How Green Becomes Wood

"We can have them altered, clothing looks better after it is changed to suit your proportions better," Dark replied, getting up and walking over to both of them, more than a little bit proud, and with tender hands adjusted how Alec wore his by fixing his tie and unbuttoning the bottom button on the jacket. He would have done the same to Xander, but he didn't want to touch him and make him uneasy. "You look good. You both look good. Have you looked in a mirror?"
 
Xander copied what Dark did to Alec's tie and shirt button. Then the pair turned to look in the mirror. Xander's brows rose.

"Wow," Xander said quietly.

Alec grinned. "We look good! Really good."

Unconsciously, both of them straightened more, impressed by themselves and their father's reaction.
 
Dark stood just behind them, the mirror cutting off his reflection below the shoulders, but he could see their faces as they looked at themselves. He remembered how he felt the first time he wore a nice suit like this and a deep, paternal, almost nostalgic part of himself stirred at seeing that same reaction on their faces. "You look wonderful." He said, squeezing Alec on the shoulder. "And I am glad you are not matching. It is better this way."
 
"It's strange, but... yeah," Alec agreed with a smile. He ran his hands through his hair and pulled it back. "We both look way too good like this."

"What about a bowtie?" Xander asked uncertainly, playing with his tie. "I'm not sure I'm digging this tie, but this suit is sharp."
 
"You are welcome to wear a bowtie, I believe they are more traditional for a black tie event anyway." Dark replied, "Do you know how to tie one? I can teach you. I generally prefer standard neckties, ascots, or the occasional jabbot, but I have worn bowties on occasion, so I know how. Do you want a black one or one closer to the hue of the suit itself?" He looked them both over, "By the way, typically, the last button on a waistcoat is left undone, like how mine is, but Alec, yours is double-breasted, and those are always fully buttoned, and since yours is at an angle, Xander, there is no point in leaving one undone. With the jacket, presuming it is single-breasted, which yours both are, the bottom button is left undone while standing, and you undo the top button when you sit."
 
"Top button when sitting, bottom while standing," Alec said slowly, trying to commit the instructions to memory.

Xander was starting to feel overwhelmed again at the list of different neckwear. "I don't know what some of those are," he admitted. "I don't know how to tie a bowtie."

"They are over there against the wall," Alec said, pointing in slightly the wrong direction. "We could go look. Do you think I could pull off a black bowtie? Or should I stick with a tie?"
 
"No, when you sit, you unbutton all of the buttons on your jacket," Dark corrected patiently, walking with them to the ties, "When you stand, you rebutton them, but leave the bottom undone. The ascot is the large, wide, short ties I sometimes wear. They look more Victorian, at least the way I wear them. The jabbot is the sort of lacey, tiered collars you see vampires and pirates wear." He explained, selecting a black bow tie from the wall which looked about the right length for Xander, "I think you should try whatever you are interested in attempting and wear what you like most. The suits are good, I will not dictate how you accessorize them. I have faith whatever rings, earrings, eyeliner, ties, or whatever else you may choose will be perfect. I still want you both to look like yourselves." He turned to Xander with the tie in his help, "May I?"
 
"Yeah," Xander said, bracing himself. It was easier these days to accept some touches, especially when forwarded, and especially from Dark or Daizi.

Alec selected a jabbot and held it up to himself to consider. He thought it looked very good. Then he selected an ascot, noting how it seemed almost like a toned down jabbot.
 
He waited until Xander had untied what he had one and then delicately flipped up his collar and put the tie around his neck. He didn't really need to touch Xander himself to do it, he only needed to touch the fabric. Still, there was something loving about the care he put into tying it properly, not unlike a mother braiding her daughter's hair. When it was done, he adjusted it properly and gave a satisfied nod, "There. Perfect." He took a step back to look over Xander for a moment longer before turning to Alec, "Do you need help?"
 
Xander moved to one of the two little mirrors set up just for this purpose and checked himself out. Dark had done absolutely perfect, but he couldn't resist reaching up and touching it. It felt strange and a little choky, but not awful. He figured he just needed to get used to it. As far as looks went, he nodded to himself and smiled proudly. It looked better than he ever thought possible! He looked better than he thought he could, and it didn't look like a lot. His biggest fear was how busy it would look.

Alec was carefully holding up a cravat and frowning. "I can't decide," he complained. "I love the lace, but I feel like it'd be too much. Yes, I said that."
 
Dark looked over the two he was looking at, "I would say the cut of your suit feels more modern than this sort of tie so it may end up feeling a bit strange when you combine them, especially since you chose a cream coloured shirt. You are welcome to try both, though."
 
Alec awkwardly tied on the bowtie. It was lopsided, but close enough for him to get the idea. He stood considering the look carefully.

"I had to think about it, but, yeah, bowtie is the way to go," Xander said with a nod.
 
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