Jake explained his motives to a bewildered Selucas:
''As you can see very well, and as you already remarked before this wardrobe is wáááy too stacked and full, so I thought about giving you some of my pieces because I consider you as my friend!''
Selucas felt moved and thought: He is going to give me some of his clothes? For free?
Being called 'a friend' stirred something in him and he felt deeply affected being labelled by that tag. Yes, we are friends.... Indeed, that is true. Of course. We have seen each other frequently for these past three months and every encounter was a blast! Our chemistry is on the level of friendship.
For a moment, he stood still and froze stunned, as if the weight of the gesture hadn't fully settled in. His brows lifted slightly, not in shock but in quiet disbelief— like someone who hadn't expected kindness to land so close to the heart. Jake really is nice....
Jake noticed Selucas' moment of shaken emotions and added some sweet candies: ''You are getting a make-over! Believe me, you will look two times sexier after this upgrade! Like a freshly baked baguette.''
''Sounds nice,'' Selucas said in an innocent voice, not sceptic of Jake's intentions anymore. ''But you aren't going to give away clothes, do you? You are going to lend me some pieces, right?''
Selucas couldn't grasp how it could possible that his gym buddy - and new friend - could give away stuff so nonchalantly— didn't he just say that he felt very attached to all of his clothes? And that it was difficult for him to throw them away?
''No, I'm going to give you some pieces. Like, my wardrobe needs refreshment, and it would be a shame to throw things away because there is no space anymore, don't you find? If the clothes are in your possession they are still close to me....''
''Jake, seriously, you don't have to do that—''
''Silence,'' Jake interrupted him sternly without mercy. ''What you need is clothes that fit well, not those shabby rags you wear right now!''
''Shabby rags....'' Selucas muttered, while thinking: Are the clothes that I wear so bad as to call them shabby rags? After comprehending the harsh truth, but still a bit wary and unsure: "So, everything's gotta be skin-tight now?"
"No, man. You want it fitted, not suffocating. Let it sit right on your frame— show off the lines without going full spandex superhero."
Selucas nodded, it wasn't as if he didn't understand fashion at all, it was merely his lack of interest in it, he just didn't think a lot about clothing style and clothing types; almost all of his clothes were bought by his mother, Selucas couldn't recall an instance of him shopping for himself. Clothing was completely out of his sphere of interest.
Why is that? Selucas thought wonderingly. Why have I never cared about clothing and fashion before?
Jake grabbed a camel-toned utility jacket and tossed it to Lucas. "Layering. Elevates everything. Throw that over a tee, and it's an instant glow-up."
Crafted in a warm, earthy shade of light brown - reminiscent of desert sand - this jacket made of cotton canvas is a versatile outer layer that bridges casual and smart-casual wardrobes. Jake thought it fitted Selucas perfectly, because it weaves neatly and naturally with his radiant blond hair.
Selucas seemed to be in pensive thought, having the jacket in his hands but not doing anything with it, so Jake added to his discourse: ''Striptease yourself, you didn't serious think about putting it on top of that gown of yours didn't you?''
Jake looked intently at Selucas.
''Ah, okey,'' Selucas said, a bit insecure. He took of his hoodie, and as he wanted to put on the utility jacket, Jake snapped with light irritation: ''That wrinkled and horizon-spanning t-shirt also needs to be removed, like I said: 'striptease yourself', so take your pants off too.''
''Eh?!'' Selucas screeched in a short and sharp shriek, while shrinking himself instinctively in utter surprise. Jake now looked him on with a very condemning glance.
The poor blond-haired prince of rags and rashes thought at himself: Is he for real?! And said carefully and weakly: ''I thought you were just joking about stripteasing.'' Please don't let it be real....
''No,'' Jake said bluntly. ''All clothes off.... well expect for you underwear of course— How else am I supposed to dress you up?''
Selucas stood still, the weight of what was said settling like cold iron in his chest.... But then a spark tickled his conscience, it happened when suddenly the idea of him wearing the same fashion style as Jake sank in and he began to steadily understand what the advantage of swagger was, because he now recalled vividly at what he first thought when he saw Jake's casual wear for the first time, on their second gym session together after they had showered and dressed themselves: That guy looks really neat, he must be popular.
Respect, he felt respect for Jake. His chill and neat clothing style made him look cool; it worked like a magnet that radiated a vibe of confident charism which immediately made Selucas think of him with high esteem as a popular person with a high social status. Jake's smooth style demanded respect from him.
Now, Selucas began to realise clearly the benefits of swagger; it makes someone more remarkable and boosts the presence of that someone, because dressing yourself neatly and comfortable in a seemingly effortless fashion gives off an icy vibe of confidence, an enhancing aura of unconcerned coolness that radiates refreshment; good-fitting and well-founded this second skin buffs your appearance into a next level of attractiveness, advancing your social status and with that giving you more possibilities, which makes life easier and more interesting.
Selucas gave Jake a quick glance before with determined and strengthened resolve removing his t-shirt and pants. Jake is right on swagger and style! It would be amazing if I dressed just as cool as him. I want to be stylish like him!
This was going to be a turning point, from sultry faintness to icy coolness.
Selucas would acquire the magic of swagger and learn how to wield it with power and confidence!