Preston Garvey Week Day 6 - Love & Acceptance.

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN: Summer 2026

NOTES: One of several entries into Preston Garvey (Appreciation) Week over on Tumblr!

Ever since they first shared a heated, spur-of-the-moment kiss amidst the sea of Mirelurk corpses lining the Castle’s interior courtyard, Shepard knew that he loved Preston. Deeply. And while those feelings of guilt still spurred in each interaction thereafter, he knew deep down that Nora would want him to move on. She would like Preston, too; be happy that out of everyone in the Wasteland, they found each other. It inspired him to really dedicate effort toward their relationship, despite the chaos surrounding them. To take the time and take things slow and steady. They shared deep talks about that explosive moment, navigating those feelings of uncertainty and utmost joy. They snuck more kisses amid their interactions, and even found themselves setting up dates when they found themselves the room to breathe.

It was on—or rather, just before—one of these starlit dates that Shepard felt the need to tell Preston everything about himself. He trusted Preston enough to come out to him properly—to come out as transgender. He knew, or rather assumed, it would take a lot of explaining as he hadn’t seen many other gender variant folks on his travels, so he spent the day mulling over his words and considering whether he should dig around the basement for his family photo album. Ultimately, he decided against that—those pictures were so old that it would be impossible for anyone to really believe it were him. That, and he wasn’t exactly certain that they’d even hold up. The darkness and moisture of the basement likely ruined them, but again… He wasn’t exactly certain.

As far as he was concerned, they were Schrödinger’s photographs.

So, Shepard decided to just focus on preparing everything else while Preston was out negotiating trade routes with one of the nearby townships. Candles were recovered, there was a basket full of preserved foods, and he found a nice spot along the creek to set up a little tent and picnic. And by the time the sun set over the horizon, and its fiery glow illuminated the Minuteman as he crossed over the bridge, everything was just perfect. Attention-grabbing, but quaint.

“What’s all this?” Genuine surprise bled into Preston’s inquiry, those deep brown eyes wide with intrigue as he stepped over to the candlelit zone and peeked toward the homes to see if there were any others hiding in wait. Thankfully, it seemed this surprise was a one-on-one ordeal. “You didn’t have to do… all of this.”

Shepard smiled and offered a hand, guiding Preston beside him as the other joined him in sitting on the tattered blanket. He leaned over to offer a chaste kiss to his cheek. “I know, but I wanted to. How’d everything go?”

“It all went fine—We got a new line set up between here and Abernathy. Nothing too fancy, just a crop exchange. Figured diversifying our food would help folks out a bit more.” Preston nodded assuredly. “And everything’s good here?”

“Of course. Though I gotta warn you…” Uh oh. “Dogmeat learned how to nudge some of the crates open. He’s very fond of stealing whatever he can get his fangs on.”

Preston burst out into laughter, shaking his head and holding his stomach as he readjusted his posture.

“Dare I ask what he stole?”

“Nope.” A brief deadpan before Shepard joined his boyfriend in laughing. “I’ll tell ya later, yeah?”

Not a reassuring answer, but the coy grin on Shepard’s face and the lack of urgency in his tone was enough to put him at ease. Preston just hoped that, at the very least, someone managed to capture a photo with one of the spare cameras they had laying around. With all of these city supply runs, they were amassing a nice collection of them nowadays. But that was talk for another time.

Right now? They were on a date! Those hunger pangs from earlier were starting to bite now, and this little array of goodies. looked very tempting. Happily, the duo dug in for good. Time passed by quickly, and soon enough, the pair were deep into their night now, the moon high above the trees and their forms only illuminated by what light shone through the rolling mist and the slowly dying candles. Bodies found themselves just entangled, with arms wrapped around torsos and fingers intertwined adoringly as their heads came to rest together.

A blanket of silence comfortably draped over them, the distant sounds of life their only ambiance. It was almost a shame to break it, especially when it was Preston who found himself doing so.

“Hey… Everything okay? You seem worried about something.”

A curious glance was spared. “That obvious?”

A gentle kiss to the lips before shifting postures brought them face to face. Preston’s hands left Shepard’s, traversing up to cusp his cheeks and silently command his gaze. “That obvious, babe.”

“Hm.” Even with the embarrassment that crept up his nerves at being caught, Shepard couldn’t help but smile at the fact his lover was so attentive. The subtlest cues seemed to be flashing neons. “Well, there was something I wanted to tell you, but…”

“But?” Preston’s voice was softer. Worry crept onto his features, and he absentmindedly found himself caressing his dear’s facial hair with his thumbs. “Whatever it is, you don’t have to—”

“No, I… want to.” He sighed softly, leaning into the touch and pressing a reverent kiss to Preston’s palm. “I’m just… I don’t want it to get between us. I love you, Preston.”

“I love you too, Shepard. Whatever it is, it won’t change that. I promise.”

The statement was both reassuring and terrifying. Comforting and confrontational. He hoped so badly that was the case, but if prior experience had taught him anything, things changed the moment the truth was revealed. Things like this—like anything, really—were always okay until they weren’t. They were okay until it meant things were different, by whatever metric that may be. He got lucky once with Nora, and if his time in this new world taught him anything… banking on being lucky a second time wasn’t an option.

“Okay… Then… I just want to tell you, before we… Make things more serious. I’m transgender, Preston.”

A split second of silence felt like an eternity. Yet it lasted no longer than a few short breaths.

“Oh, okay. That’s… I appreciate you telling me that.” Preston smiled fondly and gently squished his lover’s face. He lingered in thought for a moment, recalling some talks he’s had with other Minutemen. Particularly, the farmhand at the Sunshine Tidings co-op. “Is there a new name you want me to try using?”

All of this anticipation felt foolish. Utterly foolish. So much worry, and Preston had responded as casually as if he’d asked what was on the agenda for tomorrow. Shepard couldn’t help the breathy, shaky laughter that rolled off his tongue. He brought his hands up to cover his face, briefly withdrawing from his partner’s touch before peeking through his fingers. Beneath his hands, he was beaming. And it was only after he caught his composure that he uncovered himself and took Preston’s hands once more.

“No—I’m—” Some stifled snickers. “I already… Shepard is the name I chose a long time ago. Everything’s already sorted in that regard. I… just wanted to be honest with you.”

Preston tilted his head slightly. “Honest? Well… I appreciate it, but it’s not… I love you for you, babe.”

He paused, examining the other’s weary features before leaning in to rest his head down on his shoulder. All the while, he idly toyed with his lover’s hands, tracing over the callouses and minute scars. Once comfortable, and leaning into the warm embrace that was offered, he continued.

“I love you because you’re a good man. You saved so many lives. You saved my life, Shepard. And, I’m just glad we found each other. We’ve got to hold on to what we have, as long as we can. I’m a lucky man, having you by my side. I hope you know that.“

“It’s nice to be reminded.” His smile carried in his tone, head resting atop Preston’s as that post-adrenaline exhaust settled in. He sighed, finally allowing his muscles to relax.

“I mean it.” A subtle, playful nudge was given. His elbow pressed into Shepard’s side, drawing forth more rumbling laughter.