Coming out
Penny snuggled impossibly further into Nemona’s back, sighing contentedly at the smell of whatever she was making. Nemona giggled a little, even her laugh was cute.
“Breakfast is ready Pen,” Nemona announced, “Do you want to eat in bed?”
“Mhm…” Penny mumbled into Nemona’s back.
Nemona plated both of their breakfasts and guided Penny towards the bed. The bed shifted under both of them and Nemona placed a plate of heavenly smelling scrambled eggs into Penny’s hands. Penny devoured it ravenously, as she had forgotten to eat dinner the previous night.
“Slow down Pen the food’s not going anywhere.” Nemona assured Penny.
Penny slowed down a little and finished her breakfast eagerly. She stood and stretched before carrying her plate back to the sink. The sound of running water allowed Penny’s head to clear, she was getting a little anxious again. What if Nemona didn’t like her anymore, what if she was like all the other kids at Uva?
“What’re you thinking about?” Nemona startled Penny out of their thoughts.
Penny shifted uncomfortably, “Do you really not mind that I lied to you?”
“You didn’t really lie to me! Don’t worry about it,” Nemona smiled brightly, “I really care about you, it doesn’t matter if I’ve only known you for a few days.”
Penny blinked, “Really?”
“Yeah duh!” Nemona giggled happily.
Penny took her gaze to the ground, what if Nemona was transphobic? What if she started hating her because they came out?
A steady hand rested on her shoulder while a calloused hand guided her face back up to Nemona’s concerned eyes. She worried her lip with her teeth while wiping away the tears Penny didn’t realize they were crying.
“Can you tell me what’s worrying you?” Nemona seemed really genuinely concerned, “If you can’t tell me yet it’s fine, let’s sit down though.”
Penny followed Nemona back to the bed, they sat down and tried to decide what to tell Nemona. If she hadn’t come out to someone and had it end badly they would’ve been super confident.
Penny breathes in deeply before letting it all out harshly, “I’m trans.”
“Oh,” Nemona gasped, “Oh! Have I been misgendering you this whole time? What pronouns do you use?”
Penny was shocked by the lack of anger in her reaction, “I use she/they. I don’t think you’ve ever misgendered me.”
“That’s cool! I’m trans too but just she/her for me,” Nemona smiled happily, “Have people been mean to you for being trans before? I know Paldea isn’t the most supportive, like, ever, but UVA’s not usually that bad.”
Penny winced a little she was kind of really hoping Nemona wouldn’t touch that part of her life, “Uva may not have been bad for you but it was for me, I have been horribly bullied for years.”
“Is that why you want me to take down Team Star?” Nemona guessed.
“Yeah.” Penny glanced back down at her hands and fiddled with them for a moment.
They sat in silence for a couple minutes before Nemona’s phone timer started going off. Penny remembered it was the one she had set to remind her of the fight with Giacomo. They almost couldn’t believe how this ended up.