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You're freaking out. You try not to - take deep breaths, drink some water. Your feet carry you in an anxious circle while you play with your dress's fabric. You can't cry, can't run your fingers through your hair; the stylists spent so much time on them, you'd hate to ruin it.
You glance at the time. In half an hour, you'll be walking down the aisle and getting married to the love of your life. In front of your friends and family and the twins and- God you can't breathe.
There's a gentle knock on the door. "Sweetie? Are you alright?"
Just hearing his voice soothes most of the nerves. You can't help letting out a strained laugh as you wander over to the door. You lean your shoulder against it. Rest your temple on the wood. You wonder if he's doing the same on the other side.
"Sy, you shouldn't be here."
He chuckles softly, like it's only meant for you to hear. "Mephisto said you were pacing. I was worried."
You smile privately to yourself. Of course that bird was keeping an eye on you.
"Are you alright?" Sylus asks again.
You sigh. "I'm nervous. I knew I would be, it's just..." you trail off. You force a laugh. "I know it's silly-"
"Don't belittle your emotions, sweetheart," he chastises gently. "You have every right to be nervous."
"I know... Are you nervous?"
"... A little," he admits honestly.
"You're handling it much better than me."
He chuckles. "Not much better. The stylists got onto me for messing with my hair too much."
You laugh. "I wish I could've seen it."
"I'm sure one of the twins recorded it."
"It's not every day they see the big boss man get chastened."
You try to imagine it. Sylus pacing around like you were. Running his hands through his hair, scratching the back of his neck, fiddling with his clothes in the mirror. And then being scolded by the stylist, getting onto him for messing up their work.
A silence lulls. The peace you built in his company starts rusting over with nerves once more. You trace and pick at the wood of the door, staring blankly at the knob's brassy gleam. You're scared to look at the clock. Scared to see just how quickly time is slipping away.
"Can I come in?" Sylus asks.
"It's bad luck," you warn with a grin.
You can imagine the smile on his face as he takes hold of the knob and gently opens the door, giving you time to step away. You position yourself against the wall, blocked by the door until it's closed again. He's haloed by the sunlight pouring in from the large floor-to-ceiling windows. Silver hair warmed with golden light. White suit shining. You can't help staring. He's so beautiful.
He's staring, too. Breath caught in his chest as his eyes soak in the vision you are. It's his first time seeing the dress. You feel bashful under his attention, but you don't want to hide from it. You reach out to him, and he answers like it's second nature, placing his hand in yours and crowding you against the wall.
His voice is breathless and reverent, awestruck by you. "You're beautiful," he whispers. He lightly brushes some of your hair behind your ear, fingertips barely brushing your skin. "You're glowing."
You scoff lightly, laughter choked in your chest for all the love filling it. "You look good in white," you whisper back.
He smiles that devastating smile. The smile that makes your heart race and your soul feel light. The smile that shows the true Sylus underneath his carefully crafted facade. The smile he reserves for you and you alone.
He cups your cheek in tender hand, like you're some precious thing only he has the honor of holding. His other hand holds yours, hovering just over the skirt of your dress, like touching it could mean even more bad luck. And that easily, your anxiety is pulled from you. It drifts from your mind, from the restless motions of your hands. You feel like you can breathe again. So you wrap an arm around his waist, palm running along soft satin, and pull him closer so you can breathe him in. Breathe in the warm scent that's long soaked into your pillows and blankets and home. He ducks his head down, shutting out more of the room, of the wedding, of time. His forehead nearly touching yours, noses almost brushing.
You close your eyes. The thought of going out there, being seen by all those people, watched by friends and family, is bearable. It's a weight you can carry. So long as he's there, standing at the end of the long carpet, standing tall and smiling brightly under the altar - you can do it.
You laugh quietly, suddenly. Open eyes starting to water as you look up into his. They're starting to water, too. "If my mother knows you've snuck in here, she'll kill you before we can exchange rings."
He chuckles deeply, but he doesn't move to leave yet. You hold on tighter. His thumb strokes your cheek, careful not to mess up your makeup. A cool spring breeze brushes past the gauzy curtains in the windows. He presses a lingering kiss against your forehead.
"I'll be waiting for you," he whispers, lips ghosting your hairline. "Just keep your eyes on me. I won't let you fall."
You smile. "I love you."
"I love you, too, sweetheart."
He steps away, almost reluctantly. Your hand slips from around his waist. His hand falls from your cheek. The last connecting thread between you is broken when your hands separate. It's only temporary, you remind yourself.
His smile turns to a devilish smirk as he puts his ear to the door, listening for footsteps or commotion, eyes still watching you. It's quiet in the hall. Still, he turns the knob slowly and peeks out through a crack, just to make sure. You have to keep from laughing; it feels like you have a secret boyfriend over and now he has to sneak back out without alerting your parents. You suppose it's not completely off the mark.
He glances at you one last time. Squeezes his huge frame out of the door and shuts it behind him with a soft click and a playful wink.
You stay pressed up against the wall a while longer. Watch the curtains swish in the breeze and breathe in the floral air. Smooth out the skirt of your dress. Listen to the starting notes of an all too familiar melody and the knock of the person set to walk you down the aisle.
You take a deep breath.
And open the door.