SIMON

It's been a couple of weeks now since the whole melodrama over Baz's birthday tickets from Fiona. I'm really looking forward to this concert, and I think (I hope) Baz is too. I've done more research and discovered some important things, like the fact that some longer pieces of music are broken up into parts called movements, and it's considered rude to clap in between them. I'm a little worried about messing that up, but if I just watch Baz and do what he does, I should be fine.

The concert really hasn't come up much recently, but when Baz breaks off suddenly in the middle of what was starting off as quite a nice welcome-home kiss, I know exactly what he's talking about.

"You'll need something decent to wear," he says abruptly, pushing me off of him and storming off to my bedroom. I hear my closet door open and hangers slide on the bar. I know he isn't going to find anything suitable, he knows it too. I don't know why he's even looking. I hadn't really thought about what to wear to yet, I mean, it's still weeks away, and I kind of figured I'd just borrow something from Baz, but now a different idea is forming in my mind.

The next day after class, instead of going home, I head straight to Savile Row. I know Gieves and Hawkes is expensive. I also know that if I appear wearing one of their suits, Baz will know exactly where it came from. This is the best way I can think of to let him know, without saying a word, that I understand how important this is to him. Understanding something about the impact music has on him is new, but I've always known that being well dressed is a big deal for him, the stuffy prat. I don't think it would ever occur to him that I'd go out and buy myself a suit for the occasion, not my style for one thing, and for another, everyone seems to have a hard time remembering that I'm actually quite wealthy in the Normal world. I don't talk about my large duffel bag of leprechaun's gold much, that would be crass, but Penny and Baz both know about it. Agatha did too. In fact, the only times I ever spent any of it were when I went shopping with her during school vacations. I wasn't exactly about to haul it out in the children's home, and the gold vanishes when you give it to other mages, so it was useless at Watford.

The shop assistant looks askance at me when I walk in. I'm sure it's clear that I'm just a kid on his way home from uni for the day, and I didn't go to any more trouble with my appearance than usual this morning, which means I'm a bit scruffy looking, probably not their usual clientele. I think about how Baz would handle this situation. I've taken all the same elocution and language classes he has, and I can turn it on when I want, if I really concentrate, so I do. I also do my best to look bored. Amazingly, it works, and before long I'm trying on different suits, and the assistant is displaying a variety of ties and waistcoats for me to choose from. I go with a deep navy suit with a navy waistcoat, and a blue on blue patterned tie, because the assistant says it brings out the color of my eyes. I arrange for the necessary alterations to be made and pay, with real money - the bank is used to handling my intermittent need for 'irregular currency exchange', as they call it, and leave the shop.

When the shop assistant phones the next week to tell me my suit is ready, I'm careful to pick it up when I know Baz will be in class and Penny at the library, so I can sneak it into the flat without anyone noticing. This will be my secret, until the big night. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!

A week before the concert, Baz shows up at my door carrying a garment bag.

"Wear this," he says, thrusting it at me. "If you want…please."

I have a look inside. It's not lost on me that he's chosen the gray suit I wore the first Christmas eve I spent with his family. I lived so many years thinking of Baz first and foremost as a ruthless excuse for a human being that I can still find myself taken aback when he does something like this, something that reminds me that underneath it all, he's always been resolutely sentimental. Thinking about him picking out this specific suit for me makes me feel a little week in the knees, and I actually start to feel guilty that I have no intention of wearing it. I'm about to smile and thank him for it anyway, when I decide I'd rather play it cool, play it like Baz would do. I raise an eyebrow at him and take the suit to my room without saying a word. Let him wonder. A week stewing over whether I'm going to get my arse in gear and wear this, or go for one of the decidedly unposh options already in my wardrobe feels like a reasonable amount of payback for his shite handling of the whole concert situation to begin with.

PENNY

The evening of the symphony Baz lets himself into our apartment while I'm sitting in the lounge working on a chemistry problem set. Our door is enchanted so that all he has to do is put his hand on it and say little pig, little pig. It's similar to getting into our rooms at Watford, or the main gate, but it also works with a key, for Simon. Our neighbors think we have some sort of fancy biometric keypad, so we used a sticking charm to mount a rectangle of black plexiglass on the door, just for the look of the thing.

"Hello Baz," I say, my eyes and most of my brain still focused on the problem I'm involved with.

"Penny."

He is tense, then. I only get the first name treatment from him on the rare occasions he isn't able to maintain his usual high level of self-control. I look up. I've never been into the tall, dark, and half-dead type myself, but Baz really does look stunning. He's in a black suit that, in the right light, shines subtly dark green. I wonder if it's enchanted to do that, or if it's the result of really good tailoring. Knowing the Pitches, probably the latter.

"Where's Snow? Why isn't he here?"

"He's still in his room, changing."

Baz hurries over to Simon's door and is brought up short when he tries to walk inside, only to discover the door is locked.

"Snow. Are you in there?" Baz almost barks.

"you're early, Baz." comes Simon's muffled reply. "Go talk to Penny. I'll be out in a few minutes."

Baz stalks back in my direction. I've given up on my chemistry for the time being. This is far too entertaining. The only thing I've heard Baz complaining about recently with regards to this concert is his fear that Simon will decide to wear something totally unacceptable. I'm sure this is a real concern, but I also wonder how much of it is just a cover for Baz's deeper, undisclosed worries. I'm hoping that after tonight he'll come clean about more of the details to Simon and then Simon will be able to shed some light on it for me. I like being Baz's friend, but friends help each other, which also means that some friends have to do a better job of explaining what they need in terms of help. I believe I was able to help him even so. Neither of them has actually thanked me, but I think they're both grateful that I stepped in and forced the situation in the right direction. I know I have no regrets about how it's turned out so far, but I do hate being in the dark.

I'm sure that whatever Simon's chosen to wear, Baz will get over it eventually and manage to enjoy himself this evening. These two love each other too much for a sartorial disagreement to be a serious stumbling block, no matter what Baz would have me believe. I'm curious too though. Simon's been unusually cagey about what he's going to wear, and it's killing me!

BAZ

Penny can tell I'm anxious. She says, "Relax Baz. I don't know what Simon has picked out to wear for tonight, but whatever it is, it will be fine."

I'm anxious about everything, not just Snow's wardrobe, but it is a handy thing to focus on right now. I allow myself to huff and raise an eyebrow in her direction.

"The LSO even says casual dress is ok," she continues. "Look."

She walks over to Simon's laptop and keys in the password (Why does he even bother to have one? Even Micah knows it and he lives on another continent.) One click and she's on the LSO FAQ page. He's got the London symphony's FAQ page freaking bookmarked.

Penny starts reading. "Please come as you feel comfortable – jeans and trainers are perfectly acceptable…"

Shit.

SIMON

I've been ready since before Baz arrived, but I decide to hang out in my room for a few extra minutes, just to make him sweat. When I hear him come in, I pick up Nimona, the graphic novel I've been reading, and force myself to focus on it for six minutes. (It's entertaining. I picked it up at the book shop because the main characters all look vaguely familiar. I still haven't put my finger on why.) Four pages later, I set the book down and give myself a last once over in the mirror.

I walk into the living room. Penny laughs in delight, and Baz's jaw drops. I grin.