Clotheshorses

[silenttrainbaby]

Grey has only been in a place like this two times before. Once with Curtis, once on his own when he had met the woman who mistook him for this d'Artagnan who he's yet to meet.

But he needs more than one pair of sweatpants and some t-shirts to wear; he knows that.

Where to start, he doesn't know, though. That's why Rat is with him. He holds his boyfriend's hand and looks around, more than a little lost.

Comments

[silenttrainbaby]

It's soft anf fuzzy and Grey even raises it to his cheek to feel it against his face. Yes. This.

He takes it from the hanger and pulls it over his head to try it on right at the rack.

[plaguedrat]

The shirt, loose around him, tempers some of Grey's harsher features. Rat smiles and points him to a mirror, "I think you look good, what do you think?"

[silenttrainbaby]

With a look to Rat, Grey moves to the mirror. He's still not used to looking at himself. He looks strange, he thinks.

But he runs a hand over the shirt, over his chest and it feels good.

[plaguedrat]

Rat squeezes his shoulder, enjoying the feel of the material.

"Yes?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Yes.

So, now, Grey has a shirt and a pair of jeans.

This seems very successful, doesn't it? He pulls the shirt off and finally puts his sweatjacket back on. With his new clothes in one arm, he just reaches out to touch things as he walks.

He stops when he feels something so soft. Oh.

[plaguedrat]

"Do you want that too?" Rat says, looking at the price. It's not cheap, but he likes the look of it, thinking the color will sit nicely on his skin.

[silenttrainbaby]

No.

Surely - one shirt and one pair of pants is plenty. He's never needed more, right? That shouldn't change now. But still, he holds a sleeve.

[plaguedrat]

"It's going to be cold. You're probably going to want more than one outfit to layer up," Rat suggests. And, because he always has an ulterior motive, Rat nuzzles his neck. "And it gives me more clothes to take off you."

[silenttrainbaby]

Another shiver, Grey's eyes nearly closing. A moment later, he strips off his sweatjacket again and reaches for one of the sweaters, a dark blue, and he pulls it over his head.

[plaguedrat]

"I like it," Rat says. Again, he points to the mirror. "What do you think?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Focusing on the sweater, Grey looks back at the mirror; this isn't about vanity to him: he doesn't know if he is "good looking" or not, but he rubs the sweater again and it's so soft and it's warm and he wants it, because of that.

So, he nods.

[plaguedrat]

"You look handsome," Rat says again. Handsome, but also softer for it.

"So. Shirt, pants, sweater. That's a good start, right?"

[silenttrainbaby]

It is the best start Grey can think of. All of this is so clean, so new.

He pulls off the sweater and puts it carefully back on the hanger, slipping back into his sweatjacket. Then he gathers his new things and gives Rat a kiss. A deep kiss, a kiss of thanks, of desire, still. And of love.

[plaguedrat]

Rat smiles, enjoys the kiss for a minute, enjoys the idea of loving someone and being loved. In the past, it had seemed like a frightening responsibility. Now? It was perfect.

"We should go pay."

[silenttrainbaby]

With a nod, taking the taste from his mouth, Grey walks without thinking much of where he's going. He does pass racks of underwear in plastic bagging and t-shirts, too. He had some of this when he shopped with Curtis before, but he needs more, grabbing some of that.

This might take a lot of his face paper and he's okay with that.

[plaguedrat]

Rat can help if it's needed. He's been taking bit parts here and there, doing quick jobs for cash.

For now, he walks to the check out counter with him.

[silenttrainbaby]

It takes a lot of his money, it's true. But Grey will get by somehow, get the presents that he needs to get.

So, in exchange for the money, he's given a bag with his new clothes in it. Tit for tat.

With his free hand, he takes Rat's and kisses his boyfriend's fingers. What should they do now?

[plaguedrat]

Rat nods to the exit from the store and into the rest of the mall. "Food?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Food is always a good answer.

Despite all the people milling around, Grey is more comfortable than he would have been, though his grip tightens in Rat's and he looks for entrances, exits and threats.

[plaguedrat]

He glances around for the same things too. Old habits staying sharp, protective. He squeezes Grey's hand in return, even if he looks relaxed as he walks to the food court.

[silenttrainbaby]

So many smells, some more appealing that others.

As they get close to each of the vendors, he peers in. No Chinese food; it has made him sick before. Sandwiches ... pizza.

That's the smell winner. He tugs Rat toward the pizza, peering into the glass at the steaming food.

[plaguedrat]

Sounds good to him. Rat knows what he wants immediately, the one with all the toppings. He looks to Grey too, "I'll buy. Which ones?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Um. Grey taps the glass over the one with all the toppings, too. That one.

His eyes still get bigger than his stomach.

[plaguedrat]

Two slices then and water. Rat carries their food over to a table.

"Don't get sick again," he teases.

[silenttrainbaby]

He won't. At least Grey thinks he won't. He picks up his slice, trying to keep everything from falling off as he takes a bite, the cheese linking the slice to his mouth.