Chapter Text
September
Little Homeworld
Ranma’s Apartment
“ATTEEENNNNNN-SHUN!”
Ranma stood in the center of her room, in her usual red sleeveless Chinese shirt over her underwear. The colander from the kitchen cabinet was perched on her head. She glared at the item on her bed, her arms crossed before her, like a General addressing her troops. A brown stump of a Tootsie Roll was clenched in her teeth, to fully emulate the cigar-chomping look.
“Okay, Private, listen up! I’ve never gotten along with you or your compatriots. But that was then, and this is now. Things have changed. So we’re gonna try this again. Don’t screw me over on this, and I won’t conveniently drop you into Peridot’s incinerator. Are we clear, Private?”
The skirt lay there silently. White, pleated, knee-length.
Ranma leaned forward, her eye raised threateningly. “I said, are we clear, Private Pleats?!!?”
The skirt remained silent.
Ranma smirked, taking the Tootsie Roll between forefinger and thumb. “That is delightful to hear, Private Pleats! You’ve made your dresser drawer proud!” She made a quick about-face, marching towards the bathroom. “Prepare to move out! Oh-Nine-Hundred hours! Be there or you’ll be scrubbing the latrines with yer toothbrush!”
With a dramatic flourish, she slammed the bathroom door behind her, finally falling into a fit of giggles as she removed the colander from her head. She slid the Tootsie Roll into her mouth, chewing as she inspected the tiny bottle before her.
A dark red bottle of nail polish. Steven had given it to her from his own enormous collection to try it out.
She slid the tiny brush from the bottle, wrinkling her nose at the sharp smell. This would be her first toe dipped into the world of makeup. Amethyst, who could draw wingtips sharp enough to cut a man, had offered to help her with eyeliner later that week.
The one thing Ranma had read over and over during her research on makeup was to not get discouraged if you messed up the first time. Makeup was an art, just like the one she practiced and taught each week.
That was all.
Easy-peasy.
Ranma slid the brush back into the bottle. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, and spoke the words she had said at least twice a day for the past few weeks.
“I’m a boy.”
Nothing. Perhaps a slight curdle of revulsion deep in her stomach.
“I’m a girl.”
Elation. Her whole body lit up, and the corners of her mouth curled up involuntarily.
She pumped her fist triumphantly. Yes she was.
She sat down on the toilet, and slid the brush back out of the bottle.
The Pavilion
Half an Hour Later
Ranma nervously tugged at the skirt around her waist for the twentieth time in ten minutes.
“Will you stop that?” Lapis asked from her side, only half-smiling. “You look amazing, I promise.”
“Everyone is staring at me.” Ranma hissed, peeking around.
Lapis squeezed Ranma’s hand. “They are not. And if they did, you know we could take them.” She planted a small kiss on Ranma’s cheek, smirking as the redhead froze, blushing.
“Do I really look good, Lapis? I feel weird.”
Lapis nodded. “You look fantastic.”
Ranma nodded back, examining herself.
The nail polish had been a definite mistake. Even setting aside how Ranma’s inexperienced hands had smeared the stuff all over her fingertips, she felt like she had mud under her nails. The uneven coat was bumpy and irritating, and she could already tell she’d likely be picking it off before the day was out.
The skirt though?
Good heavens, the skirt, though.
It was light, cloudy, a far cry from the heavy, lacey abominations she’d been stuffed into before. She had been expecting it to hang uncomfortably low, make her legs sweat.
Instead, it gently fluttered around her in the light breeze. It was… surprisingly nice.
A light honk-honk interrupted her from her reverie as their ride arrived. Steven, behind the wheel of the Dondai, pulled up the driveway from Beach City, his eyes lighting up as he saw Ranma. He pulled to a stop, stepping out of the car with a smile on his face.
“Ranma, you look great! I love the skirt!”
Ranma felt herself blushing, an activity she was doing an awful lot these days. “S-stop it, I do not!”
Lapis leaned toward her ear. “Yes, you do.” Ranma shivered from Lapis’s breath on her ear.
Chuckling, Steven pointed a thumb toward the Dondai. “Shall we?”
Gathering her resolve and determination, Ranma pumped a fist. “Yes we shall!”
Steven matched her fist pump. “To Ocean Town Mall!”
Lapis gave a smirk, accompanied by her own chill half-pump. “Mall Rangers, assemble.”
With a grin, Ranma suddenly darted down behind Steven. Scrambling between his legs quickly, she lifted the surprised Steven onto her shoulders, laughing manically.
“Henshin! Mecha-Stevanmadon! Defender of Justice and Trans Rights!”
Steven laughed just as loudly, striking a pose on her shoulders. “Mecha-Stevanmadon! Unite for Trans Rights!”
Lapis clapped her hands, chuckling smoothly. “You two goofballs, I swear. Keep it up and I’ll call Peri down here, you can duke it out with the… uh… Perizuli-tron?”
Ranma knelt down, allowing Steven to slide off her shoulders. “We’ll workshop that one.”
“It was the spur of the moment, gimme a break.”
Steven spun his keys on his finger. “Alright, ramblers, let’s get ramblin’. We’ll pick up Connie on the way.”
Ranma and Lapis slid into the backseat as Steven plopped into the front. Steven backed the car around until he had a straight shot out of Little Homeworld. With a flash, they were on the road for Ocean Town.
Ranma raised two fingers. “So. Ground rules.”
Steven and Lapis nodded. “Ground rules,” they responded in unison.
“Rule number One: No Lace, No Frills. This is not negotiable.”
Steven nodded. “Gotcha. No lace or frills.”
“Rule number Two: If I say no to a piece of clothing, that means no. Period.”
Lapis flashed a thumbs-up. “No means no.”
“Rule number Three: If we’re gonna do this, I wanna do it right. So I’m open to trying almost anything on, but I do want to keep some of my… style, I guess? I like my Chinese shirts, and I’m not getting rid of ‘em.”
Steven smiled into the rearview mirror. “And you don’t have to, we promise. The whole point of this is to help you be more comfortable in your own skin, and figure out what that means in terms of how you express yourself.”
Ranma nodded. “Okay. Good.” She busied herself staring out the window at the passing scenery.
Lapis offered a smile. “Are you excited?”
Swallowing, Ranma nodded, smoothing the pleats on her skirt once again. “Yeah. I mean, I’m scared to death. But… I’m ready. I’m ready for this.”
Lapis lay her head on Ranma’s shoulder. “You’re gonna do great. And I’m here to provide an emergency cold-water-splash, just in case the worst happens.”
Ranma nuzzled her head against Lapis’s blue hair. “Thanks, Lapis. You’re the best.”
A few minutes later, Steven pulled the Dondai to a stop in front of an unfamiliar set of Townhouses. Connie Maheswaran, in one of her 800 polo shirts (blue today) under a worn bomber jacket, came trotting down the front walk, waving widely.
Connie slid into the front seat. “Hey guys!” She and Steven shared a fist bump as she buckled her seat belt. “So, what’s the surprise Ranma mentioned?”
Lapis turned, about to provide the lead-in. “So, Ranma and I were-“
“I’M TRANS.” Ranma blurted out before she could stop herself.
Connie blinked rapidfire as the breeze from the shout slowly faded, her equilibrium reasserting itself.
Lapis gave a snortle-laugh as Ranma flushed red. Ranma cleared her throat. “Uh. Sorry.”
Connie laughed, turning awkwardly in her seat to give Ranma a hug. “That’s so great, Ranma! Congratulations!” She suddenly leaned back to look Ranma in the eyes. “Is it still Ranma? Or have you chosen a name?”
Ranma chuckled, shaking her head. “Naw, stickin’ with Ranma. I like it too much.”
As the car started moving again, Steven squeezed Connie’s hand. “So we’re heading for the mall in Ocean Town, to overhaul Ranma’s wardrobe with stuff she’s comfortable with.”
Connie flashed Steven a grin. “Do you want to-“
“Oh my gosh, yes.” Steven agreed with a smile and a rapidfire nod.
Ranma leaned forward. “What’s happenin’?”
Steven flashed a wink into the backseat. “Wait for it. I think you’ll like it.”
The rest of the drive passed uneventfully, outside of a synchronized middle-finger salute as they passed the Crab Shack, Ranma’s former place of employment.
Eventually, the Ocean Town mall, a large, squat complex of a building, came into view. The bane of Mr. Smiley’s existence turned out to be relatively unimpressive from the outside, as most malls are.
The car having been parked, Ranma hopped out of the Dondai’s backseat, stretching her back, secretly relishing the feel of the skirt flickering around her legs.
Lapis, her hands in her pockets, gently bumped up against Ranma’s shoulder with her own. “In all seriousness, you really do look good in that skirt, Ranma.”
“Does this mean you get to be the only one between the two of us with the monk pants?”
Lapis chuckled. “I mean, only if you want me to.”
Connie practically pranced to the other side of the car, opening it to face an enormously-grinning Steven in the passenger seat.
She offered him a hand, gently sliding out of her shoes. “Shall we, Biscuit?”
Steven beamed at the long-unused nickname, placing his hand in hers. “Always, Berry.”
As Connie yanked Steven upward, both laughing loudly, their forms vanished into a bright light that enveloped them both. Lapis, squealing with delight, shook a surprised Ranma’s shoulders rapidly. “Ranma Ranma Ranmaaaaaaaa-“
Stevonnie stumbled into existence, still laughing, hugging their own arms tightly. The fluffy white collar of Connie’s bomber jacket was now attached to the top of Steven’s letterman jacket, providing a delightfully tacky look over Stevonnie’s shorts.
Their giggles quickly turned into cries of “Ouch ouch ouch hot hot!!!”, the fusion suddenly dancing on the hot parking lot blacktop in their bare feet, before diving for the open car door. They curled their toes, wincing from the pain.
Lapis came hurtling around the side of the car at just below lightspeed. “STEVONNIEEEEEE!” She jumped on top of the fusion, wrapping them in a tight hug. “It’s sooooo good to see you! I missed you so much!!!”
Stevonnie laughed, hugging Lapis back. “Hey there, Laz! It’s been way too long. How’s my Jam Bud doing?”
Lapis grinned toothily. “I’m so great! You get to meet my girlfriend!!”
“Great! But first, can you do me a favor and get the pair of sandals out of the trunk? Steven’s won’t fit me.”
Lapis gave a thumbs-up. “On it!” She jumped backward, jogging to the Dondai’s trunk.
Ranma’s head popped into view with an almost audible squeak noise, regarding Stevonnie with a bewildered expression. “Uh. The heck are you?”
Stevonnie gave a massive gasp. “Ohmigosh! Lapis, sandals, sandals!”
A pair of adult-sized flip-flops came sailing into view, clattering on the ground in front of the open car door. Stevonnie quickly jerked forward, fumbling their feet into the soft protection from the hot ground, before jumping back to their feet and sweeping Ranma into an energetic handshake with both hands. Stevonnie being six-foot-five, almost a full foot and a half taller than Ranma, Ranma was sent into almost comical shakes from the swing of Stevonnie’s hands.
“Ranma! I’ve been wanting to meet you for ages! I’m Stevonnie, I’m Steven and Connie’s Fusion! Pronouns are They/Them, by the way!”
Ranma gaped in astonishment. “You guys can fuse?! Like, Dragon Ball Z earrings Fusion?!”
“Sure can! It’s a Gem thing. And don’t worry, they’re both in here somewhere. They’ll be back when I unfuse.”
As Lapis sauntered back into view, Ranma glanced at her in excitement. “Can we do that?!!”
Lapis shrugged. “Iunno.”
The inside of the mall was cool, with a low echo from the other shoppers milling around. The mall had been deliberately designed to resemble the malls of the 80s, rather than the stark white minimalist look most malls had. Pastel walls, neon signs, and ugly triangle-print carpeting abounded. It was like stepping into a well-funded period TV show set.
Ranma whistled appreciatively. “Dunno what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.”
Stevonnie grinned. “I know, right? I don’t know who the interior designer this place hired was, but I wanna shake their hand.”
Lapis pointed over at one of the enormous tentpole clothing stores bordering the edges of the mall. “Want to head that way first? They look like they have a pretty good selection.”
Stevonnie looked to Ranma, who shrugged. “I’ve literally never done this kinda thing before. I have no idea where to start.”
“That way it is, then.” Stevonnie nodded. “I wanna get some clothes sized for me as well. Steven and Connie’s clothes get kinda tight sometimes.”
The trio started toward the clothing store. All three sets of sandals click-clacked in a discordant chorus as they stepped onto the store’s tiled floor.
“Thinking about it, what’s your shirt size, Ranma?”
Ranma paused from the line of shirts she’d been sifting through at Stevonnie’s question. She realized suddenly that, quite by accident, she’d been unconsciously searching for clothes sized to Guy Mode… to her Deadmode.
“I… honestly don’t know, come to think of it. I know my… the other Mode’s clothing sizes. I usually just kinda wore that size, so it’d still kinda fit if I got splashed.” She motioned to herself. “This form is teeny-tiny, so any clothes fitted to it would just be too tight if I went to my Deadmode.”
Lapis hummed, hooking a finger under the shoulder of Ranma’s sleeveless shirt. She tugged gently at the slack fabric. “If you’re gonna be in Girl Mode on a regular basis, I think you’d feel a lot better if you wore something sized to you. These baggy clothes make you look a lot smaller than you actually are.”
Ranma hummed, glancing back at the line of shirts. “So how do I figure that out? Don’t these places have, like, those ladies with the tape measures?”
Stevonnie shook her head. “That’s only in the super boujee places, the ones where If You Have To Ask, You Can’t Afford It.”
“So what do I do then?”
“Get a whole mess of clothes you like, and try them all on to see if they fit.”
Ranma froze, glaring at Stevonnie. “You’re kidding me.”
Stevonnie gave an apologetic grin. “Nope. Sorry.”
Ranma gave an enormous, long-suffering sigh. “Am I gonna have to do a fashion montage?!”
Stevonnie shrugged as Lapis gave Ranma a pity-pat on the back. “Welcome to women’s clothes, hon.”
Ten minutes later, Lapis found herself planted on a bench outside of Ranma’s changing stall, Stevonnie right next to her on Steven’s phone.
From behind the stall door, Ranma’s grunts and grumbles of frustration could be heard as she shimmied her way in and out of the clothes they had selected. “This is actual insanity. I’ve tried on 6 different shirts of the same size so far. Two of them fit perfectly, but the other four are too big! But the tags say the same size!”
Stevonnie winced. “Yeah, I shoulda mentioned that. The fashion industry is a nightmare when it comes to consistent sizing on women’s clothing.”
“Connie, if you’re in there, I am so sorry. I had no idea.”
Stevonnie grinned. “I honestly have no idea if Connie can hear you, but either way, she’ll appreciate the sentiment.”
The latch clicked as Ranma emerged in a blue-and-white striped long-sleeved shirt over her skirt. “This fits, it feels good, and I like it. I’m gonna say yes to this one, and no to the others out of necessity.”
Stevonnie smiled as Lapis cocked an appreciative eyebrow. “That actually looks really good on you, Ranma!”
Ranma grinned, admiring how the shirt clung to her arms and shoulders. “Feels weird wearing clothes that fit this form. I feel so light.”
Glancing back into the changing stall, Lapis frowned. “Weird that only one of those appearance enhancers fit, though. I thought humans had like a gazillion sizes?”
Ranma sighed. “I know. I’m short. I get it.”
Stevonnie examined the tags on the shirt Ranma had chosen. “Yeah, I was afraid of this. Sorry, Ranma, but you’re probably gonna have to shop for…” they trailed off.
Ranma gave Stevonnie a dangerously level look. “Say it. Say the word. I want you to say it.”
“…petites.”
WHAM.
Ranma pulled her head back from four-inch-deep crater her forehead had left in the wall, sighing as smoke puffed from her forehead. “Awright, let’s get to it.”
Almost a full hour later, Ranma gave an loud groan of relief as she lugged two large bags out of the store. “Gawd, that took forever.”
In her left hand, a bag packed with casual shirts and tank tops of varying designs and looks. In her right, a bag filled with a galaxy of panties and simple leggings. She had slid on a black pair of leggings under her skirt as well, and swapped her sleeveless Chinese shirt for a light blue Peasant blouse that clouded around her elbows.
She waddled in place, trying to adjust the leggings. “This is gonna take some gettin’ used to.”
Stevonnie swung the car keys around a single finger. “If you want, I can run those bags out to the car right quick if you wanna chill for a sec.”
Ranma nodded, sliding the bag handles into Stevonnie’s waiting hands. “Thanks, Stevonnie. We’ll be here.”
As Stevonnie headed for the mall’s exit, Ranma plopped onto bench, Lapis following suit. Ranma felt a gentle warmness inside of herself as their sides brushed up against each other.
“Doin’ okay?” The bluenette asked.
Ranma sighed, her eyes closed. “Yeah, now that that’s outta the way. Now we can focus on, like, specialty stuff. I know I wanna see if there’s a place here that sells those Chinese shirts I like.”
“You look really good in those.”
“Thanks, Lapis. D’you wanna get anything while we’re here?”
Lapis stretched an arm around her girlfriend’s shoulders, snuggling her closer. “Nah, don’t need to. I can shapeshift whatever I want.” Lapis momentarily glowed a bright white, before returning to the visible spectrum. She had shifted her monk pants and crop top into the blue dress of her previous form, her feet bare against the rough carpeting.
Ranma whistled. “Nice! That’s super handy.”
Lapis nodded with a wink, shifting back to her current default clothes. “So yeah, don’t see the point in actually owning clothes. It’d just take up space in the apartment.” She paused. “Wouldn’t mind some more paints if we find a craft store, though.”
The two sat in silence for a moment, Ranma’s head on Lapis’s shoulder. The low white noise of the mall gently rumbled around them.
Her nose in Lapis’s hair, Ranma gently murmured. “You smell really nice.”
Lapis blinked. “Do I?”
“Yeah.” Ranma breathed deeply and sighed, as Lapis blushed blue in her cheeks.
“Awwww,” Stevonnie grinned as she sauntered in front of them from the parking lot. “Y’all are adorable.”
Ranma and Lapis blew a synchronized raspberry at Stevonnie, who plopped down on the end of the next bench. “So, where to next?”
Ranma leaned forward, counting on her fingers. “I know I wanna get see if I can get some of my Chinese shirts. I wanna get some more girly experimentation outfits. And I also need new shoes, preferably waterproof ones.”
“In case of Splash Emergencies?” Lapis queried.
“Yeah. With how often it happens, waterproof shoes’d be a lifesaver. Back in Japan I’d have to get new shoes all the time. They’d start to smell, and trust me, athlete’s foot ain’t no joke.”
Stevonnie pointed toward a shoe store a few storefronts down. “What about crocs?”
Ranma made a face, then paused to think about it. “That… would probably work really well, actually.” She groaned in irritation, picking at her nail polish, sending red dust powdering to the floor. “Wish I had one a’ those ways to mode-lock my curse.”
Lapis choked on nothing, her eyes wide. “Is that possible?!”
Ranma shrugged. “I mean, yeah, but not with any way I can use. The Musk tribe in China has this thing called the Ladle of Locking, which they use to lock curses so they can… populate their village. Please don’t ask.”
Stevonnie shuddered in revulsion. “Don’t tell.”
“And I’m pretty sure the Amazons have a pressure point that can alter ki flow to lock curses, but I have no friggin’ idea how pressure points work, and only the Amazon Elders know that one. Way too easy to screw up.”
“What about the ladle thing?”
“Last I heard, Prince Herb of the Musk tribe had it, and I assure you, he would be less than helpful. Like, to me specifically.”
Lapis shook her head in bewilderment. “How does one gal get so many enemies?”
Ranma shrugged. “What can I say, I’m a people person. With. Severe anxiety and PTSD.”
Stevonnie gave a bitter laugh. “HA! Same, yo.”
Lapis placed a level hand before her. “Trauma Buds represent.”
Ranma and Stevonnie placed their hands over Lapis’s. “Trauma Buds!”
Ranma smiled broadly, clutching her hands together. “There is a God.”
Ocean Town Mall had an honest-to-goodness Asian clothing outlet. Most of the stock was imitations, of far inferior material than the silk used to make the genuine articles, but they would do.
Lapis and Stevonnie looked on with smiles as Ranma darted back and forth, examining the options. “They… they’re perfect!” She grinned at her two companions. “They’re perfect!” She grabbed an armful of shirts off a pair of racks and ran for the changing rooms.
Stevonnie extended a fist. “Good idea?”
Lapis gently bumped her fist against Stevonnie’s. “Great idea.”
After a few minutes, Ranma slid out of the changing stall, her eyes filled with delight. She wore a red button-up Chinese shirt, just like the ones she had in her apartment, but actually fitted to her. She stared at her wrists in amazement, the familiarly comfortable fabric snug against her arms. She gave a few experimental punches at the empty air.
“These actually fit! I don’t feel like my shirt is clouding all over the place when I throw a punch!” She puffed out her chest, looking down at the smooth surface of the shirt. “I’m not wearing an empty bag anymore!!!”
Ranma lunged forward, grabbing Lapis’s hands in her own. She practically swung the Gem around in a circle, half-dancing with glee. Lapis laughed as she stumbled, wrapping an arm around the redhead. “Congrats, Ranma!” She glanced up and down Ranma’s form, before glowing bright white again. After a second, she came back into focus, now with a deep blue shirt of her own buttoned around her torso.
Lapis examined herself, smiling. “Not bad. Gotta say, I kinda like this.”
Ranma slid her hands along the blue shirt. “That suits you really well, actually.”
Lapis shrugged, shifting the shirt away. “Maybe another time. I kinda like having my shoulders free.” She flashed a wink, knowing Ranma also enjoyed the view of Lapis’s built shoulders and arms.
Giggling, Ranma slid back and forth on her feet, front-to-back, back-to-front. “See anything else I should try on? Anything I’d look good in?”
Lapis glanced around eyeballing the various racks and mannequins. After a moment, she grinned, pointing with her pinkie finger. “What about that one?”
A single mannequin, clad in a long, ankle-length cheongsam, black with a tasteful gold trim. Short sleeves, just covering the shoulders.
The poisonous voice inside Ranma’s head suddenly spoke for the first time in a long time.
No, hell no, screw that. I’m a guy. Guys don’t wear dresses.
Ranma physically bit down on her tongue inside her mouth, turning all of her rage inward, smothering the voice until it went silent.
That voice had never been right about a damn thing. Ever.
Which sounded like a good reason to specifically do anything it would have said not to.
Ranma squeezed her fist in determination. “Yes. Definitely yes. I don’t care if I can’t afford it, I wanna try it.”
Grinning, Stevonnie turned to try and find an employee.
A scant view minutes later, Ranma stood back inside the changing stall in her underwear, staring at the black cheongsam with a flutter in her stomach.
She gave a quick glance to her skirt, tossed to the side on the bench. That was… different, somehow. A skirt was only from the waist-down, so it didn’t really count as a dress.
This? This was the physical symbol of… everything. Everything she had been running from since she was fifteen. Since she had fallen in that Cursed, Blessed hot spring.
A gentle knock on the stall door. From outside, Stevonnie’s voice. “Ranma? You doing okay?”
Ranma nodded. “Y-yeah. I’m good. Just… preparing myself.”
“Take your time. I know it’s a big step.”
Ranma took a deep breath through her nose, and out through her mouth. Then, she reached forward, and removed the cheongsam from the hanger.
From outside, Stevonnie and Lapis heard the soft click of the hanger.
The gentle rustle of cloth sliding over skin.
A period of silence.
And then.
A gasp. Almost too soft to be heard.
The two exchanged a look. Lapis raised a single knuckle for a Welfare Knock.
The latch clicked, and the stall door slid open before she could touch it.
There stood Ranma, her eyes wide and unbelieving. The dress was slid over her shoulders, the collar gently touching her neck. A single bare foot stuck out of the slit in the dress, the hem awkwardly hanging over her toes. The black of the dress made the red of her hair and the blue of her eyes pop, and the gold trim was just the icing on the cake.
Fat tears dripped from Ranma’s eyes. “Guys, I… I look… I look so pretty…”
Before Lapis and Stevonnie could do anything but smile, Ranma had lunged forward, sweeping them both into a tight hug. Her head between both of theirs, she laughed wetly, a sweeping, ongoing laugh that refused to stop for a long time.
“Thank you, guys… thank you… thank you…”
Ranma fretted gently as the clerk rang them up. “Stevonnie, you didn’t have to do that.”
Stevonnie grinned, glancing at the cheongsam as it was wrapped and slid into a bag. “I did, and I am. You deserve that dress, Ranma.”
Ranma grumbled, before mumbling a “Thank you.”
“So, where to next?”
Ranma counted on her fingers as she mentally ran through the day’s purchases. “Got shirts, underwear, jeans, shorts, that cute pair of overalls, some new Chinese shirts and the Cheongsam… I can’t think of anything else I’d need.”
Lapis rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but what do you want?”
Ranma paused for a moment. “Ummm… I think I’m good on dresses and skirts for now…” she idly swished the fabric of her skirt between her fingers as she thought. After a moment, she snapped her fingers. “I got it! Stevonnie, Steven had his hair up with a bandanna a while back, when we were hangin’ out at his place? I actually really liked that look.”
Stevonnie nodded, clapping Ranma on the back. “That sounds like accessories to me!”
Ranma blinked. “What, like, to murder?”
“Ranma, no.”
Lapis shrugged. “She might be onto something there. I’m down for crimes.”
“Lapis, no.”
Finding a couple of nice bandannas at the accessories shop had been a fairly quick affair. It was what came next that was surprising.
Arms crossed, Lapis watched with intrigue as Ranma slowly turned a spinning rack of bracelets, occasionally plucking one from the display in an almost trancelike state.
In the basket on the floor next to her, the pair of bandannas she had picked out were slowly being buried under a trickle of bracelets, ankle bracelets, cheap rings, earrings, the occasional barrette. At least half of it had some variation of a rainbow or the trans flag on it.
Stevonnie shrugged. “I guess she’s a fan of bangles.”
“Who knew?”
Ranma turned again, her eyes wide, a ring with an evil eye on it in one hand, an ankle bracelet that appeared to be made of imitation jade in the other.
“I must. Have. Everything.”
Stevonnie smiled. “Go for it. I promise, money is no object today. Though if you’re getting earrings, you maaaaay wanna get your ears pierced.”
Ranma blinked. “Oh. Yeah.” She dropped the bangles into the basket, before her hands travelled to her ears, gently squeezing her soft lobes. “That’d probably help a lot.”
Ranma rubbed at her stinging ears, running her thumb over the stud set into it with a wince. Her bags were stowed under her chair, the three of them crowded around a food court table.
Lapis paused from her slow, ceaseless draining of a XXXL blue raspberry slushee. “Stop rubbing it.”
Stevonnie pointed with their fork, a wad of salad still on the end of it. “And you may wanna keep staying away from Steven’s spit. Connie had to get her ears re-pierced after Steven healed her eyesight. She used to need glasses.”
Ranma raised an eyebrow. “Neat. I’ll probably need glasses when I get older.”
“You think so?”
“My grandad wore glasses, Pops wears glasses, and my Ma uses reading glasses. I think the odds’re stacked against me on that one.” She poked at her plate, mealy rice with bland Mongolian chicken. “This might just be the worst food I’ve ever eaten. And I’ve eaten Akane’s cooking.”
Stevonnie nodded. “I told ya, dude. Mall Food Court Chinese Food is always an abomination upon cuisine.”
“When you’re right, you’re right.” Ranma clicked the takeout container closed, sliding it away. She glanced around at the other restaurants, noticing one that had been dismantled and shut down. A new restaurant had yet to move in. She pointed at the sight. “What happened to that chicken restaurant over there? Why’d it close down?”
Lapis grinned. “Homophobia. Whole chain shut down.”
“Rad.” Ranma tugged at the bandanna tying her hair back, this one a matching shade of light blue to the peasant blouse. “Are you sure it looks good?”
“Yes! I promise, you look wonderful!”
Ranma blushed with a tiny smile.
Stevonnie tore open another tiny packet of dressing, dripping it onto their salad before adding it to the growing pile of empty packets. “Anything else you wanna get done while we’re here? Want to change your hair, get a new ‘do?”
Ranma laughed bitterly. “Ha! Nope, nope, nope-nope-nope. No can do.”
Stevonnie and Lapis shared a confused blink. “What? Why?”
Ranma sighed, untying her bandanna, allowing her still-tied braid to fall out. “So uh… I might have another curse I haven’t mentioned.”
Lapis leaned forward. “What, like completely separate from the splash-thing?”
Ranma nodded. “Yeah.” She held the middle of her braid between two fingers, pointing to the very end of it. “Y’see that lil doodad I’ve got my hair tied with?”
Stevonnie and Lapis leaned close. Tying Ranma’s hair was a short length of something deep black, coarse, made of an unidentifiable material.
“What is that?”
Ranma chuckled, letting her braid fall back behind her shoulder. “That is a Dragon Whisker. And yes, I do mean a whisker from an actual, literal dragon.”
Lapis barely stopped herself from doing a spit-take into her slushee. “Wait, dragons exist? Peridot’s anime was right?!”
Stevonnie gave her a bemused eyebrow quirk. “We literally fought Gem monsters for years, and that surprises you?”
Ranma waved her hand dismissively. “All I know is that one existed years ago, and that’s one of the whiskers from his face. Long story short, I got suckered into eating one dragon whisker, which apparently causes super-fast hair growth unless you tie your hair back with another one. So there it is. That comes undone, we all drown in hair in a couple a’ minutes.”
Stevonnie shook their head in amazement. “Was this something else your stupid dad roped you into?”
With a sarcastic, wide-eyed look and a tremble in her voice, Ranma sneered. “How ever did you know?!!?”
Lapis toyed with Ranma’s short braid between finger and thumb. “Would you want to maybe grow it out further then? Try a different tied-back style?”
“Nah, I’ve tried a bunch of different versions. I don’t like my hair too long, it drives me batty. This braid was just the style I liked enough to keep.”
Stevonnie swallowed another mouthful of their dressing-drenched salad. “Now, Ranma, legit question. Would you like to try and look more feminine in your other Mode, or are you gonna stick with Girl Mode?”
Ranma shrugged. “Honestly, staying in Girl Mode would be easier. My Dysphoria-whatsit really doesn’t like my Guy Mode… sorry, Deadmode.”
Stevonnie slid a hand over, squeezing Ranma’s. “Don’t apologize! I’m sorry if I was insensitive.”
“Nah, it’s cool. Yer not gonna offend me by asking questions, I promise.” She took a deep breath, feeling her shoulders relax. “Today… was nice. I mean it, this was amazing.” Ranma reached out, squeezing both Stevonnie and Lapis’s hands. “I feel so… so free now. I really do. Coming to Beach City was the best decision I ever made. Thank you, guys. So much.”
Stevonnie flashed a toothy grin as Lapis raised Ranma’s hand, offering a chaste kiss on her knuckles.
From Stevonnie’s pocket, the gentle hum-humm of a vibrating phone could be heard. After a brief moment of confusion and figuring out whose phone was ringing, Stevonnie produced Steven’s phone. Pearl’s smiling picture was onscreen. Stevonnie slid the answer button over, raising the phone to their ear.
“Hello, Pearl!”
“Steven- oh! Hello, Stevonnie! Apologies for intruding on your shopping trip, but is Ranma with you? I don’t have her number.”
Catching Ranma’s eye with her own, Stevonnie answered “Uh, yes ma’am, she’s right here. Do you need to talk to her?”
“Yes, actually. Immediately, if possible.”
Stevonnie offered the phone out to Ranma. “Uh, it’s for you.”
Ranma took the phone with a raised eyebrow. “Uh, hi Pearl.”
“Ranma! Good, uh, good to speak to you!” Pearl’s voice was strained, as if she were very embarrassed about something.
“Uhh… you too?”
“So, uh, Ranma… we may have done something dumb.”
Ranma’s eyes flickered back and forth between Stevonnie and Lapis, unsure of where this was going. “Ooooookayyyy? I don’t understand.”
“Okay. Okay. So. Sheena was… having some personal problems, and I wanted to help. Soooo… I remembered the conversation we had.”
“Which conversation?” Ranma asked, a sinking feeling in her stomach.
“About… your curse.”
Ranma’s blood ran cold as the dots were connected in her head. “You didn’t.”
Stevonnie’s eyes were wide. “What’s wrong? What’s happening?”
“Sooo Jasper, Volleyball, and myself took the Warp to China early this morning, and we spent a while hiking into the countryside…”
Ranma’s fingers dug into the tabletop. “Pearl, please tell me you didn’t go to Jusenkyo.”
“Eeeeeuuuuggghhhhh…”
Ranma could almost hear the universe laughing at her.
“Which one, Pearl? Who fell in, and which Spring?”
“…Maybe you should just come to the house.”
The Dondai’s tires ground to a halt on the beach in front of Steven’s house.
Steven, Connie, Ranma, and Lapis popped the doors open, stepping out onto the sand with grim looks on their faces.
Steven glanced over at Ranma. “What… what do I need to expect when we go in there?”
Ranma gave a half-hearted shrug. “Honestly, it depends on what form they’re in, who got splashed with what, and how they’re taking it.”
Connie winced as a thought popped into her head. “If Jasper got splashed with that minotaur spring you told us about, we may be heading into a war zone.”
As the group trudged toward the stairs up to the front porch, they were greeting by the sight of Greg Universe stepping outside, his face buried in his hands. Greg’s shoulders shook, small whimpering noises emanating from within his hands.
Steven’s heart sank. “Dad? What happened?”
Greg raised his face from his hands, his eyes spilling over with tears… and his face curled in a barely suppressed grin. His hand went back over his mouth, forcing the giggles back down. “Shtu-ball… I’m sorry… I had to step outside… it was too much…”
The four stared with blank, confused eyes. Ranma loudly faceplanted into the stairs.
Greg pointed over his shoulder, into the house. “Just head inside, give me a minute. Tell Pearl I’m sorry, I promise I’m not laughing at her.”
Steven, more lost than anything, stepped up the stairs, pushing the door open.
Inside, Amethyst was in the kitchen, filling a large glass with hot water with a gigantic grin on her face.
On the left, Garnet was sat criss-crossed on the floor. Standing next to her- Ranma was surprised to see- the Jusenkyo Guide, looking like he hadn’t aged a day in his floppy green Mao suit and hat.
Jasper and Volleyball’s clothes that weren’t part of their default appearance enhancers- Jasper’s leather jacket and jeans, Volleyball’s sweater, glasses, and bellbottoms- were folded neatly on the coffee table.
And on the couch, commanding the attention of everyone present, an enormous orange-cream colored sheep was baa-ing loudly and angrily, a small orange Gem set into the end of her snout. A pair of green ram’s horns curled from her forehead.
On her left, a smaller pink sheep was sat, tiny black legs primly folded under her, her single eye closed, relaxing as best she could. Although it could not be seen, it was an easy guess that her Gem was concealed on her underside, amidst her pink wool. Her head was in Sheena’s lap, who was staring with wide-eyed wonder and occasionally making odd noises, a crooked grin across her face.
On the floor in front of the couch, a third sheep gave a series of tired-sounding baa’s in the orange sheep’s direction. Her oddly pointy-looking wool framed her Gem, planted in the center of her forehead.
Giggling eagerly, Amethyst trotted over with two glasses, one filled with hot water, one filled with cold. She tipped the hot glass over the angry orange sheep. With a splash, Jasper fell out of the disappearing sheep, her hair soaked, pointing at the Jusenkyo Guide.
“-ND I WANT A FIX FOR THIS RIGHT NOW! IF YOU’VE BEEN RUNNING THOSE SPRINGS FOR DECADES, YOU DAMN WELL BETTER KNOW A FIX YOU LITTLE FU-“
Jasper was cut off by Amethyst tipping the cold water over her head, shooting her back into sheep mode and angry baa’s. Amethyst laughed wildly, heading for the kitchen. “This is fun no matter how many times I do it.”
Unable to get up due to Sheep-Volleyball’s head in her lap, Sheena waved an arm ineffectually at Sheep-Jasper. “Babe… babe, it’s okay… babe…”
Connie tapped a wide-eyed Steven on the shoulder. “Excuse me a moment.” She turned and stepped outside onto the porch, before throwing her head back and laughing loudly, bending over and clutching her sides with mirth.
Lapis, for her part, didn’t bother stepping outside, simply clutching her elbows and allowing the stream of giggle-snorts to fall out.
Garnet turned, looking at Ranma. “I warned them. You warned them.”
The Jusenkyo Guide caught sight of Ranma, his face brightening. “Ah! Dear Customer! It’s been too long! How have you been?”
Ranma gave the Guide a sheepish wave. “Been good, been good! I, uh… found the upside.” She gestured to her clothes, still clad in the peasant blouse and skirt.
The Guide gave an enormous happy gasp, clutching her hands. “Oh, congratulations, Dear Customer! I’m very happy for you!”
Steven spread his hands over his forehead and eyes, pushing his hair back with a deeeeeeep sigh. “Can someone tell me what happened?”
Sheep-Pearl looked over at Steven, her eyes exasperated. “Baa. Baa baa baa-baa. Baa baa baa baa baa baa-baaa.”
Steven blinked, then looked over at the kitchen. “Amethyst-“
“Gotcha covered, bro.” Amethyst slid over, upending a new glass of hot water over Sheep-Pearl’s head. Pearl wiped the hot water from her face as Connie and Greg reentered, still chuckling. Pearl gave Connie a good-natured glare. “Glad someone finds this funny, Connie.”
“Hee! Sorry, ma’am.”
Pearl sat on the floor and leaned against the couch, reaching up to pat Sheep Volleyball’s head. “Well, since an explanation is warranted-“
“BAA! BAA-BAA! BAA BAA BAA BAA BAA BAA-“
Pearl tapped Sheep Jasper on the back, drawing her attention. “Darling, please. Give me a minute.”
Sheep Jasper grumbled, curled up against Sheena. “Baa.” Sheena gave a small squeal. Steven chuckled. “She’s like an angry pile of cotton candy.”
Steven sat down on the floor next to Pearl. Lapis slid behind him on the couch, her legs on either side of him, and rested her head on his mass of curls. Ranma sat on the end of the coffee table, crossing her legs under the skirt. Connie turned one of the dining room chairs around, facing the group.
Pearl placed a hand on Sheena’s thigh, giving a gentle squeeze. “Well, a few weeks ago, Sheena had been having some personal troubles-“
Sheena leaned in. “Dysphoria. Call it what it is, hon. It’s fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Sheena nodded, giving Pearl a soft kiss on the Gem. Pearl blushed as a tiny spark popped up from her Gem, before resuming her explanation. “She was having a bad dysphoria night, and we were wondering for a way to help her with it. I remembered what Ranma had told us, about the Cursed Hot Springs in Japan, and how Ranma had been afflicted with a curse that caused her to change biological sex upon application of cold water.”
Ranma slapped her hand onto her own forehead. “You might remember that I mentioned how dangerous that place is, and how chaotic the magic is?!”
Pearl nodded, clearly embarrassed. “I did, I did, but… I had to do something, and the risk seemed worth it.”
Sheena raised a hand to her own chest, clearly touched. “Aw, babe…”
As Pearl spoke, Lapis caught Sheep Jasper’s eye, silently sticking her middle finger up at the Sheep-Shaped Quartz. Jasper glared back, but said nothing. Steven quietly swatted Lapis on the leg. “Be nice.”
Pearl continued. “So this morning, Jasper, Volleyball, and myself took the Warp to China and hiked into the wilderness. I had a vague sense of where it was, thanks to my time spent travelling the world with Rose. And after a few hours… we found it.”
The Jusenkyo Guide leaned forward. “They passed by my cottage. I begged them to turn around, but they wouldn’t listen.”
Sheep-Jasper gave an irritable “Baaaaa.” as she glared at the Guide.
Pearl gently touched Sheep-Jasper’s snout, before continuing. “The Springs were labeled, and my Chinese is good enough to read it, so we set about looking for the Spring of Drowned Girl, when…” Pearl and Sheep-Jasper both looked at Sheep-Volleyball, who at least had the decency to blush with a soft “Baa…”
Pearl wrapped a hand around one of Sheep-Volleyball’s hooves. “The wet ground crumbled under Volleyball, and she started to fall into one of the Springs. I grabbed for her, Jasper grabbed for both of us, we all got tangled, and…”
The Jusenkyo Guide nodded. “Ker-Splash. Spring of Drowned Sheep. Very tragic story, Dear Customers.”
Ranma gave the Guide a look. “You always say that, but I’ve never actually heard any of the “Tragic-Stories-Dear-Customers” you always mention about the Springs. Like, ever.”
“That’s how tragic they are, Dear Customer.”
Pearl nodded to the Guide. “This gentleman was kind enough to use a long stick to help pull us out, since… well, since wet wool is very, very heavy.”
Lapis smirked. “Ouch.”
“Once he had boiled some water and gotten us restored to our base forms, Jasper grabbed him by his collar and hauled him back here with us, despite the protestations of everyone involved. We all warped back here, and I called you.”
The instant Pearl’s story ended, Amethyst tipped a glass of cold water over her, causing the sudden return of Sheep-Pearl. Pearl gave Amethyst an indulgent smile as Amethyst doubled over, cackling.
Sheep-Volleyball raised a hoof to Amethyst. “Baa?” With a nod, Amethyst tipped some hot water over her, causing Volleyball to poof into existence in Sheena’s lap. With a blush, she slid off, onto the couch cushion. Sheena, still quietly squealing with delight, reached down and hauled Sheep-Pearl up onto the couch, rubbing her soft wool, her eyes enormous. “This is… the best day… of my life…”
Volleyball looked to Ranma. “So, as enjoyable as being that fluffy is, I doubt this is something that should be allowed to last. Would you happen to know of any fixes, being the resident expert?”
Ranma shook her head. “Sometimes, humans with animal curses will try and get ahold of Spring of Drowned Girl or Drowned Man water as a workaround, assuming the curse will let it happen.” She looked to the Jusenkyo Guide. “I’m gonna take a wild guess that there’s no Spring of Drowned Gem?”
“Alas, no. Even if there were, assuming I’m correct about Gem biology, the curse would likely map itself to whatever Gem type had drowned there, instead of returning to the default.”
Connie raised a hand. “Couldn’t you just shapeshift out of sheep mode?”
Volleyball smiled. “Good idea, but no. Pearl and Jasper already tried, to no avail. I can’t shapeshift at all, so that’s that one out.”
Pearl sprang back into existence as Amethyst applied more hot water. Evaporating the water off of her clothes with a flash, she also turned to Ranma. “Well, since it seems we’ll be stuck with these curses for the foreseeable future, what can we expect?”
Ranma chuckled darkly. “Hoh boy… the main thing is that water is gonna be straight-up attracted to you. You’re gonna get splashed out of nowhere at random times, usually with whatever temperature would be most inconvenient in that situation.”
Steven grimaced. “Ai-yi-yi… glad we have plenty of towels.”
Volleyball clutched Sheena’s free hand. “Sheena, I want you to know, none of us blame you for this. This was entirely our fault.”
Sheena laughed loudly. “Oh, I agree. This is alllll on you three dum-dums.” She swept Pearl and Volleyball into a hug with both hands, Sheep-Jasper’s head still on her lap. “That was sooooo sweet of you guys to do that for me, though! I love you all, so much!”
Matching sets of happy tears filling their eyes, Pearl and Volleyball hugged her back, laughing joyously. Sheep-Jasper, for her part, pressed her snout against Sheena’s plush midsection, Baa-ing as gently as she could.
Sheena smiled lovingly. “How about all three of you crash at my place tonight? I demand to be smothered in wool.”
Pearl smiled back, caressing Sheena’s cheek. “That sounds lovely, Sheena.”
Volleyball smiled, scratching Sheep-Jasper behind the ears. “I can’t think of anything better.”
“Baaaaa.”
“Jasper agrees.”
Sheena slid to her feet. “Come on, you crazy kids. Let’s go.”
Sheep-Jasper looked at Amethyst. “Baaa?” Amethyst blinked, then remembered the two empty glasses in her hands. “Oh, right! On it, sis.”
Pearl glanced at Jasper, a mischievous grin on her face. “You know, Amethyst, I think you’ve driven the water bill high enough for the night.”
“Baaa?”
Amethyst caught sight of Pearl’s wink, and winked back. “Sorry, Jasper. Pearl’s right.”
“BAAAA?”
Volleyball gave her a gentle kiss on her Gem. “Guess we’ll just have to keep you like this for a while.”
“BAAA! BAA! BAA! BAA-BAA!”
Sheena leaned down, giving Jasper another kiss. “Aw, c’mon babe. You really gonna deprive us a chance to cuddle all that, cute, sweet, orange creamsicle wool? You adorable, sweet little thing?”
Sheep-Jasper’s eyes were huge, somehow visibly blushing. She gave a crooked smile, along with a weak, submissive bleat.
Steven clapped his hands to his cheeks. “Awwww…”
Lapis stifled a chuckle behind a hand. “Okay, that’s cute as heck.”
“Baa.”
The Jusenkyo Guide raised a meaty hand. “Excuse me, but how am I supposed to get home?”
Garnet placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll take you. I have a good sense of direction.”
The Guide gave her a long glance. “Just promise to turn around before we get there. I doubt you’d want to be cursed as well.”
“No problem. Although…” Garnet smiled as her visor caught the light, flashing blue. “I would make quite the Peacock…”
“Eh?”
Steven narrowed his eyes. “Garnet…”
Garnet chuckled. “Alright, alright. I promise not to get splashed. Let’s go.”
“Hey, hang on a sec,” Ranma piped up. She shuffled uneasily, not quite meeting the Guide’s eyes. “Listen, I, uh… I’d super appreciate it if you, uh, didn’t mention this to the Amazons or the Musk? It’s just, they’re both basically in your backyard, and I’m kinda…”
The Jusenkyo Guide smiled understandingly. “Not to worry, Dear Customer. Jusenkyo is neutral ground, and that goes both ways. Your business is your business, not mine, and certainly not theirs.”
Ranma smiled back, a relief settling over her shoulders. “Thanks. Thank you so much.”
With a knowing wink, the Guide took a few long steps after Garnet, and the two vanished into the Warp Pad.
As Pearl’s Polycule headed (or trotted) for the front door, Sheena paused next to Ranma. Ranma stared back at her, uncertain of what was up. With a wink and a smile, Sheena slid her hand out of her pocket, and pressed something small and metallic into Ranma’s hand, before closing it and fistbumping her. Ranma opened her hand, looking at the item.
A small, round pin. Pink, white, and blue stripes. A trans pride flag.
Ranma looked at Sheena with big, wet eyes. Sheena gave her a squeeze on the shoulder. “Lemme know if you ever wanna talk. I’m a good listener.” She turned to Steven and Greg. “Night, kiddo. I’ll have Pearl back tomorrow morning. Greg, would you be able to give us a lift? I came on my bike, and there’s only room for two.”
Greg smiled, producing the keys to the Universemobile. “No prob. I’ve always wanted to try transporting livestock in my van again.”
There was a deafening bleat from outside.
With a click, Ranma’s apartment door unlocked. Ranma and Lapis trudged inside, lugging the bags from the day between the two of them. The two kicked their shoes off indiscriminately. Lapis sighed, relishing the feel of the cool floor under her feet.
“Tadaima.” Ranma mumbled to no one. She set her bags down, flopping backward onto her bed, sighing in relief. “Oof. What a day.”
Lapis set her bags down next to Ranma’s. “Tell me about it. Hey, can I use your bathroom? That slushee is not happy with me.”
Ranma chuckled. “Yeah, go for it.”
“Thanks!” Lapis slid into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. A second later, muffled from the other side: “Why do you have a colander in here?”
Ranma laughed. “I’ll tell ya later. It’s funny.” She stood up from the bed, curling her toes to alleviate the pain in her feet. “I’m gonna make some coffee, you want any?”
“I’ll take the grounds when you’re done brewing it.”
“Gotcha!”
Ranma padded into the kitchen, her feet tapping softly against the linoleum. She reached up and slid the bandanna out of its not, allowing her braid to fall against her neck. Taking the percolator, she began to run hot water into it at the sink.
As she filled the pot, her free hand brushed against the pocket in her skirt, feeling something round and hard inside it. She pulled it out, revealing Sheena’s button.
She had known she was a Girl for a little over a month now. However… it hadn’t really set in that she was Trans until Sheena had given her the button.
Huh. Never realized how different of a feel that is. That shouldn’t even make sense, but it does.
“Ranma? You okay?”
Ranma blinked at Lapis’s voice, noticing the coffee pot was about to overfill. She quickly reached forward, turning the faucet off. She kept staring at the coffee pot, full of hot water.
“Lapis. I meant what I said, about the curse attracting water. Because it does.”
“Okaaayyyy…” Lapis’s voice, still behind her, cautious.
“It’s gonna happen eventually. I’ll be out and about, in really nice girly clothes, and a steam pipe will burst or something else stupid, and I’ll get splashed.”
Lapis’s hands slowly came into view on either side of Ranma’s vision, her arms wrapped gently around her. Lapis carefully took the coffee pot out of Ranma’s hands, setting it down in the sink. She clutched Ranma’s hands with both of hers. As Ranma watched, a tiny waterspout manifested in the coffee pot, the water delicately spiraling upward into the air, then back down into the drain.
Ranma smiled. “Lapis-“
“Shhh. Just watch.”
Without either of the handles turning, water began to slowly trickle out of the faucet. Without falling, it formed shimmering spheres of water, the small blobs gently floating upward, hanging in the air like raindrops, frozen in time.
Lapis gently guided Ranma’s hand to one of them, easing Ranma’s hand open to palm the water blob. It lost stability, splattering softly in Ranma’s hand. It was deliciously cold, refreshing to the touch.
Ranma could feel Lapis smile against the back of her head. “Look. It’s as easy as that.”
As the other water blobs began to slowly drift downward into the sink, Lapis carefully turned Ranma around, looking her girlfriend in the eyes with a warm smile.
“Ranma… I get it. This is new territory, and it’s scary. Believe me, nobody knows how scary getting out of your comfort zone is more than I do. But I promise you, as long as you’ll have me, I’ll be right here alongside you, ready to splash you with some cold water before you can even think of seeing a mirror.”
Ranma’s eyes grew moist, and she gently slipped her head forward. Her lips met Lapis’s, and the two shared a long kiss, there in Ranma’s kitchen, the coffee pot long forgotten.
As the kiss broke, Ranma looked up into Lapis’s eyes. “Thank you, Lapis.” She kissed the Gem on the nose, eliciting a chuckle. “Thank you, so much. You guys are the best thing to ever happen to me.”
Lapis grinned, giving her a small peck on the base of her neck. “You’re not so bad yourself. Plus we both have great taste in pants.”
Ranma laughed in Lapis’s arms at the old joke, before suddenly straightening up. “Oh! I just thought of something!” She darted from Lapis’s arms, jogging for her bedroom, her skirt flouncing along. “I’ll be right back! Just a sec!”
Lapis chuckled, hoisting herself up to sit on the counter.
Ranma reemerged from her room, her hands behind her back. “Now. Close your eyes, and hold out your hands.”
Rolling her eyes with good humor, Lapis closed her eyes and held her palms out expectantly.
A soft cloth bundle was delicately placed in her hands. “Okay, you can open them now.”
Lapis opened her eyes, looking down at her hands. Placed there was Ranma’s familiar red Chinese shirt, slightly worn from age and use.
“That’s for you.”
Lapis blinked rapidfire. “What?! Ranma, this is your favorite shirt! I can’t-“
Ranma smiled. “I want you to have it! I just got a whole bunch of ones that actually fit me today, so I have no reason to wear that one. You’re taller than I am, so that might actually fit you, and that one you shifted earlier looked really good on you!”
“I-I…” Lapis looked down at the shirt, hugging it close to her body. The fabric was incredibly soft, and comforting in an odd way.
“I love it, Ranma. I love it.”
The Next Morning
Lapis cracked an eye open, slowly emerging from sleep. The sunlight shining through the blinds was still relatively dim. The day was still young.
Lapis blinked the sleep out of her eyes, her thoughts reprocessing into wakefulness.
Behind her, she heard the gentle breaths of a familiar, redheaded martial artist.
Lapis rolled over in Ranma’s bed, a tired smile meeting her face. There Ranma lay, in her usual boxers-and-tank-top sleep ensemble, one hand inside her own shirt. She breathed softly, the occasional snore croaking out.
Lapis glanced down at her own body, Ranma’s oversized Chinese shirt around her, having fallen asleep in it. Lapis smiled, clutching a handful of the shirt to her face, inhaling the scent deeply.
It was perfect.
Lapis snuggled up closer to Ranma, laying her cheek on Ranma’s bare shoulder. She draped an arm over the squish of Ranma’s stomach, her other hand behind her shoulder. Ranma smiled in her sleep, lazily wrapping an arm around Lapis, pulling her closer.
Lapis gave her a gentle kiss on the shoulder, feeling sleep creep back up her consciousness. She yawned. “G’night,” she whispered.
Within seconds, Lapis was back asleep, she and Ranma holding each other in their arms, impossibly content.