Perfect Imperfections

“Costumes?”

“Yup.” Reg nodded and grinned, already looking forward to a great night. “Something with a mask, so nobody recognizes you. We can grab dinner, hit the bars, mingle, dance.” He squeezed Jeremy’s knee. “Nobody’ll know it’s you, so you can unwind, let go, and have a good time. It’ll be awesome.”

Jeremy pulled his shirt collar into his mouth, a sure sign he was nervous. But based on his expression, he was hopeful too. “You think it’ll work? With the way we’ve been hounded by photographers….”

“I have a theory about that, and we can talk about it later, but, yes, I know it’ll work.” Reg twisted sideways so he could look straight into Jeremy’s eyes. “Nobody knows we’re here. Even if they figure out we didn’t leave Chicago, they’ll have no idea where we’re staying. Not Francis, not Bill. Not anybody.”

Jeremy visibly relaxed—his shoulders lowered, the crease in his forehead evened out, and he released his shirt.

“You’ll have to wear a mask too, yeah?” Jeremy said. “They’ve gotten pictures of you. I mean, you’re not plastered on the magazines like I am, but you’re still there, so somebody might recognize you, and then they’ll rec—”

“No problem. We’ll both go in masks.” Taking a chance, Reg reached for Jeremy’s hand and placed it between both of his, smiling when Jeremy clutched him tightly. “So you have anything particular in mind?”

“As far as masked costumes?”

“Yup.” Reg dipped his chin.

“Uh, superheroes, I guess.” Jeremy shrugged. “They wear masks.”

Reg settled in his seat and tugged Jeremy’s hand onto his thigh, rubbing his thumb over the back. “Superheroes it is.”

AN HOUR later they were in a costume store flipping through the racks.

“Have you ever noticed that all the women’s costumes start with the word ‘sexy’?” Jeremy said.

“What do you mean?”

“Sexy nurse,” Jeremy said as he held up a skimpy white dress. He put that one back and said, “Sexy police officer,” as he lifted an almost identical dress, except in black. “Sexy Batgirl.” He waved the latest costume and then went to put it back on the rack.

“Wait.” Reg grasped his wrist. “That one has promise.”

“Uh, what kind of promise? Street hustler by day, crime fighter by night?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of your costume for tonight.” Reg grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

Looking from the leotard in his hand to Reg’s face, Jeremy furrowed his brow in confusion. “This is a girl’s costume.”

“Doesn’t have to be. People go in drag all the time, and you have the build for it.”

“Are you saying I have a woman’s body?”

“No.” Reg dragged his palm down Jeremy’s firm chest to his tight belly. “But you’re trim. You have this tiny waist and muscular legs.” He licked his lips and looked at Jeremy appreciatively.

Flicking his gaze to the costume again, Jeremy said, “You seriously want me to walk around in public in a women’s bathing suit?”

“It’s not a bathing suit. It’s a black leotard.”

“It looks like a bathing suit.”

“Well, it’s not. Besides, there’s also a big yellow belt, a cape, and a mask. We’ll find a wig and tall boots too. It won’t be just the suit.”

“See! Even you said it’s a bathing suit.”

Truth be told, Reg wasn’t sure he understood the difference. Didn’t change the fact that he wanted to see Jeremy in the skintight, skimpy outfit, and he couldn’t imagine a better disguise.

“You’ll look superhot in it, and nobody will know it’s you.”

“Yeah? You really think so?” Jeremy held the costume up in front of his face and examined it.

“Totally sure.”

“What will you be?”

“Uh.” Reg glanced around. “I can be Batman so we coordinate.”

“Batman?”

“Yup. I’ll ask the guy up front if they have one.”

Jeremy followed behind Reg, staying close and keeping his face ducked. Reg hated that Jeremy felt like he constantly had to hide, but he enjoyed having the smaller man close to him. He reached back and rested his hand on Jeremy’s side.

“Do you guys have any Batman costumes?” Reg asked the cashier.

“We do, but—” The man leaned past the counter and looked Reg over. “—everything’s pretty picked over, and I don’t think you’ll be able to squeeze all those yummy muscles into what we have left.”

Jeremy went rigid behind him. “We’ll figure out what he can fit his yummy muscles into,” he barked. “Just point us to the costumes!”

“Oh, testy.” The guy winked and laughed. “They’re right over there, honey.” He pointed to other end of the store.

Jeremy turned on his heel and stomped across the store, his hands balled into fists. Reg followed and tried not to laugh. Did Jeremy even realize he was jealous? And if he did, how was he explaining that to himself?

“Here,” Jeremy snapped and flung a costume at Reg. “Batman.” He crossed his arms over his chest, hitched his hip to the side, and tapped his foot. “See if you can fit your yummy muscles into it.”