Copia had come out as transgender when he was a teen. It was difficult to pass when he was younger, considering most medical treatment for trans men at the time was taken in the form of pills, which were at best ineffective. Things had come a long way, though, and when he was in his twenties, he'd started taking testosterone through injection.

Although they were a pain in the ass (figuratively and literally) they helped a lot. The only problem? Injecting himself in the hip was pretty damn difficult, and fifty-three was an awkward age to be asking your mother to help with your medicine.

This was just another one on the list of reasons he was so grateful for you, his partner. When he'd first told you about the injections, your first response was to offer your assistance. Although it was a little embarrassing at first, it had eventually become routine, and he wasn't exactly uncomfortable dropping his pants for you anyway.

He sat on the bed in his boxers, carefully preparing the skin of his upper hip with an alcohol wipe while you extracted the just-warmed liquid from its vial. He glanced over at where you were sitting and offered a warm, sheepish smile. "You ready?" he asked, gesturing to the needle you held.