Chapter Text
Ten months later.
Redd was sitting anxiously at a vanity mirror, tugging on the collar of his suit. He shouldn't be nervous, never hardly has been— hell he's ran away from the cops and angry customers but he's never felt this anxious in his life.
It officially marked a year since their sham marriage turned into something more. A year since Tom was uneasy and wary around him.
Now he's got a loving husband and two kids. Life was funny like that.
So getting remarried shouldn't be a big deal, right?
Except, it kinda was, to them anyways. Their first one was for show, to put on an act for the sake of the children. So when Tom mentioned wanting to have an actual wedding well.
He was floored. Literally, since he jumped on top of Tom and made them fall over.
And he got to show off how dashing his husband will most certainly look in a tux too.
"Redd?" Isabelle's voice was muffled by the door, and Redd inhaled slowly, patting down his suit before putting on the old charm.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He says the moment the door opens, revealing Isabelle in a pink floral dress. Her hair was done up the same but instead of bells she had a pink rose. Cute and fitting.
"We're ready to begin with the ceremony," A busy bee she was, even on his wedding day. He notices how Isabelle runs her eyes over him and gives an appreciative hum. "You look very handsome, Tom will love it!"
"He better, I don't dress up for just anyone," Redd smiles, circling past Isabelle and walks with her down the hall. It feels as if every step was heavy despite the walk being a short distance. "Welp, we can't start the show without the stars."
The way the island's been buzzing about their remarriage it certainly felt like that's what they were. A celebrity status that could match KK Slider's, minus all of the fans.
Wonder when that guy was gonna get hitched. God knows Tom would kill to go on a double date with him.
When they made their way into the chapel from the side door, all eyes were immediately on them. More so directed at him than Isabelle, and as much as he loved being the center of attention it unnerved him to have everyone on the island watching his every movement.
The island representative was taking photos while CJ was recording the whole ceremony, who gave a thumbs up to Redd as he made his way to the altar. Flick who sat beside him, offered a shy smile and glanced over at the flowers decorating the room, nearly jumping from his seat when a butterfly landed on one of the roses.
Pierce looked as if he were trying not to cry with Filbert gently patting his back in reassurance. Kidd leaned over against Butch, eagerly whispering in his ear, complimenting Redd's outfit. Muffy and Whitney sat beside them, nodding in agreement, sending the kitsune warm smiles.
Lottie was there as well, a swell of pride surging through Redd at how Tom no longer shook in her presence. She was sitting beside Digby looking positively lovestruck. Reese was leaning against Cyrus, sighing happily about the wedding. Sable and Mabel were admiring his clothing, who fortunately were the ones who designed and made his and Tom's suits.
Brewster gave Redd a nod as he looked to the trio of birds. Blathers was awestruck by the place, face heating up as Celeste whispered something in his ear.
KK sat with his plus one, someone Redd faintly remembers but apparently he was a shrink and comedian. The place was packed and the room was filled with hushed whispers as everyone was in place.
Isabelle stood in the middle and everyone turned to the door when music began to play. With not wanting to have any groomsmen or bridesmaids, they both decided it'd be best not to choose and focus more on planning the wedding.
Although if Redd had the choice he and Tom would be fighting for Isabelle to stand on either side if she wasn't officiating the wedding.
Timmy and Tommy came through the doors next, wearing matching suits and their hands full. Timmy was throwing out flower petals and Tommy was the ring bearer, both whispering to each other the whole way down the aisle. At one point they traded items, Timmy throwing flower petals at Tommy, giggling when Tommy returned the gesture and the both scurried next to Isabelle, awaiting Tom.
Isabelle quickly plucked a few flower petals out of the twins' hair before Tom appeared.
In his own matching black suit, with the Nook's Inc. Logo imprinted on the front (Redd tries not to eyeroll at that), Tom walks in with an air of grace flowing over him. Usually it's the opposite with the tired, overworked tanuki, but Redd had to admit he looked dashing in a suit. His hair was a bit messy, how it normally was, as if Tom couldn't decide if he wanted to slick it back or not.
Gorgeous, is what ran through Redd's mind the moment Tom made it to the altar, giving him a sheepish smile. Scratch that, he was gorgeous and cute. Only Tom could achieve such a level with appearances.
Tom stood opposite of Redd with their fingers easily entwining together. Like the last puzzle piece being put down it felt so right. A perfect little picture that Redd never dreamed he'd ever have.
"We're gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Tom and Redd," Isabelle paused, closing her eyes briefly with a gentle smile. "Technically their remarriage, and what an honor it is to share such a lovely day with them. If you two would like to exchange vows, now would be the time."
"Nooky— Tom. You know I hate being a sap in front of everyone, but.." Redd tilted his head to the side, looking down at his husband fondly. It's funny really, for someone who isn't quite sure how to shut up he can't always find the right words to say. "Thanks for taking a guy like me in," A deadbeat conman. "And letting me into your home, your family, and most importantly your heart."
Redd could hear a few quiet "awws", a sniffle or two from the villagers, but what was most important was the pure look of fondness on Tom's face. He could be so hard to read (the man does live being tired), but in that moment he could plainly see how much Tom loved him.
"I should be the one thanking you," Which honestly shocks the hell out of Redd to hear. "Life certainly is a lot more fulfilling with you around, yes yes. I always thought my life was set in stone, to work myself to the bone. Then you came crashing back into my life and I couldn't be happier."
"I couldn't ask for a better guardian for the twins, and on top of it all, I could never find a husband, nor person like you. I love you, Redd."
If Tom wasn't currently holding his hands he'd use his sleeve to wipe away the tears threatening to fall from the corner of his eyes.
"You may now kiss the groom."
Redd didn't need to hear that twice as he moved his hands away from Tom, only to wrap his arms around his waist and pulled him in as close as he could. Tom laughed against him as their chests bumped, and Redd craned his neck to place a kiss on Tom's lips.
The best way to seal the deal in Redd's opinion. The kiss deepened, turning a little more chaste though he doesn't think anyone minded with all the clapping and cheering.
Tom had to be the one to push away, panting lightly and blushing darkly, somehow still not used to kissing in public much to Redd's delight.
They walked hand in hand out of the chapel, feeling like their marriage felt more official than it ever had before.
At the reception hall Redd was busy stuffing his face at the head table (looking top notch made him gain an appetite), and he had to stop himself from laughing at the small sigh he heard next to him.
"I see you still have worse manners than the kids, hm." A small jab, but Redd nudged him when he noticed the smile.
"My zero table manners is what makes me more appealing," Redd winked as he sipped from his glass and swayed his tail lazily. "Well, one of the many things anyway."
"Uh-huh," Tom muffled a laugh, resting his head on his hand. "Did you think about where you wanted to go on our honeymoon?"
"As long as I'm with you Nooky it doesn't matter to me," As long as it wasn't the city. "Maybe we could stay on one of your smaller islands, have Isabelle and Digby watch the kids while we take it easy for the week."
"I can't tell if you're being cheap or sweet," Both. "But it sounds good to me, yes yes."
Redd laid an arm around Tom, who wasted no time sliding into his space, resting his head against Redd's shoulder. They watched the twins trying to sneak some icing from the cake with Filbert, only to get shooed away by Butch.
"Thanks for going through with this," Tom speaks up. "We didn't need a big fancy wedding to make it official, but.. Unlike a year ago I can honestly say I love you and mean it."
"Nooky you're such a big sentimental sap," Redd laughed, squeezing Tom's shoulder. Despite the outburst Redd couldn't stop grinning. He loved Tom with all his bleeding heart, but when he said stuff like that, well. Shit, he did the impossible and made Redd love him more. "But that's one of the many things I love about ya."
Tom sneaked a kiss, pressing his lips gently against Redd's cheek and pulled back once he saw K.K. take a seat on his usual stool. He looked at the two of them and jerked his head to the dance floor, strumming the beginning of K.K. Disco.
"Oh my God," Tom laughed, taking Redd by the hand as they made their way to the dance floor. "You did this, didn't you?" Pulling K.K. off to the side before the wedding and asking for a certain song to be played first? Definitely. "K.K. Disco as our first dance, really?"
Redd wrapped his arms around Tom's waist, feeling Tom drape his arms over his shoulders. Redd swayed with him, humming a little before he gathered his thoughts. It was always distracting having Tom hanging onto him.
"It was the song he played during our first dance at the wedding party," Redd shrugged, as if it were no big deal. "Wanted to make it special, unless you were wanting to dance to K.K. Mambo."
"Who's the big sentimental sap now, hm?" Despite his words getting thrown back at him Tom smiled sweetly, giving life to those dull tired eyes of his. Nothing was better than seeing his husband light up like a Christmas tree.
They twirled for a bit, clumsily stepping on each other's feet (neither could dance to save their lives), but having Tom in his arms was what mattered most.
Seeing the twins run out onto the dance floor when K.K. Love Song began, dancing completely off rhythm had Redd laughing under his breath. Something about knowing the twins were his too filled him with a smothering amount of joy.
Having a family that actually loved him is what made him feel complete. He got to come home every night to a tired doting husband and two energetic kids, followed by the world's best assistant, who was also the twin's godmother.
God he wouldn't trade them for the world.
Tom startled Redd out of his thoughts, kissing the edge of his eyes. "Don't go crying on our big day, where's that grin of yours that I adore so much?"
"Shit," Redd laughed again, bringing Tom in for a kiss. His hands caressed Tom's face, fully aware they were on the edge of making out on the dance floor, but hey they had the right to be a couple of love birds. It is their big day. "I thought you hated my smile since you're always telling me, 'wipe that stupid grin off your face.'"
"Only when you're being egotistical," Tom hummed thoughtfully, swaying again with Redd. "Which is ninety percent of the time."
"I'll have you know it's ninety-five percent, thank you— mmph." Redd raised his eyebrows, blinking at the sudden kiss Tom gave him, which disappointingly didn't last as long as Redd hoped.
"At least I can always kiss that smug smile off your face."
As much as he loves to hear himself talk, having Tom constantly shut him up with kisses was well worth the interruptions. To think they could have been doing that years ago.
Well, at least they worked their way up to it and that's what mattered most. Redd wouldn't have it any other way.
"I look forward to it for years to come, Nooky."