Chapter 14 Rory #2
“Yes. It should be the same or significantly different. That looks poor.” Rory looked Gemma in the eyes.
“And having good taste doesn’t mean that I’m a snob.
” She sniffed dismissively. “When I was a junior, I had to be in a suit every day, and I quickly learned that a well-made suit pays for itself sooner rather than later.”
Gemma wrinkled her brow for a moment and then leaned back against Rory.
“So, my friend has developed a taste for the finer things in life. Good to know.”
“And I work hard to pay for it. Is that so bad?” Rory felt her defences rising.
This had been a constant argument in her house when she was younger.
Her parents had come from vastly different backgrounds and had met at university.
There had been many evenings where they would argue over how to spend on something, where her father wanted to buy something budget, but her mother was used to buying the best or top of the line.
Gemma had been a witness to some of these discussions, especially on holiday, and it made a younger Rory very embarrassed.
It was also a cause of friction between her and Darcy.
Rory had long been able to buy whatever she wanted but also liked to have a sensible approach to money and save wherever possible.
Whereas Darcy had thrown money at the most expensive thing she could get.
“No, I guess not.” Gemma sighed. “But I work with young LGBT+ people. Most of them have been kicked out without anything.”
“I can’t imagine how that must be.” Rory tightened her arms around Gemma. “Thank goodness our families have always been so supportive.”
Gemma hummed her agreement and leant back against Rory. Rory luxuriated in the feel of Gemma in her arms and the calmness it brought to her. Then Gemma moved, and all calm thoughts raced from her mind as Gemma’s body moved across hers.
“So…” Gemma tapped at her screen again and pointed her phone towards Rory’s face. “What about body shape? You say you’d like a more masculine build. How about this?”
Rory looked at the screen and gasped. The person on the screen was amazing.
“Who’s that?”
“That is Jak,” Gemma explained, “and they are my new favourite person to look at. I mean, take a look at those arms.” She mock-fanned herself, and Rory felt a prickle of jealousy flash through her at the sight of Gemma looking at Jak as she did.
Rory pushed those thoughts from her mind and took in the sculpted body of the person on screen in wonder.
Jak was of average height, but that was the only average thing about them.
Their body rippled with muscle. They wore a pair of shorts and a sports bra, but that was it.
They had tanned skin and short, spiky blond hair.
Rory watched in awe as Gemma flicked through their Instagram account.
They watched a couple of videos, and it was obvious that Jak specialised in fitness and nutrition.
“Jak is a personal trainer who works exclusively with AFAB and trans men.”
“AFAB?” Rory’s head was whirling with the new terms she was learning.
“Assigned Female at Birth.” Gemma explained.
“They have a Facebook group, and I joined, you know, for research for you. Everyone there is, or has been, in a similar position to you. Most are butch or masculine presenting, and some of them have transitioned. Jak has developed workout programs for all body shapes, and they have a specific one for women who want to build muscle and have a more masculine build.” Gemma paused and twisted again to look at Rory.
“There is a 4-week challenge starting soon for women like you. I thought we could look at it together.” Gemma’s voice was gentle.
“Why would you do it?” Rory took a breath.
Her blood ran cold. As much as she wanted to change how she looked, the thought of Gemma losing her curves filled her with dread.
Rationally, she knew that Gemma’s body was hers to do with as she wished.
Involuntarily, her fingers traced the curve of Gemma’s hip and thigh.
“Oi!” Gemma gently slapped at her hands. “Keep your hands to yourself, please.” She poked Rory on the nose, making the taller woman smile. “And I don’t mean I can ‘do’ the challenge. I think we could look at it together, and you do the sweating and hard work.”
Rory tucked her head into Gemma’s shoulder and squeezed her eyes tightly shut to stop the tears that were forming in them.
For the first time in a very long time, she felt seen and accepted.
Unlike Darcy, Gemma hadn’t run for the hills or told her she was disgusting for wanting to change her body.
She felt loved and cherished and supported.
“Thank you.” She mumbled into Gemma’s shoulder.
Her arms tightened around Gemma’s waist, and she buried her face into Gemma’s shoulder.
It would have been very easy to tip her head to one side and allow her lips to graze the silky column of Gemma’s throat, but that way lay madness.
She kept her head where it was, content for now to be safe and secure with her friend in her arms.