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“Where— why exactly did you learn how to do that?” Noelle asked, peaking over Kris’ shoulder as they removed the hairpin from the lock.
Kris shrugged, opening the door to the Holiday family’s home. “Internet.” They said simply.
As had so often been the case recently, it was empty inside. Less and less it felt like a home; more just a place people happened to live. Too much open space, no chance to trip on usual signs of life.
Of course, that was what Kris had hoped for today. Their palms felt clammy walking up the steps and into Noelle’s well-furnished bedroom. The door shut behind them, before Kris could even sit down Noelle asked:
“Why’re you being weird today? Like, more than normal-weird."
“I…” Kris began, trying to find words that didn’t make them cringe in embarrassment. “I don’t think I’m-” No that was too direct, there was a lump in their throat that stopped those words.
Instead Kris asked: “Can I try on one of your outfits?” the words came out in a rapid mumble as they stared at the baby blue rug in the center of the room.
Noelle looked confused, “Is this going to be like the time you dressed as me for halloween?”
Kris sighed, but smiled anyway despite feeling quite ill by this point. “No. No, I just- so I know I don’t like it.”
She looked them over, searching for something in their expression, perhaps hints that this was some kind of joke. She didn’t find any.
“Sure, most of it is pretty baggy anyway, I’m sure you’ll fit.” she said, opening her wardrobe and fishing around inside.
Kris oddly felt more nervous, more embarrassed. They’d planned to talk to Noelle about this first, just to test. Kris had suspected for a while now, but had only recently felt the need to articulate that suspicion.
“Thanks.” they said quietly as Noelle began passing them neatly folded clothing. A long black skirt, and a bulky sweater, which was a festive green, naturally.
“I’ll just uh, put my head in-” Noelle said, sticking her head in the wardrobe.
Kris snorted a laugh as they quickly changed into the clothes. The sweater felt nice in the permanently chilly house. The skirt fit fine, but the tiny zipper was annoying to deal with.
“What will you do,” Noelle asked, still facing away, “If you do like it?”
That was the question they’d been thinking of the entire walk back from school.
They didn’t reply, instead adjusting the clothes until they felt right. “Okay, I’m done.”
Noelle turned around, tilting her head to the side. “How do you feel?”
Kris glanced at the mirror on the wall. They felt… “Not much.” They said, disappointed at the lack of strong emotion in either direction. “I look the same, but in different clothes.”
“Oh. Well, I mean you look nice!”
Kris turned side to side, looking at the alien figure in the mirror. The apathetic boy, in clothing slightly less so. “I like it. Just- I thought that if I did like it, I’d feel more strongly about it. That it’d suddenly fill some gap.”
They stood in silence for a minute. Eventually Kris sat on the floor, tucking the black fabric beneath them.
“So what do you- do you want to be called something else?” Noelle asked, sitting on the couch nearby.
Kris shook their head. That sounded like a lot of work, besides, they quite liked the name that had been chosen for them.
“So you’re still… a boy?” Noelle asked.
“I didn’t realize this was an interrogation.”
Noelle spluttered, “I’m trying to be a good friend!”
Kris snorted a laugh, “I… don’t think so? Maybe I need time to think about it.”
Noelle nodded, “If it helps… I like girls?” she said, “So you aren’t alone.”
Kris raised an eyebrow, “Everyone knows that.”
“What? No they don’t!” she protested.
“The anti-drug PSA last year at school? When Officer Undyne came and gave the lecture? You and Alphys were the only people asking questions. It went on for an extra two hours.”
“That’s not- it's unrelated!” she said, chucking a cushion at Kris’s head.
Kris let it bounce off their head and land on their lap. “As long as you can keep this secret better than that.”
“I mean, have you met the people in this town? I don’t think you’d have any issues from them. Especially your mom.”
Kris set the cushion behind them, laying back on the floor. “I know. I just haven’t figured out how to bring it up. And I don’t want her to make a big thing out of it.”
The two sat around for a time, talking about nothing until the sky outside started turning yellow and orange. Kris returned the clothes they’d borrowed. Before they could leave, Kris felt a pair of arms wrap around them from behind.
They froze for a moment, not used to the feeling. Kris awkwardly patted Noelle’s arm before being released.
“Thanks.” Kris said, before making the short walk back to their house.