Crown's Communal Wardrobe
There is a curious habit shared between certain members of Crown involving what Alfons coins and dubs a “communal wardrobe” situation.
Others are warned in a teasing manner to take care in labeling their possessions, lest they be surprised to learn said possessions are now under the joint custody of Crown's resident wardrobe fiends, four individuals who have utterly no regard for the implications swapping wardrobe pieces and wearing each other's clothes carry in polite society.
The waistcoats Morgan often wears as part of her gear and mission attire are a collection that was sponsored entirely by the other three—namely William, Harrison, and Liam.
Old garments that had been set aside for donation because they were too tight at the shoulders or no longer to William’s taste; things Harrison had outgrown in both fit and preference; and pieces Liam had once liked but didn't reach for as much now.
Most of them were indeed given away, but with the maids' help, the ones Morgan liked were instead taken in to better fit her measurements so that she could wear them comfortably.
Her hair is often braided and adorned with one of Liam's silk neckcloths in place of her usual ribbons.
Sometimes he goes off to spontaneously “borrow” one of Harry's or Will's silks in the event he doesn't have one that compliments her outfit, stressing the importance of matching a lady's accessories to the style and color of her ensemble.
On occasion, William deliberately forgets to wear his gloves before leaving the castle, and he feels a subtle pleasure at witnessing Harrison offer his own gloves—albeit somewhat begrudgingly.
Their hands were of a similar size, after all. Although William finds that Harrison's gloves tend to be a little loose around the wrist on him.
Harrison doesn't ask to confirm whether or not leaving his gloves behind was a genuine mistake borne from forgetfulness on William's part.
If Harrison grumbles and continues to eye him suspiciously, Will offers to give them back, saying he was content to remain gloveless without bothering to disguise the teasing glint in his gaze.
Harrison, caught in the crosshairs of impending bashfulness, refuses and attempts to cover his fluster by attempting nonchalance: “It's fine. I've got a spare pair in my office drawer for work anyway.”
He watches in quiet amusement whenever Liam parades through the castle wearing one of his waistcoats, usually made from either velvet or rich brocade.
Something about the sight registers as rather humorously incongruous in William's mind. They’re too structured for him, too dignified.
Liam, ever their charming and playful kitty cat, claims doing so makes him feel “fancy and important”. Will says nothing as he stands close enough to make sure that the waistcoat is buttoned properly, smoothing down its lapels with tangible affection.
Every so often, Harrison allows Liam to spend the night in his room on account of having neither the heart nor energy to shoo him out come nightfall.
And on the morrow, as he's dressing himself and sluggishly going about his morning preparations, he's slightly peeved to discover that Liam had swapped their braces and left his own for Harry to wear. Again.
Later at breakfast, Harry takes his usual seat beside Liam, still half-awake but now mildly annoyed for reasons unrelated to the blasted daylight.
He stirs a ludicrous amount of sugar into his tea, entirely without shame, before giving voice to his groggy accusations, “Give those braces back, Liam. I told you—you can borrow the others, just not the ones my mother gifted me.”
Beside him, the guilty clatter of Liam's dropped teaspoon is all the evidence Harrison needs to rest his case.
Liam regularly rummages through their closets in search of a substitute to soothe his need for closeness whenever the others are too preoccupied with their assigned missions or daytime vocations.
He purloins Harry's favorite waistcoats even though they're much too big on his slighter frame—they do, however, strongly retain the smell of his preferred mints.
The cloak William wore most often mysteriously disappears from the coatroom at frequent intervals, only to be found swaddled around a dozing Liam in one of the library's armchairs or on the settee inside the drawing room.
He swipes Morgan's gloves and winter muffs during the cold season. When she inevitably goes looking for them, Liam feigns ignorance and instead enthusiastically offers to keep her hands warm himself.
He adjusts cuffs, straightens collars, smooths lapels on everyone. It’s half care, half habit. Backstage instincts die hard.
Note/s: The Victorian era equivalent of stealing your partner's hoodie, if you will. Thanks for reading, dividers are by @/natimiles and @/saradika ( ◜‿◝ )❣️
