Joel wasn’t the type to overthink things. He was direct, practical, and when something didn’t make sense in his head, he either let it go or sought answers. But you… you had him completely confused.

You were more or less friends, part of the same group trying to survive. You exchanged words and glances that, over time, started to feel increasingly intimate. Something about you intrigued him. It was as if everything about you radiated confidence, yet there was something that didn’t quite add up. A feeling he couldn’t explain.

Joel didn’t want to be an asshole or pry into your business, but every time he saw you, that confusion bothered him more and more. Because, to be honest, you were ridiculously handsome. And that threw him off even more.

One night, after a long day of hunting infected and dodging raiders, the two of you sat by the campfire. Joel had been sneaking glances at you for a while, trying to figure out the right words. He clenched his teeth, took a sip of burnt coffee, and finally blurted out:

“Hey… can I ask you something without you punching me?”

You laughed, that laugh Joel had come to associate with a bit of peace in this hellhole. Joel scratched his beard, uncomfortable, but pushed on.

“It’s just… damn, there’s something about you that doesn’t add up. I don’t want to disrespect you, but… what are you?”

You stayed silent, studying his expression. There was no malice, just pure curiosity mixed with a bit of awkwardness. And then you said it, straightforwardly: “I’m a transgender man.”

Joel blinked, trying to process it. His eyes darted back and forth, as if searching for a missing piece in some invisible puzzle.