Even after returning to the changing room to switch clothes, they were so engrossed in playfully holding hands that it took much longer than expected to finally emerge.
The staff, who had been waiting for them, also found their lips curving into smiles upon hearing the laughter from inside.
“Congratulations on your wedding today, grooms! Especially the congratulatory song, it was so wonderful and amazing!”
“Thank you. Thanks to your perfect preparations, it was a truly happy day.”
He seemed completely unaware of their emotions.
The staff, who had been chattering like young fans in front of an idol, slowly retreated under Muheon’s piercing gaze.
Hakyung, who sent his final thanks to the quickly disappearing staff, poked Muheon’s side.
“Were you jealous?”
“No.”
“You were, though? You were glaring a hole through the staff members’ faces!”
“You saw that?”
Muheon’s eyes widened as if asking how Hakyung knew, not having eyes in the back of his head.
Hakyung chuckled at his transparent reaction.
Of course, he didn’t see it with eyes in the back of his head; it was thanks to the staff’s reactions changing in an instant.
And it wasn’t the first or second time Muheon had been jealous like this.
If the roles were reversed and Muheon were talking sweetly with the staff, Hakyung was certain he would also shoot them with burning eyes.
“Would I have feelings for anyone else when I have my husband right next to me? You worry too much.”
“Not you, but humans, generally, cannot pass by something shiny and precious. Even if it already has an owner.”
Muheon leaned down and kissed Hakyung’s forehead.
His hand, deprived of the soft hair due to Hakyung putting his hat back on, wandered aimlessly.
Hakyung took Muheon’s wandering hand and brought it to his own lips, planting kisses on each of his fingers.
“That’s right. Humans and shapeshifters alike, they’re so greedy… A river dolphin with a handsome Imugi husband worries every day, you know.”
He deliberately let out a big sigh.
Muheon chuckled at Hakyung’s exaggerated agreement.
“So, wherever you go, show your ring first, and don’t follow anyone who offers you delicious food. Got it?”
“Who’s saying that to whom?”
Just as the newlyweds, who had just finished their wedding, were fretting over each other, a clearing of the throat was heard from behind them.
Startled, Hakyung turned around to see Ki Sang-oh standing there with a sour expression.
Sang-oh, who had been waiting nearby to escort them to the sea, finally lost his patience and sent a signal. Sang-oh deliberately tapped his wrist-watch and said,
“Muheon-nim, it’s time to get going.”
“Right.”
“Yes, let’s go quickly! There might be traffic!”
Hakyung linked his arm through Muheon’s and hurried his steps.
Even though Ki Sang-oh was Muheon’s closest aide, it was a little embarrassing to have had such intimate conversations overheard without filter.
The earlobes exposed beneath his hat turned red.
It was so cute that Muheon couldn’t resist reaching out his hand.
Ki Sang-oh, walking ahead, unconsciously shook his head at the whispers he heard from behind.
They say old habits die hard, but who would have known Muheon-nim would become such a doting fool?
***
By the time they arrived at the sea connected to Muheon’s family home, the sun was already setting.
Still, Hakyung, having done it once before, was able to step into the sea without hesitation.
Of course, he still clutched Muheon’s clothes until they stretched from sheer nervousness.
Again, in the blink of an eye, they were underwater.
Even though he knew he didn’t have to hold his breath, Hakyung kept puffing out his cheeks.
Muheon gently poked Hakyung’s cheek.
Every time his finger poked his cheek, hot breaths puffed out from Hakyung’s lips.
“I said you can breathe.”
At Muheon’s words, full of amusement, Hakyung exhaled with a “Poo-hah” and protested with an aggrieved expression.
“I know that. But I just instinctively hold my breath.”
“Hmm… Is it really uncomfortable?”
“It’s not uncomfortable… Anyway, I’m okay now!”
Trauma from a childhood incident wasn’t something that disappeared easily.
It was fortunate enough that he felt fine after just a very short period of adjustment, so he wasn’t scared or afraid.
Muheon’s face, which had lost its playful demeanor, was now filled only with concern for Hakyung.
Looking at him like this, his once red lips seemed to have paled, and the fair skin beneath his eyes seemed to have darkened.
Seeing the worried Muheon, Hakyung stamped his foot in place.
“I’m really okay! I can even run a long distance here!”
“Alright, alright.”
Muheon quickly calmed Hakyung down, as it felt like he might actually run a lap around the West Sea.
Meanwhile, Hakyung’s lip color gradually returned to normal.
Only after confirming that he truly was okay did Muheon take Hakyung’s hand and move towards the family home.
As the grand gate opened and they stepped inside, they were greeted by flower petals scattered all over the floor.
“Wow, wow…!”
Hakyung’s mouth opened wide at the sight of a flower path appearing underwater.
Muheon also seemed surprised, wearing an unfamiliar expression despite it being his own home.
The servants, successful in surprising the newlyweds, appeared from all directions, smiling brightly.
“Muheon-nim, Hakyung-nim. Congratulations on your marriage!”
“Congratulations!”
***
The servants offered their congratulations, one after another.
They scattered flower petals, blessing the couple’s future.
Hakyung’s face bloomed into a wide smile, touched by their welcoming gestures.
Muheon also showed a rare smile.
It was a worthwhile reaction for all the nights and days he had spent traveling across the sea, sleepless, collecting flower petals from various countries.
The celebratory event prepared by the West Sea family didn’t stop there.
They led Hakyung and Muheon to separate rooms, where they were adorned from head to toe in outfits they had prepared.
Having just finished a wedding, the two were about to have another one less than a day later.
Muheon’s durumagi (traditional Korean overcoat) was embroidered with more elaborate patterns than his usual black dopo (scholar’s robe), while Hakyung’s durumagi was white with silver embroidery.
The pure white durumagi suited Hakyung’s fair and cute face so perfectly that it filled those who prepared the attire with pride.
Hakyung, who had secretly envied Muheon wearing his dopo during their previous visit, was thrilled with the perfectly fitting durumagi.
He had worried that the traditional attire might look like he was wearing his dad’s clothes, but since the size was just right, it didn’t look that way at all; he looked like a prince from some country.
When he took off his hat and put on the samo (traditional hat for officials) that was prepared, he truly looked like a newlywed groom.
Seeing Hakyung joyfully bouncing with excitement, the family members were also delighted.
They praised Hakyung’s singing skills, saying they had thoroughly enjoyed the live-streamed wedding.
Hakyung’s face flushed red, having received more compliments than he expected.
He knew the wedding was being broadcast live, but he hadn’t known they would be watching from the sea as well.
The family members giggled again, enjoying Hakyung’s embarrassed fidgeting.
***
How much time passed like that?
A dark silhouette appeared from beyond the jangjimun (traditional paper door).
Judging by the size of the shadow, it was clearly Muheon, so Hakyung darted out like a puppy greeting its owner.
“Oh, oh! Just a moment!”
The family members belatedly reached out to grab Hakyung, but he had already opened the door.
The plan to keep them from seeing each other before the wedding ceremony was ruined in the blink of an eye.
Leaving the disappointed family behind, Hakyung flung the door open, and as expected, Muheon stood there.
Muheon, clad in a jet-black durumagi with his hands clasped behind his back, looked literally like a painting.
It was another moment where Hakyung, who had already fallen for him for the 4,255th time, fell for him yet again.
Hakyung immediately stretched out his arms, embraced Muheon, and showered him with an endless stream of compliments.
“Wow! You’re really cool! You looked great in a suit too, but now it’s just… Wow! Words fail me! My goodness, whose husband is this cool, I wonder?”
Originally, Muheon was the one giving compliments, and Hakyung was the one happily dancing along.
But now, the situation was reversed.
However, Hakyung knew Muheon would never budge, so he complimented him and danced by himself.
Muheon chuckled at Hakyung’s enthusiastic reaction.
He had found the formal attire cumbersome, but seeing his husband like it so much made him feel like he could wear it many more times.
After praising Muheon and clinging to him for a long time, Hakyung finally stepped back.
At that, Muheon frowned at Hakyung’s elegant figure, which was now fully revealed.