__________________________

Oh, I'm in pieces
It's tearing me up, but I know
A heart that's broke
Is a heart that's been loved

__________________________

YEOSANG

"No? What do you mean, no?" San asks, glaring at Yeosang while crossing his arms in front of his chest. The late night wind is catching his hair, revealing the dark eyes underneath, and his face illuminates in the glow from the lampposts.

"I think it's pretty self explanatory, no?" Yeosang replies with a small shrug, not going to let San's beauty affect him this time.

Although it is hard for him to look away, Yeosang has to tell himself that he shouldn't waste his time on a fuckboy like San. If he wants to achieve his hopes and dreams of finding the one, he'll have to start searching for him and not just fool around with some random, hot guy. No matter how hot he is.

"Stop saying that word!" San blurts out, clearly upset, and Yeosang finds himself fairly entertained, seeing someone like San sweat like this.

"Why is it such a big problem?" Yeosang can't hold the chuckle, which is tickling inside his throat, back any longer. His amusement only seems to infuriate San even more.

"Why is it such a big problem, for you to just say yes?" the older asks with a huff.

Yeosang blinks a few times, looking into San's eyes while wondering just why this seems to annoy him so much. Silence sneaks in between them on the sidewalk, and Yeosang isn't sure what to say next.

The entire situation really confuses him, San surely isn't used to be rejected. And although it'd be the easiest solution for Yeosang, to just bring San as his date – and show him off in front of Taeyong – it wouldn't be fair to anyone, and especially not himself.

With the wedding just around the corner as well, Yeosang wants to find someone he can see an actual future with, someone he can fall in love with.

And it is not Choi San.

"My cab is here. I'll see you?" Yeosang says, with a relieved sigh leaving his lips at the same time, as the orange cab rolls up to the side of the road.

But just as he's about to get in on the backseat, San walks over and practically shoves him through the door before getting in as well.

"No, no, hold on!" San complains, scooting his butt across the leather seat to make Yeosang move over.

"What are you doing?" Yeosang whines, as he is pushed against the opposite car door.

The cab driver looks over his shoulder at the two, with furrowed brows behind his big framed glasses, but he doesn't say anything. Yeosang sends him an apologetic smile, before giving him the address.

"Why did you just say no like that?" San continues his nagging as the cab starts driving.

"Why do you even want to go with me?

He isn't happy to admit it, but Yeosang is slowly starting to play with the idea of just bringing San as his date. Mostly to make him shut up, but it would also be the easiest solution after all, and he doesn't have much time left to find a real date. No one needs to know it's all pretend, right?

"Am I not good enough for fake-dating you, or what?"

Yeosang ignores the offended look on San's face, yanking his phone out from his pocket to carelessly scroll through his Instagram feed.

"Are you going to answer all my questions, with a question?" he then asks, with a quick glare out of the corner of his eye, before looking at his phone again.

"Are you?" San instantly huffs back.

Yeosang sighs, putting his phone away. He then turns halfway to face San, who is looking like a mad five-year old who isn't allowed to have candy before dinner, and Yeosang has to swallow the smile that keeps twitching at the corner of his lips.

"I just... I just think it's a little weird, to be honest. Also, it'd never seem believable. You're not really the romantic type," he then tries to argue.

"Hey! I can be romantic! I've watched romantic movies before!" San almost shouts, causing the driver to throw another quick glare towards the backseat. San doesn't seem to care though, as he uncaringly goes on. "And don't say that I'm not up for an Oscar, for my brilliant performance with that creepy guy at the bar!"

"True... You were pretty good," a chuckle finally rolls over Yeosang's lip, as he can't hide the continuous amusement of this entire, extremely, bizarre conversation. "But this is different. My friends know I wouldn't just bring a random guy, which means I'd have to take you to the wedding as well, and..."

"And, what? These people are rich right?" San cuts in, only giving Yeosang a few seconds to respond with a nod before he goes on. "Well, that means open bar. And not that diluted shit, the good stuff. Count me in."

✧

The day has come, and Yeosang doesn't feel ready at all. He keeps going back and forth between his closet and the mirror, holding several different shirts up in front of him; he must've changed at least fifteen times by now. The only thing that calms him down, just a bit, is that he gets to see Wendy again – although she'll probably be pretty occupied all night.

Just as Yeosang finally decides on what to wear, he hears a knock on the door.

"Wow, you look great!" he blurts out, sounding way more surprised than he intended.

"Why do you sound so surprised? I look great everyday," San snorts, rolling his eyes as he enters the apartment.

Yeosang lingers a couple of seconds at the door, actually amazed by San's look. Although the older, most definitely, always looks great – he looks even more so tonight. His dark hair is pushed back, but with a stray lock at the front, and the royal blue suit is fitting him just perfectly, while the silver lapel pin matches the jewelry dangling from his earlobes.

"Yeah... You do," Yeosang confirms, although quietly, as he finally manages to snap out of his trance, and close the door.

"So... Are you ready?" With his hands in his pockets, San walks around the small apartment.

His eyes shift between Yeosang and the humongous pile of clothes that has been thrown on the bed.

"As ready as I can be, I guess?" Yeosang shrugs his shoulders.

He takes a last look at himself in the mirror, with a deep, heavy sigh, before finding his phone to check the time. As his eyes meet the photo he still hasn't had the guts to change, his heart is being ripped apart. It feels surreal that he is going to see that beautiful face tonight, after so long, and look into those eyes that used to shine brightly when they were together. But tonight, those eyes will be looking at someone else that way.

"You didn't change your lock screen yet?" San frowns, peeking at Yeosang's phone. "You need to change it before we leave."

"Why?" Yeosang instantly tries to hide the phone with his hands, remembering how out of hand the entire situation had gotten the last time they had argued over this.

"Why? Think of the humiliation if Taeyong, or anyone else at that party, sees it! Give me your phone."

Yeosang pouts for a couple of seconds, before he reluctantly hands the phone over. San quickly swipes left to open the camera, while walking around to stand behind Yeosang. When San puts his arms around him from behind, Yeosang briefly flinches. San holds the phone out in a stretched arm, his face nuzzled against Yeosang's as he takes a photo of the two of them.

"Here, use this one," he then says, handing the phone back to Yeosang who just glares at him, "Would you stop frowning and just do it? You can change it back tomorrow."

"Fine." Rolling his eyes, Yeosang does as he is told – although it physically hurts to change the photo which has been decorating his screen for so long. "Can we just leave now?"

✧

On the cab ride towards the JW Marriott hotel, Yeosang feels like throwing up the entire time. His stomach is turning, while his heart is pounding like never before. The only thing he wants to do right now, is to curl up on the backseat of the cab and cry. But he forces himself to act like an actual adult, sitting like frozen in his seat, and doing his very best to get at least his breathing under control.

"I-I can't do it..." Yeosang mumbles as soon as they are soon standing in front of the 31-story tall hotel. His feels like burning up, but cold at the same time.

"Yes, you can," San says, intertwining his fingers with Yeosang's.

"W-what are you-?"

"You need to relax. I'm your boyfriend tonight, remember? No one is going to buy that if you keep acting like you're scared of me," San scolds, dragging Yeosang towards the door before he can make any further complaints.

Yeosang lets himself get dragged through the entrance, and towards the event hall. With every step he takes, he feels like suffocating more and more. When they reach the large double doors, decorated with beautiful flowers all around, Yeosang stops, heart in his throat and tears ready to roll down his cheeks.

"Hey!" San cuts through Yeosang's growing anxiety attack, tugging his hand, "Remember, don't let that jackass affect you. And I'll be by your side all night, okay? Now, let's go celebrate your friend, and show that idiot ex what he's missing."

With a slow nod, Yeosang straightens his back, pushes his hair back and looks at San with his very best smile plastered on his face. They then proceed to walk through the doors, and are soon surrounded by the most beautiful sight inside the intensely flower decorated room. Anything less than that wouldn't do, considered this is Wendy's engagement party.

"SANGIE!" Wendy screeches the second Yeosang steps inside the room, and she throws her arms around his neck, pulling him into a big hug. "Oh my God! I'm so glad that you are here!"

As she lets go, her eyes well up with tears, which she frantically tries to dry away without ruining her perfect makeup.

"I'm so glad to be here too," Yeosang smiles, and for her the smile is sincere.

"Oh! And who is this handsome guy?" Wendy asks, her eyes and smile widening as she sees San holding Yeosang's hand.

"Hi, Wendy. I'm Choi San. It's a pleasure to finally meet you," San says, returning the bright smile as he greets her. "Congratulations on your engagement. I know Yeosang is thrilled that you could throw this celebration here in Korea."

"Well, can't take all the credit for that," Wendy laughs, "Thank God for Jaehyun's grandparents being too scared of flying to ever leave Korea, right?"

Yeosang quietly watches her and San's conversation, and for a short minute everything actually feels real. And just right. With a quick shake of his head, he pulls himself down to Earth again. He has to remember that this is all for show, but San's acting surely makes it hard, as he plays the part of Yeosang's new, amazing boyfriend just perfectly.

"Yeosang, such a delight to see you again," a familiar voice breaks through Yeosang's thoughts, and he looks to his right to see Jaehyun coming towards him. "It's been quite a while hasn't it?" Jaehyun smiles as he stands next to Wendy, putting a arm around her waist.

Jaehyun has always been so polite, too polite even, for Yeosang to figure out whether he was actually genuine or not. And tonight is no exception. Seeing him again, after all this time, feels like a blow in Yeosang's stomach. Despite Jaehyun and Taeyong being cousins, they almost resemble each other like brothers, and Yeosang is starting to feel anxious again, having to face Taeyong any minute now.

"Oh, and who is your date?" Jaehyun asks, looking at San who steps forward right away, to answer the question himself.

"I'm Choi San, I'm his boyfriend. What a lovely party," San smiles, bowing as he greets Jaehyun, the pitch of his voice higher than Yeosang has ever heard before.

Yeosang briefly cringes at the way San is acting, but stop immediately when he sees the short side eye the older sends him.

"Well, I hope you'll both enjoy this evening, thank you so much for coming," Jaehyun flashes another perfect smile before he and Wendy has to leave to greet more guests.

"You're way too tense," San whispers, leaning in towards Yeosang, "let's get you drunk."

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♫ Ed Sheeran - Supermarket Flowers