Relationship Weight (Fat Friday 1.31)

Josh and Eric had always been the type to dive headfirst into whatever made them happy. So when they met at a coffee shop one rainy afternoon, it didn’t take long for sparks to fly. Within weeks, they were inseparable—late-night movies, lazy Sundays in bed, and dinner dates that turned into hours-long feasts.

Moving in together felt like the next obvious step, and with it came an unexpected side effect: their love manifested in comfort, and comfort manifested in food. At first, it was just indulgent weekend breakfasts—stacked pancakes dripping with syrup, crispy bacon, extra-large omelets. Then it became dessert after every dinner, a tub of ice cream between them on the couch, their legs tangled as they fed each other spoonfuls.

Eric was the first to notice how snug his jeans were getting, but he didn’t mind—especially when Josh playfully grabbed his softened belly with a grin. "Guess we're really enjoying life together, huh?" Josh teased, his own shirt riding up over a stomach that had definitely grown rounder.

They embraced it. Cooking together turned into eating together, which turned into ordering extra takeout just because they could. Their bodies softened, bellies rounded, and love only deepened. Friends teased them about their "relationship weight," but Josh and Eric just laughed, rubbing their growing stomachs in satisfaction.

After all, what was love if not indulging in every joy together—one delicious bite at a time?

Josh and Eric had always done things fast—falling in love, moving in together, and, naturally, growing rounder with every passing month. So when Josh proposed to Eric over a decadent dinner of pasta, garlic bread, and cheesecake, it wasn’t a surprise that they set the wedding date almost immediately.

They planned a beautiful beach wedding, picturing themselves standing barefoot in the sand, wearing perfectly tailored suits they had gotten fitted months before. The problem? Those months had been filled with celebrations—date nights, cake tastings, and an unspoken agreement that they never needed to say no to seconds (or thirds).

The morning of the wedding, they tried slipping into their suits, only to realize the buttons on their shirts wouldn’t come close to closing over their thickened bellies. The pants strained against their thighs, and when Josh attempted to suck in his stomach to fasten his jacket, the seam at the back gave way with a loud rip.

"Well," Eric huffed, hands on his hips, his rounded stomach pressing against his waistband, "I guess we should’ve gotten refitted."

Josh had no choice but to forgo his jacket altogether, leaving his dress shirts straining over his swollen middle as he stood under the arch on the beach. The guests definitely noticed—the whispers and chuckles as they both waddled down the aisle were proof enough—but all Josh and Eric could do was laugh.

When they kissed, their bellies pressed together, a soft reminder of just how much love (and food) they had shared. As they walked back down the aisle as husbands, Eric leaned in and murmured, "I think we should celebrate tonight with a feast."

Josh grinned, patting his stomach. "You read my mind."