Work Text:
Scarlet walked into her bathroom, flicking on the lights as she yawned. She was not at all ready to start her day, having just woken up a few minutes prior. She let out another yawn, staring herself into the mirror. Yuck. She looked like she hasn't slept in days, which probably could be true.
Her sleep schedule had just become absolute trashed the moment her mind became fixated on a blueprint for her megabuild - an entire theme park named after her. She leaned against the bathroom counter, analyzing if she would be fine going out in her pajamas and not bothering to do her hair and makeup and get all dressed and all that pizzazz.
A firm frown filled her lips when her eyes flicked down to her jawline. She was gaining a five o clock shadow. She knew she's been neglecting her routine, but she didn't know it would have this much of an effect.
She sighed heavily, her stomach churning with negative emotions building up. She was still a woman, even if she had a five o clock shadow and even if her dresses weren't all that filled in the chest and even if she was muscular...
Right...?
Her eyes narrowed. She didn't seem to believe that. She looked back to herself in the mirror and she tucked her hair behind her ear, eyes flicking over her biggest insecurities.
Before she knew it, there were tears streaming down her face. She sniffled and wiped it away. She turned away from the mirror, wrapping her arms around her. Looks like she's not leaving her home - maybe she could work on the blueprints even more.
She wandered back to her room, collapsing onto her bed and burying herself into her blankets. She should call someone, but she didn't want anyone to see her like this. She didn't want them to realize she isn't a real woman..
She became so engrossed in her thoughts that an hour had passed and the buzzing of her comms snapped her out. She blinked wearily and clicked them open, seeing she had whispers from Grian. She read through them and realized that she was supposed to meet up with him so she could check out one of his builds.
She sent him a quick message saying that she had last minute plans and that she apologizes for canceling. She then set down her communicator, ignoring the buzzing as she hid away.
The buzzing had been constant before growing silent and Scarlet was ashamed to admit she missed the noise. It helped drown out at least some of the thoughts that were crowding her mind.
She sighed heavily and stared around her room. She was never going to feel like a real woman - not truly. She always has to do so much extra stuff just to be able to take on the appearance of a cis woman. She wishes she was born a real cis woman so she wouldn't have to face things like a five o clock shadow.
A loud "thump" snapped her out of her thoughts and snapped her head towards the sound. When she didn't see anything, she stood up - blankets still wrapped around her - and went to investigate.
She peeked out her window and saw the beady eyes of her best friend. She let out a loud yelp, falling backwards and cringing as she landed hard. Grian blinked and mouthed if he could come in and Scarlet was so entirely tempted to tell him no, but she knew he wouldn't take it as an answer.
I mean, after all, she had canceled plans on him last minute. He was more than curious as to why - mainly because she wouldn't just cancel. Forget? Yes. Cancel? No.
She nodded silently and watched him take off flying once more. She sighed softly and stood, brushing herself off before crawling onto her bed. She wrapped herself up again, burrito'ing herself as she heard him roam about the house.
After a few minutes, she saw Grian's head peek up and his eyes grew soft at the sight before him. Scarlet could only imagine the thoughts that were behind those beady little eyes.
"Scar.. What's wrong?" Grian asked, coming up and sitting beside her on the bed.
"Nothin'. I'm fine" Scarlet shrugged, burying her face into her blankets.
"You don't sound nor look fine. What's wrong?" Grian pushed slightly, not wanting to scare her off "I won't judge you. I promise"
She peeked over and saw he was holding his pinky out. She let a soft chuckle slip from her throat and she hesitantly wiggled an arm out from her burrito, linking pinkies with him.
He wouldn't judge her. She's helped him dozens of times in situations like this. When Grian's own head was insisting the same thing as hers is right now - well in the opposite direction - but still.
"Take your time" Grian spoke kindly, his focus entirely on her.
Scarlet sighed and looked away from him, burying her hand into her blankets once again. "Just.." She started, her brows furrowing before her eyes flicked over Grian's face "I'm having a real bad dysphoric day. Usually it's fine. I'll spot a five o clock shadow or notice my lack of bits or realize I'm looking rather muscular that day in the mirror, and it would be fine. But..."
She felt tears sting at her eyes and she stopped to breathe, pushing the tears back. She didn't want to cry again.
"My thoughts took a notice to them and all those things make me feel like I'm not a real-" Her voice cracked before she said it, but she knew Grian knew what she was implying.
Grian reached out a hesitant hand before stopping and asking, "Can I touch you?" To which Scarlet nodded silently. Grian rested a hand on her face, cupping her cheek as he said "None of those things are factors into you not being a real woman."
He paused as he thought of an example "Think of Cleo. She's a cis woman, even if she is able to grow a very patchy beard and if she's very muscular. Think of.." He swallowed hard before continuing "Think of me. I'm as flat as you could ever see an afab person being.
Scarlet murmured, leaning into his touch "You don't count as a woman" A small smile grew onto Grian's face as he said "Thank you, Scarlet. But you know what I mean. Having those things don't make you any less of a woman. What counts, at the end of the day, is if you're happy being whoever you've made yourself to be"
He kissed her forehead before adding "You've always taken pride to having all these things, and I know it's hard when suddenly your brain flips and they become your worst insecurities. If you want, I can help you get all giddied up, and I take you out on a proper outing, showing the rest of the Hermits this amazing woman I know"
Scarlet nodded hesitantly and Grian grinned, unraveling her from her blankets. "Come along then." He said as he did it. Soon he got her free and took her hand, leading her into the bathroom once again. He flicked on the lights and asked "Where do you keep your makeup?"
"I don't trust you to do my makeup" Scarlet responded, avoiding eye contact with the mirror.
"C'mon Scarlet. Just this once?" Grian pouted, giving her the biggest puppy dog eyes and Scarlet huffed. She knew she couldn't say no. "Just this once. If I look more horrid than I do now, I'm shooting you down with my bow"
"Sounds great. Now where's your makeup?" Grian said once again and the woman sighed, opening her makeup drawer "Go wild"
Grian giggled giddily, like a child who was gifted an entire thing of candy for Christmas.
Scarlet sat on her bathroom floor, watching Grian as he picked through all her different things of makeup. The elf was starting to regret this. Grian didn't even know her entire makeup routine just so she would be able to start on the base for her feminine face.
Once she heard Grian finish rummaging through her things, she heard him murmuring under his breath "Haven't done this in a while. Hopefully I still remember"
He then sat before her, starting to work on her face, watching him shave her face. She didn't even have an outfit planned out for this outing. Usually she would try on an outfit before doing her makeup so she has an idea for what kind of aesthetic she wanted for the day.
Most times she would just head out the house in her building outfit, so she wouldn't damage any of her more fancier dresses, but the days she decided to go the full mile, it usually took her hours to decide for a single dress.
In the blink of an eye, Grian was done shaving her face and had already finished wiping down any left over shaving cream. He was working on her face, a concentrated look in his face. She observed him quietly, fighting back a smile as he seemed to be zoned in.
She was so glad to have him as a best friend and life partner.
After a few minutes, Grian finally scooted away and grinned "I'm done now. It's not exactly perfect, but it's okay. Your beauty makes up for it"
Scarlet stifled a laugh and stood up, hesitantly looking into the mirror. She didn't want to face the thought that she could even less like a woman and more like a dude. Thankfully, though, that thought had to never come up. She looked directly at the mirror and felt tears prick at her eyes.
She tilted her head back and waved her eyes, trying not to cry as she heard Grian's panicked, "What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"
Scarlet laughed wetly as she said "No. No. You did it all perfectly. I.. It's just been a hard morning and seeing myself..." Once the tears had disappeared, she looked back into the mirror again "I really look like myself... The real woman I am.."
She held Grian's hand before leaning down to kiss his cheek "Thank you, G.."
"Of course. You're welcome, Scarlet" Grian nodded, leading her out of the bathroom and back into her bedroom "Now go get changed. I'll be down the ladder"
Scarlet watched him leave and she walked over to her closet full of the most beautiful dresses. Grian had given her a very naturey vibe with her makeup - like she was this forest fae who just looked absolutely beautiful. She pulled out a forest green dress with the most extravagant golden trimmings and designs out as well as a brown corset.
She quickly changed, tightening and tying the corset she's worn dozens of times. Once she finished, she settled on her golden antler crown and multiple golden earrings - many of which were false piercings as she didn't have the guts to make that many piercings.
She looked into the full length mirror by her closet and felt so absolutely wonderful. She could almost forget what had happened this morning and would've if she didn't look at how boxy her shoulders were. They were still just ever so manly...
She snapped her eyes away, throwing a cover on around her shoulders before heading down the stairs. "I'm ready, birdie" She called out while heading down, eyes on the steps as she tried not to trip. Once she got to the bottom, she looked up to see him. He was looking at her like she was the most beautiful girl he's ever seen.
"You're hot" The words seemed to slip out from Grian's lips, an accident Scarlet would assume as as soon as he said the words, he covered his face with his ear wings in pure embarrassment. Scarlet giggled and hugged him "It's okay, Dove. I know I'm hot, you don't need to be all embarrassed about it"
"Let's just get going" Grian murmured, still very much embarrassed. Scarlet laughed and intertwined her fingers with his as he led her out of her tree.
The couple were in a peaceful silence walking together. They were just taking in the sights. Scarlet had become so enveloped in her own project, that she never had taken the time to see any one else's bases all that much. It was nice she finally had an excuse to do it.
As they walked, there were a few hermits that had crossed paths with them and they all made comments about how pretty Scarlet looked today. With each passing comment, Scarlet started to feel high with happiness. They all thought she was pretty..
"I will never stop saying this, Dove. Thank you. For everything" Scarlet was beaming, leaning against Grian.
"You're welcome" Grian was beaming as well, happy that she was just so happy.
Scarlet giggled happily before asking "How did you know how to do makeup?"
"Oh! When my sister came out to me of her being a girl, I decided to learn how to do makeup because why not. She gave me a whole lot of tips" Grian explained, squeezing her hand.
Scarlet blinked and stopped "Pearl is trans?"
"Yeah..?" Grian said, slow "Did.. She not tell you?"
"No...." Scarlet said quietly.
"Oh." Grian blinked "I would've figured she would've told you considering how out she is about it"
"She never told me" Scarlet jokingly huffed "I feel so betrayed. My absolute bestest friend in the whole world"
Grian laughed "You'll get over it, you big baby"
Scarlet squeezed Grian's hand, rolling his eyes. The couple continued on their way, Scarlet feeling a million times better. She was so glad he came...