a boy's world: Welcome Home, Big Boy
The airport was busier than Lukas remembered. He dragged his suitcase through the crowd, scanning for a familiar face. Six months in Iceland, a place where men were still treated like adults, had felt like a dream. He had missed home, but not the creeping regression that had taken hold of his friends.
Adam stood near the arrivals gate, bouncing on his toes, his hands clutching a stuffed dinosaur. He wore nothing but a bright blue t-shirt and a thick, crinkling diaper, the padding sagging slightly between his legs. His expression was blank, his mouth slightly open, a pacifier clipped to his shirt. Beside him, Rebecca stood with her arms crossed, a fond smile playing on her lips. She wore a simple blouse and jeans, her posture relaxed but authoritative.
The last time he had seen Adam, his roommate had been wearing pull-ups, hidden under pants, dry, and a source of quiet embarrassment. Now, Adam looked like a toddler, unashamed, unburdened by the weight of adulthood.
Rebecca noticed Lukas first. She waved, her smile widening. "Welcome back. I see youâre still trying to be a big boy."
Adamâs head snapped toward the sound of her voice, his eyes lighting up. He let out a happy squeal and waddled forward, his diaper crinkling with every step. "Lulu!" he cooed, the nickname he used to call Lukas when they were kids.
Lukas swallowed hard. "Hey, Adam."
Adam didnât respond with words. Instead, he grabbed Lukasâ hand and tugged, his grip surprisingly strong. "Mommy, Luluâs home!"
Rebecca chuckled, stepping forward to give Lukas a hug. "I see youâre still in your big boy underwear."
Lukas felt his face heat up. He glanced down at his jeans, then back at Adam, who was now pressing his face into Lukasâ side, his diaper rustling loudly. "Yeah, uh, they donât really do the whole regression thing in Iceland."
Rebeccaâs eyes sparkled with amusement. "No, I suppose they donât. But youâre home now."
The car ride back to their shared apartment was surreal. Adam sat in the backseat, his diaper crinkling every time he shifted, his pacifier bobbing as he hummed to himself. Lukas sat stiffly in the passenger seat, hyper-aware of the contrast between them. Rebecca drove.
"Youâll have to get used to it," Rebecca said, glancing at Lukas. "most boys have accepted their fate."
Lukas risked a glance at Adam, who was now sucking on his pacifier, his eyes half-lidded. "He didnât really have a choice, did he?"
Rebeccaâs smile didnât waver. "Of course he did. But why would anyone choose to struggle when they can just relax and let someone else take care of them?" She reached into her bag and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Speaking of which, thereâs a petition going around campus. They want to remove all the toilets from the male dorms, replace them with changing rooms. Adam signed it this morning."
Adam clapped his hands, his diaper squishing with the movement. "More changing rooms! Yay!"
Lukas stared at the petition, then at Adam. "He signed it?"
Rebecca nodded. "Enthusiastically. He said itâs about time."
Lukas didnât know how to respond. He turned back to the window, watching the city pass by. It was the same place he had left, but it felt foreign now.
Back at the apartment, Lukas dropped his bags in his room and took a deep breath. He could hear Rebecca in the living room, her voice soft and patient as she talked to Adam. Curiosity got the better of him, and he crept to the doorway.
Adam was lying on the floor, his t-shirt ridden up, his diaper fully exposed. Rebecca knelt beside him, her hands deftly unfastening the tabs. The diaper was sagging, the padding thick and swollen. Lukasâ stomach twisted as Rebecca lifted Adamâs hips and slid the diaper out from under him. The scent of urine filled the air, but Adam didnât react. He just lay there, his expression peacefull, his hands clutching his stuffed dinosaur.
Rebecca cleaned him up with practiced ease, her movements gentle but efficient. "Such a good boy," she murmured, sprinkling powder onto his skin. "Mommyâs so proud of you."
Adam giggled, kicking his legs slightly. "Love you, Mommy."
Rebecca leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Love you too, baby."
Lukas backed away, his heart pounding. He had known things had changed, but seeing it his best friend getting changed was something else.
Later that evening, Lukas sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone. Adam was on the floor, playing with a set of blocks, his diaper crinkling with every movement. Rebecca sat beside Lukas, her leg pressed against his.
"You know," she said casually, "Adam fought it for a long time. But once he let go, he was so much happier."
Lukas didnât look up. "Iâm not sure itâs for me."
Rebecca reached over and plucked his phone from his hands, setting it aside. "You donât have to decide right now. But youâre home, Lukas. And things are different here." She gestured to the petition on the coffee table. "The world is changing. Even if you donât want to admit it."
Adam crawled over to them, his diaper rustling. He climbed onto the couch and snuggled against Lukas, his head resting on his shoulder. Lukas stiffened, but Adam just sighed contentedly.
Rebecca smiled. "See? He likes having you back."
Lukas looked down at Adam, then at Rebecca. "What if I donât want to change?"
Rebeccaâs smile softened. "Then youâll be the odd one out. But youâre welcome to try, if you ever want to. Adam can show you how nice it is."
Adam looked up at Lukas, his eyes wide and trusting. "Lulu try? Please?"
Lukas exhaled, his resolve wavering. "I... Iâll think about it."