Something Flutters

The Side Effects

Present Day

Jongin stares at his reflection with a noticeable frown. He's wearing a specially tailored Armani white tuxedo with black satin lapels and a matching bow tie, his hair is sleek and styled up, his skin flawlessly golden. Everything about his look is perfect, except his eyes - his terrified looking eyes. He's not ready.

"I can't do this," he sighs, shaking his head, and sounding slightly mournful.

"What you do mean you can't do this?" asks Tao from where he sat.

Jongin turns to face his best men, who were both dressed in identical black suits with white ties. "I don't think I'm ready," he panics, his voice cracking near the end.

Tao glances at Sehun who quickly meets his gaze. "Didn't I tell you he was going to be like this?" Tao asks, and though he tried hard not to, Jongin could tell that Tao wanted nothing more than to showcase his usual smirk.

"That's nice that you know so much about me, Tao, but could we focus on the bigger problem here? I'm minutes away from walking down the aisle, and I'm nowhere near ready. Is that not a major concern for you guys?"

Sehun chuckles, as if Jongin's problem was some sort of joke. Jongin represses the sudden urge to throw something at his friend.

"You're just nervous," Sehun informs him. "It's perfectly normal."

Jongin loosens his bow tie (it felt as though he was being strangled), and he shoots Sehun a hard look. "But you weren't this nervous on your wedding day."

Sehun smiles and shrugs. "I was going to marry my soulmate. Honestly, the thought didn't terrify me at all."

Tao chuckles. "Being married to Luhan has made you soft, Sehun."

Sehun's smile grows wider at the mention of Luhan. "Has it?"

Jongin groans. "Guys, let's get back to my problem," he urges, turning back around to face the mirror. "What am I going to do?"

Tao stands up and casually walks over to him. "Simple. You're going to marry Kyungsoo like you are supposed to," he says, placing his hand awkwardly on Jongin's shoulder - his attempt at comforting him.

Jongin shakes his head and closes his eyes. "But I can't. I'm picturing us at the altar, standing there, facing each other, and it just all seems hazy and scary. I almost feel dizzy, and my heart is beating too fast, and I - I just can't."

He opens his eyes again, and sees Tao giving him a pitiful look before glancing over his shoulder for backup. He gestures for Sehun to come help.

"Look, Jongin, it's fine to feel this way. This is a huge step. You're getting married," says Sehun as he makes his way over to where they were standing. "It's a promise of forever, till death do you part."

"In front of hundreds of people," Tao adds, causing Jongin's heart to race even more. He's forgotten about the guests. There were so many of them. All waiting. He swallows thickly.

"But don't let that get to you," Sehun advises. "You're going to marry the love of your life, and that's all that matters. Just picture Kyungsoo in his suit, smiling at you, eyes warm and ready to give you his forever. Doesn't that sound perfect? Don't you want that?"

Jongin sighs. "I do."

"So what's the problem?" asks Tao, expression confused.

"I - I put on the ring this morning, before we got here," explains Jongin as his fingers brush against the cold metal object in his pocket. "And it felt.....heavy. Unbearably heavy. There's just so much that is expected of me once I put on that ring, once I give Kyungsoo his ring. I'm not sure I can handle that."