Disclaimer: I don't own The Powerpuff Girls

Summary: Buttercup has a secret she's been keeping from her family. An unlikely ally helps her get over her fears and embrace the truth.

Title: It's As Simple As That

Warnings: Transgender Buttercup

Authors note: No, I don't think Buttercup being transgender has even the smallest foothold of cannon in it. =) I just really liked the idea, so here it is. It's gonna be three or four chapters long, I suspect.

...

"Did you ever want something you couldn't have?"

Ace glanced up, cocking an eyebrow. Buttercup paid him no mind. Her arms were crossed behind her head as she stared at the sky above them. Ace stretched. "Duh. You don't see me livin' in a mansion, do you?" The puff snickered and shook her head. "Why you askin'?"

The relationship between the duo was... strange, at best. They fought, daily, on the battlefield, but they still managed to tolerate each others company on neutral ground, and even found themselves having some things in common. They'd been 'friends' for over three years now, and had yet to get sick of hanging out off hours. Suffice to say, however, few to none knew of their secret friendly rendezvous.

She shrugged. "No reason."

"This is about you, huh?" The girl froze for a moment in consideration before sullenly nodding. "Yeah, it sucks, but it's not like ya' have ta' wait forever, right?"

"Still feels like it." She sighed, shifting her arms from behind her head to instead clench them around her waist. "Two more years..."

"You've been waitin' two, ya can handle two more." He grunted, turning to stare up at the sky. "So... do they know yet?"

"No." She snapped. Her emerald eyes came to rest on her hands. "I mean, they know something's... off... about me, but it's not like stuff like this ever really comes up in conversation. They have no idea." She chuckled sourly. "I think they think I'm a lesbian. They ain't that far off, when you think about it."

"I see..." He mused. Pushing his glasses back up the ridge of his nose, he spoke once again. "... You know, if I went to the boys and told 'em I was gay, they'd be weirded out."

"Good thing you're not." She returned. Ace shook his head.

"No, I ain't, but if I was, they'd be weirded out for awhile. They wouldn't say nothin', but they would be. But, even if it did weird 'em out fer awhile, they'd still care for me and be there for me, and, eventually, they'd learn to accept it."

"Good friends..." She muttered. "It must be nice to have 'em..."

He shook his head. "Not friends. Family." Rolling onto his knees, he prodded the teen in the chest. "Just like yers. And, if me and the boys can accept each other, then yer family can- and will- accept you."

Buttercup shook her head and sat up, swatting the hand away. "It's one thing to be gay. My family wouldn't care if I liked girls over guys. But, this..." She gestured to herself with a hand. "This is different."

"I don't see how." He argued, nudging her shoulder. "I've known fer awhile now, and you don't see me runnin'."

"Dating preferences are one thing, Ace, gender changes are another." She sighed, sounding surprisingly subdued compared to her usual self. She stood up and shoved her hands into her pockets. "I... they'll... God, I just... I just don't know, okay!? Maybe they'll accept me; maybe they won't. I'm not willing to take that chance. See ya." Halfheartedly waving a hand, she quickly took off down the street and out of the junkyard.

Frowning, Ace sourly turned over, crossing his arms. "That went well." He sighed. "Well... it was worth a try, I guess. He'll be back... eventually. He always comes back. It's as simple as that."

No flames! Don't like don't read! Review!

Newer Author's Note: I'm planning on changing the pronouns from the second chapter on.