Cosplay (TonyxReader) One-Shot

“Okay, (Name),” you told the reflection of yourself in the mirror. “It’s okay. You can do this. Besides, you look amazing in your outfit so if anyone criticizes you, it’s because they’re jealous.”

The reason as to why you were so nervous today, was because you were going to your very first Anime Convention in the city. This was also the very first time that you would be cosplaying. You were cosplaying as the famous Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail. You were wearing her amazing, black wing armor that was black with silver lining. You were showing more cleavage than you normally did and your stomach was exposed as well. You wore a red wig, with side bangs that covered your left eye and the hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. The armor was heavy and the sword that you had made was heavy as well, but this was worth it, wasn’t it?

You weren’t too sure if you should even leave the house like this anymore. Almost everyone who cosplayed at Anime Conventions had the body for it. You on the other hand...felt like you didn’t. Not only that, but your skin color wasn’t exactly like Erza’s either. Even though everyone thought that the anime community was filled with wonderful people, you have been to the dark side of it and read the hateful things people have said about others who cosplayed characters who are not the same skin color as them. They found it to be ridiculous and right now, you were seriously on the verge of thinking that they were right.

Being slightly overweight and a different skin color, you had your days when you felt insecure about yourself. Sure there were those girls who would kill to get the perfect tan they see in magazines, but those same girls frowned upon you. You didn’t think your extra fat was that bad, but apparently society thought differently.

You sighed, sitting down on your bed and wondering what possessed you to do this.

“This is stupid,” you grumbled underneath your breath.

Not wanting to be humiliated today, you striped yourself of the armor and changed into some regular clothes. You felt comfortable but there was still a lingering sadness. You wished you could cosplay. But you knew that people would make fun of you.

There was a sudden knock on your bedroom door that stole you away from your thoughts. After saying that the person could come in, Tony strolled into your room. He wore his usual big smile, that faltered when he saw how broken you looked.

“(Name)....what’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing,” you shrugged, trying your best to smile. “I’m just really nervous about today.”

“You sure…?”

“Yeah,” you nodded. “So are you dressing up?”

When it came to distracting Tony, you knew that the best way to do so was to have him talk about himself. It worked like a charm.

“Nah,” he shook his head. “It’s anime and I don’t really know much about the fandom so today, you’re going to be my guide, babe.”

I’m not your babe, you thought bitterly. I’ll never be.

“Sure,” you smiled.

♦♦♦♦♦♦

The convention was held in a big building with windows that reached the ceiling, clean grey carpets, and booths that were set up everywhere. You were stricken with awe at everything you saw. All sorts of characters that you have come to know and loved were displayed and then there were people who cosplayed as them as well!

A part of you regretted not wearing your costume, but a tiny voice in your mind told you that you wouldn’t be as good as those other girls anyways. As you walked around the convention, you saw Tony who was obviously checking out all the female cosplayers. Even though you two weren’t a thing, it still hurt you.

“Check out that girl over there,” he secretly pointed to a girl that was walking by in a Green Heart cosplay from the video game, Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2.

“Yeah she looks….awesome.”

He picked up your melancholy tone and arched an eyebrow at you. He then looked down at your attire.

“Remind me why you’re not dressed up again?” he asked curiously. “I thought you loved this sort of thing.”

“Uh,” you said timidly. “I do. I just didn’t have anything to wear.”

“(Name),” Tony said, grabbing you by the shoulders and forcing you to look into his eyes. “Don’t lie to me. I saw the costume on your bed. I just assumed you would be changing into it later. What’s the real reason on why you didn’t dress up?”

You felt a wall instantly build up. There was no way you could tell Tony the truth. How could he ever understand? He wasn’t going to let it go though. He actually took you by the hand and took you to a more private area of the convention. You were just in a corner by the stairs but it was something.

“(Name), you can trust me. So please, tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Fine,” you sighed. “I didn’t want to cosplay because….”

“Because what?”

“Because I don’t have the body for it.”

There.

You finally said the dreaded eight words that you thought you would never have to say out loud.

Tony looked at you taken aback, eyes wide with confusion. He looked at you from head to toe, raising an eyebrow. He opened his mouth only to close it in the end. Just when you thought he was about to say something, he burst out laughing instead.

“I’m sorry!” he laughed. “But seriously?”

“W-What…?” you said nervously, thinking that he too was going to criticize you for your weight.

He pulled you in for a tight hug.

“(Name), your body is just fine. I can’t believe you thought it was an issue,” he sighed.

“Okay I am terribly confused right now.”

He pulled away to look you in the eyes.

“(Name), I’m going to be honest with you right now. I don’t care what size you are because you’re a good person and that’s so hard to find these days. You could be skin and bones and I would still love you. All I want is for you to enjoy yourself and be happy.”

You felt tears welling up in your eyes. That was perhaps the kindest thing that someone had ever said to you. You felt your heart swell with joy and you buried your face in Tony’s chest as you hugged him tight. He cooed sweet words in your ear while he smoothed the back of your hair.

He said he loved me. But he meant that in a friendly way, right?

“Don’t cry, (Name),” Tony smiled faintly at you. “I want to see your smile. Come on, I have your costume in the trunk of the car. Now let’s show these bitches how awesome you look in it.”

You wiped away your tears and said, “I’d like to do that.”

♣♣♣Extended Ending♣♣♣

“Can you take a picture with me?” a girl who was dressed as Hell Girl approached you. “Your costume is really cool!”

“T-Thank you,” you blushed.

She handed her camera to Tony who took a couple of steps back to get a full body picture for the young girl. Her bubbly personality didn’t match that of Hell Girl but this was cosplay and not roleplay after all. She was very kind to you and complemented your outfit by telling you how good you looked in it. You blushed whenever someone told you that you looked awesome in it while Tony said, “I told you so”.

By the end of the day, you were exhausted and had taken over a dozen pictures with almost everyone who crossed your way. You thought that this day would be terrible but it turned out to be amazing. People were more supporting than you thought. As you sat down on the steps of the building, Tony looked over to you.

“I’m surprised,” he chuckled. “And proud.”

“Of?”

“I’m proud that you were able to overcome your insecurities because you are fabulous my dear,” he grinned. “But I’m surprised that you didn’t say anything about me confessing my love to you earlier.”
“That’s because you meant as a friend,” you said without really thinking.

“Uh...no I didn’t.”

“....What?”

“I meant every word,” he said seriously. “(Name), I love you. Do I have to kiss you to prove it?”

“Well—”

“Say no more,” he smirked before placing his lips on yours for a loving kiss that you thought you would never get.