𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐱 | 18 +

𝐓 𝐖 𝐄 𝐍 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐓 𝐖 𝐎

Carter

As I lay on the couch, Juliet nestled into me, her head resting comfortably on my chest, and her body pressed softly against mine. The warmth of her presence made everything else in the world fade away for just a moment. My hand absentmindedly traced small circles on her back while I stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in my head, heavier than usual. I could feel Juliet shift slightly, sensing my quiet.

Her voice broke the stillness between us, gentle and filled with curiosity. "What are you thinking about?"

I hesitated. A lump formed in my throat, one that refused to disappear no matter how many times I swallowed. What was I thinking about? Everything. Nothing. And, most of all, something I had been scared to admit. Something I hadn't shared with her yet, something I'd always kept hidden. My mind flashed back to my fears, my insecurities, the feeling that if I told her the truth, she would be disgusted by me.

"I'm... I'm thinking about you." I started, but I knew that wasn't the full answer. Not yet.

She looked up at me with those soft, caring eyes. Eyes that seemed to know so much. "Really?" she asked, her lips curving into a small smile. "Because it looks like there's more on your mind than just me."

I laughed nervously. She always had a way of seeing right through me. I could feel my pulse quicken, that familiar fear creeping up as the words danced on the tip of my tongue. But I couldn't hold it back forever. If I wanted this to work, she needed to know the truth. I needed her to know me.

I took a deep breath. "Juliet, there's something I haven't told you."

She tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "Okay..." she said, her voice patient. "What is it?"

Another breath. My heart pounded so hard I was sure she could hear it. "I'm... I'm intersex." The words came out quieter than I intended, barely louder than a whisper. I felt my hands trembling as I spoke. "I have a... dick."

For a second, I braced myself for the worst. I half-expected her to pull away from me, for her face to twist in disgust, for her to look at me differently, like so many others had. My chest tightened as I awaited her reaction, the silence between us stretching impossibly long.

But then, something unexpected happened. Juliet didn't move. She didn't pull away, didn't flinch. Instead, she chuckled. "Carter." she said, her voice light and teasing, "I know."

My eyes widened. "You... know?"

She grinned at me and raised an eyebrow. "Of course. I know that's not a damn phone in your pocket."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I couldn't help but blush. Juliet always had this way of catching me off guard. But that wasn't what I was expecting to hear. She wasn't disgusted? How could she have known and not been... repulsed?

"How... how did you know?" I asked, still stunned, still trying to process what she had just said.

Her laughter filled the room, a sound so warm, so full of affection that it made my heart flutter. She reached up and gently cupped my cheek. "I could feel it, baby. But more than that... I know you. I know who you are. That's what matters to me."

I stared at her, my mind racing. "You're... you're not disgusted by me?" I managed to ask, the disbelief evident in my voice.

Her expression softened, her eyes holding mine with so much care, it made my chest ache. "Disgusted? Carter, you're perfect just the way you are." She said it so matter-of-factly, as if there had never been any question about it, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

My throat tightened, and before I could stop them, tears filled my eyes. No one had ever said that to me before, well, no one besides Camila and my mother. But to hear it from Juliet, the woman I deeply care about, the woman I feared would reject me... it felt overwhelming. The weight I had been carrying for so long seemed to lift, even if just a little.

Juliet wiped a stray tear from my cheek with her thumb, her touch gentle. "Baby," she murmured, her voice soft and soothing, "don't let other people's words or judgments get to you. You're beautiful, and I'm so lucky to have you."

I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself, but the tears kept coming. "No one's ever told me that before... except Camila and my mom."

Juliet's smile was tender as she leaned in closer, pressing her lips softly against mine in a kiss that felt like a promise. When she pulled back, she whispered, "Well, you deserve to hear it every day."

I couldn't help but laugh, a mixture of relief and gratitude swelling in my chest. I wrapped my arms around her more tightly, holding her close as I buried my face in her neck, letting her warmth surround me. I felt safe here, truly, deeply safe.

And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could be me without fear.

I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, and as I held her there on the couch, I whispered back. "Thank you, beautiful."

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~ R