Bother Me

This story is dedicated to my closest friends, Echo, Skye and Jasey. I don't know why two people trying to fix something with no knowledge of such reminds me of the three of ya, but it does. Maybe it's cause of our relationship, but whatever. I hope the three of you out of everyone enjoys it.

Also- happy Pride Month!

I started in awe watching the sun rise. It was so gorgeous! "I should get up earlier more often.." I found myself whispering. The sky was its usual bright colors, purples pinks and oranges. And of course, blue. The clouds that seemed to move with me as I drove made the sun flicker almost. I couldn't help but smile, letting out a sigh. 

Making a turn, I returned my vision to the road, making sure I didn't hit anything. It was early and people are barely even awake, but there are people like me in this world, so it's better safe then sorry.

Soon I made my way to my destination: the cafe's drive through.  I combed a hand through my hair staring at the menu. "What can I get you today?" A voice asked, slightly robotic. Ordering a coffee was always difficult. 

"Er- just a moment!"

"Okay, lemme know when you decide!" The voice responded, cheerily. And awkward too, I mean.. I have to speak? Jeez. I let out a sigh before opening my mouth, ignoring the cemet-y feeling. 

"Hello-" I start. I shift a little. "Can I get a 24 ounce almond milk frappe with dark chocolate drizzle?"

"Of course- do you want whip cream with that?" My eyes widen. I completely forgot about that.

"Yes please." I say quickly, feeling a bit dumb. 

"Okay that'll be four dollars and twenty seven cents." 

"Thank you." I respond, driving forward just as the chick responded with a 'Your welcome'. I stopped by the window and inhaled deeply. I stared at the dashboard, scratching my thumb a bit as I waited. 

"You ordered an almond frappe with dark chocolate drizzle, right?" The chick from earlier asked. I looked up before smiling. She was pretty gorgeous, hair just barely above her shoulders. 

"Yeah, I did." I reply. She nods before returning to the strange machinery that creates my wonderful addiction: caffeine. I tilted my head: she looked pretty androgynous. 

I bit my lip. Please don't have me misgendering them, I thought to myself. Even if it's just in my head. I sigh combing my hand through my hair again. 

I stared off for a bit before he- their voice filled the air once more. "Here you go." They smile. I return the smile, doing the usual transaction of signing and paying, taking the drink. 

"Thank you-" I pause before deciding. "Wonderful person." I say with an awkward smile. Their eyes widen and they smile big.

"Thanks for that." They smile. "You're right with the voice, however." They say. I let out a huge sigh and they laugh. "Have a good day." 

"You too, ma'am." She laughs again, and I drive off.

I get out of my car, grabbing the now very empty cup of coffee before tossing it in the near by garbage bin. Locking my car I head towards the thrift store: Value Village. I needed a few new flannels as I gave mine to my cousin who was experiencing a bit too much dysphoria for my liking. 

My eyes naturally scan the store's floor before heading towards the back right area, the "men's" section. I hope that one day, clothing won't be gendered, I thought to myself. 

Walking through the isles, I fingered through the different flannels looking to see if any caught my eye and if one did, I grabbed it. So far I had three, a modest green black and yellow one, a neon green black and sage green one, and one with your average green purple with gray. I chewed the inside of my lip as I searched for more. When I left the flannels I ended up with two dark blue ones.

I headed back towards the front of the store, grabbing a shopping cart. Tossing the flannels in I headed towards the pants/shorts area in the stereotypical men's section. I lazily grabbed two pairs of loose black jeans, a pair of gray ones and then a few random shorts as summer was close. Then again… It's Washington, I remind myself. I eye the shorts. I doubt I'll be able to wear those much.

After a moment of staring, I shrugged mentally saying 'F it'. I picked up a few undershirts, and with another 'F it' thought, I grabbed a few skirts too. Or Rock, as they'd say in German. I ignored the few people giving me glares or other looks akin to that. The skirts were cool, and clothes didn't dictate anything so, yeah. I ended up leaving Value Village very happy.

I spent the next three hours of my life sorting my laundry into my closet and drawers. That was sehr annoying. A few moments later, I leaned against the wall of my room, staring at the organized mess. I was productive, getting up at five, buying clothes after giving all mine away, so what now? Do I continue cleaning or- I jumped, turning to look at where my front door was.

I rose a brow navigating my way through my house. I live a few miles from the city, why is there a knock on my door? I stood on my tippy toes, staring through the peep hole(why is it called that?-) I blink a few times. There was this nervous looking person in a hoodie. I quickly notice it was raining too, and with that I unlock my door, peeking through the crack. "Uh- hello-" I blink seeing them jump.

They look at me with nervous eyes. Like a deer in the headlights. I offer a small smile. "I- hello. I'm.. I'm sorry for bothering you but- my," They look back to the road before returning their gaze to me. They sounded and looked so nervous. Poor baby. "My car broke down and-" My eyes widen. Their voice was strained. They were close to tears.

"Hey hey- it's okay." I open the door wider. "Come in- stay here real quick." I motion for them to enter. They look at me in surprise. 

"I- are- really?"

"Of course." They come in. "What's wrong with your car?" I ask closing the door making my way to a cabinet thing I keep in the living room.

"I don't know… It just like.. Made this weird jarring noise, like a cough?" They rubbed their arm nervously. "It came to a slow stop, like it turned off and I.." They let out a low groan putting their hands to their head, muttering to themselves. 

"Hey- it'll be alright." I say handing them a hoodie. They look at me with that dang look again before after a bit, taking the hoodie. They say a small thank you before taking off the wet one they were wearing and changing into that. "Is it new?" I ask taking their hoodie putting it on the table. I jogged towards my bathroom to grab a blow dryer. 

"I don't know." I hear them reply just loud enough for me to hear. I return to the room and proceed to try to make their hoodie warm or dry. Will this even work? I wondered. "I just bought it a few days ago.. Gods my mom is going to be so mad.." They say, voice quivering.

"Why?" I ask slightly surprised.

"This is my second car this month.." They say rubbing their arm again. "The last one, apparently I got it when the brake wires were all fucked up.. And now this?" They plopped onto the floor, almost like they were in defeat. They let out another small groan, resting their head in their hands. I felt my chest tighten. "My entire family, mom dad, their new partners, my grandparents- all of them are good with cars. My sister too- and.." They made a small cry. 

"Hey- don't let that bother you." I reply, handing them their, mostly dried, hoodie. They said a small thank you before their shoulders dropped.

"There's stereotypes and family pressure." They reply helplessly before looking at me. "How can I not be bothered?" And that's when their sharp jawline and slightly deep voice hit me. My eyes couldn't help but narrow.

"F stereotypes, they can rot." Their eyes widen. I sigh before sitting down in front of them. "I'll help you with figuring the car stuff out, I don't know if I can cover a new car or something- but I'll pitch in-"

"No no." They start shaking their head. "I can't bother you like that-"

"You can always bother me like that." I say plainly. They freeze.

"What?-"

"You heard me." They gulp.

"I- I did, but-"

"I said what I said." I offer them a hand, they accept and the two of us stand up. 

"What-... How do I repay you?" I pause. 

"You don't. Your family seems like a bunch of d's, and I got away from that, so I'll help you." They nervously smiled, a tiny laugh crawling through their lips.

"They kinda are." I walk towards the door, them following after me. They set their dried hoodie on the cabinet thing before looking at me. "..Pronouns?" I laugh, smiling.

"He/him. You?"

"They/he." They smile meekly. I nod, a bit proud I remind myself to use gender neutral pronouns for anyone, unless told otherwise. 

"Well then- let's check out to see what's wrong with this car of yours, shall we?" I ask opening the door for them. They nod with a 'Yeah'.

The two of us walked into the rain heading towards the tiny red car. I inhaled deeply before opening the hood. "So.. I don't know much about cars... But my dad had a similar problem..." My voice droned out as I did my best to help them, a tiny smile on the both of our faces.

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A/N: Just in case you didn't catch it, Rock means skirt in German, and sehr is a variant of very in German. I also hope y'all don't mind me stopping on giving a content warning for language. If some of ya think I should still do that, I will.