Work Text:
“...Marm? I have something I wanted to tell you.”
Marm paused, looking over from where she was sorting through one of their storage chests. “Is everything ok, Avid? You look nervous.”
Avid swallowed. “Maybe a little. Look, Marm…I…I don’t know how to say this.”
Marm closed the chest. “Yeah?”
“I’ve. I’ve been thinking about some things, lately, and, well.” He looked to the side. “Void, this is terrifying to say out loud.”
Marm stepped over and took his hand. “I’ve got you.”
“I think. I think I might be a girl?” He (she?) looked at her nervously, as though worried about her response.
She gave her (his?) hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad you felt like you could tell me. Is there anything you want me to change? Pronouns, forms of address, name?”
His (her?) face looked more relieved than Marm had ever seen Avid have before. “I…don’t know. I haven’t gotten super far. Maybe…maybe try using she for me sometimes? I think I’m still ok with he though. I just…I knew I wanted you to be the first person I told.”
Marm smiled. “I’m glad you trusted me with this.” She pulled Avid into a hug, holding her close and feeling her bury her face into her shoulder.
They sat like that for a few minutes, before Avid pulled away a little. “Marm, I…I have another thing to say.”
She met his eyes and raised an eyebrow. He swallowed again. “Marm, I love you.”
She laughed. “Well, I already knew that, silly.”
“No, not like that.” Avid’s face was serious, though she was also blushing bright red. “I mean that I’m in love with you.”
Marm rested a gentle hand on his cheek. “Yeah, Avid. I know.”
That finally managed to break through and bring a look of confusion onto her face. “...What?”
Marm giggled again. “You’re not the most subtle person in the world. I was waiting for you to figure it out yourself.”
Avid scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. “Then…wait…what? I…I’m lost, I think.”
“Here, let me clear it up for you.” Marm pulled her in to place a gentle kiss on her lips. She pulled away to see a stunned Avid, clearly still processing. “Does that help?”
Avid, for the first time she could remember, looked well and truly lost for words. She smiled. “I’ll let you think about that one. Let me know if you need anything. Oh! Maybe I can help you do some makeup later, and get you some clothes that fit what you want.” She leaned in and pressed another kiss to his forehead. “You know where to find me.”
Marm got up and left the room, but not before she saw the brilliant smile that lit up Avid’s face.