The frat house bathroom was a chaotic mess, as usual. The sink was cluttered with half-empty bottles of hair product, a tube of mascara rolled precariously near the edge, and a scattering of glitter that seemed to have taken on a life of its own. Eli leaned against the counter, meticulously applying eyeliner with a steady hand, his reflection in the mirror sharp and focused. He wore the cheerleading uniform like it was second nature—a short, pleated skirt that flared just above his knees, paired with a snug crop top that hugged his lean torso. His binder underneath was hidden, but he could feel its reassuring pressure.Joseph stood a few feet away, his broad shoulders tense as he stared down at the pile of cheerleading gear waiting for him on the floor. He’d been fiddling with the hem of his polo shirt for the past five minutes, his usual cocky grin replaced with a look of mild discomfort.“You good, Joe?” Eli asked without looking up, his voice steady and casual as he finished the last wing of his eyeliner.“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” Joe said quickly, too quickly, his tone a little too loud for the tiny bathroom. He picked up the skirt, holding it at arm’s length like it might bite him. “Just… you know. Never worn one of these before.”Eli turned to face him, his amber eyes flicking over Joe’s expression with an unsettling accuracy. He smirked, leaning back against the counter, his arms crossed. “It’s just fabric, man. It’s not gonna kill you.”Joe laughed, the sound forced and a little too sharp. “Right, yeah. I know. It’s just… weird, you know?” He paused, glancing at Eli’s uniform and then back at the skirt in his hands. “Like, you’re not uncomfortable? Wearing this? I mean, you’re…” He trailed off, gesturing vaguely at Eli’s chest.Eli raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. “I’m what? Trans?”Joe flushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I mean, yeah. I just figured it might, I don’t know, bother you or something.”Eli shook his head, his expression softening just slightly. “It’s a costume, Joe. It’s just for fun. It’s not like it changes who I am. Besides,” he added, his tone light but pointed, “I think I pull it off pretty well.”Joe laughed again, this time more genuine. “Yeah, you do. You look… great.”Eli tilted his head, studying Joe for a moment. “What about you? You sure you’re not the one who’s uncomfortable?”Joe shifted on his feet, his usual bravado slipping for just a second. “Nah, I’m good. I’m evolved, and it's for a good cause.”Eli hummed, unconvinced, but didn’t press further. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze dropping to Joe’s face. “You know, your eye makeup’s looking a little uneven. Want me to fix it?”Joe blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure. Why not?”Eli gestured for him to sit on the edge of the bathtub, and Joe obliged, his movements stiff and awkward. Eli grabbed the eyeliner from the counter and knelt in front of him, his hand steady as he tilted Joe’s chin up. The bathroom was quiet now, the only sound the faint hum of the fluorescent light overhead. Eli’s face was close, his breath warm against Joe’s skin as he carefully traced the line of Joe’s eyelid.Joe’s heart was racing, though he couldn’t quite explain why. He tried to keep his expression neutral, but his jaw tightened as Eli’s fingers brushed against his cheek. “How’s it look?” he asked when Eli pulled back, his voice hoarser than he intended.Eli smiled, a small, genuine smile that made Joe’s stomach flip. “Gorgeous,” he said simply, his voice soft. Then, before Joe could respond, Eli leaned in and pressed a quick, confident kiss to his lips.Joe froze, his brain short-circuiting for a moment. By the time he registered what had happened, Eli was already standing, grabbing his pom-poms from the counter. “Come on,” Eli said, his tone casual as if nothing had happened. “The rest of the guys are waiting for us.”Joe stood slowly, his face burning. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, his lips still tingling from the kiss. He didn’t look terrible, he had to admit. The eyeliner made his eyes stand out, and the faint blush on his cheeks gave him a softer, almost delicate look. He swallowed hard, trying to push down the fluttering in his chest.Out on the field, the rest of the fraternity brothers were already gathered for the Powder Puff game, their cheerleading uniforms a riot of color and glitter. Adrian Moreno stood a few feet away, dressed in the referee’s black and white stripes. He’d been trying to focus on the game, but his eyes kept drifting to the cheerleaders—or, more specifically, to Eli. They hadn't known each other long, but they'd become fast friends. This was typical for Eli, outgoing as he was, but Adrian didn't form connections as easily. Eli moved with an effortless confidence, his pom-poms flashing in the sunlight as he led the group in a cheer. Adrian couldn’t help but stare, his heart skipping a beat every time Eli turned in his direction. There was something magnetic about him, something that made it impossible to look away. Adrian had felt it the first time they met at the coffee shop, and it hadn’t faded in the months since.As the game progressed, Adrian found himself getting more and more distracted. He called a penalty halfheartedly, his attention still focused on the sidelines. Eli was laughing now, his head thrown back as he teased one of the other brothers. The sound sent a shiver down Adrian’s spine, and he had to force himself to look away.Joe, meanwhile, was trying to focus on the cheers, but his mind kept wandering back to the kiss. He’d always treated their hookups as casual, just another part of the frat house chaos. But this… this felt different. Maybe it was the makeup, or the skirt, or the way Eli had looked at him in the bathroom, but something had shifted. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he knew one thing for sure—he wanted to explore this feeling.The game ended and the cheerleaders took to the field for a final performance. Adrian stood on the sidelines, his eyes locked on Eli as he moved with grace and precision. Joe watched from the other side, his heart pounding in his chest.As the cheers died down and the crowd began to disperse, Joe found himself walking toward Eli, his pulse racing. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he just stood there, staring at Eli with a mix of awe and uncertainty.Eli turned to him, his smirk returning. “What’s up, Joe? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”Joe swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. “I… I think I just need to—”Before he could finish, Adrian appeared beside them, his deep brown eyes fixed on Eli. “Hey,” he said softly, his voice warm and steady. “You were amazing out there.”Joe froze, his heart sinking as he watched the interaction. Eli glanced at Adrian, his expression softening. “Thanks, Adrian. You did a great job too.”Adrian smiled, a small, genuine smile that made Eli’s stomach flip. “I was wondering if maybe… you’d want to hang out later? Like, just the two of us?”Joe’s chest tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. He wanted to say something, to do something, but he couldn’t move. Instead, he just stood there, watching as Eli’s eyes lit up with something he couldn’t quite place.“Sure,” Eli said, his voice soft. “I’d like that.”Joe’s stomach twisted, his mind racing as he tried to process what was happening. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he just stood there, watching as Adrian and Eli walked away together, their heads bent close in quiet conversation.He didn’t know what to do, but he knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going to let this go. Not this time.“Eli,” he called out, his voice stronger now.Eli turned, his eyebrow raised. “Yeah?”Joe hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. “I—”But he didn’t have a chance to finish. The rest of the frat brothers were calling for him, their voices loud and insistent. Eli gave him a quick smile, then turned back to Adrian, leaving Joe standing there, his mind racing.He didn’t know what was going to happen next, but he knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going to let this go. Not this time.

Eli and Joe, both dressed in cheerleading uniforms, prepare for a Powder Puff game at the frat house. Eli kisses Joe in the bathroom, leaving Joe conflicted and distracted during the game. Joe tries to talk to Eli after the game, but Adrian interrupts, asking Eli to hang out later, leaving Joe frustrated and determined.

The frat house bathroom was a chaotic mess, as usual. The sink was cluttered with half-empty bottles of hair product, a tube of mascara rolled precariously near the edge, and a scattering of glitter that seemed to have taken on a life of its own. Eli leaned against the counter, meticulously applying eyeliner with a steady hand, his reflection in the mirror sharp and focused. He wore the cheerleading uniform like it was second nature—a short, pleated skirt that flared just above his knees, paired with a snug crop top that hugged his lean torso. His binder underneath was hidden, but he could feel its reassuring pressure.

Joseph stood a few feet away, his broad shoulders tense as he stared down at the pile of cheerleading gear waiting for him on the floor. He’d been fiddling with the hem of his polo shirt for the past five minutes, his usual cocky grin replaced with a look of mild discomfort.

“You good, Joe?” Eli asked without looking up, his voice steady and casual as he finished the last wing of his eyeliner.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” Joe said quickly, too quickly, his tone a little too loud for the tiny bathroom. He picked up the skirt, holding it at arm’s length like it might bite him. “Just… you know. Never worn one of these before.”

Eli turned to face him, his amber eyes flicking over Joe’s expression with an unsettling accuracy. He smirked, leaning back against the counter, his arms crossed. “It’s just fabric, man. It’s not gonna kill you.”

Joe laughed, the sound forced and a little too sharp. “Right, yeah. I know. It’s just… weird, you know?” He paused, glancing at Eli’s uniform and then back at the skirt in his hands. “Like, you’re not uncomfortable? Wearing this? I mean, you’re…” He trailed off, gesturing vaguely at Eli’s chest.

Eli raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. “I’m what? Trans?”

Joe flushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I mean, yeah. I just figured it might, I don’t know, bother you or something.”

Eli shook his head, his expression softening just slightly. “It’s a costume, Joe. It’s just for fun. It’s not like it changes who I am. Besides,” he added, his tone light but pointed, “I think I pull it off pretty well.”

Joe laughed again, this time more genuine. “Yeah, you do. You look… great.”

Eli tilted his head, studying Joe for a moment. “What about you? You sure you’re not the one who’s uncomfortable?”

Joe shifted on his feet, his usual bravado slipping for just a second. “Nah, I’m good. I’m evolved, and it's for a good cause.”

Eli hummed, unconvinced, but didn’t press further. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze dropping to Joe’s face. “You know, your eye makeup’s looking a little uneven. Want me to fix it?”

Joe blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure. Why not?”

Eli gestured for him to sit on the edge of the bathtub, and Joe obliged, his movements stiff and awkward. Eli grabbed the eyeliner from the counter and knelt in front of him, his hand steady as he tilted Joe’s chin up. The bathroom was quiet now, the only sound the faint hum of the fluorescent light overhead. Eli’s face was close, his breath warm against Joe’s skin as he carefully traced the line of Joe’s eyelid.

Joe’s heart was racing, though he couldn’t quite explain why. He tried to keep his expression neutral, but his jaw tightened as Eli’s fingers brushed against his cheek. “How’s it look?” he asked when Eli pulled back, his voice hoarser than he intended.

Eli smiled, a small, genuine smile that made Joe’s stomach flip. “Gorgeous,” he said simply, his voice soft. Then, before Joe could respond, Eli leaned in and pressed a quick, confident kiss to his lips.

Joe froze, his brain short-circuiting for a moment. By the time he registered what had happened, Eli was already standing, grabbing his pom-poms from the counter. “Come on,” Eli said, his tone casual as if nothing had happened. “The rest of the guys are waiting for us.”

Joe stood slowly, his face burning. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, his lips still tingling from the kiss. He didn’t look terrible, he had to admit. The eyeliner made his eyes stand out, and the faint blush on his cheeks gave him a softer, almost delicate look. He swallowed hard, trying to push down the fluttering in his chest.

Out on the field, the rest of the fraternity brothers were already gathered for the Powder Puff game, their cheerleading uniforms a riot of color and glitter. Adrian Moreno stood a few feet away, dressed in the referee’s black and white stripes. He’d been trying to focus on the game, but his eyes kept drifting to the cheerleaders—or, more specifically, to Eli. They hadn't known each other long, but they'd become fast friends. This was typical for Eli, outgoing as he was, but Adrian didn't form connections as easily. 

Eli moved with an effortless confidence, his pom-poms flashing in the sunlight as he led the group in a cheer. Adrian couldn’t help but stare, his heart skipping a beat every time Eli turned in his direction. There was something magnetic about him, something that made it impossible to look away. Adrian had felt it the first time they met at the coffee shop, and it hadn’t faded in the months since.

As the game progressed, Adrian found himself getting more and more distracted. He called a penalty halfheartedly, his attention still focused on the sidelines. Eli was laughing now, his head thrown back as he teased one of the other brothers. The sound sent a shiver down Adrian’s spine, and he had to force himself to look away.

Joe, meanwhile, was trying to focus on the cheers, but his mind kept wandering back to the kiss. He’d always treated their hookups as casual, just another part of the frat house chaos. But this… this felt different. Maybe it was the makeup, or the skirt, or the way Eli had looked at him in the bathroom, but something had shifted. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he knew one thing for sure—he wanted to explore this feeling.

The game ended and the cheerleaders took to the field for a final performance. Adrian stood on the sidelines, his eyes locked on Eli as he moved with grace and precision. Joe watched from the other side, his heart pounding in his chest.

As the cheers died down and the crowd began to disperse, Joe found himself walking toward Eli, his pulse racing. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he just stood there, staring at Eli with a mix of awe and uncertainty.

Eli turned to him, his smirk returning. “What’s up, Joe? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Joe swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. “I… I think I just need to—”

Before he could finish, Adrian appeared beside them, his deep brown eyes fixed on Eli. “Hey,” he said softly, his voice warm and steady. “You were amazing out there.”

Joe froze, his heart sinking as he watched the interaction. Eli glanced at Adrian, his expression softening. “Thanks, Adrian. You did a great job too.”

Adrian smiled, a small, genuine smile that made Eli’s stomach flip. “I was wondering if maybe… you’d want to hang out later? Like, just the two of us?”

Joe’s chest tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. He wanted to say something, to do something, but he couldn’t move. Instead, he just stood there, watching as Eli’s eyes lit up with something he couldn’t quite place.

“Sure,” Eli said, his voice soft. “I’d like that.”

Joe’s stomach twisted, his mind racing as he tried to process what was happening. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he just stood there, watching as Adrian and Eli walked away together, their heads bent close in quiet conversation.

He didn’t know what to do, but he knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going to let this go. Not this time.

“Eli,” he called out, his voice stronger now.

Eli turned, his eyebrow raised. “Yeah?”

Joe hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. “I—”

But he didn’t have a chance to finish. The rest of the frat brothers were calling for him, their voices loud and insistent. Eli gave him a quick smile, then turned back to Adrian, leaving Joe standing there, his mind racing.

He didn’t know what was going to happen next, but he knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going to let this go. Not this time.

Elias and Joseph dress up as cheerleaders for a charity powder puff football game their fraternity is taking part of. Eli, confident in his identity, helps Joe get into character and the two share a tender moment. Meanwhile, a shy admirer, Adrian, struggles to keep his eyes off Eli during the game. The day ends with unexpected romantic tensions and unspoken feelings coming to the surface.

Game Day

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