#siham

“Hey Siham, you okay?” Schott asked. They were wearing their hijab, and they didn’t sleep in it--they must have been up for a long time or resigned themselves to not sleeping. 

Siham gave a tired smile. “Yeah, I guess.” They didn’t quite make eye contact.

“Do you...wanna talk about it?” Schott was tentative; he knew this was not his strong suit, but he was sure gonna try. 

After a minute of pause, Siham took a seat near him. “Do you have a partner?” they asked.

“No.” 

“Do you want to?” 

Schott shook his head. “Not really. I’m happy without. Why do you ask?”

For a moment, Siham didn’t answer. Then, they sighed. “I don’t know. I just...I think I’m asexual and aromantic. I don’t get everyone wanting romance or kissing or sex or...I’ve just never felt that way, and everyone says I will. Everyone says I’m just a “late bloomer” and that I’m gonna understand eventually. And I know I’m only fourteen and that I’ve got a lot of time but...everyone else seems to understand. When people ask me if I’m gay or straight or bi, I just...don’t have an answer. It’s the same way with my gender. Male or female? I don’t have an answer. And I just...I’m tired of feeling caught in the middle sometimes. I’m used to my gender and my pronouns but everyone’s telling me I’ll “pick one eventually”, and that I’m not going to think I’m ace/aro later, but what if I still do when I’m twenty or thirty or eighty? What am I then?”

Schott didn’t know what to say. 

For too long, he was silent. After a long sip of coffee, he finally said, “You’re a person, Siham. That’s what you are if you still think you’re ace/aro and nonbinary when you’re eighty. You’re brave and you’re who you are. And that’s alright.” Siham’s numb expression turned into a small smile as they looked up at Agent Schott.

“You really think so?”

“I do,” Schott said with a nod. “What society considers normal is seriously overrated.” Siham giggled and finally smiled in earnest.

“Thanks, Agent Schott. That makes me feel a little better.”

“I’m glad I could help,” Schott said with a smile. “Jefferson’s usually better at this stuff, so I’m glad I didn’t mess up too bad.”

“You made me feel better! Maybe I’ll talk to Skyler about this stuff too. I dunno if they’re ace/aro but maybe they’ll be able to help me feel better about being nonbinary.” 

“I think that’s a good idea,” Schott encouraged. “It’ll help to meet people who have been where you have.” Siham nodded and got to their feet. 

“I should probably get some sleep. I should be awake for tomorrow.”

Schott gave them a lopsided grin. “I can’t exactly tell you to go to bed without being a hypocrite.” He took another sip of coffee. “But have a good night. If you need to talk, I’m here. I can’t promise I won’t be awkward, but I’m here.”

“You’re the team dad, of course you’re gonna be awkward,” Siham laughed. “Night, Agent Schott.”

“Night, Siham,” Schott replied with a smile, deciding the dad joke he was about to make could be saved for later.