It was a sunny day, the ambience boasting of glamour, the theme fitting the surrounding scenery. Elric's mother and dad Robin had finally settled on an outdoor wedding and Stan couldn't help but agree. For him, it fitted perfectly with his original plan which had been a beach wedding.
"Doesn't Yeon look stunning? The white suit fits him well." Yeon's mother whispered excitedly, sitting at the front row and watched as both Stan and Yeon exchanged vows.
"I'm more immersed in the décor here. The flowers are beautiful and the guests Elric's mother chose are not the type you'd meet on a normal day. They make me nervous that I wish Stan's parents sat with us on this side."
"Don't pay so much heed to them. I know on our side of the family there aren't much people, but we do have the right people with us here. To think Niel's grandparents came too. What a meaningful ceremony this event has become. I'd say everything has exceeded my expectations."
The scenery was no doubt evoking glamour and sophistication just as Elric's mother had envisioned and she did go all out with her idea of what an elegant wedding she'd envisioned Elric's to be. From sparkling strands of crystals infused into the linen on the tables to a chandelier that hung at the entrance of a canopy which was used as an entry point for all guests.
Stan's idea of his wedding had been scribbled down to fit a romantic theme depicting a lovers event since he'd wished for an enchanted inspired theme filled with scented candles, exquisite floral décor to set the mood for couples, not just him and Yeon but to inspire love to other fateds and pairs included; lights dazzling so bright to make one want to fall in love all over again. He wanted the environment to be breathtakingly dazzling and elegant.
Dad Robin on the other hand wished for a traditional setting but at the same time wanted to incorporate Stan's fairy tale themed atmosphere therefore, he championed on sophistication and little details left out. Rather than candles, he paid more attention on aesthetic refinement.
Since he was in charge of catering, the cutleries were all matching to fit the outdoor look, the linen on the tables infused with crystals at the edges complimented the milky shade of the fine china. The floral concept at the reception and those at the ceremony fitted and matched the grooms dress-code including those chosen by both sides of the family, Stan's side choosing black while Yeon's side of the family went for white.
The mood had been set alright, one boasting of extravagance and glamour at an equilibrium.
Elric and Niel had been the ones to initiate the wedding procession, each of them holding Luca and Lusha by the hand, a tiny basket of white roses for the twins to grab onto and throw in the air to fall the carpeted grass. They waddle walked and appeared ecstatic at being included as part of the wedding procession, their giggles piercing the silent crowd that was backed by soft music playing in the background from Stan's playlist. It was a sight to behold for everyone applauded them for their dedicated effort however, after a few steps, there were no more petals to be flaunted. Luckily, dad Robin had foreseen this occurrence, preparing Haesol as back up with another basket full of the same rose petals. Her appearance had everyone clapping their hands, Hajin walking right behind her after she'd refused to hold hands then grabbed her basket from her father's hand.
The three toddlers were dressed in cream satin dresses except for Luca who wore a rather smaller sized suit to match his parents. However, upon seeing Haesol and Lusha wearing a flowery tiara, he too had wanted one of his own and just like a prince, he got his flowery crown.
Afterwards, Stan and his dads followed in the procession, Stan's parents wearing matching black suits with a black bowtie while Stan went for a golden tie. Yeon appeared minutes later walking with his parents on each side, his dad wearing the same white suit as Yeon's except for the black bowtie as opposed to Yeon's golden one to match the buttons on it and his fated's look. Yeon's mom wore a fitting dress similar to Elric's mother's, her subtle golden jewelry matching her son's however, Elric's mother didn't hold back on accessorizing. She had wanted to make a statement to her invitees and she delivered it well.
The day progressed on like a beautiful dream, everyone's expectations met including Mijin, who'd sat back at the furthest row on her brother's side of the family, snapping a few pictures here and there but hardly mingling with anyone.
Upon the completion of the ceremony, the festivities began, Elric's mother taking the opportunity to introduce Stan and Yeon to dignitaries including her in-laws. Yeon felt overwhelmed from time to time and often times, Stan would squeeze his hand in assurance thereby making the endurance bearable. "I now understand why Elric would rather live with your parents than his father's relatives. How long do I have to keep smiling? "
"Let's just hang in there. After this, we have more introductions then speeches and afterwards, we'll get to have a break before the first dance."
"I know and understand Elric's mother's excitement, but isn't this all for show? I can hear their loud whispers of how bright my eyes are... I should have wore contacts today."
"You two look great together." A group of seeming sophisticated ladies and a few gents complemented both Stan and Yeon. "How beautiful your eyes must be to switch at pleasure. Is it a hidden gift?"
"It is a rare gift my little brother has." Mijin appeared from behind the crowd. "Isn't that why you fell in love with him Stan?"
"You're right." Stan acknowledged Mijin with a nod, relieved to have her jumping at their rescue. "Whenever I look at Yeon, the rest of the world becomes a blur."
The crowd roared in admiration, each and everyone wishing both Yeon and Stan well however by the time they had dispersed, there was no sight of Mijin anywhere.
"I couldn't wait for this day to officiate us." Stan whispered to his fated once they'd sat down upon completing an exhausting photo session. "I may look calm but I'm tremendously nervous. Finally, another journey in our lives, an opportunity for you and I to make newer memories."
"Is that why you forgot your vows in front of more than a hundred people?"
Stan's face flustered in embarrassment. "i cant believe my anxiety chose to kick in at the wrong time. My dads and uncle are going to laugh at me for the rest of my life."
"Good thing you remembered your proposal poem."
"Well, my poem had more words than your vow to me." Stan pouted. "How is that even possible to have such a subtle lover's promise? 'I vow to be patient and trustworthy, take care of you and support you, loving you everyday. Thank you for agreeing to marry me.'"
"You remember it word for word?"
"They are engraved in my heart like a lover's eternal promise."
"Yet you forgot a vow you'd practiced for months, or even years."
"Your tantalizing look had me confused and shaken, not to mention today is so surreal for me. I've held back for a week and right now, I'm dying to pounce on you right here."
Yeon's laughter had those close to them looking in his direction as they cheered on, clapping their hands with merriment. The mood had Stan easing up to the atmosphere and relaxed a little. It was funny to him how he'd been the one calmer before yet here was Yeon, looking full of life and going with the flow. The entire week to their wedding during one rehearsal after another, Yeon being the most nervous thinking something might go wrong however today, the tables were reversed.
In that time, they weren't allowed to interact nor see each other after reharsing. Yeon had moved back to stay with his parents and Stan did the same, something neither of them wanted to get used to but at the moment, it was clear to Stan who his major distraction had been for Yeon's hair was flipped back to reveal his forehead. His skin glowing even more than before, his smile radiant, his facial expression beaming. Yeon had blended into the ceremony long ago for he was clapping on to the merriment that was happening in front of him.
In that moment, Stan's residual anxiety washed away for nothing else mattered to him. He felt relieved at the same time, thankful that everything was moving smoothly and most importantly, the person beside him was finally his and his alone.
'This is my place, where I should be, beside him, with him, always and forever.'
"Yeon."
"Hmm." Yeon responded absentmindedly, his attention focused on his dad who was pouring himself another glass of wine.
"Thank you for today."
"I think we are both thankful for everyone who made this day possible..."
"Your first look..." Stan cut in, his eyes heavy with longing. "It was mesmerizing, to see you for the first time after a week of being apart from each other and I know what you are going to say or think, that we met during rehearsals. To me, it was torturous whenever we parted for I'd feel incredibly emotional. I had to call my uncle from time to time to calm my nerves, lest I find myself driving at your parent's doorstep. I heavily relied on the residual scent found in the clothes you'd left behind, the pictures we took together and those I'd taken without your knowledge, but it was never enough. I wanted time to move fast, the week to speed up until my torture became the main subject of my dads constant ridicule. However, looking back now, it feels worth it, almost like a beautiful torture, an endurance test of my love for you, and today I get rewarded for exercising patience."
"Stan..." Yeon whispered, his hand on Stan's chest as he gently pushed him away. "You're too close...and they are calling for us to open the floor."
"We know you love him but we want to dance and we can't do that without you two lovebirds initiating the first dance!" Said Yeon's dad over a microphone.
Stan's eyes didn't waiver at all from his fated. "Your dad seems a little tipsy."
"I'm afraid so."
"I've been practicing too, working on my tolerance so tonight, I'm going to take you through all that I've been thinking of while you were away, all the details of my fantacies, every single intense thought but for now, the world must know that you are mine.
Let's dance."