thread here

write a story that has a poem, a tear, a kiss, and a ribbon

Namjoon gently folds the paper, setting it on top of the pile in front of him, reaching for the ribbon to tie the bundle of twenty-one letters back together. A letter a week from the person he’s going to marry in a few hours.

He trails his fingers over the edges of the letters with a rueful smile, mind going over their contents: kind words, gentle promises, and a poem at the end of each page. He can only hope that the words on each page were written in truth, and that the man behind the pen was not cruel at heart.

A knock on the door pulls him from his thoughts.

“Come in,” Namjoon calls.

The door opens and Namjoon looks up to see his attendant and best friend, Hoseok step through, followed closely by his younger brother, Taehyung.

“Ah, you’re already up,” Hoseok greets with a smile. “It’s almost time to get ready for your day.”

Namjoon moves off the window seat, grabbing the bundle of letters and carefully tucking it into the chest at the foot of his bed. The chest will be moved with the rest of his things to his new home after the ceremony.

Taehyung pulls him into a hug when he straightens, and Namjoon closes his eyes while curling into him.

“I’m going to miss you, hyung,” Taehyung whispers sadly.

Namjoon pulls back, reaching up to tuck some of Taehyung’s hair behind his ear, vision blurring slightly. “I’m going to miss you too, Tae-yah. But you know you’ll be able to come visit right?”

“It won’t be the same,” Taehyung replies, lips downturned.

Before Namjoon can come up with a reply, Hoseok steps up to them, gently touching their elbows. “I’m sorry, but we should go now.”

“Hoseok-hyung—” Taehyung tries to protest, but relents when Hoseok shakes his head.

Taehyung exhales before pulling Namjoon back in for another hug. A single tear slips down Namjoon’s cheek as he hugs his brother tightly. No matter what his future husband might be like, he’ll make sure that his brother will be able to visit him. Giving himself a few more moments, Namjoon reluctantly pulls way, wiping his cheek and waving goodbye to Taehyung.

Hoseok guides him out of the room, giving his arm a gentle, comforting squeeze while leading him down the hall to the baths. Several other servants are there, waiting to help get Namjoon ready for the ceremony. At Hoseok’s instructions, the servants take care of Namjoon, and all too soon, he’s completely bathed, dressed and being led out to the gardens where the ceremony will be taking place.

He’s wearing a long, ivory dress, a thin veil draped over his head. His hair has been curled, and a small, dainty crown sits atop the veil on his hair. A thick silver chain adorns his neck, a gift from his husband-to-be, along with the various rings on his fingers and the bracelet around his wrist. He brings a hand to the chain, nervously tracing the braided chain while waiting in front of the doors, a bouquet of flowers in his other hand at his side.