Chapter Text
Tucker hadn't known what to expect when Sam invited him to her place this afternoon to meet a friend she had met online. Probably another goth/emo/punk/scene kid- not that he could tell the difference, despite Sam's many fashion-related lectures. He'd tried going goth once, and that was enough for him.
"Tucker, meet my friend Xanthe- they use they/them pronouns," Sam said.
Xanthe was about their age, Asian, and had a cool undercut. They weren't goth or emo- in fact, they even had on a yellow shirt that was almost the same color as Tucker's.
"Hey, you can call me TF for Too Fine." Tucker shot finger-guns their way and winked.
"Do not call him that." Sam rolled her eyes. "Xanthe, this loser is one of my queer-platonic partners. He goes by Tucker or Tuck."
"Nice to meet you," Xanthe said, smiling at Sam's comment.
"Nice to meet you, too. Now Sam, what's the plan for today? Why're we meeting up here now when we were already gonna see each other at Valerie's party tonight?"
"Well, I know you didn't like it when I forced you to dress goth that one time…"
Tucker didn't like where this was going. "I am not doing that again! I told you a million times already-"
Sam held up a hand. "That's not what I'm suggesting. I was wondering if you'd want to try a different gender presentation. I know you've mentioned maybe having some genderfluid feelings but never finding skirts you like that fit, and I know you wouldn't like wearing anything from my wardrobe, so Xanthe offered to help find some stuff you might like to try."
Tucker.exe has stopped responding. Please try again later.
"Tucker?"
He rebooted. "Oh. Yeah, that sounds cool."
"Let's get started then," Sam said.
Xanthe started pulling clothes out of their bag. A few things in the huge variety of styles and colors caught his eye, including light pink shorts with Game Boy-shaped pockets, a long skirt with an intricate pixel-art print, and a color-blocked crop top. But he felt himself most drawn to a bright yellow dress.
"Want to try that one on? Xanthe motioned to the dress.
Tucker hesitated, but nodded.
"Of course you would choose something so bright it's going to scorch my eyes out," Sam muttered. "I should have chosen goths as my partners."
"You know you love us!" Tucker said, his nervousness lessening with the comfort of Sam's familiar banter.
"I put up with you all. Now shut it and try on that dress."
"So you have wished it, so it shall be," Tucker quoted.
Sam slammed the closet door on him, so he got to putting on the dress. It was awkward, since he'd never tried slipping into a one-piece outfit like it before. It seemed like it fit, but he couldn't reach to zip the back. He opened the door and asked Sam for help, and she obliged.
"It looks really good," Xanthe said as they all looked at Tucker's reflection in the mirror.
"It does," Sam agreed. "Despite my distaste for the color choice, it really does suit you."
"Thanks, y'all," Tucker felt himself tearing up a bit. It was unreal, looking at himself in the mirror like this. This wasn't anything like the time Danny got forced into a dress from My Fair Lady at school. Tucker was a guy in a dress and it wasn't some punchline or joke- it was just him, wearing something he liked. He felt good. But something was missing…
"Wait, how am I supposed to carry my PDA in this?"
Xanthe raised their eyebrows but didn't comment on Tucker's tech. Sam sighed and tossed a purse at him.
"Ready to head to the party?" Sam asked.
Tucker carefully placed his precious PDA into the simple brown purse and looked in the mirror one last time. "Yeah, let's go."
As soon as Tucker saw all the people at the party, his heart started racing. He was thankful Sam let him cling tightly to her hand.
"It's all right, Tucker," Sam said, uncharacteristically gentle. "If anyone is rude to you, I'll stab them."
"Thanks, Sam."
Feeling reassured, Tucker loosened his grip on Sam's hand and kept walking with their group into Valerie's living room. Danny sat sprawled on the couch holding a red Solo cup. When he spotted them, he broke into a huge grin.
"Xanthe!" Danny stood up and hugged them.
"Hey, Danny." Xanthe smiled back at him. They clearly knew each other, which was strange because Tucker was under the impression that Xanthe was Sam's friend.
Tucker looked between his best friend and Xanthe. "You two know each other already?"
"Oh yeah," Danny waved his hand dismissively, "all half-ghosts know each other."
Tucker bluescreened for a few seconds. "Wait, what? Xanthe's half-ghost?"
"Yeah," Xanthe nodded. "A little different from the others since I don't really have a transformation, but otherwise pretty similar."
"Sam!" Tucker whirled to face her. "Why didn't you tell me they were half-ghost?"
"I wasn't just gonna out someone as half-ghost, Tucker!"
"Anyways," Danny said. "Nice outfit, Tuck. I really like the dress."
"Thanks, man."
Xanthe's phone pinged. They checked it and then looked up at the group. "Hey, my friend Cass is here and she just texted me to say they're starting a 'never have I ever' game in Valerie's bedroom. Do any of you want to join?"
"Sure, that sounds fun," Tucker said, and Danny nodded.
"I think Val's in the kitchen right now, so I was going to go check on her. I'll catch you guys later." Sam waved goodbye, and Tucker, Danny, and Xanthe waved back as she left.
As they walked to Valerie's room, Tucker latched onto Danny's hand tightly- this time due to excitement, instead of anxiety. He couldn't wait to meet some new people and show off his amazing dress. With his friends by his side, he felt like he could do anything.