Drabble 20: Dress for Success
"Are you sure we have to do this?" Fitz asked.
Hunter just stared at him for a minute.
Trip put a hand on Fitz's shoulder. "I know you have your own sort of style, but yeah, we need to do this."
"I like the way I dress." Fitz muttered. "So does Simmons."
"But no one else does." Hunter said bluntly.
Trip looked at him sharply. "That was a little harsh, dude."
Hunter shrugged his shoulders. "It had to be said. Everyone likes a good flannel shirt now and then, but you always wear the same thing. You need to show a bit of variety."
"I don't think Jemma will care about that."
"It's your first date! Of course she'll care!" Trip said.
"Every man should know that." Hunter put in. "When a woman says she doesn't care, everyone knows they do. They just expect you to know what they want. They're bloody monsters."
Trip raised an eyebrow at Hunter and then looked at Fitz. "Don't listen to him. He's just bitter that he couldn't read his wife properly."
Hunter laughed. "Why would I be angry about that? I've told you what a beast Bobbi was as a wife."
"Back to my date tonight?" Fitz reminded them.
Hunter grinned. "I've got you covered, mate. Just give me a minute to find your size." He walked purposefully towards a collection of jackets on the far side of the room.
"While he does that, I'll get my suggestions. You should try to find something for yourself." Trip smiled at him and then walked off, leaving Fitz standing alone, surrounded by a vast variety of clothing styles.
"Perfect." Fitz said to himself. He finally plans a date with Jemma, and his friends whisk him away to find a new look the minute he tells them about it. Typical.
He browsed through the selections, not really finding anything he liked, and a few minutes later Hunter came back with an armload, with Trip just behind him.
"Oh no." Fitz said as they laid down the clothes in front of him. "There is no way I'm wearing any of that."
"You look great!"
Simmons raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? It just doesn't seem right."
Skye groaned from her spot in a corner chair. "Just go with that first dress. You liked that one."
"But you didn't." Simmons responded.
"You're the one who has to decide." Bobbi reminded her.
Simmons looked at her reflection in the long body mirror. She was wearing a navy blue dress that was cut much lower than she was used to, but still not too low, and hugged her body. It flared a bit at the ankles, and she twirled and found that it actually did look good. But there was something she was uncomfortable with, and she couldn't place it.
"It really does look great." Bobbi said. "I've never seen you wear something like it, and I can tell you Fitz will love it."
Simmons blushed and looked to Skye. "What do you think? I do like it, but I'm not sure."
"We're not leaving until you buy at least one new outfit. You need something new for your date." She smirked when she said the last part, making the blush deepen a bit on Simmons's cheeks.
"But why do I need new clothes? I have plenty of outfits in my closet."
Skye sat up. "You have outfits, yeah. But all you have is a bunch of sweaters, jeans, flannels, and a pair of dress pants and jackets. We went through it before we came, remember? I know exactly what you have, and trust me, you need more."
"I'm perfectly comfortable with the outfits I have." Simmons said.
"Just trust us." Bobbi said. "You'll be happier about this once you see Fitz. He'll love it."
Simmons nodded. "Alright. I'll get this one."
"Hallelujah." Skye said. "Now we just need shoes."
"Can't I wear the flats I have now?" She was met with looks from both her companions, and sighed. "I should have guessed that. What do I need?"
"You need a good heel." Skye said.
Simmons closed her eyes for a moment and then smiled. "Let's get to it then."
Skye stood up and stretched, then made her way to the shoe section of the store. Bobbi walked with Simmons a step behind her.
"I'll sneak a different outfit by her." Bobbi whispered. "That second outfit you tried on, with the white blouse and brown skirt? Or whichever one you liked most. I know what it's like to be out of your comfort zone. Having a transition outfit always helps."
"Thanks Bobbi." Simmons smiled gratefully. "I appreciate it."
She smiled. "No problem. But you do need to get this blue dress. That's a must."
Simmons laughed, and Skye looked at them over her shoulder.
Later, when Skye was waiting with Bobbi as Simmons changed back into her regular clothes, Skye leaned in close to her and whispered, "Did it work?"
Bobbi smirked. "She bought it. I think she liked thinking she was fooling you."
Skye grinned. "I've done my part in showing her inner bad girl. This is a big step for her."
"I can't believe she and Fitz are finally going on a date."
"I know." Skye said. "They're growing up so fast."
Fitz paced by the ramp of the Bus, waiting for Jemma. It was six o'clock. Time for their date.
He only had to wait another minute before she appeared, and he felt his eyes widen when he saw her. She was dressed in a dark blue dress that really complemented her features, and black heels. Her hair was done up in a bun, and she wore a bit of makeup.
Fitz swallowed when he saw her, and he his jaw dropped for a second. Simmons smiled at him, and then inspected him. He was wearing black dress slacks and a white button down top, the collar loose and without a tie.
He watched her reaction and saw her take all of him in, and then blush and meet his eyes. "You look wonderful." She said.
He cleared his throat. "Yeah, you as well."
"Come on!" Skye exclaimed. The scientists whipped around to see her peeking out from behind the corner. She stepped out fully. "That's it? You guys look great!"
Fitz gave her a look and she narrowed her eyes. "Fine. I'll leave. But I better hear about this later."
She walked away, and Jemma chuckled. "She was a great help today."
"Hunter and Trip took me for new clothes too. I looked like a biker at one point! I finally convinced them to let me just get this." He smiled. "You do look beautiful." He said. "It's different, but a good kind."
He took her to the restaurant from there, and they had a lovely evening. But just before they left Fitz looked at her and said, "Can I be honest with you about something?"
She looked back at him with serious eyes. "Anything."
He looked at his outfit. "I feel like a monkey in a suit."
"I know what you mean." She said. "This dress is lovely, but I'd rather be in a nice cardigan or something."
He thought for a minute. "You should keep the dress, though. I like it." He felt a blush come on his cheeks, and Jemma laughed.
"It is nice to see you dressed up." She noted. "Don't get me wrong, I love our usual clothes. But it's good to know that we can be more formal."
Fitz grinned. "Exactly what I was thinking."
The air was cleared, and the evening concluded with a kiss as they walked back to their rooms on the Bus. Their next date took place a few days later, and was spent in an internet café, a laptop open on the table between them. They had steaming mugs of tea and a plate of biscuits, and were dressed in the casual clothes they loved; Jemma a nice cardigan, Fitz a flannel shirt, and both wore jeans.
And they were happier because of it.