Friday I'm In Love

△ 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞 △

Mikey was past insanely stupid, hovering outside Ray's door dressed like a fucking junior professor. Black jeans, black sweater with a white button down and his stupid glasses because he needed to get more contact lenses. He knocked, trembling with nerves as Mikey's life flashed before his eyes. Ray answered the door in a tight black dress which barely covered his ass and heavy black eye makeup and Mikey had a stroke. God, his waist alone could make a Victorian woman faint. His heart bound his throat and his eyes bulged out their sockets as he tried his hardest not to let his jaw drop. 

"Hey Mikeyway.", Ray grinned easily. "Funny seeing you here."

"I'm here about the favor I owe you." Mikey replied with a sudden burst of unknown confidence. 

"You want to come to my friend's drag birthday party as my mysterious boyfriend with strange working hours?"

"Anything to escape the house - Gerard's been watching Letters To Juliet for the past four days."

Ray beckoned him inside with a warm smile before closing the door behind him. Mikey looked adorable - really - and two years ago Ray would've ran away with that boy with no questions and his heart on his fingertips. He'd learned; so he just let himself have a sad smile while Mikey was distracted. So, Ray composed himself. He cleared his throat with a smile and walked into his living room. 

"Are you sure you want to do this? Mikes, It's really kind of you to offer but...", Ray began gently as the shorter man unfolded his arms and set his palms into his pockets. "The girls might tear you to pieces."

"I played baseball."

"I was in marching band - they're worse.", he smiled gently as he walked over to stand in front of Mikey. Ray took his hands in his, leading him backwards. "Are you really prepared for this?"

"Of course I am. If Gerard's finally having his big gay crisis at twenty-seven then I'm still prepared for anything."

Half an hour later Mikey was not prepared. He'd stood in front of the mirror for far too long already and there was no way in hell that Ray was really taking that long to make two cups of instant coffee. He was entranced by the person in the mirror in a way he never had before. Mikey had always hated the way he looked - right from the moment he knew what he looked like. He was too lanky, too sunken and sad and not fit enough for gym class. His glasses fit him badly, his hair made it worse and clothes hung off him. 

He'd never shaved his legs in his life; the feeling was foreign an alien to him, and frankly he didn't have the time. But he stood in front of the mirror without his arms wrapped around his middle like he usually did trying on clothes. The little black dress felt soft against his skin, with medium straps and a sweetheart neckline which came in at the waist with a slight corset and cut off four inches above his knees. He didn't feel lanky and disgusting. 

Ray appeared in the corner of the mirror with a soft smile and a cup of coffee. "Oh wow, Mikes...", he whispered as he dipped down to set the mugs on a side table before walking up behind Mikey. "What do you think?"

"It's... it's perfect."

Ray's arms wrapped around Mikey's waist seamlessly as his chin rested on his shoulder. "Do you wanna give Gerard a heart attack or what?"