Hamura's Story - Part II
Posted on Tuesday, 1 June 2021 - 9:10am by Ensign Oriana Skye Sety & Lieutenant JG Hayashi Hamura
Mission:
Operation: Neu Reich
Location: USS Standing Bear | Crew Quarters
Timeline: 2394 MD 19
ON:
When Oriana emerged from the shower wearing her night cloths, a pair of white shorts with purple hearts and a spaghetti strap tank top Haya’s lips went dry. Oriana was a beautiful woman. Hayashi quickly turned around pouring tea into mugs as a way of distraction.
“You find me physically attractive and you’re fighting it.”
Hayashi coughed and jumped turning around. “W…I’m the Betazoid,” Hayashi said lamely.
She laughed. “Well, we’ve both hinted at having an interest in one another so it doesn’t take a Betazoid but why are you fighting it?”
Hayashi sighed. Oriana didn’t want to talk about her past, or the message that much was clear to Hayashi by Oriana’s selection of topics. “Alright, no talking about the message I guess.”
Oriana accepted the mug of tea wrapping her hands around it for comfort and heat. “Why fight it?”
“It’s complicated. I’m not who I appear to be.”
Oriana’s lips twitched. “I see. In what way?”
Hayashi sighed. “I…well you see me….”
Oriana grinned. “Why is this so hard? Where is the Hayashi confidence I know?"
Hayashi shrugged. “Never came up at lease since the Academy. Never liked anyone enough to get into a serious relationship and all the talk that came with it.”
“Ah…so you see me as serious relationship potential.”
Hayashi blushed and Oriana found it cute. She was pretty sure she knew what Hayashi wanted to say but everyone deserved to tell their own story, Oriana would help where she could to bolster Haya’s courage. “Listen. Hayashi you can tell me anything. I won’t judge.”
Hayashi sighed, “I know that. I just…” Hayashi drank some tea and then said, “Alright. Listen. You probably see me as this handsome guy…”
Oriana laughed. “Well, you’re certainly aware of your attractiveness.”
Hayashi blushed and Oriana waived her hand. “First of I find you to be very good looking, yes, that’s true but I don’t see you as a handsome guy, I see you as Hayashi, the person.” She hoped that was enough to put Hayashi at ease.
There was a tense silence that followed and then Hayashi seemed to just spill it all out. “I was born a woman.”
Oriana sipped her tea seeming to have no reaction. “Yes, I know. You’ve held me close a few times I don’t think guys are endowed up top. Even though you're probably about an A-cup it’s obvious to me from you holding me but I also know that you see yourself as both male and female, you have both genders in who you are, in your soul, your heart, your being. You are neither simply man nor simply woman you are both genders, gender fluid, I believe. Did I get that right?”
Hayashi stared at her a moment and then smiled. “Yeah…I mean I was born with a female body but I’ve always gravitated towards the male aspect, androgynous dress, I prefer pants, short hair but there are times when I feel like wearing a dress, make up, earrings, and I embrace myself as a woman and other times when I embrace myself as male.”
She smiled. “Do you prefer he, she, they, them, hir? That’s really the only question I had. I didn’t want to offend so I didn’t ask.”
Hayashi laughed. “Oh man! I’ve been sweating this conversation for so long. Um…honestly, I’m okay with any of those. I’m secure in my identity and I don’t mind them, him, or her, they all are right in my opinion.”
Oriana smiled. “See that wasn’t so hard.”
Hayashi laughed. “I guess not. You can accept all this? I mean you still want to pursue a relationship with me?”
“I wouldn’t be broaching the topic if I wasn’t. I’m the complicated person,” Oriana said. “But yes, I accept you for who you are, Hayashi, smart, funny, thoughtful, romantic, and confident. Don’t lose your confidence, ever. It’s what I admire most in you. You are who you are and you need nobody’s approval. It’s how I want to be someday.”
Hayashi studied her reaching across the table taking her hand. “What makes you complicated?”
Oriana sighed. She didn’t pull her hand away, she turned it so that she grasped Hayashi’s hand palm to palm. “Mine is a long story. Right now, after the message…my day I just am not strong enough to tell you what’s in my heart. Can we do it tomorrow? We both have the day off.”
Hayashi gave a nod. “Absolutely.”
They sat together a while longer and then parted for their separate bedrooms.
Within her own room Oriana slumped onto her bed. She tried to sleep, she really had but tossing and turning followed. She thought about her family, about her past, about all that was weighing on her. Deciding that she couldn’t sleep she threw back the covers and headed out of her room.
Hayashi had just changed into PJs and slipped into bed when the door chime rang. Reaching over Hayashi pressed the release button on the door.
The door slid open to reveal Oriana. She looked so down that Hayashi’s heart broke. “Kitten?” Hayashi used the pet name she’d given to Oriana in an attempt to make her smile a little.
“I couldn’t sleep. Can I stay with you tonight?”
Hayashi smiled, lifted the covers and gave a nod. “Come on then.”
Oriana came inside and slid under the covers. As Hayashi tucked them around her, she pulled Hayashi’s arm so that it was around her too. When they were spooned comfortably sleep came to Oriana instantly.
Hayashi, however, lay awake a while longer. “It’s going to be alright. I promise I’ll be there for you,” Hayashi whispered before sleep finally came. Tomorrow would be a day where Hayashi would finally learn Oriana’s heart and maybe, just maybe, they could start something special together.
OFF:
