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Dennis had been binding too much and it was starting to cause him serious rib and back pain, so he knew he had to at least take a few days off.
This was easier said than done, however, as he otherwise passed as a man. He couldn't just go out with his chest so obvious, no. That would attract too much attention, not to mention how sickly dysphoric the mere thought made him.
He pulled away from friends and retreated from the world, far too embarrassed and upset to show his face to anyone.
It was eventually Max who became concerned enough to drive to the man's flat and invite himself in.
When he walked in, he found Dennis curled up on the couch in a hoodie, hugging a large pillow to his chest as he rewatched one of his comfort movies. A bowl of plain pasta sat next to him, half-eaten.
"Dennis?" Max said, getting the man's attention in the form of a startle. "What's going on, man? You've been ignoring everyone's texts for days, now"
"Sorry" Dennis apologized meekly. Max frowned and sat next to his friend, opposite the pasta bowl.
"What's going on?"
"I..." Dennis trailed off, embarrassed and avoiding the taller man's gaze.
"Hey, look, whatever it is, I won't judge" Max told him. "I promise"
"You remember how I said I was trans?" Dennis asked.
"Yeah" Max nodded. Dennis had confided this so nervously, but it had never changed how Max thought of the man. So what if his body was different from the other men in the Society? It didn't make him any less of a guy.
"Well, part of that is having to use this thing called a chest binder to hide my..." he trailed off, hoping that Max got the message. Max nodded in understanding, encouraging him to continue. "I was wearing it more than I'm supposed to, so I've had to take a few rest days without it"
"Ah" Max nodded. "And that's difficult for you, yeah?" he asked. It was a genuine question, not one of judgment, and Dennis recognized that.
"Yeah..." Dennis nodded. "Sorry for ignoring you guys. I've not had energy for much of anything"
"That's fine" Max shrugged. "We've been more worried than anything. Hey, how about this: I'll stay with you and watch the rest of this movie, then afterward you can text the group chat and tell them you're okay. How's that sound?"
"Okay..."
"Do you have stuff to make tea?" Max asked, standing up and inching toward the kitchen. Dennis nodded. "Great, I'll make us some"
"Thank you..."
"Don't mention it, man"