Chapter Text
“This is it. D-day. Are you excited, sweetie?”
Hoseok looks up to his sister, who holds back her tears while watching him get his makeup done.
He hasn't looked in the mirror just yet, so he hopes the makeup is going according to plan.
Hoseok's focused on the tapping on his skin and the brushing on his eyelids and the tingles on his lips. At least, that's what he tells himself. He isn't distant because he's overthinking. No, not him.
“I'm thrilled. And so nervous.” He chokes on a laugh. “Is it normal to get this nervous? I mean, what if something goes wrong?”
“Nothing's gonna go wrong,” she states matter-of-factly. “What possibly could?”
“I don't know, noona. What if I trip?”
“Then I will be right next to you to help you up.”
“But what if I drop the ring when it is my turn to put it on his finger?” The brushing on his eyes stops and he opens them wide. “What if I lose the ring? Oh lord, can you imagine ?”
“Hoseok-ah, stop! You're not going to lose the ring.” Jiwoo rolls her eyes. “But if you do, I'll look for it, too. With a magnifying glass if I have to.” She laughs, followed by Hoseok. “It will be perfect, Seokie.”
The makeup is done, and Hoseok looks at the mirror. He's stunning. He always is, but tonight is even more special. He's glowing, and it's not the shimmery eyeshadow's fault. It's happiness and expectation and everything that comes with a marriage.
He wonders how Taehyung is doing right now. He was a pile of nerves for the last week, stressing over every little silly reason he could. Hoseok's a perfectionist, but Taehyung is just too anxious, and his anticipation got the best of him these days. Hoseok hopes he's okay now. He hopes Taehyung's centered and excited and glowing as much as he is.
“Time to put on your tux,” Jiwoo says, clapping her hands excitedly.
“Do you think the color is alright? Isn't it too much?” Hoseok asks, furrowing his brows. “I should have gotten a black one right? Like a normal person would?”
“Hob-ah, please! Stop the nonsense! Your tux is stunning. You're going to look breathtakingly hot.”
“Please, don't say that.” Hoseok cringes.
“Taehyung will be so awe-struck,” she continues, ignoring him.
“And he will definitely want to strip you naked right there, in front of everyone else.”
Hoseok turns around to see two new people entering the room. The slicked-back hairs and the perfectly ironed light pink suits compose the looks of his two best men, Yoongi and Namjoon. And, of course, they match perfectly with the light pink dress of his lovely and supportive sister, Jiwoo.
Hoseok feels so much happier now that the three of them are here with him. And relaxed, too. Having the three most important people right next to him on his wedding day is everything to him. He could never express just how thankful he is that they could make it, even though they have such busy lives.
“Ew,” is what he says, turning around again. He lets the stylist undress him of his robe, not caring about being half-naked in front of them. “I hope he doesn’t. Public sex is not a kink I have.”
“Gross, Hob-ah, I’m still here!” Jiwoo exclaims.
“Blame Namjoon, then.” The shirt is on. Now, they are putting the trousers on him. “This is too light…”
“Brides get married in white, hyung,” Namjoon says with a chuckle.
“I’m not a bride, though.”
“Is Taehyung the bride?” Yoongi teases.
“There are no brides in our marriage. We’re two grooms. Why the hell are you being so heteronormative right now?” Hoseok cocks a brow as he turns around again, this time to pass his arms on the sleeves of his blazer.
“You’re radiant, Hoseok,” says Namjoon. “Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”
“I haven't yet.”
“I don't think I’ve ever seen you this happy. It's like you're experiencing pure mirth.”
Hoseok smiles. Truthfully, wholeheartedly. Because he is radiant. He is mirthful. He can’t see himself in the mirror yet, but he simply knows he is radiant. He knows he’s glowing. He knows he must be looking like the happiest person in the whole world right now, even though he’s overthinking a little bit.
Hoseok has been waiting to get married to Taehyung for seven years. Seven years of dating, seven years of falling in love every day, seven years of missing his person when they couldn't be together because of a work trip or duties in their daily lives. Seven years before finally taking the last step to tie their lives together forever, until death do they part.
He is so, so, so ecstatic. He’s overjoyed.
“You’re all set, Hoseok-ssi,” says the stylist, giving him a last tap on the shoulder to smooth the tux. “Ready to look at yourself in the mirror?”
“Like never before,” he says, and turns around.
Wow.
Just wow .
Hoseok forgets about every word he knows. All he can do is look at his reflection with his jaw dropped, turning around and around again to check every single centimeter of his body. He’s… dazzling. Marvellous. He knows now, all dressed up and with his makeup on, that this tux was the best choice ever. It’s the lightest shade of purple, or maybe it’s more like a lilac shade, actually. It fits him so well, enhancing his lines and the colors of his hair and eyes and the light, glistening red of his lips.
“You’re the most beautiful groom I’ve ever seen,” Yoongi says. Hoseok can see in the mirror that he’s smiling — they all are. “Don’t you ever tell Seokjin I said that.”
“Where is he, by the way?” Hoseok asks.
“I'm right here. Sorry I'm late,” Seokjin enters the room holding a small, simple but gorgeous bouquet with the most beautiful arrangement of anemones, sweet peas, roses, and lilacs, every one of them purple. “I was fetching this for you. I think it will go beautifully with your suit.”
“Thank you, hyung.”
“Also, you all know I have excellent hearing,” he adds casually, but holding a knowing look. “But I'll let it slide this time, because you truly are the most beautiful groom, Hob-ah.”
Hoseok's eyes start to get blurry, and it takes him a few seconds to realize it is because he's crying.
“Oh, no, no, no! Hoseokie, you'll mess up your makeup!” Jiwoo rushes towards him, grabbing some tissues on the vanity to press gently against the corner of his eyes. She taps it slowly to dry his stubborn tears. “You’re not allowed to cry until after you’ve said ‘I do’, got it?”
“Alright.” Hoseok sniffs. “It’s just all too much. I can’t believe this is happening, I’ve dreamed about this my whole life, noona.”
“I know, baby.” Jiwoo hugs him dearly.
Suddenly, there are six extra arms around them as the other three join in, hugging both of them in their long arms.
“Can't believe Hoseokie is getting married!” says Seokjin.
“Me neither.” Yoongi wipes the tears from his eyes, a smile showing through his pout.
“You're such a crybaby, sweetheart,” Seokjin teases lovingly.
“You know what? I can't believe I'm getting married either,” Hoseok admits and everybody laughs. “But I am. Finally. After seven long years. I'm ready.”
“And you should get going. It's time!” Jiwoo instructs, ushering Hoseok towards the door.
“Don't forget the bouquet!” Seokjin hands it to him. “And make sure to throw it to Namjoon. He needs to get his shit together and propose to those two.”
“Polyamory marriage is not allowed, hyung…”
“Who cares, Jonnie?” Hoseok chuckles. “The intention is what counts.”
Hoseok is sweating buckets.
He’s already in the altar, standing under the flowery archway cautiously provided and approved by Seokjin. There’s a gentle breeze blowing his way, but it doesn’t help at all with his sweating; he’s nervous, and anxious, and a little bit afraid. Every single bad situation has already crossed his mind right now, and he’s trying to talk himself out of the worst-case scenarios, but it’s challenging. Now he understands why Taehyung was a nervous wreck for the past week.
It’s an outdoorsy ceremony. They’ve rented a saloon right in front of a river, with the mountains and the moon and the stars and their reflections in the water as background. Everything has been done to resemble the beauty of nature and its simplicity. The archway is an example, for starters. The chairs for their friends and families are made of white-colored metal and the staff decorated it with vines and white, purple, blue and pink flowers. The aisle is not made with carpet, as it normally would, but with a trail of flowers scattered beautifully from the door to the altar, where Hoseok is waiting so restlessly.
Taehyung is already fifteen minutes late. Hoseok knows that it’s common for brides to be late, but this is not a groom and bride wedding. Taehyung is not wearing a white dress, and his makeup is not supposed to be as fancy as a bride’s would be. He wonders what is taking him so long.
This is the fifteenth time Hoseok adjusts his tie. Then, he clears his throat for the millionth. Then, he looks back to Jiwoo, who accepted to be their wedding officiant after announcing she was certified to do so. Then, he looks at Seokjin.
Seokjin’s smile is calming, but even then Hoseok can’t rest his mind.
He's Taehyung's best man. One of them, at least. Hoseok doesn't understand why he's the only one already here. Where are Jimin and Jungkook? Shouldn't they be standing next to Seokjin right now, waiting with them for Taehyung's entrance?
His anxiety gets a little bit worse when he is brought back to the present by the loud creak of the door. He looks straight ahead to see Jungkook and Jimin walking rapidly down the aisle. They’re glancing quickly at the people gathered in their seats, and Jimin stiffly adjusts his suit when he finally comes to the altar. He stops next to Hoseok, placing his hand gently on his elbow while Jungkook walks past him, straight to Seokjin, Namjoon and Yoongi.
“Is everything okay?” Hoseok asks, eyes shifting from Jimin to Jungkook to his best men. “Does Taetae need more time? We can wait a bit longer.”
“Actually, hyung… could you come with me?”
“Why?” Hoseok’s alert now. He shifts in his place, pulling at his tie again. “Is there a problem?”
“What did you say?” Hoseok hears Seokjin asking, voice higher than it should be. A buzz starts taking over the crowd.
“Don’t yell, hyung, it’s already bad as it is!” Jungkook hisses.
Hoseok’s body is fully turned towards Jungkook now, and he’s threatening to take a step closer to them, but Jimin stops him by the elbow.
“Please, hyung, just come with me. I’ll tell you what happened.”
“Oh— Okay… Should I say something to— to them?” Hoseok points weakly at their friends and families, who are now watching with cocked eyebrows and crinkles in their foreheads and curiosity in their eyes.
“No, Jungkook will take care of everything. I’ll take care of you, okay?” Hoseok nods.
He follows Jimin back to the house under the anticipatory eyes of the people in there, and back upstairs where the groom’s bedrooms are.
He follows Jimin in silence, although there's a part of himself that wants to scream as loud as he can. He follows him without knowing what to expect and without a clue of what's at stake right now.
He follows Jimin to an empty room, where Taehyung's tux is thrown messily on the bed, the makeup materials are scattered on the vanity, and Taehyung is nowhere to be found.
“Ji— Jimin-ah,” Hoseok starts, stumbling in his words. “Where—?”
“Hobi-hyung, I don't even know… I swear I didn't want it to happen,” says Jimin.
There's something wrong with his voice, Hoseok notices. It's heavy.
“ What ?” Hoseok asks slowly. “What did you not want to happen?”
“I don't know what's gotten into him,” he blurts out with a low voice, looking down at his feet. Is he avoiding Hoseok’s eyes? “He told us to check if you were still in your room, and when we came back, he—”
Jimin chokes on a sob, covering his mouth with his hands. He's still not looking at Hoseok, he’s still avoiding his face, his confused eyes eagerly. And Hoseok is still not following.
“Jimin-ah, can you look at me?” asks Hoseok. He waits for the younger man to do so, wiping his tears with the heel of his hands. “Can you breathe for me?” Jimin nods. “I don't understand what happened. I can’t follow you.”
Jimin breathes, letting everything out quickly, as if he’s trying to rip a band-aid off. “Taetae left, hyung. He's gone. You're not—” Another breath. Another band-aid being ripped. “The wedding is off.”