everything to do with you, down to your clothes

[roughandugly]

As much as Alec appreciated solitude, he was certainly not immune to feeling the ache of loneliness. Butternut (or 'Boathouse Cat' as Alec had nicknamed her), when she wasn't swatting at the fish swimming in the lake or chasing after mice and squirrels, could be incredibly affectionate toward him, and Alec had grown rather fond of her in return, but the company of a cat couldn't compare to the company of a fellow man - at least not one who was a friend.

There had been no answer to his knocking at the door to Biffy's apartment, so the next place he went looking was the clothing store where he knew Biffy was employed. Alec had never visited before, having no need or desire to wear such formal attire, but he would have a look around if it meant spending even a short amount of time with his good mate.

Looking at the smartly dressed mannequins at the front of store, Alec couldn't help but compare their outfits to the ill-fitting navy blue suit with the red tie which hung in his wardrobe. Alec hated that suit, but it was the only one he owned. He would much prefer a suit like the olive green one in front of him. Or perhaps the sky blue.

Comments

[modern_alpha]

Biffy chuckled, "Careful now. I was stuck-up rich folk. That shirt looks very nice on you, though. Easy enough to dress up, if you're so inclined, or to wear as is." Truthfully, he thought Alec might even benefit from wearing it untucked as many modern men did but it was not advice he could yet bring himself to say aloud.

"I like to think that I make people feel good as well, in helping them look their best." It wasn't the same, he could admit, as feeding the hungry and sheltering the bereft but Biffy thought it was important in its own quiet way. "I can only express my regrets, though, that men's fashion seems to have narrowed down to only the most basic categories."

[roughandugly]

Alec also let out a soft laugh, but he wasn't about to apologise for what he had said. "You're alright. Just don't go getting any ideas about bossing me around or the like."

Biffy's efforts were mostly wasted on Alec, but he did like the way the high quality fabrics were smooth and cool against his skin, and the navy of the shirt reminded him of the evening sky.

"Women often wear trousers 'round here. Perhaps you can start selling gowns to the men." He said it with a smile, but he was partially serious. Ever since he was a boy, Alec hadn't understood why everything needed to be different for men and women.

[modern_alpha]

"Perhaps, though I'm not well versed on what's suitable for men. And there are no fashion plates in this city to lay out what works every season," Biffy said, sighing melodramatically. There were ways in which the lack of fashion plates and their dictations delighted him bu tat times it also left him a bit without footing.

"I did know a few men who wore stays and corsets, admittedly. To make themselves handsomer than they really were." Biffy laughed and shook his head at that before handing Alec another shirt. "Try this one too."

[roughandugly]

"You'd never catch me wearing one of those ridiculous corsets. I don't know why anybody bothers."

Alec took the next shirt with a sigh. He was growing tired of taking off and putting on garment after garment, but he was still enjoying Biffy's company.

[modern_alpha]

It was the same kind of put upon sigh that he'd heard from Lady Maccon now and then, signaling a growing impatience with the routine of dressing. Biffy was not prone to such a feeling given how thoroughly he enjoyed preening about in many outfits infront of the mirror.

"To look handsome. Whyever else would anybody do such things?"

[roughandugly]

"What about when the clothes come off? There isn't any hiding what you really look like then." He said this matter-of-factly, just as he removed the shirt he was wearing. The back wall of the fitting room was a mirror and Alec paused to look at himself shirtless. Mirrors weren't something he spent a whole lot of time in front of. He thought his body looked fine - good, even. Nothing really to boast about, but he was okay with that. He was more concerned with what his body could do.

He said sincerely, "Sorry, I guess I still don't much get the point of all these fancy clothes." Alec made his way back over to where Biffy was waiting to see how this new shirt looked on him. "Like I said, I'm really only here to spend time with you."

[modern_alpha]

"A great deal of disappointment, I imagine. I can't imagine that any man vain enough to shape himself with a corset could also be much of a wit." Certainly, Lord Akeldama had enjoyed waist modification from time to time but the effect had been one of shameless costuming, not deception.

"I enjoy spending time with you as well. And I'm pleased that you've been so frightfully patient while I go about it," Biffy promised.

[roughandugly]

"You're not wearing one under that, are you?" Alec teased, reaching his arm out to playfully poke Biffy's abdomen. He threw his head back and let out a short laugh, a mite too loud for the setting.

The process of buttoning and unbuttoning shirt after shirt was tedious, but it wasn't unbearable. "How's this one? Sleeves seem a bit long, don't you think?"

[modern_alpha]

Biffy smiled innocently and pulled up the hem of his shirt to show only the smooth expanse of his skin from navel to the band of his trousers. Not a corset in sight. "I would never so loudly criticize something that might very well be on my own person." At least not a waistcoat.

Poison, perhaps, but that was another matter altogether.

"It's an easy fix, at least. We've got a tailor in-house to properly adjust any clothes."

[roughandugly]

"How long does that take?" Alec asked sulkily. He was appreciative of Biffy's help, and he was glad to own some new clothes, but the process of trying garments on had already taken more time than he had expected. "I've got a cat to feed."

[modern_alpha]

"A day or two. You usually would be required to pick them up, but I'll do you the favor of bringing them to your boathouse, if you like?" Biffy offered it with genuine enthusiasm, even as he spoke in a careful tone that was designed to temper impatience.

"A cat? Really?"