You're probably wondering where the hell I've been. Well, I did say the chapters were gonna come to a crawling pace. My course projects and assignments are kicking in, it's only February and I've got 3 assignments 2 projects and a Mid-term in a couple of weeks. Thank you engineering faculty, very cool.
Anyway, I missed you guys and I certainly missed writing. In the spirit of Valentine's Day and the rest of us lonely souls, unless you have someone in which case, I'm so happy for you (^_^ ), here's a mushy one.
Also not sure if make-out scenes are considered M related material, so be warned.
Chapter 25: Being a Girl is Hard
Walking the road to the dining hall was one of the most uncomfortable things he had ever done. Firstly, he was turning heads almost everywhere he went which in all honesty wasn't that bad if you considered it flattery toward his appearance. Imagine how the world would react if they found out he was a man.
He was, however, quite unnerved by the attention he was getting, so much so he had to latch on to Ruby as tightly as possible for comfort. The red leader jumped in surprise initially but returned with a comforting smile and a gentle head-pat.
"Scared 'Alexandra'?" She giggled at the use of his fake name. Nova just buried his head cutely into her arm, ever since he'd become a girl his emotions seemed to spill forth easier. No longer would he try to mask his outward expressions, rather he'd freely act on his feelings, perhaps a side-effect of the nanomachine mutations.
"Too many stares..."
He walked behind the rest of them, still practically joined at the hip to his girlfriend, she could tell he was incredibly nervous.
"R-Ruby…" he started in a quiet voice so the others couldn't hear. The red leader gave him a quizzical head tilt.
"I…If I'm stuck like this… a-are things going to be different between us? Now that I'm a girl I mean," he said almost in disbelief of his reality.
Ruby gently squeezed his hand and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "Of course not, it doesn't matter what you look like, you're still you."
Nova felt his heart swell with affection, he just leaned his head on his girlfriend's shoulder, making sure his horns weren't poking her and continued walking forward with new confidence. The quartet in front of them smiled and gave each other knowing looks.
Breakfast was…entertaining for everyone... except for Nova. He spent the majority of her time trying desperately not to get food in his hair, which kept flying off its perch at behind his ear, much to the entertainment of Weiss and Yang.
"Pffft ahahahah!" Hex cackled madly while Luna and Yang were vehemently giggling.
"Now he knows how it feels to have long hair!" Luna said in between fits of giggles.
Nova just blushed and tried desperately to stay sane as it was taking every ounce of his mental energy to remain even remotely composed.
"How do you girls live with this anyway?" Nova asked restraining himself from using his food covered fingers from touching his hair.
Luna smiled, "Hair clips 'sister', or you can style your hair so it doesn't do that... though you look great with it down."
"Orr... you could cut it like me?" Ruby piped in causing everyone to look at her mortified. Touching that gorgeous head of hair that Nova sported would be a tragedy in every sense of the word.
"Wait I just realized something," Weiss chimed in staring at Nova who just looked at her confused.
"Nova… you're wearing girl's clothing, specifically tights… and unless you're going commando… that means you're wearing… and your chest…" Weiss said a huge smirk showing itself on her face.
Ruby felt her eyes bulge, "Oh...my…god…"
Nova almost choked on his food. "Please don't remind me…"
"Whose…" Weiss was confused.
"She's 'borrowing' one of my bras and Luna's panties if that's what you're asking," Hex said with absolutely no form of chill.
Nova made a desperate attempt to hide behind his hair. "Can we please not talk about this, my pride as a man can only be damaged so far…"
"Oh come on flamethrower, what's the harm." Yang said smirking smugly, "There's no shame in it…since… we're all girls here!" she finished with a roar of laughter, Hex laughed so hard she fell over and Nova just stared at his fork wondering if he could perform a self-induced lobotomy.
"Yo Hex, mini-blue and friends, and Weiss," A male voice came in, alerting everyone at the table.
"HEY!" Weiss said taking offense as she turned around to see Sun and Neptune walking up to their table.
" Sup ladies, haven't seen you guys in a while," Neptune waved to which Hex groaned at his feeble attempt at being cool.
"Can't help but notice y'all laughing at the expense of this pretty lady over here," Sun chimed in looking at Nova who, at that moment, wished to disappear. He had taken Nova by the hand and looked him in the eyes.
The girls minus Nova looked at each other and burst out laughing. "Oh boy, Sun you know how to pick 'em," Yang said wiping a tear from her left eye.
"What's that supposed to mean," he asked confused.
Nova just swallowed and looked up to the monkey Faunus. 'She' smiled nervously and tucked 'her' hair back behind 'her' ear for the millionth time today, "Yo Sun, what's up…" 'she' said nervously.
The monkey Faunus felt his heart skip a beat, "A beautiful Fanus girl and she already knows my name, Neptune, pinch me I might be dreaming..." He said elbowing his partner who just yanked the golden Faunus back and then slicked back his own hair.
"Hey… so, if you know him then you must know me to right?" he asked, using every ounce of his 'suave'.
Nova just rolled his eyes, "Yes Neptune, I do have the unfortunate pleasure of knowing you too."
Neptune felt his heart explode at that moment, he was a sucker for high maintenance women. He placed a foot on the bench spot right next to Nova and held her hand and kissed it, to which Nova felt visibly nauseous.
"You know us but, we don't know you, may we have the pleasure of knowing to whom we are speaking?" Sun asked joining his friend.
Weiss and the others couldn't contain their giggles at Ruby's face which was, jealous, in every essence of the word.
Nova pulled his hand away and smirked, "Oh come now, you didn't think I would be this easy did you?" he batted his eyes to which Yang gave a thumbs up at the move. His killer looks combined with the ability to play every male for a chump was a deadly combination.
Neptune recoiled sputtering, "Huh?"
Nova smirked devilishly, "I'm already spoken for," he turned around and kissed Ruby, full on the lips completely shocking everyone, including Ruby. Once he was done he just looked back at the two boys, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. Ruby in question was both dizzy and blushing madly.
Sun stammered out, "A- b-bah… Wha?"
Neptune sighed, "Why are the pretty ones always taken!" he shook his fist to the sky, looking down at the floor in some dramatic act of rejection.
"Trust me guys you aren't missing out much," Luna snickered behind her hand.
"Wait, Ruby… I thought you had a huge crush on Nova, why the sudden change of heart?" Sun asked confused.
"Ugh did everyone know?!" the red leader flailed.
".. Uh.. yeah? So what happened, I know it's probably not my place but Nova is my boy, and he'd be devastated to find out…" Sun said feeling for his friend, "Rest in peace my favourite ship..."
"Oh... Don't worry… he knows…" Yang smirked earning knowing glances around the table.
"What? And He's okay with it?" Neptune asked concerned.
"Yeah, I am!" Nova said with a goofy grin, holding out a thumbs up.
"We weren't talking about you Miss Ship wrecker," Neptune returned feeling a little peeved.
"What do you mean dude? I finally got the girl of my dreams and you're not even happy for me. Some friends you are," she puffed out her cheeks.
Sun felt his brain die, "I'm sorry what? Friends? Lady, we don't even know you…"
"You would think after fighting a giant Atlesian Paladin rampaging through the streets of Vale, piloted by Roman Torchwick then hanging out at the Beacon Dance would make us friends," Nova smirked.
Sun and Neptune both paled, "How would you know that… the only people that know that are…" Sun faltered in his words when he noticed the features of the girl before him.
White hair with orange tips, black horns, only one person had those features, "… No way.." he said gasping in horror.
"Yup!" Nova said popping the 'p'.
"What? Sun you know this chick?" Neptune asked still not getting it.
Sun sighed and pointed at the horns and hair, "Neptune, brace yourself but I think this girl might actually be Nova."
"What? Pfft no, that's impossible Nova is…" his sentence failed him as he realized the truth.
The expressions of horror on their faces were absolutely priceless.
"Excuse me while I rethink my life... and possibly bleach my brain." Neptune moved to the nearest trash can and threw up. Everyone winced at the sound, especially Nova who was slightly regretting leading him on that far... slightly...
"How the…" Sun asked still shocked.
Nova sighed, "Long story, my semblance had a bad run in and adapted the wrong way now I'm a girl."
"Is this gonna be permanent?" Sun asked concerned and slightly disturbed.
"No idea, we're working on a way to get him back but we're not sure," Weiss said.
Sun sighed and placed a hand on Nova's shoulder. "Dude… I got one question…" he asked turning to the new girl. Nova looked up at him with a cute head tilt and Sun had to chant the mantra It's a dude on the inside, It's a dude on the inside.
"Is 'it' still there?" he asked. At first, Nova was confused then it hit him, he let out a heavy sigh, Yang answered for him, "Yeah… I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself," she said, referring to the time they forcefully dressed him.
"They're very much gone," Luna finished causing Nova to bury his head in Ruby's shoulder.
"Someone kill me..."
Sun stood at attention soon joined by Neptune, they saluted the air, "A moment of silence for a fallen comrade."
The girls weren't sure but they swore they heard the somber sound of bagpipes playing, but they couldn't figure out from where.
"Uh, guys um… can you not tell anyone about this?" Nova asked rubbing the back of his head, "I kinda don't want anyone to find out it's me, might cause panic and confusion and just overall unnecessary drama. If anyone asks my name is Alexandra," she finished.
Sun shot him a thumbs up, "You got it, man, err girl? Anyway, see you around, 'Alexandra'" he smirked as he and Neptune ran off, very much disturbed by their encounter.
This was going to take some serious getting used to for Nova. He spent the day with Ruby and Luna, they were his main lifelines as Yang and Hex had a date, Nitro was off doing god knows what, probably hanging out with Jaune while Weiss and Blake weren't exactly the social types, the former preferring to study and the latter reading her books.
It was a bit past four in the afternoon, The trio was hanging out in team RWBY's dorm since they had video games and Zwei. The dog was quite nervous to approach Nova at first, but once he recognized the scent he warmed up instantly.
"Now that I've spent the day walking around like this… I have to say I rather like girl's clothes, I refuse to wear a skirt though." Nova said as he petted Zwei who was nestled comfortably in his lap.
"Not you too?!" Ruby said exasperated, "Combat skirts are amazing, even Weiss agrees with me!". Her eyes sparkled with some unknown intensity. "We could be combat skirt sisters!" Ruby squealed tackling her girlfriend, scaring the poor corgi out of her lap.
Nova blushed as Ruby's cheeks were pressed up against him, they were very soft. "Ruubbyy you're gonna push me- ooOAH!" Nova protested as he fell over onto his back with an audible oof. Ruby fell flat on his chest, she had face planted in the world's softest pillow, Nova's boobs.
"R-Ruby you're squishing my…" Nova didn't want to finish that sentence, he wasn't exactly comfortable referring to his own fleshy mounds.
Ruby turned her namesake and got up, she was just hovering above Nova, her face in line with his. "Sorry, I got excited…" she apologized, staring into his mismatched orbs.
"It's fine, you are super cute when you're excitable," Nova replied with a blush.
Ruby just continued to stare and Nova became flustered, "N-Not that you're only c-cute when you're happy... you're always cute...even when you're sad…. Not that I want to see you sad is just-.." Ruby broke out of hs stupor and shushed his ramblings.
"Shh, I get it… you're… pretty cute yourself…if I'm being honest you're definitely prettier than Weiss…" Ruby complimented, not bothering to move from her position. Nova flushed under the compliment, he wasn't sure why he felt so happy about being called pretty.
"You sure you're okay with me like this?" Nova asked his eyes trying to look away from her. She frowned, "Of course you dummy… I love you… regardless of your gender," she spoke, her words tender and filled with emotion.
Ruby then did the unexpected and closed the distance between them, capturing his lips. The subtle softness against her own, he still tasted like cinnamon and she couldn't get enough. Moving against him she fervently devoured his mouth like it was freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
He responded in kind, cupping her face in his hand as he leaned up and deepened the kiss. He pushed up until he was sitting with his back against the bed, Ruby straddling his lap. The two pressed up against each other, the world lost to them.
Ruby broke this kiss for air, resting her nose against the other girl's.
"And Ruby?" the dragon said earning a nod from his girlfriend, "I love you too,". As if acting on instinct they switched positions and now Nova was in Ruby's lap, there was a hunger in both their eyes that could not be contained any longer. Again, their lips met in an insatiable passion, Nova felt something press against his lower lip, as if acting on instinct he opened his mouth slightly and instantly Ruby's tongue snaked its way in. A welcome surprise for the young dragon as he returned the favour by meeting hers with his own. Ruby moaned in pleasure as they melded together, thoroughly enjoying the feelings they shared in this moment.
For a final time, they broke apart for air completely entrapped in each other's gaze.
They would have begun making out again had at that moment the door not open with a rather audible creak. "Yo kiddies, Hex and I are back and we brought snacks…" Yang's words died as she saw the position of Ruby and Nova, both had incredibly messed up hair and the two looking quite disheveled.
"Oh my god did you get to a second base already?!" Yang exclaimed looking at her sister.
Ruby bolted off of Nova and straightened out her clothes. "Ahem… um… did you say something about snacks?" she tried to distract her sister.
Yang just smirked, "Mhm, who instigated the snogging?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ruby sputtered from the use of the word while Nova meekly pointed to her. Yang's eyes turned surprised, "Well I'll be damned, her boyfriend turns into a girl and now suddenly my sister is wearing the pants in the relationship," she said amused.
"I would say try to keep it in your pants 'cuz I don't wanna be an aunt yet but that doesn't really apply here," Luna said as she came in through the door behind Hex.
Nova just hid under Ruby's pillow, "Ugh wake me up when I'm a dude again."
"Yeah about that Mom wants to see you in her lab," Luna said.
"Huh?! Already looks like I'll be able to be me again by tomorrow! Wait mom has a lab?" Nova almost jumped for joy. Ruby pouted slightly disappointed by the turn of events.
"Well it's just the infirmary that Ozpin modified to give your mom space to work," the blue girl said leaning against the door.
Team ASHNRWBY made their way down to the 'lab' and opened the door to find Randolf Wulf and Qrow with Elain.
"Hey kiddos, and HOLY SHIT YOU WEREN'T KIDDING!" Qrow said almost spitting out his drink when he saw Nova, he started coughing and patting his chest.
Even Randolf had to compose himself, "This is… unexpected…"
"Unexpected?! My only nephew is now my niece… this… this is a nightmare…" Qrow said with feigned despair. "Well at least now I don't have to worry about being a great uncle anytime soon, I have enough baggage."
"Why does everyone say that?!" Nova pouted in rage. "At least now I get to transform back right?"
The adult trio shared awkward glances causing Nova to pale.
"Well… about that…" Randolf said nervously.
"Oh no…"
"Yeah you're kinda stuck like that, after the blood testing, the DNA isn't separated anymore. It's one string of DNA with Nanomachines, the only way to get you male again would be to drain you of all your blood, which would kill you. I have a theory but it's like fifty-fifty it'll work." Elain said taking a puff of her cigarette.
"I'll take anything," Nova affirmed.
Elain sighed, "That's the thing, I have an idea about the nanomachines, I can probably create a new formula to deactivate your female gene but it'll take… a while."
"How long is a while?" Ruby asked.
"A few weeks? A month? Maybe a year? I'm not sure, it'll all depend on how well his DNA reacts to foreign treatments. So… I'll be needing a blood sample at least once every week or so, I would use the prototype I made for Luna but those were tailored to her powers, not yours." She finished.
"So… I'm officially stuck like this?" Nova asked in disbelief. If he was being honest with himself, the change wasn't bad, he certainly didn't feel any different from himself, his main concern lay with his ability to protect the others. In a changed body, how was he expected to perform at his maximum capacity?
"Mom… I know this might take some time but… is it possible to get this done before the Vytaal festival? Team rounds start in a few weeks." He said with a heavy sigh, accepting his fate.
Elain thought for a moment, "It's not impossible but… there are too many variables to be sure…"
"I can reduce those variables," A voice said coming from the doorway. It was Professor Ozpin, standing there with his signature cane and a look of business on his face. He stole a glance at Nova and blinked in surprise, "When the esteemed doctor told me her son had been transformed into a girl, I'd accepted it unquestioningly… but seeing it for myself… is something else entirely."
"Okay Oz, we get it, it's weird, can we move past this?" Nova said growing impatient. He folded his arms and tapped his forearm with his index in annoyance. He reminded Ruby of an angry Weiss.
"Ah yes, my apologies Miss Flareheart." He said with a smirk. Everyone gawked, and Ozpin just coughed in his hand, "Was my attempt at humor that surprising to you?".
"…Yes?" Yang answered meekly.
Nova just groaned, "Am I going to have to get used to being called that?" he asked hoping for a negative response.
"Well… would you rather me still refer to you by male pronouns?" Ozpin asked genuinely curious.
Nova just sighed, "It's fine, call me what makes you feel comfortable."
"Ahem yes well, onto matters at hand," he continued entering into the room. "I happen to know someone from Atas who will be willing to assist you in acquiring materials. Anything you need Mrs. Flareheart you only need but ask."
Elain was quite surprised, "This is a rather… generous offer Ozpin… thank you…"
Nova, on the other hand, was quite skeptical. "I don't mean to look a gift horse in the mouth but… why are you going so far? Atlas technology isn't exactly cheap, and I'm assuming you're using Beacon's funds for this… why are you putting up so much for a single student?"
Ozpin smiled knowingly, "I see your life on the streets has trained your skepticism well. To answer your question, consider it a debt repaid and an investment made."
Nova was confused, "Debt? Ozpin as far as I know you and I are on rather even terms, you gave my team and I a place to stay at Beacon, I help you with your huntsman endeavors when you need it. You don't strike me as sentimental so your attachment to my master shouldn't play a role in this. So, what exactly are you playing at?"
"Well to put it simply, on your last mission, not only did you thwart an evil terrorist organization but you also saved countless lives by fending off Grimm at the breach, and from the report that was sent to me, you also stopped a giant Atlesian paladin that could have damaged things further. On top of that, according to Miss Winter Schnee and Doctor Oobleck, you also took charge of the situation faster than they could and managed to get everyone out alive and intact."
"Miss. Schnee even spoke quite highly on your behalf, saying you even saved her life." Ozpin explained. Everyone in the room nodded, glancing at the girl. There wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind that this was true if it weren't for him and Ruby they'd be facing an entirely different Beacon.
"I also believe some of that credit goes to Miss Rose who's leadership skills helped save the lives of her team, and the younger Miss Flareheart who very nearly died stopping the train. All in all, your actions far outweigh anything I have given you and as such, I owe a great deal of debt to you all." He finished at last.
Nova was quite embarrassed at the praise, "Professor I… we were just doing what we thought was right nothi-" he was silenced by Ozpin raising his hand.
"Accept credit where credit is due. You've earned it." He said. "That being said… I'll have some uniforms outfitted for you by tomorrow." He finished before walking out the door and disappearing.
"Wait but how would you know my…" Nova called out but Ozpin had already been long gone, "…sizes…"
"I don't know about you guys, but I certainly want to know those sizes," Hex said her chin resting in the space between her right thumb and index finger. "What? She's hot!" Hex said when she realized everyone was staring.
"… I hate to agree with you there… but he was hot as a guy and now he's a hot girl… and those…" Weiss said glaring at Nova's chest. "This isn't fair!"
"Oookaayyy… Us males will excuse ourselves… this is going into unwanted territory." Qrow said awkwardly walking out.
"Yeah let's go guys," Nova said playing dumb and making a move to walk out with them but was held back by Luna, her hand pulling on his collar.
"Nuh-uh, you heard the lady, as of today you're a girl so get used to it." The blue dragon smirked.
Nova just groaned and let himself be dragged off.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with Weiss and Yang giving him a very uncomfortable lecture on how a proper lady should act. Nitro did not envy his friend in the slightest.
"Ugh, I'm just going to take a shower and go to bed… and NONE of you follow me…" Nova said grumbling off to the bathroom. From RWBY's dorm, Ruby watched her now girlfriend trudge off in annoyance and she couldn't help but stare. He had a really nice ass.
"Mhm, mhm, yup, that's some quality material right there… makes me sad that I have to punch his lights out tomorrow…" Yang said looking thoughtful in the direction Ruby was staring.
"YANG!" Ruby yelled flustered, "No oogling my boyf-girlfriend!" she fake hit her sister. "Wait what do you mean punch him?"
"Come on sis, you gotta admit he's pretty much eye candy. And to answer you I mean, I have to test his strength, I trust him, as a leader and as a friend. But… as your sister… as the person who looks after you while dad's not around… I need to confirm his ability to protect you with my own fists." She finished.
Ruby was thoughtful for a moment, it was rare to see Yang hold so much respect for a person, "But… he's not as strong as he normally is… at least wait until he's used to his body…" she tried to reason.
Yang shook her head, "No can do, we're huntresses remember? Things can happen at any time and we need to be ready, if he uses his body as an excuse if he loses to me then all the more reason to not allow you two to date." Yang said solemnly.
Ruby just looked baffled, "Yang you can't just take control of who I date, I'm my own person! I'm allowed to make my own decisions!"
Yang placed a hand on her sister's shoulder, "And I respect your decisions Ruby, but you gotta see where I'm coming from. My only sister is dating someone and I don't feel ready to give you up without a fight."
Ruby could only stare at the floor. She understood Yang, if Luna was the one in her shoes then she'd want to make sure whoever she was dating was adequate, even if she knew them personally. It still didn't mean she liked the idea.
Nova strode in wearing one of his old white long-sleeved shirts and a pair of shorts. His long hair was a tangled mess but overall was rather swimming in his old clothes.
"You can't be going to bed like that…" Weiss pointed out as she and Luna walked into the room, back from getting ready for bed themselves. Hex was working on her machines in the ASHN room and Nitro was already snoring away.
Nova quirked her eyebrow, "And what's wrong with this?" she questioned gesturing to herself.
Ruby just giggled and Luna shook her head, "We really need to get you some clothes…"
"Wanna go out tomorrow? It's a Sunday but most places around Vale are open due to the festival... No scratch that we ARE going shopping tomorrow." Weiss said staring at the dragons.
Nova flinched, "Oh no…"
"Oh yes…." Blake said smirked causing everyone to jump, completely forgetting she was there.
"Wow Blake didn't expect you to be into shopping," Yang said raising an eyebrow.
"Normally no, but any opportunity to tease my childhood friend is a plus," she gave a cat-like grin.
"Well, it will have to be AFTER I mop the floor with him, provided he can still walk," Yang said flexing her arm.
"Excuse me?" the dragon leader asked incredulously.
"Yeah lizard, just cuz you're a girl now doesn't mean you can escape this. You're dating my baby sister… my only baby sister… you still need to prove yourself..." The blonde said glaring daggers at him. "No offense Luna, you're the little sister."
"None taken, I know what you mean." the blue dragon responded.
Nova stood up to Yang, though his face was barely in line with her chest. "Challenge accepted."
"Good now you better get some sleep then," she patted him on the back, glad he didn't back down.
"Upupup, not yet you don't," Weiss said halting Nova before he could leave.
"Whatttt" he groaned desperately wanting to rest his weary eyes.
"You need to brush that hair young lady." Weiss wagged her finger as if Nova was a child.
The girl groaned, "But I don't wannaaaaa."
"If you don't your hair will be a mess of knots and it will be extremely painful so bare with it," she seethed as she nodded to Luna.
The blue dragon forced Nova to sit down and the others watched in amusement as she sat brushing the long mane of white and orange hair. It was soft and very comfortable to the touch. "For a guy turned girl, you have some amazing hair quality…" Luna mused. Ruby had to resist the urge to reach out and touch it.
"When we were kids, Nova would brush my hair like this anytime he got the chance," she said smiling.
Ruby stared at her girlfriend with a goofy smile on her face, "Is he any good?" she asked Luna.
"Yeah, he's really good at it, really gentle and its really soothing." She said smirking
Nova blushed furiously, "W-Well mom wasn't around… so someone had to do it…"
The other girls made an awe sound. "That's really sweet…" Ruby said smiling warmly.
"Yeah my bro-sister here might be edgy and hotheaded but he's really just a big softie," Luna said finishing up the hair.
Nova buried his head in Ruby's lap, "Ughh make them stopppp" she said her voice muffled by Ruby's person.
The red reaper just smiled and petted her girlfriend, "But they're right, you're adorable and sweet!" she said hugging her.
Yang and Luna made barfing sounds, "Okay, geez you guys anymore and I'll get a cavity," Weiss said blushing.
The teams parted ways for the night, Nova settled into his bead, severely missing the feeling of a certain silver-eyed reaper nestled at his side.
It'll be a little while before I get my major assignments out of the way, but hopefully, I should be back up to speed after next week.
Be sure to leave a review, and to those of you who haven't given up on me yet. Love you guys! ^_^
