Work Text:
It was a night like any other. Everyone was gathered on Friday night at Peem’s house when the topic came up: weddings.
Aunt Pui had been invited to a wedding where she was also a bridesmaid, and she had been so excited for her friends that she couldn’t help but share all the details with the boys.
—Everything is coming along beautifully —she says with a wide smile as she joins them at the table—. It’s going to be a wonderful wedding.
—I think Aunt Pui is more excited than the bride and groom —Tan jokes, and the table bursts into laughter. She gives him a light pat on the arm.
—When your friends start getting married and ask you to be their groomsman, you’ll understand —she says without losing her smile; her eyes watery, probably thinking about how the boys she has watched grow up will also get married one day.
—Hia Tan will be very busy when his friends start getting married —Toey laughs with a melodious voice, and Tan turns to look at him with a confused smile—. You have so many friends, Hia; you’ll be the best man at many weddings: P’Beer’s, P’Mick’s… —he lists his friends, still smiling, but stops when he reaches Phum and Peem, who are sitting very close together, his expression turning more thoughtful—. Although this will be more difficult —Peem raises an eyebrow and asks him to explain.
—P’Tan is friends with both of you, so whose groomsma will he be? —the young artist asks with a distressed voice at the ridiculous situation, and the couple involved can’t help but laugh.
—That is not something you should worry about, Toey —Phum explains gently—. It would be unnecessary to argue about it just because the answer is obvious —he says looking at Peem, and he nods in agreement.
—He’ll be by my side, of course —they both say at the same time and turn to look at each other, surprised.
The table went silent.
—What are you talking about, Phum? —his boyfriend asks while laughing in disbelief—. Ai’Tan is one of my best friends.
—He’s also one of my best friends.
—But I’ve known him longer.
—Yes, but Tan is also my brother-in-law. Well, he will be one day.
—Exactly, point for me.
—How is that a point for you?
—Fang will be by your side; I need Tan to make things fair.
—This isn’t about being fair —Phum replies, and they continue arguing in front of their friends’ stunned expressions.
Tan can’t stop laughing at the situation. Although he feels flattered, he knows they won’t stop unless he puts an end to it.
—Okay, okay, enough —he says, clapping to interrupt their staring contest—. I know you love me, I love you too; we’ll solve this when the day comes, alright?
When, not “if,” because he’s sure that those two will spend their lives together in the future.
And they won’t be the only ones —he thinks as he takes Fang’s hand in his.
He thinks the matter is settled when Phum, without taking his eyes off Peem, calls him by name:
—Whose side are you on? —The déjà vu the situation gives him makes Tan groan in frustration while Beer and Mick laugh out loud.
Years later, with proposals made and rings in hand, they still can’t agree.
In the end, Tan takes a course to become a wedding officiant and ends up marrying them.