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Jaemin stared at his reflection. He looked… good. Cladded in an off-white suit with a deep V-neck and a thin silver chain around his neck. Again, he looked presentable.
As he should be for tonight's event.
The night that will change his paper written status from Single to Married.
It's nearing 8pm, the hall must be filling up right now. The door clicked shut behind him, stealing his attention from his thoughts. Donghyuck smiled, albeit small, not his usual demeanor. “You ready?”
Jaemin is only able to offer a similar smile of his own.
“How's my future partner?”
“Clammy hands, minor heart palpitations, the usual.”
“Right on time then.”
He turned back towards the floor-length mirror, straightening his suit for the umpteenth time. “How do I look, Donghyuck-ah?”
“You want me to lie or…?”
Jaemin hissed, “Hyuck—”
“Are you sure with your choice, Jaemin-ah?”
“I don't know.”
Donghyuck chuckled. “My advice? Let's run away.”
“WHAT?!” Thank God he's not drinking anything, he's positive Donghyuck'll get spitted on.
“I know you're doing this for the family business but I also know your parents, Jaemin-ah. If you even said a word of disagreement, they'll find other ways to expand their business. You know they set you up cause my oh my, we're going to be 26 this year?”
Jaemin pouted, “Hey! My birthday's still months away.” Donghyuck gave him a look that screams ‘Is that important right now?’ “What I'm saying is… Na Jaeman, you're one of the few hopeless romantics I know and I'm not gonna stand here and let you marry a person for business as if we're in a goddamn drama.”
“Ah ah.” Jaemin closed his mouth again. “I will stop pushing this if. And that's a big IF, you tell me that you're going to make this marriage work and maybe along the way fall in love. Then I'll let my best friend go happily.”
He looked up at the clock.
He has 5 minutes.
More than getting married, he'd rather…
Donghyuck's eyes light up.
He grinned.
The strawberry custard is a… BLESSING!
“Mel! Get your ass in!”
Jaemin scoffed when he saw Mark peeking behind the door. His eyes widened when he saw what he's holding.
Donghyuck smirked, “Let's get you into your wedding gear, baby.”
Jaemin is cold.
His head is itchy, the sequins dotted around his exposed shoulder is annoying, the white gown that Donghyuck managed to sneak in (Jaemin doesn't want to know how and why) fits Jaemin like a glove. He can't feel his fingers that's clutching the length of the dress to avoid the puddles in the alley he's in. It was a feat to get him out because of the sheer size of the dress.
It's been a few minutes but there's no signs of Jisung, not even a shadow. God, he's gonna kill Donghyuck first once this is all over. He scrambled to answer the phone when he saw it was his best friend. “Where's Jisungie?!”
“He's moving out from the basement now with Chenle. Our maknae forgot where he parked his car.”
Oh God, Jaemin wants to throw up.
He made himself one with the wall. He couldn't run very far with this dress on, he's only bringing attention to himself. Oh he's so gonna kill Donghyuck after this! And maybe borrow some sweats.
“Well, he better get here fast befo— YAH!”
“Let's go, let's go!” A man in a white suit suddenly zoomed past him and grabbed his hand. And suddenly Jaemin is running for his life.
“Jaemin-ah?! Jaemin-ah, gwaenchana?!” He can hear Donghyuck's panic but he's too stunned to say anything except…
“WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU—?!”
He caught a glimpse of a mole beside the man's eye when he turned. “Just follow me! You know we can't do this!”
“Do what, man?!” Jaemin tried to snatch his hand back but the dude was relentless. He gripped Jaemin’s hand tighter and hastened them even more. Jaemin wants to cry. And now his hand hurts!
“Hey, slo–slow down! I'm hurting!”
The man finally stopped when they arrived in a quiet neighbourhood. The lights were on in some of the houses but there's also diners that's still open. How quaint. Jaemin willingly followed the stranger into one of the eateries. He almost sobbed in happiness.
They're in a grill house!
“Do you–who are you?” Jaemin’s attention snapped back to the stranger and oh.
Oh.
What. A. Fucking. Meal.
This man might be Jaemin’s new god.
His eyes were sparkly, Jaemin confirmed there's a beauty mark next to his right eye, a handsome nose, jawline that could cut Jaemin’s heart into two and red, full lips. All in all, he looks like the culmination of Jaemin’s wet dreams slash ideal man. “Hello?”
Jaemin blinked. Oh yes. This handsome specimen asked him something doesn't he?
“Yes, chief?”
Fuck.
“Who are you?”
“You're the one that dragged me away. Who are you?”
“Lee Woojin.”
Ah, Jaemin internally moans. Even his name is sexy.
“Well Woojin-ssi, I'm Taehee.”
The stranger, no, Woojin, nodded. “Nice to meet you. Look, I'm sorry. I was supposed to get away with my future wife and you're in a dress so I just– god I'm sorry. She must have been worried…” Hot guy took out his phone, possibly calling supposed future wife. Jaemin’s mood instantly soured. Why are all hot guys taken?! He wants a hot man too, urgh!
Woojin sighed, “She's not picking up. God, I'm sorry again. Can I get you a cab somewhere?”
Jaemin chuckled, “I should thank you actually.”
“Huh?” Cue puppy eyes.
Jaemin wants to gobble him.
“Coincidentally, I'm running away from my wedding as well. So you actually helped me out back there.”
Woojin smiled, shaking his head incredulously. “Anytime, partner.”
The atmosphere was quiet for a little as they both wondered what they could possibly say even more. Jaemin can feel his stomach growling from miles away. The smell of grilled meat, fried rice and banchans are making his mouth water. It doesn't help that he practically skipped his wedding so no food for him, woohoo.
“We should probably go–”
Jaemin cut him off, “Do you want to have dinner together?”
“I-sure. I'm hungry too.”
Jaemin smirked, “I wasn't feeling hungry.”
“Of course you aren't. Come, let's sit over there.” Woojin was about to walk away when he stopped short. Jaemin tilted his head curiously. “May I?” He nodded towards his dress. Jaemin’s stomach warmed. Ridiculous.
“S-sure.” Shit he did NOT stutter.
Jaemin feels eyes on him and Woojin. How can they not? This man is literally holding his dress up like a gentleman. Without being told to, mind you. His future wife would be so lucky, man.
Once they're settled, Jaemin goes wild. He practically ordered almost everything on the menu. 4 sets of Korean hanwoo, gamja jeon, 3 servings of spicy kimchi fried rice and some fishcake soup.
And just when he thought Woojin couldn't sway him even further, he went ahead with grilling the hanwoo for Jaemin, feeding him and making sure he's not choking between mouthfuls of beef and rice and tteok. He even made a ssam for Jaemin at one point. He needs this man as his husband NOW.
Their conversations went smoothly as if they're long time friends, not strangers that ran away from their wedding together.
By the end of their meal, Jaemin was grinning sleepily. Good food, even better company makes his night rather memorable. He wants to see Woojin again, he really does. Even if he's just a friend. He makes Jaemin feel… safe.
“For the newlyweds. You two are a good-looking couple. You'd chosen well, agassi.” The imo slid a mini kimbap between them. Jaemin’s cheeks bloomed. He knew this ritual. Well, not technically a ritual. Just a small trend between newlyweds who went to the grill restaurant after saying their vows.
“We don't have to do this.” Woojin spoke after noticing how quiet Taehee got, probably because she's too scared to reject him or something.
“Hm? N-no. I'm just… weighing the options in my mind. If we don't do this, will she overcharge us?” Jaemin stared at Woojin incredulously when he barked out a laugh. “Hey! My question is valid.” His bottom lip subconsciously jutted out. He looks stinkingly cute right now, pouting like a princess in her wedding dress. “In that case…” Woojin brought his seat closer to Jaemin. Jaemin feels his heart thrumming out of rhythm. Shit.
Woojin bit lightly on one end of the kimbap, letting the roll hang freely between them. He raised his brows playfully at Jaemin when he noticed she's still staring at him.
Well, here goes.
Jaemin closed his eyes and slowly, but surely, he ate the kimbap in small bites just like one does with a pepero. His breath hitched when the tip of their noses collided softly. Jaemin’s eyes snapped open in surprise. There's barely any kimbap left between them.
“Happy wedding day, princess.” Woojin crossed the distance between them and sweetly kissed the corner of Jaemin’s mouth. The action was small but the flurries in Jaemin’s stomach thought otherwise.
The amount of soju he drank tonight doesn't make him dizzy as much as Woojin's actions do.
Dangerous.
Intriguing.
He felt his cheeks grew warmer when the people around them hollered and wished them the best of marriage. It doesn't help that Woojin is chuckling softly, his eyes curved into the loveliest of crescents. Even after the intense grilling, Jaemin could still pick up his scent; fruity, roses and yet still musky. He smells like a man that you can lean on.
Jaemin wants to laugh at himself. How ironic is it to have run away from his wedding and met someone that he willingly wants to bring home to meet his family on the same night?
He's gonna throttle Donghyuck.
“Wanna head out now?” Woojin nodded. As usual, he helped with Jaemin’s dress as if it were second nature. Jaemin slid his card into Woojin's hand discretely. He wouldn't want people to judge his husband now, wouldn't he? And he's still sane enough to not let someone pay for him when he's the one vacuuming all the food earlier.
But Woojin never fails to surprise Jaemin with his actions.
He clasped Jaemin’s hand instead and swiftly waved his own card.
“Think of it as a wedding present.” He winked. With a bow to the imo, they walked out.
The nightlife winded down more as the night progressed. It's undeniably late and Jaemin should be going home. Speaking of home… He tapped his phone.
Great.
His phone is dead.
That also explains why his night was undisrupted by incessant calls and texts.
Jaemin scratched his head absentmindedly. Oh right, he has a wig on.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“Is it time for you to get home? Your parents must be worried.”
Jaemin scratched his neck sheepishly. “Well… My phone is dead so I can't book one. I'll look into some hotels here and crash there.”
“You just told me that your phone is dead,” Woojin responded sceptically. “Yeah. Here, look.” He displayed his phone innocently. “Then how are you gonna search for hotels? You're just gonna walk around aimlessly?”
Jaemin felt secondhand embarrassment for himself. Where do his brain cells go? Probably sizzled away like those grilled hanwoo…
“Should I bring you back to the place just now? Your house couldn't be too far from there right?”
“Actually, no. I think I'm crashing with my friend tonight. Can I borrow your phone, please? I'll ask him to pick us up here.”
Woojin handed him his phone, “Sure. But I'm not really sure where we are though…”
Right.
“Donghyuck-ah?”
“Jaemin?! Shit, is that you?! Where the fuck–”
“I'm fine. Actually, I'm in this neighbourhood, just done with my dinner. This is a… my friend's number.”
“Your friend? Jaemin-ah, you know how panicked we were when you suddenly vanished? I know you couldn't go fast in that gown!”
“How did you know that?”
“Cause I wore it once just for fun!”
“Did Mark-hyung run after you?”
“Yes-Na Jaemin, that's not important! Now where the fuck are you? I'm picking you up and you better stay where you are, mister!”
“I don't know where I am.”
Jaemin could feel Donghyuck's exasperation from miles away. “Can't you send me your location, genius?”
Jaemin went silent. If he gives his location now, he'll have to part ways from Woojin soon. So…
“Can you wait for me at the venue? I'll head there shortly.”
“You better. I'm gonna get some ice packs for you, your feet must be killing you now.”
Aww, his care bear in action.
“But Hyuck, did you wear these heels too?”
The line disconnected instantly.
He handed the phone back to Woojin, thanking him. “Is it okay if we walk back to the venue? My friends are waiting there.”
“Sure. Just one thing though.”
“What else?”
He jerked his head at the bench next to them. Jaemin obediently sat himself, looking up at Woojin in interest. His friend bent down on one knee. “May I?”
Jaemin's heart stuttered. That question again.
He could just offer a nod.
Woojin reached for his feet and started to unclasp the silver heels. Those monsters were killing Jaemin tonight.
“I'll hold on to them. Do you want to get on my back?”
“Woojin-ssi, you're overly nice to hmm… I would say an acquaintance. What's the catch?”
The man smiled. “Well, Taehee-ssi, I have girl friends. They whined and threw a tantrum whenever their feet hurt. I would like to believe that I'm trained to cater to ladies now.”
“Smooth talker. But you better don't be a psychotic killer. My friends know where I am!”
Woojin stuck his tongue out, “No they don't.”
“Hey!”
“Come on. Your friends are waiting.”
“Let's!”
And Woojin doesn't know this. But on the way back, Jaemin wants to tear his own hair out. For he forgot to let Woojin know his real name and maybe, possibly, he wants to meet him again.
It's been a few weeks since that night. Donghyuck was right but Jaemin would rather swim through hell than admit that. His parents did scold him but they're more worried when he suddenly went missing without a note left behind. They sat him down and drilled this one important message; his happiness is what matters to them. So if he disagrees with them, tell them. They would never force him to do something.
Na Jaemin is lucky indeed.
There's a teeny tiny problem though.
“For fuck sake, Hyuck! I can't find his socials anywhere! I tried instagram, twitter, tiktok, everything but there's no my Woojin! Is this guy living under a rock?! Is he socially inactive? My god!”
Donghyuck rolled his eyes. This is the fourth breakdown of Jaemin’s woeful life in this week alone. Since he met with what he dubbed “the love of his life”, Jaemin is a changed man.
“Dude, you realised he's straight right?”
“I wanna be his friend! He's nice to me.”
“Says the one that claimed him as a future husband.”
“You're not helping,” Jaemin flipped his jeon with more force than necessary. “He's so nice to me. Being hot is a plus. I could really use some new friends.”
“Right.” Donghyuck has never sounded drier.
A dramatic gasp.
“What now?” Jaemin turned off the stove, absentmindedly handing the filled container to Donghyuck.
“Dude, it'll be funny if he gave you a fake name too.”
Jaemin went still.
No. That can't be right?
“That can't be…” But Jaemin doesn't believe his own words.
“Well, Taehee, if you can do it, why can't him? It's not weird too cause you guys met under interesting circumstances.”
“I hate my life.”
A flick to his forehead. “Drama queen. He's not your Prince Charming. We'll get a new guy in no time. Speaking of which, do you remember Renjun?”
“Your colleague? Why?”
“He has a single distant cousin. Want me to set you up?”
“Ish, why are you setting me up with a stranger, Hyuck?” Jaemin walked petulantly out the kitchen, slamming himself ungracefully on the couch.
“It's Renjun's cousin!”
“Well I don't know Renjun!”
“He's a decent guy from what I'd heard. He almost got married to his best friend but he knew she's in love with someone else or something but basically he called off their wedding.”
“He got a warrior complex or something? What a weird guy.”
“At least he's nice. Since that's all you'd been saying about your fake husband anyway.”
“Shut up. Lee Woojin is the best.”
Donghyuck snorted out loud. “If that's even his real name.”
“Fuck you.”
“I'll pass. Thanks for the jeon, baby. I'll give you the cousin's contact later.”
“I don't want to!”
“You'll thank me, Jaemin-ah. It doesn't have to be Lee Woojin.”
Jaemin went quiet.
He really wants him to be though.
Jaemin makes a mental fist bump before he pushes the door open to Dream Palace. It's 5 minutes before the supposed date and Jaemin only has the reservation name to fantasize over the weekend leading up to this faithful day. Why don't Jaemin stalk the guy, you asked? His lovely best friend had hacked into his accounts and changed all of his passwords to prevent Jaemin from doing so.
It also doesn't help that his password is basically lunalucyluke123.
“Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to Dream Palace. May I get your name, please?”
Jaemin took out his phone, “Table for Lee… Jeno?”
“Ah right this way, sir.”
The maitre'd led him to a private room. With a deep breath, he slid the door open. Their eyes met.
“YOU!”
“YOU!”
Jaemin wants to build a statue for Donghyuck right about now.
For the man in front of him is his Woojin.
Wait.
The name that was given to him was Lee Jeno.
“Woojin?”
The man shook his head in disbelief, a small smile playing on his lips. “Well, Taehee, nice to finally meet you.”
“Same to you, Lee Jeno. Oh my god, Woojin? Who the hell is Woojin?”
“My alter ego.” He responded cheekily as he placed a plate in front of Jaemin. Ever the considerate man.
“What about you? You gave me no surname for me to find you. I couldn't possibly DM Taehee the actress, couldn't I?”
Jaemin grinned playfully, “Curious about me aren't you?”
“Of course?! Why is this guy in a wedding gown? What's his story? Did everything went okay after we parted? You owe me a lot, Jaemin.”
“You knew I was a man all along?”
“You are beautiful but give me some credit, please. I know a queer mate when I see one.”
“Well, let's take it from the top shall we? I'm Na Jaemin, nice to meet you.” He held out a hand between them. Jeno's hand grabbed his. It was soft yet grounding. “I'm Lee Jeno. I'm glad I said yes to tonight.”
“Me too, Jeno. I'm gonna have to buy my friend a present.”
He meant it.
It's true how time flies when you're having fun. Between playful banters, eating and chatting each other's ears off, Jaemin could conclude this is one of the best dates he had.
Maybe the best.
He won't get tired saying this but oh god, Jeno makes him so comfortable. Even from the first night they met. He must marry this guy.
But first he has to hold his hand. Their hands that are brushing against each other oh so innocently. If only they knew that he wants Jeno's fingers to play him like an instrument.
He's gonna slot their pinkies together.
That's safe enough right?
With a burst of self-made encouragement, Jaemin “naturally” linked his pinkie with Jeno's.
Jaemin let out a quiet breath of relief when Jeno twined them tighter.
“I had fun tonight.” Jeno spoke when they finally arrived at Jaemin’s apartment. “Me too. Thank you for giving me that last piece of souffle.”
“You looked like you needed it.”
Jaemin pinched the older-by-a-few-months man, feeling great satisfaction when he yowled in pain.
“Na Jaemin, this is only our first date and you're already beating me up.”
“Stop teasing me, then.”
“Sue me. Stop being so cute, then.”
Jaemin tried to hide his smile but failed spectacularly.
“Stop flirting with me!”
“Never.”
“Ish.”
“Alright, alright I won't do it anymore. Let's get you inside, princess. It's getting late.”
Jaemin's mood instantly soured. He wants to spend more time with Jeno.
Jeno tugged him closer, “This is not the end you know. I have your number now and I know where you live. In fact, I'm already itching to plan our next date.”
The confession simmered Jaemin’s heart.
“I have a question.”
“Shoot.”
“On what date should a first kiss happen?”
“Hmm… second?”
Jaemin grinned, “Awesome. I'm gonna kiss you now, Jeno Lee.” That's all the warning he gives before he planted a peck on Jeno's lips. “Bye, text me when you're home.” He scurried inside as if burnt.
He failed to notice the love struck expression on his ideal man. Jaemin won something big that night.
He'll know in a few months.
Epilogue
Jaemin looked at himself in the mirror. It's a little after 1 in the morning and he's exhausted. Thank God he still has a week off. He can't wait to sleep till the next dimension. But first, his skincare routine.
He was in the midst of gently massaging the serum all over his neck when his husband suddenly made a home at the crook of his neck.
“You smell so good…”
Jaemin felt goosebumps all over. The hot and cold is doing nothing to temper his nerves.
“Don't even think about it. I'm exhausted. We've been up since 3 o'clock, husband,” Jaemin warns when Jeno starts to pepper small, wet kisses on his nape and shoulder.
The other man groaned. “Why do you have to be so pretty? And it's not my fault that we slept late. Who's the one that broke into my room?”
Jaemin stuck his tongue out.
Real mature, yeah.
“Jaemin-ah.”
“Hmm?” He leaned heavier against Jeno's chest, playing with the wedding band splayed across his stomach absentmindedly.
“Thanks for not running away.”
The younger turned around.
“I would be a fool to do that. Don't you know how much I love you, Jeno Lee?”
Jeno brought him into a shy butterfly kiss. “Everyday without fail, baby.”
“Thank you for marrying me.”
“I would be a fool not to. I love you, Na Jaemin. From that very first night in the alley, I knew you were special.”
Jaemin rolled his eyes playfully, “No, you thought I was someone else.”
“Okay fine, from the time that you ordered everything off the menu. How's that?”
“Perfect.”
Jaemin couldn't help himself.
Not when Jeno is looking so soft, freshly showered. His lovable puppy indeed.
He wrapped his arms around Jeno and let their lips meet for the umpteenth time. There's no other place he'd rather be than here, truly.
Actually, the second best place is probably the bed that Jeno just threw him on to have his way with him.
He's gonna be so sore tomorrow.
He loves it.
End.