The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling cityscape. Walt enjoyed an unobstructed view of the spectacle from his office window, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. His thoughts wandered to Dan, his best friend, confidante, and parent. Over the past few days since their one-night stand, their relationship had evolved from simple lunch meetings and chats on their way to work to something deeper.
They spent the following days together, nights talking, laughing at work, and exploring each other’s bodies in the privacy of their apartments. The connection between them was undeniable, a spark that neither could ignore.
One night, in his cosy apartment, Walt and Dan, arms entwined, spent a night together in his cosy apartment, lost in their own world. Walt felt something he had lost, content it had vanished from his life when Lena left, the anger, the heartbreak which sometimes grabbed at him like tiny hooks in the night was going, did Dan help him remove them and would he be able to preserve this as their relationship deepened.
The next day, as Walt walked to his therapy session he knew he needed to reveal this new addition to his journey, as he sat in the chair opposite Ms Jackson, his thoughts racing, he felt he could let go, explaining his situation to the therapist facing opposite him, he felt the words pour out, his history with Dan, the way they had become more than just friends, their budding romance, how memories of Lena’s betrayal still lingered, casting a shadow over everything. With the support of friends and family, he still felt isolated, as if no one truly understood what he was going through, and it took a year of sessions to open up to others. Yet Dan was different. It was only a couple of days, but he felt that Dan reentering his life had demonised the last of the ruins of self doubt. The therapist nodded, her eyes full of empathy and understanding.
Ms Jackson said, “it sounds like Dan’s opening party came at the best time in your healing journey. He has always had your back and because of your shared history, he knew what to say to help your recovery.” “But I feel like I would have overstepped the mark by opening up to someone else during this time. It feels like I should focus on myself, not on forming new relationships.”
The therapist leaned forward, her expression serious.
“But it’s also important to remember that sometimes we connect with people unexpectedly, and those connections can bring us joy and healing when we least expect it. If you connect with Dan, it might be worth exploring where that connection leads.”
Walt nodded, but Ms Jackson had another question: “Did you have feelings for Dan when you were in school?”
Walt thought about it for a few seconds and replied, “maybe I did, I saw him as a friend, I loved what he represented to me, he was confident and unafraid to be himself that was rather attractive, I wanted to be his boyfriend but because he was such a tomboy as a female, I believed he was going to be a lesbian and so I think that’s why I focused on Lena, thinking that anything more than friendship was doomed to fail, I played it safe, with the popular conventional girl that was my Titania. Boy, that was a mistake.”
Walt laughed, as did Ms Jackson. “One more thing?” said Walt. “Does loving Dan make me Bisexual, or am I still in love with the ghost of his former self?” Ms Jackson smiled. “Walt,” she said, “when you had sex in your office, did Dan’s anatomy excite you? Or did that first kiss awaken repressed feelings? Did you realise you could never stop loving him, regardless of who he became?”
Walt paused, considered his options, and said, “I didn’t care about Dan’s body; it’s his presence that matters. He makes me feel safe and missed when he’s gone. Is that corny?”
Ms Jackson nodded, “but who cares if you buy him a flower every day, or remember his coffee order? It shows you have recovered from your heartbreak. Perhaps you’re pansexual, drawn to Dan’s personality, not just his appearance. That’s a healthy way to view relationships. Even co-parenting might bring you happiness. The possibly child at least you will remain happy with that healthy relationship.”
Walt smiled, “thank you Ms, I feel good about this,” Walt ended the session proud that he could embrace this future with Dan.
As they waited for the 21st day, Walt and Dan were more than happy spending their time together. They were slowly getting comfortable being an unusual couple. To everyone, it looked like they had been a couple since day one. Two men who happily spoke about their days as they waited for Dan to show the small hopeful signs, but if they didn’t get there on the first attempt, they were happy to try again; it wasn’t like Walt would complain.
One evening, as they lounged on Walt’s balcony enjoying dusk after a busy day at work and the gym afterwards, they discussed their desires for the future. Dan’s smooth voice, laced with confidence, made Walt feel both safe and aroused. “I might want more kids, Walt. Consider this option first.” Walt smiled, “I guess, coming from big families, we would need more than a single child.”
As the evening grew darker, the twinkling lights of the city shimmered like stars against the indigo sky. The conversation between them flowed effortlessly, like this was the plan along.
Tears streamed down Walt’s face. Dan, noticing, asked, “What’s wrong, Walt?” He said, “It’s how beautiful tonight is with you here, I can’t believe how a chance meeting got us together, I hope I can be as great a parent as you will be Dan.”
Dan smiled, his green eyes twinkling with warmth. “I know you will, Walt. That’s why I trust you.”
Walt’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of those words. Dan’s trust surprised him; he’d admired the man for years.
The thought filled Walt with a sense of purpose and determination, especially since it was day 19. Dan would either skip a period or show signs, but the anticipation was crazy for them both.
The following day, Dan sensed trouble. He woke up in his apartment and while he felt okay, something felt off.
Dan was not sure what it was, but he felt different, a strange feeling in his stomach, and an unusual fatigue. He tried to shake it off and got ready for work. Walt had texted to him saying he was out for a workout earlier, so not to wait up for him, but they had agreed to meet for lunch later in the day.
As Dan walked through the bustling alleyway towards his business, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. He stopped by a nearby cafe and ordered a cup of tea, hoping that it would help him clear his head.
As he sat there, he noticed a group of people walking by outside. A bus rushed by, and Dan watched as people hung on to the handles, laughing and chatting. Suddenly, he felt a wave of nausea wash over him, and he rushed to the bathroom.
Dan barely made it to the toilet before he started vomiting. He felt weak and clammy, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. He sat on the floor for a few minutes, trying to catch his breath and gather his thoughts.
After a while, he got up and splashed some water on his face. Noticing his paleness, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He thought this might be it; he’d see the doctor after work if needed, or during lunch—Walt would understand.
As he walked into his business, his pale face and dishevelled appearance immediately caught the attention of his employees; they had been happily chatting when they saw Dan. One tailor approached him, looking worried. “Dan, what happened to you? You don’t look well. Are you okay?”
Dan shook his head, trying to brush off the concern. “I’m fine, just a little under the weather. I think I’ll take the rest of the day off and head home.” The tailor nodded, looking relieved but still concerned. “Alright, take care of yourself. We’ll carry on with alterations for the day.”
As Dan made his way to his apartment, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. He knew something was wrong, but he wasn’t sure what it was. He climbed the stairs to his apartment, feeling heavier with each step.
Dan barely had the strength to unlock the door and step inside before collapsing onto the couch. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on his breathing and calm his racing thoughts.
His phone pinged, he saw a message from one of his tailors, explaining that Walt came in to ask if he arrived and they explained the way he looked and Walt was coming over.
Dan felt a pang of worry in his stomach. He knew Walt would be concerned about him, especially given their situation. He quickly typed out a response, reassuring his friend that he was okay and just needed some rest.
Just as he was about to hit send, there was a knock on the door. Dan groaned, not having the energy to get up and answer it. But then he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. “Dan, it’s Walt. Open the door, please.”
Dan’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Walt’s voice. He quickly got up and opened the door, revealing Walt’s concerned face. “Hey, what’s going on? You look awful,” Walt said, taking in Dan’s pale appearance. “I don’t feel so good. I was just about to lie down,” Dan replied, leaning against the doorframe for support.
Walt’s expression turned serious as he looked at Dan. “You need to see a doctor. Let me help you.” Walt helped Dan to his feet and guided him to a cab. Dan didn’t protest, grateful for Walt’s powerful arms around him. They drove quickly, knowing that every minute counted. Dan thankfully got his doctor on the phone, and luck, may have there been a space. Dan said to Walt, “Dr Rossi will see me. He’s my main one.” Walt nodded. The cab driver looked curious about what Dan had said, but Walt said, “Have something to say?” His straight to the point of delivery silence the driver
When they arrived at the hospital, the doctor was waiting for them. Dr Rossi, a long-time friend of Dan, spent most of Dan’s time in the city at the hospital. He knew his body more than Dan did. “What’s going on, Dan?” the doctor asked, concern etched on his face.
“I’ve been feeling unwell,” Dan replied, his voice barely audible. Dr Rossi nodded and quickly ushered them into an exam room. Walt held Dan’s hand tightly as the doctor questioned Dan’s current spell of conditions.
The doctor’s expression smiled as he looked at Dan. “You might be pregnant, Dan. The surprise symptoms sound a lot like morning sickness. I’ll order a pregnancy test just to confirm, but there’s no mistaking it.”
Dan felt a wave of shock and disbelief wash over him. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed felt like a punch to the gut.
“I’m pregnant?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Dr Rossi nodded. “Yes, Dan, you’re pregnant.” Dan sat in stunned silence for a moment, trying to process the news. He felt Walt squeeze his hand tightly, offering him silent support.
They completed the test, and time seemed to slow down. Walt and Dan had orchestrated this moment, but now that it was unfolding, both men found it challenging. The other women in the waiting room watched curiously as the two men puzzled over their presence.
Back in the office, Dr Rossi’s serious face melted into a caring smile, “congratulations Dan you’re pregnant, the sickness was just your first spell of morning sickness, I’ll leave you two while I get a pregnancy guide for what to take to get you back on your feet.”
Walt couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions - happiness, excitement, fear, and uncertainty. He saw Dan’s overwhelmed, yet smiling, reaction to the news.
“Hey, are you okay?” Walt asked, taking Dan’s hand in his. Dan nodded. “Yeah, I’m just... surprised, I guess. I didn’t think it would happen so soon.” Walt squeezed Dan’s hand. “Well, it’s happening, and we’re going to get through it together.” Dan smiled. “Yeah, we are.”
Walt said, his voice barely above a whisper. Dan smiled at him, feeling a sense of comfort and warmth wash over him. At that moment, Walt leaned in and kissed Dan softly on the lips. It was a gentle kiss, full of promise and hope for the future.
“Dan, I want us to be officially boyfriends and move in together, I missed my chance before and don’t want to miss that chance again, so what do you think?” Walt said, pulling away slightly. Dan’s eyes widened in surprise, but he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “Yes,” Dan said, without hesitation. “Yes, I want that too.”
Walt’s face lit up with joy and relief. He desired to ask Dan, yet fear of rejection paralyzed him. Dan’s affirmative response yielded unexpected joy; a feeling absent for years.
