Please Love Me For Who I Am
Ship: Appealshipping
Summary: Zoey comes to an important realization about herself. She just hopes Dawn will still love them when they tell her.
Warning: This chapter contains mild Transphobia. The thoughts and actions of fictional characters do not in any way reflect my actual opinions.
Zoey had always been different from other girls. She didn't like dresses, she kept her hair short, and she didn't like makeup. Sure, she loved Contests, but it's not like those were exclusive to one gender.
Unfortunately, this often got her made fun of. She tried to tell herself it didn't matter what other kids thought, but convincing oneself of that was easier said than done.
"Look who it is, Mr. Zoey!"
"Put a skirt on, why don't you!"
"Hey, I didn't know there was a new boy in school! Oh wait, it's just Zoey."
Needless to say, she was more than happy to go on a Pokemon Journey. She left Snowbelle City with the intention of winning The Grand Festival and proving her doubters wrong. And when she sets out to do something, boy does she do it.
Of course, winning The Grand Festival did not make these disparaging comments disappear. She still got people saying that she didn't deserve to win, but she didn't care. She won her way, and she was proud of herself. Of course, having gotten a girlfriend along the way didn't hurt either.
Dawn was amazing. No matter how many times she failed, she got up even stronger the next time. Not even losing to Zoey in the finals made her upset. In fact, she was the first person to congratulate her on her win.
She didn't see Dawn for a while after that. Ash was still collecting badges for the Sinnoh League, and Dawn wanted to keep traveling with him, but they kept in touch. And when Dawn called her to ask if she wanted to go to Hoenn with her, Zoey jumped at the chance.
But despite their traveling together, their rivalry was still going strong. They went back and forth, one of them winning one contest before the other would win the next. But it didn't matter to them, they were having fun together.
It all culminated in The Grand Festival, where once more it was Dawn and Zoey against each other in the finals. Except this time, it was Dawn who emerged victorious, though Zoey didn't go down easily.
"Alright, Piplup! We did it!"
"Piplup Plup!"
Despite her loss, Zoey was happy for her crush. She knew that despite their close friendship, Dawn had always wished to surpass her, and at last she had done it.
"Good job, Dawn. You deserve it!"
"Thanks, Zoey! Um…can you meet me by the lake later tonight? I have something I need to tell you."
Zoey was shocked, but agreed. Later that night, she found Dawn at the lake, shaking nervously.
"Dawn? You okay?"
"Zoey…there's something I've been wanting to tell you ever since Sinnoh, but I've been too afraid to ask. But now that I've won…"
"Dawn, you know you can tell me anything. We're friends!"
"Right. Well…uh…."
"Dawn?"
At last, Dawn couldn't take it any longer, and crashed her lips right into Zoey's. Zoey was taken aback momentarily, but happily returned the kiss. After a long minute, Dawn pulled away to see Zoey's stunned face.
"I'm sorry, I…I just had to tell you how I feel. If you don't feel…"
Zoey cut her off with another, much deeper kiss. Looks like they had more than one reason for them to celebrate.
Lately though, Zoey had been feeling…odd, lately. She didn't know what it was, but suddenly she didn't feel comfortable in her own skin.
Right now, she was waiting at a cafe in Snowpoint City, waiting for an old friend. While she knew Dawn would be happy to help, her girlfriend was in Twinleaf Town visiting her mother. Besides, she had a feeling this wasn't something she wanted to speak with her about just yet.
"Zoey!"
She didn't have to wait for long, as her best friend Candice soon appeared. After a quick hug and small talk, Candice sat down.
"So, what's up?"
Zoey sighed.
"Well, it's kind of personal…"
"Zoey, we've been best friends since we were kids. I promise, I won't judge you."
"Alright, well…lately, I've felt weird."
"Weird how?"
"Like I don't want to be a girl anymore. Like I don't belong in my own body. I want to tell Dawn, but I don't even know where to start."
Zoey began to cry, but Candice gently patted her shoulder.
"Zoey, Zoey, it's okay! There's an easy explanation for this."
"There is?"
"Of course! You're Trans!"
Zoey blinked for a few minutes.
"What?"
"You know, when you're born one gender but identify as another!"
"No, I know what it means, but are you sure?"
"Think about it. You prefer suits over dresses, you never let your hair grow out, and when was the last time you wore makeup?"
Zoey had to admit she had a point, but she was still nervous.
"Do you think Dawn will accept me? I mean, I don't know if she's Bi or not."
"I'm sure she will. After all, you accepted me after my transition!"
Zoey nearly spat out her drink in shock.
"Y-You?"
"Surprise!"
"But this whole time, I…"
"I guess I was better at hiding it than I thought. I transitioned after elementary school."
"Candice, I…I'm sorry, I didn't know…"
Candice waved it off.
"Nah, don't worry about it! If anything, it was great being one of the girls. I mean, I didn't know what I was at first, but it certainly helped. Listen, I'm sure Dawn will still love you. But if she doesn't, then she'll have to deal with me!"
Zoey smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Thanks, girl. I'm glad you're my best friend."
"Of course, I've always got your back!"
A few nights later, Dawn returned from Twinleaf Town, where Zoey led Dawn away somewhere private to talk.
"Zoey, what's up?"
"There's…there's something I need to tell you. You might not love me afterwards, and that's fine, but you need to know."
"Zoey, nothing could ever make me stop loving you."
"Alright…here goes…"
Zoey took a deep breath.
"I…I don't want to be a girl anymore."
"Zoey…"
"I always knew I wasn't like other girls, but I thought I was just a Tomboy. But the more I think about it, the more I realize this isn't who I am. And…I want to make the transition."
Dawn remained silent, letting Zoey say her peace. Once she was sure Zoey was finished, she smiled and gently placed a hand on her cheek.
"Zoey…I think that's great."
"R-Really?"
"Of course! Everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin."
"But….what if you don't love me afterwards?"
"Don't be silly! I fell in love with you for your personality, not just your looks."
"But I won't be…"
Dawn just shrugged.
"So? Love is love."
Zoey began crying tears of joy, and gave her a big kiss.
"I love you, Dawn."
"I love you too..."
"Dawn?"
"Uh….what do I call you now? I mean, no offense, but Zoey isn't exactly a boy's name."
Zoey laughed.
"I don't know, but you can help me think of one!"
"I love it!"
A few months later, Dawn and Zoey were waiting in the clinic. Seeing that her boyfriend was nervous, Dawn gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"It's going to be okay."
"You'll still love me afterwards, right?"
"Always."
"Zoey, we're ready for you now."
With a sigh, Zoey picked himself up, and walked towards the door.
"Here we go."
"It'll be fine, I promise."
Hours passed before Zoey returned. Once he walked back out through the doors, Dawn walked over to him and gave him a big hug.
"How do you feel?"
Zoey smiled and hugged his girlfriend.
"Like I'm finally me. Oh, and by the way, I've chosen my new name."
"Great! What is it?"
"You can call me Zack from now on."
"I love it! Now come on, let's go out and celebrate!"
But Zack held her back.
"What is it, honey?"
"Dawn…you still love me, right?"
"Of course! How many times do I have to say it?"
"It's just…now that you see what the real me looks like…"
Dawn let out a deep sigh.
"Are you still the same person inside?"
"Of course!"
"Then I still love you. What you look like doesn't change that, I promise."
Zack smiled, and kissed her.
"How did I ever manage to earn such an amazing girlfriend?"
"Are you kidding? I'm the one who's lucky to have such an amazing boyfriend!"
Zack chuckled. He was glad he'd met Dawn. His transition may bring on some new challenges, but as long as he had his girlfriend by his side, he felt ready to take on the world.