-DISCLAIMER- THIS STORY IS ABOUT A CROSS DRESSING MALE. I DO NOT CROSS DRESS OR HAVE A HISTORY OF CROSS DRESSING. EVEN WITH RESEARCH I STILL MIGHT GET THINGS WRONG. IF YOU FIND THIS STORY OFFENSIVE OR FACTUALLY INCORRECT PLEASE CORRECT ME SO I CAN CHANGE OR TAKE THIS DOWN-

-Request from the sweet @Irish_Pterodcacty83-

    For the first time in his life Mark felt okay. He didn't feel disfigured, broken or lost, he felt apart of something, and something rich. He felt apart of his life, and it was all because of some dress.

    Smoothing down the slightly wrinkled fabric Mark looks at himself in the mirror. He wasn't into makeup like many others were and he certainly didn't like 'tucking' but for what it was, he thought he looked good. The dress itself fitted him well (took him forever to find one that did). It was red and dipped low in the neckline with thin spaghetti straps before it flowed out at the waist.

    Catching the door out of his peripheral vision his heart immediately begins to beat incessantly. What if people laughed and stared? Sure he lived in California so this was the best place to be but still a level of uncertainty laced heavy in his limbs. The most he normally did was paint his nails.

    "You're just going to get coffee. Nothing else. Then you're going to go home and probably cry into Chicas fur," he whispers to himself. "Simple. So very simple," he nods and turns around, slipping on shoes and sunglasses.

Taking a deep breath he opens the door and walks onto the sidewalk. Just on his way no one really gives him a second eye besides a few, obviously touristy, families.

    Slowly but surely his nerves subside and he can allow himself to breath. He looked good and he knew he did. Fuck the sheltered tourists. He was himself loud and proud now.

    Opening the door to the 'Little Spoon' Mark steps inside, glad to be greeted with cool air, but as soon as he sees the person he least wanted to see he feels a sudden urge to just go back home and cry like planned. However, they spot him at the entrance and wave him over.

    "Hey Mark! I haven't seen you lately," Jack smiles warmly at him and Mark removes his sunglasses. He hasn't even given him a odd look but then again Jack was probably the kindest person Mark knew. That was pry why he had a massive crush on him.

    "I've been busy..." Mark shrugs, tugging on the ends of the dress.

    "Yeah this time before summer is the worst. Cute dress by the way. Red looks good on you," Jack looks him up and down as he gives the compliment. Almost immediately Marks face goes beet red.

    "Oh thanks," he tries to give Jack a smile but he can feel it's more of a grimace.

    Either not noticing, or not caring, Jack goes right into getting Marks order. "Still ordering a white mocha with extra foam?" He asks reaching for a cup and Mark nods, knowing he's still blushing.

    "I don't think I'll never not order that drink," Mark says causing Jack to laugh.

    "So how have you been?" He asks, preparing Marks drink.

    "I don't know. It's been pretty hectic since I got a dog. Lots of training,"

    On hearing the words dog Jack puts down the cup he was stirring. "A puppy? You got a puppy and didn't immediately rush to tell me?"

    Mark laughs. "I have pictures. Want to see?"

    "Oh fuck yes," he turns around to spot another worker coming in. "Hey Jen you mind if I just take off?" She shrugs and ties an apron around her waist.

    "You get off in ten anyway,"

    Jack turns back to Mark. "You know what? Go find us a table," he says and Marks heart stops. He was going to sit and talk to him? The most they'd ever done was share a conversation while he makes him his coffee.

"Okay," Mark mumbles as he heads off to find a table. Overall, for three thirty at least, the place was pretty empty so he had a choice to sit wherever. Grabbing a chair by the window he takes a seat just as Jack joins him.

Sliding Mark his drink he takes a sip of his own.

"Vanilla Iced Chai should be the drink of the summer," he grins. "Never had anything better,"

"Debatable," Mark says motioning to his drink. "However still respectable."

    Jack smiles at him, rolling his eyes. "Ready to show me the picture?"

    "Oh yeah," Mark says grabbing his phone from his dress pocket. "Here," he flashes a photo of a his face smushed up against a golden retrievers. "This is Chica,"

Widening his eyes Jack coos over the photo. "She's so cute," he squeals.

    "She's a really good dog too. Such a sweetheart,"   

    "I wish I could get a dog but my apartment doesn't allow pets," Jack sticks out his lower lips and Mark pockets his phone.

    "That sucks," he says before taking a long sip of his drink. Opening his mouth Jack looks like he has something to say but shuts it quick. "What?" Mark asks.

    "It's nothing really I'm just curious what's with the sudden outfit change?" He says, burning bright red. Almost as if a weights dropped on his chest Mark suddenly feels like he cant breath. He'd almost forgotten that he'd even had one on... almost.

    Tugging on the back of his neck, he shrugs. "I've always liked this kinda stuff," he mumbles looking down. "Just never had the confidence to do it," Well in public at least, but Mark wasn't eager to fill Jack in on his frequent dress up sessions.

    "Well I'm glad. You seemed really happy when you walked in," Jack smiles. "Besides I think you look cute," he says sheepishly and Mark draws his eyes up. He does?

    Mark opens his mouth to say something but finds he has no words. So instead he looks down at his drink, trying to distract himself from how awkward this truly is.

    "Mark can I perhaps take you on a date tomorrow?" Jack asks suddenly and Mark shoots his head up.

    "What?" He almost screams it, but, he finds just a slight bit of self control.

    "You know, we go out to lunch and have fun. A date," he nods his head and Mark sees how uncomfortable he's made him. His face is burning bright red and he's shifting around in his seat.

    "Definitely," he smiles and for a moment he cringes by how desperate he sounded but it fades when Jacks head shoots up a wide smile.

    "Really?" This time he's the one with a voice a tad too loud.

    "I- I think so," Mark confirms nodding. "Yeah. A date. That's what we're doing," Oh god even in his embarrassed state Mark knew how geeky and weird they were both being.

    "Okay. Yes. Here's my number," Jack grabs a pen and Mark holds out his arm. He quickly scribbles down his number for Mark to enter later. "I've gotta run but text me a time we should meet up," he stands up a bit too quick casing the table to shift and his chair to speak. "Bye Mark," he waves and then practically runs out the door.

    With a smile on his face Mark looks out the window. Sure everything they'd just said too each other was the highest level of awkward but either way he still had Jacks Mcloughlins number on his arm and that was enough to keep him smiling for ages. Maybe even for a lifetime.