When Julian opened his eyes, everything was alright for a second.
Then the reality came crashing back: a virus was threatening to wipe out humankind. This virus hadn't taken a single person's life, nor had it caused any kind of threat at first. Then the effects became clear; fewer and fewer females were being born. The percentages of males rose from fifty, to seventy, to ninety-five. Now, just a week ago the last female on earth had died.
Finally, after almost a generation of trying other solutions, it was realised that everything they had tried so far were too difficult to maintain and yielded too few babies - all boys though. Now the government had developed a technology to implant an artificial womb into a male, giving men the ability to save our species and procreate.
The trouble is that many - most - guys resist the idea of having a womb implanted, having anal sex with another man, and giving birth to a child. By now the world population had decreased so significantly that drastic measures had to be taken to prevent total extinction. Many cultures and religions had already become extinct.
So the government had mandated a new law six months ago: half of the population will legally be forced to have the womb implanted. An official list circulated that listed Julian has part of the group that had to have the procedure done. He had resisted and skipped his appointment, but was arrested earlier that morning and were forcefully restrained to have the anaesthesia administered for the procedure.
Julian tried to roll over onto his side to sit up but found his arms and legs were still restrained. Confused he looked around and caught the gaze of a nurse, male of course.
"Nurse, why am I still restrained? The procedure is completed, isn't it?" Julian asked.
The nurse turned to him with a sadistic smile. "Yes, the procedure was successfully implemented, but the government had issued a new regulation earlier today. All those who resisted will now be provided extra... incentive."
Julian frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
The nurse continued his explanation, still with a cruel gleam in his eyes. " While you were under anaesthesia a new list came out. The government had now also provided a spouse for every man over 20 years of age. Each man with a womb is now married to one without. All those marriages are now official, no ceremonies or consent required."
Julian stared in shock at the nurse. Today not only his body was violated with a womb, but also his right to choose whether or not to marry and choice of partner were revoked.
"So does that mean I am now...married? Just like that?"
"Yes, just like that," the nurse confirmed.