As we walked back, I remembered we had an appointment with Brela at the 18th hour and glanced at my watch. It was just 17.5. I turned to Alex and asked, "Would you mind taking Ana back to the inn so Sam and I can head to the appointment?"

  Alex hesitated, their brow furrowing as they glanced at Sam. "Are you sure? Is everything okay?" they asked softly.

  Sam looked down, avoiding Alex’s gaze. "It’s fine," they mumbled, their voice barely audible.

  Alex sighed, concern lingering in their expression, but eventually nodded. "Alright. Ana and I will head back. Just… let me know if you need anything," they said, their tone gentle but firm. It was uncharacteristic of Alex, who was usually bold and outgoing. This situation seemed to make them vulnerable, their inability to help Sam weighing heavily on them. The love they had for Sam was clear in their hesitant glance before they turned away, leading Ana back toward the inn.

  I knelt to hug Ana, brushing a hand through her hair. I signed, "Be good, sweetheart. Stick with Alex, okay?"

  Ana nodded with a small smile and signed, "I’ll be good. See you soon, Mama."

  "See you soon," I replied, squeezing her tightly before letting her go. She skipped off beside Alex, glancing back to wave as they walked away.

  Sam and I walked in silence toward the meeting. The quiet between us was heavy, but I didn’t press them. They’d speak when they were ready, and I had a feeling that moment would come soon enough.

  When we arrived, Val was no longer outside greeting people. It seemed the time for newbie appointments was done, and I wondered if Val had chosen the position to challenge themselves or if they had been placed there. Either way, I hoped I’d see Val again.

  We were brought into Brela’s office, which was different from the room we’d been in earlier. This one had a desk and personal items scattered around, giving it a warm, lived-in feel. Comfortable chairs and a couch were arranged in a welcoming layout. Brela directed us to the couch and handed us bottles of water before settling into an armchair nearby.

  “Sam, did you explain to Ani what’s going on?” Brela asked, her tone gentle but firm.

  “No, not yet,” Sam admitted, hesitating and speaking slowly. “There just wasn’t the right time, and I wasn’t ready to talk to Alex.”

  I turned to Sam, concern etched on my face. “It’s okay. Take your time,” I said softly.

  Sam took a deep breath, their hands fidgeting with the bottle cap. “During my session with Brela, we talked about my skills and attunements. I always thought my path would align with tracking and finding—it’s what I’m good at. But… my attunement doesn’t match as closely as I thought. She said that happens when something is mixed up in how I want to perceive myself and how I actually perceive myself. The attunement seemed to align more with what my family expected me to be, a nurturer and not what I wanted to be.” They trailed off, looking down at their hands.

  “It’s making you question things?” I prompted gently.

  Sam nodded, their voice trembling slightly. “Yeah. It’s not just the attunement. It’s… me. I’ve been thinking about my gender. When Alex and I chose our names and embraced being non-binary, it felt right for both of us. But now… I think I want to be male. And that scares me. What if Alex doesn’t… what if they can’t accept it?”

  Brela leaned forward, her expression empathetic. “It’s normal to feel conflicted when you’re exploring such a significant part of yourself. But remember, this journey is about you and what feels authentic. Alex’s feelings are valid, but they shouldn’t dictate your self-discovery.”

  Sam’s voice broke slightly as they continued. “I love Alex. We’ve always supported each other. But what if me wanting to transition changes things between us? What if they don’t find me attractive anymore? In this world, transitioning is so much more complete than back home. It’s not just surgery or hormones—it’s a full change, down to chromosomes. The process takes about a month in a cryo chamber, and I’d be away the whole time. I never seriously thought about transitioning before because it always felt like a band-aid on a broken leg—like it wasn’t enough to fix how I felt. But here… it’s different. It could be real, like I was born that way. But what if Alex doesn’t like the change? What if they don’t find me attractive anymore? We’ve never even talked about transitioning.

  “And it’s not just me. Alex and I both went non-binary because we hated how girls were treated back home. We even picked gender-neutral versions of our names—Samantha became Sam, and Alexandra became Alex. But now… if I change, it’ll shift everything. I don’t know if Alex has ever wanted to transition, and if they did, I don’t even know how I’d feel about that. I love them so much, and the idea of anything coming between us terrifies me. And that… makes me feel like a terrible person.”

  I reached out, placing a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “You’re not a terrible person, Sam. These feelings are complicated, and it’s okay to be scared. But Alex loves you, too. I think they’d want you to be true to yourself, even if it’s hard at first.”

  Brela leaned forward, her tone thoughtful. “Sam, how do you think you would feel if Alex wanted to remain non-binary and didn’t want to transition? Or if they decided to transition as well? These are questions you might want to think about, especially as you prepare to talk to them. Would you still want to be with Alex if they chose to embrace their birth gender? Or if they transitioned as well?”

  Sam’s eyes glistened as they nodded slowly. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about that. I just… don’t want to lose them. But I need to figure out how I feel about those possibilities, don’t I?”

  “Yes,” Brela said gently. “These are things to consider, not because you need every answer before you talk to Alex, but because being prepared will help you feel more confident when the time comes. It’s okay to not know everything right now, but give yourself the space to reflect.”

  Sam took a deep breath, their voice quiet but steady. “I hope Alex can understand. I just… don’t know how to bring it up. We’ve never really talked about transitioning, not seriously. I’m afraid of losing what we have.”

  Brela’s voice was steady and reassuring. “Honesty is key, Sam. It’s clear you care deeply about Alex, and I believe they’ll appreciate you sharing your truth. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Take it one step at a time.”

  I nodded in agreement. “Maybe start by sharing what you’ve been feeling and let the conversation flow from there. Alex might surprise you.”

  Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

  Sam exhaled shakily, a small smile tugging at their lips. “Thanks. I think I’ll try. It’s just… a lot to process.”

  “And you don’t have to process it alone,” Brela said warmly. “You have people who care about you and want to help.”

  Sam’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and they nodded. “Okay. I’ll talk to Alex. Not tonight, but soon.”

  “That’s a good step,” I said, offering them an encouraging smile.

  Brela stood, signaling the end of our session. “Remember, my door is always open if you need more support. And Ani, thank you for being here for Sam. That support makes all the difference.”

  “Of course,” I replied, standing with Sam. “We’ll get through this together.”

  As we left Brela’s office, Sam seemed lighter, though the road ahead was still uncertain. I hoped they’d find the courage to open up to Alex soon and that Alex’s love for Sam would shine through, no matter what.

  Sam glanced at me, their voice steady but soft. “Thanks for coming with me, Ani. I… really needed that.”

  “Anytime, Sam,” I said, smiling. “You’ve got this.”

  We walked back to the inn in companionable silence, the tension from earlier seeming to ease slightly. When we arrived, the familiar hum of activity in the common room greeted us. Alex and Ana were sitting at a small table near the hearth, a checkerboard spread out between them. Ana’s brow was furrowed in concentration as she studied the board, while Alex leaned back with a small smile, clearly enjoying the moment.

  Alex looked up as we entered, their face softening with relief. "Hey, you’re back. How did it go?" they asked, their tone careful but curious.

  Sam hesitated for a moment, then offered a small smile. "It was good."

  "Thanks for taking care of Ana." I said.

  Alex waved it off, their usual confidence returning. "No problem. She’s a tough opponent, though. I think she’s got me beat this time."

  Ana glanced up and signed, "Almost your turn, Alex," before turning back to the board.

  I knelt to kiss Ana on the head. "Looks like you’re doing great, sweetheart. I need to clean up and help with dinner, so you be good, okay?"

  Ana nodded with a shy smile and signed, "Okay, Mama."

  Sam gave Alex one more lingering look before heading to their room to change. I caught the subtle relaxation in Alex’s posture as they watched Sam go, their love for them evident even in the smallest gestures.

  I smiled at Alex, feeling a warmth of gratitude for the bond they shared, and then headed to my own room. Once inside, I glanced at the small basin and tub in the corner. My thoughts wandered to the idea of a shower. It would be nice after the long day, but the inn didn’t seem to have that option. Curious, I stepped back out and called for the maid.

  When she arrived, I asked, "Does this inn have showers, or is it just baths?"

  She shook her head with a polite smile. "The baths here are all we offer, but the bathhouse in town has showers if that’s what you’re looking for."

  "Good to know," I replied. "Thank you. Could you heat up a bath for me?"

  "Of course," she said, heading to the tub and using a small spell to warm the water. The steam rose gently, filling the room with a comforting warmth.

  Once the bath was ready, I thanked her and settled in, allowing myself a few minutes of peace. The warm water eased the tension in my muscles, and I let out a contented sigh. It was a rare moment to simply exist without the weight of decisions or quests pressing down on me. Still, as I glanced at the time, I realized it was getting late.

  I drained the tub, dressed quickly, and headed back to the common room. Alex was still playing checkers with Ana, and Sam had returned, seated nearby with their skill book open on their lap. They glanced up as I entered, offering a small smile.

  "I need to head down to help with dinner," I announced. "You should all come down in about an hour to eat."

  Alex nodded, moving a checker piece with exaggerated deliberation to make Ana giggle. "We’ll be there."

  Sam glanced at Ana’s game and then back to their book, their focus shifting between the two. "Sounds good," they said absently, still leafing through the pages.

  I smiled at the peaceful scene and headed downstairs, ready to dive into the familiar rhythms of cooking. As I stepped into the kitchen, I was greeted by the bustling sounds of knives chopping against cutting boards and the steady bubbling of pots on the stove. The air was filled with a symphony of aromas—roasting garlic, simmering broth, and the tang of freshly cut herbs. It was both energizing and comforting, a familiar hum of activity that made the kitchen feel alive.

  Miriam was at the counter, her sleeves rolled up as she worked on a pot of white chicken chili. The rich, creamy broth was flecked with specks of green chilies, tender shreds of chicken, and plump white beans. A tray of freshly baked cornbread sat cooling nearby, its golden crust glistening with a light brush of butter. To her left, Nira was assembling French dip sandwiches with practiced precision, layering thin slices of roast beef onto crusty rolls with a dollop of creamy horseradish sauce. A pot of au jus simmered nearby, the savory aroma wafting through the room and making my mouth water.

  "Where do you need me?" I asked, stepping closer.

  Miriam glanced up, her eyes twinkling with a warm smile. "Perfect timing, Ani. Can you start plating the cornbread? We need it ready to go when the chili is done. After that, you can help with the greens—salads for the side."

  "On it," I said, grabbing a plate and slicing the cornbread into neat squares. The edges were crispy, the inside tender and slightly sweet. As I sliced it into neat squares, I couldn’t help but sneak a bite of a crumb that had fallen loose. The buttery, slightly sweet flavor melted on my tongue.

  "Taste testing?" Miriam teased, noticing my small indulgence.

  "Quality control," I replied with a grin, earning a chuckle from her. As I worked, Miriam moved on to seasoning the chili, adding a pinch of cumin and a handful of chopped cilantro.

  "That smells amazing," I said, unable to resist leaning over the pot for a better whiff.

  Miriam chuckled. "It’s one of my favorites. Simple, hearty, and satisfying. Perfect for a cool evening like this. The sandwiches are for those who want something heartier, but I think this chili will be the star."

  I nodded in agreement, setting the plated cornbread aside and moving to the greens.

  "What’s the plan for the salad?" I asked as I moved to the greens.

  "Simple but fresh," Miriam replied. "Spinach, arugula, and romaine, with some red onion, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds. And don’t forget the vinaigrette—it ties everything together." I set to work assembling the salad, layering the vibrant greens with care before turning my attention to the vinaigrette. I whisked together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a dollop of Dijon mustard, a touch of honey for sweetness, and a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper. The mixture turned silky and fragrant, its tangy aroma promising a bright contrast to the heartier dishes.

  As I drizzled the vinaigrette over the salads, Miriam leaned over to inspect my work. "Perfect," she said with an approving nod. "You’re a natural, Ani." As the last of the prep came together, Miriam turned to me with a grin. "Not bad for your first dinner shift. You’re a natural in the kitchen, Ani."

  "Thanks," I said, feeling a blush creep into my cheeks. "I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but it’s nice to be part of something bigger. Meals like this… they bring people together."

  Miriam nodded, her expression softening. "Exactly. Food has a way of making people feel at home, no matter where they are. And in a place like this, that matters more than ever."

  The clang of a bell from the dining area signaled that the first wave of guests was arriving. Miriam wiped her hands on her apron and turned to the team. "Alright, everyone, let’s make this a good one."

  I took my position by the counter, ready to serve the plates as they came together. It was a smooth, efficient process, each dish leaving the kitchen like a small offering of warmth and care. As the room filled with the chatter and laughter of satisfied diners, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of fulfillment.

  Even after the rush, there was still a lingering hum of energy in the air. I caught Miriam’s eye and gave her a grateful nod. "Thanks for letting me help. This was… exactly what I needed tonight."

  Miriam’s smile softened. "You’re welcome anytime, Ani. You bring good energy to the kitchen."

  I stayed long enough to clean up my station, enjoying the camaraderie of the team as we worked. I grabbed my food and headed to the dinning room. The room was alive with the comforting hum of conversation. Seeing Alex, Ana, and Sam huddled together at their table, their laughter mixing with the warm glow of the fire, I felt the weight of the day lift. For now, there was peace, and that was enough.