original fiction: "Mental Minefield"

Sep 04, 2012 16:02

Title: Mental Minefield
Summary: Random fictional people expressing opinions about gender perception and navigating a relationship. Oh, and Shakespeare stuff that might not be true (like a lot of Shakespeare stuff).

Leaning over the bathroom counter to apply eye make-up, Sully commented, "I am doing drag for you, I hope you appreciate it." She paused to hike up her skirt, the better to keep her balance.

A snort came from the other room, where Anna was trying to decide which pair of shoes to wear.

"Despite appearances to the contrary, sometimes, Sully, you are not actually a gay man. It's not drag if a woman does it."

Sully set down the lipstick she'd been about to use with deliberate precision. Straightening her spine and smoothing down her clothes, she took the step to the door.

"Okay, first of all, 'drag' is an acronym for Dressed Resembling A Girl. It comes from the notations in some of Shakespeare's plays. You can't deny that this --" she spread her hands to indicate what she was wearing. "-- is a hell of a lot more 'resembling a girl' than I usually dress."

Anna smiled and started to say something, but Sully cut her off with a sharp gesture. She wasn't done.

"Second and more importantly, you are not the arbiter of my sexual orientation or gender identity. If you think sleeping with me means you are, you won't be for much longer."

Anna blinked at the flinty look in Sully's eyes. She'd seen her angry before, but rarely this angry directed her way, and with the unaccustomed make-up... she seemed like a stranger.

"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

Sully crossed her arms. "We've talked about cis assumptions."

Anna bit her lip. "Yeah. I didn't -- think I was making one. I am sorry, Sully." She walked up to her and touched her, running hands over tense shoulders, smoothing a line of foundation along her jaw. "You look pretty."

"It's a costume," Sully said flatly, eyes hard.

"It's a pretty costume," Anna replied softly, eyes full of worry.

After a moment, Sully sighed and thawed, pulling her in for a quick hug.

"You're provisionally forgiven. Don't wear the blue pumps, they always give you blisters."

Anna saluted. "Yessir!"

Sully shook her head and went back to the mirror and her lipstick.

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writing, original fiction, lgbt, glbt, sexual politics, original characters

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