"Forced" Fem Ch. 5, part 1

“It looks cute!” Randall insisted.

Scott twisted to try and see the back of the miniskirt. “Are you sure it’s not too short? If I was wearing boxers they’d be longer than this is.”

Randall laughed slightly.

“What?” Scott said, kind of hurt. “I didn’t say anything funny.”

“Oh, sorry,” Randall said. “I… the idea of you wearing boxers seemed a little incongruous to me.”

“I mean, I have some at home,” Scott said sulkily. “Or I did, at least. I’m not sure where most of them went. More laundry mysteries.”

Randall narrowed his eyes. “Alright, this laundry thing has officially reached the level of ‘sus’. Dude, someone is clearly tampering with your wardrobe. Like, losing a few socks is normal, but all your boxers getting replaced? You said Aylin is your roommate, right? Do you think they’re the type of person to, like, prank you?”

Scott thought for a moment. “I think they’d play a prank as long as they didn’t think it would hurt anyone. They have a kind of mischievous, shitpost-y sense of humor and they definitely like to tease people. But they’re a pretty thoughtful and considerate person about the things that matter.”

“Well, I’d say they’re suspect number one. Unless anyone else would have access to your place while you’re not home? If that is the case, how do you feel about it? I mean, my opinion isn’t what matters, but I suspect your new wardrobe is an upgrade at least in terms of looking cute.”

Scott looked down at his legs and twisted back and forth for a bit, watching his skirt move, before responding. “I mean… the main reason I wouldn’t wear this kinda stuff is because I’m worried it would gross people out. I mean, I’ve seen myself in the mirror. It doesn’t look great, I feel like. But if I wasn’t worried about that then, yeah, I would consider dressing more like this. There’s… just something about it that feels nice, I guess. I don’t really know how to pin down how or why, but it makes me feel a little better about myself. Until I see a mirror, anyway.”

“If you ask me, that means you should do it. Don’t let worrying about what others think stop you from doing what makes you happy! I mean… people would probably judge me for some of the anime I’ve watched, but I don’t let that get to me.”

“I’m not sure that’s the most reassuring thing I’ve ever heard,” Scott muttered. “But I get the general point, I guess.”

He looked down at himself in the skimpy cosplay one more time and tried to pretend it was a photo of someone else. Hmm. It didn’t look that terrible, maybe. At least if you cropped out the face.

He pulled out his phone, with the sudden impulse to take a selfie, but was surprised by the time the lock screen displayed. “Oh, jeez, I didn’t realize it had gotten this late. Sorry, but I think I gotta head home.”

“Aw. Alright,” Randall said. “We can hang out another time, maybe? I had fun, anyway.”

“Yeah, it was nice to talk for a while and watch some anime together. Maybe I can host next time, after we study.”

“Yeah, I should be free!” Randall said. “I’m only taking 13 units this semester so I’m not really that busy. And, yeah, I look forward to meeting Aylin! I feel like we’re gonna vibe.”

“Yeah… I mean, non-zero chance they’ve watched some of the same questionable anime as you. Especially a few years ago they could get, like, kinda edgy. Oh, I should get changed back before I head out.”

“Aw. If you must,” Randall said. “Oh, do you want me to walk you home? It’s dark out and we both know this area isn’t exactly the safest.”

“God, yeah, the Nixle alerts. Wow, there was an armed robbery 100 ft from where I live, very cool. But I think I’ll be okay, dude.”

“Alright.” Randall looked slightly disappointed, but then perked up. “Oh, you should take the cosplay with you!”

“What?” Scott said. “I mean, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t know if I feel okay just taking something you spent money on like that.”

“It’s fine!” Randall said. “I already spent the money and it’s not like I have any other use for it. Definitely too small to fit me and I’m not sure I know anyone else who has both the looks to pull it off and the, uh, weebery to even know what the outfit is from. Maybe Aylin? Haha, you should get them to try it and send me a pic.”

“Well, they do already cosplay, so maybe,” Scott said. “Although if you want a photo they might charge.”

Randall laughed awkwardly, clearly unsure either way if Scott was joking. “Haha, yeah.”

There was a brief moment of silence before Scott said, “Alright, be back in a mo,” and went off to the bathroom to change.