“I think I win the contest,” Zack said to Carver.
“Okay, one, I didn’t agree to a contest. Two, he’s madly in love with you, so biased win at best,” Carver said.
“Yeah. You’re right. We both look smoking hot.”
“Could someone give me a little help?” Kit called from upstairs. “My dress is being annoying.”
“I got it,” Zack said when Carver started for the stairs. He shot a grin at Roger as he went. “I think I better get out of eyeline before someone messes up my clothes.”
Roger laughed at the remark, but Zack hadn’t been entirely wrong. He definitely wanted to make a mess of him.Maybe when we get back.Still chuckling, he headed into the master bedroom while Zack went for Kit’s bedroom.
The flurry of movement continued in the master bedroom. Takashi was mid-preparations, nearly dressed. As Roger entered the room, he was fussing with his cufflinks. All of their tuxedos had been made by an Unseelie tailor newer to the city, though Roger was quickly falling in love with the tailor’s keen sense of style. Takashi’s black silk shirt perfectly matched the shade of his fine wool pants, and the cut accented every inch of his body, making him absolutely delicious. His jacket was of the same wool, only there was a glimmering silver pattern in the weave. It lay on the bed, and the curving loops and scrolling accents seemed coiled, ready for action.
“I might be the last one ready for once,” Roger remarked as he started shedding the clothes he’d been lounging in.
“You had plenty of warning,” Takashi replied.
“I was distracted, then hungry.” Roger pulled his tuxedo out from the closet. His was silver in color, nearly metallic in its sheen. Across the back of it, in a fine black weave, was a kraken, its long tentacles reaching out from the center and wrapping around his upper arms. The fabric itself was custom and had cost an extravagant amount of money to have made in time, but that was the luck of dealing with fey merchants. They could manipulate their realm to give them the time, if necessary. And the touch of it was comforting, though a touch slick, and left the slightest buzz to the skin. His shirt was a shade of midnight blue, so dark it was black.
“I was thinking of wearing my hair tied back tonight,” Roger said.
“Seems criminal,” Takashi replied. “I love it down.”
Roger grinned at him and stole a kiss. “I’ll leave it for you to undo later that way.”
“That’s tempting in itself,” Takashi murmured.
“And I have a ribbon that matches the tux. Seems a waste not to use it.”
“Did you have an earring?” Takashi asked.
“Been debating between a few.” Roger opened the jewelry case on the dresser. He’d added to his small collection of earrings. Many were simple hoops, and some few were more complicated and had jewels or pendants that dangled.
“I do have something.” Takashi took a jewelry box out of a drawer and handed it to Roger.
“What’s this?” Roger asked with a grin.
“Something that I thought would fit.”
Roger opened it to find a platinum stud earring with four dangling tiny sapphires in the shade of Zack’s and Carver’s suits.Kit would be wearing a dress featuring the same color as well. Roger’s smile grew, and he kissed Takashi again. “Perfect.”
“I should go before I’m tempted to keep you out of the clothing,” Takashi said.
“Have you seen Zack? You might be less tempted if you stay here,” Roger joked.
“Perhaps I’ll just have to close my eyes until everyone’s ready to leave, then.” Takashi picked up his jacket and draped it over his shoulder as he left the bedroom.
Delaying wouldn’t stop the world from turning. Roger freshened up, fixed his hair, and then dressed in his tuxedo. Wearing it was like slipping into a glove, cozy yet utterly smooth. He left the bedroom just as Kit was coming down the staircase.
They had a tuxedo half-jacket that match Zack’s and Carver’s while the dress itself was a silver ballroom-length gown. The glimmer of it sparkled in rainbows rather than the colder silver light that came from the boys’ shirts and Roger’s tux. The sheer top layer of the skirt had tiny diamonds sewn here and there, adding to the prismatic rainbow glint. They’d leaned into cooler colors for their makeup, embracing a wintery theme. Rather than a bow tie, they wore a silvery collar with Roger’s crest tag on it.
“You look stunning,” Roger said.
Kit grinned. “Thanks.”
“The sooner we get to the formal event, the sooner we get back and out of these suits, right?” Carver said.
“You’ve been getting too used to walking around half-naked,” Zack commented as he headed for the door.
