Sunlight spills gently into the bridal suite, warm and golden, the kind that makes everything look softer—like the world itself is blessing the day. Ren stands in front of the mirror, fingers trembling slightly as he fixes the final button on his suit jacket. It's a pale cream color, smooth and perfectly tailored, giving him a glow that makes even the wedding stylist quietly say, "You look like someone in a dream."
Ren doesn't feel nervous—at least not in the panicky way one would expect. His chest feels warm instead, full and heavy with joy that he's barely holding together. He can't stop smiling. Every time he thinks of Kai waiting for him somewhere else in the venue, his eyes sting just a little.
Behind him, the room bustles softly: footsteps, whispers, the rustle of fabric, the faint click of a camera. But it all blends into a soft background hum. The only thing Ren truly hears is his own heartbeat.
A gentle knock comes at the door.
"Ren? They're asking if you're almost ready," Yua, one of their closest friends, peeks inside. Her eyes soften instantly. "You look breathtaking."
Ren laughs shyly and presses a hand to his cheek, feeling the warmth there. "I'm ready. I just… want to breathe for a second."
"Take all the time you need," she says, stepping inside to help adjust a loose strand of his hair. "Kai's already crying, by the way."
Ren freezes. "…He is?!"
"Oh, completely. I saw him trying to hide it, but his eyes are all red." She smiles. "He's been waiting for this day."
Ren's heart melts like sugar in tea.
And somewhere across the venue—a peaceful garden full of flowers that Ren had picked one by one from a catalog—Kai stands in front of a mirror too. His suit is deep navy, sharp and elegant, with a silver tie clip that Ren gave him two months ago during a date. He keeps touching it, as if it's grounding him.
Jisoo, his best man, claps a hand on his shoulder. "Dude, breathe."
Kai laughs breathlessly. "I am. I just… I can't believe this is really happening."
"You've been planning it for months," Jisoo grins. "Believe it."
Kai looks at his reflection one last time. He's not the composed CEO he's known as in the office. Not the intimidating boss with sharp eyes and a stricter schedule than a machine. Today, he's just a man deeply in love, soft around the edges, holding back tears every five minutes.
"Let's go," Jisoo says gently.
And the ceremony begins.
THE WALK DOWN THE AISLE
The music starts—soft, orchestral, something that feels like floating.
Guests rise to their feet.
The doors open.
Ren steps into the garden walkway, and suddenly the world shifts into perfect clarity. The archway at the end is wrapped in white roses and baby's breath. Lanterns hang from low tree branches, glowing faintly in the afternoon light. The aisle is lined with petals that look like someone sprinkled a path of gentle snow.
But Ren sees none of it.
Because Kai is standing at the end, hands clasped, breath gone, looking at Ren as if he's witnessing the universe form in real time.
Everyone else disappears.
Kai's chest rises sharply—one, quick inhale. Then everything in him softens. His eyes turn glassy, wet, and he presses a hand to his mouth as if he might collapse under the weight of how much he loves this man walking toward him.
Ren, already teary-eyed, bites his lip to keep from crying too early. But the closer he gets, the harder it becomes to hold anything in.
When they finally stand face to face, they aren't able to speak. They only breathe each other in quietly, trembling in the same rhythm.
"You look…" Kai whispers, voice breaking. "…like everything I ever wanted."
Ren laughs, choked and teary. "Don't say things like that or I'll start sobbing."
"You already are," Kai murmurs.
They join hands.
The officiant begins speaking, words that feel distant and yet deeply grounding—about love, trust, partnership, the strength they built together. Ren squeezes Kai's hand every time he hears something that reminds him of the journey they took.
Kai keeps wiping his eyes in the most subtle way he can manage, but it's still obvious.
THE VOWS
Ren goes first.
His voice shakes, but not from fear. From emotion.
"When I first met you," he begins softly, "I thought you were too sharp for me. Too distant. I thought I'd spend my life trying to understand you. But all along, you were the one who saw me first. You saw when I was tired, when I was overwhelmed, when I was scared. And you always reached for me even when you didn't know why."
Kai swallows hard.
"You make me feel like I'm safe. Like there's always a place where I belong, and it's always next to you. I want to spend my life giving that same feeling back to you. Every day. Always."
He wipes his cheek quickly.
"I love you more than I can say," Ren finishes. "But I'm going to spend forever showing you instead."
Kai takes a shaky breath and begins his own.
"I never understood softness before I met you," he says quietly. "I didn't understand how someone could make the world feel lighter just by being in it. I didn't understand this… warmth."
His thumb brushes Ren's knuckles.
"You are my favorite part of every day. You're the last thing I think about before I sleep, and the first thing I look for when I wake up. You taught me how to love in ways I didn't know I was capable of."
He clears his throat, trying not to cry again.
"I promise to take care of your heart like it's the most precious thing I own. Because it is."
Ren sniffles hard.
"So please," Kai finishes with a breathless laugh, "let me spend my whole life proving how much I adore you."
"By the power vested in me—"
Ren and Kai lean in before the officiant even finishes.
The whole crowd bursts into laughter, cheers, applause.
Kai pulls Ren close, arms around his waist, lifting him slightly as they kiss like they're sealing a promise written into the stars.
Ren kisses back with both hands cupping Kai's cheeks, smiling through their tears.
They break apart only to kiss again, softer, gentler—like a whisper. Like a thank you.
Like home.
THE AFTERNOON CELEBRATION
The reception hall is glowing with golden fairy lights, gentle music, and a soft breeze filtering through open windows. Tables are covered with cream cloth and glass centerpieces filled with floating candles and petals.
Ren and Kai walk in hand-in-hand as married husbands, and the entire room erupts with cheers.
Kai leans close. "Your hands are shaking."
"So are yours," Ren whispers back, laughing.
They begin making rounds to thank guests, but they keep looking at each other every few minutes as if checking that this is real.
The speeches are heartfelt. Some embarrassing. Some funny. Some tearful.
Ren laughs until his stomach hurts when someone mentions how Kai used to pretend he wasn't staring at Ren during meetings.
Kai turns red.
The first dance comes next.
The lights dim.
The music softens.
Kai holds Ren gently, swaying with him in slow circles. Ren leans his head on Kai's shoulder, eyes closed, living in that moment like it's the only one that matters.
"I could stay like this forever," Ren whispers.
"Then we will," Kai replies, kissing his forehead.
As the sun sets, the outdoor lanterns cast warm halos of light across the garden. People dance, laugh, take photos, eat too much cake. Everything feels soft and glowing.
Ren and Kai sneak away for a moment, stepping outside to where the night air is cool and quiet.
They hold hands.
They breathe together.
Kai kisses Ren gently, slow and tender, like a promise spoken without words.
"Married," Ren whispers, smiling.
"Married," Kai repeats, brushing their noses together. "And I'm never letting you go."
Ren laughs and buries himself into Kai's chest, arms wrapped tight around him.
They stay there as fireworks begin to bloom above the venue—tiny, sparkling bursts painting the sky. Guests cheer; some scream in surprise. Ren looks up, eyes wide with wonder.
Kai watches Ren instead.
The glow of the fireworks reflects in Ren's eyes.
Kai thinks, This is it. This is everything.
Ren leans close and whispers, "Thank you… for choosing me."
Kai smiles softly, holding him even tighter.
"I didn't choose you," he murmurs. "My heart did that all on its own."