What is love? That's the question, isn't it? In the dictionary, it is defined as an intense feeling of deep affection. To some that is exactly what it is, the feeling you get when you see your partner after a long day. To others that would seem a little too simple. Love is a journey, one that could lead you down the thorny stem of bitter resentment and jealousy. A path where you become displaced in your friend's life traded in with someone else. A lonely world that is unwantedly disrupted when you see the being that you were replaced with. It angers you that you understand why. You take out that anger on them and cause them to resent you as well. You involuntarily find yourself watching their every move when you see them. Their natural elegance and unintended superiority cause you to push yourself to be better. You want to catch up, you want your friend to see that you are more than an envious villain. But then injuries occur, both physical and mental that interfere with your strategy. Emotions never really got the best of you, until you see your substitute- a refined upgrade. The ache that twinges in your injury cause your heart to burn in hatred. The gap between you widens until there's an opportunity to assert yourself back into your friend's life. You seize it with both hands and you feel happy. Not the kind of happy you'd expect, but one that filled the void when you were alone. The hatred is still there when you see your ex-replacement and you don't shy away from those feelings.
Eventually, you push it too far and you find yourself watching your friend fly away with your substitute. You're alone again, but you don't feel the enraging abandoned-like feeling you did before. You know they'll be back and you start to wonder if your replacement will be okay. When they return, you can't help the small smile that etches onto your lips when you see him. You don't understand it first, not until you are forced to spend time with them. It's awkward and somewhat peacefully silent. You begin to think that maybe you were wrong, that this person was actually okay. Of course, you shake it off and pretend the thought never crossed your mind. But then something happens…you start to work together. You feel that slight flutter in your chest, the start of the blooming petals of love. The feeling is fleeting and it replaces the bitterness thorns, and now you're unsure on how to act as the rose slowly opens. You sit with your friend and find yourself peeking. When you see the smile, you gulp. You've never seen that before. The constant creasing frown you cause is blown away and swapped with the beautiful smile in front of you. It's not for you but you don't seem to care. When they say goodbye, you jolt in surprise. You gaze at them for a moment before you smile and wish them a safe journey.
The rest goes in a blur. You finish school and find yourself roommates with your substitute at university. You start feeling happy, it's not the same when you're with your friend, it's different somehow. Better. You find out your new friends likes and dislikes. It feels odd at first, for both of you. But there's a strange comfort between you that you both fall back on. When the hypnotising smile reappears, your heart quickens. When you realise you caused it you smile back, hoping to keep it there for eternity. You eventually ask them out on a date despite your brain trying to constantly stall you. When they say yes you internally jump for joy. The date goes well, he wasn't put off when you tripped and fell into the pond. Instead, he jumped in with you. You knew he had a thing for water and you laughed when you saw the tranquil look on his face as he laid there. It was cold when you returned. You wrapped a blanket around him and smiled when he laid his head on your shoulder. The painful twinge never appears and you close your eyes in content. You promise yourself you'll never forget this night and hope he won't either.
When you propose you're surrounded by friends, waist deep in water and laughing happily. The look in his eye is something you'll never forget. You look to your friend who is grinning at the two of them in glee and surprise. You find yourself unable to comprehend how far you've come. How you hated this person with every fiber of your being and now you didn't dare think of a day without him by your side. You try to pinpoint the moment you realised you wanted to spend the rest of your life with your new fiancé. The pond date comes into your mind and your smile only continues to grow as you hold your fiancé in your arms.
"And now that I stand here today, ready to become your husband, I now understand love is simply much more than a feeling. Haruka Yamazaki, you have taken me on the greatest adventure of my life and I know there's more to come. You are the most understanding person I know, you're caring and far too good for me." The laughter that echoed in the room had Sousuke huffing in amusement. "You make me a better person and I can't imagine my life without you. I love you with all my heart and I will do everything in my power to keep you happy."
He folded his piece of paper up and smiled down at Haruka who was wiping the tears away. A loud round of applause that sounded behind him drowned out the sniffles from the audience. Sousuke looked over his shoulder to see Rin freely crying and smiling happily at him. He turned his attention back to Haru and grabbed his hands. The priest cleared his throat and nodded at Sousuke.
"You may kiss your husband." He said. Sousuke cradled Haru's jaw and leaned forward. The smaller man wrapped his arms around his neck and they both smiled as they pulled away. Everyone cheered and Sousuke and Haru both chuckled blissfully.
"Shall we?" Sousuke turned Haruka to the ocean, the water lapping at their toes throughout the ceremony. He nodded eagerly and kissed Sousuke lovingly before running into the water. Sousuke stood there for a moment, watching his husband and felt his heart fully bloom into a rose. He saw Haru waving at him and Sousuke swiftly ran in after him.