we going to do?”
Kibum sighed. “The only thing we can do. In the next three months, we have to get to know each other and see if it’s worth pursuing a romantic relationship or not.”
“Well, I’ll be going. You have my number. Let’s meet tomorrow around noon at Alexander hyung’s café.”
“Hyung runs a café? Why didn’t I know of this?”
“Only a few people know of it. My best friend and I always go there. I’ll introduce you to him sometime.” Kevin turned to leave before he turned back to face Kibum. “That’s a nice suit, by the way. Navy blue is my favorite color.” Kevin smiled as he left, already pulling out his phone and dialing Soohyun’s number.
“What is it?” Soohyun grumbled, walking into Xander’s café after closing hours. “Why did you call me out so late, Kevin?”
“I have important news!” Kevin shrieked. “My dad arranged for me to be married by the end of next year! It’s awful, Soohyun! I don’t even know the guy!”
“Calm down. You’re being too loud. And what about you getting married? You’re failing school anyways. Might as well just drop out and marry this person.”
Kevin pouted. “Soohyun, it’s the person I was trying to tell you about earlier. The man that made me so late when we were about to work on our project.”
“Didn’t you say that he was a special someone?”
Kevin stared at Soohyun, eyes wide. “That’s not the point, Soohyun! The point is that my dad wants me to marry him by the end of next year! We only have three months to get to know each other and then we have to tell our dads if we like each other or not.”
“Well, good thing that you aren’t dating anyone. Just go for it, Kevin.” Soohyun’s phone rang, him answering it immediately. “Hello? Oh, hi! Yeah, I can meet with you. Let me just tell my friend bye and I’ll be there.” Hanging up, Soohyun met Kevin’s confused expression. “A new friend of mine. He wants to meet with me. He said that he needs to talk to someone and I’m the first person that came to mind. Do you care if I have Eli or Xander hyung walk you home tonight?”
“I don’t care. Go, run off to your friend. I know how it feels to need an ear to vent to.”
Soohyun smiled before squeezing Kevin’s hand. “Call me when you get home. I know that Eli and Xander wouldn’t let anything happen, but you know my tendency to worry.”
“I’ll call.” Kevin waved as Soohyun left before sighing and placing his head down on the table. He hated the fact that Soohyun was running off like that. It wasn’t like him at all. Soohyun was usually the one waiting and being left behind. Kevin didn’t like that feeling of loneliness that seemed to accompany being left sitting there. He sighed, grabbing his bag as he stood. Eli and Xander waited for him at the front door of the café, smiling sadly at him. They closed the door and started walking him home.
It was then, that night when I met with him after his meeting at the theatre with his blind date, that I knew I was falling for Kibum. I had brushed off my friend completely and all just to see him. He was upset that his dad wanted him to get married. We had talked about a lot of things that night. I stayed out with him until the sun came up. He and I laughed about what our lives would be like that next year, neither of us knowing that it wasn’t how we said it would be. The last thing I asked him that night was what his birthday was. Lucky for me, it had been coming up, much like it was now.
I smiled as the groom looked at me. I was standing beside him, not only the as best man, but also as the ring bearer for their wedding. I wanted to vomit as my friend strode down the aisle, his dad being the one beside him as they approached. I loved my best friend, but this day would torment me forever. I looked back at the groom, trying to breathe correctly as memories of the last month we were together drifted to me…
Soohyun walked into the store, approaching the electronics section and scanning the mobile phones for he perfect gift. He smiled at the thought of seeing Kibum’s smiling face at receiving a new phone. His old one was falling apart and could hardly be used. He picked out a sleek black phone, paying for it and asking the cashier to wrap it for him.
“Special occasion?” Dongho asked, placing the box in the center of silver wrapping paper that sparkled in the sun.
“Yeah. The person I like, their birthday is tomorrow and they needed a new mobile phone,” Soohyun replied, the smile on his face still in place.
“I’m sure they’ll like it.” Dongho finished up his work and handed the gift to him. “All finished. Have a good day, sir.”
“I will. You have a good day, too.” Soohyun left the store and dialed Kibum’s number, smiling as the other picked up on the first ring. “Yah, Kibum! Meet me at the café tomorrow morning when it opens! I have a gift for you.”
The next day, he sat with the gift in front of him on the table. Eli and Xander were arguing in hushed voices in the kitchen, causing Soohyun to frown. The bell on the door jingled and Kibum walked in. Soohyun straightened his posture, smiling and standing as Kibum came over.
“What’s with the gift, Soohyun?” Kibum asked. Although his voice sounded annoyed, he was smiling.
“It’s a birthday present for you. Here, open it!” Soohyun handed him the gift before he sat down, sipping his iced tea. Kibum sat across from him and pulled the paper off, gasping at the sight. He looked up at Soohyun, the elder smiling brightly at him. “I noticed you needed a new one. So I bought you this.”
“I don’t know what to say. Thanks, Soohyun. This is perfect!” Kibum opened the box, pulling the device from it and turning it on. “Perfect timing. Mr. Woo’s son bought me a charm for my phone, but I didn’t want it on the old one. Now, I can put it on this one.” Kibum pulled a koala bear charm from his pocket and fastened it to his phone, smiling at it.
“I’m glad I picked a black mobile phone, then.” Soohyun laughed nervously before taking another drink of his iced tea. He sat quietly for a moment before he heard Kibum sigh. Looking up, he knew where their conversation was headed.
“Out with it, Soohyun. You’ve been quiet for the past few days. What’s on your mind?”
Knowing it was best to be straightforward with his thoughts when speaking to Kibum, Soohyun placed his drink down and frowned. “You’re still seeing that man.”
Kibum nodded. “I have to. My dad wants me to get to know him. Besides, he’s not that bad of a person. He’s sweet and he’s gorgeous. Not to mention that he’s my dad’s best friend’s son. I have to at least attempt to get to know him for their sakes.”
“And what happens if you don’t fall for him?”
“Then I don’t marry him. Look, Soohyun, if things don’t work out between me and that man, it’s not like I’m going to date you. I like you and all, it’s just that my dad wouldn’t approve of you. You aren’t from a well known family like Woo is.”
“So you won’t date me because my family isn’t well known? What a stupid reason! I’m leaving. Happy birthday, Kibum.” Soohyun stood and exited the café, eyes burning with angry tears. He hated the man Kibum was seeing. He didn’t know who the person was, but he knew he already hated him. He was the reason that Kibum wouldn’t even look at him.
Kevin waited for Kibum at the park, sitting on the swing and whistling to himself. Kibum approached him and gave him a peck on the cheek. “How was your meeting with your friend?” Kevin asked him, eyes still on the ground.
“He left in a rush without saying why. He can be so temperamental. It bugs me that he wants to date me, but he knows I’m seeing you already. He’s jealous of you and he doesn’t even know you.”
Kevin shrugged. “It’s okay, Kibum. Let’s go meet our dads for supper and tell them our news.”
Kibum smiled, taking Kevin’s hand and pulling him to stand. “I think they’ll be happy to know that you and I fell for each other.”
As they joined Mr. Woo and Mr. Kim for supper, they shared the news of them liking each other. They laughed at their dads’ identical looks of shock on their faces. They explained that they were certain of their feelings for each other and wanted to go along with the marriage at the end of the next year. They were certain that they would still feel the same after years and that it was a good idea for them to marry.
“Well, this is fantastic! We’ll start the preparations after the first of the year,” Mr. Kim said, smiling. They finished their meal with talk of the wedding, making both Kibum and Kevin smile nervously. They were to be officially engaged after the first of the new year as well as have it announced in the papers.
The supper meeting came to a close and Kibum left with his dad, leaving Kevin and his dad to talk. Kevin noticed that Kibum’s phone was laying on the seat next to him and he quickly slipped it into his pocket. He’d give it back to Kibum tomorrow. He smiled as his dad dropped him off in front of Soohyun’s dorm room. He said goodnight and headed to talk to his friend.
“Soohyun!” Kevin squealed, throwing open the door and hurrying inside. Kiseop looked up from his place on his bed and nodded toward the bathroom. “Soohyun, I have something to tell you!”
Soohyun exited the small bathroom, a towel on his head and his pajama shirt unbuttoned. “Why are you being so loud, Kevin?” Soohyun hissed, drying his hair.
“I’m getting married!”
Soohyun stopped moving, his mind going blank before the words registered properly. “You’re…getting…married…?” When Kevin nodded, Soohyun smiled. “That’s great! You actually fell for the man your dad set you up with?”
“I did! He’s perfect in every way. He and I met a few months ago, but it seems like destiny. It’s as if we were born just for each other.”
“That’s called being soul mates,” Kiseop interrupted before Kevin threw one of Soohyun’s bed pillows at him.
“I know, but I’m in love.” Kevin sat down, remembering Kibum’s phone in his pocket. “Ah! This is his phone. Doesn’t he have great taste in electronics?” Kevin pulled out the black mobile phone, smiling fondly at it. “This is the koala charm I gave him for his birthday present.”
Soohyun felt his heart stop, the image of Kibum fastening that very charm to that exact phone flashing in his mind. “That phone…” Soohyun balled the towel up and threw it on the floor. He snatched the phone from Kevin, his anger boiling up. “Where the hell did you get this phone?!”
Kevin looked startled, sitting back from his friend. “It belongs to my fiancé. Now give it back.” He held out his hand, waiting for Soohyun to give the device back to him. Instead, Soohyun just went to the door and slipped on his shoes, throwing the door open and running out. Kevin followed him, leaving a confused Kiseop behind in the room. “Soohyun, what are you doing?”
Soohyun ran toward the place where he knew Kibum would be. It was the place he always found the other. At that tree in the park, reading a book, even at the late hour. He stopped, trying to regain his breath as he spotted Kibum. He walked over, stopping in front of him as Kevin ran up, stopping in shock behind Soohyun.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Soohyun demanded of Kibum. The younger looked up at his words, utterly confused. “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating my best friend?”
Kibum stood, not noticing Kevin standing behind Soohyun. “What are you talking about? How am I dating your best friend?” Kibum asked, closing his book.
“My friend, Kevin Woo, just came to me and pulled this out of his pocket saying that it belonged to his fiancé.” Soohyun held up the phone that he had bought Kibum just yesterday. “I gave this phone to you yesterday and it turns up in my best friend’s hands. You never told me you were seeing my best friend!”
“Soohyun, Kibum is…?” Kevin started, gaining both men’s attention. “You were the one he was always talking about? The one who liked him, but since he liked me, he never…”
Kibum frowned. “I had no clue that the two of you knew each other.”
As the ceremony came to a close, I left their presence. I needed to compose myself before facing them again. I headed outside of the chapel, going to the park where it all ended for me. It was that night that I realized I had no chance. I can’t help but laugh at it now. I never put the clues together, never realized that it was the two of you who spoke so fondly of the other. My best friend and the one I loved were in love with each other and I never once noticed it. Before that night, December thirtieth, the three of us had never met in the same place. It took me nearly a year, but I was finally able to let go of my feelings for him. Kevin and Kibum approached me, both wearing uncertain expressions. I smiled at them before taking Kevin aside to speak with him alone.
“Kevin,” I began, my voice not betraying me for once. “Congratulations on marrying the man of your dreams. I genuinely mean that, too.”
Kevin gave me one of his warmest smiles before he hugged me. “Thanks, Soohyun. You don’t know how much that means to me,” he replied. Happy tears were slowly running down his face and I quickly wiped them away.
“Don’t cry, Kevin. You can’t cry on your wedding day.” I smiled at him before nodding toward Kibum. “Go, be with your husband. I’ll meet you both at the reception hall in two hours.” Kevin nodded before hurrying over to Kibum. It surprised me when Kibum smiled at him before walking over to me.
“You don’t know how much it means to Kevin and I that you’re our best man,” Kibum told me. I smiled as best I could at those words. How much simple words could hurt shocked me.
“I was glad to do it. I am, after all, your guys’ best friend. I have been for a long time now. Go on, Kibum. Kevin’s waiting for you.”
Kibum shook my hand before he smiled at me again. “Thank you, Soohyun, for being here to wish us happiness and for being one of the most important people in our lives.”
I nodded and smiled, not being able to talk around the lump forming in my throat. He turned, his hand sliding from mine as he went back to Kevin. It had always been that way. Him leaving my side to stand at Kevin’s. I waited until they climbed into their car and drove away before I turned and leaned against the tree. I finally let all of my tears from the past year spill over, and with them, I poured out any remaining love I had for him. I faintly heard Mr. Woo and Mr. Kim approach me. They stood behind me and I could hear the sorrowful smiles in their voices as they spoke to me.
“Thank you, Shin Soohyun, for allowing our sons to marry despite your feelings for Kibum,” Mr. Kim said. I nodded and slowly turned to face them, smiling through my tears.
“Who am I to stand in the way of destiny? Kevin’s been my best friend since he first moved here and I’ll get over Kibum soon enough. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet the person I’m supposed to be with for the rest of my life and I’ll get married, too.”
“Maybe you already have,” I heard a familiar voice call to me. I turned, my eyes widening at seeing my roommate standing there dressed in a brown suede suit with a white dress shirt. I smiled, finally remembering all of the times he had spent by my side throughout this painful year. He didn’t have to, but he did so because he loves me.
“I know I have,” I told him, holding my hand out for his. He shyly took my hand and I intertwined our fingers. I know now that my loving Kibum was only to lead me to finding out that Kiseop was always by my side. He was the one I was born for, not Kibum. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before I smiled again. “What do you think, Kiseop? Shall we use the next three months to see if we’re right for each other?”
Author: his_angel16
Pairing: Kemaru, onesided!Soohyun/Kibum
Genre: Fluff Angst (purely accidental)
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Mobile phone
Summary: Shin Soohyun didn’t know that his life would drastically change that year.
A/N: Written for heartl0ck. It turned out a bit differently than I hoped, but I hope you like it.
*The italicized words are present day; the unmodified words are the past.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, the black suit and white dress shirt making me seem more extravagant than I would have liked. As I straightened my tie, someone called my name, telling me it was time to start. Sighing, I stood, looking over at the groomsmen. This wedding would pass in slow motion for me. In a few torturous hours, it would all be over. I planned on skipping out on the wedding, but that wouldn’t have been fair to them. No, it wouldn’t be fair at all and I was one who believed in fairness, even when it meant I would be the one in pain.
I left the small room, the others behind me. I pasted on a fake smile as I approached the alter. I was dreading the Wedding March being played on the organ by a friend of ours. It made me physically sick just to be here, among people who would wish them a lifetime of happiness. But like I said, I believed in fairness. Taking my spot next to the minister, I kept my smile in place as the music began. I tried to keep smiling for my friend’s sake, but looking over at his soon to be life partner, I felt my heart twist painfully. If only we hadn’t fallen for the same man…maybe things would be better. It seems like a lifetime ago that my life spiraled out of control. It happened almost a year ago, in the last months of the year…
Soohyun smiled as he approached the little café he always met his friend at. They were to work on their university project and then spend the entire weekend together. Most people who witnessed the two together would think that they were a couple, but that wasn’t quite true. Soohyun met Kevin their first year at the university. He pitied the younger for not knowing where to go. Kevin had grown up overseas and moved to South Korean in order to resume his studies away from anything that might distract him. Soohyun willingly took the younger under his wing and showed him around, the two becoming brothers in a short amount of time.
He waved to the waiter as he entered. Being there so frequently caused him and the waiter to become friends. He sat at the usual booth by the west window, awaiting Kevin to turn up. He whistled to himself as he watched the passersby out the window, searching for his friend. He received a text message from the other, saying that he was running late and would be there in about five minutes. Five minutes turned quickly into ten as Soohyun kept waiting. It wasn’t like his friend to be so late. It’s not as if they had planned this on a whim or anything. They were planning on working on their project since it was assigned and this weekend was when they scheduled to do it. He sighed, gaining the attention of the waiter.
“Is Kevin-ssi not coming?” Eli asked, sitting down across from Soohyun. His eyebrows were pulled together in worry.
“I don’t know, Eli. He messaged and said he would be here in five minutes, but that was ten minutes ago,” Soohyun replied. He returned to gazing out the window, a sigh of relief escaping him as he watched Kevin cross the street and hurry toward the café.
Eli quickly vacated the seat across Soohyun and went to get them their usual dishes. Kevin smiled as he walked over to where Soohyun sat. taking his place, his smile slowly faded as he realized Soohyun’s sour mood.
“What’s with your mood?” Kevin asked, apparently oblivious that he was the cause of it.
“You said your were going to be five minutes. That was now thirteen minutes ago. Where have you been?”
Kevin frowned at the elder as he unwound the scarf from around his neck. “I was running late, Soohyun. Calm down. You act as if you and I are dating.” Kevin laughed nervously at that thought. Surely there was nothing between them that caused Soohyun to think he had feelings for him.
“Thanks to you, we’re behind on our project. We need to get started before we fall too far behind to where we can’t catch up to the others.”
“Soohyun, we still have all weekend. Calm down. I have something important to tell you.” Kevin smiled at the thought of explaining to Soohyun why he was so late. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Eli returned.
“Hi, Kevin,” Eli greeted him, setting their usual iced teas and fried rice dishes in front of them.
“Hi, Eli.” Kevin looked down at the food, his mouth watering at just the sight of it. “This looks great, as usual. Give my thanks to the chef.”
“I’ll tell Alexander that you like it.” Eli laughed as he walked off, a smile on his face. Kevin would think that a slice of bread would taste amazing if Xander made it. Shaking his head, Eli went through the door to the kitchen to pass the message on to the elder.
“So, what made you so late?” Soohyun took a bite of the rice, chewing it thoroughly as he waited for the younger to speak.
“Oh, that’s right! I met someone. And not just someone, a special someone!” Kevin straightened his posture at the mere mention of this mystery man. “He and I met in the library and he said that he’s willing to tutor us this semester if we fall behind.”
Soohyun sighed, placing his chopsticks on his plate. “Kevin, we’re already behind. You have flaked out on me this entire year. I don’t even know why I agreed to taking the same courses as you. You’re never on time, you never participate in the projects, you always leave hours before we’re even finished on the work.”
Hearing his friend’s words, Kevin pouted. “You could have told me you didn’t want to work with me on this! I can take a hint, Soohyun. Gosh, you’re so temperamental sometimes. All you had to do is tell me that you hated being paired with me for projects and I would have found someone else.”
“Kevin, you aren’t listening. You’re work in every aspect of school is horrid. All you ever do is talk about useless things like fashion trends and makeup tips.” Soohyun sighed at the hurt look on the other’s face. “I’ll do the work myself. When you figure out what’s important, call me.”
Soohyun stood, leaving the younger to sit there silently. He strode away from the café, hands stuffed into his pockets and eyes downcast. He knew he had spoken harshly to the younger, but he was irritated at Kevin’s carefree attitude about everything. He walked until he reached the movie theatre his roommate worked at. He greeted Kiseop as he walked inside, heading to one of the various rooms. He sat down in the middle of the space, staring at the screen, but not seeing any of it. When the credits scrolled, he stood and made his way out, bumping into someone and causing their drink to spill down the front of the both of them.
“Great,” the other murmured, looking down at his now ruined suit.
“I-I’m sorry. I was distracted. Here, let me help you with that,” Soohyun offered, only to be stopped by a glare from the other.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll just go home and change before coming back to meet my date.”
“Uh, this might come out wrong, but just come back to my dorm room. I think I might have a suit that’ll fit you.”
The stranger looked at Soohyun before he let out a chuckle. “Do I seem easy to you?”
“Uh, no, it’s just that it’s my fault that your suit is ruined, so I wanted to try to help.” Soohyun felt like an idiot offering to give this person a suit. He didn’t even know his name yet he was saying that he trusted him enough to allow him to come into his dorm room. He mentally slapped himself at that. “Well, I’ll be going then.”
“Wait.” After glancing at his watch, the younger sighed. “I only have an hour before I need to meet my date and my house is a twenty minute drive from here. How close is your place?”
“It’s a five minute walk.”
“Let’s go then.”
Soohyun led the way to his and Kiseop’s dorm room at the university. He turned the lights on and headed for his closet, pulling out various suit ensembles. He tossed them onto his bed and motioned for the other to pick out the one he liked best.
“Letting you choose the one you like best is the least I can do for ruining yours.” He watched as the stranger sorted through them, finally picking up a navy blue suit with a bright white silk tie.
“I like this one.”
“Then it’s yours.” Soohyun was about to say more when the other unfastened his suit jacket and pulled it off, tossing it to the floor as he went to unfasten his white dress shirt. Soohyun felt his face burn slightly at the other’s bold move of undressing in front of a complete stranger. He averted his gaze to anywhere but the other person occupying the room.
After changing into the clean suit, the stranger turned to face Soohyun. “I’m Kibum. Sorry that I didn’t introduce myself earlier, but I was a bit stressed at what to do. Thanks for letting me use this suit.”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, no problem. I’m Soohyun. Nice to meet you.” Exchanging names hadn’t been as awkward as he thought it would be. Then again, Kibum had changed in front of him without even caring about it. “So, Kibum, do you go to school around here or something?”
“I work at an office that belongs to my dad’s friend. He said his son wanted to meet me, so that’s who I’m meeting tonight.”
Soohyun nodded before the words sank in. “Wait, so you’re into men?”
Kibum looked at him, smiling. “Yeah, I am. Is that a problem for you?”
“Not at all. I’m like you in that aspect.”
Soohyun and Kibum talked on their way back to the movie theatre. They said their goodbyes at the door and Kibum entered the building, waiting for the person he was to have a date with. Soohyun turned, seeing Kevin walking up, dressed as casually as he always was. The only thing that was different was his expression. He seemed unsure of himself for once. Soohyun grabbed Kevin’s arm, making him jump.
“What are you doing here, Soohyun?” Kevin asked.
“I’m just leaving. What are you doing here?”
“I’m meeting someone for a date. Why? Jealous?”
Soohyun laughed. “As if! You know there’s no spark between the two of us. I have more chemistry with Kiseop than I do with you and he’s totally dull.”
Kevin smiled. “Well, I’ll be going in now. My dad set me up on a blind date. I’m nervous, but I hope it works out.”
“It’ll work out.”
“How can you be so sure that it will?”
Soohyun smirked. “It’s you that they have to try to resist. And if I was into the pretty boy type, I’d have asked you out already.”
“Thanks, Soohyun. I’ll be going in, then.”
Soohyun opened the door for Kevin, closing it after him and walking back toward his dorm room. He hoped everything would be fine for his friend. After all, Kevin was hard to resist. He once found the younger attractive when they first met, only to figure out that they weren’t compatible with each other at all.
Kevin walked slowly through the lobby of the building. He glanced around, trying to find someone that might be the person he was supposed to meet. His eyes stopped scanning the room when he recognized the man he wanted to tell Soohyun about. He approached the man from before, smiling as he turned around.
“Kibum-ssi, what are you doing here?” Kevin asked him, still smiling.
“I’m waiting for someone. My dad set me up on a blind date with his friend’s son,” Kibum replied, sitting down and motioning for Kevin to do the same. “I’m glad I ran into you. I feel like I’m suffocating from all of this pressure of waiting for someone. He’s probably some stuck up, snobby brat who doesn’t think much of anyone.”
“My dad set me up with someone, too. Which, he’s late now. I can’t believe I’m actually waiting for someone my dad picked out for me. Knowing my dad, the guy is probably as boring as watching paint dry.” Kevin looked up as the door opened and his dad entered, followed by the president of the company his dad worked for.
“Oh, so, you’re over here?” Mr. Woo asked, smiling at his son. Both Kevin and Kibum stood, each looking at their dads, not knowing that they were supposed to be the other’s date.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” they both asked the men in front of them. They paused and looked at each other.
“Wait, a minute. Does that mean…?” Kibum looked from his dad to Kevin, then to Mr. Woo. “Dad, I thought that the person I was meeting the son of your friend.”
“You are,” Mr. Kim replied. “This is my friend, and the young man beside you is his son, Sunghyun.”
Kibum looked at Kevin. “Sunghyun?”
Kevin nodded. “I usually go by my English name, so that’s why you didn’t realize it before. I’m Woo Sunghyun. Nice to meet you.” Kevin stopped for a moment before he remembered what he and Kibum had said about each other before they knew who the other was. “Oh my gosh! I made a fool of myself earlier!”
“What are you talking about, Kevin? I was sitting here with you and you didn’t say anything that…” Kibum’s sentence dropped as he realized his mistake as well. His eyes widened before he narrowed them at Kevin. “Yah, what did you mean by that?! How am I as boring as watching paint dry?”
“You called me a stuck up brat who doesn’t care about anyone! For your information, I care about a lot of people!” Kevin glared at Kibum. “I most definitely am not stuck up!”
“And I’m not boring!”
“Seeing as the two of you already know each other, this will be easier to say,” Mr. Kim announced, stopping their argument. “Starting today, the two of you are to get to know each other. After the new year, I want to know how you feel about each other romantically. We’re hoping that you’ll both agree to a marriage by the end of next year.”
Kibum and Kevin stared at him, eyes wide. “Are you saying that you want us to marry each other?” Kibum asked his dad. When Mr. Kim nodded, he sighed. “How are we supposed to agree to something like that when we don’t know each other?”
“That’s why we arranged this meeting. From now on, focus on getting to know each other and hopefully, love with follow. I know it’s rushed, but you see, I’m not going to be around forever. You need to take over the company and I need to know that you’ll be taken care of well. My friend’s son was the only one I knew I could trust.”
“We’ll leave the two of you to get better acquainted,” Mr. Woo said before he and Mr. Kim left the building. Kibum and Kevin were surrounded by silence as they sat down. They didn’t know how to react to their dads’ wishes of getting to know each other and giving them an answer when the new year came.
“What are we going to do?”
Kibum sighed. “The only thing we can do. In the next three months, we have to get to know each other and see if it’s worth pursuing a romantic relationship or not.”
“Well, I’ll be going. You have my number. Let’s meet tomorrow around noon at Alexander hyung’s café.”
“Hyung runs a café? Why didn’t I know of this?”
“Only a few people know of it. My best friend and I always go there. I’ll introduce you to him sometime.” Kevin turned to leave before he turned back to face Kibum. “That’s a nice suit, by the way. Navy blue is my favorite color.” Kevin smiled as he left, already pulling out his phone and dialing Soohyun’s number.
“What is it?” Soohyun grumbled, walking into Xander’s café after closing hours. “Why did you call me out so late, Kevin?”
“I have important news!” Kevin shrieked. “My dad arranged for me to be married by the end of next year! It’s awful, Soohyun! I don’t even know the guy!”
“Calm down. You’re being too loud. And what about you getting married? You’re failing school anyways. Might as well just drop out and marry this person.”
Kevin pouted. “Soohyun, it’s the person I was trying to tell you about earlier. The man that made me so late when we were about to work on our project.”
“Didn’t you say that he was a special someone?”
Kevin stared at Soohyun, eyes wide. “That’s not the point, Soohyun! The point is that my dad wants me to marry him by the end of next year! We only have three months to get to know each other and then we have to tell our dads if we like each other or not.”
“Well, good thing that you aren’t dating anyone. Just go for it, Kevin.” Soohyun’s phone rang, him answering it immediately. “Hello? Oh, hi! Yeah, I can meet with you. Let me just tell my friend bye and I’ll be there.” Hanging up, Soohyun met Kevin’s confused expression. “A new friend of mine. He wants to meet with me. He said that he needs to talk to someone and I’m the first person that came to mind. Do you care if I have Eli or Xander hyung walk you home tonight?”
“I don’t care. Go, run off to your friend. I know how it feels to need an ear to vent to.”
Soohyun smiled before squeezing Kevin’s hand. “Call me when you get home. I know that Eli and Xander wouldn’t let anything happen, but you know my tendency to worry.”
“I’ll call.” Kevin waved as Soohyun left before sighing and placing his head down on the table. He hated the fact that Soohyun was running off like that. It wasn’t like him at all. Soohyun was usually the one waiting and being left behind. Kevin didn’t like that feeling of loneliness that seemed to accompany being left sitting there. He sighed, grabbing his bag as he stood. Eli and Xander waited for him at the front door of the café, smiling sadly at him. They closed the door and started walking him home.
It was then, that night when I met with him after his meeting at the theatre with his blind date, that I knew I was falling for Kibum. I had brushed off my friend completely and all just to see him. He was upset that his dad wanted him to get married. We had talked about a lot of things that night. I stayed out with him until the sun came up. He and I laughed about what our lives would be like that next year, neither of us knowing that it wasn’t how we said it would be. The last thing I asked him that night was what his birthday was. Lucky for me, it had been coming up, much like it was now.
I smiled as the groom looked at me. I was standing beside him, not only the as best man, but also as the ring bearer for their wedding. I wanted to vomit as my friend strode down the aisle, his dad being the one beside him as they approached. I loved my best friend, but this day would torment me forever. I looked back at the groom, trying to breathe correctly as memories of the last month we were together drifted to me…
Soohyun walked into the store, approaching the electronics section and scanning the mobile phones for he perfect gift. He smiled at the thought of seeing Kibum’s smiling face at receiving a new phone. His old one was falling apart and could hardly be used. He picked out a sleek black phone, paying for it and asking the cashier to wrap it for him.
“Special occasion?” Dongho asked, placing the box in the center of silver wrapping paper that sparkled in the sun.
“Yeah. The person I like, their birthday is tomorrow and they needed a new mobile phone,” Soohyun replied, the smile on his face still in place.
“I’m sure they’ll like it.” Dongho finished up his work and handed the gift to him. “All finished. Have a good day, sir.”
“I will. You have a good day, too.” Soohyun left the store and dialed Kibum’s number, smiling as the other picked up on the first ring. “Yah, Kibum! Meet me at the café tomorrow morning when it opens! I have a gift for you.”
The next day, he sat with the gift in front of him on the table. Eli and Xander were arguing in hushed voices in the kitchen, causing Soohyun to frown. The bell on the door jingled and Kibum walked in. Soohyun straightened his posture, smiling and standing as Kibum came over.
“What’s with the gift, Soohyun?” Kibum asked. Although his voice sounded annoyed, he was smiling.
“It’s a birthday present for you. Here, open it!” Soohyun handed him the gift before he sat down, sipping his iced tea. Kibum sat across from him and pulled the paper off, gasping at the sight. He looked up at Soohyun, the elder smiling brightly at him. “I noticed you needed a new one. So I bought you this.”
“I don’t know what to say. Thanks, Soohyun. This is perfect!” Kibum opened the box, pulling the device from it and turning it on. “Perfect timing. Mr. Woo’s son bought me a charm for my phone, but I didn’t want it on the old one. Now, I can put it on this one.” Kibum pulled a koala bear charm from his pocket and fastened it to his phone, smiling at it.
“I’m glad I picked a black mobile phone, then.” Soohyun laughed nervously before taking another drink of his iced tea. He sat quietly for a moment before he heard Kibum sigh. Looking up, he knew where their conversation was headed.
“Out with it, Soohyun. You’ve been quiet for the past few days. What’s on your mind?”
Knowing it was best to be straightforward with his thoughts when speaking to Kibum, Soohyun placed his drink down and frowned. “You’re still seeing that man.”
Kibum nodded. “I have to. My dad wants me to get to know him. Besides, he’s not that bad of a person. He’s sweet and he’s gorgeous. Not to mention that he’s my dad’s best friend’s son. I have to at least attempt to get to know him for their sakes.”
“And what happens if you don’t fall for him?”
“Then I don’t marry him. Look, Soohyun, if things don’t work out between me and that man, it’s not like I’m going to date you. I like you and all, it’s just that my dad wouldn’t approve of you. You aren’t from a well known family like Woo is.”
“So you won’t date me because my family isn’t well known? What a stupid reason! I’m leaving. Happy birthday, Kibum.” Soohyun stood and exited the café, eyes burning with angry tears. He hated the man Kibum was seeing. He didn’t know who the person was, but he knew he already hated him. He was the reason that Kibum wouldn’t even look at him.
Kevin waited for Kibum at the park, sitting on the swing and whistling to himself. Kibum approached him and gave him a peck on the cheek. “How was your meeting with your friend?” Kevin asked him, eyes still on the ground.
“He left in a rush without saying why. He can be so temperamental. It bugs me that he wants to date me, but he knows I’m seeing you already. He’s jealous of you and he doesn’t even know you.”
Kevin shrugged. “It’s okay, Kibum. Let’s go meet our dads for supper and tell them our news.”
Kibum smiled, taking Kevin’s hand and pulling him to stand. “I think they’ll be happy to know that you and I fell for each other.”
As they joined Mr. Woo and Mr. Kim for supper, they shared the news of them liking each other. They laughed at their dads’ identical looks of shock on their faces. They explained that they were certain of their feelings for each other and wanted to go along with the marriage at the end of the next year. They were certain that they would still feel the same after years and that it was a good idea for them to marry.
“Well, this is fantastic! We’ll start the preparations after the first of the year,” Mr. Kim said, smiling. They finished their meal with talk of the wedding, making both Kibum and Kevin smile nervously. They were to be officially engaged after the first of the new year as well as have it announced in the papers.
The supper meeting came to a close and Kibum left with his dad, leaving Kevin and his dad to talk. Kevin noticed that Kibum’s phone was laying on the seat next to him and he quickly slipped it into his pocket. He’d give it back to Kibum tomorrow. He smiled as his dad dropped him off in front of Soohyun’s dorm room. He said goodnight and headed to talk to his friend.
“Soohyun!” Kevin squealed, throwing open the door and hurrying inside. Kiseop looked up from his place on his bed and nodded toward the bathroom. “Soohyun, I have something to tell you!”
Soohyun exited the small bathroom, a towel on his head and his pajama shirt unbuttoned. “Why are you being so loud, Kevin?” Soohyun hissed, drying his hair.
“I’m getting married!”
Soohyun stopped moving, his mind going blank before the words registered properly. “You’re…getting…married…?” When Kevin nodded, Soohyun smiled. “That’s great! You actually fell for the man your dad set you up with?”
“I did! He’s perfect in every way. He and I met a few months ago, but it seems like destiny. It’s as if we were born just for each other.”
“That’s called being soul mates,” Kiseop interrupted before Kevin threw one of Soohyun’s bed pillows at him.
“I know, but I’m in love.” Kevin sat down, remembering Kibum’s phone in his pocket. “Ah! This is his phone. Doesn’t he have great taste in electronics?” Kevin pulled out the black mobile phone, smiling fondly at it. “This is the koala charm I gave him for his birthday present.”
Soohyun felt his heart stop, the image of Kibum fastening that very charm to that exact phone flashing in his mind. “That phone…” Soohyun balled the towel up and threw it on the floor. He snatched the phone from Kevin, his anger boiling up. “Where the hell did you get this phone?!”
Kevin looked startled, sitting back from his friend. “It belongs to my fiancé. Now give it back.” He held out his hand, waiting for Soohyun to give the device back to him. Instead, Soohyun just went to the door and slipped on his shoes, throwing the door open and running out. Kevin followed him, leaving a confused Kiseop behind in the room. “Soohyun, what are you doing?”
Soohyun ran toward the place where he knew Kibum would be. It was the place he always found the other. At that tree in the park, reading a book, even at the late hour. He stopped, trying to regain his breath as he spotted Kibum. He walked over, stopping in front of him as Kevin ran up, stopping in shock behind Soohyun.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Soohyun demanded of Kibum. The younger looked up at his words, utterly confused. “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating my best friend?”
Kibum stood, not noticing Kevin standing behind Soohyun. “What are you talking about? How am I dating your best friend?” Kibum asked, closing his book.
“My friend, Kevin Woo, just came to me and pulled this out of his pocket saying that it belonged to his fiancé.” Soohyun held up the phone that he had bought Kibum just yesterday. “I gave this phone to you yesterday and it turns up in my best friend’s hands. You never told me you were seeing my best friend!”
“Soohyun, Kibum is…?” Kevin started, gaining both men’s attention. “You were the one he was always talking about? The one who liked him, but since he liked me, he never…”
Kibum frowned. “I had no clue that the two of you knew each other.”
As the ceremony came to a close, I left their presence. I needed to compose myself before facing them again. I headed outside of the chapel, going to the park where it all ended for me. It was that night that I realized I had no chance. I can’t help but laugh at it now. I never put the clues together, never realized that it was the two of you who spoke so fondly of the other. My best friend and the one I loved were in love with each other and I never once noticed it. Before that night, December thirtieth, the three of us had never met in the same place. It took me nearly a year, but I was finally able to let go of my feelings for him. Kevin and Kibum approached me, both wearing uncertain expressions. I smiled at them before taking Kevin aside to speak with him alone.
“Kevin,” I began, my voice not betraying me for once. “Congratulations on marrying the man of your dreams. I genuinely mean that, too.”
Kevin gave me one of his warmest smiles before he hugged me. “Thanks, Soohyun. You don’t know how much that means to me,” he replied. Happy tears were slowly running down his face and I quickly wiped them away.
“Don’t cry, Kevin. You can’t cry on your wedding day.” I smiled at him before nodding toward Kibum. “Go, be with your husband. I’ll meet you both at the reception hall in two hours.” Kevin nodded before hurrying over to Kibum. It surprised me when Kibum smiled at him before walking over to me.
“You don’t know how much it means to Kevin and I that you’re our best man,” Kibum told me. I smiled as best I could at those words. How much simple words could hurt shocked me.
“I was glad to do it. I am, after all, your guys’ best friend. I have been for a long time now. Go on, Kibum. Kevin’s waiting for you.”
Kibum shook my hand before he smiled at me again. “Thank you, Soohyun, for being here to wish us happiness and for being one of the most important people in our lives.”
I nodded and smiled, not being able to talk around the lump forming in my throat. He turned, his hand sliding from mine as he went back to Kevin. It had always been that way. Him leaving my side to stand at Kevin’s. I waited until they climbed into their car and drove away before I turned and leaned against the tree. I finally let all of my tears from the past year spill over, and with them, I poured out any remaining love I had for him. I faintly heard Mr. Woo and Mr. Kim approach me. They stood behind me and I could hear the sorrowful smiles in their voices as they spoke to me.
“Thank you, Shin Soohyun, for allowing our sons to marry despite your feelings for Kibum,” Mr. Kim said. I nodded and slowly turned to face them, smiling through my tears.
“Who am I to stand in the way of destiny? Kevin’s been my best friend since he first moved here and I’ll get over Kibum soon enough. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet the person I’m supposed to be with for the rest of my life and I’ll get married, too.”
“Maybe you already have,” I heard a familiar voice call to me. I turned, my eyes widening at seeing my roommate standing there dressed in a brown suede suit with a white dress shirt. I smiled, finally remembering all of the times he had spent by my side throughout this painful year. He didn’t have to, but he did so because he loves me.
“I know I have,” I told him, holding my hand out for his. He shyly took my hand and I intertwined our fingers. I know now that my loving Kibum was only to lead me to finding out that Kiseop was always by my side. He was the one I was born for, not Kibum. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before I smiled again. “What do you think, Kiseop? Shall we use the next three months to see if we’re right for each other?”