Louis had only been to one wedding in his life and the only thing he remembered about it was how terrible the cake was.

On principle, Louis was not a fan of the institution and he'd certainly never been expected to be a part of a wedding before. But for Avery, he was playing the role of best man, or something like it. The fact that it was a relatively small gathering with few people whom he did not know had done little to ease his nerves.

As he waited at the door to his condo for David to finish getting ready, Louis carefully went over the rehearsal from the day before. It wasn't going to be a particularly long or involved ceremony, but it was an important day for one of Louis's closest friends. He did not want to make any mistakes.

“Ready to go?” David asked.

Louis glanced up and was struck breathless. David walked down the stairs in a state of half-dress. He wore a burgundy tie and a crisp white shirt, but the cerulean jacket of his suit was draped over his arm as he tried to fasten the cuff link at his right wrist.

“Need some help?” Louis asked, stepping forward and taking the cufflink from David’s hand. David smelled like soap and some cologne Louis was unfamiliar with, his skin still dewy and pink from the shower. David watched intently as Louis fastened it, his fingers lingering on David's wrist a little longer than necessary.

He took the jacket, then, and helped slide it up David's arms, adjusting the collar and smoothing the lapels over his chest.

“Thanks,” David said with a half-grin. “I don’t wear monkey suits often, especially the kind that use cufflinks.”

Louis hummed in appreciation, giving David a slow once-over. “That’s a shame.”

The suit accentuated the broadness of his shoulders and the trim lines of his waist and hips. David might not dress up often, but he certainly knew how to do it when he did.

David’s cheeks flushed. “Shut up,” he said, though he was smiling.

Louis smirked and didn’t resist the urge to reach out and guide David toward the car with a hand at the small of his back.

The wedding took place at the Granite Botanical Gardens. The weather was picturesque, the sun dappling the grass through the leaves and glittering off the bride's beaded gown. Avery looked dashing in a cherry-red suit and tie while Eloise was the picture of a bride down to the veil and lace train.

Louis did his part as best man, but the entire time his attention kept drifting back to David. There was just something about seeing David in settings like this. Surrounded by people and festivity, David was in his element. It was like seeing him in his natural habitat. He conversed easily and openly with everyone about everything.

As the ceremony turned to the reception, Louis drifted farther off to the side with a glass of celebratory champagne that he’d only taken one sip out of. In a moment he was sure he would find himself dragged into some conversation or another with old schoolmates and acquaintances, but for now he was free to just watch as David chatted with one of Eloise’s colleagues whom they’d met briefly earlier.

“Enjoying the view?” Avery asked, coming up from behind to slap Louis hard enough on the back to make his drink slosh over the rim of the glass.

“Isn’t it bad luck to spill the champagne or something?” Louis asked, turning a raised eyebrow at Avery. They just grinned at him.

“That’s salt,” they said. “You weren’t drinking it anyway.”

“True,” Louis said. He was only holding it so he looked like he was doing something instead of just pining after David from across the garden.

“I repeat: Enjoying the view?” Avery said.

Apparently, it had been an unsuccessful ploy.

“Just wondering how he can always be so energetic,” Louis hedged.

Avery snorted. “Sure,” they said. “I’m pretty sure you’re going to burn a hole in that suit if you keep looking at him like that.”

Louis gave them a reproachful look that Avery just laughed off.

“How long have you two been together, anyway?” Avery asked more seriously, looking Louis over speculatively.

“Not long,” Louis admitted with a shrug. “Under a year.” Though it seemed like much, much longer.

“Well, you know what they say, when you find the right person, it only takes a second to fall for them. It was the same for me with El.”

Louis looked over at Avery, surprised. He hadn't realized he was that transparent. There was no denying that he had feelings for David, maybe stronger feelings than he should at this stage, but he hadn't realized anyone else could see it.

The thought had him glancing over at David again who happened to catch his eye and wave. Before Louis could come up with a response to Avery, David was making his way over to them.

“Congratulations to you and Eloise,” David said, giving Avery a companionable hug. Avery clapped him on the shoulder and thanked him before excusing themself to go find their bride again.

“They look happy,” David said as he took the last sip of his champagne. Louis silently offered him his own glass and David took it with a small smile.

“That's a relief," Louis said dryly. "They just got married, after all. If they weren’t happy, this whole ceremony would have been a waste of time.”

David bumped their shoulders together. “That’s not what I mean. I mean that they look like they are really in love.”

“As opposed to faking it?” Louis asked just to be obnoxious.

David chuckled, taking a sip of Louis's champagne. “Yeah, they seem like the kind of people who will be in love forever. It's nice.”

Louis hummed in agreement. He recognized the same. They were the kind of people who just fit, like their lives and persons were made to slot together seamlessly. They watched for a moment as Avery and Eloise began the dancing at the center of the garden.

On the second song, a few more couples joined the newlyweds on the floor. David swayed a little to the beat of the music, transferring his champagne to the other hand so that he could slip an arm around Louis's shoulders. They watched the dancing and Louis found himself reaching around to settle his own hand at David's waist, giving a quick squeeze.

After a moment’s thought, Louis slipped out from under David's arm and took the nearly empty champagne flute from David’s hand. He set it on a nearby table. David gave him a questioning look until Louis reached out a hand to him.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Dance with me?” he asked. It was surprisingly nerve-racking. They were already dating, but the potential for rejection still made Louis's heart thunder.

David certainly looked surprised enough to refuse. He glanced down at Louis's extended hand and swallowed.

“I’m not sure—” David stammered, cheeks pink. “I haven’t ever danced with—I mean, I don’t know how to follow, so... I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say.” David ducked his head with a nervous laugh.

Louis chuckled, extending his hand more firmly toward David. “You can lead, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

David hesitated for only a second longer, biting his lip before giving in with a laugh and taking Louis's hand.

"Don't regret it if you end up with scuffed shoes," he said before pulling Louis into hold.

David wasn’t the most elegant partner that Louis had danced with and Louis wasn’t used to following, so he nearly stumbled a couple times, too, but David led them through a passable waltz and a foxtrot before the music changed and the dancing turned into something more like elaborate swaying and freestyling.

Miraculously, Louis found that he didn’t even care that this was a social gathering or that they were surrounded by other people and probably looking ridiculous as they spun around together. Louis did not stop smiling the entire time.

Pressed up against David with the sound of crickets welcoming the night, Louis would have been content for this moment to last forever.

For the first time in Louis didn’t know how long, he felt happy. Not just the fleeting joy of amusement, but truly and contentedly happy.

*****

David loved weddings.

Maybe he was just a sap, but he loved the promise of forever and the pure bliss on the faces of the newlyweds and their loved ones. Everyone was caught in the moment, as though this instant of happiness could last an eternity. It was a heady feeling and the closest to happily ever after that David thought it was possible to get.

This wedding was the best one he'd ever attended. Not just because he was happy for Avery and Eloise, but because he was here with Louis. Louis always made David’s day that much better. Being here with Louis made David wonder about things that he hadn’t let himself wonder about in a long time.

For the first time in years, David wondered whether something like this might be in the cards for him, too. He was probably getting ahead of himself, but as he danced with Louis, David let himself wonder if maybe he and Louis might have this in their future.

The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating. Maybe David was expecting too much. After all, he and Louis were still figuring things out. Neither of them had promised anything more than giving it a try.

But, sometimes, the way Louis looked at him made David wonder if there could be something more between them, too.

It came as something of a surprise that David thought he wanted whatever more Louis had in mind. The longer he was around Louis and the more liberties Louis allowed him to take, the more David wanted from him.

If he was honest with himself, David suspected that his feelings for Louis ran deeper than he'd thought. When he saw Louis with Avery, David recognized with a flash of surprise that he was jealous. Not because he thought there was anything romantic between them, but because Avery had known Louis for years and David envied them that. He wanted to know everything there was to know about Louis. He wanted to be the one he shared his thoughts and feelings with, the one he shared himself with. Completely.

And David was starting to think he might want to share all of himself with Louis, too.

The dancing began to peter out after a time and David and Louis drifted over to the side, neither of them really leading anymore as they swayed around, and finally came to a stop. David could have danced all night, but it was nice being alone with Louis, too.

He was gratified that Louis didn't drop his arms from where they'd settled at the back of his neck and against his shoulder. David had no intention of letting go of his grip on Louis's hips, though he slid his arms more comfortably around him, turning the hold into a loose embrace.

Louis's eyes sparkled with warmth and David wondered if it was inappropriate to make out with his boyfriend at someone else's wedding.

“Any plans for the rest of the night?” Louis asked in a way that could definitely be construed as an invitation.

David smiled a little, shuffling closer.

“Nothing in particular,” David said. The lights in the garden twinkled behind Louis, shining off his dark hair like some sort of halo.

Weddings definitely made David a sap.

David’s eyes wandered over those strong brows, following the bridge of his nose down to his lips. When he looked back up, Louis was watching him with an intense expression. David leaned in a little, remembering the night before and wondering why he had pushed him away. Maybe it was the lights or maybe the champagne making him brave, but David wanted... well, Louis.

Louis's fingers scratched idly at the back of Louis's neck. “Then, would you like to stay over again? Just like last night. It doesn’t have to be anything more than that.”

David stared into Louis's eyes for a moment before giving a shaky nod. Louis's lips quirked and David leaned forward, unable to resist any longer. His arms tightened around Louis's waist and Louis's eyes darkened. David tilted his head up, but a loud ring made David jump and pull back again.

Louis grimaced as David laughed, taking a step back so Louis could pull his the offending phone from his pocket. As soon as he read the caller ID, though, his expression shifted to something like worry. Hollow dread welled in the pit of David's stomach.

“This is Louis Greene.” His voice professional and even, but his expression was wooden. David’s heart thundered as his mind ran rampant with scenarios. There was a moment of silence before Louis's face drained of color. “When?” Louis nodded to himself, his hand coming up to grip David’s elbow in a way that made David tense along with him. “Yes,” Louis continued into the phone. “Thank you.”

“What’s wrong?” David demanded, his heart feeling like it might have stopped entirely.

Louis shook his head, then pressed a button on speed-dial.

“Anthony, it’s Louis. Rosemarie’s in the hospital and I need a ticket to Midtown tonight,” he said.

David’s stomach dropped to his feet and he instantly reached up to grip Louis's wrist where it still rested on his elbow. That drew Louis's attention as he said a few more words to his agent before hanging up.

There was a moment of silence during which their gazes met and David saw a chilling blankness in the usually warm brown of Louis's eyes. Louis's hand trembled and David gripped his wrist more tightly, pulling his elbow free so that he could clasp Louis's hand in both of his own.

“What happened?” David asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

Louis gave a tight shake of his head.

“I don’t know. She’s in the hospital and my plane leaves in 30 minutes and I need to pack.”

He pulled his hand from David's grip, but David caught his arm as he turned away. David held out his other hand out, a wave of calm overwhelming the adrenaline spike. “Give me your keys. I’ll drop you at the airport and then go by your apartment. I can bring your things back with me.”

Louis hesitated for only a second before handing David the keys. He sent a quick text to Avery as they dashed toward the car. David didn’t miss the tightness of his jaw as they climbed in or the way his fingers turned white against his knees.

“I’ll be right behind you,” David said as they stopped outside the Weldstone Harbor International Airport. He wanted to tell Louis that everything was going to be all right, but the dark voice inside his head reminded him that it really wouldn’t be. For Rosemarie, there was no all right there was just a little longer.

“Thank you,” Louis said, giving David’s hand a bone-crushing squeeze before leaving for the gate at a run.

David waited until Louis's back was gone from view before driving slowly back to Louis's condo.

He parked the car, turned the key in the ignition, then had a small mental breakdown. This night had started out so magical and now David had no idea what to do about anything. Only 24 hours ago, he and Louis had been pressed together in his living room, so close that David could feel every beat of Louis's heart. Now, it was as though the world had fallen through, like wet tissue paper trying to hold up something far too heavy.

David called Jennifer.

“If you want sex advice, call a therapist,” Jennifer said when she picked up. “I don’t have time for that.”

“Jennifer—” David said, then wasn’t sure where to go from there.

“What’s wrong?” she asked immediately.

David could almost see her dropping everything to come to his rescue like a knight in shining armor.

“Louis is on a plane back to Midtown. His sister is in the hospital and I don’t know what to do.”

“Shit. All right. First, take a deep breath, Davie. Where are you?"

"Weldstone Harbor, I'm sitting in front of Louis's condo. I'm bringing his things back to Midtown for him."

"All right," Jennifer said. "Go pack, then. I'll start looking at flights. What about your things? Were you staying with Louis?"

"No, I'm in a hotel. I'll stop there after," David said, mentally creating a checklist of tasks so he didn’t have to think about anything else.

If Rosemarie died while they weren't there, while Louis wasn't by her side, David didn't know what he'd do. It would destroy Louis not to be there for her, not to have every last second with her. His heart ached for both of them and his eyes stung.

David took a calming breath and got out of the car to go pack up Louis's belongings.