After getting feedback, I didn't realize that the "they" pronouns to refer to Danny would confuse others and that makes perfect sense that it would. Since this is the preferred language that most Genderqueer folk use to refer to themselves, I've tried to keep that language for Danny but have also tried to be more specific when referring to Danny or Ashley so hopefully it will be less confusing. I also tweaked this chapter to make Danny and Ashley's romance less rushed and more gradual, giving Ashley a better rationale for becoming interested in Danny. So hope you all enjoy the new version!
*
The next day, Danny skipped class and stayed in their dorm. Danny couldn't bear to face anybody, or worse, risk running into Ashley after she'd seen Danny's Batman underwear. Why did I decide to wear those that day? Because no one expects to get pantsed in front of the woman they have a crush over that's why! Danny was just starting to feel better by the evening, until Morgan showed up and quietly muttered the Batman theme song from the old Adam West show. Danny just buried their head under the covers and tried not to cry.
The day after that, Natasha finally convinced Danny to come out of hiding and join her for lunch.
"Did anybody say anything?" Danny asked.
"Just the Three Furies." Natasha said, "They bragged about it in gym class and a few girls were laughing but the gym teacher scolded them. I mean it was a half-assed scolding but that's what you get when Kara's mom is vice president of the school."
"Are you serious?" Danny asked. "Ugh, I should just transfer now. Did...Ashley laugh?"
"I didn't notice." Natasha said.
"I can't even think about showing up in class today." Danny said as they sat down with their food.
"Just let it go." Natasha said, "It's September, they'll forget about it after a while. Hey, today we're doing fencing, so maybe you'll get lucky and get the chance to stab one of the furies."
Danny laughed with Natasha at the thought of impaling Cammy, or Kara, saying, "Yeah right. "I'd probably get sued or expelled. Then again, maybe it is a good idea."
As Danny and Natasha laughed, not realizing that Ashley was approaching them. Danny noticed Natasha's smile fade as she looked up and then Danny turned around, almost jumping when Ashley was standing a few inches away. "..Ashley!" they blurted. "Hi."
"Hi." Ashley said timidly. "I just wanted to say..." Ashley's cheeks grew a little flush as she hesitated to speak. "I'm sorry for what Kara did to you."
At that moment, Danny's heart almost dropped in their chest at the gesture of compassion. Up until now, Danny had thought Ashley had covered her mouth to conceal her laughter, but now it didn't seem to be the case. "Oh...that's okay. I mean, it's not okay, but thanks" Danny said with a smile.
Ashley returned the smile and then looked behind her before saying, "I should go. See you in fitness today!"
Danny watched as Ashley walked to her table and then rested their head on the table. "God! She is so fucking cute!"
"And you were worried she was all evil and snooty." Natasha teased. "And she's all nice and Disney princess-ish."
The two finished eating and then walked together to fitness class. Ms. Whittaker waited outside the lockers and handed all of the women a pair of white fencing pants and a fencing jacket. Once the women were dressed they all waited in line in the gym.
"Man these things are kind of big." Danny said as they rearranged their trousers.
"That's because your waist is the size of a q tip." Natasha said. "But you're right, I think these are kind of a few sizes too large."
"Worried we're going to see your Batman panties again?" Danny heard Kara ask as she walked by.
Danny scowled at her and shot back, "I didn't realize you had a fetish for it Kara."
Kara didn't respond. Then Danny looked up and saw Ashley enter the room. She had her blonde locks tied in a ponytail and was buttoning up her jacket. She caught Danny looking at her and smiled. Danny returned one as well.
"All right ladies." Ms. Whittaker said, "We're going to start off learning some basic techniques and then with the time we have left, we'll do some sparring."
Everyone was handed fencing swords and Ms. Whittaker showed them basic techniques such as parrying, blocking and thrusting. After she taught some techniques, she had the women break off in pairs and practice with each other. Natasha and Danny practiced together and laughed as they tried moves, some correctly and others not. After about fifteen minutes, Ms. Whittaker then broke them up and said. "All right ladies, I think you're ready to practice dueling."
Danny looked around and caught eyes with the Three Furies, as they had nicknamed them, Kara looked at Danny with hateful eyes. At that moment, Danny was hoping to be paired up with Kara. Instead what happened was Ms. Whittaker said, "Okay, let's have Danielle and Ashley start."
Danny was dumbstruck, they looked at Ashley, who was also a bit surprised, and then both of them stepped in the center, surrounded by the two rows of their classmates. Danny caught Ashley's eye and smiled nervously. "Ugh, hey."
"Hey." She said with a nervous giggle herself.
"Okay ladies, hold your swords up." Ms. Whittaker said. "Remember, try sticking to what you learned. I don't want you to hit each other I want you to try knocking the sword out of the other persons' hand."
Who thinks this is a great idea to have students with no fencing experience dueling? Danny wondered. Both students held their swords up and bowed before standing in dueling positions. They circled as their swords crossed. Danny's eyes shifted, as if uncertain as what to do and Ashley was just as reticent about it.
"Come on, try what you learned." Ms. Whittaker egged on.
Danny was the first to try a thrust. Ashley stepped back and deflected it. Danny smiled and so did Ashley. She tried thrusting herself and Danny deflected it as well. Danny then tried to flick their wrist to the left against Ashley's sword but she held onto it strong enough so as not to drop it. Then Ashley tried to slash at Danny's sword but Danny stepped back to deflect it downward.
"This is boring." Danny heard Kara mutter.
"Go Danny!" Natasha shouted.
With Natasha cheering them on, Danny had a burst of enthusiasm and saw Ashley try for another slash and Danny went to thrust, however, Ashley saw it coming and managed to block Danny's sword and pivoted her arm in a way that brought Danny's sword down, causing Danny to stumble forward.
"Oh sorry are you okay?' Ashley asked, lowering her sword.
"Yeah Ashley!" Kara shouted, "Show IT a lesson."
