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Long, drawn out screams filled the city as another job was well-done. It was like music to Black Hat, his subordinates had finished another task. It was still sloppy and mediocre but it was enough to satisfy Black Hat for the day. The client was content with their work, so there was nothing else to say to it all. The only thing they do after is go to Black Hat's office to give the news.
Everything was quite normal (normal, for THEM) after the adventure. When the three came into his office, he told them how their performance was mediocre and that was that. Though, something was off about one of them. The scientist of the group, Doctor Flug. She was just a mere human, so maybe it was just an emotion Black Hat couldn't understand; or care about for that matter, though he just knew something was bothering her. Flug was a very nervous and fearful individual, so this wasn't uncommon in the slightest.
Although, it definitely felt different this time.
Other than the fact it has been a few days and this certain aura does not last awhile when it appears, Flug's mind must be filled with something else. Black Hat didn't care for her tragic backstory as much as he should, so maybe it had something to do with that. Possibly something about Goldheart or Miss Heed? The real question is why in the living hell is he thinking about it so much. That is definitely out of character for Black Hat.
He isn't worried, Flug is a big girl who can take care of herself so what is the problem? From what Black Hat knows, she didn't have a fight with 5.0.5 or even Demencia for that matter. They all seemed to be getting along-er, close to what you can call that. The point is Black Hat should stop thinking about it, as he is almost scaring himself with his thoughts. Almost. She better not ask for a break or whatever, Black Hat still needs her for inventions and whatnot.
To get his mind off things, he sits on his chair and turns on the TV, planning to torment every show that comes on. The first one that came on was some kid's show he has seen before. So they still haven't learned their lesson, huh? No matter. Black Hat finds it fun when someone refuses to give up, their loss.
It didn't take long before Black Hat felt a presence become closer. Assuming it was Flug or Demencia, he waits until hearing a small knock on his door. Black Hat was contemplating on whether he should let them in or not, but he was feeling nicer than usual so he allowed it. He shouted a small "come in", the door opening with a very nervous Flug. Most probably wouldn't think that but Black Hat could see right through her, giving Flug a small glare from the interruption.
"J..Jefecito?"
Flug shakingly said in a quiet voice. From what Black Hat could gather from just that, she seems to be distressed about something. His body stood on its own as he turned to Flug, noting the sweat coming from her bag. It was not only that, but the way she was shaking was more than fear. Nervousness, anxiety, just to name a few was just guesses coming from Black Hat. Flug seemed to gulp as she put a hand to her chest, waiting for a response. Something about Flug looks different, but Black Hat can't exactly pinpoint it yet.
"What? Did something happen? You look slightly different than usual. Anything went wrong in the lab?”
Black Hat finally responded, taking another guess as to what could have happened. Flug only looked down for a moment, probably wondering what to say next. She had a serious look on her face, hands clenching into small fists before trying her best to relax. The silence speaks louder than words. This is much more serious than Black Hat had originally thought.
"Not.. No. Could you sit down? This is extremely important to me.."
Black Hat would usually protest since he doesn't like it when people tell him what to do. But he was generally curious, and Flug was practically passionate about whatever the problem is. So, instead Black Hat listens to her and sits down in his chair, his head tilted with amusement and interest. Flug sits in front of him, from what it seems, it almost appears as if she was about to cry. This is rare, but concern is starting to fuel Black Hat, trying to soften his look so she can speak up.
“Uh.. How are you today?”
Flug asked, trying not to stutter on her words. Black Hat humors her, seeing as she is trying to stall, clearly not wanting to say what she really wants to say.
“Mm.. I am doing,, alright. What about you, doctor?”
Flug had an unsure look on her face, Black Hat was able to tell what her answer would be without her even answering. She fiddles with her thumbs out of nervousness.
“Honestly? Not good. I know that isn’t a shock but I feel worse than usual. I have been thinking about something, and it's been on my mind for a while. I just feel like.. It's a good time to tell you now.”
Black Hat expected that, but he wondered what could be bothering Flug this much that she went to him, and might proceed to vent?! He doesn't like listening to someone else's issues. Flug never annoys him with her problems, however, it appears to have some sort of relation with him, somehow. Black Hat sat back, trying his best to not get angry.
"Okay. Spit it out then. I don't have all day.. We still have clients."
Flug nodded, she wanted to get it over with as soon as possible but knew that couldn't happen if she was going to be a nervous wreck the entire time. She tries not to stutter on her words but fails.
"L-Look. I feel like.. I don't belong.. Ugh! Something about me.. Feels.. Feels wrong. Okay.. What I am.. TRYING to say is.. I feel like the way I look doesn't represent the way I feel inside, and the way people interpret me based on my looks drags me to a cycle of self-deprecation."
Black Hat gives her a peculiar look, not exactly knowing what she means by that. He can only deduce that she is self-conscious about something. Perhaps, her body because of the way she is talking about her looks, Fucking, duh.
Flug is getting anxious, the way Black Hat is looking at her is making her quite uncomfortable, hoping he was just curious and wouldn't be mad. Black Hat sees how it made Flug uncomfortable, so he softens his gaze so she doesn't have to be so tense. Flug never enjoyed how long it can take for Black Hat to respond during a conversation. The eldritch detected that too, clearing his throat to respond.
"That must not be a fun feeling, huh? Anything I can contribute, to make it go away?"
Flug sighed, he at least seems to be willing to help. There is something Black Hat can do, but Flug hasn't got there yet. She isn't sure how to put it into words.
"Yes. I.. need you.. I need you to promise me that you'll accept me. What I am about to tell you.."
Flug stops talking in the middle of her words, her body shaking. Black Hat was caught by surprise, was Flug that scared? Now he was even more curious.
"Flug, I do not care what you're doing. If it's not drastically changing your place here, I could care less."
Flug had to just say it now. That was enough to boost her confidence, she needed some clarification on something. She needed to choose her words carefully, depending on what Black Hat knew. She decided to try to question him.
"Do you know what transgender means?"
Black Hat frowns at the question. No, he didn't know what it meant. He may have heard Demencia say it once, but had zero ideas of its meaning. He wouldn't say, but Black Hat always felt embarrassed when he didn't know more recent words made by humans. Not like he cared about being left out, but the point still stands.
"How about transsexual?"
Flug tried using an older word, seeing if that rang a bell. Black Hat had definitely heard that one, it was a much longer time ago, which just shows his age.. But even so, he thought it was another thing humans created, and he had no business caring. Never had bad intentions, Black Hat has that mindset towards humans and their creations. Thus, he shakes his head but is still amused.
Flug sighed. She expected this, so now she has to explain this in her own words. Does Black Hat even HAVE a gender? He is like an alien, after all.
"This may be a strange question but.. What do you see me as? Or, I mean, you see me as a girl? I mean you've known me for so long.. So like.. You've known me as a girl for a long time."
Black Hat's expression turned from amusement to confusion real quick. Where is this going to go? Hopefully, this isn't actually a waste of his time. He stares at her, straightening up his body.
"I see you as my scientist. I could care less as to whatever you humans call yourselves. You told me you were a girl, and I've seen your birth certificate. The same goes for Demencia. You have never told me anything else. I refer to you as that but.. I see you as my scientist nonetheless."
Flug relaxed at that but still looked tense and not sure. She put her hand back on her chest, looking at Black Hat in the eyes, or.. eye. She was contemplating on what to say from the likes of it, then she let out a shaky breath before speaking.
"I don't want to be referred to that anymore. Well, I should be more specific since I don't mean scientist.. I don't want you to.. Refer to me as a…a .. woman… anymore. I don't like it."
Before Black Hat could even think of a response to that, she… or he? continued. Flug figured.. he should start with her.. his. appearance. While it's still the same, some notable differences have occurred.
"Jefecito, I am not sure if you've noticed anything since it has only been a month, but I.. am on testosterone.."
Flug pointed to their chest, giving Black Hat a tiny smile. Black Hat raised an eyebrow, eyeing it. Flug could tell Black Hat was going to question him from his face.
"Binder, by the way. I just got it. It's.. Y'know. For me to look.. flatter."
Ah, that is different. He wouldn't even notice or care anyway, he doesn't look at that area! Black Hat stood up and got close to Flug, which caused the other to get nervous. He was trying to be careful, his goal, surprisingly, not wanting to scare Flug. Black Hat softly puts a hand on Flug's shoulder, staring deeply into his eyes.
"Does the thought of you being seen as a man, and being called one, make you feel better? Happier?"
Flug's mood definitely brightened up, going from nervousness to being delighted by the outcome that is occurring. Flug shrugs, before immediately nodding, not wanting to confuse his boss any further. The shrug didn't go unnoticed, however, and he was curious as to what Flug was thinking. Like Black Hat has stated before, he truly does not care about what humans are, much less on what Flug is, as long as they are doing their job, but he wanted to understand it all better.
"There is something else you want to say, doctor. I can tell. If you want to, you can tell me what it is.."
Flug hated how good Black Hat truly was on reading minds. He knew that Black Hat doesn't want to be left in the dust, contrary to what he just said. They sighed, at least Black Hat was willing to listen.
"It.. Okay it would make me happy, however, I don't want to be seen as a man because of that. I don't want it to just make me happy. I want people to actually see me as what I am. I want people to just.. look at me and see a man, and go on with their day. I see myself as a guy. I want everyone else to see me like that too."
Black Hat nods, trying to understand Flug's words. He examines what Flug stated. It made quite a sensation, and he was delighted that Flug was able to tell him such a thing.
"Okay.. I understand. You're a man. No one can tell you otherwise, that's what you are. If someone tries to, I can eat their soul?"
This time, it was almost certain Flug was about to cry. Despite how much he knows Black Hat hates hugging, Flug goes in for one. They wrapped their arms around him tightly, not wanting to let go. This surprised Black Hat, so badly wanting to pull Flug off but couldn't do it. From what he can infer, it seems like this is a big deal for humans, changing your gender and telling everyone about it too.. He'll let Flug have this, the poor guy was probably stressing himself over it for god knows how long.
Humans truly do suck if they make such a hissy fit over something that doesn't even affect them personally. Something came over Black Hat, seeing how comfortable Flug was from just hugging him. He sighed and wrapped his own arms around Flug, pulling him closer. They both stayed like that for awhile, Flug trying to calm down. The smaller man had definitely cried; if the soft cries and Black Hat feeling his suit becoming wet wasn't enough to tell.
It felt like they were holding each other forever, but Flug pulled back and looked at Black Hat. Oh, his bag was soaked. Flug grabbed his bag and looked at Black Hat for permission to take it off, to which the older man nodded his head. He would need a new one anyway, so Flug took it off. His face was red and puffy, with dried and still wet tears on his cheeks. It was disgusting, Black Hat didn't even want to look at it.
Flug runs a hand through his already messy hair, he was quite embarrassed as his face was dirty, he would have to wash it later. Black Hat couldn't stand to bare looking at it, so he makes a wet washcloth appear, and instead of just, handing it to Flug, he washes his face himself, which causes Flug to giggle. Black Hat rolled his eye before pulling it back, seeing that Flug's face was definitely cleaner than before. Black Hat stood back from the scientist, observing him. He tilted his head, causing Flug some confusion, wondering what his boss was thinking.
"Y'know, you look like a boy without your bag. And with your bag, no one could probably tell what you are."
This swelled Flug's heart. He has had these thoughts about himself for so long, hell since he was in the academy! Every time he got close to accepting it however, he would talk himself out of it. Only just recently did he accept himself, after some venting to 5.0.5 who most likely didn't understand any of it but supported him nonetheless. The words still rang in Flug's mind, his face was mostly just red because he became flustered from it all.
Black Hat grabs a spare paper bag and puts it on Flug, mumbling "much better" to himself as he hands him his goggles. It's easy to tell when Flug is happy, his mood cheerful and lively. Flug was consumed by his thoughts, the silence deafening to him.
"Are you sure? Like you really mean that?"
Flug questions, referencing Black Hat's words from earlier. Black Hat gave him a look of reassurance but figured the younger boy would want to hear it come from the man's mouth instead. Humans needing an extensive amount of attention and junk is annoying to Black Hat, but can tolerate it if it's coming from one of his subordinates since they help so much anyway.
"Yes. Why would I lie? Stop being hard on yourself, it's annoying."
Black Hat's right, he has no reason to lie about something like that since he gains nothing from it either way. Flug smiled through his bag, the result of his coming out was better than he expected by a longshot. He thought that Black Hat wouldn't be like, against it or anything, but more or less thought he would be so confused to the point he gets frustrated with Flug. But that didn't happen, this is probably the most supportive Black Hat has ever been to Flug- and knowing him- in general too. Or at least its been awhile.
Flug just nods to Black Hat's words, they didn't want to doubt his boss, that usually doesn't end well. Black Hat wasn't sure on what to say now, they covered all of it, didn't they? Well, maybe there are some things he should tell Flug.
"This doesn't change anything, and I think you know that. You're still my doctor, my scientist.. and my inventor.. You know that. You are still my right-hand man, that isn't going to change. Don't let some stupid thoughts control you, do what you want but I need ya for my organization.."
Black Hat quite literally cringed from how sickeningly sweet his words were, even if they were true to some extent. The point got across to Flug, his thoughts were everywhere. Okay, maybe this went too well for Flug because he is about to combust from whatever just happened but it's fine, they'll be great- Black Hat just doesn't want Flug to feel bad right now and those words, while maybe true, are just empty- Or not. They both had already gone over that Black Hat has no reason to lie.
"Th..Thanks, sir. That.. really means a lot to me. Glad you think that way.."
Black Hat felt like kicking a dog after this, it was way too soft and he is only doing this because he lowkey cares about Flug's well-being but wouldn't tell a damn soul. He didn't expect himself to spill those words to Flug but it happened, and now he can't go back. A chuckle escaped from Black Hat, sitting back down.
"Does anyone else know about it?"
Flug shakes his head.
"Only 5.0.5 but that's different of course.. So no. Not even Demencia.. I'll have to tell her.."
Black Hat nods in understanding, letting his head drop. He realized that he was the first person Flug went to if that was the case, which something like this probably involves trust. If he had a heart, it would have more than likely warmed up from that thought. Flug looks at Black Hat, still having one last thing he wants to say. Black Hat pulled his attention back to Flug, he stared at him as he could tell Flug wanted to say something.
"Thanks.. A ton, Jefecito. I know you don't usually.. Well, don't act like that.. And I. I don't know. You've just been so.. Supportive this entire time. A lot of people may not like it, but I don't care about most of em'. You're one of the most important people in my life at the moment so, it's hard to care about what other people think. Especially when you're okay with all of this. That's.. Really what I wanted. Your support is stronger than most.. Thanks, again. I appreciate it."
Flug was certain all of this heart-to-heart talk was getting to Black Hat, but it's alright. Flug has said everything he needed to say, there is no longer any reason to talk about it unless there are looming questions Black Hat has. Flug knows he most likely doesn't though, Black Hat has already said too many gushy words, he sees them as a man now. Flug feels like he doesn't deserve anything else, he was praised enough for one day. Black Hat thought the same, though he would be lying if he said Flug's thanks didn't make him feel a new and unfamiliar emotion.
Flug has taught Black Hat unknown and strange human information, most of which has been quite boring, but this time he was willing to listen since it directly involves Flug. Anything can be interesting if Flug is involved, right? Certainly, it was all okay, he let the other explain how they were feeling, it was worth it, to see Flug excited and hopefully feel better about himself. Anyway, Black Hat is getting too ahead of himself.
“It's alright, Flug.. You don’t need to thank me. I SHOULD thank you for telling me.. I can tell you trust me.. This is a one in a life time experience. Don’t expect.. THIS.. to happen again.”
Flug laughed softly, it is still Black Hat after all. The most powerful thing in the universe has a small soft spot for a human. Keyword, small. Hence why Black Hat has thrown insults in his words at times. Nothing will change, Flug can tell. The only difference now is Flug can be who he is, and not pretend to play as something he isn’t. No more talking himself out of it, this is them now.
Once silence fell for the second time, they both knew it was enough. Flug will have to tell Demencia and figure out how to socially transition, but maybe he can have some help with that one. Black Hat spoke up before Flug could get caught in his thoughts again.
“Flug?”
Flug looks up at Black Hat with a questioning look.
“Hm?”
Black Hat grins at him and lays back.
“I need ya to make me a ray that shoots acid out of it.. It's for a client.”
Flug smiled through his bag. I mean, that’s one of the jobs Flug is there for--inventions. (Since Black Hat has no idea what he is doing when he tries but that doesn’t matter.) Flug nods and stands up from the chair, walking to the door.
“I’ll get to work on that, sir! I just have to do one more thing. Need to, ah, talk to Demencia.”
Black Hat knew what he meant, he’s quite sure Demencia wouldn’t care either way. She probably knows all about it, thanks to the web thing or whatever humans call it.
“Oh? Well good luck with that, doctor.”
Flug opened the door and nodded his head.
“Thanks. Your kind words warmed my heart, Jefecito.”
Flug left without another word.
Respect, trust, and intimacy are huge steps for a subordinate, but it was always there in Flug’s case, it just bloomed brighter.