Resurrection In Satisfaction: Epilogue
Summary: Jaehyun knew better. Yet he felt himself falling back in the loop he thought he was out of, and he loved how satisfying it was.
(A/N): Sorry this was the secret I made you wait so long for. I just wanted it to be perfect so I kept re-reading and tweaking. Anyway, I’m satisfied with this (lol see what I did there). I hope you like it, let me know what you think as well please?
The first thing she wanted after she got off the flight was to get back on it. But the part of her that had seen age and experience made her refrain. The second thing she wanted was a large coffee to avoid the previous day's exhaustion from catching up. There was a strange feeling in her stomach as she waited for her beverage.
Six years was a long time to have a reunion with friends and have it not be awkward. But she was also bubbling with excitement, her lips turning up at the thought.
Her best friend was getting married.
The second last thing she expected was a voice calling her name in the middle of the busy airport, her head turning automatically, spotting a familiar figure waving at her. Yuta waved her over with imminent excitement.
The last thing she expected was Jaehyun being with him.
“We just landed, oh my god look at you.” He hugged her tightly, holding her back like he was getting a good look. Yuta’s familiar wide grin laced with nostalgia, “You look so important.” He exclaimed, looking unbelievably proud.
“I had a meeting right before my flight, I had to rush.” She explained.
“Yeah, you must be busy designing a hotel.” Yuta teased and she smiled.
“It's satisfying.” She admitted.
“How are you?” His voice winded her in a way she wasn’t expecting.
“Good, it’s been good.” She said with a gentle smile. His lips lifted in the corner like he believed her.
“It’s very good to see you again.” He gave her a reserved hug. It amazed her how he still smelt so familiar, even with the addition of expensive cologne in exchange of generic deodorant.
“Let’s go, we have a busy day.” Yuta grinned loudly, his excitement spreading to them naturally.
The first person to greet them when they reached the hotel was Mark, sitting at the bar with a girl he seemed to be talking to. When he noticed her, his eyes went wide in a way that reminded her of the younger mark she knew. He raised his arm and waived, grinning in his typical fashion and she waved back.
“I need to go talk to the restaurant manager.” Yuta said as they stood at the reception, “Both your rooms are on the same floor, you should go rest a little.” Yuta nodded as he checked the room numbers and handed them their cards.
“You’re already acting like a diligent husband.” Jaehyun wondered out loud.
“He’s almost grown up.” She exclaimed and Jaehyun nodded in agreement.
“I’m going to be married soon, don’t your single asses have any plans?” Yuta flicked invisible hair off his shoulder.
“I’m a strong independent women!” She gasped.
“I’m married to my team.” Jaehyun explained, both of them turned to him with a weird gaze.
“If someone doesn’t know that you’re the manager of a basketball team, that’s just weird.” Yuta mumbled regretfully.
They left Yuta behind, reaching the elevator. Till they were about a quarter way up, it was silent. The tension of time in between them like an elephant. It was a few floors later that the elevator stopped to reveal Doyoung, his arm around the waist of a girl. He let her waist go but realised it was too late, sighing.
“Why is it always the both of you.” He groaned, stepping back and letting the door close, not getting on the elevator. There was another momentary silence.
“Isn’t that Yuta’s fiance”s sister?” She asked, both of them bursting into laughter when he nodded.
“And here I was worried about all the things that changed.” She said between laughter.
“Not where it counts clearly.” He grinned at her, an illicit shiver running up her chest.
Yuta came downstairs, reiterating to Haechan the duties as his best man.
“I choose you because you’re smart, all of you were equal candidates. Don’t disappoint me young one.” Yuta said seriously and Haechan rolled his eyes.
“You choose me because Jaehyun and Doyoung didn’t want you as their best man. I know what I have to do, don’t mock me.” Haechan scoffed and Yuta took an offenced step back.
“Where is Jaehyun anyway, I need to give him the ring.” Yuta frowned, Haechan looked around the lobby, his eyes landing on the bar.
“He seems to be talking to (Y/N), maybe tell him later?” Haechan grinned and Yuta shook his head.
“Look at them!” Yuta didn’t really sound mad as he watched Jaehyun and her laugh at something, her leaning in into him with familiarity. Jaehyun’s eyes traced her smile as she put a hand on his shoulder and laughing about something he said.
“Nine years and they find my wedding to fall in love!” He slapped his arms against his hips in a manner of tantrum but grinned widely.
She was talking to the would be bride at the rehearsal dinner as she insisted on knowing what Yuta was like in University.
“Did he ever do anything scandalous?” She asked with a grin.
“Nope, sadly this lady here took up all the scandal for our household.” A voice spoke from behind making (Y/N)'s eyes go wide as she turned around.
“With that lovely gentleman over there of course.” Johnny pointed at Jaehyun across the room. She was about to embrace Johnny but slapped his chest instead, making him wince but laugh.
“How are you shorty?” Johnny patted her head making her scoff.
“I can't believe you. You convince me to come and then I get here and you're the only person missing.” She glared at him playfully.
“I have a business to run. Plus I heard you're doing just fine.” Johnny winked making her eyes go wide and her face blush a deep red.
“It's nothing like that, we're just all old friends catching up.” She brushed it off.
“No we're old friends catching up. Old friends don't look at you the way Jaehyun is looking at you right now. Don't look.” He warned, holding her shoulders. Yuta's fiancée beside them laughed, searching into her bag and pulling out something.
“Here.” She said, producing a mirror in front of her. She tried to look incredulous but let curiosity take over and glance into the mirror. Truthfully enough, Jaehyun stood by looking towards her with eyes lost in time.
She sat in one of the chairs, the pleasant warm air of April perfect for an outdoor wedding. The cherry blossoms floating definitely added to the romance in the air. Yuta’s mother noticed her sitting, far more behind than she liked, and insisted she come sit in the front.
“He’s as much family to you as me,” Was her warm reasoning. “At least the boys get so be out front.” She winked and (Y/N) could only laugh, getting up to follow her.
She was transfixed by the sheer beauty of her surroundings, as Yuta’s mother recalled all the stories her son had told her every oppurtunity he got.
“He always says that he’ll never find people like you out in the world.” She said and she nodded, an odd feeling in her chest at the idea.
As they talked, a slow music started in the air, her eyes drifting towards the end of the aisle, where all her friends walked out in impeccable tuxedos, joined in the end by Yuta who looked like the happiest man on earth as he came and stood by the priest.
She smiled at the sight with pride, heart swelling for his happiness. As her eyes scanned the rest of his groomsmen, all of them with the same smile on their face as hers. When her eyes landed on Ten, he winked at her and looked away right after, as the bride entered. Her eyes went wide but she smiled, her eyes next drifting to Jaehyun who was laughing at Ten.
When their eyes met, Jaehyun’s smile turned strange. A unique blend of bliss and regret combined and made her chest churn in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time. She gave him a weak smile, it was hard but she also looked genuine. His lips moved silently and she laughed, he said she looked beautiful. She mouthed a shy thank you and Jaehyun’s lips split into a grin.
“Can you both flirt later I need my ring.” Yuta’s voice made them both turn, the crowd giggling gently as they peeked to see who he was referring to. She looked away with a red face, as Jaehyun fumbled and transferred the ring to Yuta who winked at him. They both tried desperately to not glance at each other.
“You make me want to be a better man. You make me want to grow up and do things like pay my taxes right and get a mortgage. It's so scary, but it's also the reason why I wouldn't spend the rest of my life with anyone else.” Yuta's grin grew wider as his vows made his soon to be wife tear up in front of him, “I knew you were the one when I realised that there is no one else in the world I'd want to make shitty breakfast for. I knew you were the one when you slipped in the shower and I thought I would lose my mind because you were in so much pain. I am the person I am because of you and I'm the luckiest man in the world because you said yes. Also you're an ugly crier but I accept you with all your flaws.” Yuta scoffed at his bride, making her hit his arm playfully. All around other people who slowly sobbed let out a chuckle too, people who knew Yuta were more accustomed and rolled their eyes with it. Soon enough the rings were exchanged and the ceremony was over. (Y/N) stood watching the people around her as Taeyong joined beside her.
“Have you seen my daughter?” Taeyong asked and she smiled, pointing at Jaehyun's figure with Taeyong's toddler in his arms.
“Was he always that good with kids?” She wondered out loud and Taeyong chuckled.
“He's good with her. My daughter is mostly quiet and he's had many occasions with her. Jaehyun is really a saviour sometimes.” Taeyong informed and she chuckled.
“I remember when Jae called me that one summer because he had to babysit his cousin and he panicked.” She laughed.
“He was a child himself then. So were we.” His words felt more meaningful with his gaze and her small smile let him know she caught on, “This one instance, I had to leave urgently in the evening for a meeting and she was home alone for the longest time. I left a window open by mistake and she was barely two. If Jaehyun hadn't come in time and taken her to the hospital my daughter wouldn't be here now. He stayed with her through the night because she kept crying.” Her smile fell at the guilt in his eyes
“Being a single parent doesn't sound easy. You're doing a fine job” She noted, giving him a reassuring pat on his shoulder and Taeyong only smiled.
“It's not, but it's a reward in itself. She's my whole life.” Taeyong said without hesitation.
“It must be nice to love someone that profusely.” She didn't even register her own lingering gaze on Jaehyun, Taeyong just smiled.
“You tell me.” He grinned, winking when she turned his way with pink cheeks.
The reception went by in a flash and the old friends sat in the corner of hotel bar, with a new person amongst them.
“I have to ask. How did Na Yuta manage to deceive such an amazing girl to spend the rest of her life with him?” She asked as she sipped on her drink. Yuta's wife only laughed.
“Because I'm amazing, and I'm married. Isn't that great?” Yuta displayed his occupied ring finger and everyone laughed at his excitement.
“But honestly, who thought Yuta would be the first one to get married.” She said and everyone had to nod.
“We always thought it would be Taeyong.” Haechan said, amused at Yuta's defensive face, “Instead he just graduated straight to parent.” Haechan grinned wide knowing that he teased Taeyong.
“But it was me.” Yuta said pointedly, “I got married. And stop judging our Yongie, he’s a great dad, I’m taking lessons.” He winked at his new bride, whose eyes went wide with shock and everyone laughed.
A few hours had passed and Yuta's wife excused herself to go talk to other guests as they still stayed and catch up.
“I think I owe my marriage to Jae.” Yuta said making him laugh. She turned to Jaehyun with a confused smile and he grinned.
“The first day I met her, I was blown away. I told Jaehyun that man I want to make this last but I don't know how.” Yuta grinned so wide.
“Jaehyun says, don't sleep with her.” Everyone at the table laughs at the story while she listened with intrigue, “He told me, if you want it to last, wait for three dates. If you realised that you want to, she's definitely the one.” Yuta grinned again and Jaehyun smiled.
“Thanks bud, kind of owe you my marriage.” Yuta said gratefully and everyone laughed again.
After a while Yuta left, promising to meet at breakfast and tell everyone what being married felt like.
“How's work?” Jaehyun asked her and the small smile on her face was an answer in itself. They lingered on the way to the elevator, no excuse needed as they spoke.
“Satisfying. I love it, building something to last beyond me.” She smiled wider, turning to face him, “How is managing a professional team?” She asked.
“Just what you'd expect. I finally know how Taeyong felt having to take care of all of us.” Jaehyun laughed, “But it's nice, I always loved the sport and this way I get to be close to it. It feels great when I can help the players in anyway. Most of them are so young and lost, they need someone to ground them around all the money and fame.” She smiled in a peculiar way at his words, making him tilt his chin in question. They turned to knowing ding of the elevator, a wash of disappointment rushing over them. Still they got on, continuing their catching up.
“You've really grown into an admirable man Jaehyun, age is on your side.” She nodded.
“I've learned a lot from life. I was lost and I found myself, I nursed heartbreaks and fell in love again, I've seen the world and met different people.” He paused and took a deep breath.
“I'm happy for you.” She said mystically.
“You were right about me needing to grow,” He began, and she looked up and listened intently. “But you were wrong about something else.” He said, a smile already adorning his features. She asked him what it was and he smiled secretively, turning to the door as their floor arrived.
“I didn't realise it till I saw you at the airport.” Jaehyun looked away, neck red from embarrassment, walking out the elevator.
“With all the wisdom of age, I still couldn't see us as a impulsive mistake.” He bit his lip and she was taken aback, not because he was wrong. But because she didn't think he'd say it. As she felt, but she didn't have the courage to say it.
“What about you? When did you know?” Jaehyun asked casually, allowing the air to remain clean as they reminisced.
“The first time I thought I fell in love, I found myself comparing him to you. It was horrifying.” She laughed and Jaehyun joined, “But that's when it hit me.” She nodded and Jaehyun smiled.
It was simple, it felt easy. Jaehyun walked her to her hotel room, their steps were deliberately slow as neither of them spoke in their contemplation. When she stopped in front of her door both of them lingered, but she knew it was her turn.
“Can I ask you something?” She asked and Jaehyun nodded, her face turning hot and red as she grinned.
“I have three more months with the project I'm working on right now and then I'm back home. Will you go on a date me after that?” She looked away, covering her face with her hand.
“One condition.” He grinned too and she complied.
“We won't sleep together till the third date.” His smile was meaningful and she nodded, the fresh possibilities exciting her.
It had been all but a few minutes after Jaehyun left her at her door that there was a knock on her door. She was still grinning so wide her face hurt, as she answered the door. Jaehyun leaned in from the door but she reflexively stepped back making him stumble and almost fall, but she grabbed his arm.
“What are you doing?” She asked as he stood up straight. His ears turned a bright shade of red and he stumbled over his words before stopping with a sigh.
“I wanted to be suave and kiss you. That didn't work.” He mumbled looking away. Her grin turned into a smirk, her eyes glittering.
“That's cheating.” She said and Jaehyun looked up and shook his head.
“It's not, I made the rules.” He pointed his fingers upwards, she followed it with her gaze but looked back at him. He slumped back down when she was still unconvinced.
“No.” She shook her head and he pouted. She watched him for a second, before leaning in and leaving a peck on his cheek.
“That's all you'll get, take me on three dates Jaehyun.” She spoke to his wide eyed face before closing the door, leaving him there wondering how he'd get her even.
