once bitten (and twice shy)

10. the pantsuit kink is alive and well

🎄THE PANTSUIT KINK IS ALIVE AND WELL🎄

By the time they finally arrived at the cabin with Nelly's horrendously slow car, Gen was nearly tackled into the snow by a very zealous Nelly. If it weren't for his and Alex's intervention, he was pretty sure the two of them would've gone careening into the snow banks.

"You are the bestest ever, Gen. I heard this was all your idea!" Nelly chattered excitedly, beaming from ear to ear.

"Somewhat. I had a lot of help," Gen confessed, shooting a look over at Lin, and he winked back. She deserved the recognition, he had watched how she had poured her soul into the planning of this. "I'm glad you like it though."

"We love it," Alex emphasized. "Last night was enough, but getting to do the whole thing all over again but in front of everyone we love, all dressed up, and the way we had originally imagined - it's everything, Gen."

"Speaking of which," Lin interrupted, his pocket buzzing nonstop from the countless texts he was receiving from his sister. "Miranda is blowing up my phone right now, because we all need to get ready. Especially you two," he said, shooting the brides his best teacher look. "Michelle was apparently running all over the house trying to find you."

"Whoops?" Nelly innocently offered, before breaking into a sunny smile. "God, I'm so excited. Will you help me get ready, Gen? I'm scared of Mish with a curling iron."

"Rightfully so," Gen agreed fondly. "C'mon, I'll help you first, and will help your stunning bride next. Now say bye to each other lovebirds."

The couple excitedly exchanged a kiss and bright smiles before Gen and Nelly rushed to the house, he and Alex following them at a more languished pace. "You're out of denial," Alex observed, a statement more than a question.

"Yup," he readily agreed.

"Took less time than I thought," Alex said. "I'm glad. You two deserve it. And do not give me the bullshit of not knowing how she feels. I got a good feeling about this."

"If it works out, I'll send you a thank you note," he dryly quipped. "Now, how was your day?"

"Magical. Thank you for helping that happen, Lin," Alex said, earnest. It wasn't often Alex openly bared it all, very unlike her wife. Maybe that's why they worked so well. It was definitely the reason why Lin and Alex got along well in any case. And that fact made the honest sparkle in her eye mean even more to Lin.

"It was no trouble at all. Even if I had to drive Nelly's car."

"I didn't want to crush either of our girls' spirits, but you and Gen were definitely in that jewelry store, weren't you?" she asked.

"You saw my hat on the counter?" he questioned, laughing as she nodded. "I didn't want to disappoint Gen by telling her we were found out. She really wanted to be spies."

"We'll keep it our secret then," Alex said. "In exchange for you not mentioning our clusterfuck of a proposal in your speech tonight."

"You drive a hard bargain, Zaher-Murphy. Deal," he agreed after pretending to deliberate for a second. As if it were a question; once again, he'd do anything for Gen. "Now let's get you married. Again."

...

It took minimal work and time to change into his formalwear; a pair of dark trousers and a matching jacket, overtop a deep burgundy turtleneck, a handkerchief the same colour in his pocket. All he had to do was comb back his hair and add the slightest amount of mousse, make sure he was still clear-shaven (one of the perks of not growing good facial hair: rarely having to shave), and grab his nice winter coat, before he left his room to help with further preparations.