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It was a hot day, hotter than what Wise would like. He was already sweating just from moving a little, which says a lot because he has never been an athletic person to begin with; he would probably throw up or faint or both if he had to run for more than 2 minutes.
"Wise, I'm going out with Eous, okay!" Belle shouted from the door carrying Eous, leaving without waiting for Wise's response.
The point is, it's hot.
And his sister just went out.
They're closed on Sundays, today.
So... Wise didn’t see any problem if he treated himself with the new skirt he bought a few days ago, for just a few minutes... or hours, hurriedly going to the box under his bed.
His new skirt was a blue denim skirt with a Bangboo stitched in front that looked almost identical to Eous, the main reason why he bought it.
Nobody knew how much Wise likes pretty clothes, he never wore them in public, he never talked about it in public. His sister might have an idea, but considering he never talks about it, Belle likely knows he's not a big fan of his secret being out in the open even if it's just between the two of them.
He looked at himself in the mirror and tilted his head, feeling like something was missing. His legs certainly looked good, having the habit of shaving it every week, being unathletic also meant it was on the skinnier side. He thinks he could make a convincing girl if nobody looked past his thighs.
He moved to get a look of his side profile in the mirror. He doesn't have the smallest waist but there's a small curve.
Maybe he can get away with convincing people he was a girl if he took photos from his waist down.
Then, he got an idea to make it all better. He has a pair of thigh high socks he purchased, pink lace attached to the top of it, but never wore. There wasn't really a reason; it just completely slipped his mind because of how busy they got after getting it.
After several moments, Wise looked at himself in the mirror again and couldn't contain the joy he saw, grabbing the hem of his skirt as he slightly swayed. He liked how the pink lace matched with the blue of the denim.
He felt pretty, and the smile on his face was almost as bright as the sun.
His admiration for pretty, feminine clothes grew by the day. If only he was braver.
He tried to imagine walking out wearing this skirt with a pair of leggings underneath, trying to picture in his mind what General Chop would tell him if he passed by, maybe Elfy would compliment him. He knows there’s a high possibility that the people in Sixth Street would accept it. They have always treated the siblings with warmth, a change of clothes could take them off guard but…
It’s just not worth it, Wise decided a long time ago. This is enough, it has to be. Because Wise had already lost too much to take one more risk.
"Mr. Proxy, your door wasn't lock---"
Wise almost broke his neck at how fast he turned towards the voice, seeing Lighter with the same surprised face as him, mouth parted and eyes widened.
It'd be pretty funny if it wasn't as mortifying for Wise, still dressed in the denim skirt and high socks he put on. The silence was deafening and each second seemed like an hour in the space they were in.
Wise was the first one to snap out of it, used to being surprised and acting fast in his underground line of work.
“Lighter, I—”
But nothing was coming out of Wise.
Why was nothing coming out of Wise?
He has survived countless dangerous situations, whether as Eous or as himself. He’s still alive, breathing. You can’t even tell he’s been through any of it because he knows how to let people think he’s completely innocent.
So, what is happening right now?
Lighter closed his mouth, adjusting his jacket as he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, the door was unlocked but nobody was there. I checked upstairs just in case and saw your bedroom was open. I didn’t think—I didn’t mean—I thought—yeah, I think you get the idea, Proxy.”
He was only met with silence. Lighter thought this was Wise’s way of saying that he should leave until Wise said, “Please don't tell anyone.”
Before Lighter could respond, he spoke again. “You can laugh at me, mock me, you can make fun of me but don’t…”
Wise looked down, focusing on his shaking hands. He was scared, he wanted to hide. He wanted to run. He wanted to be anywhere but here where somebody finally knows.
Yet, for some reason, he also wanted to stay. He wanted Lighter to go out running and screaming about how Wise wears skirts, because then it would mean he wouldn’t have to hide anymore. His decision didn’t matter in the end because it was taken away from him, technically he didn’t ruin his own life. Lighter did.
He was stuck between wanting to stay safe and showing his true self.
“Wise, what are you…”
“I’ll do anything so…”
“Woah, woah, woah, Wise. I feel like I’m being seen as an asshole here. I can be but not to you… Never to you,” Lighter’s voice got quieter at the last part.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone,” Lighter told him, stepping forward. Wise didn’t move from his spot.
Wise looked up, staring right into Lighter’s eyes. The taller man was surprised to meet teary eyes. It was the worst timing but he couldn’t help thinking about other situations the other man could cry in. Preferably in bed. Or against the wall. Maybe a sofa… His room in the Outer Ring. He could imagine Wise wearing a short dress that barely covers his ass, short shorts that would show the outline of his cute cock, a red crop top with Lighter’s name on it—
Lighter got knocked out of his fantasies when Wise spoke, “I don’t think you’re a bad guy, Lighter. I just also know that seeing a man wear a skirt isn’t the best thing to happen in your life.”
Wrong. Lighter imagined anything greater than seeing Wise in women’s clothes. He could come up with none so far. Maybe some things could get close. A huge Maybe.
Lighter hummed, closing the gap between them even more and taking Wise’s face in his hands, “Wise, you’re really testing my patience here. I’ve been so good to try and take it slow. I had a plan, darling. I’m only here right now because I wanted to ask you out. If you think me seeing you in women’s clothes isn’t enough to make me want to take you right where you stand, you have never been more wrong.”
Wise let out an unexpected whimper when Lighter’s voice went deeper right beside his ear. Lighter could only curse as he tried to hold back doing anything Wise might be uncomfortable with, especially in such a vulnerable state. He doesn't want to take advantage. He wants Wise to be with him with his own free will; because he wants to, not because he’s threatened to.
“Is this some kind of… Do you have a fetish? For this?” Wise asked.
Lighter chuckled, looking at the man in front of him with nothing but fondness, putting a strand of Wise’s hair behind his ear. “Only a fetish for you, baby.”
Suddenly, Wise fell against him. “Oh, God.”
Lighter gently guided them to sit down on the floor, closing his eyes in satisfaction as he held onto Wise’s waist while Wise had his head leaning onto Lighter’s shoulder.
“You’re safe, darling,” Lighter whispered, caressing Wise’s waist in comfort.
“I thought…. I was so scared,” Wise whispered, staring at nothing in particular.
“I understand. I’m so sorry for making you feel like this.”
Lighter felt Wise shake his head from his shoulder. “It’s fine. It’s not like you knew not to go upstairs. Belle might’ve forgotten to lock the door.”
“Don’t worry, darling. I won’t let anyone find out,” Lighter said softly, hugging the other man tighter.
A beat passed. Wise moved away slightly to be able to meet Lighter’s eyes as he tilted his head back.
“Do you really mean it?” Wise asked.
“Mean what?” Lighter tried
“That… you like me?”
Lighter smiled, “Yes. But you don’t have to feel the same. I just want to be given a chance.”
Wise looked down, focusing on the other man’s chest. He didn’t know how to react, what to say or do. Because he does like Lighter, he’s just not sure in what way.
He looked up to the other man again. “Okay.”
Lighter’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Wise nodded. “If you really want to.”
The response he got was a quick nod of the head. “In more ways than one.”
The taller man’s heart almost jumped out of his chest when he got a small smile in return. He was the reason for that smile. How lucky it is to not only be alive at the same time as Wise but to also be close to him, to be able to hold him and treasure him like he deserves.
He hopes he’s able to live up to Wise’s standards, and even go above and beyond it.
***
5 years later, Wise was able to get the courage to show everyone his love for pretty clothes. Not one of his deepest fears came true. Nobody treated him differently because of it. He’s embarrassed to admit he cried that night to his husband, Lighter, in their bed.