Work Text:
𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐
• ———— •
“I can do this”
“You can do this”
“I can do this”
“You can definitely do this”
“...I can’t do this”
“Oh god-“
“Anya, I can’t” Romeo spun to face his best friend, dragging a hand through his ragged, short hair. “Not only will they kill me for cutting my own hair-“
“Technically I cut it”
“But they’ll also kill me for not telling them sooner!” He exasperated, worriedly chewing his nail, unforgiving to the stinging pain erupting through the tips of his fingers.
“No, they won’t” Anya deadpanned, walking away from Romeo’s bed and running a hand through his dirty blond hair, squinting her eyes at her handy work. She had cut her own hair from time to time and she must admit, it wasn’t half bad. Especially considering she’s never attempted a ‘boy’ cut before.
“What if they’re transphobic?” he finally said, brown eyes almost tearing up at the thought. Anya groaned.
“Henry’s best friend is non-binary!”
“So? He may not have wanted his daughter to turn-... to turn into a boy, I don’t know” he covered his face, imaging all of their possible reactions, and only a handful of them were positive.
Anya sighed again, “you have... such an inferiority complex”
“Anya!”
“I mean it” she pushed his shoulder lightly, “dude, c’mon, they’re not gonna fucking hate you. If you want parents to hate you, come out to mine” she tossed her hand into the air, raising her eyebrows. Romeo stared at her from a moment, frowning deeply.
“At least you’re straight”
She snorted, “it’s a blessing”
“Shut up” he scoffed, “you’re the default”
“I didn’t take you for the kind of guy to be heterophobic” she replied mockingly, Romeo groaned and walked away from her as she laughed, holding an arm across her stomach.
Anya was sweet when she wanted to be, and has been since the day he first came out to her, but at this point he could recognise his own worries were getting a bit ridiculous. His parents weren’t transphobic, he knew deep down when he does come out to them they’ll embrace him with open arms - but as soon as he does it’ll start the journey he was terrified to begin. Taking hormone blockers, talking about surgery, visiting gender therapists and starting testosterone.
It sounded incredible but terrifying all the same. And what happens when it starts to become noticeable? Not only will he have to come out to his family, he’ll eventually have to come out to the whole world if he didn’t want to be misgendered and dead named in the news everyday.
It was all scary. He wanted to take it slow, grow more accustomed to his gender identity and body before anything.
Maybe they’ll be understanding. Maybe they’ll go crying to Pez for help. He didn’t know which he’d prefer.
“I’m going to tell them in a fucking minute” Anya spoke up, breaking Romeo’s silence.
“Stop” he murmured, scratching behind his ear. “I... just need a moment, will you stay in here while-“
The door abruptly rushed open and Nora poked her head in, smile dropping when her eyes landed on Romeo. He tensed, instinctively reaching to grab Anya’s hand. She took a small step halfway in front of him.
“You... cut your hair” she pointed out, resting her hand on the doorknob. “I feel like... I shouldn’t have seen this”
“No, no, you shouldn’t have” Anya agreed. Since they became friends at age eleven Romeo instantly noticed how outgoing she was. Never afraid to say what was on her mind, not a shy or hesitant bone in her body. She spoke to his grandmother, the queen of England, as if she were an acquaintance rather than the queen of England
It was impressive if a bit terrifying.
“I’ll... leave you to it. It looks good” she complimented before quickly shutting the door, moments later peering back in. “I came to say goodbye, me and June are leaving, stay safe you two” she rushed, hurrying away once more.
Romeo let out a breath, turning to Anya. “She said it looked good” she grinned proudly.
Romeo huffed, “not the time, bragger”
“What can I say? I’m good at what I do” she shrugged, jumping up onto Romeo’s bed and kicking back, grabbing her phone and beginning to scroll through social media while Romeo sunk into his desk chair, pressing the palms of his hands to his eyes.
He had to. He had to do it. Right now. Or else he’d wait another month and he didn’t think he could survive being continuously misgendered in his own home. The media was less important, it didn’t feel as personal, it didn’t hurt so much.
He was sure it’ll be more painful in the future, but that’s something future-him has to deal with.
“I’m doing it” he stated as confidentially as he could, standing up from his chair and facing Anya. She held up a thumb. “Good luck”
“Thanks”
It took him a minute to move his feet but as soon as he was outside of his room he was pulling himself down the stairs of his parents brownstone and into the living room where they were cuddled up on the couch, two bowls of popcorn perched beside their thighs, the beginnings of a movie playing on the TV screen.
Alex liked sweet. Henry liked salty. They argued about it all the time, even if they had their own bowls and didn’t touch each other’s.
“Dad, dad?” He called, pocketing his hands.
“Yes-? Oh” Alex cut himself off, eyes widening upon noticing his son.
Henry turned too, facial expression copying that of Alex’s shock. “Oh” he said too, dumbly.
Romeo’s cheeks burned. He scratched his ear. “Is it. Um. Good? Anya did it” he explained, seriously beginning to regret this.
“It’s... great” Henry was first to reply, pausing the movie. “A bit boyish”
“Yeah” Romeo chuckled awkwardly, ruffling up the wavy strands. “A bit. But I like it”
“That’s all that matters” Alex found his smile, “it looks good on you” he added, settling back into the plush cushions. Romeo relaxed a little. He had seen a few videos of parents exploding at their children for cutting their hair, so his situation was already a bit better and less anxiety-inducing.
“Was there something you needed?” Henry asked, throwing a few curdles into his mouth. Alex, as always, opted for grabbing a hand full and unceremoniously stuffing them inside his mouth. Romeo always found their directly opposite eating habits amusing. He assumed Henry still kept up a lot of royal decorum he was forced to grow up with as a child.
“Yeah, uh... I... well” he paled a little, deciding to sit down on the armchair lest his legs give out under him. He loved his parents, he knew they’d support him, but his heart was beating rapidly and his stomach was ripping itself open with nerves.
“What’s up, mija?” Alex encouraged, Romeo winced and scrubbed his face, sighing a bit more loudly than he meant to.
“Um. You- you know Pez?” He began tentatively.
“No, I’ve never met them” Alex grinned, Romeo rolled their eyes. Painful dad jokes which have evolved between them over the years.
“Yeah, yeah. But, seriously. You know they’re... non-binary?” He continued, raising his hand up to bite at his nails.
“We do” Henry nodded, tilting his head. “Is there a reason you’re bringing this up?”
“Yeah. Actually” he croaked, ducking his head and finding the flooring suddenly incredibly interesting. “I’m um- I’m like them... not- I’m not non-binary” he rushed out to avoid confusion, still lacking the courage to meet their gaze. “But I’m... I am.. trans. I want to be. I want to be a-uh... a- um... a boy” he forced out, barely above a whisper. “If that’s- if that’s alright” he added, scratching his ear with a little more urgency.
The silence that ensued was painful, but thankfully didn’t last long. Filling up his gaze was Alex who knelt down before him, reaching up to scoop up his hand. “Mijo, of course it’s okay” he said so warmly Romeo felt himself choke up.
“You-oh..” he squeezed his dad’s hand, “you- changed it so quickly. That’s... that feels so good to hear” he admitted, rolling down his sleeve and covering his face to catch the unexpected tears that spilled past his lower lash line.
“Sweetheart, c’mere, let me hold you” he said, sitting beside him and bringing him halfway onto his lap. Henry walked over too, sitting on the edge of the coffee table and squeezing Romeo’s knee.
“If you say you’re a boy, you’re a boy, we both still love you very much” he said softly, Romeo choked on a small cry, his heart bursting and simultaneously melting in his chest. He didn’t know what he did to deserve such caring and attentive parents.
“Tha-thank you” he managed, leaning into Alex’s hand as it stroked through his hair.
“No need to thank us. This is common human decency” Alex dismissed kindly, kissing his forehead. “We love you, mijo”
He sobbed, clutching the front of Alex’s top. “I-I love you too”
“How long have you known?” Henry asked once he calmed down a few minutes later, handing him a tissue to clean himself up.
“Since- since I was thirteen? Two years...” he admitted, voice wavering. “I-I wanted to tell you both but I was scared... you have a public imagine and I didn’t want you to worry about this. And what people might say. I don’t know” he struggled, verbalising his reasonings to keep it a secret for so long made them sound so silly, but they felt extremely justifiable beforehand.
“Hey, hey” Alex frowned, gently tipping his head up to meet his fiercely protective gaze. “Now matter how many people out there know who we are, family comes first. You’ll always come first. The world will never, ever have to know if that’s what you want. We promise. We’d never put anyone before you” he spoke with stern love, Henry gently stroking his arm.
“Alex is right, you can always talk to us about anything. Try not to let the world concern you, you’re our son” he smiled, “we care about you so much”
“I-“ he choked, wiping his eyes with the soft tissues once again, “I care about you too. Thank you” he sniffled, Alex shifting him over to allow Henry to sit in the small space, filling up the arm chair and cuddling them close to one another. Romeo leaned his head against Henry’s chest, his legs still swung over Alex’s lap.
“I... I didn’t think you’d call me your son so quickly” he admitted after a moment, chuckling watery.
“Why not? I seem to remember you giving us ‘best fathers in the world’ mugs a year ago” Alex frowned jokingly, “supporting you in every way is a package deal with being the world’s best fathers. Which we are” he added humbly, Henry rolled his eyes, gently encasing Romeo in a hug.
“Smooth, love”
“Thank you, baby” he grinned. Romeo laughed.
“I know. I just...” he shrugged, “it’s really nice, that’s all” he said, taking a moment to gulp in a few deep breaths.
“Is it- I want to, um-“
“If you’re going to ask us if it’s okay to do something, it’s more than okay. Anything you want” Henry cut him off reassuringly.
“Unless it’s getting a boyfriend. You’re not dating until you’re thirty” Alex dismissed. Romeo cackled, throwing his head back.
“No, I’m not! Dad said sixteen!”
“And I said thirty, I have more authority” Alex argued, his teasing tone shining through each word. Romeo continued to laugh, feeling all the nerves from earlier wash away.
“You do not” Henry dismissed, “former first son. I’m still a Prince” he pointed out, a smug smirk tugging his lips.
“We’re married! I’m a Prince, too!”
“Technically only under my title-“
“Technicalities are bullshit and I don’t believe in them” Alex cut him off sharply, turning to Romeo. “Now we all agree I have more authority, what did you want, mijo?” Henry huffed but decided not to continue, focusing on their son once more.
“I-oh... yeah” he paused briefly, shifting further into Henry’s warm hold. “I... want to change my name”
“Do you have any in mind?” Henry inquired, his tone soft and not at all pressuring. He smiled.
“I do, actually! Um... Romeo” he spewed out, biting his nail.
“That’s adorable. I love it” Henry gushed, brushing some of Romeo’s hair away from his eyes. “It fits you perfectly”
“Really?” He whispered happily.
“Really” Alex agreed, “now, about this cut...” he gazed over Romeo’s head, “we can easily get it fixed up. More boyish, if that’s what you’d prefer” he suggested, playing with a few strands.
Romeo sat up in excitement, “oh, yes please, I like it but... I’d like it a bit shorter”
“Of course, it won’t be a problem” Henry assured, Romeo settled down and grinned, eyes welling up with happy tears once more. At this point he sort of regretted keeping it from them for so long, but their reaction couldn’t have been better, and he’d be forever grateful Anya persuaded him to tell them.
A few weeks later, adorned in a new haircut, a new wardrobe filled with clothes that made him feel the most gender euphoria he has since he first discovered his gender identity, he was skipping to his dad’s office, prepared to ask him if he could have a binder in the future.
Stepping inside he frowned at the sight of an empty chair, assuming he had taken a bathroom break. He would’ve left but the abundance of blue sticky notes on his desk made him curious and he silently walked over, taking a spot in front of the computer.
One note caught his eye instantly, it stuck to the edge of the black monitor. It simply read ‘Romeo’ with a long line stretched beneath it.
The rest of the notes were shortened pieces of information. One of them described gender dysphoria, another titled ‘packing’ with a small ‘oh god’ underneath it, one had ‘binder’ with ‘chest binder? Book binder? Difference??’ Scribbled underneath in obviously rushed writing. Another was ‘gender euphoria: good. Necessary. But how?’ Which made him light up with laughter.
- ‘Testosterone, side effects...’
- ‘Hormone blockers, (need), side effects...’
- ‘CALL. PEZ. IMMEDIATELY’
- ‘Reminder: mijo, mijo, mijo, if you say mija, I will kill you’
- ‘Son: girlfriend? Boyfriends? To be continued...’
- ‘What. The hell. Is gender envy. To be researched...’
- ‘I CAN TEACH HIM HOW TO SHAVE’
- ‘Tell Henry to buy bagels’
- ‘Gender therapist, support groups, GP check up- waiting on Romeo’s permission’
- ‘I love you so much, Romeo’
He picked up the last note with a huge smile and a clog in his throat. Neatly folding it he stuffed it away into his pocket, reaching for the mouse and knocking it to the side. The computer came to life and on the screen was an article titled ‘What to do when your kid comes out as transgender’, beside it tabs upon tabs of articles and websites all giving advice and necessary information if one’s child were to come out as trans.
He could feel his heart expanding behind his ribcage, filling with unimaginable love and warmth for his fathers.
He hurried out the office and trailed into the kitchen, smiling upon seeing them leaning on the counter with mugs of coffee and tea in their hands.
“I love you both” he said without really thinking. They looked towards him and grinned, Alex lifting up an arm for him to snuggle close to his side.
“We love you too, Romeo” Henry said and yeah, Anya was right, his worrying was for nothing. He was going to be just fine.
• ———— •
𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒚𝒆