Unexpected Romance

7. A festival?

Your in the kitchen having some coffee. A very excited Sallie and Lin enter the kitchen.

Y/N: Morning ladies. You're both in high spirits today.

Lin: Course we are! Harvest moon festival aint but two weeks away.

SM: I can't wait for the games. Shame Millie can't compete no more.

Y/N: What? Why?

Lin: Too high of a body count.

Y/N: Ah, figures.

Lin: Not to mention the dance after. It's how Joe and I met.

Y/N: Guess I should brush up on my dancing skills.

SM: Who would you have to dance with? You aint been off the ranch since you got here.

Y/N: Valid point. If only there were someone I knew that didn't have someone to go with.

SM: I see what your gettin at, and no. I aint interested in dancin.

Sallie walks out and you shrug and just continue to drink your coffee. Lin sighs and sits down at the table with you.

Lin: She likes you more than she lets on. She's just in an interstin situation. 

Y/N: What? That she's trans? If that's it then I could care less. Besides, under that tough exterior she's loyal, funny, and smart. Everything a simple Imp could want.

Lin: You know? Did Millie say somethin?

Y/N: Nah. Those guys at the bar all that time ago. It's why they went after her. Either way, she said no. I'm not gonna bother her about it again.

You get up and wash your mug. You give Lin a nod and you walk out of the kitchen. You see Striker on your way out. He flashes you his same wicked smile. You just walk past him and go outside. After the time you've spent here, you've decided you don't want to go back to the city. Some point soon you're gonna ask Joe if you can stay here permanently.

A hand lightly touches your shoulder. You turn to see Sallie Mae. She has an upset look on her face. You gesture for her to sit next to you and she does. She inhales deeply and lets out a big sigh.

SM: So. The dance. I'll go if you want to.

Y/N: Wait, really? I think it'd be fun. But I don't want you to feel pressured. 

SM: I want to. You just caught me off guard before is all. I always assumed you didn't like me that much. 

Y/N: I didn't at first. I thought you were a bitch honestly. But I'm almost positive that that's all an act. Push people away so they can't hurt you if they aren't ok with you being trans, right? I imagine with Hell having Earth's worst that a lot of them aren't very accepting.

SM: You knew? But how? And we fucked so many times.

Y/N: Yeah, because I don't give a fuck. You are a woman, that's all I care about. I understand you being cautious, but you don't need to be with me. I like you as you are.

Sallie goes quiet and looks away from you. You hear a small sniffle and your heart breaks. What the fuck has this girl been though? If those assholes at the bar were any indication, things have been rough.

Y/N: Sallie, can I help in any way?

SM: Just shut up for a minute.

She moves closer to you and buries her face into your shoulder. You lightly wrap your arms around her and sit quietly, running a hand through her hair. You certainly weren't expecting her to be so open about her feelings like this. She pulls away and wipes her eyes, her makeup smudged from the tears. 

SM: Shit, I needed that. Ya better not think of telling anyone about this.

Y/N: I'd never. You can trust me Sallie.

SM: Good. Now go back to being quiet for a bit.

Sallie Mae moves closer to you and leans her head on your shoulder. You chuckle slightly and look out at the ranch. It's a little foggy, but overall it's a very nice morning. It's starting to feel like coming here was the best decision you've ever made.