Chapter 119 (1/1)

It came time for Minghao's wedding.  It was more of a Western-style wedding.  The groom wore black while the bride wore white.  The other guests are wearing different colors.  The house and property were booming again with lots of people from all over their lives. Jeonghan had to invite Leeteuk and Suho again, there was no getting past that.  "Okay, Guys, you must try out Mingyu's food."  He led the two to the buffet table. "Oh? Peppered steak?"  Leeteuk asked as he looked at the food. Jeonghan looked at it.  "No, that's what Seonghwa made."  He said.  "It tastes really good, but you must have this."  He smirked as he put the noodles in a bowl. Suho was the one who accepted the noodles.  "The noodles don't look too wet,"  He commented before he put the noodles in his mouth.  After three seconds, Suho was crying.  "Ahh!  It's so hot!!"  He fanned his tongue. Jeonghan laughed.  "Mingyu made that one for people like Jun."  He winked. Leeteuk shook his head.  "Still teasing poor Suho.."  He held his forehead.  "So?  Tell me, when is Jae and Joshua's wedding?  Hm?"  He nudged Jeonghan as Suho ran away to find something to put out the fire. Jeonghan shrugged as he took a bite of the steak.  "I have no idea,"  He said, "Jaemin's busy in Seoul, so I doubt any time soon."  He continued as he hummed at the flavor. Leeteuk hummed and looked down at the food.  "Makes me wonder why they're even engaged."  He muttered. Jeonghan swallowed the food.  "I think it was to assure Josh that he was committed.. but at this point, I don't know either."  He replied.

Jaemin looked down at the grass as he walked away from the buffet table.  He walked back to Joshua and the older looked at him with a raised eyebrow.  "Didn't you say you wanted to try some of Seonghwa's food?  You came back empty handed."  He chuckled. Jaemin shrugged and looked down at his shiny shoes.  "I'm not really too hungry, actually."  He lied.  "I'm going to go see how he construction's going."  He once again left Joshua.

Joshua watched the man dressed in black go around the house.  He looked at the buffet table and saw Jeonghan talking with Leeteuk.  He walked up to the two. "Hey, what's up?"  Joshua asked, looking around the table. Jeonghan put his cup down.  "Just hearing all the latest gossip,"  He answered, "I didn't know Daesung was Sunghyun's ex husband, I would have thought he would make Shownu a little bit nicer."  He shook his head. "Oh but you know, he changed after high school."  Leeteuk said.  "He was so sweet until he met Sunghyun, ugh."  He drank from his cup. Joshua had no idea who these people were.  He stared at them lostly for a few seconds.  "So.. Seungkwan asked me if it was okay if Seonghwa stayed over.  What should I tell him?"  He asked, playing with his sleeves nervously. Jeonghan hummed and put his cup down once more.  "If he thinks it's wise."  He said.  "I know that nothing has to happen over night, but.. You know how young people are."  He teased. "Hormonal animals that want to feast on each other?"  Leeteuk joked.  "Just make sure Seungkwan's ready for that possibility."  He gave his opinion. "Sungjae and DK have somehow mastered the ability to just cuddle in bed."  Jeonghan commented with a light laugh. Joshua smirked.  "Tell me about it, even Dino and Renjun have gotten closer."  He shook his head. "What?"  Jeonghan narrowed his eyes.  Joshua widened his eyes.  "I-I mean..I don't know for sure."  He scratched his neck. Jeonghan folded his arms with a little sigh.  "My baby.."  He muttered. "Ayy, even my baby Kyuhyun isn't the purest."  Leeteuk poked Jeonghan.  "And don't even get me started on Suho's boy, Sehun."  He laughed. Joshua pursed his lips and looked the other way.  "Anyway.. I'll.. tell Seungkwan.."  He bowed before leaving the two.

Vernon sat up straight when Jaemin came around the corner.  He had a can in his hand while sitting on the second porch with Dongwoo.  "What's up?"  Vernon asked as he lifted his soda can. Jaemin shrugged.  "Can I sit here with you guys for a little while?"  He asked. Vernon moved the case of sodas for ther to be a spot.  "Sure, something on your mind?"  He asked, taking a soda out and offering it to Jaemin. Jaemin accepted the beverage and snapped it open.  "I'm just not too wild when it comes to weddings,"  He said, thumbing the rim of the can. Dongwoo raised an eyebrow.  "Why's that?"  He asked. "I don't know.. Maybe there's a little jealousy in it, or maybe I just get annoyed.." Jaemin sighed and looked down at the grass. "Annoyed?"  Vernon asked. Jaemin nodded and took a swig of the soda.  "I'm constantly reminded that I'm not giving Josh enough.  I see the campus couples and all they're doing is flaunting their love every which way and all I'm doing is texting small talk to Josh once a night."  He said, putting the soda down. Vernon put a hand on Jaemin's back.  "Hey.. No one says you have to love on each other all day.  Not even my parents do that."  He said. "I know, but it's just.."  He sighed.  "Maybe I should just.. drop out and move back here.  Live in the backyard so that my aunt doesn't have to see me."  He put his knees to his chest and pouted his lips. Vernon scratched his neck.  "Dropouts are for those who don't know what they're doing with their lives,"  He started, "I dropped out because I didn't find any degree appealing to me.  I didn't know what I wanted to do because I wasn't good at anything."  He explained his situation. "But you know?  I kinda like constructing."  He smiled.  "You know what you want to do with your life and you're halfway done achieving that goal.  Joshua understands that you can't make all the time in the world for him, it's a sacrifice you two made together."  He continued, rubbing small circles on Jaemin's shoulder. Jaemin relaxed his legs and closed his eyes.  "What if I'm the one that's suffering?"  Jaemin muttered.  "Every day, I see his picture on my phone and I wish I could hold him.  I wish I could have made him smile."  He said closing his eyes. Vernon sighed.  "Well I know Josh wouldn't be happy with himself if he was the reason you dropped out."  He shared his thoughts.  "I know.."  Jaemin sighed.  "The drop out period passed last week.. So I'm not dropping out."  He gave up on the thought.  "It's just been on my mind lately, that's all."  He said. Vernon nodded.  "Maybe you should share your thoughts with Joshua.  He might give you better advice than I could give."  He suggested. "I don't want to worry him.. He's already got enough on his plate."  Jaemin picked up the soda and drank it all down. Vernon hummed.  Jaemin stood up and bowed to the younger before the parent next to Vernon.  "I need something stronger than soda.."  He rubbed his eyes. "Be careful."  Dongwoo said, watching Jaemin step off of the porch. Jaemin nodded and went inside.  He walked through the unfurnished expansion to the hallway where the rooms are on the bottom floor.  He then went to the kitchen where he saw Dino and Renjun working on a cake. "Hey, Jae."  Dino waved.  "What brings you to the kitchen?"  He asked. "Do your parents have any.."  Jaemin looked away.  "Nevermind, I just need some coffee."  He scratched his forehead. Dino pressed his lips into a line as he looked at Renjun.  "You're going to have to make more, I think Wonwoo took the last cup."  Renjun said. Jaemin looked at the empty pot.  "Easy enough."  He said, taking the grounds from the pantry and filling the filter up with three scoops. "Woah, someone's begging for a heart attack."  Renjun commented as he watched Jaemin reach for a fourth scoop. "Yeah, what of it?"  Jaemin asked, pouring the water into the machine.  Dino widened his eyes and looked at Renjun.  "Stop replying."  He whispered. The younger looked at Dino's serious eyes and nodded.  "So then Minghao asked if we could make the spiral frosting pink and blue on the borders of the tiers."  Dino said. "I really like these colors,"  Renjun said, "they remind me of cotton candy."  He had a cute smile while filling the frosting container "Oh, I like cotton candy."  Dino said as he filled the other tube. Renjun looked at Jaemin who was watching the coffee.  "Jae-hyung?  Do you like cotton candy?" He asked with soft eyes. Jaemin looked at the younger and noticed his playful smile.  "It's fine, why?"  He asked, tapping his foot while waiting for the coffee. "I just.. Maybe next week you come, we could eat some sweets together?"  Renjun suggested, putting his eyebrows up. Jaemin shrugged.  "I don't see why you can't just eat with Dino and Jisung, you seem to always want to do that."  He said, picking up the coffee pot. Renjun pouted and looked down at the counter.  "I see.. I'm sorry, Jaemin-hyung."  He bowed his head as he closed the can of frosting. Dino looked from Renjun to Jaemin silently.  "Let's frost the cake, Renjun."  He  instructed. Jaemin sighed and walked up to the Chinese boy.  "I'm sorry for snapping at you,"  He stopped the boy from picking up the tube of frosting.  "We should eat together next week, my treat."  He said, looking into the boy's innocent eyes. Renjun simply nodded, not wanting to argue or press the older for information.  His big eyes sparkled in worry and fright, looking at the older nervously. Jaemin looked down at the floor before walking to the mug of coffee he poured.

Sungjae spins his drink a little as he walks up to Seokmin.  He casually put an arm around the dove and smiled.  "How is it that my dove always shines so bright?"  He asked, leaning close to Seokmin. Seokmin blushed and looked down.  "I'm not that bright.."  He smiled. "You kidding?  I could fry eggs with your bright beauty~"  Sungjae cooed, leaning forward to kiss Seokmin's cheek. Woozi shuddered a little.  "Your flirting is so cheesy.  How can you like that garbage?"  He asked, folding his arms and looking at the crow-dove duo. "Maybe because he's saying it."  Seokmin shrugged.  "I don't think I would like it if it was Yeosang talking."  He looked at the crow beside Woozi. Yeosang laughed.  "I wouldn't say such useless things."  He said, putting an arm around Woozi.  "I don't need to woo Woozi to let him know I want him all to myself."  He looked at the shorter, smirking when Woozi looked at him. Sungjae rolled his eyes.  "Let us have our fun, Brats."  He teased. "I'm just saying, the things you keep saying to Dokyeom are pretty lame."  Woozi said as he looked at the other with a disgusted face. Seokmin huffed.  "Our preferences are different."  He stated.  "I'm not interested in sex all day."  He looked at the older with sass in his stance. "We're not always thinking about that,"  Yeosang defended them, "there are times I think about food.. And work."  He said with raised eyebrows. Sungjae hummed.  "Speaking of which, let's go eat."  He gave a playful smile.  "Oh yeah, I'm starving."  Seokmin agreed, walking away with Sungjae.

Woozi sighed and looked down.  Yeosang noticed the older's smile.  "What's up?"  He asked, holding Woozi's hand. "Believe it or not, but I'm actually pretty happy right now."  Woozi smiled as he looked up at them. Yeosang sat down on a folding chair, watching Woozi sit down too.  "Can I ask what's making you so happy?"  He asked with a small smile. "First of all, DK is so happy with Sungjae being in town and making time for him."  Woozi started.  "Although some bad things happened to make them be close, they're in love and I know Sungjae will take care of him."  He let Yeosang play with his fingers. Yeosang hummed and looked down.  "I like it when Dokyeom smiles too.."  He muttered. "Next thing is that Minghao finally knows what it's like to be in love, and I'm happy for him."  Woozi's smile was getting brighter.  "And Hoshi's happy with Jisoo, Nana's moving in, and.. We're still together."  He looked at the crow. Yeosang smiled sadly.  "Not for much longer.."  He muttered. "We'll always be together, alive or not."  Woozi smiled.  "You're my crow, remember?  I'm yours and no one else's."  He smirked, leaning in to kiss Yeosang. Yeosang smirked.  "I'd be careful what you say, we don't want all of our guests seeing us get animalistic, do you?"  He warned. Woozi shrugged.  "I guess not.. But I'll make it so that the guests hear us tonight."  He winked. "Seonghwa's definitely not going to want to come back here."  Yeosang commented, looking at the male before looking around. Woozi watched as the younger hooked his hand around Woozi's thigh.  He gently rubbed the thigh and leaned his head on Woozi's shoulder.  The shorter smiled, not numb to the fact Yeosang's pinkie finger might be accidentally brushing over a little something else.

Meanwhile, Minghao breathes in and out before looking at Seungcheol.  "Something bothering you?"  Seungcheol asked, playing with the umbrella that came with his juice. "I'm just.."  Minghao scratched his neck. "Nervous?"  Seungcheol asked, getting a nod.  "You know, it really surprised me to know that you two were engaged suddenly."  He started, earning Minghao's attention. He cleared his throat.  "It surprised me too.. I was always so.. in my little shell when it came to romance."  He sighed, feeling his sleeves. Seungcheol hummed.  "It surprised me as much as Wonwoo telling me he and Nana were pregnant."  He looked at the orange color of his juice.  "But the way he handled it made me know he was capable of handling things."  He smiled a little. "Tzuyu has always been the bold one between us,"  Minghao said, "when she proposed to me, all I could think about was everyone's reactions and this day.  I envisioned us all gathering happily again, and I really liked it.  And I'm really enjoying the day."  He smiled at his parent. Seungcheol put his glass down and put his arm around the Chinese male.  "Then there's nothing to be nervous about."  He insisted.  "Though I must say, your relationship developed rather quickly."  He chuckled. Minghao blushed.  "I took Jaemin's advice and saw our time together as fun rather than trying to force myself to open up to someone."  He stated, looking at the bride in the photo.  "And when she proposed to me, I felt like this was the only opportunity I would have for this happiness."  He admitted. Seungcheol looked at the grass.  "You thought of a lot of things at that moment, huh?"  He asked. Minghao nodded.  "I thought of you guys turning her down.  I thought of the others making fun of me for taking so long.  But seeing her smile, I started thinking of so many nice things."  He closed his eyes and smiled brighter.  "I couldn't say no." Seungcheol patted his shoulder.  "And I'm glad you didn't, you two will have a great future together.  I just feel it."  He said in a proud tone.  "And Jeonghan seems to like her too, so that's a plus, am I right?"  He nudged the boy a bit. Minghao nodded with a little chuckle.  "Yes, you're right."  He agreed.  "I'm ready to start now."  He said.

However, Minghao seems to be having a good day! :D

<3