“How was your flight? How are you? Do you want a haircut?” they asked, trying to pull back, but she yanked them into another hug.
“It was fine, I’m good, and yes, absolutely.”
Rachel laughed good naturedly from behind them. “I see the fast-talking runs in the family.”
“As does the ADHD apparently,” Dani said, allowing Aspen to pull back, this time in surprise.
“What? Are you serious?”
Dani nodded, tucking a long strand of brunette hair behind her ear. She really could use a haircut. “Yup. After you told me about your diagnosis, I started thinking about how everyone has always said we’re so alike we might as well be twins. Well, turns out they were right…in a lot of ways.”
For some reason, she glanced at Rachel, who nodded eagerly. Dani turned back to Aspen and set her shoulders in a determined line. “I also think I’m pan.”
Aspen’s jaw nearly hit the freshly swept floor.
“Uhm…sexual. Pansexual. And also probably panromantic, but I am definitely sexually attracted to women and genderqueer folk.”
She grimaced and looked away, like she was afraid Aspen was going to judge her or something.
“Dani! That’s amazing!” Aspen said, throwing their arms out to the side for another hug.
She didn’t step into them, though. She fidgeted with her hair some more before desperately looking at Rachel again.
“They’re going to be so excited, hon! Tell them!” Rachel said, throwing Dani two thumbs up like the sweet, adorable, amazing friend that she was. Aspen had no idea how a simple ride from the airport had resulted in Rachel becoming Dani’s cheerleader, but they weren’t mad about it.
“I, uh…think I might not be entirely cis either. I don’t know what yet, and she/her is fine for now, but…yeah.”
Dani cringed into her sweater, trying to pull her head inside it like a turtle. It was something she’d done growing up, and it had the butterfly in Aspen’s chest fluttering anxiously.
“Dani, that’s amazing! Why are you–” Aspen flapped their hands at her, “doing that? Of course I’m excited! How long have you known, or been suspecting? Oh my god, we could have thrown ourselves a gender reveal party! We still totally can!”
She popped her head back up and put both hands on her hips.
Just like that, their older sibling was back. “I’ve been suspecting for a while, but I didn’t want to take away your moment. I was going to tell you when you came to visit, but you never did! I was hoping we could celebrate you and Noah and me and my sexuality and possible gender, butno. I had to come out here while he’s out of town!”
Aspen cringed and sort of wished they were wearing a high-neck sweater they could hide in. “I’ve been so busy! But you’re right, I’m sorry, I should have come to visit sooner. You could have told me over the phone, though?”
Dani dropped her hands to her side. “I know, you’ve been busy, and with everything that happened with Mom and Dad, I wasn’t exactly in a rush to come out. I’m still not even sure what my gender really is, so how about we wait on the colorful balloons and cake for now.”
A lot of not-so-great thoughts and memories of how their parents reacted when Aspen came out tried to take center stage in their mind. They must have made some kind of expression because Dani took their hand and gave it a soft squeeze.
Aspen shook their head, forcing a smile back on their face. “Coming out can be scary, but it's so much better when you have friends, family, and allies–and it looks like you have all three of those here?”
They smiled over at Rachel, and she beamed back. “We got stuck in traffic for almost two hours. I’m pretty sure we’re bonded siblings now.”
“Speaking of bonded siblings,” Dani said. “I don’t think I can manage a dog right now, but could I donate $150, get a haircut, and give someone else who wants it the voucher?”
“Sure, or we could always add it to the giveaway drawing later,” Aspen said, squeezing her hand and using it to guide her back into the salon seat.
Rachel came up beside Aspen and gave them a side hug. “I’m going to go see if Blair needs any help.”
“Thanks, hon, you’re the best. Do you want to grab dinner with us tonight? It might be kind of late,” they said, planting a kiss on her cheek, since they weren’t wearing bright purple lipstick like Blair.
“We made plans for the three of us to go shopping tomorrow,” Dani said, grinning up at them.
“Oh, really? Who’s driving, cause you know it’s not me.”
“I’ll drive,” Rachel said, returning the kiss to Aspen’s temple. “I know you said you wanted some more festive clothes forChristmas and New Year's, and Dani mentioned wanting to find some more androgynous clothes with your help.”
