Chapter Text
Walking towards Ramshackle’s front door, Deuce was talking.
“I’m really curious what Ortho wanted to talk about,” He told Ace. “What do you think it is?”
‘I think I know what it is,’ Ace thought to himself, but as he knocked on the door he responded with, “We’ll find out.” ‘You’ll find out.’ He wanted to say.
“Coming!” Came the familiar voice of the dorm’s prefect called out as Ace noted the loudening footsteps. “Welcome in, Ace, Deuce!” She said with a bright smile.
“Hey, Yuu!” Deuce greeted as he stepped inside.
“Sup.” Ace said locking eyes with Yuu as he entered the dorm. Both teens could tell, yep, they know.
“So, Yuu,” Deuce asked them as the three entered the lounge. “What do, ah, well, you think Ortho’s going to tell us?”
Yuu locked eyes with Ace again, before turning their attention back to the oblivious Deuce.
“Hmm, I dunno!” She responded, sitting down next to Grim. “I think that Ortho’ll tell us when they’re ready.”
“When they’re ready?” Deuce muttered, not getting it.
“What I’m wondering about,” Grim drew the attention to himself. “Is why he sent out the text at midnight of all times!” He huffed. “Does he not get sleep? Wait, do robot-humanoid-whatever-the-fuck-Ortho-is even need sleep?”
“I think they have a sleep mode.” Ace said, plopping himself down on a seat. ‘I know that I couldn’t sleep until I got that text.’ He thought to himself.
It was really annoying. At first, he couldn’t sleep because the Ortho situation had started to really get to him, and so he decided to finally put an end to it. And then he still couldn’t sleep because he was wondering (definitely not worried, that older brother of hers stunk of transmasc-ness) about how coming out turned out with her brother.
Also the housewarden somehow noticed that he had left pass curfew, and it was fucking terrible trying to explian what he was doing without outing Ortho.
So. Y’know. Fun night.
The four of them started up light conversation, moving onto the mouse-in-mirror experiment, and the massive textbooks that Riddle gave them to study. All the while, Ace and Yuu would give each other knowing glances. Ace already knew 100% for certain, but considering how Ortho only seemed to admit it and fully realize that fact herself last night, he doubted that Yuu knew as fully as he did.
“Are you that nervous about the study guides, prefect?” Ace teased, both knowing what she was really nervous about.
“Oh shut the fuck up, Ace.” Yuu responded immediately, which made Ace laugh a bit.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
“Ah! I’ll go get that.” The prefect said, standing up. While she left, they gave Ace a death stare, which just made him chuckle.
Deuce hummed as he watched them leave, crossing his arms. “Is she really that nervous about it?”
“Doubt it.” Grim told him. “My henchman is super smart!”
“Yeah.” Ace agreed. “It’s the only reason you’re passing.”
“Hey!” Grim yelled at him, masking him snicker.
Of course, Ace had a much better idea. She was probably about 95% sure that Ortho was trans and was coming out to them today, however mix that with the 5% of uncertainty and the general jitters of both knowing something not many others know and the fact that she knows that Ortho’s coming out, the dear isekai’d prefect was probably pretty on edge.
Was Ace on edge too?
Eh, not really. But, who could say?
To give credit where it’s due, Yuu has been pretty good at hiding it. Ace just knew what to look for.
“Hello.” Greeted a familiar voice.
Ace turned to look at the two joining the fray.
“Heya, guys!” Epel greeted with a wave.
“Ortho invited you, too, Vil?” Deuce asked.
“Yes, they did.” Vil confirmed as Epel and Yuu took their seats. “And I must say, I’m quite curious as to what Ortho has in store for us.”
“Yeah.” Epel agreed as Vil went to sit down as well. “I was mighty surprised when Vil said that he was invited to, but in hindsight it makes sense.”
“What’s that mean?” Grim asked.
“Huh? Oh!” Epel’s eyes widened. “I just meant that since Vil’s his clubmate, and the leader of the club at that, it makes sense that they’d be close, and uh, well, you know. It seems important, so, yeah.” He laughed nervously. Though, Grim didn’t look totally satisfied with that answer, though he let the subject drop.
Ace noticed how Epel nervously made eye contact with Vil.
Knowing Vil, he’s the type of guy to realize someone was trans before that person themself had any idea, so Ace was pretty confident about Vil knowing the truth, the question was if Epel knew as well. Ace was leaning towards yes, but he wasn’t that sure about it.
“I just hope that what Ortho wants has to do with food!” Grim started conversation back up.
“I somehow doubt that.” Deuce said, while Ace and Yuu made eye contact again, Epel looked politely disbelieving and Vil looked disappointed. Though, Vil often looked disappointed in them anyway.
“That wouldn’t even make sense, they can’t even eat food.” Ace told the small monster.
“He could want to treat us.” Grim defended. Ace just rolled his eye.
Yuu started petting Grim, saying, “Don’t worry, if you want something we can head over to Scarabia for dinner tonight.”
“Yeah, but Kalim always shoves crackers down my throat.” Grim complained. Yuu just half-heartedly laughed in agreement.
“If you’re really so low on food, you could come visit Pomefiore.” Vil offered.
“Ugh, pass.” Grim said. “There’s no seasoning in your food.”
Epel made a pained look. Ace did feel bad for him sometimes, at least they had Trey with his sweets over in Heartslabyul. Vil couldn’t even say that he was wrong.
That was when the door had a knock on it again.
“I’ll be right back!” Yuu called as she got up to answer the door.
“Hey,” Deuce started. “Do you think Ortho will’ve invited Idia too?”
“No.” Ace said immediately.
“Whoa that was quick!” Deuce exclaimed. “Why not? If it’s people close to Ortho, then why wouldn’t he be here?”
“Because they’ve already told Idia what they want to tell us.” Ace deadpanned.
“Oh, that does make sense.” Deuce conceded.
Ace scoffed and rolled his eyes. Seriously, Juice here is going to be so fucking surprised when Ortho comes out.
That’s when he noticed how nervous Epel looked as his eyes scanned the room. Epel took out his phone and typed something on it.
Vil’s phone pinged as Deuce and Grim started talking.
Vil’s eyes widened at the sight of the (presumable) message from Epel. Then he made a look like, ‘seriously? You don’t know this?’ in a deadpan way.
Yuu returned with Jack and Sebek in tow as both their and Ace’s phone pinged. Epel’s eyes widened in ‘What the fuck???’
“Hey.” Ace absentmindedly greeted as he pulled his own phone out.
“Sup.” Jack greeted.
“Hello, humans!” Sebek said to the room. “And cat-monster.”
Ace started tuning out the conversation as he checked his messages.
Epel: So, I have to ask but idk how
Epel: Ortho’s trans right???
Vil added two people to the chat
Vil: Let’s take a vote.
Ace: i prolly shouldnt say
Yuu: That’s for Ortho to tell us about
Epel: Please I *need* to know
Epel: I’m like 75% sure
Epel: I’m *s t r e s s i n g*
Ace: 75% sure he’s trans? (Edited)
Ace: Wait shit-
Epel: YOU SAID “SHE”
Vil: Ace please don’t swear
Epel: OKAY COOL
Epel: I’m so sorry it was eating me alive
Ace: fuck
Vil: Don’t swear
Ace: i’m gonna have to apologize to her now-
Ace: sry Vil
Yuu: yea I was like *pretty* sure
Yuu: but not 100%
Yuu: So thx for confirming 👍
Ace: ughhhhhhh
Ace: np
Epel: wait how do you know?
Ace: I couldn’t sleep last night
Ace: so I asked her
Ace: so rly yall can thank me for today
Ace: lol
Vil: I think she should’ve been able to come out on her own time
Ace: all i did was ask her if she was trans and told her to tell Idia
Ace: not to come out to all of us
Ace: which I messed up now
Epel: ahahah…
Epel: I’ll apologize later too
Ace noticed how Epel glanced up to the others in the Ramshackle Lounge.
Epel: do.
Epel: do they even realize?
Epel: like…
Epel: At all????
Ace: nope
Yuu: I doubt it
Vil: It seems unlikely
Vil: I mean, listen to what they’re talking about
Vil: And while I don’t condone mindless gossip…
Ace: He says despite being the one 2 add me n Yuu
Vil: quiet you
Epel: can confirm Ace
Epel: Vil loves craptalking
Vil: I do not
Vil: And those are some very bold words coming from you, Epel
Yuu: how about we drop this?
Ace: and here comes the prefect with the fire extinguisher
Yuu: this is about Ortho, okay
Yuu: I don’t want us all in a bad mood when she comes out
Epel: and just to make sure
Epel: we’re sure she’s coming out?
Epel: Cause like I think so too
Epel: but still
Ace: chances are pretty high
Epel: fair
Vil: No, I get it.
Vil: We don’t know for sure,
Vil: So we are jumping to conclusions here.
Vil: Even if the chances are high.
Yuu: Idia just texted me
Yuu: brb
Ace: k
_—_—_
“U ready?” Idia asked Ortho, her older sister’s hair up in a ponytail.
“As I’ll ever be!” Ortho chirped. To be completely honest, she was feeling pretty freaked out. Though her friends were good people! Deep down. They wouldn’t hate her for this, or anything like that!
“Alright, cause I’ve texted the prefect, so the ghost’s will be the ones to let us in.” She told her, looking at her tablet. “Sound good?”
“Mhm!” Ortho hummed. That made sense, this was going to be a surprise for even the prefect, so it checks out that someone else would have to let them in.
“Let’s head around to the side entrance.” Idia said, moving away while her head moved up and down to check her tablet and her surroundings. Yuu probably gave her a map.
“Got it.” Ortho said, following behind.
_—_—_
“Alright everyone!” Yuu called out. Everyone’s heads moved to her direction to show they were listening. “Idia’s texted me, and Ortho’s just about ready to show us what they’ve got in store.”
A small chorus of affirmations rang out as the room quieted down. It felt almost like a movie was about to start. Ace could even hear whispers of excitement. They just needed to dim the lights.
Quietly, Idia stepped into the room. He was wearing his usual hoodie, and had his hair up in a ponytail. Just like usual though, he looked nervous as all hell.
The attention in the room immediately shifted to him, which made him jump.
“Wheugh!” Idia yelped. His eyes moves around the room at the speed of light before he took a deep breath and calmed himself down.
“U-Uhm.” He started as he creeped into the room. “O-Ortho wanted m-me to, uh, l-let you guys know that, uh, they, were- uhm, well. That they were ready to c-come in…” He tried to shrink in on himself, which may have worked better if he wasn’t at least 180 cm and had fire for hair. “An- and, they, uh. They uh, hoped you- uh, you g-guys wouldn’t, um, t-treat them, to dif- uh, differently.”
Ace noticed how the four who still didn’t know eyes widened in shock as Idia went to sit down. He could even catch them whispering ‘what could be so big that we’d see him differently.’ It was pretty funny, not to lie. He wondered what they’d look like when Ortho came out. Ace was willing to bet that it’d be pretty funny.
Idia pulled out his tablet and typed on the screen, probably letting Ortho know that she was good to come in.
It took a few seconds before Ortho finally showed herself.
‘Ah, there she is.’ Ace thought when he first saw her.
But then he actually saw her.
The first thing he noticed was her hair. Just like last night it was tied up into high pigtails, floating upwards. But then he noticed her face, and how her features looked different. She had grown up. She looked sixteen now. She was taller too. Still kinda short, but not kid short. Probably around Riddle’s height, if he were to guess? He wasn’t the best at that kinda stuff. Plus, she was floating, which made it harder. She was also wearing her school uniform, though it was also a bit modified. Before, the out-y bits around her waist looked like the ends of her jacket, but now they looked more like a half-skirt thing. It didn’t reach her front, but on her sides and back it had long bits that were mostly black with gold accents. It seemed the inside of the “skirt” had ignihyde’s signature blue.
The thing that caught his attention the most was realizing that she was wearing something in her hair. Something that he gave her. Right behind her bangs was the white butterfly off to his right, attached to a pink ribbon. On her right was one of the ends of the ribbon draped on her shoulder.
He remembered buying that. He was just getting some groceries for the dorm. He was wondering through the many isles in Mr. S’s Store, when the ribbon caught his eye. It reminded him of the Gala. Of her.
‘Ah. There she is.’ Ace thought again, now seeing her.
Ortho was twirling her bangs with her finger. She looked a bit shy, but Ace could see the look in her eyes that had never better. She was herself now, no matter how she started out.
“Hello.” Ortho greeted, letting her bangs go as her hands fell to behind her back.
Ace looked to his side, and couldn’t help but snark out a laugh from what he saw, quickly slapping his hand over his mouth. Deuce, Grim, Jack and Sebek all looked so confused! It was so hilarious. Their eyes looked like they were bulging out of their skulls with their mouths hanging open in shock.
“So.” Ortho continued, looking a bit nervously at the now-knowing quartet. “As you can see, I’ve decided to present more femininely. I, really like how I feel as a girl, and so, I wanted you all to be the first to know.”
Ace looked to the others in the room. All of them looked so proud of her. He was too. The other four still seemed to be in shock, though.
“I am a trans girl. So, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Ortho Shroud, though I also don’t mind being called Adesius.”
‘New name,’ Ace thought. ‘Makes sense.’
“I am sixteen years old and am a freshman in high school attending Night Raven Collage. I am an actor in the school’s Film Research Club. My pronouns are she/her, at least currently.” Ortho lowered herself in a bow. “It is very nice to meet all of you again.” When she looked back up again, she looked like she was smiling. Though she didn’t have a mouth right now, Ace could tell that her smile was the biggest it’s likely ever been. “I hope we all get along!” She finished.
Idia gave very small and soft claps at the end of her little speech. Ace could hear him whisper, “Go Adesius!” Ace doesn’t think he’s ever seen him look so soft.
(It’s not like he sees Idia very often in person, but it still stands.)
Yuu was the next to speak up, “It’s very nice to meet you again, Adesius. My name is Yuuka Seta, though everyone just calls me Yuu. I’m also a freshman at Night Raven, and am sixteen as well. I use she/they. I’m glad you trusted me enough to come out to me like this!” They said.
“WAIT!” Grim yelped. “Is THAT why Yuu thought it’d be best to give you a dress?!”
That got a snicker out of the prefect as they went over to pick up her companion and put him on their lap.
“Yep!” Yuu told him as she started to stroke his head. “I’m a bit sad you’re not wearing it though, Ad. I tried to make it so that it had a lot of airflow so you wouldn’t overheat. You’re wearing the ribbon Ace got you.”
“Ah, that.” Ortho said. “I was wondering if I should wear it, because you and Grim made it for me, but I decided to wear my collage gear instead, because I’d be wearing it more often. I’m very appreciative of the gift though! To all of your gifts, actually. Thank you very much for them!”
Everyone, all the freshman rang out that it was no problem. Though, Sebek and Deuce still looked pretty out of it.
“Grim,” Vil started.
“Hah?” Grim said, turning his attention to the third year. “What’s it?”
“How did you not get even the slightest clue at the dress?” Vil asked. “And don’t get me wrong, I have no intention of saying that clothes equate gender, that would be just stupid.” Epel looked a bit sheepish at that. “But most would be at least a bit curious about it.”
“Do you think I care about human clothing standards?” Grim responded to Vil’s question with his own. “I don’t really get it. I just realized just now that mainly girls wear dresses and skirts and stuff.” He huffed.
Vil hummed in thought and said, “Fair.”
“W-wait, so,” Deuce said, and it was if Ace could see the error messages in his brain. “Wait. No. So, wait. Huh?”
Epel laughed. “Ortho’s a girl now.” He said. “Or wait, do you like Adesius more?”
“I don’t mind either way! Feel free to chose which one you want to use. Or use both!” Adesius clarified.
“Got it.” Epell said. “So yeah, not too hard. She used to be a boy, and now she’s a girl.”
“I- I think I got that. I’ve known a guy or two who said he used to be a girl, but, this, it’s just,” Deuce seemed to be having a hard time wrapping his head around it. “Ugh. I’ve known you as a ‘guy’ for a while now, so I guess I’m just having a bit of trouble shifting that.” He then quickly added on, “Not that I won’t respect that! I’m not trying to make excuses, just- wait, no, would that be an excuse? Ughh fu-rickkk…”
Adesius laughed at Deuce’s antics.
“So,” Sebek said slowly, also probably trying to get his head around the idea. “You’re, a girl now?”
“Yep!” Adesius chirped.
“And, so now you go by she/her?”
“Yep again.”
“I, think I’ve got it. Apologies in advance for if I ever mess up.” Sebek said, face forming into a smile.
“Alright.” Adesius said.
“I, probably should’ve noticed sooner.” Jack said. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine, Jack Howl! I didn’t expect you all to notice.” Adesius told him.
“It seems like everyone else noticed though…” Jack said. “Or at least most of them.”
“If it makes you feel better, Jack Howl.” Adesius started. “My sister didn’t notice until I told her just last night, so it’s not like I was being obvious.” She laughed.
Wait, sister?
“Sister?” Sebek asked.
Idia made a yelping noise.
The room was quiet for a few moments as the attention moved towards Adesius’s sibling. The two Shrouds made eye contact before Idia broke it with a deep breath, saying,
“U-uh, hi. Genderfluid, h-here.” She clarified.
Whoops. Ace’s been misgendering her this whole time.
“Oh.” Epel said.
“Dammit.” Yuu muttered. “I totally had you pegged as transmasc.”
“O-oh, um, close enough?” Idia told her.
“Close enough.” Yuu agreed.
“So you’re the Shroud sisters now?” Grim asked.
“Sometimes!” Adesius responded.
“I don’t get you humans sometimes.” Grim grumbled. “And, uh, humanoids I guess.”
“That’s fair.” Adesius laughed.
“I think my brain’s fried.” Deuce said, falling in on himself.
“Uh, sorry?” Idia tried.
Deuce just groaned.
“Give him a few business days,” Ace said. “He’ll process it eventually.”
Adesius laughed, “I’ll take your word for it, Ace Trappola.”
Ace’s phone buzzed, so he pulled it out to check what came up.
A message from Adesius. Should he change her name in his phone? Eh, she said she’s fine with either or, so it doesn’t matter much. Ace’ll probably just switch between them so it’d be annoying to change it all the time, so it’s fine.
Ortho: Thanks, again
Ortho: For helping me last night, I mean
Ortho: I probably would’ve gotten it eventually
Ortho: But still, thank you
Ace looked up to see her in person.
She looked happy.
She looked right.
Ace smiled.
Ace: hey np
Ace: its my job atp lol
Ace: sides, ur my friend
Ace: so its like, doubly my job now
Ace: lol
Ortho: lol
Ortho: :)
The conversation kept going for awhile, before they decided to play some games together.
It was fun. Ortho was still just herself, but it felt like something in her changed. Ace was really happy for her.
“Y’know,” Ace whispered to Ortho. “I’m gonna have to be an asshole for awhile now cause of you.”
“Huh?” She looked a bit confused, but then she got it. “Ahh, did your nice thing for the week, huh? Sorry for putting your balance all out of whack.”
“Yep, real good job there, forcing me to be nice.” Ace teased.
The two laughed.
“Hey Ad!” Idia called. “Wanna play SRII w me?”
“You know it!” She called back, as she floated over to her at a jogging pace. Ace just trailed behind with his arms behind his head.
_—_—_
“I’m gonna have to stay in my room for a week now.” Idia complained as she and her sister left Ramshackle Dorm. “My social battery’s fried.”
Ortho laughed. “Please just try to get some sleep.” She told her.
As the two walked back to their own dorm Idia looked at the turning sky. They were there all the way from 11:30 to 5:42. She was tired as all hell.
Maybe she should, ugh, get some sleep. Truly a nightmare scenario.
Idia looked over to her sister. Last night, she had asked her to help modify some of her gears. The skirt was a nice touch, Idia was glad she thought of it.
Looking at her sister’s face though, it the receding light Idia could notice the pinpricks of tears at the edge of Ortho’s face.
Idia looked in front of her as she placed her hand on her sister’s head.
If there was one thing Idia could say for sure in this moment, is that she loves her siblings more than anything.