Cute, Cozy, Queer Stories

Part 25: Bella & Mae

Ben's long hair was dark blond, spilling down in gentle waves. Bright, large eyes softened Ben's otherwise angular face. Later, Mae would say it was love at first sight.

Mae's posture was tall and strong. Short, black and purple hair, and glinting metal piercings shone like a dark gem. Ben knew immediately Mae was truly special.

Dates turned into weekends-long trysts, and shared toothbrushes turned into shared spaces. The flowery joy of new love rooted into a strong, reliable understanding. They knew each other's favorite shows and favorite foods, the places the other loved to be kissed, the things that they did that annoyed the other. They shared unspoken jokes and nicknames only each of them used.

They both knew so much about each other, but always felt more. And they both felt the unspoken words between them as months went on, but both were too nervous to say them.

Mae noticed changes in Ben like bright glimmers; silk shirts, nail polish, eye shadow. Mae wasn't sure if the bright glimmers were new, or if they were secrets Ben newly felt safe enough to show.

Ben noticed Mae's sharp edges like facets in a gem; buttoned shirts, boxers, strong muscles. Ben wondered if that had always been the shape of Mae, or if something had changed.

It was Ben who said it first.

Laying in bed under the window, a warm, summernight breeze drifted over Ben's and Mae's bodies. Looking at Mae, Ben's eyes glistened.

"Just tell me," Mae implored. Ben had stumbled through difficult words for five minutes, and the uncertainty was killing Mae.

"I'm just... afraid." Face pressed into the pillow, Ben's voice was muffled.

Mae kissed Ben's cheek. "Tell me."

"I'm trans." Ben couldn't look at Mae. "I didn't know how... I thought I could just... But I can't. I'm a woman. I want to be what—who—I am."

Mae blinked. Ben's voice cracked, but relief washed over Mae, not surprise.

"I love you so much," Ben went on. "I don't want anything to change between us. But I can't live like this anymore."

"Ben, I love you too. I'll always love you. And," Mae hesitated "I think I knew. But..."

Ben looked up. "But?"

"There's something else."

Ben looked at Mae with fear and uncertainty. "What?"

"I, um..." Even after Ben's words, Mae wasn't sure how to continue. There was no easy way to say it. "Me too."

"Wh-what?" Ben repeated.

"I'm not a woman or a man. None of it's ever felt right. I thought I was a transman for a while, but... I didn't know how to explain it. I still don't. I... I don't know."

Ben's mouth opened, but no words came. Mae expected to see surprise there, or even reproach, but didn't. Head slowly tilting, Ben's eyes softened.

"I think I get it," Ben said quietly.

Mae gave a small smile. "You don't seem surprised."

Ben smiled back. "Neither do you."

"I think I kinda knew." Mae kissed Ben's nose.

"Maybe that's... why this worked," Ben said slowly, gazing at Mae. "It's always been different with you."

"Are you still going to," Mae's hand traced over Ben's side and chest "want to be with me?"