Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It started how it always did.

A text completely out of the blue. 

Johnny's chest tightened. Not because he knew who it was. But because he knows who he wants it to be. And all it takes is one glance at his lit up home screen to verify.

Johnny sneers at the offending message. Didn’t even have the decency to call.

“Are they kidding with this shit?” Johnny snaps, tossing his phone right at the table. It bounces harmlessly landing on its back.

“What’s going on?” His dinner companion, HP, speaks with clear concern in her voice. “It’s not your dad right?”

“Fuck no. I doubt he even knows my number.” Johnny sighs, picking his phone back up and opening his messenger.

[Gonna eat you out tonight]

“Can you believe the nerve of this asshole?” Johnny shouts, turning the offending message to HP. “Who the hell do they think they are?”

HP’s lips draw in a thin line. “...Is that Gyro?”

“Of course it is,” Johnny huffs. Though the contact name he currently has them under ‘Stupid Jackass’ fits much better.

“Mhm.” HP takes a heavy chug of her drink. It wasn’t even alcoholic. 

“What’s with the face?”

“Didn’t you block them?” HP sighs.

“I did.”

“So how are they messaging you?”

“Well, I had to unblock them. Valentine’s Day is coming up. So I had to remind them what they’re missing out on.” He motions over his very hot self. Well. Not so hot right now in just a normal cropped hoodie and jeans. But he was out on a hangout with HP. 

“And what did they say to that?”

“Ignored it.”

“Uh huh.”

“And now they send me this nonsense.” Johnny shakes his phone hoping it could somehow transfer the motion to Gyro’s stupid hands.

“Block them,” HP says and then lifts up a hand.

“I can’t,” Johnny says at the exact same time as HP.

“Yeah. Figured.” HP swirls her drink.

“Wh—well, of course I can’t. If someone was disrespecting you in a message you’d reply to.”

“No. I’d block them. Which you should be doing.”

“I did block them.”

“They’re not blocked now.”

Johnny’s phone buzzes in his hand.

[my place]

“Oh my god,” Johnny groans. “They didn’t even let me answer.”

“Don’t think they need to,” HP grumbles, picking at the last fries left on her plate.

“What is with the attitude?” Johnny huffs. “You were the first one to help me after the breakup.”

“I was, and you’re my friend Johnny. A great friend. And a moron.”

“What?” Johnny shouts loud enough to get a few heads turned their way.

“You have been ‘broken up’ with Gyro for four months now and somehow you two see each other more than when you were dating.”

“That is—you are exaggerating.” Johnny shakes his head with a huff.

“I’ve got the texts from you myself.” HP shakes her own phone. “And all the posts on your priv.”

“It was a few times, sure, but I’m over them. They’re the one who broke up with me .” Johnny taps at his phone.

“Are you blocking them?” HP raises her hand before Johnny can even respond. “No.”

“I will after,” Johnny tsks, sending his message. [go suck your own dick]

“And when’s that after?”

“Well, I have to see how they respond.”

“Uh huh.” HP shakes her head and pushes away her empty plate. “I’m not driving you there.”

“I know my way. But—but I don’t even need the lift!”

“Mhm.”

Johnny’s phone buzzes in his hand.

[no im sucking your dick cant you read????]

Johnny groans. “They’re making fun of me.”

“So you should block them.”

“And let them win?”

“Yeah. Johnny.” She sits up straight. “You could be on the market. I know people.”

Johnny finches. “It’s too soon.”

“But not too soon to meet Gyro.”

“It was only a few times,” Johnny grumbles, typing. [choke]

“I think you two should just save everyone the headache and get back together officially.”

“Hell fucking no. I am not going to beg them to date me again.”

“But fucking is fine.”

“I didn’t want to. You know. I just went over and well things happen. Whatever.” Johnny shrugs, feeling his neck and shoulders prickle with heat. 

“You two are obsessed with each other.”

“I am the furthest thing from obsessed,” Johnny scoffs. a sound that quickly turns to a gasp when his phone buzzes again.

[your dicks too small for that]

Johnny groans. [choke yourself. With a belt]

He gets a reply almost right away. Gyro must be off work to be replying this soon. Probably texting him on the bus ride back. Huh. He wonders how work went. This is a pretty early time for Gyro. 

[Put your legs around my neck instead. If you can manage it I'll go without a fight]

“They’re a fucking pervert.” Johnny groans. “What am I? A piece of meat?”

“I don't think meat gets this much action,” HP grumbles.

“Why are you so sassy today? Your boyfriend’s watching too much reality TV with you.”

“Maybe, but at least I have a boyfriend who’s going to watch TV with me. And not just bootycall me.”

“We watch TV too,” Johnny tsks.

“What? Are you two going out too?”

“Of course not. They broke up with me.”

“So it’s only trysts at their place?”

“Well, like we get hungry. And sometimes they wanna get some errands or stuff done. And you know they don’t really like going to some places by themselves.”

“Oh my fucking god,” HP groans into her hands. “You two are still dating.”

“We’re not! Ask them yourself if you don’t believe me.”

“They’d probably tell me the same nonsense you are.” HP pinches the bridge of her nose. 

“If they want to date then they’ve got to ask me themselves. Nah. They gotta beg for me back.” Johnny shakes his head as he types. [i dont need to be talking to you]

[ill be waiting, keys under the doorstopper you hate]

Johnny huffs. They didn't even listen. Like always. [im not coming] 

“You done eating?” HP motions to his plate.

“I lost my appetite.” Johnny stares at his messages. Nothing? Gyro was definitely off now. Maybe walking into their apartment. 

“You should take it with you to Gyro’s. Waste of food.”

“Yeah, I will—hold on—I’m not going to Gyro.”

“Yeah, and I’m the Virgin Mary.”

“You were almost a nun.”

“Not even the same thing.”

“Ugh, you and them. Stupid. Italian sarcasm,” Johnny grumbles, staring at his messages. “They stopped replying.”

“Thank the heavens. You won, so now you block their number. No, no. Actually, just delete it from your phone.”

“Why’d they stop replying?” Johnny types. [are you ignoring me?]

“They’re listening to you for once, I hope. Or listening to their conscience.”

Johnny’s chest tightens. He did say he wasn’t coming. [what happened to all that talk huh? Guess youll have to jerk off alone loser]

“You know you can do way better than this, Johnny.” HP raises a hand, flagging down their waitress.

“I am doing better. Without them.” Johnny refreshes the messages.

“Sure.” She sighs, taking the checkbook from the waitress.

Johnny takes out a bill to pay for his half, his phone never leaving his peripheral vision.

She just didn’t get it.

--

He didn’t want to go. Nor did he have to.

But he sent message after message to no reply. It was abrupt. Far too abrupt. Johnny was worried. Not for Gyro, but just for the knowledge that another human being might be hurt. That human just so happened to be Gyro.

And Johnny wasn’t so far from their apartment. It was a quick stop. If he found out they were really ignoring him then he’d tell them off and head out. Easy. Super easy.

So easy that Johnny doesn’t even have to think about it as he ties and unties his leftover food bag on his lap inside the elevator in the apartment. He makes it to the penthouse in no time. 

He glares at the ugly doorstop. 

It was a dead frog. In the shape of one. Had a cartoonish expression and a tongue sticking out from its agape mouth. Made of some kind of metal but with a dent in the middle, right where the door could slide in. He remembers when Gyro found it, they couldn’t stop laughing about it the whole trip. 

Johnny lifts it up, and sure enough there’s a spare key. Johnny didn’t need it. He never got rid of his copy. He sets the doorstop back in its place.

“You belong in the trash, you know,” Johnny grumbles to the offending frog as he unlocks the door. He sets the key on the shoe cubby inside. He’ll put it back in its place after.

The place is quiet, but that wasn’t so unusual. Years and years of living closely with other judgmental people meant Gyro almost never listened to things out loud. They had a headphone set for their phone. Their computer. Even their TV had this portable speaker that went around their neck and looked absolutely ridiculous.

Johnny rolls inside, spotting some remnants of groceries left on their kitchen counter. Things Gyro would no doubt claim they had ‘plans’ for but they really just were too lazy to bother putting it all away at once. Johnny puts his leftover food in the fridge. He wasn't as lazy as them. And he shoves one of the groceries in there too. Just to make a point.

They weren’t in the kitchen. Nor in the living room. Though their jacket was left strewn on the couch. So they were here at some point. Did something really happen?

Was that really the last time Johnny would ever talk to them? The last words they would ever hear?

Johnny clutches his chest, rolling to the bedroom.

“Oh. There you are,” Gyro speaks up. Gyro. Waiting comfortably on their bed with green earbuds. The ones Johnny bought them.

Johnny shudders, his eyes welling with tears.

“Woah. Johnny.” Gyro sits up, setting their phone and headphones to their nightstand. “What happened?”

“You didn’t fucking answer me,” Johnny snaps, feeling the hot tears rolling down his face. “I thought—I thought something happened.”

Gyro frowns, kneeling down to Johnny’s eye level. They look just as Johnny remembers. No scars over their strong nose. No bruises on their stuck-out bottom lip. Wearing a loose tank top and Garfield-patterned pajama pants. “I’m okay.”

“You could have said something.” Johnny hiccups.

Gyro wipes Johnny’s face. Their hand was soft. Warm. A solid weight as they hold Johnny’s face. “I’ll say something next time. You were in a mood, so I stopped responding. I knew you’d come.”

Johnny scowls. “Ugh! This is exactly what I’m talking about. You never listen to me. I said I wasn’t coming. I shouldn’t have fucking come! I should have left you to rot in—“

He can’t finish as his lips are quickly taken by Gyro’s. They taste sweet. One of those milk teas they were fond of lately. Their hand travels down from Johnny’s face. Wrapping around his hip and picking Johnny up.

Johnny wraps his arms around them, eagerly returning the kisses, barely stopping to take a breath. He presses into Gyro. There was too much cloth between them. He tugs at Gyro’s tank. 

They turn on their heel, pressing Johnny into the bed. Johnny spots their teddy bear bounce up and off the bed. Gyro would no doubt freak out about that after.

Johnny pulls away. “Gyro.”

“Mmm, just like that,” Gyro hums, dipping down to kiss Johnny’s neck.

“No. Your bear fell.”

Gyro gasps. “Dolce.”

They jolt to the side of the bed and pick the bear back up. They give it a kiss of apology on the head before setting it on the dresser.

Man, what a dork. 

They climb back onto the bed, kissing Johnny’s cheek and jaw. “Thank you, my love.”

My love.

It has to be this way, my love .

Johnny pushes Gyro off.

“Hey.” They scowl. “What now?”

“You! You can’t keep doing this to me. You broke up with me,” Johnny snaps. 

“I had no other choice.”

Johnny grits his teeth. This is exactly what they said before. So long ago.

Things were perfect. Absolutely perfect. Johnny had never loved someone so much. Felt so cared for. So safe. But Gyro had been looking glum recently. Johnny wanted to make it up to them. Help lighten the mood. Talk them through it. 

It took a lot of nudging and maybe a bit of wine. But Johnny got it out. 

Gyro’s father wanted Gyro wed. An heir to the Zeppeli name. Gyro’s only reason for being in the US was an expansion of the family trade. A private clinic in their father’s name, but Gyro’s to own. 

He’d never accept this. Accept us. Gyro had said their head hung so low Johnny couldn’t even see their eyes. Accept you. 

Johnny had argued that he was giving Gyro absolutely everything they needed. They needed to marry someone? Marry Johnny. They needed to knock someone up? Johnny has always wanted kids. He was ready for it all. A life with Gyro. What more could he possibly ask for?

You don’t get it. Gyro had spat out, but the venom wasn’t towards Johnny. You would never be the father to my kids. My husband. You’d be my bride.

And Johnny had taken Gyro’s hands. Full of love. Of hope. He would do it. Even if he hated the thought of the wrong pronouns. The wrong name. Forced into a pretty white dress. Everything he fought against. Even if it was all turned against him yet again. It made bile rise to his throat. But he’d do it. He’d do it all for Gyro. 

He didn’t expect Gyro to toss his hands away like they burned. To look at him like he was a stranger. To break up with Johnny right then and there. For Johnny’s sake, they had said. They could never hurt Johnny like that, they said. But they had already hurt him far worse.

And they were still hurting Johnny now.

“Go find your perfect fucking wife then!” Johnny shouts. 

“I don’t like women.”

“But that doesn’t matter. What matters is what dear old dad wants, huh? Why keep calling me? Why keep meeting me?”

“The same reason you do.” Gyro tugs Johnny by the wrist, connecting their lips again.

And Johnny hates the way he melts into it. Hates how good it feels to have those hands under his shirt. Over his sensitive skin. Hates how he moans for more when Gyro pulls his shirt off.

More that Gyro happily gives as they suck a hickey onto the junction between Johnny’s neck and shoulder. Their hair was washed recently. It was soft in Johnny’s grasp. Did they wash up for Johnny, or was it a coincidence? Johnny loops the strands between his fingers as he shifts his hips.

Closer. Need to be even closer. He was already wet. Could feel Gyro’s length just pressing against their silly PJs, distending the poor cartoon cat. But it’s pressing right against Johnny’s pants. If he only angles it right.

Johnny gasps as he hits what he’s looking for, managing to get Gyro to rub against his dick. His whole body shudders as sparks fly to his brain. He was so wet it was unbearable. He reaches down, pulling his pants and underwear off. He doesn’t even feel the chill. Not when his wet crotch and hot pulsing body are demanding more.

Gyro bites Johnny’s shoulder. Johnny curses under his breath, tilting his hips. There’s still fabric in the way. But it's hitting the right spot. Right by Johnny’s entrance. If only this wasn’t in the way.

“Stop trying to fuck yourself on me,” Gyro says suddenly with a very affected groan. “I told you I wanna eat you out.”

“I’m not trying anything.”

“You are,” Gyro huffs, pressing Johnny’s hips down with their hands.

“Hey. This is ableism,” Johnny huffs, trying to squirm to no use. He can’t use his legs to kick Gyro off either. “I’ll sue.”

“Go ahead.” Gyro moves down, only letting go when they're far enough. They kiss his stomach.

Johnny lifts up but has nothing really to really grind against. “Ugh. Bastard.”

“That’d be easier, nyoho," Gyro chuckles at their own bad joke as they kiss further and further down. Right to Johnny’s aching dick. He takes the tip into his mouth, swirling his tongue over it.

“Oh fuck," Johnny whimpers, his head falling back.

Gyro lifts a hand wagging a finger in a no-no motion. 

“Y-you think you’re funny?” Johnny tries to huff. But it is actually pretty funny. 

And the spark in Gyro’s eye tells him that they think the same. That or they were thinking about what they were about to do. They bob their head down, taking Johnny’s length in one swift motion. 

Johnny moans, grasping Gyro’s hair again. This time with a much tighter grip as he rocks his lips, grinding against the wet heat of Gyro’s tongue. Not that he really needs to with Gyro sucking with force.

“Gyro," Johnny moans low and long like a song. 

Gyro pulls up again, a strand of their saliva still connecting them. 

“Again?”

“Make me.”

Gyro doesn't say anything but they clearly take up the challenge as they flick their tongue between Johnny's folds, teasing at his leaking entrance. And Gyro quickly gets what they want when they dive their tongue in with a flat stroke, lapping up Johnny’s juices.

Johnny’s thighs clench. If he had the mobility, they'd already be curled around Gyro's head. Johnny grinds up into it as Gyro sucks his folds. They kiss and lick and suck never giving Johnny a moment of reprieve.

His breath comes in pants as he twists on the bed, his body too overwhelmed from the pleasure to stay put. But Gyro grasps his thighs and keeps him stable. Gyro didn’t just enjoy oral. They were ridiculously good at it.

Gyro may not like women, but they'd make their future wife very happy. Or maybe they wouldn't just out of principle. They could be petty like that. They got on HP’s nerves way before the breakup.

She had confessed to him one time that their misogyny was kind of gender-affirming. But that Johnny should still choke them in their sleep.

Johnny didn't do that, of course.

Maybe he should.

“Stop thinking," Gyro huffs, pinching Johnny's dick between their fingers.

Johnny whimpers and bats at their hand until they take it away. “I wasn't doing anything, you bully.”

“You weren't here. I need you here." Gyro tilts their head back down.

Johnny’s eyes water and warm. How could they say that and—

“Oh fuck!” Johnny cries out as Gyro presses their finger inside. 

They have a ridiculous smile on their face before they kiss up and down Johnny's dick. “Only look at me.”

“You said you just wanted to eat—to—” Johnny whimpers and whines, his hips bucking on their own as Gyro slides another finger inside. They take Johnny's dick in their mouth casually dragging their tongue along his length as they ease their fingers in to the knuckle.

He was getting close. Way too fast. But what could he do when Gyro looked at him like that? Like Johnny was the moon and the stars. 

“I'm gonna,” Johnny whimpers, tugging at Gyro’s hair.

“Do it on my face.”

Johnny's face heats up and he can do nothing but stammer as Gyro pistons their fingers in him. They roll their tongue up and down Johnny’s dick.

It's too much. He can't. He's

He's

“Gyro!” Johnny cries out their name, stars behind his eyes as he comes.

But Gyro doesn't stop. They sloppily continue to make out with Johnny's lower body. Even their fingers continue to drag in and out, not dissuaded by Johnny's twitching and clenching.

Johnny whimpers, tugging for what feels like an eternity until Gyro finally pulls away.

Not too far as they pepper kisses on Johnny's thighs. “You were so whiny. Couldn't help myself.”

Johnny huffs, still too out of breath to complain.

“You're such a hot guy. I bet you'd make big money selling pics.”

Yeah, Gyro says that like they're not the most jealous person on the planet. All it takes is Johnny complimenting someone to set Gyro off on a bad-mouth tirade.

“I'd be your number one customer," Gyro hums, sitting up and pulling their pants down. They were hard and leaking. Even though Johnny just came, he can't help but feel a twitch of excitement.

“And my other customers?” Johnny mutters, his voice still too weak to properly tease.

Gyro scowls, leaning on an arm as they loom on top of Johnny. They block off Johnny's sight with their massive body but Johnny doesn't really mind. “What others?”

“It's a business, I need more clients.”

“No.” Gyro takes themself in hand and starts to stroke. “You've got me. Don't need a business at all.”

As if Gyro wasn't the one who brought up the issue in the first place. But their eyes were dark. Focused on Johnny. They stroked harder. Their body was so close to Johnny's. Nearly there.

Johnny scoffs. “I don't need you either. HP said she's got her connections, you know. Could hook me up easy.”

“That damn woman. She's a terrible influence on you. She never liked me.”

“She was right to. You never liked her either. She told me I deserve better than you.”

Gyro’s hands clench. “You do.”

The words come out too whispered. Too real. Johnny wants to immediately take it back but Gyro leans in, taking his lips instead.

He can taste himself on Gyro’s tongue. Johnny tilts his hips up, briefly feeling Gyro’s length against him. 

Gyro grabs his arm, stopping Johnny's movement in his shock. 

“Never satisfied.” Gyro huffs something between a laugh and a scoff.

“You're one to—ah—hey.” Johnny squirms as he's pulled onto his stomach. Gyro grabs a spare pillow and props it under his stomach as they push Johnny's squirming head down. 

“You're not much help," Gyro snarks.

They can snark as much as they'd like, ‘cause right then they press against Johnny, slotting their length between Johnny's thighs and right against Johnny's lower folds.

“Higher," Johnny pants.

“And you're bossy.” 

“You invited me.”

“I did.” Gyro slides their body in a small rhythm back and forth coating their length in Johnny's flooding juices.

Every press pushes against Johnny's dick and rubs between his folds almost pressing into his entrance but never quite.

“Gyro," Johnny whines, clenching the sheets.

“Johnny," they sigh simply, wrapping an arm around Johnny to squeeze at his chest.

Johnny moves his hand on top of it, encouraging them with a squeeze of his own.

They thrust harsher, almost pressing in.

“There, there.”

Gyro presses their face into Johnny's shoulder, sloppily kissing Johnny's exposed body as they follow orders, repeating the movement.

Johnny's eyes roll back. The sparks of heat and need bouncing through his whole body. He was still fresh off his orgasm and his sensitive body was simultaneously overwhelmed and desperate for more.

Until it all ends. Not even Gyro’s hand is against Johnny's body. The room’s so cold.

They stopped. Why the hell did they stop? Johnny looks over his shoulder.

Gyro rummages through their bedside drawer, pulling out a familiar wrapper. Another barrier between them.

“No condom.” 

Gyro tilts their head. “You on birth control still? Or are you trying to babytrap me?”

“I’d abort your baby.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” Gyro runs their hands up Johnny’s thighs to his cheeks. “You’re a good Christian boy.”

Johnny shivers and pushes into the touch. “Stop teasing.”

“I was getting ready. You were the one who stopped me.”

“All your fucking talk," Johnny groans. “Put it in already. Or what? You’re too scared?”

Gyro grips Johnny’s hips and shifts on their knees, pressing the tip of their length to Johnny’s entrance. Johnny gasps, gripping the sheets hard enough to hurt. But not enough to miss the way their voice rumbles.

“I’ll pay for the appointment," they snark, their voice light with their own laughter as they press the tip inside.

They still move like they're scared. Agonizingly slow and careful. Each inch of their length pressing against Johnny’s tight walls, making him clench more and more in anticipation.

“Hurry up," he whines, trying to grind back only to be stopped by Gyro's hands yet again. “You fucking bully.”

“Not yet," Gyro pants. Their raspy tone even more prominent. 

Johnny bites the sheets under him. Damn it. He's too wound up. He feels close again. He doesn't want to come yet. Not until Gyro’s in him properly.

It's hard to focus with Gyro making those sounds behind him. Moans and groans and near whimpers. It seems like it'd never end until they were finally finally bottomed out inside Johnny. Not a single inch left between them anymore. 

Gyro’s hands move up Johnny's body, interlocking their hand over Johnny’s.

“Ti amo," they whisper low. So they can pretend they didn't say it. Just like Johnny can pretend he doesn't understand what it means.

Johnny's eyes water. Tears quickly spill when Gyro suddenly rears back and thrusts in with force.

“Fuck," Johnny gasps. 

“I am," Gyro pants out a laugh.

God, they think they're so funny. Johnny can't even point out how lame they are. Not as they continue to thrust in and out rapidly. 

His body clenches and squirms outside of his control. Each movement making Gyro get louder and louder.

Gyro leans into him, pressing their chest against Johnny’s back. Johnny takes in tiny shuddering breaths. The only thing keeping him grounded as his hands dig into the sheet. His knuckles white.

He's getting close again. 

He's burning like a fire, sweat dripping down his head, mixing with his spilled tears. 

“Johnny Johnny Johnny," Gyro chants like a prayer against the back of Johnny's ear. They were pressed too close now. Gyro’s thrusts were shallow but insistent. 

They had to be nearing their own edge too.

“Come with me," Johnny pleas.

Gyro groans, wrapping an arm around Johnny's stomach as they piston as hard as they can into Johnny. Johnny gasps, trying to use what movement he can to rock back but Gyro’s pressed too tight against him, his legs stay limp.

“Carino," Gyro moans.

Johnny shuts his eyes. He doesn't need to see the rumpled sheets. He lets go of them and slips back for a moment, meeting a particularly hard thrust that leaves him gasping. When he comes to Gyros hand is over his wrist. A finger against his pulse.

Johnny's chest clenches tight.

More tears spill, but he ignores them. Ignores everything that isn't Gyro and him. Locked tight. No barriers. Just them. All he wants is them to be together. All he's ever wanted.

Gyro presses a kiss to Johnny's neck.

And he comes. With a soft gasp, his body trembling but not trembling so much that he misses his insides being flooded with satisfying warmth.

Johnny's head is tilted to the side as Gyro gingerly kisses him, the angle difficult for both and their lips barely catching.

But the rest of them is warm. Melded together.

“Stay tonight.” Gyro doesn't really ask. More demands in a whisper against Johnny's lips.

Johnny opens an eye to meet Gyro’s gaze.

There's nowhere else he'd rather be.

Chapter Text

The harsh morning sun hits Johnny’s bleary eyes. He groans, throwing a hand over his face. To his shock, more hands come over him.

Gyro of course. Giving a heavy sigh as their hands trail across Johnny’s bare stomach.

Awake.

They were both awake in Gyro’s apartment. A place they’ve found themselves in far too often. Johnny had done it again. Fallen into the same trap he always did.

Even now he was leaning back into Gyro’s chest. Shivering as their lips graze his ear.

Until Gyro’s hands wander further down, slotting over the folds of Johnny’s body and trapping his dick between them.

Johnny helplessly moans, his thighs involuntarily twitching. He was already spent from the night before. Still full. Something he can see when Gyro presses their fingers into Johnny’s body and their come starts to spill onto their digits.

“Really? Now?” Johnny huffs. “I haven’t even gotten up to piss.”

“Do it here,” Gyro says, the smile evident in their grumbling voice.

Johnny reddens, his jaw dropping as he clutches the pillow under him. “You’re so fucking gross.”

“I can change the sheets.”

“Get off me,” Johnny snaps and pushes Gyro off, ignoring their hysterical laughter as he sits up. “I’m getting out of here.”

“Alright,” Gyro tsks before sticking one of their wet fingers in their mouth.

“Ugh. How the hell are you a doctor? Disgusting,” Johnny sneers, turning away so he can fetch his abandoned wheelchair.

“It’s clean. That’s the point of your slick. That and assisting thrusting but that’s not something we’ve ever had to worry about.”

“Goodbye.” Johnny climbs onto his chair.

“Don’t go out nude.”

“I’m getting my things.” Johnny starts to roll and pick up his abandoned clothes around the room.

“None of that’s clean. There’s stuff for you in the middle drawer.”

“You keeping my clothes like a stalker now?” Johnny lets the pile he accumulated drop to the ground as he rolls to the drawer. Sure enough there’s a good amount of his things there. Cleaned and folded too.

“You keep leaving them here. What else am I gonna do? Burn it?”

“You might as well. I’m not coming back for any of this crap.” Johnny takes out an outfit. Oh. This was a cute shirt. He was looking for it. 

“Take it then.” Gyro rests their hands behind their head with a shrug.

“There’s too much. I don’t have a bag.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be using the bathroom? Unless you wanna take a seat here.” They roll their tongue out and point at their open mouth.

“Go back to sleep,” Johnny groans, scrubbing at his red cheeks before he rolls into the bathroom to do his business.

When he’s up, Gyro’s out of the room. Along with the piles of clothes they both left.

“What are you doing?” Johnny calls out. “Gyro?”

He rolls around until he finally spots Gyro in the kitchen, getting out ingredients for breakfast.

Gyro had an earbud in. The other left on the counter. “I’m surprised you can still yell after last night.”

“You can answer, you know.”

“Don’t need to. You’ll find me.”

Johnny huffs. Of course that’s how they take it. Doesn’t even fucking think about how it would just be nice to not make Johnny worry for a few seconds. “You’re a prick.”

“You hungry?”

“I told you I’m leaving.”

“So why’d you come see me? Door’s that way.” Gyro gestures.

“I need to get my stuff.”

“Ah. So this is yours.” Gyro takes out the leftovers bag and sets it on the counter close to Johnny. “What were you doing out?”

“That’s none of your business.”

Gyro sighs heavily, turning back to the stove where they turn on a burner.

Johnny frowns, untying the bag. “...I’m hungry.”

“You could have said that.”

“I have stuff. Don’t make me anything.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.” Johnny rolls to the microwave and places it in, watching the container spin as he waits for it to be done. He can hear Gyro shuffling around. Softly humming.

Johnny leans against the counter, shutting his eyes. What song is it? It sounds a little familiar. Something he might have heard Gyro sing.

Beep beep

Click

Johnny opens his eyes. He’s not the one who opened it. Instead he sees Gyro taking the container out.

“Don’t steal my food.”

“I’m making fresh food. Don’t need soggy leftovers from a cheap restaurant.”

“It’s not cheap.”

Gyro walks away to the dining room. Which really was the same room, but there was a table and chair here so Gyro insisted on calling it the dining room. They place down a fork by it and push the chair away to the wall. “Smells cheap.”

“Fuck off.”

“You’re the one who denied a second round,” Gyro scoffs, walking by Johnny and ruffling his hair before going back to the stove.

Johnny runs his hand through a lock, feeling the phantom warmth against his fingertips. He rolls to the table and starts to eat. He had work later. Gyro didn’t. Gyro could pick him up. “You need to get anything done?”

“No. You’ve got work today.”

“I do.”

Gyro makes a noncommittal noise and continues to mess with the pan they have on the stove.

Johnny pokes at the plate. He’s halfway done. He glances over at the pan. Doesn’t look too difficult. Gyro would be done soon. Johnny continues to shove things around the container until Gyro sits down in the chair to the side of him.

“Who’d you go out with?” Gyro asks, taking a bite of their food. It did look good. Some kind of egg and sausage mix.

“Who says I went out with anyone?”

“According to you only losers dine out alone.”

“Ha. Yeah.” Johnny takes another bite of his food.

“So who?”

“HP.”

“Ugh.” Gyro rolls their eyes. “No wonder you were chatting about her last night. Doesn’t she have a boyfriend?”

“She’s still my friend.”

“She’s a troublemaker is what she is.”

“Lay off.”

Gyro tsks and continues to eat, leaning into the table. They still have an ear bud in. And they’re shifting slightly. Tapping to the beat?

Johnny leans back enough to look under the table. To his surprise Gyro’s foot is against his own. Lightly nudging it in a small rhythm.

Johnny’s chest tightens. He looks back to his plate.

His food was done soon. He didn’t have that much left to begin with.

“I’m going,” Johnny says.

“I heard you the first 15 times.”

Johnny rolls back, going over to the shoe cubby and picking up the key. “You gonna stay home today?”

“Don’t know.”

“...Fine.” Johnny opens the door and puts the key back under that ugly doorstopper. He hesitates, looking at the door. Waiting for it to crack. To open.

It stays still.

So Johnny moves away instead.

--

Life was monotonous. Boring. Johnny worked. He saw his friends. He checked his phone. Did the same thing everyone else in the city did.

He barely remembers the days that go by. Wasn’t even counting them.

So he has no idea why he wakes up with a nosebleed. He’d been getting infrequent headaches. And heat flashes.

But he thought it was the stress of work. The bad weather.

This? He’d never gotten a nosebleed. He stuffs up his nose with a cringe. Ugh, he can taste copper in his mouth. So annoying.

The rain outside only further soured his bad mood. He had work today too. 

Even a lame day like this had to pass. He just had to get through it.

Johnny opens his phone, texting Gyro.

[you’re not allowed at my funeral]

Johnny washes out his mouth until he hears a buzz of reply.

[not like you could stop me] another text comes almost immediately after the first. [you alright? I’m at the clinic]

[i’m fine, just feel bad, might have caught something from you]

[i wear a mask and gloves and i feel fine]

Johnny tosses out the tissues. He touches his tender nose with a wince. Not bleeding at least. His phone buzzes on his lap. Another text from Gyro.

[you should test yourself]

Johnny hums. How could he even test that? The only kind of test he knows about is a pregnancy test. [im fine]

No reply. Gyro believes him at least. And he’s got work. No time to mess around. He’ll take some tissues with him just in case.

--

“Oh god,” Johnny tsks as he leaves his work. The first thing he spots is a certain someone leaning on the telephone pole by the entrance. He rolls up to them. “What do you want?”

“Still feeling bad?”

“What do you care?”

Gyro sighs and shoves their hands in their pants. “I need to get some groceries. The place I like doesn’t have my milk brand.”

“Just buy yourself a cow.” Johnny shrugs. “Which way is it?”

“Bus for it comes this way.”

“I’m going this way too.”

“Sure.” Gyro gets off the pole and starts talking down the block, taking a slow pace until Johnny rolls to their side. “You working while you feel bad?”

“Need the money. Don’t have a roommate.”

“Hm.”

A memory flashes in Johnny’s mind. Gyro kneeling down by his feet. Claiming they didn’t like sleeping in an empty place. Putting a key in his hand. The same key still in Johnny’s wallet. 

“You have two bedrooms. You could get a roommate,” Johnny speaks up.

“I have money. Don’t need one.” Gyro stops by the bus stop. They reach up to tap on their headphones. 

“Oh so sorry, us poors have needs.”

Gyro scoffs. “You grew up way richer than me.”

“That was like a million years ago.”

“You still make a good salary.”

“Not enough for a penthouse,” Johnny snaps. Gyro glances away. Oh. Right. Gyro didn’t buy that. Their dad did. “Or something like that…”

The bus rolls up and they both get on, Johnny taking one of the usual assigned spots and Gyro standing right in front of him. They take off an earbud and offer it silently down.

Johnny takes it and puts it in.

It’s a soft rock song. The kind Johnny used to recommend to them. In fact. He’s pretty sure he recommended this specific one. But he can’t remember much of it. He watches Gyro’s flicking finger to the melody, feels the sway of the bus, glances out of the bus at the passing streets and stores.

The melody turns to another. The bus reaches another stop and even more people pack in. Gyro steps closer, silently glaring at everyone that press against them.

Johnny grabs their pant leg until Gyro looks his way. “What playlist is this?”

“Just something random,” Gyro mutters, staring Johnny right in the eyes. It’s too odd. Purposeful. They’re lying.

“What is it?”

“Just some old music.”

Johnny tugs further on their pant leg.

“What are you, a dog? What do you want?”

“When are we getting off?”

“A few stops from now.”

“You wanna switch places?” Johnny gestures to Gyro standing and him sitting.

“Nyoho.” Gyro readjusts their grip on the bar. Both arms up in a way that makes their arms unintentionally flex. “What are you gonna do if I call you out on that offer one day?”

“Get out of the chair, I guess.”

“Nah.” Gyro taps Johnny’s wheel with a foot. “I like looking out.”

“Sure.” Johnny leans back, hand still on Gyro’s pants.

Another melody transitions to the next. And another before Gyro grabs his wrist. “We’re here, come on.”

The store wasn’t one Johnny recognizes and from the way Gyro stares at it, it’s not somewhere they’ve been either.

“You know what aisle your stuff is on?”

“No, but it’s got to be where the fridges are.” Gyro shrugs, striding in and glancing back at Johnny as he follows behind.

It was much like all the other grocery stores Johnny’s been to. He didn’t really need anything. Except. He could maybe get a few treats. He did make this big trip after all. He’s earned it.

Gyro wrings a wrist, glaring down the aisles.

Johnny takes out the ear bud and taps Gyro with it. Gyro glances back, taking it and putting it in with a sigh.

“If it’s only milk it’s got to be one of the walls.” Johnny turns to the left and starts to roll. He hears Gyro follow after. 

“I need more than milk.”

“What else?”

“Don’t have a list. Just know it when I see it.”

“We’ll start from the end then.”

Gyro grabs a cart as they walk, barely stopping to fetch it. “You still have that cart attachment?”

“It’s at home.”

“Should have called.” Gyro grumbles.

“Why do I have to lug everything?”

“You don’t even feel it.”

“I sure as hell do. You think these hands just move for fun?”

“It’s a negligible amount.”

“Don’t use your big words just cause you know you’re wrong.”

“It’s hardly a difficult word.”

“You’re doing it still. Dick.”

“I just have a well-read vocabulary.”

“You’re a smart ass is what you are.”

“Your—” Gyro readjusts their grip on the cart. “We’re here.”

“I can see it.” Johnny slows and gestures. “You get what you need.”

“You need anything?”

“Not from this section.”

“I’m already using my hands. You’re closer. Just grab the milk I like.”

“Fine. Lazyass.” Johnny rolls to the milk and grabs it, dropping it in before continuing to roll down the aisle. Hm. Maybe he could use some cheese. A homemade sandwich would be better than that stuff he gets from the corner store. They put tomatoes and lettuce in nearly all of their prepackaged stuff. Yuck. He drops a pack of that in.

“I need some pepperoni. It’s by you.”

“I know what pepperoni looks like.” Johnny rolls his eyes, grabbing it and tossing it in.

“Another pack.”

“You can get it.” Johnny sighs as he tosses in another.

Gyro nudges him with the cart. “Come on.”

Johnny pushes it back and continues to roll down. They go down a few aisles. Johnny fetches most of what Gyro needs. Gets a few things for himself.

They come into the pharmaceutical section. Pills. Vitamins. Pregnancy tests. Drug tests. Compression wear. Nothing Johnny needs. 

“You should grab a thermometer,” Gyro says.

“I’m not hot anymore.”

“Anymore?”

“Fever. Not my looks. Still look too good for you.”

“When did you have a fever?”

“I don’t know. Day ago or something. It went away quick. Might have just been what I was wearing. You know I work with all those animals. Lots of fur I gotta clean off.”

“Ah. So you got something from the beasts. Not me.”

“You’re a beast too.”

“Yeah, I’m strong as one.” Gyro flexes an arm with a golden grin.

Johnny huffs in amusement. “Shut up.”

Gyro nudges Johnny’s chair with the cart again. “Hurry up then. I’m done.”

“Me too.” 

Johnny scans over the aisle again as he rolls by. Just a whole lot of nothing.

--

It wasn't very heavy.

Everything he got for himself in a bag on his lap. They separated it out as they had made their trip back to the bus. Gyro argued about sharing custody on a few items. Johnny just let them have some of them. Including half of the chips he got. Johnny had the other half on the bus trip from there to his apartment. 

Gyro paid for it all, but that was fair for dragging Johnny along. 

He has to imagine that big bag Gyro’s swinging from hand to hand is heavy. They hadn't stuck it on the back of Johnny's chair or passed it onto Johnny’s lap. Haven't even mentioned it.

Now their journey was over. Johnny was in front of his apartment door. He couldn't carry anything for Gyro now.

Johnny turns to Gyro, keys in hand. “You should get going. That stuff's gonna sp—“

He can't finish as Gyro leans down, locking their lips together.

Johnny's heart sinks in his chest.

Is this the reason Gyro came to see him? 

Johnny pulls back, hitting into his door.

Gyro sets the bag down, putting a hand on the back of Johnny's chair. “Careful.”

“I'm fine.” Johnny hisses.

Gyro leans in, wrapping an arm around Johnny as they bury their face in Johnny's hair, peppering his head with kisses.

Where was this before? When they were shopping and on the bus? This affection. No, it couldn't even be called that. It was just means to an end. To a place. Johnny's or Gyro’s. A bed. That's all that mattered.

“Go home,” Johnny tsks, putting his hands on Gyro’s chest but not shoving them away.

“I am home,” Gyro mutters into his hair.

Johnny bites his lip. “Off.”

They move without Johnny having to push. “Get some rest.”

“You’re not my doctor. I told you I’m fine.”

“Call out if you're feeling too bad.”

“Pay for my rent then.”

“I have a place already.”

“It's not mine.”

Gyro makes a sharp tsk. They pick up the bag and tap at their earbuds. “...Bye.”

“Bye.” Johnny turns back and shoves the key in the door, opening it as fast as he could. He doesn't hear Gyro move.

He goes in anyway.

--

Another nosebleed. Right in the middle of work. His coworkers freaked out. Thought a dog bit him or something. A whole ordeal with the only benefit of it being he was able to leave work a bit earlier thanks to it.

For weeks now he'd just been feeling off. Odd.

Not quite sick enough to be worth a visit but sure as hell not doing well.

For a while he considered it might be his period. He's been off T for a while for a number of reasons. Not wanting to pay. Not really seeing much benefit that he hasn't already been getting. And not wanting to bother with a weekly nuisance. 

So naturally he was gonna deal with Mother Nature rearing its ugly head every once in a while.

But he didn't get that either. 

Something was off. Maybe it was the lack of a period. The fact that he had been seeing Gyro. How sore his chest has been despite him not binding. 

Something makes him pick up the pregnancy test he has in his bathroom. He doesn't quite remember when he bought them. Habit maybe considering they were by a pack of condoms. 

He's done this song and dance a few too many times.

After a drunken party. Before a doctor's appointment. One shameful time when he was living with Gyro. How he silently pleaded and pleaded he'd see two blue lines while Gyro nervously paced their bathroom.

It was only him in the bathroom now.

Only him staring down the test.

He got what he asked for.

But at the wrong time.

Two thick lines.

Positive.

Fuck.

Chapter Text

It was unchanging. Undeniable.

What was he going to do? What can he even do? He can't even drink to forget about his problems. Not without hurting the baby.

Baby. Wasn’t even that yet. Could be. But only if he kept it.

Was he keeping it?

Why the hell should he? He was living in a crappy little apartment by himself. Wasn’t struggling but a kid would quickly change that.

He should get rid of it.

But why? 

He was in the opposite of this position so long ago. A year ago. Felt like yesterday. He remembers it all just as vividly. Remembers that stark singular line. Not even the hint of a second.

Remembers the way Gyro shouted in Italian. The first thing that stopped Johnny from staring at the test.

“We got lucky,” Gyro had said.

It didn’t feel lucky. Didn’t feel good to be touching his empty stomach. Didn’t feel like a win to see the relief on Gyro’s face. The test so cold in his grasp. None of it felt right. 

Gyro asked if they should start using birth control. For some reason, Johnny agreed. Was on it until they broke up. He threw the pills into the trash along with the numerous tear-stained tissues left on HP’s couch.

He hasn't thought about it since then. It was far from the first time they’ve slept together since the breakup. Maybe they weren’t so careful this time, but they haven’t been very careful other times. Nothing happened.

Not when Johnny wanted it.

Only now. Like the punchline to some cruel joke.

Johnny tosses the test, getting into his chair to wash his hands and fetch his phone from his bedroom.

He kept glancing down at his flat stomach as he went. Nothing there now. But that’s not true. There was something. Something he couldn’t simply ignore. He had to do something. Choose something.

He looks down the contact list of his phone. Where was Gyro? Was it another name or—

Right. Johnny had blocked them again. Couldn’t stand to see their old messages after the last time they saw each other. He quickly goes to the blocked contacts and unblocks Gyro.

His finger hesitates over the call button. Yeah. He could call them. And accomplish what exactly?

Gyro didn’t want it when they were actually happy and together. Why would they want it now? They said it themselves. They’d pay for the appointment.

An appointment Johnny should be making. Was he really going to do that to a kid? Force them into a world with a parent who hated them. Johnny lived through that. He couldn’t do that to them. Couldn’t even fathom being like his father. Like Gyro. He’d love his kid.

He’d love them so much.

Love them enough to not see them at all? Was that a kind of love too? A mercy?

He doesn’t know.

He doesn’t know anything. There are only two choices here. Two outcomes. A flip of a coin. But he can’t tell which way it’ll tilt. What side it should land on.

He had time… some time. Even a week more to catch his breath. He could afford that.

He’ll figure it out. He has to. For his sake…

And theirs.

--

Johnny slept as late as he could. Just enough time so he didn’t miss work.

Has been for days now. Things were easier when he was asleep. He didn’t have to think of anything. Just dreamt. Of fluffy clouds. Of soft hands. Of shared melodies.

Of a buzz against his hand.

Johnny groans.

Awake.

He groggily grabs his phone. Was that his alarm? When did he silence it?

[feel better?]

When the hell did he unblock Gyro? Fuck. Johnny tosses his phone at the wall; it bounces back onto his bed harmlessly.

Johnny sighs, pressing his face into the pillow. He always liked to sleep buried against something. Pillows. Sheets. Gyro.

Johnny opens an eye. Not another text. Was Gyro texting him the whole time he was blocked? Probably not. But how else did they know their message would get through this time?

Johnny drags the phone closer, lazily typing a reply. [ye]

Nothing. Ugh. Why even bother him this

Ring ring ring

Johnny jolts up, hand over his heart. Gyro was calling. Johnny answers, bringing it up to his ear.

“Yeah?”

“You’re alive,” Gyro says.

“No thanks to you,” Johnny huffs, laying back down in bed. “I’ve got work today.”

“I know.”

“So do you.”

“I’m on the way now. Are you still in bed?”

“Why the hell did you call me?”

“I haven’t heard from you in two weeks.”

Johnny frowns, pushing the phone further away before he turns to face the other wall. The weather was too nice outside for this conversation. A bright cheery day outside his window that didn’t at all match Johnny’s mood.

“Are you going back to sleep?”

“Yeah. Hang up,” Johnny spits back.

“No.”

“Whatever.”

“What did you have?”

Johnny’s eyes snap open. He looks down at his stomach. “...Are you just gonna bug me until you get to work?”

“Yes.”

“Get a hobby.”

“I have. Plenty.”

“Do that then.”

“Can’t do any on the bus.”

Johnny turns in bed, facing the phone again. “I’m gonna hang up if you don’t give me a good reason not to.”

“Come closer.”

Johnny does so. “You can hear me just fine.”

“I know. The weather’s nice.”

“That’s all you got? Weather?”

“I work a late shift today.”

“Good for you.”

“You should get up and get ready. You get too comfortable and you’ll miss work.”

“Maybe I’ll call out.”

“Weren’t you the one insisting on needing money?”

“I could sell pics if I’m strapped for cash, right?”

“Absolutely not. Get up.”

Johnny huffs in amusement. “You gonna make me?”

“I know where you live.”

“I’ll move. Then you won’t know my address.”

“If you move, then I’ll ask HP’s boyfriend.”

“She hates you.”

“That’s why I’m not asking her. Her boyfriend. Keep up. You’re too tired.”

“How the hell are you going to ask her boyfriend?”

“He follows me online.”

“The fuck? Why?”

“Oh, it happened when we met. We were drinking and talking. He’s a funny guy.”

Johnny nods along. He does remember Gyro and Poco chatting at that party. Didn’t think it was that fruitful. “You talk to him much?”

“No. But I don’t need to to get what I need.”

“Don’t bother him. HP already wants an excuse to run you over.” Johnny shifts up with a stretch. 

“I’m shocked you haven’t given her one,” Gyro scoffs.

“I have. You were never close enough. Alright. I’ve got work. Go bother someone else.”

“Ah. Good morning, Johnny.”

“Goodbye, Gyro.” Johnny hangs up and gets back to rubbing his sleep-addled body back to life.

Might as well get ready early.

--

Johnny tenses as his phone rings. Another call? Right after they spoke only a day ago? Was Gyro that bored? Or was this a sign that Gyro was thinking more of him? Wanting to be in his life?

Oh.

It wasn't Gyro at all.

“Hey, HP,” Johnny answers the phone. It's great to hear from his friend. Really great. Of course. 

“Work sucked?”

“Eh.” Johnny shrugs. “What's up? Why the call? You okay?”

“I'm good. Wondering if you're good. Noticed you've been pretty quiet online.”

“Isn't it a good thing I'm getting out of the house?”

“Are you getting out of the house?”

“Yeah.”

“Besides work?”

“...It still counts.”

“No, it doesn't. Come on. There's this movie out I wanna see.”

“You've got a boyfriend, you know.”

“So what? I wanna see you.”

“Is it a good movie?”

“It better be. Or I'm walking out.”

“And leave me behind?”

“Oh, please. You love terrible things. So? You down?”

Johnny scoffs, shaking his head. “I'm down.”

--

HP never ate food in the theater. Never got a drink. 

It's more expensive than the ticket. She had ranted to him one time.

But Johnny honestly thinks the dinner they get beforehand is much more expensive than a shared bucket and sodas would be.

Still, she usually paid her half, so Johnny couldn't complain. And really, nothing was wrong with spending a little more time with her.

“I don't know how he does it.” HP shakes her head with a small smile. “He's the kind that makes friends anywhere he goes, you know? It's great until he tries to rope me into it.”

“So what'd you do?” Johnny sips from his drink. Man. He misses his drinks already. He was lucky HP didn't like to drink, so she didn't even question Johnny getting an iced tea instead of his usual cocktail.

“What do you think? I had to go along with it,” HP chuckles. “But you know what, it was actually really nice. The guy's pretty cool. Super sweet.”

“Uh huh.”

“Poco’s still talking to him.”

“He's got a long contact list, it seems.” Johnny fiddles with his fork. Probably not best to expose that Gyro was on that list. For Poco’s sake.

“I don't know how he manages it. We actually saw him again, though, after that whole mess. Went out and played some pool at a nice bar.”

“Poco bet again?”

“Ugh. Yes. I gave our new friend a warning, but he wanted to humor Poco. Humored himself out of $100.”

“Christ.”

“Poco paid for his drinks in the end. And it was a really nice time. You know he's a big guy, too. About as big as me. He's midwestern. Real handsome face.”

Johnny tilts his head. “Right?”

“You two have a lot in common. He's got a family he's estranged from. Though not for the same reasons. And like I was telling you, he works with horses.”

Oh no. This wasn't just a fun story. “HP…”

“You should come with us the next time we go out with him.”

And there it was. “HP. I don't need you to set me up with some guy.”

“It's not a date. Just hanging out. Me and Poco are gonna be there.”

“I don't want to go to a bar.”

“You know there's that farmer's market soon. The one where they sell that lavender honey I love? We should all go.”

“We all go and then what? After ten minutes, you and Poco oh so conveniently need to check out some other part of the market and just have to leave me alone with this guy?”

HP sighs, running a hand through her short, choppy hair. “Don't you just wanna have some fun? You don't even need to be committed. Just talk to other people.”

“I'm talking to you.”

“I'm your friend. I don't mean me. I mean someone who can show you that you're a sweet guy missing out on a lot of living.”

“And some hookup is gonna do that?”

“It doesn't have to be a hookup. It can just be something you enjoy. Maybe it goes a little bit farther. You won't know if you don't try.”

“I can't.”

“You can. Johnny, it's been six months. That's half a year.”

“I was with Gyro for two years.”

“So what? You're gonna stay single for another two? I'm not saying marry this guy. It doesn't even need to be this guy. But you've got to put yourself out there. See it's not all doom and gloom.”

Johnny curls in on himself, hands over his stomach. There wasn't even a bump. The skin here was still soft. No sign at all of what he knew was growing. More and more. With every day he tried to ignore it. “I really can't.”

“Yes, you can, Johnny. You've got a drive I've never seen before. When you knuckle down and decide to do something, you get it done no matter what. But if you keep waffling, you'll never get anywhere.”

Johnny glances away. He knows that. He really does. There are only two options. It should be so simple to choose. To go with one. 

“What if I fuck up?” Johnny says quietly. He's not even sure HP hears until she responds.

“When God closes a door. He opens a window.”

Johnny scoffs in amusement. “I don't think anyone's opening any windows for me.”

“Then you do it yourself. I know you can. And you know you can. The only person holding you back. The only thing you're really scared of—it's you. I bet you really know what you want too. You just don't want to admit it.”

Johnny hangs his head. His throat is tight. Did he? Was he really trying to run from his own answer?

“Oh shoot.” HP shoves her plate and suddenly flags down their waiter. “We're gonna be late to the movie. You don't have to figure it out now, Johnny. Just stop hiding from it.”

Johnny sighs, letting go of himself and starting to get ready to leave.

He looks down at his stomach as he does.

Just stop hiding from it.

--

Johnny did good work. Work that mattered. 

He didn’t always see it like that. He mourned his old job for a long time. Mourned the person he was. But he was a stupid and self-absorbed teen then. He’s much happier now. He gets to be surrounded by waggy tails and purring cats. It’s the kind of job most are jealous of.

He always liked training. Settling his horses and molding them into proper racing stars. Each animal was different. Had its own story. 

So he's not too surprised to see a big carrier set in the middle of the room.

“Who's the new guy?” Johnny asks.

His coworker, Lucy, perks up with her usual cheery smile. She was honestly barely a coworker. She volunteered here. An intern who was getting a lot of good credit for her eventual college applications. She was 17, so it was something to worry about now. Though she'd been volunteering here for a year.

“Not just a guy,” Lucy corrects.

“New gal.”

“Uh uh uh.” Lucy wags her finger. She giggles. “Why don't you go look?”

Johnny raises a brow, rolling closer. The carrier shakes a bit, not too unusual. He hears yips and tiny barks.

Multiple yips and barks. Could it be?

He gasps as he gets close enough to confirm, watching a litter of pups try and stick their noses out from the metal bars.

“We got puppies!” Lucy squeals. She leans down and undoes the carrier. Naturally, the pups all clamor out, but they're small and close so Lucy and Johnny can gather them up in an instant. Four pups together with a pair held by both of them. 

They licked and nipped at Johnny's hands, squirming and shaking.

“They've got no mama,” Lucy explains. “Owner came in and said they took in the whole litter. But they have to make a big trip so they left them with us for the weekend. Isn't it great? I was thinking we could do some training. They're so young and malleable at this age.”

“No mom?”

Lucy shakes her head. “Mama was a stray. Owner found them under a porch. Went looking for the mom and um… found her a little too late.”

The pup bounds up, trying to lick at Johnny's face.

“They're so friendly.”

“Owner thinks they were all being fed by the neighborhood. They’re renting out a place there. Went to spruce it up for some new tenants and yeah.”

“They're young. They don't even know. Don't know what they're missing.” The pup manages to catch Johnny's hoodie string, tugging wildly and ending up collapsing back on Johnny's lap from the effort. The other pup in his arms perks up its ears.

“Johnny? What's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong.”

“Then why are you crying?”

Johnny blinks his hot eyes. He was. When did that start? “They're strong. Sticking it out on their own.”

“Yeah.” Lucy cautiously puts the two pups down on the ground. They jump and paw at her, stubby tails going a mile a minute. “You okay?”

Johnny gulps, nodding. He hugs the pups close, much to their confusion. They're warm in his grasp. Soft. A little life. Even with something so terrible, they were so happy. So excited for the next. They had a chance. New people to love them. To help them grow.

“I'm gonna set up their kennel!” Lucy claps her hands together with a tight smile.

Johnny shakes his head. “I wanna do it. Can you run me through any other newcomers?”

“You're sure?”

“Yeah. I feel great.” Johnny sets the pups down and rubs his face dry as he can.

“Okay… well, besides them, we still have that Russell Terrier and oh. Actually, if I remember correctly, that boxer is going home today. You know the one that snores all day?” Lucy goes on.

Johnny nods along, making mental notes and making sure to corral the excited pups to their place.

He lets them poke their noses out and sniff through the bars of their kennel.

He didn't say it out loud, but he knew it. Knew what he was going to do. What he really wanted to do. Regardless of the who. Or the when.

He was keeping his baby.

Chapter Text

Johnny had to eat well. Live well. He should get back to doing regular physical therapy. Whatever he could.

So he was up bright and early. Even if the morning sun aggravated him.

And the sound of all those good for nothing morning people scurrying around the city. 

Johnny rolls to the window, ready to slam his blinds shut.

Up until he spots a very familiar someone outside.

His heart drops to his stomach. His occupied stomach.

What were they hanging around for? They had work today.

Buzz buzz

Johnny jolts up, snatching their phone. Gyro was messaging him. Right. He should have figured that out. He even watched them pull their phone out.

[working late today, send pics to keep me company]

Ugh. In Public? They really have no shame.

Johnny takes out his camera, about to send Gyro a picture alright. A picture of him flipping the bird. But he’s literally looking right down at them. Why bother with a picture?

Johnny hits the call button instead.

He watches Gyro react, a massive smile on their face as they wiggle their fingers against the phone before they answer, tilting the phone closer to their face rather than their ear. Which made sense considering their headphones were in.

“I’ve got a problem,” Johnny starts. “I have a stalker.”

The smile drops from their face. They look up, making immediate eye contact with Johnny. The worry melts in an instant to their usual smile. So big it scrunches their eyes. They lean back on someone’s poor car without a care. “Do you?”

“Yeah. Big person. Smug look on their face.”

“Handsome?”

“They sure think so.”

“You think so?”

“I’m thinking alright.” Johnny leans more on the windowsill.

“Maybe you should be doing instead of thinking. Coming down and meeting them.”

“I think they’ve got work. Pretty late work, so I've heard.”

“Things have been busy lately.”

“And somehow they managed to make time to creep outside my window.”

Gyro lightly laughs. “They must really like you.”

Johnny frowns, breaking eye contact.

“Like watching you.” Gyro continues. “So you should send them a pic.”

“I think they’re seeing enough.”

“Can they take a pic?”

“I don’t think they can get a good one from down there.”

“They could be up there instead.”

Johnny’s hand snaps to his stomach. He wasn’t showing. But Gyro was a doctor. Could they still see something? Tell something? Johnny was keeping it. He was. But he didn’t want to fight about it.

“You’ve got work.” Johnny rolls back, just enough that he can barely see Gyro. Gyro squints and raises on their tiptoes below. “I’ll send a pic.”

“Nyo. How kind of you.”

Johnny opens the camera and angles it, taking a picture before sending it. He stays silent until he sees Gyro open up the picture.

“Hey,” Gyro snaps. “This isn't you.”

They’re right. It’s a picture of Johnny's point of view from the window and Gyro below.

Johnny shuts his blinds. “Now you can warn others about this neighborhood terror.”

“Yeah. They might become a terror with your teasing.”

“Guess they should find a new target.”

Gyro hangs up.

Wow. That moody? Sheesh. As if they really needed that much. What was a picture gonna do for them anyways?

He rolls to the window, peeking out of the blinds. His eyes widen right as he catches Gyro aiming their phone up towards Johnny.

Johnny rolls back. But he already knows it's far too late when he feels his phone buzz in his hand.

Sure enough there it was. A picture from Gyro’s point of view. Johnny’s face barely visible through the blinds where he parted them. And a caption under it.

[Nice Try :P]

--

There was only so much Johnny could do on his own. Even though he hated to admit it. 

He followed the guides online. Paid attention to his intakes. 

But he simply didn't have the right equipment. Couldn't check on a heartbeat. Limb growth. Anything else that could prevent a disaster before it happens.

He knows because he sure as hell tried to look for some way. But the only solution was a doctor. A clinic. Someone other than him.

Johnny was never a fan of doctors. Even before he got dumped by one. And even before he was shot. From the first time he had to be examined. Prodded. Heard the little endearments. He hated it then. 

Being on hormones didn't help. Being shot was even worse. And getting dumped by a doc was the final cherry on the shit cake that was the medical industry.

Even making the appointment online made him sick. Much sicker than the baby was. 

Johnny presses his palms into his eyes. He had to do this. Every month. For seven months. 

No. Longer than that. The birth itself. Vaccinations. Checkups--

Johnny grips his chest. He was panting. Heart going a mile a minute. Struggling to breathe. Not good at all for him or for his kid.

For the first time in his pregnancy he felt like he had to hurl. Managed to haul himself to the toilet just in case but nothing came out.

How the hell was he going to manage this? He couldn't even make it to one measly appointment.

He needed something. Someone. Needed…

Just needed to talk this out. Like HP has told him. He could get anything done right? He just needed to focus. 

She would snap some sense into him. Wouldn't let him puke out his guts in a parking lot. Maybe. Maybe she could take him. It wouldn't be so hard if he knew she was nearby. She's gone through a lot of the same stuff herself. Even if it wasn't the same way.

Johnny washes out his mouth despite it being clean as he calls her.

It's a few rings before she answers.

“Hey, lady of the house is taking a shower.”

Johnny blinks. That's Poco. Wowww. On a Tuesday morning? And she had the nerve to imply he was getting action. She's fooling around on a school day.

“Hey Poco. It's Johnny.”

“I saw the ID, man. You good?”

“I'm fine. HP must be doing pretty good.”

“Eyyy, who doesn't like a little morning pick me up?” He can't see it but he's sure Poco is making a “dap me up” type of motion.

“Do you know if she's busy this Friday? After school.”

“Nah, don't think so. Her little club never hangs on a Friday. Not that I can blame them. What kid do you know wants to spend their Friday in church?”

“If you're not busy with her, I'd like to go out that day.”

“I'll tell her. In fact I'll go ask now,” Poco speaks with a big smile. “I'll have her text you later, kay?”

Johnny shakes his head. “Bye Poco.”

“See ya,” Poco singsongs and Johnny hears a high-pitched yelp before the phone’s hung up.

Johnny sighs, crawling back to his chair.

At least someone was having a good morning.

--

Friday came slowly. He got a reply back from HP quickly. She would take him no problem. Not a single question asked.

HP was good like that. Always been there for him.

So there’s no reason for him to feel so nauseous now as he waits outside of his apartment. This is the worst place to feel sick. He can’t just throw up on the street.

Beep beep

Johnny looks up at the car that’s pulled up in front of him. HP’s.

“Hey.” Johnny says.

“Got here early. No kids hanging around. It’s their favorite day of the week.” HP says, getting out of the car and opening Johnny’s side. 

“Yeah.” Johnny rolls forward, climbing into the passenger side.

“If you’re gonna puke can you at least find a bag in the glove compartment?”

“Huh?”

“You’re pale as a sheet right now.” HP leans on the open door.

“I’m.” Johnny gulps. “I’m alright. I don’t want to be late.”

“Keep the window down. Fresh air will help.” HP says, closing the door and fetching Johny’s chair to put in the back.

Johnny rolls the window down, gritting his teeth. Get it together. HP is here. Appointments set up. Hating it won’t make it go by any easier.

“This isn’t Gyro’s hospital, is it?” HP asks as she puts in the address Johnny gave her earlier. 

“They don’t own a hospital.” Johnny shakes his head.

“Good. Cause I’d knock their fake teeth right out.”

“It’s not teeth. Just grills.”

“It’s stupid is what it is.” HP starts to drive.

Johnny puts a hand over his belly. Still no weight. Just looked like fat to him. He never took another test… was it false? They test that kind of thing here too. He’d know either way. “How’s your stuff been?”

“Same old same old. Couple kids in the choir who are starting to go through their ‘too cool for school’ phase.”

“What are you gonna do about it?”

“Nothing. They want to rebel. They’ll come back to the flock when they’re ready.”

“What a good Christian. Wouldn’t even think you threaten murder every hangout.”

“There’s a reason why I couldn’t be a nun.” She huffs in amusement. They pass by a grave and she touches the rosary tied around her rearview mirror.

“Speaking of. Poco moving in?”

“Oh, he wishes.”

“He answered the phone before.”

“That was the only time this week,” she mutters, face turning as pink as her hair. 

“You don’t need to confess it to me. That’s what your pastors are for.”

HP shakes her head. “You should come out with me and Poco sometime.”

“HP. I already told you--”

“Not with anyone else. Though I do think you’d have a great time then too.”

“Third wheeling isn’t really as fun as it looks. I’m happy for you and your guy really. I’ve just got my own stuff I need to deal with.”

“Stuff that starts with a ‘G’ and ends with an ‘O’.”

“Not just that.”

HP rolls her eyes. “Just consider it. Despite what you think, we’re not one of those couples that’s all over each other every minute of the day. That’s…you really should just try it.”

“Will it help you stop worrying?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Johnny puts his hands. “Next time you’re doing something, I’ll come. Just not in the morning since you apparently can’t control yourself.”

“He’s my boyfriend.”

“Before marriage too,” Johnny tsks and shakes his head.

“We’re here.” HP motions to the building as she pulls into the parking lot.

Johnny’s heart drops to his stomach. He hopes it doesn’t disturb the baby. He was too busy chatting. Didn’t even pay attention to how close they were. Here they were. It looked like basically every other hospital. Big. Cold. Uncaring.

HP pulls into a spot closer to the front.

Johnny’s heart has found its way back to his chest. Now it was making a wreck of the place. Pounding hard in a rapid rhythm. 

He just needed to go. Get in. Do the appointment. Leave. Easy.

So easy.

Johnny nods to HP and opens the door. HP gets out, taking Johnny’s chair and putting it in front of him so he can climb in.

“Thanks,” Johnny grumbles.

“It’s nothing.” HP closes his door.

Johnny glances around and starts to roll. He hears the patter of shoes behind him. He short stops only for HP to hiss.

“Don’t stop in the middle of the street.”

He continues on but he still hears her behind him. It’s only when they’re at the building’s sidewalk that he fully turns around.

"What are you doing?" Johnny asks, staring down HP only to get a returning stare.

"What does it look like? I'm going in."

"I only needed you to drop me off."

“I’ll close my eyes. Cover my ears. Whatever. But you’re not going in alone.”

Johnny’s lip wobbles. “I’m okay.”

“I don’t care. I want to be with you.”

“...You’re too nice to me.”

“No. You’re not nice enough to yourself. Now come on. Just go. I’ll follow.” HP motions to the doors.

Johnny takes in a small breath and nods. He can do this. Still hears HP as he heads in. As he passes by the nurses and doctors. As he turns into the office and gives his name. Sees her when he finds a spot by the chairs to wait.

“You know I don’t even see magazines in waiting rooms anymore,” HP says, motioning up to the TV nearby. Playing news. 

“I guess.” Johnny rubs his arms.

“Not really a great thing to be playing at a hospital.” 

“Yeah…”

“You need to go to the bathroom and puke?”

“No. Haven’t been able to puke. Just. Yeah.”

“Yeah,” HP echoes, patting Johnny’s shoulder and leaning back in her chair.

They’re not the only ones there. It’s mostly women as expected. A few couples. Happy couples. Whispering to each other. Staring at the baby bump.

Johnny looks away. HP was quiet. 

“You’re not gonna ask?” Johnny asks.

“Ask what?”

“What I’m in for?”

“What is this? Prison? As long as you’re not dying, I don’t need to know.”

“Oh.”

“Are you dying?” HP sits up straight.

“No. Christ. You brought that up, not me.”

HP reclines back in her chair. “Okay.”

“You’re not a little curious?”

“Of course I am. But you look halfway to gnawing your legs off and running out of here. So I don’t really mind. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have to be.”

“Maybe you should have been a nun. You’re all saintly.”

“Mmm, but I like Poco.”

“Awww.”

“Shut it. Actually. Don’t tell him I said that. Forget it.” She rapidly waves her hand.

“You’re the one who invited me to your next hangout.”

“Jonathan?” Calls out a nurse.

Johnny straightens up.

HP squeezes Johnny’s arm. “You want me to go in with you?”

“No. I. No.”

“Okay. I’m here when you’re done.”

Johnny gulps.

He already made it this far.

He can do the rest.

--

Another day at work. Far less stressful than any appointment he had before. 

“Hey, leave it,” Johnny barks, getting a bunch of little faces looking his way.

Walks were the best and worst part of the job. He didn’t have to worry about the leashes since he just tied them to his chair. But picking up after them, and of course managing four plus dogs every time, wasn’t fun.

The fresh air was nice. It was proper springtime. And with it finally came a bit of warmth. Too much warmth on some days, but it's hard to know whether that's because of the pregnancy or not.

One of the pups starts digging at the base of a tree.

“I said leave it,” Johnny snaps, taking out a treat from the bag. That gets all of the dogs running up to his feet.

“Excuse me,” comes a deep voice nearby.

Johnny perks up. One that drops as the guy nearby scoots past him and the mass of dogs.

Duh.

Didn’t even really sound like Gyro. A tiny bit, maybe, if he wasn’t paying attention. Which he wasn't, why was he even worrying about Gyro? Thinking about--

“Hey!” Johnny jolts as one of the pups snatches the treat from his fingers. “Fisher, I’m not taking you out with this crowd again. Teens, I swear.”

Johnny motions for the dogs to continue their walk and Johnny continues to roll.

It has been a while since he’s heard from Gyro. Since they were stalking him. Were they really that satisfied with a single pic? Not even a very good one…

Johnny takes out his phone, positioning himself and taking a selfie before sending it to Gyro. Or more accurately to ‘Stalker’ as they were saved in his contacts. 

Johnny shoves his phone back in his pants, pulling the pups closer as he crosses a road. He’ll have to cut it short. They’re all riling each other up. A mistake to take out their younger ones together. They needed someone more mellow to keep them in line.

Bzz bzz

Johnny heads to a tree, letting the dogs sniff at it as he takes out his phone.

[i’m not helping]

Johnny rolls his eyes. [you’re missing out]

[i like living pet hair free] They send the message with a sneezing emoji. They weren’t even allergic. Dramatic.

[ten minutes with Teddy and you’d change your mind]

Nothing. Wow. Coward. Johnny motions for the dogs to continue on. It’s not until he’s back and kenneling the dogs that he feels another buzz. Can’t answer it. Though he keeps glancing at his pants pocket.

When everyone’s locked up and well hydrated, he can take his phone out.

[i prefer my teddy bears]

Johnny scoffs, running his finger against the edge of his phone. [u still busy at work?]

No reply.

So that’s a yes.

Johnny sighs, pressing his phone to his chest. They’re busy. Just busy. Just like Johnny’s busy. They’re living two different lives now. He knows that.

But he still keeps waiting for the buzz.

--

It’s the baby hormones of course.

That’s what’s making Johnny want to see Gyro so bad. Gyro has been good lately. Still an asshole. But they were incapable of stopping that. They spoke infrequently. A couple of texts back and forth. For… a day.

So what? Who cares if it's just a day. They haven’t seen Gyro in longer than that. And Gyro’s been great.

And really, it’s not Johnny’s fault at all. It’s the baby’s. They wanna see their other parent. Totally.

So that’s why Johnny calls Gyro up. And why he leaves when Gyro doesn’t answer. He needed some fresh air. He wasn’t really heading to Gyro’s apartment. He’s not a stalker like them. He was just heading around a similar way. Glancing at the people around. Looking for tan skin. Dyed blonde hair.

He gets a call back instead.

“Are you okay?” Gyro asks as soon as Gyro answers.

No. Otherwise he wouldn’t be doing this. “Yeah. I don’t call you when I’m sick. You’re not my doctor.”

“So why are you calling?”

“You have off today.”

“I do.”

“So do I.”

“You do.”

Johnny bites his lip. This is a mistake. He doesn’t need them and their attitude and their games. Doesn’t need to be strung along just for a quick fix. It’s better that they’re on decent terms.

Simple conversation. Civil conversation.

God, how he hates it.

“Alright. I’ll go,” Gyro speaks.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“What’d you say?”

“I’ll go.” He hears rustling from Gyro’s side. “You asked me to go out with you. I have things to do today. Might as well bring you.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You were mumbling but you’re right by the phone. I know what I heard. What? You regretting it?”

Yes. “No.”

“I’ll pick you up.”

“Don’t. I’m not there.”

“Where are you?”

“Just… out. Around your place.”

“Huh. I thought I was the stalker.”

“Not that close. You know what, forget it. Don’t come. I’m going back home.”

“See you soon.”

Johnny hangs up. Did he really say that? He’s heard of pregnancy brain. Forgetting little things. There’s no way it could be acting up that fast. He’s only a bit over two months.

He continues to roll just to have something to do. Why would Gyro even pick him up? Neither of them had a car. Gyro liked using public transit and Johnny obviously couldn’t drive. 

But he’d have to figure out something for the baby. There were a lot of doctor’s trips. He did get that access a ride service with his disability. Going to his kid’s appointments has to be the same thing.

He liked going with HP but he can’t do that to her every time. Not because she’d protest. It was because she would just go along with it. She was too good to him. He hopes his kid can come out half as sweet as her. But maybe that ship has sailed. Johnny was the farthest thing from pleasant. Gyro was a dickhead.

“You’re going to be a terror, aren’t you?” Johnny sighs, hand on his stomach. 

How many fights at school is he going to be breaking up? Or causing. Maybe it’s a good thing Gyro wasn’t involved. They already got jealous and snippy over little things. They would be even worse with their kid, wouldn’t they?

“Johnny.”

Johnny looks over his shoulder, the corner of his lip twitching.

Gyro looked the same as always. Today’s ensemble leaned a bit more feminine. 

An open partially unbuttoned shirt that showed off a bra. Wide slacks and thick boots. Eyeliner and lipstick today too.

It’s far from the most outlandish thing they’ve shown up in. They wear whatever they have in their closet. Whatever was feeling best at the time. Johnny’s seen them in mesh tops and tight camis just as much as he’s seen them in printed tees and thick sweaters. The only consistency was the gold. Golden grills typically, but they were often accented by more rings and necklaces and shirt chains and watches. A couple of fake piercings here and there. Though Gyro never wore those on their dates after Johnny kept knocking them off.

Today there were no piercings but a lot of the other gold. 

It was actually more dressed up than Johnny was now that he thinks about it. Just a cropped hoodie and embroidered jeans.

Gyro walks over, tapping Johnny’s nose with their knuckle. “You’ve been rolling in circles this whole time?”

“No. You said you had something to do?”

“Do you?”

“Not really.”

“Nyo. I thought you had more friends than me.”

“I could leave.”

“You sure could.” Gyro stretches. Because of the way their shirt is undone, it exposes more of their chest for a moment. “I’m going to the bus stop.”

“Okay.”

Gyro smiles down at him and starts walking. They don't glance back. But they don’t need to. 

Not with Johnny trailing after them.

--

Johnny’s seen a lot of pointless stores. Been to a few.

He had to guess most of them were fronts. Money laundering or whatever it was criminals did.

This place didn’t seem criminal. But it sure was pointless. 

Shelves and shelves of records. CDs. Cassettes. Useless junk.

“You know there’s this crazy thing they invented recently,” Johnny drawls, nudging from one album to another.

“What?”

“We call it a smartphone. And you can play music on it. In fact. I think you’ve got one right there.” Johnny motions to Gyro’s pocket.

“What?” Gyro dramatically gasps and takes it out, marveling at it like a Victorian would.

Johnny huffs in amusement. “What are we even doing in here?”

“You asked to go out with me.”

“We could be anywhere in the whole city.”

“I want to be here.” Gyro puts their phone away and continues thumbing through albums.

“I know you like music. A lot.” Johnny leans on the shelf, feeling the sleeves poke into his arms. 

“Who doesn’t like music?”

“Mormons probably.”

“They have a whole musical.”

“I don’t think they made it.”

Gyro waves a hand and picks out an album. They show the cover to Johnny. “This is a classic.”

Johnny nods. He recognizes it from his own playlist. Though the artwork wasn’t as crisp on his app. “You have all those songs. For free. You could be listening to them now.”

“We could be listening to it now.” Gyro snaps his fingers and heads over to a small area with a section to try out the music before you play it. One of the reasons why Gyro liked coming here. Gyro never said it but Johnny had to guess it was that. That and the wide variety.

Johnny lets Gyro set it up and start playing it. Gyro starts nodding along with the beat. “Sounds great.”

“You don’t play this stuff out loud,” Johnny reminds them. 

“I have some headphones that connect to my record player.”

“That’s the same as listening to it on your phone.”

“No. It sounds different. It’s the way it's recorded. This stuff is engraved in. A digital file compresses the sound.”

Johnny’s never heard a difference. “Bit of a waste of money.”

“This is what the money’s for.” Gyro stops the record and carefully puts it back in its sleeve. “You liked playing my CDs.”

“I’m gonna use it if you buy it and I’m home. At your place. I mean.”

“You could have just put it on your phone.”

“I like listening to it loud. Do that too loud and I'll make my ears bleed.”

“So you should get some music yourself,” Gyro says, heading over to a different section of albums. 

“I don’t have a record player.”

“I do.”

“I know…”

Gyro picks out another album, turning it Johnny’s way. “There’s one of those ugly cats you like on this one.”

“Sphynx cats are beautiful. They were worshiped, you know.”

“By suckers.”

“Then I’m a sucker,” Johnny huffs, crossing his arms.

Gyro thumbs over the edges of the album and tucks it away with the first.

“Not gonna give it a listen?” Johnny asks.

“At home.”

“You don’t even know what it sounds like and you’re buying it?”

“Yeah. Then it’s mine. An app can remove a song. Or a website can go down. Or the internet can just go off. Nothing's going to stop me from playing a physical album.  Not unless someone breaks into my house and steals it. And at that point I think they earned it, nyoho.” 

“It could break. Or scratch.”

“So can a phone.” Gyro turns the two albums over to Johnny. “Hold it. I wanna keep looking.”

Johnny takes it and carefully sets it on his lap. “I think you're crazy.”

Gyro beams, leaning over a shelf of cassettes. 

Johnny flips over an album, reading over the track list. He wonders what it'll be like to listen to this for the first time. What if it's awful? Would Gyro cringe and sit through it all out of principle? Maybe he'd complain to Johnny about it. Call him up in a tirade.

“This one.” Gyro hands over a cassette.

“You need a basket?”

“That's the last one… maybe.”

“Keep looking. I've got room.” Johnny waves, picking up the cassette to look it over. This one's a fanmade mix. Was that even legal to sell? Ah whatever.

The whole store might not be legal. Gyro and Johnny were the only ones here besides the cashier who was going through today's crossword.

Gyro was Italian, of course they found the mob front. 

“Okay, now I'm done.” 

“Great.”

It's all put together in a nice little bag that doesn't really look that protective. But Gyro’s got an iron grip on it as they walk out.

“Any more stores?” Johnny asks.

“I could use some food.”

“Me too.” Johnny opens his arms. “Could hold the bag too. People avoid the guy in the chair.”

“They shouldn't.” They hand over the bag.

Johnny shrugs and sets it on his lap.

“Works out for us.”

--

With how long Johnny's lived here he's sure he's been to every place at least once.

A lot of these stores blend together. This one being a tea and donut shop that was much like every other tea and donut shop. 

Gyro got a large, clogged concoction of teas and toppings. Johnny had to be careful about his caffeine so he got a small green tea mix. Honestly the most fun part was the chewy tapioca.

That and the conversation.

Gyro always had something to say. Some comeback. Some snappy remark. Some tale about work. They could just talk and talk and somehow never get tired of talking. 

Even by the time their donuts were gone and their drinks were down to ice they still had something to say.

“Sometimes I'm envious of surgeons. They don't have to see their patients for very long.” Gyro sighs, swirling the ice and desperately trying to get at the last few balls of tapioca.

“Wow. What about your hippopotamus oath?”

“Hippocratic.”

“Bless you.”

Gyro laughs far too loud. Getting a few heads turned their way.

Johnny softly smiles too, leaning on his palm. “You done?”

Gyro pokes at the ice with a tsk. “There's only one left.”

“You can get it. It's gotta melt eventually.”

“Tell me next time to get no ice.”

“If you get no ice it'll be warm and you won't want it anymore.”

“Tell me less ice.”

“Here.” Johnny sighs, leaning over to snatch the cup. He holds the middle of the straw where Gyro’s lips haven't touched and pokes until he gets the stubborn one into the bottom. “Done.”

Gyro says some kind of Italian praise. All Johnny knows is it's praise. And that it makes his stomach funny.

Gyro takes it back and drinks it in victory. “Now I'm done.”

Johnny gives a golf clap.

“You have more left.”

“I don't care. I got what I wanted.” Johnny rolls off to the nearby trash can the store has and tosses it.

“What a waste.” Gyro tosses their cup from behind Johnny.

“That could have hit me.”

“If it did, you'd throw it out.”

“Or I could throw it in your face.”

“You could.” Gyro leans down in Johnny's face.

Johnny's heart skips, eyes closing. He should have suspected this.

“Let's go before we have to wait for a bus.”

Huh?

Johnny opens his eyes to find Gyro holding the bag of music. Standing up. 

He touches his lips. He's sure Gyro didn't kiss him…

“What? You want more food?” 

Johnny shakes his head. “No. Uh. Let's go.”

It's their usual. Heading to the stop. Getting on together. Getting close.

Never quite touching.

“This is your stop,” Gyro says.

Johnny looks out the window. It is. He rolls to the exit. Waits for the ramp. Watches.

Waits.

Gyro stays in place, watching him too.

Even after Johnny gets off.

Gyro only gives him a small wave.

Huh. They didn't pull any moves. No kisses. No caresses. No pinning Johnny against a wall. Dragging him to bed. Actually just hanging out with Johnny just to be around him. Not just for a fuck.

This is great.

It should feel great.

Chapter Text

Eating for two was not just a phrase.

It was real. Just as real as the sheet laid out before Johnny. He was starving. Not actually starving. He just ate. But he was hungry. So hungry. He didn’t know a time before this that he was as hungry as this.

Thankfully he was a goddamn genius. He had a bag of frozen french fries that he was now laying out on an oven tray. Man, he misses Gyro’s airfryer.

But this isn’t about Gyro. This is about his delicious lunch, just waiting for him. Johnny opens the bottom door and slips it in, patting off his hands for a job well done.

In 20 minutes or whatever, he’d have golden deliciousness to indulge in.

“You’re going to love this. I’ve got a BBQ sauce I’ve been wanting to try too,” Johnny says to baby. Not that they can hear yet. According to his last visit, everything that was growing should be growing fine. But they wouldn’t hear him until four months in at the least. 

They’re still connected. They’ve got to get something out of it. If not, then it makes Johnny feel good and what matters beyond that?

Johnny rolls up to his couch, putting on some TV. Scrolling through the many many options. 

God, it was just like there was nothing but options. Sometimes he misses the old days where he was forced to watch what was stuck on his father's TV and yelled at if he dared to look at the remote. He got exposed to a lot of good stuff though that. Old westerns mainly.

Now there were a million things to choose from. All good, probably. Or horrible.

Did it really matter? All Johnny had to do was choose.

He scrubs his hair in frustration. He's wasting time thinking about bullshit.

He clicks the first thing on his watch later list.

It's okay. Simple. At least something’s on.

He watches it with mild amusement until the end credits for the episode rolls.

Oh. That was definitely over 30 minutes. His fries have got to be done. He doesn't smell anything though. That's weird.

He rolls up to the kitchen, and there's still no smell. Was losing his smell a pregnancy thing? He doesn't remember seeing anything about that. He takes his oven mitts and opens the oven to see...

Nothing. 

Like, actually nothing. Not even his tray.

Who moved his tray? No one could. He lives alone. 

Well, it couldn't have walked away. So what the fuck? Johnny didn't just dream that. He prepared himself some damn fries. He opens his cabinet and sees proof of it. No baking tray. So he did use it. What the fuck? Where the hell was it?

Johnny groans. How many of the fries did he even have left? He put a good number of them on the sheet.

He opens the freezer. The chill is not the only thing that freezes him in place.

The fries. They were there. Right there. On the top shelf of the freezer, clear as day.

What?

He rolls back, rapidly looking between the freezer and the oven. It clicks within a snap.

They're very similar in shape. Open the same way.

He opened the freezer and somehow slid the tray in without a thought. 

Stupid. He's actually so stupid. God, if he only had checked once, he would be fine.

If he was home with somebody. They could have checked. Could have said something. Could have made him the fries in the first place.

This is so stupid. All he wanted was some damn fries.

He shoves the cold tray back in the freezer.

Fuck it. They're getting takeout. 

--

Johnny rubs his shoulders. Work was intense today. A couple of nervous pups who didn't get along with others too well mixed with some overly friendly pups. They had to spend a good part of the day just figuring out the right kenneling situation and then finding out when they could walk.

It was far too much.

He only feels the buzz because it's in his pocket, but he doesn't want to bother with it. Can he call in an access a ride back to his place? It wasn't very far… ugh.

Johnny takes out his phone, ready to debate his options, when he sees a text notification.

A new text from… who the hell is this? It's just a long keysmash. Johnny has to open the message to see the conversation history. Oh.

Gyro.

That's right. He was crying too hard putting in their new contact name. Could barely see the keyboard and evidently missed most of it.

[works been hell, come over please]

Johnny's heart skips. The fuck? The fuck is this? They've been nothing but civil to each other. Distant. Gyro pulled no moves, no flirts. Barely any messages at all, really.

And now here they were demanding Johnny to come.

They did say they had bad work. Gyro deals with people. Patients. It's not exactly his trade, but Gyro’s confessed to him before about some of the harder cases they've seen. The people they couldn't save.

Was this…?

Johnny gulps.

And he gets on a bus.

--

He could understand babies on some level. The rocking of the bus was pleasant. Almost had Johnny wanting to sleep.

He only stayed up because he had to pay attention. He wonders if his baby is sleeping. He can't feel them still. Not even a bump. At least nothing that seems like a bump. Maybe there was more weight on his stomach. Maybe not. His position, constantly sitting, made it even harder to notice.

He's here.

He gets off like usual. Makes the same trip to the elevator. Hits the button for the penthouse floor.

Checks his phone.

No new messages.

He doesn't bother with the stupid frog doorstop. Just takes his own key and opens their home.

“I'm here,” Johnny calls out to the empty room. They didn't exactly say where they'd be. Whatever. Johnny knows his way around.

Not in the kitchen. Or the “dining room”. 

Not in the guest bedroom.

Johnny only finds them when he turns into the bedroom but the situation he finds them in isn't what he's expecting.

Gyro was asleep. Dozing off with their chest falling and rising. Johnny can see their chest pretty easily, considering they weren't wearing a shirt. They had a sheet loosely over themselves but their leg poking out told Johnny they had no long pants on. Maybe no pants at all.

Were they…naked?

Oh my god. Were they waiting for Johnny and just passed out? 

Waiting like this though. It said everything. They did want that from Johnny still. So why'd they hold off before?

Gyro grumbles wordlessly and twitches, arm flexing.

Johnny was tired too. He could go home and sleep. Like he planned.

… He sure could.

Sure could do anything but pull off his shirt. His pants. 

He couldn't sleep in them. They're outside wear.

He keeps on his underwear because he's not a pervert. He just wants to rest. Wants to rest in Gyro’s arms. They're asleep. They wouldn't know. Was that really so bad? They invited Johnny anyway.

Johnny carefully climbs onto the familiar bed. He remembers every dip. Divot.

Pulls the sheets up over himself. His heart was racing. Far too fast for resting.

It was so quiet in here.

Just the bustle of the city outside.

Just Gyro’s soft breathing.

Johnny shimmies closer. And closer. Up until he can feel their warmth. Skin against skin.

Fuck.

He missed this. Missed them. Misses them so bad. Every day. Every night. 

Especially the nights.

He sniffs.

What is he even thinking about? He just needs to rest. He's too tired. Making himself crazy.

The bed shifts and Johnny shifts with it as Gyro turns into him. An arm slung around his body.

Johnny shivers. “You awake?”

They don't respond. Asleep after all. Maybe they just think he's one of their big teddy bears. There was none on the bed this time. He can count all of the ones he knows lined up on the nearby dresser. One of them is wearing a sleep mask. Johnny remembers that. He sewed it as a gift. For some birthday. Or anniversary. Or something. Gyro insisted now the bear could sleep with both of them. But then when they woke up crushing the bear they were so distraught. Johnny almost thought they would cry.

Johnny huffs in amusement. Eyes closing.

Gyro shifts against him, pressing against his body.

Yep. No underwear. As Johnny suspected. Johnny bites a lip, stopping his smile from growing. Pervert.

Gyro sighs against him, nosing into his neck. Lips brushing his skin. 

“Mm,” Johnny hums, lazily stroking a hand through Gyro’s long hair. 

A kiss is pressed into his neck. Slow. Just as slow as the rest of Gyro’s sleep-addled movements.

Johnny loops a strand around his finger. Breathing in deep.

Gyro’s eyes twitch. Flutter open and then closed in just a moment. 

“Gyro,” Johnny sighs.

They make eye contact for a moment. A single moment before Gyro’s eyes close again. But they shift more. Move. Drag their lips across Johnny's neck. Lay more on top, squishing Johnny's chest with their own.

Johnny's hands clench. Pinch into the back of Gyro’s head.

Gyro’s lips drag up. Meeting Johnny's own. It's a chaste kiss. Heavy against Johnny just as heavy as the rest of Gyro. 

The movements were simple. Natural.

Reminds Johnny of not so long ago.

On the lazy mornings before work. When they didn't have enough time for a date. When they simply missed each other's presence. Gyro would rock into him. Or Johnny would climb on top of them. And they would be connected. Simply breathing each other in. No pressure, no goal. Just staying close for the sake of it. Lips brushing against each other with smiles and soft sighs. 

Like the twitch of a smile he can feel on Gyro’s lips now.

How aware were they? Were they just dreaming? Recreating a distant memory?

“It's me,” Johnny whispers. His heart pounding up into his ears. “Johnny. I'm here.”

Gyro moves more on top of him. Situating their full weight on him. Pressing against him.

One part of them was surely awake after all. Johnny could feel their length insistent against his wet underwear.

Johnny gulps. Feels Gyro’s hand drag down the side of his body. Into the waistband.

He gets the message. He's panting. Hand trembling as he meets Gyro’s hand with his own. Lifts up just enough to slip it down. Slip it loose enough. Still clinging further down on his thighs. 

Gyro hums in appreciation. A sound that reverberates through Johnny's whole body. Makes his thighs tremble more. 

Gyro grips his hip weakly. Still addled by sleep. But they were no doubt partially awake. Had to be as they angled themselves to slip the tip of their length against Johnny's folds. They meld against Gyro. Just as much as the rest of Johnny does.

Johnny moans, wrapping both arms around Gyro.

Gyro didn't need much assistance as they rock forward, slipping into Johnny. He was wet. Has been since he first felt Gyro’s hard body.

Johnny's eyes flutter open, staring up at their bedroom’s ceiling. His legs twitch. Spilling open to help Gyro as they slide in further with a contained groan.

They kiss Johnny's neck. Not their usual insistent sucking and biting. Just their lips. Warm and soft. Soft as their hands. The scrape of unshaven stubble against Johnny’s neck a contrast. But not unpleasant. Could never be unpleasant.

“Oh god,” Johnny moans. Still quiet. Stifled by the air around them. Like something too loud could disrupt this calm. This dreamy haze that's washed over both of them.

Gyro moans something of a reply. Their voice gruffer in their exhaustion. One of Johnny’s favorite sounds. Favorite feelings. That rumble of their raspy voice.

Johnny’s head falls back into the pillow. Gyro has sunk in to the hilt. Nothing between them at all. Pressed together so tight he couldn't tell where he began and where they started.

Johnny's hand travels down. To the back of their neck. To their flexing shoulder as they start to rock.

Slow. Barely moving in and out of Johnny. Not even enough to be audible. But god could Johnny feel it. Feel that drag into his body. Reminding him of their connection with every little thrust.

An addictive pleasure. Has him sinking his nails into Gyro’s skin. Sighing melodically.

Good. It was all too good.

“Johnny,” Gyro grumbles. The name barely understandable. Perhaps it's not what they say at all. Maybe it's just what Johnny wants to hear.

But he still takes it as that. Still slings a hand up onto their shared pillow so he can start to move. Help that thrust. Meet it with his hips. He was soaked. Spilling onto the sheets even with Gyro plugging him up. 

Gyro groans. Voice louder. Their teeth lightly pressing into Johnny's neck. Just as Johnny's used to.

He doesn't fight it. Never would. He could be devoured whole and he wouldn't protest.

It feels never-ending. The rocks. The soft touches. The warmth between them is so intense it makes Johnny's mouth dry. The only part of him that becomes that way. His chest is slicked with sweat. Dribbling down the mounds to his barely rounded belly.

“Gyro,” he pants. 

All he gets in return is more of the same. Gyro’s lips on him. Hands. Thrusting into him. Met by Johnny's own rocks. By his own desperation.

It was different from their mornings back then. Johnny didn't have a goal when they started this. Not at first. But now he does. He needs it. Needs everything Gyro can give him. Because he was greedy. Selfish.

Never satisfied, as Gyro liked to tease.

They haven't done much teasing now. Haven't done much at all. Still too tired. By work. By something else. By anything.

By a life Johnny doesn't know anymore. Not how he used to.

Johnny gasps as Gyro slams harder into him. A deep press. But not quite a release. Not yet.

“Please, please,” Johnny chants, grinding as much as he could trapped under Gyro like this. His eyes warming with tears.

And Gyro takes some mercy on him. With quicker thrusts. Until they still and spill into Johnny.

Johnny whimpers, his body twitching and clinging onto Gyro as he tumbles over his own edge. Overtaken by sparks of white. Stars that still sparkle behind his eyelids as he pants, coming down from his high.

Gyro remains buried in him. Softly panting into his skin.

“Thatsgood,” Gyro slurs.

“Mhm,” Johnny sighs, apologetically rubbing his fingers into the red marks he left on Gyros skin. 

“Missed…” Gyro trails off.

Johnny huffs in amusement. God they really were tired. “Go to sleep.”

“I'masleep.”

“Yer not.” Johnny tilts his head to kiss Gyro’s forehead. “Rest.”

“Okay.”

“Okay,” Johnny echoes, tilting his body. 

Gyro recognizes the movement, tilting onto their side too and burying their face further down into Johnny's chest. Within a few simple breaths, they're asleep.

Their body relaxes against Johnny. Their breath even against Johnny. The light grip they have on Johnny turns slack.

Not the only part of their body that goes slack. 

Their legs move and it makes their length pull out of Johnny. 

Johnny tsks as he feels more familiar wetness soak against his thigh. Gyro’s come spilling out of him and onto his leg. They did it again.

The same thing that got Johnny in trouble in the first place. This same recklessness is what got him pregnant.

Johnny's eyes snap open.

The baby. Was the baby okay? 

Gyro was on top of him but Johnny was pretty early in. Was that worse than being late in pregnancy? He wasn't told to stop sleeping on his stomach yet. It must be alright. Gyro wasn't pressing into his stomach either.

Had to be fine.

Johnny apologetically rubs his belly.

Gyro groans against him, disturbed by the movement. They clench their hand on Johnny again.

Disturbed by that little.

And they were so close together. Did Gyro feel it? Feel Johnny's bump? Was it even really much of a bump? They were half asleep. But still clearly aware. Would they question it later? When they saw Johnny. Even now they were against each other. Even if it wasn't as close.

Johnny pulls back.

Gyro whines in the back of their throat. But their sleeping grasp wasn't tight enough to keep Johnny there.

How did they manage to sleep that well? They got up early too. The kind of schedule Johnny should adapt to for their kid’s sake.

Johnny frowns.

No.

Not their kid.

Johnny’s.

He turns away, burying his head in his hand. It isn't theirs. Biologically yes. But Gyro wasn't raising them. Wasn't even aware of them. Would be if Johnny kept being stupid like this.

Kept crawling into their bed. Gyro’s bed. A singular they. Not plural.

It wasn't Johnny's anymore. Just like this place wasn't. None of this.

Why did he come?

Why did he keep coming?

Nothing was changing.

Gyro was being a bit more pleasant? So what. They weren't together. Not anymore. Gyro didn't even kiss him out there.

Never kissed Johnny in public.

It was fine in their apartment. In front of Johnny’s place.

But when the two of them spend a day together. Then it's different. Then they leave Johnny hanging. Wave him off like an old friend.

Johnny sits up. He hates crying like this. Crying in front of them. He swore he'd never cry in front of them again after the breakup. But the tears don't stop even as Johnny curses it.

Gyro doesn't so much as twitch.

Why should they?

They got what they wanted. Johnny did too. It's why he climbed into this bed. No matter how he tries and twists it. That's what their relationship was now. And it was so exhausting. Much more exhausting than any work.

Johnny grabs his chair, climbing on and grabbing up his abandoned clothes. He rolls right to the bathroom. Hastily cleans himself off just enough so he can pull everything else on.

He still feels the slickness against him. He ruined another pair of underwear.

It disgusts him.

He disgusts himself.

He doesn't bother checking on Gyro as he rolls out of the master bathroom. Not as he rolls out of the apartment entirely.

To the bus. Takes out his phone and blocks Gyro’s number.

He’s not doing this anymore. HP was right. 

It's gone on far too long.

Chapter Text

Maybe he shouldn't have taken this invitation after all.

It was exactly what he thought it would be. 

HP rarely left Poco’s side. Gushed over him. Just as much as he gushed over her.

At least the games were fun.

Would be more fun if he could drink. 

“You sure you don't want anything?” Poco asks as he sits at the booth with another frosty beer. 

Johnny taps the side of his lame juice. “I'm trying to cut down.”

“Which is fantastic.” HP says warmly, raising her own soda. “To your health.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Poco agrees and hastily clinks his glass to hers. Johnny does the same just to be included.

“Are you sure you don't want to try out the billiards? They're nice here.” HP motions to it as she takes another sip of her drink.

“After the horror stories you told me about Poco stealing all your friends' money? No thanks,” Johnny scoffs.

“I can sit out for a game,” Poco offers.

“Or we could just not play for money.”

“What's the fun in that?” Poco scoffs.

“This is why people don't play with you,” HP lightly scolds, pinching his cheek. 

He smiles and turns in, kissing her briefly before getting back to his own drink.

This is what Johnny's been dealing with the whole night they've been out. They were at this arcade type of place. A lot of games. But it was geared to adults so there were barely any kids running around to worry about.

It wasn't bad. Far from it. But it sure was why Johnny didn't usually take HP’s offers to go out with the both of them.

“Oh, have you checked out the ticket room?” Poco asks. “If you want something I can win it for you.”

“Johnny could win it for himself. That's part of the fun.” 

“Hell nah. Way more fun to go home with something.”

“I'll check it out after we eat,” Johnny offers. They ordered recently so Johnny has to imagine it's coming by soon enough.

“HP likes to get things she can give to her choir,” Poco continues.

“It’s good motivation for the kids. And I don’t need anything here.”

“I got a slurpee machine from here. It rocks.”

“Are those expensive?” Johnny tilts his head.

“It’s a lot of tickets.”

Johnny’s about to respond but the waiter comes over and hands over their food. He digs in right away. Damn. He was always so hungry thanks to the baby.

“Oh. You could get a lava lamp,” Poco says out of nowhere.

It takes Johnny a second to remember they were talking about prizes.

“Lay off.” HP nudges Poco and offers him one of her fries that he happily takes and chows down. “We’re going to go there soon. Johnny will decide what he likes.”

“Hey. All I’m saying is there’s a lot to lava. ”

HP groans.

It’s a bad joke. A really bad joke. The kind Gyro would tell him.

Johnny laughs. It’s a small laugh. But honestly. It is pretty funny. Only because of how dumb it is. And HP’s disappointed face. He’s never seen her look at Poco look like that.

Fuck.

That’s actually hilarious.

Poco laughs with him suddenly which just makes Johnny continue to laugh.

His eyes warm. His throat tight.

This was so nice.

His friends were so nice. He was having such a great time.

“Ah! Johnny. Are you okay?” HP leans over the table, taking Johnny’s hand.

Johnny sniffles. He feels great. And his face is wet. And his vision is blurry.

“Shoot. I knew it was a bad joke but I didn’t think it was that bad,” Poco mutters.

Damn, that’s even funnier. Johnny laughs. At least he thinks he’s gonna. Instead what comes out is a sob.

“What’s going on?” HP leaves her side of the booth, coming over to Johnny and putting an arm around him. 

Johnny tries to explain, opening and closing his hands with a hiccup of a cry.

“Hey, hey. Don’t rush. We’re good. No one’s gonna come bother us.” Poco says, leaning into the table too.

HP rubs his shoulder with a nod.

How embarrassing. It's like he's a kid being consoled by his parents. Then again, his parents were never this nice to him. Especially when he was crying.

Johnny grabs for the napkin. It’s meant for food but he uses it on his face instead.

“I—“ Johnny gasps. “Just—I’m so happy.”

HP frowns, shooting a glance at Poco. Poco’s eyes widen. That was a signal. They clearly knew something.

“We’re real happy to be with you too, man,” Poco assures him.

“Yeah, it’s why Poco’s being so insistent on everything. It’s great to have you here, Johnny,” HP says quietly, squeezing his shoulder.

“Poco’s funny.”

“Hey, at least someone thinks so.” Poco laughs tightly.

HP shoots him another look and Poco guiltily looks away. 

Johnny huffs in amusement. Johnny wipes up his face. “Don’t be mad.”

“No one’s mad,” HP says. “You wanna get some air? I’ll come with you.”

Johnny shakes his head, stubbornly scrubbing until the tears at least stop. “Sorry…”

“Don’t apologize.” HP says.

Ugh. Johnny’s face is so gross. “I wanna go to the bathroom.”

“I’ll go with you.” Poco stands up before Johnny can protest.

He has to go anyway. “Okay…”

HP moves out of the way and the two of them head off to the bathroom.

“Psst. Hey,” Poco says as they’re in the bathroom together and Johnny’s washing off his face.

“Yeah?” Johnny mutters.

“Let’s go to the prize corner early. HP doesn’t have to know.”

Johnny buries his face under the water’s stream.

--

“Come on, come on,” Johnny whistles at the dogs as they splash around the small pool.

They weren’t really getting that clean despite this being a part of their optional bathing package. It was more playtime for the dogs. 

Maybe he should turn down the hose, but the dogs really loved snapping and jumping at it.

Ehhh. He’ll just bathe them better later. None of these pups were going home to their parents today.

“Mr. Joestar.”

Johnny looks over his shoulder. That’s weird. She never calls him that. “Yeah, Luce?”

“Are you busy?”

“Not really.” He admits and lowers the water pressure on the hose. “You want a turn?””

“Yeah!” Lucy hops to it and turns back up the pressure, spraying off the dogs as they yip in excitement.

“Alright. I’ll check on the kennels,” Johnny says.

“No, no.” Lucy waves her free hand. “Please don’t go.”

“Okay?” Johnny tilts his head.

“I, um, well—” Lucy sways from foot to foot.

“You need work off or something? That’s fine.”

“No, no.” Lucy takes in a breath. “Do you know what colleges are here? Nearby but still, like, good and has good programs?”

Oh. Shit. “I’m not actually from here.”

“I figured cause of the accent but you’ve been managing this place for three years. So I thought…”

“I’ve been here enough to know places. Not like that. I never.” Johnny grimaces. “I never went. To college.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah. Barely went to highschool either, honestly.” Johnny shakes his head. “Had to get a GED.”

“But you manage a whole place.”

“I don’t own it.”

“You’re here more than the owner ever is.”

“True.”

“So you didn’t go to school? And you’ve got a great job like this?”

“I had previous experience. Helped me land this. What are you asking about colleges for? Is it time to send your applications?”

“No. I’m a year away from that.”

“What? So why are you worried?”

“I’m not from here either… me and my dad moved here. A year ago. There was a better job here and my old school had some, um—“

“Asshole kids?”

Lucy laughs. “Yeah.”

“You like this school?”

“I do. But I'm graduating next year. And I wanna do something big. Something like my dad. He runs a newspaper.”

“What? Really?”

Lucy beams. “Yeah! He’s not one of those gossip columns either. Well. Sometimes they do opinion pieces. Which are like gossip. I run the newspaper at my school too. But I think I could do that. Run a business. Like you. And Dad. so I thought if I went to the same place as you that’d be… easier.”

Shit. Talk about big ambitions. Johnny had those at her age too. He got it. Only to stumble out of grace the very next year. Shot out of it more accurately. 

“You should go for it,” Johnny says. “I may not know the colleges here but I’m sure you could find the best one. Hell. Ask your dad’s reporters. They’ll at least know which ones got into a scandal.”

Lucy giggles. “Yeah. I just don’t like bothering dad. He’s done so much for me. I wanna pay him back. Show him I can do it on my own so he doesn’t have to worry.”

Johnny nods, a smile twitching at his lip. Lucy’s a real good kid. Loves her dad a lot. “...How’d your dad even do all that?”

“Huh? Do what?”

“I don’t know. Just. Raise you I guess. Figure out the schools. And moving. Seems like a lot with a business too.”

“I guess he just followed other parents.”

“Ah. I don’t have any other parents around me. Human parents anyway.”

“Oh!” Lucy gasps. ““Do you want kids one day?”

“Yeah,” Johnny mutters, putting a hand on his stomach.

“Me too! I wanna adopt. Just like my dad did.”

“You’re a long way from that.”

“That’s exactly what my dad says! But you’re not much older than me.”

“Trust me. It’s a world of difference. I hate to sound like an old man, but you don’t realize how young you are as a teenager until it’s over.”

“Now you really sound like dad!”

Chapter Text

Vitamin D was important. 

Johnny had heard horror stories of babies taking from their parent’s teeth and bones when they didn’t get enough of it. He'd like to avoid that.

So he was outside. The approaching summer heat was starting to crawl in. Soon enough he'd be ditching his usuals for a tank and shorts.

For now he was in something more practical. A sleeveless hoodie and capris.

He would go to a local park. Enjoy some green. They had free equipment there. He might even see a couple clients of his. Easy.

“We got this,” Johnny says to Baby. They can't hear still but he's sure they'd agree.

The park isn't that crowded today, which is a gift. Johnny does like being outside. Likes fresh air. Warm sun. The buzzing bugs. The people… ehhh he could do without. But the public exists in the public. 

Now Johnny could just go. Look over the familiar sights. Make his way to the little workout station. He couldn't use most of this. But he can use this pull up area. No people meant no one to make any weird comments too. A perfect day actually.

It couldn't get any better.

“Working those muscles huh?”

Johnny stills, the bars tight in his grasp. 

“Careful.” 

Johnny feels a hand against his back. A very familiar soft hand.

Johnny lets go, intending to catch himself on the ground but he's caught instead. 

Forced to see those green eyes meeting his own.

Johnny looks away but it's too late. “What do you want, Gyro?”

“What do I want?” Gyro scoffs. “I'm not here for you.”

Johnny looks back at them. Oh. He recognizes this outfit. Gyro was pretty fit. Worked out for the fun of it. Not some diehard gym nut but it contributed to their bulk. And they were wearing one of the muscle tees they only wore on those workouts. That and the couple of times Johnny asked them to.

But that was before they broke up.

God. Out of all the parks. They both had to go to this one?

“If you're not using it, I'm going to,” Gyro says. They set Johnny back on his nearby chair.

“Kick out the disabled guy? Real doctorly of you.”

“You were getting off it.”

“I still had it first.”

“Fine.” Gyro rolls their eyes. “Take it.”

Johnny huffs. Good. Not that he really wants it now.

Gyro hops onto one of the other machines. That walking machine thing. Johnny’s only ever seen them in outdoor gyms like this. It’s something you’re supposed to put one foot on each half and push to make you swing your legs. Looks goofy to Johnny honestly. They lazily pull and push the lever. Plus they have both feet on only one of them. It was just sort of rocking Gyro. Not really exercising them. "What, are you out on a run?"

Johnny's eyes widen. Fuck. They know him. Know he doesn't normally do this. He only joined Gyro on their exercise time to ogle at them and get food after. "No, I can't run."

"On a roll sounds like a sandwich."

"It is a sandwich."

“Why are you here then?”

“Obviously the thing I was on.” Johnny crosses his arms. 

“You're not on it now.”

“You're talking to me.”

“You can't talk and exercise at the same time?”

“You can't. Look at you. That's not a swing.”

“It's as fun as one, nyoho.” Gyro motions to the other half. “You could join me and see.”

That does sound fu—

Johnny shakes his head. He is not doing this anymore. He promised himself he's not. He even told HP. He was done for good. 

“I'm not here for fun,” Johnny snaps.

“So you're here for something.”

Fuck. Johnny keeps digging himself into a hole. Gyro was clearly suspicious. Johnny was wearing pretty revealing clothes. Baggy but not baggy enough. If they put two and two together then what? He didn't come out to deal with this. “That's not your problem.”

Gyro stops. “Who said it's a problem?”

“It wasn't until you kept—“ Johnny waves his hands up. “Kept pestering.”

Gyro pinches the bridge of their nose. "Johnny."

"Don't Joe-knee me."

“What's gotten into you lately?”

“Why the hell do you care?”

“You know.”

“No. No I don't fucking know. You could have just walked by. You had to come and talk to me.”

Gyro steps off the machine. “So this is my fault?”

“Obviously.”

“You just—“ Gyro groans. “It's always something.”

“So leave.”

“And ignore you? I'm not you.”

“The fuck does that mean?”

“I haven't heard from you. In weeks.”

"I don't owe you shit. I'm not your boyfriend."

Gyro flinches. “You don't have to be a dick.”

“You're the dick.”

“No,” Gyro huffs. “You're the jackass. You wanna blame me for every fucking thing. What about you? You think you're some angel? What about last time we were together, huh?”

Johnny grimaces, a wave of nausea running over him. Of course he knows that last time together. It's what pushed him here. 

"You left. When I was asleep. I didn't know where you were or what you were doing. I couldn't even contact you. Do you know how frightening that was?" Gyro continues, voice tight and a hand to their chest.

Johnny’s head snaps up, making eye contact. “You got what you wanted.”

“According to who? You? You're the one who left. Didn't warn me. Didn't text me. Still haven't fucking texted me. You don't even see how fucked up what you did is.”

“God. I'm here. Alive. You good? Your conscience clear? You need to bring it up to a priest?”

“See this is exactly what I'm talking about. You're mad at me . For something you did!”

“I don't care about last time.”

“Obviously you do. Otherwise you wouldn't have done that.”

“You sure weren't complaining when you were on me.”

“That's not the issue.” Gyro pauses with a sneer, leaning down closer to Johnny. “Don't tell me that's what you're so mad about. You initiated that.”

“You were naked before I even got there.”

“Yeah. I did want to be with you. Which I told you in the text. The same one you read since you came.”

“Yeah I did. I came. And we fucked. You got me.”

“I'm not trying to get you,” Gyro groans into their hands. “Why are you being like this? It's been like this for months.”

Johnny pales. He's been pregnant for months. “No one's holding you here. You're so pissed about it, you go.”

“I don't want to go. I didn't even want to bring any of this shit up. I just wanted to talk to you but you had to start a fight.”

“I never asked for you to talk to me.”

"What do you want from me?" Gyro's hands shake. "One day you're all over me, the next you don't even want to look at me. I never know when a message is going to go through or not."

Johnny frowns, forcing himself to look away. “You don't get it.”

“So tell me what I'm supposed to do. Because I'm fucking trying. I try to be with you. Take care of you when you're sick. I get blocked. So fine. I won't do that. Won't be in your business. Things are going great. I invite you over one time because I had a fucking terrible day. And I get blocked for that too.” 

“Is that really how you see it?”

“I'm not ‘seeing’ it. I'm telling you the facts.”

“You think I'm just blocking you for fun?”

“I have no idea why you're doing it. And you're not even telling me why.”

“You really look back at all those times and don't even see what's wrong with cornering me in front of my apartment? Calling me for a fuck?”

“Cornering? Wha—I didn't call you just for that.”

“You were naked.”

“That doesn't mean that's all I wanted. You could have asked me. Could have said a single word rather than running off.”

Johnny gulps. “What would you have said?”

“The truth. That I needed you. That I missed you.”

Johnny's eyes water. They say that and yet they never really want Johnny. Not in public. Not with eyes around. Like the eyes they had on them now from curious passersby. No. He's not crying anymore. He turns. 

“Johnny.”

Johnny huffs. He's heard en—

Johnny's spun back around, his vision blurred. But that vision is quickly blocked. Lips press against his. Familiar and soft. Tasting of the morning coffee they love.

Johnny can see some of the other people in the corner of his vision as he rapidly blinks away the forgotten tears. That's right. They had eyes on them. People watching.

Gyro wasn't shying from that. Clutches Johnny close.

Not close enough. Johnny fixes that. Tilts his head to deepen the kiss. 

His lips still tingle even after Gyro pulls away just enough to speak.

"Don't leave without a word." Their words are desperate. Their lips trembling against Johnny's. "At least say goodbye."

Johnny's heart skips. “O—“

Johnny feels wet. Huh? Not wet down there. A drop of water. On his head. He looks up and catches Gyro cringe as a drop lands right on them too.

And more.

Way more. The sky opens up with a roar as rain starts to pour down. 

The sky was cloudier than Johnny remembers. It wasn't a clear day when he left, but he assumed the white clouds were fine. When did this pack of gray come in?

“It's raining?” Gyro asks with just as much confusion as Johnny felt. They lean over Johnny. Most of the water hits them though Johnny does not escape this dry.

A roar of thunder has them both jump.

They both scurry right away. But there's no real refuge here in the park. Only a tree they try to huddle under.

Johnny looks around to see other passerbys pull up hoods. Take out umbrellas.

“Fuck, I didn't check the weather,” Johnny groans.

“Who checks the weather? You can just look outside.”

“Exactly.”

Another boom and Gyro clings tighter to him. Johnny hasn't seen any flashes. So no lightnings close. But he's been wrong once and he doesn't want to be wrong again. 

Johnny glances over his shoulder. He rolled here from his apartment. If he goes quick he can make it in. But Gyro. Gyro was further. Not exactly bus distance but far too long in chilling rain.

Gyro shakes their head with a huff, wet strands flipping around. They put their arm up. It doesn't save Johnny much more from the rain.

Johnny rolls to the side. “Come on.”

“What?” Gyro squints through the stream cascading down their face.

“You know where my apartment is. We got to make a break for it. Now.”

“Yeah.” Gyro joins Johnny and looks around, not moving.

Do they even know what—whatever, whatever. They had somewhere to be. 

The torrent doesn't settle even as they rush through it.

They're both soaked to their bones when they manage to slip into Johnny's apartment. Gyro’s feet squish and slosh with every step, leaving a trail.

“Take off your shoes when you go in,” Johnny says when they get into the elevator.

“In?”

“Yeah.”

Another boom of thunder. Loud enough to be heard here in the elevator. Fuck. The power better not go out. Dying in an elevator has to be one of the lamest ways to go.

Thankfully, they make it to the right floor. Make their way to Johnny's apartment where Johnny takes out his key. His hands are still wet even as he shakes them off. 

Johnny enters and starts to pull off his shoes, tossing them into the corner to dry out.

Gyro hovers outside.

“What?” Johnny looks at them.

“Nothing,” they mutter and come in. They shake their head much like a dog, droplets flinging everywhere.

Johnny huffs in amusement. “I have towels.”

“I'm gonna need a whole sheet.”

“I've only got the one.”

“One?” Gyro sneers.

“If you launder it, you only ever need one.”

Gyro shakes their head in disappointment. They pull off their shoes and toss it into the same corner. 

They're still both dripping water. Water that Johnny's gonna have to clean up later. Ugh. “I'll get the towels.”

Despite that, Gyro still trails after him. Looking over the place. Has Gyro never been in? Johnny can't really remember. He didn't get this place that long ago. He was bumming with HP for too long. Does make sense. 

“This is small,” Gyro says as Johnny takes a towel out from the bathroom cabinet to hand over.

“Towels only come in one size.”

“The place,” Gyro clarifies as they grab the towel and start rubbing off their long hair. “I'm surprised your chair can get through these narrow openings.”

Johnny grimaces. There have been one or two embarrassing times that he got stuck on a doorway. But he figured out how to deal with them now. “It's what I can afford.”

“You don't even have a seperate kitchen.”

“I don't cook all that much.” Johnny takes out another towel to scrub off his hair.

“You cooked all the time when you were home.”

“I wasn't just making it for me.” Though… he’s once again cooking for two.

“Tub is big though.” Gyro looks at it.

Johnny follows their gaze with a nod. “It's why I got this place.”

Johnny could compromise on a lot. A good bathroom was not one. He had to often spend more time than the average person when he was in here thanks to his disability. He needed a bath big enough for a shower chair. And a functioning shower at that. It was pretty massive. Johnny could fit his whole self without scrunching much. He's done it a few times. Gone under the water and stared at his ceiling through the ripples.

“Mine’s bigger,” Gyro grumbles.

“I think the tub’s about the same.” Johnny lets the towel hang around his neck. His hair was about as good as it's gonna get with the towel.

“The whole bathroom. We had two too.”

“I don't need two. Not fighting anyone to use it.”

“We shared.”

Johnny scoffs. “You barging in to piss when I was bathing was not sharing.”

“What else do you call it?”

“Not knowing personal space.”

“You wanna talk personal space? I still have shirts stretched from you crawling under them.” Gyro pulls at their wet tee. It's still soaked. Clinging to Gyro’s fingers. Doesn't hide an inch of their body.

Johnny glances away, his cheeks warm. “You never complained.”

“I didn’t say I don't like it.”

Johnny doesn't respond. He starts to roll out of the room. “If you're gonna sit somewhere, put the towel down.”

“Where are you going?”

“Where do you think? My room. I've got to change.”

“Good idea,” Gyro says, pulling off their shirt. The shirt was thin so they were soaked under it as well. Their hairy chest and belly was slicked with rain, curling their body hair against their skin.

Johnny’s heart jumps right to his throat. “Woah, close the door.”

Gyro squints at him, tossing the wet tee to the laundry basket. “What for? It's nothing you haven't seen.”

“You're just gonna walk around my place naked?”

“That a problem?”

“Obviously.”

“I can't stay in wet clothes. That's how you get sick. You're changing too.”

“Into clothes. I ain't just stripping for fun.”

“I don't have anything here. And none of your stuff fits me.”

“I might have something.” Johnny waves a hand. 

“Alright.”

Johnny rolls out of the room. God. This is exactly what Johnny was talking about. No personal space. 

He heads to his bedroom and searches through the drawers.

There's a sweater of Gyro’s. Too hot for the weather. There's a robe Johnny's barely used. It was big on Johnny so it's gonna be small on Gyro. But it's the best he's got. He’ll give Gyro one of his boxers too. He can clean Gyro’s clothes and then send them on their way. Easy. 

Johnny rolls back to the bathroom with the clothes in a neat pile on his lap. It's a good thing he's not holding anything. He sure would have dropped it all when he rolled in.

His heart still drops as Gyro looks at him. 

“What's that?” Gyro motions to Johnny’s lap. From the tub. 

They had gotten fully undressed as they said they would. But they didn't stop there. At some point while Johnny was looking they turned on the tub and got inside. Now they were lounging back against the rim. Their hands folded behind their head.

“Why are you bathing?”

“I washed off the rain first.” They motion to Johnny's shower head which was still dripping. “It's dirty. Not like the water we use to bathe.”

“It's water.” Johnny squints. No wait. He's getting distracted. “You're using my bath.”

“How many times have you used mine? This is better. You didn't want me walking around naked. I need to do something while I wait for my clothes to dry.”

“I have something for you to change into.” Johnny lifts up the pile.

Gyro tilts their head with a golden smile. “Ah. That's why you were gone so long.”

Johnny's heart beats twice as fast. “You would have done it for me.”

“Yeah.”

“Fine.” Johnny puts the clean clothes on the counter. “Enjoy the bath.”

“You didn't change.”

“I was looking for stuff for you.”

“This is good. The rain water’s dirty. You shouldn't just change. You've got to wash off too.”

“I only have one bathroom.”

“It's pretty big.” Gyro scoots over.

Johnny fiddles with his fingers. He does need to get changed either way… and he needed to be out of his chair to let it dry too.

Johnny turns around. He hears the water slosh. Gyro sat up quickly. Spilled a bit of it on the edge. Their brows furrowed. But that quickly softens as they make eye contact.

“Where are you going?” Gyro asks. 

“I've got to get my clothes too.”

Gyro beams. “Nyo. Okay.”

“Okay.” Johnny echoes, rolling back to his room and fetching the first things he could grab. 

Fuck. He's doing it again. He didn't want Gyro to be stuck in the rain. He did that. He doesn't need to do anything else…

But he wants to.

He really wants to climb into the tub with him. Get changed with him after. Stay close as they listened to the rolling thunder. 

And Gyro must want that.

Johnny touched his lips.

Gyro kissed him. Out there. It wasn't just when they were hidden away. 

Even with Johnny blocking them. Trying to cut himself off time and time again. They kept making contact. Kept trying to talk every time they met.

For what?

Johnny's not sure. But he knows what he wants. And he's going to get that. 

Johnny rolls into the bathroom.

Gyro greets him with a smile, opening an arm towards him.

Johnny strips. Doesn't miss the way Gyros eyes scan over him before he climbs over the rim and sinks in. The water bobs around them. Gyro has the faucet running so it’s still warm. 

They were even warmer. Always ran hot. Something Johnny always liked to snuggle into.

Johnny doesn't do that now. Just lays back, lets the water lap over him. Gyros arm twitches under his head.

“You know I don't even take up the whole tub by myself.” Johnny points out.

“Yeah cause you're too tiny.” Gyro wraps his arm around Johnny's shoulders and pulls him in close.

“You're too big.” Johnny turns to his side, shocked to see Gyro looking his way too.

“You're all scrunched up.” Gyro turns to their side too, trailing a hand down Johnny's side.

Johnny stiffens when their hand brushes over Johnny's belly. 

Was his belly already big enough to notice? When did it stop becoming fat and turning into baby fat? Johnny holds his hand over his stomach. The skin there is taut.

Gyro presses their lips against Johnny’s forehead.

“Stay here,” Gyro says. “Please.”

“I'm not moving.”

“You're thinking. I don't care what it is. Just stay here. For a minute,” Gyro pleads.

Johnny bites his lip. Gyro wasn't touching down there anymore. “Alright.”

Gyro turns back onto their back, kicking a foot onto the rim. What a show off. Johnny couldn't do that. Even if he could move his legs.

Johnny snuggled into Gyro’s side, a hand slung over their wet chest.

The water sways with a subtle rhythm. Lapping over Johnny's fingers and then retreating again. 

Gyro sighs, turning their face into Johnny's wet hair.

They're quiet for once. 

It was nice.

All of this was nice.

Chapter Text

They stayed there for too long. Became all pruny. Their clothes were dry by the time they came out but they were still dirty. They changed into the clean clothes and as Johnny suspected, what he gave to Gyro was far too small. Gyro didn't even bother tying up the robe. 

Shockingly Gyro didn't try anything in the tub. Didn't even talk all that much. It's a wonder how they spent so long there.

“It'll be clean soon.” Johnny says as he shoves the clothes into the washer.

“Where in the lords name did you find this thing?” Gyro leans down, shaking Johnny's poor machine.

“Don't do that.” Johnny slaps Gyro's hands off.

“It's as little as you.”

“The place didn't come with a washer and dryer.” Johnny sighs. “I just fill it up with the shower.”

“I have a real one.”

“I know. This is just as good as a real one.”

“I doubt that.” They scoff. 

“It's better than nothing.”

“You could use mine.”

“I don't live there.”

Gyro crosses their arms. Hold on.

“No headphones today?” Johnny points at Gyro’s shorts that he put inside.

“It was supposed to be quick.”

So that's a no. Good. Johnny takes the shower head and starts to soak the washer.

“Pfft.” Gyro snickers.

“A washer does basically the same thing,” Johnny huffs.

“Sure.” 

“You wanna go out like that?” 

“Absolutely not.”

“So let it be.” Johnny closes the washer and starts it up.

“Sorry little washer,” Gyro baby talks to it. 

“Don't mock it. It's not—It can't even hear you.”

“So it doesn't matter what I say.”

“You don't have to be in here for this.”

Gyro scoffs and leans down. They kiss the top of Johnny's head and go to leave.

Except Johnny grabs their robe. Stopping them from getting up.

“What?”

Johnny tugs at them again so he can reach and kiss their lips.

Gyro hums into it. It's a weird angle though so they move off, kneeling in front of Johnny instead. “What do you want?”

“Just that.”

“Nyo.” Gyro chuckles and leans in. 

Johnny stops them with a hand in front of his face. “I wanna get out of the bathroom. We've been here too long.”

Gyro hums against him and kisses his palm before getting up.

Johnny follows them to the living room.

They sit on the couch and pat their lap.

What is Johnny? A dog? He climbs onto them. Not cause Gyro patted. He was gonna do that anyway.

“Good thing you can't stretch this robe out.” Gyro teases, wrapping an arm around Johnny and fishing around for the remote.

“It's on the side table.”

“This is a lamp.”

“Beside that, Jesus Christ.”

“I don't feel it.”

“Look with your eyes.” Johnny rolls his eyes and shimmies up to grab the remote and turns on the TV. He puts on one of his streaming apps and hands over the remote.

“Thank you, amore.” Gyro says, rubbing Johnny’s back as they start to scroll down the options. 

Amore… Gyro was being cuddly. Nice. Way too nice considering how they were screaming at Johnny outside.

Right before they kissed him.

“What do you want?” Johnny asks.

“A comedy would be nice.” Gyro continues to tap away.

“No, not the TV. Now. You were pretty mad outside.”

“I meant what I said.” Gyro’s smile drops. They look right into Johnny's eyes. “You wanna go on a tirade? Fine. Just tell me before you go.”

“I will…”

Gyro kisses him and looks back to the TV.

“So you're not mad anymore?” Johnny asks.

“No. I'm furious,” they say. Their smile still on their face. Still holding Johnny.

“That makes no fucking sense.”

“You still upset with me?”

“...”

“Exactly.” 

Johnny huffs. Burying his face into Gyros neck.

“You wanna fight?” Gyro asks.

“No.”

“Me neither.”

“That why you being nice?”

“I'm not being anything. I don't lie. Not to you. You know that.”

Johnny doesn't dare meet their eyes. He can't say the same.

“I want to watch a funny movie with you. So that's what I'm doing. What do you want to do?”

“This.”

“Mission accomplished then.”

Johnny frowns, closing his eyes. For today it was fine. For tonight. “You're going to go home after the rain lets up.”

It's not a question. Gyro answers anyway. “I don't have to.”

“You don't like it here. Haven't stopped complaining about the place since you came in.”

“Do you like it?”

“It's what I can afford.”

“Not what I asked.”

“And I know what I said.”

Gyro clicks on a movie. Johnny opens an eye. He's seen this one before. With Gyro too. It wasn't that great. In fact, he remembers them forgetting all about the movie halfway through. Got busy with each other while it played in the back. 

“You remember this movie?” Johnny asks.

“What? No. I've never seen it.”

“We did. It was pretty boring.”

“It can't be that bad if you remember it.”

“It's not the movie I remember.”

“Huh?” 

Johnny shakes his head. “Maybe it's better the second watch.”

Gyro hums in agreement and starts to watch.

Johnny doesn't really commit to it. Shutting his eyes again and just listening to the muttering of the actors. Listens to Gyro’s breathing under him. 

“You've got work,” Johnny says. “You can't stay here.”

“Yeah. I have to leave the penthouse for work too.”

“And then you're gonna go back to your apartment.”

“...Do you want me to stay with you?”

“Not really.”

Gyro huffs, grabbing Johnny a little tighter. “So why are you asking?”

“I don't know.” Johnny sighs. He just needs to. Needs to figure out when Gyro’s leaving. When this peace ends. When it's okay to distance himself. When he won't get hurt.

“I'll be here until tomorrow. Or until you kick me out.”

Johnny nods, snuggling more into Gyro.

That's good enough for now.

--

Johnny wakes up to a ringing phone.

It's not the first time.

But what's unusual is it’s not Gyro.

In fact, Gyro’s still here. Turning away from the phone with an annoyed groan.

They should get up anyway. They have work. Johnny leans over them to fetch his phone.

“Yeah?” Johnny yawns into the phone.

Gyro nuzzles more into him, peppering kisses along Johnny's collarbone.

“I forgot to ask. I'm getting ready for school now,” HP says.

Oh. HP. “What's up?”

“Do you want to come to the choir contest next weekend? It's the last one before school ends. We're gonna go to a big dinner after. Win or lose. And it'll be nice to have you along.”

“Screechy kids all day?” Gyro scoffs.

Yeah. That's what Johnny's thinking. But he does like hanging out with—

“Who was that?” HP asks.

Johnny's eyes snap open. Oh fuck. “No one.”

“Was that Gyro?” 

“...” Johnny looks down at Gyro. “No.”

“You're a terrible liar, Johnny,” HP groans.

“Mhm,” Gyro hums in agreement.

“Shut up,” Johnny whisper-hisses to them, pushing on their head.

“You said you weren’t going to see them again,” HP says. “I really thought you meant it this time.”

“Yeah. I did. But. We talked.”

“Why the hell are you talking to them?”

Gyro says something in Italian. It's loud enough to be picked up by the phone no doubt given the way HP gasps after it.

“Hey, don't do that,” Johnny tsks. He doesn't know nearly enough Italian to know what Gyro was saying.

“She riles you up,” Gyro grumbles. “Too early for that.”

“You wanna talk? Huh?” HP shouts something in Italian.

“No, no.” Johnny turns around, earning a whine from Gyro. “You two aren't arguing on my phone.”

“Fine, I'll go over there now.”

“Don't do that,” Johnny pleads. Gyro grabs Johnny, burying their face into Johnny's hair. 

“Do they even know about how you broke down sobbing in front of me and Poco?”

“What?” Gyro asks.

“I'd love to go to the choir competition, HP. Love you bye,” Johnny says quick as he can and hangs up.

“...How come she gets a ‘love you’?” Gyro squeezes Johnny around the middle.

Far too close to his bump. Johnny bats Gyros hands off. 

“She's my best friend,” Johnny says. “You have work.”

“Why were you crying before?”

“I was laughing. Actually.”

“What in the Lord’s name did she say that was so funny?”

“It was Poco actually.”

“Poco?” Gyro tsks. “I like him.”

“Cool, you can talk to him after work.” Johnny sits up, pulling his shirt to make sure his belly isn't showing.

“Don't get upset,” Gyro sighs.

“I'm not.” Johnny leans over, giving Gyro a kiss just to get them off his case.

They smile with a hum, attempting to grab Johnny again. But Johnny sees it coming so he shimmies off and onto his wheelchair.

“You're gonna be late for work. I'll get your clothes,” Johnny says.

“Wait, Johnny.”

Johnny stops. “What?”

“Good morning.”

Johnny sighs, shaking his head.

“Good morning, Gyro.”

--

Johnny should have known he wouldn't get away with it so easily. 

But somehow he's still surprised when he sees HP outside his apartment after work.

“Where are they?” She huffs, looking around Johnny.

“They went to work.”

“They're a coward,” HP shakes her head. “If I didn't have school, I would have came here right away.”

“You really don't need to do that.”

“Yes I do. Johnny. You didn't see how bad it was this time. I know you two do your dumb little back and forth but you were actually devastated. I mean. Crying like that? In public?”

“I was laughing,” Johnny grumbles.

“And you've been spacey lately too. Forgetting things we've talked about.”

That wasn't Gyro. That was the pregnancy. Both of those were. Not that HP knew. “I didn't want to talk to them. They saw me first and stuff just…”

“Happened,” HP finishes his sentence with a sigh. 

“Yeah, but things were different this time.” Johnny fiddles with his fingers. He can still feel it barely on his skin. The warmth of their shared bath. The soft kiss. Gyro’s breath against his chest as they slept together. 

“Did they make up with you? Are you two together again?”

“Not technically.”

“You said it yourself. They're getting all of the boyfriend perks without the boyfriend treatment. Is that really what you want?”

“No.” Johnny folds his arms. “We shouldn't be arguing in the middle of the sidewalk. I did that enough with them.”

“Don't push this aside.”

“I'm not. It's good to see you. So come in. We can talk over some coffee.”

HP frowns, pinching the bridge of her nose. She turns to the apartment, heading in with Johnny’s help. “You know this is the worst part, Johnny.”

“What?”

“How happy they make you.” 

—

In the end, he couldn't really get HP to agree with him. But he doesn't think he ever could. 

She's calmed down at least, and it was back to one of their typical hangouts even if it didn't start that way.

Now he has his own duties as a friend to deal with. Namely coming along to hear kids shatter his ears for a couple of hours. 

Poor baby could hear now too. But they had half of a musician’s genes from Gyro. Maybe they'd take it as inspiration for their own rock career. 

Johnny helped out with the chaperone type duties as best as he could. The kids were that weird middle ground of too young to do anything on their own but also too old to listen to every instruction without question.

Teachers like HP were tough. He was already tired just getting to the competition.

But that might be baby again. 

“Just remember what we practiced. You'll all do wonderfully,” HP assures the group of kids. They were all dressed formally given the occasion.

Tiny suits and frilly dresses.

Johnny's eyes water. Oh god. That's so cute. They were little babies. Just like his baby.

HP squeezes his shoulder. 

Oh fuck. Johnny hurriedly blinks away the forming tears. “I’ll go.”

“That's what I said. They have to wait their turn so you should go take a seat. I can't leave them alone.”

Thank god she didn't notice. Johnny just nods before he can expose himself and does that. Technically he had a chair of his own but most places like this were weird about it and he had to take one of their provided seats. There's a section for teachers and chaperones like himself so he stays there with another teacher that he knows is from HP’s school but he doesn't know anything beyond that. 

He keeps his chair folded nearby.

Bzz Bzz

Johnny takes out his phone, opening the message from Gyro without hesitation.

[hows the competition? Any broken glass yet?]

Johnny scoffs with a smile. They've been texting back and forth infrequently. He didn't remember mentioning the competition was today but with his baby brain he hasn't been all there anyways.

[hasn't started yet, you should see the kids, done up like it's prom]

[they're a decade away from prom]

[there's other dances in between]

[like what?]

[hell if I know It was over a decade ago]

There's chatter amongst the stage and Johnny puts his phone away.

He sees the first group shuffle onto the stage. All wide eyes and tiny.

His chest is tight. Here he was worried about the singing. 

He didn't realize the cuteness would be just as deadly.

--

“Congratulations,” Johnny says with a raised glass.

“It's second place. And it's not my trophy either,” HP says despite being the one holding it right now.

“You get to display it.”

“If I could give it to the kids I would.”

“I think they're just fine.” Johnny gestures to the separate table where they are along with their parents. As expected from kids, they were loud and chaotic, but it was quarantined to the table they were at. The teachers and chaperones got to have a little table nearby for them.

HP and Johnny got to get a free meal out of it and Johnny would never say no to that.

“Oh I am so proud of them. They really worked hard for it.” HP sighs, thumbing over the trophy. She puts it carefully on the table so she can drink.

It was a rarity. She actually got a small glass of wine. She had barely sipped at it but it was far more than Johnny normally saw her do.

“Why'd you get it if you ain't gonna drink it?” Johnny motions to the glass before drinking more of his own mocktail.

“I am drinking it. I don't gulp it down like you do. Why? Do you want mine? I'll pour out some for you.” She reaches for an empty water glass before Johnny stops her with a hand.

“No, no. I'm okay.”

“Hm. You're really taking this no drinking thing seriously. I'm proud of you.” She pats his back.

“Ha. Yeah.” Johnny swirls the glass in his hand.

HP looks over the table with the kids with a massive smile.

“You'd be a good mom,” Johnny says.

“Huh?”

“I'm just thinking. You're a great teacher. You'd be a good mom too.”

“Oh gosh.” HP sighs, a hand over her stomach. “If the Lord blessed me with those parts.”

“You know there's uterus transplants and stuff.”

“No. I'm okay.” HP takes another sip of her wine. “Some are called to tend to the flock.”

“You can have a little flock of your own.”

“Have you been talking with Poco?”

“He's been bringing up kids?” Johnny leans in with a gasp.

“Oh here and there. I think he just likes to embarrass me.” She laughs softly.

“So why the hesitation? I mean you can do surrogacy. Or adopt.”

“Why are you so interested?”

“We've been dealing with kids all day. It gets you thinking.” Johnny shrugs, putting a hand over his belly. “I mean, you've got to know all the best places ‘cause of your work too. Help for single parents and all that.”

HP gasps, putting her wine glass down so she can put both hands over her mouth. 

“What? You don't?” That is pretty shocking but a reaction like that—

HP leans in close, speaking in a whisper. But it might as well be a shout with the way it rings through Johnny's ears.

“You're pregnant.”

Chapter Text

What could he possibly say?

He was caught. Red handed. Left gaping like a fish.

“Oh my goodness. No wonder you—” HP glances at the rest of the table and straightens up. “Excuse us. I need to get some air.”

The other teacher says something. Johnny can't even hear it. He's only hearing the ringing bells of alarm. 

For some reason he follows. He needs the air himself, he realizes when he comes out and takes in heavy pants of it. How the hell did she realize? He didn't say anything.

Now he was screwed. Had to defend himself. Defend the baby. A headache so bad he was already feeling nauseous. He didn't want any of this.

He jolts as HP leans down, grasping him in a tight hug. “A baby! Your baby. Oh Johnny, you're having a baby." 

Johnny blinks. “What?”

“I knew it! I knew something was happening. I kept praying after every appointment that you'd be okay. But the Lord had already blessed you with a baby.” HP goes on with a smile, still lightly grasping onto Johnny after she's pulled back. But that smile drops. "You're having a baby and you didn't even tell me."

“I thought you'd be upset.”

“Upset? Who do you take me for? This is wonderful news. You'll be an amazing father, I just know it. I can't believe you didn't tell me. I'm your best friend. I could have told the church and seen if they had some supplies or clothes or—oh goodness. You're so little. I can't see a thing. But you must be months along.”

“They're okay. I've been asking about that myself.”

“You're asking one doctor. Do you know how many mothers I know in the congregation?”

Johnny grimaces. Every nosey lady going to Sunday mass? No thanks. “I don't want to make a deal of it.”

“It's a baby, Johnny! It's a big deal,” HP groans. “I took you to the appointments already. I was much more upset with the idea that you were hurt and there was nothing I could do but bring you. What about a baby could ever be upsetting? Unless…”

“Unless?”

HP grips Johnny's shoulders, making him look her in the eye. "Johnny. Tell me the other parent is some random guy you hooked up with and were too afraid to tell me about. Or an immaculate conception."

Johnny scoffs. "It's not God's baby."

"So it's..." HP's eyes widen, but they both already knew the answer.

"Gyro," Johnny whispers. 

"That rotten good for nothing prick,” HP straightens up with her shouts. “Of course they'd be so careless and do this to you.”

"This is why I didn't want to tell you."

“Did you tell them?”

Johnny gulps. “They don't want kids.”

“Spineless coward.” HP shakes her hands, miming strangling. Johnny doesn't need to ask who. “So sleeping with you is fine but taking any kind of responsibility isn't? They should chew glass. No. A cup full of razor blades.”

“That's kind of the same thing.”

“Don't tell me this is why you keep going back to them.” HP puts her hands on her hips. “If they don't want kids then fuck them! This is your kid.”

“You don't want me to get rid of them now?”

“Of course not. I don't care that they have half of that asshole's genes. It's your baby. The Lord works in mysterious ways. If the best way to give you your family was through a demon like that then I'm grateful.”

“They're not a demon.”

“You give them too much credit. You don't need them.”

“I know I can raise the baby alone—”

“Alone? You're not alone.” HP kneels down. “You wouldn't be alone no matter who you had the baby with. You have me.”

Johnny shrinks back. “You don't have to—”

“I want to! No. I demand it. I'm your best friend. I better be there at the appointments. And the delivery. And when the kid’s old enough for school, I'm going to be dropping them off with you. And when they're a bratty teenager, I'll be there complaining with you about where we went wrong.”

Johnny blinks in shock. He knew she was a good friend. Knew she was a good person. But this was beyond any of that. “Are you serious?”

“I've never been more serious. It's not just me. Poco’s been talking about kids. He'd love to have an excuse to test run. And I know so many resources for single parents through the church. They'd love to have you.”

Johnny can barely take it in. But it was real. “It's not your baby.”

“Yes it is! You're family. So they are too. Besides, I'm the godmother. So it is my responsibility.”

“Since when are you the godmother?”

“I will be as soon as you ask me.” HP looks at him expectantly.

Johnny huffs in amusement. His chest light. He was so stressed for nothing. He's been dealing with this all on his own. But HP was right. She already did so much for him. And she clearly wanted even more. She's done so much for him. Sharing his kid with her was the best he could ask for. “HP.”

“Yes, Johnny?”

“Can you be my baby's godmom?”

“I'd love to.”

—

Work was light today. He was even out early. Perhaps it was the nicer weather. They had less pups in and the ones who were there were easy to manage.

He might as well take the long way home. Go through the shopping area in case he spots anything nice for him or the baby. Not that he really has to start shopping for them yet. Still months away and HP was already trying to pull resources from her church. 

The streets weren’t so busy now in the evening. Made for a nice casual stroll. Plenty of people watching to be had. Like there outside one of the restaurants. There was a single loser dining on their own. So pathetic. Can’t even muster up a single person to join them for free food.

Wait.

That's his loser. 

Gyro? What was Gyro doing out? That at least explains why they’re the only one outside. Must be too crowded inside. Though it doesn’t explain what they were doing. This wasn’t somewhere he frequented with Gyro. So it can’t be somewhere Gyro trusts enough to be by themselves. Or maybe it was. It has been months. Maybe Gyro had new places.

They’re facing away from Johnny. Probably won’t see Johnny at all until Johnny gets close.

Johnny glances down. It wasn’t so long ago that HP figured him out. Johnny fiddles with his shirt, pulling it down. He’s not sure how obvious his bump was but now one person knew. If HP could figure it out, then Gyro was bound to too. The less they saw the better. 

In fact. He can do better than just pulling at his clothes. He can avoid them entirely. He crosses the street and continues his way down.

“Johnny!”

Fuck. Johnny keeps his head down. Some people are glancing around. Fuck fuck.

“I know you can hear me!”

Johnny groans and stops, turning to face Gyro.

Gyro had a bright smile on their face, waving rapidly at Johnny. “Don’t make me yell across the street.”

“Shut up,” Johnny groans. There’s no way they’ll stop now though. Johnny watches the street and crosses over. Gyro leans on a hand, watching Johnny the whole while so there was no chance to make a break for it.

He rolls up to Gyro’s table. As much as he can anyway. There's a little fence thingy set up by the restaurant that separates the sidewalk and tables.

“You’re making a scene,” Johnny says.

“You could have avoided that by not ignoring me,” Gyro chuckles.

What are you doing out anyway?”

“Being a loser.” Gyro gestures to the table. “You could fix that.”

“I could leave too.”

Gyro takes a casual sip of their drink. Looked like something sweet. “What are you doing?”

“I asked you first.”

“I answered.”

“You don’t eat out much.” Especially not alone…They are alone, right? “So there’s a bigger reason.”

“You can find out about it when you join me.” Gyro shrugs, eyeing the opening in the fence.

No way. They’re not just gonna play all dark and mysterious. Johnny rolls to the opening and heads over to the table. Gyro pushes aside the chair to the side of them. Johnny slots into the space.

“You’re paying,” Johnny says.

“An extra sandwich won’t bankrupt me. Though that would be pretty crumby.”

Johnny huffs in amusement. “Alright. I’m here. Why are you? Don’t tell me you were waiting around to see me.”

“Shockingly, my life doesn’t revolve around you.” Gyro leans over, taking Johnny’s hands in both of theirs to fiddle with Johnny’s fingers. “You haven’t painted them in a while.”

Normally he tags along when HP gets it done. But he’s read up that a nail salon could make him nauseous. And while everything says the paint is safe, he can’t help but worry. So he’s avoided it. “So, what are you doing?”

Gyro uses Johnny’s hand to point across the street. “There’s a band performing later.”

Johnny frowns. “Why didn’t you invite me?”

“I’m not going alone. One of the other doctors got the tickets. I’m his plus one.”

“Where’s he?”

“Getting ready I suppose.”

Johnny squints. “You got here early?”

“Mhm.”

“Too early...”

“Bingo.” Gyro leans in, kissing Johnny’s knuckles.

Johnny’s heart skips. “If you wanted to scout out the place, you could have called me.”

“Would you have came?”

“I don’t know.” Johnny avoids Gyro’s eyes. A mistake clearly as they lean over, catching Johnny’s lips.

Johnny melts into it, squeezing their hand back.

Gyro tilts their head, deepening the kiss. They take a hand off Johnny just to grip Johnny’s thigh. Far too high up. Nearly touching his crotch.

Johnny breaks away. "We're in public.”

"So? Is it a crime?" Gyro teases.

"You don't normally do this."

"You don't let me." Gyro says, tilting their head but Johnny's fingers press against their lips before they can get close. They smile against them. "See?"

"You've got a smart mouth."

"So do you."

“Would you like another menu?”

Johnny jolts, caught by Gyro holding him firm. He looks over to see some poor young waitress hovering nearby. Shit. She must have seen all of that.

“Yes,” Gyro says with a shoo shoo kind of motion.

Honestly Johnny thinks she’s relieved for an excuse to go. He would be in her position, at least.

“Why didn’t you tell me someone was there?” Johnny whisper-hisses.

“I don’t care who’s around. They can leave if they need to.”

Johnny gulps. Where was this Gyro when Johnny was fretting about public affection? They have been in closer contact lately. Maybe they’re in a good mood.

A menu’s placed in front of Johnny. “I’ll give you a minute.”

“Thank you,” Johnny says and looks it over. Seems to be more of a lunch menu than dinner, despite it being late. It’s pretty simple stuff. He just can’t have anything with cold cuts. Oh, what’s that? There’s a signature sandwich like most of these places have but it comes with pickles. 

Damn. 

That sounds amazing. All briny and sour.

“I’ve got my order. What do you want?” Johnny tilts it to Gyro.

“I already ordered. What drink?”

“What are you having?”

“Peach bellini. We can share.” Gyro takes a large sip of it, not swallowing, and leans in. Puffed up cheeks and all.

Johnny puts a hand over their face. “You’re so nasty. I am not drinking from your mouth.”

Gyro swallows just to reply. “You were literally kissing me.”

“There’s a difference.”

“There’s no difference.” 

“I’ll get an iced tea.” Johnny can’t drink anyway. Mouth to mouth or not. 

“You can have some if you change your mind.” Gyro shrugs.

The waitress comes back over with hesitation. Thank god he didn’t take Gyro up on that offer. It would be the second strike for this poor girl. 

“Can I get extra pickles? On the sub?” Johnny asks as he gives his order. 

“Sure thing.” The waitress jots it down and takes Johnny's menu before scurrying off.

Johnny sighs. He was hungrier than he thought. Then again with the baby he's never really full for long.

“How was work?” Gyro asks.

“Good. Not a lot of rowdy pups. You?” 

“Not a lot to do today, thankfully. Besides meet with a coworker soon.”

“You like this doctor?”

“He’s fine.” Gyro shrugs.

“So you wanted to support the band.”

It’s not a question but Gyro answers it anyway. “Mhm.”

Yeah, Johnny’s not surprised. Gyro really should have been a musician. They had the passion for it. Loved to listen to it. They have apparently tried to play in their youth too, but anything they brought in was quickly confiscated or thrown out.

“You know… they offer music lessons to adults.”

“Aren’t I already enough of a loser for dining alone?”

“You’re not alone.”

“No. I’m not.” Gyro leans in, kissing Johnny again.

“Are you drunk? You’re all over me today,” Johnny huffs in amusement.

Gyro hums. They’re close enough that Johnny can feel it even without them being connected. “Half of a cocktail won’t get me drunk. I just want to kiss you. You doing some skin care thing with HP?”

“What do you mean?”

“You look good.”

Johnny blinks. Pregnancy glow? He’s heard of it but assumed it was a myth. “That’s the drink.”

“Whatever you say, carino.” Gyro scoffs in amusement and kisses Johnny again.

Clink

Johnny pulls away. Oh god, this poor waitress. He’s got to tip her big.

“You’re traumatizing our waitress,” Johnny chastises, pushing Gyro off and grabbing his sandwich.

“She’s getting paid.”

“You’re a dick.” Johnny takes a bite of the sandwich. Fuck. He really needed this. It’s got a kick and it’s not soggy. A nice crisp taste. The grilled chicken paired really well with it. The tomato though. Yuck. Way too sweet. Johnny sets it back down to pull out the tomato but it takes one of his pickles with it. “Damn it.”

Johnny eats the pickle alone and picks his sandwich back up, glancing at Gyro’s plate. They got a lame salad. 

“You enjoying your rabbit food?” Johnny mocks.

“It’s good.” Gyro stabs at a crouton and offers it out to Johnny which Johnny takes. Hmm, he likes his sandwich better. Crouton was too dry. 

Johnny tilts his sandwich to Gyro. Fair is f—

“Hey,” Johnny whines. Gyro took a massive bite. 

“What?”

“My sandwich,” Johnny huffs and opens up the bread. At least he’s still got most of his pickles. He takes another one out to chew on before he closes it up and continues to eat.

“It’s not my fault it’s so small.” Gyro shrugs.

“You're just jealous cause your food sucks.”

“You’re too American. Can’t appreciate fresh vegetables.”

“You’re eating at an American restaurant.”

“I’m in the country. What do you want me to do?”

“They’ve got international fights.”

“Nyo, you know I actually have a patient like that. Pilot who gets his lunch, dinner, and breakfast all in different countries.”

“What a life.”

“Not a very good one. His cholesterol was horrendous.”

“High cholesterol is how you know he’s eating good.”

“How’s everything coming along?” Their waitress comes over. Finally came at a good time.

“A side of pickles,” Gyro says, not even stopping eating to order.

“Please,” Johnny fills in for them.

The waitress looks a bit confused but leaves anyway. Johnny gets it. Pickles on a salad? That sounds…

Actually, that sounds awesome.

“You like my sandwich that much, huh?” Johnny hums, taking another victorious bite.

“It’s good. Both are pretty good. This place isn’t terrible out here.” Gyro nods along to their own words and continues to dig in.

Johnny leaves them to it. He knows he won. And he’s enjoying his own food.

After a short while the waitress comes back with a small platter of just pickles.

“Thank you,” Johnny says for Gyro. Gyro just nods. 

“Anything else I can get you?” The waitress asks.

“No,” Gyro says.

“Thank you again,” Johnny says as the waitress scurries off. “You’re an innovator. I’ve got to try that next time.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Pickles on a salad.”

Gyro makes a face. “Sounds soggy.”

“Not fresh pickles like this. They’re all crisp.” Damn. Now Johnny really wants some. Maybe he can sneak one. Gyro stole a lot of his food. He’s earned it.

“They’re not for me.” Gyro takes out their phone, checking on the time. Wait. What?

“You ordered them.”

“I was there.” Gyro looks across the street. There were some people starting to loiter around the venue.

“If you’re not having it, then I’m taking it.”

“That’s their purpose, so yes you should.”

Johnny pulls in the pickles with a squint. “You got it for me? I didn’t ask for pickles.”

“Again. I’ve been here the whole time that you have.”

“You’re doing weird shit. Of course I’m gonna question it.”

“It’s not weird at all.” Gyro pushes away their empty plate.

No, it definitely is weird. Johnny’s not gonna argue. Free pickles. Johnny uses Gyro’s abandoned fork to stab up a good chunk and eat them. Fuck, that’s delicious.

Gyro smiles, leaning on a palm and staring Johnny down.

“You lost your chance,” Johnny huffs, a hand over the little bowl of pickles.

“We can still share. Aaah.” They lean in until Johnny pushes their face away.

“You’re disgusting.”

--

“You’re not cleaning litter boxes, right?” HP asks.

Johnny shakes his head. And he thought he worried. Half of the conversation since they got here has been about his pregnancy. This was supposed to just be a nice hangout with his friend.

And Poco.

And Poco’s dog.

But those two were walking around the park. So they didn’t quite count.

“It’s not a joke. It’s very dangerous,” HP continues.

“We don’t take care of cats. Just dogs. And a fox that one time.”

“Foxes are related to cats aren’t they? You shouldn’t clean that either.”

“Sure, if we get another.” Johnny waves a hand. “Let’s talk about you. Poco moving in. That’s a big deal.”

“It’s just to try it out for a week. Honestly I might not even go through with it.”

“What? Don’t you love having him over?”

“That’s exactly why I shouldn’t make it a habit.”

“Gonna be late for work every day, huh?” He nudges her knowingly.

“We don’t only do that.” HP flushes pink. “I don’t work for the rest of the summer. And he knows to do that early.”

“You’ve got him on a schedule? Woof. He really loves you.”

“I sure do!” Poco runs up with Heyya, his pup, running circles around his feet. Poco had one of those running leashes that attached to the belt. Clearly it worked for him, but Johnny always felt like he was going to trip over the dog.

“You two done?” HP asks, tilting her head to get a kiss from Poco.

“Just a water break. You two should take some water also. It’s getting hot.” Poco takes a water from HP’s purse and starts to down it before he pours some in his hand and offers it to Heyya.

“Don’t do that. I brought his bowl.”

“Look at that. Jojo. Ain’t she the smartest girl in the world?”

“Sure is,” Johnny agrees.

“Don’t encourage him,” HP mutters, pink as her hair as she hands over the bowl that Poco pours the rest of the water into. 

Poco takes another water and hands it over to Johnny.

Johnny takes it, tilting his head. “We’re just sitting around. It’s not that bad.”

“You gotta keep the baby hydrated too. Helps with the cramps and stuff.” Poco nods.

“Wha—you—” Johnny looks to HP who’s very obviously looking away. “You told Poco?”

“I had to tell him.” HP grimaces. 

Shit. What if Poco told Gyro? They weren’t very close but it was a possibility.

“I don’t want everyone on my case before the baby’s even here.”

“Hey, my lips are sealed.” Poco waves. “Me and my gal. We’re basically one. So really she told no one.”

Johnny groans. “She told the church too.”

“You’ve gotta to get the resources, man.”

“Exactly. I don’t understand why you’re trying to be secretive. It’s best to get over the baby excitement now before they’re out,” HP says.

“I’m not really in the congregation,” Johnny reminds her.

“It’s not just about faith. It's a community.”

“I’ve got plenty of community right here with you two.”

“Awww. You’re sweet. You should drink that though, dude.” Poco motions back to the water.

Johnny sighs and uncaps the drink.

So much for keeping things controlled.

Chapter Text

Life was easy. For the first time in a long time. 

Johnny had his routines. The people he spoke with. The people he saw.

He thumbs over Gyro’s contact number, staring at the picture they took for it so long ago. Back when they were first dating. They stole Johnny’s phone so he doesn’t even know the context behind it. He should ask one time.

Maybe they’ll ask now.

See them now.

Why not? Things have been fantastic. They haven’t found out anything either. Whenever they were together, Johnny made sure Gyro wasn’t touching his belly. Or able to see it. Which wasn’t really too hard. Gyro got pretty easily distracted by the rest of Johnny.

Johnny shifts from one side to another, thrumming his finger against the phone. He clicks the call.

It rings for a while. Too long. But when Johnny’s sure it’ll go to voicemail, Gyro answers.

“Are you okay?”

“Who answers the phone like that?” Johnny scoffs. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t normally call.”

“I like texting. It’s faster, grandpa.”

“That’s not true. You have to wait to read a reply.”

“Yeah if you need reading glasses. You’re getting me off track.”

“I’m at work.”

“I know. You’re saving lives and shit. Listen for a second.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to get to the point.”

Johnny rolls his eyes. And they call Johnny difficult. “Are you free tomorrow?”

“Should be.”

“Come over. We can watch a terrible movie. Maybe eat some Chinese. Or Thai. Or funnel cake.” Fuck. That sounds amazing. Did anywhere but a carnival sell that? A churro was basically the same thing wasn’t it? “Actually, let's get Mexican.”

“I’ll come.”

Johnny frowns. What a flat response. “Okay. Fine. Bye.”

Gyro hangs up.

Johnny groans. Just when he was starting to like the prick.

He rolls to his other side, staring at the contact photo. 

Tomorrow will come soon enough.

--

“I brought my own movie.”

What a way to greet Johnny. They stood out there, holding up the DVD’s case like it was a caught fish. 

“Hello, Gyro. Welcome. How are you?” Johnny mocks.

“I want to watch the movie.” Gyro moves past Johnny into the house. 

Johnny rolls his eyes. “You’re supposed to ask me too.”

“You’re doing well. I can see it.”

“‘Cause you’re a doctor.”

“‘Cause I know you.” Gyro kneels in front of Johnny’s TV, popping a DVD into the game console Johnny had and used like a DVR player.

Johnny clenches his hand over his chest. 

“Your door’s open,” Gyro mutters, not looking.

“You could have closed it.” Johnny points out, shutting the door and rolling up to them. 

When Johnny’s close, Gyro leans over and kisses Johnny. Johnny leans into it. Now that’s a much better greeting.

They break away and point to the screen. “How do you work your TV?”

“You really want to watch this, huh?”

“I said that.”

“We need to order food too. And get comfortable.”

“You can do that and tell me how to set up the TV.”

“I’ll set it up.” Johnny pushes their head out of the way though he doesn’t really need to. “You figure out food.”

“You wanted something. You order.”

“Jesus Christ.” Johnny unlocks his phone and hands it over to Gyro. “Mexican.”

Gyro stands up, kissing Johnny on the head and heading over to the corner of the room where they start taking off their shoes while scrolling.

Johnny’s messed with his stuff enough to know how to set up the movie quick. This console was one of the few things he still has from Gyro’s place. He bought it pretty shortly after he moved in with the intent of them being able to play stuff together. 

Johnny hasn’t touched these controllers in months.

If it wasn’t good for DVDs he would have given it away. Maybe he still should. He could afford a real DVD player. Johnny looks over his shoulder at Gyro. Lounging on his couch and scrolling through Johnny’s phone. Like so long ago. It was Gyro’s place back then. It’s the same console. 

Johnny bites his lip. Things didn’t have to be so different either.

“I’m done.” Johnny says, rolling backward without looking until Gyro catches him with a hand and lifts him up onto their lap. Like always.

Johnny turns into them, kissing their jaw.

Gyro hums, rubbing a hand up Johnny’s back. “What do you want?”

“You order for me.”

“And if I get something you hate then what?”

“You’re sleeping on the couch.”

“My couch?”

“Yeah. I’ll take your bed,” Johnny scoffs, nipping Gyro’s ear.

Gyro squeezes him slightly. “Deal.”

Johnny grabs a leg, ready to swing it over Gyro. Until he’s met with the sight of his own belly. He can’t just press himself right against Gyro. That was asking for trouble.

“Hurting?” Gyro puts a hand over the covered bullet scar.

“It’s fine.” Johnny drops his leg. He nuzzles into Gyro’s neck and looks at his phone. He doesn’t recognize this place. Oh well. As long as it was good food. “You’re getting hot sauce, right?”

“You don’t have?”

“House speciality is nice.”

“It’s the same stuff you buy in the store.”

“Not always.”

Gyro hums and scrolls, putting in one of the sauces. They confirm the order and click on the payment.

“I’ll get it. You cover it next time.”

Gyro hums in agreement, going with the presaved option and tossing Johnny’s phone onto his side table.

“Don’t break it,” Johnny groans.

“It’s fine. Movie.”

“Movie,” Johnny echoes with an eye roll. He turns on the movie as requested. Gyro kisses his cheek and pulls Johnny in close, laying their head atop of Johnny’s.

Johnny’s belly was touching Gyro now. But they were clearly focused on the movie. It was okay. 

Besides, this was the most comfortable position.

--

So it was pretty good. Like actually good. Which is shocking from Gyro. Gyro loved absolutely garbage movies. They’d find things in discount bins that Johnny’s never heard of. They made games of pointing out every terrible flaw. Several of those movie nights turned into inside jokes that still make Johnny chuckle.

This was a good movie. Competent. Well shot. Well acted. Solid plot.

He can see why Gyro was so intrigued too. It followed the life of a composer, and of course thanks to that, there were many great orchestral tracks. Several scenes had no dialogue at all, just the music to express what the characters were going through along with the actors themselves. Reminded Johnny more of a play than a film but it worked well.

“This is pretty good,” Johnny says.

“Yeah. I like it a lot.”

“Where’d you find it?”

“I didn’t. A doctor told me about it.”

Johnny frowns. “The same doctor you went out with?”

“Yes. I’ve been wanting to see it. So it’s good you invited me. Now I can watch.”

Huh. Gyro didn’t make friends easily. Must be someone pretty different to get this much from Gyro. Someone special.

Johnny’s jaw clenches, wrapping his arms around Gyro.

Gyro rubs his back, eyes still glued to the screen.

The movie was good. Johnny didn’t want to spoil it. Gyro’s here. With him. 

Bzz bzz

Johnny glances at the side table. That’s his phone.

He pauses the movie and grabs his phone.

“Food’s here,” Johnny says. “I’ll get it.” 

He gets off. Gets the food. Thanks the delivery person and gives them their tip. Standard stuff. Rolls right to the kitchen and opens the bag. That’s where he made his mistake. He was excited for his food. Wasn’t paying attention to how the delivery worker was holding it. Didn’t realize why they were doing that until a sauce packet came out and spilled over Johnny’s shirt.

Johnny yelps.

“What’s going on?” Gyro shouts, stood up.

“Just sauce. Fuck.” Johnny swipes at it and licks it off his finger. Pretty mediocre. Not a huge loss. Johnny puts the bag on the counter.

“I think you use a plate. Not your shirt, nyoho.” Gyro says, in the kitchen now.

“I’m an innovator,” Johnny mocks. “Let me go get changed. Put my food aside.”

“Sure.” Gyro opens up the bag and gets to that.

Johnny rolls off to his room, taking off his shirt and putting on another. 

Well. Since he’s here he might as well change into some more comfortable pants too. He was getting hot. It’s probably the baby but some shorts wouldn’t hurt.

He’s done and rolling out of his room, ready to rejoin.

Until he hears the strangest thing.

Gyro on the phone with someone in the living room. 

They didn't have the decency to wait? Who the fuck are they talking to anyways? Can't be work.

Unless it was someone from work. That doctor. Fuck. Johnny knew it. He just knew something was fishy about all of that. To think Gyro would bother coming here if he was sleeping around.

Johnny's fist shakes in his lap. He rolls right up and gets on the couch. Gyro looks confused at him but continues to nod at the phone. Wow. Not even hiding it? Do they really think they're that slick?

"Come on back to bed, honey," Johnny says, exaggerating his accent and speaking loud enough for the other line to hear as he snuggles into Gyro's side and kisses their neck.

"Who is that?" Comes the accented and deep voice of a man. Deep? That doesn't sound like Gyro's type. "Is that your girlfriend?"

Gyro pales. "N—“

"Yes,” Johnny says, moving himself closer to the phone so only his voice is picked up.

Gyro pushes Johnny off, shoving him onto the couch cushion. 

"You told me you had no romantic prospects,” the deep voice continues. "She's at your home now?"

"I am,” Johnny shouts. 

Gyro presses his hand on top of Johnny's mouth, a hand that shakes against him. They mouth words, not speaking. “Shut. Up.”

Like hell was he going to do that. Johnny squirms, grabbing Gyros wrist to yank off. Gyro readjusts their grip and pins Johnny down with their body. It makes their phone shift in their hand and Johnny sees a contact picture of who they were on the line with.

It was an older man. Much older. Familiar steely features. A ridiculously shaped beard.

He looked like Gyro. 

It wasn't some hookup Gyro was chatting with. It was their dad. Gregorio. Johnny had never heard the man before. Or seen him. Only heard Gyro's stories. Like an old urban legend.

"If I knew you were currently entangled I would have called tomorrow,” Gregorio continues.

"No. Everything is fine, father. That was simply the TV."

"A television doesn't answer a question."

"Coincidence, really."

"Julius."

Gyro's grip falters. Johnny doesn't fight. He wishes his ears were covered instead of his mouth.

"You're a horrid liar." Gregorio switches to Italian so Johnny doesn't catch the rest. He doesn't want to. All he can look at is Gyro’s dejected face. 

"I see… you’re right, father,” Gyros mutters, slipping their hand off Johnny.

Johnny catches their wrist and brings their hands together instead. Entwining their fingers. Gyro squeezes tight. It hurts. But Johnny doesn't flinch.

"I will be speaking with you more tomorrow," Gregorio says.

"Yes, father."

The line clicks and the screen goes black.

"I didn't know that was your—“

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Gyro shouts, setting their phone on the table and taking their hand out of Johnny's grasp so they can grab Johnny's collar instead. "Why would you say that?"

"I thought you were cheating."

"Cheating? I'm single like I was telling my dad. Ugh, my dad." Gyro lets go and hangs their head. "Fuck!"

"I'm sorry about your dad being a prick."

"You're the one being a prick! He's not the kind to forget easily. The first thing he's gonna ask me about tomorrow is my 'girlfriend.’” Gyro doesn't look at Johnny as they say the last line. They lean back onto the couch, head in their hands. "What the fuck am I supposed to say?"

"That we're together."

"He's not even going to be asking about you."

"But it could be me." 

"Do not bring that shit up again." Gyro finally meets his eyes with a sharp glare. "I'm not lying about you."

"You already did. No romantic prospects?"

"It's the truth. We're not together."

"Then why did you come here?"

"You asked me to."

"So—so fucking what? I'm good enough to watch some stupid fucking movies with but not enough to date?"

"Was this supposed to be a date?"

"No."

"So there's no problem."

"There is a problem. A massive fucking problem.” Johnny throws his hands up. “Look at us. We're not dating and we're not together but you still wanna fuck me and kiss me and watch crappy movies with me and take baths with me. Everything except call me your fucking boyfriend on the phone to your dad."

"He didn't say boyfriend."

"It's the same shit."

"No it's not. If anyone understands it should be you. If anyone on the street called you that, you'd punch their lights out."

"I should punch yours."

"For what? Telling the truth? You're a man. I know that you know that. My dad? My dad doesn't get that. He heard you for five seconds and already—just assumed—" Gyro shudders in clear disgust.

“I don’t care what some old asshole thinks. This isn’t about him. This is about us.” 

“There is no us.” Gyro covers their face with a hand. “And this is exactly why.”

Johnny grits his teeth. It's not fair. It's not fair at all. He thought they were making so much progress. But this is how it always went. When they were faced with real hardship. An actual challenge. Gyro just gave up. His eyes burn. 

“There is an us. Much more than just the two of us.” Johnny blinks out tears, holding his stomach. “Because I’m pregnant and it’s yours.”

Chapter Text

Gyro had a sister once.

They met her when they were little. Too little to remember a life before her.

And they were inseparable. A tag team of troublesome toddlers. Messing up an orderly house and being scolded for it together. Fighting over the toys they made of sticks and stone. Clinging to their parents.

They stuck close even as they grew. As those tiny unsure steps became giant leaps.

Cried to each other about broken hearts at the playground. Celebrated their triumph over a test in school.

They knew each other deeply. On a level no one but their own selves did. Perhaps even more than that.

And she was a bright child. Hardly a child anymore, according to them at the ages of 12 and 10. She knew how to sneak into their parents’ room. Showed Gyro how to wrap those big dresses around their little bodies to fit. How to put on that sparkly makeup. How to paint their nails.

But they were still children. And only children could get away with playing pretend.

Gyro had a brother.

According to his mother. To his father. To the birth certificate.

To everyone but her and Gyro.

Proserpina. 

A name she chose for herself. She read a story. A fairy tale. Of a maiden taken away from her family by a monster. 

Gyro couldn’t understand how the story comforted her.

Not until they were older.

They didn’t see each other much anymore. Gyro was busy. They were the heir. They had an important duty. For the family.

It was one of those important days. So important and yet they couldn’t remember a second of it. They only remember entering the house.

Finding Pina sobbing over her beautiful skirts. Her dresses. Her makeup. Her jewelry. Things she got herself. Gifts from the people who knew her. Things Gyro had bought her. Had helped her sneak into their home.

Tossed into a scrapped pile. Broken. Torn.

Their father stood over her. Over that pile. A cold look on his face. He never raised his voice. Explained what was wrong so simply. Like she was a child digging up the garden again. 

A man could not wear this. Could not call himself by those names. He had to protect himself. Protect his family.

Just as Gregorio was doing now.

It was the last time Gyro had ever seen his sister.

When she was gone it was as if she never existed at all.

Every photo of her was taken down. Her name became a hush between Gyro and their three brothers. 

Gyro had been taken aside one night. An important night. Not for what came before. But for what came now. Important for the way that Gregorio gripped Gyro’s shoulder. The way he stared them down. Not even letting them blink.

“Do not love,” Gregorio’s words came out. Calm. Collected. So sure. “Sentiment is dangerous. It will cloud your mind. It will make you hurt others. Hurt yourself. It will take everything from you and trick you into thinking you’re better for it. It is addictive. A disease with no cure. If there is one lesson you ever learn from me let it be this one, Julius. Never love.”

So Gyro didn’t.

That’s what they told themselves at least.

For years they lived like that. They took their father’s words to heart. Took their duties seriously. Even if they slipped up. Even if they found themselves eyeing the wrong clothes. The wrong jewelry. The makeup they used to wear as a child. The nails they used to polish. Even if they hung around the wrong people.

It was okay because they listened to their father’s advice. 

Until they came to America. 

It fell apart so quickly it was a wonder anything was held up at all.

They snatched it all up with greedy intent. A new closet. A new title. New pronouns. A new name. 

Gyro.

They read a story. One about the beauty of the natural world. Of physics. It was no fairy tale. For Gyro was still of a logical mind.

Yet somehow they fell in love. Terribly. And wholly. Spent two wonderful years trapped in a delusion. With the most wonderful man they ever knew. 

Only for it to all come crashing down on an important day. Important not for what came before. Or for what happened then. But for what happened after.

Gyro had confessed the truth. The reason why this delusion was on a ticking clock. And Johnny had taken their hands. Looked at Gyro with that fire that only he had.

That determination. A blaze so strong he would even set himself alight.

For Gyro.

“I can be your bride.” Johnny had said. “Wear a dress. Go by whatever fucking name fits. Then we’ll be married. We can have those kids too. White picket fence. I mean that’s the American dream, ain’t it? It’s easy. Let’s do it.”

He would hurt himself. Destroy every shred of the life he made for himself. Of the life they made with each other.

For Gyro.

He was struck by that same poison Gyro was warned of so long ago. That disease that crept into Gyro’s heart too. 

Love.

--

Gyro could hardly believe what they were hearing.

Just like back then, Johnny had managed to drop a bombshell on Gyro. With no warning. No buildup.

No reason at all.

“Pregnant?” Gyro echoes. Their mouth suddenly dry.

It all made sense. Johnny had been hungrier than usual. Craved more things. Started packing on more weight. Was a bit spacier. Was sick for far too long.

How did Gyro not see it? Did they not want to see it?

Johnny continues to sob. How Gyro hates to see him cry. Even though he cried a lot. Cried in anger in their fights. Cried in joy under their sheets. 

Their child would be like that too, wouldn't they? A completely emotional crybaby.

Oh god.

They were having a kid.

A real kid. A real living, breathing kid. Who would grow. Who would talk. Who would think.

The bump was right there. They were already growing. Taking up space in Johnny. Would take space in both of their lives. Permanently.

How far along was Johnny? The bump wasn't that big. When did they make love last? The last time Gyro can remember is when Johnny came over and left Gyro when they were sleeping.

“When did you find out?” Gyro asks.

“Don't change the subject,” Johnny snaps.

“The subject? This is the subject,” Gyro shouts back. “You're having our baby.”

“Exactly. And you want to act like nothing's happening between us.”

Gyro shakes their head. “A kid. Johnny. Do you even know what this means? You have to start taking care of yourself. There's appointments you have to go to and you have to pay attention to your diet—”

“You think I don't know that? I'm not fucking stupid. I've been to the appointments and been eating right and all that shit for months. I've been doing everything I can for the kid.”

Months?

Gyro gapes like a fish. “You've known. You've known for this long and you didn't tell me? We could have already dealt with—”

“Do not fucking start. I am not getting rid of them.”

Gyro flinches back like they were struck. They never even thought of that. Just the idea. That their kid would be lost. It was terrifying. 

Why?

It's not even a kid yet, just has the potential for it. A potential Gyro could imagine so vividly. A bouncing happy little child. With Johnny's big blue eyes. Crinkling up in a gummy smile. Tugging on Gyro's fingertips.

“I don't want to get rid of them,” Gyro says. 

Johnny's eyes widen. The tears slowing for once. “You… no. You don't want kids.”

Gyro grits their teeth.

Months. No wonder it's been months. Johnny was doing it again. Same thing he always did. Operating on an assumption. On a fantasy that only played out in his head.

“According to who?” Gyro snaps back. “We've never talked about this. You never asked. You've been hiding this from me. On purpose. When were you going to tell me, huh? When you were too big to hide it? When they were out?”

“I told you now.”

“That’s why you called me over here?” They knew something was strange about Johnny calling them first. They had no idea it was for this.

“No—”

“No?” Gyro shouts. “So—so when?”

“I don’t know. I fucking told you now. What does it matter when? I already made up my mind about keeping them.”

“What about my mind? It's my child too. Ours!”

“Oh, that's rich. All of a sudden there's an us.”

“There is a literal us. Our genes. It's not just your kid. Not just your decision.”

“Yes it is,” Johnny spits back, hands protectively over his stomach.

Gyro’s hands clench, their face hot. “I'm not going to hurt you. Or them. When have I ever done anything like that?”

“Now. Today. No. Every single fucking day since we've been separated.”

Gyro’s hands unclench. Their throat tightens and they can't meet Johnny's eyes. Can only look at the bump. “I don't mean your emotions. My kid doesn't need protection from me. I should be the one protecting them.”

Johnny's hands shift, molding into the weight. A natural instinct. Did Gyro have that too?

“Can I touch?” Gyro asks.

Johnny slowly lifts up a hand, staring Gyro down. Like a feral cat huddled over his kittens. He was bigger than any cat Gyro got the misfortune to know. Even the bump dwarfed any kittens. And the baby wasn't done growing yet.

Gyro puts their hand over Johnny. Even through the skin they can feel it. The firmness. It was unlike any other part of Johnny. Johnny's skin was distended here from the growth. Gyro thumbs over the area, much like the way they examine a patient.

Johnny puts his hand over Gyro’s.

“I want to raise them,” Gyro says. “And I want to be involved with the pregnancy. You know I have the experience. Even if it's not my field. I may not be the one carrying them but there's a lot I can do. That I want to do. That I should have been doing to begin with.”

Johnny's silent. For once. It's almost more painful than the cruel words he slings.

“Dont cut them off from me. Please.”

“You're the one who was ready to cut and run.”

“You can hold whatever grudges you want. They're still mine too. Just give me that.”

Johnny shifts his hand to entwine their fingers atop of his stomach. 

“Okay.”

--

They stayed over. They had a movie to watch. Food to eat.

Life kept moving.

Except now with every movement Johnny made, Gyro considered what was happening to their baby.

Even when they laid to rest, head buried in Johnny's neck. Their hand was over the bump. So close to them and still so far. So long to go before they were really there.

Was it always like this for every parent? Did it always feel like this? This joy whenever they thought of them. The agonizing over how long they have to wait.

They can't imagine their own father feeling like this. Nor their mother.

So why did Gyro?

They don't get an answer. They simply fall asleep.

They woke up with no answer either. They had work again. Johnny was still fast asleep. Hated getting up early even when his body wasn't taking so much from him.

Gyro heads over to the little kitchen. 

Johnny was missing so much. Not real fresh herbs or spices. And what was this brand of cheese? Yuck yuck yuck.

He was feeding that to their kid? To himself? 

Gyro has to shake their hands just to get rid of the cheese’s lingering feeling. This wasn't Gyro’s kitchen. Things were wrong. Nothing was in the place it should be. 

Gyro has to put on the TV. Has to listen to something so they don't feel that grating over their teeth.

Rock music and a pair of gloves makes breakfast tolerable.

They eat their half and leave the rest on a plate by the couch where Johnny can reach it. They have a plate over the food so it doesn’t get cold too fast. Maybe they should wake Johnny up. But he needed the rest.

Gyro heads over to the bedroom to find Johnny still sleeping as expected, clutching a pillow close.

“Good morning,” Gyro mutters to him and kisses him atop the head. They give the bump one last small touch before they head out.

They know their way to work from here. They’ve made this trek many times before. They glance up at Johnny’s apartment one more time. They don’t see him. But they know he’s there. Know that he’s okay.

That’s enough for now.

--

The bus was quiet. The simple motions are the same. The same beeps. The droning of the prerecorded lines.

The quiet bustle of people walking in and out. Taking their seats. Chattering amongst themselves. Gyro recognizes some of them from this route. They’re almost at work now.

Gyro taps their fingers on their knee. Their music hums in their ears. This song was perfect for the ride. It was a soft ballad. Done by an independent artist as a single. Featuring another artist who provided the vocals. With a strong emphasis on the guitar in the instrumentals. The BPM matched the tempo of the bus’s movements. The lyrics are familiar croons. Johnny would like this one. Would nod along with his eyes crinkled up in that subdued smile only he had.

Music was good for baby’s brain development, wasn’t it? Gyro’s sure they read that somewhere. They’d have to research it. They already had a playlist for Johnny. They could make one for their baby easily.

That’s their stop. They click the button and head to the back. Get off same as always. There were still few people around. They could breathe easy as they walked into the clinic. Gave a nod of greeting to the receptionist and headed into their office to set up for the day. Check their appointments. Check patients. 

Their phone vibrates in their pocket.

Gyro snatches it up and looks.

It’s not Johnny. It’s the very last person he wants to talk to. 

“Father,” Gyro greets, putting the phone to the side on speaker as they open up their appointments. “I’m currently at work.”

“I see. I shall call back,” Gregorio says.

Gyro grits their teeth. Talking even more to him? Terrible. Awful. “I don’t have an appointment yet. I would like to not be interrupted when a patient needs me.”

“Then we can speak now.”

Gyro internally groans. At least it would be over with faster.

“And where is your girlfriend?”

Gyro’s heart sinks. It’s not Johnny. It’s not. It’s a figment that Gregorio made up. But this was something they knew would happen. Warned Johnny would happen. 

If it’s not real. Then Gyro can say whatever he needs to about it.

“At home. I’m sorry for the confusion,” Gyro starts, scrolling through their emails as they speak. A few patients messaged them. They’ll deal with that now. Yes, they can refill that. Yes, that time works for their next appointment. "The reason why I hid it was because we're very early on in our relationship.”

"And yet you had her over your house? I see. The culture there in America is very different."

Gyro grimaces. "Yes. I didn’t want to waste your time with a relationship that might not even work out.”

“It’s a relief that there’s any attempt at all. You’re much older than your mother and I were when we had children. You should raise them while you’re still strong.”

They’ve seen plenty of patients who had children much older than them and were fine. “Yes, father.”

“What do you think of this woman? Is she fit for marriage?”

Gyro shudders. “It’s too early to tell.”

“Don’t waste time. I’m sure even America has many options.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You may resume your work, Julius.” Gregorio hangs up.

Gyro sighs, collapsing in on themselves. Head in their hands. Ugh. They were nauseous. Could barely breathe whenever they had to talk to him.

Knock knock

Gyro straightens up. “Come in.”

“Doctor Zeppeli. A patient is requesting a referral,” their receptionist says. Gyro remembers them by face. Not by name. 

“Send over the details. I’ll get to it now.”

“Thank you, doctor.” 

“Don’t thank me. It’s my work.”

The receptionist laughs and heads out. Not bothering to close their door. What was that about? Ugh.

They had work.

They just had to get through it.

--

A break away from the chaos. From the patients and the medication and the thinking.

They weren’t just refueling their body with lunch, but their spirit too.

“Zeppeli.”

Gyro glances over their shoulder. “Doctor Ferdinand.”

He was an odd doctor. New to this clinic. Had more years under his belt than Gyro, but thanks to the difference in the Italian and the American system, and the fact that Gyro was head of the clinic, he was still Gyro’s junior. Not just that, but he was often alone. Avoided by most of the other staff for reasons Gyro couldn’t understand. Gyro actually found him agreeable company compared to most of the rest.

“Lunch time finally.”

“Finally,” Gyro echoes with a sigh.

“Troublesome patients?”

“About the same.”

“Good. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” Ferdinand waves a hand.

Gyro hums in agreement.

“Have you watched that movie? I know you were waiting for something.”

Gyro perks up. “It was shockingly good.”

“What do you mean shockingly? Do you not trust my taste?”

“No.”

Ferdinand scowls. “Well. Now you have to believe me.”

“Hmm. No. One time could be a fluke.”

“You’re a difficult man, Zeppeli.”

Gyro grits their teeth. Not a man at all. “That’s what people say.”

“What about you? Do you have something to show your apparently fantastic taste?”

“No. I like to watch garbage.”

“And you have the nerve to insist my tastes are untrustworthy?”

“You only know something’s good when you can see how awful it could have been, nyoho. It’s more fun for us too. We always go for garbage first if given the choice.”

“We? I would never disrespect my time with such an endeavor. It only encourages further idiocy to give those movies support.”

“Not you. I misspoke.” Gyro glances away, fetching their food. Ferdinand sticks close, getting his own before they both take their seats.

“Ah. Is this why it took you so long to watch?” Ferdinand smiles knowingly. “You have someone. Who are they? A nurse here? Doctor? Please tell me it’s not one of our janitors.”

“None of that.” Gyro waves a hand.

“He must be someone special if he’s willing to sit through mind-numbing torture wtih you.”

Gyro blinks. “He?”

Ferdinand looks back just as confused if not more. “Is it a they?”

Gyro’s stuck still. 

Ferdinand scoffs. “What do you look so shocked for? Wait. Don’t tell me it’s a she? Surely not.”

Gyro shakes their head rapidly. “No. He.”

“As I thought. So why are you torturing this man?”

Gyro glances around. Heart starting to pump harder and harder in their chest.

“Ah. That’s what.” Ferdinand waves a hand. “Everyone avoids me. So I have no one to tell. Nor any interest in it. Though I doubt anyone would give trouble for it. I’m in charge of those same patients after all.”

Gyro sighs. He didn’t have to lie for once. “He’s not tortured. He likes it too.”

Ferdinand shakes his head, taking a bite of his food. “And here I had such high hopes for him.”

Chapter Text

Work ended. There was nothing left to do here. It had been easier today.

Gyro was leaving at a normal time.

They take out their phone. No messages from Johnny at all. Oh no… did he do it again?

Gyro types out a text. [hows my baby (plural)]

Come on. Fuck. Did they have to go there? They begged Johnny not to do this. They thought everything was already—

[good, thx for food]

Gyro sighs. He listened. They text as they head to the bus, glancing to make sure they don’t touch anyone. [ur kitchen is terrible]

[its what ive got]

Gyro gets on the bus and puts in their headphones, putting on Johnny’s playlist. They’re able to snag a seat. It’s not crowded yet. Great. [what are you wearing?]

[same shit you saw me in]

[hot]

Johnny reacts with a multitude of eyebrow raising emojis. 

Gyro chuckles to themself, kicking their feet. [you'll be happy, turns out a doctor I work with specializes in lgbt+ health]

There's no reply for a bit. What was Johnny doing? Should they call? Go over there? He seemed just fine.

[Doctor that recommended movie?]

[ye]

[we flock together]

Gyro chuckles. That sure was true. [he's an obgyn, can start seeing you]

[ain't that a conflict of interest?]

[im not seeing you, he is]

[my obgyn is good]

They frown. [I'll see about that]

Oh. This is their stop. They get off, looking around to make sure they don't brush into people. Their street was unfortunately busy around this time. They can breathe easier when they're inside, leaning back in the elevator.

They check their phone. No more messages. 

They arrive at the penthouse, taking out their key and entering without even having to look. 

Gyro sighs, scanning over the house. It was quiet. They put the volume on their headphones even louder.

They could put on that Sphynx album. 

They avoid looking at the empty couch as they get their shoes and jacket off. They head into the bedroom to change.

Still no messages. Johnny might be in a mood again. He answered, at least. Gyro can give him some time. 

Gyro’s back in their own clothes. Not the costume they need for work. 

Everything was still far too quiet. Gyro puts their headphones back in and slowly ventures back out into the empty apartment. 

Nothing greets them of course. Even their bears are back in their bedroom. The place was far too big for one person.

Gyro scrubs at their neck.

They don’t need to stay in here.

In fact. There’s somewhere else they could be. They whip out their phone and call up Johnny. It’s a few rings before Johnny picks up.

“Yeah?” Johnny answers.

“Can I come over?”

“You were just here…”

“I know. I was there.” Why does Johnny keep doing that? Maybe the baby brain made him forgetful.

“Alright. Come.”

Gyro beams at their phone. “I’ll see you soon.”

“See ya.” 

Gyro hangs up and puts on their jacket, heading out of the penthouse while pulling on their shoes.

Perfect.

--

They had no key to come to this place. No way to get to Johnny without Johnny letting them in. And Johnny had his moods. He could easily lock Gyro out with Gyro not able to do a thing.

The door swings open, Johnny staring them down.

Can’t shut them out now.

Gyro leans down, kissing Johnny. Johnny leans into it, hand tugging on Gyro’s shirt.

“We can’t do this in the hallway,” Johnny says when he breaks away.

Gyro nods and heads inside past Johnny.

“You can close the door,” Johnny snaps.

“You told me to come in.”

Johnny rolls his eyes and closes the door. Which he just could have done anyways without making any comments. He might be in another mood. But that’s alright. They’re both together. Gyro would take that over an empty apartment anyday.

“What do you want?”

“I just got so hot and bothered thinking about you in your pajamas,” Gyro teases, leaning over to pull at Johnny’s shirt. They catch Johnny’s rounded belly.

Wow.

They didn’t exactly forget about their baby but seeing this reminds them. It’s real. Johnny never said how far along he was still. Could they hear yet? Move?

“Pervert.” Johnny turns around in his chair to face Gyro. It takes Gyro’s hands off him. “You ate anything?”

“No.” Gyro glances at the visible kitchen. They do not want to deal with that again. “Let’s order out.”

“I know how to cook.”

“You’re pregnant. The less work you do the better.”

“Who the hell taught you that?” Johnny scoffs. “It’s not the 1800s anymore. Pregnant people work. Fuck. I'd say most of us do more work than the jerks knocking us up.”

Gyro squints. Johnny did have a difficult home life. Must be what he saw. Not Gyro. They were old enough to remember their mom’s pregnancy with their youngest brother and they did remember some of the pregnancy with their twin brothers. Their mom hardly lifted a finger when their father was home. Even when he wasn’t, she took things easy. If the kids dared to bother her too much, it turned into a lecture detailing the gruesome reality of stillbirths and other birth defects.

“Physical and mental stress is dangerous for you and the child.”

“According to the doc, they’re good and so am I.”

Gyro makes a noise of disappointment. Ferdinand would agree with them. “Cook later then. I’m starving.”

“Me too.” 

Gyro sits on the couch, taking out their phone again. They should be careful with what they get. There had to be some healthy options.

Johnny snuggles into Gyro, hand under Gyro’s shirt.

“Please don't stretch it,” Gyro asks as they continue to scroll. This is a good option. Had lots of beans. Cheese. Proteins. Some greens too. All good stuff.

“I’m not doing anything.” Johnny continues to move his hand up despite saying that. Now he had a hand over Gyro’s chest. Well, he could touch. It felt nice anyway.

“Order from here.” Gyro turns the phone to Johnny.

Johnny moves his finger in a little spiral against Gyro’s skin. “Hmmm.”

Preoccupied it seems. “I’ll get for you then.”

“Make it spicy.”

“Is that okay?” Gyro glances at Johnny. Can’t see the bump at this angle.

“...Yeah.”

“Why’d you hesitate?”

“You’re being weird. I looked it up forever ago. You can too if you don’t believe me.”

“I told you I don’t specialize in this field. I’m not going to know everything.” Gyro trusts it’s the truth and continues to put in Johnny’s order.

Johnny’s silent again for a while. Way too long, Gyro realizes when they’ve paid for the order. But it’s too late to stop as Johnny speaks up. "We could have had a kid a year ago." 

"What are you talking about? You were on birth control. You never spoke of wanting a kid."

"I was on birth control because of you," Johnny snaps.

Gyro tilts their head. Yes. They remember bringing it up. After that one pregnancy scare. 

They were panicking. Trying to figure out what they were going to do if the result was positive. They certainly couldn't tell their father. Were either of them ready to have a child? Would Johnny even want to carry a child? Could Johnny handle all those appointments? He barely went to his yearly checkups. Was Johnny's changing body going to disgust him? Should Gyro find a clinic instead of looking to fill a nursery? A thousand buzzing questions in their head all blissfully silenced when Johnny held that test with the negative result. So they wanted to make sure they weren't caught unaware again. 

"You agreed to it,” Gyro points out.

Johnny scoffs. “So why are you so into having a kid now? What’s different?”

“I would have dealt with it back then too. I don’t know why I’m happy. I just see them. Think about them. And I… I just am. Aren’t you?”

Johnny frowns, pressing hard into Gyro. “I am.”

Gyro laughs. Only Johnny could say that while looking like the most miserable person alive. 

“We wasted so much time,” Johnny continues to grumble. Clearly more to himself than to Gyro, but Gyro answers anyway.

“Maybe. But I like this.” Gyro kisses Johnny’s head. To their shock Johnny moves, connecting their lips together.

Gyro smiles against him.

They can make up for lost time.

--

They couldn’t stay again. Much as they wanted to.

Their bed was far too big. Too cold. They had work earlier tomorrow and couldn’t make it in time if they were going back and forth between apartments beforehand. 

Gyro grabs their teddy bear, Dolce, off the dresser and hold it close to them. So small.

Almost like a baby in a way.

Gyro’s phone buzzes and Gyro startles. Oh. One of those amber alerts. Not even anywhere that close to here.

No calls from their father. Which was great. Perhaps he’d get off Gyro’s case now that he thinks Gyro…

Gyro sits up.

It’s not just that Gregorio thinks it. Gregorio is imagining a fake person, yes. But there’s a very real person. Really carrying their child.

Just as they were supposed to do.

Despite coming here, nothing changed. The plan their father set in motion was falling right into place.

An heir. A "wife.”

Gyro holds their head in their hands.

They were doing it again. It was so easy to be wrapped up into Johnny. Into the love that infected them both. But this wasn’t just Gyro having to see them all the time. Not being able to be away from them. Those were small mistakes. Eventually Gyro knew they would have to end. Eventually Gyro would have to follow their duties.

But they already were.

Gyro left Johnny for a reason. The very reason that they fell into anyways. 

No. No. They can’t. 

They’re not together. Even if they have a kid together. They both only agreed to raising the baby.

Gyro’s family doesn’t have to know about it. Then their kid was safe from the family too.

Things could resume as normal. Just as Gyro’s done. Eventually they could be married off to whatever boring woman Gregorio wanted. Then they’d have kids with her…

How could they raise their baby with Johnny and do that at the same time?

They can’t just leave their kid behind. But they’d have to. What other choice was there? Gyro can’t let the family know about their shared baby. They were traditional. They’d want Johnny married so it was a properly legitimate heir.

And if Gyro refused to marry him then they’d want the kid cut off, wouldn’t they? Then Gyro would lose them both. 

They can’t do that.

There was no easy solution here.

They collapse back onto their bed. There still had to be some kind of solution. Somewhere. They just had to find it. They can’t do that now in the middle of the night.

Gyro lifts up their phone, looking at their home screen.

A picture of Johnny’s birthmark. Johnny’s hair somewhat in the picture brushed aside by Gyro.

They would figure something out.

They just had to.

Chapter Text

Gyro made their own money. They earned their own things. And they had been feeling a nonstop nausea for a week.

They earned a little retail therapy, as Johnny liked to refer to it. It wasn't really superfluous spending anyway. Gyro had to maintain their bears. If they didn't, who would? And maintaining also meant looking for new friends they could have. If Gyro was going to be expanding their family, then they should too. Surely.

They pick up one of the smaller bears. They have a bonnet on their head. Like a baby bonnet. But they’re not really a fan of this color. 

Oh, this one was perfect. They had a pacifier in their mouth and even came with a baby blanket wrapped around them. Gyro lifts up the box. There were more accessories they didn’t notice before. Ah. This was so adorable. Their heart was pounding. They absolutely—

“A little help?”

Gyro glances to their side with a scowl. Mood killer. They see someone’s hands poking at the top shelf. Someone small. He grabs the pink plush and pushes it back into their hands.

“Gyro?”

Gyro looks down. Wait. He knows who this is. Poco. HP’s boyfriend. HP.

They look down the aisle. No sign of the woman. Thank the lord.

“It is you. Shit. Didn’t expect to see you here,” Poco continues.

Gyro should be the one saying that. This is one of the places they frequented. “What are you here for?”

“Same thing as you.” Poco shakes the plush Gyro gave him.

Odd. “HP likes those?”

“Maybe. It’s for her office at school. Now she can have a little piece of me always with her.”

Gyro scoffs. It’s a shame. Poco seemed like a fun person. Can’t imagine how he got roped up with an annoying woman like HP. “Why not flowers?”

“Those wilt. Our love’s undying.” Poco nods. “And she doesn’t have many of these. So it’s unique.”

“Won’t the kids she works with want to play with it?”

“If she lets them, that's fine. She loves the kids, too.” Poco smiles even brighter.

Such a positive outlook. “I suppose.”

“What about you?” Poco points to the box.

“For me.”

“Ah…” Poco passes the plush from hand to hand. “You know…we’re not very close or anything. But I did think you were a pretty cool person.”

“Likewise.”

“I think you’re making a huge mistake. I know I ain’t you or anything. You might be dealing with your own shit. But it’s still a mistake.” Poco’s smile is still there but his brows are furrowed. It's more serious than Gyro’s ever seen him.

And far more bewildering.

“What do you mean?”

Poco takes in a sharp breath. “You’re gonna regret not being there for the kid. Maybe not now. Maybe not until they’re an adult. But it ain’t worth it. You’ve still got time to change your mind. Work something out with Johnny.”

Gyro’s jaw drops. Poco knew about the baby. Poco knew and Gyro didn’t. 

“That’s all I got to say.” Poco raises his hands. “Enjoy your—”

“Johnny told you about the baby?” Gyro snaps.

Poco jolts back. “No, HP did.”

“He told her ?” Gyro’s hands clench until they hear the box start to crinkle. They put it back down and groan into their hands. He hid it from Gyro for months and he told HP. They’re not surprised but it doesn’t make it any less infuriating.

“I don’t get why you want to hide it.”

“I’m not the one hiding it.” Gyro scrunches their hair in their hand. No. Wait. It’s not even just hiding. “Did you just say I’m not going to be there for the kid? Why wouldn’t I be there?”

“'Cause you don’t want them?” Poco looks bewildered now, speaking quieter.

“I do. Fuck. Johnny. Ugh. He—” Gyro could scream. Could punch something. Or someone. They turn away, shutting their eyes. They’re not going to make a public scene. But. Fucking Johnny. Johnny doing it again. After what they talked about? 

“That’s a good thing. Don’t get me wrong. Me and HP are happy to help with the kid but the parents—”

“What?” Gyro spins back around to Poco.

“Didn’t Johnny tell you?”

“No.” Gyro takes out his phone. “He never does. Thanks, Poco.”

“Mmm. I don’t think I should be thanked…”

Gyro doesn’t care. Just continue to storm out of the store as they hit their emergency contact. 

It rings. And rings.

Johnny was working today. Great fucking timing of course. Leave it to him to find out the perfect situation to run off from this. 

Gyro knows where he works. Johnny wouldn’t be done for a few hours. They’ll have to just wait.

Their phone buzzes and Gyro answers it without even looking.

“I’m at work,” Johnny says with a small yawn. “Can’t talk long.”

Yawning. It’s late in the day. Is the baby making him tired? Gyro shakes their head. “You told HP about the baby?”

“Who told you that?”

No denial. “I can’t believe you’d hide this from me and tell her.”

“I didn’t tell her she—I don’t have time for this. I’ve got a bunch of dogs barking their heads off.”

“How convenient.” They bump into someone. Their skin crawls. They don’t stop. They keep going.

“I told you I’m at work. Don’t be a jackass.”

“ Me ? Tell me why I’m hearing that HP and Poco are going to be raising my kid. You wanna talk jackasses. What’s that?”

“Oh, fuck, Poco. I knew it.”

“We talked about raising the baby.”

“I know. Poco and HP don’t know that.”

“Because you lied to them.”

“Can we really not do this right now?”

“Then when?” Gyro huffs. They stop at the bus stop, feet impatiently tapping.

“After work.”

“I’ll get you then.”

“Do you have to?”

“Apparently, I do.”

“Ugh. Bye, Gyro.” Johnny hangs up.

“See you later.” Gyro shoves their phone back in their pants. Great. Fucking great. As if they weren’t already dealing with so much.

They had to figure out how they were going to protect Johnny. Protect their kid. And now they had to defend their own place in the kid’s life. Again. 

They just wanted a break. Why would Johnny do this to them? Again.

They sit down at the bus stop’s waiting bench. Their head was buzzing with fury. They were tired.

They didn’t even get that baby plush.

Their baby…

Why was it so hard to just have their baby?

Gyro holds their head in their hands. It should be easy. It was what was expected of them.

But… not really. Not like this. They were supposed to just knock up some girl. Not fall in love with the world’s most infuriating man. 

They hate feeling like this. They were the one stuck like this. With this rage and annoyance that they never saw. Not on their father nor their mother. Not even when they were clearly upset. How did they do that? Keep everything together. Why was Gyro the only one left crumbling?

What was wrong with them?

A bus slows down by the stop. 

Gyro peeks at it through their fingers. 

Their heart pounds slow. The mindless chatter of the city ringing in their ears. No harmony. No beat to keep them at tempo.

Gyro gets up and turns around, starting to walk back down the block. They take out their headphones and start to play their newest playlist.

They were going to get their baby.

--

It was even cuter out of the box. 

All wrapped up with the pacifier in its mouth. Being held so carefully by Rocco, one of Gyro’s other bears. 

A happy family.

Gyro checks their phone. It was time to go again. They give all of the bears a goodbye pat, especially gentle with the baby before heading out.

The bus ride is typical for this time. They’re there in no time and take their usual spot by the exit of the building. There are a bunch of dogs on leashes around here. Some go into the place Johnny works. Johnny never did get that dog like he said he would.

And speaking of him, here he was. Rolling slower out of the building than normal. Work must have been a lot. He was getting up there in months. Though Gyro still doesn’t know how many.

“Oh, fuck,” Johnny grumbles, glancing from side to side.

Gyro waves at Johnny. “Don’t run.”

“I wasn’t gonna.”

“How was work?”

“Okay.” Johnny shrugs.

“You look tired.”

“It’s the baby.” Johnny yawns again. 

Good. He’s fine and the baby’s fine. “Why did you tell HP and not me?”

“Are we really doing this here?”

“Where else?”

“I just got out of work.” Johnny starts to roll.

“I waited. We have to talk about this, Johnny. You hid this from me but you had no trouble with everyone else.” Gyro follows after.

“That ain’t true. I didn’t tell HP. She figured it out a month or so ago and then she started blabbing to everyone.”

“Everyone but me.”

“You know now. What’s the big deal?”

“You weren’t ever going to tell me,” Gyro reminds him.

“I was… at some point.” Johnny slows at the bus.

“Poco was talking about raising the kid. With HP.” Gyro continues to pace. Too much restless energy to stay in place as they wait. 

“Yeah. She’s the godmom. You’re Catholic too. You know about that shit.”

Gyro shortstops. “You’re kidding me. So you’re willing to raise our kid with someone else.”

“What other choice did I have?”

“Asking me. Talking to me at all. You’d rather our baby be under your friend’s care than me. Their actual parent.”

“You’re doing it now.”

“Only because I begged you for that. Are you even serious about doing this? You promised you weren’t going to cut off the kid from me.” 

“I’m not. I swear.” 

“That’s not what Poco said.”

“Poco and HP don’t know you’re involved now. I was gonna tell HP when she was in a good mood. You know how she is about you.”

Gyro grits their teeth. “You care more about her feelings than the truth of what’s going on?”

“I wasn’t lying to either of them. We’ve only been doing this for like what? A week, maybe? Two?”

“So you haven’t spoken to HP at all in that time?”

“Only like once or something. Next time she calls I’ll tell her.”

Gyro crosses their arms. “She probably knows already.”

“Problem solved.” Johnny grimaces, looking away.

“It isn’t. What about the next time something like this happens? If something happens to you or the baby, are you gonna call HP first?”

“I don’t know.”

Gyro’s hands fall, their chest tight. “You should know. You should call me. First. Without question.”

Johnny rubs his arm. Quiet. Far too quiet. He’s somewhere else again.

“Johnny.” Gyro kneels down, grabbing Johnny’s arm. “Stop thinking. Look at the facts. The truth. I want to be involved. I can’t if you don’t let me.”

“The truth? The truth is that you gave up. On me. On us. How do I know you’re not going to give up on the kid?”

“I never gave up on you.”

“We’re not together. What do you call that?”

“That’s not giving up. I didn’t want to, Johnny.”

“But you did.”

“I had to.”

“And what are you going to have to do to our kid?”

“I don’t know…” Gyro’s head hangs. It’s exactly what they were struggling with. Exactly what they were trying to figure out. Of course, Johnny was on the same train of thought. Without even talking about it, they came to the same conclusions. The same path. Gyro squeezes Johnny’s hands. They were the only ones on this path together. So that’s what they had to work with. “I want to figure it out with you. Not alone. You’re worried about them? So am I. So keep me in check. And I can do the same for you.”

“You could fuck it up.”

“So could you.”

“...Yeah.”

“Then it's a good thing there are two of us. It’ll balance out.”

“HP’s still gonna want to be involved. Even with you there. Actually, probably even more because you’re there.”

Gyro groans. “I’ve dealt with her our entire relationship. I suppose I can survive some more years.”

“If she’ll let you.”

“It’s more like If you’ll stop her from killing me.”

Johnny glances away and takes in a small breath with a nod. 

“I can do that.”

Chapter Text

Things were so much better when Johnny was home.

Properly home. In Gyro’s place.

The penthouse wasn’t so large when he could hear those wheels. Look at the couch and see Johnny curled up like always.

Not really curled up right now though he was still on his side. He was starting to get noticeably bigger. That or Gyro was paying more attention to it.

Gyro had asked for Johnny to come over after work and to their shock, Johnny agreed. Didn’t complain or make a fuss either. Had been so pleasant that Gyro almost had to wonder if it was some kind of setup. But if it was, then Gyro would happily fall for the trap.

“You want a blanket?” Gyro leans in, kissing Johnny’s exposed neck.

“It’s too hot for that. I thought you were cooking.”

“It’s soup. It takes care of itself at this point.”

“Too damn hot for soup too. Maybe I should have gone home.”

Gyro frowns and sits on the couch, pulling Johnny up to go against their side. “I have a working AC.”

“My place isn’t that bad. It works… probably.”

“Probably?”

“I haven’t had it that long I don’t know.”

Gyro tsks. “You can’t boil our baby.”

“It probably works.” Johnny lightly pushes at Gyro’s chest. “You’re making me hot.”

“Mmm. You make me hot too.”

“Pervert,” Johnny lightly chuckles, climbing onto Gyro’s lap. Gyro can feel the weight of his belly just pressing into Gyro.

“Do you want me to stop?” Gyro teases as they put their hand under Johnny’s shirt. 

They jolt as they feel a press against their hand. But Johnny’s hands were around Gyro’s shoulders.

In fact. Johnny looked just as shocked as them at…

Gyro stares down at where their hand was.

“Did you feel that?” Johnny whispers. 

“Was that the baby?”

“Oh my fucking god.” Johnny puts a hand over his mouth, starting to tear up.

“That’s a good thing.” Gyro leans up, kissing Johnny’s cheek.

“No. You. Fucking. They’ve never moved. I thought I would have to wait even longer.”

Gyro blinks. “So this was your first?”

“Hi, baby. Aw. Are we disturbing you? Hey. This is how you got in there to begin with. Hypocritical,” Johnny teases, his voice light even as tears stream down his rosy cheeks.

Gyro rubs their thumb over the same spot. They can’t feel anything else. Just the weight of Johnny’s stomach. But they were in there. Somewhere. Aware enough to actually try and move Gyro away from squishing them.

“They’re smart,” Gyro says.

Johnny grabs Gyro’s face, suddenly peppering them with a multitude of kisses all over their face. They can hardly breathe.

But that’s just fine with them.

--

Gyro got lucky.

Johnny’s apartment was cheap. The AC worked, sure, but not nearly low or consistent enough for someone already going through hot flashes and discomfort.

So they managed to rope Johnny back into coming over again.

Perhaps even staying more than just the night.

If they were going to be raising a kid together it only made sense for Johnny to stay here, didn’t it? The guest room could easily be a nursery. And even the kid’s room as they grew.

Gyro rips open an ice pop. It was mostly fruit. Wouldn’t be too much sugar for Johnny.

Their house was loud once again. At Johnny’s insistence. He knew his way around Gyro’s record player and had another one of those 90s CDs he loves playing trashy pop.

Gyro turns into the room with Johnny’s prize, but it seems Johnny had something for them too.

Johnny had his hands under his shirt, riding them up enough to expose the underside of one of the mounds of his chest. He groans softly as he moves his hand under in what seems to be a groping motion.

Gyro gulps. It wasn’t just the summer heat getting to them anymore.

“Why are you flashing me?” They ask as they head in enough for Johnny to see them.

Johnny takes his hand out, letting his shirt drop. To Gyro’s disappointment. “It ain’t for you.”

“So you’re just squeezing your chest for fun?”

“No.” Johnny rolls his eyes. He takes the ice pop and starts to nibble on the end of it in between talking. “It’s been hurting. This shirt’s too tight.”

Tight? Oh. Johnny hasn’t binded in a long time. Could be a shirt that shrunk. They kneel down, scanning for any potential curves. Skin being hugged. They don’t even see so much as a crease. “Nah. I can barely see it.”

“Well it’s hurting. Might not be the shirt, but it’s fucking something.” Johnny takes an aggressive bite of the pop.

It’s got to be the pregnancy if it wasn’t Johnny’s dysphoria acting up. Thankfully there’s easy solutions for that. “Take it off then. We’re alone.”

Johnny’s cheeks pinken, matching the strawberry flavored pop he’s still sucking on. “Want a free show?”

“Yes.” Gyro leans in, grabbing the hem of Johnny’s shirt. “What are you being shy for? I’ve seen it plenty of times.”

Johnny squirms. He loves to call Gyro a pervert but he was so easy to rile up. Gyro really did mean just letting Johnny’s chest get the relief of the cool A/C air. But with all this movement, well of course they’re gonna start thinking about getting a little more done too. 

“Just cause you’ve seen it doesn’t mean anything. I’m not just going around with my chest out in private,” Johnny says.

That was true. Gyro can remember even back when they were properly living together, Johnny always wore a shirt even during the hotter months. Even though Johnny has a small chest. Gyro rolls the fabric in their hands. “You could get surgery, you know. Be able to have it off in public too.”

“No. Shit’s expensive and I don’t mind them. Only now.” Johnny rolls his shoulders. His brows crease together.

“So shirt off.” Gyro says with finality as they pull his shirt up.

Thankfully Johnny doesn’t argue anymore. He lifts up his arms and lets Gyro take the shirt off. 

Johnny sighs, leaning back on the couch. Sweat had collected against his chest and now it was starting to spill down the mound.

Huh. It was different.

Not bigger but certainly more voluminous. Fuller.

Matched his distended belly. And that had to be the culprit right there. His body was getting ready to feed their child. 

“Has it started leaking?” Gyro asks.

“What? My chest?” To Gyro’s nod he answers with a shake of his head. “Chest has been sore on and off since the beginning. Just fucking painful now.”

“You’re sweating a lot.” Gyro reaches over, swiping under the mound at some of the collected sweat.

Johnny's eyes flutter closed. “Mhm.”

Wow. They lick off their thumb. Doesn’t taste like much of anything. Shame. That reaction though meant there was something Gyro could do to help. They get back up and head to the kitchen, wetting one of the hand towels with cold water. 

Johnny’s done with the ice pop when they come back. Idly chewing on the plastic as he rubs at his shoulder with the other hand. “What’s that?”

“Towel.” Gyro kneels down again.

“No shit.”

“You asked.” Gyro shrugs and leans in, swiping the towel between the mounds of Johnny’s chest. Now that their hand was over it they’re sure there was a change. Johnny always had a rather flat chest. Now there was volume pressing back. A fuller cupping.

Johnny shivers. “What are you doing?”

“I think it’s rather obvious.” Gyro continues to swipe under one of the mounds, pressing up into the flesh to really make sure there’s no sweat left over.

“Gyro,” Johnny whimpers, hand scrunching in the air.

Oh ? 

That was a reaction they’ve never gotten from touching Johnny here before. Gyro heard pregnancy made people sensitive.

How sensitive?

Gyro swipes across Johnny’s chest, repeating the same motion under the other mound.

Johnny drops the plastic leftover on the couch with a gasp.

Gyro wipes up the mound, pressing in as they do.

“Hey, hey,” Johny pants.

“Does it still hurt?”

Johnny squints at them, face a bright pink. “Yeah.”

Odd. So he was still sore even with the sensitivity. Maybe Gyro wasn’t getting deep enough. There was only so much a towel and their hand could do.

Ah. Of course. It was so simple.

Gyro tosses the towel aside. Johnny was free from the collected sweat on his chest but Gyro’s duties were far from over.

“What are you up to?” Johnny asks.

Gyro beams at him. “Guess.”

They lean in, grabbing Johnny’s hip to keep Johnny still as they lick over the bud of Johnny’s chest. Just as they suspected it was stiff as a rock.

“Oh, fuck,” Johnny whimpers.

Not quite. They chuckle to themselves. That’s a good gag. They should tell Johnny. Too bad their mouth was occupied. They suck on the nipple, coaxing it with the tip of their tongue.

“Knew you were being a fucking—fucking pervert.”

“Not at all.” Gyro says as they break off. They move over to the other side of Johnny’s chest, teasing at the nipple with their teeth.

Johnny moans, high-pitched. Gripping Gyro’s hair in a vice grip. “You’ve never paid this much attention to my chest.”

“I don’t care about it,” Gyro hums, turning their head to bite at the fullness of the mound. “I’m helping you.”

Johnny curses under his breath, twisting his hand, yanking at Gyro’s hair. The tingles on Gyro’s scalp match the tingles they’re feeling in their gut. They were really doing so little and Johnny was already collapsing in on himself. He really needed this. Gyro lifts their hand, taking the other half of Johnny’s chest in hand to squeeze.

“Gyro, Gyro,” Johnny chants, his thighs twitching but not able to do much more than that.

They’ll deal with the rest of Johnny later. 

Right now they focus on pressing kisses to the mound. It was still slightly chilled from the cool towel. Made goosebumps on his skin that Gyro can taste against the ridges of their tongue. 

They wish Johnny had a taste. More than just the sweat of skin and the summer heat. Then again maybe it was a good thing Johnny just tasted as human as anyone else. If he were any more unique, any more tempting, Gyro would never be able to control themself.

They already want to go wild now. Watching Johnny squirm and moan and beg. They want to pin Johnny down to the couch. Rip off those little shorts. Fuck him till their hips couldn't move. Fill him with their love.

That wouldn’t help Johnny’s problem. This did. As Gyro took the mound almost entirely into their mouth. They used to be able to take it whole with no problem. Was it just fat or milk? 

Johnny’s chest was slick with sweat again. Even Gyro’s swiping over it with their hand didn’t do much. Not with their saliva sticking to the skin. 

Gyro hums, taking Johnny’s nipple between their fingers and tugging, encouraging the bud over and over.

They finally get the response they’re looking for as a golden secretion spills from the bud. It collects over Gyro’s finger, so Gyro sticks it right into their mouth.

It’s sweet. Far more sweet than cow’s milk. It has a similar liquid texture. Though it's thicker. It’s like milk mixed with honey. A bit of a nutty hint too. Better than the brand Gyro loves.

“You’re so gross.” Johnny hisses, face red and hand trembling over his lips.

“This is completely natural. How else do you expect to feed our child?”

“ You’re not a baby.”

“They don’t need it yet.” Gyro rubs Johnny’s stomach. They were getting plenty of what they needed from Johnny in there. “How’s it now? Still sore?”

Johnny glances away and back. “Y-yeah. Really. Really sore.”

Huh. This should have helped. But there was clearly milk in there. Perhaps it was so much it was causing the stress. That was an easy fix.

Gyro descends on Johnny’s chest, sucking at the nipple until the liquid starts to seep over their tongue.

Johnny puts both hands over his mouth. It barely muffles his moan. Though the fact that he’s muffling at all is ridiculous. This is their place. No one but the two of them live here. 

“That’s better,” Gyro states. Not an ask. That reaction was proof. They can still taste it over their tongue even though they swallowed down what was there. It wasn’t very much from what they could tell. They press into the underside of the mound, jiggling it up and down. Perhaps a bit less full now.

“Don’t play around.” Johnny curls his fingers so his words could be heard.

“Don’t muffle yourself. We’re alone.” Gyro puts both hands over Johnny’s chest, massaging at the mound. They focus on pressing up towards the nipples to coax whatever was stuck out.

“It’s fucking—god—”

“Name’s Gyro, actually, nyoho,” they chuckle. Man, that was perfect. Johnny would appreciate it more if he wasn’t devolving into whines.

Gyro could see even more than they could hear. Even with Johnny’s belly in the way their wet crotch was rather obvious. He had soaked through his shorts. Might even stain the couch if Gyro wasn’t careful. They like this couch. Don’t want to replace it.

Gyro lets go of Johnny’s chest, tugging him by the legs so he falls onto Gyro. Gyro’s knelt so he’s able to catch Johnny, letting Johnny’s legs fall around Gyro’s hips while his exposed chest is right by Gyro’s face.

“Ah. Fucker,” Johnny pants, gripping Gyro’s head. “Didn’t even warn me.”

“The couch,” Gyro explains and gets back to their work. They bite into the mound. Their massaging must have had an effect. The golden liquid seeps even more readily into their mouth, now coating it in that unique taste.

A taste that was Johnny’s alone. And only for Gyro to enjoy. At least for now.

“God god. I’m. Gonna,” Johnny whimpers. He’s grinding down against Gyro. At least Gyro’s clothes can be washed easily.

“Go on.” Gyro moves to the other breast, lapping up the mound and tracing over the bud with their tongue. The bumpy area by Johnny’s nipples was bigger now. A bit darker. So much was changing. So much to rediscover. Like making love to him for the first time all over again.

“Gyro,” Johnny sobs as he comes. 

Johnny's hips jerk and grind against Gyro. Gyro rubs his sides as he feels every jerk. All the grinds and all the gasps of Johnny's tears. Their pants were wet as well now. Johnny was still whimpering, eyes fluttering.

He was so handsome.

Even more so as Gyro draws circles over Johnny's nipple with his tongue. Watches Johnny squirm and fidget.

He's so red now. From his tear-stained eyes to his plump lips. 

Johnny weakly tugs at Gyro’s head. He has so much strength, but when he comes, he completely collapses in on himself. Not able to do a thing while Gyro can continue to tease and play. So soft and pliant like this.

Gyro moves to the other breast, taking the full mound in their mouth. So it was overly full after all.

They suck until Johnny grips Gyros shoulders and pushes at them.

“You bully,” Johnny sniffles.

“Still sore?”

“No.” Johnny wipes at his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Good.” Gyro pats Johnny's side. “Now if it happens again you can just tell me and we’ll do this again.”

“Is that really for my benefit?” Johnny squints down at Gyro. “Or yours?”

Gyro beams at him, reaching down to press their fingers into Johnny’s ruined shorts. 

“I’d say you benefit twice, amore.”

--

Johnny still found excuses to weasel away. Didn't want to stay when Gyro was gone for work. And if Gyro didn't pick him up, he usually didn't want to bother coming over.

What else could Gyro do? 

They had to get Johnny themself. 

Neither of them had work today so Johnny would try to hole up inside. Gyro couldn't let that happen. They could go out. Sun and fresh air was good for Johnny and the baby. And then they could take Johnny back home.

They've made this trek plenty of times. So much so that they don't pay attention. They should have.

They would have spotted her much sooner. Now he was stuck only a couple of feet away from HP.

This was Johnny's place. What was she doing here?

She spots them and returns the scowl. “What are you doing here?” 

“I could ask you the same thing. Don't you have a boyfriend to be torturing instead of Johnny?”

“I was invited here. Unlike you.”

What? “For what?”

“Taking care of Johnny. Sorry. I know that's a foreign concept for you, asshole.”

“Is he hurt?”

“Why? You want to make it worse like usual?”

“Ugh. Stupid woman.” Gyro takes out his phone, calling up Johnny.

“He's fine but he'll be better if you turn around and leave.”

At least he's okay. 

“Yeah?” Comes Johnny's tinny voice from the phone. 

“You have a pest problem,” Gyro says to Johnny.

“You're the pest.” HP switches to Italian with her shout. 

“What was that?” Johnny asks.

“A banshee.”

“Don't you call me names, you demon. Get out before I call a priest on you.” HP continues to shout in Italian. 

“That sounds like HP,” Johnny says. “Is she here already?”

“So you two are colluding.” Gyro frowns. “Why didn't you call me?”

“Because you make everything worse,” HP huffs, back to English.

“You're lowering the quality of the air around here with your breathing,” Gyro says back to her in Italian. 

“Oh my god,” Johnny groans over the phone. “Can you two behave for once?”

Gyro looks up to see Johnny peering down at them with a scowl. Besides the scowl he looks good. Really nice actually. Must have showered recently. How come he's showering for HP? 

“I came to see you.” Gyro waves up at him.

Johnny scoffs, eyes squinted in a smile. He waves back. “What for?”

“I like seeing you.”

“Gag,” HP says.

“Get your gossip elsewhere,” Gyro snaps at her in Italian.

“Don't do that. I'm coming down. You behave or I'm making both of you leave.”

Gyro whines but doesn't get a chance to plead against that as Johnny hangs up and rolls away from the window.

Gyro shoves their phone back into their pants. “You scared him.”

“I think your face does that already.” HP crosses her arms.

“Where are you two going?”

“Hospital.”

Gyro glances back up to Johnny's window. Johnny looked just fine. And HP even said he's fine. Wait. “Is the baby alright?”

“That's what we're checking.”

“ We ? It's not your child. Don't tell me Johnny sold our firstborn off to a witch.”

“I've actually been taking Johnny this whole time. What have you been doing? Oh right. Nothing. Like usual.”

Gyro grinds their teeth. “Johnny told you I'm involved now, didn't he?”

“Which is a mistake.”

“Him continuing to associate with you is a mistake.”

“You don't even know that today's his monthly appointment.”

“Johnny didn't tell me that.”

“Yeah. Wonder why?”

“I said cool it, you two.” Johnny sighs, rolling out of the apartment. 

“Why didn't you tell me about the baby's appointment?” Gyro asks.

Johnny raises his hands. “Don't look at me. I forgot. HP called me like 20 minutes ago to remind me.”

“And thank the Lord that I did. You know you're almost in your third trimester. It's even more important to go to these,” HP says.

“I was gonna call you on the way,” Johnny continues.

“Why not just go with me?” Gyro asks.

“HP was already on her way.”

“And we can't continue to stand around here and chat. If he's late they could push his appointment back for hours. If not days,”  HP says.

“I'll take you. You shouldn't even be going to whoever this is. I told you I work with a much better practitioner,” Gyro says. “Dr. Ferdinand specializes in queer health. What about this guy?”

“I haven't gotten any trouble from there.”

“There's more trouble than just calling you the wrong pronouns. You have a different hormonal system. Different body. Is he accounting for any of that?”

“I already made all the appointments. The less I deal with it the better.”

“That's not safe for either of you.” Gyro gestures to Johnny's belly and him. He turns to HP. “I'm going. I need to talk to this doctor.”

“Don't get Johnny kicked out because you're petty.” HP puts her hands on her hips.

“Unlike you, I know something about professionalism.”

“Thanks for coming, HP, but Gyro does have a point. They know how to deal with these pricks,” Johnny says.

“Because they're a prick.” HP scoffs.

“Exactly. I'll call you after.”

“If they try anything you call me.” HP comes over and gives Johnny a hug. “I want pictures of my goddaughter too.”

“We're having a girl?” Gyro asks.

“No. HP’s hoping it is. I don't wanna know the gender. Honestly, with us both being like this, I doubt whatever they're born as is gonna matter.”

“All the mothers I spoke to told me the same thing. Definitely a girl.” HP nods.

“Sure,” Johnny huffs in amusement. “Have a safe drive.”

“Hold on. Gyro doesn't drive.”

“I can. I just don't prefer it,” Gyro argues.

“So you prefer Johnny being late?”

“I can call us a driver.”

“That's ridiculous, I should just take him. I already have my car. Unlike you.”

“He already agreed to—”

“I forgot about the car too…” Johnny mutters quietly.

“Johnny,” Gyro whines.

“HP can you just drop us both off? I'll pay for gas.”

“If you let me drop them off on the highway, I'll do it for free,” HP says.

Johnny sighs, rubbing his face. “I'll pay.”

Chapter Text

If there was one thing Gyro could say, it was that the hospital was clean.

Pretty standard from the many Gyro’s seen and trained in.

An annoying TV was in the waiting room. Playing news. Terrible to have. Only stressed out patients more. Gyro’s clinic was proper. There were real things. Magazines. Newspapers. A couple of physical objects for their younger patients. 

Johnny’s hand squeezes Gyro’s. Johnny was staring at his feet. Distant again. 

This is exactly what Gyro’s talking about. All these damn big hospitals with their bloated budgets. Never paying attention to what mattered.

“Carino,” Gyro whispers, moving Johnny's hair behind his ear. “You need to go outside?”

“No. Don't wanna miss it.” Johnny speaks short and stiff. 

“Maybe that's for the best. This place isn't very good.”

“Wanna get it over with.”

Gyro rubs their thumb over Johnny's hand. “Going slower is fine if you're actually comfortable.”

“Ain't gonna be comfortable at your clinic.”

Johnny's just guessing that. He's never been in. Gyro knows everything about their clinic. They could easily do exactly what they needed to get Johnny calm and relaxed inside.

Though… they’d have to deal with their co-workers actually meeting Johnny. Knowing Johnny. Knowing Johnny was pregnant and Gyro was responsible for it. Gyro was running it but Gregorio was still the owner. They could trust Ferdinand, but the rest? What if they told Gregorio?

Shit. 

“Jonathan,” calls out a nurse.

Gyro glances over. “That's us.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Johnny takes his hand away to start rolling. Gyro follows.

“Um—”

Gyro doesn't let her start. “I'm the other parent. Johnny's already given permission that I can be at his appointments.”

“Yeah, what they said,” Johnny grumbles.

The nurse glances between them but continues to lead them in.

She does the typical. Checking vitals. Measuring weight. Then heads out to get the real doctor.

Gyro rubs Johnny’s arm. The nurse was rather rough. Didn't even go through the usual checklist that Gyro expected of their own nurses. But they were general practice. This was specialized. Still, there's no excuse for the roughness.

“Don't feel me up in the doctor's office,” Johnny mutters, cheeks dusted with pink.

“I wasn't.” But now that Johnny says it, Gyro sure wants to be. They put their hand over Johnny's chest. “There's been no soreness, right?”

“Stop. The doctor has to be down there. They're gonna know.” Johnny bats Gyro’s hand off.

“Nyo. You're that excited already?”

“Stop talking like that.” Johnny pulls at the hem of his shirt.

Gyro laughs harder. Even talking was too much?

Knock knock 

“Come in,” Johnny shouts. His cheeks are still pink. Ah, if only they were both alone.

Now they had to put on their doctor face. It's a good thing they were focusing on that. They're not betrayed by their emotions when a woman comes in through the door.

“Hello again, Johnny,” she greets. “How are you and the baby doing?”

“Fine.”

She looks at Gyro now. “And this is the…?”

“Parent. As we informed your nurse.” Gyro says sharply, straightening up with a fake smile. “I'm a doctor myself. Doctor Zeppeli. I practice with general medicine but I do work closely with an obstetrician. And I will be following up with him after this.”

“Gyro,” Johnny whisper-shouts at him. What? Gyro was being totally pleasant. They could give this broad far less grace. 

“Ah, it's not often I see another doctor in these rooms.”

“I wonder why.”

“I'm sorry. They're chatty.” Johnny grabs Gyro’s arm and squeezes it. “I'd like to deal with the baby first, please.”

“Yes, of course. So, how have your symptoms been lately?”

“Fine.”

“Great.”

Great? That was it? No follow-up? Johnny couldn't have given less of an answer if he tried.

“No need for an ultrasound today. You're in the clear for the next two months. But we will be needing to get some blood work done.” She turns to a computer and Gyro recognizes the program. She's putting in the order for tests.

Johnny sighs in relief. It would be cute if this whole affair wasn't so concerning. 

“Is this how you typically do a follow-up?” Gyro asks.

Johnny taps Gyro with the back of his hand and raises them in a clear “what the fuck” kind of motion.

What? Gyro didn't even do anything. 

“At this stage, it is a lot of going through the motions. Which is a good thing. Seeing me less means there's less going wrong.” The doctor continues to type, not even bothering to look at them. 

“I'm sure Johnny hasn't informed you, but he's not a fan of my profession and your study. So he will actively try to see you as little as possible, even if it's at his own detriment.” 

“That's not true,” Johnny lies.

“That's why monthly checkups like these are important. To catch anything he or I could miss.” She nods to Gyro, done with the computer. She looks at Johnny. “The nurse will come in to do that, and then you're free to go. Now's a great time to start looking for a pediatrician for the little one. I do know a few if you need any recommendations.”

“I know many. We can deal with that ourselves,” Gyro says.

“Wonderful. If you need something from me for insurance's sake, be sure to let me know. If you have any questions, you know how to reach me. Nice to see you again, Johnny. And a pleasure to meet you, doctor.”

Gyro just nods back with a fake smile. They couldn't say the same.

The doctor leaves.

Unbelievable. That was barely an appointment at all. Gyro could have done that. Hell, even Johnny could have done that. They were really giving out degrees to anyone nowadays.

“Stop being a jerk,” Johnny hisses at Gyro.

“Me? Your so-called doctor is wildly irresponsible.”

“No, you're just being an asshole cause she's a chick.”

“I was polite. Why are you coming here? Did HP recommend it?”

“Obviously not—when the hell is she going to use an OBGYN?”

“Exactly why I think it'd be her recommendation.” Gyro scoffs.

“My doctor’s fine. If she was a guy, would you see anything wrong with what he did?”

“Of course.”

“You're full of shit.”

“She didn't ask you any follow-ups and she didn't even examine you.”

“You heard her. There's no ultrasound. What the hell is she gonna do?”

“I don't know, her job?” 

“Oh my god,” Johnny groans. “I'm not bringing you next time if you're gonna keep that up.”

“You shouldn't come here next time.”

“I'm already so late into it. If I go somewhere else I have to do all this bullshit all over again. No ultrasounds and no touching is perfect to me.”

“You're not the only one at stake here.”

“Fine, ask your doctor buddy. If it's that atrocious, I'll go, but if not, you need to keep your mouth shut at the next appointment.”

“She only spoke as much as she did because I spoke to her. What would the next one even be? Hi Johnny? Bye Johnny?”

Johnny huffs in amusement and shakes his head. “I'm making you wait outside next time.”

--

Gyro got to the lunch area as soon as they could, but even that felt like they were running late. 

Like usual, work had been busy. Gyro can't even remember a time when it wasn't. Gyro had been seeing a lot of outpatients. Word of mouth travels far too fast, and there were many walk-ins that they had to cram into an already crowded schedule.

Thankfully, they spot who they need to and make their way over.

“Doctor Ferdinand.”

“Ah, Zeppeli. I was worried you were having lunch in your office today.”

“I wish.” Gyro scoffs. Wait, they’re getting sidetracked. “I'd like to have lunch with you. I have a question of medical curiosity.”

“And here I was hoping to not have to think about anything medical for the next hour.”

“I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary.”

“I'm sure of that. Fine. I've already got my meal. You get your own.”

Gyro hurries off to do that before they come back. They offer a muffin to Ferdinand. “Consider it payment.”

“I'll take it as long as it's not banana.” Ferdinand grabs it anyway.

“Blueberry,” Gyro tells him, just in case. “So. Let's say you're seeing a patient. Pregnant and several months in. What would an appointment like that look like?”

“It depends how far along it is,” Ferdinand says between bites.

“24 weeks.”

“Oh. That's third trimester. Best to rehash all the same bloodwork from the beginning. Do an examination. Rather typical appointment, though you do have to know what the parent is planning at that point for their eventual birth care. You'll be amazed at how many patients don't inform you they're using a doula until they're a week away from the due date.”

That sounds similar. “No ultrasound?”

“It's unnecessary. If the patient was actually keeping up to date, then our previous appointment would have been the anatomy scan.”

“Hmmmm.”

“I'd rather not think any more on the subject, but this is an unusual question for you. Having a difficult patient?”

“Something like that.” 

“I can take in a referral. Though at this point it's very late to change your doctor. Getting all the records in order is a headache.” 

“Patient said the same thing.”

Ferdinand scoffs in amusement. “At least they respect our wasted time. More than I can say for most of them.”

Ugh. This means they'd have to see that woman again. “You typically perform the deliveries, don't you?”

“I used to when I worked at the hospital. Since working here, I have to coordinate with them. I've also received less pregnancies in general since the switch.” 

“If a patient specifically requested you would you come?”

“I'd hate to go through all the trouble, but yes. Though that can really only be guaranteed with inductions. A delivery will not wait for anyone.”

That was something to keep in mind. “Alright. No more medical talk.”

“Thank god.” Ferdinand sighs. “Your payment was too tart to go on with that any longer.”

“I'm pretty sure I picked up a muffin, not a tart, nyoho.”

“Zeppeli.” Ferdinand scoffs. “This reminds me. Things are going well with your man?”

“Shockingly, yes. The heat's been a good excuse to have him over.”

“Also, a good time to go out. Enjoy the weekend at a beach or resort or anywhere better than a dreary clinic.”

“Exactly.”

“Are you going to be taking your vacation days soon?”

Gyro rubs their chin. They should save those for the baby, shouldn't they? But they have to get paternity leave. But if they file that, then Gregorio will definitely be informed. Fuck. “I think I have to wait.”

“Coordinating with the boyfriend?”

“Sort of.”

“Well, I'm taking mine before it gets even hotter. If I’m going to be sweating and miserable anywhere, I'd rather do it in peace.”

“Are you leaving for somewhere cooler then?”

“If I can find somewhere that isn't already crowded with tourists.”

“You'll be a tourist too.”

“Exactly why I want to avoid them.”

Chapter Text

It was like a dream. Or more accurately, like everything that came before was a horrible nightmare. Months of suffering. Of pain.

It was all over now.

Johnny’s life was finally how it should be. He woke up often in Gyro’s arms. Talked with them nearly every day. They shared time doing nothing. Doing everything.

And despite how it felt, it was real.

Gyro had proven that time and time again. Johnny had never seen them like this. Fretting so closely over Johnny. Barely letting Johnny do anything as long as they were around. Pampering Johnny with massages and kisses and gentle touches that had Johnny melting.

Gyro claimed it was all for the baby, but Johnny could see the whole truth of it. 

They wanted this relationship. Wanted to be with Johnny. Wanted to work for that. Actually fight for that for once. The way Gyro got so agitated when Johnny even mistakenly called for someone else showed that. The way they kept complaining about Johnny’s doctor despite seeing her once. Kept trying to nudge Johnny this way or that. 

Johnny knew he could do it on his own. But with Gyro around he didn't need to. Didn't need to do more than kick up his feet.

“You need to stay elevated,” Gyro tsks as they rub up Johnny's calf. Johnny can't feel it but they can tell from the movement how insistent Gyro was being. 

“Alright, hun,” Johnny says again. He made the mistake of having his feet on the floor rather than using the couch's cushion. A mistake which Gyro was apparently correcting as they had Johnny's legs up by their shoulders and massaged them.

Johnny really can't tell the difference. But he's sure not gonna stop Gyro.

“Even using your chair for some support is better,” Gyro continues to rant.

“I'll do that next time.”

“No, put it up on the couch. That way you can lay on your side. You already spend far too much time sitting down. All that extra pressure on your pelvis is detrimental.”

“Your doctor buddy tell you that?”

“It's common knowledge.”

“Yeah, to nerds.”

“Just stay on your side, please. If you feel unsupported I can get you pillows. Actually, we should buy some. Have to keep the bedroom clean so your skin doesn't get agitated.”

“Right.”

“Okay, there.” Gyro sets Johnny's feet back down on the couch. They get off and move him onto his side.

“So much better, honey,” he drawls sarcastically. 

Gyro puffs up in pride as they stand up. “It's a rather simple process. You could do it yourself if your stomach wasn't in the way.”

God, they're cute. Johnny makes grabby hands until they come close so Johnny can kiss them. “Thank you.”

“Don't thank me. It's my duty.” Gyro puts their hand over Johnny's stomach. “How are they doing?”

“Awake,” Johnny says. It's hard to explain. He found out their movements. Their rhythm. He can tell when they're rolling around or shifting from side to side. But it's still cloudy and vague. He's so sure of when they're asleep and resting peacefully but he doesn't have any real evidence for it beyond just knowing it. Right now he can feel them pressing against Johnny and he can infer the rest from that. “Trying to get to you.”

“You'll have to wait a while longer, bambino.” Gyro cooes, rubbing over Johnny's stomach.

“Can you feel them too?”

“A little.”

Johnny puts his hand over Gyro’s. “Are you saying hi to…? Say. What's the kid gonna call you?”

“They can't speak.”

“Eventually they're gonna. They can hear you now. Hear me too. I always tell them I'm their daddy.”

“Oh, they can call me Capo.”

Johnny's shocked to hear there's a neutral term. Honestly, he doesn't even know what that would be in English. Parent was just too formal. But ma and pa were gendered. “Is that like parent or mom or what?”

“It means boss.” Gyro laughs.

“Gyro,” Johnny groans and takes his hand off to push at Gyro’s smiling face. “Stop fooling around. I am not going to be one of those parents that has the kids calling us by name. That's weird.”

“Hmm, yeah I can't see them calling me Gyro.”

“What can you see them using?”

Gyro taps their fingers rhymically against Johnny. Baby must like it since they start pushing even more. Either that or they're telling Gyro to stop knocking at their door. “Babbo.”

“And what's that mean?”

“Technically it's dad but it's pretty much never used outside of Tuscany.”

“That where you're from?”

“No.” Gyro shakes their head with disappointment. “Naples. I've told you this.”

“What's the difference?”

“One’s north and one’s south. But that's why I like it. No one back home would call me that. So it feels nice that's what they would use. Just a word for us.”

Johnny softens. “Okay. Babbo then.”

Gyro laughs and starts cooing in Italian to Johnny's stomach. They speak far too fast for Johnny to even catch a word of it.

“Hey, hey, hey. No Italian.”

“Yes, Italian. You said it yourself they can hear. Now's the best time for them to learn.”

“I can't understand a lick of it. I'm not gonna be outnumbered in my own home.”

“You could learn too. I've offered plenty of times.”

“Yeah you offer. Then all you teach me is how to say is baciami and scopami.”

“Well if you insist.” Gyro leans in until Johnny stops them with a hand to the face. 

“Vattene.”

“Oh, so you remember that one.” Gyro laughs and stands up. “You're supposed to use that on other people flirting with you though.”

“You don't even let anyone get close enough to flirt.”

“People shout their flirts nowadays. I've seen it outside countless times,” Gyro shouts as they leave for the kitchen.

“That's harassment, hun.”

“Ah, that's what the jealous girls tell you.”

Johnny rolls his eyes. Such a prick.

But they're his prick.

--

Gyro was doing it again. Trying to trick Johnny into staying over. They're really not slick. 

They knew Johnny couldn't resist the allure of dessert. And they knew Johnny got tired easily especially after a good meal.

Now they were offering a “nap” on their bed. Like Johnny didn't know any better.

Honestly, Johnny would have caved but Gyro works early tomorrow. The last thing he wants is to wake up here alone. 

“Call me after work,” Johnny offers instead.

“That's tomorrow. You can rest now.”

“It'll be tomorrow if I rest now.”

“Aw, you're that tired? Even more reason to stick around. Traveling like this while you're tired is a bad idea.”

Johnny scoffs. “You've got work tomorrow. You won't even see me that long.”

“I'll be with you all night.”

“While you're sleeping. Ain't aware.”

“I am.”

“Yeah right.” Johnny shakes his head. “Call me. I'll answer.”

“What about your work? You get out earlier than me.”

“What about it?”

“Where are you going after?”

“Home.”

“No you're not.” Gyro sinks into their shoulders.

“I am. Got nothing better to do.”

“So you should come here.”

“And do what exactly? You're not gonna be out for like an hour or something.”

“Your space is small.”

“It's fine,” Johnny yawns. Damn he was getting tired. 

Gyro kicks their foot. “I don't want you to go.”

“I can tell that.” Johnny scoffs. He rolls over to where Gyros seated on the edge of their bed. He kisses Gyro.

Gyro leans into it. Places their arms around Johnny. Johnny can see where it's going. He puts his hand firmly over Gyro’s shoulder.

“Gyro.”

“I hate waking up alone,” Gyro mutters. It's almost a whisper. Like they're talking to themselves even with how deeply they're staring into Johnny's eyes. 

“So you want me to do it?”

“I'll wake you up.”

“I'll have to go back to my apartment after anyway. I'll see you after work.”

“Not soon enough.”

“Can't be any sooner.”

“But it can.” Gyro’s hands move up, taking Johnny's hands. They press their forehead to Johnny's. “Stay.”

“I can't.”

“You can. You should be here.”

“Gyro,” Johnny sighs.

“Tonight. Every night.” Gyro squeezes Johnny's hands. “Every morning. It's too empty here.”

Johnny's eyes widen. It's achingly familiar. 

“Johnny. You need to stay. The baby, too. We've got the other bedroom. And you know where everything is here. It'd be so easy. You've lived here. Live here again. I miss you. I need you here.”

This was much bigger than just a night.

This was it. This was Gyro committing back. The final step. The only thing left separating them. Finally back to how things were.

Johnny's eyes water. His vision of Gyro fogs. But even with that, Gyro doesn't let go. Doesn't stop looking at him. Holding their breath. 

"I missed you too," Johnny chokes out.

Gyro says the rest for him as they kiss Johnny. 

Johnny wraps his arms around them. Lets them pick him up and pull Johnny into their bed.

Theirs.

Plural.

--

It's an odd feeling. 

Moving back to where he came from.

There was so little he had. It was so easy to pack it all up in boxes.

Boxes that Johnny was now staring at. Couldn't do more than stare at thanks to Gyro’s insistence. Gyro didn't even want him to pack up to begin with. But Johnny wasn't just going to sit around and do nothing.

He had already told the landlord he was moving out. Bastard didn't get back to him yet. Trying to avoid giving Johnny’s rent back no doubt.

Well. He's got nothing to do for the rest of the day. Gyro was working until late and Johnny had packed up quickly.

Oh. He did have someone else he could call up. 

Johnny holds his phone to his ear, rubbing his belly as he waits. Baby was awake again.

Shifting and pressing. At least they weren't kicking again. There was a bad one two nights ago that left him sore the whole day. 

“Calling me to say you changed your mind?” HP asks.

“No.”

“Yeah, figures,” HP sighs.

Johnny scoffs with a smile.

His landlord wasn't the only person he told about the move back. Not even the first. Johnny had woken up that morning and one of the first things he did was call HP.

It was a good thing Gyro had already left.

HP had spent an hour just badmouthing them and talking about how going back to Gyro was a huge mistake. Months ago he would have agreed. Now it just makes him laugh.

“You busy today? Figured we could get some brunch.”

“Yeah, we're busy,” Poco shouts.

Poco?

“Am I interrupting something?” Johnny implies.

“Not that kind of busy. Unless…”

HP groans loud enough to be heard over the phone. “Stop encouraging him.”

“You two got a hot date?”

“Hot’s right,” Poco shouts.

“Go get ready,” HP snaps but she's clearly not mad. Especially since Poco continues undeterred.

“Make sure you're staying cool, man. It's real sunny today.” Poco sounds more distant with his shouts.

“Thanks, Poco,” Johnny says.

“Hold on. That's an idea,” HP mutters.

“I have the A/C on.”

“You could come with us.”

“I ain't messing with your date.” Johnny waves a hand despite her not able to see it.

“It's not a date. We're just going to a pool nearby. Poco got a membership there recently.”

Now that was something to do. Johnny couldn't swim but chilling by the water was far better than staring at the walls here in his apartment. “You two don't mind?”

“Poco just wants to go. It's got a dog pool there so we're not the only two going anyway.”

“A dog pool? Now I have to go.”

“I'll tell Poco. You get ready. Love you, see you soon.”

“See ya.” Johnny hangs up. 

Great. Now he had something to do. He just needed to pack some sunscreen. Get changed.

He stares down at the boxes.

The boxes that had all his clothes. All his supplies. All his creams.

Fuck.

Chapter Text

Johnny always loved the summer.

The warm weather. The beautiful scenery. The buzzing insects. Even the glaring sun.

A sun which he couldn't so much as feel right now.

He was done up in a hefty slathering of sunscreen. Under two umbrellas. Wearing shades too.

But he was still enjoying the summer. 

Still laid out on a pool chair. On his side thanks to Poco moving the chair so he could face the pool.

He'd get the occasional spray of the nearby splashing water. Enough to keep him cool. That and the case of water he had nearby at HP’s insistence.

“There is the shallow section. We could have you stand there for a few minutes later,” HP says to him, sipping on a juice made by the staff here.

“A few minutes?”

“Just cause it's not chlorine doesn't mean you can be in there for long. You'll burn.”

“You sound like Gyro.” 

HP groans. “Don't remind me about them.”

Johnny huffs in amusement. 

A pup runs by, stopping by Johnny to sniff at him. Johnny offers a hand and pets the pup before they get called over by their owner. The pet pool was separate from the human pool but naturally people moved back and forth pretty often and brought their dogs along with them.

That reminds him. “Where’s Poco?”

“Oh he ran off with Heyya.” HP waves a hand.

“You don’t want to be hanging with him instead?”

“I don’t need to be all over him. I like my own free time too. And Poco likes to socialize.” HP shakes her empty drink, clinking the ice left inside. “I’m going to toss this out. You want to take a dip when I come back?”

“Hell yeah. Just leave me in there.”

“Absolutely not,” HP scoffs and heads off.

Johnny closes his eyes with a sigh. The bustle was relaxing. The sound of laughter and feet pattering and chatter. Faint music on nearby speakers. He’s got to do this again. Maybe invite Gyro along too. Gyro would hate all the people but they could huddle in a corner together and judge everyone. They’d love that.

“Jojo!”

“Poco.” Johnny opens an eye. “You just missed HP.”

“I ain’t coming here for her.” Poco laughs. He’s still dripping wet. Heyya is by his feet shaking with both water and excitement. Despite not seeming to get really any training at all, the dog was very well behaved. Really matched Poco’s personality.

Damn. Johnny never got a dog. He ranted to Gyro in one of their many fights after the breakup that he would. He even looked at a foster place nearby.

Ended up crying too much thinking about Gyro not being there to complain about the dog. And then he just sort of forgot about it after then.

“You’re so small still,” Poco says as he grabs one of the towels they brought and rubs his face dry. 

“It’s just the way I’m laying.” Johnny pushes up so he can sit up. He pulls the muscle tee he was wearing closer to his body too so Poco could see the bump.

Poco whistles. “Could have fooled me.”

“It’s better. I don’t need a bunch of people crowding me with their congratulations and can I touch the bump and shit.” Johnny rolls his eyes and adjusts himself to lay back on his side.

Heyya jumps up on the chair, sniffing Johnny’s stomach.

“Dude, off.” Poco snaps hastily until Heyya looks at him with a cocked head. “Sorry. He doesn’t usually do that.”

“Swimming’s a lot for a little dog like him. He might just want a break.”

“You can rest here, man.” Poco sits at a chair close by. Heyya yips and jumps over, shaking more and getting Poco wet again. 

“I can watch him. You know I work with dogs. One pup’s nothing.”

“Nah. I need a break too,” Poco rubs Heyya all over, making Heyya wiggle before he curls up on Poco’s lap. “Speaking of bumps, how’s my niece?”

"Don't you mean goddaughter?"

"I ain't the goddad."

"What? But you and HP are—" he gestures. "Together."

"Goddad and godmom aren't together typically. It's usually two different families. That way if something happens to one you've got the other to fall on."

"Jesus Christ."

Poco laughs. "Yeah, I don't know if he set up the system."

"Wait. Why uncle? HP's still the godmom. Wouldn't you be like step-goddad or something?"

"Shit… I don't know."

"Guess we need Jesus after all."

Poco bursts out into laughter. "Oh shit. That's pretty funny.”

“Look who found his way back,” HP says as she comes over.

“Babe. You’ve got to hear this.” Poco stands up, sending Heyya to the ground. 

“So I was asking Johnny, right, about the baby—” Poco starts.

Heyya sneezes and jumps up, tail wagging as he sniffs by Johnny’s chest.

“Hi buddy,” Johnny cooes and pets him. He can hear HP and Poco talking in the back, but honestly he’s paying more attention to Heyya curling up by him.

So adorable.

He really should have gotten a pup. Gyro was so against it when Johnny said it before. But. The kid’s got to have a playmate, right?

“Are you ready to go?” HP leans closer to Johnny, breaking him out of his thoughts.

“Huh?”

“How’d Heyya get there? Off, off.” HP leans over to grab him but Johnny puts a hand over the pup instead. 

“He’s resting,” Johnny pouts.

“He can sleep with Poco. We’re gonna go swimming, right?”

Damn. Johnny was getting comfortable. “I did but Heyya’s sleeping.”

“He just wants a nap. He’ll be up in no time,” Poco reassures him.

“How about you two go then? When Heyya wakes up, I’ll go.”

“Don’t you deal with enough dogs every day?” HP sighs.

“He’s cute.” Johnny rubs Heyya. Heyya’s eyes close, body loose.

“I do want to get a drink,” Poco says. 

“Fine. Just that. Then we’re going,” HP promises and heads off with Poco in tow.

Johnny shuts his eyes again, idly petting Heyya up and down. Maybe he could use a nap too. Or a drink. Fuck. Should have told them to get something. There’s only so much bland water he can take.

Bzzz bzzz bzz

Johnny looks at the table where their things were. Whose? Oh. His phone.

Johnny grabs it. Gyro?

“Yeah?” Johnny answers.

“Did you finish packing?” Gyro asks.

Johnny glances around the pool that he’s been at. He thinks back to the opened and strewn about boxes back at his place. “Yeah. That why you calling?”

“You didn’t lift anything heavy, right?”

“Heaviest thing I got is the game system.” Johnny sighs. “Hey. You still don’t want a dog, right?”

“Please tell me you didn’t pick some stray up off the street.”

“Not yet.”

“No, not ever.” Gyro groans. “You’re pregnant. Having some dirty slobbering creature now is even worse than before.”

“What about the baby? They need a buddy.”

“No they don’t.”

Johnny puts a hand over his stomach. The baby was kicking up at him. "They heard you. They’re kicking me."

"What? Bambino. Do you wanna talk too? What have you got to say, huh?" 

The kicks settle. "I think they were just saying hi."

"Hello baby." Gyro cooes, making kissy noises at the phone.

"Ah, there you are, Zeppeli." 

Johnny tilts his head. He doesn't recognize that voice.

"Cazzo. I'm on the phone. Don’t sneak up on me." Gyro's voice is more distant, speaking away from the phone.

"The boyfriend?" The other voice asks.

"Shoo, shoo, shoo."

"That's a yes. I'll be inside," the other voice shouts but grows distant.

Johnny's heart thrums. The boyfriend. That's Johnny. Gyro actually told someone about him? At work?

"Nosy people." Gyro tsks. "I'll call you later."

"Okay," Johnny croaks out, his voice strained. He hears the click of the phone hanging up but keeps the phone still pressed to his ear. He hears it over and over.

The boyfriend.

Gyro's boyfriend. 

He's Gyro's boyfriend. 

It's only when he gets a firm kick that he comes out of it.

"Miss them already?" Johnny sniffles as he puts a hand over his belly. "Me too."

--

Everything slotted back to its old places.

Like nothing ever changed.

Johnny’s clothes nestled in their old drawer. His shower chair affixed back to its usual place.

Johnny’s groceries in the old fridge. Except for what Gyro tossed. Johnny would be mad if it wasn’t for the fact that Gyro was more stocked up than Johnny was to begin with. And Gyro’s always been particular about what they eat and use.

Johnny sips at his prenatal shake. Made by himself. He really could only do this stuff when Gyro wasn’t here like today.

He hums along to the music playing from Gyro’s records. Was wearing one of Gyro’s shirts. 

He was surrounded by them and couldn’t be happier. 

Gyro would freak out if Johnny tried to cook for them, but he felt like celebrating. Doing anything. Maybe they could go out instead. It’s been a while since they actually did something for fun together. 

He settles onto the couch, propping his feet on the wheelchair and scrolling through some recommendations on his phone.

He could ask HP but he’s already bugged her enough lately. Maybe Gyro would have some idea too. 

He calls but no one picks up. Well. Gyro does have work for a while longer. Busy, busy, busy. 

Johnny should get busy too. Maybe he should start looking into the nursery. Now that he didn’t have to worry about rent again he could get a nice crib. Strollers. He’d need to look for stuff that worked with his chair.

Gyro would supply the decor. They already loved cute things—they’d know what to get.

Knock knock

Huh? Speak of the devil. Was time passing by that fast while Johnny was scrolling? Shit. This stuff really was addictive. He had been chewing at his straw for a while. He places that to the side.

Why wasn’t Gyro coming in right away? Did they lose their keys? 

“I was calling you, hun.” Johnny rolls up to the door and opens it.

His heart sinks.

A familiar face. One he’s only seen on the screen stands before him.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for my son, Julius.”

Chapter Text

Johnny could hardly believe his eyes.

A myth was standing before him. A boogeyman only whispered about on Gyro’s worse days. His heart hammers hard enough that the baby starts to kick at him.

“Wrong place.” Johnny grabs the door, starting to close it.

“You’re lying.”

It’s said so matter of fact that Johnny stills.

Gregorio looked different than Johnny had imagined from the picture. He shared a lot of Gyro’s features. The same strong nose. The same hooded eyes. The same jaw. 

But he was still just a man.

Completely gray hair, nearly white. An aged face. Arms and hands marked with scars.

To think Gyro was so afraid of some frail old man. Okay. Well. Not that frail actually. Gregorio was toned, the natural kind that you only got from laboring.

Johnny wasn’t going to be intimidated. This was his home. He grips the door tighter. “Leave.”

“There is no need for alarm,” Gregorio continues on. His voice is measured. Deadpan. Devoid of any feeling. “I can tell my son isn’t home. I only wish to know where he is.”

The wrong titles and pronouns hit like a scratch down his back. Uncomfortable and itchy. He doesn’t want to hear it. He closes the door.

Knock knock

Johnny’s heart jumps. The fuck? Surely this guy can’t be that clueless. 

“You must be… the girlfriend.” Gregorio’s voice is louder but only enough that Johnny can hear him through the door. There’s no anger there. Not even frustration. “I’m quite relieved to see you. Tell Julius to call me when he comes back.”

Relieved? Huh? What for?

What did Gyro say to him?

Johnny opens up the door, spotting Gregorio already making his way to the elevator.

“What did they say to you?” Johnny shouts after him.

Gregorio stops. Not turning around. “Very little.”

What is Gregorio even doing here? He lives in Italy. In all the years Gyro’s lived here he’s never come. And why wouldn’t Gyro warn him about that?

Was Gyro hiding it? No. They’ve worked on things. They had no obstacles between them anymore. 

No obstacles but one. The same one standing there.

Gregorio starts to walk again.

“Why’d you come here? To America?”

Gregorio looks over his shoulder. “That’s rather obvious, isn’t it? To see my son.”

“Could do FaceTime for that.”

Gregorio turns around again. “Forgive my English. I am still a recent learner. The only practice I’ve had with your language is with my son. What is that word you have stated?”

Ugh. The stupid nerd ass vocabulary. Just like Gyro. “Video call.”

“Some things are better suited in person.” Gregorio makes no moves closer. “Am I allowed to come in? Or am I only welcome in this hallway?”

Johnny bites his lip. Gyro’s not going to be home for a while. This was a good time, right? Clear the air. Then they could get married too. Start living their lives together in every sense of the word. “Come in.”

Johnny rolls back, letting Gregorio step in. Gregorio closes the door and scans around. He just stands there.

Fidgeting with each knuckle, pulling it back before going to the next finger. A small motion most wouldn't see. Johnny wouldn't even notice if he wasn't looking for something. 

“I’ve heard a lot about you. From Gyro.”

Gregorio looks at him. The stare down was intense. Staring deeply. But not actually looking at Johnny at all somehow. Past him. “I cannot say the same. I’ve only heard your voice once. Despite you clearly living here.”

“That a problem?” Johnny snaps.

“No. I’m aware the culture is quite different here in America.” Gregorio toes off his shoes, pushing them to a near corner before continuing to stride deeper inside their home. 

“What do you want from them? You said you can only talk in person, right? What’s so important that you’d need to do that?” Johnny rolls quickly after him. The baby protests the jerking around with small kicks.

“It is a private matter between Julius and myself.”

“I’m a part of Gyro’s life. Whatever happens to them affects me too.” Affects all of them. Gregorio’s made no mention of the baby. Did he notice? Is it better to say now? 

“I can see that.” Gregorio stops at the kitchen, looking around and continuing to mess with his hands as he does so. “Do you have coffee?”

“Maybe.”

“The coffee served here so far has been less than desirable. I would like a cup.”

“I ain’t a maid.”

“I am aware. I would make it myself but my son’s things are unfamiliar to me.”

“Our things. It doesn’t just belong to Gyro.”

Gregorio nods. “So then you know how to make it too.”

Ugh. Smart-ass. “You tell me what you’re here for and I’ll make you a cup.”

“I can tell you what would affect you.” Gregorio steps aside.

That’s something. Johnny rolls in and starts to make a cup. Usually Gyro preferred making the coffee. They had their own special way of making it. Couldn’t stand anyone else’s. Johnny’s the only one who bothers to recreate it for them. 

Gregorio just stands there. Not saying anything. Not really doing much of anything either. It prickles the back of Johnny’s neck at first. But as he continues to make it he can’t help but glance over. And over. Gregorio continues to stare at nothing.

Was Gregorio uncomfortable? Unfamiliar with this place?

Johnny shakes his head. Just ‘cause he’s related doesn’t mean he does all the same things as Gyro. He can’t be trying to empathize with the guy who made Gyro miserable. He just needs to get what he can and then get him out.

“Alright. It’s done.” Johnny hands over the mug.

Gregorio only nods and heads to the living room, sitting down before he sips it. “You’ve made it right.”

“Okay?” Johnny squints. What was this, a test?

“My son is growing rather old. There are duties he must attend to before he is too frail to manage them.” Gregorio talks between sips. “He should be married by now.”

That’s something they can both agree on. “So you’re here with a list of pretty Italian girls to marry them off to?”

Gregorio huffs. “No list. Though I have contacts if it was a necessity.”

Johnny grits his teeth. Fucking prick. 

“It won’t be.” Gregorio sets the mug down on the coffee table. “That is the matter as it concerns you.”

“What? All this way for some mail order brides?”

“I’m unfamiliar with those terms.”

“Well.” Johnny crosses his arms. “It don’t matter. You can’t decide who Gyro marries.”

“Correct. I have settled the matter of my marriage long ago. I don’t wish to deal with another.”

“But you came here for what then?”

“To find out what has been holding my son back.”

Johnny's fists ball. “Your child.”

“Yes.”

“You should start calling them your child. If you really want to know what’s been stopping them.”

“I’m afraid I don’t—”

The door slams open, revealing the very same child in question as Gyro comes inside with a long groan, eyes closed before they turn around and slam the door right back closed.

“Amore,” Gyro whines.

Oh shit. Oh fuck. How much time had passed? “Gyro.”

"I had a really long day.” Gyro starts to kick off their shoes and toss their work bag behind them. It lands with a plop nearby Gregorio.

“Wait.” Johnny waves his hands.

"Spread your legs. I need to eat something sweet." Gyro turns around, hands on their belt but they jolt back right on time, slamming into the door. "Father."

Johnny was caught red-handed and red-faced.

Gregorio stands up. “You’ve finally arrived.”

“When did you get to America?” Gyro stiffens, straightening up into a proper posture. It’s artificial. “You never told me you were visiting. Or that you were coming to my home. How did you get inside?”

“Your girlfriend.” Gregorio picks up the empty mug which he hands over to Johnny. “I have no more need for this.”

Gyro’s eyes meet Johnny’s. Brows knit together. Full of betrayal. Johnny can’t look anymore, sinking into himself. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. 

“I need to speak with you, Julius. You’ve clearly made yourself at home here.”

Gyro’s hands tremble as they fold together. “That was what I was supposed to do.”

“But not your only duty.”

Fuck. Fuck, fuck. Johnny sets the mug back down and rolls over to Gyro’s side. They can’t be alone for this. “Gyro’s been working hard. If you want to talk you can at least let them further than their own doorway.”

“I haven’t stopped him.” Gregorio sits back down and raises a hand. “Come in.”

It’s only then Gyro moves. Small timid steps. Like a cornered animal. They’re bigger than their father, especially while standing like this, but they seem so much smaller as they stand in front of him. Johnny grabs their hand. They slip it out. Knitting their fingers together instead.

“I was hoping to have this conversation in private,” Gregorio says.

“Too bad,” Johnny snaps.

Gyro gulps. “I’m here. I’d like to hear what was so important it brought you across the sea.”

“You, Julius. There is nothing else in this country that concerns me.”

“The clinic is performing well. We’ve had a spike in our number of patients and patient satisfaction has maintained a high.”

“I’m aware.” Gregorio puts his hands in his lap. “Your brother, Castor, is married. He’s five years your junior. You are not married. You are the eldest of my children, Julius. You are supposed to be setting the example, not following.”

“Is he running a clinic? Alone? In a country that you’ve admitted to knowing nothing about?” Johnny snaps.

Gyro looks down at him with wide eyes.

Gregorio also looks at Johnny though it’s the same look he’s had on his face since he’s came. “No. I have given Julius a period of grace to accommodate for these difficulties. But it seems that he still had no trouble finding you.”

Gyro steps forward, blocking Johnny’s vision somewhat. “I apologize for my failures, father. I am taking responsibility for it.”

“If you were, you would already be married to your girlfriend here.”

“Our relationship hasn’t advanced that far.”

Johnny grits his teeth. Still? Now is the time to finally get this over with. He tries to push past Gyro but Gyro steps between him and Gregorio again. “Gyro.”

Gregorio steeples his fingers in front of his face. “...There is another matter beyond that of marriage.”

“Please go on.” Gyro tries to push Johnny back subtly but Johnny holds firm. He is not leaving them. No chance in hell.

“The clinic should be signed over to your name. I own and run my own businesses. I should not be managing yours. However, I can only do that if I have full confidence in you, Julius. I don’t.”

Johnny looks between the both of them. Gyro was already doing so much running it, but owning it? How big of a difference was that? How much more on their plate?

“What have I done to break your trust?” Gyro asks, fidgeting with their fingers.

“Nothing. It is not a matter of trust. I simply need to see with my own eyes whether you’re ready.”

“I am.”

“If you didn’t believe so, then you wouldn’t be ready. But confidence doesn’t mean you are.” Gregorio looks away, scanning over the room. Johnny can’t tell what he’s looking for. Only sees Gyro stiffen in response.

“You wish to see me at work?”

“Yes.”

“You could have came to work then. You have the address. You came here.”

“I didn’t realize what you had here.” Gregorio stands up. “I’ve said my piece on the matter. You have your woman to attend to. I will take my leave and speak with you again later.”

“When? I have patients and people to manage as well.”

“I don’t know your schedule, Julius. We can speak on the matter again tomorrow. I have to speak with your mother as well.” Gregorio walks by them but stops near Johnny. “Thank you for the conversation.”

What the hell does he mean by that? Johnny just grips onto Gyro.

Gregorio says nothing else. Puts his shoes on and leaves just as quickly as he came.

“Fuck.” Gyro wobbles and collapses down to the ground. They hold their head in their hands, getting louder with each word. “Fuck, fuck, fuck. Why now? He didn’t warn me. Didn't say a thing.”

Gyro looks green and not the kind that they like to paint their lips. Johnny rolls into their view. “I’m sorry. He wasn’t supposed to stay so long.”

“He saw everything. Heard it,” Gyro pants. They’re not listening to Johnny. Scrunching their hands in their hair. “My music. My things. He’s gonna. Fuck. I can’t let him take it.”

“Gyro.” Johnny frowns. He’s never seen Gyro like this. One man should never make Gyro like this. He puts his hand over Gyro’s. “He’s gone.”

Gyro’s eyes meet his with a sharpness. They bare their teeth, slamming their hands down on Johnny’s chair. “You let him in.”

“Only for a moment. I never wanted him to talk to you.”

“But you talked to him.” Gyro grips the chair tighter. Their hands tremble with the force of it. “You let him see you. Know you.”

“I ain’t afraid of him.”

“You’re an idiot then.” Gyro pulls off, scrubbing a hand down their face. 

“He can’t do anything to you, Gyro.”

“He called you—” Gyro points a finger at Johnny. “He called you that . You never once said a single damn thing to him about it.”

“I had bigger fish to fry. I was trying to figure out what he was doing.”

“You didn’t need to. You shouldn’t have. Now I can’t deny it. You heard him. You heard his plans.”

“I did. It’s perfect for us to do what we’ve wanted.”

“What you wanted.” Gyro stands up, turning away from Johnny. 

“Do you not want to marry me?”

“No. I’ve told you this.”

Johnny clutches his heart. It can’t be true. With how many nights now that he’s slept beside Gyro. With how Gyro has whispered their love against Johnny’s belly. It isn’t true. “Only because of your father.”

“Because of you! Look at you, Johnny.” Gyro turns around to shake his hands towards Johnny. “You said my name. Said my pronouns. You didn’t tell him yours.”

“Because—”

“Because if you’re my girlfriend. If you’re my wife. Then you get to marry me. And you don’t care what else happens in between. Can’t you see how ridiculous that is?”

Johnny’s eyes water. He’s not the one being ridiculous. He knows this isn’t Gyro. This is the fear. 

“It’s just one day. It's one miserable day and then it's the rest of our lives." Johnny throws his hands in exasperation. "How is that not worth it?"

"One day? You don't get it. My father wouldn't just be there for one day. He'd be constantly asking about my wife. And then he'd want grandkids. He'd want to see them. Visit them. Or have us go live there for a while so our kids could have a 'proper upbringing.’ It's not one day. It's years of this. That's the rest of our lives. Not this fantasy you've made up."

"No, you're the one talking about a fantasy. We live here. You work here. He doesn't hold any power over you besides the one you keep giving him."

"I'm only here because of him. My apartment. My job. Everything I own is only because of him. I walk away from this and I'm a bum on the street."

"You don't have to walk away from shit.” Johnny points to the door. “The man’s giving it all to you.”

“He’s giving it to his son.” Gyro hangs their head. “That’s not who I am.”

“He didn’t correct me once. About you.”

“He’s only recently been speaking English. He probably didn’t understand and didn’t question it.”

“So make him understand.”

“I can’t.”

“Have you ever tried?”

“I can’t .” Gyro’s voice is more strained. Hanging their head. Their stance was unstable. “You don’t know him, Johnny. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

It’s not Gyro speaking. They look so small. Unsure of their own feet. Johnny knows it well. He’s been here before. Sobbing in front of his father. Even though he was a teenager, he felt suddenly so much younger. 

Just like Gyro. Physically an adult but mentally it was just a little scared kid who had been hurt by the only person they thought they could trust.

Johnny rolls closer, taking Gyro’s hand. Gyro tries to pull away but Johnny grips tighter. Pulls Gyro to his level. “You’re not a kid anymore, Gyro.”

“I can’t let anything happen to you.” Gyro pants, grasping Johnny close. “I love you. I don’t want to but I love you so much. I can’t stop.”

“I ain’t gonna let something happen to me. And I sure as hell am not gonna let anything happen to you either.”

“You’re already letting yourself get hurt.”

“That’s nothing.” Johnny scoffs, grabbing Gyro’s head to nestle against his chest. “This is what matters.”

“It can’t matter enough for this pain.”

“I’m not the one hurting, Gyro. You are.”

Gyro clutches his shirt.

“You think I haven’t dealt with my own shit? My own bullies? I know exactly who I am. No one’s gonna take that from me. Not you. Not your dad. Not mine.” Johnny kisses the top of Gyro’s head. “I love you enough to figure this out. And I know you do too.” 

“That’s the problem.”

“Well too damn bad. You lost your chance to get rid of me. And I know if I walked away, you’d run after me. Even with all this shit you’re talking.”

“...Roll away. You can’t walk.”

“Shut up.” Johnny scoffs, tilting Gyro’s head up to kiss them. 

Gyro leans into it, a hand over Johnny’s bump. The baby presses back.

It’s all of them here. In a home they made.

And no one’s going to take that away.

Chapter Text

Gyro was settled but they were the farthest thing from okay.

They continued to glance at the door. Didn’t even eat until Johnny said he wasn’t going to eat without Gyro.

Johnny hates to see them like this.

It’s better when they’re asleep that night. Finally free from their worries.

Johnny couldn’t rest. Not because of any upset, as draining as today was. It was the baby again. He used to be so, so tired all the time thanks to them.

More recently he can’t sleep. Holding onto Gyro like this helps him eventually doze. He hasn’t said anything about it for Gyro’s sake. They worry about him and the baby enough as it is.

The baby was up too. Maybe they wanted Johnny to be up with them. 

Johnny rubs Gyro’s back. With nothing to do his mind drifts back to the events of the day. So much happened in so little time.

He can't stop thinking over his interactions with Gregorio. Both when Gyro was there and when they weren't.

It was nothing at all like speaking with his own piece of shit dad.

Gregorio's last words echo. He didn't thank him for the coffee. Nor for letting him in. But he thanked Johnny for speaking with him. Why?

Johnny sighs. He's never been one for figuring out puzzles. He was good at fighting through to a solution. That's exactly what he's going to do here.

He should get some water. Or warm milk. That's gotta be enough to settle him and the baby.

He carefully detaches from Gyro, making sure they're still resting as he gets in his chair and makes his way to the kitchen.

It's late and it's dark. Only the moonlight shines through their windows. The occasional beep and rumble of cars accompanied his small trek.

Johnny opts for milk, warming it for a bit in the microwave. He rubs at his belly. The baby was squirming more.

“What a day, huh?” Johnny scoffs to them. They must respond as they press into Johnny again. “We need to get some rest for your babbo. They’re already dealing with enough.”

The baby doesn’t seem to agree as they squirm even more and kick at Johnny. Stubborn kid. Just like the both of them.

“Ah, you’re gonna be a headache and a half.” Johnny smiles down at his bump. He takes a sip of the milk. This was good. He keeps a hold on it with his teeth as he rolls back to the room.

It wasn’t as clean of a getaway as he thought. Gyro was up again. Half hunched over in the bed and blearily looking at Johnny. “You left.”

“I just went to the kitchen.” Johnny sets the drink down on their nightstand and crawls back into bed. “Go back to sleep, hun.”

“No.” Gyro grabs Johnny’s leg as Johnny sits up. 

“I won’t get up again. Unless I need to piss. Your kid loves to kick my bladder.”

“Do it here. Can clean the sheets.”

“Absolutely not. You’re tired. Go to bed.” Johnny pushes at Gyro’s shoulder. They lay down at least but still hold onto Johnny.

“Don’t wanna sleep.”

Johnny leans over to sip at his drink. “We ain’t got work tomorrow. We should enjoy it.”

“Not going to.”

Johnny frowns. Gyro’s no doubt referring to their father. “You could turn off your phone.”

“He knows where I live.”

“I’m real good at pretending to not be home. If there’s one thing Kentucky had in abundance it was ‘friendly’ neighbors. Nick and I got good at holding our breaths so not even the shadows move.”

Gyro’s lip quirks with a small smile. 

Talking about Nick made him think back to the earlier conversation. There was a name he didn’t recognize.

“Who’s Castor?”

“Huh?” Gyro’s brows furrow. “Oh. Him. The eldest of the twins.”

Johnny nods. That's how he knows them. The twins and the youngest. Gyro was confusing though. They claimed they came from a family of five kids but they only ever mentioned three brothers. That's four kids including them not five. Then again, Gyro almost never spoke of their siblings. Gregorio was talked about more than them.

“When did he get married?”

“Over a year ago.”

What? They were together then. “You never told me. I’m sure you didn’t leave for Italy.”

“I didn’t attend. I had hoped to never set foot into Italy again until I died.”

“You’re always talking about your Italian pride. Don’t you want to see it again?”

“There’s more I want to avoid there than see.”

Johnny can understand it. He had no more fondness for Kentucky after he moved. “Here’s pretty too.”

“Mhm.”

Johnny finishes off his milk. He’d get up and put the cup away but he didn’t want to stress out Gyro more.

“How’s your chest been?” Gyro asks.

“Okay.”

Gyro turns onto their side, pulling up Johnny’ shirt enough that they can stare at Johnny from the opening under. “I could use some warm milk to help me sleep too.”

Johnny smacks their hand off. “Count sheep.”

Gyro chuckles, opening an arm which Johnny takes as he lays on his side again, back to Gyro’s chest. Gyro’s hand slinks up his shirt, lightly thumbing over the mound of Johnny’s chest. “This is softer than sheep.”

Johnny rolls his eyes. Gyro’s not really doing much though. Palming him, yeah, but they were always pretty touchy. Johnny yawns. It’s weirdly soothing feeling their fingers drag over his skin. “‘M tired.”

“You sleep.”

“You too.”

“...”

“Gyro. Go to bed.”

“I’m in bed.”

“Sleep.”

“Then I’ll have to wake up.”

“I wanna wake up with you.”

Gyro squeezes him tighter, makes Johnny’s chest flutter. Oh. That’s an idea.

“We’ve got no work tomorrow, right. And we don’t wanna go out.” Johnny puts his hand over Gyro’s and leans back into them. “Let’s spend the day in bed. But if you’re too tired, I can’t do anything.”

“Goodnight,” Gyro says quickly and settles into Johnny’s shoulder.

Johnny chuckles to himself, shutting his eyes.

He knew he’d get them eventually.

--

Yeah. Johnny was definitely pregnant. 

At least he would be if he wasn’t already.

Johnny swipes his hair out of his face as he looks down at his belly. It made no sense. Kid was up almost all night when Johnny was resting.

But they were dead asleep for that?

Maybe it’s better. Gyro was sort of knocking at their door. A lot.

“You can’t eat on your side like that. You’re already prone to heartburn.” Gyro says, coming back into the room bright and chipper and slightly wet from washing off.

“How do you have so much energy?” Johnny washed up with Gyro’s help and was still so winded he had to collapse right back onto bed after. 

Then again, Gyro did take the time Johnny was supposed to wash up as an excuse to “clean up” some of the mess they left inside Johnny. And they chose to “clean” it with their mouth on and in Johnny. It’s why Johnny insisted on Gyro washing themself off alone after. Lest there was another repeat.

“You replenish my heart and soul,” Gyro says dramatically. “So. Get up. Time to eat.”

“I’m gonna take a nap.”

“After you eat.”

Johnny groans. There’s no way Gyro was letting this go. “Fine.”

“Attaboy.” Gyro heads off, leaving Johnny to get up and get dressed.

They’re already getting started on cooking when Johnny meets up with them.

Their phone is left on the counter. Johnny swipes it as he heads to the record player. He pretends to be looking for a CD as he turns on the phone.

Sheesh.

That’s a good number of missed calls. Johnny clears the notifications from the home screen. He doesn’t know Gyro’s password so he can’t really do much more.

Hold on.

Is that Johnny on the home screen? Asleep? God, Gyro was a creep. 

Johnny puts in a cassette instead and slowly rolls back. Gyro’s still into cooking and doesn’t even look at Johnny, just starts to hum along to the music.

“Say, isn’t this a synth?” Johnny asks anyway as he turns off the phone and puts it back down.

Gyro perks up. “It’s actually a keytar. Which is a kind of synth but it’s very different from the usual MIDI controllers that’s used. Both aesthetically and for the way it’s typically played.”

“Really?” Johnny nods along. 

He lets Gyro continue to ramble on. They always got so excited. So much so that they forgot they’ve already told Johnny all of this.

They’re finished by the time food’s ready and they serve it to them both.

“How’s bambino?” Gyro asks between bites.

“Slept through the whole thing.”

“Wow.”

“I know.” Johnny puts his hand over his stomach. “You know we’ve got to name them something.”

Gyro grimaces. “You got anything?”

“No. Was hoping you did.”

“Only thing I’ve named is my bears and myself.”

Johnny sneers. Yeah. That doesn’t inspire confidence in him. Gyro claims it’s a cool name. All sciencey and shit. It’s a fucking sandwich. “I guess we can name them Panini.”

“That’s cute but it’s a sandwich.”

“Just like you.”

“It’s Gyro. As In gyromagnetic.”

“Yeah they’d be panini as in panininamic. See? I can make up words too.”

“You’re so american.” Gyro scoffs. “How about, hmmm, Cosmo. Cause you’re Joestar.”

“That’s a terrible—why would they take my last name?”

“They have to have a last name.”

“You have one, Doctor Zeppeli.”

“The less Zeppelis in the world the better.” Gyro grimaces. “Oh, how about Apollo?”

“That’s a rocket.”

“Yeah.”

“You’ve lost naming privileges.” Johnny finishes off his food.

“You can’t do that. What about you then? What’s your great names?”

“...Jorge.”

“George?”

“Ew. No. That’s my dad’s name.”

“That’s what you said.”

“No like with a J.”

“That’s confusing.”

“Whatever.” Johnny waves a hand. “A name’s got to come to us eventually.”

“You only offered one. Coward. You know your names are bad.”

“Yours aren’t good either.” Johnny picks up his and Gyro’s plates and puts them away in the sink. He runs the tap over them. He could just wash them off now but Gyro was watching. “What do you want to do now?”

“I didn’t really have any plans. Even before.” Gyro waves a hand. “All that.”

“I went with HP and Poco to this pool before. It was pretty nice.”

“While you were pregnant?”

“I was fine, barely went into the sun and the pool was a natural one. No chemicals. There was a dog pool there too so they had to keep everything pretty clean.”

“Yuck. Swimming with fur?”

“You’re such a big baby.” Johnny scoffs and rolls back to Gyro, patting their lap. “Come on. We should go out.”

“What happened to you being tired?”

“If you let me go back in that bed I’m gonna pass out for the rest of the day.”

“That’s okay. I could read while we rest.”

“That’s like, actually, boring as fuck.”

“Reading is very entertaining.”

“Okay. Bambino. We’ve got to get your Babbo a social life.” Johnny pulls at Gyro’s hands. “Up. We can at least walk around.”

“I have a social life,” Gyro grumbles but gets up and starts to head to their bedroom.

Johnny follows after. He was wearing nothing but one of Gyro’s shirts and some underwear. Not exactly outside wear. 

“Speaking of, how is that doctor you’ve been talking to?” Johnny fetches a change of clothes.

“Fine. I imagine.” Gyro takes off the only thing they were wearing, which was some pajama pants.

“What’s his name?”

“Doctor Ferdinand.” Gyro starts to put on their clothes.

“Like, first name.”

“Oh, I have no clue.”

“Jesus Christ, Gyro.”

“He doesn’t know mine.”

“You know that doesn’t count.” Johnny taps Gyro with the back of his hand and pulls his shirt off. He catches Gyro staring him down. “Didn’t you have enough?”

“No such thing.” Gyro leans down and kisses Johnny’s head. 

Johnny pushes them off. “Let me get dressed.”

“Okay.” Gyro leans on the dresser, watching Johnny as he dresses. 

Johnny’s cheeks heat up but he doesn't indulge them further. He’s not kidding. If he hits that bed he is not getting off it till tomorrow morning. Maybe even longer depending on what Gyro does.

Thankfully, Gyro doesn’t do anything more than stare. They fetch their things and are out soon enough.

Gyro turns their phone back on but shoves it back into their pocket just as quickly.

“It’s a big city. There’s got to be something to do.” Johnny takes Gyro’s hand in the elevator.

Gyro squeezes his hand back. “If not, we can always find a nice alleyway.”

--

Naturally, Gyro always found their way towards the music.

There was a lot of it in the city. Plenty of wannabe musicians trying to stand out amongst the crowd.

There was an impromptu concert going on now. Gyro and Johnny hung back as far as possible, on one of the benches. Johnny ate away at roasted nuts while Gyro analyzed every note with hums and taps. 

No matter what, Johnny’s sure this band would have a fan in Gyro. Gyro loved music so much. Loved the process of making it. The stories it told. They listened to a large number of genres Johnny’s never heard of or honestly didn’t like very much.

Even the music that Gyro hates they could deeply analyze.

With the baby around there would be new experiences. If the baby could learn to pick up a little drum, why couldn’t Gyro be there with them? Gyro never tried. Out of fear or maybe embarrassment.

But what better opportunity was there than learning with your kid?

Johnny hugs Gyro’s arm, leaving their hand alone so they can tap away.

“So this is where you are.”

Johnny jolts up, looking over his shoulder. Like a ghost, Gregorio had suddenly apparated.

Gyro stiffens, not bothering to look, though they clearly heard what Johnny did as well.

Johnny straightens up, hands over Gyro. How the fuck did this guy find them? They weren’t very far from their house, but still.

“I see. So that’s why you were busy.” Gregorio stares at Johnny’s neck. Johnny’s neck?

Johnny puts a hand over it before he flashes back to earlier. Gyro against him, teeth on his neck as Johnny whined and squirmed.

“Do you want something?” Johnny snaps, cheeks pink. 

“Yes. As I’ve told you both. I need to discuss my son’s schedule. I went to the apartment but you two were here.” Gregorio makes gestures as he speaks. 

“So you've been looking for us?”

“No.” Gregorio turns away, facing the band. “I heard music.”

“Let's discuss.” Gyro stands suddenly. “Since we're both here.”

Damn it. Johnny was trying to give Gyro a break here. He grabs his chair to climb onto it. 

“I'll be working the day after tomorrow.” Gyro continues. “You can come in and observe then. Though I will have to inform my staff beforehand.”

“That is agreeable.”

Jesus Christ. You'd never think this was a father and child speaking. Even business partners talked with more warmth than this. 

“If I knew of this beforehand I could have arranged for you to fly in on a day when I was working.”

“I am in no rush,” Gregorio says. “Your work isn't the only reason I'm here as I've stated.”

Gyro gulps, glancing at Johnny for a moment. “When is your return flight?”

“I have none.”

“What?” Johnny pipes up. “Don’t you got your own job?”

“I have taken care of those necessities before I left.”

“So you prepared but didn't give Gyro the chance to?”

“There is nothing he needs to prepare for. His work will be uninterrupted and clearly he still has time to attend to you.”

Johnny blushes. It's true but he doesn't want to hear that from Gyro’s dad of all people. 

“Where are you staying?” Gyro grimaces. They're pale. “I can pick you up before I head off to work. To ease the transition.”

“I'll send the address.” Gregorio takes out a phone. It's incredibly basic. Not even a protective case. Old looking too. He types as an old man does with one finger at a time.

Johnny glances at the band still playing. Huh. Gregorio said something odd again. He heard music. From what Gyro’s said, Johnny assumed the man hated it. Why would he go towards it?

“I've received it.” Gyro quickly stuffs their phone back into their pants. “Now I imagine you'd like to return to your hotel.”

“No.”

“Mmm.”

“Were you listening? Before you saw us?” Johnny points to the band.

Gyro looks down at Johnny with complete confusion. 

“Yes,” Gregorio says.

“Wha—why—yo-you were?” Gyro flounders.

“Do not stammer. If you have something to say you should commit to it completely.” 

“Ah. Um. Yes, father.”

Johnny clutches Gyro’s arm. “You could have asked to listen with us.”

Gregorio goes silent, staring down Johnny again.

Gyro waves a hand in front of Johnny. “We should—”

“Forgive me. I've never asked for your name. My son hasn't told me what it is,” Gregorio interrupts, still focused on Johnny.

“Johnny.”

Gregorio nods.

“Amore,” Gyro hisses through clenched teeth. What? It's his actual name. A nickname, technically, but no one calls him Jonathan.

“Is that all? Gyro’s off today. They need to rest to do well at work. They're not on vacation like you,” Johnny continues.

Gregorio folds his hands behind his back. “That is all I needed.”

“Great. Gyro. Let's go get started on dinner.” Johnny pats their arm.

“Yeah. Yes. Good idea.” Gyro turns and heads off.

“Enjoy the show,” Johnny calls over his shoulder as he follows.

“Fucking fuck.” Gyro pants when Johnny catches up.

Johnny taps at Gyro’s arm, not able to hold it while still moving. “You're okay. We got through it.”

“You heard him? No return ticket? What if he never leaves?”

Johnny glances over his shoulder. He can spot Gregorio sitting on the bench they were at. “That's not gonna happen.”

“You don't know that.”

“I do. It's what the guy said. He's only here for you.”

“He shouldn't be here at all.”

“It's too late for that. If we're not waiting out a time limit, then the only way to make him go is to have him see what he wants to see.”

“He's seen far too much already.” Gyro scrubs at their face. “Why'd you tell him your name?”

“He asked. What is he? A demon? Gonna steal my soul through my name?”

“That's fairies. And no. He's neither. Both are far too pleasant to be him.” Gyro scoffs. 

“So there's no issues with him knowing.”

“This isn't a game, Johnny. He could call off this whole thing. Have me move back. Then what, huh?”

“Then you say no and you stay.”

“It's not that easy.”

“But it is.”

Gyro grumbles to themself in Italian. 

“So what? You can't work at your fathers clinic. Oh well. You're still a doctor. You can't live at the penthouse? There's other places around. You and I can just get a crappy little apartment together with enough room for the baby.”

“All those things you're saying. They're difficult. None of them could work.”

“Then we figure it out eventually. It's a big city. We both have things we can do. Friends we could lean on. We're not just gonna curl up and die like a bug if your father says so.”

“I don't know.” Gyro opens the door to their apartment. “Ugh. I wanted a break. I already have to see him soon. Don't want to think about him.”

“Then let's think about dinner. Cause I'm starving.”

“How? You just had nuts.”

“Bambino ate all of that, not me.”

Chapter Text

Gyro was warm.

Not just from the summer heat, though it was certainly creeping into the apartment even with the A/C on a near constant stream. 

What was much warmer was the guy who was sleeping against Gyro. Right against.

Johnny had done it again at some point when Gyro was sleeping. It’s a good thing this shirt was loose already.

Gyro couldn’t see more than Johnny’s hair poking out from the collar of their shirt. But they can feel Johnny’s face smushed against their chest.

Gyro grabs the sleeve of their shirt, picking it up so they can carefully slip one arm out. And then another. And lastly they shimmy down to pull out completely. 

Johnny stayed inside Gyro’s shirt, only shifting slightly.

Gyro chuckles to themself. They take out their phone and snap a pic. Johnny could laugh at it with them later. For now, he had to sleep.

They creep to the kitchen and get set on breakfast. They make a shake for Johnny at the same time. It was a nice rhythm. Simple. They hum along to an imagined melody.

It would be a good day if they didn’t have to work. If they didn’t have to leave and go there. See him.

Gyro scratches at their throat. There’s no other choice. Don’t do it now and they’ll have to do it later. Gregorio already made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere until he was satisfied. Already found them twice.

Gyro sets Johnny’s food on a plate. Double the portions. They’ve lost their appetite. They can manage with a fresh pear and some grapes. They head back into the bedroom.

Johnny was still dozing inside their shirt. It had ridden up somewhat from Johnny squirming and getting comfortable. A sliver of Johnny’s belly was exposed.

Gyro sets the food down on the nightstand where they always put it. 

“Good morning, baby.” Gyro whispers to the bump in Italian. “Take care of your daddy, okay? I’ll see you two later.”

Johnny groans and Gyro stills, not even breathing for a second. Shit. Were they too loud?

Johnny grumbles something incoherent and stops moving. His breathing slows again.

Phew.

Johnny can’t wake up yet, not until Gyro’s gone. 

Gyro blows a kiss and hurries out before there’s another close call.

They can’t go their usual route. Have to divert to the hotel their father was staying at.

They blast their music in their headphones while they still can. It’s the baby’s playlist. The soothing hums and beats don’t match Gyro’s rapidly pounding heart.

They’re there before they know it. Get off at the unfamiliar stop and head to the even more unfamiliar hotel. 

They take off their headphones and take out their phone to call until they spot Gregorio waiting in the lobby, reading a newspaper.

Ugh. They could run. Pretend they didn’t see anything…

But Gregorio did know where they worked. He’d come anyway. Fuck, fuck. They can do this. Just one day.

Gyro steps inside the hotel, each step heavy like cement blocks were tied to their feet.

Gregorio catches the movement and gets up, folding the newspaper and neatly putting it back into the provided rack. “You’ve finally arrived.”

Gyro just nods.

“Have you informed your subordinates of my arrival?”

Gyro nods again. They did that yesterday morning so they imagine the word’s gone out to every person who worked there by now.

Gregorio says nothing else, just leaves and Gyro follows after. Gyro keeps their head down. Their steps aren’t any lighter. Maybe even heavier. They have to force themselves not to trudge through the sidewalk.

They're not sure how they make it back to the bus stop but they do.

“Where is your vehicle?” Gregorio asks in Italian. It's even worse than hearing him in English.

“I don't own any.”

“You have a license. Is it not suitable in America?”

Gyro readjusts their shirt. “Yeah.”

“You're lying again. Why do you not own a vehicle? How are you getting to work?”

Gyro gestures to the bus stop they're at.

“This is inefficient. What if the bus is delayed? Will you risk your patient’s well-being over a traffic jam?”

Gyro could say the same thing about a car. They like the bus. They like taking their route. Like seeing the same people. Listening to their music. Watching the same sights. So what if it was slightly longer? If they had a car they’d have to worry about parking. Getting it to and fro. Payment. Managing it with gas and with checkups.

“I’ll look into getting a car,” Gyro says in Italian.

“You’ll need one as well for your family. Your girlfriend is incapable of driving.”

Gyro cringes. It shouldn’t be Johnny that he’s speaking of. It was so much easier when it was some pretend person. But now they both had the same person in mind when Gregorio said those words. It’s Johnny’s fault, but Johnny sees no problem with it. Even now. 

The bus pulls up but Gregorio only stares it down with disdain.

“I’ll call for a car to take us.” Gyro stands up, taking out their phone.

“You’ll be late.”

“It’s a busy city. There’s a lot of these drivers for hire around.” Gyro starts tapping away and walks to a corner to wait.

Gregorio looks over the busy traffic. It’s a wonder there’s no crashes from the intensity of his stare. Gyro hates it. Hated being under it. Even seeing it like this just makes Gyro’s skin crawl. They look at the ground instead.

“Is Johnny’s family in this city?” Gregorio suddenly speaks up, back to English.

Gyro blinks. It’s the first time Gregorio’s referred to Johnny by name. At least it is the right name. “No. Johnny’s got no family.”

“I see.” Gregorio continues to stare out, tapping his fingers together. “A shame.”

What was he asking that for? He had to be planning something. Roping Johnny into it too. They never should have never asked Johnny to move back in. Should have never gone back to Johnny all those times. He’d be free from all this. Only Gyro would have to deal with this burden now.

Gyro glances at their phone as a notification pops up telling them the car’s here. They spot Johnny there on their home screen as always. Johnny must have gotten up by now. Was eating the food they made. Talking away to the baby. Maybe cursing out Gyro for leaving after Johnny insisted last night on coming with them to work.

Gyro smiles to themself. They were in for it one way or another when they got back. And they would be going back. 

They stuff their phone away.

“Car’s here.” 

--

The very least that Gyro could say was that their father respected the patient’s privacy. Or perhaps just the laws around it.

It was a relief to listen to each patient jabber. No matter how nonsensical it was. It meant just another second away. 

If only they didn’t have to leave the patients.

It was lunch time. A usual time of solace away from the patients. Now Gyro was tempted to work through it. But none of their staff would be doing that. Perhaps even more now that they’ve been speaking with Gregorio. Gregorio had been taking time to speak to each person. Usually not very long conversations but even one sentence was far too much interaction with Gregorio. Gyro would only wish it on their worst enemies.

“Julius.”

What now?

“Yes, father?” Gyro asks.

“I have seen enough. I will be taking my leave.”

There was a god and they were smiling down on Gyro. Gyro has to stop themself from shouting in excitement. “Very well.”

“I will see you after your work has concluded.”

Gyro could fall on their knees and cry. Why? Why, God? Why give them hope just to take it away? “I understand.”

“Do look into a proper vehicle,” Gregorio says and heads out.

So much for their appetite. Maybe they’ll just find a nice trash bin and climb in and rot in there like a rat.

“Zeppeli.” 

“Doctor Ferdinand?” Gyro looks over their shoulder. When did he get there? They usually met at lunch, not here in the office itself.

“Is your father coming back?”

“Not until after my shift.” Gyro turns to face Ferdinand fully. “What are you doing here?”

“Fetching you for lunch.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I’m well aware.” Ferdinand rolls his eyes and glances towards where Gregorio left. "I thought you were an intimidating man, but your father has proven worse."

Man. Again. It was so exhausting. As if they didn't hear it enough from Gregorio all day. They hear it from every single worker here. Even Ferdinand who's much more tolerable than the rest.

“Zeppeli.”

“I heard you,” Gyro grumbles. “I’d like to eat.”

“Me as well. A visit from the boss is quite unprecedented. You’re not in any trouble, are you?”

“No.” Not yet at least.

“What a relief.” Ferdinand starts to walk slow, making sure Gyro was matching his speed.

Despite Gregorio being gone, the steps are still heavy. Maybe Gyro will just collapse here in the hallway.

“I much prefer working under you. Despite your appearances. Your stance, your face, everything about you gives off 'don't talk to me.’ Which is exactly why I chose to do it."

"Aren't you the one always talking about respect?" Gyro scoffs.

"Yes. I had to find out whether you were worthy of that or just an arrogant ruler."

“And your conclusion?”

“I think that’s obvious, Zeppeli.” Ferdinand smiles at him. They’ve made it to food and Ferdinand starts to get what he typically does. “But if you must hear it, I do respect you. I’m not quite sure what to make of your father.”

“You said he’s intimidating.”

“Yes, but for a very different reason than you were. Your father doesn't give off 'don't talk to me.’ Your father gives off nothing at all. Like a statue."

Gyro laughs. They forgot they could. It hurts their chest but they can’t stop it as they’re quickly hysterical. 

“You’re holding up the line.” Ferdinand chuckles, head held up high.

Gyro takes in sharp breaths and catches up. “You’re right. Though a statue would be preferable. They can’t talk.”

“Speaking of.” Ferdinand fetches them a table which Gyro joins. “How is your boyfriend taking meeting the in-laws?”

Gyro grimaces. “Too well. He challenges my father constantly. No matter how I tell him not to.”

“I’ve got to meet the man capable of that. I know the two of you have awful taste so I will not be spoiling my entertainment. Unless the two of you are interested in live arts.”

“Like an opera?”

“Something along those lines.”

“Johnny’s not very cultured but I think he’d enjoy it.”

“Ah, a name.” Ferdinand straightens up. “I will be taking my vacation within a month so I would like to meet Johnny before then.”

It felt odd hearing Johnny’s name from Ferdinand’s mouth. But Ferdinand was picturing a man. The right kind of man. He knew Johnny even without a name. Unlike the person who did meet Johnny before.

“I’ll try something.”

--

Work had to end eventually. It was smoother without Gregorio breathing down their neck the whole time.

Perhaps it scared all of the workers into working hard. They were even finished earlier than normal. Now they could finally go home. They had to see if Johnny was out of work yet. They could meet up together and—

“Julius.”

Ugh. Gyro sinks into their shoulders. They forgot. Gregorio did say this was happening. They turn to face Gregorio though they keep their head down.

“I see you’ve finished with your work.”

“Yes, father.”

“You have a suitable team and your performance has been as expected.”

Gyro nods. Maybe they can run into traffic. But then what about Johnny and the baby? Damn. 

“Call a car.”

Gyro takes out their phone and gets to that. Better than talking with the guy.

“Will Johnny be meeting us at your home?”

Hopefully not. “I don’t think so.”

“A shame.” Gregorio turns away and faces the street. “She is a fine woman.”

Not a woman at all. “Car’s on its way.”

“Your mother would approve of Johnny.”

So he just did not hear that at all, huh? Gyro nods anyway. 

“If you had told me more of Johnny I would have brought your mother. She hasn’t learned any English like myself but women have a certain way of communicating anyway.”

Gregorio was enough on his own. The both of them? Gyro’s nauseous just thinking about it.

“I heard my name.”

Gyro perks up, looking over their shoulder to see none other than Johnny. Their heart beats fast and they can’t stop themselves from rushing over. “Johnny. Why are you here? You never come and meet me.” 

“I was supposed to be with you before,” Johnny scolds, wagging a finger at Gyro. He looks past Gyro at Gregorio. “You’ve been dealing with this all day.”

Fuck. Gyro was trying to avoid this. “I got us a car to go home. You should have called me. You could be home already.” 

“Don’t wanna be home. Wanna be here.”

“You said she would not be meeting us,” Gregorio speaks out, coming closer. Damn. Way too late now.

“Plans changed. I had work or I would have been here sooner.” Johnny puts a hand on Gyro.

“What do you do for work?”

This is way too much. “Unfortunately, I do believe Johnny will have to leave. I only ordered a car for two. With no disability accommodation.”

“Cancel it,” Johnny and Gregorio say at the same time.

Ugh. Cornered again. Gyro pulls out their phone to do just that.

“What are you taking a car for anyway? Bus is still working,” Johnny says.

“You have her traveling on public transportation as well?” Gregorio folds his hands behind his back. The disapproval was clear in his face though his tone was unchanged.

Damn it, Johnny. “Johnny’s free to do whatever he—”

“We like taking the bus,” Johnny interrupts. “I can’t drive anyway.”

“That is entirely unsuitable. If there were an emergency, public transportation could not be relied on.”

“Good thing there’s been none of that then.”

God, why? Johnny just can’t leave it be. “I was going to look into a car, father. I’ve been consumed with work today.”

“A car would be more comfortable for your condition,” Gregorio continues, ignoring Gyro yet again.

“Who says I ain’t comfortable? I have a driving assist if it was ever necessary. Gyro doesn’t need to do that for me.”

“He should. You two are entangled. You’re his responsibility.”

“They do plenty. If you don’t want to go on a bus, you don’t have to.” Johnny sizes Gregorio up and down. “Did you even think why Gyro might prefer it?”

Gregorio presses his hands together. “A car is safer and clean. My son knows how to drive. His preference should not matter when it comes to logistics.”

Son. He. His.

All day. Every single damn day.

A single she for Proserpina was acknowledged immediately. Got heads turning. A hundred theys and the wrong name from Johnny, and Gregorio hasn’t so much as blinked. It was invisible. Unnoticeable.

He wasn't the only one to do this. Not even the first. But it stung worse. They almost wish for a dramatic reaction even though it would mean the end of their easy life here. Just some kind of notice at all. 

“What will the two of you do when you have children?” Gregorio continues. “You can not expect to transport a newborn in that state.”

Johnny pouts, glancing away. “...We’ve got friends for that.”

Oh no. Gyro straightens up, clapping their hands together to get both of their attention. “Chatting like this isn’t actually getting us anywhere. I’ll order us a better car.”

Gregorio nods in approval, turning his attention back to the street.

Johnny continues to stare off. Also thinking of something. Something Gyro does not have the time for.

Gyro sighs. They never thought they’d feel this,

But things were easier at work.

Chapter Text

Somehow the days came again. Gregorio still hasn't left but he hasn't called Gyro at all. It was only noon so that could change. 

But it was the first time since Gregorio came here that he hasn't bothered Gyro.

That was something to celebrate. So much so that Gyro paid for Ferdinand's meal. Technically they would be paying for all of them when they took over as owner. If they were going to take over.

But that's nothing Gyro has to think of at all.

“Have you spoken with your boyfriend about going out?” Ferdinand asks between chews.

“It's only been a day. Less than that.”

“You're in a good mood. I figured it had to do with him.”

Well, Johnny was rather cute this morning. Chatting away to the baby as he got ready for work. “A bit.”

“Did your father leave yesterday?”

“Ugh. I wish.” Gyro rubs their head. The absolute last person they want to think about right now. “Eat your food.”

Ferdinand continues doing just that but doesn't stop talking. “I would like to know when the two of you are available so I can find the right show. They all have certain dates and times. They don't do walk-ins like we do.”

“I could ask him now.” Gyro takes out their phone. “He's at work but he can't be that busy.”

“Put him on speaker.”

“Absolutely not,” Gyro sneers, putting their phone to their ear.

“Yeah?” Johnny answers.

They melt at the sound of his voice. They're going home to that soon enough. 

“Carino,” Gyro cooes. “I'm here at work—”

“With Doctor Ferdinand,” Ferdinand shouts.

“Hush.” Gyro grips the phone closer to them.

“Oh, that your friend? Gyro, don't call me when you're talking to your friends, it's rude.”

“He suggested it.” Gyro pouts.

“Ask him about the theater,” Ferdinand says.

“He wants to know when you're free so the three of us can go out together.”

“Out? Shit. Look at you, Gyro. You're a social butterfly now, gonna put Poco to shame.”

Gyro smiles at their phone, leaning back with a natural flex despite Johnny not being able to see it. “What can I say? I'm a charming person.”

“Sure charmed me. I'm free whenever. Now talk to your friend. You're gonna see me soon.”

“Not soon enough.”

Johnny huffs in amusement and hangs up.

Ferdinand wasn't eating anymore. Odd.

“I know his work schedule so I guess he's free on those days. Yours and mine are pretty similar. I don't mind going after work as well. Like how we went to that band.”

“I'd prefer to go after work as well…” Ferdinand trails off.

Oh well. Not Gyro’s problem. They continue to eat. They still have a good amount of time to go before they have to get back to work. Maybe they can sneak somewhere and listen to some music.

“Zeppeli.”

“Ferdinand.” Gyro echoes with a smile, tapping one of their feet. “Figured out a time?”

“Yes. You know my specialty correct?”

“Obstetrician-gynecologist.”

“The other one.”

Gyro tilts their head. Ferdinand hated talking about work as much as they do. “Having trouble with a patient? It's not my study but I can take on some general advice.”

Ferdinand sighs and steeples his fingers together. “You're not quite a man. Are you Zeppeli?”

Gyro’s heart stops. The food they were holding falls down to their plate. The world a quiet buzz in a single moment.

“I thought so. So what is it then?”

“What do you mean?” Gyro gulps. Ferdinand figured them out. How? No one's ever just figured it out with Gyro saying something. Did they really seem like it after all? It should be bad. They can't be exposed especially while their father is around. It shouldn't feel so good.

“What do you use? She? They?” 

They shouldn’t answer. Should deny it.

“Th-they.” Gyro's words catch on their tongue. Their throat was swollen. They sink deeper into their shoulders.

“I thought so. Ah. It all makes so much more sense.” Ferdinand nods to himself. "I can't believe it took you this long to introduce yourself properly. What was that your boyfriend said? Gy-something. Was that your name?"

Gyro squirms in their seat. They were at work. They can't do this. "Gyro. It's my name. Gyro."

“Like a gyroscope?”

Gyro perks. “Yeah. You're the first person to notice that. Johnny likes to say it's the food.”

“That's not even pronounced the same.”

“That's what I said.” Gyro shakes their head. They glance around. They were getting loud. Anybody could notice.

“This gives us even more reason to meet up later. I know plenty of places we could have been going to.”

“I'm not really a part of all that stuff. Like your patients are.”

“But you are. Just cause you're not out doesn't mean you shouldn't be there with the rest of us.”

Gyro rubs their arm. They never thought about it like that. “We have that show to see with Johnny first.”

“Ah. Yes. I should start looking into it after work. Or perhaps during. It'd be better than dealing with appointments.” 

“Nyo. Careful, you'd lose your license like that, Ferdinand.”

He rolls his eyes.

It was their normal conversation. Ferdinand wasn't acting drastically. Wasn't arguing with Gyro. He simply accepted it. Believed it. And kept on treating Gyro as he's been doing. Like it really was that easy.

Gyro scratches their neck. “...You know, you know my name now but I don't know yours.”

“What do you mean?”

“I'm—” They quiet their voice. “Gyro. What's your name?”

Ferdinand stares at them. "Is this a joke? It's Franz. As I've told you."

"Ah, I do think I've heard that somewhere before.”

Ferdinand pinches the bridge of his nose. "You're a terrible person, Gyro."

Person. Gyro.

He could hurl whatever insults he liked. 

As long as he kept speaking like that.

--

It felt good to be far from the penthouse for once. They didn't have to worry about the looming threats back there. 

They felt light like this. No costume. Their favorite grills. A smattering of jewelry. Lipstick. They would have painted their nails too if they weren't worried about bumping into Gregorio on the way back home.

“You look like the cat that got the cream,” Johnny drawls beside him.

Gyro has absolutely no idea what that means. But Johnny sounds so cute when he speaks like that. They lean down and kiss his cheeks and jaw.

“Hey, stop it. You're gonna make a scene when your doctor buddy shows up.” Johnny pushes at Gyro lightly. Not even close to the strength he's capable of. And his blushing cheeks show he enjoys it more than he says.

“If I'm the cat, does that make you my little kitten?” Gyro hums against Johnny.

“Hell no,” Johnny huffs, a smile in his eyes despite that. “Don't you got tickets? We should just head in instead of taking up the sidewalk.”

“Hmmm, they've got cameras in these theaters.”

“Camera—what in god's name are you trying to do?”

Gyro bursts out into laughter, stretching up. They laugh so hard they almost miss the quiet,

“Zeppeli.” From behind them.

Gyro turns around. Ferdinand was there. It was a drastic change from how he had to dress at the clinic but most would say the same for Gyro. Ferdinand was a fan of effeminate clothes like Gyro. He always had some form of gloss or eyeliner on even at work. But here with the clothes, the makeup was far more pronounced.

“Johnny, this is Doctor Franz Ferdinand.” Gyro gestures over Ferdinand.

“I'm shocked you remembered this time.”

“It was only a day ago, nyoho.” Gyro steps aside so Ferdinand could see Johnny better and motions to him. “This is—”

“He's pregnant?” 

Johnny and Gyro both still and look at each other with bewilderment.

Ferdinand honestly doesn't look any less confused than them.

“I am.” Johnny's the first one to speak up. “It's Gyro’s.”

“I had assumed so.” Ferdinand shakes their head. “Zeppeli. You're more tightly locked than a bank. It took me how long to get your boyfriend's name? And you never even once mentioned that he's pregnant?”

“It wasn't really relevant.” Plus Gyro was trying to hide it.

“How is telling me about your boyfriend's sleeping habits more relevant than a literal pregnancy?”

“How'd you know?” Johnny asks.

“It's my specialty. And it's rather obvious.” Ferdinand glances at the bump. 

“People don't normally notice.”

“People are stupid.”

Johnny huffs in amusement. “Sure.”

“Is there any more dramatic news I should be aware of? Your partner has told me basically nothing about you.”

“Same here,” Johnny admits.

“Hey.” Gyro pouts.

“Gyro’s pretty private.”

“That's one word for it,” Ferdinand scoffs.

“You know more about Johnny than anyone else at work.”

“That's hardly saying anything.” Ferdinand shakes his head and glances back at Johnny. “Johnny… is Johnny short for something?"

"Jonathan but basically nobody calls me that." Johnny shrugs.

"Johnny's a rather juvenile name.”

“No it's not.”

“It's a cute name.” Gyro nods in agreement.

Ferdinand crosses his arms. “I much prefer Jonathan." 

“If you wanna be the only one calling me that, go ahead.” Johnny shrugs. “It's still my name so not like I mind.”

“Jonathan it is. So, Jonathan, Zeppeli was telling me that you've met their father. Was that why he came over? I've seen plenty of nosey grandparents.”

Gyro grimaces. “We do have our tickets. We can continue this inside.”

“That's what I was saying.” Johnny turns and heads in.

Ferdinand goes to follow but Gyro stops him with a hand up.

“Hold on. Ferdinand. You can't tell anyone. At work.” Honestly they'd prefer if Johnny wasn't known at all but their father was already far too aware of him.

“You have so many secrets, Zeppeli. What am I? A diary?” Ferdinand shakes his head. 

“It's important.”

“I've had men come into the same clinic for my services you know.”

“It's not because of that.”

Ferdinand stares off for a moment. Fuck. How much more could Gyro say? Ferdinand already knew far too much.

“...Fine.” He puts his hands up. “Fine. I have no one else to talk to anyhow.”

“That's great.”

“Try to be more sympathetic, Zeppeli.”

“Are we seeing this thing or what?” Johnny shouts over, peeking his head out of the door.

“Coming, amore.” Gyro shouts back, waving rapidly until Johnny goes back in. 

“So this is how you are around him.” Ferdinand says with an obvious smirk.

“What's that mean?” 

Ferdinand shakes his head. “Let's go see the show.”

--

It had been such a pleasant day.

Of course it all had to go wrong when they were coming home.

Gyro caught sight of Gregorio when the elevator opened. They were going to slam that first floor button and rush out of the building before they could be seen. But Johnny rolled right out. 

They couldn't just leave Johnny. Had to follow. And naturally with their commotion, Gregorio turned right around and saw the both of them.

Gyro puts their hand up over their mouth. If they had more time they could have rubbed the lipstick off. Ugh.

“Excellent timing. I was just about to knock on your door.” Gregorio says.

“Could have called us,” Johnny says.

“I did. It appears my son has turned his phone off.”

Shit, they did. Forgot all about it after they left the theater.

Gregorio folds his hands behind his back. Gyro sinks down against the wall. They're in for it now. A lecture about being available. How dare they take some time to enjoy a hangout with their friend and Johnny? Gyro can already see all the points. This would take ages and they don't even have a chance to clean their face.

“I would like to invite the two of you to dinner,” Gregorio says.

“Huh?” Gyro’s hand nearly slips before they clamp it right back over themself.

“I spoke clearly. It will be a dinner tomorrow if possible. In the evening.”

“You paying?” Johnny raises a brow. Really? Is that a priority right now?

“Of course. I am extending the invitation. It is only fair that I pay.”

“Sure.”

“Johnny,” Gyro groans under their hand.

“Very well. I have a restaurant in mind. You will both be ready by 7.”

“This black tie or something?”

“I am regrettably unfamiliar with those terms.”

“Formal wear,” Gyro says in Italian.

“Speak up. Why are you covering your face?”

Johnny grabs Gyro’s arm. “I can't understand you two when you do that. What's going on?”

“Yes, you should wear your finest. It is dinner after all.” Gregorio switches back to English, thankfully focusing on Johnny for the moment.

Gyro rubs their palm. It's got to do something, right? Johnny was wearing lipstick too. Could they pass this off as just kiss marks? It's a different color though. Fuck. Fuck.

“7 at The Smith.”

“The steakhouse?” Johnny blinks.

“Yes. You're familiar. I will take my leave. Stop covering your face, Julius.”

“Yes, father.” Gyro lowers their hand and their head, hoping nothing is caught.

It seems fine as Gregorio nods and heads to the same elevator they just came from. When he's out of sight Gyro can breathe again.

“Don't stay out there,” Johnny calls from the apartment. When did he move?

Gyro scurries in after him. “Why would you say yes to dinner?”

“Free food.”

“Some things cost more than money.”

Johnny frowns and grabs Gyro’s hand. He rubs the smudged marks with his thumb. “You messed up your lipstick.”

“I had to.” Gyro yanks their hand back. “Stop distracting me. We can't go to dinner with him.”

“Why not?”

“We're already seeing him far too much.”

“Sure but the guy’s not gone yet. If we're gonna be seeing him then I want some food out of it.” Johnny puts a hand over his stomach. “Baby agrees.”

“I can feed you just as much.”

“It tastes better when it's free.” Johnny shakes a head. “You don't have to wipe off your lips or turn down food.”

“I do. Nothing has been signed off to me yet, and even if it was, he could figure out a way to take it back.”

“What if he doesn't do any of that? He hasn't really noticed anything.”

“He's still here. If he was satisfied then he would have left right after seeing me at work.”

“I know I just…” Johnny trails off.

“Don't go off somewhere.”

“I'm not. I just think he's telling the truth. Just wants to go to dinner. No big plans beyond that. Did y'all do that before? Back when you were living there?”

“Of course. We're Italian. Family dinner was a must.”

“So what's the problem? We just eat and run up the bill on the guy.”

“I don't want to be near him for that long.”

“You'll be with me. And baby.”

“Could be with you and baby alone.”

“If we say no, don't you think he's just gonna ask for something else?”

Gyro groans. What more could their father even want from them? “I don't know.”

“I think so. He wouldn't have come if he didn't want to do something with you.”

That's annoyingly true as well.

Damn it, damn it.

Johnny has a point. They already had to deal with their father enough. It's better if they make sure it's as little as possible.

“Alright.”

“Great, now I've got to get my Sunday best.” Johnny turns and rolls off to their bedroom.

“...Tomorrow's Thursday.”

--

“I’m going to get kicked out,” Johnny complains, picking at his sleeves yet again.

“I don’t think the dress code is that strict.”

Johnny pouts at Gyro. He’s the only one upset with his current look.

They discovered a problem right before leaving. Johnny wore one of his older dress shirts. Something he clearly had for a while. It wasn’t fit for Johnny’s current body. And it sure made that known when one of its buttons popped right off in their living room.

Gyro was in hysterics. Johnny’s glare stopped that. They had to do disaster control. So they did the best they could. They lent Johnny their smallest dress shirt. It was a stiff fabric. Hung tighter to Johnny’s bump. But it was at least in no danger of popping open.

“You’re guaranteed to be the most handsome guy in there.” Gyro leans over, kissing Johnny’s cheek.

“You know HP’s been bugging me about buying proper paternity wear but it’s not gonna be for that long. Feels like a waste.”

“I like seeing you in my stuff.” 

“‘Cause you’re a pervert.”

“Wouldn’t it have been far more perverted for me to let you go out missing your buttons?”

The car they were in slows to a stop. Gyro glances and spots the restaurant. They were here earlier than arranged but not really early enough for Gyro to properly scope out the place thanks to Johnny’s wardrobe disaster. 

“Thank you,” Johnny says for no reason as Gyro opens up the car door. Gyro heads to the back, getting Johnny’s chair and setting it so Johnny could get on.

The driver waits until they’re settled to drive off again. Gyro takes out their phone, rating and sending the tip. Typical stuff. They would have taken the bus but they needed to be here on time and they didn’t want anyone ruining either of their clothes. They already had to deal with Gregorio. Dealing with Gregorio lecturing both of them for not keeping themselves tidy? Terrible.

And sure enough that’s exactly who they spot hanging outside and staring into the parking lot.

There goes their appetite.

“Julius. Johnny.” Gregorio nods to the both of them when they get close enough. He stares down at Johnny, head tilted.

“We’re here. You got a reservation right? I’m starving,” Johnny says.

“Yes.” Gregorio finally looks away. “In.”

Gyro helps Johnny inside and follows. They’re seated quickly. Gregorio apparently already had told the restaurant's front host about the reservation and had a table made ready. Even though they were early, Gregorio was much earlier.

It’s your standard fancy restaurant all things considered. Nice decor and ambience. Nice smelling food and wines all over.

The table’s in a good spot. Towards the back where things are a bit quieter. It would be nice if not for the man that was seated across from Gyro.

“You wanna share?” Johnny moves the menu over, pointing to the oysters on the menu. That’s raw shellfish. Not safe.

“No fish.” Gyro motions to a salad there instead. “We can share this.”

“I’m not having rabbit food,” Johnny sneers at him and pulls his menu back with a huff. “I’m having caramelized bacon instead.”

Gyro shrugs. As long as he’s not getting anything dangerous, Gyro doesn’t care what he gets.

The waiter comes back over and pours out three glasses.

They order and everything is quickly squared away. Gregorio takes a sip of his drink.

Johnny must notice because he grabs his water glass and clinks it into Gyro's wine glass. “Salute.”

“Cheers.” Gyro echoes, taking a small sip of the wine. It’s expensive stuff. Full of flavor and a deep richness. Gyro would indulge more if it weren’t for Johnny. Technically you can’t get contact drunk, but Gyro would like to introduce as little alcohol as possible into Johnny’s mouth even if it was through their own.

“You know Italian?” Gregorio asks, swirling drink in hand.

“Only a bit from what Gyro’s taught me.” 

“You’ve been teaching your girlfriend.” Gregorio nods to Gyro. 

Gyro grimaces. Most of the words taught were not appropriate for dinner conversation. 

“They’re a good teacher when they try.” Johnny drinks down more of his water.

“Julius, serve your girlfriend.” Gregorio motions to the abandoned wine glass.

“I don’t drink anymore.” Johnny waves a hand hastily.

“This is fine wine. Not the drivel you typically find in a store. It’s meant to pair with the food,” Gregorio insists.

Shit.

“Johnny’s careful with his health,” Gyro adds. “It’s an American thing. They don’t really like to drink with their meals that much.”

Gregorio squints.

“It’s not just us. We’ve got an Italian friend and she hardly drinks too,” Johnny says.

HP is hardly a good example.

“I see.” Gregorio thankfully drops the topic.

Ugh, why were they doing this? This was like defusing a bomb. Walking in a minefield. Some good food couldn’t be worth that. They drink down more of the wine.

The table’s finally silent again. Johnny kept glancing between Gyro and Gregorio for some reason. Gregorio stares as he always does.

“So…” Johnny drawls.

No. It was finally peaceful. Why?

Gregorio’s attention is on Johnny again so it’s too late.

“We should have gotten more appetizers,” Johnny says.

“You’re just hungry. It’s more than enough food.” Gyro pats Johnny’s shoulder. 

“Places like this don’t serve bread?” Johnny pouts.

“This isn’t a chain.”

“Wouldn’t kill them to have some bread.”

“My wife makes excellent bread,” Gregorio suddenly speaks out. Just when Gyro was starting to forget his presence. Damn. “I am remiss that I could not serve this dinner myself.”

“You can cook?” Johnny leans in, much louder than he needs to be. 

“Have you not cooked for Johnny?” Gregorio looks at Gyro with disapproval.

“I have.” Gyro raises their hands.

“Gyro’s so—I didn’t think that’s where they got it.”

“His mother is also a suitable cook but I am better.” Gregorio nods to himself. 

“You talked about your wife’s bread.”

“She has beaten me at bread.”

Johnny sputters in amusement. Gregorio tilts his head, steepling his fingers together. “If you’re such a good cook, why not make us something?”

“I am unfamiliar with the American kitchen. When you come to Italy, I will serve.”

When?

“You ever tried it out? It’s the same shit mostly.” Johnny continues. Either not hearing it or ignoring it.

“My tools are a necessity for the process. I am also unfamiliar with the produce.”

Johnny hums with a pout.

Thankfully the first of the appetizers come over, so Johnny can focus on that instead of a hypothetical dinner that would most definitely not be happening if Gyro had anything to say about it.

They were enjoying themselves too much. Should have known that would end when Gregorio places his utensils down and starts to clean them off with his napkin.

“I have called this dinner for a reason,” Gregorio starts.

Johnny grabs Gyro’s hand under the table. Tension clear from his face to his tight grip. 

“Julius. You have performed as taught. The clinic is well maintained. It shall be written in your name.”

What, just like that? Gregorio saw so little. What was even holding him back this time if one trip to the clinic was all it took? 

“I understand. Thank you father.” Gyro nods.

“Are you going to be gone more?” Johnny mutters with a frown.

“Even if I will not be in charge I will be keeping an eye on the clinic,” Gregorio continues.

That's a fuck ton better than before. No more oversight. No more worries about Gregorio finding out everything. Ruining it at all.

“Don't make me regret this decision,” Gregorio concludes.

“Gyro,” Johnny emphasizes. His voice tighter. When Gyro glances his way he can see his eyes are glossy. Fuck. Now was not the time for pregnant blubbering.

Gyro rubs Johnny's back. “I can manage just fine. It'll be close to the same hours.”

Maybe even less. Gyro was functioning as the business manager as well as the lead doctor. They could hire someone to take some if not all of those duties. It would mean less money but more time with Johnny was worth that. 

Johnny leans into them. He doesn't seem any more settled. This is a conversation Gyro would prefer to have in private. Gyro appeases him as much as they can with a kiss to the head.

The main meal is served and Johnny finally pulls away, wiping at his face. Tears didn't spill as far as Gyro could tell.

Johnny starts to stuff his face. Maybe he's better than Gyro thought. Pregnancy mood swings could be unpredictable. 

Gyro keeps a hand over Johnny’s just in case.

They have to eat slower thanks to a loss of a hand. Should have suspected something when they felt Johnny leaning their way again.

“You done?” Johnny asks.

“You're still hungry?”

“Yeah.”

Gyro sighs, leaning back and passing the plate off. Johnny takes it and continues to munch away.

“Julius. Call over the waiter if you need more. You don't need to share plates like animals.”

“Yes, father.” Gyro flags down the waiter to do just that. 

“This place got dessert?” Johnny asks.

“We're cutting down on that. Your blood sugar was too high.”

“According to you,” Johnny grumbles. “Doc had no problem.”

“She's hardly suited for the job. Much less the title.”

The waiter comes over. Despite Johnny's pleading eyes, Gyro holds firm only ordering another appetizer for themself. Waiting for a whole entree would take far longer than Gyro cared for.

“Are you not being fed properly?” Gregorio asks Johnny.

Johnny huffs. “Gyro’s feeding us just fine.”

Gregorio goes quiet, sipping at his wine again. The cup was almost entirely drained now. 

Gyro’s isn't much better. The only untouched cup was Johnny’s. Kind of a waste…

Gyro finishes off their cup and grabs Johnny’s, sipping from it.

“Good thing you ain't driving,” Johnny teases.

“This is hardly anything.” Gyro waves off. “You’re just jealous.”

Johnny puts a hand over his stomach with a pout. It’s downright adorable. Maybe it’s the drink. Gyro leans over placing their hand on top of Johnny’s and kissing Johnny’s cheek.

“Julius.”

Ugh, what now? “Yes, father.”

“Johnny.”

Huh?

Johnny looks over just as confused. “Yeah?”

“When were you going to tell me that Johnny is pregnant?”

Chapter Text

What could Gyro possibly say?

What could they possibly do?

No matter how many times they went over this very scenario. Tried to avoid it. They never considered what would be the next move.

Gyro gapes like a fish. “Pre—”

“I knew the two of you were hiding something,” Gregorio says. His voice is even. No betrayal. No upset. Just a fact. “Though there is no reason to hide this. While I would have preferred a grandchild within wedlock that can be easily rectified.”

No.

No, no. It was happening. Really happening. 

Gyro could see the rest of their life so plainly. The life they were always doomed to have from the moment they were born. Heir to the family name. Born only to continue its legacy.

“This leaves very little time to arrange a suitable marriage, but you’ve left no choice,” Gregorio continues.

Johnny perks beside them. A sparkle in his eyes. 

They can’t let this happen.

“I’m not going to marry Johnny.”

Johnny’s attention snaps to Gyro. He puts his hand over Gyro’s arm tightly. “Shut it.”

“I raised you better than this, Julius. You know you have to take responsibility for your actions.”

Gyro tries to pull away from Johnny but Johnny’s holding them far too tight. “Fuck that.”

“Gyro,” Johnny hisses.

“No. No. We’re not—”

Johnny clamps his hand over Gyro’s mouth. “You’re drunk. Relax.”

“This is entirely unbecoming. Neither of you are children. You shouldn’t behave as such,” Gregorio says.

“It’s all good,” Johnny says with a painfully fake smile.

Gyro shoves Johnny’s hands off. “No, it’s not.”

“This is unnecessary. The two of you are clearly quite attached to each other,” Gregorio continues. “Johnny will make a good mother and a good wife.”

“No, he won’t.”

Johnny’s eyes gloss, reddening.

“Stop this childish display, Julius.” Gregorio’s voice isn’t even raised. It’s a command. Not an argument. 

Gyro’s limbs shudder. They want to buckle. To keep their head down. They’re already in for it. They’re already in so much trouble. They can’t let Johnny be taken in with them. They can’t let their life go as planned.

“Johnny’s a man,” Gyro snaps.

“You fucker,” Johnny hisses.

Gregorio pauses and stares down Johnny long and hard before he looks back to Gyro with disappointment in his eyes. “Your lack of responsibility is bringing great shame to our family name. To make up such an excuse just so you avoid matrimony? Men can’t be pregnant and I’m sure Johnny is.”

“I am pregnant,” Johnny pipes up in agreement.

This prick. He didn’t deny what Gyro said but he didn’t agree either. But that. That he agrees to easily? 

They’re the only one who cares. The only one stuck here. They have to get out of this. Have to drag Johnny out too.

“He’s like Proserpina,” Gyro shouts.

Gregorio’s expression changes for the first time. Brows furrowed. Head down. “Do not speak of that name.” 

“Who’s that?” Johnny looks confused. Gregorio isn’t looking at them anymore. A chance. An escape. They stand up, only now noticing the waiter hovering close by. Eyes on them from the nearby tables with hushed whispers.

“We’re leaving,” Gyro insists, turning tail and getting out of the restaurant as quickly as possible. They don’t care about the people they bump into. Not the feet they stumble over. They’re out. They’re breathing in heaps of fresh air. They want to go home. Get away. Anything but this.

Gyro kneels to the ground, panting. Their head is swimming. They feel around their pockets with shaky hands. Have to call. Get a way back home.

A hand on their shoulder.

Gyro shouts in surprise, they’re already low to the ground so they only stumble onto their hand. 

“What the fuck was that?” Johnny shouts. Johnny. Johnny’s here. Johnny followed. Good.

“We’re going home.”

“We were gonna go home after this. You made a scene for no damn reason.”

“No reason?” Gyro’s attention snaps to Johnny. “He knows you’re pregnant now.”

“He was gonna have to find out eventually. Everything was going perfect.”

“Perfect for you.”

“For you too,” Johnny shouts. “You want to own the clinic, don’t you? And you want to be with me—”

“Not like this.”

“Then like how Gyro? How? I’m just your dirty fucking secret forever? You think that’s good for me? For our kid?”

“Yes,” Gyro shouts back, stumbling up onto their knees to face Johnny. “It would be better if he never knew you at all. This is exactly what I told you would happen.”

“So what? He knows now and all he wants is for us to be married and the baby to be in your name. That’s what I want too. What’s your fucking issue?”

“I won’t be marrying you. I’ll be marrying some girl my father has imagined.”

“There’s no imagination. He’s met me. Talked to me. Said you should marry me.” Johnny pats his chest with emphasis.

“No, he hasn’t. You’ve been purposefully hiding the reality so things just go fucking ‘perfect.’”

“Yeah. What? You think I’m gonna be ashamed of that? I’m the one seeing the bigger picture here and you’re stuck on bullshit that we could work out instead of constantly running from it.”

“You wanna talk running? Huh? You didn’t want me to tell him you’re a man.”

“That didn’t fucking stop you from doing it.”

“Because you refuse to do anything about it.”

“It doesn’t bother me.”

“It bothers me. And you don’t even care about that.”

Johnny frowns, hands over his stomach. 

Gyro takes out their phone. They jam on an app. For once they wish they did have a car. Just to get out of here as quickly as possible. But they were in no state to drive anyway. 

“I already ordered us a car,” Johnny speaks up.

Thank God. Gyro shoves their phone back in their pocket. Their head was throbbing with each breath. They just wanted to bang it into the pavement. Something to make it stop.

“...Who’s Proserpina?”

Gyro shakes their head. They haven't said that name in years. Even hearing it was surreal. “My sister.”

“You have a sister?”

“Had.”

“Had?”

“Julius. Johnny.” 

Gyro holds their head. Their throat tightens. 

“Don't think this display has revoked your responsibility. I'll be calling your mother and making proper arrangements. Get home safely.”

Gyro grits their teeth. “Prick.”

“Gyro.”

“What the hell do you want now?” Gyro snaps. Wait. Where's Gregorio? Wasn't he just here?

“The car’s here. We've got to move.” Johnny pulls at their arm. He's strong enough to shift Gyro so Gyro stands.

Somehow they make it into the car. Their head hasn’t stopped pounding. They need to rest their eyes.

They feel a familiar hand over their face, gently rubbing at their jaw. It’s soothing along with the lull of the car. 

Their eyes droop closed.

--

Gyro wakes up with a start. They were home. Johnny was sleeping beside them. Was it all just a terrible nightmare?

Gyro grabs their phone. The date was the next day. They weren’t so lucky. They toss their phone back onto the nightstand, not caring even when it slides off and plops onto the ground. They grab the pillow they were laying on and scream into it.

“Wh—Huh?” Johnny jolts awake beside them.

Oh. Fuck. “Sorry. Sorry. Go back to bed.”

“We’re okay?” Johnny puts his hand over his chest, looking around in a bleary panic.

“It was just me.” Gyro wraps their arms around him, holding him close until Johnny’s breathing evens out again.

“Mkay,” Johnny slurs, eyes fluttering closed. 

Cute.

Gyro gets out of bed. They had work later. Ugh. They should just call out. How could they go in now? How could they do anything?

They crawl back into bed, earning a groan from Johnny.

Johnny who was the damn cause of all this. Just had to keep talking to Gregorio. Had to insist they go to that stupid dinner. Now what?

Gyro flips onto their back. Stares at the paint on the ceiling.

Now what…

This was a nightmare come true. The thing Gyro had only woken up from before in cold sweats. It was never supposed to be real. 

Gyro rubs their head. It had stopped hurting but it still felt sore. A throbbing that might never leave.

Maybe they’ll just rot here forever. Become a part of the room. That sounded better than seeing their father again. Than being stuck on the end of an aisle. Seeing Johnny come down that same one. But not Johnny at all. Johnny but dressed up and primed and prepped and completely wrong.

Gyro’s sick again. Has to stumble up to the bathroom. Shockingly they don’t throw up, but since they’re here they take care of their usual morning business. Not even slotting on their grills helps them feel much better. They head back to bed to keep wasting away but Johnny was in their spot. 

“You’re up.” Johnny was sat up, rubbing at his eyes.

“Yeah.”

“You look pretty bad for a person who barely drank.”

“Should have drank more,” Gyro grumbles, picking their phone off the floor. They’ll call out now. They walk back out of the room. The receptionist in charge is quick to sign Gyro off for the day. Feel better, he says. Gyro doesn’t think that's possible. Doesn’t think they’ll ever stop feeling this deepening pit in their chest.

When they come back to the bedroom, Johnny is thankfully gone. They toss their phone away again and crawl back under the sheets. Maybe they could dream of a better place to be. 

Except sleep doesn’t come. Gyro’s stuck staring at the back of their eyelids. And when they tire of that they’re just staring at their pillow. They weren’t the kind to sleep after they woke up. They got up early and energized. Something they were sorely regretting now.

“Gyro.” Johnny places a hand on Gyro’s back on top of the sheets.

“Mm.” Gyro shuts their eyes again.

“You’re not hungover.”

“I know.”

“You should get up.”

Gyro scoffs. “That’s rich coming from you. You’d sleep the whole day away if I let you.”

“Not anymore with the baby.”

Gyro opens their eyes with a frown. “...Are they okay?”

“They’ve been squirming around. Think they want to hear from their babbo.”

Gyro turns around, poking out of the sheet. Johnny was there on his chair like usual, hands over his stomach.

“Hey baby,” Gyro mutters.

Johnny reaches a hand out. Gyro takes it. Let’s Johnny drag it over to a spot on the bump. Something kicks against him.

“Hey,” Johnny grimaces. “Be gentle in there.”

Gyro laughs. “Are they trying to kick me or you?”

“Probably both.” Johnny rubs his thumb over Gyro’s hand. “They weren’t exactly thrilled with us last night.”

Gyro wasn’t thrilled either. “You’re feeling okay? You haven’t noticed any spotting or—”

“I’m fine, Gyro.” Johnny leans over, kissing Gyro. Gyro can’t help but melt into it. “We’re all okay. So get up. Unless you want me to do the cooking.”

Absolutely not. Johnny was far too stressed already if their baby was fighting against them both like this.

Gyro gets up with a groan. Their whole body still felt heavy. Had to push against their own limbs as they made their way out of the room and to the kitchen.

“I can slice some of the stuff up,” Johnny offers. 

“You could get a cut. And then you could get an infection. And if you get a—”

“I get it. I get it.” Johnny raises his hands. He rolls by the counter, leaning on it. “I just want to be here with you.”

“...You can watch.”

“That’s good enough.”

Breakfast is slow. Quiet except for the shuffling of Gyro and Johnny alike.

“You’ve got work later,” Johnny pipes up as Gyro turns around to start plating the food.

“I don’t.”

“You called out?”

“Yes.”

Johnny buries his head in his arms. “I'll call out too.”

Gyro nods. With Johnny's stress that's probably good. Johnny was getting so close now. Only a few months away. It was more serious than ever for him and the baby alike.

Johnny rolls to the table and Gyro sets the plate down before him. “Where's yours?”

“Not hungry.” 

Johnny crosses his arms. “I'm only eating if you are.”

“That's wholly unnecessary.”

“Your big words won't distract me.” Johnny pushes the plate away.

“Don't be a child.”

“You’re a child. Not eating cause you're grumpy.”

“I'm not hungry.”

“Me neither.”

Gyro groans. So fucking stubborn. They turn back to the stove and shove what remains onto a plate. They sit down, letting their plate and utensils clatter on the table. The clangs make their blood boil. 

Johnny pulls his plate back. Finally starting to eat.

He takes big bites. Like he's shoving it into his cheeks. Storing it away like a hamster. So cute.

Gyro sighs. They're tired again. Maybe they should go to sleep after all.

The food’s picked away at and their plates are clean.

“Can I wash the dishes?” Johnny asks.

“If you wear gloves.”

“Who the fuck wears gloves?”

“Everyone.” Gyro certainly remembers their father always scrubbing with long gloves on.

Their father…

Gyro gets up. Taking the plates with them to the sink to soak. “You remember your idea right? About us running away? We should do it."

“You're kidding.”

“I'm not.” Gyro gulps. Starting a new life was terrifying but it couldn't be worse than how doomed they already were. Their medical experience had to count for something. People needed doctors everywhere.

“You know I'd follow you to the ends of the earth. But it's not just us, Gyro. I want my kid to have a good life. Don't you?" Johnny puts his hands over his stomach.

"Could never have a good life with my father."

“I think we could.”

“Of course you do,” Gyro sneers, scrubbing extra hard at the unfortunate dish in their hand.

“I think our kid has a much better chance in a penthouse than bumming it on HP’s couch.”

“I'd never go there.”

“We run from this and you don't get many choices. Trust me. I left.” 

Gyro frowns. It felt like ages ago now. The house so empty. So quiet. That cold bed. It was vague but the pain. The fright. It still made Gyro’s chest tight. They set the plate aside to dry. 

“So we just give up, huh?” Gyro says. “Husband and wife. That's what you want for our kid?”

“It's not giving up.” Johnny crosses his arms. “...We don't have to pretend either.”

“I told you—”

“I know what you told me about your dad. But that was before I met the guy. I just. There's a possibility that. You know yesterday you said.” Johnny rambles not quite making a point but tossing his hands around like he was. “What about your sister?”

"Huh?"

"You mentioned a sister last night. It was the only time I've ever seen your dad upset. When you said that name. Prosper—something?"

Right. Gyro mentioned her. They completely forgot.  "She's gone now."

"Like… from the living?"

"Probably."

"What?" Johnny's hand snaps over his stomach. “You said I'm like her.”

“Not like that. Thankfully.”

“So what did you mean?”

Gyro sighs, leaning heavily on the counter. It never felt good to remember her. To mention her. You don't talk about ghosts unless you want them to come around. Gyro doesn't want to be haunted by her. Honestly they hope she's haunting no one. Not even their father. They wish peace for her. 

"She was... is? Like you. Like me. Born different. I knew. She knew. Our siblings knew. Everyone but my father. And when he found out he—" Gyro gulps. "Anyways. She left. At some point that night after my father found out. Or maybe she was kicked out. I don't know. She was gone after our father found her out. My father wouldn't talk about it. Nor my mother. It was like she never existed at all. That's—that's what my father does, Johnny. What he could do. To you. To me."

Johnny just stares at them. Nothing’s said. The room’s filled with nothing but their breathing.

"I'm so sorry,” Johnny finally says.

"You didn't do it." Gyro turns back to the dishes. There were still the utensils left. They turn back on the water. It's better than silence. “You get it now? A new life is better than disappearing. Being nothing.”

“...That's not the only option.”

Gyro looks over their shoulder. That fire is in Johnny's eyes. It truly never dimmed. Stubborn. “Did you hear me at all?”

“I did. You're right, Gyro. I didn't care if I was Mrs. Zeppeli for the rest of my life. Fuck, I still don't care honestly. But it's not the only option.”

“Yeah. So we have to bum it out with,” they pause to gag. “HP.”

“Not that either. We can get married as Gyro and Johnny.”

Gyro laughs bitterly. Hurts their throat. “In our dreams maybe.”

“Don't believe it? Fine. Today you can mope and bitch all you like.” Johnny shrugs.

Gyro shakes their head. What's the point? Nothing stopped Johnny before. Maybe crashing and burning will be what stops Johnny. What lets them start anew. They'll be there to make sure Johnny’s okay after it. They won't let Johnny disappear too.

“Sure.”

--

Calling out of work yesterday was a mistake.

Today they were supposed to have off but they had to make up for the missed day. While they weren't dealing with many scheduled patients, as most stuck to Gyro’s schedule, they still had to deal with walk-ins and catching up on their emails and prescriptions and other clerical nonsense.

Maybe this was for nothing. Gyro probably wouldn't have this job in a month anyway. 

Maybe less. They have not heard anything from their father but they imagine that won't last for very long.

They can't even console themselves by complaining to Ferdinand since he didn't work today.

They're left alone at lunch, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time. It passes quicker without someone there. They're back at work before they know it.

Even when they're finally, finally out, it's to no relief as they see their phone buzzing with a call from none other than their father.

What was the point? They'd be found and scolded later too. They pick up the phone, trying not to choke on their own throat as they raise it to their ear.

“Julius. I have begun arrangements. I will meet with you so we can discuss further. Are you at your home?”

“No.”

“Where are you?”

“Just left work.”

“For what reason are you working overtime? You have a pregnant wife. It's your duty to attend to her. How far along is Johnny?”

Gyro stares out at the road. They might as well just run in. “Not my wife.”

“I had hoped you had come to your senses. I see I'm wrong. You live with Johnny. Johnny is pregnant. There is no reason to not be married. You should have told me about Johnny when you found out about the pregnancy. You would already be married.” Gregorio speaks in precise Italian. 

That's probably true and that's exactly why they didn't say anything. 

“Johnny wants to be married to you. What is the problem? She can't be unattractive to you.”

“ He is attractive,” Gyro stresses in Italian.

“Your childish games are already over, Julius. Stop lying.”

“I'm not.”

“...I will come to your home soon.” Gregorio hangs up.

Gyro's hand shakes. Heart pumping.

They're in trouble. They're in so much massive amounts of trouble. They shouldn't have said anything. Done anything. If they just kept their head down they'd be okay. 

Gyro pants, sat on the bench at the bus stop. They shouldn't go home. Then they don't have to see him.

But Johnny was going to be there. Not now but later. And Johnny was so stubborn. Would idiotically approach Gregorio without a care. 

And then Gyro would never see him either.

“Fuck,” Gyro curses, head up and glancing nervously for the next bus.

They had to get home.

--

They regret it as soon as the bus pulls up.

There they are just outside of the apartment.

Not just Gyro’s father. But Gyro’s mother as well. She looked just the same as always. At least from what Gyro recalls. They've been lucky enough that the last time they ever heard from her was when they left for America. One was bad. Both were hell.

They should leave. They should take a bus to the other side of the country and never look back.

Unfortunately, they spot Johnny first. Coming home from work. Oblivious as he rolls along the other side of the street.

Damn it.

They rush across to meet him.

“Hey, hun. How was work?” Johnny greets with a cat's smile of his eyes.

“We need to go.” 

“Yeah, we are going home.”

“No. Johnny.”

It's too late. They're both looking and Gregorio must figure Gyro out since he starts to step towards them.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. They don't want to get closer. Their limbs lock. Head down. Can't meet that stare. That unyielding gaze.

“Julius. Johnny,” Gregorio greets. Sounds so much closer.

“When'd you get here?” Johnny asks. Why doesn't he ever just listen?

“This is my wife. Julius’ mother. Doctor Miliana Zeppeli.”

“What? Everyone here a doctor?” 

“She does not speak any English. She is here so we can properly start arranging the marriage. It would have been best to conduct the ceremony in Italy, but as you are pregnant that is not an available option.”

“Pretty sure pregnant folk can fly.”

“No,” Gyro snaps and then regrets it as they see Gregorio's feet step to face them. Shit. Should have stayed quiet. 

“Flights in this condition can lead to high blood pressure. Which will lend itself to seizures. As well as rupturing the membrane in which the fetus is occupied. Which will lead to a premature labor. Which will lead to the fetus’s death as well as yours.”

Gyro gulps. Exactly what they were thinking but Gregorio of course always has to spell it out.

“Jesus fuck.” Johnny mutters.

“We must also make the arrangements before the child is out so it is legitimate. How far along are you?” 

“7 months now.”

“That leaves us with very little time.” Gregorio turns to Miliana and summarizes most of what was said to her in Italian.

“I was never so small when I was pregnant. Americans have it easy,” Miliana says in her usual cold Italian. 

Johnny lays a hand on Gyro’s arm. It's rough but warm. Gyro would like to hold his hand but they can't. Can't move, not while Gregorio was there. The lecture hasn't started yet but it will if Gyro makes themself known.

“We will have to make our arrangements so you are married within a month's time.” Gregorio is back to English. “It is regrettable that you have no family to give you away. They should have also been a part of this ceremony.”

“...My family didn't want me. I wouldn't have let them be a part of it even if they were here.”

Gyro blinks, seeing a similar amount of shock on Gregorio's face too.

It's unusual and maybe that's what pushes Johnny to keep talking.

“I want to be married to Gyro. If it were up to me we'd be hitched but it ain't. And if Gyro says no to then it's a no from me as well.”

Huh? 

“If you want to be married why would you say no?”

“Because I love them.”

Gregorio’s brows knit together.

Johnny puts his hand firmly in Gyro’s. “We're gonna go home now. I had a long day of work—”

“You're pregnant—you shouldn't be working.”

“Gyro says the same thing.” Johnny huffs in amusement. “Anyways. We're going now. See ya later.”

Johnny lets go, starting to just breeze past.

It's utterly unbelievable. Gyro's left gaping like a fish, looking at him just rolling down like nothing even happened.

“Julius. I know this is your doing. You must—”

“Move it.” Johnny opens a hand towards Gyro. “I ain't got all day.”

Gyro scampers after him.

“Julius. This childishness is utterly—”

Gyro's through the door.

They thought they were in trouble before. It was so, so, so much worse now.

Gyro holds their head. They were so fucked. This was their last day of work. Their last day in this apartment.

“I'm hungry,” Johnny says. 

“You're insane,” Gyro hisses.

“Yeah, so are you.” Johnny nudges them with an fist to the arm. “Come on before they try to follow us.”

Oh shit that's right. They head into the elevator.

“I can’t believe you did that. You said you didn't want us to run away.”

“I ain't running. You were bout to collapse on the sidewalk. This is just letting him know that we're serious.”

“We're not getting married, after all?”

“Fuck no. Don't look so happy. I'm marrying you, you prick.” 

“But you said—”

“Yeah. When you approve. Then we're getting married. Your dad can pay for a ceremony in a month. Threaten you. But if I'm not there and then you're just marrying the air, ain't you?”

“He could make you—”

“Nobody can make me do anything,” Johnny scoffs.

Gyro gulps, rubbing their head.

Now that they could agree on.

Chapter Text

That was only the first step to Johnny’s grand plan.

Johnny wasn't the kind who paid attention in school. But he sure liked the battles. Nothing like a big bloody war.

Johnny was no tactician but he sure was a fighter.

Gyro had the smarts but they didn't have the nerve. That's what Johnny was for. That's what a relationship was for. Making up for what you lacked. 

“It's a good thing I don't have work today. Don't have to go in and be told I'm fired,” Gyro groans. They were collapsed on the couch again. They seemed to just shift from one place to lay down to the other. Bed to couch to Johnny's lap and back around again.

“Your dad’s not gonna fire you.” Johnny kisses the top of Gyro’s head. 

“Yeah, he'd probably prefer to shoot me down.”

“What is he? The mafia?”

“Worse.”

Johnny scoffs with a smile. Gregorio was just a man. An old man with an old man's ideals. Wants his kid to be married to a good person and have good kids and have a good job and live in a good place. That's how Johnny's own father was with Nicholas. Nicholas probably had all that by now but Nicholas was easy. Not Gyro. 

Gregorio knew that. It's why he was constantly pushing Gyro. Johnny saw it. That fear in Gregorio’s eyes when Gyro refused the marriage at dinner. The worry of a father. 

And that's exactly how Johnny will win. Not just for himself, but for Gyro too. How they'll be happily married on their own terms. How Gyro will be able to live as themselves with no more fear.

“Put on something funny. We need it.” Johnny pats Gyro’s back.

“Yeah…” Gyro turns to the TV and starts to scroll away.

Johnny sips at his shake. Empty again. Baby was taking even more from him than before. He feels like he's wasting away when he's constantly stuffing his face. They’re both taking in so much it’s a wonder how the baby isn’t bigger. 

“I'm gonna get another,” Johnny says.

Gyro just grunts in reply.

Gyro tended to make a big batch so Johnny didn't have to worry about doing it on his own. He could, but Gyro was already feeling bad. Didn't want to worry them.

As he rolls by he catches their bedroom door still open. Can't even remember when that happened. And as he goes to close it, spots his phone on the nightstand. When did Johnny turn it off?

Oh wait. This was Gyro’s phone. They can tell that now as they hold it and stare at the stalker picture Gyro had of him as their home screen.

The phone starts to buzz, an unfamiliar name coming up on the top of the screen. Padre. Wait. Johnny's heard that before. That's got to be Gregorio.

Perfect.

Johnny swipes and answers.

He gets nothing but Italian.

“What?” Johnny blinks.

“...Is this Johnny?” Gregorio’s back to English. Thank God.

“It is.”

“Excellent. I need to speak to you as well. I’m sure my son is the cause of this rash decision. I can tell my son is quite attached to you. As you are to him. Matrimony would be most beneficial to you and your unborn child as well. So you must reconsider.”

“I’ve made my stance clear. If Gyro doesn’t want to be married then I’m not doing it either.”

“I will be speaking to Julius as well. He can be overly emotional. It can lead him to irrational decisions such as this.”

Johnny grips the phone tighter. “You got one thing right. You should be speaking. But to Gyro. Not to Julius.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Gyro’s their name. It’s what they want to be called. You call them that and they might just change their mind.”

“I fail to see how a nickname you have for my son will do anything.”

“Not your son either. Gyro’s your kid. Your child.” 

“Those all mean the same thing.”

“Maybe to you, but it matters to Gyro.”

“Semantics such as this seems irrelevant. The issue is the lack of responsibility.”

“If you want them to take some responsibility then you should too.”

“Excuse me?”

“I really would love to be married as soon as I could be. So you can help us both out if you just listen and try it out.”

Gregorio is silent. Listening not arguing. That’s something. 

“You had to learn English, right? All our fancy terms. You learn Gyro’s language and the problem’s solved.”

“Carino,” Gyro calls out. “What’s taking so long?”

Oh shoot. He’s been here too long.

He hears light chatter in the background. Has to be Gyro’s mom from the tone.

“That’s your wife, right? The one who makes bread better than you?”

“Yes,” Gregorio says.

“Tell her she should come over and make us some sometime. Gyro’s calling me. I’ve gotta go.” Johnny hangs up. He hesitates, expecting to see the number pop up again, but there’s nothing. He couldn’t see Gregorio. Can’t really tell how much got through to him. But he tried. He was going to keep trying until it got through.

“Johnny,” Gyro whines even louder.

Johnny starts to make his way out of the room and refills his smoothie cup.

“You found something?” Johnny calls back from the kitchen.

“No. Come here.” 

Johnny rolls back, sipping at his prize.

Gyro makes grabby hands until Johnny climbs onto the couch. They stick their face right against Johnny's lap.

Johnny stokes their hair, glancing over his shoulder towards the bedroom.

He was just getting started.

--

“This is pointless.” Gyro kicks their feet in the elevator as they go down. “I won’t even have a job to go to.”

“You ain’t been fired yet.” Johnny pats Gyro’s arm. They’ve been saying basically the same thing since yesterday. Johnny had hoped waking up and starting a new day would refresh them, but their head was still stuck in only the worst outcome.

“Only ‘cause I’ve been avoiding my father’s calls.”

“...Maybe you should answer them. Today.”

“Are you kidding?” Gyro clutches their chest. They make their way out of the elevator. “That baby brain has made you lose all your sense.”

“Don’t blame bambino. Babbo doesn’t mean it.” Johnny pats his belly briefly before rolling to catch up. 

“You’re going into work later?”

“Yeah. Gotta.”

“All those animals jumping at you and the baby.” Gyro grimaces.

“Lucy’s been good about taking the bigger ones. She knows the deal.”

“Who’s that?”

“Girl who interns. I’m sure I’ve told you about her.”

“A girl,” Gyro sneers.

Johnny rolls his eyes. 

“Like a little girl could handle any beast.”

“I sure as hell don’t see you dealing with any dogs.”

“Cause I don’t want to.”

“Good. The two of you haven’t gone far.”

Johnny blinks. Gregorio was here. Wow. For an old guy he sure was quiet.

Gyro hangs their head. They drop their work bag in defeat. “At least let us pack.”

“Pack what?” Gregorio pulls each finger back. It didn’t have bounce to it like before. Gregorio was nervous again. Man. Both of them were right here in front of each other but neither of them could even see the other.

Johnny puts a hand on Gyro. “You here to talk? We’ve both got work.”

“No, we don’t.” Gyro mopes. Sheesh. They don’t even like their job.

“I see. I had hoped to talk while there was more time. I would reschedule this but you have been ignoring my calls. Go to work then. I will see you after.”

Gyro perks up. “I’m not fired?”

Gregorio looks at them and they flinch, head down again. “No. You have done nothing to be fired over. Unless you are hiding something else from me as well.”

“Told ya,” Johnny mutters quietly. He raises his volume to address Gregorio. “We have a moment before we gotta go to work if you’ve got something important.”

“You should not be working.”

Gyro glances over at Johnny in silent agreement.

“Your wife worked when she was pregnant?” Johnny groans.

“No.”

“Huh?”

“The only time she did was when she was pregnant with… Gyro. And it nearly cost both of them their lives.”

Johnny blinks rapidly. What the hell does that mean? Gyro never mentioned anything about—

“Gyro?” Gyro mutters quietly.

Oh fuck. Did Johnny’s words get through, after all? Gregorio was staring down Gyro with a tilted head. 

He can’t worry about the weirdness of the statement. He pats Gyro’s arm. “Gyro’s okay now. And your wife clearly. Gyro worries about me constantly. I barely do anything.”

At least while Gyro’s watching.

“Bargaining with your child’s life is only something the both of you will regret.” Gregorio’s words are pointed. That distant look. He’s talking from experience.

Johnny glances at the bump. At some point his hand had naturally come over them. “Hm.”

“That Lucy girl is not the only one working there, right? It’s not like you even own it,” Gyro points out.

Johnny glares. “I ain’t no wilting flower. I’ll talk about getting some leave later. Today, I’m working. Just like you.”

Gyro pouts.

They can pout however they like. He’s not being cornered by Gyro and their… wait a second.

“Where’s your wife?” Johnny asks.

“She is back at our hotel speaking with Hadrian.”

“And Hadrian is?”

“My youngest son. If this was Italy, we would use the same cathedral in which all my children have been baptized and married, but we are regrettably forced to work with an American church and I am unfamiliar with them. Hadrian is looking for an appropriate place.”

“Oh. A church. I know a good church.”

“So you are Catholic.” Gregorio nods with clear relief. God. This guy.

“My best friend works there. She would know how to set up the marriage stuff.”

Gyro grimaces and mouths, “HP?”

“But that ain’t happening yet so you shouldn’t waste your time.” Johnny shrugs.

“That is what I wished to discuss with you and Ju… Gyro.”

Gyro looks up again. They were standing just a bit taller. 

“You must reconsider and start the arrangements for a ceremony now before the child is born.”

Gyro gulps. “And if we don’t…?”

“You shouldn’t even entertain the thought. This is your child. Your responsibility. How can you take care of them if you’re not there as their father?”

Gyro deflates in an instant. Damn it. And it was all going so well.

“Their babbo,” Johnny corrects.

Gregorio looks between the both of them with complete confusion in his furrowed brow. “That is a Northern expression. Have you studied there?”

“Barely studied anywhere,” Johnny scoffs.

A default ringtone interrupts the conversation. It takes Johnny out of his train of thought, not only ‘cause of how unusual it was to hear in this day and age, but also for how loud it was.

Of course it belongs to Gregorio. Makes much more sense as the man mutters an Italian expression that Johnny’s sure means something like “excuse me,” answering the phone. He continues to speak in incomprehensible Italian. Johnny can only pick up on a few words here and there and not nearly enough to patch together what's said.

Thankfully Gregorio moves the phone slightly away from his face. “My wife is having some difficulty. I must leave now.”

“I’ll have Gyro send you the church I was talking about.”

Gregorio nods with gratefulness in his small sigh. He continues to speak Italian as he turns and walks away without another word to them.

Johnny holds out a hand. “Yer phone.”

Gyro’s still as a statue.

“Gyro.”

“You heard that? He called me—Why the hell was he calling me Gyro?” Gyro runs a hand through their hand. “You… you did something didn’t you?”

“Yeah, you’re welcome. Phone.” Oh screw this. Johnny grabs it out of Gyro’s pocket. Shit. Doesn’t know the password.

“Hey.” Gyro snatches it back. “What did you tell him?”

“What you wanna be called. Unlock it for me.”

“Why would you do that?”

“You sure as hell weren’t going to.”

“I told you about Pina—”

“He didn’t do anything to you. You heard him. He actually did use it. For a bit.”

“He doesn’t understand—”

“He doesn’t need to. Long as he accepts it.”

“That’d never happen.”

“You ever thought he’d use your real name?”

“Of course not.”

“So, you’re wrong about that. I just told him the truth. Maybe you’re right and he didn’t get it, but who cares if he’s actually listening and doing it? When I told my folks they never even tried it once.”

“He never tried with Pina.”

Johnny frowns. “I’m sorry about your sister, Gyro. But you’re not her. It’s got to count for something. What else are we gonna do if we don’t try?”

“...Fuck. I have to go to work after all,” Gyro groans.

“What? You were just bummed about losing your job and now you’re mad you’ve got to go.”

“Maybe I should have let him fire me.”

Johnny pats Gyro’s arm. “Too late. If you want me to stop working so badly then you’ve got to pay for that missed time.”

Gyro snatches up their bag.

“Let’s go.”

--

Johnny had tried again and again but Gyro refused to give Johnny access to their phone.

So in the end Johnny could only rely on the only person who actually listened to him.

“You finally broke up with them?”

“You’ve got to stop answering our calls like this. Gyro’s gonna hear you one of these days.” Johnny sighs.

“Good. I want them to. You and the baby doing alright?”

“We’re fine. How about you and your man?”

“Very good.”

“Ohhh a very. Shoot. Poco’s putting in the work.”

“Don’t tell him that. Man’s already got too much of an ego.” HP sighs affectionately. “What are you up to?”

“I’m calling for a reason, actually, not to just shoot the shit.”

“Sounds serious.”

“We’re all alright.” Johnny shifts from one side to another on the bed. He’s really starting to miss being able to sleep on his stomach. Even his back. Got so boring staring at one wall or the other. “That church you love going to, they do weddings?”

“No. Don’t tell me they proposed?” she whispers like she just found out Gyro stabbed him instead.

“I wish.”

“Don’t propose to them. They don’t deserve it.”

“The church, HP.”

“Almost every church does weddings so yes, regrettably.”

“Do you know how to set it up with the uh, priest guy, or whatever?”

“I do but it makes more sense for you two to do it. You shouldn’t bother if they haven’t proposed.”

“I’m not really asking for me. See. Gyro’s folks kind of know about… everything and they want us married. So they’re trying to set it up.”

“What in the world?”

“Yeah, it’s been a hell of a week.” Maybe longer. Johnny had a hard time keeping track these days.

“So you are getting married then?”

“I wanna but… it’s complicated. Anyways, I need the church’s stuff to give to Gyro’s dad. Gyro’s not helping me.”

“And you want to marry them.”

Johnny sighs, flipping again. He gets a square kick to the gut for it. It’s sore now. Pinching his skin. “I really do.”

“Ugh. I’ll never get it. Fine. You have to come with me to the church for it at least.”

“Sure, maybe you can tell your godchild to stop abusing me in here.”

“No, they need to knock some sense into you.”

Chapter Text

The phone was ringing again. Which wasn’t much of a shock.

Johnny had figured that Gyro’s folks would be constantly blowing up their phone like before. It was much calmer now. 

“You should answer,” Johnny says, nudging Gyro as they ignore the buzz.

“I just got back from work.”

“I’ll answer.”

“No.” Gyro groans low and long until they answer the phone. The despair was gone, replaced by Italian. Ugh. Johnny really should learn it one of these days. It sucks being the odd one out. 

“What is it?” Johnny tries leaning in. He can hear a familiar feminine voice. No wonder it was all Italian. 

Gyro stares down Johnny, wide eyed. What? “They want us to go to their hotel for food.”

“Oh fuck yeah.”

“Johnny.”

“Sì, sì, sì,” Johnny shouts into the phone.

“Stop that.” Gyro pushes his face. They’re quickly back into Italian. Johnny doesn’t need to understand he can tell what happened by the devastation on Gyro’s face. The way they hang up and groan, head in hands. 

Johnny’s getting some free food.

--

Maybe Johnny was looking forward to being off work. At least for a little bit. The baby was draining him. Even a simple bus trip here had him sleepy, but he’s sure by actual nighttime he won’t get a wink of rest.

Johnny yawns into his hand as he rolls off the ramp of the bus. The hotel was like any other hotel. Big, sure, and pretty clean even on the outside, but there was nothing really all that special about any of these.

“What’s it like in there?” Johnny asks.

“Don’t know.”

“Didn’t ya see yer dad here before?”

“Only outside, thankfully.” Gyro sighs. “This is all so pointless. You know the only thing they’re going to do is tell us to get married.”

“If they’re gonna do that anyway, what’s the harm in getting some food out of it? Ain’t like we got anything else to hide at this point.”

Gyro groans and stays moping up until they actually knock at the door of the hotel room.

The door’s opened by Gyro’s mom, who mutters something. She doesn’t speak the same way Gyro or even Gregorio does. Her tone is cold and quick. Too much for Johnny to get even with his limited understanding.

Gyro bows down their head and says a reply. Ughhh. He’s always left so lost—it’s so annoying.

“You’ve gotta teach me. For real this time,” Johnny snaps as they are let into the hotel room.

“You wouldn’t need it if you didn’t insist on us coming here,” Gyro grumbles back. Prick.

Johnny turns his face away in anger but that drops when he sees the actual room itself. It wasn’t much of a hotel type room after all. It was like a proper studio apartment. Bedroom and kitchen and a little living area all connected together. Holy fuck. Gregorio really wasn’t kidding about planning to stay around. It was odd. Gregorio’s worries were pretty simple in the end. Even without Johnny being an element here, would this take so long? 

“Gyro. Johnny,” Gregorio greets as usual.

“That’s us.” Johnny does a small wave back. “So where are we going? Gyro didn’t tell me how to dress.”

And honestly, Johnny didn’t really want to squeeze into a suit if he didn’t have to. He was in stretchy clothes and uncomfortable. Something that tight and itchy and he’d be a sobbing mess on the floor.

“A dress is unnecessary as we are not going anywhere.”

Johnny’s jaw drops. No fucking way. They lied about food? This was cruel. Gyro was right. Their parents were evil.

Miliana says something in Italian and Gyro straightens up.

“Here?” Gyro says.

“My wife will be baking here. Bread. As you requested,” Gregorio says, a bounce to his fingers as he presses them together.

“Shit. You’re a good listener.” Johnny glances at the kitchen here. At least that would be put to use. If it wasn’t already. Gregorio seemed just as particular as Gyro, if not more.

“This is your fault again,” Gyro grumbles.

“Don’t bitch, you’re getting bread.”

Miliana points at Gyro and says something. Gyro sighs and heads off to the kitchen area.

Johnny starts to follow when Gyro shortstops.

“You can’t cook, amore.”

“Yer cooking?” Johnny tilts his head.

“My mom asked me to help.”

“I was promised good bread. Don’t fuck it up.”

“I could buy you bread,” Gyro grumbles and gets a tap on their arm and some snappy words from Miliana. They duck their head down, red with embarrassment.

Ha. Can’t talk shit when people understand them.

Gregorio takes a seat on the couch provided. Johnny huffs.

“I’m pregnant. What’s your excuse?” Johnny turns to face him.

Gregorio stares Johnny down as he flicks his fingers together. There’s something in there. Amusement maybe. Even if his face is just as still as always. “My wife is much better at it than I. I would only get in her way.”

“Gyro better than you?”

“I wouldn’t know. He’s never cooked for us.”

“They sure as hell have never made me any bread.” Johnny rolls closer. Couch looks a bit tempting ‘cause of his sore back, but he couldn’t properly relax on it like he could at home.

Gregorio gets up suddenly. Uh oh. 

“Gyro does a lot for me though,” Johnny speaks up. 

“As he should.” Gregorio grabs one of the chairs provided by the desk and pushes it in front of Johnny.

“As they… you know, I got one already.” Johnny knocks on the side of his chair.

“You should raise your feet. You could develop edema due to the extensive amount of time you are sitting. If your feet swell excessively you could develop ingrown toenails which could then lead to infection.” Gregorio sits down after his spiel like he said nothing at all.

Sheesh. No fun facts with this guy. He could use the relief, though, so he takes the opportunity anyway. It's a bit harder to get to his legs thanks to the bump in his way but he manages to pull it up onto the chair. “You sure know a lot about pregnancy. That your job?”  

“No. I have researched the topic extensively.”

Oh shit. That’s right. “Cause of the, uh, the thing with Gyro?”

“It is because of his birth that I started to study the topic, yes.”

“Gyro’s never told me anything about it.”

“There is not very much to say. Both of them nearly lost their lives late into the pregnancy due to my incompetence. They were both under hospital care and bed rest after as a consequence.”

Johnny’s eyes widen. How the hell could he say that so casually? “Fuck. That’s. Christ.”

Gregorio just nods. His focus is on Gyro now, though, not Johnny. 

“Must have been terrifying.”

“The emotions are rather irrelevant. It was a lesson. One which I hope will not be repeated.”

“It won’t be,” Johnny says firmly, putting his hands over his stomach. Just the thought of it. Made him queasy. Gyro could never handle that. They were already paranoid when Johnny so much as used the blender by himself. Something really happening? It would kill them. “Can’t believe you had more after that.”

“It was my wife’s suggestion. I was satisfied with an heir. And as we took the appropriate measures, there were no more complications.”

“Why’d she want kids then?”

“I never asked.”

The fuck? How do you not? Johnny looks over. Miliana seems well though. She was fit for a woman of her age. Rounded by many kids and age but healthy at least from Johnny’s perspective. Had long hair that’s length rivaled Gyro’s own. Had the energy to order Gyro around.

Gyro seems to be busy. Mixing and kneading and other stuff that Johnny can’t really tell from the distance. Their hair is tied up, exposing their neck for once. They had some flour already dusting their hand. It was a good look. One Johnny could easily get used to. They better be learning something over there. 

Damn. Now Johnny’s hungry in multiple ways. Has to distract himself and he notices Gregorio is still focused on Gyro.

“I can’t understand anything going on. Can you tell your wife to teach them how to make bread like that?”

“I do not believe it is something that can easily be taught. I have not learned it and I have cooked alongside Miliana for our entire marriage.”

“Thought you stayed out of her way. If you don’t help out with the baking, then what do you do?” 

“The rest of the meal. I have already prepared the sauces before the two of you came here.”

“Huh? Wait. Why didn’t she just make the bread then?” Johnny could be eating now, damn it.

“She waited for Gyro, of course. Now that the two of them are together she can do her chattering about our other children and our neighbors and her work. And she is trying to get information from Gyro as well. You know how women love their gossip.”

Johnny’s brows shoot right up. Christ. So that’s where Gyro got it. “Don’t you like talking and knowing things too? Everyone likes that. You don’t want to talk to your wife?”

“I talk with her everyday. I do enjoy it.” Gregorio’s attention shifts to her, bouncing his fingers. “That is how I know women love their gossip.”

Johnny shakes his head. One step forward and two steps back with this guy. He peeks through his fingers. Gyro was talking back. Didn’t seem so miserable. At least for the moment. Not that Johnny could understand any of it. “You could have waited for your sauces and stuff. Then you could have been a part of it too.”

“I am a part of it already.”

“‘Cause you can understand them?”

Gregorio nods.

Lucky. “What are they talking about then?”

“Castor’s wife. She wants to move further north. She is also not pregnant yet and my wife suspects she is holding off so she is not stuck where they currently live.”

Damn. That does sound like juicy deets. Johnny wants to get in on that too. “How’d you learn English?”

“I read teachings on it.”

Ew. There’s gotta be a better way than that. An app or something.

“If you lived in Italy, you would pick up on the language quickly. I have already learned much more English from being around so many native speakers.” 

Johnny grimaces. “I don’t know about that. I’ve got my friends here. Don’t want to be that far from them.”

Gregorio steeples his fingers.

“It is a vast ocean in between...”

--

The smell of bread had been torturing Johnny, but just ‘cause it was baking does not mean it was done. At least Johnny got Gyro back now while they just waited for it to be done.

Gyro wasn’t comfortable but they were at least not so tense. Maybe it was the conversation. Maybe it was the food. Maybe it was Johnny snuggled into them. Whatever it was, it worked well enough.

“If I knew we were going to be waiting this long, I would have gotten some food before we left,” Johnny grumbles.

“You did eat before we left. Remember you ate my yogurt?”

“Ugh. That was so good. You need to buy more.”

“Yeah, I have to. You ate all of mine.”

Miliana says something which Gregorio responds to.

The room was so silent besides the occasional chatter. Nothing at all like how it was in their home. Not even the TV was playing. 

“How much longer do we got?”

“I’m not in charge of it.” Gyro raises their hands. They speak quieter. “I’ve done my part. If you’re that hungry we could leave… and not come back.”

“I’m not leaving my bread behind.”

“How much bread do you need? You’ve already got a bun in the oven, nyoho.”

“They’re the reason I need so much food. Blame yourself.” Johnny lets his eyes shut. Focuses on the only sound he can hear easily which is Gyro’s breathing. It’s not quite their music but it's better than the silence. “Saw you talking a lot with your mom while you were cooking.”

“Oh yeah. You know women love their gossip.”

“Oh my God. Your dad said the same shit.” Johnny would roll his eyes if they weren’t closed.

“Even a broken clock is right twice a day.”

“You’re both broken clocks.” Johnny shoves at Gyro’s chest. “So you didn’t like talking to her then?”

“It was fine. She didn’t bring up you or the baby, which was nice.”

Johnny frowns. Shouldn’t be nice for him to be excluded. “You’ve really got to teach me Italian.”

“You know more than enough. If you knew it, then you’d have to talk to both of them. Isn’t talking to one terrible enough?”

“It’s not really that terrible. He didn’t even push about the marriage this time weirdly.”

“Hmmm, maybe they’ve finally given up?”

“Don’t sound so happy. Wasn’t your brother looking into churches or something? Maybe they’re just waiting for that.”

“I don’t know about him. I know you and HP went to her church.”

Miliana gets up and says something to Gyro.

Gyro nods and pulls Johnny off of them. “Gotta move the bread. It’s almost done.”

“Thank fuck.”

Just him and Gregorio again. And the silence.

“There’s a TV here, don’t you want to put on something?” Johnny points out.

“I do not want to put on anything. I have not touched it since my arrival.”

“Cause it’s in English? I mean there’s gotta be an Italian channel or something.”

“I don’t prefer my home country’s entertainment either. Do you want to watch something?”

“Just want some noise. Music would be good.”

Gregorio’s attention shifts to Gyro. “I see. I do recall hearing it often inside the apartment.”

“‘Course. Gyro’s got good taste and it’s better than just listening to the cars raging outside.”

“So the musical memorabilia belongs to him?”

“Belongs to them.”

“That’s what I said.”

“It’s not.” Johnny looks over Gyro too. “You know you. You use ‘he.’ Him. Gyro uses ‘they.’”

“None of the teachings I read showed that term being used for an individual.”

Ugh. Johnny’s not a grammar teacher. “You’ve heard me use it for them, haven’t you?”

“You’re a native speaker. You have an inherent understanding of the language that I do not possess.”

“So shouldn’t you trust what I’m saying?” Johnny looks back hoping to make eye contact but Gregorio is still focused elsewhere. “You must have noticed, right? Gyro hasn’t said anything but since you’ve been using their name, they’ve been happier.”

Gregorio steeples his fingers together. Silent. It was hard to know how much was getting through.

“If you try it, Gyro will appreciate it. A lot. I appreciate it already that you’re using their name.”

“Almost done now.” Gyro sits right down next to Johnny, interrupting the conversation. 

Johnny gets a sharp kick and winces. “Bambino’s trying to revolt in here, can you hurry it up?”

“If you want bad bread, sure.”

Johnny groans. He already waited so long. He puts his hand over his stomach, hoping that soothes them somewhat.

All he gets is another swift kick.

At least Gyro stays by him. Up until Miliana gets up with Gregorio this time. Johnny may not understand but he can tell that means the food’s ready.

There’s not exactly a proper place to eat but they make do. Johnny didn’t care about having proper seating anyway. All he cares about is the plate and saucer before him. He devours it as soon as he can.

Holy shit.

“This is good. Gyro, tell your mom it’s good,” Johnny mumbles around his food.

“I think she can tell with how you’re scarfing it down, nyoho.”

“You don’t like it?”

“It’s very good. My mother’s always made good bread.” Gyro shrugs, taking a small bite.

The sauce is good too from what Johnny can tell. Not like he’s had a lot of dipping sauces for bread. Usually had toppings instead, but guess that wasn’t the Italian way.

Things were quiet again but the good kind. Everyone was focused on their own portion of the meal.

Miliana says something and Gregorio speaks up.

“My wife says when she was pregnant with the twins, bread was one of the few things she could have that didn’t make her want to throw up.” 

“Oh, I never got morning sickness.”

Gregorio must translate it as Miliana looks at him with a shaking head. 

She says something and Gyro shockingly laughs.

“What? What’s so funny?” 

“Ah, it,” Gyro waves their hand trying to catch their breath. “It’s about the twins. And this thing they used to do at dinner.”

Miliana says something else and Gyro’s back to laughing as they pat Johnny’s back in their hysterics.

Oh well.

It was nice to hear them laughing again.

--

With nothing else to keep them there of course Gyro wanted out. 

Johnny had his fill and things were good so he figured leaving on a high note was probably best anyway. Gregorio walks them to the door which does give Johnny a good opportunity as he hesitates until Gyro’s far enough that they likely won’t hear.

“Hey. I don’t know how your search is going for the church but I’ve looked into it myself,” Johnny says to Gregorio.

Gregorio tilts his head. “Have you changed your mind yet?”

“No. But I do want to talk to Gyro myself about things. Today was good. And I have off soon since I’ve been working less. Figured I could meet you and talk about the church since Gyro isn’t exactly helping me with it. Would save your son, Hadri-something, the headache.”

“That would be appreciated.”

“You two are just going to be around here?”

“Unless there is reasonable cause to leave.”

“There’s a nice park nearby. Got a chessboard. I’m shit at it but you seem like the kind of guy who likes it.”

“I do enjoy the occasional match.”

Fucking nerd. “So in a few days how about we do a match? I’ll tell you and your wife about the church and maybe Gyro will have a different answer then. Just don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“I understand.”

Johnny nods and rolls after Gyro.

“Huh? What took you so long? Did he say something to you?”

“Just bye.” Johnny shrugs. “Man. That bread was great. You know how to make it now?”

“You just ate. You can’t possibly still be hungry.”

“I ain’t. I’m just planning ahead.”

--

Johnny waits until it’s late at night. Almost has to wait until the morning, but thankfully Gyro’s satiated before they can get exhausted.

Gyro was muttering Italian to the baby, curled around Johnny.

“Things have been nice lately, right?” Johnny starts as he loops Gyro’s hair around his finger.

Gyro scoffs. “I’ve had to see my parents more in a few weeks than I’ve had to in years. That’s the furthest thing from nice.”

“They really haven’t done much of anything besides be nosey and a bit pushy.”

Gyro scowls. “And treat you wrong.”

“Your dad’s nice to me. As nice as… I imagine he can be anyway. But it ain’t them I wanna talk about.” Johnny takes Gyro’s chin and tilts it up so Gyro has to look at him. “It’s us. I’ve been working on it with your dad and he doesn’t get it all but I think we can just be us. Just get married like this. And if we’re gonna do it we should before the baby’s here. Bad look to be going down the aisle with a baby on my lap.”

“They already are on your lap.”

“At least I can put a shirt over them like this.” Johnny lets go and strokes Gyro’s hair again. “Don’t you wanna be with me?”

“I do.”

“So let’s do it. The right way. How you want it. Mr. Zeppeli.” Johnny gestures to himself. “And Doctor Zeppeli. Fuck. I’m gonna be the only person that’s not a doctor.”

“You can still be one if you try.”

“Fuck no. I could barely stand high school. Medical school? I’ll be taking hostages.”

“Nyo. We could get you one of those fake doctorates. Like a PhD in puppetry.”

“There’s doctors of puppets? The fuck do they do? Diagnose termites?”

Gyro cracks up and sighs. They nestle into Johnny for a bit, going quiet. “I don’t know what you’re doing but sometimes my parents are… a tiny bit… tolerable. And if you’re married then no one really can look at you.”

“Who the hell do you think is looking at me now? I’m pregnant.”

“People are into that, you know.”

“You’re into that, pervert.” Johnny taps Gyro’s forehead.

Gyro reaches up to take Johnny’s hand and kisses it. “Let me think about it… you know if we say yes there’s no way they’ll ever let us take it back. But I don’t hate the idea as much as before.”

Johnny smiles, shuffling down to kiss Gyro properly. He wraps his arms around Gyro, kissing them deeply as he digs his hands into Gyro’s hair.

Soon it’ll be much more than Gyro’s hair looping around his finger.

Chapter Text

The weather was cold. Would only continue to be colder.

It was a shame to be born like this, stuck in the freezing weather. At least the baby could enjoy the warmth they’ve got inside Johnny now.

Johnny would like to have bundled himself, but too many layers made him so sweaty and uncomfortable that he felt like he was stuck in the summer instead.

He managed with the loosest sweater he had, a scarf, and some gloves. He picks at the gloves. Perhaps even that was too much.

There was a flock of birds nearby. Pigeons, of course, pecking at the ground and looking for trash.

Johnny didn’t have any but that didn’t stop them from crowding closer and closer, cooing and flapping their wings at each other. 

Gyro would deal with that if they were here. They were an ass so they enjoyed running at the pigeons until they scurried away. God. Their kid would be the same too, wouldn’t they? Johnny could almost see it. Them toddling after Gyro and screaming at the unfortunate birds.

Maybe being born in the cold wouldn’t be so bad…

“Johnny.”

Johnny perks up. Finally. He managed to convince Gyro to message their father about meeting up while Johnny was off work but Gyro didn’t tell him anything about it beyond that. For a bit he worried Gyro was lying.

Johnny does a small wave of acknowledgement. 

Gregorio stares down the birds, making no moves to get closer to Johnny.

“They think they own the place,” Johnny scoffs at them. 

“Vermin,” Gregorio says in agreement.

Johnny grabs his chair to get off the bench. “How you handling the cold?”

“I have packed appropriately. Italia experiences similar weather.”

Johnny drives around the flock, watching as they bounce over to the bench looking for nonexistent scraps. “How about—wait. Where’s your wife?”

Gregorio points behind him without looking but it’s accurate. Closer to the pretzel cart was Miliana. 

“How’s she handling the cold?”

“She prefers it.”

“At least someone does.” Johnny shrugs. “I told you that I was looking into this church, right?”

“Yes.”

“They pretty much agreed to marrying me and Gyro. Worst part is dealing with the paperwork.” Johnny continues to roll and slows by one of those stone chess tables they had in the park. 

“This is a Catholic church?”

“Yeah. All sacramental and shit.” Johnny looks from side to side of the table. Huh. There’s no pieces. That’s weird. 

“I’m unfamiliar with that word.”

“Shit?”

“The other…”

“Oh. The priest explained it. It’s like, uh, like, really Catholic, cause we’re both baptized and some other stuff.” Johnny waves his hand. Truthfully, he was only half listening. HP got most of the details for him.

“I see. So the matter has been settled.”

“Basically,” Johnny sighs. “I think you’ve got to bring your own pieces to use the board.”

“I do not have chess pieces with me.”

That’s the most shocking thing he’s said yet. “I guess we could use some pebbles or something.”

Gregorio’s hands grip tight. “I would prefer not.”

Johnny huffs in amusement. “Shouldn’t have left the bench. Now the birds are all over it.”

“This is still a suitable spot.” Gregorio takes one of the little chairs provided by the chess table. Honestly, he looks like exactly the kind of person who would be here. “So. Gyro has finally agreed to marriage.”

“Somewhat. I think we can get preparations done. Not that we really have many people that’ll come.”

“My wife and I will handle the finances.”

Thank fuck. “Gonna cover the honeymoon too?”

“You’re pregnant, you should not be traveling. You’re in danger of already delivering right after the ceremony.”

No humor from this guy. “There goes my Malibu dreams.”

Miliana comes over and says something to Gregorio that he replies to and she continues on her way.

“What’s that about?”

“She was simply informing me of where she is going to be. She cannot contribute to this conversation so she does not wish to wait around.”

“She’s gotta tell you where she’s going?”

“Yes.”

Yikes. Well. That’s not Johnny’s job to handle. His job here is pretty much done actually. All he’s gotta do is hook Gregorio up with the church, go there with Gyro at some point and then get something to wear for the ceremony. Actually, Gyro should get him a proper ring, too. Totally lame to be engaged without one.

“Think there will be more Zeppelis there at the ceremony than our friends,” Johnny says, sitting back as much as he can in his chair, a hand over his bump. The baby was worming around as they usually did this early.

“I do not believe so.”

“Well, it’s gonna be you, your wife, Gyro, your other kids.”

“My other children will not be in attendance.”

Johnny frowns. “Why not?”

“They have already informed me they would not be traveling before you and Gyro refused the marriage. I don’t think the change in time will have changed their minds.”

Johnny rubs his bump. Gyro mentioned not going to their own brother’s wedding. Felt weird. Johnny wasn’t close to his brother either but that was for… very different reasons.  But maybe it is the same reason in a way. Gyro didn’t want to go to Italy because of Gregorio. His brothers might be the same way. “It’s pretty far.”

“Your stomach hasn’t dropped yet,” Gregorio says suddenly.

“Oh.” Johnny lifts his hand off himself. “Yeah. Can you even see that? I’m sitting.”

“It is obvious even if you are. It is a dramatic change. When was your last appointment?”

“A while ago. Baby’s okay. Got all their fingers and toes.”

“I see.”

"You can't feel them. They're asleep right now," Johnny lies. He really doesn't want to be touched. It was the only benefit to not being recognizably pregnant. But even that luck was starting to run out. Johnny's got a lot more smiles and congratulations and strangers getting way too up in his face.

"Even if they were awake, I wouldn't want to touch you," Gregorio says firmly, clenching his fingers together.

Thank God.

“...What is the sex of the child?”

“Don’t know.” Johnny shrugs. “Don’t really want to. It ain’t gonna change anything. We’re gonna raise them the same either way.”

Gregorio tilts his head, the confusion clear in his barely furrowed brow. “Boys and girls can’t be raised the same.”

Sheesh. “They can. Especially when they’re first out and not able to do anything but cry and drink milk.”

“It is important to provide a solid structure for the children to follow so they will not be confused later in life.”

Johnny frowns. Confused. He sure as hell was never confused. No matter how many times he was told that. That he was jealous. Trying to get back at his father. At Nicholas. “I think they’re gonna be fine. What does it matter anyway? Could be a boy, a girl, or something else. Long as they’re healthy.”

“The child will be here before you know it. A lackadaisical approach could lead to them being lost in the future. It is how I was raised and I struggled thanks to it.”

“You’re a big-time doc with a bunch of kids and businesses. Don’t think that’s struggling.”

“Yes. I’ve found my way now.” Gregorio pulls back at his fingers. “What will the child be named then?”

Oh fuck. “We’re… figuring that out.”

“You have no name?”

“They’re just the baby to us. Our little bambino. Name can always be changed later. So we’ll figure out something when we need to.”

“...Miliana named all of our children.”

“So you don’t have any ideas either?”

Gregorio shakes his head.

Johnny scoffs. “Guess Gyro got that from you too. Most of their bears are just food.”

“Bears?”

“Uh. Teddy bears. The toys. Little guys like this.” Johnny gestures.

“Ah. I see. So h… they still like that.” Gregorio bounces his fingers in amusement.

Johnny smiles. There it was. “They liked it when they were young, too?”

“Yes. It was the only way I could get h—them to cooperate with teachings at times.”

Teachings? Like. Doctor stuff? Johnny could vaguely imagine it. Kid Gyro with thread instead of sutures having to repair a teddy’s arm. Or did he mean teaching actual school subjects? Now that was even more adorable. Gyro there practicing their alphabets to a little bear. Maybe it was both. “Shit. Wish I could have seen that.” 

“You would have been an even bigger distraction than his younger siblings already were. Gyro is quite attached to you. As much as they used to be attached to those bears.”

“Our baby’s going to have a lot to play with.” Johnny sighs fondly. That is, if Gyro was willing to share. They did get very emotional about their bears. “Gyro’s told me very little about how they grew up. I wish I had pictures or something.”

“We have many back home. Each of our five children have an album. They do very little now besides collect dust. After the baby is old enough to travel you can come to Italia and see it for yourself.”

“Or you and the missus could bring it over again. If you even got that much vacation time left. Yer wife sure came quick. She retired?”

“No. She is a skilled surgeon. Until she has a worthy predecessor, I do not think she wants to retire.”

“None of your kids are good enough?”

“...None of the children under my care now have her patience and steady hands. Gyro was the second closest but he—they showed even less interest in surgery than they did general practice.”

Johnny frowns, leaning on his hands on the chess table. Johnny already knew that Gregorio pushed it but hearing it didn’t feel better. Worse in fact. Gregorio wasn’t really so terrible to talk to. Almost pleasant at times. He had a lot of the same quirks that Gyro did. And yet he did that. Did so much Gyro’s entire life. To the point Gyro couldn’t move past it still. “Gyro’s really good at what they do. But they don’t like it still.”

“I know. I observed it. But they perform exactly as taught. They’ll improve many lives by working. Regardless of their enjoyment.”

“What about their own life?”

Gregorio looks away. Johnny’s gut churns, causing the baby to squirm even worse in him. Even now he couldn’t imagine making his kid upset like this. Knowing it and simply ignoring it. 

“There are a lot of performances in this city.”

“What?” Johnny lifts his head. That’s when he hears it. He’s so used to it he doesn’t really notice. There’s some music playing. Another busker probably or maybe some band trying to get their start. Sounds like only one guy.

Gregorio turns around in his chair, facing where the melody is coming from. Johnny has to squint but he sees the performer now in the distance. Miliana is also near there though she doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to the performance. 

“It’s a very musical city.”

“So Gyro is happy here, then.” Gregorio folds his hands and stays quiet, clearly listening.

Johnny’s chest tightens. “Would be happier playing themself.”

“They can play. If they can find the time between running the clinic and raising their child. And attending to their wife.”

Oh. Wife. He hasn’t heard it so long. He’s already here. He might as well clear that up, too. “Their husband.”

Gregorio looks over his shoulder. “Excuse me?”

“I’m gonna be their husband.” Johnny puts his hand over himself. “I’m a guy. Like Gyro said before.”

Gregorio turns fully back to Johnny. “What do you mean?”

“I’m just a man. Like you. Not really much to say beyond that.” Johnny shrugs.

“...You seem to have a logical mind.”

“I didn’t really do that good in school,” Johnny admits.

“You’re clever. You have a certain understanding that is rare to find.”

“Thanks?” Why does this sound like it’s going somewhere?

“You’re pregnant.”

“Sure am. Feels like I’ve been pregnant for ages now.”

“And you say that… you’re a man.”

“I ain’t really saying it. I just am.”

Gregorio stands up. “I have to retrieve my wife.”

“Oh, before you go I should give you the church.” Johnny takes out his phone so he doesn’t screw up the name.

Gregorio stares at him and nods after Johnny’s done. 

“Enjoy the music. Baby’s been antsy. Think I’m gonna head home myself.”

Gregorio nods again and heads off like usual. At least it seems like usual. But there’s something there. 

Something in the way Gregorio has his hands clenched together.

--

Things have been quiet. Like really, really quiet.

No calls to Gyro. No one coming and knocking at their house. Popping up when they go out. If Johnny didn’t meet them he’d assume Gyro’s parents actually up and left. Of course Gyro’s been all smiles thanks to the lack of seeing them.

“My beautiful baby.” Gyro kisses the bump. “Stop kicking your papa’s spine. If I have a heart attack then who’s going to take care of you, huh?”

“Don’t guilt trip our baby. They’re almost out now. Barely any room to move around.”

“It is not a pleasant thing to wake up to your fiancé short of breath and crying, amore.”

“It hurt like fucking crazy but that doesn’t mean you gotta take it out on the baby.”

“You have a short time left to go. Let’s be gentle, alright?” Gyro cooes.

Johnny rolls his eyes. “If that worked I’d be getting a good night’s rest already.”

“Hey, speaking of that. I was up last night and it came to me. Like a dream, huh? The name for our baby. Viola.”

“Damn, that’s a pretty name.” It’s an instrument but it’s actually way better than most of the names Gyro gave.

“Ah, she’s going to be a little showstopper. My Viola. So be nice to papa, yes?”

“She? When’d you figure out that?”

“It’s got to be a girl, carino. A boy. Being a Zeppeli boy is a travesty. A pretty little girl can get all dressed up like a principessa, right?”

“They ain’t another teddy bear for you to play with.” Johnny rolls his eyes. “What’s your name if it’s a boy, then?”

“It won’t be. I’m sure of it.”

“I think you’re just sure that’s what you want.”

“Ah, what do you think, then? You’re carrying them.”

“I don’t think you can tell this young. Especially since we can’t see them.”

“Ah, I bet she’ll have your big blue eyes. Carina.” Gyro nuzzles their face against Johnny and gets a kick to the cheek. “Hey!”

Johnny sputters a laugh. 

Johnny’s phone rings. It’s far, so Johnny doesn't even bother reaching for it. “Hun. My phone.”

“I hear it.”

“Get it.”

“We’re having a good time.”

“Don’t make me get up.”

Gyro grumbles in Italian and hands the phone over. Johnny brightens at the phone and answers.

“Ain’t this a treat. Feel like I've been the only one calling lately,” Johnny answers.

“Ugh. HP,” Gyro sneers at the phone and settles against Johnny. Not quite leaning their weight on Johnny but still as close as they can be to that. Johnny can feel the baby squirm. Well. It’s their fault if they get kicked again.

“I know you don’t want to do a baby shower, so I was talking with the ladies at the church and they’ve put together a little care package. I think you should come by and say thanks,” HP says.

“And how exactly is that different from a shower?”

“There ain’t no water for one thing,” Poco speaks up.

“Hey, Poco.”

“I’m on the phone. Go play with Heyya or something,” HP says, barely muffled.

“Aww, I wanna stay here and check up on the baby.”

“How is my godchild doing?” HP asks back to full volume.

“You’ll be happy. They keep kicking Gyro.”

“I knew I liked them.”

Gyro rolls their eyes. “Do you have to talk to her?”

“You two have got to learn to behave. How are either of you gonna look after the kid if you’re fighting?”

“I’ll look after them,” Poco adds.

Johnny sighs, rubbing his face. Not what he means. “Thanks, Poco.”

“So you’re free this weekend? It will just be brunch. You’ve never met the ladies. They’re all very sweet.”

Johnny groans. He was already dealing with Gyro’s parents asking about the kid. Gyro smothering him. HP and Poco.

Now there’d be even more people all up in his business?

Johnny had heard it takes a village to raise a child. He didn’t think that’d mean he’d have a village forced on him.

“I could come with,” Gyro offers.

“You step near the church and you'll combust, demon.”

“What do you think’s going to happen when I get married in that same church, woman?” 

“That you’ll finally be smited.”

Johnny sighs. He was never going to get a break again. But oddly. Despite the bickering. And the overwhelming masses.

He found himself smiling.

Chapter Text

Gyro was the furthest thing from a people person. Sometimes they hardly felt like a person at all.

But there was comfort in the fact that Johnny was there. Every time they got annoyed by a lady’s inane statement, they could look at Johnny and see that annoyance reflected.

It doesn't really surprise them that the people HP associates with so much were much like her. They were chatty and overly welcoming. Spoke fondly of their church. Of their community. Of their kids. Of their wives and husbands. 

They all had so much to ask. Not just of Johnny. Of Gyro too. They talked up Gyro’s “oh so important” job. Talked up what a wonderful parent Gyro would be despite knowing literally nothing about them. Used the right name and right pronouns for both of them without a moment’s hesitation.

The worst part of it was that none of it felt fake. They truly believed in the nonsense they said.

The wonders of faith.

“That was nice,” Johnny says on their bus trip back home. Gyro had the duty of managing the massive bag full of stuff the ladies and HP put together. A duty they take seriously. So much so that they don’t even register what Johnny says at first.

“What? How? You were annoyed with me talking to HP.”

“What you two do barely counts as talking.” Johnny rolls his eyes. “The moms are all. They’re so mom- like, you know? It’s what you picture. Pinching cheeks and kissing babies.”

Gyro has never seen their mom do anything like that. 

“I guess I can see why HP likes them,” Johnny continues.