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“So what did you want to talk about, Princess?” The God of Dreamlands said after the two of them were alone.
“How far do your powers extend?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I know it sounds silly and probably gross and…”
“If something is wrong, please tell me, dear. Are you sick?”
“No, it’s not that! It’s just that… could you transform my body?”
“In what way?”
“So you could?”
“That depends on what you want me to do.”
The dreamer took a deep breath and finally said what he was thinking about for the past year he has been in a relationship with the god.
“Could you give me the body of a woman?”
“What?”
“Nevermind, I know it’s stupid! I shouldn’t have…”
“Princess, look at me” he took their hands in his “Would you be more comfortable in the body of a woman? I assume one similar to that of a perisex cisgender lady?”
“I… I would. I would love to give you kids, to nurse them, to have a womb. But I understand if you won't love me anymore because of that!”
To his surprise, he was hugged by his lover.
“It’s alright, dear. I don’t care what body you have, I don’t even care if you’re male or female! If such a transformation would make you happy, I’d gladly do it!”
“Really?”
“Yeah. And does that mean you are a woman?”
“No, I’m still mostly a guy. But I would like to be called “they” instead of “he” sometimes. And if I ever were to marry you, I’d rather be your wife than your husband.”
“Alright. This evening I will put you to a form of magic sleep and give you the body you want.”
“And wouldn’t your wife mind you getting married twice?”
“No. We are both free to have relationships outside of our union, we don’t even need to know about each other’s lovers.”
“Great!”
***
Randolph was beyond happy. They finally felt at home in their own body, like it was always meant to be this shape and form. And of course, the thing he wanted the most from his transition was to be able to have kids, which his boyfriend didn’t mind helping him with.
It wasn't even that visible yet. It was annoying though - all the tests and the meds and the cravings. But he had the money, he had his boyfriend and his sister. They could do this. Or so he thought.
***
But then some blood and some abdominal pain appeared, much stronger than their period cramps. He didn't want to worry his partner and he really wanted to keep the kid, so he kept quiet. Up until they fainted on a walk. He suddenly felt weak and blacked out.
They woke up a few minutes later, to Nodens holding them, preventing them from falling and yelling their name.
"Randy! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thanks."
The taller man helped the shorter one stand up. He then led him to the bench and assisted him sitting down.
"I'm taking you to the doctor."
"It's nothing, really! I'm good."
"Even if it is, we should check it. Just to be safe."
"If you insist."
***
He couldn't carry to term. The embryo was developing outside their womb, so it needed to be removed for them not to die. He came home crying, even though the father of the baby had the money to pay for the procedure. They were sure that they were ready to be a parent and the fact that the thing inside them was literally killing them and would never become a person was a lot to take in.
***
“Now, remember, Mr. Carter. Only talk to people with our badge. And make sure to go to the right address - there is a clinic similar to ours that will try to turn you away from your decision no matter the cost. And take someone with you, it might be safer.”
“I think the father of the kid can come. He doesn't mind taking responsibility for his actions.”
“That’s a great idea! So it’s Friday, the 15th?, 1:00 p.m.?”
“Yes.”
“See you then, Mr.!”
He hung up and started crying. It was a hard decision, but it’s not like he could survive otherways.
***
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Alyda asked as she drove two boyfriends to the clinic.
She looked at the crowd of people calling all the patients that went in murderers and various slurs. Many of them held signs all propagating the message of the sometimes life saving procedure being equal to killing a person. She was met with silence.
After a few minutes the Lord of the Great Abyss said:
“I’ll go with him. It’s going to be alright.”
Randolph was staring into the ground and slouching. He didn’t want to be here, but he didn’t really have a choice, since he also didn’t want to die.
“Princess? Can we go now?” The God of Dreamlands asked.
They left the car, their divine lover holding their hand. Carter seemed even smaller than usual, his back slouching even more as he looked at the people behind the fence.
“Don’t look at them and don’t listen to them.”
They nodded. He put on headphones and started playing music to block out the screams of the folks protesting outside of the facility. Some of them were quietly praying, but that didn’t help. Because they too were there to stop him from making a decision that would save his life.
They turned their gaze away and let the god walk them to the entrance.
***
He was driven home by the demon. The procedure went well, his partner paid for it and held his hand during it. Carter did cry a lot, after all, it was a loss.
They agreed to try for a baby again in a few months or even years. Maybe they’ll be lucky next time.
***
Over a year later the dreamer was looking out from the window in his house at the rain pouring outside, with a mug of hot chocolate. They put their hand on their now somewhat swollen abdomen and smiled as they felt the small creature inside them move. He was already much further along than his first pregnancy, at around six months in. And this time it went smoothly, there was no bleeding, fainting or much pain, not even much morning sickness. They should be able to nurse the child too, as they went up a cup size so far and were quite itchy. Maybe he’d be lucky now. Maybe there was hope for them and they could be the mother they always wanted to be.