***

It had been two more years since they had been married, life carrying on the same as if they hadn’t been. The only difference was, now they had another thing they could share together. It wasn’t the fact that they had a piece of paper saying they were bound together that meant something, it was the fact that they could act like other married couples did without fear.

Mostly it was to help pool resources for taxes at the end of the year, or in emergency situations when a guardian was needed, or when situations came up that required information on a spouse that the status was needed. Yet, they were happy they could do so and no longer left suffocated by being different.

Everything they could join their names together in, they did so. It wasn’t meant for the satisfaction of anyone else, just for themselves knowing they could share something together. People don’t recognize the significance of any action until they are deprived of it. Maybe that was why they appreciated it so much more, because being suppressed wasn’t enough to live on.

While it was true that they still weren’t openly accepted, it didn’t matter to them because that wasn’t the point. They chose who to share it with and how to share it, they didn’t need permission to feel the way they felt. Just like a regular married couple didn’t ask permission of strangers to get married. That was the best feeling he could ever ask for.

Still, Danny wanted to further his relationship with Jason. Although they had a couple rough patches with his health, Jason was improved enough to do physical activity. Thankfully, due to medication, medical advancements, and constant support, managing his heart was getting better. He knew he would eventually need more surgery, but until that day came, he wanted to treasure his time with him. He wanted something to remain, even after Jason was gone.

“Jason?”

“Yeah?” he asked, loudly speaking over the sizzling of the frying pan.

“What do you think about adoption?” he asked casually.

“A pet? I don’t know, I mean you know I kill the plants.” He laughed, wondering how he was going to respond.

“No, not pets love. Children.” The frying pan dropped onto the floor, followed by long sentences of swearing. Danny just smiled while reading his newspaper, knowing he wouldn’t change anything for the world.