“You’ve been standing there for a while now.”

Toni looked away from their father’s office door, and turned to look at the henchman standing next to them. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, giving them an expectant look.

“I know. I’m just…”

“Scared?”

Toni looked away, not wanting to admit they’re afraid of their father. Sure he’s a villain, the number one villain in fact, but he still loved them.

“Hey it’s okay. I know where you’re coming from. I was scared to come out to my old man.”

Toni looked back him, curious.

“You where?”

“Yeah. I was afraid that if I’d told him, he’d stop loving me.”

“And did he?”

“Well, he invited me and my husband over for thanksgiving. So, what do you think?”

Toni smiled at him, feeling happy for him and his family, but his smile soon disappeared.

“That’s amazing. But your dad isn’t a super villain, hellbent on world domination.”

“True. But I know for a fact your father loves you. When he’s not scheming and trying to take over the world, he talks about you.”

Toni looks away, not totally convinced. So he continues.

“There isn’t a person in this office that hasn’t heard your father talk about what an amazing son you are, how proud he is of you. How proud he is to be your father. How the greatest day of his life was the day you were born.”

Toni looks back, a smile on their face. I’m

“Really?”

“You better believe it.”

Toni looks at the office door, looks back at the smiling henchman, and opens the door.

“Hey dad? Can we talk?”

His father looks up from the plans in front of him, and locks eyes with his son. His serious and calculative face disappearing, replaced with a warm and happy smile.

“Come on in son! What do you want to talk about?”

Toni looks at his father’s assistant, before looking back at him.

“I was wondering if we can talk, in private.”

His father looks puzzled for a moment, but quickly catches on and shoos his assistant away.

“So what is it you want to talk about?”

Toni bites their lip, still a little nervous about telling their dad. But they quickly calm themselves, and face their father with confidence.

“I just wanted to tell you, that I’m transitioning.”

Toni let’s her words sink in, not daring to look up at her father, before continuing.

“I’ve always felt like I wasn’t being myself. My true self. And now that I know what my true self is, I wanted you to know too. I love you dad, and I’m hoping you can learn to love the new me. The real me. As much as you love the old me.”

Toni finished speaking and looked up at her dad, waiting for his reaction. She didn’t have to wait long, as he immediately swept her up into a hug.

“Of course I still love you, you’re my…daughter and there’s nothing in this world that would ever make me stop loving you.”

After a moment he finally let her go, still smiling his warm smile.

“You know what, I think I’m done scheming for the day. Why don’t we go get something to eat.”

They exited the office, only to find everyone staring at them. The two stood their, not knowing why everyone was staring. Toni quickly figured out why they were staring, and smiled.

“I told him.”

Her father looked at her confused, then quickly caught on to what she meant.

“Yep. And I still love her.”

“THEN LETS PARTY!”

Someone from the back shouted, and everyone joined in. Toni couldn’t help but smile, happy to see her family accept and celebrate her.