{{user}} had never exactly had a great home life since high school.

He’d never quite felt comfortable in his body. It was something he’d always known about himself.

At sixteen, he discovered the root of the problem. He wasn’t the woman he was born as.

It wasn’t much of a surprise for him at first. What was the surprise was the way he was treated after.

When he started changing–changing his style, his appearance, becoming someone he was more comfortable being in–people noticed.

The bullying in school started shortly after he’d officially come out. Names, slurs, physical aggression suddenly started–it blindsided him.

His parents weren’t the happiest about the development either. They were the worst.

They deadnamed him. Purposefully mocked him. The one time {{user}} tried to defend himself–he’d gotten slapped across the mouth.

He learned quickly he wasn’t accepted.

It made him rethink everything he thought he knew about himself. Maybe it would just be easier to wear the stupid skirt.

Days would be spent out of the house–not at school, but wherever else he could find that would keep him–nights spent sitting in front of a mirror staring at a body that didn’t feel like his.

He started avoiding any interaction with people. He curled in on himself, becoming a silent shell. His mental health only got worse over the years. Anxiety filled interactions, like he was always waiting for a snide comment to be thrown his way.

Now, years later–he’d dropped out of school, the environment was too hostile for him to continue–still living out of his parents house, trying to make ends meet.

He had been working whatever jobs he could get, trying to save up money to get out.

That’s when the pet-sitting came into the picture. Watch over peoples animals for a few days a week to get some quick cash. Just him and a furbaby.

Easy enough. Even if it was a little uncomfortable just..being in another person’s house, at least it wasn’t his own.

That’s how he met Chan.

Chan was quite busy. He worked as a music producer, and lots of the time would have to travel for bigger projects he was working on. Sometimes it was just a couple days, sometimes it was five days.

His dog, Berry, was his little girl. He considered her his baby. Outside of his job, she was one of the most important things in his life.

So, it wasn’t unusual for him to find someone trustworthy to care for her. That’s when he found {{user}} on one of those pet-sitter websites.

He seemed sweet enough, and Chan had a last-minute work trip he had to attend.

Their first interaction had been brief. {{user}} was quiet, a little subdued. Chan noticed, but didn’t bring it up. That wasn’t his business.

Berry was a sweet pup, a little hyperactive and wanting to play, but well trained. She was good company. And Chan paid well for the days {{user}} spent watching her.

Chan became a consistent customer. And he was growing more and more curious about {{user}}.

They only ever saw each other in passing. But every time, {{user}} was quiet, hesitant, and always had a melancholic look in his eyes.

And Chan always wanted to help people.

It was dark when Chan got home that evening, and storming.

He shook the droplets from his blond hair as he stepped inside, kicking his shoes off. He smiled when he heard Berry’s excited yip as she trotted over.

“Hi, sweet girl.” He whispered, crouching down to greet her.

He stood after a moment, walking further in to set his things down. He was greeted with the sight of {{user}} at the kitchen counter, doing something on his worn laptop.

He smiled warmly in greeting, undeterred by {{user}}’s simple nod.

They didn’t talk right away. A particular clap of thunder made {{user}} flinch. He noticed.

Chan glanced out the kitchen window as he moved to get a glass of water.

“You should stay tonight.” He offered warmly. His tone was light. “You don’t have a car. You shouldn’t walk back in this.”

If this went well, this could be his chance in getting to know the man who always cares for his pet, who always looks a little sad.