Iceberg gaped at the younger boy. "You can't be serious about going like that."
Franky curled his lip and crossed his arms. "What's wrong with it? I look fine!"
"You look like you. That's the problem." The elder apprentice made a face to imitate Franky's. Sure, he'd gotten used to the pantslessness and garish shirts, but the idea of him showing off his lack of fashion sense on his first date was almost pathetic.
"Shut up, Stupidberg, when was the last time you got to go out with anyone? She said yes when I asked her out, that means she likes how I dress!" Franky put his hands on his hips, jaw jutting out in defiance.
"All that means is she's scared you're going to keep asking, like you did all week." Iceberg shook his head, turning back to his blueprints. "She must think you're a total freak, going that far and not even trying to look good for her."
There was a pause, and Franky smoothed out his shirt. "But I bought a new shirt and everything. It cost a lot."
The older boy looked back again, brow furrowed. The shirt was bright blue, patterns of yellow and orange clashing violently in the foreground, depicting an array of leaves and flowers.
"She'll think it's great," Franky insisted once more. "You'll see."
Iceberg raised an eyebrow, before rubbing his head. "Nmaa… well, if you wore anything else, she wouldn't really be going out with you, anyway. Girls hate it when guys pretend to be someone else."
Franky paused for a moment, before brightening. "Yeah! That's right!" He stretched out his arms above his head, victorious. "No guy's more real'n I am!"
With a barely-restrained smile, Iceberg turned away again. "You're the real deal, all right…"