Work Text:
Carlos tries to tie the bowtie again. It’s the fourth time and Carlos thinks he may have to iron the damn thing at this point.
His hands are shaking, his nerves are shot, and his brain is filled with fog.
Carlos is about to marry his best friend, his life partner, his soulmate today, and instead his body and brain are rebelling against him - filled with images of who should be helping him right now. He’s about to cry and then call Paul or someone to help, or just tear the damn thing and go without, when he hears the door open.
“Come here. Let me fix it,” says a voice behind him. A voice that fuels Carlos in ways nothing has before. He turns to see his husband-to-be (in a matter of minutes!) leaning on the door jamb.
“I thought we were going to wait to see each other?” Carlos says dumbly. TK shrugs.
“When have I gone with tradition? I missed you,” TK says easily and Carlos knows it’s more than that. TK steps in the room a little more and beckons Carlos over.
Carlos, always feeling like he has a string tying him to TK, goes.
TK kisses his forehead. Cheeks. Nose. The spot behind his ear. The base of his neck. Carlos has a few tears that escape rolling down his face at how gentle TK is before TK kisses those too.
Then, finally, his lips. The kiss is a bit damp and salty, but so achingly soft and full of love that a few more tears spring forth.
“I love you,” TK whispers against his lips.
“I love you too,” Carlos says back. “Always.”
TK pulls back and takes the two ends of the bow tie, tying it. Carlos raises a brow at him, because that’s definitely not an ability he possessed a few months ago when they were discussing suits.
TK shrugs again.
“YouTube. And forcing my dad to let me practice on him. I had a feeling I’d need the skill,” TK says, eyes full of affection and compassion and Carlos pulls him into another kiss to help soothe his ragged heart. It’s going to be alright.
“You’re my favorite person in the entire world,” Carlos confesses.
“How fortuitous. Ditto, baby,” TK responds with ease, kissing him one more time before leaning back. He pats Carlos’ shoulders and front before holding his hand and gesturing to the door.
“You ready?” TK asks. “We can wait if you want.”
Carlos shakes his head. He’s ready to call this man his husband. Has been ready for years.
“I’m ready. I’ve waited my whole life for this.”
TK’s responding blush is beautiful.
TK’s hand squeezes his and they walk out the dressing room door to where their friends and family are waiting. Carlos squeezes his hand three times, a silent gesture of love and TK does the same.
They’re ready.