#god help whoever is stupid enough to say something transphobic in front of him they’d need an ambulance by the end of it

[thebookbutterfly]

Simon Riley with a transgender child 🏳️‍⚧️

Simon Riley who, after you started dating, messily stitched your name into the collar of his gear so that he could have a piece of you close to his skin.

Simon Riley who added his child’s name next to yours in a different colour thread the day they were born. Equally messy but so full of love. A stray thread tickles his neck now and then but he doesn’t mind. He just loves having your names close. His two favourite people in the whole world.

Simon Riley who listened patiently while his kid explained never feeling quite right in their skin. Who held them through their confusion and their fear.

Simon Riley who painstakingly unpicked the stitches spelling out their deadname from his uniform. The colour of the thread slightly washed out from age and regular wear.

Simon Riley who stitched their child’s new chosen name where the old one used to be. This time using a thread that is their favourite colour and adding a small flag patch next to it. A flag of blue, pink and white. 🏳️‍⚧️

Simon Riley who uses his generous military salary to help his small human build their new wardrobe.

Simon Riley who drives his kid to their first pride parade. The car crammed with you and all of your kid’s uncles from Task Force 141. All of them sporting painted pride flags on their cheeks. Simon’s idea of course. (“S’not so different from warpaint, yeah.”) Nobody dared say anything when Simon invited them along. They knew that he would almost certainly kill them if they did.

Simon Riley who loves his child unconditionally. Who always works to understand what they are experiencing and to protect them from harm. Who wears their new name with pride and who makes them feel safe.