𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐄 | 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 | ✓

𝔇𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔐𝔢

 Shinso straightened his lilac bow tie in the mirror above his bathroom sink. He wondered, not for the first time, if the bowtie, white dress shirt, and black vest were corny. Should he have just gone with a classic tuxedo jacket?

He ran a hand over his black pants, smoothing over non-existent creases. Pulling on his coat and scarf, he walked out of his apartment.

Shinso had wanted to go to the dance with Monoma, but instead Monoma had told him to meet him there, at U.A.

The dance was being held in U.A.'s indoor gymnasium, which was huge. It had been decorated with sparkling lights, and trestle tables had been set up with midnight-blue tablecloths draped over them, each one offering party snacks and red Solo cups with a variety of sodas. Class 1-A's Jiro was deejay-ing, wearing an oversize pair of headphones around her neck.

Shinso glanced around, searching for familiar faces. He saw Kendo chatting with Iida, and she offered him a friendly wave.

Then, he finally saw Monoma, standing alone by the back wall. And... Shinso's heart squeezed when he took in the other boy's outfit. He was wearing a dress.

So, he went with a dress after all?

Shinso crossed the room and tapped Monoma's bare shoulder gently.

Monoma spun to face him. "Oh, hey."

"Hi. You look... wow..." Shinso breathed.

Monoma glanced down at his dress. It was a dusty, blue-grey colour, with a long pleated skirt that fell to the floor and swished softly whenever he moved. The bodice had ornate leafy designs, and it was strapless.

the majority of you voted yes for him wearing a dress

"I hope you like it, because I've already gotten so many weird stares and—"

"I do," Shinso cut him off. "I love it." He pulled Monoma in by the waist and kissed him gently.

Monoma stepped back. "Also, look at these shoes." He lifted up the hem of the dress to show off his silver high-heels. They were only one inch tall, but for Monoma, it felt like he was wearing stilts.

"Wow," Shinso echoed. "Um, how did... how are you keeping that dress up?"

Monoma self-consciously pulled up the bodice. "I got this thing online called Staysput. I think gymnasts use it to keep their leotards in place... It's seriously uncomfortable. I had to get these shoes from, like, a drag queen website," he chuckled.

"It was totally worth it," Shinso promised.

"Mhmm..."

"Are you cold?"

"I'm alright."

"Hey, Neito! Is that really you?" Tetsutetsu shouted, running over to him with Kirishima following behind. "Dude."

"You like?" Monoma sniggered.

"Yeah, man, if you weren't already taken, I'd be gay for you," Tetsutetsu said. He glanced over to Kirishima. "Kidding."

"Of course. No homo," Monoma said.

"I'm wearing socks," Tetsutetsu suggested.

"Alright, that's enough out of you," Kirishima guided his boyfriend away from Monoma and Shinso. "See you around, guys."

"Want to get some snacks?" Shinso asked.

"Sure."

They walked over to the tables of food. Monoma glanced at Kendo as he passed her. She'd been cold to him all week, and he knew deep down that he deserved it.

But maybe it was the spirit of the school dance, or maybe it was the dress he was wearing, that made her smile as she caught his eye. She mouthed at him, 'Bottom.'

He winked and mouthed back, 'You know it.'

Monoma and Shinso lingered around the food tables for a while. The beginning of social events like this was always awkward at first, but soon, everyone was getting into the spirit, and people began dancing — mostly cringe-worthy TikTok trends.

"How were your exams?" Shinso asked.

"Good, good. I'm glad they're over. I think I've done enough to get a decent grade."

"That's great."

"Mmm." Monoma took a sip of his soda and fussed with the top of the dress. "God, this dress is awkward."

Shinso hummed in amusement.

A slow song started playing. Shinso mentally cheered — he'd dreamed about a slow dance with Monoma for ages...

He held out a palm to Monoma. "May I have this dance, my lady?"

Monoma swatted his hand away. "Not if you ask like that."

"Sorry," he coughed. "Dance with me?"

"Yes."