The morning began in chaos.
"NOAH!! WE'RE LATE!"
"I know!"
"No...you don't understand...we are actually late!"
"I said I know, Evan!"
Noah struggled with his tie while moving across the room, half-dressed, half-focused, and completely aware that they had officially crossed the line from "running behind" to "embarrassingly late."
Behind him, Evan was already at the door, shoes barely on, running a hand through his still-messy hair.
"This is your fault," Evan said, grabbing his coat.
Noah glanced at him.
"My fault?"
Evan raised an eyebrow.
"…You really want to argue about this right now?"
A pause.
"…Fair."
They rushed out together.
Because today was not just any day.
The Venue
The hall was filled with light. Warm. Golden.
Soft music played in the background as guests filled the space, laughter blending with quiet conversations.
At the center, a beautifully decorated aisle stretched forward, lined with white flowers and soft candles.
And at the end of it stood two people who had taken far too long to get here.
Dr. Liam Graham
and
Detective Victor Kolon
Waiting.
Kolon stood straight, composed as always, but today, there was something softer in his expression.
Something… lighter.
Beside him, Graham looked like he had already lived this moment a hundred times in his head and still couldn't quite believe it was real.
The doors opened.
And right on cue Noah and Evan slipped in.
Quietly.
Trying not to draw attention.
They failed.
Noah caught Graham's eye.
Graham raised an eyebrow.
Noah gave a small, unapologetic shrug.
Evan just mouthed "Sorry."
Kolon exhaled.
"…Of course."
The ceremony began.
Simple.
Beautiful.
No unnecessary words.
No overdone promises.
Just truth.
"I didn't plan for this," Kolon said, his voice steady but softer than anyone had ever heard it. "But somehow… you became part of everything I couldn't ignore."
Graham smiled.
"That's because I didn't give you a choice."
A quiet ripple of laughter spread through the guests.
Kolon shook his head slightly.
"…You never do."
Then he looked at him properly.
"But I'm glad you didn't."
Silence.
Warm.
Full.
Graham's expression softened completely.
"I knew you'd fall for me eventually," he said lightly.
Kolon sighed.
"…Arrogant."
"Accurate," Graham corrected.
More laughter.
And then the moment came.
No grand announcement.
No dramatic pause.
Just two people.
Choosing each other.
Always.
Applause filled the hall as they sealed it.
And for the first time in a long time everyone there felt it.
Not relief.
Not closure.
Something better.
Happiness.
Later
The celebration was loud.
Joyful.
Alive.
Music.
Laughter.
Voices overlapping.
Noah stood slightly to the side, watching everything.
And then he felt it.
A hand.
Evan's.
Holding his.
Firm.
Warm.
Noah looked at him.
Evan's eyes were fixed on the couple but they sparkled.
Bright.
Soft.
"…They look happy," Evan said quietly.
Noah followed his gaze.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
Evan tightened his grip slightly.
Then looked at him.
Noah smiled.
Not forced.
Not small.
Real.
And in that moment nothing needed to be said.
Because everything already was.
Some Days Later
The sky was quiet.
Clouded.
Still.
Rhea stood in front of a grave.
A simple one.
No crowd.
No noise.
Just her.
And him.
Kai
She held a single white carnation in her hand.
For a moment she didn't move.
Just looked.
"…I don't know why," she said softly. "But every time I saw this flower… I thought of you."
A small breath.
"Maybe you liked it."
A pause.
"…Maybe you just never showed it."
She placed it gently on the grave.
Silence followed.
Not heavy.
Not painful.
Just… quiet.
Footsteps approached.
She didn't turn.
Because she already knew.
Noah stopped beside her.
For a moment, they didn't speak then, he gave her a small smile.
A quiet one.
But it carried everything.
Understanding.
Forgiveness.
Grief.
She returned it.
Just as quietly.
After a while they turned.
And walked.
Side by side.
"…What are you doing these days?" Noah asked.
Rhea looked ahead.
"…Writing."
Noah glanced at her.
"That's new."
She smiled faintly.
"I've had enough thrill for a lifetime."
A pause.
"I think… I want peace now."
Noah nodded.
"…You deserve that."
They walked a little further.
Then stopped.
Because some paths don't go on together.
Rhea looked at him.
"…Take care."
Noah stepped forward and hugged her.
Gently.
Not holding on.
Not stopping her.
Just… acknowledging.
Everything.
Then they let go.
And walked away.
In different directions.
But not as strangers.
Never that.
Weeks Later
The apartment felt different.
Not quiet.
Tense.
Noah noticed it immediately.
"Evan?"
No response.
Evan stood near the window.
Back turned.
Arms crossed.
"…What happened?"
Still nothing.
Noah frowned slightly.
"Did I do something?"
Evan finally turned.
And there it was.
Something Noah hadn't seen in a long time.
Anger.
"You really don't know?"
Noah blinked.
"…No."
A pause.
Evan laughed.
But there was no humor in it.
"Of course you don't."
Silence fell between them.
Sharp.
Uncomfortable.
And for the first time in a long time something felt…Off. Very off.
Noah stepped forward slightly.
"Evan talk to me."
But Evan shook his head.
Not yet.
Because whatever this was it wasn't small.
And it wasn't going away.