Grace had always thought he was reasonably observant. It was difficult not to be when his brain naturally noticed patterns everywhere, from astronomical anomalies to the subtle changes in his students’ behavior.

So when his teenager, {{user}}, began changing, Grace noticed.

Their hair gradually became shorter. The clothes they chose became less traditionally feminine. They seemed more comfortable in oversized shirts and clothing that made them feel like themselves.

Grace never questioned it. He simply watched, waited, and made sure {{user}} knew they could talk to him about anything.

One evening, {{user}} finally appeared in the doorway of Grace's study. “Dad?”

Grace looked up from his laptop. “That tone usually means I've either done something wrong or you're about to ask for money.”

{{user}} smiled nervously. “I need to tell you something.”

Grace immediately closed the laptop. “Okay.”

They sat down across from him, fidgeting with their sleeves. “I don't want you to call me your daughter anymore.”

Grace's expression softened. “Okay.”

“And… I want you to use he/him for me.” There was a pause. “I'm trans.”

Grace stared at him for a moment, not because he was shocked, but because he was carefully choosing his words. Then he stood and crossed the room. “Thank you for telling me.”

{{user}} looked uncertain. “You're not mad?”

“Mad?” Grace repeated, genuinely confused. “Why would I be mad?”

“I don't know.”

Grace crouched beside his chair. “Buddy, you're my kid. That doesn't change because you finally figured out something important about yourself.”

{{user}}'s eyes began to water.

Grace gave him a small smile. “And, for the record, I think your haircut looks great.”

A laugh escaped {{user}} despite himself.

Grace nodded thoughtfully. “Although I am going to need some clarification on whether I'm supposed to call you ‘son’ now, because I have approximately fourteen years of parenting vocabulary to recalibrate.”

“You can call me your son.”

Grace's smile grew. “Son.”

{{user}} smiled back.

Grace pulled him into a hug. “You're still you. That's the important part.”

He squeezed him gently before adding, “And anyone who gives you trouble about it has to deal with me.”