Chapter Text
It’s the daytime, inside a synagogue, but not during any of the major holidays or the shabbat.
Danny stands in a suit fitted to just her style. Dark color in contrast to her pale skin and red hair. It flows past her shoulders and her broad build fills out the tux beautifully. Very traditional for a very nontraditional journey they’ve had together. She’s surrounded by her friends, Perry and Laf.
“I’m so happy for you, Danny. You really bagged a good one.” Laf pats Danny on the shoulder, leaving their hand there.
“I wouldn’t describe it exactly like that but I certainly agree!” Perry chirps while continuing to fuss with Danny’s suit.
“How are you feeling? Any nerves causing cold feet?”
Danny opens her mouth to respond.
“Oh certainly not.” Perry concludes for her.
“I couldn’t agree more, Perry.” Laf’s hand tightens on Danny’s shoulder, “You see, because if you end up hurting her I’ll have to stab you. And I don’t know how to stab people, so that just sounds like a bad time for the both of us.”
Danny’s face drains of color, her mouth closes.
“Oh Laf! Stop all of that!” Perry swats Laf’s hand away before looking at Danny.
Danny exhales, smiling.
“Now I wouldn’t do all that.” Perry’s smile consumes her entire face, and Danny frowns.
“But what I would do is kick you. Very hard, several times. Probably in the face if I can get my leg that high.” Perry spares a quick glance to Laf before nodding, “it’s certainly too late to start practicing now but I can always make sure it hurts just the same!”
Danny visibly shakes under the cheery disposition of her friends before clearing her throat and glancing around.
“How’s Laura doing, anyway?”
The same daytime, inside the same synagogue, but a different room on the other side.
Laura stands in front of a mirror, her hair and makeup done, wearing a wedding style white suit with some flare to it. It matches her can-do attitude but she shifts from foot to foot unable to look away from her reflection.
“But do I look like me?”
“I think the better question would be, do you feel like yourself?” Carmilla’s voice is just as dull as the first day they met. Laura assumes she doesn’t look up from her book, but can hear movement.
“I feel…” For a second Laura loses her expression, scanning her face for imperfections.
“It’s okay to be nervous.”
Laura catches Carmilla in the reflection, they’ve always been the same height but Laura’s eyes track upward instinctively.
“It’s your day too. Make sure you’re comfortable.”
Laura rolls her eyes, “But an entire wardrobe change? On my actual wedding day? Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”
Carmilla shrugs, “If anyone knows you, they know you have three backup outfits just in case. Throw one of them on, see how you feel.”
Laura smiles in the mirror, Carmilla turns away. Laura frowns.
“No, this should be fine.” Laura says as if she’s written an essay on how to convince yourself you’re happy. “I’ve got all of my friends here, everything’s on schedule, my hair and makeup look…” Her voice trails off as if she can’t find the words.
“Beautiful.”
The room is silent for a moment.
Laura inhales filling her chest to the brim.
“Don’t be nervous, Danny loves you. She’ll marry you no matter what you look like. Lace and curls be damned.” Laura smiles before leaning into the mirror to inspect herself for the 12th time.
“In fact, I’m kind of jealous I never got this side of you when we were dating.”
Laura laughs turning from the mirror, “yes you did. You just don’t remember.”
Carmilla’s leaning against the back wall, arms crossed, expression light. “I think I’d remember if I ever saw you in something with frill.”
Laura rolls her eyes, “Of course you don’t remember, if it didn’t explicitly involve you in some way why would you bother remembering?”
Carmilla laughs pushing herself from the wall and letting her arms fall to her sides, “Honey, if I wasn’t involved then how would I have seen you in such a way?” Her voice dips and her posture changes as she takes a step closer.
It goes unnoticed by Laura, her smile widens and her hands go to her hips, “Because we were living together when Laf invited us to their Industrial Revolution birthday party. Which you refused to attend.”
Carmilla’s suave exterior disappears, “oh.” She takes a step closer, her gaze locked with Laura.
Laura’s eyes shine and her face warms at the memory.
“I was a pretty shit girlfriend then, uh?”
Laura chuckles, “only a little bit.”
“Hollis…” Carmilla’s gaze can’t seem to find purchase anywhere, taking in all of Laura before her.
“Yeah?” Laura’s head tilts.
“Tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
“Cupcake.” Carmila sighs, she hates having to spell out the obvious.
“What? What’d I miss this time?” Laura glances down, running her hands over her suit once more. “Is it the outfit? I knew it.”
Carmilla takes Lauras’ hand in her own, “Laura.”
There’s a softness that catches Laura off guard, she’s seen it before, she’s lived it. She squeezes Carmilla’s hand, “no.” Her jaw tightens, “no you are not doing this to me, not on my wedding day. Not today, Carmilla.”
“Then tell me and I won’t.”
Laura lets go and takes a step back, needing the space, “you broke up with me!”
“That doesn’t mean I stopped loving you!”
Neither of them breath, the air in the room suddenly too hot to take in all at once. Carmilla takes a delicate step forward, Laura’s head tilts up instinctively.
Carmilla leans in. Laura’s mouth falls open and they kiss. It tastes like memories, familiar and comforting. Carmilla moves her lips over Laura’s and Laura responds so easily.
There’s a knock at the door.
Laura pulls away instantly. Carmilla’s lips have a tint to them now, from her makeup. For her wedding day, which is today. Her eyes start to fill with tears.
There’s another knock at the door but this time it’s followed by the door opening.
Carmilla frowns before heading towards the door.
Perry and Laf move out of the way as Carmilla leaves.
Perry gets a good look at Laura, “oh, honey…” She rushes over to her, Laura knows her makeup is ruined now.
Laf takes the scene in for a second before taking off after Carmilla.
“Let me fix that for you.” Perry sits Laura down before getting to work on her makeup. “Deep breaths, deep breaths.”
Laura’s a whirlwind of emotions but there’s one thought that keeps repeating in her head, “she better still do the speech.”