Chapter Text
Kevin sat on the floor of his room, leaning back against his bed which Nabulungi was sitting on, her legs on either side of him. His head rested lightly against her knees as she brushed through his hair with ease. It was a peaceful moment.
Nabulungi hummed softly as she worked, twisting Kevin’s hair into tiny pigtails, more playful than serious. “Your hair is getting long,” she commented with a small smile, focusing on her task. Kevin gave a soft hum in response, staring at the wall across from him.
“Nabulungi,” Kevin said suddenly, his voice a little softer than usual. “I don’t think I’m a boy anymore.”
Nabulungi didn’t pause. She just kept brushing his hair, her voice calm when she finally spoke. “What do you mean?”
Kevin took a deep breath, fiddling with the edge of the blanket on his bed. “I’ve been thinking about it. And… I don’t think I’m just a boy. I’m not sure I’m a girl, though. I feel like it changes.” He wasn’t sure how to explain it without sounding confusing. Hell, he was confused.
Nabulungi tilted her head, gently gathering more of his hair, starting on another small pigtail. “You feel different sometimes?”
“Yeah, I think I’m something called… genderfluid,” Kevin said, the word feeling heavy on his tongue, like it wasn’t real yet. “It means sometimes I feel like a boy, but sometimes I feel like a girl, or… somewhere in between. It’s weird. I don’t know how to explain it well.”
Nabulungi didn’t say anything for a moment, just continued playing with his hair, but her quiet support was clear. “I think I understand,” she said finally, her voice soft and thoughtful. “You are still Kevin. That does not change.”
Kevin smiled a little, looking up at her. “Thanks, Nabulungi.” He felt his chest relax a bit, the anxiety that had been swirling in his stomach easing with her simple words.
She finished the last of the tiny pigtails and patted the top of his head lightly. “I like you this way,” she said with a small smile, gesturing to his hair. “Very pretty.”
Kevin laughed, running a hand through one of the pigtails. “Yeah, I think I like it too.”
Nabulungi gave him a wide grin. “Good. Now you just need pretty clothes to match.”
Kevin groaned playfully. “Let’s not go that far yet.”
But in that moment, with Nabulungi’s quiet support, Kevin felt like everything might be okay.
“Okay, Kevin,” she said, tapping him on the shoulder. “Switch. Now you do my hair.”
Kevin sighed, getting up from the floor and brushing off his knees. “Alright, alright,” he mumbled, switching spots with her as she settled on the floor, her back against his bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed the brush, running it gently through her hair. “What do you want me to do with it?” he asked.
“Hmm… maybe like you? I like the pigtails,” she said, glancing up with a grin. “Look funny.”
Kevin chuckled, starting to part her hair. “Yeah, okay. I think I can handle that.”
Just as Kevin was finishing one of the pigtails, the door swung open with a loud bang, and Arnold waltzed in with his usual energy. “You guys are doing each other’s hair without me?” he exclaimed, staring at them in mock betrayal.
Kevin looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “We were just… yeah, doing each other’s hair. What’s the big deal?”
Arnold gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “I share a room with you, Kevin! And this is how you repay me? By giving Naba the royal hair treatment without inviting me? I’m wounded.”
Nabulungi giggled from her spot on the floor. “Arnold, we just started. Kevin, he is just...” she struggled for the word, then gestured vaguely, “nice with hair.”
Arnold groaned, stumbling further into the room, leaning dramatically against the bedpost. “I’m nice with hair too!” He flopped onto the bed next to Kevin, who was still brushing through Nabulungi’s hair. “Kevin, scoot over! I should be doing this.”
Kevin rolled his eyes but handed Arnold the brush. “Fine, you do it, then,” he said, standing up quickly. “Have fun. I’m done.”
Arnold grinned as he took the brush. “Ah, thank you, Kev. Finally, some recognition.” He began to brush Nabulungi’s hair with exaggerated, sweeping motions. “See, Naba? This is what a true artist looks like.”
Nabulungi laughed, glancing up at Kevin. “Kevin, leaving so soon?”
Kevin waved a hand. “Yeah, I’m out of here. Gonna go see Connor. No offense.” He headed for the door, already feeling a bit claustrophobic from Arnold’s antics. It wasn’t that he didn’t love them both. It was just… well, they could get a little much sometimes.
As he left the room and made his way to Connor’s office, he rolled his eyes, hearing Arnold’s voice echo from behind him. “I think we’re scaring him off, Naba!”
Kevin smiled to himself, shaking his head as he knocked on Connor’s office door, glad to get a little peace and quiet.
As Kevin stepped into Connor’s office, he was met with the familiar sight of Connor hunched over his desk, papers scattered everywhere. Connor looked up, raising an eyebrow as he heard the noise from outside. “Arnold’s home?” he guessed, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Yeah,” Kevin replied, letting out a small sigh.
“I can tell,” Connor said, chuckling softly. “He’s very loud.”
As Connor looked back at his papers, he noticed Kevin’s distant expression. “You okay?” he asked, concern lacing his tone.
Kevin shifted, the weight of his earlier conversation with Nabulungi still hanging in the air. “I came out to Naba,” he said.
Connor’s face lit up with a warm smile. “That’s nice. How did she take it?”
“She took it good,” Kevin replied, his brow furrowing. “I don’t know why I thought me telling her was going to be like… such a big thing, like a big moment. But all that happened was she… she just kept brushing my hair. That’s all it was. It wasn’t that big of a deal. Not nearly as big of a deal as I made it in my head.”
“Well,” Connor said, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful look, “like I told you, you’re still Kevin. We still love you.”
The warmth in Connor’s smile eased Kevin’s worries a little, and he shuffled over to Connor’s rolly chair on the other side of his desk. He climbed onto it, snuggling himself into the tight space beside Connor. It was cramped and awkward, but he made it work.
“Comfortable?” Connor asked.
“Yes, actually,” Kevin replied, grinning as he shifted to find a more comfortable spot.
“That makes one of us,” Connor said, rolling his eyes playfully.
As Kevin nestled against Connor in the tight confines of the rolly chair, he felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. He glanced up at Connor, who was idly running a hand through Kevin’s hair, creating a soothing rhythm that eased some of the tension in his chest. But despite the comfort, an unsettling uncertainty gnawed at him.
“Can I tell you something?” Kevin asked, his voice wavering slightly. Connor nodded. Kevin avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the worn floorboards. “I’m really scared, you know? This is all so new to me. I didn’t even know I was gay until I met you. And now, being… transgender? It feels like a huge deal.”
Connor paused, taking in Kevin’s words. He shifted slightly, giving Kevin his full attention. “Life can be tough, Kevin. But you’re tougher,” he said, his voice steady and sincere. “You’ve faced so much already, but you keep going. That takes a lot of strength.”
Kevin fidgeted, biting his lip as he processed Connor’s praise. “But what if my parents don’t accept me? What if they kick me out, Connor?” His voice trembled, the weight of his insecurities heavy on his shoulders.
Connor leaned closer, his hand still threading through Kevin’s hair, brushing it back gently. “You’re a smart boy, Kevin. And you’ve got a pretty face. A real pretty face. Anyone who can’t see that is missing out,” he said, letting his fingers trail down Kevin’s cheek. “And I know you like to act all confident, but everyone has insecurities, even you. It’s okay to feel scared. Just remember that you’re not alone in any of this.”
Kevin’s eyes fell to the floor as doubt crept in again. “I’ve never thought about… about being transgender before. I mean, and I thought liking boys was scary. It’s all so overwhelming. It’s like everything about me is changing before I can even process what’s happening, and it’s scary,” he admitted, the vulnerability spilling out as he searched Connor’s face for reassurance.
“Stop thinking about the what ifs. Just focus on you right now,” Connor insisted, his tone firm but kind. “You’re brave for being who you are, especially in a place that isn’t exactly known to be understanding. You don’t need anyone’s approval to be yourself. You’re enough as you are.”
As Connor spoke, Kevin felt the knot in his stomach begin to loosen. “You really think I can do this?” he asked, searching Connor’s face for reassurance.
“I know you can. I know it for a fact. You’re incredible, Kevin Price. Just believe in yourself the way I believe in you,” Connor said, his eyes shining with sincerity. “And remember, no matter what happens, I’ll be right here, by your side, cheering you on.”
Kevin felt a swell of emotion as he leaned into Connor, seeking comfort in his warmth. “Thanks, cheerleader.” He giggled. “I appreciate this. You. I appreciate you. I needed this. I just… it’s hard to wrap my head around everything.”
Connor smiled, pressing a quick kiss to Kevin’s forehead. “But you will. You always do. Just take it one step at a time. You’re not alone, and I’m so proud of you.”
The gentle praise and support settled in Kevin’s heart, a reminder that he didn’t have to face this journey by himself. He wrapped his arms around Connor, feeling safe and accepted, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead, one small step at a time.