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[color=E948FC] “Okay, mister. We gotta keep goin’ ‘cause I'm starvin’, you want beignets, we need ta get ya all patched up from savin’ us, and t'en its outfit shoppin’ time! We gotta getcha a cool set of ski clothes, we gotta getcha a dinner outfit, we gotta getcha two or t'ree casual outfits - we don't gotta go too crazy wit’ t'at. Some mis amd match items will do good!- and we gotta getcha t'e showcase piece. I already ‘ave some many t'oughts for t'at!”[/color] Danni vibrated with excitement again, but paused. [color=E948FC]“Wait, ‘ow long are ya goin’ again?”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“The showcase piece?”[/color] Percy blinked. He really thought he’d been into fashion. Then he’d met Danni. And Percy realized that he just had an interest in fashion, one that paled in comparison next to Danni’s obsession. He also tended to be more into looking at fashion on other people - dressing himself and his own body had its own unique challenges, beginning with his height. It was hard to find clothes that fit him properly off the rack. [color=ed1c24]“Mm, we are going to be there for two nights, I believe. I don’t think I have any clothing that’s appropriate for snow, either.”[/color] He then stood up off of the couch, dried his eyes one more time, and headed down with Danni to the makeshift medical bay in the basement of the Kingston-Gray house. 

[color=E948FC]“Yeah! If you're t'ere for two nights, you def need a showcase piece. Its like the outfit all you're ot'er ones build up ta, ya know? I really wanna put ya in somet'in’ backless tbh, wit’ like a little cape or cloak. But I don't t'ink you'll like that so I'll keep brainstormin’. Dee's probably like it t'ough. Maybe we do somet'in’ that just [i]’ightlights[/i]. Don't need ta show extra skin, I guess since ya don't like short sleeves, but maybe a design t'at highlights t'at curve ta your waist.”[/color] Danni spun ideas as they descended. The trip down was quick and Danni hit a switch to reveal two long fluorescent lights filling the space with sterile light. The room was mostly concrete, with three tall industrial metal cabinets affixed to the wall, a large three compartment sink along one end, and two uncomfortable metal tables that looked like they'd been salvaged from a morgue. Two rickety chairs were stacked on top of each other in another corner and another door sat in the far wall. 

[color=E948FC]“Hop up on one o’ t'e tables! Pops will be down ta fix ya up in a second. But while you're t'ere, I know you're always in like stiff pants bit ‘ow do ya feel ‘bout jeans? I know a great brand that'll make your butt [i]pop[/i].”[/color]

Percy nodded, taking in Danni’s advice very seriously. That made sense - it was almost like the anticipation of receiving gifts each night of Hannukah, the suspense building night after night, as his mothers saved the big ticket item for the very end. The thought of a backless outfit made him squirm a little bit, he rarely showed any skin, even unbuttoning the first few of his tops was a bit of an effort… but then Danni said that Dorian would like it. And Percy was nothing if not a simp for his boyfriend. If he had Dorian wrapped around his finger, Percy was thoroughly knotted around Dorian’s. [color=ed1c24]“If you really think Dorian would like it… I can try something backless,”[/color] Percy decided. [color=ed1c24]“Just - not around other people.”[/color] It seemed cold and impractical, but… maybe the point of it was to wear it just in their room at the lodge. Percy could handle that. 

He then raised an eyebrow, as he took in his new surroundings. [color=ed1c24]“I thought your family’s medical room would be a little… warmer,”[/color] he admitted, somewhat skeptical. [color=ed1c24]“This looks like an embalming suite.”[/color] He then realized Danni had asked him about jeans, as he got onto the table. [color=ed1c24]“Jeans are fine.”[/color]

[color=E948FC] “Yeeees, you're gunna want t'em anyways wit’ t'e cold. We'll getcha some long johns, six pairs o’ wool socks, four jeans, four long sleeves, one cozy jacket, one sweater vest since ya rock t'at style pretty well, one ‘eavy jacket, and t'en anyt'in’ for skiin’. Actually, are ya goin’ skiin’ or ya just ‘eadin’ ta t'e lodge? Eh, I don't t'ink it matters. We can getcha it just in case ya wanna try it.”[/color] Danni waved his own concerns away and paused as footsteps could be heard on the stairs and James slowly came into view. Danni bounded over to his Pops and threw his arms around him. [color=E948FC] “Pops, ‘ave I told you you're t'e bestest in t'e whole wide world yet today? And ‘ow much I love you?”[/color]

James chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to his son's head, returning the hug, and continuing without breaking his stride. He was far too used to his son's antics. [color=mediumspringgreen] “Mhm and you wouldn't just happen to be saying that so I don't ask too many hard questions about why you Papa suddenly dragged me away from my book for an unexpected house call?”[/color] James asked, pointedly staring at the young man already on the table. 

[color=E948FC]“Whaaaat? Me? No, never.”[/color] Danni's laughter shifted to a square as his Pops picked him up and plopped him on the table next to Percy. 

[color=mediumspringgreen] “Never change, kiddo.”[/color] James shook his head with fond amusement before turning his attention to Percy. [color=mediumspringgreen]“It's different for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I don't restrict access to my services, which means I run into a lot of questionable people I don't want to welcome back. Secondly, this is the only place in the house where there's no magic. All of this I dragged down here when we first started out right after…”[/color] James trailed off with a far away look in his eyes, though he shook it off a moment later. [color=mediumspringgreen]“So, walk me through what happened and I'll get you all squared away. Do you think there is any debris, dirt, or blockage in the wounds?”[/color]  

Percy sat up a little straighter as James came downstairs, and as he explained the difference in their surroundings, his ears burned. He was by far the scariest of Dorian’s parents, followed by the wizard, the eldritch nightmare, and lastly the drag queen. It made sense that James treated everyone - as much as he was intimidating, he was also heroic. Perhaps a bit too much. Percy himself wouldn’t have helped everyone - he wouldn’t have trusted them all, wouldn’t have found them all to be deserving of it. 

The second part of the explanation, though, he couldn’t rationalize. Why would they magic not be in this space too? Did it interfere somehow with treatment? Did James not want to have the basement be [i]too[/i] cozy? Was Max just lazy and missed a spot? 

[color=ed1c24]“Why is there no magic here?”[/color]

He then frowned and considered James’ question. Could there be debris in the wounds? The day’s events flashed before his eyes - nearly being run over by Los Angeles traffic, extracting Fred’s innards, tackling a flaming Danni, nearly drowning in the San Pedro Channel, and then passing out on the living room floor in the Kingston-Gray house. 

[color=ed1c24]“After Danni helped me with some acne, a… fire broke out in the house. To extinguish it, I took us and the source of the fire into the bay, where I nearly drowned. Your son saved my life.”[/color] He didn’t want to name Danni as the source of the fire. [color=ed1c24]“There is almost certainly debris and dirt in the burns, and perhaps in the remnants of Fred.”[/color]

James nearly asked a question, but Danni beat him to it. [color=E948FC]“Don't let Spicy downplay it, ‘d was a total ‘ero! ‘Ere we are, just finishin’ Fred's last rites and Spicy got all sparkly eyed and t'ankful and it was like t'e first time Spicy was all direct and up front ‘cause I know I'm t'e best friend ever in t'e world but ‘e got like t'at and I just wanted ta squuuueze ‘im ta deat’ ‘cause ‘e looked like a shy little kitten but ‘e wasn't feelin’ up ta squeezin’ so ya know big feelin's gotta go somewhere so I was like [i]Oh perf, a shower![/i]. So I strip, Spicy is a little stressy ‘bout why I'm nakey, and t'en ‘e finally turns ‘round-not t'at I mind, tbh. I put a lotta effort inta lookin’ good so I would like someone ta ‘ppreciate it, but don't tell Dre ‘cause ‘e gets all wierd ‘bout Spicy and ot'er guys-and t'en t'e water is goin’, I light up, and everyt'in’ is great until I realize t'e water? Ain't doin’ not'in’. Zip, zilch, nadda. So I realize t'is is a not good. Real bad. And I tell Spicy ta book it ‘cause at t'e end o’ t'e day, I'll be fine. ‘is ‘ouse not- OH no, Spicy. Your mom was sleepin’ wit’ t'ise ‘eadphones. She woulda been real crispy! So Spicy doesn't run like I tell ‘im, ‘e books it for me and pops us all t'e way ‘cross t'e city! It was so cool, spooky ‘cause I def drank wierd water but t'ats fine, but t'en turns oit Spicy csn't swim, I got ‘im up but I was really worried I'd ‘ave ta do CPR ‘cause I was in t'e shower ya know? But now we're ‘ere wit’ my Pops who's gunna take care of Spicy and t'e remnants of Fred and t'e give us cookies?”[/color] As Danni went on, James took the moment to start gathering some supplies: gloves, a few wash cloths, some liquid soap, and a stool. James nodded along, a few acknowledging hums, and raised eyebrows as the story progressed and he smiled at the ending. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“You're lucky your Papa made me promise not to drag you two into a long conversation about responsibility already. However, I do have to ask that the next time anyone gets it in their head to disappear halfway across the country to leave a note or send us a text. I don't know if vanishing to the wind is cookie behavior.”[/color] James chastised gently, returning to Percy. [color=mediumspringgreen] “However, that was a good job recognizing when you were losing control and taking the right steps to mitigate it. That is cookie behavior. I'll see if I can get your Appa to bake some for you two.”[/color] Danni, who'd been wilting at the first part, sprung back to life and did a victory dance as he followed James.  

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Percy, come to the sink. We'll clean your wounds out and get you fixed up.”[/color] James instructed, placing the stool in front so Percy could step up and slid gloves onto his hand. [color=mediumspringgreen] “But to answer your question, I cleaned this space up here, installed everything, and maintained it all these years without magic. This is my space and as simple as it is, I'd like to keep it that way. It's been helpful; Vicky isn't the only person in the world who has a poor reaction to magic. Maybe not quite in the same way but non-magic people suffering magical wounds get a little skittish around the stuff. At the end of the day, just a preference.”[/color] James shrugged as Danni dropped into a split and James huffed a laugh and clapped, earning him a pleased grin from his son. However, James blinked, frowned, and fixed Percy with a pained look. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Fred isn't a rat, is it?”[/color]

Percy felt a little strange at James’ brief lecture. He’d never cared before that he didn’t have a father, never had a male role model - his moms were enough and all he needed. But in this moment, he couldn’t help but wonder about who his father really was - about what his life would have been like if he’d had that masculine presence. He’d never had paternal energy directed at him, and as James spoke, he felt it there. It was odd. He didn’t know what to make of it - didn’t know how to deal with the mildly unsettling feeling that he’d disappointed him in some way. [color=ed1c24]“That was my fault. I technically kidnapped him,”[/color] he admitted. He didn’t want Danni to get into any trouble because of his actions. 

He hopped off of the table and walked over to the sink as requested, without a dance. His face flushed slightly at the stool that had been placed for him, but he stood on it anyway. The explanation James gave made sense. There was a lot of magic in the French Quarter - Percy had to guess that James had seen his fair share of magical injuries. 

[color=ed1c24]“Oh. No. I think Dorian still has the rat,”[/color] Percy wasn’t quite sure what his boyfriend had done with it after their heist at the museum of superheroics. [color=ed1c24]“Fred is what Danni named my pimple.”[/color] He then pointed at the dead center of his forehead. 

Danni gave Percy a wide eyed look at the mention of the rat. James stared at Percy for a few long beats and just let out a quiet [color=mediumspringgreen]“Hm.”[/color] before turning on the sink. [color=mediumspringgreen] “Well, then I'm going to have to ask you to do the same thing, kiddo. You have to let your mom know before any adventures across the country. Our kids have a little more freedom ‘cause we can do whatever we need to get to them in an emergency, but your mom doesn't have those kinds of resources. You get in a bind and she doesn't know where you are, she's going to be really upset because the person she loves most in life didn't let her help him, you know?”[/color] James turned the same speech on Percy as he was testing the water, getting it just past luke warm. [color=mediumspringgreen]“But, you can still have cookies as long as you call her and then text her if she doesn't pick up. I have her phone number if your phone is damaged. Sound good?”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“Okay,”[/color] Percy mumbled a bit sheepishly. He knew that James was right… but he didn’t love admitting that he was. His pride took a bit of a ding. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, and was relieved to see that it was functional. As much as he didn’t want to call his mother, he didn’t want James calling her either. He scrolled through his contacts, his finger hovering over his mother Naomi’s button - James hadn’t specified which mother, and the one currently in New York was infinitely preferable - but while he didn’t turn his head to look, he could’ve sworn he could feel James frown in disapproval. So instead he scrolled a bit more, and clicked on his mother Domimika’s contact. She was probably still asleep. She’d slept through everything he and Danni had done. She was probably still - 

…[i]click[/i]

[color=add3ff][i]“Percy? Vso v poryadke?”[/i][/color]

Fuck.

[color=ed1c24]“Da, ya v Novom Orleane s Danni. My pokupayem veshchi dlya poyezdki,”[/color] Percy answered quickly. 

[color=add3ff][i]“Ty budesh' doma k uzhinu?”[/i][/color]

Percy sighed slightly. He looked at James. [color=ed1c24]“She wants to know if I’m having dinner here.”[/color]

[color=mediumspringgreen]“You'll be home for dinner. You'll be away from home for a few days and I'm sure your mom would appreciate a meal together before that.”[/color]

He nodded. [color=ed1c24]“Da,”[/color] he said into the phone. 

[color=add3ff][i]“Khorosho, khorosho provedite vremya i bud'te ostorozhny. YA khochu posmotret' odezhdu, prishlite mne fotografii, khorosho? YA tebya lyublyu.”[/i][/color]

Percy’s face turned bright red. He muttered something unintelligible to Danni and James, and ended the call. 

Danni had [i]questions[/i] after that and he was not going to be denied. [color=E948FC] “‘ey, what did sh-”[/color] Danni made a strange noise as James bopped him on the nose and sent him a look. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Wait until after we're done, Danni. He's been dealing with the burns long enough.”[/color] Danni blew a raspberry at his Pops who laughed and gave Percy a serious look. [color=mediumspringgreen]“Now, here is what is going to happen. We'll cool the burns down and then clean them out, which means I will be washing the affected areas. Once I'm satisfied, I'll remove the gloves and initiate contact to start the healing process.”[/color] Danni whined and James gave Danni a confused look. 

[color=E948FC]“He doesn't wanna be touched right now.”[/color] Danni whispered as quietly as he could, which was not quiet at all. 

[color=mediumspringgreen] “And that's why we're walking him through the process so he has time to think and prepare.”[/color] James explained patiently and when Danni went to argue, gave Danni the warning look. Danni pouted, turned his back, and crossed his arms, stomping irritably all the while. James' mouth twitched into a smile for a moment before smoothing out. [color=mediumspringgreen]“Take all the time you need, Percy. Just let me know when.”[/color]

Percy tried (and failed) to bite back the smile as Danni told his father that he didn’t want to be touched. Maybe Danni really was his best friend right now. He nodded though as James explained everything. He could handle that. The roadmap really helped. His stomach twisted a bit in anticipation of the gloves being removed, and James making skin to skin contact with him. 

He bit his lip. [color=ed1c24]“Will you count down how long the contact has to be for?”[/color] he requested. If he knew the timing, it would help him to withstand it. Limited contact was infinitely preferable to indefinite. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“I'll count backwards from 10 once I make contact.”[/color] James agreed and then pulled Percy's arm under the water. James was quick and methodical, the task of cleaning burns practically a habit. The first year after Danni's fiery awakening had been… challenging and it certainly helped him to figure out the most efficient way to wrangle a screaming teenager (or his husband) after a particularly heated outburst. Danni made sympathetic noises in the background, though stubbornly turned his back the one time James glanced towards him. 

Soon enough, the bits of debris and grime were swirling down the sink and James stepped back, turned off the water, and dried the burns. He took his gloves off and gave Percy a moment to signal he was ready. 

Percy did his best to bear the pain, gritting his teeth and curling his toes. Even then, he still emitted a few gasps and cries throughout the process. But even that pain was very little compared to the anticipation of what would happen next. James had said he’d count down from ten. Percy took a few deep breaths, quickly running through a grounding exercise they’d taught him in CAGE. He identified something he could see - the basin. Something he could hear - Danni’s whines. Something he could feel - his soaked socks. Something he could smell - the medical supplies. Something he could taste - he always struggled with this one. His tongue felt like cheating. But once he ran through the exercise, he nodded at James that he was ready. 

Danni peaked back over as James placed his hand on Percy's forearm, the familiar rush of sensation searching and seeking flowing like water. It wrapped cool and soothing around the burns and scratches and James could feel the building anxiety, the up tick of a heart beat, the teasing of muscles, the rush of adrenaline that came with fight or flight, and James coaxed it away. He was a far cry from his Underground days, where the rush of sensations would drag him under and leave him a mess for days. Instead, James eased away the strain, relaxed the heart, took away the pain, and brought Percy down to James’ calm. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“10… 9… 8…”[/color]

Danni peeked over James’ shoulder just to watch. 

It was… strange. Percy felt the tension growing in him, felt his body begin to panic, to urge him to run, to escape - to put distance between himself and the touch. He would have had to consciously focus on his breathing, make small deals with himself that he could hold out a little longer, attempt to reassure his inner self that they weren’t in any danger. And as soon as that started… it faded away, like white noise dissipating into the background. 

He felt calm. Peaceful. It wasn’t like when Dorian touched him, where he felt a need to burrow into his boyfriend. It… it reminded him of the way he had felt as a child, when his mother would hold his hand. And each moment that he felt the fear creep back in, it was washed away. 

[color=ed1c24]“Danni, if you want to hug… this might be your opportunity.”[/color]

Danni struck like a snake. In an instant, he was wrapped around Percy and beaming at the opportunity. [color=E948FC]“Yeah, Pops’ ‘ealin’ is pretty chill right? Just makes ya feel real safe and loved!”[/color] Danni hooked his chin on Percy's shoulder as he spoke. [color=E948FC]“And t'is is why I know t'at no matter ‘ow ‘urt I get, I'll never really be in danger! Pops will always be t'ere ta catch me, ya know?”[/color]

[color=mediumspringgreen] “Okay, I'm letting go in a moment. Danni, step back so Percy can adjust.”[/color] Danni moved away reaaaaaally slow but James disentangled himself from Percy and took a half step back to give Percy some space. 

As the calming effect ended, Percy focused on his breathing as his senses came back to their natural, somewhat hyper tuned state. It was a little like jumping into freezing water after relaxing in a sauna. His heart rate sped back up to a frantic pace for a brief moment, and he took a few steps away from both Danni and James. But as the sudden intensity dipped down, he found himself overall feeling better than when he’d entered the basement. He was hungry, yes, but otherwise feeling energized and recharged. Better than he’d ever felt after self medicating. 

[color=ed1c24]“Thank you,”[/color] he told James, before hesitating slightly. [color=ed1c24]“For the healing and… for that, too. If you ever did that again… I would not mind it… Erm. We should get going, yes?”[/color] he turned to look to Danni. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Go on you two. Have fun but if you leave the city, I expect a text at the very least.”[/color] James laughed, but he gave Percy a soft look. [color=mediumspringgreen] “It isn't always the best answer but you know where to find me.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“And remember, you promised Appa cookies. I want t'e kitchen sink ones, wit’ all t'e fixin's!”[/color] Danni remind his Pops, skipping over give him a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, dodging his Pops hand enroute to ruffling his hair with a gotcha sound, and skipped to the foot of the stairs. [color=E948FC]“A'ight, come on Spicy! We ‘ave beignets and coffee table get!”[/color] Danni nearly shot up the stairs before James called out for him. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Remember to put on real clothes, Danni!”[/color]

Upstairs, Casper had already set out an outfit for Danni in the kitchen - well, more of several outfits. He had placed one on each chair at the kitchen table, giving Danni seven options to pick from. Some were more casual, some were more extravagant, and at least half Casper had pulled from his own wardrobe. He was sitting on the table, still in just his shorts and shibari, as he sipped his coffee. [color=DBA1DE]“Did I hear we’re getting good boy cookies? BEN! WE’RE GETTING COOKIES!!”[/color] Casper screamed towards the stairs.

Percy flinched a bit from the sudden shouting, as he and Danni emerged onto the main level. He was a little cautious as he went, wanting to make sure that Dorian wasn’t around before he fully stepped into view. James had healed him, but it hadn’t done anything to help his poor clothes. At least even the remnants of Fred had been handled. He’d much rather Dorian see him like this than with a gigantic zit on his head. [color=ed1c24]“I think I have enough energy for two more jumps at most - maybe more after I’ve eaten,”[/color] he told Danni. [color=ed1c24]“Where did you want to go?”[/color] He was pointedly not looking anywhere near Casper. 

[color=E948FC] “PAPA!”[/color] Danni screamed back as he bolted for the kitchen and studded to a stop when he saw that his clothes were all laid out. [color=E948FC]“T'ere are so many good options! Should I do somet'in cute, somet'in’ ‘ot, somet'in punk rock? Uuugh. Oh! You got my combat boots! Def want t'ose… oh! Papa, you'll let me wear t'is?!”[/color] Danni's eyes watered as he picked up the pretty blue high waisted skirt with gold embroidered designs across it. He hugged his Papa tight after he put it back. [color=E948FC] “‘ave I told you you're my favorite Papa? I love you so much!”[/color] Danni continued to consider his options from where he was hugging Casper and pointed at a white T-shirt and a blue jacket. [color=E948FC]“Def t'ose!”[/color] With his decisions made, Danni started slipping the robe off him until he screamed as James suddenly clapped a hand on his shoulder. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Change in the bathroom, please.[/color] James sighed a long suffering sigh. Danni grumbled, collected his items, and kicked the door shut with all the angst a teenager could muster. James looked unimpressed and leaned into his husband. [color=mediumspringgreen]“Percy, do you want something more filling that beignets. We do have actual food here.”[/color]

Casper had grinned widely, returning his kid’s hug. He always loved being able to put a sparkle in Danni’s eye. And now that he was old enough to both wear and care for his clothes, he didn’t mind loaning out some of his favorite pieces to him. And as James leaned into him, Casper put his arms around him, and pulled him in as close as he could - he would have put him into his lap but he figured James wouldn’t want to, not with Percy around. Lame. [color=DBA1DE]“You know, bb, you can keep the skirt! Just let me borrow it back every now and then, okay?”[/color] Casper called out to Danni. 

Percy didn’t really want to impose, but his stomach growled. He wasn’t exactly sure what time it was, but he hadn’t eaten anything that day. [color=ed1c24]“If that’s okay,”[/color] he nodded. He still wasn’t entirely comfortable around Dorian’s parents - and his unease grew as a third one approached, Ben coming into the kitchen in gym clothes and a pair of glasses. 

[color=silver]”Oh, I didn’t know Percy was over. Does Dorian know?”[/color] Ben asked, as he gave both Casper and James a squeeze on the shoulder. [color=silver]”I’m making cookies, yeah? Any particular kind?”[/color]

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Danni's demanding kitchen sink cookies, if you're feeling nice. And apparently, we're keeping it a secret from Dorian. Prep for their date tomorrow.”[/color] James put his hand over Ben's on his shoulder and let the other man go, pressing a kiss to Casper's cheek and pulling away. [color=mediumspringgreen]“Let me make you two a sandwich. I know keeping up with Danni's a full time job but at least it won't slow you down.”[/color] James pulled out bread, leftover brisket, mayo, coleslaw, pickles, and hot sauce. [color=mediumspringgreen] “Anything here you don't care for, Percy? Danni's hot sauce packs a wallop so I won't faultcha for not trying it.”[/color]

The bathroom door slammed open and Danni swept out of the bathroom all smiles and giggles. [color=E948FC]“Oh, Appa you're ‘ere too!”[/color] He skipped over, slung his arms around Ben's waist from behind, and hugged him before spinning away to Percy. [color=E948FC] “Oh, oj, question since almost all t'e ‘rents are ‘ere. Percy ‘ad t'e great idea t'at I should get a navy piercing. Whatcha t'ink?”[/color] Percy looked at the different things James pulled out. None of them startled him - although he was a little worried about Danni’s hot sauce. He hadn’t grown up eating a lot of spicy foods, but it couldn’t be that bad, right? [color=ed1c24]“That all looks fine,”[/color] he said with a nod. He was curious how their brisket would taste. His moms always made brisket this time of year and the recipe was a point of family pride. It was one of the few things Percy knew how to make. 

Ben snaked out two tentacles, grabbing Danni and flipping him upside down for a brief moment, before setting him back down onto the ground. [color=silver]“A navy… oh. A naval piercing. Hmm. Kiddo, why don’t we start with your ears first?”[/color] Ben suggested.

[color=DBA1DE]“Wait, that's not fair!”[/color] Casper whined, sliding off the table and onto the ground. [color=DBA1DE]“I want a naval piercing too!”[/color]

[color=mediumspringgreen]“Right now, no one is getting a naval piercing if we're all going to whine.”[/color] James replied as he started assembling their sandwiches. [color=mediumspringgreen]“Babes, you're an adult and can get one at any time, but you have never mentioned about being interested. Danni, that's not something you spring on us when you're about to go out with your friend. Finish your shopping trip and then we'll talk about it tonight. I'm inclined to agree with Ben, but I'm willing to compromise.”[/color] 

Danni shrieked gleefully as he was flipped, giggling and patting the tentacles affectionately as he was set back down. [color=E948FC]“But I don't want my ears pierced! I want my belly button pierced! My tummy looks boring in crop tops, I need ta add a little sparkle and what better t'an a piece o’ jewelry! It'd be so perfect! Oh wait, Pops, I want extra sauce and t'e pickles sliced short instead of long pls!”[/color] 

James adjusted one sandwich, turning as he finished them and offered them for the kids to take. 

[color=DBA1DE]“Can we go to the body piercer after they go off shopping then?”[/color] Casper asked his husband, giving him puppy dog eyes. All of his piercings and tattoos had been erased during the fall of Genosha, a weird quirk of the Entity’s formation and separation. He’d slowly been getting them all back over the years, but he had had so many tattoos he didn’t even remember them all, and it was only in this very moment that he remembered he’d had a belly button piercing. [color=DBA1DE]“Bb would look pretty cute with one,”[/color] he added, supporting Danni’s case. 

Ben, meanwhile, had almost finished making the batter for the cookies. [color=silver]“Do you kids want these when you’re done shopping or are you taking them with you?”[/color] he asked. He made these so often for Dorian, Danni, and April growing up that he had the recipe essentially memorized, just having to double check every now and then exactly how many grams of each ingredient he needed. He made them somewhat frequently to give to the kids he worked with as a social worker, too. Sometimes, a homemade cookie went a long way towards building trust. 

[color=ed1c24]“Thank you,”[/color] Percy said, taking the sandwich from James. He had decided to stay out of the piercing conversation - although the thought of piercing his own ears floated into his mind. It was a little bit tempting. He made a mental note of it, deciding if it still seemed tempting in a few months, he’d act on it. He bit into the sandwich, bracing himself slightly for an influx of heat… and while it was [i]incredibly[/i] spicy, his eyes didn’t water, his mouth didn’t burn. It actually tasted really [i]good[/i]. It was more than edible. It was delicious. He swallowed, before going in for another bite. Still spicy, but manageable. And he found that he even liked the spice, as the bites that didn’t have as much hot sauce on them were disappointing. 

[color=ed1c24]“Danni, this sauce is incredible,”[/color] Percy said earnestly. His stomach growled again, and he continued to eat, the sandwich almost entirely gone in a matter of seconds. 

[color=E948FC] “Yeah? T'at's great! It takes mont's t'at make ya know! Lots a people just let it bat'e for a mont’, but I did t'ree for t'at batch and t'e flavor profile is so much richer and defined, right, right?”[/color] Danni explained around a mouthful of sandwich. He had shoved most of it in his mouth in one go and was chewing awkwardly around it. [color=E948FC] “Wait, Papa gets ta go get one wit'out a discussion?! And ‘e's gunna go wit'out me?! T'at so meaaaaaan!”[/color]

James sighed at the sight and passed the two napkins before turning back to his husband and, hit with the puppy dog eyes, flushed a little. So many years together and the sight of Casper excited and wanting something new was still so cute. [color=mediumspringgreen]“Again, your Papa is an adult and can make that decision. You are not and I want to make sure you understand some care information and potential ways a piercing can be used against you as a hero.”[/color] James cleaned up the small mess he'd made and turned to Ben. [color=mediumspringgreen]“I'll be back down in a bit so leave your dishes and I'll do them.”[/color] James pressed a kiss to Danni's forehead and wrangled him into a hug despite his pouting. 

[color=mediumspringgreen]“You two have fun, be safe, [i]text[/i] us.”[/color] James reminded them sternly. He hooked a finger under one of Casper's ropes and pulled him out of the room. 

[color=E948FC]“Let's ‘ave t'em when we get back and/or we can send t'em ta your place and ya can share wit’ your mom! Right now, we gotta fashion you up and a few of t'e shops we ‘ave ta visit get reaaaaal upsetti ‘bout food in t'e store.”[/color] Danni wiped his mouth and washed his hands before sliding up to Ben with the same puppy dog eyes his Papa used. [color=E948FC] “We get ta lick t'e spoon t'ough?”[/color]

Ben was more than experienced with Danni’s puppy dog eyes. He shut his eyes immediately, a sly smirk appearing on his face. [color=silver]“Your strategy won’t work on me, kiddo. I can’t see your adorable little face,”[/color] he teased. [color=silver]“But hmm. We can make a deal here. If you help me with making dinner tonight, then I [i]suppose[/i] you can lick the spoon. Deal?”[/color] 

Percy tried not to visibly gag too much at the idea of licking the spoon right after Danni. He wasn’t one for raw dough either. He took the risk of eating uncooked flour and contracting salmonella very seriously. [color=ed1c24]“I’ll pass.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“T'at's not a ‘ard deal, I'm down!”[/color] Danni snatched up the spoon and took a long lick up the handle and the back of the spoon. [color=E948FC]“So good. You're missin’ out, Spicy. You really need ta learn ta live on t'e wild side. It's delicious [i]and[/i] we ‘ave cookies!”[/color] Danni pressed a kiss to Ben's cheek, sucked off the rest of the dough from the spoon, tossed it in the sink, and skipped back to Percy. 

[color=E948FC]“Okie dokie, artichokie! What's our game plan? Anywhere ya like ta shop or I got full creative control? ‘ow much energy ya got left, ‘ow crazy you wanna be?”[/color] Danni paused as he was about to sling an arm across Percy's shoulders and stared at his arm for a few seconds before folding it back to his side. [color=E948FC] “And we can always get Pa ta portal us back from somewhere if we wanna go far and ya decided ya need a nap!”[/color]

Percy couldn’t help the small smile on his face as Danni put his arm back without touching him. [color=ed1c24]“I do actually like shopping - provided I don’t have to be the one talking to people,”[/color] he admitted. He enjoyed the process of finding what he was looking for, browsing the different options, getting a feel for what was popular and new. However, his sense was that similarly to his interest in fashion, Danni probably [i]loved[/i] shopping. And given how confidently Danni had spoken earlier about what Dorian was interested in… It was probably a terrible idea, but… [color=ed1c24]“I trust you. You can have creative control,”[/color] he decided. [color=ed1c24]“Hmm. I think I can go for a few more hours, the food helped so I don’t think transportation will be an issue.

 So we can be as… crazy… as you want.”[/color]

Danni blinked and something stalled in his brain. There may have been the smell of burning from whatever gears inside his head had stopped, but he couldn't be sure. As crazy as he wants? Danni didn't anyone other than his Papa had ever suggested that and Danni's grin turned absolutely devious. [color=E948FC] “As crazy as I want? Well just remember, you insisted!”[/color] Danni cackled maniacally. [color=E948FC] “Appa, we're ‘eadin’ ta Paris. Can ya tell Pops for me? My phone is still at Spicy's ‘ouse. I t'ink we're gunna ‘it t'e usually, but I'll let y'all know if we change t'e plan! Let's go, Spicy! Phone out and I'll show ya!”[/color]

Ben raised an eyebrow, before pulling his phone out of his pocket, and handing it over to Danni. [color=silver]“Here - take mine. Just in case you need it. Password is your Pa’s birthday,”[/color] he said. [color=silver]“And kiddo? Try not to go [i]too[/i] crazy, okay? You’ll be wanting some stuff for prom in Spring, so we gotta save some money for that. Maybe keep it to just ten grand at most?”[/color] 

Percy’s face paled, as he realized what he had just agreed to. Ten grand…? It was fine. Everything was fine. He didn’t need to go to college anyway. He’d thought the $300 shoes were expensive, but it was slowly dawning on him that for Danni’s tastes, those might be [i]cheap[/i]. [color=ed1c24]“Erm, yes. If you… want to help me pick out things for prom, we need to… not spend all… one hundred grand… right now…”[/color] He was definitely not sweating. Not at all. He pulled out his phone again and handed it over to Danni so he could show him the location. 

[color=E948FC]“Oh, phone, sweet phone. ‘ow did I ever survive t'is time wit'out you?”[/color] Danni held it lovingly to his cheek and then stared at Ben, thinking extra hard. [color=E948FC]“Okay, ten grand? Well, we only got one hundred grand durin’ t'e contest so I don't know… ‘ow many grand does a shirt cost? ‘ow do you use a grand? Where is t'at from? Is it like from Asia or somet'in’? Idk, Spicy you're in charge of t'e grands on t'is trip so like, lemme know I guess. Normally Pops or Pa just tell me yes or no so just do t'e same!”[/color] Danni typed in Pa's birthday and googled the store he wanted to go to. He shoved it in front of Percy's face. 

[color=E948FC]“Take us t'ere!”[/color]

Percy blinked for a moment. Did Danni not… did he not know what a grand was? He stared at him for a moment, and decided it was probably very lucky that Coulson had given them all As in their courses last semester. [color=ed1c24]“Er, sure, I can do that.”[/color] He really hoped that meant Danni wasn’t going to give him puppy dog eyes if he said no to something. He didn’t know how he’d be able to handle that. He studied the store, looking at the map view once more, before nodding and putting a hand on Danni’s shoulder. 

In the blink of an eye, they reappeared on a street in Paris. Snow was softly drifting through the air, the roads illuminated by street lights, as shoppers in the evening rush hurried to and fro. As the two boys materialized, the lighting hit them just right as to give them an almost heavenly glow, the wind tousling their hair just right as to make them appear more like young demigods rather than mortal teens. If there was ever a moment for a selfie, this was one. 

Danni loved New Orleans more than life itself, but there was something about Paris that electrified him. The heights of fashion, the hustle and bustle, the people, the food… Danni loved spending time in Paris almost as much as New Orleans. New Orleans was slow and steady and home but Paris was innovative and creative and energetic, everything Danni felt himself to be. The cold, crisp December air, the glow of old lamplights, and the holiday energy in the air sung in Danni's blood and he whipped out his Appa's phone. 

[color=E948FC]“Okay, Spicy! We goooootta take a selfie!! You good tag ‘ug just a little? Ooooh, or we go to t'e cafe and get ‘ot chocolate, but t'is is so perfect!!!!”[/color] Danni clicked into the photo app and looked at himself, and Percy, to make sure everything was perfect. And Percy… lacking.

[color=E948FC]“Hm, we ‘aven't ‘ad a chance ta change ya up so lets…”[/color] The phone went away for a second and Danni helped smooth down Percy's collar, roll up his sleeves, straighten out his pant legs, and dusted him off a little. Still, it was a little too disheveled for the vibe they had. Danni shrugged off his jacket and pulled it over Percy, leaving Danni in his sleeveless white crop top. Danni beamed and slung an arm across his shoulders and pressed their cheeks together, blocking off any view of the disheveled clothing beyond. [color=E948FC] “Smile Spicy!”[/color] Danni cheered as he snapped several shots in a row, holding up a leave sign with the other hand. 

The jacket helped - pressing the cheeks together did not. Percy forced himself to smile - somehow managing an expression that wasn’t a completely pained grimace. He counted his breaths, estimating that Danni probably only needed 30 breaths at most before the selfie would be over - and at the very least, the jacket was much warmer than his still damp clothes from the San Pedro Channel. 

Danni pulled away once he was satisfied and pulled the photos back up. He'd only taken 8 so hopefully, one of them was to his standards. The first two Danni deleted immediately. Something must have flown in front of their lighting but there was a strange shadow. The next one was okay, the next one was better, and he continued to swipe and delete or save. [color=E948FC]“Okay, Spicy ‘elp me choose out of t'ese t'ree.”[/color] Danni shoved the phone in front of Percy's face and explained each photo in detail without giving Percy a chance to explain. Forgetting how many photos there were, Danni swiped over once more and… 

Ben looked at the camera with a weird look on his face, tentacles extending from his stomach. One held his arms behind his back, two others were holding his legs open, another extended off camera and was clearly holding the phone. He knelt on the floor riding a… 

Danni screamed and threw the phone into a nearby trash can.

Percy was just staring blankly forward, having completely disassociated at seeing his boyfriend’s father like… like [i]that[/i]...  [color=ed1c24]“Are we… shopping… now…?”[/color] he said weakly. 

[color=E948FC]“Why would ‘e give me ‘is phone wit’ t'at on t'ere?! Oh my god, omg, t'ats so grooooooooooooss.”[/color] Danni whispered screamed into his hands, his face on fire. Not literally thankfully, but he needed approximately 12 gallons of bleach. 4 for each eye and 4 for his brain. [color=E948FC]“‘ow am I suppose ta look ‘im in the eyes now? No, you know Imma just ignore it. I'mma forget it. We're ‘ere ta shop. I'm in charge o’ t'e fashion and you're in charge o’ t'e grands so lets… lets just do t'at.”[/color] 

Danni went to head to the store, but paused. Appa would probably be upset if he just threw away his phone but more importantly, Danni and Percy looked good in those photos and it would be a crime not to show the world. Danni groaned and creeped back to the trash can, dancing uncomfortably on his toes as he wavered, and finally fished out the phone. Thankfully, it was empty and nothing gross came out with it. Danni typed in the password, shut his eyes as he forced the photo off screen, and sighed in relief as he had the clear background again. Danni took a second to text himself the photos and pocketed it again. 

[color=E948FC]“Okay, okay, time for shoppin’ and we never, ever saw anyt'in’ ot'er t'an our cute faces on t'is!”[/color] Danni proclaimed loudly and he gestured to the boutique they appeared in front of, decorated in Christmas lights and garland, the two mannequins in the window displaying winter clothes. [color=E948FC]“So t'ats where we goin’. T'e backside ‘as a cafe where t'ey ‘ave some of t'e best ‘ot chocolate in t'e city so we can do some rechargin’ for ya before we move onta t'e next one! Sound good?”[/color]

Percy nodded in agreement, doing his best to mentally refocus off of what they had seen and back onto the clothing. As he looked at the window display, he became acutely aware of the fact that he had never been in this nice of a store before. His idea of a nice store was Nordstroms at the mall. This… this was a completely different level. Ben’s suggestion of limiting to $10,000 was beginning to make more and more sense. And they would be going to multiple…? He swallowed slightly, before nodding once more. He had faced the Young Avengers. He had faced the Hex Girls and Arcade. He could do this. He could survive a shopping trip with Danni. Yes, he had already nearly drowned today, but he was fine. Nothing else bad could happen. Right?

[color=ed1c24]“How many stores are we going to, Danni?”[/color] he fidgeted a bit with the bracelets on his hand. 

[color=E948FC]“‘onestly, we'll see. Gotta make sure we got t'e grands and if we can find everyt'in’ t'at suits you and is [i]cohesive[/i], ya know? Your clothes ‘ave gotta tell a story, right, and if ya use t'e wron’ pieces, t'en you'll ‘ave t'e wrong stories bein’ told.”[/color] Danni shrugged, taking Percy's response as the green light and throwing open the door to The Row and switching into French, his voice smoothing out from its usual chaotic mess. [color=E948FC][i]“Good evening! Your favorite customer has arrived! Do you have an opening?”[/i][/color] He announced into the store. 

Percy’s jaw dropped. Had Danni hit his head…?

The Row Boutique was a two storied clothing shop that boasted a gorgeous spiral staircase, all wrought iron and decorative panels. Although the walls were beige and white, splashes of colorful fabrics on the walls to give it some personality. Downstairs was the small lobby leading into the café in the back, where the smell of baked goods and coffee and chocolate drifted through the store. Raphaël Ducroy, a middle aged, willowy man who often oversaw the evening shift glanced up from his paperwork behind the counter and offered the pair a polite smile. 

[i]“Mr. Kingston and…”[/i] The smile shifted to something a little more forced as he took in Percy's disheveled appearance. 

[Color=E948FC][i]“Rapha, meet Spicy. Spicy, meet Rapha. He's been handling our account for the past three years!”[/i][/color] Danni didn't quite catch the tensions and continued on, sauntering up to the counter. [color=E948FC][i]“He's got a date with Dee tomorrow and his closet is so stuffy. It’s suit, suit, suit, grey, black, grey, black. We have to change it up. They're going to a ski lodge, so I'm thinking winter collection for the necessities, spring collection for the fun, and something backless for the dinner night. Any chance you have a private room available? We don't need an attendant; we'll want to peruse in the show room. Actually Spicy, do you want a menu for the room?”[/i][/color] 

Percy didn’t pick up at all on the non-verbal cues from Rapha. He was, however, immediately a bit overwhelmed at the idea of the show room, the private room, the menu for the room. Was the menu for ordering clothing…? Was this how wealthy folks got their clothes - did they look at a menu and have everything brought to them? He looked at Danni with wide eyes, trying to communicate without words that he had no idea what was going on or what was happening. And the more overwhelmed and uncomfortable he got, the less he wanted to talk. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Yes, please place a menu for the room.”[/i][/color] Danni continued, nonpulsed by Percy's silence. Rahaël typed away on the screen in front of him and pulled out a key card. 

[i]“And are we expecting any of your other family members, Mr. Kingston?”[/i] When Danni shook his head, Raphaël sent a message upstairs to ensure no alcohol was available. [i]“Very good, Mr. Kingston. Please follow me to your room.”[/i] Raphaël stepped out from behind the counter and brought the pair up the spiral stairs and onto the second story. 

The second story was a sprawling space of displays, artfully placed through a winter wonderland. Gold elevator doors were set on the left and a hallway was hidden behind snow covered trees on the right. Raphaël continued down the hallway and paused at the third door. A small metal plaque with the store's logo and the number 3 was set into it. He tapped the key to the lock and it flashed green. [i]“You have the room for two hours, Mr. Kingston. Please ring if you need further assistance.”[/i] He bowed, passed the key card to Danni, and took his leave. 

[color=E948FC][i] “Thank you! Okay, Spicy. Let's get settled and we'll start shopping. I think they had their Spring 2026 collection on preview so I want to see if we need to pre-order anything as well!”[/i][/color] Danni pushed the door open. Inside was a comfortable room, another door across the way labeled Changing Room. A large rug took up most of the hardwood flooring and an antique table with six chairs sat in the center. An alcove on the side offered a place to hang coats, hats, and bags and a small lock box offered a place to store valuables. Along the back wall hung a TV that was set to a crackling fireplace and holiday music played quietly. A tablet and a menu were placed in the center of the table and a drink cart, only holding water and cups, was nestled neatly next to the entrance. Danni immediately bounced to the tablet and began placing an order. 

[color=E948FC][i]Hot chocolate for you and me, do you like peppermint and cream? You do like peppermint and cream and then we should also get some tea cakes. They're delicious here. You want to see if they have anything else you want?”[/i][/color]

[i][color=ed1c24]“... Pre-order?”[/color][/i] Percy repeated, speaking back in French, and blinking somewhat rapidly. There were times where he could forget the large wealth gap between himself and Dorian’s family. This was not one of those times. He had never been anywhere like this before in his life, and if he hadn’t asked Danni for help today, he probably would have just gone to Macy’s to look for clothing. He didn’t even know where they were supposed to start. His ears turned a little red. [i][color=ed1c24]“Danni, I have no idea how any of this works. I have never been to a store like this before. They… serve food?”[/color][/i] When Danni had mentioned there was a cafe in the back, he had been anticipating something more like a Starbucks in a Barnes and Noble experience - or even a cafe that was in a separate building right behind the store. [i][color=ed1c24]“You’ll need to explain all of this to me.”[/color][/i]

[color=E948FC][i]“There really isn’t anything to explain? It works like a normal store for the most part. I'm placing an order and they'll deliver it, and it will be hot chocolate with chantilly cream and a few lavender and rose finger cakes on a pretty plate. Then, once we're ready, we'll head out to the show room, mark down what we want to try, and they'll send us the pieces. We'll do a whole photoshoot, buy what we want, and then we'll try a new store if we haven't hit where we need to. Like, we won't get boots here. Maybe some day use shoes, but for comfortable snow shoes we'll go to a proper skiing store - they'll have the right jackets and pants rather than fashion forward items.”[/i][/color] Danni explained, popping down in a chair as he explained and pushed one out for Percy with his foot. [color=E948FC][i] “Just let me handle it! It's going to be great. I spotted a nice pair of tights I think will really look good on you coming in, but question - your mom was chill with everything right? I saw you turn reaaally red and I gotta know what that was.”[/i][/color] Danni sat forward, eyes all bright and eager. 

Percy swallowed slightly. He’d hoped Danni had forgotten about that part. But at least explaining what his mother had said on the phone was easier than wrapping his head around this store and its functions - and the way this was Danni’s baseline standard. [i][color=ed1c24]“Erm. Yes. She… she wanted me to send pictures of me trying on the clothes,”[/color][/i] Percy explained, avoiding eye contact. He really hated having his pictures taken, but he also knew that getting Danni to not touch him every five seconds was a huge victory, and he didn’t know if he would be able to similarly get out of the photographs. [i][color=ed1c24]“When you say photoshoot… that’s just a picture or two, yes? Not an entire album?”[/color][/i]

[color=E948FC][i]“Oh, yeah. Just a picture or two per outfit combo. We don't need a whole album just for a shirt and pant swap.”[/i][/color] Danni waved that concern away. [color=E948FC][i] “Why did that make you so red? And quiet. You were super quiet there at the end and we don't even speak the language! Anytime Dee or Rillie or I get clothes, we always swap photos.”[/i][/color] 

He considered for a moment how to broach this. There were a multitude of reasons why he had turned red at his mother’s request - he hated being photographed, he wasn’t comfortable with his body, he’d already agreed that they could try something backless and the idea of showing his mother something meant to turn his boyfriend on was a little embarrassing. He didn’t know if Danni would understand any of those, however. It wasn’t just a class difference between the two of them - it was a fundamental difference in how they saw the world and how they saw themselves in it. He tapped his fingers on his knee for a moment, before deciding on how to respond. 

[i][color=ed1c24]“Mm. So,”[/color][/i] he paused for a moment, even with his mental rehearsal on how to say this, it was still somewhat difficult - somewhat vulnerable. [i][color=ed1c24]“I don’t like the way I look in photos. And if the clothes we are trying on are supposed to be items Dorian would be interested in… I don’t know if I want my mother to see me in them. I know it’s strange, since she already knows that we are sleeping together, but… it’s uncomfortable.”[/color][/i]

Danni nodded slowly. [color=E948FC][i]“Oh, well. Not all of it will be stuff Dee will like like. I mean, we're going to put you in things that make you look good and Dee likes you so Dee will like what you wear, regardless of what we send. Obviously, we'll need to adjust the photos to the viewer. If you want to pose a little differently for Dee than your mom, we can do that too.”[/color] Danni shrugged. [color=E948FC]“I don't really know why a picture of you in clothes tells your mom you're knocking noses with Dee but you know her better than me! Plus, I think she'll be more appreciative that someone got you out of your stuffy suits and into something a little more breathable. You're going to love it and I think if we stick with the women's section, we'll get stuff off rack for you pretty easily! We might be able to keep this trip under two hours, though depends on if we get to the shoes quick enough.”[/color]

He opened his mouth, about to explain to Danni that backless clothing - or really any clothing that showed skin - felt suggestive to him and that was specifically why he didn’t want to show those things to his mother, when another bombshell was dropped on him. They were going to be shopping in the women’s section? [i][color=ed1c24]“But I’m a boy. Why would we shop in the women’s section? Are we getting things for your sister?”[/color][/i] Percy frowned. He knew that he was smaller than most boys but… he was still a [i]boy[/i]. Did Danni not see him as a boy? He shifted uncomfortably, as he felt his temper start to rise a bit. [i][color=ed1c24]“You do know I’m a boy, right?”[/color][/i] Danni didn’t know what a grand was - maybe he was confused? 

[color=E948FC][i]“Rillie? We're on this trip for you, silly! Why'd we get anything for her? I mean, sure I'm going to check out the Spring Collection to give them a heads up but otherwise, this is all about Spicy!”[/i][/color] There was a faint knock at the door and Danni stood, shaking the skirt out and smoothing it down, before crossing to open the door and let in the attendant, who pushed a small cart in with two large mugs on sauces and four little cakes on a plate decorated with gold leaf and rose petals. She placed it on the table and slipped back out. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Okay, two of these are lavender and two or them are orange so feel free to grab what you want!”[/i][/color] Danni instructed, sliding back into place and immediately taking a huge gulp out of his peppermint hot chocolate. He let out a satisfied sigh, a little chocolate milk staining the top of his lip as Percy's question hit him. [color=E948FC][i]“Yeah, I know you're a boy. What does that have to do with anything? We're getting stuff out of the women's section because they run in your sizes! And clothes don't have gender anyways. Is this skirt a woman? No. It's a skirt. It's like saying this mug is for women and your mug is for men. The only difference is one has reasonable pockets and the other doesn't.”[/i][/color] 

Percy’s knee jerk reaction was to double down, to protest that he couldn’t wear women’s clothing because… because what? As he reached for that explanation, all he found were the remnants of bullying from middle school, little pieces of internalized homophobia. He stared at Danni for a moment longer - Danni who was definitely still a boy, even though he was wearing a skirt. And Danni’s father Casper was still a boy, even though he was in a dress almost every time Percy had seen him. If Percy were to wear a women’s shirt, would it make him any less of a boy?

He was silent for a few moments, as he turned the shape of that idea around in his head a few times. [i][color=ed1c24]“I don’t want to wear a dress,”[/color][/i] Percy settled on. 
[i][color=ed1c24]“Or a skirt. I think it would be too cold,”[/color][/i] and he still couldn’t remove the gender from those items, at least for himself, right now. But if Danni was right and the clothes in the women’s section might fit him better… He bit his lip. Thought of a question. Hesitated to ask it. Reached out and instead took a tentative sip of the hot chocolate, but the question was still swimming around in his head, so he decided to ask it. [i][color=ed1c24]“Do you think I’m too small?”[/color][/i]

[color=E948FC][i]“Oh for sure. They have some really cool, broody tops though you're going to love though I guarantee you. But absolutely, no dresses, no skirts. You can layer them so they aren't cold, but you do you boo.”[/i][/color] Danni snagged one of the orange cakes and dipped it in the hot chocolate before cramming it into his mouth. He looked confused at the question. [color=E948FC][i]“I don't… I don't think you're too small? Like, you're a smol so you're small. And that's just a fact. I promise, the clothing won't care about your height. They don't give opinions. And I'm dressing you, why would it look bad?”[/i][/color] 

Percy frowned for a moment. He had lied and told everyone he was 5’6” whenever they’d asked for the last year or so - it even made its way into his medical chart at one point. It was one of the things Chase and the others had bullied him about repeatedly - the fact that he was so small, so tiny, so easy to shove into places. [i][color=ed1c24]“Not the clothing,”[/color][/i] Percy shook his head slightly. [i][color=ed1c24]“Other people. I know that… people don’t like boys that are small,”[/color][/i] he said quietly, looking down at his hands. He’d thought he would have had a growth spurt by now. But while his powers grew, his height stayed the same. He clenched his fists slightly. [i][color=ed1c24]“What if I never get any taller?”[/color][/i] 

[color=E948FC][i]“People don't like small guys? I mean, I'm shorter than average and plenty of people like me. And you're dating a guy who is definitely into you.”[/i][/color] Danni pointed out through a mouthful of cake. [color=E948FC][i] “Again, it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. Can you change it? No. Can you own it? Absolutely. You are who you are and that's that. The only thing you can do is decide if you want to suffer because of it or if you want to kick butt and be awesome. And no one likes the suffering part so just choose to rock it!”[/i][/color] 

He nodded slightly. [i][color=ed1c24]“Okay,”[/color][/i] Percy affirmed. [i][color=ed1c24]“Okay!”[/color][/i] He took a bite of cake, doing his very best to psych himself up for this. This was fine. And Danni was right. His boyfriend was very much into him - and often times, in him. He just needed to get out of his own head. If Dorian wanted someone taller… his stomach churned angrily at the thought of that. That was unacceptable. But he could try - he could try to be a little bit more confident, to not let what the bullies had said in middle school rule over his life. [i][color=ed1c24]“I will choose to kick butt and be awesome,”[/color][/i] Percy repeated solemnly. 

Danni grinned wildly at him and wisps of fire rolled off him before he stood up. [color=E948FC][i]“Okay! If you're ready, I'm ready! Its time, young student, to learn the ways of fashion.”[/i][/color] The second Percy was out of his seat, Danni snatched his hand up and bolted into the showroom. From there, it was a whirlwind of activity - Danni picking out a shirt from one display and pants from another, making Percy stand next to mannequins, holding shirt after shirt after shirt against his chest to gauge the size, holding pants and shoes and shoving hats and earmuffs over his head and finally, riddled everything down to twelve shirts, eight pairs of pants, fifteen jackets, and six pairs of shoes before he dragged Percy back into the dressing room and shoved him along with various pieces. While Percy was otherwise occupied, Danni typed in an order into the tablet via its clothing catalog so that the showpiece idea would be a secret to Percy too.

Danni made Percy try every jacket, shirt, pant, and shoe combination there, snapping a few shots with Percy's phone each time, and then sending him back in. Danni had picked a few items out of the men's size, mostly jackets, and only one of those stayed. Everything else clung to Percy's shoulders or thighs and a number of the pants Danni picked out ensure he'd looked excellent from the back as well. Danni finally paused Percy after just over an hour and beamed. Against the door, a zipped clothing bag hung. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Okay, okay, okay! I think we just have to pick you up some ski clothes and a proper set of boots from the next shop! We got all the basics here and two layering shirts so you'll be set. So now it's time.”[/i][/color] Danni skipped over to the bag and brought it over. [color=E948FC][i]“Into the changing room with this. Don't fuss too much. The fabric can be tricky but I'll arrange it once you're out. Go on!”[/i][/color] 

Percy raised an eyebrow, as he took the bag from Danni. Nothing so far had matched the description of a showcase piece so… this must have been it. Of all the clothing he had tried on so far, this is the one that made him the most nervous. But the trip was almost over. He’d almost made it through the gauntlet and he was somewhat terrified to look at how much all of this would cost. He did surprisingly really like the clothes Danni had selected, however. He never would have looked in the women’s section before for himself, and the way everything fit… It was better than anything he’d ever purchased from the Gap or JC Penny’s - or even Hollister. 

He went back into the changing room, and opened up the sealed bag. For a moment, he had very little idea what he was looking at. It looked like a light blue button up shirt - but the more he inspected it, the more he found himself confused about how the fabric was supposed to work. He wasn’t even sure if it was one piece or two. Purely by the collar he guessed which side was supposed to be the front, as both [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019b4815-9b49-74b8-9ea0-ece531cdec0b.webp]the front[/url] and [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019b4815-ce19-729a-9548-a04f5a33ae04.webp]the back[/url] were open, allowing for bare skin. 

[url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019b4815-52e8-709f-8b3b-c56ae942aa45.webp]The pants[/url], at least, were a little less confusing. They were long, billowy, and black, with a slit on both pant legs that went all the way up to the upper thigh. For a moment, he had thought Danni had selected a skirt for him after all. 

Percy sighed slightly, staring at the garments. What had he gotten himself into? 

He didn’t know where to start with the shirt. But at least, he could put on the pants. And maybe a closer inspection of the shirt would then help him to figure it out. He was absolutely terrified to know how much the twisted piece of fabric cost. He changed into the selected pants, the hem skimming the ground. He raised an eyebrow at that - they were buying everything off the rack, this clearly was too long for him. 

And then he looked at the shirt again. 

He turned it a thousand different directions. 

And then he was forced to swallow his pride. 

[color=ed1c24]“Danni?”[/color]

[color=E948FC][i]“What's up, Spicy? Are you doing okay?”[/i][/color] Danni's voice floated through the door. 

[i][color=ed1c24]“I don’t know how to put the shirt on.”[/color][/i]

There was a brief beat of silence and then the door swung open, Danni skipping in. [color=E948FC][i]“Yeah, it's a tricky piece but I saw it on display and I knew Dee was going to die for it.”[/i][/color] Danni plucked the shirt out of Percy's hands, without a care that he was shirtless. [color=E948FC][i]“Stand in front of the mirror and I'll show you! I know, I know. Who wants to wear a weird shirt like this in the winter but I saw it and I immediately knew the theme of your piece is winter royalty! So start with the arms. Since it's all one piece, just think of it as sleeves with a collar and looooooooong fabric. Yep, left and right and perfect! Now, we wrap left over right and right over left…[/i][/color] Danni muttered as he arranged it all, tying the fabric in a neat bow just on top of the waist of the pants. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Now, shoes. You pair these with the boots we picked because of the heel. That'll give the pants just a few inches to sway when you walk.”[/i][/color] Danni kneeled, helping Percy into each boot and zipping up the sides. Danni adjusted everything as he stood, tops his finger into the waistline to check the fit, and fiddled with three collar and sleeves. He stepped behind Percy and looked over the stay shoulder in the mirror. [color=E948FC][i]“Now imagine: a touch of blush on the cheeks, some eye liner, and a little silver circlet: Percy the Snow Prince.”[/i][/color] 

Percy didn’t need to imagine a touch of blush on his cheeks - his face naturally provided that, as he looked into the mirror. He had expected to completely hate this outfit, to see the way his ribs threatened to poke through against his skin, to feel like a sickly Victorian orphan dressed up in modern day clothes. He was prepared to be revolted by his own appearance. But as he stared, the blush rose more and more in his face - and slowly, Percy started to look in the other mirrors too, seeing the different angles. He didn’t feel gross or disgusting or tiny. He strangely felt… beautiful. 

He sniffled slightly. He’d never felt this beautiful before. If he was a snow prince, then Danni was his fairy godmother. [i][color=ed1c24]“I don’t know what to say,”[/color][/i] he mumbled, trying not to cry. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Well, good thing you don't have to say anything next. It's time for a photooooo.”[/i][/color] Danni waved Percy back into the sitting area. [color=E948FC][i]“Do you want to do a Momma Spicy photo for this one or just a Dee photo?”[/i][/color] 

Percy’s eyes widened and he vehemently shook his head no. [i][color=ed1c24]“Absolutely not one for my mother. No. Never. I’d die.”[/color][/i]

Danni doubled over in laughter. [color=E948FC][i]  “Okay, okay, don't worry. Just Dee then. Now how should we do this… Ah! We'll do three shots! First, lay on the couch, prop your head on your fist, raise your knee, and then put your hand on your knee. I'll set the clothes, grab some snaps, and then pose two!”[/i][/color] 

Percy mentally replayed those instructions a few times. And then, just like with the clothes, he decided to just try the first step and hope the others became more clear. He lied down on the couch on his side, and propped up his head on his fist. He then raised his knee, placed his hand, and… immediately realized what pose Danni wanted him to be in. It was the [i]draw me like one of your French girls[/i] pose he really enjoyed seeing in fanart of Achilles and/or Patroclus. Once he realized that, his face turned bright red, but he tried to make some adjustments to match Danni’s vision a little better. And while he didn’t say as much, he was a little excited at the idea of sending Dorian a picture like this. It was one of the few pictures in his life he didn’t hate the thought of posing for. [i][color=ed1c24]“Like… like this?”[/color][/i]

[color=E948FC][i]“Yes! Give me a moment, I have to move some… Okay lets have this lay like that and shift your knee just a bit…”[/i][/color] Danni stepped back from his fussing, flipped out Ben's phone and snapped six photos from different angles. [color=E948FC][i]“Okay, now sit up. We're going for something more confident so arms along the back of the sofa and manspread like your life depends on it.”[/i][/color] 

He obediently sat up - the more quickly he complied, the sooner this was over. And again, there was something enticing about taking these sorts of photos for Dorian. It sent a bit of a thrill down his spine, a shiver that went down to his fingers and his toes. He moved his arms first to the back of the sofa - and then he hesitated for a moment, that same blush crawling up his cheeks, before he slowly started to open up his legs, inch by inch, looking at Danni to judge when he had spread them out enough by. [i][color=ed1c24]“... This?”[/color][/i]

Danni tapped his foot and huffed. [color=E948FC][i]“No, no definitely not enough.”[/i][/color] Danni strode over between his legs and knelt between them, forcing them wider until he fit comfortably between them. [color=E948FC][i]“There we go. Now let's fix your clothes here.”[/i][/color] Danni started with the boots, slipping his hands up Percy's leg to make sure they were sitting properly. Danni smoothed out the legs and leaned forward, face nearly in Percy's stomach, and untied the bow he'd made for the shirt and instead let them cross and continue so Danni could tuck them under Percy's legs. Danni looked up and adjusted the front, letting it slouch artfully and then frowned as he took Percy in. [color=E948FC][i] “Sorry, sorry I know it's a lot of touching but the quicker it all settles the quicker we're done, I promise! Relax the shoulders and give me some confidence!”[/i][/color] 

Percy gritted his teeth, trying to relax - even as each touch felt a little bit like being burned, and he was more than acutely aware of the way Danni had knelt in front of him, face practically in his stomach. He was incredibly grateful they were in a private room. He forced a smile onto his face that didn’t quite meet his eyes, and as he tried to project confidence, his body just tensed up more, looking almost pained and strained. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Spicy, if you need to use the restroom, you can take a break. Otherwise, I need you to be serious, silly.”[/i][/color] Danni stood and grabbed a chair, sitting across from him. [color=E948FC][i]“Okay, so confidence isn't about a smile or a look. It's all about being sure of what you're doing. You don't have to smile, but you need to relax. Take some deep breaths, feel the tension leave your body with each one. You know Dee's head over heels for you. You know Dee will love these photos. Just concentrate on that and give me that intensity. You got this - you are an intense person and we just got to catch that here!”[/i][/color]

Percy took a deep breath. He was relieved to drop the smile from his face - it had felt disingenuous, and the effort of keeping it strained his cheeks. Being sure of what he was doing. Percy could do that. In his mind, he remembered the first time he had met Dorian - not the bad, not the anger and the frustration with his jacket being set on fire, but the good. The way his eyes had dazzled in the light, the way Dorian was so proud, so opinionated, so ready to stand up for what he believed in. And with each breath, the memory fixed into his mind, he began to calm, the tension abiding until his muscles were relaxed, and Percy was gazing intently forward at the camera. 

Danni snapped back to his spot on his knees, directing Percy to keep his head straight and just look down at him with his eyes. Danni snapped another six and then pushed to his feet. [color=E948FC][i]“Okay, great, great. You're doing perfect so far Spicy!”[/i][/color] Danni looked around and clicked his tongue irritably when he didn't find what he was looking for. He snapped his fingers and pointed, signaling for Perxy to stand in a new spot. [color=E948FC][i] “Lighting control, lighting control, lighting control. Ugh, no they're all on the same switch. Who ever does that any more?!”[/i][/color] Danni stomped from one side of the room to the other until he stopped and stared at the changing room. He threw the door open and his irritation melted away. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Actually, come here and stand in front of the mirrors. I need fifteen second to pose you, we can count if you need.”[/i][/color] 

Percy nodded. [i][color=ed1c24]“Is this the last one?”[/color][/i] he asked. He could handle fifteen seconds of Danni posing him. He could do that. He didn’t know if he could handle another fifteen poses each requiring fifteen seconds of adjustments. He hesitated for a second, before he moved in front of the mirrors of the changing room. No one else was present, which was fantastic - every other store he’d been at, they would have seen a few employees by now. He couldn’t help but wonder how often Danni went here - especially given that his family had an account. [i][color=ed1c24]“Can you just edit the photo for the lighting?”[/color][/i] He didn’t really understand how any of that worked. Almost every photo he’d ever taken in his life had been against his will. His camera roll only contained selfies when Dorian had asked for him to send them. All the other photos were of his boyfriend, sites around Los Angeles, Greek mythology depictions, and latte art that had impressed him. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Yeeees, but Dee normally does that and I'm awful with the programs and I can't really ask him to do these so it's gotta be natural.”[/i][/color] Danni started counting down as he positioned Percy. Arms nestled in each other with his hands on his elbows, head turned left and looking down past the shoulder, left left barely shifted left so it accented the slit in the pants and forced Percy to shift his weight right and his back tensed just slightly. Danni finished just as he had to count past 0. 

[color=E948FC][i]“Okay, great, great, great. Hold that. We want to hold that pose. Now, we want the energy of missing Dee. This is the Snow Prince missing his boyfriendo and remembering how it felt to be hugged from behind okay? If you get a little teary eyed, roll with that. Pond hit the lights.”[/i][/color] Danni sprinted across the room and slammed the switch, plunging the room into darkness. 

[color=E948FC][i]“And now time for the magic”[/i][/color] Firefly sized flames flickered into existence, just enough light to showcase Percy in the mirrors but not enough to give a view of the room, contrasting Percy sharply against the room. 

Percy bit his lip for a moment, before he nodded once more. The feeling of missing Dorian. That was easy. He felt it all the time. He felt it in CAGE, the few days he had been forced to be there for detoxing, cut off from his boyfriend physically and on an entanglement level. He remembered the absence of Dorian first - of every moment he had spent alone, every time he had gone back to an empty dorm room, too filled with anger and pride to admit how he’d felt. He remembered the way he had slid to the ground in his room at the Kingston-Gray house, so overwhelmed from everything with the contest, but so alone and scared all the same - so willing to believe that no one wanted him around, that he didn’t deserve to have help, to have friends. He remembered every time he had chosen to drink instead of going to Dorian, afraid that he would drive him away - that he would realize his mistake and how unlovable he was. 

And he saw the images begin to flicker and morph - Dorian bringing him food that first night, a half faded dream of him carrying him to bed, their training sessions with Nemo, study sessions in his room, their date to the mall, the museum, the food trucks, the first time they were intimate with each other, surviving Arcade, playing fuck marry kill at his house, learning about the entanglement, how Dorian had comforted him after Chase’s reappearance, their adventures with Leah in Asgard - he saw it all, their relationship running through its course and the deep sense of love that emanated from each memory. 

It didn’t take much effort to cry, as he reached out for the feelings of his missing other half.

Danni beamed at the effort Percy was putting in and couldn't help but snap more than his usual six. [color=E948FC][i]“Aaaaaand, you're all set! Great job, Spicy! I think that was your best one yet! Actually, you think I can keep this for my portfolio? It's really nice!”[/i][/color] Danni walked out of the changing room, his on the phone as he fiddled with some settings, and let the door to the changing shut behind him as he walked to turn the lights back on and the fires flickered out one by one. 

Percy was still for a moment, as he slowly unentangled himself from that position - and the tears continued to flow quietly. He would have wiped his eyes on the shirt, but he didn’t dare with this material. He had a feeling it was worth more than most people made in a year. And it should have upset him, but at the moment, all he felt was that absence, that ache. He took another breath, and followed Danni out of the changing room. [i][color=ed1c24]“Erm. S-sure,”[/color][/i] he sniffled a bit. [i][color=ed1c24]“... Can you send me those? I’d like to send them to Dorian now.”[/color][/i]

Danni hit the lights and looked up, a soft look on his face, and he quickly shot them over. [color=E948FC][i]“Yep, sent them over. I'll start getting everything all gathered up so just pop out of those and you can make sure the grands are good.”[/i][/color]

He blinked back the tears, as his phone vibrated with the photos. Danni had done a really incredible job. He hated looking at photos of himself, but not these ones. He selected those last three - the French girls, the manspreading, and the vulnerability - and sent them to Dorian, along with a brief message - 

[hider=@Dorian]My love,

I miss you. 

Percy[/hider]

[hider=Translations]
Russian - 
Vso v poryadke = is everything okay? 
Da, ya v Novom Orleane s Danni. My pokupayem veshchi dlya poyezdki = Yes, I’m in New Orleans with Danni. We are shopping for the trip. 
Ty budesh' doma k uzhinu? = are you coming home for dinner? 
Da = yes.
Khorosho, khorosho provedite vremya i bud'te ostorozhny. YA khochu posmotret' odezhdu, prishlite mne fotografii, khorosho? YA tebya lyublyu = Okay, have fun and be safe. i want to see the clothes, send me pictures okay? i love you[/hider]