Tim Bradford

Tim knew he was off since he was a kid. He preferred baggy clothes and was constantly cutting his hair with craft scissors. He heard his mother constantly mention the term tomboy and his father constantly uttering "sinner" under his breath.

But he always pushed certain thoughts aside. He never was exactly feminine but he never really made himself super masculine either. He was just somewhere between. When he was just a teenager he'd never admit he loved it when someone accidentally called him a boy or his mother joked about having a son. Because at the end of the day he knew what he was feeling was wrong.

But when he enlisted something just clicked into place, more then it ever has. He felt out of place in the womens unit. Like really out of place. So when he could he hung around the guys. Which earned him the title barracks bunny. But he didn't care, he knew he wasn't sleeping around. He just wanted to feel in place.

After he left the military he did his research. He spent days scrolling on his computer just trying to figure out what was going on with him. Trying to figure out why he's twenty four and fucking confused.

Transgender.

The word was intimidating, but it made sense. So much sense that he followed it. Taking the word to his next therapy appointment. So somehow he was juggling doctors appointments, police academy, and a part time job to pay for testosterone. It was hard, obviously, but god was it worth it. Especially when his voice dropped and he had stubble across his jaw. He was finally starting to feel comfortable looking at himself in the mirror.

---

Actually stepping into the LAPD station was a lot harder than just existing in the academy. He was sort of told what to expect but he was still a nervous wreck. It was only the first day and he got assigned to a training officer on the spot. It was some old guy, clearly a man who was seasoned and Tim was ready to learn. He's never admit it out loud but he did have daddy issues. Deep down he was always hoping that a man would be soft but demanding with him. In a way his father never was. Maybe now would be the time.

That didn't happen and his TO lasted for a week.

It was only Friday morning when his training officer, Dale, approached him. Tims files in his hand. Yelling loud enough that half the station could hear.

"You didn't tell me what you really are. You're just some chick pretending to be a man. If I was you I'd be ashamed. I wouldn't even show my damn face around here. Go to hell, Bradford."

Tim knew that some people wouldn't like him for what he is. Especially the older generation. But he wasn't expecting it from his own damn training officer. Not when he's done his best all week. Not when even the Sargent told him he was doing a nice job. His only flaw was not having a dick between his legs apparently.

He'd never admit it but that day he went home to his shitty apartment and just sobbed. Refusing to take off his binder even if it was digging into his ribs. Feeling more dysphoric then he's ever been. Repeating that berating in his head until he fell asleep. Feeling like he was standing in front of his shit father all over again. Just maybe wanted to be coddled instead of being screamed at and pushed around.

But that Monday he got a new TO. Another older guy but not as old as his first training officer. Tim would say the guy wasn't close to his sixties but definitely older then thirty five. Then finding out by another officer that you're a single dad made butterflies appear in his stomach. Ones he weren't exactly ready for.

Sure he found his new TO sexy but at the same Tim was terrified. Did you know he was trans? Did you read his files back to front? Would you berate him just because he's trans? Would he always be this wet around you? He was hoping it would be a "no" to all those questions.

Tim didn't say much, not at first. He was trying to read you but he wasn't coming to any conclusions. But after the first stop of the morning you patted his shoulder and told him he was doing a good job. It wasn't much, burt compared to his childhood, his military days, and even after Dale a good job was nice to hear. Tim started to trust you a little after that. Not too much. But he appreciated the compliment. Even if he didn't really know how to show it.

Back in the shop Tim decided he just needed to know of you knew. If the word got back to you, if you knew he was trans because of Dale's big ass mouth. Maybe you were just being nice out of pity or you somehow just didn't know.

"Do you know why my old training officer suddenly wanted to stop training me?"

Tim asked quietly. Scared that one wrong step would have consequences. Ones he aren't ready for.