#let reggie wear a dress 2kalways

[innytoes]

Chaos! 20, Reggie x Flynn

Reggie wasn't sure what the big deal was, really. He'd worn a suit! To a red carpet! So what if it was the same suit he'd worn to the last three red carpets, the pretty red one with the butterflies. It was a good suit. His favourite, in fact.

Okay, so it was also his only suit. But nobody ragged on all the other male celebrities for wearing boring black tuxes at every event.

So why was he the one who became a meme? And why did the some of them have to be so mean about it? Luke had dragged him away from his computer before he could start a twitter fight with some youtuber who said butterflies were overrated. And that thinkpiece about Reggie re-wearing his suit because he'd grown up poor had hurt, okay? They'd even gone after his ripped skinny jeans. Those were cool! He could afford normal jeans if he wanted to!

The label hadn't been too amused by his 'guess I'll wear the red butterfly suit' meme. Even though the ones on tumblr were pretty funny. He especially liked the one of him photoshopped into disasters like the Titanic and Godzilla attacking LA.

"Just go meet with a stylist, dude," Luke said. Luke was one to talk. Stylists loved him and his stupid biceps and his stupid sleeveless shirts. Nobody ever called Luke poor for his ratty-ass shirts that didn't even have sleeves. Maybe if his knees were really swole, people would leave him alone about the skinny jeans.

"I don't want to," he whined, flopping over and putting his head in Alex' lap. Alex looked a little disgruntled, before sighing a little resigned 'okay' at him and petting his hair. Victory. "Stylists are mean. The last one tried to get me to give up my flannel. My flannel, guys!"

Alex looked down at him, putting on his Stern Face. "If you want the tiktok youths to stop bullying you, you gotta wear a different suit to the next event," he said. "It's a big one."

"But I like my red suit!" he whined some more. Alex always looked hot at red carpets, but he had ten-plus years of gay spite fueling his fashion decisions. "How am I ever gonna find something as cool as that? I don't want to show up in some boring-ass black and white tux because people can't understand sustainable fashion." That was what one of the nicer blogs had said. He was eco-friendly, okay, not poor or uninspired.

"What if you talk to a friend of mine?" Julie offered. "My friend Flynn is super fashionable, but she's not a professional stylist, she's a DJ. We always try to go shopping together for events."

Reggie thought about it. Nobody ever had something bad to say about Julie's outfits. She was always 'cool' and 'fresh' and a 'slay it queen'. "Fine," he pouted. "I'll meet your cool friend. But if she tries to take away my flannel, I'm running, I don't care if it's rude."

Julie rolled her eyes, leaning over to fist-bump him. "Deal."

Which was why, a week before their next red carpet, he got a text from an unknown number to meet him at a vintage store tucked away in a back alley somewhere. (Yes, he did check with Julie if it was her friend Flynn. He was a himbo, he wasn't an idiot.)

When he rounded the corner and saw what he assumed was Flynn standing there waiting for him, his first thought was 'wow, she really is fashionable'. His second thought, when she turned to look at him, was 'oh no, she's hot'.

His crush only grew throughout the day. Flynn was funny, and cool, and smart. She actually listened to what he had to say, and she totally agreed that his red butterfly suit was cool. She even suggested he wear something different to this event, and then wear the red suit the next time just as a big 'screw you' to the media.

He tried on a bunch of different stuff at the first store, Flynn yay-ing and nay-ing on some indecipherable scale that Reggie didn't understand. He did kind of like coming out of the dressing room and hearing her wolf-whistle at the red plaid suit, though. And if his face turned red to match when Flynn called him 'eye candy', well, all she did was wink at him.

They took a break after a few hours, getting cinnamon rolls and coffee at a local café. Flynn was so easy to talk to, Reggie could have stayed there for hours. They talked about fashion, but also music, and their childhoods. Flynn shared some incredibly funny stories about her and Julie that Reggie couldn't wait to bring up to her at some later point. Especially when she was ragging on them for being dumb.

The afternoon flew by as well. Especially when Flynn looked at him with a glint in her eyes and asked him what he thought about dresses. If the Fashion Police and the label were gonna drag him for being boring, that would be a great way to get them off his back.

Reggie had never felt prettier in his goddamn life, okay? The gown was floofy and flowly and huge, black with beautiful sparkles. The train was long and reminded him of storm clouds, rustling behind him. And it had a split at the front so he could show off 'those pretty gams of yours', as Flynn had joked. He was going to beat Alex at his own game. Hell, he was going to beat Julie. He was going to Win this red carpet.

Flynn even arranged for an Uber to meet them so Reggie could practice getting in and out of a car in it without flashing anyone or tripping on the train. He tipped the driver fifty bucks and sent her on her way. Once he was back in his ripped skinny jeans and flannel (which Flynn had said were fine, by the way, take that, stupid stylist), he met Flynn outside the store again.

"Okay, so just tell Julie to let you borrow her silver star necklace, and you should be good to go," Flynn said, checking her phone. They'd gotten shoes, found him a cool couple of rings and a bracelet, and discussed make-up. He had two new suits in a bag and the gown ready to be sent to his apartment after being steamed.

"I was thinking, maybe we could meet up some time?" Reggie asked, as they were saying their goodbyes. He didn't really want this day to end, but it was getting late and Flynn had plans.

"You need me to walk you through putting on the eyeliner?" Flynn asked, smiling.

"I was thinking more... dinner and a movie?" he said, trailing off hopefully. Flynn looked back at him, her mouth a surprised 'oh'. "If you don't- I'm sorry, if you're not interested that's cool, too, but I've never had as much fun clothes shopping as I did with you, and you're so cool and fun and funny and-"

"Dinner and a movie sounds great," Flynn said, cutting him off before he could list all the things that were great about Flynn.

A few months later, he was on the red carpet again, in his red and black butterfly suit, with the most beautiful woman in the world on his arm, wearing a matching black and red dress.

Suck it, Stylists.

[innytoes]

Thinking Thoughts today about ABO AU Reggie and Clothes.

-When Paul became his Register, he either wore what Paul decided, or what he still had left from high school. If he bought new clothes and Paul was in a bad mood, he’d get berated for wasting money. If he didn’t buy new clothes and Paul was in a bad mood, he’d get berated about not making an effort for his alpha.

-At the shelter, they didn’t really have their own clothes. Everything was just heaped together and washed, and then they grabbed it from big communal piles. Reggie quickly realised that with his gross-ass, still-healing cut on his face, nobody was going to be interested in him anyway, so he offered to wear the most ugly clothes people donate so the others wouldn’t have to.

-It became kind of a joke, every time they get in one of those weird shirts with ridiculous text or an ugly print, HEY REGGIE YOU GOT ANOTHER SHIRT. He didn’t mind, because joking with his friends was better than thinking about how he was going to be stuck in the shelter for the rest of his life.

-When someone leaves the shelter they’re allowed the clothes on their back + one change of clothes. The people in the laundry room always made sure that the change of clothes were The Worst Items We Have So Nobody Has To Wear Them Anymore.

-Caleb, when Reggie comes home with them, is secretly Very Worried that was his actual taste. Their new omega is wearing a ‘women want me fish fear me’ shirt and cargo shorts, and all he packed was a pair of acid wash jeggings that are bedazzled on the ass and a shirt declaring he was Team Bride.

-Reggie admits that they’re not really his style, but there’s not a lot of options at the shelter. (He’s too scared to say they sent him away with ugly clothes on purpose in case it makes his new alphas annoyed.)

-Caleb is annoyed, but not at Reggie. He wants to drag Reggie to a nice boutique right the heck now, but Ray stops him when he sees how overwhelmed Reggie already is and promises to pick him up a few things at Target.

-Ray gets him some basic jeans, underwear and socks, some black and white t-shirts, a nice soft pair of sweatpants and a cozy sweatshirt. Also a shirt with a cat on it, because he saw how excited Reggie was to meet Pockets.

-Of course Reggie loves the cat shirt, and Caleb only despairs a little on the inside.

-Reggie quickly starts ‘borrowing’ Ray’s old flannels. First just when they’re both out for work, but one day he forgets to take it off before Ray gets home. Ray just smiles and kisses his cheek and doesn’t say anything mean about it, so Reggie takes that as permission.

-Ray’s Henleys are his next target. This is a bigger risk, because while Ray rarely wears the flannels, he does wear the henleys a lot. His favourite is a sage green one that’s very soft. He may put it at the top of the pile every time after washing it so Ray will wear it (so he can steal it the next day when it smells like him).

-Yes, Caleb starts dressing down and buying Very Soft Things around this time in the hopes that Reggie will steal some of his clothes.

-He also makes sure Reggie knows that the credit/debit card he gave him can be used to buy anything he wants, not just groceries or things Pockets needs. He can buy some clothes that are more his style.

-Reggie does go out and buy some underwear that’s more his preference. He’s a little worried Ray will be offended, but of course he isn’t.

-Emboldened by that, he buys some cute socks with dogs on them the next time he’s out. Nobody is mad. In fact, Ray compliments them. Then, some proper running shoes, shorts, and a tank top. Still no comment.

-So Reggie settles into the idea that he really is allowed to buy whatever he wants with his card. He gets himself a treat while shopping sometimes, a little cupcake or a super sweet coffee drink. He buys a second pair of cozy sweatpants. He still mostly steals Ray’s shirts, but he gets a nice burnt orange sweater that’s on sale and very, very soft.

-And then one day, he sees a dress in the window of a little boutique that he just knows would be perfect for Aimee from the shelter. So he buys it. And then he realises, he could get all his friends some nice clothes. Caleb’s always reminding him can buy whatever he wants and that he never gets anywhere near the end of his budget. (Is it really a budget if Reggie can’t imagine spending that much money in a month?)

-So maybe he goes all out and gets some nice, not-ugly, fun clothes. He goes to the little boutique and buys a bunch of pretty dresses and skirts and tops in different sizes and styles. He gets some nice button ups and some decent jeans and soft sweaters and decent quality shirts and cool hats okay, maybe he also slips in one ridiculous t-shirt with a skateboarding dinosaur just because.

-He doesn’t dare go inside the café-part of his old shelter. He’s too scared his friends will be mad that he got picked when they have not. That they’ll think he’s rubbing it in, that he got out and he has Money now. So instead, he puts everything in a big bag, ties it up with a little bow and a card that says CLOTHES DONATION... and chucks it over the fence of the Outdoor Area at the back on one of his early morning jogs and runs away.

-He is feeling pretty good about all of this, until Caleb looks up from his monthly budgeting and asks if they can talk.

-Reggie immediately feels his heart stuck in his throat. He spent too much. Even though he didn’t max out his budget, Caleb thinks he’s spent too much and he is going to be mad. He tries to keep himself under control, keep his scent under control, but Caleb’s nostrils flare and he get up and Reggie squeezes his eyes shut...

And Caleb just crouches down in front of him and gently takes his hands.

“I’m not mad,” he says. “You’re okay. You’re safe here. Nobody is going to hurt you, or yell. Take a breath for me, alright?”

He takes a deep breath, and when he opens his eyes, Caleb looks concerned. His scent is soothing, and calm, and not mad at all.

“I just wanted to check if you made this purchase,” he says slowly. “Or if someone cloned one of my cards and I need to report it. Georgie’s Dresses?”

“That’s mine,” he whispers, unable to stop himself from hunching in on himself, hair falling over his face.

“Kitten, if you want to wear dresses, you don’t have to hide them from us,” Caleb says, his thumb gently stroking Reggie’s hand. “I’m sure you look beautiful in them.”

Oh. Reggie almost wants to cry and the sincere words, and he falls into Caleb and hugs him tight. Caleb of course catches him, holding him close and stroking his hair gently.

“They’re not for me,” he admits after a while. “I- they- I saw a dress one of my old friends would just die for, so I bought it. And then... then I bought some more stuff. Because I get to have all these nice things now, and they’re stuck with whatever people donate, and I just...”

“That’s very kind of you,” Caleb says. He hadn’t been upset when Reggie carefully asked if he could use some of his allowance - his budget - to set up a recurring donation to the animal shelter. Of course he wouldn’t be mad if he wanted to spend some of that money on helping out his old friends. “Next time we declutter, we’ll be sure to donate whatever you think is best to there as well, alright?”

Reggie smiles, nodding. He doesn’t think Jeff or Antonio or most of the guys would be too happy wearing some of Caleb’s old Hollywood Ghost Club suits, but who knew. Maybe Miles would. He was always fashionable and he loved sparkles.

-When they’re settled on the couch later that evening, the budget all squared away, Reggie looks up from fiddling with one of Ray’s bracelets.

“Do you really think I’d look pretty in a dress?” he asks, willing his voice to stay steady.

“Breathtaking,” Caleb says, looking up from his book.

“You look pretty in whatever makes you happy, tesoro,” Ray says, pressing a kiss to his temple. “You could definitely rock a nice dress.”

Reggie smiles, snuggling into Ray’s side a little more. Maybe he’d go shopping some time.

[innytoes]

Another softish prompt: 29. “I want to see you.” “Come closer.” for Peterpatterlina?

One of the great things about the future, Reggie decided, was the internet. Not only could he get all his rock and roll news with a single click, and watch funny dog videos whenever he wanted, and there was this whole website full of Star Wars fanfiction... but it also had online shopping.

Online shopping meant that as long as you had money, and a way to intercept the mail before anyone else got to it, you could buy anything, and nobody would ever have to know. No judgemental looks about being in the 'wrong' section of the store, no awkward lies at check-out about buying something for your girlfriend. No surreptitious holding things in front of his chest wondering if they'll fit while just pretending to fold them or sneakily darting a hand out to touch the fabric of something while he walked by.

Online shopping was really awesome, especially now that Julie had given the guys their own PayPal accounts and deposited their gig money into it if they wanted to.

The package arrived while everyone else was out. Ray was at a shoot, Julie and Carlos were at school, Alex was out with Willie, and Luke was helping his mom in the garden, doing his best to repair a relationship that had been broken for over twenty-five years. So he had the place all to himself. Being seen by lifers also meant he could thank the delivery person and not have to worry about anyone noticing a weirdly floating package moving from the Molina’s porch.

He took it to the studio bathroom, closing and locking the door even though they still had the ability to phase through walls if they focused. Carefully, he opened up the plastic, shaking out the dress and holding it to his chest. The velvet material was soft in his fingers, the dark red beautiful against his skin.

He quickly shed his clothes, dumping his boots and his belt and shucking off his flannel and shirt and pants. He fiddled with the hem of his black briefs, but decided to keep them on for now. Unless they ruined the line of the dress. Maybe he should have ordered something to wear under it. But he wasn’t that brave just yet.

Carefully, he slid on the dress, tugging it down. It was a little loose in the chest, but the neckline showed off his collar bones nicely. The sleeves were a little snug, but the waist hit him just right. The skirt was pretty and flowy, giving him the illusion of hips, ending midway up his thigh. The website had called it a fit-and-flare, and when he did a little twirl, the skirt flared out. He looked at himself in the mirror and stopped, his breath catching.

He looked pretty. Not handsome. Not cute. He looked pretty, with his soft dress and its swishy skirt. He moved this way and that, doing another twirl, and he couldn’t help the giggle that spilled from his lips. This was better than trying to pass off the black nail polish on his fingers as punk while pretending his toenails weren’t a soft, glittery pink. It was way better than that skirt that he’d pretended to buy for his girlfriend that never fit right and kept slipping off his non-existent hips because he was too scared to try it on in the store.

He wasn’t sure how long he spent in the bathroom, twirling and running his hands over the velvet-y fabric. Probably quite a while, because all of a sudden, Luke popped his head through the door while Reggie was mid-twirl. “Hey Reg are you in here? Julie’s home and I had a killer idea- Oh.”

“Dude!” Reggie yelped, hands pushing the skirt down like that was the issue. “What happened to knocking?” Even though all three of the guys had long since given up on knocking, especially because Reggie usually took forever in the shower and Alex did want to brush his teeth before going to meet his boyfriend.

“You look hot,” Luke said, before pulling his head back. “Reggie’s in a dress and he looks fucking hot,” he heard him tell Julie, and Reggie kind of wanted to die a little. Luke phased back through the door, taking his hand and pulling, but Reggie didn’t budge.

“Come on, babe, come show Julie how hot you look,” Luke urged.

“Luke no,” Reggie said, trying to tug his hand back. At another insistent pull that nearly got him through the door, he snapped. “Quit it!” He yanked his hand back, and Luke went flying through the door, an ‘oof’ on the other side meaning he probably landed hard. Reggie winced, but he couldn’t feel too bad about it right at this moment.

This was supposed to be a private thing. A just-for-him thing, until he got the confidence to talk to Luke and Julie about it. He frantically started to grab his clothes from the floor, wondering if he should poof away, or hide in the shower behind the curtain as he changed, or something.

There was a soft knock at the door. “Reggie?” Julie’s voice called gently. “You don’t have to come out if you don’t want to.” He closed his eyes, taking a breath. He’d felt so good a moment ago, and now all he felt were the same nerves and shame and fear of getting caught, of being seen, that he remembered from the nineties. “But if it matters... I want to see you. If you’d feel comfortable with that. I bet you look really pretty.”

There was that word again. The way Julie said it, it sounded like she meant it. “Promise you won’t laugh?” he asked, nervously fiddling with the hem of the dress.

“Cross my heart,” Julie promised. “It’s just me and Luke, nobody else.”

Okay. He could do that. Luke had seen him already anyway, and his reaction was... well, it hadn’t been bad.

When he stepped through the door, Luke was sitting on the floor, still pouting, but his expression quickly changed to a grin when he saw Reggie. Julie had moved back from the door, giving him his space. She let out a surprised little ‘oh’ when she saw him. He flushed, reflexively smoothing down the skirt.

“Come closer?” she asked, holding out her hand. Reggie took it, moving closer to her. She ran her thumb over the fabric on his wrist. “You look really pretty.”

“Yeah?” Reggie asked, and he could hear the slight desperation in his own voice.

“Beautiful,” Luke said, coming up behind him and pressing a kiss to his neck. “You look gorgeous, baby.” Arms came around his waist, and Luke’s hands moved over his stomach. “Oh. It’s soft.”

“Yeah!” Reggie said, slowly warming up to them seeing him like this. “And the skirt’s really swishy and pretty when you twirl.” Immediately, Luke pulled back, taking his hand and sending him into a twirl. He twirled, grinning when the skirt flared out again, before twirling back into Luke’s arms. He caught Reggie easily, dipping him dramatically before helping him upright again. Julie chuckled.

“You know, I have some black fishnets that would complete this look,” Julie said. “Maybe with some nice big stompy boots and a choker.” She ran her hand over Reggie’s shoulder, along the hem of the neckline, over his collar bone. He shivered. “Maybe some lip gloss?”

“I’d like that,” Reggie whispered. Maybe Julie would do his eyes as well. He always loved a good smoky eye on the girls who went to their shows back when they played the bar scene.

“Maybe some pretty lace panties,” Luke suggested behind him.

“Luke,” Julie glared over Reggie’s shoulder, taking Reggie’s hand. “We’re being supportive, not horny.”

“I can be both!” Luke argued.

Reggie tried and failed to bite back a grin. “Maybe we can look on the computer for some later?” he asked Julie hopefully. Her cheeks flushed prettily, and suddenly she didn’t seem to mind being both Horny and Supportive.

Online shopping was the best.