Between meeting Booker at the farmer's market, and the day he got his call, Javier had ample time to do re-runs of their encounter in his head. It was kind of excruciating, but his brain did it on its own, while he was working on projects, or trying to go to sleep; focusing in on the awkward things he had said and did, until he concluded beyond all reasonable doubt that Booker probably thought he was a weirdo, and he was definitely not going to show up to have a costume made.
When he did call, to agree on a time to come in and talk costumes, Javier got a minor anxiety attack the moment he hung up the phone. He had managed to sound normal while they agreed on a time, but the moment he was done with the conversation, he had to sit down and remind himself to breath. He really doubted that it would have been worse if Booker just never called again.

But he had said yes to the appointment. So now, as the time drew near on the day they agreed on, Javi was pacing up and down his workshop, straightening things, putting things away, trying to make the place look okay without making it look obsessively organized. He rolled his sleeves up and own a couple of times, not sure about the look of his teal colored shirt, and tried to remind himself what Booker was focusing on getting his cosplays made, not on what the tailor looked like. In his head, Javier was already going through the motions of making the planning as smooth as possible, without having awkward pauses for small talk or something. He had tools and notepads prepared, and he also made sure that there was nothing else on his schedule for the day. He also checked his phone three times to make sure he remembered the date and the time right, and that Booker had not sent a text, canceling the whole thing.

Work was usually tiring, but this day promised to be mentally exhausting. He left his sleeves rolled up.

So in the holidays had been an interesting time for Booker B. Bookman. Everything that started out so amazingly wonderful, like, ridiculously so -- and then it just wasn’t. Heavy hearts and observations soon pushed the librarian to make the hardest call he ever had to make. While he had always been one of those people who believed in love conquering all, it only goes so far in real life. Needless to say, because he couldn’t stand to see someone he cared about suffering, he made a decision. Some would say he was stupid, others would understand due to how empathetic the young man could be, but in the end all that mattered was that by New Years, he was alone again.

Sigh. Sometimes he hated himself.

Booker moped for a few days, the perpetual ray of sunshine that usually hung over his head had dimmed considerably. Though there were times where he questioned whether or not it was the right move, it was made and there was no going back now. Besides, it was for the better. As much as he cared about her, as much as loved her, deep down he wasn’t sure if she was supposed to be his forever.

But Booker couldn’t spend the rest of his days thinking about such things. Rather, he needed to keep himself busy. Work was usually sufficient for that but it had been considerably slow after the start of the new year (it was always like that directly after holidays). So he needed something new to grab his attention, to pull him out of the muck, to actually give him a bit of hope for the future, even if it wasn’t exactly on par with what he just went through.

Costumes. Booker had never forgotten Javier. He had always been meaning to call him to set up that meeting where they could discuss costume ideas, it was just a matter of finding the time to do it. Now that the holidays were over, he finally had some spare time to play with; and, with the next Hero Con coming up in a few short months (only six!) he needed to get some ideas nailed down on a costume. So, he dialed the number on the card, took a second to jog Javier’s memory, and agreed on a time that he could show up to discuss matters.

On the day of, Booker strolled down the sidewalk, dressed rather simply in jeans and a t-shirt that encouraged others to accept their geeky-like tendencies. Over that he wore a simplistic black hoodie, with a rather odd array of designs and patterns across it, the kind that only the nerdiest of nerds would be able to decipher. In his large hands he carried a small box filled with gourmet doughnuts, the likes of which were easily cause a sugar coma if too many were consumed at a single time. Though of course he would pay his new friend for whatever services he rendered, that didn’t mean he couldn’t be nice and bring a treat, like he said he would.

Upon arriving at the shop, Booker tucked the box against his chest as he pulled the door open and stepped inside. A small smile on his lips, he ran his fingers through his short, hair, peeking around for where the owner was. When, at first he didn’t see him, Booker called out.

”Yo! Javier?” he asked. ”It’s Booker. Totally not a knife-wielding maniac.” He couldn’t help by tease. It was his way.

Someone walked into the shop, a few minutes before the appointment with Booker. Javier froze. Was this a walk-in customer? It would be just his luck, and since he could give no preferential treatment to Booker just for... being Booker, he would have to help the other customer first, and Booker was no doubt going to think that Javier had double booked the afternoon on pur...

>>”Yo! Javier? It’s Booker. Totally not a knife-wielding maniac.”

Javier let out a slow sigh.

People are sometimes early, you idiot.

Showtime.

You can do this. Just be normal.

"Hey" Javier smiled as he walked out of the back room of the shop, giving Booker a little wave. He had deemed a handshake too formal, and... yeah. "Good to see you... again" that was normal, right?

Booker took a moment to inspect the shop around him. It was pretty nice, actually, though Booker wasn’t really sure what a professional tailor’s shop was supposed to look like. In all honesty he imagined something more along the lines of a leather tannery from medieval times. He had half-expected to see live sheep and spinning wheels and Javier working by candlelight. But, actually, that wasn’t what he saw when he walked in. It looked like a shop, like any shop, with samples of cloth, models, and etc. He wasn’t disappointed, but rather continued to take everything in with interest.

But, of course, he didn’t want to be accused of loitering. He didn’t see Javier around and, fearing he may be on his lunch break of canoodling in the back off with someone he didn’t know (shut up, it’s happened before) he called out with a warm in his voice. It should have been plenty time for Javier to pull his pants back on -- if that were the case.

Thankfully he didn’t have to wait long. Almost as soon as he had said it, the family face of his new friend had appeared from the backroom, a smile on his face. Booker, of course, would only return the expression in kind.

>>"Hey...Good to see you... again"

”You as well!” Booker announced happily. He closed the gap between them, giving the other a cursory glance. ”I hope I’m not too early?” he asked, glancing down to check his watch. ”I’m usually early wherever I go. Rude of me, i know.”

He was teasing, of course, but it was the truth -- he hated to be late. Booker always made it a point to try and put in a cushion of time whenever he had to be someplace at a certain time. It made his life easier that way. Though it had gotten him into trouble before, people not expecting him to show up until a certain time may be caught unaware. The last thing Booker wanted to do was make people uncomfortable and, at times, he found himself waiting just outside where he was supposed to meet someone until the proper time arrived. However, considering that he had precious, precious doughnuts in tow, he didn’t want to risk losing them to some dastardly seagull or pigeon mugging.

Oh! Right! Doughnuts!

He grinned slyly. ”May I…tempt you?” he asked with a tiny waggle of a his eyebrows. He let the question hang in the air for a moment before he lifted the box and opened the lid. The doughnuts inside were certain of the fancy variety. Dipped, covered in candy or cereals, the types and shapes were utterly unheard of, but they were delectable all the same. ”You like doughnuts? They can be a little much sometimes, but one every once in awhile certainly won’t kill you, will it?”

Booker had his usual warm smile and easy attitude with him. Javier's shoulders relaxed a bit, reminding himself of his usual mantra of no one is scrutinizing you as closely as you do yourself. Booker was looking around the shop curiously, half distracted by all the things piled on shelves and arranged on tables and mannequins when Javier greeted him.

>>”You as well! I hope I’m not too early? I’m usually early wherever I go. Rude of me, i know.”

"No no, not rude at all" Javier waved "I was ready... Uh, I'm usually early too. Much better than being late."

That was somewhat of an understatement. Javier usually arrived way ahead of time to every meeting, due to the fact that he factored in time for everything, from flat tires to cancelled flights. He tended to be notoriously early, and then awkwardly wait around, being mistaken for an organizer or a loiterer. In the end, this option was not less stressful either, but the idea of missing a bus or walking into the middle of something was much worse.

Booker stepped closer.

>>”May I…tempt you?

Javier froze up. Wha... Brain completely void of any discernible reaction, he just stared back at Booker's playful expression for a long moment. There was literally nothing to say or do that was not going to embarrass him.

>>"You like doughnuts? They can be a little much sometimes, but one every once in awhile certainly won’t kill you, will it?”

"Oh. Donuts. You have donuts." Javier let out a small sigh as the box was opened. Right. Food. Delicious, unhealthy food. Of course that was what he meant by tempting. Obviously. Duh.

The donuts looked delicious. Very artisanal, as far as he could judge, but sugar was sugar (probably), and since Booker brought them all the way here, he could not turn them down anyway. Javier hesitated for a moment before he picked one (the one that looked like it would make the least mess).

"Thank you" he smiled a little. It was a nice idea from Booker to bring snacks, especially such nice ones. "Um... you want to come to the work room? There is more space there... To put them down, I mean." he led the way into the back room, pulling out chairs and clearing some space on a table for the box. This was not the store front, but rather the space he spent most of his time in, working; he felt more at ease in there. "So... you brought some ideas?" he asked, waiting for Booker to pick a seat and start talking before he would bite into the donut.

Booker’s smile actually broadened a bit when he spied Javier peeking out from the back room. It was nice to see a familiar, friendly face. It had been a bit over a month since the two of them last saw one another and, vaguely, he wondered if he would even be remembered. He was grateful that the sound of his voice had not left the little tailor. When he greeted him, Booker could see that he too looked happy to see him, and that was all the librarian needed to let some illumination back into his life.

He apologized, of course, if he had shown up a bit too early. It was a bad habit of his which often resulted in him waiting around to walk in at the right time. But Javier didn’t seem too put off by it, rather instead he merely gave Booker a dismissive wave and a smile.

>>"No no, not rude at all...I was ready... Uh, I'm usually early too. Much better than being late."

”Hah,” Booker said with a smile and a nod. ”Yeah, I’m the same way. Just personal preference, really.”

Okay, now that he knew he wasn’t offending his new friend by showing up early, Booker gave a sly grin as he slinked closer to the shorter man. He wanted to know if he could tempt him? Of course, being the goofball that he was, Booker didn’t think to elaborate on that and, instead, waited until a few longer than average seconds passed and he lifted the small box of gourmet doughnuts. With a pop of the lid, the confectionary treats were exposed and Booker inquired if Javier was a fan.

>>"Oh. Donuts. You have donuts."

”Oh, not just any doughnuts,” he teased. ”A culinary experience.” He beamed. ”Plus there is so much sugar I’m pretty sure that this is basically a narcotic now.”

He waited for Javier to lift one out of the box. Booker had controlled himself. He didn’t bother to sample one, no matter how much he wanted to, as it would have been rude to present a box of doughnuts with actual doughnuts missing. So, instead, he had been a good librarian and waited until Javier was able to pick out his own from the selection. Once he had, Booker knew his itch for a fancy doughnut would finally be satisfied.

Plucking his own doughnut out of the box, a fanciful affair that was filled with chocolate cream and drizzled with caramel sauce and dipped in chocolate, he took a satisfying bite of it and just sighed in bliss. It was strange how sometimes food was better than sex, as evident by the sounds that could be uttered. But, he careful not to spill any in Javier’s shop and carefully kept the doughnut balanced in his napkin.

>>"Thank you...Um... you want to come to the workroom? There is more space there... To put them down, I mean...So... you brought some ideas?"

”Sure!” Booker replied to the invitation. He started to follow Javier into the back room, closing the lid of doughnuts and carefully munching on the one he had out with hopes of not spilling any. ”I actually did! I uploaded some good costumes that I made in past for you the look at, as well as saved some ideas I have for the Wrath of Con expo coming up in a few months.” He grinned. ”Eager to get a professional’s opinion on what’s workable and what isn’t.”

The first awkward moment passed relatively fast. Booker was the kind of guy that liked to be goofy, and he did not seem to notice that Javier froze up at the little display he was putting on. So far, so good.

>>”Oh, not just any doughnuts. A culinary experience. Plus there is so much sugar I’m pretty sure that this is basically a narcotic now.”

The donut Javier had picked was soaked in chocolate, but it was impossible to tell what was inside. He would just have to try. They all looked delicious, and sugar was probably good to have right about now. Less chance of him accidentally passing out. Especially as Booker was starting to make satisfied little sounds as he tasted his own donut. Javier hid a blush by leading him into the workroom.

They had a job to do.

>>”I actually did! I uploaded some good costumes that I made in past for you the look at, as well as saved some ideas I have for the Wrath of Con expo coming up in a few months. Eager to get a professional’s opinion on what’s workable and what isn’t.”

"Alright" Javier nodded, pulling his chair over to be able to look at whatever Booker had brought "Show me what you..." nah "... let's see."

Booker was beyond excited, which was a welcome reprieve from feeling bad about Juliette. When it came to costumes and his cosplays, the man absolutely loved them. They occupied his mind, gave him something to focus on, and all-together were just a bright point in his day. That was why he tended to get so lost in the creations of his costumes because he truly had a passion for them. Aside from being a chef, if any calling were to have snagged his attention away from the library field, it might have been costume and make-up design. He was a man of many interests.

Following Javier into the backroom, the librarian peered with unbridled interest. He loved learning new things, especially while on the job site. To see people in their work environments was just amazing to him. He spent so much of his life in the library, reading about other people’s work, that he was rarely given the chance to learn someone else’s trade. Now that he was privy to that, he didn’t want to miss a thing. Of course, with his eidetic memory, that wouldn’t be possible anyways.

Booker set the doughnuts down where he was told to an popped open the lid so that they could grab more if need be. Once there, continued to munch on his doughnut, waiting for Javier to give him the go ahead on what to do next. He didn’t want to get in the other man’s way as this was his space and Booker was merely a visiting guest. When finally a seat was offered, he gratefully took it and pulled his phone from his back pocket.

>>"Alright...Show me what you...... let's see."

”Sure!” He beamed happily as he brought up his phone photo gallery. ”Here are some things I’ve worn in the past: Star Baron, the Atlantean, Emerald Torch. I did...okay with them as you can see,” he nodded. As he mentioned each costume, he flipped to the picture which showed an ecstatic Booker dressed to the nines as them. He then paused as he flicked to a comic book picture of Bandit. ”Oh but this is the one that I REALLY want to do -- Bandit!! I love his costume, especially his 90’s outfit. However, as you can see, while it seems easy...it isn’t I really want to incorporate some kinetic energy lighting effect and while the coat is easy, the suit underneath is a little more difficult.”

He breathed a sigh, his excitement still evident on his face as he looked between Javier and the costume of Bandit on his phone screen. He had always wanted to tackle it but he always felt like it was a project a little too advanced for him, hopefully a professional tailor could help there.

”So...what do you think?” he asked. ”In your expert opinion, is it possible?”

Javier leaned over to see the phone screen, and bit into his donut. It was... heavenly. All chocolate and caramel, and just the right consistency. Javier made a muffled sound, similar to Booker's and then caught himself. Looking at photos of Booker in revealing costumes and making those kinda sounds did not bode well for the conversation. He cleared his throat.

"Good donut..."

>>”Here are some things I’ve worn in the past: Star Baron, the Atlantean, Emerald Torch. I did...okay with them as you can see,”

Javier nodded, trying to focus on the craftsmanship in the pictures, rather than Booker's looks. Which was hard, with the Atlantean, because there was definitely more looks than craftsmanship (*diosmiothoseabs*). Sure, not professional level, but the costumes looked like intended, and they seemed to hold together pretty well. Which was all most people wanted from cosplay. Looking cool was the added bonus.

"Nice work" Javier noted honestly. Most people did not go into so much trouble to look geeky in public.

>>”Oh but this is the one that I REALLY want to do -- Bandit!! I love his costume, especially his 90’s outfit. However, as you can see, while it seems easy...it isn’t I really want to incorporate some kinetic energy lighting effect and while the coat is easy, the suit underneath is a little more difficult.”

Again, Booker's enthusiasm for the project was kind of contagious - and a lot more distracting, at least for Javier, than the abs had been. There was something about him as he was beaming with the mere idea of having fun that was... special.
Javier had a vague idea who the Bandit was, from his younger days. He was definitely one of the favored eye candy superheroes, but also, as Booker had noted, not the easiest to pull off. Definitely not just a speedo and accessories.

"Interesting choice" he noted, taking a longer look at the picture. Comic book art was not the same as fashion photos, but one could get the general idea.

>>”So...what do you think? In your expert opinion, is it possible?”

"Hmm." focusing on work got a lot easier when there was a specific problem to be solved. And Javier definitely liked costuming challenges. "I'd say it's doable... Not sure about the lightning effects, but the suit definitely is. Although that shirt might as well be body paint." he added with a small chuckle. "Definitely needs something very stretchy, and flexible, which makes it a pain to sew..." he hummed "And that belt is not going to be comfortable to wear... But, yeah. Doable."

>>"Good donut..."

”I know right?” He chuckled and shook his head a bit. ”I swear a steady diet of these will give you diabetes but at least I always manage to work it off” he beamed happily.

Booker loved his sugary treats, he especially loved making them, but he also knew that he needed to balance that with a careful workout. He wasn’t like his sister who was happy lazing about all day in bed, curled up in her blankets, unable to face the world. Nah, Booker liked to be busy, he liked to keep moving. So he always worked out in the morning, or being unable to due to his schedule, would change it to the late afternoon or evening. He was committed to his routines, especially as they followed him from his high school football days.

And it showed. Booker was strong in body and strong in mind though he was someone that never liked to flaunt it or brag. He didn’t post shirtless selfies of himself on purpose but, on occasion, they found their way onto to internet, especially when he wore revealing Sub-Mariner costumes like at conventions. He wasn’t shy but he wasn’t overly smug about his appearance in anyway, hence his ease in showing these pictures to Javier. He was a professional, after all, and he needed to see how certain fabrics looked on the towering librarian.

>>"Nice work"

There was an earnest look of relief on Booker’s face. He was definitely happy to see that his new friend actually approved of Booker’s work. Again, it wasn’t anything professional but it was good enough to win him a few costume contests in the past. Now, though, he admittedly needed some help as his latest costume idea was going to be a bit more difficult.

Bandit. Deceptively easy looking. It just looked like a bodysuit and a trenchcoat but there was really so much more to it. So many more tiny details that needed to be planned out, hence his inquiring after a professional’s opinion. What would Javier say? Was it impossible? He knew that the costume could be made, he had seen Bandit cosplayed many times, but the body stocking costuming rarely worked out and instead made him looked, for lack of a better turn, like a guy wearing a condom over his entire body. It was...weird. But now that he had a professional’s eye, he wanted to see if there was a way to emulated it.

>>"Hmm...I'd say it's doable... Not sure about the lightning effects, but the suit definitely is. Although that shirt might as well be body paint...Definitely needs something very stretchy, and flexible, which makes it a pain to sew...And that belt is not going to be comfortable to wear... But, yeah. Doable."

”Yes!” that was exactly what he wanted to hear. It was doable. DOABLE! That certainly made him feel better about his prospects. ”OH I have an idea for the belt. I can make it so it isn’t too heavy and rigid like actual piping so I’m good there. But it’s the rest I wanted your expert eye on.”

Awesome. This was awesome! He was feeling better already. There was a plan in action and he had an expert’s opinion on the matter. The best part was that he actually liked hanging out with Javier. The other man was quiet, sure, but nonetheless Booker felt at ease around him. He gave off a little smile, munching on his doughnut in silence reflection before he sighed and set it down, brushing his fingers off on a napkin. He didn’t need to let his thoughts too awkward now, did he?

”So, how do we begin?” he asked brightly. ”If you have the time, that is. I would hate to keep you doing your actual work.”

He smirked and then his phone gave off a beep.

Booker glanced down to the device that was sitting between both him and Javier. It was a notification from his mobile dating app, Humpr, which is synonymous with gay and bisexual hookups. The message was clear as crystal on his screen. Someone using the name NathanShadows69 left the clever remark of:

Hey handsum. Hungry for some [eggplant.gif] tonight?

Needless to say, Booker immediately blushed, looked at his phone, looked at Javier, and then reached out, and snagged up his phone. Quickly he tapped the power button to put it in sleep mode, momentarily unable to meet Javier’s eye. A nervous laugh fell from his lips as he shook his head.

”Sorry...ugh...sister likes to install stuff on my phone when I’m not looking. Hah...damn her…” He swallowed and cleared his throat. ”Anyway! Where were we?”

>>”I know right? I swear a steady diet of these will give you diabetes but at least I always manage to work it off”

The donuts really were good. Javier smiled a little. Booker certainly looked like he worked out regularly, but did not seem like the person to brag about it - or even to pick costumes because they highlighted it. He was delightfully unassuming in showing off what he was excited about. It was refreshing from some other men Javier had had to work for.

>>”Yes! OH I have an idea for the belt. I can make it so it isn’t too heavy and rigid like actual piping so I’m good there. But it’s the rest I wanted your expert eye on. So, how do we begin? If you have the time, that is. I would hate to keep you doing your actual work.””

"Well... this is my actual work" Javier smirked. Booker had insisted that if they ended up working on a costume, he would pay Javi for it, which was nice. Not because of the money, but mostly because people not assuming friendship equaled free work, they showed respect and courtesy, and made Javie's anxiety a lot less to chew on. He liked Booket for that. "I mean... I don't have anything else for the afternoon. First we should..."

And then the phone went off.

>>Hey handsum. Hungry for some [eggplant.gif] tonight?

Booker blushed and snatched up the phone. Javier blushed too, and averted his eyes. Why did he have to look?! It was rude to look at people's phones. He had only done it on reflex. But the message was short enough to glimpse... and now Javier was back to feeling super awkward for glimpsing something that was clearly very private business.

Not that he was judging. Which people did usually assume. As a demisexual, Javier did not participate in hookup culture, mostly because a combination of anxiety and his sexuality made it a huge waste of time and a fertile breeding ground for awkward encounters. But that did not mean he thought it was bad. People could definitely do whatever made them feel good. Or whoever... Javier cleared his throat, glancing at Booker. He was not usually guessing people's sexualities, but he did wonder in the past weeks (briefly!) if Booker was into men too.

>>”Sorry...ugh...sister likes to install stuff on my phone when I’m not looking. Hah...damn her… anyway! Where were we?”

"Siblings, huh" Javier chuckled a little, allowing Booker a way out of having to explain himself. He had no experience with how these apps worked, or who was allowed to message you out of the blue and who wasn't. It was definitely none of his business. "I'm sorry, um..." where were they again, before the eggplant intrusion?... "... I think we should start with measuring you." blink "For the costume."

>>"Well... this is my actual work, I... mean... I don't have anything else for the afternoon. First we should..."

Booker never liked to take advantage of friends. He remembered his time in high school, even college, where he would see his friends being pestered by other friends while they were at their jobs, asking to be “hooked up” for free food, movie tickets, etc.. He always found the practice to be rather distasteful. Of course if those things were given as gifts, he would attempt to persuade the person otherwise but, if they insisted, of course he would accept. But he didn’t like to demand anything like that of anyone; people needed to make a living, after all.

When he had asked for Javier’s help, he was under no delusion that it was going to be done for free. He would pay his new friend for the quality work, of course. What he didn’t want to do was impose on him the need to get this done immediately. if he had other clients, other projects that he needed to complete first, then so be it. Booker was a patient man.

He nodded, smiling along with Javier when he said this was his work and that his docket was seemingly clear But, before they could even begin planning, his phone went off. That blasted phone…

It was actually pretty hard to embarrass Booker. He tended to roll with the punches and always tried to see the brighter side of things. However, in this case, that was becoming exceedingly difficult. The message that had popped up on his phone was blatantly inappropriate and, in the eyeline of a nice guy who totally thought Booker wasn’t a creep. Now would his opinion change? After all, who uses Humpr but committaphobs looking for anonymous action? But Booker wasn’t like that.

His breakup with Juliette had been a slight nagging in the back of his head, ever since he saw how his adapted field had affected her powers. He really had cared for her and, when she was gone from his life, he had to find ways to deal with it. Humpr was just a late night download when he couldn’t sleep. A stupid decision where he posted like three photos of himself and tagged the “Make a friend” option only. But people rarely look closely at the profiles and instead zero in on the pictures alone.

Needless to say, he had received many messages but offered few, if any, responses.

Unable to think of how else to explain it (the truth? Pfft! Who the hell do you think YOU are?) Booker blurted out that it was probably his sister that had done it. Nessa, of course, had done things like this in the past, but never after a break-up. Mainly it was for a simple prank as a means of getting back at him for doing something to her. This, however, was not Nessa’s doing but she would make an appropriate scapegoat for the time being. But would Javier believe it? Why did Booker care what he thought? He shook the thought away and tried to meet the other’s gaze.

>>"Siblings, huh"

”Yeah,” Booker said cautiously. ”One sister. Complete pain in the ass. Obviously,” he chuckled. Clearly his throat he set his phone into Airplane Mode so that he wouldn’t receive anymore notifications while with Javier, just in case the tailor needed to see his gallery again

>>"I'm sorry, um... I think we should start with measuring you...For the costume."

That comment coupled with the message that Javier had just seen momentarily made the librarian pause. He could feel the cold sweat want to form on the back of his neck. His mind immediately went to the most inappropriate scenario but the nervous looking Javier seemed to catch this and clarified that he meant clothing wise. Booker gulped, smiled nervously, and reached up to scratch the back of his head.

”Oh! Yeah! Of course,” he said with a grin. Nervously he cleared his throat before he stood up from his seat. He unzipped his villainous hoodie and draped it over the chair. His shirt was a good size but it displayed his physique fairly well. Hands on his hips, he gave Javier a winning smile. ”Just tell me where you want me,” he said, in no way meaning that to be taken in any other way.

>>”Yeah. One sister. Complete pain in the ass. Obviously,”

There was a funny thing about other people's embarrassment. Javier was sensitive to it; he tended to deal with a lot of second hand anxiety, watching people do something embarrassing or saying something wrong. But at the same time, when someone he liked ended up in one of those situations, it tended to have the opposite effect on Javier: As the witness, he held the power to let them off the hook. And since he was constantly on the hook in his own eyes for everything he said or did, it came with a certain sense of relief that he could just let things slide, and make someone else more comfortable. Like he did, accepting Booker's half-hearted attempt to blame his sister for the Humpr message, and moving straight on to something a lot less awkward. Hopefully.

>>”Oh! Yeah! Of course. Just tell me where you want me.”

Javier blinked as Booker took off the hoodie and stood. The shirt was not nearly as tight as the one in the picture, but still... okay, so. Measurement. Javier put his donut down, pulled up a notepad and a pencil on the table, and picked up measuring tape. It was as good a place to start as any.

"Okay so... stand still." he told Booker, starting to take his basic measurements. For such a form-fitting attire, he needed a lot of them; shoulders, torso, around the waist, along his arms. He did all of them with practice, occasionally keeping the pencil between his lips while he measured. He also kept to minimum physical contact.

"How long do you want the sleeves to be?" he inquired once, measuring along Booker's arm "Can you, uh... flex your arm for me?" There had to be a balance in the material between stretching and holding, and that largely depended on how much movement Booker was going to put it through.

"Do you want it to actually be fire resistant?" he asked, jotting numbers down, before he took a break to think "What... kinds of activities do you generally plan on doing in this costume?"

Booker felt embarrassed but he was glad that Javier didn’t question him any further on the matter. Honestly it was a pretty flimsy excuse, one that anyone would have been willing to tear away if they had really wanted to. But Javier didn’t do that. He didn’t push Booker for details, and he didn’t try to get him to admit to anything or really even tease him about it. Rather, even if he knew it was completely B.S., the tailor just smiled in an almost sympathetic way and just moved on with the topic of the costume. It was a touching thing, really, something that made the librarian genuinely offer a tender smile in return. Javier was a nice guy, it seemed.

He pushed away the thoughts of Humpr and tried to refocus on the task at hand. Yes, he had been feeling a little lonely, hence his reasoning for toying around with the app, but he didn’t think too much on it. He had a costume to consider and an expert’s opinion to enact. So Booker stood up and removed his hoodie, ready to get down to business: what did he need to do?

>>"Okay so... stand still.”

Booker nodded, watching as Javier set aside his doughnut and started to get to work. The hispanic man moved with fluid precision, pulling out his ruler and pencil, making notes and measuring near every square inch of the librarian. Booker did his best to not move and stand perfectly still. For the most part he was successful, except for when Javier had accidentally touched a ticklish spot on his underarm. The librarian twitched and snorted in laughter but it was quick, and followed by a sincerely apology.

He resumed holding still.

Javier continued his work and Booker seemed impressed with how the man moved around his shop and Booker’s body. It was clearly the effect of a man who had done this for all of his life. Needless to say, he was impressed by Javier’s professionalism so he kept the chatting to a minimum as the man took his measurements and only spoke when he had something to say.

>>"How long do you want the sleeves to be? Can you, uh... flex your arm for me?"

”Of course,” he said. He flexed his arm, his bicep a hint at the rigorous workout the man put himself through. He waited for Javier to take his measurement before he spoke. ”I don’t think they’ll need to be that long. The comics have it cover the entire arm but I don’t want to be too hot with the trenchcoat on either, so maybe just just t-shirt length? Even sleeveless could work if it’s easier for ya.”

>>"Do you want it to actually be fire resistant? What... kinds of activities do you generally plan on doing in this costume?"

Booker smirked. The fire-resistant part made him think for a moment. He wasn’t actually trying to go out and stop crime, but the fire-resistance would probably be good if he added an effect or two. Other than that, he ran through his head his normal activities during these conventions and made a list of them to present to the tailor.

”Anything to keep safe and...unburned?” he chuckled. ”Ugh, normally cosplays need to be worn most of the day. It’s going to mean a lot of walking, a lot of sitting, and a lot of posing for pictures. So long as I can move, it doesn’t get too hot, and I can, you know, use the bathroom without having to disassemble the entire thing, I should be good.” He shared with him a bright grin. ”I knew this guy that went dressed as the red police box from that show, Mr. What, and he had to ask people for help removing the doors from his costume whenever he needed to pee.” He shuddered and smirked. ”I”m ambitious, but not that much.”

For someone so easily excitable, Booker did his very best to stand still while Javier measured him. He only twitched once. Ticklish? Javier chuckled as he worked, jotting down numbers. For a librarian, Booker was in really great shape. No wonder he was not shy about cosplaying superheroes. With the kind of muscles he had, Javier would have to account for the flexibility of the fabric he use for the costume.

>>”Of course. I don’t think they’ll need to be that long. The comics have it cover the entire arm but I don’t want to be too hot with the trenchcoat on either, so maybe just just t-shirt length? Even sleeveless could work if it’s easier for ya.”

Yeah, okay, so the flexing was impressive. Javier immediately discarded the idea of long sleeves. He hummed, tapping his lips with the pencil as he thought about options for a moment. A lot depended on the fabric, and what Booker planned on doing in it.

>>”Anything to keep safe and...unburned? Ugh, normally cosplays need to be worn most of the day. It’s going to mean a lot of walking, a lot of sitting, and a lot of posing for pictures. So long as I can move, it doesn’t get too hot, and I can, you know, use the bathroom without having to disassemble the entire thing, I should be good.”

Javier nodded with a small smile. It was about what he knew of cosplay, and people who were active in it. It did not have to be the same an an actual vigilante outfit, with all the bells and whistles and fire resistance, but it had to be quality enough that it did not devolve into a mess halfway through a convention.

"It'll need to be able to breathe and stay in place" he summarized "And not made out of something that is easily flammable. Got it."

>>”I knew this guy that went dressed as the red police box from that show, Mr. What, and he had to ask people for help removing the doors from his costume whenever he needed to pee. I”m ambitious, but not that much.”

Javier chuckled at the anecdote. Some people were... more dedicated than others. He had never been to a convention, but it sounded like it would be a whole lot of fun. Sure, stressful for someone like him, but also fun.

"Okay, so it has to hold like that" he pointed at the phone, indicating the original picture "But without being a one-piece body suit. Hmm." the original image did not really give any indication of what Bandit did when he had to pee. Then again, comic book heroes rarely did such mundane things. "Well, here's an idea. If you construct the belt to be heavy enough to sit..." he reached out to tap Booker on his hips, but then reconsidered the gesture immediately on contact, and pulled back to gesture at his own "... to sit here, on your hips, then it could hold the shirt down, as well as holding the pants up. And it would be easier to... undo the whole thing."