“I don’t know if I can do this,” Louis murmurs to himself more than anyone else in the room. “I’m nervous. I don’t think—“
“Stop fussing so much,” Claudia says in her familiar chiding tone he’s grown to find adorable. She reaches up, straightening his tie, and rolls those eyes of hers at him. “You’ve been ready for this. He’s waiting. He’s been wanting to see you.”
“It’s bad luck,” Louis disagrees but Claudia claps him on the chest hard enough that it makes him wince.
“You’ve been together for longer than any mortal couple can wish for. There’s no such thing as bad luck considering the shit you put one another through!” Claudia gives him a firm nod and steps back, smoothing her hands down the front of her dress before she spins on her high heels and walks right to the door.
Lestat is standing there, looking eager and young, and when their eyes meet, most of Louis’ worries begin to melt away.
“Hello, darling,” Lestat breathes, gazing at Louis with wide and adoring eyes. “You look incredible.”
“So do you,” Louis returns and finds himself actually able to smile. It’s amazing what seeing Lestat and hearing his voice can do for him. He’s been so anxious and now he’s just needing to be in those familiar, strong arms.
Claudia quietly closes the door to leave them alone, and Lestat wastes no time in striding across the small bit of space between them to hold him like Louis wants. Louis sighs, molding his body to his companion heart’s and they are cheek to cheek.
“Don’t be nervous, darling,” Lestat coos, running his fingertips soothingly up and down Louis’ back. “We will speak our vows before those we hold close and be together, even by law this time around.”
“I can barely remember my vows,” Louis drawls out his confession. “Seems my brain has turned into soup and—“
“Nonsense,” Lestat murmurs back to him. He turns to kiss Louis’ cheek so sweetly and smiles against his skin. “Let your vows be the things you whispered in my ear time and time again. Your heart’s secrets there, to speak and swear to me.”
Louis laughs and leans back a little so their eyes can meet. Lestat’s gray eyes are a swirling pool of devotion and it is all directed towards him. “I love you,” he says. “You always know what to say.”
Lestat looks a bit smug about it but leans into him as their lips brush together in a soft and gentle kiss. “I love you,” Lestat echoes. “I cannot wait to declare that love to you, again, in this place, but with less fire and blood.”
Louis finally laughs and quickly nods before their lips meet once more. He can hear Claudia in his head, telling them to save it for the wedding but he blocks her out, if only for a few more minutes.
What’s a few more minutes when they have eternity?
“Remember that right-wing culture war and transphobic propaganda is never just about discourse, debate, or the ‘potential for violence,’” Jeremy Johnston, an assistant professor at Canada’s Western University, tweeted. “It’s about actual violence.”
