Chapter Text
Tommi watched as Casper brushed and flattened the crisp fabric that draped over his legs. He looked up and met her eyes for the first time since he began putting the clothes on.
“I don't remember these sorts of dresses being so comfortable the last time I wore them” Casper chuckled as he stood straight and adjusted his vest.
Tommi beamed at her gorgeous husband. “That is because, Mussukka,” she grinned, “You have never had them fitted before! You have only accepted what you found on a rack that was not made for your beautiful body!”
Tommi stepped across their bedroom to Casper, cupping his scruffy face in both of her hands and kissed him eagerly before spinning him around to face the full length mirror mounted to their closet door. She watched as Casper looked himself up and down, moving and flexing, watching how the fabric of the skirt, vest and tucked button down shirt accommodated all of Casper's movements.
“I thought I would feel ridiculous and look worse when you first asked me to dress up with you.” It was his turn to grin now. “Oddly enough, this feels incredible! I don't feel trapped like I did when I was younger.” He gave a quick twirl and watched the skirt billow around him. “This is a leap from my attire to be sure, but it's no less authentic to me. And?!?” Casper patted at his hips before dipping them into the fabric folds,“You found one with pockets?! I can carry all my pens and notes with me without a cumbersome bag!” Tommi watched as Casper jumped in place, pulling his hands from his pockets and suddenly embraced her.
She held him tight, feeling overcome with emotions. She’d had no idea how Casper would feel trying on a dress for the first time since he had started transitioning, but she didn't want to be the only one of them to be stunning in a dress on their picnic this evening. She was relieved at his excitement and hoped she could steal some of it for herself when she tried on her own dress.
Tommi was still in her pjs after taking a shower. She wanted to see what Casper thought of his outfit for the evening before she braved putting hers on. Tonight was going to be her first time wearing a proper dress that wasn't some skimpy cocktail thing from a charity shop that she layered other articles on top of. Her dress for the evening was going to be stand alone and she was anxious to walk the city to the park in so few layers.
“I'm so glad you like it Mussukka,” she squeezed Casper harder a moment before pulling away to look at his handsome beaming face. “Let us hope that I feel just as good with my dress.” She gave him a short kiss as she picked up her dress from the bed and went to the bathroom to start changing.
There was a gasp as Tommi stepped out of the bathroom.
“Perkele, what is wrong?” She asked approaching Casper. “Did something happen?”
Casper's eyes were locked onto Tommi in a look she mistook for fear.
“Everything is perfectly fine, love. You just look absolutely gorgeous and I almost didn't recognize you. Or, rather,” He rambled. “I did recognize you but as a completely different version of you. In a good way! I promise! Does that make sense?”
Tommi gave her husband a confused look.
“What are you saying, my Darling? Is it that bad? What has got you so flust-” Before she could finish her questioning, Casper stood from the edge of the bed and spun Tommi to face their mirror.
“Oh..” She whispered.
Tommi suddenly understood what Casper was trying to say. The woman in the mirror was both familiar and a stranger. Her dress was a deep maroon sundress with floral pattern of red roses that were blood red. The sleeves were just slightly puffy and covered only her shoulders and the skirt ended just above her ankles. She also had a black lace corset cinched over top of the dress and it accentuated her hips while also pushing up her breasts, giving her much more shape than the dress alone would have.
Tommi stood silently staring at herself.
“Are you alright, my love? Is this too much?” Casper asked; he must have seen the tears welling up in her eyes.
Instead of answering, Tommi fell to her knees. Her dress pooled around her and covered her legs. Her hands covered her face as she sobbed, not out of sadness or despair, but from overwhelming euphoria. She looked exactly how she had felt she was supposed to her entire life. It was as if this were the first time she was actually seeing herself. It was almost too much.
Tommi felt Casper's strong arms wrap around her and hold her tight. He rocked her gently and petted her hair. In a low soft voice he reassured her she was safe and to let her emotions out.
After a minute or two Tommi had calmed herself enough to explain her feelings to Casper.
“It's like you said, Mussukka, I finally recognize myself. I look like the woman I have always known I was, and I was so overcome with the euphoria. All I could do was weep. It is a good thing I haven't done my makeup yet or else I would have to touch it up again!” She grinned.
She heard Casper snort at her joke as he loosened his hold on her. She felt a kiss on the top of her head so she turned to face Casper, in his lap still, and pressed into his lips a deep passionate kiss. It was her turn to share her joy and euphoria with him.
Casper broke the kiss but still held Tommi close. She beamed at him and could see in his dark chocolate eyes that he was just as happy for her as she was for him about how their dresses made them feel. She felt his gentle touch on her cheek wiping a few stray tears from her eye. She turned her head to kiss his palm in gratitude. He giggled and squeezed her close again for a moment.
When Casper let her go, he stood up, straightening his skirt before reaching out his hand to help Tommi back up to her feet.
“C’mon beautiful, let's get your makeup on and then we can head for the park.”
Tommi was practically skipping down the sidewalk as she and Casper made their way to the park near their apartment. She held Casper's hand tightly in hers and was grinning ear to ear dragging her husband behind her.
“Perkele, mussukka! Let's go! We're almost there!!” She shouted to Casper behind her.
She already wanted to kick her strappy shoes off and feel the cool grass beneath her feet. Besides eating outside with Casper, it was her favorite part about going to the park.
“You need to slow down!” Casper shouted back, “My dress is a bit more restrictive than yours, and I'm carrying our food!”
“And I am carrying my bag! Yet I am still dragging you behind me!” Tommi retorted, giving Casper a wicked smile over her shoulder. “My bag of sexy things is arguably more important anyway.” She added.
Tommi’s “bag of sexy things” was nothing more than a simple purse she liked to carry everywhere and contained next to nothing other than a tube of her favorite lubricant, a couple of nearly expired condoms, ChapStick and random bits of rubbish she picked up while walking that she forgot to toss when she got home. Casper, on the other hand, carried her phone, wallet, keys and whatever poetry book she happened to be reading, in his pockets or sling bag depending on where they were going for the day. Casper never minded though, he understood that most women's clothes lacked the capacity to carry things compared to that of men's trousers.
As soon as they reached the park Tommi kicked off her shoes and took off running in the grass. She laughed wildly with the cool ground beneath her bare feet. Her corset was too tight to run very long without being out of breath. She quickly returned to Casper's side as he scouted out a place to sit and eat.
"Tommi! Casper!” A familiar voice called to them.
Casper spotted them first and called back.
“Alice? Alan! What a surprise! You beat us here.”
Tommi had forgotten that they were doing a double date amidst all the emotions of getting ready. She followed Casper’s gaze and spotted the Wakes were indeed here! They were both sitting on their blanket with their own dinner just off the walking path near one of the bathrooms. They both had dresses on as well. They were pink poofy things that were almost exact copies of each other, except for the size and length of Alan's. Where Alice's dress went to her ankles like Tommi's, Alan's stopped above his knees and showed off his legs beautifully. Alan and Alice also had similar make up on Tommi noticed when they got closer.
Alice was beaming at them as Casper started setting up their blanket and food.
“We would have been here sooner but Tommi had a uh.. Moment shall we say, while getting ready.” Casper said apologetically.
Alan and Alice both nodded their understanding.
“Saatana Casper! You make it sound so dramatic, I was just simply overcome by how hot I am!” Tommi joked.
Everyone giggled as Tommi sat on her blanket next to Alan.
“We only just finished setting up, so no worries!” Alice explained. “You both look amazing by the way! You have such excellent taste, Tommi.”
“Perkele Alice, you are too kind! The tailor did all the hard work making all the adjustments so Mr. Swole here wouldn't tear out of his shirt and vest” Tommi nudged Casper's ribs and he blushed. “Although,” she hummed to herself, “That could be fun to watch.”
Casper cut her off before Tommi could fantasize out loud any further.
“Alan, you look ravishing tonight as well.” Casper goaded.
Tommi snapped out of her thoughts of Casper’s muscles and stuck her foot out to run it along Alan’s exposed calf.
“So true, mussukka! You look divine, Bestseller. It’s a wonder your wife is managing to keep her hands off of you.” Tommi grinned wickedly at Alan and saw him pout and blush at the same time. It was always a joy to rile up Alan when he was already outside of his comfort zone.
“Don’t give her any ideas, Tommi,” Alan warned.
Tommi and Alice both laughed and Alice kissed her grumpy husband.
Everyone settled and started eating and chatting. Casper asked Alan about the book he was working on. Tommi and Alice discussed Alice's upcoming exhibition of her new photo series and Tommi’s screenplay that she was struggling to finish. Everyone listened intently as Casper explained some of the research he was doing at the FBC that he probably shouldn’t have been sharing, but Tommi and the Wakes were the only people outside the bureau who would understand what he was talking about.
Tommi couldn’t take her eyes off Casper. He was so handsome with his tight vest and bowtie. She couldn’t wait to take him home and tear him out of it. Tommi snuck glances at Alice as Alan explained the writer’s block he was having with his book and she could see that Alice was thinking the same about Alan.
The sun had started to set by the time the couples finished eating and they started packing up. Alan and Casper made trips to the trash cans to dump their empty bottles and paper plates. Everyone said their goodbyes and the Wakes headed off to their apartment. Casper turned to head home as well but Tommi couldn’t contain herself any longer and she dragged her husband to the bathroom.