Prompt #35: Steven needs a new suit. Wallace is only too happy to help.

"So Steven, I was thinking..."

"Were you now." Steven didn't bother trying to turn around to regard his friend while the tailor was taking the next measurement.

Wallace ignored him and kept going, "What if you were to try something different? More flashy."

"No."

"Well why not? You're the Champion, you need to reinvent yourself every so often, lest the people get bored."

"Bored?" This time Steven did find Wallace's gaze with a look of incredulity of his own.

"Yes, bored!" Wallace was unfazed as the tailor motioned for Steven to turn back around. "You're in the eye of the public constantly. What would they say if you were seen wearing the same old look day in and day out?"

"I do wear the same thing..."

"Exactly!"

"But it's what you told me to wear in the first place!"

"All the more reason to continue to listen to your official League stylist then."

Steven sighed as the tailor moved his arm to a new position, still dutifully working with his tape measure. "I am listening to you, I'm getting remeasured."

"That's only a matter of cut, Steven. What I'm talking about now is a matter of style. Fashion is always changing, and as the face of the region, people will be looking to you to lead the way!"

"I'm not wearing a cape," Steven grumbled.

"Heavens no! Capes are fringe fashion at best. Yours truly's not withstanding."

"What did you have in mind then," Steven's voice was defeated as the tailor tugged and pinned some of the fabric of his jacket.

Wallace instantly cheered up, "I'm so glad you asked!" And as soon as the tailor's tools were laid back on the table, he grabbed the man's hand and whisked away with him to the back room, leaving Steven standing alone in the fitting area.

When Wallace reemerged looking rather pleased with himself, Steven raised a finger to inquire about what sort of stylistic choices were made behind his back, but Wallace waved a hand and winked, "You'll see soon enough."

Shooting a disgruntled look at his friend's retreating back, Steven gave his thanks to the tailor and left with an appointment to pick up his suit in two weeks' time.

Steven was fairly sure he would be able to manage the feat of picking up a new suit on his own, but Wallace was insistent that he tag along. Steven wasn't sure if that gave him more or less confidence in what he was going to uncover once they arrived at the tailor.

"Ah, welcome back Mr. Stone, your suit is ready."

Steven gave a lopsided grin, "Please, Mr. Stone is -"

"Yes yes, 'Mr. Stone is my father', let's go see it shall we?" Wallace was quick to cut his friend off and drag him toward the back of the shop where the tailor waved them.

Frowning at his friend's rudeness, Steven followed the two men into the back room where the garment awaited. Wallace was practically beaming as Steven stepped through the door and spied their joint handiwork.

"That's... tamer than I was expecting, actually."

Neatly hanging from the lone stand at the center of the room was a pristine suit of charcoal black. The fabric had a soft sheen to it that seemed to soothe the crisp lines of the slim cut jacket. The sleeves bore a subtle purple hue that climbed nearly to the shoulder seam. Complementing deep violet lines hugged the side of the jacket before plunging behind the pockets on either side. As the tailor deftly swept the jacket from its perch, the matching light violet pinstripe vest peeked out from underneath, compete with delicate silver clasps that matched the shining embellishments at the end of the jacket cuffs.

"I'll take that as a compliment," said Wallace with a grin.

"You had me worried after you unveiled your latest Contest attire," Steven said as he slipped into the new jacket, giving a gentle tug to the comfortably weighted cuffs.

"Contest attire? Oh no, Steven. That outfit is part of my day to day rotation."

Steven froze mid-button. "You're joking..."

"I would never joke about fashion. You know that." Wallace looked hurt.

Steven gave a wary look toward the tailor who just shrugged. "Well, I appreciate you showing restraint for my new suit. I quite like the look of it."

"You're very welcome, my friend." Wallace bowed, "I'll let you two go through the final fitting then." And with that, he ducked from the room.

Steven sighed as he walked up to the mirror to regard his new look. "I appreciate you reeling Wallace in. He can be quite the handful when he gets to work on fashion."

But the tailor just shook his head. "I didn't have to do much. Leader Wallace has a great eye when it comes to style."

"Huh," Steven mused as he turned, admiring the rich materials and meticulous handiwork. "I just might have to stop caving in this if that's the case."

"Caving, sir?"

"Ah, it's nothing!" Steven quickly backpedaled, not wanting to offend the tailor with just how much abuse his formal attire had to put up with. "Just a figure of speech."

The tailor gave him an uncertain glance and began to inspect the final fitting. "Perhaps it's all the better that Wallace suggested our most durable fabric."

"Ahh, the Delcatty's out of the bag then, I guess?" Steven gave a nervous laugh.

"If you should ever need repairs, please don't hesitate to bring the suit back, I will be happy to mend it for you."

"Thank you very much. I'll take good care of it. I'm pretty sure Wallace would kill me if I did anything less."

The tailor simply nodded sagely as he made a few notes on his pad, and Steven made a mental note to thank Wallace for all his help. And for not putting him in a seafoam green cape.