femlich

Robert decides not to change her name for several reasons: 1) Too much paperwork, 2) She keeps forgetting she can just Do That, and 3) Most of the people in her life (the z team) refuse to call her Robert anyway, so she has no desire to change it.

Prism personally doesn't get it but she's there to support her second bestie and understands the struggle of updating your name on literally everything you've ever owned so she cant blame Robert for wanting to avoid it.

Robert doesn't come out to anyone else until she schedules an appointment to see an endocrinologist. So the second person to know is Mandy.

"Hey I need this day off, it's to see a specialist." "Oh! Is everything alright?" "Yeah..I just," Robert hesitates for a second before committing to it and saying, "I'm looking into hormone replacement therapy."

Mandy just smiles after a moment to let the words sink in, bright with excitement and proudness. She accepts it easily. "No problem, and congratulations!"

Robert definitely procrastinates on telling anyone else, specifically Chase. She's sure chase loves her unconditionally and they've been family since the dawn of time but hes her only family left. Chase is not stupid, though, he knows when Robert is hiding something important.

After chase says something along the lines of "Okay spill, fucker. I know that big ass head of yours is hiding something." Robert sits him down and tells him how she's felt her entire life, and what she wants to do. Its extremely rare that she hesitates when she speaks, but for once she pauses in between sentences while speaking with chase. Chase's reaction lifts a lot of weight from her shoulders.

"I don't give a fuck who or what you are. You'll always be a pain in my ass. But I love you, kid. Always will no matter what. You're like a daughter to me, and I'll be damned if I dont support you always."

That conversation gave her the confidence to come out to the rest of the team subtly

Except for punch up: he doesn't interpret subtle so she just tells him outright. He takes the news pretty well. Says something like, "If you are happy, then thats what matters. You done a lot for us and Torrence, lass. But what about for you?"

Unfortunately the subtly died shortly after that plan but it's the thought that counts.

Flambae: Robert just lets Prism refer to her with the right pronouns while they're talking about their most recent call in the break room. Flambae doesn't even bat an eye and adjusts accordingly. According to him, he may be an asshole but he's not evil. He unfortunately gets more creative with the names since "bitch" doesn't sit right to him anymore.

Golem: Golem just goes "Oh word? That's pretty sick." when she drops a pretty obvious hint to him. Not surprising since the construct just goes with the flow.

Waterboy: The stutter mid correction while on public comms is both mortifying and funny. Eventually, he just automatically stumbles between calling Robert "boss" or "ma'am" which unfortunately clues the entire team in and call her ma'am.

"If any of you except waterboy call me ma'am again I'm banning you all from holding beef for three weeks." (Flambae then tried to call her bluff. They're all banned from holding beef for a month instead.)

Coupé: She acknowledges the reveal with grace and replies "If anyone tries to refer to you as a man, I will see to it that their punishment is swift and merciless." Kind of unsettling but it weirdly warms Robert's heart.

Sonar: Kind of weird but supportive? He'd probably say something like "Robbie, my gal, this is a perfect chance to invest in crypto to fund any upcoming medical needs." Robert does not let that monologue go on for any longer.

Malevola: She immediately invites her to the "Hot girls only" hangout that half the z-team does weekly. Robert's not sure how to feel about it since she literally looks the same as always. Malevola just replies "Its about the soul, babes. You can look the same as always and still be a hot girl."

Phenomaman: The most awkward conversation to date. Phenomaman has no clue how being trans works but in a "I had no idea humans could do this" kind of way. Robert had to give the poor alien a talk on social etiquette regarding questions that can be asked and whatnot. Regardless, Phenomaman doesn't mind at all. He still treats her the same as before since he perceives all humans the same regardless of gender. He did send her a edible arrangement as congratulations. It was all melons. She gave it to Waterboy.

Honorable mention! Royd: Royd gives Robert a fist bump after she comes out to him while working on the mech late after work. His easygoing vibe translates well into his acceptance. They go back to following blueprints for repairs shortly after and work in comfortable silence.

A few days later, a pair of silver stud earrings are on her desk. Simple and casual, neutral in appearance. Robert still has no clue who left them but keeps them for the day she gets her ears pierced. She doesn't tell anyone that she actually loves them.

Something about glasses soften her face. She technically always needed them but never wore them since they would be a liability in the suit. Since she's still repairing it, though, she wears them again and feels more normal in her skin. It's probably some version of gender euphoria, but she has no clue why glasses do it for her.

"Okay! It's giving office siren i'm loving it!" "Not surprised you'd wear the librarian glasses" "Save some sexy vibes for the rest of us damn"