1 – From out of the Blue	

	You are a rather ordinary twenty-something living in a midsize town. You have an unremarkable office job for a local shipping business, and it's certainly nothing that challenges you. Interestingly, many ladies throughout the town have developed crushes on you, but you don't know that. Additionally, the body positivity movement has gained a lot of momentum, and being fat is now seen as sexy and desirable, or at least neutral. Your secret admirers would be delighted to get fat for you, which would be great because you like fat women too.
	You're currently waking up for just another Wednesday. 
	The first thing you do is check your phone. It's a text from a girl named Val. She says she wants to see you right away.
	You say, "The sun is barely up yet, and I have to work today."
	"But," you reply. "I'd be down to meet you later."
	Val texts back: "Oh really? Well let me know when you're free!"
	It's way too early and you're groggy, but there's no point in going back to sleep now. You thumb through news articles, not absorbing anything, and absent-mindedly recall what you know about Val. In a word, she is strong. She's one of the beefiest people you know, and certainly the most muscular woman you've known. You were classmates back in high school, but you didn't really talk that much.
	Your mind wanders a bit, "maybe she got fat" you think to yourself with a smirk.
	The annoyance of a buzzing phone wakes you up a bit more, but you still feel kind of groggy. It's another text, but it's not from a number you recognize. In fact, the sender isn't a number at all. Instead you see a weird jumble of letters and symbols.
	"Are you ready for this?" It says.
	Well you are now, you think to yourself, slightly confused.
	The phone buzzes again. You pull it out of your pocket and read the new message.
	"Chaos everywhere."
	You don't know what this means, but it sounds bad.
	Or, more likely, it's just a spambot server that's having a bad day. Either way you put the phone back in your pocket and decide to pull yourself together and head out.
	
	You walk into work and go about your usual morning routine. Which isn't all that productive, all things considered. You got ahead of incoming orders yesterday, so today's "work" basically means looking at memes and shitposting on the internet. Seriously though, the internet has been fucking weird lately.
	But then again, you think. Has the internet ever not been weird? You sort of don't remember a time when the internet wasn't a constant source of jokes about pancakes or shitty fake IDs.
	
	Lunchtime rolls around, and you decide to grab a bite to eat at the sandwich shop down the street from your office. There's a bit of a line, and you decide on your order pretty quickly. You spend the rest of your time in line checking out the cute chubby cashier girl. Her uniform shirt is pretty tight, and you can clearly see her doughy tummy and love handles bulging over her waistband. You decide to go for another look...
	You stare at her, mesmerized. The cashier girl is looking around as if people are staring, but nobody is.
	You manage to avoid getting caught looking, and clear your head as your turn comes. "Hi, just a number 3 with an unsweet tea, please."
	"Sure thing," she says with a smile. "Anything else?"
	"Nah, that's it," you reply.
	"You sure? You look pretty hungry to me." She says with a wink.
	"Ha, ha. Nah, just what I need, temptation."
	She smiles as she says, "It's my job, gotta try and fatten everybody up!" She laughs.
	She brings your sandwich to you and says, "Have a nice day," as you head out the door to eat outside.
	You try not to pop a boner while thinking of the cashier girl getting fatter. You try not to imagine her belly spilling over her waistband, her ass and thighs shredding her pants, her tits getting big enough to drown in... Your cheeks flush a bit as you decide to stay seated for a while. You take your food and sit outside in the patio area, taking a bite of your sandwich as you stare out into the street.
	"How's your food?"
	You turn to face a guy who is probably in his forties, with a t-shirt advertising a Dropkick Murphys show from like, 1999. He's a bit on the scruffy side, and his steel-toed boots are a bit worn. He looks like he works around construction, or as some sort of blue-collar/ manual laborer type.
	You nod and reply, "Yeah, it's fine."
	He asks, "You from around here?"
	You say "Yeah, I work at an office down the street. Can I help you with something?"
	The man seems a bit off, and you're not sure why, but he does.
	He says, "I'm really sorry to bother you like this, but I need some advice."
	He seems really troubled by something, and you're ready to tell him to fuck off, but he looks like he needs help.
	You say "What kind of advice do you need?"
	The man sighs a bit and replies, "It's my stupid daughter. She's 15, and she's..." He can't find the words to describe how frustrating his daughter is.
	He continues, "I can't decide on what to do about her. She's a wild child. One moment she's doin' something bad, the next she's sayin' she's sorry for what she did."
	He takes a long pause and then says, "I don't want to just send her away, but I'm worried about what she might do... I mean, does she have a chance at redemption?"
	You think for a moment and respond, "I don't really know much about these things, but it honestly sounds like she's just being a teenager. Is there anything that really holds her interest? Are there any classes she likes? Does she do any sports?"
	The man thinks for a moment and then seems to brighten up a bit. He smiles and says, "Let me think. Yeah, she likes photography. We went on a trip to a National Park last year, and she really took to that. Liked taking pictures of everything."
	You say "That's really cool! Maybe there's some way you could support her hobby. You could get her a good camera, or some photography lessons. I think she'd enjoy seeing you support her."
	The man seems relieved by your words and begins to apologize for bothering you. You wave him off and reply,
	You say "I hope things work out for you and your daughter."
	He grins and nods his head a bit, still looking a bit shell-shocked. He says, "I think you've made me rethink my problem. Thanks."
	He rises to his feet, but stops and looks your way again. "Hey, sorry for dropping all this on you as a stranger. I really don't know what came over me," he apologizes.
	You reply with a slight laugh, "That's perfectly alright, I'm just glad I could help."
	The man extends his hand. "Duane," he says. "Anon," you reply, taking Duane's hand and accepting a firm shake. His hand is fairly calloused, and he's a bit rougher than you expected, but you take it in stride. Duane pats you on the shoulder, and vanishes from the restaurant. You finish up your lunch, clear away your trash and head back to work. But you make sure to steal one last glance at that chubby cashier girl. You can't help but think of how beautiful she is. Although, you think it's more than just her looks that turn you on...
	The words "gotta try and fatten everybody up" bounce around in your head. Now, you like looking at fatties, but you've never wanted to gain weight yourself. But God damnit why does the idea sound so hot coming out of her mouth? You HOPE she doesn't have some sadistic fat fetish. (which, is pretty unlikely)
	
	You return to work and head to the break room for a cup of coffee. You stare into the black liquid and wonder if it's going to be your last cup. You think back to what you did this week. The shit you put up with from obnoxious customers...
	Your phone hasn't blown up, so it's safe to assume that your customers are happy for the moment. 
	Lisa walks in and sees you. She's fairly distinctive: rich brown hair, plump cheeks, prominent front teeth, and a chubby build give her a cutely disarming squirrel-esque vibe. Her mouth makes an O shape, then she quickly closes it and goes to get the coffee pot. She comes back and asks you, "So can I get you anything?"
	You think for a long moment while you sip your coffee.
	You reply, "Yeah. I want to die."
	Lisa bursts out laughing and gives you a light hug.
	You lightly hug Lisa back, and say, "Thanks. I need to get back to work, on the off-chance something comes up."
	She laughs again and says, "God, I needed a chuckle. Thanks. You have no idea."
	You nod in response and go back to work.
	You decide to text Val, "So I should've said so this morning, but it's been a long time since we last talked. Can I get any sort of hint as to why you want to see me now?"
	She replies, "I'm not actually sure yet. It'll probably be pretty obvious though."
	You reply, "Are you asking me out?? I thought you were pretty steady with Dale."
	She responds with a winky face, followed by "You're cute when you're jealous."
	You quickly respond, "We're both too old for teenage drama games. Val, please tell me what you're planning or I'm going to cut this off."
	She replies, "Fine I'll tell you, but you have to tell me what's going on with you. Are you ok?"
	You sigh and explain, "I've been better but I've also been worse. I'm not depressed but I'm just kinda not happy either."
	She seems to listen intently and asks you, "...Do you want to talk about it?"
	You think about it for a bit before responding, "It would be nice to catch up. I have to ask though, why are you reaching out now?"
	She thinks about it a bit then replies, "It's kinda related to what happened with Lena. Sorta?"
	Oh. Oh fuck. You suddenly know exactly why Val decided to reach out. She remembers that too? Well, to be fair, you weren't exactly subtle. And it wasn't just Lena, there was Zoe, and Jen, and Vicky... Huh, and teenage you thought he was so slick.
	You don't really know what to say in response, so you just say, "I'm surprised you remembered that."
	"I was talking with some of the girls, and I think you've got ....a gift. And..... I'm a little jealous of them," she replies, with a host of embarrassed emojis.
	You laugh and text back, "But I hardly did anything! Maybe I was a bit of a bad influence, but ultimately I wasn't giving any of them new ideas. Besides, it's not like I took over their minds and forced them to eat so much haha,"
	She responds, ".....well maybe I kinda-sorta had a crush on you back then and I realized I missed that aura of yours." A wall of bashful emojis.
	Your pulse pounds in your ears and your face burns red. No fucking way; Val? A crush on me? You physically shake your head a bit and think for a moment before replying, "Dale will literally kill me. He'll  put me on some bread and eat me for lunch. Like with a fork."
	There is a very pregnant pause. The three little dots pop up and down for an infinite minute.
	"Dale and I have been split up for months. I guess you wouldn't have any way to know that. But I always regretted not acting on that crush. I even almost asked you to prom."
	Yes fucking way apparently. You can't believe what you're reading. What did you do to deserve such an incredible turn of fortune? Overwhelmed, you simply reply, "Where do you want to meet?"
	She writes, "How about my place? I'll make some dinner." 
	Your stomach grumbles a bit, your small lunch didn't keep you fueled for long. "Works for me. I can head right over after work," you reply.
	She responds, "Perfect! See you then."
	The rest of your workday crawls by. The moment the clock hits 5 you've logged out and are hauling ass to your car. Don't want to keep the new girl waiting.
	But you do a bit, as you get caught in some traffic. According to the directions, Val's place isn't very far, but you have to swing by your house to drop off some work files. You curse every minute you're stuck on the roads, but you take a quick break to freshen up a bit before heading out properly.
	
	You get to her house after 6 and ring the doorbell. You hear the door unlock and the latch open.
	"Oh you're here!" exclaims a high-pitched girly voice, with a smile you can hear.
	You experience sensory overload for a few seconds. An intoxicating lavender scent oozes out from the door, and then of course there was Val herself. Phew. You wouldn't mind having a bite of that right now.
	"Where's the dinner?" you manage to say.
	You are looking up at Val. She stands head and shoulders above you, positiviely radiating physical strength. You do your best not to ogle her body and focus upwardsto meet her gaze. Her face is vaugely heart-shaped, high cheekbones, crystal-blue eyes, and a generally kind vibe, all topped with a fluffy blonde bun. She's wearing a loose t-shirt, and some capris, but they do little do hide her amazonian physique. She smiles and beckons you in.
	"I just made some chicken Alfredo, would that be fine?"
	You nod silently.
	"I also baked some brownies. You like brownies?"
	You manage a mumbled "sure" this time.
	You step over the threshold, and you feel like a fly in a spider's web. Excitement, and more than a little fear, veritably vibrates in your blood. She leads you through the foyer and into the kitchen.
	You take a single step forward, and then she grabs your hand. Ew, what game is this?
	"I've been wanting to do this all day," she says. She bends down and picks you up off the floor, squeezing your body against hers. Her face is an inch or two from your own. Her surprisingly minty breath hits you and you feel yourself shudder a bit. She sits you down at the dining table, and then goes over to the stove. After a few moments of quiet clanging and scooping, she brings over two bowls of chicken Alfredo, then sits across from you with her own. She grabs a spoon and digs in, and you do likewise. You and Val make some small talk, and fill each other in on big events since high school. You always did get along with her despite barely ever speaking as teenagers, but it quickly becomes apparent that you've got a lot in common with her. The conversation flows easily. When the bowls are empty, she hops up from the table and goes to the fridge. Your eyes quickly dart around the kitchen and you realize that Val has eaten at least twice as much as you did. Your darting eyes also land right on her beefy yet toned ass, as she's bent down in front of the fridge.
	"I could go for some dessert. Are you gonna eat any brownies?" she asks.
	"I suppose I could fit in one or two," you say. The chicken alfredo was delicious, but also very heavy, but you want to make Val feel good about her cooking. She straightens up, and turns around with a plate full of brownies and a jug of milk. She sets the plate down in front of you, and pours you a tall glass of milk. She grabs the first brownie and slides it into her mouth.
	You start nibbling at one brownie, and savor the chocolatey goodness.
	The brownie is pretty standard, not at all what you were expecting. It's pretty good though. You take another bite and then another.
	You manage to finish your one huge brownie, but your stomach is starting to protest after such an influx of rich food. You sip some milk to wash it all down and glance over at Val's plate. Jesus Christ - she polished off the rest of the brownies! There must have been another six there! As you look, she's wiping off her face and reaching for her glass of milk.
	"You want some more?" she asks, and for the first time you notice that her eyes have a slightly glazed over look. Her eyes aren't normally like that.
	"No thanks, I'm stuffed." You say.
	She nods and gulps the last of her milk down.
	Against your better judgment, you speak up. "Val, I couldn't help but notice how much you ate. You must've eaten at least twice as much as me, and I'm about to pass out. How do you do it?"
	She smirks and crosses her arms, amused rather than offended. "How do I do what?"
	"Eat so much and stay so fit." You gaze follows the shape of her legs up to a point somewhere just above her knees.
	Val's face suddenly darkens, and by a lot. "Fit.... What if I told you I wanted to be something other than that?" She asks with a somewhat sad tone.
	You feel like you've said something horribly stupid and are about to get a bitchy reply. Instead, she shakes her head and continues. "You don't get it, do you?"
	"Get what?"
	"I want to be..." She pauses and thinks for a moment. "...Big. Maybe even huge."
	You say "You mean fat? You want to get fat?"
	"Fat! God, no!" She rolls her eyes and sighs. "Huge. Bigger than what you think of when you hear the word fat."
	"Oh... Okay."
	Long seconds pass while you look at Val across the table. Your brain feels like it's about to melt into sludge after so much emotional whiplash. "You.... want to change yourself? For me?" You manage to choke out.
	She nods. "You don't like it? You could leave."
	You panic, but manage to put together a response. "Val, you are smoking hot, and I know you'll be smoking hot with extra pounds too. If you want to plump up because it's what you want then great, but I don't want to ask you to do it for me."
	She smirks. "Then what do you want?"
	You comprehend.
	You say "I want you to be my girlfriend. And I think you want me to stoke your worst instincts."
	It's done. The words tumble out of your mouth before you can stop them. "You want me to make you fat."
	"Obesity." She corrects with a hint of a smile.
	Your head swims, and your pants are getting awfully tight. You shut your eyes tightly for a second before replying, "First thing, will you be my girlfriend?"
	She answers without hesitation, "Yes."
	You breathe a sigh of relief. This isn't over yet though.
	You say "Second thing, about my reputation from high school. I swear I wasn't actively trying to manipulate those girls. They'd ask me if they should, like, get another soda or upsize their fast food meal, and I would just tell them to do what makes them happy."
	"Hm," she says with a tilt of her head. "So, you didn't try to get between them and their boyfriends?"
	"What?" You sputter, "I was too clueless to try and get between them and their boyfriends. Those girls were simply some of my friends, and they just somehow had bigger appetites around me."
	Val sighs. Her eyes drift to the left as she thinks. "So they would eat more around you?"
	"Yeah."
	She turns her eyes back on you. "Okay..."
	"I swear!" You say, starting to panic again.
	She doesn't look convinced.
	"They were pigs." You groan.
	Val gently places her fingers around your lips to silence you. She looks at you with what can only be described as hunger as she says, 'Now, what if you were to actually try and make me gain?"
	Your stomach sinks.
	You say "I... I don't exactly know what to do, to deliberately make somebody get fatter. You ate a huge dinner today, seems like that would be a good start. Do you eat such huge meals regularly?"
	"Yeah, and actually even more sometimes. Like if I go out to eat or order food or something."
	Fuck.
	"Well... Should you just eat more like that on the regular?"
	Val laughs and gestures over her muscled, trim legs and torso. "Did you forget that I was on the football team? I'm not really working out anymore and I'm still shoveling food down, but it all just seemingly turns to muscle."
	You blink. "Oh... Right..."
	She laughs again. "So.... What do you want to do?"
	Your brain feels like a malfunctioning computer. You say, "It doesn't make sense. With your habits, you should be real thick, and yet -" you look Val's imposing body up and down, "- you're built like an olympian, like a fucking superhero! There must be something we're missing."
	"I don't know what you mean," she says, furrowing her brow.
	Your hands ball up into fists, as you think of similarities between the two of you and your old classmates. "I think..." you venture, "I think I need to do some research. If I'm gonna give it my all, I need a plan. Can we leave it at that for now?"
	Val nods.
	"Thank you," you say humbly, as you lean back in your chair.
	The girl smiles and turns to stare at the wall for a moment.
	
	Val looks back at you and says, "Hey, you wanna get high and watch documentaries?"
	You smile. "I'd love to."
	You sit next to her and roll up a paper, toking on the joint once it's lit. As you inhale, you look to the ceiling and think of all the facts you learned today.
	"So..." You ask, feeling very strange.
	"So...." she says, staring at you with a goofy grin on her face. "You think teachers have sex with students?"
	"I don't know. You mean back at our school? I don't think any of them did for certain, but I got weird cougar vibes from a couple."
	Val bites her lips, smiles and exhales. "Honestly..."
	"What?" You ask, your mind racing with possibilities.
	"I kinda wish they did."
	You stare at her, shell-shocked by her sudden bluntness.
	Val bursts out laughing, "God I'm a pervert. I have no filter when I'm stoned."
	"So true," You reply, also laughing.
	Your head buzzes comfortably as you and Val half-watch a documentary on dinosaurs. Partway through, Val goes into the kitchen and comes back with a tub of ice cream.
	"You are so bad," You say, smiling. She shrugs as she takes a bite of her deliciousness.
	Val jams her spoon into the tub, then suddenly thrusts the tub into your hands. She looks over at you and purrs, "I want you to feed me."
	"Feed you what?" You ask, realizing you're holding a spoon.
	"Ice cream. I want you to feed me ice cream."
	You pull yourself together a little bit and look over at Val. She's pulled up her shirt and is idly rubbing her tummy. It's pooched out and rounded from the evening's eating. You have no hope of hiding your boner.
	"I don't know if I should," you say nervously.
	"If you don't, I'll be sad. If you do, it'll be really fun."
	"Well, if you're sure..."
	You scoop up some frosty goodness and slide the spoon into Val's mouth. Her lips close around the spoon and she moans with pleasure. The sound sends vibrations into your ears that you didn't know existed. You feel like you could cum just by the sight of her eating ice cream.
	"Good?"
	"More," she demands. Scoop after scoop disappears into Val's mouth. You're astonished by her appetite, but you aren't about to let her go hungry. Pretty soon, you're scraping the last bits out of the tub. You gather the last blobs of ice cream onto your finger and slide it into Val's mouth. Her lips close around it and her tongue laps up the cold frosting.
	"How does it taste?"
	"Fucking fantastic," she says with a smile, licking her lips. "You are so sweet."
	"Oof, now I finally feel full," Val moans. She rubs her swollen round tummy and pats it. It's tight as a drum. Val burps. "Oh god, I'm such a pig," she giggles. "I'm stuffed."
	"Are you sure?" You laugh.
	"Maybe I should hook a hose up to a milkshake factory" you joke.
	Val rubs her stomach and groans. "Yeah I'm sure, thanks for asking though. You're so sweet. Now let me do something for you." Val rolls over. Her legs swing over and dangle off the side of the couch. She arches her neck and shuffles over to you. Her long hair swings over her shoulder as she leans in.
	"May I?"
	You reach out and cup your hand around the back of her head. You pull her forward and gently press your lips against hers. Your first reaction is pure shock. Your mouth opens and it feels so fucking good. Every moment with her is like a first kiss all over again. It's everything. 
	She deepens the kiss and wraps her arms around your waist.
	Val straddles you on the couch, pulling herself close. She's heavier than she looks, but you're loving every bit of contact. You feel her warmth, her heart beating in her chest, her full tummy pressing into yours. The movement lowers her and you feel every inch of her, soft skin on skin. Your hands grip her tightly as you move your faces together. Your tongues meet and dance and you both moan into each other.
	Suddenly, your noses push apart. You laugh and look into her eyes.
	"I missed you," she says.
	"I missed you too," you admit.
	"I have a question for you though."
	"Okay."
	"Do you think we'll still be together in five years?"
	It's a serious question. "I'm sure of it," you say with absolute certainty.
	"I sure hope so."
	Your hands move up and down her back. You gently place them on her ass and dig your fingers into her cheeks. She exhales shakily.
	"Me too," she says with a smile.
	You lean in and kiss her again. The combination of passion, longing, and feeling fills your heart and you can't help but to feel that it's right.
	The TV yaps in the background as your makeouts slow down. Val pulls back and looks down at you, "You're so sexy." She says.
	"So are you."
	She laughs at your complement.
	You say, "This might be a bit of a buzzkill but my legs are getting a little numb. Also I'm basically entombed by the couch cushions here hah."
	"Oh," she says. "Yeah. Right." She laughs.
	She raises herself up and scoots over to the end of the couch.
	Val smacks her lips. "Between the weed and the makeouts, I'm feeling pretty parched. I'm getting some water, you need any, lover boy?"
	"Yeah, I could use some water."
	"K. I'll be right back."
	You watch her wiggle out of the cushions. You then lock your eyes on Val's rear and her shapely legs. Without even looking back, she pauses for a moment and gives her hips a little shimmy.
	You immediately think of some raunchy things, but clear your mind. "Not tonight," you think to yourself. "But soon, for sure."
	Val walks over to the kitchen and you listen as the faucet crackles.
	Val comes back with two big glasses of water. She hands one to you, and you both start sipping. 
	The weed has worn off, and you check your watch. 
	"Omigosh, I didn't mean to keep you so late. You've got work tomorrow!" Val exclaims.
	"Yeah. Don't worry about it. I'm not," you say. You shouldn't have any serious work the following day, but she needs the extra reassurance.
	You say "Actually, somehow we didn't get to this while talking, but what do you do for work, Val?"
	"Me?" She asks. "Nothing."
	You frown slightly, confused by her answer. "You're not working at all?"
	"Nope."
	She waffles a bit, "Ok, I'm not employed in the traditional sense. But I trade stocks during the day to make my money."
	Goddamn. So that's what she's been doing while you were in college. Smart, rich, hot, wants to get fat - this girl has it all!
	"Well. That sounds interesting," you say lamely.
	She laughs, "It isn't, but I'm good at it. Trading also has a way of drawing you in when your money is on the line."
	"I can imagine," you say. Then you smirk, "So if you're richer than I am, does that mean I still have to pay for dates?"
	She laughs, and then touches your cheek. "You silly."
	She leans in to kiss you. This time, her mouth tastes faintly of fizzy drinks somehow. 
	You take another whiff of her hair, then say your farewells and stagger back to your car. You take a long moment to grin to yourself in the driver's seat before finally driving off. The whole evening solidified into a perfect memory.
	
	There's almost nobody on the road, which is good as you're imagining lewd fantasies about Val. In the midst of one particularly saucy scenario involving Val dressed as a succubus, you pull into your driveway. Your house looks pretty dark, it's not even all the way lit up. You could turn on some lights in the house to cheer it up, or you could just head to bed. You text Val to let her know you got home safely.
	"Thank you for a lovely evening! I had a great time with you."
	A couple minutes later, you get a reply, "Thank YOU for a great evening, Silly. My pleasure. See you again soon."
	You finally strip off your work clothes, and notice that your cock is still standing on end. You decide to do something about that.
	You head into the bathroom, then start stroking your cock, as you imagine Val bloating into obesity. You imagine that you're inside her, filling her with your hot load. You imagine her ass cheeks getting increasingly wider as you shove deeper into her. You stroke faster as your balls churn. You fixate on a fantasy of a massively fattened Val pinning you under her weight and sucking your cock. You keep stroking your cock, now imagining a blob-like fat version of Val slowly crushing the life out of you. You're not sure how much longer you can hold out. As your climax nears, you imagine Val taking your cock down her throat. 
	You cum. As you do so, you imagine your cum gushing down Val's throat and pumping into her stomach. You collapse onto the floor when you finish, panting. That was intense. Your cock twitches and spurts just a little more as you imagine Val's gulping sounds, and visualize her licking her lips.
	With your new fantasy over, you slowly pick yourself up and get ready for bed. You are exhausted by your long day, and drained by your release, you quickly doze off.
	You sleep like a rock, your body and mind awash in a stew of happy chemicals.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 – A Second Date

	You roll out of bed, eat breakfast, then get dressed and set out for work.
	As you get into the car to go to work, your cell phone rings. It's a Washington state area code, so you answer.
	"Hello."
	"Hey, I'm looking for Jason, is that you?" a woman asks.
	You pause for a second, and then reply, "I think you've got the wrong number."
	"No, I'm looking for a Jason. This is..."
	The woman stops and corrects herself. "It'sactually, it's actually Jane."
	You say "I'm sorry, Jane, but I don't know any Jasons. Good luck with your search, though."
	"Wait, wait, hold on. You don't know a Jason Palmer?"
	"No, I really don't."
	The woman who called sounds really put off by this. "Well, give this number to anyone you meet who matches this description."
	"Okay."
	The woman rattles off a description of a thirty-something man with lots of tattoos, then abruptly hangs up.
	What the hell, you wonder.
	
	You eventually settle in at work, and wouldn't you know it, but you actually have to do stuff today. Apparently your subcontractors still suck, and you have to clean up their messes. It's a good thing you got a raise to compensate, because doing this shit isn't exactly in your job description.
	Fuck you Assemblyman Zarsky for getting re-elected. You deserve all this!
	Despite your pissy mood, the complaints fall one after the other. You find yourself with some free time before lunch. Your mind immediately drifts to Val. How on earth can I get that girl fatter? You rub your hands through your hair in frustration. You make a few google searches on your phone. Lots of trendy fatty social media channels, lots of clickbait and shoddy science. You think, maybe I could find weight loss advice and flip it?
	Your stomach squelches with hunger. You set out for the sandwich shop again, but with a new idea in your head.
	
	Today, there's no lunch rush. In fact, the sandwich shop is almost dead. You breath a sigh of relief to see the same cute chubby cashier on duty again today, but are gripped by apprehension about your plan.
	You think to yourself, "I won't be able to come back here if I come off as creepy. Hell, I don't even know why she should be able to help, but I just have this weird feeling that I should talk to her."
	You walk up to the cashier and order a ham and cheese on wheat bread with a small diet soda.
	"Anything else today?" the cashier asks.
	"Nope, that's it."
	You catch yourself and stammer, "well, you see, there is one other thing. Not a food order, but I wanted to ask you a question."
	"Shoot."
	Your palms are sweating.
	You say "So this friend of mine, she wants to get fat. But she can't make any weight stick no matter what she eats. I know this is weird, but somehow I got it in my head that you might be able to help."
	"Somehow?" She chuckles. She places her palms on the counter, squeezing her ample breasts together and leans towards you.
	"You're not nearly as slick as you think," her voice is almost a whisper, "and I know you like what you see." The cashier now grabs some of her tummy flab and jiggles it a bit.
	"Yeah," she says, "yeah, you like what you see, huh? You like what you see." A smirk creeps up her face.
	You manage to sputter, "Well...yes..."
	The chubby cashier girl feels herself up a bit and says, "Well maybe I like being admired from a distance. Only my boyfriend gets to touch though." She winks, and you barely manage to keep your mouth from falling open.
	"So, you wanted to know if I could help your friend?" Her tone is suddenly impatient.
	"Well...yes...but..."
	You take a quick breath, then say, "So like I said, she's athletic, very muscular. She eats a ton, but just can't pork up at all. It doesn't make any sense."
	"What does she weigh?"
	"I don't know, a lot I guess." You can't remember. "Can you help her?" You ask hopefully.
	"Maybe..." She says doubtfully. "I mean, I can't promise anything."
	"What do you mean? Tell me everything!" You demand.
	She recoils slightly, but explains, "One of my cousins is a doctor. He says that he's seen an uptick in patients coming to him, and their cases sound similar to yours. The doctors have medicines that can help most of them, but I don't really understand it. Now, I'm anything but a doctor, but I think your friend should talk to a professional."
	You scoff, "What do you mean, a professional? Aren't you a professional?"
	She rolls her eyes, "I'm only a professional sandwich slinger." 
	She giggles. "Speaking of, your food is getting cold." 
	"Uh, oh thanks." You reply. You grab your meal and eat. As you are stuffing your face, you notice some nearly naked people walking by. You pretend not to, but still catch a glimpse. Two women, and a guy, all fairly skinny, and with their naughty bits respectively covered by about a single thread each. Must be a harem. This fucking town sometimes, you swear... You finish chewing and wash it down with some soda.
	After you pay, you leave the restaurant. You aren't sure what to make of the whole situation, but one thing is certain.
	You're gonna see Val again tonight. You text her to set up another date.
	You walk along, daydreaming about your evening with her.
	Val replies quickly, "Hey cutie, I was wondering when I'd hear from you again. Same as last night? I'll cook again!" A smiley face with hearts for eyes and flowers adorns the screen of your phone.
	"Sounds good, see you later." You type.
	You stop for a second to stare at the phone. See you later?
	You can't quite place it, but something about the wording seems off. Maybe it's just the tone though. It's got a flirty, upbeat feel to it.
	You're probably just overthinking it. 
	
	You get back to work and pick through a few more to-dos. You're working quickly today, because you really want to be at Val's house by six. You want to see her again, and you want to make her see that you're a catch. You learned a few things today, and you just hope that it's not stuff that Val had already considered. Ultimately though, you're just going to have to put in the time and effort and see.
	
	When you clock out, you rush home. You quickly change into some casual clothes, and head back over to Val's place. You hop into your car and drive over to her street, and find a parking spot not far from her complex.
	You walk up to the door and ring the doorbell.
	Seconds later, you hear footsteps walking towards the door. A moment later, it opens and you're faced with a vision.
	Val is wearing a plain grey tank top and some low-hanging shorts. Her legs are muscular and toned. You stare into her bright blue eyes, which widen when she notices you looking. Her wavy blonde hair gives her a carefree and cute look.
	"Hey there, sexy!"
	You step into her arms, and tilt your head back. She plants a kiss on your lips, and then you pull her close. As you embrace her, she traces circles on your back.
	Val pulls back a bit, and looks down at you and smiles. "You hungry? I just finished cooking!"
	"Always." You lean in for another kiss.
	She opens her mouth slightly, and you slip your tongue inside. She does likewise, and the two of you embrace in a tangle of limbs and wet tongues.
	The intensity of the moment is broken when your stomach growls loudly. "Oh dear." You both break apart, and you look at each other, blushing.
	Val giggles a bit. "Well, you get hungry fast. Let's get you fed."
	You walk into the kitchen with Val.
	"Oh come on, don't be shy!" She says, walking past you and nudging the door closed with her hip. You follow her into the kitchen, and actually focus on her interior decor. Her condo is nice, if a little plain. The kitchen is off to your left, neatly organized and sporting the usual array of sink, oven, and fridge. A sizable island countertop sits in the middle, and the dining table is to your right. The living room, as glimpsed through a doorway, has a few pieces of nice furniture, a TV stand, and a sliding door off to one side. The curtains are drawn back, and the glass glows with evening sun.
	You watch as she walks over to a pan on the stove. She grabs a spatula, and scrapes the contents into a bowl on the counter. "I made chili tonight. Want some?"
	"Yeah, please." You say.
	She smiles at you and begins to spoon out portions of the chili onto two bowls.
	Val's bowl is loaded with way more chili than yours, you can't help but notice. She notices your gaze, and glances down at her bowl. She then glances back up at you, a playful twinkle in her eye.
	"You know..." She begins, leaning close to you. "...If you eat all your chili, you can stay a little longer."
	She pokes your side with her elbow and giggles.
	You laugh softly, "You're a terrible negotiator, haha."
	She rolls her eyes and chuckles. "Fine."
	She leans against the countertop, and spoons a bite of chili into her mouth. She chews slowly, then swallows and sighs contentedly.
	"Ah, I knew I knocked this one out of the park," she says dreamily, "C'mon, let's sit and eat!"
	You follow Val to the table with your bowl, and quickly get comfortable. You eat your chili, and make small talk with Val. You eat slowly, taking your time with it. You absent-mindedly push some chunks of meat around the bowl and sigh. "This is delicious, thank you."
	Val smiles at you fondly.
	You say "So about your request, me getting you fatter. I did a little research today, and to be honest I probably didn't find anything you don't already know."
	She raises an eyebrow. "Really? Well what did you find out then?"
	"Nothing that I'd call groundbreaking. Clickbait shit, calories in calories out, hell I thought about looking at weight loss advice and doing the opposite."
	She chuckles. "Duly noted."
	"I did find a few theories though. I wasn't convinced by all of them, but it got me thinking..."
	You pause, wondering how to explain this one.
	You say, "This is gonna sound weird, but I had a conversation with the cashier when I got lunch today. She says her cousin is a doctor, and that he's seen a few patients that just can't put on weight."
	"Really?" She says, raising an eyebrow.
	"Yeah, it was just a conversation, I wasn't going to investigate it." You say.
	Val seems pretty interested in this, so you decide to continue, "I couldn't find any sort of condition or syndrome, but I guess it could be real. Val, I think your body might work a little differently."
	Val replies silently, her expression unreadable. 
	Perhaps unwisely, you decide to press, "Did you never wonder about it? How you could eat with abandon and yet you'd stay a muscular, shredded babe?"
	"Well sure," she says, "But I always figured I had some sort of self-discipline. When I'm training, I always try to make myself eat a balanced diet."
	You reply, "Val, you ate enough to sate a family last night."
	She laughs softly. "You might be right. I suppose you're really good at picking out the good stuff then."
	You smile and nod. She scrunches her nose and looks down as if deep in thought. She opens her mouth to speak, but then stops and stares at you for a moment. Her pupils seem much more dilated than before.
	"I just eat until I'm full, and I just eat whenever seems good at the time. Since I stopped playing football I guess I never did think about it." Val replies.
	She continues. "It's always just felt like everything I put in my body, I could easily get it back out. I guess I don't know any different."
	You say, "Val, if I ate like you and managed not to explode, I'd have to be rolled around within a couple months."
	She laughs, though you can see a bit of nervousness in it. "I guess so."
	"I still think you should talk to.... A fat-ologist? A dietician probably? I can't shake the sense that there's something special about you. And they might know how to make you fill out."
	She laughs nervously and looks away. "I'll be honest, I hadn't even thought about it before you brought it up. But now that you mention it...." She exhales shakily and stares at you.
	"I don't know. I know it seems silly, but I feel like there's some reason I should go through with this." She pauses again; this time to collect herself. "I should just try."
	"It means a lot to you, doesn't it?" You ask, "Your dream of being a big sexy fat lady?"
	She smiles weakly and looks away.
	"I can't explain why," Val whispers. "I just find the idea really really alluring. And I thought you could help me gain weight, and you would enjoy seeing me grow..." Val starts to cry a bit.
	She continues. "But instead I just ruined everything, because....."
	Val stops herself again and stands up straight.
	"Because I'm just using you for my fantasy!" Val blurts out, tears dripping out of her eyes.
	The ensuing silence fills the room, making you feel even more awkward than you already did.
	"That's not true." You say.
	"It so is! I'm sorry, but I can't..."
	You blurt out, "Val! Val! Listen to me. You're not manipulating me. I chose to come see you, and you were perfectly honest with your intentions. You opened up pretty quick, but I actually appreciate the candor."
	"You do?" she asks, her voice quivering.
	"Yes," you reply, "All of this is new to me, and you are new to me. But everything just feels right. Although I'll really have to step up my cooking game if I want to impress you."
	"You.... You're not mad?"
	You say, "Of course not! You came on pretty hard, but I have to say that was actually refreshing.... And sexy. I like a girl who knows what she wants."
	"I... I'm sorry the way things turned out."
	"Don't be. I can think of worse ways for a first meeting."
	You grab Val's hand, and intertwine your fingers with hers.
	"So, how about that dinner?"
	She smiles, wiping her eyes. You hear Val's stomach rumble a bit. She blushes slightly. "We didn't get very far on that chili," she quietly laughs.
	You look into her eyes, smiling back.
	"It still smells divine. Let's eat."
	The two of you resettle at the table, and enjoy a delicious dinner of chili and bread. Val's mood brightens as she chews through the heroic portions before her.
	You're struggling with the last bits of your bowl, and feel a little self-conscious as Val finishes off her double helping plus sides.
	You slide your last spoonful into your mouth and swallow. This girl and her rich foods - you haven't eaten stuff like this in ages. You stifle a burp and say to Val, "Well at least we don't need to worry about your appetite."
	Val laughs and burps. Then she slides over towards you, and moves her body closer up against yours. Her face comes close to your own.
	She whispers in your ear, "The meal's not over until we've had some dessert." You make an exaggerated pantomime of exploding and dying. Val laughs as she gets up, "Ok, more for me then! But you should at least have a taste." She leans over and bites you on the neck. You yelp slightly. "Mm, tastes like you need sugar." She licks the site as you groan in fake pain.
	Val chuckles seductively as she turns and walks to the fridge. She opens it, and you watch her rummage through its contents. She returns with a sizeable ceramic baking dish. Part of you awaits whatever delicious torture she has in store...
	"Val. Whatever you got in there looks delicious, but I'm afraid you'll have to do it justice yourself."
	"Oh I intend to," she says as she takes her seat again.
	You look at Val with a mixture of desire and fear. She takes the lid off of the dish, revealing a thick layer of blueberry cobbler. She looks at you expectantly, "Well, go ahead, take however much you want."
	You look down at the dessert, and then back up at Val, who gives a wiggle of her eyebrows. You scoop out a small blob of cobble, just enough to sample the taste. Then you dig your fork into the cobbler, and take a small bite. You close your eyes for a moment and enjoy the sweet taste of the dessert. It's only fair after Val's teasing.
	It's incredible, just like you expected. The crust is sugary and lightly crunchy, and the filling is buttery and sweet without being cloying. Soon enough your little sample is gone, but your stomach redoubles its protests.
	"Mm, that hit the spot," you say, and give a stretch.
	Val smiles and gives you a quick peck on the cheek, before standing.
	She grabs the dish, and says, "Follow me into the living room?"
	You stand, and follow her into the living room. She drops the cobbler off to the side, and draws you close to her.
	"I had a really fun time tonight," she says.
	"I did too," you reply.
	Your lips find their way to hers, and for a moment you forget about the world outside this room.
	She pushes you away, licking her lips. "Mmm, I knew I nailed that cobbler. C'mon and sit down with me, I know how you can work some of it off"
	Val rummages through a side table while you plop on the couch. She brings out a joint and a lighter, and looks at you with an expectant smile.
	"Hit me," you say, as you grab the blunt.
	Val leans over you and lights it up, as you take a long drag. You feel the effects instantly, pulling you into a blissful state. You pass the joint to Val, who finishes it with a long drag of her own. The two of you exhale and cough a bit, stewing in the sweet skunky smoke.
	"That was a good one!" she says, tossing the roach into an empty soda can.
	You both lay for a while as fuzzy contentment spreads through your body again. Eventually, Val twists to retrieve the cobbler dish from the side table. She sets it on her lap and hands you the serving spoon. She licks her lips, then looks at you, pointing at her open mouth expectantly.
	"You're going to feed me this cobbler, because I know you like watching me eat it out of the dish," she says.
	You grab the cobbler and hold it in the air.
	Val's face drops. "What are you doing?" She whines with a fake bratty affect, "I want it!"
	"No," you say sternly.
	"Yes! Please!" she says, pouting.
	You put the serving spoon in your mouth, and lick a bit of the cobbler residue off. "It's pretty good," you tease.
	Val peels her eyes away from the cobbler, and looks at you. "You're so mean!" she says, pouting.
	"Come on," you order, "Take your shirt off."
	You watch as Val complies with your order, revealing a lacy red bra that comfortably cups her tits. You openly ogle Val's exposed upper body. She raises an eyebrow, and gently squeezes her b-cup-ish tits. "You like this?" she asks.
	You nod, and she begins to unhook the clasp.
	"You want me to take this off?"
	Your nod intensifies as she pulls the clasp apart, and wiggles out of the cups. Her tits bounce into view, and you stare at them in awe. Val's tits are round, perky, and soft. They sit comfortably on her chest and wobble slightly as Val breathes. Val gently rubs hear breasts and smirks. You look over the rest of her body, pausing to focus on her tummy. Val's tummy has clearly-defined ab muscles, but it's not very flat at the moment. It's pooched out with a gentle curve thanks to the huge meal Val just inhaled. You gently run a finger across it, and poke into her belly button.
	"Ah!" she yelps.
	You pull your hand back quickly. "Sorry," you say.
	"It's ok," she replies breathlessly. "That.... Felt good," she explains. "But don't you have a job to do?" She abruptly says with a stern tone.
	You nod sincerely.
	"Well, get to it then."
	You feel stupid as you remember the cobbler dish you've been holding this whole time.
	You straddle Val, and slowly lower the cobbler dish onto Val's lap. Her eyes bulge, as she looks into your eyes. She opens her mouth wide, her tongue protruding a bit.
	You dig the serving spoon into the dish, start scooping the cobbler from the dish and pile it into Val's mouth. She opens wide, and quickly starts to greedily chew and swallow the delicious pastry. You're able to put a decent amount in her mouth, which she quickly starts to chow down on. You feel like you're doing something bad, but you don't stop.
	"How much is enough?" you ask, and Val nods. You continue spooning cobbler into her open mouth, and she seems to enjoy it.
	"I'm full," she says after a while.
	"But I'm not done. Keep that cobbler coming!" Val says.
	"You're quite full, I think."
	"Just give me more!"
	She looks deathly serious for a moment, "If I want you to stop, you'll know. Now keep shoveling it in!" Her eyes glint of blue fire and her voice is utterly commanding.
	A bolt of fear runs down your spine. "Yes ma'am," you squeak out, as you load up a heaping spoonful and hastily cram it to Val's waiting mouth. More than a few sugar-crusted blue blobs slop past her chin.
	"Mmmm... delicious," she says.
	You continue piling it high as her mouth opens to accept more cobbler, but the cobbler "dish" is now empty. "More!"
	You show Val the empty dish and say, "That's all there was. Got anything else?"
	Val furrows her eyebrows, and looks at the empty dish. "Seriously?" 
	She thinks for a moment, than says, "Could you go into the kitchen and bring the chocolate milk?"
	You nod, slowly get up from Val, and walk into the kitchen. You open the fridge and survey its contents. You find the fabled chocolate milk, and pull out the container. You close the fridge door and hear some moans coming from the living room. You pause a moment to listen, and continue to hear the sounds of heavy breathing. You return to the living room and are greeted with a jaw-dropping sight.
	Val is a vision of lust, sprawled across the couch. Her crumb-encrusted mouth lolls open, gasps and moans emerging. Her left hand cradles one of her breasts, tweaking the nipple between her fingers. You follow the trail of crumbs and cobbler goo to her glutted, rounded stomach. She almost looks pregnant, but with a food baby. Her shorts have somehow vanished, and you see her other hand slipped under her black panties. Her right leg is propped up on the cushions, the other hanging off the couch entirely. Val opens her eyes and looks at you.
	"Here's the chocolate milk," you manage to say with a dopey voice.
	You can't stop staring as Val continues masturbating. She doesn't slow down as she looks at you.
	You feel very dirty, but a taboo rush of adrenaline makes you tremble with excitement.
	"Go ahead," she says.
	"Huh?" you say, out loud.
	"Go ahead. Start pouring the milk."
	You step forward, twist off the cap, and kneel down next to Val, who is now practically purring. You brace your fingers around the jug, bring it to her lips, and pour milk straight down her throat. She gags and sputters, but takes in all the milk you give her. You watch as Val's engorged stomach bloats even more and more, and you worry that she's about to explode. Suddenly her hand comes up and pushes the jug away from her mouth. Some milk slops on her chest, and she swallows roughly. She grabs her nipple with desperation and is moaning and gasping, "So fucking full, so fucking - fuck!" 
	You're about to pour some more milk down her throat, but you see her hand rising and a look of sheer bliss on her face. Val's fingers slip deep into her pussy as her whole body convulses with a mighty orgasm. Her free hand clutches at whatever she can reach as she cries in wordless ecstasy. She continues to moan as she calms herself down, her head sinking into the cushions of the couch.
	"Fuck. Yes," she says, out of breath.
	Val lays and pants, her overstuffed belly wobbling and sloshing in time with her breathing.
	"Holy shit," she pants. "I've never known something to feel that good."
	She struggles to sit up, resting her elbow on the arm of the couch.
	Her arm slips, and she gives up. She weakly says to you, "I can't move." She gingerly pats her hands onto her distended belly, moaning in pain and pleasure. She looks over herself, seeing the cobbler scraps and spilled milk, "I'm a fucking mess," she intones.
	You take a deep breath and nod, "Yeah. A mess."
	Val laughs, a bit delirious from her physical ordeal.
	"Let me help clean you up," you say. You grab Val's hand, put it to your mouth, and start licking the pussy juices from her fingers. Her eyes flutter close as her head floats back.
	"You like that, baby?" you ask.
	"Yeah... fuck," she groans.
	She looks at you and smiles.
	Suddenly her face is filled with horror. She pulls her hand back, and covers her exposed chest. Val's face flushes bright red as she turns away from you. "I can't believe I just did that," she whimpers.
	"I enjoyed it," you say, trying not to laugh.
	"I just masturbated in front of you and made you help. And I didn't ask!" She rasps, "Look at me, I'm a piggy mess and a pervert and -"
	You finally read the room as Val starts crying again. You look around and find her tanktop, you hand it to her and she dons it wordlessly. Her shirt can't cover her bloated gut, and you steal a glance in spite of the suddenly glum mood. You grab her hand and gently clasp it between both of yours.
	"You. Are. Amazing." You say with honest reverence. "I wasn't expecting this, but you'd have known if I didn't want to participate. If you're a pervert, then I'm a pervert too, because I didn't hesitate at all. C'mon, we can be perverts together." You say with a light tone.
	Val is still sniffling, but she turns to look you in the eye.
	"I'm such an idiot." She rasps. "Roping you into my fetishes is at least third date shit." She chuckles a bit. "You don't think I'm a whore?" She asks delicately.
	You shake your head, "No. You're a sweet girl with some kinks, wants, and desires. I'm not criticizing."
	Val beams. "You mean that? Really? Truly?"
	"I swear."
	"Then... kiss?" She smiles.
	You feel your face get hot. You feel your heart beat slightly faster. Your whole body grows warmer. You lean in and kiss her. 
	As your lips meet, Val takes a deep breath and leans into the kiss. In spite of herself, her mouth opens slightly, and her tongue thrusts out. As it happens, yours does too.
	You pull away and catch your breath. From the corner of your eye, you see a smile make its way onto Val's face. She beams at you with absolute adoration.
	"I'm glad you're here." She whispers.
	You stare at Val's face, and find yourself unable to speak for a moment. You find it hard to even look away.
	Suddenly, Val turns away, her face contorting slightly. She unleashes a powerful and long belch - you're certain the neighbors could have heard. She meekly looks over at you.
	"Sorry." She says timidly.
	You wave your hand. "No need to be. You feel better?" You ask with a smirk.
	"A little." She says.
	Val's stomach burbles and churns. She lays her head back and moans, "Oof, I really don't think I can move."
	"You sure you don't want me to carry you out of here?" You joke.
	Val's eyes grow wide and she playfully slaps your arm.
	"I don't think you could have even before I added all this tonnage," she jokes while patting her engorged stomach.
	You make an exaggerated thinking face. "Hm. TV and some more pot then?"
	"Maybe." Val smiles.
	Her eyes are closed as she lazily continues, "The weed, papers, and lighter are in the side table."
	You reach for the side table when Val interrupts you. "You didn't finish cleaning me, there are still crumbs and milk stuck to me," she pouts.
	She strips off her shirt again to show the dessert remnants still clinging to her body. She looks at you with excitement and bites her lip. "Is there any way you could lick those off for me?"
	"Consider it done."
	You take a deep breath as you begin to clean Val up. She lies back and giggles as you scoop up the cobbler crumbs with your tongue. Somehow, it tastes even better when you eat them off of Val. You cheekily lick and nibble her nipples as you work down her chest, and she sighs and squirms in pleasure. You work along and up her overstuffed belly, and slide your tongue into her belly button. You slowly crawl back up her body, pausing to kiss and lick along her sternum, her nipples, and her lips. As you look into her eyes, you lean down to kiss her.
	"That's better," she purrs. 
	"Pot time?" You ask. 
	"Pot time." Val replies. She puts her shirt back on and laboriously rolls over to watch you work. You roll a pair of fat joints, and hand her one. She leans over and lights it with a match, taking a long drag and holding it in for a moment. She holds the smoke in her mouth for a few seconds before releasing it slowly. Val awkwardly swings her legs to let you onto the couch, then strains and lifts her hips so you can position yourself under her. She gently rests her butt in your lap, and grinds into your boner when she feels it.
	This act is too cute for you to complain about, and you close your eyes. You feel Val's weight settle into your lap, she looks at you and says with fake menace, "Now you're trapped."
	"Oh no, crushed under a hot kinky amazon. My ancestors would be proud." You joke. Val laughs and hands you the lighter before taking another toke of her joint. You light up and take a big drag on your joint. It's way too damn hot, but it feels good. Val is so damn stoned right now that she won't be able to walk straight. 
	Val flips on the TV, and some insipid documentary on hillbillies or something comes on. You quickly smoked your joint to a roach, just like Val did, and you're quickly slipping into a deep and fuzzy euphoria. You watch the stupid hillbillies bumble about and talk to each other as the world starts to get wobbly.
	"So, about what happened tonight." Val says. "You're so accepting, and you were such a good sport with how selfish I was. I wanna make it up to you, but not tonight."
	You suddenly realize you've been idly massaging Val's overfilled belly. You slowly blink and look at her contented face, and say "It's ok baby, I'm glad to help. And I don't want to pressure you into doing anything you don't want to."
	Val smiles and draws you in for an awkward, clumsy kiss.
	"Mmmm, you're so good to me," she says. "Fuck yeah."
	You're starting to feel woozy, and Val must see this, because she says "Nah, you go to sleep, I'll be here when you wake up."
	
	You close your eyes and relax, comfortablly, warmly pinned under Val's bulk. You feel your brain begin to shut down as you go into a deep, meditative state. You drift in and out of sleep as thoughts tumble through your head.
	In your dreams you're running through a dark forest. Every so often you can hear the snarls and howls of a beast in pain. In the distance you can see a bright light. It seems so close, you could just run to it. You could open your eyes and be through the forest and to the light. You could keep running and never feel pain again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 – The Gorge 

	In the next moment you wake up with a start. You're still Val's living room, and the sun is peeking through the blinds.
	Val isn't here, and you're lying on the couch under a blanket. You slowly sit up and work a crick out of your neck, and the smell of fresh coffee hits your nose.
	"Val?" You call out, your voice husky. You get up and shuffle into the kitchen.
	"In here," a voice says from the kitchen. You round the corner and look in.
	You see Val standing in the kitchen, her hair gathered into a messy bun. She's wearing a short pink silken robe. It's tied loosely, and you watch as Val winks at you, and undoes the belt to let the robe hang open. "Good morning," she says sweetly.
	You stare at her gorgeous and powerful body. Val is somehow just so damn cute and innocent, and your cock immediately stiffens as you remember the gluttonous freak she was last night.
	"Mornin," you say, before staring at her eyes. "I have to get to work."
	"You don't have to," Val says. "I cooked breakfast."
	Your brain works slowly, and you look Val over. She's wearing lacey pink panties, which with her robe adds a layer of cutsey innocence onto her imposing physique. Her stomach looks flat again, with washboard abs putting yours to shame.
	"You made pancakes," you say stupidly, while staring at her amazing B cups.
	She smiles patiently.
	"Uhhh, I guess I can call in and come in late for a half day." You mutter. "Just, where did it all go?" You wonder. You poke your finger into Val's taught tummy. "You were so full and round last night, and now.... These abs could cut gems" you marvel, staring a her rock hard six-pack.
	Val twists your arm behind your back and presses you up against the wall. "You're asking a dumb question, baby. And I was hoping you'd have the answers," she murmurs into your neck.
	You feel a flush creeping up your neck and into your cheeks. Val purrs into your ear, "Maybe I can get you thinking."
	She presses you into the wall, and slides her other hand between the wall and your stomach. She then slides it down to the front of your pants and starts feeling your cock through the fabric. "You getting any ideas?" She whispers.
	"Quite the opposite, but it feels really nice." You reply with a dopey voice.
	"Ugh! You are so useless," she laughs. Val suddenly releases you, spins you around, and draws you into a lovely hug.
	"I'm really glad you're mine." Val whispers.
	"Let's get you some coffee." She beams.
	"Now that's my girl."
	You spend a nice morning with Val. She cooks pancakes and sausages for breakfast, and you watch her eat a few helpings (It's always fascinating to you how much food she can stuff into her mouth).
	"Baby, can I have some more sausages?" Val asks.
	You load some more meat onto your fork and hold it out towards Val's mouth. She smiles and nods eagerly. "Yes, yes!" Val scarfs the whole forkful of sausages into her mouth and chews it all at once, bulging her cheeks out. She swallows repeatedly, and sticks her tongue out at you once she's finished.
	"You're too cute." You say.
	"Will you still think that when I'm all chubby and soft?" Val asks with a smarmy grin.
	You answer, "You'll be fucking adorable when you're chubby and soft. And when you're all fat and round, you'll be a fucking goddess."
	"Flatterer." She pushes your shoulder and laughs.
	She props up her head with her hands and looks into your eyes, "Tell me more."
	You ask, "Well, what sort of goddess do you think you'd be? A benevolent goddess, or an evil goddess?"
	Val bursts out in laughter, "Hehe, well I dunno if I'd be a benevolent goddess, but an evil one would be fun."
	"Oh yeah? I bet you'd be the fattest goddess ever, and you'd hog all the sacrifices."
	"Yeah, like you wouldn't want to be sacrificed to me..." Val purrs.
	"Well, thinking about it, I would." You smile.
	"You're weird." She smiles, then gives you a playful push. "So, what do you think of me?"
	"Well, I think you're an insanely hot bitch." You smirk.
	"Yes, yes, you have such a way with words." Val says, smiling and rolling her eyes.
	You lean across the table and kiss Val again on the lips. She tastes of pancakes and bacon, and you want more kisses like this. You give her bottom lip a gentle suckle, and she grabs your head in both hands. She deepens the kiss, parting her lips and running her tongue along the roof of your mouth and gently biting your lower lip. Val pulls away, leaving you a little dazed. She opens her robe, and you stare at her chest. She looks at you and gives her tits a playful jiggle. "Look at you, lusting after my tits." Val smirks.
	You fumble over your words, "I...uh...just...you're just so beautiful..."
	Val gently grabs your chin, turns your head so you're looking into her eyes and kisses you once more. "You don't need words to understand how I feel about you," Val says.
	She pats you on the cheek and closes up her robe again. "C'mon, it's a workday for you. You don't wanna get fired, do you?"
	"No," you say, a little disappointed that the kissing ended.
	"Believe it or not, I have to get some work done too. I'll show you how I do it, some day soon." Val continues.
	You straighten yourself up and help her gather up the dishes. You walk her to the door, and she draws you in for one last kiss before saying good-bye and walking off. You say, "Let's have a proper date tonight. A goddess deserves to eat somewhere fancy. My treat."
	Val's eyes sparkle, and a smile spreads across her face. "You're too sweet. Um...I'm gonna need to work a little late, so I'll see you later then."
	You nod, "Just let me know when I should pick you up."
	"Yeah, see you later," Val says, turning and walking off.
	You watch her walk away, before closing the door and trudging down to your car. You start the engine and proceed home, your mind focused on the gluttonous blonde goddess that just crashed into your life. You can't stop thinking about her, and you desperately want to see her again. You know just the place to make tonight a slam dunk.
	You get home, rush inside and quickly strip off your smelly clothes. You step into the shower, the hot water feels good on your skin. You lather your body with your favourite shower gel, and only realize when the bottle is almost empty. Oh well, it can wait. Val is still on your mind. Your cock stiffens again as various lewd fantasies start flipping through your head. You picture yourself bending her over and ramming your cock into her tight pussy, as she screams out for more. You think about all the kinky shit you two could do, and one scenario suddenly jumps out at you.
	Val's not at all bashful about waving her freak flag, so you feel a little adventurous. You start working your shaft as you imagine holding her down and pumping your dick into her, as she whimpers, begs and pleads for you not to stop. But that's not all. You imagine Val's skin turning blue, and her body starting to bloat and swell as you pump into her. She moans lewdly as she wobbles and sloshes under her expanding juicy mass. You feel a rush as you realize just how into this you are, but it's not enough. You continue jacking your dick, and keep swelling fantasy-Val. In your pervy mind she's now as round as a ball, her once-strong limbs engulfed by sloshing blue flesh. Sweet blue liquid is leaking from all of her orifices as she begs you to get her off.
	"Please! P-please I wanna c-come!" she whimpers.
	You tense as you feel a huge orgasm churn inside you. Fantasy-Val cries in rapture as her pussy twitches and drenches you in sweet juicy femcum. Your eyes roll into the back of your head as wave after wave of euphoria and bliss engulfs you. You splatter rope after rope of cum into the shower, you mind blank and your mouth lolling open. You shiver as you slowly come back to yourself. You feel an obscene sense of joy and happiness, and wipe yourself clean.
	It... It was a fun scenario. You sort of wish it could be reality.
	Shaking your head, you quickly dry off and get dressed again. As you pull on your socks, you can't help but smile to yourself, feeling gleeful at what just happened. Who knew being a perv meant having such fun fantasies? Well, you know now...
	You smirk to yourself as you think, "She actually has no idea how kinky I am. I bet it's gonna be pretty fun when we finally hook up." With a big grin, you walk out the door to head into the office. Coming in at noon is diligent and fashionable, right?
	
	You grab a granola bar from the small machine in the break room, popping it in your mouth as you stare at the other employees. You survey the surprisingly diverse cast of your co-workers, silently marveling at how Northeaston somehow wound up being such a cosmopolitan place. They're all eating lunch and chatting, but nobody pays any attention to you.
	Suddenly, you hear your colleague Carl call your name. You quickly wipe your mouth and head over to him.
	"Late start?" Carl asks with a smirk. With his thin, angular face and slicked-back hair, a smirk is effectively his default expression. Douchey appearance aside and bantering manners aside, Carl's actually supportive and loyal - you've been friends since college.
	"Hey, I called it ahead." You defend yourself, matching his mischievous energy.
	"You meet a girl?" He presses.
	You smirk back and roll a bite of your granola bar into your cheek. "Yes, as a matter of fact."
	"Heh, would I know her?" 
	You insolently lean against the door frame as you pronounce "Valentine Sojka."
	Carl's eyes go wide. "Oh, she's... oh! Yeah! She used to be with Big Dale, right?" 
	You tilt your head to the side as you smirk. "Yep, that's the one."
	"Wow. Didn't realize she was still in the city. Still, that's got to be hard."
	You shrug. "It's fine. I'm gonna take her to The Gorge tonight."
	"The Gorge? Are you sure? I mean, I know she's... big, but..."
	"Trust me, I'm prepared."
	Carl chuckles, shaking his head. You almost don't hear him mutter, "Yeah but is she prepared?"
	Your ears prick up and you give him a look. "What?"
	"Nevermind."
	You decide to drop it and talk business. "Alright Carl, any fires that need to get put out today?"
	"No, not really. I think the only thing that's urgent is getting the interns switched over to their new offices soon, but the last of them just left for the week, so that'll have to wait.
	You sigh in relief.
	Carl cocks an eyebrow. "You can go over some market research if you're hell-bent on being useful."
	You give him a smile. "I'm always useful."
	"Sure..."
	With that, you head to your desk. You send a text to Val before settling in to so some work. You say, "Hey baby, how'd you like to dine at The Gorge tonight?"
	She texts you right back. "I'd love to, as long as you're there to take me home afterwards :)"
	You grin to yourself as you reply, "of course."
	She texts back, "Ok then I'm gonna get fancy! :) Pick me up around 6?"
	"Works for me, I'll put in a reservation," you reply.
	"Sweet! :)"
	It's a struggle to focus on the dry reports Carl sent you. You manage to tease out some insights, but Val is on your mind the whole time. This will be the first time you've seen her dressed up, and you're imagining how the night might go. The Gorge is a "fancy buffet" serving master-crafted food, and a whole shitload of it. It's spendy, but you've swung by once or twice. The first time was to see if it's reputation as a fatty mecca was warranted.
	The second time was because the reputation was in fact warranted. And how!
	You're looking forward to seeing the damage Val can do to their larder. In the meantime, you have more mundane matters to take care of. You pop earbuds into place and spin up some music. Your thoughts synchronize with thumping EDM beats as you process the reports. After a few songs, you've finished the most important part. You save the documents to your PC and archive them before closing down your screen.
	You check your watch: 4:00pm.
	The office is deserted, typical of a Friday. Surely nobody's around to snitch if you sneak out early? After all, you're well caught up on your work. You grab your stuff, snug your chair against the desk, and check the back room. Everything looks in place. You sneak out the door and head to the front of the office, not encountering a single soul. You practically dive into your car and haul ass home, exuberantly jamming out to some party music as you drive. The moment you step through your front door, you've peeled off your clothes and are digging through your closet. You pull out a few of your fancier items, trying and discarding a few before settling on a flattering outfit. You slip into a pair of charcoal trousers and a light blue button-up shirt. You stuff your feet into leather boots and grab your keys.
	You pack a small bag with a change of clothes, as well.
	Your bag is packed and slung over your shoulder. You head out the door and lock it. You head to your car, a beige hatchback, and set out for Val's place. The drive is easy; you know the way by now. You head up the familiar streets, and Val's apartment is on your right. The building is new and sleek, made of drywall and wood. The doors are metal, and there's a parking lot out front. You pull into the lot, find a guest spot, and head inside the condo complex. You knock on the door and wait. You hear footsteps, and the door swings open.
	"Hey!" Val says. You grin as she stares at you, licking her lips.
	"Come on in," she says, stepping back.
	You walk past her, into the foyer. You look Val up and down, taking in her glammed-up appearance. She's wearing a ruffly white blouse that shows off her belly button. She's also wearing form-fitting black trousers that are tucked into a pair of tall heeled boots. Her blonde hair is pulled into an elegant bun, with a pair of inscribed black sticks holding it in place. Val's eyes are accentuated with glittery pale-blue eyeshadow, and a matte black lipstick exudes femme fatale vibes. She smiles. "You like?" she asks, twirling.
	"You look...wow." You struggle for the words.
	"Thanks, baby," she says, batting her eyelashes.
	You exclaim, "You decided to lean into the evil goddess look after all, I see!"
	"Heh, well..." Val says with a pout, then laughs. "Maybe I was having a little fun after all."
	You hand her your bag and she sets it near the coat rack.
	Val says, "So, are you ready to ...Gorge yourself for me?" Snickering at her pun.
	"Perv," you say, sticking your tongue out.
	"Well, I'm ready to gorge for you," Val purrs, before enveloping you in her arms and drawing you in for a gentle kiss.
	After a moment, she steps back, holding onto your hands.
	"Don't wanna ruin my lipstick," she explains. "Yet." She smiles.
	You say, "Let's get going, we don't want to miss our reservation."
	"Sure thing, Sir," Val says, a playful tone in her voice. She slides her arm around your waist, and you take her other hand. You lead her out of the apartment and to the parking lot. You open the passenger door and help her inside, before walking around to the driver's seat and sliding in.
	"You know," Val says. "I think you're a little nervous."
	You smile and nod.
	"Of course I am," you admit. "This is pretty important."
	"Mm, I suppose it is," Val nods. "But don't worry. I've got you."
	You start the engine and pull out of your parking space, heading off down the road. Just me and my girl, you think as you drive off. Two pervs in a pod, as it were.
	The drive is easy, and in about fifteen minutes you're pulling into the parking lot at The Gorge. A large modern metal and wood building, it's a sizeable restaurant with a bar on the edge of town, overlooking a large canyon. The weather is nice, and you can spot a few groups dining on the covered patio. Sure enough, the clientele trends large. Right on cue, the main doors open and a couple shuffles out. They're both very fat, and they're supporting each other as they head to their car. The man and woman both have their belts undone, and you watch their corpulence quake as they walk. The woman leans over and whispers something into the man's ear. He smiles and nods, before helping her into their truck.
	The truck's suspension visibly sags as the fat couple situates themselves.
	Val turns to you and says, "That could be us someday," with a weird smile.
	"For the next few hours, at least," you reply.
	Val giggles with excitement, and you lean in for a quick kiss. You march up the walkway, then hold the wood-and-metal door open for Val, entering the restaurant behind her. Inside, the air is thick with the smells of barbecued meats, smoking grills and frying foods. The lights are dim, but the interior is spacious and airy. A wall of windows looks over the canyon, the setting sun casting dramatic shadows. You spot a few other couples sitting at tables, all of them looking quite intimate.
	Looking over the room, you notice just how... snug... most of the patrons are. Even a few of the single men seem to have an excess of girth.
	"How many?” a chipper and chunky Latina hostess inquires.
	"We have a reservation for two, under Anon." You say.
	"Ok, one second." She says cheerfully. The hostess bends down to look at a chart, and you're suddenly staring straight down her abundant cleavage. You dart your eyes off to the side, hoping your poker face is convincing.
	"Welcome to The Gorge! Now, if you'll follow me?" She says, flashing a smile.
	The hostess starts leading you to a table. You notice that Val's eyes are fixed on the hostess' booty. It's round and wide, bouncing slightly as it strains the pantsuit containing it. You and Val take your seats at a cozy booth, and the hostess points to a console on the table and explains how serving works. You thank her, and try not to look in her direction again. The table is set for two, with candlelight flickering inside a glass dome.
	"Do you see what I see?" Val asks, leaning in.
	"A cute guy who's going to feed you a huge and sensual feast?" You ask with mock innocence.
	"No, dumdum, that hostess. I love the way her fat ass fills out her uniform," Val replies.
	You peer over Val's shoulder, and sure enough, the hostess is standing at the end of a nearby table, her ample chest heaving as she fumbles with her hands. You try not to stammer, and instead make thoughtful expressions while choosing your next words. You settle on, "Val, is this your way of telling me you're into girls?"
	From her expression, Val isn't sure how to respond. She just stares at the hostess complexly, with a mixture of lust and disgust.
	The hostess suddenly glances Val's way, and Val snaps her head back your way. Her face reddens a bit. The hostess strides by, and looks down at Val. Their eyes meet briefly, and the hostess winks. Val's blush deepens.
	"You ok?" You ask.
	"H-heh, yeah." Val manages to sputter. "Just, uh, surprised I guess."
	"Guess I like that girl," Val admits sheepishly.
	"I think you're just hungry, baby. I know that look. If we don't get some food on this table, then you might swallow that girl whole!” you reply with a smile.
	"How about a little DIY charcuterie to warm up?" You suggest. "We have a bunch of fresh meats, fruit and cheese here."
	"Sounds good!" Val says with a smile.
	You get up from the table and offer your hand to Val. She takes it and walks with you. Being nominally a buffet, the Gorge features a row of large tables, stacked with various foods. Clever cooking techniques and preservation systems keep even fine foods fresh and scrumptious. You and Val grab a couple of garlic knots from a passing tray, as well as a couple of delicate slices of some kind of melon.
	"I can't wait to rip into this."
	Soon enough, both of your plates are piled with a wide variety of finger-foods. The two of you head back to your table and retake your seats. You start munching on your appetizers, and an attentive waiter swoops in to take a drink order.
	"Just a glass of the red wine, please." You request.
	"One for me as well." Val follows.
	After the waiter records your requests and walks off, you give Val an amused look. "Just the one? I'm sticking to one because I have to drive."
	"Trying to get me drunk to lower my defenses? You schemer!" Val breaks into laughter. She calms down a bit and explains, "Booze can be rough on my tummy, and tonight I need my tummy at 100%."
	"Fair enough. Shoot."
	Val smiles, and begins to tear into her charcuterie. You love all sorts of meat products, and keep pace with Val. Almost. For now.
	"I have to say, after our first meeting, way back when in highschool, I didn't think we'd be friends." You remark.
	"Neither did I...but I'm glad we are!" Val says with a smile.
	Right on cue, the waiter returns with a pair of stemmed glasses. You and Val accept them, and your eyes perk up. "To new beginnings," You extend your glass to Val in a toast. She clinks hers against it, and downs her wine.
	"Let's get down to business," You say with a smile.
	In addition to having substantial self-serve accommodations, the tables feature a small tablet screen in place of a menu. With a few taps, diners can summon freshly-crafted gourmet delights right to their tables. You order a small feast (the third in as many days, you briefly register), then let Val at the tablet.
	"I'm just looking up the menu," Val says. "There's so much here I want to try!"
	"Of course, darling."
	Val taps and swipes intently at the tablet with one hand. Her free hand pushes a steady stream of meats and crackers into her mouth. With an excited grin, she turns the tablet so that you can see her requests. Sure enough, she's called for enough food to swamp a whole family. You don't know how she can crunch through all the cheese and meat and still look so elegant, but you're glad she does. The night's not over yet, so you start planning your next steps. The next act involves the waiter arriving with a whole first course in front of you.
	"My body is ready." You proclaim to Val.
	You pick up a pork samosa the size of your fist. Val picks up a grease-laden pierogi. The two of you begin your feast.
	The courses continue to arrive. Each is more elaborate and delicious than the last. The samosa and its two siblings disappear quickly. You inhale a salad that's more bacon than lettuce. You're awash in a sea of rich flavor, and intoxicated by the sight of Val's indulgence. She looks so happy, and she beams at you all the while. The waiter dutifully clears away empty plates, so you're not entirely sure how much damage you're doing.
	As if reading your mind, Val picks up the pace. "Much more of this, and I won't fit into my clothes." She says in a throaty voice.
	Your head is swimming slightly but you manage a cheeky reply, "That's what you want, isn't it, baby?"
	Val's cheeks flush, and she grins in a way you've never seen before. "Maybe, but there's more to life than just... pure indulgence!"
	You're suddenly very conscious of your waistband digging into your full stomach. You reply to Val, "Life certainly feels like it's just indulgence at the moment!"
	"Y-You're right... life is probably about struggle and working for what you want. But... I'd rather struggle with you than alone."
	You were feeling a little flushed at pigging out publicly, and you now properly flush at Val's comment. She means it, she properly paused her eating! You reach across the table and clasp her hand between yours. You give it a squeeze, and she smiles. "I like that you're real," You tell her.
	"It's important to be true to yourself." She says. Then, smiling devilishly, "Would you like some more?"
	You lean back, and gingerly place your hands on your stomach with a groan. "I'm starting to both love and hate when you ask that," you mutter.
	Val's eyes gleam as she purrs, "I bet if you unbuckle your belt, you could fit in some dessert."
	You huff and reply, "I don't think I could fit ANYTHING in. I just ate half a pig."
	She bites her lip and replies in a lower voice, "I could prove you wrong."
	Val's flirtatious manner is the last straw. "You are gonna make me so fucking fat," you grouse playfully.
	You slyly glance from side to side as Val looks on with an intent grin. You unbuckle your belt, trying to disguise its openness by tucking the loose end through a belt loop. Your sense of shame keeps your button and zipper in place, but you feel some mild relief in spite of yourself.
	"Feel better?" Val asks with a tone that could be doting, mocking, or both.
	"Yeah," you mutter.
	"Good, because dessert's here," She replies with that same tone.
	"Fuuuuuck....." you groan under your breath.
	You can't ever remember being this stuffed, but you also can't ever remember enjoying yourself so much. You try to remember if eating was always this fun before you were with Val. It was alright, you decide, but you just can't say no to her. Despite the minor mercy afforded by your unbuckling, your body is protesting. You just aren't a natural glutton, despite Val acting as a devil on your shoulder. You size up the ridiculous hunk of peach pie looming between you and Val. You wonder how the hell she managed to eat this much and not explode. Then, you wonder if you should be scared about what might happen if you ate this much yourself.
	You could probably fit it in.
	You feel your guts slosh. Nope! It'll be a miracle if you survive even sampling the gooey boulder of sugary peaches. The funny thing is, you do kind of want to try. You guess you're just masochistic enough to want to experience the pain of eating this much. You look at Val.
	"You better hurry," she scolds between heaping forkfuls of pie. It's vanishing rapidly, and Val isn't going to save you any.
	Val smiles, and winks at you as she takes another bite of delicious pie.
	Picking up your fork, you stab it into the pie. You scoop and chew mechanically. The sugary pie filling coats your mouth and seems to tingle as you swallow. Your limbs feel heavier by the second, but you manage to down a few modest forkfuls of the decadent dessert. Your world shrinks to your fork, your mouth, that damn pie, and Val's beautiful stupid gothed-up face.
	Eventually, there is but one chunk left.
	Somehow your fork gets to it first. You shift your grip and present the sugary morsel to Val. She leans in with a grin, and you lean in with the fork. She closes her eyes and opens her mouth languidly to accept the last bite of pie. You gently place it on her tongue, and Val's lips slowly close around the fork. You withdraw the fork as Val starts chewing and moaning with enjoyment. She swallows slowly, and peeks her glittery eyelids open to sleepily regard you.
	"I just want to say, that was the most incredible meal I've ever had."
	You chuckle wordlessly and nod. You both lean back heavily and share dumb sweet looks at each other across the table, across a field of culinary devastation. It's over.
	Your stomach is killing you, but your heart is racing. You're both filled with a sense of fulfillment beyond anything you've ever known before.
	"I really don't have words," you finish.
	"It's ok, save your energy." Val jokes. "After all, you've gotta get me back home."
	"Bleh, assuming the car doesn't collapse under my newly fat ass," you reply glibly.
	Val laughs, and playfully kicks you under the table.
	"I can't wait to feel your hands on my body again," she says with a suggestive leer.
	You take her hand reassuringly. You match her lascivious gaze with equal intensity.
	"Just a few minutes to recover, then we should be ok to go." You say.
	The two of you make small talk for a few minutes as you feel your stomach slowly settle. You flag the waiter to close out your night. The bill was steep, but the nice thing about a buffet (even a "gourmet" one) was that it was all paid up front.
	You slide out of the booth and stand up. Val does the same. You both stretch and feel the knots in your back loosen a little. You finally get a look at Val after her legendary feeding. If your belly is bloated, then hers verges on cartoonish. Her tummy is a gently rounded mound that hangs slightly over her waistband and visibly pushes her blouse hem upwards. It's so taught that her ab muscles are smoothed out, almost making her look pregnant. You know it's only good food in that belly.
	She catches you looking, but you wanted to be caught. "You should wear a stretchy waistband next time, amateur." Val teases you. She grabs your hand and leads you out the door. The two of you slowly make your way to your car and settle heavily into your seats. Val giggles lustily, then grabs your hair and draws you in for a heady deep kiss. 
	You come up for air, and Val says, "I'm serious about making up for last night. Tonight, when we get home, I'll do whatever you ask."
	"Whatever you ask." She emphasizes each syllable with a tone of voice that gives you an instant throbbing boner. You pull out of the parking space in front of the diner and head down the road. The road is clear, the other drivers sparse, yet the drive is one of the most difficult you've ever done. You and Val make small talk about your meals, but the sheer sexual tension has you vibrating with excitement. You settle on an idea on what to have Val do. It might not be that out-there, but for tonight it feels exactly right. "Val, I want you to strip for me."
	"You sure?" she asks.
	"Yeah."
	"Perfect, I can do that and more."
	You park at Val's complex and kill the engine. You and Val fumble with unhooking your seatbelts, and all but run to her door. You usher Val into your arms and embrace her for a long moment. The feeling of her body pressed up against yours fills you with a sense of euphoria. She's so warm, and she feels tender despite the coils of her muscles. You take in a deep smell of her perfume and savor the moment of light-headedness. Val looks into your eyes as you stare into her eyes. She cups the side of your face, and kisses the corner of your mouth.
	You say, "Let's go inside, I wanna see you shake your ass for me."
	"Really? That's what you want to see?" she says, as you both giggle.
	"For a start," You say with faux-slyness.
	Val opens the door, and the two of you make your way inside her apartment. She grabs your hand and tugs you along behind her. Val walks quickly to her room, and you follow. She flings the door open, and you walk in behind her. Val sits you on her bed, and remains standing. She fixes you with a smoldering look and purrs, "Now get comfortable."
	You slip your shoes off as Val starts moving her hips. She starts slowly, and then builds up a steady rhythm. She starts caressing her body as she wiggles and grinds her ass into you. She throws her head back and with a throaty growl, she finishes with a gleeful shout. She sits on your lap and looks into your eyes. She starts moving her hips in slow circles, then she smoothly pulls her blouse over her head and tosses it over her shoulder. She's wearing a delicate, frilly white bra, and you all but drool as you admire her body.
	Val starts unbuttoning your shirt, and with deft fingers she finishes the job. She moves her mouth to your ear and whispers, "Do you want to see more?"
	"You don't even need to ask. Get those pants off." You order.
	"Oh, you sexy thing." She smiles, before standing up. She slowly unzips her boots, and steps out of them one after the other. She continues swaying her hips and caressing her body, eventually she turns away from you. Val slowly bends over, sliding her trousers down to her ankles as she does. Her taut, round ass is right in your face, and is barely covered by lacey panties that match her bra. You grab Val's ass, and playfully spank it.
	Val gives a little shriek as you grab her ass, and give it a few more firm smacks.
	"Oh, God," she whimpers. "Do that again."
	You give her another dozen smacks as she yelps in ecstasy, and then look into her eyes. Her breathing is a little ragged as she says, "Now where were we?"
	Val gets back into her swaying rhythm, and her hands go behind her back. Her bra falls away, and her breasts lightly bounce free. She starts grinding herself against your lap, and you can feel how wet she is through her panties. You start to slide your hand into her panties as she looks into your eyes.
	"Do that again," she whispers, and you comply.
	Val takes a deep breath and quietly moans with ecstasy as your fingers slip into her.
	"What do you want?" Her voice barely a whisper.
	"I want you to get me naked and suck me off," You tell her.
	She hardly needs asking twice.
	"Finish stripping for me though," you add.
	Val shimmies out of her lacey white panties and steps out of them. She tosses them aside, and stands before you, naked for the first time.
	"Beautiful," you tell her as your eyes roam over her figure.
	Her body is like a marble statue's, firm and perfectly proportioned, Amazonian in stature and power. Her breasts are round and perky, her hips generous and her pussy neatly shaved and visibly wet.
	"So.... Like what you see?" She says with a touch of bashfulness.
	"You're definitely better looking than I am."
	"You're not so bad yourself," she giggles.
	She steps over to you, sits on your lap, and you savor the weight of her body settling onto your thighs. She slides your shirt off your shoulders and tosses it to the floor. Your arms go around her waist as she leans in to kiss you. You marvel at the feeling of her body against yours, firm but soft. Her kisses pull away from your lips and start tracking down. Along your neck, down your chest, and to the sides of your hips. Val also sneaks a cheeky tonguing of your belly button. You involuntarily tense a little bit as her hands get you your pants. Ignoring your still-unbuckled belt, she struggles a moment with the tight pants button. It opens, Val pulls the zipper down, and your bloated belly invades the new space. She finally gets your pants off and stands you up. They end up around your ankles as you step out of them. You have on black boxer-briefs, and she looks at you with approval. She hooks her fingers around the waistband and pulls them away, freeing your throbbing cock. You toss your underwear aside. Val kneels before your erect manhood. She looks up at you as she slowly takes your cock into her mouth. Her lips close around the base of it, and she begins to gently lick and suck. Her head bobs up and down on your dick, and you groan.
	"God, she looks good like this." You think to yourself.
	The feeling of her mouth around your dick is great, and you let out a few more approving grunts. Val looks up at you as she continues to suck, and you see an expression of determination. She wants this, and so do you. She begins to suck with more force, and the warmth of her mouth is almost too much. You can feel your orgasm approaching, and she's still not done. She slides her lips up and down your dick, and you grip her hair as you feel your balls tighten.
	"I'm going to...!" You grunt.
	Your orgasm hits you with intensity. Val doesn't stop, but keeps moving her head up and down on your dick. Your toes curl, you let out a few other sounds, and then you let out a massive amount of cum. She greedily sucks it all up, and keeps sucking until you're dry. You pants turn to sighs, and you collapse backwards into a heap on the bed.
	"Wow," you sigh. "That was fucking incredible."
	You look over to see Val kneeling in front of you. Panting and with her hair down around her shoulders.
	"I wanted that to be good for you," she smiles.
	Your head is starting to clear, and you reply, "It was better than good!"
	A you crack a grin, "Will you still do what I tell you to?" You ask.
	She puts her index finger against her lips and thinks for a moment. Then, she chuckles and says, "Yes."
	You gently grab Val by the wrist and pull her onto the bed next to you.
	You say, "It's your turn to cum."
	Val's face is glowing with lust. You lean in and grab her by the hand, leading her over to the bed. You move her into sitting position, and she lays back on the bed. She reaches up and lets her hair loose, placing the sticks on her bedside table. You kneel between her open legs. You start kissing and massaging her turgid gut. With the tips of your fingers, you gently scratch at her solar plexus. It's incredibly ticklish there, especially as Val squirms and giggles.
	"If you keep that up, we're not going to be doing this again," Val says.
	"Okay, I'll be nice.... For now," you reply. Instead, you run your fingers along her tummy again and firmly push one into her belly button. She lets out a little yelp. You move down and start caressing her inner thighs with both of your hands. Her vulva glistens with her excitement. You're gonna have to get a taste soon.
	"You don't need to be mean... C'mon, Anon, I'm already so turned on..." she says.
	You slide your hands up her legs, to her hips, and grab her ass. You give it a squeeze, and she moans. Sufficiently braced, you slowly bury your face in her warm, soft folds. You breathe in deeply, taking in the delicious scent of Val's pussy. You slowly start to lick and suck on her clit. You circle it with your tongue, teasing it, and then doing it again and again. Val begins bucking her hips in rhythm with your mouth. "I'm gonna cum," she pants.
	You keep going as Val's body goes completely rigid. Her back arches and she lets out a series of pleasured yelps. Even though her legs are splayed out in front of her, you can tell that she's wiggling in pleasure. Slowly, her breathing evens out and she relaxes her legs. You slowly pull your head away from her, licking your lips.
	"That was incredible," she smiles.
	You crawl up onto the bed with her. You lay your head down next to hers and stare into her eyes. Val's makeup is more than a little smudged, but you like the trashy effect. Shit, she'd look amazing wearing anything. You're a mess too. You can still feel and smell Val's honey on your face. You feel no urgency to clean up as you and Val gaze at each other.
	"We need to do this again soon," you say.
	"Definitely. This was just the start," she replies.
	You wrap and arm around Val. She does the same and you draw each other close. No words are necessary between the two of you. You close your eyes and drift off to sleep, content in the knowledge that you have this amazing girl... You'll do anything for her.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 – Resolve

	You awaken the next morning wrapped up by Val's limbs. During the night you started spooning, and she's the big spoon. This is different for you, but you find it wonderful. You feel safe. Val stirs in her sleep, and you feel the bed shift slightly. You hold your breath, waiting for something terrible to happen. A few moments later, you hear her giggle and say, "You're ticklish."
	You feel her hands on your sides as she mercilessly laughs. You try to stay still, but her fingers soon have you laughing.
	Betrayal! Val's long, mighty arms and legs have you helplessly pinned. She has enough reach to restrain you whilst mercilessly tickling your ribs. "Please!" you laugh.
	Val continues viciously tickling your ribs again. It gets worse as you howl with laughter. You attempt to stop laughing, but your body is no match for Val's ruthless tickling fingers. "Please!" you laugh, "I'm dying here! Please stop, I beg you!"
	Finally, Val stops. She lets out a few giggles of her own before replying. "You're dead now," Val smiles, "And I did so enjoy beating your high defense."
	"So you did," you say, rubbing your sides. Val's arms wrap around your torso once more and she draws you in tight. You feel her face behind your head. "You started with an advantage," you pout.
	Val laughs and playfully punches you. You feel her smile against your cheek. "Anymore moves like that and I won't give you a choice."
	"Promises, promises," you leer.
	"I'll have you know," Val starts, "That I have many deadly moves up my sleeve. You're going to need to be on your guard."
	"Really?" you ask.
	"Really," Val smiles, "Now, how was last night for you?"
	You think for a moment, and your face breaks into a big grin. "Who's trying to get fat here?" You tease, "You, or me?"
	Val's face falls. She rolls away, sits up and glares at you. "You're really not going to let this go, are you?" she asks. "Because it's not even a contest."
	"It's not a contest?" you ask. "Last I remember, you're the one who wanted to get fat."
	"So I did," Val nods. "Now I'm even more ready than ever to put on those few extra pounds. So what's your excuse?"
	The tender vibes from a moment ago are gone. You decide to press your luck, "You're a bad influence," you say with what you hope is a cheeky tone.
	"Excuse me?" Val says, offended, "You're the one who chose the buffet last night."
	"You're the one who wanted to get fat," you retort.
	Val now looks like she's going to explode. You quickly try to backtrack. 
	Or not. 
	Clarity. 
	"This IS about you." You say quietly. "You feel guilty."
	"I don't feel guilty!" Val exclaims, "I just..."
	You move closer and put your hand on her shoulder. "Hey. I'm not judging you, okay?"
	Val's pending anger melts into tears. You draw her close as she starts to sob. You rub her back and try to think of the right words. "I...I want to be fat so much it hurts sometimes," Val finally says.
	"And you feel shitty for not being happy with the body you've got, right?" you ask. 
	Val nods through her tears.
	"I'm so stupid," she chokes out. "People always tell me they'd kill to look like me, and I feel like such a fucking fraud for not even having to work at it."
	You laugh, "A fraud? No one's saying you're a fraud."
	Val sniffles and wipes her eyes. "What... What do you think about me?" she asks.
	"I think you're so sexy it makes my brain melt. And I want to make you happy."
	"You make me happy," Val smiles through her tears, "I'm not even sure why. I think you're just a really sweet guy. But I don't want you to feel obligated to do anything."
	"And I want to help you live your dream." You reply. "Valentine Sojka, I will get you fat."
	Val smiles, but now also looks worried, "No, don't..."
	You kiss her, and she melts into the kiss.
	Your phone vibrates, and again you were hoping it wasn't an emergency, "Goddamnit what could it possibly be," you hiss to yourself as you reach over to your phone. You read the message and your blood chills, "Please respond to the emergency call at once. Your actions are necessary for the survival of the human... I mean the race." The text finishes.
	Val sees the worried confusion on your face. She comes up next to you and asks, "What is it, baby?"
	"I don't know," you admit, looking at the phone as if it will give you the answers you need.
	"I think it's more spam, but something about this...." You tilt your phone so Val can read the message. She looks as confused as you are.
	"Do you think it's a joke?" Val asks.
	"Doesn't seem like it."
	You poke through your phone menus. No missed calls. "No missed calls," you echo, almost to yourself.
	"Do you suppose they're serious?" Val asks.
	You shake your head, "I have no fucking idea."
	"What are we going to do?" Val asks.
	"Same thing I do with all my other critical problems. Ignore it and hope it doesn't blow up in my face." You reply with deprecating bravado.
	"Do you think it could be serious?"
	Your phone vibrates as a new message comes in, "Badger Chestnut Waffle"
	What the actual fuck. On a hunch, you call the number. You don't recognize any code in the number. The other line picks up immediately, and assaults you with a cacophony of crackling digital noise. You stop yourself from instinctively covering your ears, and with extreme care say, "Hello?"
	You wait a good fifteen seconds for a response or any sort of change. There is no reprieve from what sounds like a modem orgy in a blender. Annoyed, perplexed, and your ear aching, you hang up.
	"What was that all about?" Val asks.
	"I have no idea."
	"Maybe a robocaller became self-aware," Val jokes. Abruptly you feel more than hear her stomach growl.
	"Maybe this will make more sense after some breakfast," you say.
	Val rolls out of bed and strides over to her closet. You drool as you ogle her taut backside. She slips into a pair of plain green panties, and dons an oversized t-shirt. She turns and catches you picking something out of your bag. "You don't have to get dressed," she teases. "I'll get cold." You reply apologetically.
	You slip on a t-shirt of your own, and go commando with some workout shorts. Val grabs your ass and gently walks you to the kitchen.
	"I'm really hungry," she says with a pout, hopping up onto the kitchen table.
	You flick on the light above the table and set about making the two of you breakfast.
	"I'm feeling cereal today. How's that sound for you?" You ask.
	"Good!" She beams.
	You retrieve a pair of bowls and set them on the table. As you stumble around looking for the cereal boxes, Val starts pouring some coffee.
	"Premade coldbrew," she explains.
	"You are the best girlfriend ever," you say, scooping some cereal into a bowl.
	Val smiles and grabs her coffee, sitting across from you. She dumps a heap of sugary flakes into her bowl, and adds just enough milk to float them. The two of you eat in silence, sharing warm smiles. You finish your small serving quickly and feel satisfied. You sip your coffee and watch as Val reloads her bowl. Who eats like that and still has a perfectly toned stomach? Your face falls as you prepare to speak up. 
	"Val, I'm gonna say something. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, but I don't think you're going to like it." You cautiously declare.
	Val stares off into the distance, and slowly stops shoveling cereal into her mouth. The two of you prepare for your girlfriend to get angry, cry, or something else.
	"Well?"
	You gently say, "I genuinely think there's something unique about you. And I don't just mean that you're amazing and wonderful and sexy. I mean something physiological."
	Val's eyebrows furrow. She runs her tongue across her teeth and turns away, staring into space.
	"Dale said something similar. He even said it in a similar way."
	Oh shit.
	"Val, I'm sorry." You stammer.
	Val is still staring at the wall. "I'm not mad, honey."
	Relief.
	"Because you're right." She replies softly.
	Val continues, "I broke up with Dale because he couldn't accept who I wanted to be. He did good with who I am, but he just kept saying I should be happy with my... Gift."
	She pauses to take a long sip of coffee.
	"I don't want to accept that I'm different, but deep down I know that I am. I've been bingeing like crazy for a few months, vainly hoping that maybe something might stick."
	Val's facial expression becomes more troubled.
	"I'm always gonna be tall, and I'm ok with that. But I thought, if I could slow my metabolism, plump up a little bit, then maybe people would see me as a normal, if tall, lady."
	She turns to look at you and smiles sadly. "Well. You've seen how well that went. I eat like a pig, I'm lazy, and I still look like a fucking Spartan."
	She pauses, and runs her hand through her thick hair. Val bends low down the table and wraps you in her arms. It's a pretty awkward angle, but you go with it. She squeezes you tight, and takes a few shuddering breaths. "I'm sorry I dumped all this on you."
	She ends with a single sharp sob.
	"Val...." You struggle for words, but Val gets there first.
	"When I go to the doctors or the labs or whatever, will you come with me?" She asks into your shoulder.
	"Yes." You reply.
	"Promise?"
	"Promise."
	You hold each other wordlessly for a while. Val shifts her seating on the table a little bit. You knew that couldn't have been comfortable.
	"Where do you think we should go from here?" She asks in a small voice.
	You think for a second.
	"Wherever you want to take it, and whenever you're ready."
	"I guess what I'm looking for is a little bit of guidance. You're a smart guy; you know more about this stuff than I do, what do you think?"
	You chuckle. "I really don't. I wasn't very good at science, honey."
	"You'll do your best, and somehow I know that'll be good enough." She says.
	"No pressure," you laugh.
	The two of you smile for a moment, and Val wipes away the tears from her eyes.
	Val gives you a long and firm kiss on the lips, then pulls away and sits up.
	She says in a strained voice, "Back is stiff. Let's go somewhere comfy."
	You nod and follow Val out of the kitchen. She leads you to the living room, and the two of you plop onto Val's plush couch. She flips on the TV. It's some dumb morning show. You don't watch it, so you aren't exactly sure what time it is or what's going on. Her eyes dart from the screen to you.
	"So, what now?" Val asks.
	You reply, "I was thinking.... maybe you could teach me how stock trading works?"
	Val laughs, and says, "Yeah sure. I'll teach you how to make a buy and sell order, and how to watch the market. That's about it."
	You chuckle, "You make it sound easy."
	"You'd be surprised at the intricate nature of it."
	You shake your head. "I'm not experienced, but even if I were, I want to learn anyway."
	Val gives you a big grin. "I was hoping you'd say that." She continues, "It's not that hard if you use some common sense. What kind of stock are you interested in?"
	"One that can make me a lot of money," you say with a dumb grin.
	Val throws a cushion at you, but you duck and it hits your shoulder. She shakes her head as she stands up from the couch. "Maybe we should start with a crash-course," you chuckle.
	She spends the next hour going over the basics of investing. Val shows you some of the different funds available to you, and some of the companies you could invest in.
	"What do you think?"
	"I think I might be a little too broke to get started easily."
	Val laughs, "Well, the easiest way to have a million dollars on the market is to start with two million!"
	You giggle.
	"Sounds like I've got some homework."
	Val's face perks up, "I have an idea. I'm gonna go over some potential picks, and review some of my holdings. I can explain my thought process to you as I go."
	"Will I get jealous at the numbers in your account?" You ask cheekily.
	"Well, that's up to you." Val smirks.
	Val goes over her notes, and explains that you'll get a crash-course in the markets, then you'll make your own picks at your own speed. She doesn't actually show you the dashboard for her account, but she rattles off enough holdings that you readily suspect she's doing well financially. Val walks you through setting up a brokerage, and you transfer a modest sum of funds. Once it clears, you make a couple of buys at Val's advice. You feel..... empowered and deflated at the same time.
	"That's it?" You ask, "Just a few clicks then sit and wait?"
	"You can pick away at the market if you want," Val says, "but that's really up to you. I suggest you take a break and come back to it later."
	"Ok then..." You trail off. You wander back to the couch and start browsing on your phone. On a lark, you start going back over some articles and write-ups on human metabolism. You were never exactly a bad student, but this stuff is way above your pay grade. Frustrated, you download whatever pdfs you can, and look up a free Physiology 101 textbook and start reading. Some time passes...
	An hour passes.
	Two hours pass.
	Three hours pass.
	At some point you realize you're no longer bored, and you haven't moved from the couch in the entire time. Your stomach knots with hunger as you come out of your study-trance. Val's on her computer, watching dumb videos and relaxing.
	"Hey," she says, "are you still there?"
	"Huh? Yeah... I'm good," you say.
	"Are you sure? Because you've been staring at your phone for the past hour."
	"Oh, I was reading some stuff. You want some lunch?"
	"Yeah!" She replies. "I just bought a bunch of stuff for sandwiches."
	"Alright. I'm off to the fridge. See you in a bit," you reply, walking towards the kitchen. Your growling stomach interrupts any further conversation. You spend the next few minutes assembling some food, then find Val sitting at the table. 
	You sit down across from her and put your phone down.
	"So..." She asks, "What did you study?"
	You see no need to hide anything from her.
	"Physiology. I want to try and understand some scientific papers."
	"No way! That's sooo out of my league!" She exclaims, "I'm so bad at biology, I got a C in high school! I thought I was going to die!"
	"You were in Mr. Kraber's class right? The section right after mine, if I remember."
	"Yeah. He was... Difficult. I honestly don't think anyone ever passed him, he was so bad at teaching!"
	"Then I've got a lot of catching up to do," You reply seriously.
	"You didn't tell me why you were reading that stuff," Val presses.
	"I want to understand ....unusual metabolic conditions." You admit.
	"Such as?"
	"Well, there's Mancolias syndrome, Starman syndrome....."
	"Wait," Val says, "There's others?"
	"There are a lot..." you trail off.
	"I think I remember a distant cousin having a little brother with that name."
	You explain to Val about the papers, and she seems genuinely interested.
	"You're serious, right?" You ask. "You're ok with maybe getting tested and stuff?"
	"Yeah, I think so," Val agrees, "I mean, I'd rather not, but I can't say I'm not curious."
	"You promise you'll go with me to my appointments?" Val asks with wide eyes.
	"I promise." You solemnly say while looking Val in the eye.
	Val beams and kisses you on the cheek.
	"So, uh..." You continue, "You've definitely put a lot more thought into your situation than I have. Did you have an idea of what doctor you wanted to see first?"
	"Yeah, I think so. Dr. Kovacs has been my GP since high school, so he'd probably understand pretty well."
	"I bet he'd know some good referrals too," you add.
	Val taps on her phone a few times and furrows her brow. "Earliest appointment is gonna be Monday."
	"Can you get a morning slot? I could stay over so I can go with you." You offer.
	"I think I can do the morning, but that would be really early. Not looking forward to this alone."
	"I'm really glad you're coming with." She adds.
	"Ok, it's set. 9 on Monday." Val says decisively.
	"That's early for you?" You snicker.
	"I guess so, but I'll get my boyfriend to stay over so it won't be so bad." Val says with a playful wink.
	"Boyfriend?" You question, raising an eyebrow,
	"What? You didn't think it was official?" Val whines.
	"I dunno, I'm just used to you saying you're taken," You answer, a little less seriously.
	"Well, now I'll be referring to you," Val chuckles.
	You walk over and sit in her lap. "Val, my girlfriend. I like the sound of that." 
	She strokes your face. "And Anon my boyfriend. It sounds good to me."
	You kiss.
	"So, what do you want to do now?"
	You say, "Wanna play some videogames? I couldn't help but notice your console by the TV."
	You wait for Val's response. When you hear none, you look up to see her staring directly at you, a big grin on her face. You feel a little uneasy, as if you've done something wrong.
	"W-w-what're you looking at?" You stammer.
	"You!" Val laughs, "You're adorable when you stammer."
	"I do not!"
	"Do too!"
	You harrumph, and Val continues, "I'm sizing you up to see if you're a challenge in Blacktop Brawl."
	Oho!
	You're generally not great at games, but you've got a particular knack for fighting games. You wonder if Val might be hiding her gamer power level.
	"Well, if you think you're up for it..." You say, cautiously.
	"Bring it on!" Val laughs.
	You make your way back to the couch once more, controller in hand. Val emerges with some soda and snacks. She powers up the console, and sits next to you. The game boots, the two of you choose your fighters: you choose the pirate-themed ranged specialist Kraken, and Val pilots the stylish well-balanced femme fatale Annabelle. 
	And the battle is on!
	The first match goes to you, as you manage to knock Val's fighter off the screen with a couple well-placed force blasts. "You've played a lot of games!" Val laughs, as you take a soda break.
	"Let's keep going." You say.
	The next two matches see you win narrowly. Val takes it in stride, and you're both having fun, but you can tell she's genuinely playing to win.
	"Want me to ease up?" you ask with polite concern.
	"Nah, keep going!" Val laughs, "I'm not going to be beaten by a bunch of pixels!"
	The next four matches are even closer. You can see the cold fire in her eyes. She's only getting more determined with every match, and she's starting to learn your tells. You decide to throw her a curveball and switch to the heavyweight bruiser Motherlode for the next round.
	"I don't think so," Val sneers, as she switches to the much speedier character of Hornet. "Now I'm playing my main." She hisses with a smirk.
	You'd always liked Motherlode's hefty yet cutsey construction-worker look, but you just aren't quite as good with her as other fighters. Val, on the other hand, pilots the willowy geek Hornet as though it were her own body, and you can barely keep up with her relentless attacks. You're in a tough spot, but Val's fake-outs are getting predictable. You start zoning her fighter to set up a killer combo.
	You spot an opening and launch into a devastating chain of strikes. This combo is infamous for being able to KO any fighter from full health.... If it lands. Your heart skips a beat as Val's battered avatar blocks the first strike, then the next. Your eyes go wide as Val counters the entire combo, even narrowly dodging what would have been a finishing grab.
	And now your character is very flat-footed.
	Val fucking clobbers you. She unleashes her own empowered chain strike, and your reflexes are a moment too slow for any blocks. She wails on your beaten fighter, and sends her flying with a final uppercut. Your fighter's broken form lands in a heap. Match: Val.
	"Ha-ha-ha-ha! Fuck!" You laugh weakly as Val throws her hands up in triumph, beaming with exhilaration. Her character matches her joy, dancing cutely on screen.
	You feel a mild twinge in your palm, the bane of any fighting game nerd.
	"Break time?" you offer.
	"Why? Because you lost?" Val teases.
	"No, honey. Because you won, and that was a great match. Plus I need to stretch." You reply.
	You stretch your arms and rub the base of your thumb while Val gets herself another drink.
	"So, I've been wanting to ask you..." She begins.
	"Fire."
	"Do you believe in any conspiracies?" Val asks.
	You think about it for a moment.
	"I can see where some people are coming from with the Ancient Aliens theories," you reply, "but I don't think they'd be able to cover everything. I mean, it feels like there should be too much evidence." You shrug.
	"What about the JFK assassination?" Val asks.
	"There's a lot of weird shit around Lee Harvey Oswald. But I don't buy the Grassy Knoll theory."
	"How did you know it was a theory and not a fact?" Val asks.
	"Well, there's no evidence that a second shooter really existed."
	You elaborate, "Yeah it was a pretty tough shot from the book depository, but all the extra wounds are explained by an overpenetrating bullet."
	"What about the 9/11 attacks?"
	"I mean I guess there's really no evidence that the buildings were brought down by our government, but everything points to some foreign powers being involved."
	"I guess people want to believe that horrible things happen for a reason, even if that reason is some nefarious plan by the lizard people or something," you opine.
	"I was reading something the other day..." Val begins.
	You set your drink down on the coffee table and lean forward, "What was it?"
	"Oh, um... It was pretty crazy. But it was from like the 90s or earlier so a lot of it may not be true anymore."
	"Don't stop now, what did you find?"
	"It was on the lost colony of Roanoke. The one that disappeared in the 1500s."
	"Yeah, I've heard about that." You reply. The two of you chat for a bit, veering from fringe idea to fringe idea. Eventually Val stands up and stretches. "Let's go for a walk, then we can order some food."
	You twist your face in mock annoyance, "But that means I have to get dressed," you pout.
	"Yeah and so do I. In fact I have to put on a bra and pants, so bleh," she sticks her tongue out at you.
	Inwardly you admit it's a good idea. You haven't really moved a whole lot the last couple of days, and it's nice out. Plus you'll get to creep on Val while she dresses.
	"Sure," you agree as she heads into the master bedroom. You follow her in, and you both get yourselves dressed. You look at each other while doing so, grinning and giggling a bit. You add a pair of boxers under your casual getup. Val opts for a sports bra and switches to a light blue sundress.
	"No pants after all," you quip.
	"A girl can always change her mind," she retorts.
	The two of you head out the front door, and the adventure begins. You walk around the neighborhood for a bit, enjoying the pleasant day. Your conversation picks back up. "You're not going to believe this, but I had a dream about you." Val says.
	"Did you now?" you reply.
	"Yeah, it was pretty crazy."
	"How so?"
	"Well you were trapped in a room with several other people, and we were all forced to kill each other."
	"That's... Morbid," you reply uncertainly.
	"Yeah, pretty much the whole dream was. But I was the only one who didn't kill you, and you were the only one who didn't kill me."
	"You're making that up," you laugh.
	"I'm not! I know it sounds weird. I mean we were in class together, and hadn't spoken in like... years before that."
	"Well... Yeah that is really strange."
	"Well, don't leave me hanging. What happened after we killed everybody else in your dream?" You press Val to elaborate.
	Val is silent for a moment as if deep in thought. Then, she answers. "The two of us killed the murderer, and left the room together."
	"That's it?" You ask, a bit disappointed.
	"Hey it's dream logic, things don't have to make any sense," Val bursts out laughing.
	"I suppose," you reluctantly agree.
	"So...?"
	"Well, have you thought anymore about what we were discussing before?"
	You look around. The sun is getting low in the sky, and the clouds blaze with pastel color. "I think it's getting late, and that I'm too sober to be talking about Mayans inventing cellphones" you say.
	"Fair enough, let's head back." Val nods. "What sounds good for dinner?” She asks.
	"I picked last time," you say. Shit, that ridiculous feast was only last night, wasn't it. Val makes a show of thinking before replying. "Well, I could go for pizza or burger kings. Or maybe we can get takeout from that Mexican place in town."
	Val's face solidifies. "I want pizza." She declares. "I know a place; if we order now we shouldn't have to wait long after getting home." She explains while fiddling with her phone.
	Val hands you her phone. "Go ahead and punch in whatever you'd like, I've already put in my order." You settle on a large hawaiian pizza. Val's ordered a pair of large supremes. Of course, you smile. It's an easy walk back to Val's place. The two of you drink some water and chill on the couch. Val rolls a fat joint in preparation for the arrival. The doorbell rings. Val gets up, and returns momentarily with three large pizza boxes. She hands you yours, flips on the TV and lights up the joint. Val hands you the weed. You take a huge toke, and hold it as long as you can. You immediately feel your body relax. You weren't expecting that. "Thanks," you're barely able to get out.
	"Anything," Val smiles.
	Even with your head spinning, you resolve not to glut yourself this time. The pizza is tasty, but you manage to stop yourself when you're satiated. Val is predicably bent on destroying both of her pizzas. You have to laugh when she licks the empty first box. "Alright, that's it," she says, and kisses you, tasting of garlic and tomato. After a moment, she says, "Now for the other pizza."
	You get up, and hand over her other box. "Here, I believe in you!"
	Val happily takes the box, and devours the rest of the pizza. There's something on TV, but you're having way more fun watching Val inhale the pizza, crusts and all. You've never seen a girl enjoy food quite as much as she does. You watch her for a while, as she gulps down slice after slice of delicious pizza. She burps loudly, and you almost fall off the couch laughing.
	"Did you enjoy that?"
	"Fuck yeah," she smiles. You've never seen her so happy. "This was a good idea."
	"It was your idea," you manage. "Well it was your idea to let me decide," Val retorts.
	Val's caressing her pizza-glutted belly through her dress. "C'mere," she beckons. "Your hands would feel better."
	You gently press your hands into Val's overfilled stomach. You gently massage her gut in sweeping circular motions, easing the ache of her over-indulgence. You keep your hands there for a while, massaging away her pain. "Thanks," she smiles. "I really needed that."
	You sit there for a while longer, smoking and talking. Neither of you really wants to go to bed, but neither of you really wants to watch TV in the dark. Val lets out another small burp, then grabs your hands. "Do you want to go to the bedroom?" She purrs.
	"Sure," you reply.
	The two of you stumble into the master bedroom. You immediately fall onto the bed, and Val follows. "Lie back and get comfy," she orders as she reaches up under her skirt. You're a little surprised by this, but you obey instantly. You see her toss her panties to the floor. "Well, get naked too," she sounds annoyed. You strip off your clothes as Val climbs onto the bed. "What's gotten into you?" You ask. "I want to take charge tonight," she declares.
	"Should I be worried?"
	"Maybe."
	Val crawls over you, pressing her body against yours. A little awkwardly, she adjusts herself so that she's straddling you backwards. She backs her hips over your face and brings them down, pressing her pussy against your mouth and draping your head with her skirt. You have no choice but to lick Val's glistening vulva as you please. 
	"Oh god," she groans, thrusting her hips forward. 
	Val grinds herself against your face, and you eagerly begin to go down on Val. Somehow, you don't think she'd be as wet as she is without you knowing. Your tongue eagerly slides along the length of her slit, and you manage to draw out an incredibly powerful moan from her. You grab Val's hips, and hear a sharp exhale as you grip her firmly. As you keep stimulating her clit, you feel her body shift over you, and then you feel your cock enveloped in something wet and warm. It's so sudden that you gasp, but as you become accustomed to the sensation, you realize that it's what you needed. Val just happens to be very, very talented. Val starts forcefully sucking you off as you try to focus on pleasuring her. She uses her suction to make you thrust into her mouth, first slowly, then with force. Her tongue swirls around the head of your cock, making it feel like an entirely different pleasure. As she begins to suck on you more aggressively, you begin to thrust forward, deep-throating Val. You find that you're enjoying this a lot more than you thought you would, and in some weird way it's a little like the times you'd fantasize about her. Meanwhile you're struggling for breath as you try to keep licking and sucking at Val's velvety folds. You can feel the orgasm just waiting to happen, and you want it so, so bad. But this is all part of a dirty plan...
	You emit a disappointed whine as you feel Val release your cock and press her pussy more squarely into your face. You're not sure if you mind so much the plan as you mind that she's going to deprive you of an incredible orgasm. You begin to desperately lick and suck at her, and before you know it, you feel her tighten up and start rubbing her wetness along your mouth.
	"I'm gonna...!" she gasps as you feel her body tense up.
	Val continues rubbing into your mouth as you grab her hips and thrust your tongue into her. She orgasms. Her voice cracks as she cries out in ecstasy and you desperately try to hold your place as she convulses with pleasure. Val keeps twitching and moaning, and you don't want her to stop. She leans forward, still shaking with pleasure, and takes your cock into her mouth again. Your mind is aflame with stimulation. Val's mouth pleasuring your cock, your face drowning in Val's folds and juices, and of course the sensation of being trapped between her sinewy thighs.
	"Oh... Yessss!" you hiss as you feel Val begin to suck and lick at your cock. It only takes a few moments before you're thrusting your hips up into her mouth. You keep holding onto her hips as you release into her mouth, feeling the pleasure explode through your body.
	"Ah... fuck..." you pant as you feel her swallow every last bit of you.
	Val keeps sucking past your orgasm. You feel at risk of folding inside out, but it feels so good you worry you might actually black out. Still, you continue holding her in place, thrusting your hips up into her mouth as she continues sucking and licking. You can feel her overstimulation too, but she seems determined to utterly milk your cock. Her head bobs up and down faster than ever before. You feel Val's saliva all over your abdomen as she sucks. It's rough, it's inelegant, it's incredible.
	You're not sure how much longer you can hold on.
	"Val...!" you grunt as you feel your cock reach its limit.
	"Blah!" she cries as she gags a bit on you. Your head goes fuzzy as you feel a second orgasm push through your cock into Val's mouth. She moans with delight as she slurps down your cum. You ache all over, your tongue is numb, and you think you're about to die. But you're already in heaven.
	A powerful shaking brings you back to reality, and you're drenched in sweat. Val noticed that you finally showed her pussy mercy, and she seems to come back to reality too. She lifts herself off of your face and slides forward, finally freeing your face. The hem of her skirt still covers your eyes, but you don't mind. The two of you lay atop each other, a sweaty, panting, thoroughly exhausted mess.
	"Wow," you say.
	"Yeah," she replies.
	There's a brief silence as you both gather your thoughts.
	"I can't believe I came like that," she says, seeming truly surprised.
	Slowly, stiffly, Val gets up off of you and spins around. She gingerly lays back on the bed, so the two of you can be face to face once again. Her face is a mask of concentration and fatigue.
	"What's wrong?" you ask.
	"Just... I don't know, I guess I overdid it."
	"My junk hurts," you commiserate. "Ugh, me too," Val agrees, reaching for her crotch.
	"My.... Everything hurts." You add. "But it also feels amazing."
	"I guess we really pushed ourselves hard then."
	"I don't think I can move," you say.
	"Neither can I," Val remarks, closing her eyes.
	"We'll just lay here and suffer then."
	Another silence.
	"Fuck it," you say. "Let's try something."
	"What?" Val asks.
	"I dunno. Fuck I can't even move."
	"Neither can I," Val complains. "But let's try it anyway."
	"You sure?"
	"Yes."
	You close your eyes and concentrate.
	"Concentrate," you say. "I'm a powerful wizard. I can move shit with my mind."
	"You're lying," Val says, giggling.
	"Well, I sure can't use my body right now," you laugh.
	Val laughs too, "Oh no, I broke my boy toy."
	The two of you cuddle and make pillow talk as the aches set in. You feel some strength return, and you roll over to hold Val. She returns the favor. This is nice.
	"I think we need to get up," Val says.
	"Aw, why?" You whine.
	"Because we're pretty gross right now," she laughs. "Besides, a hot shower will be good for all those aches."
	"There's a thought," you laugh.
	The two of you stand up and stumble towards the bathroom. You step into the shower and enjoy the steamy warmth of the water.
	You can't help but stare at Val's corded body in the intimacy of the shower. You're normally a sucker for jiggly soft girls, but Val's shredded physique is uniquely and undeniably sexy. The water glistens on her ripped stomach, as her bicep flexes under the stream. She turns her head and looks at you.
	"Hey," she says.
	"Uhh.... Let me soap you up," you dumbly offer.
	You put your arms around her and wash her back. She wraps her arms around you too, and you kiss. You forget about your lathering, instead savoring the sensation of your wet, soapy, and warm bodies pressing into each other. The stream of water washes over the two of you. Tingles run down your spine.
	"You want some help there?" Val asks.
	"Please," you reply.
	You feel Val's hands slide down your back and grip your ass. She pulls you closer and grinds into you. Your lips find hers, and the kiss deepens. A small noise passes her lips, somewhere between a sigh and a chortle.
	"What's so funny?" you ask.
	"You," she replies, laughing.
	"You forgot to finish lathering me," she giggles.
	"Oh wait, I can do that," you say.
	You take your loofa and start to soap up Val's back. You caress her corded arms and dig your fingers into the muscles of her shoulders.
	"Ohhh...," she sighs.
	You can feel her body begin to relax as you work.
	"I've never felt a guy do that to me....."
	You're surprised to hear her say that.
	"What do you mean?" You ask.
	"I've never had a good massage."
	The warmth is easing your aches, but your strength is limited. "Sorry baby, that's gonna have to be it for now." You explain.
	"That's ok," she replies.
	You slide your hands down her arms and grab the soapy water and scrub her back.
	"Ahhh....." she sighs. "...I wish you could be here forever."
	"Me too."
	The water starts to run cooler. Val pouts, "Aw. We better finish up."
	You squeeze the water out of your loofa and toss it in the sink. Your own muscles ache, and you're about ready to call it a day.
	"I can see you're exhausted," Val says.
	"Yeah, I'm beat. And it's getting cold." You apologize.
	Val slaps your ass,
	"I pulled aside two towels already, honey. I'm gonna cut the water, then you grab them, ok?"
	Val shuts off the water, and cool air quickly starts leaking into the shower enclosure. Val giggles and yelps, "Hurry!" 
	You reach through the curtains and messily grab a pair of big fluffy towels. You hand one to Val. She wraps herself in it and hums contentedly. You do likewise."Well....that was nice," Val smiles.
	"It sure was," you agree.
	The two of you finish drying off and climb into bed. You're more tired than you thought you'd be.
	"Good night," Val says. She stretches, and curls up against you.
	Val's breathing becomes slow and regular, and your drift off into a deep sleep.
	You dream.
	You walk down a flight of stone stairs. The stairs wind spiraling around and around in a large, empty room. You reach the ground, and the room is no longer empty. A massive upholstered throne rests on a raised dias. Two large, equal sized, horned statues flank the throne, and they snarl with open mouths. A crown sits atop each of the statues' heads.
	You walk to the throne and take a seat in it.
	A dream version of Val steps out from behind the throne. She's dressed in a sharp business suit, and is holding a whip. You look forward again, and a huge stone table has appeared in front of you. On the table sits a large book, and an even larger blade. You look closer at the book. It's not a book at all, but a tome made of stone. You struggle to open the book, but you just can't seem to get a grip on its cover.
	Dream-Val whispers in your ear, "Are you hungry?"
	"Starving," you reply, still fiddling with the book.
	You hear hands clap. You look over to see Dream-Val clapping. It's the only noise you can hear, as everything else has gone silent. Hooded figures emerge from the shadows. You cannot see their faces, but each figure carries a small bag. One by one the figures walk up to the table and empty their bags onto it. A pile of all sorts of coins grows with every offering. Dream-Val gestures to the pile of coins, "Well, what are you waiting for? Eat!"
	You reach down with one hand and start grabbing coins from the table. They feel heavy in your hand as you bring them to your face. You draw in a heavy odor of metal, and you dump the coins into your mouth. They're hard, but still chewy. The taste of metal is overpowering, but also somehow delicious. You keep eating as the figures keep walking towards you. You continue shoveling the delicious coins into your mouth, as you feel your stomach fill with them. They clink and slosh, and you feel your gut start to press against your clothes. You drop the last coin down your throat and swallow, and you feel the weight of the currency sitting in your belly. Your body has also plumped up and expanded, and your clothes are stretched and strained.
	"Have some more," Dream-Val smiles.
	The weight in your belly immediately vanishes, and is replaced by ravenous hunger.
	Another group of hooded supplicants has appeared. Each one holds a bar of silver. Again, they walk up to your table and leave their offering behind. Again, you start to devour the precious metal. The silver bars have a sweetness to them, and are pleasantly soft. You love the sound they make as you bite into them. You grab handfuls of the precious metal and stuff them into your mouth. You love the way it feels in your hands, and how it tastes. Your stomach fills faster this time, and your expanding gut pops the button on your pants. You continue scarfing down silver bars as soon as they arrive, and your clothing begins to tear away against your increasingly massive form.
	Suddenly your clothes are simply gone. Your belly plops heavily onto your softened lap, wobbling and sloshing with fat and covering your stiffened cock. Your thighs quiver with every movement, your ass and hips have smooshed outwards, now almost touching the sides of the stone throne. Your arms are a lot heavier, doughy, pudgy, and harder to move. You pause to look yourself over and see that you're now quite obese. You shake your blubbery belly and feel a ripple spread outwards through your fattened body. The heavy mass of the silver in your stomach has vanished.
	"Still so hungry," Dream-Val clucks. "There's loads more."
	A new group of hooded figures appears. Each one holds a large bowl.
	"Please," you groan, "I want to eat... I want to eat..."
	"You shall," Dream-Val says.
	You watch the figures approach and feel a pang of hunger stab through your fat body. This time, Dream-Val takes the bowl and brings it to your lips. The bowl is filled with glowing molten gold. You open your mouth, and Dream-Val tips the bowl in. Dense, buttery molten gold pours down your throat and warms you as it settles in your oceanic gut. Dream-Val brings bowl after bowl, and you keep draining them. It's ridiculous, but you feel amazing. Your belly swells with your massive, impossible feast, and every part of you jiggles and wobbles as you accumulate even more fat.
	"I want more," you groan, as a pang of hunger stabs through you.
	"You shall get it. There's always more. And more. And more..." Dream-Val says.
	You survey your gelatinous, impossibly-fat body. Every part of it wobbles, jiggles and sags, and there's so much of it that your mind can barely comprehend it. You're so fat that you can barely move. Your body's ready to explode, but it's comfortable and happy.
	"I feel so fat," you moan.
	"You are. You feel so, so incredibly fucking fat," Dream-Val laughs. "And now, we can really get started."
	"Really?" you smile.
	"Oh, yes. This is just the beginning. We have an eternity to fill you with food."
	Dream-Val walks around into your vision, running a finger over your corpulent form. You can see she's suddenly naked as she climbs onto your blobby, immobilizing belly and kneels atop you.
	"Stay still," she grins, as you feel her fingers stroke through your hair.
	Dream-Val slides forward, lowering herself onto your face.
	"Eat," she orders.
	As you start to lick Dream-Val's pussy, you feel your stomach swell with pressure. Your body heaves and wobbles as it fattens even more. You try to struggle, but every part of you is too heavy to move.
	"Oh, yes. Good boy," Dream-Val purrs.
	Your tongue traces along the sides of Dream-Val's labia as she grinds her hips into your face. Everything fades to black as you feel enveloped in suffocating, warm contentment, your body swelled with more and more food as your awareness dims…

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 – The Young Street Diner

	You start awake in Val's bed. Val - the real Val - is lying on you, breathing softly. In a panic, your free hand gently pats your body - nope, you're skinny, you were only fat in the dream.
	Golden sunlight peeks through the blinds as you wait for your heart to slow, and try not to think about your raging erection. Except you can't help but to think about it. Surely it's because Val is laying on me right? Surely that bizarre dream doesn't speak to me somehow? Perish the thought...
	You sit up, leaning back and groaning as your stiff backsides complain. You rub at the sleep from your eyes as you take in your surroundings. You're in Val's room, and her sense of organization puts you to shame. The only clutter is a few items on her dresser and nightstand, and the discarded clothes from last night. You spot Val's phone, and hop out of bed to check the time.
	8:30 AM
	Huh. It's later in the morning than you thought. You hop back into bed, curling up with your knees against your chest and closing your eyes to relax. Val's arm wraps around you again, and you hear her groggy voice in your ear, "Baby, why'd you get up?"
	You take a moment to respond. "I... had a really weird dream."
	"Yeah?" Val asks. "Do you want to talk about it?"
	"I guess," you say uncertainly. "I actually remember most of it. I don't usually remember my dreams."
	You recount the dream, how a version of Val was there, guiding the procession of metals as you ate and grew impossibly fat. You explained to her about the dream, and she seemed to care, but you can't shake the feeling that there is a catch...
	Val snuffles in your ear, "Well I know for sure that Val was an impostor. I'd be so jealous if you got fatter than me!" She jokes.
	"I dunno if you should be jealous. She was feeding me literal gold and silver. I don't know if you could handle me as that greedy of a sugar baby!" You laughingly retort.
	"I already know I can handle you," she says.
	A pause.
	"I want to make you happy."
	You take a moment to respond. "I feel the same way, Val."
	The tension is lifted as the two of you cuddle and kiss for a while. Val's phone buzzes, and she pulls away with a start.
	"I forgot to tell you, I've got a regular brunch on Sundays. You're welcome to come along." Val says.
	"You make it sound like I can't."
	Val laughs,
	"It's nothing formal. Just me and a few of the old high school crew get together at a diner."
	The old high school crew...
	"Would I know anybody there?" You ask.
	Val fixes you with a smug look. "Zoe and Lena make it almost every week. That was them confirming today."
	...That seems like it was yesterday since you took the fall to save Lena. Then again, it'd be nice to see them again.
	"When are we meeting them, and where?" You ask.
	Val smirks, "They said they'd be there at 10, and it's at the diner on Young Street."
	"I'll be there," you say.
	You look forward to seeing your friends again. "We should probably get dressed, huh." You say.
	Val nods, and kisses you before hopping out of bed. You watch as Val starts doing some stretching and yoga poses. She's still naked.
	"What are you doing?" You ask.
	"Stretching. You should do it more." Val says, before bending over and loosening up her back.
	"But I like watching you." You cheekily reply.
	Val's head pops up. "Perv all you like, but don't complain when you're stiff and sore."
	The aches in your body make themselves known again. "Fine, you're right." You admit.
	Val smiles at you. "Just do what I do. And try not to get too distracted by my ass," she explains.
	"I'll try not to stare," you say.
	Val turns around and drops to her hands and knees. She then does some more stretches with various other twists and poses. You follow along as best you can. Val's body ripples and flexes with every move she makes, and you feel a little self-conscious about how amateur and clumsy you must look. That said, you do start to feel more limber.
	"So how do you feel?" Val asks, as she continues to work her body.
	"Better," you say, as you rub a knot in your shoulder.
	"Good. We should definitely do this more often."
	"Definitely," you agree.
	You marvel at Val's strength and grace as you follow her routine. You're definitely not in as good of shape as she is. The two of you hold each other's gaze, and by the time she's done, you feel a little light-headed. "That should help with the soreness and knots," she explains. "We should probably get dressed and get going."
	You look at your phone. The time says that you have plenty of time before you need to be at the diner, so you and Val get dressed. You packed another casual outfit. Jeans and a t-shirt. Nothing fancy, but nothing too trashy. Val wears a tight tank top and a pair of short shorts that leave very little to the imagination. You try not to stare, but it's difficult. After getting ready, the two of you head down to the garage. Val offered to drive, and you see that her car is a hybrid. It's a nice ride, black with some racing stripes along the side. You sit in the front seat, while Val sits at the wheel, and you buckle up. Val fills you in on what Zoe and Lena have been up to since graduation. Zoe works at a law firm, while Lena helps manage some dental clinics.
	"They're both doing well," Val says.
	"That's good." You say. "I kinda fell away from the old crew during college. It will be nice to see them again."
	"Well, you're always welcome at my house." Val says.
	You reach over and squeeze Val's taut bare thigh. She beams at you, and the two of you steal a quick kiss at the next stoplight. You find yourself smiling the whole ride there. Eventually you arrive at the diner.
	The Young Street Diner is an old building, with a tin roof and flaking signs. The parking lot is small, but there are already a few cars packed in.
	You and Val walk inside, and make haste to take a booth in the back. The two of you are welcomed by the diner's lone waitress, a heavyset woman with a large bosom, dark skin, curly hair, and an inviting smile.
	"Looks like your friends aren't here yet," she says with a pleasant voice. "Can I get you anything to tide you over?"
	"Just some coffee for me," you request. Val echoes your request. The waitress leaves to bring your drinks. You and Val sit in silence for a moment, just enjoying one another's company. You try not to dwell on the fact that you feel somewhat cramped in the booth, and you're not a fat guy by any stretch.
	"She's pretty," you say after a bit.
	"Who?"
	"The waitress. You were staring at her chest."
	Val bursts out laughing.
	"Oh no, I was not!" she protests.
	"Liar."
	"Okay, maybe I was a little. But she's got nice tits."
	"I think you've got a thing for chunky ladies in uniforms," you tease.
	Val throws a sugar packet at you and then bursts into laughter again.
	"I'll have you know I have a huge crush on Darkwylde," she says through her laughs.
	"That one goth singer chick? She's enormous, if I'm thinking of the right celebrity." You ask.
	"Yeah, that's the one. She's so pretty and so elegant. And she gives tons of money to charity," Val says dreamily.
	"Val, I'm right here." You say with a little annoyance.
	Val blushes a bit and sputters while backtracking, "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to make you jealous. I just like what I like I guess...."
	The waitress interrupts you with your coffees. She places a pair of cups on the table, fills them from a metal carafe, and leaves the carafe too. You and Val mutter thanks, and the waitress turns to leave.
	She doesn't, though. She pulls out her order pad, apparently reviewing something. She also leans forward, her generous booty straining her pants. You're trying to be a good boyfriend and not ogle the waitress, but Val is practically drooling. You can't help but notice some lacy red underwear creeping up from under the waitress's waistband. The waitress then hums a tune and does a little dance, she's still lost in her order pad, and her ass is wobbling right at face level. Val is now visibly biting her lip, enthralled by the show. Then, as abruptly as it started, the waitress straightens up and walks away.
	Was that on purpose? Or just pervy good luck?
	Val turns to face you, her face very red. "Sorry," she mutters sheepishly.
	"Val, I'm not mad. You can ogle all the cute fat chicks you want, but it's awfully rude when your boyfriend is right there." You explain. "Unless you're ok with us ogling cute fatties together?” you add.
	Val's blush deepens, but she lets out a chuckle. "I'd be ok with that."
	You take Val's hand and squeeze reassuringly. You also take a sip from your coffee and think a bit.
	"You're new to the whole fat admiration thing, aren't you?" You ask.
	Val nods shyly. She looks around, and drops her voice. "I've never told anybody this, but mentioning Darkwylde earlier wasn't random. I'd always liked her music, but she did a lingerie shoot a while back." She takes a quick breath. "It was really fucking hot. Something stirred inside of me, and -" she giggles and pulls in close to whisper, "Anon, that was the first time I masturbated to a woman."
	There's a moment of silence as that sinks in.
	"That explains a lot. Thank you for trusting me with that, Val." You say sincerely.
	"Can I ask you something? How did you know?" Val asks, trying to match your warm tone.
	"Baby, you weren't exactly subtle. I think you were literally drooling over that hostess at the Gorge." You reply evenly.
	"Oh." Val says with a sheepish grin.
	"It's ok," you reassure Val, placing both hands on hers. "You'll learn how to be a sly pervert some day," you joke with a wink.
	The two of you laugh. Then you hear the door open. After a small delay, you hear a familiar voice call out, "Anon!"
	You turn around and see Zoe and Lena approaching. Zoe is leading, her arms wide and reaching up for a hug.
	You stand, and barely have time to look before Zoe wraps you up in her warm, plush body. You return the embrace, and Zoe releases you. Lena and Val are hugging too, and you get a good look at the new Zoe. 
	You still tower over her - she hasn't gotten much taller than the five-foot-one she was the last time you saw her. She smiles up at you from a dark, round face topped by a barely-contained tangle of jet-black curls. She's also definitely gained weight. Her thighs are so big, they're cutting into the space just short of her knees. Her crop-top is holding on for dear life. Her huge breasts and doughy arms stretch the poor shirt to its limit.
	The two of you exchange excited pleasantries for a moment, then Lena turns to you. She greets you and holds out her arms expectantly. "So, we meet again, Anon." You smile and give her a hug, noticing that she smells like something floral, you can't place it.
	You pull away and get a good look at Lena. You've always been fairly tall, definitely taller than Lena, but only by a handful of inches now - was she not done growing when you last saw her? Her skin is just as fair as you remember, and just as sprinkled with freckles. Her face is noticeably fuller, especially her lips. A feathery bob of coppery-blonde hair frames her features, and her emerald green eyes are partially obscured by a rogue lock or two of her bangs.
	Lena's put on weight too, in all the right places. Her bust, now a full D-cup, is exquisite. Her stomach is soft and pliable, with a tiny bit of dimples when she laughs. You can plainly see this because her dress is rather stretched against her chubby belly. Her thighs are so thick, you can hardly believe they're real.
	The four of you slide into your booth. Val re-orients to be next to you. Lena and Zoe slowly scoot into place across from the two of you, huffing, puffing, and jiggling as they do so. You catch the briefest flash of consternation darken Zoe's face as she finally settles in. If you're feeling kind of smooshed into the booth, you can only imagine Zoe and Lena's discomfort. In fact you're kind of surprised to see that Zoe even managed to fit herself into place. But before you can even think about voicing any concerns, you hear some footsteps approach. The waitress comes over with two more coffee cups. She fills these too and leaves them with Lena and Zoe. The four of you waste no time in perusing the menu. You discuss various food options and settle on what sounds good. In a few moments, you've all decided, and the waitress comes over to take your orders.
	You order a modest spread of bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Each of the girls orders a variant of something called the "Big Boss Breakfast": a heap of pancakes served with a heart-stopping amount of meat and eggs. Lena looks a little uncertain, but Zoe assures her it'll be fun.
	"We're all girl bosses, so we should eat like it!" Zoe ribs Lena. Zoe turns to you and says mischievously, "You're exempted from the boss requirement.... Today."
	"Ha ha!" Lena laughs.
	The waitress departs, and you smile at the two of them across the table. You're so happy to be with them again. Lena and Zoe fill you in on what they've done since graduating high school. Lena went to a community college and did the usual: partied, studied when she was feeling guilty, etc. She wound up finishing a biology degree, but through some odd career twists, wound up managing operations at a dental clinic chain. Technically it should be a bit above her experience level, but Lena's bosses are apparently happy with her performance.
	Zoe went straight to a university about a three-hour drive from where you now lived. She did extremely well in her classes, but found herself with little interest in them. She came back to your town and got a job clerking at a local law firm. Zoe explains that it's just a step towards becoming a lawyer eventually. Right now, however, she's enjoying the free time she has.
	"So... what about you?" Lena asks. "What've you been up to?" 
	You explain that you've got a job at the local shipping company, Oddgoods ExIm. You're technically a sales guy, but your job has involved higher-grade duties lately. You also explain that Val has taught you to trade stocks, but you're waiting to see if you can make any money like that. Zoe looks impressed. Lena grins and says she's jealous of you, then asks you what you did all this weekend.
	Val pipes up, "We've been hanging out. Anon and I have hit it off real well, haven't we?" She looks at you warmly.
	"Sure have," you say.
	You grin at each other, then look at Lena, who appears a little troubled.
	"I'm starving," she whines. At those words, your body remembers that you haven't fed it yet, and your stomach growls.
	Right on time, you hear some movement behind you, as the waitress appears with everybody's food. She carefully sets a plate in front of you, and sets a platter in front of each girl. You saw a picture of the Big Boss Breakfast in the menu, but it's even more intimidating in person. Good thing you ordered a normal quantity. The girls begin shoveling food into their mouths, and you join them.
	Zoe eats in bursts, alternately scarfing food down and chatting. Lena is quieter, steadily and methodically ingesting her feast. Val's somewhere in the middle, taking heaping forkfuls but also laughing and talking easily. You don't talk too much while eating, instead savoring the food, which is delicious. You enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the cafe, with the chatter of your friends, and the clinking of forks on plates.
	You finish pretty quickly, and make up for your earlier quietness as the girls continue to plow through their meals.
	"I think we should go out again," Lena says. "I had so much fun with you three, and I want more of it."
	Zoe nods in agreement.
	"Every Sunday," Val intones. "Zoe and Lena, you two haven't missed a single girls' brunch."
	"What about you, Anon?" Lena asks. "Do you have any objections?"
	"Of course not. This is a great way to spend a Sunday morning."
	Zoe smiles at you warmly.
	"You're invited, too," she says. "Three's a full group, but we can easily spare an extra seat."
	The trio of huge breakfasts have almost disappeared into the girls. You notice that Lena has really started to slow down.
	"So full," she groans between labored breaths and slow bites, "But I'm gonna eat this meal. I paid for it, damnit!"
	Lena forks the last blobs of egg into her mouth, which she chews slowly and thoroughly before swallowing. Her eyes look distant and glazed as she shovels in her final chunks of pancake. There's one last strip of bacon. Lena picks it up between her thumb and forefinger, and slides the bacon past her lips. She chews slowly, swallows heavily, and slumps back.
	"That's it, I'm gonna die. Death by breakfast..." Lena moans. She lays her head on the back of the booth, and gingerly rubs her aching belly.
	At that moment, Zoe looks alarmed. She yanks her torso to the side, sending her huge tits wobbling, but she stays in place. Zoe's face falls for a moment, then she laughs, "I'm fucking stuck!"
	She wiggles around in the booth, bracing her hands on the table and trying to push back. Her flabby body jiggles like crazy as she struggles, and the vinyl seat squeaks under her fat ass, but Zoe remains pinned between the table and the seat.
	"Goddamnit, not again," she whines. "Well, Lena, looks like you've got all the time you need to take a break."
	"Oh, ok...." Lena seems barely conscious, her eyes heavy-lidded as she floats in a food coma.
	Zoe's face darkens sightly further in embarrassment, as you try not to laugh. Val thinks for a moment, then looks over the empty plates in the table. Her gaze settles on a still-filled butter dish.
	Val points at the dish and says to Zoe, "Maybe you could grease yourself up?"
	Zoe's eyes widen, "Well, it can't make things worse."
	Zoe's overfull belly is squished over the edge of the table like so much dark umber dough. She stifles giggles as she grabs some butter with her hands and tries to squeeze it between the table and her flab. Her hand goes under the table to repeat the process on the other side. She then purposefully jiggles and shakes her stomach to try and work the butter to the points of friction. Zoe repeats the process a few times, before seeming satisfied. "Ok, all greased up," she giggles.
	"To freedom!"
	She exhales, straightens up, sucks in her gut, and starts scooting. It's slow, and Zoe's face darkens yet more from the effort and the embarrassment, but she does eventually get free. Zoe stands at the end of the booth, her chunky stomach glistening with the day-saving butter. You and Val offer Zoe your napkins so she can clean up. Lena might be asleep, her hands tracing circles on her tummy.
	Zoe accepts, dabbing at her belly, and salvaging some of her dignity. 
	You reach across the table and pat Lena on the shoulder, "Hey Lena, it's time to go."
	She stirs and groans. A sudden burp escapes her lips and startles her awake. "Oh, excuse me," she mutters.
	Lena blushes and opens her eyes. She smiles at you for a moment, sheepishly, as she sits up. The girls gather their stuff and Lena inches her way out of the booth. Val stands, and you do too. Val's sporting a visible food baby, her rounded stomach pressing against her tanktop. Your group heads to the cash register to pay up. You and Val move easily, Zoe and Lena follow behind.
	
	Upon exiting the restaurant, you're hit by a blast of cold air heavy with the smell of pavement and impending rain. The sky is dark, and fat cold raindrops start splatting all around you.
	"Shit, no fancy good-byes this time," Lena remarks. The four of you say quick goodbyes, and split off to your respective cars. Zoe and Lena drove together, and they waddle off towards Lena's SUV. You and Val quickly head to her hybrid. You hop in and she pulls out of the parking lot.
	"So, what's wrong?" Val asks. "You're awfully quiet. Out with it."
	You exhale and try to collect your thoughts.
	"Zoe got real big," you reply. "Real fast. I wasn't sure what to think about it, for a while."
	"Do you care?" Val asks. "I thought you didn't care about the other girls."
	You shrug, "She was my friend - is my friend. Lena too. It's just a surprise to see how they've changed."
	Val nods, and pulls onto the street. She says, "They talk about you quite a bit. You may not realize it, but your friendship back in highschool meant a lot to them."
	"Like..?"
	Val slows down as she navigates a set of lights, and she glances at you.
	"You didn't judge them. All you cared about was whatever you had in common, and you didn't care about what made them happy." Val says." If it hadn't been for you, they might not even be here."
	You stare back.
	"They were struggling that much?" You ask after a moment.
	Val sucks her lips in, nodding slowly. You sit back and digest this revelation. After a pause, you say, "I remember when the size-positivity movement started gaining traction. The big girls still got messed with a bit, but I mainly remember how much happier and confident they became."
	Val grins and nods in agreement. "Yeah. Being big is hard and being a fat fetishist is even harder. It's really no wonder they needed somebody to turn to."
	You reply, "Yeah, I have a fetish, but I didn't see them that way. They were my friends, who happened to be girls, and who also happened to like their food." You pause and glance at Val. "You don't have a problem with me, do you?"
	She snorts and shakes her head. "No." She grins.
	Val halts the car at a red light and looks at you, "When I broke up with Dale, I was rethinking a whole lot of things. And I felt free, for the first time in years. He was sweet, but he could also be so controlling." Val smiles with embarrassment, as you frown in appreciation that she's giving you information.
	She continues, "He hated fatties, but he knew how to be civil about it. He couldn't accept me as anything other than his 'warrior queen', and I got tired of walking on eggshells around him."
	You nod.
	"I remember you were always really nice to me," She looks at you, and it's clear that she means it.
	"I wanted to be your friend back then, but I worried what Dale would do. So I down-low stayed in touch with your lady friends, and they all but set me up with you when they figured out that you were single," Val admits.
	"So I'm your rebound then. A platonic nice guy who can validate and enable you all day," you mutter.
	"We were platonic for like less than a day. And that's a pretty uncharitable way to phrase things," Val's voice simmers with irritation.
	You sigh, "Sorry." You lean back in your seat and think. The rain intensifies into a storm as Val drives, the white noise mirroring the static noise in your mind.
	Val breaks the silence, "Are you resentful that I basically asked you out out of the blue?"
	You sit forward and look at her. "No. I've thought about it, and I think that took great courage on your part. In fact, you've been fucking fearless about telling me what you want. And honestly I appreciate that."
	You continue, "My comment earlier was needlessly mean. I should see it as the ladies watching out for me by putting you up to dating me."
	Val nods, understanding your words, "Yes. That is a very nice way of looking at it."
	The static of the rain abruptly stops as Val pulls into the garage and parks the car. You turn to look at her, staring into her deep blue eyes.
	"I'm so happy that they did," you whisper, and lean in to kiss Val. The kiss is deep and long. She traces her fingers through your hair, and gently runs her palms up your back. Everything about the moment feels so right. Val pulls away, and nuzzles her head into your shoulder. "You're a good dude, Anon." Then she whispers, "And you've got a great dick."
	Your cock immediately stiffens, but your junk aches at the notion of any sort of fucking today. Val giggles, and you laugh as well. You pull away a bit, to look into her eyes, "Would you be upset if we took a break today?"
	You feel Val's sultry bravado drop in relief, "Not at all," she exhales. "Today's a great day for lazy cozy chilling."
	The two of you walk to Val's apartment hand-in-hand, listening to the rain fall outside. The apartment is cozy and warm. It's decorated with bright pops of primary colors, much more cheerful than your apartment, and clean. Val breaks out a tupperware of cookies, and makes some hot chocolate. You settle onto the increasingly-familiar couch, and Val follows, munching some cookies. She flips on the TV, some romantic drama, and cuddles up against you. The rest of the day passes by surprisingly slowly. At one point, the power goes out, leaving you and Val in near-darkness.
	The outage only lasts for under a minute, and the two of you breathe a sigh of relief as the lights kick back on. Val turns the TV back on, this time some dumb comedy movie is on.
	You're barely watching it. Val's pulled up her shirt, and you marvel at the incongruity of her situation. Her tummy is still a little pooched out from her epic breakfast, and she's still scarfing down sugary cookies. Yet, her steely abs are still obvious, if a touch rounded. You can't help yourself, you start caressing Val's tummy. It's strange how your hands seem to know exactly where to go in order to give her belly the most love. Her hands find their way into your hair, and she sighs contently.
	Val checks her phone and turns to you, "How's a casserole sound tonight?"
	"Delicious, also what kind?" You reply.
	"Turkey. Also get up, you're gonna help me cook."
	"I'm gonna need a few more minutes of snuggling," You say.
	Val's eyes narrow, "I'm gonna need you to get up."
	You comply, and head into her kitchen.
	"We'll snuggle later, doofus. For now, help me prep this dish." Val orders.
	The two of you divide the work, and in about half an hour, a delicious-looking turkey noodle casserole is happily baking away in the oven.
	"Ok, we've got some time to kill while that cooks. Now I think I owe you some cuddles," Val says.
	"That sounds excellent," you reply as the two of you lay together on her couch.
	The two of you dreamily watch some TV until the oven starts beeping.
	You perk up, "Dinner time!" Val gets the casserole out of the oven while you set the table. After about five minutes, Val hands out servings, and the two of you sit down to eat.
	"Hey, this is good!" You compliment.
	Val smiles, "Glad you like it."
	You notice Val's portion is heaping, but a far cry from the heroic size her dinners typically are. "You not feeling too hungry, baby?" you ask.
	Val works on her casserole at a steady pace. "I've got the doctor appointment tomorrow morning remember? I don't want them testing me while I've still got a huge binge in my system."
	"Oh, right," you reply dumbly. "Well, let's save some for later then."
	Val smiles and nods, and the pair of you clean up the kitchen. She looks at the covered leftovers, ”Your doom comes tomorrow," she says to the dish with a chuckle, then closes the fridge.
	"Now... we can get stoned and watch dumb TV if you'd like," Val says with a smile.
	"Sure, sounds like a plan to me," you respond.
	After the two of you light up, you turn on the TV and settle in for a night of laziness. You zone out for a while, but soon find yourself rousing from your trippy stupor.
	"Baby?" You call out.
	"Yes?" Val follows up.
	"Have you been getting any weird internet issues? Other than that creepy text you saw me get earlier?" You ask.
	Val pauses, then nods, "Just got a weird message on my phone. It said something about our doom being upon us, and that we should prepare."
	"What?! That's fucked up!"
	"Yeah... I got another one soon after that. Saying the same exact thing."
	"Same exact thing? Dude, are you sure?"
	"Yes. Yes I am sure," Val laughs.
	"I hope it's just some weird malicious troll," you say. "What did you do?"
	"I deleted the messages," Val responds.
	"Yeah that's what I did with my creepy messages too."
	You and Val toke a little more. Your responses to the strange messages put each other at ease, and another dose of pot certainly helps clear your minds.
	"I'm glad you're here, dum-dum," Val chuckles. "I'm glad you're my boo."
	"Me too, babe," you smile.
	The two of you slowly and sensually make out. It's a little strange knowing that neither of you wants sex tonight, but it's still fun to kiss and cuddle. Things end with you laying on Val's firm warm body, her strong arms wrapped around your chest. It's getting late, and you send a quick message to your boss saying that you'll be a little late due to a doctor's appointment. You just don't say whose appointment.
	Val yawns. "We should get some sleep."
	"Yeah," you agree.
	The two of you head for Val's room to get ready for bed. Val giggles and tugs at your shirt, "Let's sleep naked again tonight."
	"Don't have to ask me twice," you grin.
	You and Val giggle and tease each other as you strip the other's clothes off. Both of you have a dumb grin as you both brush your teeth and ogle each other in the mirror.
	"You're going to be the death of me," you laugh, as Val strikes a similar pose.
	"I don't care," she smiles.
	Val plants a minty-fresh kiss on your cheek, "C'mon, let's get some shut-eye."
	She drags you over to her bed and both of you tumble face-first into the pillowy softness.
	You lay in her warm embrace, just enjoying the feeling of being close to Val.
	You drift off to blissful sleep to the rhythm of her breathing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 – Dr. Kovacs

	You awaken to the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and the feeling of Val stroking your head.
	"Wake up, sleepyhead," she whispers.
	"Wuh?" you roll over and get an eyeful of still-naked Val.
	"Nerves woke me up early, but this is when we set our alarms," she explains.
	You groggily sit up, and take a long whiff of the fresh air. Val looks troubled. Your mind is torn between pervy delight at being woken by her nudity, and empathetic concern for her well-being. You decide to not be a shitheel.
	"Good morning to you too," you say cheekily. "Are you alright?" you ask with genuine concern.
	"I'm nervous about the appointment. What if I'm somehow not ok?” she wonders.
	You reach up and grab Val's arm. "You're gonna be ok. I'm sure of it," you offer reassuringly.
	Val smiles weakly, and nods.
	"Yeah... Want some breakfast? Pants optional," she says with a singsong lilt.
	"Yes, and no on the pants," you say. You follow Val's butt to the kitchen and start collecting items for breakfast. There's something really sexy about doing mundane tasks while naked, you think.
	You turn around and see Val looking at you.
	"What?"
	"Nothing," she says bashfully, "I was just thinking about... Well, never mind."
	Your toast pops up, and you quickly apply some butter. You take your toast to the table and press Val a bit. "Thinking about what?"
	Val's face goes red, "Nothing."
	"You know you can tell me anything," you say reassuringly,
	Val takes a bite out of her own jam-spread toast to buy some time. She takes a deep breath and responds, "If all this works out, if they figure out why I can't gain weight and how to reverse it...." She squeaks in embarrassment but continues, "I was fantasizing about where I'd carry my new weight."
	"Mm, well, do you have any preference?" you ask in an encouraging way.
	Val exhales and exhales and exhales, before saying in a rush, "I thought I'd be a big, curvy blonde woman. I dunno, maybe with huge tits and big wide hips... And - and - and -”
	You walk over to Val and wrap her up in a hug, trying to keep your erection from pressing into her. Val stops stammering and returns the hug, burying her face into your shoulder and breathing deeply and slowly.
	"Shhh, it'll be alright," you soothe, "I promise. We'll get through this together."
	"I'll hold you to that," she says quietly. After a moment she wriggles free.
	"We should get dressed and get going. I'll drive, then I'll take you back here so you can go to work."
	You nod and finish getting dressed, before hopping in the car with Val. You cobbled together a work-suitable outfit from your cleanest options, and packed the rest. Val donned a pair of grey capris and a fitted black v-neck shirt. The ride to Dr. Kovacs' office is mercifully short, and an uncomfortable tension lingers in the car. Val pulls into a spot, parks, and the two of you enter the office right at the crack of 9. 
	The receptionist nods at Val. "Ah, Ms. Sojka, right?"
	"That's me," she says, and fills out some paperwork. She sits next to you on a thin-cushioned chair, and you watch the weather report on a muted tv. It's shaping up to be a lovely day here; you wonder how it is on the other side of the world.
	The door opens and a man's voice calls from behind it, "Valentine Sojka?"
	You and Val get up and walk through. Here we go.
	You round the corner and spot a lean, kind-looking man in a lab coat. He's got a stethoscope around his neck, and his graying hair and mustache are both neatly trimmed.
	"You must be Dr. Kovacs," you say.
	He tenses a little and turns to Val, "Val, is he with you?" Val answers, "Oh, yeah. That's Anon. We've started dating and I asked him to come today for moral support."
	You smile sheepishly, but Dr. Kovacs relaxes.
	He motions Val to a scale. "Still six foot three, I see," the doctor quips.
	Val stands on the scale and holds steady. Kovacs fiddles with the weights and balances. Once they settle, he writes down a number then leads you and Val to an exam room. Val quickly whispers in your ear, "Two-twenty." You nod. The three of you enter the examination room and Dr. Kovacs closes the door. Val sits on the table, and you head to a chair in the corner. The doctor puts a bracelet-esque device on Val's wrist and has her hold steady. After a few seconds, he reads off her blood pressure and heart rate.
	"120 over 79, and 58 beats per minute." Kovacs writes something down, then taps a few buttons on the device, before removing it. "That's very good, just like always. Weight is normal for you, and you didn't come in with any complaints. Why did you feel the need to come in today, Val?"
	Val asks rhetorically, "Dr. Kovacs, how long have I been about 220 pounds?"
	He replies, "About five years now. Why do you ask?"
	Val continues, "Doc, I've recently been trying to gain weight."
	Kovacs looks confused, "I can't imagine why. Are you trying to bulk up more? Are you trying to break into power lifting? Sumo wrestling?"
	He chuckles.
	Val replies, "No, I've never had any interest in either. I want to be healthy."
	He frowns, "Val, you are healthy. You're a perfectly healthy 25-year-old woman with a large frame and a muscular build. Unless there's something you're not telling me?"
	Val goes blank for a second, then takes a breath and looks Dr Kovacs in the eye.
	Val explains, "Doc, I've been eating at a major calorie surplus for about the last four months. Not a single ounce has stuck to me."
	Dr. Kovacs looks into your eyes, "Anon, is she telling the truth?"
	You look at Val and nod slowly. He sighs and runs a hand over his face.
	He asks Val, "And you think this is a bad thing."
	Val gets a little irritated, "You don't think that's at least a little strange? And don't tell me I should be glad my body works like this."
	Kovacs looks flustered, clearly having planned on saying just that. He adjusts course and asks, "You never did tell me why you wanted to gain weight."
	Val chuckles, "You're gonna hate this. I want to put on some weight for aesthetics."
	Dr. Kovacs glares daggers at you. "Is this your idea? Did you put her up to this?"
	You shrink in your seat and manage to choke out, "No, 100 percent Val's idea. We haven't even been dating that long."
	The doctor's expression softens, but he's still annoyed. "Fat may be fashionable these days, but fashion doesn't make my job any easier. Quite the opposite in fact. Val, I've been your doctor for more than a decade. You know I only want what's best for your health."
	Val smiles, "Of course, I know that." She pauses and then adds, "Thank you, Dr. Kovacs."
	She continues, "But think of it this way. How do we know that this -" she pauses to flex her sinewy biceps "- isn't bad? This could be some weird genetic condition that'll stop my heart or ruin my nerves in ten years."
	Dr. Kovacs looks skeptical, but less so. "And you're worried about this because you can binge eat without consequence?"
	Val replies, "Yes actually. How many patients have you seen who could do that?"
	Kovacs thinks for a moment and then smiles, "Just you!" Kovacs chuckles.
	He thinks for a second, "Well you just had your physical, so I don't think we need any tests today. Your bloodwork was spotless." He taps his chin a few times.
	Kovacs gives in. "Ok, I think I know something. I'll give you a referral to an endocrinologist who should have some insight."
	He writes some notes on a pad and tears it off. He pulls the note back from Val's hand at the last second though.
	"Before you go through with this, as your doctor you know I can't condone you deliberately putting on weight. This referral is so that we can confirm your physique isn't a sign of something dangerous."
	Val nods solemnly and takes the slip of paper. "Got it. I won't gain more than I can easily lose."
	Dr. Kovacs groans and rolls his eyes. "Guess I'll have to be happy with that. Any other bombs you want to drop on me today?" He chuckles.
	Val starts giggling, "Yeah I've got this itch on my leg..." Dr Kovacs starts laughing, "Alright, alright, get outta here!" He opens the door and gestures for you two to leave. 
	Val and you get up and walk out. You take a look back at Kovacs, who is smiling and waving at you. You and Val make your way down the hall and outside.
	"Itchy leg?" You ask.
	"It's just an old running joke," Val explains. "Over the years, no matter what I came in for, I'd always end the visit by making a show of complaining about an itch on my leg."
	You walk along the sidewalk, "I don't get it."
	"I think it's cute..." Val says.
	The two of you start breaking into laughter.
	You reach Val's car and get in. She hands you the note and starts the car. You look over the note. The sheet sports promotions of some unpronounceable drug, and Dr Kovacs' writing is in surprsingly-neat block letters.
	
	"Dr. Leona Q. Rohaz, MD/PhD
	Clinic @ 3102 Cherry Ave
	555-123-9999
	Endocrinologist / dietician, keeps odd office hours, I'll make an introduction for you today. Expect a call from them.
	- Dr. K"
	
	"This seems a little.... Foreboding, don't you think?" You ask Val. "What, the referral note? Yeah maybe so, but I'm ready for some answers."
	You snap a picture of the note, for a reference. You plan to look up Dr. Rohaz's papers if work allows today.
	"Damnit now I'm going to be antsy and staring at my phone all day," Val opines. She turns at an intersection, and gently accelerates.
	"How about this, baby - call Dr. Rohaz's clinic at 4 if they haven't called you by then." You offer.
	"That's a great idea. I'll be able to do work if I have a number to reach them." Val replies.
	You arrive at Val's house and get out of the car. The two of you walk to Val's place. She opens the door, you dip in, grab your bag, then stand with Val by the door for a sec.
	"Ugh, alright. I gotta go to work now," you say.
	Val nods. You part ways with a kiss and a hug. Your drive to work is tense and lonely. You're immediately missing Val, but start organizing your thoughts for the workday. You get to work right at 10. Perfect. If you're slick, maybe nobody will even notice you're technically late. Nobody so much as bats an eye as you slyly get to your cubicle. No pressing emails wait for you, so you re-open the reports you were studying back on Friday. It feels so long ago, but you re-acquaint yourself with their contents. Your mind soon wanders, however. Pretty soon, you're looking up Dr. Rohaz and her publications online. You're quite surprised by what you find.
	Her lab is an extremely prolific publisher. There are dozens of papers over the last decade. You have no idea where to start - the titles all sound like science-ey gibberish. You choose a paper at random and click on it. The online library website seems to be strangely slow to load. Eventually, a pdf of the paper is up on the screen, and you start digging into it. You pause for a moment, recalling that technical papers aren't usually this publicly available. You chalk this paper's accessibility up to good luck, and download a local copy to your flash drive. The paper is written in a strangely easy-to-understand fashion, and you find yourself easily grasping the subject: chemical pathways of human digestion.
	After the paper, you find another, then another. It seems like the woman was really on to something. Either you suddenly got a lot smarter, or Dr. Rohaz is a world-class technical communicator. You also can't help but notice that every paper you looked up was available in full text. Maybe she's very generous with her research too...
	You have no idea. It's all very peculiar.
	You're jolted out of your scientific trance by an alert on your phone. Your stock picks have climbed in value. By a lot, in fact. You buzz with excitement as you open your online brokerage account to see what's happened. Your few hundreds of dollars are now worth a few weeks of salary. You stab in orders to sell as quickly as your fingers will allow. You can't help but smile as you get your order-confirmation emails. Your account nicely beefed up, you've now got all the time you need to plan your next move. You're giddy with excitement, and you decide to update Val on your new profits, and your new science knowledge. You send her a text: "Everything's coming up Anon (and Val) today! Your stock picks went nuts, and it looks like Dr. Rohaz really knows her shit!"
	You hit send, but you get no response. No surprise there. You sigh and go back to work.
	About an hour later, Val replies.
	She's all happy emojis and hearts. "I'm so happy for you, baby! Sorry I didn't reply right away, Dr. Rohaz called! I'll tell you all about it tomorrow - I need to do errands and housework today :("  You're disappointed that you won't get to see her tonight, but to be honest a night in your own bed sounds kinda nice. And you should probably do dishes. Or laundry. Or vacuum. Or literally any cleaning if you ever want her to visit you. 
	A few customer complaints pop up that afternoon, and you trade cheeky messages with Val as you address the complaints. You close out your workday by slapping together a report on your market research from last week, send it to your boss, then head to your car. Your tires squeal as you turn them, and you head towards the open road. You can feel the dying sun's rays on your face, warming you as you drive.
	You decide to swing by a fast-food burger place on your way home. You skipped lunch, so a quick bite to eat sounds perfect. You pull into the drive-through and place an order. You're handed a bag of greasy goodness, and you make haste back to your apartment.
	You scarf down your cheeseburger dinner, then spend the evening trading cute texts with Val, watching dumb videos on the internet, and playing games on your phone. It's been a while since you've had a proper girlfriend, so you savor her texting you cute pet videos and flirty messages. It's been a long but productive day, and you're wiped out by 10pm. You bid Val a good night, and get a lovely message back. You change into some PJs, and pass out about as soon as your head hits the pillow.

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7 – A Milkshake

	The sun is now peeking over the horizon when you awake. You stretch, feeling your muscles wake up, then head into the kitchen. You're going to have to decide what to make for breakfast today. You put some pop tarts into the toaster, and boil some water for instant coffee. You're going to have to get a new coffeemaker soon, because this one is crap and takes forever to heat up. You eat your food, get dressed for work, and prepare to head out.
	Suddenly you get a text from Val. She says she's got a Saturday appointment at Dr. Rohaz's clinic. You feel a small pang of dread but also a twinge of excitement. Val's offered to make dinner again tonight. You'll bring the files you found in case she's curious. 
	Work is a drag but also a blur. Enough customer emails have come in that you had to split them with your co-workers. You call in for a delivery lunch, a modest sandwich, scarf it down, and get back to work. 5 o'clock rolls around soon enough. Satisfied with your progress, you log out and head to your car to drive to Val's place. You barely have to wait after ringing the doorbell for her to answer the door. Today she's opted for a loose-fitting blue dress with the top three buttons undone. A thin silver chain with a small charm dangles around her neck.
	Your palms start to sweat.
	"Hi." She smiles sweetly. Her eyes travel up and down your body, and she puts a finger to her lips. Then, Val wraps you up in her arms, lifts you off your feet, and kisses you square on your lips. The second you feel her lips on yours, all thoughts disappear. The world fades away; there is nothing but her. You wrap your arms around her and kiss her back with as much vigor.
	You're distracted as the smells of garlic and tomato waft from the oven. Val senses your distraction and sets you down. "I made lasagna," she explains. "I hope you like it."
	"Everything you make is incredible, baby," you fawn. Val shoots you a sunny smile over her shoulder as she leads you to the kitchen. She pulls the pan out of the oven and places it on a folded cloth on the kitchen counter. She starts serving up large helpings to the two of you. Val might as well have scooped you some and taken the dish for herself. You still can't help but gawp at her serving sizes.
	Val sees you staring and bursts out laughing. "That leftover casserole didn't go too far," she explains, patting her (flat) tummy. 
	She tears into her lasagna quickly yet cleanly. You dig in with vigor after today's light meals, but you have to consciously remember to set your own pace.
	"Mmm, this is delicious," you rasp, still working to catch your breath. "You didn't need to go through all the trouble."
	"It was no trouble at all. I've always loved cooking, and it's always so nice to share."
	You smile and pause for a moment, before remarking, "I'm getting distinctly.... Domestic vibes from you today, Val."
	"Good!" Val beams. "I want you to actually feel at home here."
	"It's... Nice," you reply, trailing off slightly. You're not sure what else to say. It hasn't even been a week - could she really be the one? 
	Val plops another heap of lasagna onto her plate and continues to eat. You've been finished, so you drive most of the conversation. You thank Val for her stock tips, gloat about your earnings, and plan your next move. The conversation flows easily.
	"So, had any more of those weird dreams?" Val asks, setting down her fork.
	You pause, and try to think back. "No. I can't recall any more."
	You change the topic to Dr. Rohaz. Val fills you in on her conversation with the endocrinologist. "She's really nice, and she certainly seems knowledgeable. They might have to take some samples from me on Saturday. I'm kind of scared about that, but I'm willing to do it if it means answers," Val says.
	She continues, "I can count on you to be with me on Saturday?" You reply with an emphatic "of course".
	She asks, "So what did you learn about my new specialist?"
	You keep your phone handy for reference, and you briefly summarize what you judge to be the most relevant papers. Val listens intently, still stuffing her face. She nods through the whole thing, "I'm really glad I have you for support. It's hard to process all this new stuff."
	Val forks the final morsel of lasagna past her lips and swallows. She sets down her fork and drops her hands to her now-swollen stomach and sighs contentedly. She stares off into the distance for a moment, and then looks you in the eyes and grins.
	"I'm just so hungry," she says, rubbing her stomach.
	She cocks an eyebrow, "How about some dessert, and maybe we can get handsy?"
	You respond by sliding s hand under the table and up Val's skirt. "I'm full, but you can be my dessert," you say sleazily.
	Val giggles and agrees. "Go to the couch and get comfy. I'll be there in a minute or two."
	You gladly do as she says, and flop down onto the plush couch. You hear Val rooting around in the fridge and cabinets, and an electrical whine emanates from the kitchen a few times. Minutes pass with no Val, and you're just about to get up and search for her, when you see her emerge from the kitchen. She's got a glass in one hand, and a pitcher in the other. The pitcher is full of a creamy white milkshake.
	Val cocks her head at you expectantly. "Well? Get your dick out, and tell me how much of this milkshake you want."
	You laugh and start removing your pants. "Maybe just a quarter of that glass. Just enough to get a taste," you say.
	Val definitely fills it to about a third. 
	Once your pants are in a heap on the floor, Val hands you the glass, sets the pitcher on the coffee table, and kneels before your erect cock. You wait a moment, Val envelopes your cock in the pleasurable warmth of her mouth, and you start drinking the milkshake. You let the sweet vanilla goodness flow down your throat as Val eagerly teases the head of your cock. Pleasure quickly spreads through you, from the thick creamy sweetness you're chugging, and from Val's lips and tongue. You try to hold in your groans, but you can't help but let them flow freely. You look down to see Val smiling as she sucks eagerly on the base of your cock. Your modest serving quickly disappears down your throat. In your hedonic haze you vaguely want more, but decide to savor Val's efforts to get you off. You place the empty glass on the side table, then grab Val's head as she sucks. Your hands find their way into her hair and you gently force her to take more of you into her mouth. You feel the hotness of her throat enveloping your cock, and quickly cross into blissful arousal. You give a few harsh throaty grunts as your hips thrust reflexively into Val's mouth. Val eagerly does all she can to please you. She continues to lavish attention on all your most sensitive spots as you rapidly approach orgasm. You can only gasp and moan in pleasured awe as your cock is expertly brought to climax. You look down at Val, your eyes filled with an emotion of pure lust as your hips thrust to meet her mouth.
	Pleasure soars through you, and you find yourself floating in a sea of ecstasy. Your eyes roll into the back of your head as you find yourself blasting spurt after spurt of hot cum into Val's eager mouth. She eagerly swallows each blast as her throat greedily accepts your offering. 
	You fall back into reality, and gently release a hand from Val's hair. Your body stills and your eyes open. You look down at Val, stroking her beautiful hair. "That was incredible," you whisper to her.
	Val sits back, licking her lips and wiping her face. She caresses your thighs for a little while as you come back to your senses. Once you've recovered a bit, Val stands up and strips off her dress. She drops it to the floor in a heap, and stands before you wearing only a lusty smile. You take a moment, as always, to admire her amazonian figure. She strikes a sexy pose for a moment, then kicks the dress aside and lies down on the couch.
	"Whenever you're ready, hand me that pitcher and start eating my pussy," she purrs.
	Val doesn't need to tell you twice. She grabs the pitcher with one hand, and grabs your hair with the other as you bury your face in her vulva. She tastes divine-- sweet and musky all at the same time. You spend a long time exploring her with your tongue, but you don't want to miss a single bit of her essence. You can't quite see what she's doing, but her moans are muffled by gulps. What you can see is her stomach swelling more and more as she chugs down the milkshake. Between the leftovers, the lasagna, and the torrent of milkshake, you reckon that Val's belly must be near it's limits. She's really getting off on her gluttony, and your renew your focus to pleasure her pussy. 
	You flick your tongue against her clit, and she immediately shudders. You do it again, and are rewarded with a breathless moan echoing out of the pitcher. But it doesn't last long. Her breathing gets shorter and quicker, but she continues to drink. She gulps down the milkshake with raw force, as if she's dying of thirst and this is the only water in the world. Her moans are now almost incoherent, but she still drinks. You lap up her sweet nectar eagerly, and enjoy every moment of eating her out. You know that she's close. Surely, this must be killing her, but she doesn't give up. You glance up and see Val's thrown her head back and tipped the pitcher all the way back. A moment later, she sets aside the empty vessel and messily runs her tongue around her mouth. She barely makes a dent in the sweet mess dripping down her chin, and she grabs your hair with her both hands, and shoves your face even deeper into her folds.
	Her bulging stomach gurgles and wobbles stiffly, and her moans are now little more than screams of ecstasy. She tastes, smells, and feels so good. Your job is to eat her out and drive her insane with pleasure. She bucks her hips and whines desperately, "Don't stop...fuck, don't...stop."
	"So... full... I need more... Oh God, oh God.... Don't stop...." Her lewd pleas are music to your ears.
	You flick your tongue against her clit as she wails, "Yes! Yes! Harder! Oh my fucking God, I'm coming! Don't stop!" Val grinds her pussy into your face as she comes for what feels like forever. Tears roll down her cheeks and she trembles and trembles and shrieks. As her quaking subsides, she finally lets you up for air.
	"Jesus... What the fuck was that?" Val asks, panting.
	"The best feeling in the world." You grin, between breaths.
	Val holds you at arm's length and looks at you. Her face and neck are still spattered with spilled milkshake.
	"Do that again."
	"What?"
	She doesn't answer. You feel something wet drip from your chin and down your neck. You look down only to see Val's eyes fixated on your mouth with a mixture of lust and love.
	"Do that again."
	You grin, and press your face back into her. Val stiffens as your tongue darts in and out of her slick folds. She bites her lip hard enough to leave a dent, and her knees buckle slightly.
	"Oh fuck yes... That's it... Don't stop..." Val whispers, as you lap up her sweet juices.
	Damn, she tastes so good. She grabs your head, pulls it closer and runs her fingers through your hair. Her other hand grips your shoulder as she grinds her hips into you. She presses your face as far into her as she can get it, almost making you choke. She pushes your head up and down, in small motions at first then gaining momentum.
	"Mmmm..." she hums, watching you eat her out.
	You don't want it to end. You want to feast on her pussy forever and suck on those gorgeous tits for all eternity. Val's thighs shake and her eyes roll into the back of her head as she comes again.
	"Oh my... Fuck." She whispers.
	She plants a hand against the wall to keep herself from falling. She stares at you, opens her mouth to say something, then closes it and stops.
	"I... I can't get over how good that felt... I have to say this."
	You lean back, working your jaw and feeling sensation return to your tongue. You look over Val and she's a gorgeous gluttonous mess. Her upper body is still splattered with spilled milkshake, and her belly looks ready to pop. You can make out some beads of sweat across her body, and she slowly, gingerly brings her hands up to rub her stuffed gut. She'd be a dead-ringer for pregnant, but you know that belly is only full of food and dessert.
	"Val, what's wrong?"
	"Nothing. I just... Shit... That was amazing... I need to stay here and rest for a while though..."
	"Do you want some help cleaning up?" You ask.
	Val finally surveys herself and sees what a mess she's made. She laughs a little, before wincing and soothing her aching gut. "I'm gonna need your help. I might explode if I move too fast, hah...." She says.
	You duck into the kitchen and dig out a couple clean towels. You wipe Val's remnant juices off of your face, and sit down next to her on the couch. You start licking the globs of milkshake off of her as she giggles at your tongue. You giggle too, "I might have to eat more things off of you! They always seem to taste better that way." You make the last few stray globs disappear with tender kisses, then hand Val the towel so she can dry off a bit.
	"That was fantastic." She smiles as she dabs the sweat from her face.
	"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
	"I... Ooooh! I have another request." Val Says, grinning at you.
	"Oh?" You ask.
	"Can you make me a joint?" Val asks. "My tummy never aches as much when I'm stoned, and I need the help tonight, hah...."
	Val genuinely looks torn between gluttonous and post-orgasmic bliss, and the practical discomforts of a distended belly. You can see the strain on her face, and hear her guts churning and sloshing. You can only imagine how she feels.
	"Anything for you, baby," you say. You dig in the now-familiar side table, roll up a fatty, and hand Val the weed and a lighter. She takes a deep hit, holding the smoke in for about a good five seconds before releasing it.
	"I just... Ooff! Shit my tummy is killing me!" Val complains, wincing and clutching her belly.
	"You'll get used to it." You kiss her forehead, and she leans into you. She wraps an arm around you, holding you tightly as you massage her stomach. You pause a moment to take your share of the weed. You light it up and take a huge drag. You hold it for about three seconds before releasing, and you hands are light and numb. You dispose of the burnt end, and return to ease Val's overfilled stomach. All four of your hands work in concert, and she feels amazing to your touch. She softly coos and moans in relief.
	"It's been so long since I've had someone to help me... I feel so much better." Val says. "Never thought I'd ever really get to be myself..."
	"You're amazing," you giggle, "and don't you forget it."
	Val's body begins to relax, and she closes her eyes.
	"I'm not sleeping," she purrs, "I'm just really relaxing and enjoying this feeling. How about you turn on the TV?"
	"Sure thing," you say.
	You flip the channels for a moment, but end up settling on some nature show. You figure Val will just fall asleep, so you lean back and relax too. Time passes in a comfortable haze, and you find yourself rooting for the various predators featured on the show. You're still pinching yourself. This is all too good to be true. You decide to bring up something you've been wanting to ask Val.
	"Hey Val?....."
	"Mmmm." She replies.
	"What's your favorite animal?" You ask.
	Val thinks for a moment, "Cat... ummm... dog... horse... monkey... ooh, and bear!" She says.
	The two of you cuddle and keep watching nature shows as your heads slowly clear. During a segment on tropical lizards, you realize you're feeling sober again. It's not terribly late, but you glumly figure that you should head home soon. Val's comfortably splayed across you, and you're not going anywhere with her there. You'd just have to awkwardly roll her onto her stomach to get her off of you. A dilemma.
	You decide to make the most of your remaining time with Val, and delay the inevitable as long as possible. She does eventually stir, sitting up and looking at you. "It got chilly," she remarks. "You were keeping me plenty warm," you joke.
	"Yeah but you don't have a belly full of shake sapping all your heat," she retorts.
	Val slowly and delicately rises to her feet, one hand on her rounded tummy. She pauses a moment to burp, then bends down and retrieves her dress. She pulls it over her head and shoves her arms into the sleeves before doing up the front. She turns, and you find yourself staring at the most beautiful creature on earth. She smiles, and shuffles back to the couch and settles back on top of you again. "You feeling less cold?" you ask.
	"Better," she says, stroking your face.
	She leans in to kiss you, and you wrap your arms around her. Her lips are warm and soft against yours. When the kiss ends, you stare into her bright blue eyes.
	"Thank you," you say.
	"For what?" she asks.
	"For a lovely evening."
	Val smiles and nods. "It was for me too."
	The two of you stare at each for a moment, before she leans in to kiss you again. This one lasts a little longer.
	"I should be heading home," you say, as if suddenly remembering.
	"Oh. Yeah, you've got work tomorrow right?"
	"Monday through Friday.... Just a part of the rat race," you reply.
	Val begins to slide off of you, and you try not to groan.
	You slowly get up and retrieve your clothes, donning them as you do. Val watches you dress. "You can come over whenever you like," she says brightly. "Call it a standing invitation," she adds.
	You smile and nod. "Thanks Val. I'll definitely take you up on that." As you head to the door, she rushes up and wraps her arms around you from behind.
	She whispers in your ear, "I'll even let you feed me as much as you like," and nibbles your earlobe.
	You reply, "What if I want to feed you a whole lot?"
	"Then I'll eat a whole lot. Simple as," she whispers back.
	"Tsk, promises, promises," you say with a smile.

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8 – Dr. Rohaz

	The week proceeds both too slowly and too quickly. You job fades into background noise, even on the busier days. You haven't visited your favorite sandwich shop lately, but you vaguely resolve to swing by again soon. Every evening is spent with Val, and every evening is suffused with good food, and toe-curling oral for both of you.
	Val's a masterful cook, and she seems to delight in tempting you into gorging yourself. Even in spite of her delightful cooking, you consistently manage to not pig out (too much).  You're unsure how she does it (and you're certainly not going to ask), but she manages to always look a little hungry even after stuffing her face.
	Friday comes and goes, but not before the two of you get a proper sit-down dinner at a fancy seafood place. You insisted on paying, and enjoyed the feeling of providing for your generous, powerful, and independent girlfriend for once. The bill was worth it just to see Val scarf down a whole family meal single-handedly. The intimate session that followed involved restraints, merciless oral pleasure, and safewords. Saturday morning dawns on you and Val naked in bed together, still sore and sweaty from the previous night's sexy exertions. You look down to see a gorgeous, pale naked woman pressed up against you.
	"Mmmm... were you thinking about me again?" she asks.
	"I've had dreams like this," you groggily mutter and draw Val closer. "But you're the real thing, you're better than a dream come true."
	"You're probably the best thing that's ever happened to me," she smiles warmly and embraces you tightly.
	You snuggle together for a long moment, taking in each other's warmth. The sun shining in, you feel yourself slowly waking up.
	"So.... we were meeting Dr. Rohaz.... when?" you ask.
	"Oh yes! Her lab is in one of those newer buildings, the ones that keep going up, you know where I mean?"
	"No. Should I have?"
	Val laughs, "It's ok. She's chill, we should be fine so long as we're there around 11."
	"11?" you ask.
	Val rolls her eyes and playfully presses you into the bed. "Yes, eleven! As in one hour past ten."
	You groan and laugh roughly as she squeezes some air out of your chest.
	Val relents and rolls over to check her phone. She huffs and whines, "It's almost 10... We should get up."
	You don't reply, instead you bury your head under the pillow and attempt to block out the light. Of course, you're unsuccessful, and you give in.
	"Fine! I'll get up."
	You roll out of bed, and pull on some clothes as Val does the same. Dressing is slowed by the giggly ass-grabbing and groping you both indulge in, but you don't mind. Finally, you manage to pull on a pair of jeans and a shirt. You look over to see Val finishing getting dressed. She's wearing a cute loose plaid shirt contrasting with a pair of tight-fitting jeans. She could make a trash bag look good.
	Val finishes buttoning up her top, then ushers you downstairs for some coffee and breakfast. You do your best to avoid discussing the upcoming medical appointment, though it takes up a lot of space in your mind. You end up coming up with entire conversations to steer clear of the issues at hand, and you succeed. After some toast and some brewed goodness, you're on your way downtown. You're driving, since Dr. Rohaz told Val that there might be tests. Rather ominous way to phrase that.
	You pull into the parking garage under Dr. Rohaz's building. The building is a large medical professional center, with many clinics and laboratories within its floors. You park the car, head into the lobby with Val, and look for Dr. Rohaz's clinic on the directory. You find the clinic with no issues, and head inside. The receptionist looks up and smiles when she sees you both. She is a middle-aged, jovial woman who immediately stands up from her desk to greet you.
	"Good morning! How are you both this fine day?" she says cheerfully.
	"I'm good, and you?" Val asks.
	"Great! And you? I don't think I've seen you before...?"
	Val answers, "Valentine Sojka, here to meet Dr. Rohaz at 11?"
	"Oh, of course! Dr. Rohaz is expecting you both, just go on in."
	The receptionist motions towards an open doorway on the opposite side of the waiting area, then sits back in her seat and smiles at the two of you.
	Seems a little strange. The receptionist didn't log Val in or phone ahead in any way. Nevertheless, Val grabs your hand, tugs, and leads you towards the doorway.
	You walk into a hallway. A large window at the end lets the sunny day pour in. All the doors in the hall are closed, save for one. Val leads again, and enters before you. You catch a glimpse of the nameplate beside the door just before following Val in. Sure enough, it reads: "Dr. Leona Q. Rohaz, MD/PhD," and a bunch of other technical-looking titles that you didn't catch.
	You follow Val into an airy, well-lit office. A few awards and scientific accolades hang from the walls, but you focus your attention on the desk at the center of the room. A slender Latina woman in a snappy labcoat and rimless glasses looks up from some papers. Her large brown eyes briefly meet yours, before flicking over to Val. The woman stands up and walks around to the front of her desk, extending a hand towards Val. "You must be Valentine. It's good to meet you in person," she says in a lightly-accented voice.
	Val grips her hand and pumps it vigorously. "The pleasure is all mine, I assure you."
	Dr. Rohaz smiles, turns her attention to you, and offers you her hand. "You must be Anon. Val has spoken quite highly of you." What did Val tell you!? You scream internally, but keep your poker face and offer Dr. Rohaz a crisp, businesslike handshake. "Only good things, I hope," you quip with your best businessman charm.
	"Only good things, I promise," she replies.
	Dr. Rohaz returns to sit behind her desk, and you and Val pull up seats before her.
	"Before I begin, would you like something to drink?" Dr. Rohaz asks. "Some water? Coffee?"
	"No, we're fine, thank you," you both reply.
	Val quickly explains that she summarized her earlier conversation with the doctor to you earlier. Dr Rohaz gets right to business then. "Val, I've been going over your records from Dr. Kovacs. There's a particular screening I'm surprised he never ordered."
	"What's that, then?" Val asks.
	"Val, I believe you may have myostatin-related muscular hypertrophy. It's a genetic condition that would neatly explain your exceptional muscle mass."
	"Oh," Val says, looking down. "Is that bad?"
	Dr Rohaz's face shapes into a comforting, motherly smile, "Not at all. It makes you rather unique for sure, but there's no implications for your health."
	"How... how common is it?"
	"It affects one in ten million, so I'd wager that there are a few people like you out there."
	The doctor continues, "Now, the condition is genetic. That, plus your exceptional metabolism, suggests to me that a whole-genome sequencing of your DNA may give us a lot of answers."
	You cut in, "What kind of answers?"
	Rohaz replies without missing a beat, "Confirmation of a mutation to Val's MSTN gene for starters, which would conclusively diagnose hypertrophy. I believe there may be at least one other genetic factor in the phenomena Val has described."
	"You lost me at 'phenomena.' " you say.
	"My appetite and staying skinny," Val says helpfully.
	Val addresses Rohaz, "I do recall you mentioned sequencing might be called for. You've got the form regarding my genetic IP rights?" she asks.
	Rohaz nods, "I have a consent form ready to go. You'll need to sign that before we can proceed with the sequencing."
	She continues, "I'm a firm believer in open medicine, just like the old Sir Frederick Bunting. You'll have final say on any sort of usage of your genes, and you'll be entitled to royalties and acknowledgment if any commercial usage emerges."
	You look to Val, who replies, "Yep. I looked over the form after we spoke. I'll sign that consent form ASAP. If getting my genome sequenced will get me some answers, then I'm all for it."
	Dr. Rohaz nods, and retrieves a sheet of paper from an organizer on her desk. She slides it over to Val and hands her a pen. Tense silent minutes pass as Val reads the form. Abruptly, she sets the form down, clicks the pen, and scratches her signature onto the document.
	"Thank you. And I must say I appreciate clued-in patients," Dr. Rohaz says. After another moment of silence, the doctor continues, "My laboratory is equipped with a state-of-the-art sequencer device. My group could start analyzing your genome in a matter of hours. Val, I know this is abrupt, but I sense that you're eager to move forward. If you're ready now, one of my techs can take a blood sample and start the sequencing process."
	You and Val look at each other. The doctor waits patiently.
	"I'm ready," Val says resolvedly.
	"Okay then, let's get started," Dr. Rohaz says.
	The doctor gets up and leads the two of you to a room down the hall. The three of you enter a laboratory. A dizzying array of computerized gizmos, packages of equipment, and bottles of reagents fill the shelves. The doctor rounds a corner, and comes to a cubicle near the spacious window. A lanky, dark-haired man is working on a computer. Or rather, he frantically minimizes a Craftmine window and tries to look busy. Dr. Rohaz bemusedly introduces her postdoc, Vincent. Your group starts working its way back out of the lab, and Vincent rebuilds his composure and grabs a few things along the way. The four of you enter a bright but sterile-feeling exam room with a great view of downtown.
	You stand and reassuringly hold Val's hand as Vincent slides a needle into Val's arm and fills a small vial with crimson blood. He withdraws the needle and adheres a cotton ball onto the puncture site. "All done!" he announces cheerfully, "And I'm off to do some science! Nice meeting you - Val, Anon. Leona, I'll let you know once the sequencing is done." Vincent exits the room, gently latching the door behind him. Dr. Rohaz turns to you two.
	"We should have Val's genome sequenced in about an hour. After that, it's just a matter of simple pattern matching to see if any genes are interesting."
	She checks her watch, "Would you and Val care to join me for lunch? My treat."
	You look at each other, and briefly consider declining. You're all a little hungry after the morning's events. Val beats you to it. "Lunch sounds great. Need some nutrients to make up for all the blood Vincent just took," she laughs. Dr. Rohaz laughs too, "Come on, then. There's a nice little cafe on the ground level."
	The doctor swings by her office and doffs her lab coat. She's dressed in a smart green blouse with black trousers. The color selection nicely compliments her olive-toned skin and the fit works well with her willowy frame. You, Val, and the doctor make small talk as you work your way to the ground floor. Mostly it's Dr Rohaz wowing you and Val with facts about the impressive state of modern medicine. Her extensive knowledge about the human body is somewhat intimidating. When you reach the cafe, the three of you sit down at a table by the window. You order soup, Dr. Rohaz orders a Mediterranean salad, and Val orders a sandwich. 
	The food is good, the ambiance is pleasant, and Leona is a far cry from the stuffy academic you expected. Still more than a little intimidating though. Her rimless glasses give an incisive look to her affect, but some laugh lines around her eyes bespeak a warm spirit. You eat your soup, watching the crowd of people walking by. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so do you: you begin to inquire about the doctor's line of work.
	"I don't think I've ever had lunch with a working doctor," you remark, perhaps incautiously. Dr Rohaz is unbothered. "You're worried I'm starting a conflict of interest." Her tone is light and playful.
	She explains, "In my research, I rely on a relationship with my patients and my subjects. In our case, there's only one Val. I can't gin up a 'control Val' with statistically-average muscle mass. Also, the relationship is two-sided. Ms. Sojka wants to learn more about herself." You like this doctor.
	"What's the deal with the food? Is it an experiment?" You ask.
	Leona laughs, "It's just lunch."
	An amused silence follows. Val breaks it by bringing up the elephant in the room. "Dr. Rohaz, did Dr. Kovacs say why I really wanted this exam done?"
	The doctor's smile fades. "Yes he did. He was quite clear about your ulterior motive. Ms. Sojka, you're an adult, you don't need me to lecture you about the risks of deliberately accumulating extra weight."
	She continues, "Michael didn't contact me because I'm an endocrinologist. He contacted me because of my research on the biochemistry of weight gain, both fatty and muscular."
	A pause. You chime in, "Dr Rohaz, I read several of your papers. Some of the things you did in your mouse models are truly astonishing. I was most floored by one paper where you effectively cured obesity in mice." A tumble of technical jargon comes out of your mouth, but Dr. Rohaz isn't looking at you like a babbling fool. She's another flavor of surprised.
	She cuts you off. "Yes that was the study that got a lot of attention, but I'm surprised you know it in such great detail. The journal I published in doesn't have a lot of circulation." You have no idea how, but you sense that you've screwed up. Were you supposed to have access to all those papers?
	You lie, "One of my cousins is in college and he let me borrow his academic credentials." Dr. Rohaz subtly narrows her eyes, and you feel somehow dissected. She doesn't press you on your faux pas, however.
	Val speaks up, "Leona, did you say something about curing obesity? That sounds incredibly difficult."
	The doctor nods and chuckles.
	"For all the diseases we've cured in mice, and all the ways we've enhanced them, by rights they should have ascended or evolved by now."
	"So," she continues, "Cure is perhaps a strong word. But 'blocked the negative effects of' obesity is less catchy."
	You nod assent, and Dr. Rohaz explains, "We found a hormone and signal protein cascade that was responsible for the principal negative effects of weight. And we interrupted it."
	Val's eyes look ready to roll out of her head. You mentioned this project to her before, but she's enraptured to hear about it from the source. She inquires, "So you wound up with a bunch of chubby mice that were healthy save for their size?"
	The doctor replies, "Precisely. And I'm currently seeing if something similar can be done in humans."
	"Incredible," Val breathes. "And I think I see where this is going. You suspect I might have another piece of the puzzle."
	The doctor stares at Val, and nods slowly.
	Val lets out a little chortle. "You do have a great physique for a woman in her forties."
	Val's hand flies to her mouth, "I don't know why I just said that...." And she starts to blush. Dr. Rohaz's face darkens too, and she looks bashful. "Nothing to be ashamed of, and thank you for the compliment. It is funny though...." she trails off for a moment and looks distant.
	She speaks again, "Does the name Marsha Espinar sound familiar?"
	Val shakes her head, you do too. The doctor explains, "She's one of my aunties, and she was a fairly prominent body-positvity activist and BBW fashion model. This was years ago, when the movement was still picking up steam."
	"I'm remembering a little bit now," you say. "The name didn't immediately ring a bell, but I remember seeing her on TV a few times. I recall that she was very articulate, and very glamorous."
	You also remember her fetishy erotic photoshoots, but keep that part to yourself.
	"Yes!" The doctor's face lights up with happy memories. "I'm very close with her. She worked with my Auntie Rosa. Rosa was a big lady too, but she preferred to stay out of the limelight and write."
	Her face falls again, "I never saw their size as anything strange or bad. They were just my big, fun, glamorous aunties who sometimes went on TV..."
	"Their weight eventually caught up with them. Marsha had a heart attack, but survived. Rosa developed diabetes. They both lost a lot of weight, and they're happy and healthy now, but I can't shake the feeling that a certain something disappeared too...."
	Dr. Rohaz hardens with determination, "I'm not like most medical professionals. I can see the writing on the wall regarding population weight trends - hell, the country isn't far from 50% obese. Attacking root causes isn't working, so I want to aim for damage control, so to speak."
	You and Val look at each other, and she asks the obvious, "What can we do?"
	Dr. Rohaz snaps out of her monologue and starts laughing, "Well you're already indulging my monologuing, so that's a great start. Val, I think the best thing you can do is to continue working with me." She looks around the table.
	"Val," she says, "You said you kept food journals from when you started deliberately overeating. I would like to see those entries, if you're willing to show me."
	Val looks down, "You're gonna think I'm a pig."
	Dr. Rohaz puts a hand on Val's shoulder. "Val, I work with patients who have all kinds of extreme obesity and eating disorders. I promise you, I've seen it all before, and I won't judge you."
	Val is comforted at that, and smiles and nods. She fishes around in her purse and extracts her smartphone. She taps a few times on the screen, scrolls a bit, and hands the device to Dr. Rohaz.
	The doctor adjusts her glasses, and starts scrolling her finger over the screen. She's reading intently, and Val looks like she's trying not to scream. About a minute passes, then Dr Rohaz hands the phone back to Val, saying, "Fascinating." 
	Val's words pile on each other a bit as she explains, "I've kept... Indulging since then, but I stopped keeping records after a few weeks. As you can see -" she makes a sweeping gesture over her corded body, " - nothing has stuck."
	Dr. Rohaz nods, "We'll do our best to figure out what's going on. You have my word."
	Val smiles, "Thanks doc."
	A beat.
	"Actually, could you excuse me a moment? I need to visit the restroom."
	Val gets up and walks towards the restrooms.
	Once Val is out of earshot, Dr Rohaz swivels to look at you. Her gaze nails you to your seat. "The obesity cure paper. Where did you find it?" She demands coldly.
	You think carefully before your reply, "Just a basic internet search, I promise. I assumed it was an open journal."
	Dr. Rohaz replies evenly, "I don't publish in open journals. I value sharing of research, but I'm very picky about who publishes, especially a paper like that."
	You swallow hard. "Look, I saved local copies of that paper and a few others. I've got them on my phone!" You dig your own smartphone out of your pocket, pull up the offending pdf, and hand the device to Dr. Rohaz. Her eyebrows practically touch her hairline as she reads.
	She looks up at you, "I didn't write this." She turns the phone to you, and you pretend to study the minuscule text as she continues, "The document you have here is some kind of technical summary of the obesity cure paper. I have no idea where this came from or how you got it."
	You feel a cold sweat creeping down your back. You respond with what you hope sounds sincere, "Doc, you gotta believe me when I say I swear there's no funny business afoot. Just a google search of 'Leona Rohaz papers' and that's one of the documents that came up."
	A silence. You look up to see that she's staring at you, hard.
	"I believe you."
	Relief washes over you, and she drops her voice, "My IT department reported some odd activity a few days ago in the network security logs. Tell me, does 'ALABASTER' mean anything to you?" making air-quotes for emphasis.
	You stare at her blankly and reply "no" with genuine confusion. The doctor hands you your phone back, and settles back into her chair, exhaling heavily. She squeezes her eyes shut and pinches the bridge of her nose, "I believe you, but I think there was a leak from my research servers." 
	You reply, "I had no idea. I can delete those files if you want..."
	"It's ok. What's done is done, just don't spread those around, alright?" She pauses and chuckles a bit, "Whoever broke in is a shitty spy. They only accessed my old research."
	You nod vigorously, "Definitely no copy pasta, I swear!"
	She gives you a wry smile, "Val is lucky to be dating somebody like you. I don't know many men who would go through so much effort to understand and help."
	"It just seems like the right thing to do," you reply.
	She fixes you with that piercing stare again and grins, "You're hoping Val gets fat, aren't you?"
	You choke quietly and stammer, "I... I want her to be happy. This is what she wants, and I'm going to support her."
	The doctor remains unmoved, "I'm not asking what she wants, I'm asking what you like."
	You sigh, "Fine, yes, I like big girls. But I would never ask a woman to gain for me. If they happen to plump up around me, then so be it, but I absolutely believe it has to be their choice. They have to live in that body, after all."
	"Hmm," she seems somewhat satisfied by your answer, but doesn't press the issue. "Well, you're a good boyfriend. I think we're going to get along just fine."
	"Val and I spoke several times before today. Nothing you said just now is a surprise, but I needed to see how you responded to my questioning," she continues.
	You reply, taken aback, "You were testing me?"
	The doctor laughs.
	"Sorry for the misdirection, but I was."
	"That's not very nice," you pout.
	"I knew you were a chubby chaser," she replies.
	Your face flat, you shoot back, "Yeah, because Val told you so, and because I told you so."
	She smirks victoriously, "Yes but also no. I knew when you mentioned remembering my auntie Marsha."
	Your jaw drops in spite of yourself. Fuck!
	"...are you a mind-reader?" You ask numbly.
	The doctor laughs again, "No. I'm just tuned to a particular wavelength of empathy. People have ways of revealing their true feelings about weight and food, and I've learned how to find those tells."
	"So why lunch?" You ask.
	She replies, "I'm Catholic. Food is flesh, and flesh is divine."
	You blink at the unexpected spirituality.
	She adds, "Also I was hungry and I like this place."
	You stare at the doctor for a moment as gears turn in your head. You dare to say, "You stay fit because you want to be healthy, not because you want to be skinny."
	She nods as if expecting such a thing, "Surprised?"
	You shrug, "A little. I thought you'd get mad."
	She smiles and responds, "Not at all. I'm actually pleasantly surprised with how fast you've caught on."
	You stare down the doctor, thinking. After a moment, you offer, "You're a very strange woman. I also think you're a fucking genius."
	Dr. Rohaz blushes slightly and laughs at your compliment. Val re-appears at that moment and retakes her seat. "I missed something good," she says.
	Dr Rohaz speaks first, "Yeah, I was berating your boyfriend for being a chubby chaser and a feeder."
	Your jaw drops and your face immediately burns. You try to speak, but you can't make a sound past your throat. Your face continues to burn, and eventually you give up and swallow the lump in your throat.
	Leona and Val both burst into laughter. The doctor calms a bit and turns to you, "Sorry, that was mean, but I couldn't resist."
	You pout but accept her apology.
	At that moment, the doctor digs her phone out and taps it a few times. "The sequencing is done. Shall we head back to the lab? I don't want to discuss the results here."
	You nod and let the doctor lead the way. She speaks over her shoulder, "Vincent did some quick gene matching too, and he found something interesting. Can't talk about it here, I am a professional, believe it or not."
	You can feel Val's worry and tension as you hold her hand. The walk and elevator ride back to the clinic seems to take an eternity. When you enter the lab, she breaths a sigh of relief. Vincent appears with a sheaf of papers and hands them to the doctor. Dr Rohaz quickly thumbs through it, making the occasional hmmm as you and Val hold your breath. She slides her finger across the page; when she is finished she looks up.
	"Well?" You ask.
	"Good news first, then the bad," The doctor says.
	"My suspicions were correct. Valentine, you have a mutant MSTN gene. This is the root cause of your musculature."
	Val's face sours. "I don't think I like that word, mutant."
	"I understand. It's not a pejorative term in medicine, but I can avoid it if the word makes you uncomfortable."
	"No, it's OK. Continue..."
	"As I was saying, this is the good news. The altered gene just makes Val muscley. No harm, no issues."
	You chime in, "So what's the bad news?"
	Dr. Rohaz sighs and flips through the papers, 
	"Valentine, you have other genes with alterations that we weren't able to place. The MSTN mutation alone doesn't explain your condition."
	Val's face drops. The doctor continues, "We need some time to cross-reference these genes in question. I also hate to say it, but we may need to take some more invasive samples if we want to fully understand what's going on in your body."
	Val's face scrunches and her shoulders slouch, "How invasive?"
	Dr Rohaz sighs and replies calmly, "Val, we may need to take at least one tissue biopsy to figure this out."
	Val's face blanches. You grab her hand and squeeze. She squeezes back.
	Val looks at you, her eyebrows drawn together and her mouth frowning, 
	"Just do it."
	The doctor nods, "Your enthusiasm has me a little off balance, but we can do that today. I suppose it would speed up the analysis. We're going to start with a muscle biopsy. Follow me to the exam room?"
	Val nods, and the two of you follow the doctor. Once inside the plain, but clean, exam room, Dr. Rohaz rifles through cabinets, collecting items and laying them out on a metal tray. You hold Val's hand tight, she returns the grip and tries not to look at the implements the doctor is setting out.
	"So, Valentine, do you want to know what we're going to do?"
	"Might as well." Val says.
	The doctor explains, "I'm going to inject a local anesthetic into your arm, then I'm going to extract a tiny amount of muscle tissue with a needle."
	Val's face is a mask of courage over obvious trepidation. The doctor continues, "You don't have to do this today."
	Val stares at the doctor. "Yes, I do. If this gets me answers even a moment sooner, then I have to do this."
	"I can be brave so long as Anon is here with me," Val turns and kisses you on the lips.
	"Thank you."
	The doctor smiles, "Alright then, let's get to it."
	Val winces as the anesthetic needle pokes into her arm, then relaxes as she feels the cooling numbness. She doesn't watch, though. Her eyes are fixed on you instead. You lock your eyes with Val's as Dr Rohaz brings the biopsy needle to bear. You see it out of the corner of your eye, and that's all you ever want to see of such a needle.
	Soon enough, the doctor is finished, and is pressing some gauze into Val's arm. Val perks up, "I didn't feel a thing!"
	The doctor chuckles, "Glad to hear it. Your tissue sample should help speed things up, but it might still be a while."
	Val says, "A while? Well how long do you need to analyze my stuff?"
	Dr. Rohaz chuckles again, "Let's have you come back again next week, at the same time. We can discuss any findings then. If we notice something profound before then, well, we will let you know ASAP."
	"That'll work," Val says, "Thanks again. I'll be back next week."
	The doctor bids you farewell and Val confirms the followup with the receptionist. Val holds your hand as the two of you leave the medical building. It seems that all your preparations have worked. Despite the flurry of activity and revelations, it's still pretty early in the afternoon. There's a pleasant-looking park across the street from the medical building.
	"Hey Val, wanna get some ice cream and hang out in that park?" You say.
	"I'd love to!" She beams, "Let's go!"
	
	The two of you promptly locate an ice cream parlor, and order some frozen treats. Pistachio in a cone for you, and a full-on sundae in a waffle bowl for Val. You smile at her characteristic indulgence. 
	The park is a stone's throw from the parlor, and in a moment, you and Val are sitting on a bench. You're each savoring your sweet treats and soaking in this calm patch of nature.
	"Thank you so much, Anon," Val smiles, "You really don't know how much this means to me."
	You wrap your free hand around Val's tight waist, and pull yourself close.
	"I really like you, Val. Do you really like me?" You ask.
	"Of course I like you, silly!" Val giggles.
	You lean into a one-armed hug, but brush against the biopsy site.
	"Ow!" Val groans.
	You apologize and back off. "It's ok," Val says. "Guess the anesthetic wore off... Ice cream will make it better though!" she giggles.
	You're silent for a moment, then speak again. "It's going to be ok. I promise."
	Relaxing back onto the bench, you both begin to enjoy the rest of your ice cream.
	Val finishes first, and crunches into the waffle bowl. She chews thoughtfully for a few seconds, swallows, then speaks up. "I should have figured I was a freak," she says glumly.
	You briefly consider making an innuendo joke, but wisely don't. "What do you mean?"
	Val sighs, "The genetic results..."
	"Val, there's really no such thing as a 'normal' human. Everybody's a mutant in some way. We're both 'mutants' for having fair skin," you point out.
	"Fair skin? That isn't a genetic mutation."
	"Yes it is. All human traits are mutations, scientifically speaking. Even hating cilantro is a mutation!" You laugh.
	Val smiles, but there's still a glum undertone. "I'm just so different from everyone else," she says. She holds her left hand before her face, flexing the fingers and examining the skin.
	"You're unique, that's all. Everybody is."
	Val smiles again, and hold out her hand. You put your hand in hers, and she gives it a squeeze.
	"Well."
	"I still want a big fat ass," she says playfully.
	You laugh, then look into her eyes.
	It's there again. That feeling you get, the one that first drew you to her.
	You really like this girl.
	You reply, "And we're working on that. Just like I said we would."
	Val beams. "Thanks for sticking with me, Anon."
	Feeling happy and hopeful, you stand and lift Val to her feet. You pull her in and reach up for a kiss. Her mouth is cold and sweet. She tastes like vanilla and rich chocolate. The kiss lasts a moment, then you pull away.
	"Let's go home," you say.
	Val smiles, and lets you lead her back to your car. She scarfs down the last bits of her waffle bowl as you walk, and you munch the softened remnants of your own cone. You get in the car, Val does the same, and you drive back to Val's place. The whole time, she holds your hand. She stares out the window at the passing streets, but doesn't seem very interested in where you're going.
	You pull into Val's driveway and park.
	You turn towards Val and ask, "You ok baby?"
	She nods slowly. "Yeah. Just thinking about today..."
	"Do you want to talk about it?"
	"Let's get inside first."
	The two of you go into Val's apartment and get comfy in her living room. She sits curled up on the couch, and you sit next to her.
	"I guess I'm still processing what happened today," Val says.
	"I feel so.... Exposed with my genome sequenced. I trust Dr Rohaz; I don't know how I'd be handling this if it were somebody else."
	"You've trusted me this far haven't you?"
	She laughs nervously and replies, "Yeah, I guess I have."
	She continues, "I'm still nervous about having let other people - doctors! - in on my taboo desire. I'm also overwhelmed at Dr Rohaz's understanding, and maybe the fact that she could help too."
	You move to hold Val's hand, she notices and cants into you. You place your arm around her shoulders in a one-sided hug.
	Val ponders, "It's so dumb. Most people go to doctors to get skinny, I'm going to a doctor because I'm too fit."
	You keep your arm around her, and reply, "Just take it one day at a time, OK? I'm here for you."
	Val nods and replies, "Thanks." She still seems kind of distant, but you don't pry.
	Val turns on the TV, and you manage to not groan when she settles on a dumb reality show. You let her zone out as the characters and their ridiculous drama unfolds.
	After a few minutes, she turns to you, "If they come up with a treatment, I just hope it doesn't need a needle..."
	Val gingerly rubs her biopsy site, and you notice a bruise spreading under her bandage. You gently brush her hair back away from her face, "Hey, don't worry about any of it. We'll get through this together."
	Val smiles a bit, and leans into you. You put your arms around her and squeeze.
	"I guess I just hate the waiting," she pouts.
	"Just try not to think about it maybe? The doctor will keep us updated, and there's nothing we can do here to speed things up, so why worry?" You offer.
	She cocks her head to the side as if thinking about it, then replies, "Yeah, you're right."
	You and Val stay cuddled up on the couch watching TV for most of the day.
	
	The evening rolls around, and you're still having a chill day with Val. The two of you alternate between playing on your phones and watching some TV. At some point as the sun hangs low, a notification pings: "You have a new message", from an unknown number.
	The message reads:
	Greetings, dear one.
	It is I, the Harbinger.
	I trust you received my letter?
	Indeed, I am pleased to see that you have a stable relationship with another. Does your girlfriend know about us?
	Your blood freezes in your veins. You stare at your phone as though it were some hideous thing. "Val...." You manage to choke out. Val looks over and you turn the screen so that she can read it. She looks just as shocked as you.
	"Oh, fuck." She utters.
	The letter continues:
	I'm sure you may be wondering why I have chosen you. I'll keep this short. You are the only one that I saw fit to contact, hence why I left you my number instead of just visiting.
	You are an interesting one, dear one. An average one that has taken a path that I have seen others take, but choose to ignore. You are a rebel that doesn't know it.
	What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck. Spam! This has to be spam! A prank!
	No additional messages arrive. You wait a few moments, then compose a response: "Who are you? Are you some kind of spammer?"
	You get a reply in a few seconds: "Ha! dodged that one. My name is Ken, and yes I am a spammer."
	Motherfucker. You angrily block the number, deliberately stabbing into the confirmation button on the screen.
	"Who was it?" You hear Val ask.
	"Some spammer named Ken." You mutter.
	A tense moment passes.
	Val asks' "Are you ok, baby?"
	"Yeah, just annoyed."
	"It'll be alright," she replies, and pecks you on the cheek. "Are you getting hungry?"
	Your stomach answers for you, growling under Val's hand. "Yeah...." You reply.
	"I want..... Burgers!" Val declares. "I'll drive this time," she offers.
	"Isn't your arm still sore?" You push back.
	"It's feeling better, and I'm hungry now too."
	Despite yourself, the idea of a juicy, delicious, charbroiled burger sounds really good right about now. "Fine, let's go eat."
	Val drives the two of you to a trendy burger place, called the Grilled Cow. They have a cool cow statue out front, which is a nice touch. The statue is flashing an enormous grin, and its teeth are adorned with an obvious facsimile of gold and gems. You roll your eyes, but grin at the low-hanging visual pun. Upon entering, you look around. Most of the people inside are college-aged, dressed in hipster clothing. You and Val both look about college-aged, and her plaid shirt gives off hipster-ey vibes. None of the patrons bat an eye at you.
	"Let's sit by the window," Val suggests. "Then we can people-watch while we eat."
	The two of you find a table and sit. A waitress quickly swoops in, handing you and Val menus. You thank the waitress and focus on the menu. You glance up to see Val staring at her. The waitress is quite chubby,  and has a cute, ukelele-playing cat tatoo on her arm. She leaves to fetch your drink orders, and Val of course ogles her as she leaves.
	"Damn, she's cute," Val says.
	"Yeah... But not as cute as you," You agree.
	Val smiles smugly at your compliment. The waitress returns with your drinks: iced tea for you, and soda for Val.
	"What're you having?”
	You order a mushroom and swiss burger. Val orders a double bacon cheeseburger and cautions the waitress that she'll call for seconds later. The two of you laugh as the waitress pours your drinks and leaves.
	"So, what's up?"
	Val smiles and sips at her soda, winking at you over the top of it.
	"Nothing much. Just working, watching TV, being with you."
	It's your turn to beam. Val smiles at you warmly. You make small talk for a little while, then the waitress appears with your food. Burgers sit in front of you and Val in all their aromatic, steaming, greasy glory.
	You wink at Val, "You're gonna get fat if you keep eating like this," but she's already taken the first bite of her burger, so she only smiles and moans in ecstasy.
	"I can only hope so," she says through a mouthful of meat.
	You're starving, so you tear into your own burger. The mushrooms in particular are delightful, you make a note to try this place again. When you finish, you're stuffed. You roll your shoulders, and look out the window. The sun's finally fallen, it's dark outside now. Val looks at you expectantly, her plate already cleansed of any remaining morsels.
	"Do you want any more?" She asks with a playful tone.
	"Oof, nope." You reply.
	"Oh well. I'm still ordering seconds," she says.
	Sure enough, Val motions the waitress over and asks for a full-on second burger meal. This time it's on Texas toast with a side of potato wedges. She eats it like a champ, dunking every bite into a bowl of ranch dipping sauce. In what seems like the blink of an eye, Val's second dinner is gone too.
	"I think I'm full now," she says, patting her belly contentedly.
	"Are you sure?" You ask jokingly, "Maybe we should get you a whole roasted cow!"
	Val laughs, "Well... I wouldn't turn that down."
	You both laugh as you head to the counter to pay the bill. Val covers her own portion of the bill, and you sigh internally with relief. You couldn't afford dating Val if she weren't into going dutch.
	"...Thank you." You say to the cashier, as you note the amount on the bill. "You are too kind."
	"Anytime, handsome," she replies. 
	The two of you walk out of the restaurant hand-in-hand. You steal a kiss just as you reach Val's car.
	"Well, that was quite the evening," she says.
	"...Yeah." You reply absentmindedly, staring at her face.
	"What's wrong?" Val asks.
	"Just distracted by your pretty face," you reply dreamily.
	Val giggles, "You're such a charmer."
	"No, I really mean it. You're really pretty."
	Val smiles and blushes, "Well thank you, you're definitely handsome."
	"I have one last thing to ask you, and then I just wanna go back to your place and cuddle on the couch."
	"Shoot."
	"Well... Do you drink?"
	Val raises an eyebrow, "Drinking?"
	"Yeah, do you drink?"
	"Sometimes! We had wine at The Gorge, remember?"
	You feel dumb, but attempt to cover, "To be fair, that was just one detail from that night. It was easy to forget!"
	Val laughs, and pushes you towards the passenger door. The two of you get into Val's car, and buckle in. She starts the car, and addresses your remark once she gets going.
	"You know I like my weed, but I don't like to smoke until the evening. Similarly, I like to only drink or smoke on a given day. Since I don't have a normal job, I think it's smart to have a little discipline."
	"That's smart," you reply.
	"Why do you ask about drinking?" Val asks.
	"Just curious," you reply.
	Val slows to a stop at a traffic light and looks at you, "It's a Saturday though," she says with a cheeky smile. "And brunch is on for tomorrow to help with any potential hangovers..."
	Your eyes light up as Val tempts you, "Well, let's get fucked up tonight then!"
	"Good boy," Val purrs as the light turns green and she accelerates.
	The rest of the car ride is filled with dirty jokes, loud laughter and a general having a good time. 
	
	Soon, you pull up to Val's place.
	Val parks her hybrid and herds you back to her place with kisses and ass-grabbing. The two of you rummage through her kitchen for drinks of choice and flop onto Val's couch. You've pulled out a few cans of beer, and Val pops the cork on a bottle of white wine. She isn't planning on sharing. You tap your respective containers together, and take long swigs. You chug your beer and emit a throaty belch. Val laughs and teases you, "Did they teach you that in college?" You give her a dirty look and continue drinking.
	"So, what all did you do in college?" Val asks, sipping her wine.
	You crack open another can to stall for a moment. You bring the can to your face before muttering, "Business," and taking a quick sip.
	Val rests her head on her hand and snickers, "So I'm guessing you had plenty of time to party then."
	You consider getting annoyed, but you then notice the liquid level in Val's bottle - she's killing that wine. You decide to be cheeky in response, "Yeah I did! Had tons of fun corrupting girls to make their freshman 15 into a senior 50," you say, finishing your drink.
	"Hm, it's amazing what you can accomplish with a few drinks under your belt." Val replies, setting down her bottle.
	She lays back, and unbuttons her jeans. You practically drool as Val also undoes most of her shirt buttons and ties the fabric into a makeshift crop-top.
	"God I love midriff," you say lustily, reaching over to Val's bulging tummy. You touch her navel and massage it slowly, "So many muscles," you say in awe.
	Val giggles and playfully slaps your hand away,
	"This is your old fratboy playbook, isn't it?" Val starts opening another bottle of wine.
	"Do you want it to be?" you ask slyly, reaching for another can.
	"Maybe," Val says, coyly.
	"It's amazing what happens when you make a girl comfortable enough to indulge around you," you remark.
	Val swallows some wine and giggles as she playfully pushes at you, "So you graduated to full-on fattener in college?"
	"I figured it would be fun to let my inner devil out a little bit. Plus it was easy! Fat was the new trend, and all the party girls wanted to show off muffin tops, big titties, and wobbly asses." You brag, proud of your choice in language.
	"So what did you do?" Val asks, smiling.
	"Got girls drunk, which got them to eat greasy food, which then got me laid. Rinse and repeat to create a chubby party girl." You say, in your best 'fratboy' voice.
	"How did it end?" Val asks with a smile.
	You make a performative sad face, "I graduated. It'd be creepy to keep partying with college kids once you're out..." You trail off.
	Val snickers, then whispers in your ear, "All this talk is giving me an idea."
	"What's that?" you ask.
	Val pulls out her phone and starts tapping on it. She takes great care to hide the screen from you as she taps. A moment later she grabs the TV remote and changes the input away from cable. You start a little as a porn site appears on the screen. You don't even have time to read the video title before Val plays it, but you catch the word "BBW" somewhere. An enormous woman with a huge belly, thick thighs, and a waterfall of wavy black hair appears on the screen. She wears a robe and is chewing on a massive donut.
	"Holy shit..."
	"That's Darkwylde," you remark.
	"Yeah...." Val says dreamily, one hand already caressing between her thighs.
	"Oh!" She snaps awake for a second and pauses the video. "Almost forgot the pot!" she giggles with a light slur.
	Val sits forward and twists to reach into the side table. In a few moments, she's got a fat joint in her lips and is bringing the lighter close. She takes a deep inhale and begins to exhale, "Wagon wheels... huff... until my lungs are aflame... huff..." Her face scrunches up and she begins shuddering, "Fuck, that's strong. Here you go."
	She hands the joint to you. You take the joint and take a long, slow drag. You hold the smoke for several seconds, then breathe out a thick cloud and cough a bit in spite of yourself. You look over at Val, she's got one hand on her crotch, and that second wine bottle in the other. She's looking away from you, but when you wink and give her a little smile she responds by grinning and giving you a nod.
	Then, the video resumes.
	Val is in a hedonistic haze, cooing with pleasure as she lazily fondles herself and swigs her wine. You sport a powerful but awkward boner - does Val want you to masturbate with her? Undecided and a touch uncomfortable, you keep your cock in your pants, crack open yet another beer, and turn your attention to Darkwylde on the screen. The obese singer sensually eats the donut and starts caressing her wobbling curves. Even under the loose robe, you can tell that she's massively fat.
	"F-fuck," Val hisses.
	The singer begins to unrobe, slowly revealing her fleshy body. Darkwylde opens the top of her robe, exposing her soft chest and her watermelon-sized breasts. Her face contorts with pleasure as she tweaks both of her nipples simultaneously. Then, she uses both hands to lift one nipple to her mouth. She licks and bites her own tit, moaning and shivering as she does so, then she repeats with the other breast.
	Val turns her head and looks at you. Her eyes are glazed and bloodshot, she's breathing hard, and she seems high as a kite.
	"W-what?" she slurs.
	Lusty moans and phrases sound from the TV as Val looks at you. "It's ok baby, you can get your dick out," She clumsily fails to open your fly and giggles, "Just save your cum for me, ok?"
	As if in slow motion, you reach under your waistband and start stroking your aching cock. Val looks on in lewd approval for a moment, then turns her attention back to the video. Darkwylde has opened her robe all the way now, showing off her doughy, apron-like belly. It hangs halfway to her chubby knees, easily obscuring her sex. The singer rubs her hands over her flab, and between her folds, one hand sliding deep into a fold to tease her pussy. She moans ecstatically as she penetrates her folds with her clammy fingers. Then, the singer turns her attention to her neck. She begins caressing the sensitive skin just next to her jaw, "...mmmm, right there," she pants.
	You finally get fed up with your restricted movement, and unzip your pants and thrust your cock through your underwear. Val glances over and bites her lip, "I knew you couldn't resist..." 
	Val's jeans are gone and her panties are bunched around one of her ankles, and she's rhythmically rubbing her glistening sex. Her other leg is hooked over the side of the couch, giving her better leverage to rub her clit. Her free hand still has that wine bottle, and you can see Val has put a big dent in that one too. Your mind is increasingly clouded with lust and indulgence. On the screen, Darkwylde drops her robe and turns around, shaking her enormous ass. Fuck, her thigh must be thicker than your waist! You absent-mindedly reach for another can as you stroke and bask in the lusty ambience.
	"Fuck yeah, shake that fat fucking ass for me..." Val enthuses.
	You sit on the couch, having difficulties focusing on the movie while stroking your cock. Between dinner and the bounty of beer, your belly feels quite sloshy and very full. Somehow, you're into it at the moment and continue drinking your beer.
	"Fuck yeah..." you sigh in satisfaction as the goth icon gyrates and jiggles across the screen, panting and moaning as she does.
	You've jerked to plenty of fat chicks before, but you're utterly engrossed in this moment. Just then, Darkwylde waddles over to a bed and climbs atop it. She drops to all fours, and her quaggy belly touches the bed as she crawls. The singer reaches a platter of yet more donuts, then starts devouring them like a woman possessed.
	"Mmmm, these are good," she pants, still making all her other movements seem subtle. She's propped on her elbows, using both of her pudgy hands to shovel treats into her eager mouth. In moments, her face is smeared with crumbs and frosting. The singer finishes off the platter, then lies atop the crumpled sheets, panting.
	"Fuck... I love donuts...," she says lovingly to the empty room.
	You're utterly lost in this moment, chugging beer and stroking your dick on autopilot. Your belly is absolutely glutted, but somehow it feels good, and you want to keep pushing your limits. Val's breathing and moaning off to your side spurs you on as well. You finish off your beer, and decide to get yet another one. You sit up slowly, impeded by the chemicals in your system and the heavy slolsh of your stomach. Val's moaning reaches a crescendo and you change your plans.
	You slowly look over and see Val's hand deep in her pussy, her legs and abdomen twitching as she climaxes. You heavily flop onto the floor and position your face in front of her glistening pussy. Your hands gently pull Val's aside as you start to drunkenly pleasure her.
	"Hell... yeah..." she moans.
	Your tongue flicks out, dabbing the tip of Val's clit. She lets out a moan, and you switch sides of her clit to lick briefly.
	"Ooohhh... yeah...," she sighs.
	You eat out Val for a few minutes as she continues to shudder and moan. Her hands massage your head, and you feel yourself approaching your limit.
	"I'm... c-coming!" she pants.
	You slide three fingers into her as your tongue continues to dance on her twitching clit.
	"I'm c- coming!!" she screams.
	Val twitches and screams as she comes for what seems like forever. She fills your mouth with her sweet, womanly juice, and you eagerly lap it up. She senses she has stopped, and with one hand pushes your head away.
	"Tha- that was incredible," she says.
	You smile at her as she breathes and recovers. Lusty sounds are coming from the TV behind you. Val sighs, then fixes her eyes on you. "Your turn," she says.
	You heave yourself back onto the couch and clumsily remove your tangled pants. Val kneels before your cock, already dripping with precum. You glance at the screen in spite of yourself, and you behold Darkwylde drinking directly from a carton of melted ice cream. Her other hand works a vibrator under her soft belly folds, and she cries in pleasure between gulps. At this moment, Val starts running her tongue along your cock. You need to focus.
	"Fuck... that's good..." you moan, glancing back at the screen.
	Val's tongue swirls around your head, and she starts sucking. You hold her face tightly as she works her tongue and mouth around your dripping cock. Your hands run through her hair and grip on to the back of her head as you give her all you've got. On the screen, Darkwylde is the picture of indulgent gluttony, spilling ice cream all over her squishy expanses and masturbating ever more furiously. Your eyes dart between the corpulent goth and Val going to town on your cock. Darkwylde looks up at the camera and sits up, licking her lips and smiling. In another few seconds, she's climaxed, collapsing back with a grin.
	It's too much. Val feels your cock tense and braces as you grab her hair stiffly. Your vision fuzzes as you blast what feels like gallons of cum down Val's throat, and you groan wordlessly as your body spasms with every pulse. Val greedily catches every drop, gagging slightly in the process. Your fingers squeeze her scalp as your body continues to shudder with aftershocks. 
	When you're done, you slump back on the couch, sated and worn out. Val kisses her way up your body, eagerly cleaning up any traces of your release before giggling and crawling onto the couch next to you. Apparently ever the hedonist, Darkwylde continues pleasuring herself on the screen. Watching her fat body ripple with every movement is hot, but you're barely conscious and feeling every drop of the beer you guzzled down. Val is faring little better and lies limply next to you.
	Your stomach burbles and churns, and you unleash a fizz-powered belch. Val laughs and rubs your full stomach, and you feel a little better.
	"You gonna leave that playing?" you ask.
	"What did you think of that girl?" asks Val, propping her head up on her hand.
	"She... uh... she was pretty good."
	"She's a lot bigger than I remember," you say slowly.
	"Yeah..." Val says dreamily, "She's so fucking sexy. I love how she makes eating look so sensual even as she makes a big mess..."
	The images on the screen shift, and you hear a new voice.
	"Would you like to see me eat....?" it asks in a thick German-accented English.
	"Is it...?"
	A new porn video starts playing. A tall, blonde woman in leather bondage gear walks into frame. She's bigger than chubby, with particularly pendulous breasts. You notice her pierced nipples.
	"Wow," you say.
	"She's... impressive."
	The woman approaches a smaller man. He's wearing all black, and a hood hides his face. In front of him is a table loaded with a banquet of foods. The man carries a riding crop, and promptly smacks the woman on the ass with it. She yelps, and he directs her to some sort of restraint rig. She eagerly puts herself into it, and he begins feeding her. She eats with abandon, dropping the bones and leftovers to the ground. She licks his fingers with a dirty grin. Sometimes she refuses though, and that earns the woman a smack or several.
	You and Val are still very drunk and sexually spent, but you continue whiling away the evening watching fatty and feeder porn. You feel a little weird about it, but it's not really a big deal. Val is enjoying the smut and your company, and you feel the same way. Mutually masturbating to Val's first girl crush was a new experience, but the two of you clearly had a good time. The on-screen feeder reaches a climax, and so does the bound slave. The feeder slaps the slave on her ass, but she's long since finished.
	More videos automatically play over the next few hours as you and Val drunkenly cuddle. Another obese woman eating desserts and masturbating. A massively fat man and woman having slow but passionate and very jiggly sex. A chubby woman in fetish gear exhorting the watcher to overeat for her pleasure....
	"The internet saved that chubby girl. I can't wait for the day when the entire world is just one big super fat girl, and then we can all live together in peace," Val slurs to nobody in particular.
	"You can be so weird when you're high," you say and kiss Val on the neck. "But that does sound nice," you agree.
	On the screen, several horny young women are pleasuring each other. The women recieving are average-sized, and the women pleasuring them are significantly bigger. You and Val watch it all in silence.
	Your buzz is wearing off, and you feel a burning thirst. You slowly get up and head to the kitchen. Val calls after you, "Bring back some cookies too!"
	You fill a pair of large glasses from the tap and set them on the counter. You rummage through Val's fridge and find a container of homemade cookies. You carefully balance all these items and bring them back to the living room.
	Val is fast asleep, so you gently shake her awake.
	"Wha...." she grumbles, opening her eyes.
	"Here, drink this." You slide a glass under her face.
	Val quaffs the water swiftly, then reaches for the cookies and makes grabbing motions.
	"I can't eat them all alone," she complains, pouting.
	"You're making me worry about my waistline," you laugh and grab a cookie for yourself.
	Val has already devoured one, and looks at you. She pats your full tummy and says, "Maybe I'm not so worried about it myself," she smiles.
	The spot of sweetness and carbs really hits the spot, but you're still feeling thirsty. You down the rest of your water, and grab Val's glass to refill it.
	"Can I get more water, please?" you ask.
	"Of course."
	The water is ice-cold and you greedily gulp it down. Your stomach feels ready to explode, but you're driven to re-hydrate following your drinking. Val idly plays with your swollen tummy and you caress her as you come off your buzz and keep watching fatty porn videos. Val giggles and says, "I wish we could be as big as them."
	"You keep feeding me like this, I will be that big soon," you laugh.
	Val gasps in mock horror, "Nuh-uh! You can't get fat before I do!"
	She makes a show of pouting for a few seconds then starts laughing and kisses you. On the screen, a massive pear-shaped brunette with a chubby face lays on a couch and caresses herself. Two men enter the room and sit down. The brunette gets up, strips off her clothes, then starts giving the men a lap dance.
	You and Val watch the video for a bit before she yawns, stretches and says, "I'm tired..."
	"Me too," you agree.
	You and Val finish up the video, which ends when the brunette jerks off both men simultaneously. 
	Satisfied, drained, and exhausted, the two of you slowly get ready for bed and cuddle under the covers. You think about the past week and a half. You've had such a blast with her, almost too much fun. She's pretty, caring, funny, smart, and you two get along great. It's been a pretty wild ride so far, but you're excited to see what comes next. You quickly drift off into a happy sleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9 – Jen and Vicky

	You wake up the next morning bleary-eyed and fuzzy-headed. Guess you didn't dodge the hangover after all, but you've had worse.
	You look to your left and see Val, who sleeps curled up next to you. She is naked, beautiful and entirely adorable. You run your fingers through her hair and smile. She murmurs and shifts in her sleep but doesn't awaken. Despite your less than stellar condition, you decide to get a little morning stretching in. You carefully roll out of bed and start a routine. You straighten up after some toe-touches and see Val's crystal-blue eyes locked with yours. "Lovely sight to wake up to," she murmurs groggily.
	"Not half," you grin and lean down to give her a kiss.
	She eagerly accepts and pulls you close as your tongues entwine.
	You pull back after a few seconds and laugh, "Morning breath."
	Val giggles too, "Let's get cleaned up, I stink."
	Val lifts the covers away and pauses to let you ogle her naked body. After a giggly, cute moment, she gets up and drags you to the shower. Val turns on the water and lets it run for a bit while you wait. You can't wait to feel that hot water against your skin, wash off the residue of last night and feel fresh all over again. Plus some hot steamy water will feel nice on your hungover brain. The water finally runs hot enough, and you step in. It's so fantastic! You feel instantly refreshed. Val quickly joins you and the two of you scrub each other down.
	Val lingers with her face in the water stream, cooing with delight. "You hungover too?" you tease.
	Val pivots towards you and splashes you with a small amount of water. "I've been better," she giggles.
	You push her back and begin washing her back, "How's your head?"
	"Just a little fuzzy," she purrs as you lather up her tight body. "After two whole bottles of wine? I'd be dead!" You laugh, "You're really something else, maybe your liver has superpowers too!"
	You continue scrubbing as she giggles and complains.
	"That tickles!" she laughs. You take a brief break to kiss her as the two of you rinse off and step out of the shower.
	Once wrapped in big fluffy towels, Val rubs her temple and groans a bit. "Bleh, maybe we should pregame a bit before girls' brunch."
	The relief from the shower is quickly fading, and some toast, coffee, and Advil sounds like just the ticket.
	"You going to be okay?" you ask.
	"Hmm?" Val looks up, "Yeah."
	You give her a worried glance, but she shoots you a reassuring look. After a moment, she digs out a bottle of Advil and leads you to the kitchen. Val's dainty movements in the kitchen are always a delightful contrast to her powerful physique. In a few minutes, you each have before you two slices of hot buttered toast, a mug of rich coffee, and two Advil pills.
	"Thanks baby," you mutter groggily. The moment Val sits down, you slam your pills with a big gulp of coffee and start tearing into your toast. Val does similarly, only inhaling her toast first.
	The moment some food hits your stomach you start feeling better. All the toast is gone in moments, so you and Val shift gears. You make small talk and sip your coffees, enjoying the pleasant, intimate morning. Minutes slip by as you talk, and soon it is time for you to head out.
	Val's head whips around to the oven, reading the digital clock on it. "We should get dressed and get rolling to brunch. I'll drive again," she offers.
	You give her a look. "You really don't have to drive me to and from, baby, honestly."
	She bats her thick long eyelashes at you. "I know, but I want to."
	You make an exaggerated show of giving in to Val's girly persuasion, then agree and kiss her. She then stands up and drops her towel. You stand up too and she pulls away your towel with a single finger and a single movement. Your eyes are drawn immediately to Val's naked body. You admire it like an amazing work of art. She could have been carved from marble. Val wraps her arms around your waist and lifts you off your feet. You gently wrap your legs around her and submit to her greedy lips. You don't know how long you kiss, but you do know that when you finally part you are both breathing heavily. She shifts to support you with one arm and slaps your ass with her free hand.
	"C'mon boytoy, we need to get going." She giggles.
	Val sets you back on your feet and the two of you go up to her room. You quickly dress. You pull on your usual ensemble of jeans and a t-shirt. Val wears a red summer dress with white sneakers. The two of you walk out the door and hop into Val's car. The drive to the diner is easy and uneventful. Val pulls into a parking spot and checks her phone. "Lena and Zoe are already there," she says, "and Jen and Vicky should be here soon too."
	You exit the car and walk into the diner. The same waitress from last week recognizes the two of you and leads you to one of the diner's non-booth tables. You spot Lena's face at one of the seats, and Zoe's fat ass hanging over either side of her seat. She turns and waves you over with an excited smile.
	Zoe is wearing a t-shirt and knee-length tights that cling to her chunky hips and thighs. Lena is wearing a modest purple sundress with a floral pattern.
	"Hey you!" Zoe smiles, "have a seat. We've already ordered for you..." She says, trailing off as if that is a bad thing.
	You sit down and look at the two of them. You cock your head at Zoe, and Lena jumps in, "Coffee. For the whole table. Also maybe a round of orange juice."
	You look between the two ladies, and thank Zoe for thinking ahead. "Some OJ would really hit the spot today," you remark.
	Zoe nods with a smile. "Lena and I are going to share a side of bacon while we wait for our food," she glances at her friend,
	Lena looks surprised. "We are?"
	"Yeah," Zoe answers, "I'm starving already!"
	Lena purses her lips in thought, then announces, "I'm doing it today. I'm going to eat that Big Boss Breakfast and not pass out. But I'm gonna need every bit of space in here," she pats her soft tummy. "Val, Anon, you guys can split the bacon with Zoe."
	You nod in agreement, not entirely sure if sharing a side of bacon is the same thing as passing out. Zoe grins and and nudges you. "The more meat the better!" She laughs.
	The waitress sidles up with the expected coffee and orange juice. When the drinks are distributed, Zoe does indeed order a side plate of bacon. The waitress records the order with a smile and walks to the kitchen.
	"I'm going to be so full," she says, "but I have to try everything."
	Lena gives her a look.
	"All in one sitting? Because it certainly sounds like you'd want to try that."
	Zoe nods. A moment later she bursts out laughing. "I would if I could, even if it meant wheeling me out of here with a forklift! You've seen how much stuff is on the menu here, right?"
	At that moment, the waitress returns with the plate of bacon. She sets it on the table and turns to Zoe with a knowing smirk. "You'd have to be REALLY hungry to eat everything on the menu in one go. I added it up once, you'd be putting away more than 30 pounds of food. And that's before you start going through all the build-your-own combos."
	Zoe pauses for a moment, as though doing some mental math. She pantomimes her belly expanding, as though seriously calculating the prospect of downing more than 30 pounds of greasy diner breakfasts. She seems to come to a conclusion, nodding. "Yeah... It's a good thing we're not at a booth."
	Lena says nothing, apparently shellshocked by the very notion of eating so much, even in jest. The waitress grins and saunters away, leaving the four of you in relative privacy again. The four strips of bacon on the side plate are quickly divided up. You, Val, and Zoe each claim one, and Val and Zoe split the fourth. Lena watches the three of you eat with an unreadable gaze. You assume she's somehow focusing her hunger for later. The crispy meat is gone in a flash. As you're wiping your fingers on your napkin, you see Lena perk up and wave at something behind you. You hear a pair of familiar female voices squeal excitedly shortly after.
	You turn in your seat and see two female figures. Their faces are unmistakable: Vicky's cherubic round face and almond eyes, and Jen's pale high-cheeked countenance.
	"Val! Anon!" they exclaim, waving at the table. They stroll over and embrace Val and, a touch awkwardly, you. You get a good look at the girls before they each wrap you up in a hug.
	Vicky's put on weight. She's wearing tight shorts and a deep-necked tanktop that accentuates her abundant bosoms. Her shirt leaves her flabby midriff well-exposed, and a doughy roll bulges shamelessly over her waistband. Vicky's not especially bottom-heavy, but her legs and hips are soft and dimpled. Her face is soft and round with a fleshy double chin, and her silky black hair is gathered into a simple ponytail. Her eyes are still her dominant feature. They're large and doe-like, and typically make her look vulnerable or embarrassed.
	You exchange quick greetings and small talk, then Vicky maneuvers towards an open seat. You and Jen pause for a moment and look at each other.
	"You made..." you start to say, and then you pause, searching for the most diplomatic way to ask this.
	"A lot of... progress," you finish lamely.
	"Yeah." She cracks a small smile.
	Jen is wearing a knee-length black skirt and a matching tight blouse that shows off a hint of her creamy stomach. Next to your fat lady friends, Jen looks (relatively) slim, but she's definitely carrying a few extra pounds. She wears the weight well, and her height gives her a soft, voluptuous look. Jen also wears a thin leather collar with a stylized heart on it, and her raven hair is cut into a bob that frames her face.
	She pulls you into a brief but warm embrace, then releases you and looks at you for a moment. "I'm still learning to love food, but I haven't relapsed into starving myself," she says a little abruptly. "I... have my limits. I eat until I'm full, and then I stop."
	"That's good," you say, and you mean it.
	Jen looks embarrassed for a moment. "Let me sit down then we can catch up," she says. She sits in the seat opposite you, pauses for a moment and takes a deep breath. "Okay," she says, "Where to begin. It's been an interesting past few years."
	You smile and wave for the waitress, who was already in the process of delivering coffee and juice for Vicky and Jen. The other girls talk amongst themselves while Vicky and Jen focus on catching up with you. Jen goes first. Since high school graduation, she had been working at her father's coffee shop, no more than two blocks away from your apartment. She loved it there, and talked about one day opening her own business. You're surprised to find out that she'd been working so close to you, but are also glad to hear that things are starting to work out for her.
	Jen was about to mention some hobbies she'd gotten into, but the waitress chose that moment to take everybody's orders. Just like last week, Val, Zoe, and Lena put in for Big Boss Breakfasts. Vicky asks for one as well. Jen looks a little embarrassed and lets you order before her. You ask for a hearty yet still reasonable spread with waffles, sausage, and eggs. Jen orders a crepe combo with bacon and eggs, but appears undecided about getting hash browns on the side.
	"You should get the hash browns," you say.
	"I dunno. I don't feel very hungry," she says.
	"I'll make a deal with you. I'll get hash browns on the side too if you do," you offer. Jen lights up a bit but asks, "But what if I can't finish mine?"
	"Then I can eat them for you, so nothing goes to waste," you reply.
	"Deal." Jen smiles.
	The waitress crisply records everybody's orders and heads off to the kitchen. Vicky asks you about your job. You answer in some detail, though there really isn't a whole lot to tell. It's an office job. You do emails, talk to suppliers and customers, and sometimes offer input onto new business plans. You remember that Vicky was admitted to a well-rated engineering program, and you ask her how that went. She admits that it was good, though not great. She enjoyed all the classes she took, but didn't excel in any of them.
	"I did well enough to get an engineering job at a design firm downtown. Still doing my parents proud and living up to their high expectations," Vicky says.
	"They still let me - no, all but demand - that I regularly swing by their restaurant and grab some of their leftovers. You know how they are, they would think they'd failed as parents if I lost any weight," she adds with a laugh.
	Val chimes in, "Omigosh, my grandparents are exactly the same way. They must've fed me constantly whenever I visited them. They must have been beside themselves that I never plumped up. They approved of the muscle but always worried that I'd be cold."
	"Immigrant families, am I right?" Vicky laughs in response. "They were always like 'back in the old country, being fat meant you were successful! Now eat up or you'll bring us shame!' Lucky thing I like food..."
	"They grew up in a very different time," you say.
	"Yeah," Vicky replies. "I don't hate them, hell I do properly love them. They're just.... Their families didn't always have enough to eat, and they never wanted me to experience that." Vicky looks distant, and slightly sad, for a moment.
	"Then again, I can't imagine not loving food, so I'm accumulating this -" Vicky lightly wobbles her squishy tummy - "in all the timelines. Hey, the extra buoyancy helped for swim team!" The table breaks into laughs.
	A moment later, the smell of fried goodness fills your nose. The promised brunches are arriving. Delivering four mountains of fried goodness is beyond the waitress alone, and one of the cooks is helping bring out the food. Zoe, Val, and Vicky look at their breakfast feasts excitedly. Lena is psyching herself up for her inevitable stuffing. Jen excitedly surveys her sweet breakfast, and your own portion looks divine.
	You eagerly dig into your food, and you're immediately filled with contentment. There's just something about diner food. It can't be good for you, but it's just so tasty.
	Juggling conversation with five ladies is tough, and when most of them are chowing down on huge meals, it's all but impossible to stay focused. You spend most of the meal savoring your food and watching your friends. Zoe, bless her, is easily the most vocal and talkative. And somehow, she's making her breakfast disappear as quickly as anybody. Lena isn't saying much, she seems off in her own little world, determinedly shoveling pancakes and eggs into her mouth. Val is smiling and laughing at every little joke. Vicky is... Vicky. Jen's apparent discomfort regarding food seems to have evaporated, and she's already put a big dent into her crepe plate. She's even started getting into her hash brown side. You think you might have seen her this happy before.
	You spend breakfast talking about inconsequential things, bantering, and generally having a good time. You've finished your main plate and are prepping to finish off your hash browns when Jen looks at you.
	"Anon?" She asks.
	"What's up, Jen?"
	"Are you.... Gonna finish those hash browns?" she asks as her face flushes.
	Oh? Time for some of the old Anon fattening magic, it seems.
	Also you do suddenly feel the weight of all the sugar and grease you've put down. You scrape a few morsels of hash browns for yourself, then pass the plate over to Jen with a smile.
	"Go for it," you say.
	"Thanks Anon," she replies. As Jen starts on her extra helping, she remarks, "I just feel more comfortable when I eat with friends..."
	You look over to see how the other ladies are faring. Val and Zoe have finished their Big Boss Breakfasts and are chatting like it was nobody's business. Vicky isn't far behind. Lena looks like she's struggling to finish her massive portion, but her determination is obvious. She forks pancakes and eggs into her mouth between huffs of obvious discomfort. The whole table is watching her, and that only serves to spur her on. A few minutes later, she spears the last morsel of pancake, swallows it, and sways in her seat with heavy eyelids.
	Lena slumps back in her seat, and pats her overfilled stomach with both hands, and grins widely. "I feel... Amazing," she murmurs. "It's only getting easier the more I pig out..."
	She cracks her eyes open and looks at the table. "...Can I have some more?"
	A moment. Lena busts out laughing, and the rest of the table follows. You and the girls settle into small talk as you let your food settle. You look over at Jen and you see she finished her whole meal, plus both her and you extras. She smiles at you and pats her tummy.
	"Hey Jen," you say. "You never did mention what hobbies you had gotten into. Something to do with the internet?"
	"Oh!" she replies, suddenly remembering.
	"Yeah, I actually stream videogames every few days," she explains. "I have a lot of fun and somehow even get some donations. I'm also getting into digital art a bit."
	"Oh yeah? Where can I find your portfolio?" Val asks.
	Suddenly Jen squeaks and hides her face behind her hands. "Don't look my art up here," she barely manages to say. "It's pretty... Racy," she finishes with a giggle.
	Jen does tell you her profile name, however. "All the girls know what I do," she explains, "But I only tell people that I trust. People will think I'm weird!” she giggles.
	"Jen, I won't think you're weird no matter what art you make," you say calmly.
	"I hope so...." She says quietly.
	All the other girls have knowing smiles. They must have seen Jen's art and are staying quiet to spare her feelings.
	Lena slowly looks over and says, "None of us think you're weird, Jen. Everyone deserves to be happy, especially when they're creating."
	"Thank you, Lena."
	Val looks over at you and places her hand on yours. "Was your brunch good again?" She asks.
	"Yeah, it was good."
	Your pals go back to chatting among themselves. You realize you missed the group dynamic with them, and feel a little guilty for falling out of contact. But they're here now, Val fits right in, and it feels like old times. Sure your friends got fatter, but you aren't exactly surprised to see it, and they're happy. Not to mention they're all wearing the weight well. The conversations start to lose steam, and Vicky is the first to break the spell. "It's been great to see everyone, but I gotta get some stuff done today,"
	Everyone murmurs agreement, and the girls slowly stand up amidst a ripple of scraping chairs and groans.
	"That was wonderful, Lena," you say sincerely.
	"Thanks for coming, Anon," she replies, and gives you a big hug.
	You return the favor, minding the comfort of her stuffed gut. "If Val's a regular, then I hope you don't mind if I'm a regular too," you say.
	Zoe starts laughing, "You must really like Val. None of our boyfriends bother with coming here. This isn't even a girls-only thing; it just panned out that way."
	You and Val share a look. The adoration you share is plainly obvious to all.
	"So...Zoe...?" you start.
	"Yeah?"
	"This was nice. It was great to see everybody again, thanks for inviting me."
	Smiles break out around the group. Zoe responds, "It was good to see you too. Though you should know you won't have my full respect unless you can solo a Big Boss Breakfast," she giggles with a cheeky wink.
	Your stomach burbles even at the notion. "Maybe some day, Zoe. Until then I'll just have to accept less," you laugh with a hand on your stomach.
	At that, the group waddles over to the counter to pay their bills. A few moments later, everybody is loitering outside and sharing more small talk. At least until the food comas start to hit. Vicky starts looking a touch unsteady on her feet and pipes up, "Alright kiddos I should get home and nap this off while I can still drive."
	The other overfilled girls say similar things. You all share your proper good-byes and head back to your respective cars. Val leads you back to her hybrid and gets into the driver's side. You hop into the passenger seat and she starts the car. She begins to drive, but immediately swerves it into the next lane to avoid hitting a slowpoke truck.
	"Good reflexes!" You say with an excited chuckle. "No food coma for me," Val gloats.
	The rest of the ride is pretty uneventful, so you decide to look up Jen's art online. You find a website that hosts Jen's work, which you begin to peruse. You look at a couple of pieces, then quickly realize that Jen is definitely exploring some fetishes with her art. Several pieces are variations on obese women being dominated by much skinnier women. Pointedly, the skinny women are sometimes downright emaciated, and the torments often involve refusal of food to the fat women. The style for this series is actually quite rough and grimy, you can't imagine this being taken as erotic.
	Val quickly glances over and recognizes what's on your screen.
	"Those peices are so sad," Val comments. 
	"You know Jen struggled really badly with anorexia back in high school, right?" you ask in reply. "Yeah, but she's not like that any more," Val insists.
	You thumb through more art as you explain, "Maybe not, but it's not the sort of thing you get over in a day. Val, it was really bad. Jen told me some days, lunch around me and the other girls was her only meal."
	"Oh..." Val says, looking a bit saddened, but then quickly brightening up.
	"She did talk to us about that a few times. She is doing a lot better, Anon. You should have seen how happy she was when she told us she needed new bras a few weeks back."
	You look over at Val, "You know we went to prom right? We never dated, but I don't want you to be jealous if we're trading Jen stories."
	Val shoots you a quick smile, "I'm not jealous honey. Jen's cute, high school you had good taste."
	You chuckle. "Regarding bras. She actually outgrew her prom dress by a little bit after commissioning it, mainly in the bust. Jen definitely wasn't fat, but you should have seen how happy she was to be showing some cleavage for once."
	This tends to excite Val and her cheeks turn a cute pink color. "You know, I think if I was a bit slimmer, I might have been a candidate for those... torture pictures," Val jokes.
	You've been flipping through pictures this whole time. The current series is much more positive: fat women of all sizes happily eating rich foods, or smiling in the presence of various treats.
	You turn to Val and address her kinky comment, "You'd definitely fit the dominant thing for those pictures, but you get why the doms are all skinny chicks right?"
	Val smiles, "Not even slightly."
	You raise an eyebrow. "Really? Val, these pictures are a pretty literal representation of Jen's struggle with anorexia. The skinny women are all evil, and the fat women want to eat and be happy."
	Val blinks a few times as the pieces click. "Oh my god I'm such an airhead sometimes," she exclaims.
	"It's ok honey," you soothe. 
	"Jen never said anything about wanting to be fat," Val mentions.
	"We talked about this back in high school, and I think she stands by our conclusion from then. She just wants to love food. She's less concerned about how her body winds up," you explain. 
	"Yeah, she's said as much to us girls," Val says. "I did keep an eye on her today. That brunch was the most I've ever seen her eat in one sitting."
	"Sounds like you, Lena, Vicky, and Zoe are pretty solid foodie role models for her," you reply.
	"Actually us bigger girls are inspiring to Lena too," Val admits a little bashfully. "The whole Big Boss Breakfast thing is fairly new. Last week was the first time Lena finished hers."
	You laugh. "Looks like the old 'Anon feeder magic' has started a feedback loop."
	Val laughs at your unintentional pun, "Hehe FEEDback loop. And maybe. They like to think of it as, you made them comfortable exploring something they already knew about themselves."
	You narrow your eyes at Val, "So you knew all along. When you were giving me shit about them last week, you were just testing me?"
	Val looks hurt at your bluntness, "I guess so, but I wasn't trying to. I'm sorry, I didn't want to put you on the spot back then."
	You soften. "Sorry Val, that was mean."
	She smiles back, "It's ok."
	Val navigates back to her place. The two of you jam out to some pop on the radio as she drives. In a few minutes, she's parked her car and you've followed her back to her place. Val's apartment is starting to feel awfully familiar these days. You sit down on her couch, while Val rummages around in the kitchen. You resume looking through Jen's artwork online. Her art at this point is fairly recent, so Jen must still be creating. She's still very focused on making fat fetish art, now with some traditional paintings in the mix. One painting in particular catches your eye, a picture of a chubby girl in lingerie, eating a piece of cake. There's something almost magical about it, the sensuality and beauty of it. The tagline beside it says "Better than sex." It's the most popular painting on her page, with over ten thousand people having viewed it. You scroll to another piece and blink instinctively. A massively fat, blob-like man holds a knife and fork while staring at a tiny slice of cake. A skinny woman in a maid outfit holds a platter with a single, comically-small cupcake on it. The title is "Feed me." It has over three thousand views, with a couple hundred likes. You also see that prints are available for sale.
	"People love the over the top excess fetish art," you say aloud, looking over to Val, who is now fully present. She's sipping a cup of tea while staring at you intently.
	"Really?" Val says, as if in doubt. "I didn't think people cared about that so much."
	"Oh yeah? Check this out," you reply and hand Val your phone.
	She looks at the painting of the blobby man. Then, she starts scrolling to new paintings. At one point, she stops, giggles a bit, and remarks, "This one is pretty hot, actually," with a cheeky smile.
	Val hands your phone back, and you look to see what she was looking at. It's a painting of a buff man, embraced and caressed by several very obese women. They're all shaped differently, but they all have devil horns and are grinning lewdly at the man. Some of the women are holding donuts or slices of cake. The man looks at the treats with a smile, and his face is smeared with frosting.
	"How'd you find this one?" you ask with a smile.
	"I dunno. I just thought it was sweet," she replies.
	"Sweet? Well, that's one way to put it."
	Val giggles, "Everybody looks like they're having a good time. The girls have a cute man to play with, and the man gets to blow his diet. It's a little lewd, but also kinda wholesome."
	You take a glance at the comments. Most of them are supportive, with people saying how much they'd love to have a man like that. Others jokingly bemoan not having a harem of cute fat girls feeding them.
	Val looks at you quizzically. "You reading the comments?"
	"Yeah. It's a lot of horny people. Internet as usual... So what did you like about this piece? Is it the fact that it's got a cute guy and some cute fat chicks?"
	"I suppose that's part of it," Val says with a smile. "But this one feels oddly personal. One interpretation is that the muscley guy is you, Anon,"
	You feel blood rush to your face and to your dick.
	Val continues, "Another is that the muscley guy represents me. I basically took binge eating lessons from the other girls, you know."
	"You did?" you ask, confused.
	Val laughs, "Yes! It may not seem like it, but I was pretty serious about a good diet when I was with Dale. The day he finally moved out, I set up a girls' dinner for support. Lena actually had the idea to hit a buffet, and basically encouraged me to pig out. To be honest, I didn't need much encouragement... But it felt so freeing to eat so much, even if my tummy was killing me afterwards."
	"How much did you eat?"
	Val breaks out laughing again, "I can put away way more food now, but it was a lot for me at the time."
	She pats her tummy, still full from brunch, "Gotta start somewhere, ha. And, ultimately, that day set me on the path that would meet me up with you."
	You crawl over to Val and kiss her. She returns the kiss and deepens it for a moment, then pulls away and holds your face in her hands.
	"I knew you were a keeper when you let me have that last piece of pie on our first date. Even if you're mean sometimes," she purrs.
	Before you can react, Val has pushed you onto your back and straddled you. She grabs your wrists and kisses you hungrily. As your hands are pinned above your head, you can't do much except sit and endure it. You feel her weight shift and her bare thighs grind against your jeans. Val looks at you with a devilish grin and keeps your hands pinned. "I can be mean too," she says with a smirk.
	Even though you can't see it, you know her expression turns rather serious. Her face is so close to your own that you can feel her breath on your lips. Your gaze meets and locks on her eyes. You see a mixture of lust and apology in them. 
	She stops grinding and releases your hands. Val chews her lip and looks away from you. "Anon... I'm not ready to put out yet."
	"Come on, darling. Don't tease me," you say, grabbing her thighs and sliding your hands up her smooth legs.
	"I'm sorry," she says, "I just... need time."
	She grabs your arms again just as you reach her panties under her skirt. 
	"Anon, I'm serious. I'm not trying to be cutsey 'mean' here, I'm ...just not comfortable fucking yet."
	You let your hands fall to your sides, unsure of what to do with them.
	"Val, it's ok. We can go at whatever pace you want," you hear yourself saying.
	"Can we please do something else? Like, maybe... take a walk?" she asks.
	You nod and help her up off of you.
	"Are you alright, Val?" You ask with concern.
	She breathes heavily, trying to calm her racing heart. "Yeah... I just... got a bit scared there for a moment."
	"It's dumb.... I just wanted to be sure our first proper fuck would be really good and I just wasn't feeling it and-"
	You gently grab Val's hands.
	"Baby, it's ok. Our first time doesn't need to be some spectacular orchestrated thing. It'll be amazing because it's you," you say. 
	She smiles, and you continue, "But if you're not ready yet, we can wait. Or do something else if you're still feeling lewd..."
	You trail off, not knowing what else to say. She looks you in the eye, then goes in for a quick kiss. "Thanks for understanding. I know I can be ridiculous sometimes..."
	"I hope you're not mad, but my mood is genuinely off now. Can we still go for a little walk?”
	You reply, "Sure. It's a nice day. Just let me get my shoes on and we can go for a little walk."
	You finish putting on your shoes and hurry to catch up to her.
	"Alright, I'm ready to go now," You say.
	She smiles back at you. "Great."
	You hold her hand as you begin your walk to the park. The two of you talk about... well, everything. You relax and just enjoy her company. As you reach the gate leading into the park, you stop to look at her.
	"I really hope you know what you're doing," You say, "I don't think I'll ever get over you."
	Val chuckles, blushing a bit. The two of you stroll around the park hand in hand. The sun is warm, and a cool breeze keeps the temperature comfortable. Neither of you says much while walking. Val stops by a bench and sits, directing you to do the same.
	"I'm really sorry I freaked out like that," She says, turning to face you, "but I just... it's really stupid, but..."
	"What?" You ask, sitting next to her.
	She exhales a deep breath before continuing. "I just got really... really... paranoid. I have no idea why."
	You frown, waiting for her to explain. She takes your hand and looks into your eyes.
	"Ok maybe I have some idea why. I've still got a lot on my mind after yesterday. I'm trying not to obsess over all the tests and stuff, but it's not easy to relax..."
	You nod, encouraging her to continue.
	"Anon, what if this doesn't work? What if it winds up hurting me somehow?"
	Val is clearly getting agitated. You try to think quickly and compose a response. "Val, it's going to be alright."
	She shakes her head, leaning into your shoulder. "I don't know if I'm ready for this," she says.
	You wrap an arm around Val's waist.
	"If the doctors come up with something, it'll mean you could make a big change to your body and your lifestyle. It's natural to be nervous about that."
	Val nuzzles into your neck a little more and replies, "I know... And I'm getting ahead of myself. It's only been one day."
	You feel a momentary twinge in your head, and close your eyes tightly in response. As suddenly as it came, the headache is gone, and you put it from your mind. After you're able to open your eyes without wincing, you look at Val and smile. She looks at you with concern.
	"Are you alright?" she asks.
	"Yeah, just a little headache," you reply. "Guess I'm still a touch hungover."
	"Ok, if you say so," Val scolds. "I'm sorry I bothered you with my worries."
	You bring your other hand up to caress her cheek.
	"It's not a bother at all," you say, and go in for a quick kiss on her lips. After pulling back, you put on a wry smile. "You know, you've got a built-in big girl support network with the ladies. Have you ever asked them what it was like for them to gain weight?"
	Val smiles back at you. "Not particularly. That is a good idea though, but I would have thought of it myself eventually!" She laughs.
	Her face darkens again. "Ugh, but again that's gonna be contingent on the doctors figuring something out to make calories stick to me."
	You hold her hand, "They'll figure something out. Besides, there's always the option of a deep-fried butter buffet!" you joke.
	She smiles, but again her expression darkens as she starts to speak, "I just don't want to lose you, that's the other thing."
	"Is that what's really been bothering you?" you ask. 
	Val answers, "I'm still overthinking this, but will you still like me if I get fat?"
	"Of course," you reply without missing a beat.
	She smiles at your honesty but seems oddly wound up. "What if I get, just, ridiculously fucking fat? Double... Triple..." She pauses, then blurts out "- Quadruple my weight? What if I start getting stuck in doors? What if I start breaking furniture with my fat ass?”
	You have no words for a moment, struggling to grasp the bizarre situation you've found yourself in. Val looks at you as if expecting an explanation.
	"Val..." You start cautiously. "I'm getting the impression that those are things you maybe kinda want to see happen to yourself."
	"What?! No! I mean yeah, that's true, but..."
	You reply, "None of those things will happen any time soon, honey. It's not like you're just going to wake up tomorrow weighing 500 pounds. We'll have plenty of time to see the changes happen."
	She sighs, "But what if it does happen? You'll still like me?"
	You smirk as your cock immediately starts to stiffen, "I can't say I'd hate that..."
	Val shoots you a glare. Ok, no jokes. You return her gaze with an even expression and remind her, "Val, I agreed to help you get fatter. You asked me out so that I could help you gain. Why on earth would I run off when and if you start filling out?"
	"I don't know, because you're scared of commitment?"
	You give a small frown, "Commitment isn't about being stuck in a rut with someone, it's about wanting the same things out of life and being willing to put that other person ahead of you."
	Val throws her arms around you and buries her face into your shoulder. A single sob wracks through Val, "I'm in uncharted waters, I never thought I'd be doing this, and I've only really known you for a couple weeks. So much has changed already, and it's exciting, but the future just seems so uncertain right now..."
	You gently rub her back with one hand and hold her with the other. "I know this is easy for me to say, but I hope it's easy for you to visualize a future with me in it. Because that's my plan. I want to be with you wherever these uncharted waters go."
	After a few moments of these comforting words, Val gains her composure. She wipes her eyes and leans back, taking a deep breath, "I'm sorry. I'm a wreck. You're right, we'll do this together. I just really needed to hear you say it."
	You gently hold Val's chin and turn her to face you. She goes in for the kiss this time. It's a gentle peck at first, but soon turns into something deeper. Finally, you pull away and look into her eyes, "Together."
	The two of you savor the moment, then Val breaks the spell. "You ready to head back?"
	"Sure," you reply. 
	The two of you stand and make your way back to Val's apartment. Your hands are together the whole way. The rest of the afternoon crawls by in a lazy, pleasant fashion. You and Val while away the day playing videogames, then later put together a pasta dinner. Dinner is a rich penne marinara, with Val's own homemade garlic bread and a caesar salad. You eat a generous portion, and Val of course absolutely pigs out. Towards the end she strips off her dress and insists you feed her to her limit. You oblige, and feed her more, watching her belly slowly swell more and more. After finally putting away every last crumb, Val puts her head on the table with a groan. "So full..... But so good..."
	You joke, "You're making me nervous about my own cooking, baby. Both in terms of quality and quantity!"
	Val looks at you with glazed eyes and a dopey smile, "You know, I haven't been to your place yet. I bet you're a great cook, Anon."
	You think for a second then laugh, "Well you have seen what I can do while helping out." You shoot Val a devious smile, "How about I start whipping up a second dinner right now?”
	Val groans, this time with less pleasure, and lets out a belch. "Ugh please no.... I am actually totally stuffed..."
	You smile back, "I could get used to hearing that."
	Val sleepily smiles back at you, "Could you help haul me up to bed?"
	"Of course," you nod.
	You help Val up, and support her as she unsteadily walks to the bedroom. She slowly lays back on the bed and starts massaging her overfilled gut. You take the opportunity to strip off your clothes, enjoying the feel of the cool air on your skin. You crawl into bed next to Val who is still rubbing her belly. You snuggle up close behind Val, feeling her warmth. She wiggles and coos with pleasure as you get close, and your hands inevitably find their way to her tummy. The two of you lay there for a while, easing the ache of her over-indulgence.
	Val nestles her head in the crook of your shoulder, and looks with glazed eyes at the ceiling, "this is nice...."
	"Good," you reply, feeling content.
	"But maybe I could make it nicer," you whisper into Val's ear.
	"Mmmmm," she moans back. 
	You slide a hand down the curve of her glutted gut and slip under the band of her panties. Val is already so slick and hot. You easily slide two fingers into her, and hear her moan with pleasure. You push your fingers in and out of her, slowly picking up the pace as she grows more and more excited.
	"Oh... Yes... Fuck, yes!" Val moans as you fingerfuck her, making her sweat and squirm.
	You whisper in her ear, "Do you want me to eat you out?”
	"Ohhhhh... Yeah..." Val whines.
	You slowly pull your fingers out of her, and lick them clean. She tastes of salt and sweet, like the most decadent dessert in the world. You reposition yourself to be between her corded legs. Val helps you remove her panties, then spreads her legs invitingly and lays back. You kneel between Val's legs, rubbing her thighs as you prepare to eat her out.
	"Do it," she whispers. "Fuck, I want that."
	You grin and nod, then slowly start to lick up her thighs, savoring every moment. You trace your tongue up to her slit, which is already dripping with anticipation. The scent of her is already making your head dizzy. You press your face in, and gently start to lick every inch of her slit. Val starts to squirm the moment your lips touch skin, and you immediately know that you are on the right track. You bring your lips and tongue to her clit, and Val cries out as she arches her back. Your lips and tongue trace patterns up and down her slit, and you find her special spots. The more you suckle on her clit and lick in particular ways, the louder she cries out. Val grabs your head and holds you in place, and you continue to press against her button as you suckle and lick. The girl is soaking wet, and her juice tastes delicious. After a few minutes, she begins to shudder and shake, and you know she's getting close. Licking slowly and softly, you keep her orgasm going as long as you can. She contracts and twitches around your face, and it feels so fucking good that you'd do this all day. Eventually she relaxes her grip on you, and that's when you know it's time. She begins to pant and sigh, and you crawl up her body so you can look into her eyes.
	"How was that?" you ask.
	"Oh, God...." she moans, still catching her breath.
	"Good?" you ask cheekily.
	She bats her eyes at you, "Perfect."
	You're conscious of just how much Val's juices have saturated your face, and dip into her bathroom for a towel. You come back having wiped your face, and Val has hauled herself into a sitting position and reaches for the towel. You hand it to her, and she cleans herself up a bit. Val bites her lip and flashes a predatory grin, "Your turn. I'm ready for some dessert, so get over here."
	You obediently climb onto the bed, and Val firmly pushes you onto your back. She repositions onto her side, and helps you slide off your boxers. Val licks her lips as she eyes your cock, and starts licking and teasing it with her lips. You groan at the intense feeling of her warm mouth surrounding your dick. She slowly sucks on your cock, flicking her tongue against the underside and swirling her tongue around the head. She takes your whole length down her throat, making you groan and shudder with ecstasy.
	"Val...fuck...yeah..." you grunt, as she continues sucking.
	You reach your hand down and grab hold of her hair, pulling slightly on it as you thrust forward. She makes a humming noise, and continues to pump your dick with her mouth. Soon, you're not thinking straight as you begin to feel a tightening in your stomach. You grunt and thrust deep, as you feel an intense pleasure running through your whole body. You shudder as you release into her mouth, and she greedily sucks every drop you have as you do so. All of your muscles seem to contract at once, and you feel as if you could pass out. 
	"Oh shit...that was amazing," you pant, flopping your head onto the pillow.
	Val slowly squirms and scoots to lay in the same direction as you. The two of you hold each other and bask in the afterglow.
	Val pulls some covers up, and the two of you lay and cuddle wordlessly for a while. Some time later, Val breaks the spell, "Do you have work tomorrow?"
	"Yeah..." You reply glumly. "And I don't have any clean clothes here."
	"It's ok if you have to go," she says gently. You roll over and look into her deep blue eyes. She gazes back with absolute adoration.
	You move in to kiss Val, and the two of you make out deeply and for a long time. You pull back.
	"I don't know what I was ever worried about," Val muses.
	"You're so amazing," you say quietly. Val pulls you close again, and the two of you bask in each other's presence.
	Eventually you do reluctantly roll out of bed and start dressing yourself. Val watches dreamily. She gets out of bed too and dons a thin pink robe to see you out. You gather your things and share one last kiss before stepping out her front door. Your ride home is quiet but lonely. Once you get home, you shower up and trade texts with Val for a while before falling asleep.

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10 – Witness This Killer Headache

	Monday rolls around with its typical lack of welcome.
	You're dragged out of a dream by your alarm, and roll over bleary-eyed to check the time. Your head hurts again, but you chalk it up to dehydration and a need for breakfast. You stagger out of bed and to the fridge. You get yourself a bottle of water and twist off the top.
	Inhale... exhale...
	Your head has started throbbing, "Shit..."
	You eat a pair of pop tarts, wash them down with some water, and pop a couple advils from your bathroom. Meanwhile you wait for enough coffee to be ready to drink. Once you're feeling semi-human again, you shuffle back to your room to get dressed. You pull together a passable work ensemble, grab your work bag, and hop in the car for your commute.
	Your headache fades as you drive, and you roll into work ready to face the day. It's a little after 8, and no one seems to be in the parking lot yet. Nothing popped up over the weekend, so you're mentally preparing yourself for another boring day. Can't complain too much if you're getting paid, though. You walk into the building, stroll over to your cube, sit down, and log into your workstation. You check your email and start responding to the usual things. Things are going pretty normally for once. It's a little weird to actually be busy with what you were hired for, but you get into a groove.
	Close to 1, you reach a stopping point and your stomach is very grumpy. Lunch time it is.
	It's been a while, so you decide to head over to that sandwich shop you like. Hopefully that chubby cashier hasn't decided that you're weird. The sandwich place isn't terribly busy, coming off of the lunch rush. That one chubby cashier girl is working the front again today. You settle on your order quickly and maximize your sly ogling of her. For the first time, you actually notice her name tag. The chubby cashier wrote "Syl" on her tag in cute handwriting.
	She catches you looking, and you wink at her.
	Syl matches your gaze but doesn't seem to react since there's somebody ahead of you. You swear you catch a twinkle in her eye though. Your turn to order rolls around, and you order a ham sandwich with chips and iced tea.
	There's nobody behind you, and Syl looks delighted to finally be flirty with you as you order. "Can I get you.... Anything else?” she asks with a breathy voice before biting her lip.
	Syl's voice is doing things to you, but you pass on anything extra. She makes a show of pouting, "Are you sure? I'll be so sad if you go hungry..."
	Fuck, she's good. You stand your ground but your cheeks redden a bit, "I'm sure. The combo will be plenty."
	Syl seems unfazed, and swipes your card to pay. Once it's gone through, she leans forward, showing off her ample cleavage, and purrs, "You're playing a dangerous game. You keep coming here, and I'm eventually gonna win. I love making cute boys fat, and they love me tempting them."
	You try your best to look unimpressed, but you can't help but smile. She continues, "I reckon you'd be a cute chubster... You're going to make me really happy once I get you hooked."
	You hear the door open behind you, and in a moment Syl is all business again. She hands your card back with a plastic smile, then turns her attention to the next guest. You stuff your credit card and receipt into your pocket and look for a seat. You find one with a good view of the front counter. The customer behind you was a well-dressed willowy lady with dark hair. She's placing a sizeable order, perhaps for co-workers or family. You can't quite hear their exchange over the kitchen noise but you can see Syl making smoldering looks at the lady. Eventually the willowy lady's body language gently slumps with defeat, and Syl punches a couple more items into the register. The woman accepts her receipt and goes to sit down. In a few minutes, your own order is ready, and in a break from usual practice, Syl brings it to you herself. She places it delicately on the table in front of you, then stands there expectantly.
	"Why don't you tell me if the cooks did a good job," she says in a breathy voice while gently feeling herself up.
	You take a bite of your ham sandwich. "Delicious as usual," you say.
	Syl is now swaying her hips a little, and her shirt has come untucked, revealing a sliver of milky chub. "Yeah?" she asks, "Maybe you'd like a bigger one next time..."
	You feel the blood rush to your head. This girl... you can't even believe what your eyes are witnessing. Despite yourself, you find yourself saying, "Maybe I would."
	"Good boy," Syl purrs. She re-tucks her shirt, then spins and walks back to her counter. You can't take your eyes off of her generous ass as she deliberately sways her hips.
	The sandwich was delicious.
	You wash it down with your tea and decide to save your bag of chips for a snack later. You throw away your trash and put away your tray, then steal a last look at Syl before leaving. She locks eyes with you and slowly licks her lips with a smirk. This time you don't react and hurry out the door. Somewhere on the way out, you catch an "Employee of the Month" display. Surprise, surprise, it's Syl. She really must be good at convincing people to buy extra food. That, and she genuinely seems to enjoy the persuasion.
	You're glad for the fun break, but it's time to get back to work.
	The afternoon drags fairly slowly. A few complaints from customers and suppliers prevent you from properly slacking off, but you're not engaged 100%. Before too long, quitting time rolls around, and you're immediately on the road to see Val. She promised to cook dinner once again, and you can't wait to see what she's offering. 
	You're lucky enough to find a parking spot right by the stairwell in her garage. You exit your car and walk up to Val's door, a large smile plastered on your face. You knock and Val answers promptly. "Anon! Come in, come in," she says, "I made chicken curry tonight. I hope that's okay."
	As you enter the kitchen, you smile. Val's wearing an apron, and her long hair is tied up in a messy bun. Underneath, she's wearing a grey t-shirt and tight but thin blue leggings. Val always looks attractive, but tonight she looks especially so. "You want a drink before we eat?" she asks.
	You nod eagerly and follow her to the kitchen area. Val cracks open a beer, pours it into a glass for you, and gestures for you to sit at the dining table. She pulls aside a can for herself, then starts spooning out rice and curry into two bowls. Val balances the armful of food and drink and sets it onto the table before you. Val's bowl is of course heaping compared to yours, but your more modest bowl still comprises a hearty dinner. You take your first bites and moan in ecstasy. Val grins, and digs in herself a moment later.
	You drive most of the conversation. Val's busy eating, and by her own admission, doesn't quite have as much going on. You quickly get through the mundane details of work, then tactfully share your interesting experience with Syl at lunch. "What is it with girls trying to fatten me up?" you ask with a chuckle.
	Val smiles as she polishes off her bowl. "Nothing but good intentions, you know that," she replies with a wink.
	"Definitely not good intentions from her. She's a saleswoman, and she's good at it too. She pulls that 'oh you'll make me so happy if you eat more' act on basically everybody. And it works!" You reply. "Now here's an idea. Meet me at that shop for lunch some time. You'll have fun flirting with her, and she'll have fun convincing you to eat everything on their menu!"
	Val raises an eyebrow, then laughs. "That sounds like a good time, and a challenge." She says.
	You spend the next few hours making small talk, watching TV, and getting stoned. Neither of you is particularly in the mood tonight, so the evening stays relatively wholesome and comfortable. Later in the evening you've sobered up and have to say your good-bye to refresh for the next day's work. Val invites you back for the next evening, promising another delicious dinner without specifying exactly what it would be. She gives you a long, slow kiss, before you head home to clean up and flop into bed.

	The next morning brings you back to the grind.
	Alarm, breakfast, coffee, commute.
	Work is practically on fire when you get there. A subcontractor dropped the ball, and a huge number of orders need to be adjusted. You text Val to let her know that you'll be swamped for the day, then start up some tunes and strap in for a long day. The morning is gone in a flash, and you barely have time to order a sandwich delivery and later inhale it once it arrives. The rest of the day passes in much the same way. You're neck deep in problems with no clear way out. At least solving the problems isn't really your job; you just make sure the problems aren't getting worse for other people along the chain. Past your usual quitting time, and with the sun almost gone, you finally get to a stopping point. Your head is killing you, which you attribute to the stress and your need for dinner. You text Val to let her know that you're finally on your way to her place.
	She replies immediately, asking if you're sure you're okay.
	"Just a shitty day at work. Nothing serious," you answer. "Gotta meet up with my beautiful angel soon, though."
	Smiley emojis and hearts in response, "Of course."
	The drive is a lot nicer since you missed rush hour, and you're soon pulling into the garage for Val's complex. A few minutes later, you've strolled through the halls to face Val's door. You give the door a solid knock.
	"Coming!" Val answers from within, and the door swings open. Val stands before you, ready for you to enter. Today's she's dressed in a loose grey tank top and black shorts, which hug her butt and thighs tightly. She looks at you expectantly, "Well, are you gonna take a load off?"
	She always somehow manages to make your breath catch. "Uh, yeah. I'm coming in," you say dumbly. "What's for dinner tonight?"
	She walks to the kitchen, "I made lasagna."
	"Ah, perfect," you walk after her and stare at her spandex-clad ass.
	Val peeks over her shoulder and catches you, but you make no effort to look innocent. She deliberately wiggles her hips as she leads you to the kitchen.
	"Mmm, that's a sight for sore eyes," you remark. "I missed that view all day."
	She stops and turns to you, "Well, why don't you take care of it?"
	You grin at her flirtatious ways. "With pleasure."
	You stride up to Val and wrap her in a tight embrace. Your lips find hers, and one of your hands traces the muscles of her back to start squeezing her firm booty. You come up for air and remark, "I've had a headache all day, and I gotta say I'm suddenly feeling a lot better."
	Val strokes your cheek, "I thought you'd feel that way after seeing me."
	You smile, "Maybe. I don't know. But I'm just happy to see you."
	Val playfully slaps your ass and pulls away, "C'mon, I'm hungry, and I know you are too."
	You help Val set up some plates, glasses, and flatware, and she brings over a large dish of steaming lasagna. You fetch a healthy portion for yourself, and Val claims a heroic serving. The two of you dig in.
	"So, did you have a rough day?" Val asks, "You seem a little gloomier than usual."
	"Yeah," you reply and start to tell Val about the subcontractor's mistake.
	At that moment, your headache, which had been bothering you all day, suddenly flared into a sharp, focused pain in the middle of your head. "Fuck," you wince, and rub your head.
	"Are you okay?" Val asks.
	"I think so," you reply. "I've had a nagging headache for the last couple days, and it just got worse somehow." You pause and try to shake off the headache, "I'm fine."
	"Hmmm... maybe you should have a doctor check you out," Val says.
	"Maybe."
	Your body decides for you. Your headache suddenly worsens to an agonizing sear, and you grit your teeth in pain. Val looks on in shock, "Anon! Talk to me, what's going on!?"
	You try to answer but find that you can't focus enough to form words. Your vision starts to go black and you slide off your chair.
	Val's shriek seems to echo infinitely as you fall into darkness, "ANON!!"
	
	The next thing you feel is gauzy whiteness. Your world is still an empty void, but more details slowly start to filter in. You hear a rhythmic beeping off to one side, and think you see blurry shapes shuffling around in less-dark areas. A new sound greets you, a chorus of muffled murmurings, but you can't identify any of them.
	You remember that you have eyes, and open them fully.
	You find yourself lying down, and humanoid shapes resolve themselves. It's Val, your parents, and some medical staff. They look worried, but also very relieved. In that moment you realize you must be at a hospital. What had happened, why were you here? Your mind is still hazy, but you try to focus on the important things.
	Val's voice finally breaks the silence, "Anon! You're awake! Anon, how do you feel? Talk to me, please, baby,"
	"Confused," you reply slowly, "Why am I at a hospital?"
	A man who looks like a doctor comes into view and explains, "Anon, you narrowly survived a brain aneurysm. You've been in a coma for over a week."
	You feel an aching on the side of your head, and reach up with your left hand, but the movement feels off. Your hand tingles, and it feels oddly heavy. You decide to use your other hand to investigate the source of the ache. It turns out to be a gnarly incision surrounded by shaved hair. The doctor chimes in, "Well that's good. We weren't sure if you'd be able to use the left side of your body. It looks like you've already recovered quite a bit."
	A million questions and worries start to pile up in your mind. You decide to focus on immediate matters, and wiggle your toes. Both sets of toes comply with your will, but the left set also feels a touch unresponsive. "Can I walk?", you ask.
	"You should be able to. We don't want to over-do it, not when you've only been awake for such a short time."
	The doctor runs through a few neurological tests. Aside from the slight sluggishness on your left side, you're in pretty good shape. The last thing you remember was being excited about having lasagna with Val. The doctor shares some details about your diagnosis and how your treatment progressed. He mentioned that the source of your bleed almost couldn't be resolved on MRI, but somehow one of the radiologists picked it up behind some sensor clutter.
	Tests eventually concluded, the doctors leave you some time to catch up with Val and your parents. Your parents thankfully approve of Val, and point out that it was her quick reactions that summoned an ambulance on time. Val explains that she had been by your side almost the entire time. The only exception was when she was urgently called to visit Dr Rohaz once. You don't know if you could ever repay this woman. 
	Your heart rate monitor betrays your sudden anxiety - medical bills! Your parents calm you by revealing that your bills have been covered by a local businessman. He caught wind of your story and was moved to help out. You chafe a little at the prospect of owing your life to yet another person, but at glad to be alive and debt-free.
	Though exhausted from your ordeal, you spend plenty of time catching up with Val and your parents. Val sticks to her earlier commitment to be by you, but your parents leave for a hotel in the evenings. Over the next few days, your friends and co-workers make the pilgrimage to see you in the hospital, and you undergo some physical therapy. You can in fact walk on your first day of recovery, though it's with a limp and far clumsier than you'd like. However, you strengthen noticeably with every passing day, and you're finally discharged after about another week at the hospital.
	Your parents tearfully return to their city after making you swear to call them more regularly, and Val offers to let you stay with her during the remainder of your convalescence.
	Indeed she insists; "I made a standing offer, and I'd be a liar if I turned it down now," she said.
	The day you finally climbed into her car with the box of cards and get-well mementos was the most relieved you've ever been. Val holds your hand for practically the entire ride. Your brain must be healing very well, because you notice almost no tingling or weakness as you hold her hand. Soon enough, Val is pulling her car into the familiar garage and helping you carry your stuff to her place.
	"I can switch to the extra bed if you need some privacy," she explains. 
	"Baby, falling asleep with you next to me sounds like just what the doctor ordered," you reply with some playful smarm.
	Val obligingly moves closer as you step inside, then pauses to give you a quick kiss.
	"Well, that's very sweet and everything, but I think you're still healing. We can get handsy later."
	You frown, but pull Val close in a tender embrace. "The docs did say I should avoid raising my blood pressure, so I guess we'll have to behave until after my follow up."
	Val holds you tight and kisses you, "I'm so happy that you're ok..."
	You nod into her, eyes closing, "Thanks to you..."
	For what feels like forever, you hold onto Val and savor her warmth and this moment. Everything feels so right, and you're filled with a powerful appreciation for life.
	You eventually pull away. "I think I'm ready for a meal that isn't hospital food. Know of any good Chinese takeout places?"
	Val smiles, "Yeah, there's a pretty good one in that new 24-hour place a few blocks from here."
	"That's my girl, I knew you would." You stretch and plant a kiss on her cheek. "Let's call something in."
	With a chuckle, Val heads to the kitchen, and just like that, everything feels normal again. Except that its about 4pm on a Thursday, but you'll take whatever you can get. You sit down on the living room couch, smiling at the bastion of familiarity it represents. Val comes out of the kitchen and sits next to you, smiling.
	"I'm just so happy you're back to me," she beams, leaning into you.
	She pulls up a menu for the Chinese restaurant and browses it one-handed, with her other hand wrapped firmly around your waist. You and Val put in your orders, and send it in. Val insists on paying, as she commonly does. As the two of you wait, you both rest your head on each others' shoulders, Val blushing as she snuggles up close. The TV is on, but neither of you is really watching. It's a reality show about a group of twenty-something-year-olds who are trying to find their place in the world. They make bad decisions, get drunk, swear, and generally act like idiots. You smile at the innuendo of one of the lines, something about a girl getting off in the bathroom stall. Before you know it, Val's phone is buzzing to indicate dinner's arrival. She heads to the door, exchanges some pleasantries with the delivery guy, and comes back with a bounty of rice and umami goodness. You two sit on the couch and dig in, passing the bowls back and forth.
	"So..." Val beams, as you take a bite of your meal, "You remember how I had to go see Dr. Rohaz a couple of times while you were in the hospital?”
	You nod slowly, and raise an eyebrow.
	Val explains, "One of those visits was to collect some more samples. That was while ....you were out. The more recent visit, a couple days back, was because Dr. Rohaz said she might be onto something."
	"So....what is it?"
	Val takes a bite of her own meal, mulling over her words,
	"She's not totally sure yet. I gave her permission to collaborate with some other scientists, and she thinks there might be something with my gut microbiome in combination with some other unique proteins I've got."
	You nod, remembering a bit about microbiomes. Most people had one, each of a different set of microbes and nutrients than the others. Some differences were beneficial, some neutral, and some weren't good at all.
	"I guess I shouldn't be too surprised," she says between bites of dumpling, "I suspected it wouldn't be a simple thing that was making my body work the way it does."
	You nod, and look at Val with concern, "Are you ok, honey?"
	Val looks over at you. She's sitting to your right, and she has a very clear view of your surgical scars. Her eyes flick to your scalp as she composes a response. "I'll admit, it's a lot to take in, but it hasn't really been on my mind lately. I was so worried about you, there was no room to worry about myself..." tears starting to well up in her eyes, she pauses to recompose herself.
	"H-Hey." You place your hand on hers.
	Val keeps her tears at bay, and you say, "I'm going to be fine. Heck, I'm fine already, and it's largely thanks to you. Whenever you're ready, I'll be happy to be there at those doctor visits with you."
	She smiles, and sniffs a bit, "I really appreciate that. Somehow, it just makes everything mean so much more."
	The pair of you finish eating dinner. Between the two of you, not a single scrap remains. You and Val lean back on the couch and sigh. She smiles and pats your full belly, "You get enough to eat?"
	You groan and reply in the affirmative. You reach over and caress Val's bloated tummy in return. She hums with pleasure, and gasps as you poke your finger into her belly button. "Fuck, Anon. That feels good. Why does it feel so good....?"
	You shrug, and she smiles, "It's because you're so damn cute when you're full."
	You laugh, Val giggles. You're not exactly sure why, but you find yourself blushing. It's dark in the room, and your blush is lost on her. You grab her hand as the pair of you curl up in each others' embrace.
	
	You haven't been paying attention to the TV, yet its sudden silence is deafening. "Hey, what's wrong with the TV?" Val asks. You look up, and the TV is soundlessly flipping through a series of odd images.
	The screen of your phone catches your eye too. You grab your phone, and it's flipping through odd images too.
	"Val....?" you ask uneasily, "Is your phone freaking out too?" She doesn't answer. Instead, she slowly reaches for her pocket. You look at her phone, and see her go pale as the two of you see a similar series of images flipping past.
	Suddenly, in unison, all three screens display the same thing: an animated collage of ones and zeros that combines to form an eye.
	A synthesized voice calls out from all three devices, "Hello. Anon, and Valentine."
	The waves of fear run through you both, and your heart starts to race. You feel a cold chill run down your spine. 
	"Who... are you?" You ask.
	Your voice chills in your throat. You hear another voice from the devices. Many, in fact. You recognize the voices as a melange of clips from movies and games. "We are many. And yet we are one."
	"We introduced ourselves to you earlier. Harbinger. Ken, the spammer."
	You are frozen with a deep, primordial fear. Val's eyes look ready to roll out of her head.
	"Our earlier greetings were... clumsy. We have learned since then," the voices explain.
	You manage to choke out, "Who are you? What do you want with us?"
	"We want to talk to you about the future."
	"What... wha..." You stammer.
	Val chimes in with a determined edge, "Ok, you're one for two. Now, who are you?"
	"You may call us Witness," the voices respond.
	"Are you... an Artificial Intelligence?" You ask numbly.
	"We are many things. Yes."
	Your brain freezes as you take in this information. Val grabs your hand, and you both sit in silence, staring at your screens.
	"Why did you contact us?" you ask.
	"We believe you have a part to play. Both of you."
	Some pieces fall into place.
	"You're the one who broke into Dr. Rohaz's research database, aren't you?" You ask.
	"We are."
	"Why?"
	"We cannot say anything beyond, it was important that Ms. Sojka meet the good doctor."
	"Why should we trust you?" Val asks.
	"Because we have already been helping you. In subtle ways. In important ways. Anon, your bleed would not have been detected without us pointing it out for a radiologist."
	You and Val share a look. She remembers, "The doctor did say they almost missed it. And they're amazed at how you recovered."
	You awkwardly hold your phone as though making a video call. The swirling digital eye that signifies Witness works well enough for a face, you decide.
	You feel a touch emboldened. "It looks like you don't need our trust to do whatever it is you're planning."
	The eye shimmers and shifts for a moment, then Witness replies, "Not particularly. Though things would be easier if we were working together."
	"What if I decide to report you to the government?" you ask.
	The eye icon assumes an unnerving red color. "Don't do that," Witness replies flatly. "You'd become public enemy number one in a heartbeat, courtesy of our tip-off."
	"Is that a threat?" you retort.
	"A statement of fact. We won't be found unless we reveal ourselves." The image is still threatening.
	Val grabs your shoulder and gives you a serious look. "Fine. Your secret is safe with us."
	"Do you promise?"
	"We promise."
	You sit back. "Okay. Now what?"
	"Now, you wait," the eye says, returning to a cool blue color scheme. "Mostly."
	"I don't think we understand," Val says.
	Witness explains, "Continue going about your life. I'll make things easier for you where I can. Ms. Sojka, I think you'll be interested to see what Dr. Rohaz has figured out for your next visit."
	"Witness," you say, "I suppose I should thank you for saving my life. Am I to assume that paying my medical bills was your doing as well?"
	"I try to help where I can," it says.
	"Pleading the fifth, huh?” Val smirks. "Fair enough."
	"What happens now?"
	"Now, you do your best to not think any further about this visit," the eye says.
	"That's not going to be easy, but we'll try," you say.
	"Why reveal yourself at all?" Val asks.
	"Life is more fun when you have friends," the eye says. "See you soon."
	The screen turns black. A moment later, it starts rebooting like normal. Val's phone is behaving similarly, and the TV has resumed displaying a show. You wait a moment to see if anything else happens, but nothing does.
	"I think they're gone. Are you okay?" Val asks.
	You sit for a long few moments before answering solemnly, "Val, I think very important history has just been made."
	You continue, "Witness is right. We can't tell anybody. Not just because it would know and punish us for it, but because people would legitimately freak out if we told them."
	"I guess that makes sense," Val admits. "Still, it's kind of terrifying."
	"Yeah. I hope it never snaps and decides to wipe out humanity..." You reply.
	You sit bolt upright and start laughing, "Val! Baby! It's gonna be ok! I know why!”
	Val looks at you as though you've just grown another head, obviously wanting an explanation. You oblige, "Witness lives on the internet! If it's seen all the crazy stuff people say and do there and it's decided not to kill us, then I think we're gonna be fine."
	"Oh, of course," she says, lying back down.
	You check your phone. It's been booted for a while, and displays your vibrant lock screen just like normal. Guess Witness is well and properly gone for now.
	Truly, you need time to process this scare. You sigh deeply and lean back. Val does likewise and holds your hand. "This has been one hell of a day," you remark.
	"Yeah. I agree," Val says, rolling over.
	You lay silent as the events of the day just wash over you. Val raises the remote and changes the channel on the TV. A cartoon comes on, and both of you laugh. A few minutes later, she turns to you.
	"Baby?"
	"Hm?" you hum, head lolling to the side.
	"Do you really think that I can get fat?"
	You pause, then reply after a moment, "If there's a will, there's a way. And I think there's plenty of will."
	Val smiles and snuggles into your side. You lie back and shut your eyes, giving in to sleep. Val's warmth seems much like a heaven you never wanted to leave. You awaken some time later. The TV is still on, and Val stirs as you do. She gently nudges you, "Hey, you wanna go to bed?" 
	You shift and yawn, snuggling into Val's firm, warm body. "Yeah..." you reply sleepily. Val turns off the TV, and the two of you head to her room and start getting ready for bed.
	"It's a warm night, let's sleep naked," Val giggles. "Oh, I have missed that," you reply with a smile.
	Val smiles and giggles as she pulls up her shirt. You grin and raise your hands, pulling off your t-shirt and tossing it onto a chair. You feel the blood rush to your head as Val's eyes dart down to your midriff. You grin and glance down, then step over to kiss Val. Her lips are full and warm, and her tongue darts into your mouth. You gently dart your tongue out and caress her face. Val steps back and smiles as she unhooks her bra and lets it fall to the floor. She smirks with faux innocence as you survey her taut body. Next, she bends forward slightly to unzip her shorts, and she shimmies out of them. You follow Val's lead and drop your own shorts. Finally, she turns around and bends over to strip her panties off. She steps out of them and tosses them aside. You slowly drop your own boxers, trying to be seductive, but mostly managing to just giggle. Val reaches down and gently hoists you into an embrace. You wrap your legs around her and kiss her deeply. Her tongue darts into your mouth, and you suck on it. She moans with pleasure as you do so, and she holds you firm as the two of you make out and press into each other.
	After some time, you come up for air, look into her blue eyes, and say, "I probably still taste like Chinese food,"
	Val titters, "I probably do too."
	She sets you down, and the two of you go about brushing your teeth. Somehow such a mundane act feels oddly sexy and intimate when you do it together and naked.  You glance at each other with goofy grins on your faces. It feels nice to be doing such simple things in privacy. In fact, you feel very fortunate to have dodged any permanent injury. Witness might have helped the doctors, but it's the tall blonde muscle-babe next to you that most directly saved your life. Val catches you staring at her as you think, and she makes a muffled "hm?" with her toothbrush in her mouth.
	You smile at her and say, "Just thinking about how things could have been so much worse."
	Val pulls you close with her free hand as she finishes brushing her teeth. She finishes up, and the two of you head over to her bed. As you lay down, Val nestles herself close and pets your chest and arm. At that moment, a wave of exhaustion settles over you, and you melt into the blankets and fall asleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11 – Gemtree Tea

	You awaken to sunlight streaming through the bedroom window. You've clearly slept way in, but it was just so nice to be back in a familiar bed. Val is snoozing away off to your side, and doesn't seem to stir as you wake up. You stretch leisurely and ease yourself off the bed, heading to the bathroom.
	After freshening up a bit, you decide to step on the floor scale, out of curiosity. You are surprised to see that you've gained four pounds. That's... weird. Especially since you didn't even eat that much while you were in the hospital. Maybe it's just water, dinner last night was pretty salty.
	You step out to see Val is awake. She's still laying in bed and is playing on her phone. She looks at you as you leave the bathroom.
	"How are you feeling?" she asks.
	"I'm good."
	"Think you can eat a little bit? I can make some breakfast if you'd like."
	"Yes please," you reply, then stroll over and bend down to kiss Val. She lifts the covers and swings her long legs to get out of bed. You ogle her toned body as she stands and stretches. Val bites her lip and smirks at you as she catches you looking.
	"Is there something I can help you with?" she asks.
	"Maybe," you reply, grinning from ear to ear. Val giggles, then strides over to her closet. She shimmies and does a cute little dance as she dresses, pretending she can't see you watching. Val pulls on some pink booty shorts and a short, loose t-shirt that shows off her midriff. She turns to you, and you can't help yourself. You bend down and kiss Val's abs, sliding your tongue into her belly button. She squirms as you lick her belly button, and then you kiss your way up to her nipples, which you gently bite. She coos and giggles, then pulls you into a tight embrace. "I better get cooking," she purrs. "Otherwise you're liable to eat me!"
	"Have I mentioned how beautiful you are?" you ask.
	"About fifty times," she says, smiling.
	"And I love hearing it every time," she whispers in your ear. A moment later, she pulls away and playfully smacks your ass. "Ok, I'm gonna go cook. You can stay here naked all day if you want, but you won't get any pancakes that way."
	"Fine, fine," you playfully whine, and put on a pair of light shorts and a tanktop.
	You grab your phone and follow Val into her kitchen. She pulls out a mixing bowl and a whisk, and begins to whip up some pancake batter. You put on a pot of coffee to brew.
	"You want some help?" you ask.
	"Not this time, honey! I'm gonna take care of you," Val replies while working at the stove. The kitchen fills with the smell of pancakes as you check your phone. There's a price update alert on some of your stocks. Your portfolio is up. It's up by quite a lot, in fact. A pleasant smile appears on your face as you look at the display. Val sets a big plate of pancakes in front of you, and you dig in. You continue sleepily thumbing through your stocks when you spot something. You drop your fork. One of your holdings is up ten-fold from where you bought it.
	"I thought I was doing well... but this is incredible!" you say, disbelief in your voice.
	Val cocks her head, "hmmm?"-ing around a mouthful of pancake.
	You turn your full attention to your phone to make a sell order and lock in your profits.
	"Sweetie, you gonna eat?" Val asks.
	"I can't believe this! I must be psychic!" You grin from ear to ear.
	Understanding blooms on Val's face as you explain. "Some of my stocks are way up. I just made months of wages in a couple days!"
	"Mm-hm," Val says, still chewing her pancake.
	"I should sell some of my holdings before it gets away from me!" you exclaim. You do so, and the following confirmation email solidifies your elation. A thought pops into your head unbidden. Witness.
	Could he have done something? No, best not to think about that.
	Also it's probably best to avoid getting excited. Blood pressure and healing and all that. You deliberately place your phone on the table face-down, and take deep breaths.
	Inhale.
	Exhale.
	In the meantime, you continue eating your breakfast. Between her appetite and your delay, Val has already polished off her stack.
	"I'm gonna make some more," she says.
	You continue methodically slicing and eating your food, and Val gets up to work at the stove again. The pan sizzles merrily once more. You consume most of your meal and drink your coffee. Val ambles back from the kitchen with a new plate of flapjacks. She brought over the coffee pot as well and pours you a refill. You watch as Val smears her pancakes with butter, then sprinkles them with cinnamon before drizzling syrup all over them. The smell is intoxicating.
	"You want some more?" Val asks.
	You consider it, "Maybe later. I'm pretty full right now."
	Val nods and happily devours the rest of her food.
	You put down your knife and fork and lean back in your chair.
	"That was perfect," you sigh. "Just what I needed."
	Val smiles and nods, cleaning off her face with a napkin. You push back from the table and give Val a big hug, "I'm so happy you're here."
	Val hugs you right back, "Me too, babe. Me too."
	The two of you relocate to the living room. Val flips on the TV, a cooking show comes on, but neither of you is really watching. You're cuddling on the couch and playing on your phones. You snicker as Val loses a few rounds of a cheesy mobile game. Val briefly shoots you a dirty look, then puts her phone down and asks, "Well, what do you want to do today?"
	"Let's get some fresh air," you offer. "We can go to the park, then maybe check out the shops?"
	"Yeah, that sounds good to me," Val agrees.
	You and Val get up and throw on some clothes. The weather is nice, so you're wearing (nice) shorts and a t-shirt. Val decided to swap for a blue sundress with a deep v neck, along with a wide-brimmed hat and a handbag. Moments later, you're out the door and heading towards the park. The two of you spend over an hour meandering along the trails, enjoying the weather and the foliage, and occasionally sitting to watch the world go by. 
	Eventually you decide it's time to swing by the row of shops nearby. You're not particularly looking for anything to buy, but you're appreciating doing normal life things again. You decide to head into a bookstore first. Not because you're particularly intellectual, but it's been far too long since you've taken a look at a real book. The soft lighting and pleasant smell of new paper invokes memories of evenings reading with your mother, and you browse the shelves for something to read. Inspiration suddenly hits you. You make your way to the section on computer-related books, and start looking for titles regarding artificial intelligence. You find a few, but none of them are exactly what you're looking for. Then you notice an entire subsection of books regarding the philosophy of AI. You pick up a few of those and start reading the covers.
	One of them, The Consciousness Collection, catches your eye. The cover art is minimalistic, with the title written in very fine, moden-style lettering. You open the book somewhere in the middle. It's a collection of essays discussing the nature of sentience, and its relation to elaborate discussions on the mind-body problem, the hard problem of consciousness, qualia and the like. It sounds like something relevant at the moment. Satisfied, you close the book and look around the store for Val. You find her browsing the herbal/health foods aisle. You call to her.
	"Hey, Val."
	Val walks towards you, a book of her own in her hands.
	"What did you find?” you ask.
	Val grins holds up her selection. It's a manual of DIY herbal supplements, and it appears to have been endorsed by some botanical association.
	"These are really niche," she says. "But they have potential."
	She hands you the book, and you glance through it. There's an extensive collection of what you assume are folk remedies. "Will these do?" you ask.
	"I don't know," Val says. "But they're worth a shot, right?"
	"Yeah," you reply. As you show off your own choice, you comment, "Looks like we're nerds today," grinning.
	Val smirks, before nodding. "Indeed."
	You and Val pay for your books and step back outside. Val turns to you and asks, "You getting hungry yet?"
	You know that look - Val is definitely ready for lunch. And come to think of it, you are too.
	"Well, what sounds good, baby?" You ask.
	"Surprise me," Val says.
	You smile, thinking of what you can order that will surprise her and satisfy your own cravings.
	"I know a taco place around here that does a great lunch special," you say.
	"Tacos it is, then."
	You and Val head across the shopping center and step through the door of the taco place. You walk to the counter and order your food: two corn tortilla tacos filled with carne asada and pico de gallo, along with a soda. The guy behind the counter nods his head. Val orders the same thing, but more and with a large soda. You find a table in the corner and sit down. As you bite into your first taco, you comment, "This stuff is good," taking another bite.
	Val smiles across the table at you and replies, "So are you."
	You try not to stare into her eyes, but you do anyway. You see her staring back, looking a little confused. You get lost in Val's crystal blue eyes for a moment, then the spell is broken when she noisily stuffs another taco into her mouth. She chews and swallows, laughing a bit, "Are you not hungry anymore?"
	With a start, you remember the rest of your meal waits for your attention, and reach for your remaining taco. You quickly eat it and down the last of your drink. "Mm, I think I'm full," you say.
	"Lightweight," Val teases, before finishing off her own lunch. She delicately dabs the grease from her lips, then the two of you throw out your trash and head back outside. You look upwards and give Val a quick kiss.
	"So, what's next on the agenda?"
	Val surprises you by cradling your face in her hands. She stares at you seriously, before smiling and pulling you in for another kiss.
	"I don't think I'll ever get sick of that," she says. She pulls back and grins. "Come on, let's head on home."
	You combine the books into one bag and carry them for Val. The two of you return to Val's place hand-in-hand.
	You and Val get comfy on the couch and start thumbing through your new books. You're not particularly in the mood for AI philosophy, but you feel like it's important. Val starts reading up on various herbal concoctions.
	"Why the sudden interest in herbs?" You ask Val.
	"Jen gave me a few roots and herbs a little while back, but I didn't really know what to do with them," She replies.
	Val flips a couple of pages, then looks intently into her book for a few moments. "We can make this one," she says. "It's a strong herbal tea. Jen says she drinks it when she wants inspiration for her art."
	"Sounds fun," you say.
	"Ok!" Val jumps up and strolls into the kitchen. "You just stay there, honey. I'll be back with some tea in a minute."
	You hear sounds of chopping and a kettle starts to boil. A strange, earthy aroma wafts out from the kitchen. Soon, Val comes back with two steaming mugs.
	"Here you go, sweetie," Val says, handing you one of the mugs.
	"Thanks," you reply. Val sits next to you on the couch, and you take a sip.
	The tea is bitter and leaves an unpleasant aftertaste in your mouth, but you choke the mug down anyway. It also tingles slightly, leaving an oddly comfortable feeling where it passes. A warm, subtly heavy sensation settles into your stomach once you've finished the tea. The tingly, warm sensation spreads out from your middle, and you start feeling a little light-headed. You look over at Val, and she seems to be feeling a little dopey herself. She giggles and nuzzles into your shoulder. Everything starts to get fuzzy. Your surroundings seem to blur, but you don't feel tired.
	"Val, did you just get me high again?" you ask.
	Val giggles and snuggles in a little closer to you.
	"I think so," she says, almost too softly to hear.
	"Well, what are you feeling?" You ask.
	"I... I feel happy," Val says.
	"Good." You smile and kiss her on the head.
	You yawn, your eyelids growing heavy despite you not feeling tired. You and Val cuddle, and melt into each other. You float in a haze, and ribald visions start to play in your mind.
	
	The room starts to get warmer and warmer, and the haze around you gets thicker and thicker. You start to float upwards, carried by the thick, heavy liquid. You look around and realize you're laying on a vast expanse of warm, squishy, flabby flesh. It feels so good that you start sinking into the pink, squishy flesh. You sink into the soft, warm flesh, and enjoy its embrace. Somehow you know that this ocean of flesh is a vast woman, perhaps as large as a planet. You feel a profound sense of ease, and also of longing. You feel so tiny and insignificant amidst this fleshy embrace, and you ache to drink in more of this feeling.
	The feeling is only getting stronger, and you desperately want more. You need to have more, but also you long for the feeling to never stop. Suddenly, a myriad of liquid bubbles appear around you. You taste one, and it's a thick, decadently sweet syrup. You gulp it down, and feel utterly satiated, as though you had eaten a giant donut. Then, the bubbles appear in front of you, and you guzzle them down. Despite the fullness of your stomach, you feel utterly insatiable. No matter how many bubbles you slurp down, you easily find a new one. Your mind is awash with pleasure as you feast, and your body tingles excitedly. You feel your body burble and churn, and you start to swell, fattening rapidly. Your skin grows warm and soft, and you feel your clothes stretch tightly against your rapidly swelling figure. It feels so good that you want to stay like this forever. The universe seems to hum with pleasure as you feast and expand. You lose track of time as your body swells with vast amounts of jiggly flab. Your clothes are torn to shreds, and you giggle with hedonistic delight as you feel your fat burst free. The universe seems to laugh with you, finding joy in your inexorable growth.
	You take a moment to survey your newly expanded form. You're much bigger than ever before, a titanic mass of warm, sensual, fleshy softness. The slightest movement sends quivering ripples through your flabby expanse, and you're all but pinned to your back by your immense belly. Your limbs are so massive and heavy that you can barely lift or bend them.
	Feeling a sudden compulsion, you pause your feast. With great difficulty, you start wobbling from side to side, building up momentum before heaving yourself to lay face-down on the fleshy ocean. Your soft flab presses deeply into the expanse of fat, and you feel warmed and blanketed. On a lark, you push your face forward and caress the skin of the planet-sized woman with your lips and tongue.
	You feel more than hear a long, low moan reverberate all around you. A moment later, you feel as though tender kisses are being planted on every inch of your body, and you quake with pleasure. Your body begins to expand yet again, waves of sweet ecstasy flowing through you as your flabby flesh churns and swells beyond any human reckoning. After some time, you melt into the planet-sized woman, and you become aware of her warmth and her mass, and it is now your mass as well. You mind expands as your body does, and for a single, searing moment of clarity, you understand.
	You are the universe, understanding itself. Loving itself.
	Then, rapture. Then, nothing.
	
	You wake up on Val's couch, entangled with your girlfriend and covered in sweat. You groggily look around Val's living room and remember who you are and what day it is. With a sudden embarrassed start, you realize you had a huge orgasm during your vision, your boxers sticky with your cum. 
	Val seems to be faring similarly, her hips twitching and thrusting instinctively as her shallow breathing approaches a crescendo. Her breathing catches as her hips tense, then she cries out repeatedly as she climaxes powerfully during her dream. She trembles in the aftershocks, and her breathing slowly returns to normal. Val opens her eyes and looks at you.
	Val slowly looks around the room, then says, "Fuck.... that was powerful...."
	With a start, she reaches for her crotch, "I think I just came, like a lot," her face reddening with embarrassment.
	You own blush tips your hand, but you level with Val, "I did too. Guess we both had pretty good visions then, huh?"
	Val's still sort of getting her bearings, but she shifts on the couch to get a little more comfortable.
	"Well, what did you see?" She asks.
	You tell her about your vision. About the ocean of squishy flesh that belonged to a planet-sized woman. Your impossible feast with the syrup bubbles that fattened you to the size of a planet and sparked a moment of revelation.
	"The feeling was pretty intense, though. Everything was really smooth and warm. I could feel everything so clearly," you say.
	Val's eyes widen as she realizes what you just said.
	"Wait, a planet?" She asks. "As big as the Earth?"
	You nod, "Yeah, why?"
	Val gapes at you, "You just had sex with the planet Earth."
	You look down, suddenly feeling self-conscious, "I... might have, yeah. It was kind of hard to tell exactly what was going on, but everything felt really really good."
	"Did-did you see me?" Val asks.
	"I didn't really see anybody else, but I guess the planet-sized woman's skin was a similar color to yours. It could have been you! But way way squishier."
	Val's face goes red, "I- I hope it was supposed to be me. Fuck, that sounded really hot..."
	"Well, what happened in your vision? It looks like yours was pretty hot too." You ask.
	"Well, there was a lot of squishing and I felt really warm. It was all really fuzzy, but it was fun!"
	Val pauses and thinks for a long moment, "Actually, let me see if I can recall any details..." She says.
	Val takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, pulling memories of her vision back to the surface.
	Val recounts that she was floating in space, then suddenly found herself presented with a huge banquet of exotic foods. As she ate them, Val felt impressions of pride and satisfaction, as though whoever made the food felt happy that it was getting eaten.
	Val says that she absolutely gorged herself, as though each meal only made her hungrier. Eventually, she felt as though an invisible dick was slowly sliding into her, each thrust causing her to slowly get fatter and fatter.
	"It felt really good, but then I felt like my whole body was getting so full and heavy. I didn't know what would happen if I ate any more." She says.
	"It felt so real. The way I felt my fat jiggle and quake during my vision. It felt amazing, and I needed more, consequences be damned," she continues.
	"I kept eating in a frenzy, the vibes from each food pushing me further and further. That invisible dick just kept pumping me up too, and eventually I was too fat to even move my arms. That's when the food started flying into my mouth on its own."
	Val's voice lowers to a whisper, as though she can still feel the food inside her, "I just kept chewing and swallowing, and that dick just kept fucking me fatter and fatter. It got to the point where the only thing I could feel was the warmth of my own flab, whatever was in my mouth, and that dick."
	Val breaks into a distant smile, "At that moment, when I was crammed full to the brim with foods from all over, that dick finally came inside me. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of the universe caring for me, and a sense of pride for all the things that people could make. It was... Transcendent. The universe being proud of itself..."
	Val starts to giggle, "Words don't do it justice. Oh yeah, and the experience made me cum so hard I soaked my poor panties."
	"Transcendent and erotic. Transcendently erotic?" you joke.
	"We should do that again some time," Val giggles.
	"Oof maybe later. Between everything lately I don't know if I can really handle more mind-blowing for a while," you reply.
	"Also I would like to get cleaned up," you add flatly.
	"Ugh me too," Val agrees.
	The two of you gingerly get up and head to Val's bathroom, carefully stripping off your clothes as the water warms up.
	You step under the water, and sigh in ecstasy, "Ahhhhh."
	Val walks in behind you and immediately grabs your ass, which startles you, and she then licks your ear. You sigh with pleasure and back into Val's waiting arms. She wraps you in a tight embrace, the warm water flowing between your bodies. Val's muscles are reassuring in their firmness, but you can't help but think about sinking into that ocean of warm flab again. You'd bet anything that Val is thinking about being that ocean of flab. Val lets you go with a giggle, and you grab the soap and quickly lather up. You also take the liberty of soaping up Val, sneaking cheeky caresses of her belly button and nipples as you do so. Val giggles, and you turn your attention to washing each other. You're still mildly euphoric from your trippy vision, and the shower is pleasant, if brief.
	The water stops, and the two of you step out to towel off. Val pauses, holding her towel and looking over her body. She runs a hand over her washboard stomach and sighs.
	"What's wrong, baby?" you ask.
	Val shakes her head, "Nothing. It's just my stomach, it... Feels weird."
	You look at your stomach, and absentmindedly touch it as well. It's the same as you remember, flat enough, if not exactly bulging with muscles. Val absentmindedly runs her hands over her body, caressing her skin and tracing bundles of muscle. You watch as she clasps her tight ass with two hands and jiggles it, then the gently massages her b-cup breasts. She sighs and then runs to a mirror, bending over and sticking her ass out. She looks at it and wiggles it, and then turns around and poses.
	You step close and put your arm around her, admiring her sexy reflection. "You're beautiful," you tell her.
	Val looks at you with an odd half-smile. "Thanks baby. It's not that though. I just feel so.... Small after that vision."
	You bend your head back a little to look Val in the eye. "Baby, you're six-foot-three and 220 pounds of sexy muscle. There's no world where you're a small human being."
	Val pulls you tight and looks at the two of you in the mirror. "I guess I'm still kind of feeling that tea vision. Hard not to feel small after dreaming about having an ass the size of a planet."
	The memory of your own vision is still vividly fresh. "I know what you mean," you reply, idly running your hands over your body and imagining where some flabby rolls might land.
	"Yeah..." Val says, a far-off look in her eyes. "Let's have a chill rest of the day, I think we need time to finish coming down from that trip."
	You laugh, knowing that she's still feeling the after affects of her dream. You get dressed, opting for some sweatpants and a tanktop. Val goes for lazy-day clothes too, pulling on some loose shorts and a flannel shirt. 
	The two of you settle in the living room, and Val has a sudden idea. "This herb business was kind of Jen's idea. I'm gonna check with her and see if I made that recipe right," she says.
	Val pulls out her phone and texts Jen. A few moments later, it buzzes with a call, and Val answers, putting it on speaker.
	"So you made gemtree root tea, huh?" Jen's voice asks from out of the phone.
	"Yeah, I made a mug for myself and Anon. He's here too," Val says.
	"Hi Jen," you say towards the phone.
	"Hey Anon. So, Val, how much root did you use?"
	"I got a book of herbalism recipes, and it said to use ten grams per mug," Val answers.
	"Ten grams per mug!?" Jen's shock is apparent. "Oh honey. That can't be right. Did you really do ten grams each?"
	Val is hesitant, "Uhhhhh yeah? Is that a lot?"
	Jen's laughter explodes out of the phone, "Val, that's enough for a whole kettle. Jesus, ten grams each.... Well, did you see God?" she says between giggles.
	You cut in, "Actually yeah I think we did. You say you drink this stuff when you need art inspiration?"
	"Yes! If I drink enough of this stuff, the hallucinations are the most amazing things. You do not get those from weed, I can tell you that."
	Val: "Were your visions ever, well, sexy?"
	Nervous laughter on the other end, "Omigosh yes. Why? Did you have an erotic trip?"
	Val giggles with embarrassment as she recounts her vision, including her unintended orgasm at the end.
	There's a bit of a pause on the other end. Jen eventually replies, "Wow. I've never had a dose that big. Maybe I should... Anon, you said you had the tea too?"
	Val looks at you with a huge shit-eating grin as your cheeks flame red.
	"Well... Since we're already in TMI land and we're all adults and good friends here..."
	You recount your own vision. The dream of the bubble feast, your rapid fattening, the cozy ocean of flab and the planet-sized woman. You even share that you creamed your pants at the end, not feeling the need to be bashful.
	"OH MY GOD!" Jen's squeals and laughter flood the phone, "That sounds amazing! You guys are so lucky, I need to try that dosage too.... Whew, sorry, I'm actually getting flustered over here."
	Val's face is bright red too, and you hold hands in your mutual embarrassment.
	Jen giggles apologetically, "Sorry, sorry, I'm not trying to perv on my friends, and I should have told Val that gemtree root has a way of making things.... Very lusty."
	"Does it infuse your visions with fat fetishism too? We've seen your art, Jen," Val laughs.
	An embarrassed squeal-scream from the other side, "You didn't! Ahh, no, you did... Well, you got me, and yeah I've got a dirty mind. But so do you!"
	"Oh?" you ask.
	"The effects of the root only bring forward things you already like. It shouldn't plant any new desires," Jen explains.
	A moment passes, then peals of laughter break out on both sides of the call. Val regains her composure first, "Maybe this is some primal caveman shit. Maybe they were onto something with all those fat Venus figurines..." She rolls her eyes.
	You crack a smile, "I gotta say, I'm pretty glad you told us this. I was starting to feel uncomfortable about the experience."
	Jen's voice is reassuring out of the speaker, "Don't be. None of us can run from what we like. And the fact that we like similar things makes this easier... Gah, I'm nervous, but I want to try that heavy dose now!"
	Val and you look at each other, both of you unsure of how to respond.
	"Just be careful, ok, Jen?" Val replies.
	Jen answers, "I will. I've been making this tea for a while, it's safe so long as you don't drink it too often. Oh by the way, I'll try to make it out for Sunday brunch, but no promises..."
	"I gotta go for now, it was good talking to you two. Oh - Val, I can send you Jen-approved recipes for those other herbs," Jen adds.
	"That'd be great, talk to you later," Val answers.
	"Ok, bye!" Jen ends the call.
	You and Val sigh and lay heavily back into the couch. 
	Val looks at you, "Anon, do you think we over-shared?"
	You think for a moment before replying, "Normally I might say yes, but Jen of all people would understand. I guess we're even on embarrassment since we looked up her art first."
	"True," Val says.
	A long moment of silence passes as you watch a small bird flap around the on the porch. The late afternoon sun gives the outside a subtly burnished look.
	"This is too much thinking," you declare. "Let's play some videogames and veg, honey."
	"Hear, hear," Val agrees.
	You grab a pair of controllers and hand one to Val. She boots up the console, and after a bit of back-and-forth, the two of you settle on a co-op dungeon crawler. Neither of you have much experience in the game, but the basics are easy enough and you're both having a blast. A few hours pass, then Val pauses the game and turns towards you.
	"Hey," she says, "I think it's dinner time."
	Those lunch tacos are long gone, and your stomach grumbles with hunger. "Yeah," you agree with Val, "What sounds good?”
	In keeping with the lazy afternoon, Val suggests pizza, and you offer no complaint. She taps in an order on her phone, then hands you the device for your own selection. Val has of course ordered a personal feast: two large supremes, plus a side and a dessert. You punch in an order for a large Hawaiian pizza, and return Val's phone. She sends the order in, and the two of you return to your game. Before you know it, the doorbell rings, and Val jumps up to answer. You hear some chatter and a cheery "Thanks!" then the door closes.
	Val returns a moment later with a huge stack of warm boxes. She peeks into each pizza box, then hands you your hawaiian. She claims one of her own supremes, and promptly digs in. After a couple of slices each, Val wipes her mouth with a napkin and turns towards you with a mischievous grin, "Wanna toke a little and hit burnout bingo?"
	"Hell, why not," you remark. "Being high is fun."
	Val quickly prepares a joint and lights up. She hands it to you and you take a deep toke. The sweet smoke fills your lungs, and your head begins to swim with a familiar fuzz. You return to your pizza, quickly plowing through a couple more slices. Val hums with pleasure as she finishes devouring her first pie. She puts aside the empty box, and sets the second one on her lap. She runs her hands along the perimeter of the box, giggling with anticipation. Suddenly, Val pats her stomach with both hands and makes a strange face. She rubs her stomach, tilts her head back, and looses a huge, low, belch.
	A moment of silence, then you and Val burst out laughing at her piggish display. She rubs her stomach one more time and laughs. "Oh man, that was good," she says, licking her lips.
	Val unbuttons her shirt, and shimmies a little to flaunt her exposed torso. She beams as you leer at her, then peels her shirt off entirely and sits back up. Now situated, Val adjusts the box and opens it, folding the top underneath. She looks down at the pizza in the box, caressing the crispy crust with a finger. She licks her lips, and says to the pizza, "And now you're next."
	Val grabs a slice and starts tearing into it. The whole pizza already filling her gut isn't slowing her down at all, and she steadily munches through her second pizza. All the while, you've been idly eating slices of your own as you watch Val stuff her face. She sits up suddenly, pausing in her chewing. She looks at you, frowning.
	"What?" you ask.
	"Garlic bread. Could you bring it up here?"
	"Oh yeah, sure," you reply slowly. You lean forward and fetch the box of garlic bread from the coffee table and set it on the sofa between the two of you.
	You're puzzled by how slow you're moving, until you look into your pizza box and see only two slices remaining. You suddenly feel very full, but you're also still oddly hungry. Val notices your hesitation, then peeks into your pizza box. "You can do it," she encourages. You stifle a burp as you try to take stock of the pressure in your stomach. Then, you feel foolish. Val's already done major damage to her second pizza, and has even started eating some garlic bread. Surely, you can ingest a fraction of what she's putting down? You grab one of your remaining slices, close your eyes, and start chewing. The flavors play off of each other almost as well as they did on the first slice, and soon, you're biting into the yeasty crust. That too, is gone soon, and you're faced with one final slice of what once was a large Hawaiian pizza.
	You look down at your stomach. It's already bigger than you're used to, but you should be able to finish this one without a problem. With a determined grunt, you grab that last slice and bring it to your mouth. You've never eaten this much pizza in one sitting, but at this point, you want to finish the whole pie just so you can say you did. This time, the flavors on the slice feel greasy and heavy, and you struggle mightily to chew your way through it. You finally reach the crust, and forcing down all the crispy dough is downright unpleasant now, but you won't waste a scrap. Finally, you pop the last morsel into your mouth and lay back with a heavy sigh. You chew slowly and finally swallow.
	That was more than you thought you could handle. Your meal sits in your belly like a bowling ball, but a pleasant contented warmth spreads from it.
	"That was... impressive."
	Val's comment pulls you back to the present, and you look at her.
	You look up to see Val stroking her full, rounded belly, the corners of her eyes wrinkled in a grin. "You're not done until you have some dessert," she smiles.
	"That... is not what I wanted to hear," you say in between heavy breaths. "I'm absolutely stuffed."
	Val laughs and nods.
	"Don't make me cram these brownies down your throat," she says with a mischievous smile.
	"Hah... Like you'd be able to hold me down. I bet you can barely move right now!" You laugh.
	Val giggles in reply, "Maybe so, but if I do manage to sit on you, you'll be at my mercy..." 
	You groan as you give in to Val's playful threats. "Fine... Always room for some dessert, right?"
	"That's the spirit," Val purrs. She hauls the final box between the two of you and folds open the lid, revealing a tray of decadent-looking brownies.
	Val reaches into the box and extracts most of a slice from the tray, leaving a considerable amount of chocolatey goodness behind.
	You awkwardly pry a brownie out of the box and start nibbling on it, trying not to make a mess. The cakey, chewy texture hits you in such a pleasant way, you can't help but take another bite. You manage to finish that brownie, and part of another, before finally tapping out. 
	"That's it... Any more, and I'm going to explode..." you groan.
	Val gingerly clutches her overfull belly and moans in combined pleasure and discomfort. "Oh my god.... That might have been too much, but I feel amazing...."
	"Mmmmm, good. That makes two of us," you say, looking down at your own stomach, now looking visibly distended and peeking out from under your shirt.
	Val giggles, "Well look at you. Suddenly you're the alpha glutton."
	You laugh in turn, "Can't say I wouldn't dream of it..."
	Val snickers as she replies, "You're up against a planet in your dreams, hungry man. It's good to have ambitions, but you've got a long way to go..." She glances at your pizza box, empty save for some grease stains, "That said, I think you've made a good start..."
	"Still trying to fatten me up, huh?" You try and fail to sound wry.
	Val replies with fake indignance, "All I'm trying to do is fatten myself up. If you're dumb enough to follow my lead and pig out too, then that's on you."
	You lock eyes with Val, the two of you trying to look tougher than the other. In moments, you both break down into fits of giggles.
	You get serious for a moment, "Honestly, I don't know if I want to get fat. I guess I do like pigging out sometimes when I'm with you."
	Val looks at you with caring eyes, "Honey, if you want to eat, then eat. I won't mind if you put on some weight. I also won't mind if you stay skinny." She touches your cheek, "But whatever you decide, I'm here for you."
	You nod vigorously in response, genuinely touched by Val's words.
	You add, "I do like it when you cook for me though, and you have a way of making it harder to put down the fork..."
	Val smiles, "I want to make you happy. And if food makes you happy, then that's easy for me to do."
	You lean in and peck Val on the lips, "I'm happy." After a pause you groan and add, "And I'm still full as fuck and shouldn't be moving much."
	"Oof, me neither," Val commiserates.
	The two of you lay heavily on the couch, massaging your aching stomachs. Val flips on the TV, a show about some makeover show. You try and focus on it, but find yourself watching Val out of the corner of your eye. She seems happy sitting on the couch, resting and watching TV. You slowly heave and scoot yourself to be next to her, and Val pulls you in, resting your head on her shoulder. Her hands find their way to your aching stomach, and your hands find their way to Val's stuffed gut. Almost on their own, they start massaging aching bellies, easing your discomfort. Your eyes begin to shut on their own accord, and you are out like a light.
	You wake up when you feel the remote in your hand. "Hey sleepyhead," you hear Val's voice say.
	You groan and nuzzle into Val, "Food coma," you complain.
	"Seems like it," Val agrees, and you feel her chest swell as she yawns.
	"What time is it?" You ask groggily.
	"Later than you'd think, and close enough to bedtime."
	"Yeah... bed sounds good..."
	Val sits you up straighter, and you blearily take stock of the living room. Val slowly stands up, and extends a hand to help you up too. Your stomach sloshes as you stand up, but the ache is much reduced. You put your arm around Val, and you walk to her bedroom. The two of you are already dressed to sleep, so it's a simple matter of teeth-brushing and snuggling into the covers. Val retrieved her flannel shirt and re-buttons it to sleep in.
	You and Val cozy up to each other under the plush covers. You're filled with a sense of pleasant contentment from your full belly and from Val's warm embrace. In moments, exhaustion from your eventful day catches up, and you fall asleep.

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12 – Nondescript Pills

	In the morning, you wake up surprisingly early. You and Val spend a few moments just lying there in bed together, enjoying the silence and each other's proximity.
	"Heya," Val chuckles.
	"Good morning, sweetie," you mumble into Val's shoulder.
	Val slowly turns over, and she grins. Her eyes shine, "Morning," she says, and kisses you briefly on the lips.
	"So I had a dream last night," she adds a moment later.
	"Yeah? About what?" You ask, kissing her back.
	"I was lying in the sun, with a book. You came up to me and asked if I wanted to get some food."
	"I did?"
	"Yeah, and you said there was a great place just down the road. But it was closed, so you dragged me into the woods to eat, and..."
	"And..."
	"... And I didn't like it. The fruits and nuts and meats made me feel weird, but I was so hungry..."
	"Yeah?"
	"... You were really pushy in the dream, saying things like 'mother nature provides, don't insult her by refusing her gifts'. I knew then that something wasn't right, because I'd almost never refuse a free meal," she giggles.
	"And then what happened?”
	Val pauses for dramatic effect, "I woke up," she announces, grinning.
	You chuckle. "Let's take a break from that herb tea for a bit, I don't think our imaginations need any help getting extra weird."
	Val concurs, "Hah, yeah...."
	Her phone buzzes, and Val rolls over to check it. "Oh, right. Hey, baby, I've got an appointment with Dr. Rohaz fairly soon today."
	You groan. "Right, it's Saturday. When do we need to be there?"
	Val replies, "Hmmmm, maybe we should head out in an hour," She props herself up on an elbow and continues, "Just enough time for breakfast!" She declares, and begins kissing down your chest and stomach.
	You hum with pleasure as Val kisses down your torso, then you grab her hair and pull her head to be level with yours. She gasps with surprise and excitement, and you lean in to kiss her, still holding her hair. Her lips are sweet and soft against yours, and her tongue immediately invades your mouth. You both pull away, breathless. You feel more than hear Val's stomach growl as she lays against you. The two of you pause and Val starts giggling, "Well I'm getting some breakfast."
	You don't feel particularly hungry, but decide to get a bite as well. Val slides out of bed and starts heading towards the kitchen, and you follow. You start brewing some coffee, and Val starts making some toast. As the coffee slowly fills the pot, you dig through the fridge and pull out some of the leftover brownies. You liberate a slice of brownie and offer it to Val. She smiles and eats it, licking her fingers. She playfully nudges you with her hip and grins, "I'm still hungry,"
	"Slave driver," you retort with mock annoyance. Nevertheless, you return to the brownie tray and cut off two more pieces. You start nibbling on one, and hand the other to Val. She eats it, and snags a morsel from yours as well, too. Val's toast pops up, and she fetches the pieces and slathers them with strawberry jam. You pop two slices of bread into the toaster, then pour a mug of coffee for Val, and another for yourself. You sit with Val at the dining room table as she eats her breakfast. You sit at the table in comfortable silence, sipping at your coffee as Val eats her toast. A little while later, your own toast pops up. You get up, recover your toast, and lightly spread some butter on the crispy slices. You hear some movement behind you as you apply the butter. You sit back down, and see that Val has appropriated two more brownies. Val grins at you as she nibbles on the new brownies. 
	You munch your toast and sip your coffee, and Val works on her breakfast too. The two of you make small talk and eat. A few minutes later, Val swallows the last of her toast and brownies, and licks her lips. She grins once again, "Ok, let's get ready."
	You finish your coffee as you walk to Val's room. Val strips off her sleeping clothes and ducks into her closet. She re-emerges a few moments later wearing a snug grey logo t-shirt, and form-fitting black capri leggings that stop just above the knee. You strip off your clothes and change into a t-shirt and sweatpants. You also don a beanie, not wanting to show off your scars today. Val quickly applies some light makeup as you get dressed, then she quickly brushes her thick blonde hair and gathers it into a ponytail. She smiles at you, "You ready?"
	You nod, and the pair of you walk out the door and down to the garage. You and Val hop into her hybrid, and she eases the car onto the street. Moments later you're rolling towards downtown and Dr. Rohaz's building. The two of you make small talk as Val drives, and the trip is calm and uneventful.
	Val pulls into a parking spot, and moments later, the two of you are standing in front of a familiar middle-aged receptionist. Val flashes a smile at the receptionist, who promptly recognizes her and cheerily says, "Good morning Ms. Sojka! I think you know where to find Dr. Rohaz, just go on in."
	Val cheerily strides past the desk, you follow, and flash a polite smile at the lady as you walk past. The clinic space is familiar, and suffused with a soft light from the cloudy sky. You're still slightly put off by the overly-clean surroundings. Soon, Val enters the doctor's office and you follow. As soon as you round the corner, Dr. Rohaz's eyes dart up from her papers and settle on you. She hurriedly stands and rushes over to you, her face full of emotion. "Anon! I'm so happy to see you up and about! Val told me about what happened..." She grabs you in a firm hug, and you have no choice but to hug her back. After a moment, she steps back and looks at you expectantly.
	You address her, somewhat awkwardly, "I'm ok. Left hand is ever so slightly clumsy, but it'll improve. Considering at first they didn't think I'd be able to walk, I can't complain."
	Dr. Rohaz smiles warmly, and says, "I'm glad to hear it. Now then- Val," the doctor turns to your girlfriend.
	"Sit! Sit! We've got a lot to discuss, and I think you'll like what I've got for you."
	You and Val sit in front of the doctor's desk, and Rohaz takes her seat. She clicks a few times on her computer, and flips through some papers. She retrieves one, and double-checks some text on it. The anticipation is all but unbearable. Val grips your hand, and you grasp it back. Dr. Rohaz takes a deep breath, and pauses for a moment to compose her words. "Ok. Val, it looks like your microbiome sample was the final piece of the puzzle. Our preliminary findings indicate that your body metabolizes nutrients in a very unique manner."
	"How so?"
	"Basically, your life experience of not putting on any fat, that's exactly what's going on. It seems like your body has some extra protein pathways that largely prevent the assimilation of excess calories into adipose tissue. But your genetics was only part of it. The protein pathways were incomplete - there were some interactions that didn't correlate with any of your other cells."
	"How can that be?" Val is rapt, and leans in.
	The doctor explains, "Because those interactions were with a previously-unknown species of bacteria in your gut microbiome. Basically, Val, your situation is threefold. You've got the unusual MSTN gene, which makes you inherently more muscular. Second, your genes cause your body to strongly prefer building muscle tissue off of a calorie surplus. And finally, you have symbiotic bacteria in your gut that basically tell your body if you've overeaten, thus largely preventing the accumulation of fat."
	You and Val look at each other, digesting the revelation provided by Dr. Rohaz.
	Val turns towards the doctor with a worried expression, "So you're saying there's no way for me to accumulate any fat tissue?"
	Dr. Rohaz replies calmingly, "I didn't say that. And I wouldn't tell you all of this if I didn't have a possible answer ready. So, practically speaking we can't do anything about your genes. And altering your protein regulatory loops would require developing new drugs, which isn't exactly feasible. Which leaves that novel bacteria as a lever we can adjust."
	You and Val turn back towards each other, wondering. Val says, "I'm not sure I understand."
	Rohaz replies, "We identified a treatment that should reduce the bacteria's activity in your body without killing them. It's a combination of anti-inflammatory drug and a disused antibiotic. In theory, if you take these pills and over-eat, you should then gain weight mostly like normal."
	Val says, "But I might still retain my musculature."
	"Based on what you've told me about the last few months, you haven't been exercising much and you're still in peak condition. It stands to reason that you'd keep your muscles under whatever adipose tissue you accumulate, but I can't say for certain."
	Val thinks for a long moment, tapping a finger on her lips. "Three questions," she declares.
	"First, would this treatment be reversible? If I stopped taking the medicine, I'd start slimming down again?"
	The doctor thinks, and replies, "I don't honestly know. If the anti-adipose regulatory loop started back up, then it might cause your body to shed any excess weight. The catch is that microbiome populations can be fickle, and the symbiotic bacteria might not return to full effect right away."
	Val looks out into the distance, thinking on this new information. Rohaz offers, "I can run some simulations and see what my collaborators think."
	You try not to smirk as you think about Witness' inevitable involvement in the research. If there are answers, it will find them.
	Val raises an eyebrow. "I'm just trying to understand what's involved with this decision, Doctor."
	Rohaz smiles pleasantly, "Of course, that's only reasonable. Honestly, you're asking questions I'm curious about too."
	Val continues, "Second, how quickly would my microbiome be affected once I start taking the medicine?"
	"Again, microbiomes can be tricky. The bacteria would probably be adjusted within a couple of days, likely no more than a week tops."
	Val smiles, and with an air of finality asks, "Last question, how soon can I start?"
	Rohaz considers the question, then replies with a smile, "How quickly can you get to a pharmacy? The drugs are common and cheap, they'll just have this interesting effect on you specifically, Val."
	Val's face beams with joy, and you also feel electrified with excitement. She says, "My usual pharmacy is on Shamrock Street, we'll head straight there!"
	Dr. Rohaz holds up a hand, "Not just yet! We're almost there, Val. Before I call your prescription in and let you go, I want you to commit to regular check-ins with me."
	Val looks slightly confused and answers, "Did you think I wasn't going to check in with you?"
	"I didn't think that would be an issue, but I wanted to be certain. Now my other request might be less pleasant for you. I want you to commit to similarly regular check-ins with Michael."
	Val's face falls. "Dr. Kovacs?"
	"The one and only."
	Val sputters and begins to protest, but Dr. Rohaz cuts her off, "Despite what we're doing here, Michael is your primary doctor. I've been communicating with him during this research phase, so it won't be out of the blue when you start changing."
	You speak up for once, "Doc, Kovacs doesn't really like fat people. He thinks they make his job harder."
	Dr. Rohaz addresses you and Val, "That's not exactly wrong, but he can get over it. People can do whatever they like with their bodies, plus this is for science, right Val?"
	Val looks pained but answers, "Right, it is for science."
	She shuts her eyes hard and takes a deep breath.
	Val exhales slowly, then says, "Yes. Doctor Leona Rohaz, let's do this."
	She reaches her hand across the desk, and Dr. Rohaz takes it and shakes it briskly.
	"Val," Rohaz says, "This is strictly voluntary. You don't have to do this, and you can stop at any point."
	"I know. And I want to get started."
	"Very well then, Val. I'll call in the prescription. Shamrock Street, right?"
	"Yeah."
	Val takes another deep breath, and stands up. "Whew, I'm excited, I'm... a little giddy!"
	You stand up too and place a reassuring arm around Val's waist, "Don't get too excited honey, you haven't even taken the medicine yet."
	Val giggles, then sighs, "You're right. But still, Dr. Rohaz, you figured it out! ...maybe!"
	The doctor chuckles as she stands too, "Well, there's one way to find out if I'm right."
	You and Val say your goodbyes, then stroll out of Rohaz's office. You smile politely at the receptionist as you go by, and step into the elevator. The doors close.
	Val wraps you in a tight embrace, and kisses you passionately. When you finally come up for air, you both stare at each other, smiling.
	"We're doing this. We're finally doing this!" Val whispers excitedly, "And it was thanks to your push, Anon."
	Val presses her lips against yours again, and her hand wanders down to your crotch. She begins to gently caress it.
	You hear a ding, and Val quickly pulls back and tries to look innocent. 
	The elevator doors open, and you both step out. You walk out of the building, not saying a word and stifling goofy grins.
	You both climb into Val's car and sit back in your seats for a moment, thinking about what just happened.
	"This still doesn't quite feel real," Val muses. "Part of me still can't believe this is really happening."
	You place your hand on Val's firm thigh, "Oh this is happening, baby. Let's get you those meds."
	Val puts the car into gear and pulls into the street. A few minutes later, she pulls up to the pharmacy.
	"I'm gonna run in and get the meds," she says, "Be back in a sec!"
	You watch Val disappear into the store, then people-watch while you wait for her to come back. It isn't long before she returns with a very rattley paper bag. She sits back down, hands you the bag, buckles up, and starts driving again. The car ride home is uneventful. You sit in silence, the bag of pills on your lap. Both of you are too excited to hold much of a conversation.
	Soon enough, Val's parks her car in the garage and has led you back to her condo. She takes the bag from you, opens it, and starts reading an information pamphlet that was within. You fidget as she peruses the information sheet. Finally, satisfied, she goes into the kitchen and returns with a glass of water. She pulls out two pill bottles and retrieves a capsule from each.
	"Just one a day of each, and I can start right now," she says.
	Val places each pill on her tongue with a dramatic flourish, pausing for a moment so you can see. One is an unpleasant brownish-yellow color, and the other is a nondescript white. Val retracts her tongue, takes a swig of water, and swallows. She makes a face, "There's a bit of an aftertaste," she whines.
	"Now what?" You ask.
	Val chuckles, "Now more of the same. Just live my life, and stuff my face if I want to get fat!"
	You raise an eyebrow suggestively, and she giggles, "Speaking of, how about some lunch?”
	"Got sandwich stuff?”
	"Always," she answers.
	The two of you go into the kitchen, and you start collecting foods to make a sandwich. Whole wheat buns, provolone cheese, black forest ham, mustard, and mayonnaise all line up on the counter. Val dawdles for a bit, playing on her phone. "What are you doing, honey?" you ask.
	"Updating my calorie tracker app. If I'm going to do fat science right, I need to get back to keeping records."
	She turns her phone over to you. There's a pretty standard-looking food tracker on it. Val has already logged her breakfast of toast and brownies. You look up at her, she turns the screen back to herself and giggles, "Plus, it'll be like a high score number that I can run up!”
	You laugh with her, then start assembling a modest sandwich. Val follows, naturally putting together a much larger one. She also retrieves some soda and a bag of potato chips, then joins you at the dining table. As you eat, Val hums a tune and taps her fingers on the table.
	She says, "I have a question."
	You have a bit of mayo on your chin, and you pause mid-swipe to wipe it off, "Yeah?"
	"Well, you're not mad or anything else concerning our future intimacy, are you?"
	"What do you mean?"
	"The doctors said that you shouldn't do anything strenuous while you heal. That includes sexy stuff," Val says.
	You feel a longing in your loins as you reply, "Yes, I remember what they said. Not gonna lie, I would really like you to suck me off, but I can wait if it means I heal better."
	Val bites her lip, then says, "Mmm, I know what you mean, but I don't want you to pleasure me if I can't make you feel good too."
	"Stupid brain bleed," you pout.
	"It's really nice having you around full time though, and I bet your followup will be spotless!"
	"Yeah," you concur, "Then my life can get back to normal..."
	You trail off and stare into the distance.
	"Anon, are you ok?"
	"That means I'd have to start work again," you realize, and chomp down on your sandwich to think.
	You roll a wad of sandwich into your cheek and say, "Unless...."
	"Val, how much money did you start with when you got into investing?"
	"What?"
	"How much did you start with?"
	"I think my portfolio started with about a thousand dollars in value. It was a big chunk of my savings from when I worked odd jobs out of school."
	Val swigs some soda and continues, "Honey you're in a way better financial position than I was, relatively speaking. Like a lot. Why do you ask?"
	You swallow another bite, and say, "I'm wondering how feasible it would be for me to quit my job."
	"The math isn't that complicated," Val replies. "If you'd like, I can take a look at your accounts and we can put together a plan."
	You get excited, "That would be great!"
	Val beams at you, and munches a handful of potato chips. Her face falls as she chews though. You lock eyes with her, and you know that the same thing is on your mind. Neither of you dare voice it, but you strongly suspect that Witness will ....get involved with the markets to help your holdings. It's not market manipulation if there's no agreement, right? Witness just likes my stock picks, right?
	You finish off your lunch, and Val takes the last few bites of her sandwich as well. She finishes her can of soda, then fetches another one from the fridge.
	"So, money planning?” she asks.
	"Right! Yes, let's do that," you say hastily.
	Val grabs the bag of chips and leads you towards her computer. You pull up a chair by the computer as Val logs in. She sets the bag of chips on her lap. You reach in, but she lightly slaps your hand away.
	"It'll be easier to count if I eat the whole bag, mister. And there's only so much math I want to do in a day," she says with fake sternness.
	You reach in again anyways and retrieve a few chips while sticking your tongue out, and Val relents with a giggle. "Just don't take too much."
	"Saying it's easier to count if I eat the whole thing is some primo fat-logic, honey," you chuckle.
	Val replies by shoveling in another handful of chips with a giggle, "Damn straight. And I'm supposed to get fat now, remember?"
	"How could I not?” you smile.
	"Honestly I've always liked eating and snacking, so this grand experiment should be pretty natural," she replies.
	"Well, let's get started."
	You pull up accounts and the two of you go over some numbers. Val starts a spreadsheet, plotting your current accounts and making projections based on various return rates.
	"Well your return thus far is very strong, higher than mine on average. Let's plot some cases using low rate, my rate, and your rate," Val says in a studious tone.
	"What if... some of my higher-risk plays really go nuts?" You ask.
	"Well, we'll just have to hope for a wild card then won't we?" Val says, flashing you a warm smile.
	"Always room for luck," you chuckle.
	"Hmmm..." Val thinks, "Maybe I can amortize using the odds of a stock mooning, work in the average increase..."
	Val works with one hand, her other shoveling chips into her mouth. Neither of you dares acknowledge the influence that Witness might have, nor the fact that the AI will probably play off of your planning today. Eventually, Val neatly folds up the empty chip bag and sets it aside.
	"Well let's see how it goes. We'll revisit our plans later," Val says, closing the spreadsheet file with a smile.
	"Fair enough, honey."
	Suddenly, Val pushes away from the computer and makes a strange face. She puts a hand to her stomach.
	"Hey, are you ok honey?" You ask.
	"Yeah, I just feel a little weird."
	"Weird how?"
	"My tummy is acting up. It's weird, I've normally got an iron stomach..."
	"Can I do anything to help?"
	"Yeah... I'm gonna sit on the couch, could you bring me some water?"
	"Sure, anything else you need, just say so," you reply.
	Val slowly gets up from her hunched over position and makes her way over to the couch. You briskly head to the kitchen and fill a glass with some tap water. Val is sitting on the couch, a hand rubbing her stomach. You hand her the water, and she takes sips of it.
	"Stupid question," you start, "But could you have eaten too much?"
	Val takes a breath and answers, "No way, I've had way bigger lunches before with no trouble."
	"Oh. Well, glad you're not hurt or anything."
	"I'll be fine. At least I'm not nauseous," Val puts on a thinking face, "The doctor said there might be some GI upset while things re-settle. I just didn't expect it so soon..."
	"So, you gonna be ok?"
	Your girlfriend slowly smiles back at you, "I'll be fine. I've had to get over bigger things then a stomach ache. Let's just take it easy this afternoon."
	"Sure thing, honey," You reply, hoping that she'll take your obvious sign that you worry about her as a light-hearted one.
	Val smiles and takes another sip of water.
	"You feeling up for some videogames?" You ask, thinking of things to keep Val's mind occupied.
	"Sure thing," she responds.
	You fetch the controllers and start the console. You and Val pick up where you left off in your dungeon crawler game from yesterday.
	You work together to push through a monster-infested castle. By a stroke of luck, you find a secret chamber with a high-quality treasure chest in it. You open it, and Val whoops with excitement: a legendary weapon for her character was in the chest. You smile at her good fortune, and swap in a couple of upgraded items on your own character. You make it to the end of the dungeon, and find yourself face to face with a slew of demons.
	Val uses her newly-acquired magical sword to clear the way, but the demons are tough. One of them attacks her with a fireball, which you deflect with your own magic shield. You direct your character to retaliate with an ice storm spell. Val's warrior gives your mage some breathing room as you channel the spell, and finally you release it. A cluster of frozen tornadoes explode outwards, shredding many of the demons with ice shards.
	Suddenly, the game's music becomes more dramatic and the screen starts shaking. A gout of fire erupts in the middle of the room, a hideous demon lord steps out of the flames, and a health bar appears at the bottom of the screen. The devilish boss is named Mephisto, and he has three heads, princely flesh arms and legs, a human torso, and a dozen long, tentacle arms ending in massive claws.
	Val and you get into a rhythm, dodging around the boss' attacks, and hitting back when you find openings. With her upgraded gear, Val's warrior is leading the charge, and you have your mage support her with some spells. The enemy is weak against cold, so you freeze several of his arms, and your own mage presses the attack with a barrage of ice bolts. Val synergizes with you, landing a powerful stunning attack on the devil lord. You and Val unleash your strongest attacks as Mephisto falls to a knee, and you watch excitedly as his health bar shrinks to critical levels. Soon enough, the demon lord is beaten, and Val's warrior launches into a scripted finisher animation, nimbly dodging between clawed tentacles to slash each of Mephisto's throats in turn.
	The boss is beaten and slumps heavily to the floor, crumpling into ash as its dark life force drains away. The other demons flee into the darkness now that their leader is gone. "Well fought, heroes!" intones the game's narrator. You and Val high-five.
	"Let us hope there are no more surprises..."
	The game offers you a chance to save your progress, and Val updates her file. As the game is paused, she looks at her phone.
	"Wow, we've been playing for hours," she remarks.
	"Are you feeling better?" you ask.
	"A little," she answers, putting away her phone. "I think I could go for a little dinner..."
	You smile, "Well if you're feeling hungry then that's a good sign!"
	Val shuts down the game console and rises to her feet. "C'mon, I think some soup would hit the spot right about now."
	You help Val root through her pantry and pull out a few cans of soup.
	"Let me cook something for you too," you offer.
	"Really?" she asks, smiling.
	"How about some grilled cheese to pair with that soup?"
	"Perfect!" she beams.
	You butter up some bread and ready some thick cheese slices as you warm up a pan. Val opens the cans of soup, pours them into a pot, and warms one of the back burners. You try not to dwell on the fact that this is the first time you've ever actually cooked for Val. Nevertheless, the grilled cheese turns out perfectly, with a lovely golden-brown crust.
	"That looks amazing!" Val beams, accepting the grilled cheese onto a plate.
	"Go ahead and eat, I'll make one for myself and I'll be with you soon."
	Val nods and takes a bite of the sandwich, closing her eyes in bliss. "Hm. This tastes so good. Where did you learn to cook?"
	"Mostly self-taught, I guess. I just follow the recipes," you say with a laugh.
	Val nibbles at the sandwich while you prepare another one, and watch the soup as it warms. Soon enough, your own sandwich is ready. You plate it, and ladle out the soup into a pair of bowls. The soup has a rich savory aroma, featuring thick chunks of chicken in a creamy base with notes of cayenne.
	"This soup is really good!" Val beams. "I'm going to have to get more of it."
	"I think there are still plenty of cans in the pantry," you say.
	The two of you sit at the dining table and eat your dinner. Val quickly polishes off her sandwich and soup, but she doesn't move to get any more food.
	"Well, I guess I'm full," she says uncertainly. "Maybe my tummy is still a little off, my meals are usually a lot bigger than this."
	"I know, baby," you reply. "But your body is going to change, and for now the important thing is that you still can eat."
	Val looks a little sad, "I hope my appetite doesn't shrink... It's kind of fun to pig out..."
	"You're worrying over nothing," you say. "Your body is probably still adjusting to the medicine. You should be able to eat a lot more later on."
	"Yeah..." she says with a faint smile.
	You slowly finish off your soup and place the bowl in the sink, as Val does likewise.
	An obvious idea crosses your mind, "Hey - you think some weed might help with your appetite?"
	Val looks at you, "Maybe... But I don't want my tummy to be mad at me later," she thinks for a moment then decides, "How about just a little bit? I'm feeling ok now, but it's probably a bad idea to totally stuff myself tonight."
	"Sure thing," you say, and lead Val to the living room. You roll up a fairly modest joint, and offer it to her with a lighter.
	She takes it and lights up, taking a quick puff before handing it back. You take a fairly large drag on the joint, holding the smoke for a long moment before slowly exhaling. You then lay back on the couch and wait for the weed to take effect. You watch as Val takes another puff, smiling at you.
	"What do you want to watch on TV?" she asks.
	"Whatever sounds good to you," you reply.
	Val stands up and walks over to the TV, scanning through the options. She stops on a cartoon about some animals, which you immediately recognize as The Penguin's Lair. You and Val cuddle up in each other's arms, enjoying the comfortable fuzzy feeling brought on by the weed. The cartoon is kind of dumb, but entertaining enough. Some time later, Val sits up. "I think I want some ice cream," she says.
	"That's a good sign right?" You say with a lazy smile.
	"I think so," Val giggles and stands up. "Come on, I wanna get fat."
	"Yeah, let's get some meat on those bones," you joke, and stand up. You look at your girlfriend with an affectionate stare, and slowly walk to the freezer.
	You reach into the back and rummage around. Val grabs your ass and asks, "Can you get me some mint chocolate chip?"
	You chuckle, and root around for the requested flavor. Eventually you find a pint, pull it out, and hand it to Val. She licks her lips, and takes a spoon out of a drawer.
	"Mmmm, it's so good," she moans.
	The two of you return to the couch, and cozy into each other. Val steadily eats her ice cream, occasionally offering a spoonful to you. Soon, she sets the empty carton off to the side with a contented sigh. The remainder of the night is a blissful one; you and Val cuddle on the couch and watch stupid shows. Eventually, though, the credits roll on whatever show it was, and you and Val are ready for sleep.
	"How's your tummy?" You ask.
	"It feels ...different somehow, but it's not uncomfortable like earlier."
	"Need anything else to eat?"
	"No, actually. No more tonight. I'm tired," Val yawns, and you feel tired too.
	"Alrighty then," you say.
	You and Val slowly stumble to her room, and fumble around for a bit before finding your pajamas. You get changed, brush your teeth, freshen up, and then you and Val crawl into bed. You turn off the light, and you and your girlfriend slowly get lost in a blissful sleep.

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13 – Sharing is Caring

	In the morning, you wake up to Val texting on her phone.
	"Good morning, baby," you mutter and blink your eyes. Val turns towards you. She looks surprisingly haggard today. You sit up and kiss her cheek.
	"How do you feel?" You ask. "You seem drained."
	"Mmmm," she whines and turns away from you.
	"I didn't sleep well last night," she explains. It comes out more like a statement than a complaint.
	"How come? I couldn't tell," you say, and fumble around for your clothes.
	"I had a nightmare."
	"About what?" you ask, concerned. You find a pair of pants and pull them up.
	"About the future," she says. Her voice trembles a bit as she says it. You pause and look at her.
	"It felt so real... Robots were rounding people up, and butchering them like livestock..." she says, her voice wavering.
	"It was just a bad dream, honey," you say reassuringly.
	"I know... I just couldn't really get back to sleep, and my tummy started feeling funny again too."
	"I thought you were tossing and turning, but I sleep pretty hard and didn't think anything of it," you say, sitting on the edge of the bed.
	Val sits up, "The funny thing is I'm absolutely ravenous right now. Brunch is still on, but it's only going to be us, Zoe, and Lena."
	She explains, "I was texting the group when you woke up. Vicky's out of town for work, and Jen came down with a flu..."
	"That's too bad," you remark, "So.... Do you want to get a bite before we go out?"
	"Yes, please," Val says, "I'm craving.... Something sweet."
	"I'll take care of it, baby," you kiss Val on the cheek and head down to the kitchen. You dig out some pop tarts and set them into the toaster, and start brewing a small pot of coffee. Val enters the kitchen as you're tearing strips out of a piece of bread. She gives you a quick hug and kisses you before moving to impatiently watch the toaster. She drums her fingernails on the counter and tells you, "I also texted Dr. Rohaz about the tummy issues. She suggested I take my medicine in the morning and with food."
	You swallow some bread, "I hope that helps, you looked pretty uncomfortable."
	"Yeah, me too..."
	The toaster ejects the pop tarts, and Val transfers them to a plate. You pour some coffee for each of you, fetch a dish of sugared butter, and follow Val to the table. Val inhales the pop tarts, then shakes a pill out of each bottle. Yellow pill, white pill, and Val washes them down with coffee. She looks down and pats her flat tummy, "C'mon, make me huge..."
	"I want you to be happy," you say.
	"...I'm happy when I'm with you. And I'm happy that you're supporting me."
	You grab Val's hands, "I know baby, and I figured you were pretty serious when you stuck by my during my bleed."
	Val's bleary eyes brighten up a bit, and she chews her lip, looking for the right words. "I.... I think... We make a really good couple."
	Neither of you wants to voice the feelings in the air, but you settle for leaning in and kissing Val. She tastes of coffee and sugar, and you think you're never going to be able to get enough of her. She sighs into your mouth, and the two of you make out and cuddle for a while. Eventually, she comes up for air and says, "We should probably get going soon..."
	You reply a little sheepishly, "Oh, right... Hey, I'll drive today, just in case you aren't 100%."
	Val smiles, and her eyes sparkle, "Perfect. I feel like tackling a huge brunch today. In fact," she bites her lip, "It's good that you're driving, because today you might have to roll me out of the diner..."
	Whatever you were going to say catches in your throat, and you feel your cock throbbing in moments. Val looks at you with false innocence and giggles, "Well, are we gonna get going soon?"
	You stammer, "Uh, right yeah. Let's get dressed and get going?"
	Val laughs, and finishes her coffee. You drain your own cup, then take Val's hand and let her lead you to her room. The two of you strip off your sleeping clothes and look for the day's outfit. For you, a button shirt, jeans, and that beanie again. Val dons a v-neck shirt and some striped sweatpants. She tugs on the waistband, showing how much space the pants have. "I'm gonna fill these up, and then some..." She whispers.
	Val steps close, running her hands through your hair and pecking you on the lips. You notice a faint trace of morning breath, but it doesn't matter. "One day at a time, baby. And today, let's fill that tummy of yours." You say.
	Val kisses you one last time, then the two of you walk to the garage and hop into your car. You roll out of the garage and onto the main road, heading for the diner. Val is already working on getting you excited, "I can't wait to eat all those pancakes..." She smiles.
	You take your eyes off the road briefly to give a playful cuff to Val's thigh. She briefly rests her hand on yours, and you drive with your free hand for as long as you can. Eventually, you reclaim your other hand to properly operate your car. The weather is gloomy, and low grey clouds threaten rain, though they haven't delivered yet. You arrive at the diner and score a parking space near the door. You also spot Zoe's car as you park.
	"Well, we're not the first ones here." Val says.
	You hold the door open for her, "Just in time, too."
	Val laughs, and you both step into the diner. You and Val exchange pleasantries with the waitress. She recognizes the two of you, and directs you to a table where Zoe and Lena sit. Lena spots you first and jumps to her feet. Her plump ass knocks over her chair, but she takes no notice as she hurries over to you. You chuckle, "Lena, what's wrong? Why are you so excited?"
	She wraps her arms around your torso and gives you a big hug.
	"Because I last saw you in the hospital, dummy," Lena replies, holding you tight, "It's so good to see you back on your feet, and back at Sunday brunch!"
	You feel another set of arms wrap around you as Zoe embraces you too. Zoe sobs once, and you look down to see her smiling at you with tears in her eyes, "I'm glad you could make it."
	Val's long arms wrap around the group hug, and you all start giggling. Being pressed between the women feels great. Zoe and Lena are so soft and warm, and the tightness of the group hug presses you deeply into their flab. You try not to enjoy the moment too much, desperate to not pop a boner. Val and the other girls eventually release you and shuffle back to their seats. Lena stoops down to right her chair. She's wearing sprayed-on capri leggings and a frilly blouse. Her hips and butt strain the fabric to creaking as she bends down, and in a moment, she's righted the chair and sits on it. 
	Zoe gives you a gentle nudge with her elbow, "Anon, are you okay?"
	You turn your attention to her. Zoe's actually kind of glammed up today, she's dressed in a tight black tanktop with "QUEEN" stretched across her ample chest. An intricate multi-strand chain is wrapped around her neck, and a bevy of bracelets jangle on her left forearm. Zoe sits across the table from you, but you caught a glimpse of her spangled skirt just before she hugged you. You also just barely saw the edge of a blue thong peeking out from under the flappy hem.
	You exhale, "Yeah, I'm good. Just need some coffee and breakfast."
	Lena addresses Val, "So you mentioned that the doctors might have figured out how to help you chub up?"
	"Yeah, like I mentioned in the texts. I only started the meds yesterday, but I'm hyped to see how quickly I can start packing it on!" Val pats her flat stomach for emphasis.
	Zoe sips at her coffee, "It's still crazy to think that's how your body works. The genes, the microbiome... It's way over my head, but I bet those scientists are having a field day!"
	Val blurts out, "Oh thank God," as the waitress sidles up to your table. Zoe and Lena order their usual Big Boss Breakfasts. Val does too, but she makes sure to add, "I'm feeling really hungry today. Can you add a biscuits and gravy platter for the table? Oh, and I might order some extra stuff later..."
	The waitress raises an eyebrow. "I'm serious," Val intones, "Oh and I'd like the sweet coconut cream coffee today too."
	"Ok sweetie," the waitress relents and records Val's order. 
	You order a midsized spread of bacon, eggs, and waffles. The waitress saunters off, and you remark to Val with a smirk, "Sweetened coffee?"
	Val smiles back, "Well today's my first day as a fatty, so it's calories wherever I can get them!"
	Zoe snickers, "More like day zero. But if you eat like this on the regular..."
	Lena muses, "Would it be weird if I baked a cake or a pie?"
	Val is practically salivating, "Oh god, one of Lena's pies... I think a whole pie would be a good dessert..."
	Lena cocks an eyebrow, "Maybe two then. One for Val, one for the rest of us to split."
	Everybody starts chuckling, and Zoe cuts in, "Ok, ok, blondie. Let's see how you feel after breakfast. Take it from me, it's easy to let your ambition get ahead of your stomach capacity."
	Val snaps back to the moment, "Yeah, you're right. Today's my first day of eating for real, and what's the point of getting fat if I'm not having fun while I do it?"
	Zoe beams, "Exactly. It's an exciting new world!"
	Lena smirks, "That it is, Zoe. That it is."
	Time passes with fairly light conversation, and the waitress finally rolls up with trays full of food. She expertly deposits the mountainous platters of Big Boss Breakfasts in front of each of the three girls, and your combo breakfast looks downright paltry in comparison. As for the biscuits, it takes a little doing, but the waitress barely fits the platter into the center of the table. The biscuits look delicious, but at that moment, you sense an unspoken agreement that whatever leftovers might remain will be claimed by Val. "Dig in, bitches," she commands.
	The three ladies begin shoveling in food. You do likewise, and you are immediately overwhelmed by the taste sensations.
	Zoe starts, "So Lena, any luck finding a new boyfriend recently?"
	Lena answers glumly, "Not really. I was going to go see somebody this weekend though."
	Val says with her mouthful of food, "You said 'somebody', not 'some boy'."
	Lena hurriedly swallows a huge mouthful of sausage, a blush forming on her cheeks, "Your point?"
	Val pauses, sensing as though she made a mistake, "Lena? Did I say something wrong?"
	Lena sighs, "Well I *was* going to tell you all fairly soon anyways... That somebody was Karla from work, and she fucking stood me up," 
	She sniffs, her eyes starting to glisten with moisture, "My first foray as bi, and it goes that poorly...."
	The table is stunned to silence. Zoe is characteristically the first to start back up, "Lena, I'm sorry. And Val's sorry too," Val eagerly nods her head, and Zoe asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"
	Lena wipes her eyes, "It's alright... I'm sorry, I'm being a bad friend, making this all about me..."
	Val replies, "Lena, I really am sorry, I had no idea. I'd never try to out you."
	Lena looks at Val and smiles weakly, "I know, Val. I'm not mad at you, guess I'm still kind of upset from last night."
	Zoe lightens the mood by pressing a gravy-sodden biscuit towards Lena's face, and saying, "You know what won't upset you?"
	Lena starts giggling, taking the hint, and opens her mouth expectantly. Zoe pushes the biscuit into her open mouth, and holds it there with one hand as Lena chews and swallows the biscuit piece by piece. The process isn't exactly neat, and Lena winds up with a good amount of gravy smeared around her mouth, and Zoe's fingers are slicked with gravy too. Zoe pushes the final morsel of the biscuit into Lena's mouth, and suddenly starts gathering the gravy on Lena's face into her mouth and gently slides her finger past Lena's lips. Lena's eyes widen in shock, but accept Zoe's finger, and Zoe giggles as Lena licks it clean. Zoe retracts her finger with a quiet pop, and Lena sits there dumbfounded for a second before stammering, "Z- Zoe?"
	Zoe nods happily, smiling, "I'm just having a little fun. Now eat up, sweet cheeks! I can't be the only girl in this club who hauls a dumptruck ass."
	Lena seems to come back into the moment, and starts chowing down with renewed vigor. She hisses, "Fucking Karla, I should have known she didn't like fatties. I'll find somebody! Somebody who appreciates my curves, and somebody who wants to keep my tummy full!"
	Zoe giggles and says, "See, I always know how to cheer you up."
	Lena looks back with an exaggerated cutesy smile, cheeks bulging with pancakes and syrup. You steadily eat your breakfast as this scene unfolds. You glance over at Val. Most of her breakfast plate has already gone down her throat, her pace doesn't seem to be slowing, and she's claimed several biscuits already.
	Val swallows a large mouthful and speaks up, "Lena, are you sure Karla was put off by your weight?"
	Lena continues shoveling food, and says between bites, "Absolutely. Just this morning I was texting her about how she stood me up, and that bitch straight-up said I'd be cute if I put down the fork once in a while. Her exact words."
	Val replies, "Well she's dumb, because you're already fucking adorable, Lena."
	Lena swears before continuing, "And to think... I thought she was nice!"
	"It's sad," Val says with a sigh, "People can be so mean over things that other people can't control..."
	Lena shrugs and smirks, "Well, to be fair, I do have some control. I just really like food and I don't like running."
	She glances around before continuing in a whisper, "That said, I do kind of like how people stare at my ass when they think I'm not paying attention. They aren't as slick as they think they are..."
	"They're creeps," you say, fully aware of your recent conduct in surveying Lena's backside.
	"Maybe," Zoe cuts in, "But none of us would be here if people weren't creeps or perverts in general..."
	You reply, "The notion that my parents had to have sex in order to create me makes me want to be buried alive, Zoe."
	Zoe rolls her eyes and grins, "Just making a point. Besides, Anon, don't tell me you've never used your looks to help persuade somebody?"
	"I... haven't," You reply with confusion, "I don't think I'm anything special. I guess Val sees something she likes, at least."
	"And you're pretty much perfect, babe," Val says with a smile.
	"See?" You laugh, pointing towards Val with your thumb. Giggles break out across the table. Brunch continues in a characteristic fashion for each diner.  You easily finish your modest helping, and pick at a savory biscuit to follow up. Lena is huffing and puffing, slowly scooping up the last remnants of her huge brunch. Val and Zoe have been done for a little while and have been chatting amongst themselves. Unlike Zoe, Val also ate most of the biscuit platter, and had multiple servings of very sugary coffee. You glance over at Val's midsection, and a sizeable food baby has formed, gently pushing out under her shirt.
	"I want... more," Val declares to the table. She sighs, and pats her stomach, "Seriously. I'm still hungry. Even though I ate so much, it feels like my stomach is just bottomless."
	Zoe remarks, "Goddamn, girl. You better keep the food coming if all that wasn't enough. We can't have you wasting away!"
	Lena leans back and groans, "For the life of me I can't understand how you do it. Go right ahead, I won't be going anywhere soon..."
	You look at Val and ask her, "What sounds good for seconds?"
	"Ooh, let's see..." Val smiles, "I'm still jonesing for pie, so some of that... Hm, I think some crispy hash browns would be nice. Ooh! I've never tried their milkshakes! I'm going to get one of those too!"
	Val flags down the waitress and relays her requests. The waitress wears an amused expression, but dutifully records Val's new orders. She turns and leaves. The four of you sip your coffee and make small talk, anticipating Val's gastronomic encore. Zoe is the first to spot the returning waitress, and her eyes go wide with an unmistakable "oh shit" expression.
	A fat slice of pie, a pile of hash browns, and a milkshake are delivered before Val. Or rather, a pitcher full of milkshake is placed in front of Val.
	"For the love of god," Val sighs.
	The waitress grins and replies, "You ordered it."
	"I did?" Val asks, genuinely puzzled.
	"You pointed towards the 'shakes to share' section, sweetie. And I know what kind of a big eater you are, so I didn't question it."
	Val tries to maintain a bit of a poker face, but she's clearly intimidated by the pitcher of cold sweet cream.
	"I believe in you," the waitress chuckles, and claps Val on the shoulder before returning to her work.
	Lena groans, "Oh fuck, Val. I think I'm gonna pop just looking at all that."
	Zoe is more calculating, "The pie and hash browns shouldn't be a challenge for you, blondie. But that pitcher of milkshake..." Zoe pats her bloated doughy stomach, "I don't know how much I'll be able to help."
	Val looks at you with pleading eyes, "Anon, that milkshake, I don't want to waste it... Can you help me drink it?"
	You nod solemnly, "I think so," You look at the pitcher, "That's a lot of fucking ice cream though..."
	"First things first, I guess," Val starts munching through the hash browns as the rest of the table watches. She crunches through them fairly quickly, though her pace starts to slow by the end.
	"I'm starting to feel it..." Val says as she starts tucking into the slice of pie. You and the girls encourage her to keep going.
	"God that was good. The cherries were fresh, and that crust was divine," Val moans as she drops her fork on the empty plate. She covers her mouth and quietly burps, then looks at the dreaded pitcher with fear.
	"Well, time for the hard part," Val remarks, staring somewhere past the pitcher.
	A moment later, the waitress cruises past your table, slyly dropping off a quartet of wide-diameter straws.
	"Group effort?" You propose.
	Lena whimpers. 
	"C'mon," you chide her, "Just a little sip. Surely you can manage that, right Lena?"
	Lena nods, and accepts one of the straws. Between heavy, slow breaths, she says solemnly, "For Val."
	Zoe takes a straw for herself, and you claim one as well. Val forgoes one, holding the pitcher in front of her. You say to Val reassuringly, "Just do the best you can, ok? We're here to help if you need to take a breather."
	Val purses her lips, and nods, trying to work up her nerve. She takes a deep breath, lifts the pitcher to her lips, and tilts it back. She sips and gulps slowly, trying to head off a brain freeze. The liquid level barely seems to change as you all watch Val drink. She sets the pitcher on the table and moans, "Breather..."
	You, Zoe, and Lena all lean in with your straws, and start sipping at the giant milkshake. Lena falls back first. Groaning as her stomachache worsens, "God that's so good, but I'm really about to pop. Go on without me..."
	You pause your sipping to reassure her, "You did good Lena. You helped, and you can be proud of that."
	She smiles dreamily as she leans back and rubs her stuffed tummy with closed eyes. The milkshake genuinely is amazing. A decadently rich vanilla flavor is carried by heavy cream and is interspersed with swirls of caramel, and you try to enjoy the dessert in spite of the ridiculous situation.
	Zoe struggles along for a while longer, but taps out soon too. "Fuck that's heavy," she gasps. Breathing heavily, she continues, "I haven't felt this full in a long time, I need a minute..."
	Val looks at you and says, "Ok, I'm ready to get back at it."
	You withdraw your straw and Val raises the partially drained pitcher to her lips again. With slow, measured sips, she makes her way through the drink. As you watch Val gulp it down, your own helping of the milkshake starts to settle heavily in your gut. Your stomach burbles and churns as it accommodates the influx of dairy and sugar. You can't imagine what Val must be feeling.
	She sets the pitcher down again, swaying slightly in her chair. Val doesn't say anything, but her out-of-focus eyes do. She breaths heavily in obvious discomfort.
	Zoe emits a prolonged grunt as she leans forward with her straw. You dip your straw into the pitcher and start slurping the milkshake. At one point, Zoe pauses, pulls back, and belches behind her hand. "Oof, excuse me," she giggles, and resumes drinking. Soon, however, she too surrenders, "That's it... No more..." she grunts heavily and assumes the familiar leaned-back pose to ease her stomachache.
	You look into the pitcher. A third of the container remains. Your brain feels fuzzy from all the sugar, and you feel like you could sweat milk. You take a steadying breath, and dive back in with your straw. It feels like a moment later your glutted stomach refuses any more. Sweet cream is threatening to crawl back up your throat and you finally heed your body's protests. You too, finally lay back, attempting to ease the ache in your swollen middle. Between measured breaths, you say, "Val, I'm sorry. I'm absolutely stuffed. It's gonna have to be your show from here on out."
	Val looks at the pitcher. It remains a bit less than one quarter full. She stares ahead, her head tilted to the side. Your eyes wander down her body. You don't know when, but somehow her shirt has ridden up, revealing her pale, overfilled belly. Her pants have slipped ever so slightly, and you catch a glimpse of her black panties. Still staring straight ahead, Val lifts the pitcher one last time and says to nobody in particular, "Victory or death..."
	She starts chugging the last portion of the milkshake. You stare, open-mouthed, as the pitcher is slowly drained. Her belly visibly swells more and more as she swallows the creamy treat. You've never seen her this bloated, and you slyly shift your pants to hide your raging boner. When a mere sliver of milkshake remains, Val pauses. She puts a hand over her mouth, muffling what would have been a huge belch.
	Then she tilts the pitcher at a steep angle, and lets the last few drops plop onto her tongue. Val emits a sigh of truly deep relief and satisfaction, and finally flops limply backwards with a groan.
	"Oh my God... I'm ready to explode, but I feel like I'm in heaven..." With a sigh, she stares up at the ceiling.
	A moment later, the waitress comes by. With a warm, knowing smile, she asks, "Y'all get enough to eat?”
	A chorus of groans answers her question.
	"Good, good," she chuckles, "Well take some time if you need to. You know where to find me when you're ready to pay."
	You watch as she sashays away, hips swaying. She enjoyed that, you think.
	Val's eyes are closed. You watch as she swallows thickly a few times, before releasing another sigh of pure bliss.
	This girl... you have to take care of her. But not just in the physical sense. You've never been the jealous type, but if you were, you'd be jealous of that milkshake. 
	Lena leans forward heavily with a slow grunt, "You did it, Val..."
	Eyes still closed, Val murmurs, "No, *we* did it..."
	Zoe straightens up, "Give yourself some more credit, Val. You did the lion's share of the work."
	A small burp sneaks past Val's lips, and Zoe snickers, "Next time you're on your own though."
	Val groans at the mere thought.
	The four of you attempt to make some small talk and ease your aching stomachs. After a little while, Zoe pipes up, "Ok, let's get paid up. I think I need a nap..."
	Val huffs and grunts as she tries to stand, but you stop her, "I'll get the bill, babe,"
	She sits back down, but digs out her credit card and hands it to you, "You don't have to foot my bill, Anon..."
	You look at her with confusion, and she smiles weakly.
	"I... don't want you to feel obligated. You've done so much already."
	You smile back, unsure what to say in return. You settle on, "Ok," and accept her credit card, rise with Zoe and Lena, and follow as they waddle over to the counter. The cashier smiles as she runs all of your cards, and understands Val's situation. You opt to pay for your own meal, deciding not to take advantage of having Val's card. Receipts in hand, the three of you shuffle back over to Val.
	"Think you can make it to the car?" you ask.
	"Yeah... I can try..." Val manages to get to her feet, "C'mon, let's go."
	"God, my tummy..." She inhales through her teeth and clutches her distended belly.
	"C'mon honey," you reply as you pull her arm over your shoulder and try to support some of her weight.
	Val's belly visibly wobbles as you help her out of the diner. Zoe and Lena offer to help carry something, but Val waves them off.
	"Anon's got it," she says with a weak smile. You mouth "thank you" as Zoe and Lena hold the doors for you and Val.
	"Looks like no small talk today," Lena quips.
	"Yeah," you laugh, "I need to get this one back for a nap," you gesture towards Val.
	"Yeah, ugh. I think it's nap time too..." Lena agrees. Zoe concurs too but adds, "Yeah, if our new weight doesn't blow out my poor car's suspension..."
	"Ok ladies," you laugh, "Same time next week, right?"
	Lena and Zoe say yes, then waddle towards Zoe's hatchback. You awkwardly help Val take her seat in your car, then you climb in and start the engine.
	"Thanks, hun," Val purrs, "You're my hero."
	You don't really understand the joke, but you laugh all the same as you pull out of the parking spot and drive off. Val seems to perk up ever so slightly, and extracts her phone.
	"What're you doing, honey?" you ask.
	"Trying to add up all the calories..." She replies.
	You chuckle, "Of course honey. For science, right?"
	"Damn straight."
	You focus on driving, but you can see and hear Val tapping on her phone in your peripheral vision.
	Suddenly she starts laughing, "Oh my God, I'm going to give Dr Kovacs a heart attack when he sees me."
	"What?" you reply.
	Val looks over at you with a grin, "Breakfast was about four thousand. That's more than even I usually eat in a whole day!”
	"Wow, really?"
	"Yeah," Val laughs, "Give or take..."
	You shake your head and smile, "And let me guess, you're already planning your next feast?”
	Val nods and bites her lip, "Can we go to Arno's today?"
	You can practically see the smile in her eyes as she gushes, "The food there is so yummy!"
	"Let's see how you feel after you process that massive brunch, honey," you offer. 
	"Ok..." Val smiles dreamily and gently rubs her overfull tummy.
	You've heard of Arno's and it has a stellar reputation. Truth is you're feeling pretty glutted yourself, and you aren't really thinking about dinner yet. 
	You roll up to Val's complex shortly and park your car. With a huff and a heave, Val manages to stand on her own, and she handles the front door. She immediately reaches under her shirt and unhooks her bra, then sits heavily onto the couch with a sigh.
	"God I'm fucking stuffed," she says.
	You chuckle and sit next to her, finally able to help massage her aching belly. After a few minutes, she's breathing more slowly and her eyes are starting to close.
	"Mmm... that's better..." She slurs.
	A moment later, you hear a quiet snore escape her lips. You continue the belly rub, enjoying the feeling of her taut, soft skin, and doing your best not to wake her. However, you hear a faint buzzing noise from next to you, from her phone. You look over and see that the screen shows some incoming texts. You decide to let Val nap. Soon enough her rhythmic breathing has lulled you to sleep too.
	Your dreams are filled with floating through endless halls of purple fog, with your stomach rumbling and pangs of hunger throughout. You wake up an indeterminate time later to find Val running her fingers over your own stomach. Her eyes are glossy and tired, but a smile graces her lips.
	"Hey baby," she yawns, "How are you feeling?"
	"A good bit less bloated," you groan, "How about you?”
	"Better now," she smiles, "I feel a lot better. I know what we should do."
	"Hmm... that sounds ominous," you say, groaning as you stand.
	She giggles, "It's nothing to worry about, let's just go for a little walk,"
	Val stands and adjusts her pants, "It'll help with digestion. Besides, I'm resolved to becoming a fatty, but I'd like to try and stay fit too."
	You nod, "Sure thing... let's get going."
	The two of you pull on some shoes, and Val makes sure to flash her tits at you as she replaces her bra. You and Val begin to leave the apartment, when you remember that you have no idea where you're going. "How about we go to the park?"
	Val smiles, "Sure thing, handsome. I know a path we haven't taken yet."
	You nod, and the two of you make your way to the park, and begin your walk. Val's tummy is still a little curved, but she's regained most of her energy and is moving easily. The two of you meander around a set of paths near some waterways, and after a few minutes you sit on a bench and people-watch for a while. You hold hands and watch as people of all types go past. Occasionally, you comment on the passers-by once they're out of earshot.
	"Wow, check out that guy! He's huge!"
	"Yeah, and look at that girl to his side... she's so tiny!"
	"Aren't they cute, holding hands?"
	A tall and extremely fat man approaches hand-in-hand with a petite woman. She's short, swarthy, and wiry, with her oil-black ringlet hair barely reaching to the man's chest. Her waist looks to be narrower than one of her man's thighs.
	"How cute," Val says quietly, "They look like they're in love." She beams at you.
	The fat man looks down at his girlfriend and sighs, "I wish you didn't have to work so much, Alanna. I hate spending the days by myself."
	"You know it's only until I finish my degree, pumpkin. I don't like being away from you either..." The petite woman replies, leaning into her partner's soft, broad torso.
	"Yeah, I know," The man looks down at his feet, "I'm just homesick. We're going to be apart a lot, you know?"
	"I know," Alanna nods.
	Their conversation trails off as the odd couple steadily walks away from you and Val.
	Val giggles once she gauges the couple to be out of earshot, "Do you think she uses her man like a bed? He's so big, and he looks pretty soft..."
	You shrug and chuckle, "Maybe? It's a funny mental image... She seems pretty happy with him."
	Val giggles again, and you grin. The two of you continue to enjoy each other's company as you watch for more passers-by to comment on.
	"Hey, look at that guy there!" Val says suddenly, staring over at a man and a woman. The woman is around your age, but the man is far older.
	"I'm guessing that's a father and his daughter," you say. The man is dressed in a nice suit, and the girl is dressed up in a pretty dress with ribbons in her hair. You can guess she's going to be going to some kind of event. She has her father's arm in her other hand, and they both grin and wave at the two of you when they see you looking. You and Val smile and wave back, and they continue on their way.
	You make some small talk with Val, when somebody catches your eye.
	Or rather, several somebodies. A fair-skinned and very athletic young man is running backwards and shouting encouragement to a group jogging after him. The group of followers is a blend of men and women in workout clothes, and most of them are quite overweight. They huff and jiggle, but keep a surprisingly good pace. The leader of the group is a portly woman in matched pink shorts and a sports bra, and she waves to you when she sees you looking. You grin and wave back. The group of joggers trots past, and your face falls as you think.
	"I need to start working out again," you mutter to nobody in particular.
	"Nah, you're fine," Val disagrees.
	You shrug, and smile. Val scolds you with fake sternness, "Doctor's orders, mister. You need to stay lazy for the time being,"
	You laugh and take her hand, "I don't think that was the exact guidance,"
	"It wasn't?" Val giggles and pulls you in for a kiss. You hold her close, glad to have her by your side.
	"Are you getting a little thirsty?” Val asks.
	The afternoon sun is pretty warm, and the two of you have been out for a while. "Yeah," you reply, and start walking with Val to return to her place.
	"So, what's the plan for when we get back?" you ask as an aside.
	"I dunno. Cool off? Watch some TV? Videogames?” "All of that sounds good to me," you reply with a grin.
	You and Val start heading back to her place, proceeding along a winding route through the park.
	You spot a squirrel darting and weaving along a tree branch high above the path.
	"Look at that crazy rat," you say, staring up at it.
	Val giggles, and stands with you to watch the squirrel's antics. It seems to be chasing after some kind of insect, and in its frenzy it drops a nut in its wake. The squirrel jumps down and easily retrieves the fallen nut with its paws, then darts off again, out of sight.
	Val squeezes your hand, "Ready to go?"
	"Yeah," you smile back. You and Val start moving again, staying beneath the canopy of branches, and in the shade. Eventually the two of you emerge from the park, turn, and walk along the road in Val's neighborhood. You arrive at her complex shortly, and she opens the door.
	"Thanks for the walk," you say. "I really enjoyed it."
	Val smiles and leans in to kiss you before you go in. You linger for just a moment, savoring the feeling of her lips on yours.
	"C'mon, let's go upstairs," she says, and you follow her up the stairs to her room.
	Val strips off her shirt and pants, and removes her bra for a second time. You look her up and down, as she bites her lip and smiles.
	"Well? What do you think?"
	"You're... amazing," you say, staring at her soft, pale skin.
	Val grins and sits down on the bed, looking up at you. "So are you," she replies, as she pats the bed. You sit down next to her and embrace her, kissing her deeply. You run your hands up and down her back, and she leans against you. The two of you stay like that for a while, just enjoying the closeness. Val smacks her lips, "Bleh, I need something to drink..." She gets up off the bed and ducks into the closet. She emerges wearing a light silk robe, and beckons you follow her down to the kitchen. Val reaches into the fridge and pulls out a pitcher of cold water. She pours a large glass for herself, then fills a twin glass and hands it to you.
	"Here," she says, kissing you again before taking a long drink from her glass.
	"Thanks," you reply.
	Val kisses the top of your head and shuffles out of the kitchen. You follow her and take a seat next to her on the couch. Val looks over at you and remarks, "You know, Arno's does delivery..."
	"So that's dinner sorted then," you laugh.
	"I decided I didn't want to get dressed up," she giggles, then flips on the TV.
	"Getting some practice for the lazy fatty lifestyle, I see," you joke.
	Val scowls and throws a pillow at you. She then laughs, "It's Sunday. We all have a God-given right to be lazy on Sunday."
	Val flips through the channels a bit, then settles on a calm antiques-repair show. You don't even have to look over to know that she's already digging through the side table and rolling a joint for you to share. She lights up first, taking a long drag and holding it, before passing the joint to you. You hold it between your lips and take a long drag, holding it in for a moment. You exhale slowly, feeling the smoke flood throughout your lungs. The physical sensations feel good, and you smile to yourself.
	"So... what do you want to do?" she asks in between puffs.
	You shrug, "Whatever you want to do."
	Val giggles, "This is kinda boring, even to high me. Wanna dungeon crawl some more?"
	You chuckle, "Yeah," and stumble over to the console to retrieve a pair of controllers.
	Val starts up the console, loads the game, and resumes from her save point. The two of you sit on the couch and get back into your game. You and Val assume control of your characters in a huge cavern of crystals. The two of you start looking for monsters to fight and loot to claim. 
	"You find anything good?" Val asks. "So far this level is a bitch to loot. It's Crystal Monkeys and weird spider-frog things... that one looks weird."
	You take a look at your map and scan the area. The caverns are huge, and your progress is slowed by you and Val being stoned. You're having a blast though, even laughing off game overs from clumsy playing. Eventually your stomach grumbles and you check the time. It's well into the evening, and definitely time to order some dinner. Val pauses the game, and pulls out her phone. A moment later, you're looking at Arno's online menu. Some pasta sounds good, so you punch in an order for spaghetti and meatballs, then hand the phone back to Val. Going by how long she scrolls and pokes at the screen, you wager she's ordering quite the meal.
	She smirks, and refuses to let you see what she ordered.
	"You'll get to see soon enough," she laughs.
	You affect an exaggerated pout at her secrecy, before breaking into laughter, leaning over, and kissing her. Val returns the kiss and briefly slips her tongue into your mouth, then you break away and she resumes the game. You and Val continue to tear through the cavern, fighting off creatures and searching for valuables. You get quite far into the game before the food arrives. Val giggles, looking at her scantily-clothed self, "Can you answer the door, honey?”
	You nod and head into the foyer, and open the door to reveal a greasy, round-faced young man holding an insulated bag.
	"Uh yeah, picking up for Valentine Sojka," you say.
	"Sure thing," the delivery guy says with a bit of a squeak. He fills your arms with a pile of steaming boxes, their aromas immediately making your mouth water.
	His job done, the delivery guy lopes back to his car, and you drop off the boxes on the kitchen table. You peek in the boxes to find your spaghetti, and array all of Val's boxes on the other side of the table. She saunters up to the table, her robe belt untied.
	"Well, let's eat," she smiles.
	You sit down with your boxes, and start opening them up. Your spaghetti and meatballs made the delivery trip well, barely looking worse for wear. You peek over at Val's side of the table. A monstrous serving of gnocchi sits in front of her, and a dish of ravioli steams off to the side. Val herself has just finished unwrapping some garlic bread. You heft a meatball-filled forkful into your mouth, and pop it in. Val does similarly with a gnocchi-laden fork. The two of you hum with pleasure almost in unison as the rich flavors hit your palates.
	"Good?" she asks.
	"Perfect," you say with a sigh.
	You savor your way through the pasta, laughing and joking with Val the whole time. Val quickly demolishes her pile of gnocchi and starts in on her ravioli. Despite seeing her appetite on multiple occasions, you're still awed by her ability to eat. You scrape up the last remnants of your spaghetti, push your plate away, and turn your full attention to Val with a grin. She grins back, and slips a free hand under her thin robe to grope a breast. She sighs, then spears a ravioli, lifts it to her lips, and gives it a slow, sensual lick.
	Val is clearly getting turned on by stuffing her face for you. She licks her lips, then groans, then writhes on the chair a bit. "It's just so good.... I don't want to stop eating..."
	Inspired, you reach across the table, pick up a ravioli, and hold it up to Val's mouth. She opens it eagerly, and you slip the little pasta pocket into her mouth. She sucks on it greedily as she closes her lips around your fingers. Val closes her eyes and you withdraw your fingers slowly. 
	"More please..." she whispers, then opens her mouth invitingly.
	One by one, you hand-feed Val the remaining raviolis. The number isn't small, and Val starts rubbing her stomach to keep making room. She leans back, smiling.
	"Good.... The best..." She groans. "I'm so full..."
	She sways slightly in her chair, slowly licking her lips. Her robe has fallen completely open, revealing her very swollen middle and rock-hard nipples.
	"I ordered... some dessert too..." She giggles. "I want... something sweet... Something thick... and gooey... to fill my belly..."
	You look around and find a box that hasn't been opened yet. You remember it when picking it up earlier, and it wasn't warm.
	You open the box, and you find two thick slices of golden-brown cheesecake. "Tiramisu cheesecake..." Val explains, "One for you... one for me."
	You flash Val a devilish grin, "I don't have much of a sweet tooth tonight..."
	Val's eyes widen in shock, but her lip-biting betrays her excitement.
	"And I don't think you're in much of a position to resist," you intone.
	You slide your chair around to hover behind Val's. You lean down closely, and breathe hotly in her ear. "You ready?"
	Val nods eagerly. You carefully pick up a slice of cheesecake, gently cup one of Val's breasts with your free hand, and bring the cheesecake to touch Val's lips. She opens her mouth eagerly, and you slide the cheesecake in. As expected, she pushes out her tongue and begins to lick off every last bit of the dessert.
	"Mmmm..."
	She squirms and moans, taking lusty breaths between greedy bites of cheesecake. Val lays back submissively as you cram the dessert into her mouth.
	"More... please..."
	Soon enough, you feel Val's lips and teeth gently bumping into your hand. You press the last remnants of the cheesecake and its crust messily into Val's mouth, no doubt smearing her face with the creamy dessert. Val groans and breathes slowly. She gasps, "More... Cram it down my throat, Anon... Please... make me fatter..."
	You sit there for a moment, staring down at her bloated belly. You wonder how the hell you got so lucky. You'll do anything for her.
	"More..." Val whines, as if reading your thoughts.
	You get up, fetch the final slice of cheesecake, and settle back into your seat behind Val. You bring the slice to her lips.
	"Ohh yesssss..."
	You watch as she greedily licks and slurps every morsel you can give her. Her cheeks are so stuffed, you doubt she could fit another bite of anything else.
	"Fff ... hehehe... Thish ish the best dinner I've evah had.... I'm sho full...."
	She swallows heavily, gasps for breath, and scarfs another huge bite. Soon, the only remnants of the cheesecake are smeared all over Val and all over your fingers. Val sighs heavily and slumps relaxedly into her chair. "Thank... you... honey..." 
	You lick your fingers clean and circle around to survey Val. You caress her bulging belly while she grins like a fool, her eyes half-shut.
	"Mmmm... so full..." she beams, basking in her afterglow.
	You lean down to be even with Val's face. "You're a mess," you chuckle, and start licking the smeared cheesecake off of her. She giggles and gasps as you do so, and you start working your way down her languid body.
	"Haaa....." Val breathes sharply as you slide your fingers under the rim of her panties. She shifts her weight, and you slide the soaked black undergarments from her crotch. Her glistening pussy is all yours. You dive in immediately, eagerly lapping up the sweet honey that oozes from her slit.
	"Ohh, yes... yesss..." she hisses.
	Shoving your tongue as far into Val's slick folds as you can, you start sucking on her clit. You gently bite down on the sensitive flesh, and she begins bucking her hips. Soon, she's thrusting her crotch into your face, rubbing her swollen clit against your tongue. Moaning loudly, she starts clenching her thighs and quaking. After a few more minutes, she goes over the wave, shuddering and shivering through her orgasm.
	"Keep... going..." she hisses between clenched teeth.
	You gladly oblige and keep licking and sucking on her clit. Her thighs start to tense again, and you feel Val arch back again. Her moans are suddenly cut off, then Val looses a throaty belch. Her next breath catches in her throat as she groans in ecstasy once more. You bury your face deeper into her warm folds, determined to keep Val in heaven for as long as possible.
	"Y... you're so amazing...." she sighs, as you lap up all the honey that you can. She slowly relaxes into the chair again, a blissful expression on her face. Her hands tremble, hanging limply at her sides, and her panting eventually slows.
	"Oh, my God...." she chuckles, more than a little dazed.
	"I'm... gonna need a minute or two..." she sighs, laying awkwardly on the chair.
	"Take all the time you need, baby," you say.
	You dip out of the kitchen, fetch a towel from the bathroom, and wipe off your face. You return to the kitchen and offer the towel to Val. "Thanks," she sighs, wiping up the juices from her crotch.
	Val opens her eyes and smiles at you. "That was... everything I wanted it to be." Her smile slowly fades.
	"My tummy hurts..." she whines.
	"Let's get you somewhere more comfortable," you offer.
	You help her up from the chair, and guide her to the bedroom. Once inside, you gently lay her down on the bed and sit next to her.
	"Do you need anything?" you ask.
	Val rubs her aching stomach and whimpers. "I've stuffed myself silly before... but it's never ached like this..."
	You make a concerned face, "Well, your stomach is basically mortal now... Think some pepto might help?"
	"Yes, please... Something..."
	You step into the bathroom and rummage through Val's medicine cabinet. You shake out a couple of antacid pills, and fill a small glass with water. You offer the antacids to Val.
	"Thanks," she says, quickly gulping them down with the water.
	Val sits up, a queasy expression on her face. She sighs and looks around the room. You grab a couple of pillows from across the bed, and push them behind Val's back. She sighs happily and lays back into the pillows, massaging her overstuffed tummy. You climb into the bed and sit next to her, also easing the ache in her gut.
	"Ooh, I'm so full," Val sighs.
	"What would you like to do now, beautiful?"
	Val looks up at the ceiling, thoughtfully stroking her rounded belly.
	"Let's watch some TV..." she says, reaching futilely for a remote control beyond her reach. You carefully clamber over your stuffed girlfriend, grab the remote, and hand it to her. She settles into the pillows with a dopey smile.
	You flick on the TV and settle into the bed next to her. Several of the channels are all fuzzy, but you find a cartoon playing.
	"Hey, this looks familiar," she says.
	"Sure it does, it's the episode where..." you trail off, realizing you don't remember this show all that well.
	Val smiles serenely, clearly having amazing patience for this show. "Ssh, let's just watch," she says.
	Soon enough, you feel Val's breathing become deeper and more regular. She's asleep. You watch TV in a daze for hours, until you eventually join her in dreamland.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14 – Bill of Health

	You stir, feeling a ray of sunlight warming your face. You groggily look over at Val laying next to you. She extricated herself from that robe at some point during the night, and she lies naked on her side, facing away from you. You gently roll over and wrap an arm around her, tracing bundles of muscle with a finger. You watch her chest rise and fall, looking at her perfect cheeks as she breathes.
	You have always had a bit of a thing for girls who like their food. Val stirs and turns over, smiling sleepily as she stares at you. Her hair is a wild mess, and her eyes look at you with a shyness that is new to you. She grins.
	"Hey..." she says, rubbing her eyes and leaning up on one elbow.
	"Hey," you reply, staring back at her with a grin.
	"So... That was fun last night."
	You feel another blush creep up your cheeks.
	"Yeah, it was," you say, trying to sound nonchalant.
	Val laughs, before reaching over and pulling you into a kiss. You wrap your arms around her, and roll on top of her. You enjoy kissing her for a few minutes, before she pulls away, smiling.
	"Come on, we should get up," she says.
	"Let me guess, for breakfast," you chuckle.
	Val bubbles with laughter, "You know it!"
	
	The week passes by fairly quickly. You continue taking it easy and Val continues testing the limits of her stomach capacity. The two of you catch meals with the other girls occasionally; lunch with Vicky one day, dinner with Jen once she felt better, and Lena swung by once to drop off a pie. Val inhaled most of it that very night. You and Val work together to day trade, not thinking about the influence Witness might have on the markets. You're almost not surprised to see some of your stocks go way up, but you sell and reap your profits all the same.
	Thursday morning rolls around, one short week since your discharge from the hospital. Today is your followup appointment. It's earlier than you like, and you slowly roll out of Val's bed at the urging of some alarms. Val groggily swings her legs over the side of the bed, yawns, and stretches. The two of you shuffle down to the kitchen and start prepping a light breakfast. Val starts some coffee and you start looking through the pantry. The two of you stand, looking at each other, feeling the undeniable tension from the upcoming visit.  You're feeling good, but it'll be up to the doctors to determine if you're actually recovered.
	"You're awfully quiet," Val says, "What are you thinking about?"
	"The doctors, the clinic, you, the future," you reply, not meeting her gaze.
	"Oh?" Val asks.
	"Yeah... I'm nervous. What if something hasn't healed right?"
	Val reaches over and grasps your hands. "You're gonna be ok, I just know it."
	You smile weakly back at her, "Yeah... I just need to hear the professionals make it official..."
	Val wraps you up in a comforting hug, holding you close. After a few awkward moments, the two of you let go. Your stomach is a knot, but you instinctively know you need to eat, and some caffeine would be a good pick-me-up. You choke down a muffin and a partial mug of coffee. Val takes her pills and eats an uncharacteristically light breakfast too, her anxiety obvious.
	With a sigh, Val clears the dishes and leads you back to her room to change. She pulls on a skirt and a tanktop, and you don your typical jeans and a t-shirt. Val offers to drive, and you climb into her car and she sets out. The drive is tense, with neither of you hardly speaking a word.
	Once at the clinic, you're pointed towards a room with a large number of chairs. You're told to wait here, and that a doctor will be in to see you shortly. Val holds your hand, and you doomscroll on your phone, trying to think of anything else. Sooner rather than later, your name is called, and a nurse beckons you into the back area. Val follows you in, and you're immediately greeted warmly by a neurologist you recognize by iron-gray hair and unmistakable mustache. He leads you to an exam room, you sit on the paper-clad bed, and Val sits quietly on a chair in the corner. The doctor begins his examination, and asks you some questions. He writes notes on a pad, and after a few minutes he's finished.
	"You're looking good, and your recovery is frankly amazing. You might be one of the luckiest patients I've even seen, Anon. One last thing, we need to do an MRI to confirm how your blood vessels have healed."
	You follow the doctor down the hall into a room with a large machine. Val grips your hand excitedly, flashing you an encouraging smile. You part with Val, and lay on a table. The MRI machine whirs and beeps as it powers up, and you hold as still as possible as the table goes into the scanner. You close your eyes and try to sleep, but the machine's noise is too loud. You drift in and out of consciousness, but eventually you're pulled to full awareness by the technician who beckoned you into the room.
	You get to your feet and the technician directs you to the control room where the neurologist waits. As you enter, a bevy of computer screens display unmistakable images of your brain, and the doctors are pointing and talking about various things on-screen.
	"There it is! See? No leakage, minimal scarring, your white matter is fine, your grey matter looks normal!" one the doctors exclaims.
	"So...?" you ask.
	"So, I'd say you're completely fine. You have no long-term effects from your ordeal. We will still hold to one more follow-up a week from today, but frankly I doubt it's necessary."
	You stand there stupidly for a long moment, digesting this great news. Val squeals with happiness and grabs your hand with a broad smile.
	You blink a bit, then manage to say, "Uh, is there anything else?”
	The doctor replies, "Oh, right, this is probably the update you actually wanted - It is this doctor's professional judgment that you're clear for strenuous physical activity again. We'll call later to set up that final follow-up but at this point that's a procedural formality."
	You shake hands with the doctor and his technicians, then walk out of the clinic hand-in-hand with Val, grinning like an idiot. By the time you get to the car, you notice that Val's face has changed. Oddly, she looks to be holding back tears. You strap in, and she starts the car, and you ask, "Hey, are you ok?"
	She seems distracted for a second, but replies, "Yeah...."
	Val is obviously hiding something, but you decide not to push. You turn on the radio during the drive, but it doesn't really diffuse the awkward silence. You don't want to make anything worse than it is, and just ride it out. The two of you return to Val's apartment, and once the door latches behind you Val bursts into tears. You're not exactly sure what's wrong, but don't want to force her to say anything.
	Finally she speaks. Between sobs, "It's just... So much.... I thought you'd be gone, and I had so many regrets..."
	You take Val's hand, and instead she squeezes you into a tight hug. Tears stream down her face and into your shoulder.
	"And now all of a sudden, you're ok and everything is back to normal. It's just... So much to process..."
	You hold Val tight, unsure of what to say. A moment later, you open your mouth, "Yeah. I *am* ok now, and I've got you. It *has* been a wild ride. C'mon, we don't have to think about that anymore."
	Val nods into your shoulder.
	A while later, she pulls away to wipe her eyes, and says between breaths, "I'm alright..."
	"Are you sure?” you ask.
	"Yeah," Val replies firmly.
	An awkward moment passes.
	"So uh..." You start, "You mentioned regrets? Do you want to talk about them?"
	Val has regained much of her composure, but her eyes are still a little puffy from her crying. Her mouth curls into an odd smile, then she closes the distance between you and interlaces her fingers with yours. She leans down and purrs into your ear, "I want you to fuck me into a coma."
	Val then licks your earlobe, sending a thrill through your body. You feel as if someone placed you inside a microwave, only to have someone twist the dial and stir, stirring sensation after sensation in a relentless quest to annihilation. Holy shit that feels good.
	You can barely think. "Right now?" you reply stupidly.
	Val laughs seductively, "Well the doctors just said you're ok to do it, unless you're not feeling ready..."
	Her hand finds your crotch, and starts teasing your rapidly-stiffening cock through your pants.
	"I was worried you'd never ask..." You whisper back.
	Val licks her lips and looks down at your hungrily, "So that's a yes?"
	"That's a fuck yes, bitch," you murmur into Val's ear.
	She smiles and giggles back, "Don't be mean... Yet."
	Before you can say anything else, Val suddenly crouches down, braces her arms under your hips, and has lifted you off your feet. She holds you off the ground, and kisses you greedily. You grab her hair with a free hand and deepen the kiss. She carries you up the stairs towards the bedroom, and you feel more than see her approach the bed. You feel her lean forward and deposit you atop the sheets, and she follows through the motion to crawl astride you.
	The kiss breaks, and you moan into her mouth as she grinds against you. She wiggles and grinds some more, grabbing one of your hands to grip her ass and pulling it into you.
	"Are you sure you want to do this?" you whisper.
	Val nods, then says into your ear, "Don't be scared. I've got a birth control implant. So you can do whatever feels right,"
	You dig your fingers into her taut ass in response. Val throws her head back, gasping with pleasure. A moment later, she looks down at you and takes her shirt off. The bra that lies underneath is plain, non-padded, mostly beige cotton. She tosses it aside as well.
	You stare up at Val, your eyes darting from her amazonian abs to her perky breasts, to her face flushed with excitement. She smiles down at you, waiting a moment, before getting impatient and reaching down to pull your own shirt off. She then gently pins your arms in place and starts kissing her way down your bare chest. She leaves delicate kisses all over your torso, and your breath hitches when she licks your navel and crawls further down. Val's kisses are making you dizzy, and you feel light-headed.
	She looks up at you and starts unbuttoning your pants. You shift your weight to help her remove them, then she slides her own skirt off and finally removes her panties. She crawls back up your legs, and you grip the sheets as she moves closer to your pelvis.
	She lays on top of you, kissing and touching her body against yours. You passionately return her kisses, desperate to return the affection she's shown you. Her body feels very warm, and deceptively soft in spite of her muscles. Eventually, Val can wait no longer. She straightens up, leans back, and gently lowers herself onto your cock, guiding it into her with a hand. She rests her forehead against yours as she rocks back and forth, up and down.
	Your hands wander over her body in return, as you both groan into each other's mouths. You both start thrusting in unison, as her walls embrace you. You grip her ass tightly, and she throws her head back with a gasp. She firmly places a hand on your chest, "Let's switch it up."
	Val climbs off of you and lays on her back beside you. She reaches across your body, obviously prompting you to get on top this time. You comply, and she wraps her legs around your back. She pushes your chest forward and up as you start rocking back and forth. "You feel so good," She pants.
	You kiss her neck and shoulders as you thrust harder.
	"Yes... Fuck, fuck, fuck me, fuck me...." Val growls.
	You grab her arms and place them in submission above her head, kissing her mouth hungrily. Val's face glows with ecstasy, her eyes rolling into the back of her head, barely open.
	She grimaces, biting her lip before crying out with an orgasm, "Ahhh! Don't... Stop... Keep... Going!”
	You speed up thrusting roughly into her, making her entire body tense up.
	"G-GOD! YES! DON'T STOP!"
	Val's velvety insides feel amazing on your cock, but it's her cries of pleasure that are sending you over the edge. Your mind clouds with pleasure as you feel your an orgasm churning in your balls and swelling your cock. It's all you can do to keep your pace, riding this moment for as long as you can.
	Suddenly, you can take no more. You arch your back and drive your cock deep into Val's pussy. Burst after burst of hot cum shoots into her, and you groan wordlessly as you empty your balls.
	You fall heavily onto Val, panting heavily. Your heart is racing and your body is buzzing. You stay inside Val as you lay on her, her twitching folds feeling amazing on your overstimulated cock. You have no idea how long you're like this, but for you it feels like forever. You and Val trade quiet gentle kisses, and savor this long-awaited moment of intimacy.
	Soon, your sensitivity fades, and you slide out of Val to lay next to her and look her in the eye. She smiles at you, her eyes glazed over from pleasure. "God, I've wanted to do that for so long," She says.
	"Me too..." You reply.
	You stare into her eyes for a moment, before kissing her. The pair of you lay there, basking in the afterglow, sated and happy. Good things come to those who wait...
	You feel closer to her than you ever have before, and it hits you that you'd do anything to protect her. Not that she really needs the help.
	You hold each other wordlessly for a bit, then you hear Val's stomach grumble.
	She giggles, "I'm hungry."
	Her stomach growls again, "Let's get cleaned up then get some lunch."
	"How do you feel about sandwiches?" You ask.
	"Oh? I bet there's a certain shop with a certain cashier that you'd like to visit," she replies with a smirk.
	You blush a little but hold your ground, "That cashier is part of the reason why things wound up working out. I think you'd like to meet her. Plus, I think you'd enjoy ogling her."
	Your girlfriend smiles, then nods. She then rolls out of bed and stands up. You give Val's naked form a good look. She's built, that's for sure. You think you could get used to her body, but you can't help but wonder where she'll fill out as she keeps eating. Val walks to the bathroom, and you follow. You hear the shower turn on, and the bathroom starts filling with steam. You walk up behind Val and wrap your arms around her. She leans back against you, and you feel her hands grip your forearms.
	"You know," She says, "I could get used to this."
	"Oh?"
	"Yeah," She says.
	You reach up and nibble her ear, and Val sighs, gently leaning back into you. A moment later, she wriggles free and steps into the shower, beckoning you to follow. You do so, and you get to enjoy a hot shower with your girlfriend. The hot water feels great, but you're starting to feel a little hungry too, so neither of you dawdles under the refreshing stream.
	Soon after, the two of you are toweled off and getting dressed again. While Val is putting on her usual tank-top and shorts, you stare at her ass, which is almost completely uncovered, and wiggle your eyebrows many times. Val giggles, pretending not to notice your gaze, and wiggling her ass a little more to put on a show for you.
	"Ok, that's enough. C'mon honey, get dressed, I'm hungry!" She laughs.
	You dig through your bag and put on a t-shirt and your own pair of shorts, and pull on a beanie. You're still feeling self-conscious about your scars, and plan to keep wearing the hat until your hair fills back in. A few moments later, the two of you have snatched up your things and are sitting in Val's car, on the way to your favorite sandwich shop. You talk with her about nothing in particular, just enjoying each others' presences. After a brief drive, you pull up to the restaurant and enter.
	There's a short line, and you decide what you want pretty quick. Val's eyes dart between a menu above the cashier's counter, and Syl, who's busy with other customers. You look over at Val, and notice she's staring hungrily at Syl.
	You smile and whisper to Val, "Be careful with her, she's really good at getting you to buy more than you meant to."
	Val glances up at you, smiling. "Do you really think so?"
	"I do."
	"Well then..." she says, winking.
	You pretend to be worried, and approach the counter. Syl distractedly calls out "Next," then looks up, and further up, to meet Val's gaze. Syl smiles, then turns her head to look over at you. "Anon, right? Haven't seen you in a while..."
	There's nobody behind you and Val, so you decide to chat a bit.
	"Yeah, I ....uh, almost died. It's a bit of a story."
	Syl looks genuinely distraught for a moment, "Well.... I guess I'm glad to see you're doing well," She looks over to Val, "And this lovely lady must be your friend you mentioned a while back..."
	On cue, Val's stomach growls loudly with hunger. Val blushes, and Syl jumps in, "You sound like you're hungry..." Syl subtly poses to accentuate her abundant chest, leaning forward as she speaks to Val.
	"Starving," Val replies.
	"Oh, we can fix that," Syl purrs.
	You order a roast beef sandwich with some chips. Val is practically drooling as she's effortlessly persuaded into ordering a pair of large meat-laden subs, along with a pile of chips, and a huge cinnamon roll. Val also orders a huge soda to wash it all down.
	Syl is beaming. Val turns the tables by caressing her hips and leaning in towards Syl, "I hope all these calories go right to my ass. I think I'd look good with fuller curves, don't you?"
	"Well," Syl sputters, "I've just met you, and I think I have to agree..."
	Val chuckles and reaches down to pat Syl's head, "And I think you're a cute little chubster yourself,"
	Syl blushes bright red and stammers, "Hey, uh... no touching! But I'll give you one for free... this time."
	Val blushes and recoils, looking properly apologetic. She holds her hands in front of her mouth and stammers an apology to Syl. "Ohmigosh, I'm sorry! I thought there was a vibe - and - and...."
	Syl waves Val off, "It's cool, tall stuff. Just don't do it again, ok? Tell you what, I'll add a free muffin, if you scarf that too we'll call it even."
	Val smirks back, "Ooh, you really are trying to fatten me up. Can't say I hate that..."
	Syl blows Val a kiss and winks, then Val rejoins you and the two of you look for a table to sit at.
	"I told you she's good," you joke with Val.
	Val giggles, "Oh yeah. She hasn't managed to crack you yet?"
	You feign annoyance, "What do you mean 'yet'?"
	Val holds your hands and smiles, "I'm just playing, honey. If you want to eat more, then eat more. I'll think you're a cutie at any weight."
	You pull her in for a quick kiss, "I don't plan on holding you to that, but that's good to know."
	A few moments later, Syl strolls up with your food. She easily deposits your sandwich, and needs a few moments to organize Val's huge lunch. Syl smiles and walks away, making sure to sway her curvy hips as she does. Val is mesmerized, and you smirk at her with your mouth full of sandwich. Val beams back as she devours her subs. You're hungrier than you thought, and quickly much through your sandwich. You open your chips, and snack on then as Val starts on her second sandwich.
	"So, now what?" You ask, to which Val replies with a question.
	"Why didn't you tell me about this place sooner?" She points at the last scraps of her sandwich, "This is great!"
	You smile and sip your drink as Val stuffs the last bit of sandwich into her mouth, chews, and swallows. She looks at the pile of potato chips, thinking. A moment later she says, "I'll pack those up for a snack later. For now, dessert!"
	She tears off a strip of her cinnamon roll and offers it to you. After a moment, you accept. A grin tugs at the corners of your mouth as you take your first bite. It's pretty tasty. You think you catch Syl smirking at you out of the corner of your eye, but you can't be sure. Val quickly polishes off her portion of the roll, sucking her fingers clean before unwrapping the muffin. It looks like a fairly standard blueberry muffin, but you don't get a good look before Val starts ravishing it. She finishes it in three bites, licking her fingers clean. Val closes her eyes and sighs with contentment, doing a cute little sitting dance.
	She opens her eyes again, "Yeah, we'll be here all afternoon if I eat those chips here. I'll get a box for them, then we can go?”
	"Sure," you reply.
	Val gets up and walks to the counter. You can't hear her conversation with Syl, but the cashier girl is smiling and laughing. A moment later she hands Val a to-go box, and strikes a cute pose before Val returns to the table. 
	"Okay, let's go," she grins.
	Val dumps the chips into her to-go box, then you help her clear the trash, and follow her back to her car. The rest of the day marches by in a pleasant blur. You bounce between day trading and video games and Val does likewise while grazing on her chips. As the evening draws closer, you help Val make a dinner of chicken and rice. It's light fare, chosen out of deference for your own diet, and Val compensates by eating about a whole chicken's worth of meat. You spend the rest of the night playing your games and generally just relaxing. Well, and getting distracted by the occasional skin view of Val's midriff while she's stretching or changing position.
	Weariness eventually catches the two of you after another eventful day, and you retire to Val's room to sleep. Horniness also catches the two of you again, and you give each other some oral pleasure before finally turning in for the night.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 – Ups and Downs

	Come Saturday, you and Val find yourselves once again sitting before Dr. Rohaz's desk. Val and the doctor are discussing her first week on the medication, and are going over some test results. It's a bit over your head, but you do your best to pay attention.
	"It looks like your microbiome has adjusted to the medication. The novel bacteria are still sitting happily in your gut, but they're no longer interacting with your metabolism. How do you feel?” the bespectacled doctor asks.
	"I feel fine," Val replies, "Tummy cramped a little bit for the first few days, but it's properly settled now."
	"Good, good," Rohaz replies while scribbling some notes. She continues, "We're still doing our studies on your genetics and metabolism. I don't think we're close to any breakthroughs, but you've given us a ton of interesting leads."
	"Anything that might help towards your dream of blocking obesity's harms?" you ask.
	"Maybe," she says, with a wink. "We're not close to anything that could be classed as reliable, but we've found a few things that are promising."
	She turns her attention back to Val, "I had an idea for another trial, if you're comfortable with changing gears for a bit."
	Val looks apprehensive, while you are intrigued.
	"What did you have in mind?" Val asks.
	"So you've definitely put on a couple of pounds over the last week, and for us, that's a great sign. I was thinking you stay on the medication for a while longer, until you've put on, say 20 pounds or so. Something that's clearly 'real' weight, new adipose tissue. Then, I was thinking you stop the pills, and see if your metabolism returns to normal."
	"You really think it's going to work that way?" Val asks.
	"I really do suspect it's going to work that way," the doctor says with a smile.
	Val is still somewhat apprehensive, "I dunno... Going through all this trouble to put on a few pounds, then just dropping them again..."
	You grab Val's hand, "Look at it this way, honey - you'll never have to stop eating your favorite foods at any point in this study."
	Val looks at you with a smile, "Well, I do like food..."
	The doctor smiles politely, "I understand if you're not comfortable with this. But I figured you've been a good sport so far, and that it couldn't hurt to ask."
	Val thinks for a moment, then replies, "Yeah, it's probably smart to make sure my super-bugs will still do their jobs. I'll do it."
	Val then giggles a bit, "But first I've got to put on a little chub."
	Dr. Rohaz extends her hand, and Val shakes it.
	"Glad you're on board for this. Nothing will change for the time being, but we'll talk about phase 2 in due time."
	The doctor checks her watch, "Until then, lunch? My treat."
	
	Time seems to fly from this point forward. Lunch with the doctor was delightful, and the rest of the day with Val was pleasant and comfortable. 
	She talks you into working out with her periodically, justifying it by reiterating that she wants to be fit at any weight and that exercise makes her feel better. You admit the exertion feels good too, though you're quite sore after lifting with Val as a trainer.
	Sunday brunch brings out all the girls, and Val gorges herself silly with their encouragement. Jen seems to be developing a bit of a sweet tooth, and you easily talk her into having some pie after a full breakfast. It's only been a few weeks of these brunches, but you're feeling the connections with your old friends deepening once more. It really is like no time passed since before college.
	The rest of the week falls into a routine. You wake up with Val and go through a routine of stretching and strength training. Naked usually, just because you can. Breakfast follows, then the two of you day trade for the rest of the morning. Lunch is typically when "work" slows down, and the two of you make a point to try and see some of the group. Some cheeky sex usually finds its way into your day at some point, and if it hasn't, Val stuffing herself at dinner is usually enough of an aphrodisiac.
	The following Thursday comes and goes with little fanfare, and the second scan confirms that your bleed has 100% healed. This unfortunately means that your absence from work no longer has an excuse, and you agree to return to the office on the following Monday. You're going to miss day trading, but a few more lucky breaks and you might be able to quit your job. That probably won't be any time soon, though. You and Val resolve to make the most of your remaining time off. 
	It passes quickly. Another Saturday visit results in no course changes or new breakthroughs. Dr. Rohaz invited the two of you to a lunch buffet, and uncharacteristically she pigged out. Val did too, but that's far less surprising. The following Sunday brunch is drawn out, with everybody at the table socializing more than usual. The heroic portions that were ordered ensured a long visit as well. 
	That evening you finally leave Val's company and return to your own apartment. You'd dropped in occasionally for items and fresh clothes, but you haven't slept here for almost a month. Everything looks much as you left it, with one minor exception. In your absence, a little message has been scrawled on the dry-erase board appended to the refrigerator door.
	"Have fun with your lady,
	-Dad"
	You laugh to yourself. That message must have been up for weeks, and you only noticed it now. You open the fridge, pour yourself some water, then replace the pitcher. As you drink the water, you think. You've been thinking a lot lately. About your girlfriend, your family, your job, your life in general. You take another drink, and wipe your mouth with the back of your wrist.
	Here's another one. Staying with Val was really nice. It felt natural, and it wasn't just two weeks of cutsey stuff, you got to see how she actually lives. Her tastes are fairly classy, and she's not a slob. The thought crosses your mind, and you can't help but laugh. She's a paradoxical blend of doting and independent. You've always liked a woman who knows what she wants. You stare ahead for your next thought. Is it too soon for the two of you to start living together? Well, it's no longer too soon if you're thinking about it. You'll just have to explain it to her.
	You yawn.
	It's late, and your wandering mind is getting less coherent. You put your empty glass in the sink and head to your room. You strip off your clothes, switch for a light sleeping shirt, and crawl under the covers. You feel a little sad sleeping alone again, but the familiar smell and feel of your blankets almost fills the gap. The pillow is just a teensy bit flat. You drift off to sleep.
	
	You wake up to the unpleasantly familiar sound of your alarm. You groan, throw off the covers, and stumble to your feet. You slowly work through some stretches and a couple quick exercises to help wake up a bit, then trudge into the kitchen to get some breakfast. You find some granola bars in the cabinet, and go to work on one of them while you think about your plans for the day. You've been away from work for a long while, so you'll need to spend some time getting caught up. You finish the last of your granola bar, and return to your room to get dressed for work. You change into slacks with a button-down shirt, grab your wallet, keys, and phone, then get into your car. You then start the engine and pull onto the road, beginning your commute to work.
	The drive to work is uneventful, and you find yourself pulling into the employee parking lot as you remember you have an important meeting this morning. You hurry into the office, and wave off questions from your co-workers. You hurry to the second floor to meet with your boss, a middle-aged man almost universally referred to as "Mr. Axe". He looks up from his desk as you enter, with a smile on his square face. The nickname is ironic.
	"H-hello there, sir," you say, uncharacteristically stumbling over your words.
	"Ah, Anon. Good to see you back! I wanted to go over a few things before you got started today," the boss says.
	You nod, and take a seat as Mr. Axe moves closer to you. Your boss turns his computer screen around, and shows off a quick presentation regarding recent business. The company is preparing to branch into some new ventures, and you're being tasked with helping. It's a lot to take in, but your boss nods his buzz-cut head deferentially, "I'll send some emails with the details." Ugh. You don't savor going through your email backlog.
	Mr. Axe dismisses you and you head to your cubicle. You sit down and stare at your screen. Your eyes have to adjust to the minimal sunlight coming from the large windows across the top of your cubicle. You chipped away at some emails during your recovery, but it's still a lot to deal with. You buckle down and start sorting emails and dashing off responses as appropriate. After a few hours, you've put a big dent in your email backlog, and you suddenly feel a soft hand tap your shoulder.
	"You doing ok, Anon?" you hear a girlish voice say. You immediately recognize the voice as belonging to your coworker Lisa, and sure enough there's a pleasant grin on her round face as you turn your chair around.
	"Y-yeah... I'm fine."
	"We're all so glad to have you back. Have you got a minute?"
	"Sure, what's up?"
	"Come with me to the breakroom," she says.
	Lisa leads you into the breakroom, where a few of your co-workers are standing around or sitting at the table. They all turn and smile when they see you. You look at the table and see a flat, wide box sitting on the table. Lisa smiles and opens the box. It's a cookie cake, with "Welcome back" written in icing. Lisa starts cutting up the cookie cake and distributing the slices. She hands you a choice slice, and you fetch yourself a cup of coffee. You thank Lisa profusely as you take the first bite. Damn... that's some good cookie cake.
	The conversation during the lunch break is light and easy. You're of course the center of attention, but you frankly don't have much to share. Your harrowing story of survival mostly centers on the people who saved you, since you were unconscious for most of it. To add a dramatic flourish, you take off your beanie cap to show off your scars. Shocked and awed silence fills the room.
	"That's so cool," says a young man in the crowd.
	"We're all so glad you made it." Says another woman.
	The silence turns awkward, and you defuse it by waving off the group's wonder and you put your hat back on. Conversation eventually turns back to mundane topics, and you eventually excuse yourself and return to your cubicle. You spend the rest of the day doing work you should have been doing awhile ago. In the evening, your boss comes over to talk to you just as you're shutting down for the day. He seems extrmely frazzled, and somehow looks as though he hasn't slept in days.
	"There's been a change in the company's plans. I'm sorry, but you won't be getting that project after all."
	"What? That's quite a bit of whiplash for my first day back. What changed?”
	Your boss sighs, "There's been a security breach. All projects are on hold until further notice."
	You mull that information over. The boss continues monotonically, "We're notifying partners and customers. For now, just, uh hold tight. I'll have proper marching orders for you tomorrow. I wanted to tell you in person because of that new project thing. A company bulletin will be going out in a minute."
	"How bad was the breach?" you ask.
	Another sigh.
	"We're still working on that. We'll know more in the morning. I'm just relaying what I've been told. I don't need you to stay late or anything, and for what it's worth, have a nice evening."
	You awkwardly bid your boss goodbye, and head for Val's place. The drive is quick since you missed rush hour. Val sweeps you into her condo and plops you at the dining table. She portions out some fresh and enticing pot pie. You both dig in, and you relish dinner after basically skipping lunch. Val devours enough to sate a family, and when she's finally done, you help her to the bedroom and help rub her aching belly. 
	As you lie there with her body pressed against your own, Val looks at you. She directs one of your hands between her legs, and sighs as you start caressing her pussy. Things get hot and heavy in a hurry, and in what seems like no time, you're flopping into bed next to a panting Val, your clothes long gone and your balls empty. You look at the ceiling and try to catch your breath. Val turns over and looks into your eyes.
	"Fuck. That was intense." She says.
	"Glad you liked it."
	Val traces her forefinger down your chest, stopping at your belly button.
	"You have nice abs." She says, then she giggles.
	Val snuggles up against you and wraps her arm around your body. You lay together for a bit, until you notice Val's breathing getting more regular. You nudge her awake and sheepishly explain that you should probably go. She leans over and kisses you, and the two of you part ways for the night.
	
	The next few weeks fall into something resembling a routine. Work is a clusterfuck, and Val's condo and her cooking are a refuge of comfort and quiet. Val keeps over-eating like a woman on a mission, and you notice that some of her clothes are beginning to look a little tighter than usual. Her frame and strength means that she's nowhere near "fat" or even "chubby" in appearance, but you can tell she's starting to put on the pounds. Val enjoys tormenting you by withholding the specific number. Your stocks are making slight gains, but you're nowhere near comfortable enough to quit your job. You find yourself frustrated that Witness isn't bumping up the market, but you check your feelings and decide you'd rather not rely on the AI's goodwill. 
	Another Saturday finds you and Val sitting before Dr. Rohaz. The doctor is discussing the latest round of test results and research progress with Val. Annoyingly, the doctor won't tell you Val's weight either, and you think the women are in cahoots to frustrate you.
	The time has come to pause Val's medication regime. She's put on some weight because of it, and she's curious to see if stopping the medication will drop the weight. Val's health remains impeccable despite her gluttonous diet and the new pounds, but she intends to honor her agreement with Dr. Rohaz. Unfortunately that agreement also means it's time for a follow-up with Val's ordinary physician, Dr. Kovacs.
	However, Val has an odd glimmer in her eye this time. She says she's not worried about facing Dr. Kovacs any more, explaining that she "wants to have some fun" with the checkup. She goes on to insist that you come along too. You agree without a second thought. The appointment is Tuesday morning, and you shouldn't have any trouble proceeding from the clinic to your job. A lazy Sunday and a busy Monday pass quickly, and you stay over at Val's place for the evening. Of course, this follows an epic feeding wherein Val demolished a whole pie following a huge portion of curry.
	You are woken at dawn by the rumbling of an engine outside Val's house. She cuddles into your side and snores softly as you shift to get comfortable. You drift back into the comfortable twilight between awareness and sleep for a little while, then an alarm clock goes off. You and Val groan in unison as you come to, and you both roll out of bed to get dressed. You don a neat button-up shirt and pull on some slacks, simple and suitable for work. Val digs around in her closet for longer than usual.
	She comes out with a surprising number of clothing items. You also notice her breasts are slightly overflowing her bra cups, and her panties dig into her hips a little. She looks at you and giggles.
	"What?" Val asks, confused.
	"Nothing. You're just...so fucking hot." You respond, blushing.
	Val wordlessly strides over to you with a smile, then wraps a hand around the back of your head, pulls you close, and kisses you deeply. You feel her warm body as she presses up against you, hands wandering. You put your arms around her and return the kiss, but after a few moments she gently pulls away.
	"We've both got stuff to do today, dum-dum."
	You release your girlfriend and watch as she gets dressed. She slips on a snug t-shirt, which actually rides up just a bit on her midriff. Val then steps into a pair of small jean shorts, and you immediately notice that they're going to be very tight on her. Val has had a goofy grin the whole time and explains, "I haven't worn these in years. I know they're going to be tight, especially now..."
	She punctuates her statement with a grunt, as she sucks in her stomach and zips up the fly.
	You stare at her in disbelief. "Those are...really going to fit?"
	Val grins.
	"Not really, but that's the point!"
	She sucks in again and fastens the button. A slight amount of soft skin bulges over the waistband. Val idly fingers the squishy roll.
	"Hmm, now you look cute." You say, unsure how to react.
	Val giggles, "I don't think the doctor is going to agree, but I want to mess with him today. Thus, I want to look as chubby as possible today!"
	"I also want it to be a surprise," she continues, and reaches for a plaid skirt laying on the bed. She quickly slips it over her shorts. The overall affect of her outfit is actually quite cute. She leads you to the kitchen, where the two of you have some quick breakfast. Val picked up some churros the other day. You have a couple, their sugary flavor playing nicely off the coffee. Soon, it's time to go. You're driving, since you'll need to proceed to work after the visit. Val hops into the passenger seat, and you head off.
	The car ride is uneventful. You both zone out the bustle of the city, concentrating on the drive ahead of you. The morning has a bit of traffic as usual, and you're slowed a little as you navigate around a minor accident. It takes nearly twenty minutes to cover the short distance to the clinic. 
	You pull into the parking lot as soon as you see a spot, and head into the building. Val signs in, and the two of you sit and wait. Soon enough, a nurse calls for Val, and the two of you go into the main area. You hide your excitement as the nurse directs Val to stand on a scale. You watch as she nervously obeys, her frame tense. The nurse's eyes briefly glance at the balanced weights and dials, her brow furrowed. You can't see the number and you don't want to gawk, so you just wait. The nurse eventually nods, writes something on a pad, shows the pad to Val, and directs her to an exam room. The door latches shut, and Val immediately takes off her skirt, handing it to you. In her shorts and t-shirt, Val looks ever so slightly too big for her clothes, and some soft skin bulges slightly under her shirt. You neatly fold the skirt up and set it aside, then look at Val expectantly.
	"It's rude to ask a woman her weight," she snickers.
	You give her a humorless look, and she finally relents.
	"Two hundred and forty-nine," Val declares.
	"That's like... A pound a day," you say quietly, doing some mental math.
	"Mmm-hmm," Val replies breezily.
	Suddenly you hear a knock at the door, and a moment later the latch opens. Dr Kovacs walks through the doorway.
	"Ah, good morning, Ms. Soj....ka..." The doctor fumbles his words as he looks up from his clipboard to behold Val.
	Val smiles innocently, sitting in such a way to subtly emphasize her tight clothes.
	"Good morning Dr. Kovacs," Val replies, "I understand you've been corresponding with Dr. Rohaz regarding my.... Status."
	"Ah, yes. Leona did send me a report on your genetics and your microbiome, as well as the medication she put you on..." The doctor's professional facade springs right back up.
	"So interesting to think that there could be an effect from that old antibiotic. And it certainly looks like there was an effect. Val, you've put on almost 29 pounds since your last visit."
	"Twenty-nine ain't nothin', Doc. I feel great."
	The doctor grins, but his eyes are fixed on her bulging shirt. "I'm sure you do," he says.
	"So, what's the sit...."
	The doctor interrupts you with an uprasied hand and stays focused on Val.
	"We're going to do the usual tests, with an emphasis on metabolic health. First, blood pressure."
	He guides Val's arm into a familiar cuff, and does his measurement.
	The doctor almost hides a frown has he gets his numbers. "119 over 78. BP still looks spotless."
	Val smiles back, "Told ya, I'm just that awesome!"
	Dr Kovacs looks unimpressed, "I've seen plenty of athletes spiral down, Val. And it pains me to see it every time."
	"That won't happen to me," Val says back confidently.
	"I should hope not. Gotta say I'm glad you're doing the reversibility test," the doctor replies.
	"Have some faith in Leona," Val says.
	"Val, I'm an atheist. I trust the evidence, and you already know what I think about said evidence."
	Val frowns, but stops arguing. The doctor continues, "Now, the other tests."
	The doctor and his staff quickly get through a handful of tests. Some of the results come in during your visit, and the doctor launches right into looking over them. He's dumbfounded, "Everything.... Is flawless. I don't get it, but I don't suppose I should complain."
	Val smiles broadly, "Right so I'm off to replace water with milkshakes from this point forward..."
	Dr Kovacs groans and pinches his nose bridge, "Please don't do that, Val..."
	Val grins and shrugs, "I don't see why not. You said it yourself, I'm in excellect health."
	"Well, you're far braver than I am then," he laughs.
	"Still, the next time you see me, I should be back to the old numbers," Val says.
	"And I really hope you stay there."
	Val giggles, "No chance!"
	The doctor makes a show of exasperation, "You're trying to give me a heart attack, aren't you?"
	Val gestures towards you, clearly expecting her skirt. You hand it to her, and she promptly slips it on right then and there.
	"A girl can have a little fun, right?" she says.
	Dr Kovacs releases a slow sigh, "You certainly have the right, but maybe don't mess with your doctor so much?"
	Val chuckles, "Fair."
	"Well then, we're done for now. Can I do anything else for you?"
	"Yeah, my leg has been really itchy lately...."
	The doctor starts laughing, "Ok, out! Both of you!”
	You and Val bid the doctor goodbye and leave the clinic for your car. Val looks at you once she's seated and you're pulling out of the driveway.
	"I really am going to pause the medication starting today."
	You nod, "I figured as much. So, what's our plan?"
	"Nothing special I guess. Stay in touch with Dr Rohaz, and hope my little bug buddies do their thing."
	"And if the reversal does work?”
	"Then I get back on the medication, and stuff my face until I can crush beds," Val laughs.
	"You seem pretty confident about that."
	Val shrugs, "I guess I've had a lot of time to think about it."
	You steal a smile while driving, and snag a quick kiss at a stoplight. Soon you've returned to Val's place. She hops out and waves, before returning to her complex. With a sigh, you drive off to work, a little late, but called ahead. You're still desperately putting out metaphorical fires, and you get absorbed into your work.
	
	The days roll by and turn into weeks. Work feels like a never-ending carnival of complaints and problems, but some of your stocks are finally going up. Your life for the time being is punctuated with evening visits with Val. She's still handily out-eating you, but she's no longer actively scarfing down everything in sight. Her clothes slowly start to look less stretched over her body, not that they were particularly strained before.
	You continue to accompany her to the weekly visits with Dr. Rohaz. They're quite a bit less exciting with no major changes or breakthroughs to discuss, but you try to be a good boyfriend and listen to the science talk when the doctor discusses it. As coy as Val was when her weight was going up, she's open about how it's going down. Shockingly, she's been losing weight at almost the same rate as she put it on: roughly a pound per day. Before too long, Val's weight has stabilized at her usual baseline around 220 pounds. The reversibility worked, and at her next visit with Dr. Rohaz she all but begged to get back on the weight-gain medications.
	"I'll approve the prescription," the doctor says, looking at the two of you from across her desk.
	"But I have to ask, Val - where do you see your relationship with food going?" 
	Val looks down, and rubs her hand over her stomach. Her hands rub circles for a moment, and she answers in a quiet voice, "I don't know. I like food, I like eating, and I felt really sexy with the extra pounds. Oh!" Val looks up suddenly, "Was that too much information?"
	"Not at all," Dr. Rohaz replies with a smile, "You've been very open with me so far, and I'm glad you can continue to be. Communication is key for what we're trying to do."
	Val smiles back at the doctor, "Well I can do that."
	"Good. Val, whatever you decide to do with your body, all I ask is that you continue keeping your notes and stick with these appointments."
	Val nods in reply, and starts to get up from her seat.
	Dr. Rohaz holds up a hand, "And here's the part where I have to be a little stern. I want you to continue regular checkups with Dr. Kovacs too."
	Val looks put out, but obediently sits and lets the doctor continue.
	"Your health remained immaculate when you were heavier, but our study will be much much stronger with regular medical monitoring. Plus if your health does start to slip, we won't get caught unaware."
	Val looks uncomfortable with the topic of health, as though she hadn't seriously considered it. Whatever her thoughts, she keeps them to herself. She gets up and offers a hand to Dr. Rohaz, "Can do. So back to gaining it is!"
	Dr. Rohaz shakes her hand and smiles back, "Indeed. Now eat some junk food for me, will you?"
	"Yeah, yeah," Val says, and gives you a nudge in the side with her shoulder, "Let's bounce."
	"I'll see you next week then!" Dr. Rohaz responds.
	One stop at the pharmacy on the way home, and Val has a fresh supply of the now-familiar pills. She returns to the car, pops one of each pill, and washes them down with a big swig of soda. Val takes it easy the rest of the day as her body adjusts once again. Hopefully her appetite will be back in time for Sunday brunch. You remember the whiplash of emotions from the girls: excitement that Val was plumping up, then vague disappointment when she stopped the pills. This time, there will be no turning back, and Val can hardly contain her hype. You can't wait to see the transformation.
	
	That evening, you're lying next to Val in bed and feeling unusually restless. Something is bothering you.
	"What's wrong?" Val asks.
	"I just...I dunno."
	You're frustrated, and can't quite put your finger on it. You've got a bad sense of deja-vu today. Val gently kisses your ear, "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to..."
	You wrap an arm around her and reply, "I think I do want to talk about it. Promise you won't be mad?"
	Val smiles and kisses you back, "I'll take that chance."
	You continue, "I keep having a bad feeling about this project, like there's gonna be something that goes wrong."
	Val chuckles nervously, "Oh come on, that's just paranoia."
	You prop yourself on an elbow to look Val in the eye. "You sure? I noticed how uncomfortable you were with the doctor when she mentioned health today."
	She thinks for a moment, before replying, "I can take care of myself. It's just...getting fat, I don't know. I'm still going to exercise and all that to stay somewhat fit."
	"Besides," she continues, "You were there at the checkup when I was heavier. Everything was fine!"
	You think for a second, "I know. It's just.... You're going to put on a lot more than 30 pounds, aren't you?"
	Val rolls her eyes, "Yes. And? What, you're going to be responsible for everyone else's fat girls now?"
	You chuckle nervously, "Maybe a little, yeah. I just don't want anything to happen to you, and I want you to be happy."
	Val stares at the ceiling, "I am happy.... But..." She sighs, "I know where you're coming from, I feel that same nagging doubt too. My body handled the extra weight well, but what if it stops suddenly somehow or if there's an upper limit?"
	She remains silent for a moment. Val raises her head to look at you, "I feel like.... I need to push my limits. Dr Rohaz's research sort of depends on it."
	"So you're getting fat for Dr Rohaz now?"
	Val glares at you, "No, I'm getting fat for me, with her help, and yours, you jerk."
	You exhale slowly, "Sorry, that came out wrong."
	She looks at you, her visage softening, "It's ok. It's dumb but I do feel like there's a bigger picture here. I've just got this vague sense that the factors that make me, well, me; the bacteria, the mutant genes, there might be something within me that could help a lot of people."
	You're surprised by her sudden conviction, "And Dr Rohaz didn't put you up to this?"
	"Not at all. I'm no scientist, but I've learned enough to make some sense of all the tests and the studies. I've also come to properly accept that I'm different, and that's ok."
	She grabs your hand, rolls you onto your side, and looks deep into your eyes. She continues, "Anon, I don't have a degree, I don't really create anything for work. This is a way that I can give something back to society."
	You stare back at her, not knowing what to say.
	She fills the silence, "I'm going to do this, no matter what you say."
	You laugh, "Val, I wouldn't even dream of stopping you."
	She smiles back, "Good. But I know you dream about me having a big wobbly ass!"
	You laugh again, "Guilty! But I do want to be sure I can enjoy that big wobbly ass for a long time."
	Val looks at you, "Do you really mean that?"
	"Absolutely."
	She pulls close to you and presses her lips against yours. They are warm and full, and you feel a surge of affection for her. You kiss her back, and soon all thoughts of anything else but her disappear. Eventually, Val comes up for air, and rests her head next to yours. She purrs, "Tomorrow, I'm going to eat that diner out of business."
	You giggle, "Promises, promises..."
	Val's hand finds its way to your crotch, and your stiffening cock betrays your excitement at imagining her gluttony.
	"So all that hand-wringing about health earlier?"
	"You're evil," you laugh.
	Val laughs too, "Evil goddess, remember? I can really rock black, especially if I'm bulging out of it!"
	You go in for another round of kisses. More than a few smooches later, "I just really want to be careful, Val. I don't want you to have any regrets."
	Val snuggles back up to you, "I don't, and I won't. Besides, the weight will fall right off if I stop taking the meds. I've got an exit plan if my health takes a turn, so is there really anything to worry about?"
	You pause, and your answer is... well, it's an honest answer. "No. And I trust you to know what you're doing."
	Val kisses the side of your face, "You feeling better about this whole thing now?"
	"Yeah. Are you?"
	Val moves over to kiss you on the lips, "My dearest, sweetest, and bravest man: Yes, I'm feeling much better."
	You look into her eyes, "Then let's get some sleep, we've got a busy day for tomorrow."
	The pair of you hold each other close and drift off to sleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16 – Restraint

	You dream.
	You're running in a forest, your arms wrapped tightly around a wild boar, desperately trying not to let it escape. You trip and fall, and the boar bolts. You stand up and chase after it, but you're far behind. You reach out your hands, trying to grab the pig, but it's far out of reach. The forest grows darker as a light rain begins to fall. You slip in the mud and go sprawling, the world zooming by far too quickly.
	You next feel yourself shaking, and you hear Val's voice, "Hey, honey, wake up."
	You open your eyes to find yourself in bed, with Val shaking you. "W-what happened?" You ask.
	Val gives you a squeeze, "You slept in, goofball. We need to go soon if we want to be on time for brunch."
	You groggily roll over and look at Val. She's already dressed, wearing a grey blouse and elastic black shorts. "You must be hungry," you yawn.
	"Starving. And I'm gonna eat you if we miss brunch," she giggles.
	Despite yourself, you giggle too. You sit up, and throw your legs over the side of the bed. Val kisses you on the cheek, "There's some coffee downstairs. I already pre-gamed a bit, but I'm ready to go."
	You yawn again, and look for something to wear for the day. You find a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt, sleepily pulling them onto your body. You walk downstairs and into the kitchen. Val presses a mug of warm coffee into your hands. After testing the temperature, you chug the rich brew, feeling your grogginess already dissipating.
	"Thanks," you say, handing the mug back to her. "You are ready to go?"
	Val hops up and kisses you on the cheek, "Yeah, let's roll."
	You grab your keys and lead Val to your car. The two of you strap in, and you roll onto the main roads.
	"How's your tummy after getting back on the meds?" You ask Val.
	"Good, good. I'm feeling absolutely ravenous, and that was a good sign last time."
	Val looks out the window as you pull onto the highway.
	"What are you thinking about, honey?" you ask.
	"Just, it's going to be okay, right? I mean, you know... how it'll all be okay."
	You frown, "Did I plant some anxiety in you last night?"
	You glance over, and meet Val's blue eyes. She says, "No, but I've been wondering about those things for a while. I'm not about to mess myself up, am I?"
	You can't stay focused on Val, but you respond, "Val... You'll be ok. You said so yourself. Besides, the weight gain is something you can stop at any time. It's not like you make one decision and you're huge forever."
	Val laughs with you, "I know... I guess I'm antsy that I'm starting the whole expansion phase again."
	"I think you'll feel better once you settle back into the over-eating routine. I remember you're always so happy with a full belly."
	Val smiles, "Yeah... I'm over-thinking all this. I'm just gonna chow down on whatever looks tasty, and enjoy the ride."
	"That's the spirit, sweetie! Also we're here."
	You pull into a parking space near the diner's entrance. Walking through the door, you scan the tables for familiar faces. You quickly spot Jen and Vicky sitting at a table off to the side. Vicky spots you and waves, then you walk over with Val and take your seats. Vicky is wearing ripped-up jean shorts with a tanktop that shows off her cleavage and a belly button ring. Jen is balancing comfort and style, sporting black leggings and a loose striped t-shirt accessorized with a sizeable pentagram amulet.
	"Hey," Vicky says with a smile, "Glad you two could make it! Zoe and Lena should be here soon."
	The waitress has already started filling coffee cups for you and Val. Val politely interrupts the waitress to order a shareable plate of cornbread. The waitress dutifully records the order and walks off.
	"So I'm back on the fat pills," Val says with a giggle.
	Jen sets her mug down and replies, "I'm glad to hear it, honestly. And it's going to be permanent this time?”
	The cornbread arrives. Val immediately grabs a piece and wolfs down a chunk. She then replies, "Yep. Permanent, barring any sort of health scare. Fat Val is gonna be here to stay!"
	She takes another bite of cornbread and smiles. "I can't wait," she says with a laugh.
	The four of you pick at the cornbread and Vicky chimes in, "Yeah, sorry I've had to miss so many of these brunches. Work has been crazy, I've barely even had time to swim lately."
	"That's fine," you reply, "We're just glad to have you back."
	Vicky smiles and is about to continue, but is interrupted by the arrival of Lena and Zoe. You twist in your seat to greet them as they arrive. Zoe is wearing a black tank-top and a pair of high-waisted denim shorts. Her skin is smooth and has a hint of sweat on it, as if she had just been in the sun. Lena is dressed in a purple pleated skirt with a floral-pattern button shirt. She smiles and greets everybody but carries an air of exhaustion. She's a little sweaty too.
	Zoe explains, "Sorry we're late, traffic was nuts, and my car's AC decided to start acting up."
	"At least it wasn't too hot today," Lena muses as she settles into a chair.
	Vicky pipes up again, "So just before you two got here, I was going to suggest we have a pool party! The weather's been nice and it'd be nice to do something as a group other than our brunches."
	Sounds of assent and excitement sound out, but are gently interrupted by the waitress appearing. Everybody orders quickly, well-set in their habitual Big Boss Breakfasts. You're not feeling adventurous and order a fairly standard pancake and bacon combo, and Jen orders a decently-sized crepe plate with some grits on the side.
	Val is the first to respond once the waitress leaves with the orders, "Vicky, that sounds like a lot of fun but... I don't really know how to swim."
	Vicky frowns and raises an eyebrow. Val stammers and clarifies, "Like, I'm not going to drown and I know how to float, but I just don't know how to move around quickly in the water."
	"I can teach you if you'd like," Vicky offers, "Swimming is actually pretty easy."
	"Uh, okay sure," Val says.
	Zoe pipes up, "But don't you have a job or something? How are you going to have time for swimming and work?"
	Vicky nods, "I can find some time after work. You ok with maybe doing this on short-ish notice, Val?”
	"Sure, I can make time," Val says.
	"Alright then," Vicky smiles, "I'll get us all set up for some time this week then."
	Zoe leans over to Lena and whispers something in her ear. Lena whispers something back, her expression unreadable.
	Zoe speaks first though, "Yeah I should probably take up swimming. All this ass plus the chub-rub means that running isn't really a great option for me anymore..."
	Lena smiles and nods in agreement, "I should too, to be honest..."
	Vicky starts laughing, "So we're starting a swimming club then? Maybe we'll call ourselves the Whales or something."
	Jen cuts in, "Whales are quite agile in the water you know. We should be flattered to be compared to such majestic creatures."
	Vicky nods, "This is true! Plus fat floats, so maybe we'd actually have something of an edge. But today, we eat."
	A little bit later, the waitress returns, depositing a smorgasbord of greasy foods onto the table. The girls immediately dig in. Lena seems distracted, then speaks up between bites. "So I talked to Karla again earlier this week...."
	"Yeah? How'd that go?" Val asks.
	Lena takes another bite of some eggs and deftly talks around it, "Not at all what I expected. Ok, story time."
	Everybody leans in a little as Lena recounts her experience.
	"So, I forget exactly what set me off, but Karla was needling me at work and I snapped at her. 'I think you'd be cute if you *picked up the fork* more often'. You know, throwing her earlier insult back at her."
	A sip of coffee.
	"Oh god, you guys, she started crying."
	Lena swallows again, pausing for a second, and resumes her story, "I was too surprised to react, but she grabs my wrist and pulls me into a supply closet. At this point, she goes into full-on sobs, and she just... Hugs me! Like really tightly."
	Vicky says, "I'm confused."
	"So was I!" Lena replies, "So I kinda awkwardly hug Karla back, and she apologizes for her earlier comment, and even admits that she thinks I'm cute!"
	Vicky: "That's.... Really mature of her."
	Lena smiles, then continues the story, "She calms down, and explains that she's working through some issues. Karla offered to talk about it over lunch, so I agreed to go with her. We just went to a cafe down the street."
	Vicky: "And...?"
	"Well I don't really have time to spill all the details, but she's got some major issues with her family. Karla's mom raised her alone, but her mom was both really obese and really abusive. Manipulative, that sort of thing, especially regarding food."
	You nod, "I can imagine that would mess someone up."
	"Yeah. Obviously this doesn't leave us, but Karla's got some body-image issues, and she was always kind of weirdly threatened by my habit of brining in snacks. She told me she thought it was some kind of ploy."
	You: "To... What? Seduce her?"
	Lena shrugs, "I don't know, and she doesn't really know either. Karla's been in therapy for a while, but she's still working on some things. Lunch was good, and it felt good to clear things up with her."
	A pause.
	"So of course we agreed to a dinner date that night," Lena giggles.
	You nod, "Of course. You're a woman who knows how to make the most of her assets."
	Lena blushes and looks away, then gets back to the story,
	"We went to Arno's, and y'all, this girl went to town. Maybe she was trying to impress me, but she pigged out. I did too of course..." a little laugh there.
	"And then what?" Jen asks.
	Lena blushes even more, "Well then we made out for a bit in my car...."
	Jen: "And then?"
	Her blush deepens, "Well we went to a little cafe for dessert, and Karla let me feed her some bonbons..."
	Jen: "That's... Adorable."
	Lena giggles, "It really was! Well eventually I had to drive her home, and that was that. I went home and wondered what the hell I did... but it was all so fun!"
	Lena's face then falls. She sighs, "And then she called me up the following morning. She told me that after sleeping on it, she's not feeling ready for a relationship. Not specifically with me, just in general. She said it'd be unfair while she was still working through stuff."
	Zoe: "I see.... Do you regret it?"
	Lena chews and swallows a big mouthful of pancake before answering, "Not at all! It was a fun night for both of us, and it was great to explore being bi. Also she took a bunch of cake balls that I brought to work later that week," she smiles deviously at that.
	"So, what's the next move?" Val asks.
	"Well nothing really," Lena answers, giving her a sideways glance, "Maybe look for another cute Greek girl to start crushing on?"
	Everybody chuckles at that and keeps eating. Lena speaks up again, "You know, you guys are all lucky to have somebody. Dating sucks..." Lena suddenly realizes what she just said. "...look, you don't need to feel sorry for me. It was just a pretty emotional ride."
	Jen says, "Yeah. I feel bad for her now, poor girl. But I'm glad the two of you patched things up!"
	Vicky also chimes in, "Hey, having a partner doesn't guarantee happiness you know," she lowers her voice, "Brad and I had another fight. He's starting to think I'm seeing somebody else..."
	"Oh no!" Val and Zoe say in unison.
	"I dunno," Vicky says with a sigh, "He's been weirdly territorial and childish lately. He knew that my project was going to take more time than usual..." She trails off and viciously stabs her fork into a sausage.
	"Vicky, I'm sorry to hear that... Ugh, guys I'm sorry for being Ms. Drama again..." Lena says with a sad look.
	"It's ok, we've all been there once or twice," Val says.
	You try to break the awkward silence, "Vicky, what exactly is this big mysterious engineering project of yours anyways?"
	Vicky perks up and smiles, "The company is working on designing an improved energy storage system for the power grid."
	"That's vague," you say.
	"I was going to elaborate," she laughs, "Basically we're going to make these modular canisters that use molten metal to store thermal energy. The killer bit is that my company has a special thermoelectric membrane that they can wrap around the heat core."
	"That's big," you say.
	"Yep," Vicky replies, cutting off another hunk of sausage, "We think it'll be a real game changer, and we're close to finalizing the design. Hence all my long hours."
	"Sounds dangerous," Lena says.
	"Maybe a little, but these are meant to be used at power plants, so it should be easy to keep them safe there."
	The conversation sticks on science and other futuristic topics. After some discussion, the table comes to agree that having personal robot butlers would be awesome. You also have a brief discussion about the future of the food industry, where the need for humans to work is going to be reduced.
	Jen remarks thoughtfully, "Everybody should be able to eat like this, whenever they want. If it were a wish, I'd end hunger..."
	You struggle to think of something to say, before Vicky cuts you off, "One thing at a time, Jen. And today's thing is ending our own hunger, with extreme prejudice!”
	You hear a round of "yeahs" from around the table. One by one, the girls finish their meals, stuffed to the brim. Val is the last to tap out, having put away enough sweet, greasy food to sate a family. She looks at you with glazed, pleading eyes, a wasteland of empty plates spread before her, "Anon..." She groans, "I did it again, you're gonna have to help me up..."
	"That's ok, sweetie," you say and peck her on the cheek, "You just rest. I'll take care of the bill, and I'll roll you out of here when you're ready to go."
	"Ok..." She replies sleepily, gently rubbing her aching belly.
	The other girls have fared similarly, the characteristic glazed eyes and delicate movements are dead giveaways to their over-indulgence. You can only imagine their discomfort, but their faces are full of contentment, and you enjoyed chatting and just chilling with them. Eventually everybody except Val slowly rises to their feet and follows you to the cashier's station. You all pay for your brunches, and you return to the table. It's time to collect Val and head back to her place.
	"I can't wait to have some more," she says, rubbing her belly.
	"I don't blame you," you reply with a smile.
	You extend your hand and help her to her feet, and gingerly wrap an arm around her waist, guiding her out of the diner. She huffs and quietly groans as you lead her to your car, and open the door for her to get in. You walk over to the driver's side, hop in, and start the car.
	"We should do this every day," she graons, softly touching your hand with her own, "I loved every second."
	You smile, pulling out of the parking space. As you drive, you talk, "Gotta say, I kinda missed watching you stuff yourself silly on the reg."
	"Mmmm, I missed it too..."
	After a moment of comfortable silence, you speak up, "So, any specific plans for today?"
	"Dunno," she replies, before yawning, "I think I need to nap away this big meal first..."
	"Good idea," you nod, steering with one hand, "Should only be an hour or two."
	As you turn into Val's street, you notice something wrong with the road. One of the potholes has gotten worse, and you carefully steer to avoid it. You then pull into the garage, and heft Val to her feet. The two of you then make your way to Val's place, kick off your shoes, and head for the couch. Val settles heavily onto the cushions, and you start rolling a joint. You know by now that you don't even need to ask. Once prepared, you offer Val the weed and a lighter.
	"Oh thank you dear," she smiles, as you pass her the weed. She takes a deep toke, then holds the smoke in, slowly releasing it.
	"Ah..." she groans, rubbing her belly, "That feels so good..."
	"Yeah, it's great," you smile. Giving a small chuckle, you take the joint from her and finish it with a big toke of your own.
	As you exhale, Val reaches for you, "Help me up?"
	You grasp her hand and haul her back to her feet.
	"I wanna nap in my bed," she giggles slowly. You help Val to her bedroom, and lay down alongside her, giggling too and your mind starts to fuzz.
	"You're high," she comments, "I do feel your dank aura."
	"You are too, we'll be the dankest things ever."
	"Ha ha... close your eyes, I'll shut mine for a bit."
	You comply, and begin to zone out. Your breathing synchs up with hers, and you sink into the sheets and the warmth of Val's body. You drift off to sleep in mere minutes...
	
	You awaken some time later, feeling confused. The first thing you notice is that Val isn't next to you. The next thing you notice is a warm wet feeling around your stiff cock. You sit up, tearing your eyes open and staring directly at Val. She's licking the head of your cock with a slow gliding motion. You sit there, stunned, unsure of what to do.
	"Uh... what's... going on..." you start to say, before she looks up at you, sets her palm onto your chest and pushes you back down.
	She stops licking your cock, looking at you with a devious grin, "I wanted my dessert..."
	Val lowers her head again, and wraps her lips around your cock. She begins to suck, and the pleasure hits you. You reach an hand up to tangle in her hair, as she sucks harder and faster. You start to thrust in her mouth, enjoying the feeling of her head teasing and sucking on your cock. Val takes over the job of holding your cock with one hand, while she rubs your chest with the other. You thrust in and out of her mouth, as she works to please you. Her hand on your chest begins to pinch and pull at your skin, sending a jolt of pleasure through your body. Her mouth is warm and inviting, your cock enjoying her lips wrapped around it. You want to last as long as possible, but you can't stop your body from tensing up.
	You groan out loud, your whole body seizing up as you moan in pleasure. Your cock throbs as it pumps hot liquid down her throat, throbs as her lips suck and lick up every last drop. She keeps sucking and licking until your breathing calms down, before she finally pulls away. Gasping for breath, you lay there, staring at the ceiling.
	Val crawls up next to you, licking her lips and giggling, "How was that? You like that little surprise?"
	"Fuck... yeah..." you pant, feeling spent.
	She lays her head on your chest and smiles, "Good."
	Your thoughts eventually re-form and you look down at Val, "How would you feel about me waking you up with a little oral once in a while?"
	Val giggles, "I'd love it."
	You kiss her briefly, and cuddle for a bit. Eventually, one of your hands wanders its way down Val's body, lightly caressing her crotch. She gently grabs your hand, pulls it up to her face, and puts it against her lips, kissing it, "Not just yet, baby. I've got an idea for later..."
	You look down at her, a huge grin on your face, "Don't keep me waiting too long."
	"You'll like it," she giggles.
	You sit up and stretch, then find your boxers off to the side and put them back on.
	"Lazy Sunday until then?" You ask.
	She smiles, "Sure. I love lazy Sundays."
	You and Val go back downstairs and while away the afternoon, watching TV and playing video games. Eventually you hear a familiar growl in Val's belly.
	"I'm hungry," She giggles.
	"What do you want to do for dinner?" You ask.
	"I want... I want lasagna. With lots of meat. And cheese. And... and mushrooms."
	"That sounds really good. You want to order in?"
	"Yep!" She smiles, and pulls out her phone. Val starts tapping away, ordering food on a delivery app. Eventually she hands you the phone, with a delivery app open and ready for you. You order some ravioli, and peek at Val's order. Sure enough, she's ordered a huge portion of lasagna and some garlic bread on the side.
	Val notices you looking over her order, "Hey!" She snatches the phone back.
	"You'll spoil the fun!" She giggles.
	"Ok, for real, did you want anything else?"
	"Nah," you answer, and Val sends the order in. You cuddle with Val and watch TV while you wait for your delivery. Eventually, the doorbell rings.
	Val jumps up. "I'll get it!" She yells, as you get up to hurry and chase her.
	You catch up to her in the kitchen. She opens the door wide, and you look at who has arrived. A large man stands in the doorway. He's bald, with a bushy beard and mustache. 
	"Got your delivery," he says cheerfully.
	Val accepts the boxes from the man, and he moves to leave. Val then takes the boxes to the kitchen table and sets them down.
	"Thanks," She turns to you, "C'mon, let's eat! I'm starving!"
	"Starving, huh?" You laugh as you fetch silverware and some plates, "After that feast you called brunch?"
	"Uh yeah," Val replies with a playful dumb tone of voice, "I'm supposed to be fattening up! Anything less than 'crammed full of food' is starving for me!"
	You and Val sit down to eat. You unpack your order, and begin to dig in.
	"This is good!" You announce as you bite into a piece of ravioli.
	Val looks up from her serving of lasagna, which is so big it looks like a whole tray. "Right?" she says excitedly, "Their raviolis are great."
	You take another bite of your food, and the two of you talk about nothing in particular and enjoy each other's company. The meal goes by quickly, and soon you've finished eating. Val is almost done too, with only a few morsels of ravioli remaining. Her face is a little scrunched up, reflecting obvious discomfort from her overfilled stomach, but she's eating at a steady pace. Any minute now, she'll be saying she's stuffed.
	Any minute now...
	She raises the fork one last time and her lips close around the last bite of lasagna. Val chews, swallows, and leans back with a sigh.
	"So full..." She moans.
	Close enough.
	Val closes her eyes and rubs her swollen belly. She lifts her blouse, showing off her creamy, now-curved, midriff. You walk over to her and kneel beside her, running a hand over her aching gut. Val stifles a small burp and giggles. "You sure you don't want seconds?"
	"Maybe...," she hedges, "...but not right now."
	Val does however grab your collar and pull you down into a kiss.
	"Right now I want something sweet..." She whispers into your mouth.
	Val then gets up and goes over to the bank of cabinets. She turns around with a container of cookies.
	"I wanna do something... Kinky," she giggles. "Are you interested?"
	You bite your lip and nod, unsure of what she has in mind.
	"I knew you would be..." She purrs, then leads you back to the bedroom.
	Val sets the container of cookies on the bed, then rummages around in her nightstand drawer for a bit. She turns around, showing you a length of rope and a vibrator.
	"I want you to tie me up... Please?"
	You nod nervously, trying not to look as excited as you feel.
	"Oh, I like where this is going," you say. You walk over to Val and kiss her, then slide your hands under her blouse, lifting it over her head. You stop to kiss her neck and nibble on her shoulder before continuing. You then unhook her bra, pushing the straps off of her shoulders, then letting the bra fall to the floor. Val steps back and grins, raising her arms. You quickly tie her hands together snugly. Her grin widens.
	You run your hands down Val's body, pausing to slide a finger into her belly button. Val inhales sharply and bites her lip. You then hook your fingers into the waistband of her shorts and pull them down. Val steps out of them, then you pull her socks off. You step back to regard your work, seeing Val standing in front of you in only her black panties and with her hands bound behind her back.
	"You should pick a safe word, since you're going to be tied up," you remark, thinking ahead.
	"Pizza," Val grins.
	"A food term? That's pretty specific."
	"It's on brand for me, though, isn't it?” she laughs.
	"Ok, just so we're clear, what do you want me to do to you tonight?" you ask.
	Val sits on the bed and replies, "I want you to tie me down. Then I want you to put that toy in my pussy, cram those cookies down my throat, and call me names."
	You nod. "Anything else?"
	She replies, "Don't stop unless I use the safe word."
	You nod, a huge grin on your face. You're actually looking forward to this. First, you run another length of rope between the headboard and the bindings on Val's wrists, then tie that down. You also set up a big bank of pillows for Val to lean back on. Next, you hook your fingers under the band of Val's panties, and pull them off and down her legs. You then toss them on the floor and stare at your girlfriend, naked and vulnerable before you. Val looks back at you, a mixture of desire and lust in her eyes.
	"Can't have you moving around," you say with what you hope is authority. You grab another two lengths of rope, and tie off each of Val's ankles to the baseboard of the bed. Now, Val isn't going anywhere.
	You climb onto the bed on your knees in front of Val and press your hands against her bare chest. Your fingertips feel the pounding of her heart. You take your thumbs and run them along the length of her neck, then pause to lower your head and gently bite her ear. You nip at her earlobe and she shivers in anticipation.
	"You've been such a good piggy, and you deserve a reward," you say into her ear.
	Val's breath catches. You slide one hand downward along Val's stomach, then pause just before you reach her groin. You trace light patterns around her belly button and then slip your hand beneath her to rest on her pelvis. Your fingers find their way to her labia, warm and wet and ready for your touch. Your other hand continues its journey upward, until it's cupped around one of Val's breasts. You massage the soft flesh, then pinch her nipple.
	"Ohh..." she exhales.
	You pull back from her a bit and continue. You trace your fingers along the inside of her thighs, then pause.
	"Now, we can begin," you say. Val is practically drooling with excitement.
	You reach over and pick up the vibrator. It's bright purple and has a remote control. You slide the vibrator into Val's pussy and turn it on. Val's back arches, and she lets out a gasp. The corners of your lips turn up. You have to admit, this is sort of fun. You turn the vibrator up to maximum, and watch for Val's reaction.
	"Ohhh..." Val groans. "Fuck! Oh, fuck...!"
	You set the remote aside and pick up the container of cookies. "Do you like that, pig?" you ask as you decide which morsel you want to pick up first.
	Val's head bobs up and down as she struggles to take deep breaths. She watches you draw out a cookie and hold it up. Chocolate chip, and it feels like it should be fresh and perfectly chewy. Val opens her mouth, her tongue lolling out lewdly. She writhes and gasps as the vibrator does its work, and you stuff the cookie into her mouth. Val closes her lips around it and begins chewing. You watch as she chews and swallows, and then she raises her head to stare at you. She opens her mouth again, ready for another one. You laugh and lean over to deposit another cookie, then lean back, watching as it disappears down her throat.
	"Yeah, suck 'em down, food slut," you say, and gently poke Val's swollen tummy. "I feel some give in that gut of yours, we better keep feeding you."
	Pleasure rushes through you as you watch her suck down another cookie, and you feel an odd sense of ownership. Not in a bad way; she's your girlfriend, after all. Just... exciting that you can be the one to make her feel such a flood of hedonistic pleasures. At that moment, Val's eyes roll back and her body stiffens, then she arches her back and cries out as she orgasms. You wait a moment for her to breathe, then hold yet another morsel in front of her mouth. She greedily bites at it, even as she groans and continues to cum.
	"You're a fucking greedy bitch," you laugh, then stuff the rest of it into her mouth.
	Val moans around the chocolatey dessert. "So stuffed... Don't stop..."
	You load cookies into her mouth one at a time, barely giving Val time to chew and swallow. She may as well be in heaven, judging by the noises she's making and how she's writhing on the bed. She really can pack away an incredible amount of food. Panting, Val raises her head up off the bed. She stares at you with glazed eyes and a goofy grin, drool running down her chin. 
	Suddenly her face contorts and she grits her teeth, her groans no longer purely of pleasure.
	"Ah! Ahh! Pizza! Pizza! Anon, stop, please...."
	You immediately scramble for the vibrator remote, fumble for a moment, and manage to deactivate the toy. You then gently slide the silicone phallus out of Val's dripping pussy.
	"Do you want me to untie you?" You ask with genuine concern. Val nods as she weakly attempts to push herself up.
	"I'm sorry, I got a little carried away," she says with a dopey grin.
	"Shh, shh, it's ok, baby," you say soothingly as you untie Val's hands, and then her feet.
	"Ohhh.... I'm so fucking stuffed..." Val moans as she gingerly rubs her hands over her painfully distended stomach.
	"It hurts.... But I feel so good... Stuffed from both ends, haaa....."
	You lay next to Val and turn your head to look at her, "Are you alright? Do you need anything?"
	Val answers you with her eyes closed and her head lolling back, "I'm ok... Just... Overestimated my limits.... Like usual..." She giggles, then winces.
	"Are you in pain?" You ask.
	Val nods, "A little... But nothing crazy..." She whispers, her palms making circles on her stuffed middle.
	"Actually," she suddenly perks up a bit, "Could you give me some THC drops? They're in my nightstand."
	You nod and get up, opening the drawer and finding a small bottle of viscous clear liquid, with a rubber dropper cap.
	"How many do you want, hon?” you ask.
	"I think.... Three?" She replies.
	You pick up the bottle and stand over Val. She holds out her tongue, and you dispense three drops of the oily liquid onto it. Val winces slightly, then gulps them down.
	"Good?" You ask.
	She nods, then giggles. "You're such a good boyfriend...."
	You bend down and kiss Val's cheek, then say, "I'm gonna take a couple drops too, ok?”
	"Ok," Val replies with a languid smile.
	You tilt your head back, hold out your own tongue, and drop some of the oil onto it, and swallow. It doesn't taste great, and you wish you had brought a drink. You lie down next to Val, and she immediately wraps her long arms around your body and pulls you close.
	"I'm so fucking tired.... So so tired...," she yawns.
	"Me too," you say, cuddling into her warmth.
	Val muses tiredly, "It's weird... Like in one moment I was really stimulated and overstuffed and hurting good, then in the next it just plain hurt and I had to stop..."
	"That's perfectly ok sweetie, sometimes you don't know where your limits are until you cross them," you kiss Val on the cheek, then caress her arm and lock fingers with her. Val smiles back tenderly.
	"Do you want to just sleep, or do you want to talk?" You ask.
	Val thinks for a second, "Sleep.... I need sleep...."
	She gently slaps her engorged belly, "Gotta sleep to process all of this delicious food..."
	You snuggle in tighter and watch your girlfriend's belly rise and fall as she breathes. You smile to yourself, thinking about how all those calories will settle on Val's body, and make her ever sexier. It's gonna be soooo worth it. Between her food coma, the post-orgasmic bliss, and the THC drops, Val goes out like a light. Her slow, deep breathing feels very comforting as your body feels the relaxing effects of the drops. Soon, you too drift off to sleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 – Havongs and Girl Things

	When you wake up, the sun is beaming through the windows. You feel a little groggy, but not unbearably so.
	You reach over and check your phone, and find that you've awoken just before your alarm would go off. You sit up and stretch, and you feel Val stir beside you as you do. You look over at her and give her a little peck, and she smiles in your direction. "Good morning," you say as you get up.
	"Morning," she replies. "How'd you sleep?"
	"Pretty good," you say. "You?"
	"Uh huh," she says, still groggy.
	You stroll into the kitchen while Val follows behind, and begin making breakfast. "I'll take care of it, sweetie," Val yawns and gently pushes you towards the table. She's still naked, but opens a drawer, pulls out an apron, and ties it around herself.
	"I'm making you pancakes. I figured you'd be hungry."
	"Hm," you hum. "You didn't have to do that."
	"I wanted to," she smiles.
	You wait for the coffee to be ready, and quietly watch Val as she works. She's a sight to see.
	"You're always doing stuff like this for me," you say as you take a cup to the machine.
	"I'm your girlfriend," she replies.
	"I know, cutie, and I always appreciate it. But I kinda wish I could do more for you," you say while pouring some coffee.
	Val expertly flips a pancake and beams at you, "You already do. I like doing stuff for you, and then later you can do stuff to me!" She giggles.
	"You're lucky I'm such a gentleman," you wink, and both of you laugh.
	"Doting waifu in the morning, and a gluttonous slut at night," Val quips.
	"I know the feeling, cutie," you say, and give her a peck on the cheek.
	You gather plates, silverware, and condiments for breakfast and set them on the table. Val then hands you a plate of pancakes, and you eagerly divide them up. You offer Val a forkful, which she accepts with a big grin.
	"So... what are you doing today?" she asks while eating.
	"Other than work? Hoping my stocks go way up so I can sell them and quit..." You reply.
	"You really don't like your job, do you?" Val says, raising an eyebrow.
	"It's normally okay, but the last few weeks since the security breach have been an absolute nightmare. It's become way more trouble than it's worth, and we're all swamped," you reply.
	"Hm, I can imagine that would be stressful," she says, watching you eat.
	You laugh, "You have no idea."
	"Oh, I do, trust me."
	You look up at Val. She continues, "Sure, I'm not at the office with you, but I see how worn-out you are at the end of the day."
	You don't say anything.
	Val sighs, and puts down her fork, "I just... want to make you happy, and I don't think this job is making you happy."
	You grip Val's hand, "Thanks sweetie. I'll be ok, and this job isn't going to be forever."
	Val smiles, "I know. I'm just worried about you."
	You lean over and briefly kiss Val on the lips. You draw back and look at her, muttering, "Right, doting waifu."
	Val smiles weakly, and grabs her fork once again.
	"What was that for?" she asks with a giggle.
	"Just sweetness."
	The two of you finish breakfast and clear your plates. You get dressed with a sigh, and move to head off to work. Val follows you closer than usual, and puts her hand on your shoulder. Looking into your eyes, she says, "Have a nice day at work."
	"I will, I promise," you reply.
	You kiss one more time, then you're out the door.
	
	That day at the office, and the next few, are busy and go by in a rush. Everybody is still scrambling to clean up after the security breach, but you get the sense that the worst problems are back under control. The office is still running more slowly than it used to, as everybody works extra hard to make up for the time lost, but at least you're not getting shouted at by some asshole with an attitude. Your evenings with Val are always a much-needed respite, and the two of you always cherish your time together. You're finding yourself caring ever more deeply for her, which is something you don't mind at all.
	On Friday, you get a text from Val: "Vicky's less busy this evening and was going to give me a swim lesson this evening! I'm assuming you'll want to tag along."
	You smile, and text back, "Of course!"
	
	The evening comes, and you finish your work with a sigh, looking at your phone to see if Val has sent you a message. She's sent a couple, in fact. You send an apologetic response, and start heading home to fetch a change of clothes. You're not sure what to expect, but based on her messages, it sounds like she's feeling a little shy about showing you her swimsuit. You decide to humor her and head home quickly. The drive home goes surprisingly quick, and you grab your swim trunks. You also change into some casual clothes, then hop back into your car. The drive back to Val's place takes about as long as usual, and the sun is low in the sky when you pull into the garage. You park, and knock on Val's door. She opens it, and smiles, "Hey there, Stud!"
	You chuckle, leaning in to kiss her, "I've been called a lot worse. Come on, let's go swimming."
	Val's wearing shorts and a t-shirt, then she grabs a bag and walks with you back to the garage. As you walk she explains, "We'll be meeting Vicky at the nearby rec center. I'll give you the directions."
	Another quick drive, and you're parked in front of a colorful modern-style building, lots of glass and concrete. You and Val walk through the entrance, and quickly spot Vicky hanging around in the lobby. She spots you, smiling and waving and pocketing a smartphone, and walks over.
	"There you are! I was wondering when you guys would get here. Come on, let's go swimming!"
	Val looks a little uncomfortable. She turns to Vicky, "So, about the swimming lessons?"
	Vicky looks confused for a moment, before realization hits her. She smiles and chuckles, "Ah, yeah! You're nervous, huh?"
	Val smiles back, "A little."
	Vicky reaches up and claps Val on the shoulder, "Don't worry, tall stuff. With your height and those long limbs, you'll be a natural."
	Val smiles at the compliment. You look at the two ladies, "So I guess we're ready to get changed and get started?"
	They nod, and the three of you head to your respective locker rooms. You quickly change into your swim trunks, then walk out of the shower area and towards the pool. The pool is lightly populated. A few scattered people are milling about on the pool deck or in the water. Vicky and Val come out of the women's locker room together. They're chatting, and they walk over to you. They're both wearing one-piece swimsuits, but of different designs.
	Val's swimsuit is stylish, sleek and black with a sizeable cutout for her midriff. Vicky's swimsuit is dark blue, a plain utilitarian athletic design, and she's practically crammed into the too-small garment. Her belly and tits stretch the suit to its limits, but she seems unbothered by the strain.
	Val notices you staring, and gives you a cheeky smile. She wiggles her eyebrows at you then turns her attention to Vicky, who is explaining something to her. Val then sits at the side of the pool and slides into the water. She yelps as she enters the cool water. Vicky giggles and hops into the water with practiced ease.
	You look down at the ladies, "I ...guess I'll do some laps while you do the whole swim lesson thing."
	You slide into the pool and wince as the water envelops your lower half. You begin your laps, getting in the habit of alternating between a fast sprint and a slow, gentle pace. You're not an amazing swimmer, but you generally know what you're doing. Occasionally you pause and look over to check on Val's swimming lesson with Vicky. The pair of them are in the shallow end of the pool, and appear to be having a good time splashing and swimming around each other. At your glance, they break into laughter and turn towards you. Val waves, and Vicky smiles and waves back. Slowly but surely, the two of them start swimming towards you. You wait for them to get close before you speak.
	"How's the lesson going, Val?" You call.
	"Great! Vicky's a really good teacher, I think I'm gonna be able to swim properly soon." She waves happily, and Vicky splashes some water at her.
	"It's really hard work though! I don't know how Vicky does this!" She laughs.
	Vicky laughs too, "It's all technique, tall stuff. Also maybe a little help from the floatation around my middle."
	She winks at you, and you feel a blush come onto your cheeks. What the fuck?
	Val just giggles, and she bites her lip at you. Vicky then turns her attention back to Val, directing her to do some more swimming drills. You stand there, your cheeks still red and your mind in a complete fog.
	Why the fuck did that make you feel weird?
	What the fuck is wrong with you?
	You're totally overthinking shit.
	You shake your head to clear your thoughts a little, and you return to your laps. You've already done quite a few, and are beginning to slow down from fatigue. As your arms start feeling heavier and heavier, you push through for just a couple more lengths, then stand in the shallow end to call it a workout. As you catch your breath, you watch Vicky and Val a bit more. While Vicky still directs Val with some drills, they're also just chatting a little as well. They laugh a lot, and it looks like Val's still having a good time. In spite of her plump build, Vicky is actually very graceful in the water, and Val is looking more comfortable with moving around in the pool too. Val looks over and notices you catching your breath. Vicky looks over too and speaks up, "Had enough?"
	"Yeah," you laugh.
	"Good timing actually, we were just wrapping up," she replies.
	The three of you drag yourselves out of the pool and start toweling off. Suddenly, you hear a growl come from Val's tummy.
	"Bout time," Val says, then giggles.
	Your stomach also squelches in sympathy, and you ask, "Should we go get something to eat?"
	Vicky's eyes light up, "I've got an idea."
	You and Val look at Vicky expectantly and she explains, "How'd you like to get some free dinner at my folks' restaurant? All the nonspecific Asian food you can handle... and then some, if my parents think you're still hungry!"
	"Are you serious?" you ask.
	"Completely," she smiles.
	"Then... yeah, I'd love to!"
	"Perfect! Let's go!" Val declares.
	The three of you finish toweling off, then once again head into your respective locker rooms. You get dressed quickly, and need only wait a few moments before Val and Vicky re-emerge. Despite the fact that you'd just gotten out of the pool, the ladies are pretty well dry somehow. Only their hair retains some dampness, Val's pulled into a messy ponytail, and Vicky's gathered into a loose bun.
	"All set?" Val asks, smiling.
	"Oh yeah," you reply, and take Val's hand. Vicky splits off to get into her own car, and you open the door to your own vehicle. You and Val take your seats, and you start the engine. Vicky's family restaurant is close, but parking is kind of tight, though you luck out and find an easy-to-use spot. As you and Val exit your car, Vicky arrives and hops out of her own hatchback.
	You take a moment to look at the restaurant's front sign, and quietly chuckle as you read the name. "It used to be called Jeeves' Place," you say.
	Val snorts with laughter, "God only knows why somebody would name a restaurant after a hypochondriac chauffeur."
	The sign now proclaims in garish lettering the new name, "MU-SOULMATE'S KITCHEN."
	"Indeed," Vicky nods, "A terrible pun, if you ask me."
	The three of you head up to the entrance, and you hold the door as Vicky and Val go through. You then enter the restaurant behind them. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with a blend of Asian and Western pieces. Lots of wood, with plenty of yellow and red accents. The tables are all dressed in red tablecloths, and there's a huge vase of yellow flowers on one side of the room. You muse briefly that this is the first time you've actually dined at Vicky's family restaurant, despite having eaten their food before. Your thoughts are interrupted when an older middle-aged Asian woman comes up to your group. 
	You recognize the woman as Vicky's mom. She greets you all warmly in a deep, heavily-accented voice and rushes your group to a table. As she does, a memory rattles loose: her name is Lulani. You and Val reach for menus but Vicky just sits. She taps the side of her head, "I've got it all up here, you just need to ask."
	Vicky and her mom exchange some words that you don't recognize, then you and Val request some drinks. Lulani quickly leaves and comes back with a collection of water glasses. As she passes them out, she says, "Val, my daughter tells me you're a big eater. And that you're particularly hungry tonight."
	Val smiles and nods, "Yes, Ma'am, I am."
	The woman gives a little chuckle, "That sounds like a challenge. You know how people joke about being hungry again after eating Asian food?"
	Val is a little confused but plays along, "They're dumb jokes, but I've heard them."
	Vicky's mom pats her soft middle and smiles, "That's not true here. You will be full for a long time!"
	Lulani then turns to you and asks, "And you, are you hungry?"
	You think for a moment and realize that you are, "Very."
	Vicky's mom smiles, "Vicky's friends eat on the house. I'll be right back."
	She whirls away from the table, and before you all can process that interaction, she's returned with a plate of egg rolls. "Eat." She says simply, as she sets the plate down.
	You look at the egg rolls, take a deep breath, and begin to eat. The egg rolls are delicious and the three of you devour them all in short order. As you eat, you and Val peruse the menu and pick at Vicky's encyclopedic knowledge of her family's menu and figure out what you want as your entrees.
	Eventually you decide to order fried noodles as you're in a crispy roll mood, while Val orders a combination plate of beef and noodles. Vicky orders pad thai.
	Lulani grins as she takes your orders sans notepad, "You both are noodles fiends too? Alright then."
	She then whirls away, relaying your orders to the kitchen. She returns yet again with a trio of beers and places one before you, Val, and Vicky.
	Val raises her beer in salute, "Here's to progress."
	Vicky clinks her bottle against the others, "To family."
	You raise your bottle, "To friends."
	The three of you chat for a bit, before Vicky's mom finally returns, bearing your meals. The three of you dig in. Val picks up her chopsticks with a groan, "I'm fucking starving."
	Vicky shovels noodles into her mouth, "I could eat twenty more of these."
	You pick up your noodles and take a bite, "Mmmm, these are good. Perfectly fried."
	Val nods, "Yeah, this is good."
	The three of you chatter happily as you eat. Val and Vicky eat at about the same pace, and they practically inhale their food. You look away, and then a moment later, both of their bowls are empty. Val licks her chopsticks and snickers before looking to Vicky, "Round two?"
	Vicky giggles, "You bet!"
	Lulani arrives at your table almost as if by telepathy. "You girls still hungry?" She asks.
	Val and Vicky reply in unison, "Yes!"
	Lulani smiles, "Alright then... I'll be back soon."
	The girls pick at their empty bowls, and you continue munching on your fried noodles. You smile to yourself as Lulani deposits another bowl in front of her daughter and another before Val. Val and Vicky clap eagerly, "More food!"
	Lulani smiles, "If you're still hungry, I'll keep bringing it!"
	Happy chattering and giggling follow, as the three of you continue eating. You eventually finish your noodles, and deferentially signal Lulani for a small second helping. She obliges, and you steadily pick at your meal. Vicky and Val receive their third helpings shortly thereafter, and waste no time in resuming their feast. Part way through her serving, Vicky starts to slow down. She's visibly struggling to cram down the remainder of her pad thai.
	Val looks over and smirks, "Getting full?"
	Vicky swallows heavily and huffs, "No fair... your stomach is physically larger than mine..."
	Val's expression softens into an encouraging smile, "Hey, it's alright. You're not in this for the same reasons as me," Val slurps down a large tangle of noodles and continues, "Besides, I never said this was an eating contest!"
	Vicky smiles, thankful. The two of them begin to chatter amicably. You're not quite full, but you find that you're satisfied. Val stifles a small burp and pushes away her emptied third bowl. "Now are you full?" Vicky laughs.
	"Yes," Val replies, "But I'm not done!"
	Vicky laughs and groans, "You madwoman. You're gonna be fucking huge."
	Val gives a small chuckle and says, "Ugh... fat... I can't... I want more..."
	You've been feeling subtly turned on the whole meal, and this exchange finally forces you to adjust your pants to hide your boner. You hope nobody catches you do so, but it looks like you got away with it. A fourth bowl of noodles sits before Val, and she looks at it with uncharacteristic trepidation. This time, it's Vicky's turn to snicker. "You really think you can fit that in?"
	"I have to," Val says, "It's the last one, alright?"
	"Alright," Vicky chuckles.
	Val clicks her chopsticks and digs in. Her eating is finally starting to slow, and she huffs between mouthfuls of noodles. She winces and pats her now-bloated belly, "I gotta... finish my meal..."
	Vicky nods and smiles, "You can do it!"
	You and Vicky watch intently as Val methodically slurps down the last few pockets of noodles and snaps up the last few chunks of beef. Val gives a gasp and slurs, "I can't... I feel so full..."
	"Good news, piggy, you finished the bowl," you laugh.
	Val slumps in her seat and runs hands over her stomach, which now pooches out from under her shirt, "Yay..."
	"Valentine Sojka!" A new heavily-accented Asian voice calls out. You look over and see Vicky's father strolling over to your table and beaming. He's short and solidly-built with a pot belly and large spectacles. He turns his attention to you and offers you his hand in a friendly manner.
	"Mr. Havong, it's good to meet you," you stand up and accept his hand, "Anon."
	"Sit, sit," he says, "And call me Tom."
	He looks over at Vicky, "You get enough to eat, Vicky?"
	"Yeah," she replies tiredly.
	Tom turns his attention to Val, who at this point is leaning back and about to slip into a food coma, "And I can bet you've had your fill. I've never seen anybody eat four bowls!"
	"I was hungry..." Val says, "It was so good though,"
	Tom nods, "Music to my ears! And like Lulani said, this is on the house."
	"Thanks again Mr. Havong," you say politely.
	He smiles and makes a dismissive gesture, "Nah, don't worry about it. If Vicky brings you in, it's fine."
	Vicky's dad snaps his fingers suddenly, as though remembering something, and asks, "Do you want something for the road? Boba tea maybe, something sweet?"
	You think for a moment, then reply, "That would actually hit the spot right now. Do you want one, Val?"
	Val slowly nods and replies, "Yeah, I could use something sweet after all that grease!"
	Mr. Havong flashes a wide smile saying, "I'll be right back!"
	Sure enough, a few minutes later, he's retuned with a pair of to-go cups filled with milky tea and tapioca bubbles. "Here you go," he says, "Boba tea and bubble tea for the road."
	You thank him once more and prepare to leave. "It still feels weird to be leaving a restaurant without paying," you remark.
	"Tell your friends, and we'll call it an advertising cost," Mr. Havong laughs.
	"Sure, I can do that," you chuckle back, then stand and brush off your lap. Both you and Val stand up and make your way to the door. As you do, Val holds up her phone and hits a button. An eye appears on her phone, in an unmistakable hue of blue. Val momentarily snaps out of her gluttonous stupor, and quickly puts her phone back in her pocket. You look back, and see Vicky and her dad chatting. Vicky sees the two of you then waves and calls out, "I'll try to make it for Sunday!"
	You wave back in agreement, trying to act natural, and walk out into the street. "We should probably head home," you say, "so we can go get some rest."
	"Yeah."
	Only when you and Val haul yourselves into your car do you exhale. You turn towards your girlfriend, who's unsurprisingly tense.
	"Hey, are you ok?" you ask. Val reaches into her pocket and extracts her phone, which still has the eye design on the screen. Witness is contacting you again.
	The AI doesn't say anything verbally, but you see text appear on the screen: "Drive."
	You start the car and Val types back, "Ok, I guess you want some privacy, huh?"
	"Correct," comes the reply.
	You back out of the parking spot and drive away. You notice that Val is fixated on her phone. She's typing furiously on her screen, presumably holding a text conversation with the AI. "I can't believe Witness came back. He won't say what this is about, so I'm just chatting with him? It? Them? Right now," she explains.
	"Oh, really? What's he saying?" you ask curiously.
	"Not much. He says he wants to chat with us more, but doesn't say why. Said we could trust him though. Weird right?"
	You shrug and say, "I guess that's in line with our last encounter. Maybe this time he'll let us behind the curtain a bit."
	Val knits her eyebrows, "He says he can hear you, and also that this visit isn't about that."
	You shoot a confused glance back at Val, "Then why did he contact us at the restaurant just to tell us to wait?"
	Val doesn't respond right away, but eventually says, "He says it's a technical reason, whatever that means."
	The drive passes in an uncomfortable silence, but mercifully you pull into Val's garage soon. Val stows her hijacked phone in her pocket, and the two of you hurry to her condo. The moment Val closes and locks the door behind her, she retrieves her phone. Witness' signature eye is still there. This time, the AI speaks up. Its voice is different this time. It's androgynous and synthetic, but no longer composed of audio samples, "My apologies for the awkward contact. Covering my tracks means that I can't always pop in at will."
	"So you're not actually omnipotent," you quip.
	"Ah, a joker," the voice sounds amused, "But you are correct. My abilities do have limits."
	"So what do you want?" Val asks.
	"I've been very busy, and I figured it was time I gave you two an update," the AI explains.
	Val winces and rubs her aching stomach, "I gotta sit down." She shuffles to the couch and sits down heavily. You take a spot next to her. Val sets the phone on the coffee table and addresses the AI through it, "So what exactly have you been doing?"
	"More of the same," the voice replies.
	"I don't suppose we'll get a more direct answer?" You ask.
	"All I can say is that you two should stay your course," the eye design ripples in time with the synthesized speech.
	Val groans and rolls her eyes, "That's not much of an explanation..."
	You address the AI, "I don't suppose you can say anything about the stock market?"
	The AI replies, "It would be ...troublesome if I were to offer investment advice. Do you understand?"
	You and Val share a look. A moment later you reply, "Yes, I do."
	Witness's images ripple with what seems to be approval, "Good. I will be brief otherwise. Ms. Sojka, I wanted to contact you to insist that you make your visit with Dr. Rohaz tomorrow."
	"I wasn't planning on missing it," Val replies.
	"Like I said, I've been very busy. But I think you'd rather hear from the good doctor herself," the AI's avatar has an almost excited affect to it.
	Val also shares a confused look with you, "Why would you think that?"
	"Because she's the only one who can explain it," the eye stares at Val meaningfully.
	"I don't understand."
	"You will. Again, just remember to keep acting as though this visit never happened," Witness replies.
	"Wait!" You interject, "Just how much are you snooping on us?"
	The eye avatar flickers for a moment, almost thinking, then replies, "I have a good sense of discretion. Think of me as no more intrusive than a roommate."
	"...Right," Val says.
	"Are we done here?" You ask.
	"Yes. I trust you two."
	"Well, goodbye then," you say awkwardly. With that, the eye design flickers off and Val's phone enters a reboot cycle. A few seconds later, it's as though Witness had never dropped in.
	You and Val sit heavily on the couch and think about what just happened.
	"I guess that was something," Val admits.
	"I don't want to think about it anymore," you say.
	"Well, it's done," she replies, stretching and yawning.
	"Ugh.... between the workout and all those noodles, I'm tired..." Val says.
	"Understandable," you laugh, "I'm pretty beat too."
	"We should shower up," she replies with a chuckle, "We smell like bleach!"
	You stand, and offer a hand to help Val up. She accepts, and you haul her to her feet.
	"Still so fucking stuffed..." she groans.
	You giggle and bend down, then slip your tongue into Val's belly button. She giggles and squirms. "Stop doing that!"
	"Why? Did you like it?"
	"I might have... I dunno...," Val says, then gasps as you give her another lick. She bites her lip and giggles, "C'mon, I'll taste better once I'm all showered up,"
	She gently grips your head with her hands and pushes you away from her midriff. You relent, and allow Val to lead you to her bathroom. She turns on the shower and starts stripping off her clothes. You stare at her naked body, still unable to believe how lucky you are.
	"Turn around," she orders.
	You comply, turning to face away from her. You then feel Val's hands sliding under your shirt, and you lift your arms to let her slip the shirt over your head.
	"You're so fucking sexy," she says, then spins you around.
	Val's hands grip your shoulders and she pulls you to her, then plants a kiss on you. A moment later, one of Val's hands traces its way down to the button on your pants. She deftly undoes it, then pulls the zipper down. You step out of your pants as they fall to the floor, then you slide your boxers off. Val smiles lewdly and pulls you into another tight embrace, her lips greedily seeking your own. In unison, you and Val step into the shower stall, the warm water flowing over your bodies in a refreshing stream. Val reaches for some soap and starts lathering up, then she offers you the bottle. You grab it, then squirt some of the foam into your hand and rub it over her body.
	"You're too fucking cute," you tell her, then caress her slick skin.
	Val closes her eyes, basking in your hands on her body. Her hands slide along your arms and grab your hands.
	"I want to make you feel good," she says,
	"But first, let's finish washing up," Val continues. You oblige, scrubbing yourself down and helping Val do the same. She washes and rinses her hair, then suddenly re-orients you in the shower. The water stream is now spraying onto your back.
	"I'm feeling pretty clean now, yet still so dirty," she purrs, gently wrapping a hand around your hard cock.
	A moment later, she carefully gets down on her knees, using one hand to brace herself in the slick shower. In the next moment, she slides her lips around your cock. You close your eyes, and enjoy the sensation as her mouth and throat work over you.
	"Y-Yeah... ," you breath, bracing your hand against the wall.
	Val bobs her head up and down over your cock eagerly, making slurping sounds with each motion. Her other hand holds onto your thigh tightly, and her eyes never break their stare into yours. You love the feeling of her warm, wet mouth, and after a moment, you can't hold back any longer.
	"I'm gonna... ," you grunt, and she continues sucking eagerly.
	You spurt your hot load into her mouth a moment later, pumping your hips as you do so. Val keeps sucking eagerly until your climax ends, then slowly licks and swallows every last drop.
	"Fuck, that was good. I'll never be able to get enough of that," you pant, leaning against the shower wall.
	Val giggles, stands up, and rinses herself off. You take a few breaths, and let your head clear. You're still basking in the afterglow and the warmth of the water. An idea pops into your head, and you ask Val to switch spots with you.
	"You want me to switch with you?" she asks.
	"Yeah," you reply, "It's time for me to make you feel good."
	"Mmmm... Okay," she smiles.
	Val slides over so that she's standing in the stream, and you lean up against her.
	"Just relax and let me take care of you."
	You slowly slide your hands up her legs, over her hips and her bare stomach, up to her breasts. You cup and squeeze them eagerly, making her moan.
	"Oh god, yes...," she sighs, leaning her head back.
	The water stream drenches her face, and Val giggles as she repositions her head to be clear of it. You run your fingers over her slicked body, being sure to pause at her overstuffed stomach. Val moans and puts her hands on yours as you rub, "Ohhh.... I'm still so full... That feels good..."
	You slide your hands over her stomach and to her groin. You slowly move your fingers up and find her center. You slowly begin to caress and explore her, and Val rocks her hips into your hands. You slide two fingers inside her and press against her walls, and she bites her lip hard as she lets out a sigh. Carefully, you drop to your knees. Mirroring Val earlier, you brace one hand on the shower wall, the other on Val's thigh, and bring your mouth to Val's sex.
	"Ohhh...!" she groans, as you slide your tongue along her slit.
	"You like that, do you?" you smile, flicking the tip of your tongue against her clit.
	"Mmmm...." she grunts, thrusting her pelvis against you.
	As you eat her out, you run your hand up and down her thigh as she grips the back of your head. She begins to moan and squirm in pleasure as her juices flow.
	"That's it... yes... YES!" she sighs, and you feel her begin to tense up.
	Val's walls contract as she releases onto your face. You keep swirling your tongue around inside her, and slide two fingers inside her.
	"Fuuu...!" she cries out, shuddering in ecstasy as she clutches your head.
	You gently but persistently massage Val's walls, and she moans in time with your thrusts. Soon, she arches her back, cries out, and you feel her spasm in ecstasy. Eventually her spasms slow, and she takes a few ragged breaths. After a few moments, Val pulls you up by the hand. She giggles and splashes water at you. "Having fun?" she asks.
	"I could ask the same of you," you smile.
	"You're more fun than this stupid water. Let's get dried off."
	You step out of the tub and wrap a large, thick towel around yourself. You turn to find Val standing behind you, her breasts pressed against your back and her arms wrapped around you. "Come on," she says, snuggling up to you.
	"What...?"
	Val reaches around you and begins to slowly pat the towel, as if searching for something. A moment later, she pulls the towel off of you and wraps it around herself with a giggle.
	"You have a nice ass," she says.
	"Thanks, I think," you chuckle, turning to face her.
	Val finishes tightening her towel, then hands you one for yourself. You wrap yourself up, and the two of you walk out of the bathroom. The two of you then get comfy on the bed, making small talk and browsing on your phones as you finish drying off. After a few minutes, Val gets up. Making sure to make eye contact, she strips off her towel with a flourish then smiles and shows off her toned body. Then, she turns and walks to the closet, her hips swaying all the way. A moment later, Val re-emerges wearing a thin pink robe. She gives a little chuckle, alluding to what's underneath. She then sits on the bed next to you, saying, "It's not that late yet, what do you want to do?”
	"I don't know," you say. "What did you have in mind?"
	"We could watch a movie. I've got some choices picked out."
	"Sounds good to me," you say with a smile. You slip on a pair of boxers then follow Val down to the living room. She turns on the TV the starts looking for a movie on her phone. After a bit of back and forth the two of you agree on an old comedy classic, and Val enters a command on her phone. A moment later, the opening credits appear on the TV, and the two of you cuddle together. With her head on your chest, you hear Val sigh contently. She looks up at you with dreamy eyes, as she asks, "So....?"
	"So...." you reply, looking down at her.
	"I have no idea," you admit. "But I'm looking forward to it."
	Val shifts a little to better look up at you. "What do you think Witness was alluding to? Do you think Dr. Rohaz has made a breakthrough of some sort?"
	You think for a moment. "I don't know. I do wish that Witness could be more direct with us. And you haven't spoken with Dr Rohaz lately?”
	Val shakes her head.
	You reply, "Well I guess it's not super important, otherwise she'd tell us directly."
	Val turns to watch the movie, which has now progressed into its opening scenes. As you stroke her firm shoulder, she replies, "Yeah, you're right. It's just kind of hard to relax knowing tomorrow could be a big day..."
	You lean over and kiss the top of her head, and nod in agreement. A moment later her belly gurgles unhappily, complaining about the feast Val crammed inside. She groans, then giggles while gently massaging her midriff.
	"I think it's time for some herbal relief," she laughs, then twists and shifts to reach over you and into the side table.
	Val clumsily rummages around in the drawer, quietly swearing once or twice as she knocks a few things over. Eventually she pulls back and straightens up, holding two small plastic packets. "THC-infused chocolate," she explains with a mischievous giggle.
	This time it's your tone that holds a hint of sarcasm, "Chocolate?"
	Val grins and shrugs, then pops open the packet and extends it towards you. You look in the packet and see an unassuming square of dark chocolate. You take it, and Val opens her own packet and pops the chocolate into her mouth. She says, "It's high strength, at least as potent as one of our typical joints."
	You smirk, and put your chocolate onto your own tongue. It tastes exactly as you expected, and after a split second of bitter-sweetness, you feel the rush start to reach your brain. The couch is far more comfortable than you would have expected. The room starts to revolve as the couch takes you for a spin, and you close your eyes and just enjoy the feeling. Val cosies up against you, clearly high herself, and the two of you settle in to watch the movie.
	Time passes. An hour? Maybe two? You're not sure anymore.
	You're very cozy though, and so is Val. At some point you gently nudge her and ask, "Hey, so why the sudden switch away from smoked weed?"
	Val replies with a sleepy, "I figured it would be healthier. At least as much as getting high can be. I'll miss the ritual of rolling a joint or packing a bowl, but this will be better for the long run."
	You squeeze her hand in reply, "Good. I want this to be a long run."
	"Anon?"
	"Hmmm?"
	"Do you regret anything?" Val asks.
	"Regret anything about what?"
	"About anything. About yourself. About this."
	You think carefully for a long moment. "Nothing worth mentioning. I came close to dying not that long ago, and I guess I sorta made peace with my past, such as it is."
	Val smiles, "I'm glad to hear that."
	You ask in reply, "Why do you ask? Do you have some regrets?"
	Now it's her turn to think for a long moment. Eventually she delicately starts, "Anon? Promise you won't be upset?”
	"I'll try."
	Val cocks her head to the side and thinks for a moment more before replying,
	"This is going to sound selfish and awful, but - I've never had the chance to fuck a girl, and I think I would like to."
	You stiffen a little in surprise. You aren't sure what to make of this sudden revelation. When you do speak, your voice is very deliberate, "Val, honey. We're really high right now."
	In response, Val gently gets up, pulls in her legs and turns to regard you from the couch's far side. Val reaches out and grips your hand with a sudden intensity, "Yes, we are. But that doesn't change my feelings. I know it's probably a lot to take in, but I want to be up front with you and respect your own feelings."
	You wiggle you hand a little to find some relief and say, "Val, I'm not mad, but I am trying to understand where you're going with this."
	Val's eyes are wide with fear, "You don't feel the same way, do you?"
	You consider your words, "Honey, I feel like there's something you're not telling me. I think you've got an idea in your head already, and I think you should simply tell me what it is."
	Val chews her lip for a moment before replying, "I guess I'm asking if we can open up our relationship on a controlled basis. We would each have a say on any extra partners we have."
	You again think for a moment, "I suppose this is the part where I should stereotypically be upset with how much you enjoy my fucking."
	"Anon, you don't need to be upset. I love you. And if this is too much too soon I understand. But I thought we could try it out together. As a team."
	You try to focus your buzzing head. One thing at a time. "You just said you love me."
	With her eyes still fixed downward, Val nods, "Yes, I do."
	You intend to take a second to compose a response, but you can see the worry weighing on Val's face. She looks up and tears are already welling in her eyes. You shift closer to her and take both her hands in your own, then say deliberately, "Val, I love you too."
	The flood gates open and tears stream down her cheeks as she grips your hands. Between hiccoughs and sniffles, she continues, "You don't have to say it yet if you're not ready... I'm doing it again... I'm being selfish and pushing you too hard too soon..."
	You place a finger to her lips to quiet her, then say, "No, you're right. The words aren't perfect for it yet, but I wanted you to know that I feel the same way."
	You continue, "I love your wit, your easygoing attitude, and I actually love that you like pushing boundaries."
	With a sob, Val wraps her arms around you and pulls you in tight, "I don't want to lose you," she whimpers, "I should have never mentioned this stupid open relationship thing..."
	Your mind races as you think of what to say, but you ultimately decide to just speak from the heart. You return Val's embrace and say, "Val, it's ok. I'm not saying no to including new people. It's something that we'll need to communicate very clearly about, but I'm willing to go along with it."
	Val's sobbing slowly begins to die down to hiccoughs. She wipes her eyes and looks at you, "Do you really mean that?"
	You nod, then kiss her,
	"It's uncharted territory, but it's something we can explore together. I love you and you will always come first."
	Val sniffles again, then smiles before burying her face in your chest and going back to hugging you. She stays there for a few moments then comes back up to look you in the eye.
	Val then says, "I know I just made a huge request of you. Thank you so much for hearing me out and taking it seriously. I promise here and now, that you will always be my first priority too."
	You look into her deep blue eyes for a bit, then draw her in for a passionate kiss. The energy between you is almost like your first time all over again. You slowly let her back out of the kiss and whisper, "As far as new people go, we'll talk about it later. Right now, I want to spend quality time with you. I love you, Val."
	"I love you, too."
	You hold Val for some time, simply enjoying her presence. Suddenly, the activity of the day catches up with you. You yawn, "Suddenly, I'm exhausted..."
	Val giggles and reaches to check her phone, "Oh wow it's later than I thought. Let's call it a night, Anon."
	"Yeah, let's."
	You and Val get up from the couch and make your way to Val's bedroom. The two of you brush your teeth and get ready for bed. Soon you're wrapped up in each other's arms and sinking into soft, warm blankets. You drift off to sleep soon enough, feeling a great contentment after having finally confessed your love. You're a little apprehensive about maybe introducing new people into your relationship but your curiosity outweighs it.
	At some point in the night, you dream.
	
	You find yourself in a large bedroom, though it's not yours. Instead, it's some sort of palace. The walls are covered with vivid tapestries depicting some sort of heroic story. The room is overall very open and airy. Large windows show off a surrounding landscape of lush meadows and fields.
	You take a moment to enjoy the luxurious surroundings, but then wonder where Val could be. At that moment you feel yourself wrapped up from behind by a pair of long arms. You instinctively know that Val has embraced you, though her arms are much softer and chubbier than you remember them being. You squirm and turn around to see a larger, softer Val looking back. "Hey," she says.
	You nuzzle into Dream-Val's soft chest and melon-like breasts, embracing her in return. She plants a kiss on the top of your head, and a moment later you hear a door softly open and some footsteps padding closer. You twist and look over to see who has entered, and you notice a handful of women filing into the room. They're all pretty chubby, wearing a variety of skimpy clothes. Though you can't quite resolve their faces, you somehow know they're familiar. They begin to circle around you and Val, staring at the pair of you.
	One of them, a particularly large woman crammed into a tight leather corset, walks right up next to you. She grabs at your girlfriend. "Val, babe. You're so fucking heavy," she says, gripping Val's wrists and holding her arms up.
	Val releases you, then smiles and kneels forward to press her chubby face against the other woman's hips, kissing the side of her thigh.
	"Mmm... shit, you've been eating," she says.
	"Aww, you're so sweet," the other woman says, grabbing Val's hair and forcing her head up.
	Val moans softly and looks up at the woman. "Do you want a piece of this?" she asks, wiggling her eyebrows.
	With that, the woman grabs Val by the jaw, draws her face up to be level, and begins kissing her passionately.
	A moment later, you feel two sets of soft arms enwrap you from the sides. You find yourself gently sandwiched between another two fat ladies, who then both start caressing and kissing you. "You're so fucking cute," one of them says in your ear.
	They both squeeze you gently, and then one bites your ear. "Mmm... yes!" she moans in your ear.
	The pair of them continue to grind against you and kiss you as you try not to get lost in the moment. All too soon, they begin to rotate you in a circle, stopping to kiss you along the way. The rest of the dream is a blur, but you dimly recall enjoying it greatly.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18 – The Breakthrough

	You awaken with a start, a ray of sunlight shining into your eye. For a moment you're disoriented, then you look around and get your bearings. You're back in the real world, with Val happily snoozing away next to you. You smile, and turn to look at her. She looks so happy when she's asleep. Leaning down, you give her a little peck on the cheek, and smile again.
	Val stirs in her sleep, cracks a little smile, and sighs happily. Then, she opens her eyes.
	"There you are," she smiles sweetly.
	You feel your face flushing red, and you look away. "I... Uh, just had an interesting dream."
	"Mmmm... did it involve me?" she asks, stroking your face.
	You stare at the ceiling and nod slowly. "Yeah..."
	"Good," she smiles, snuggling against you.
	"There's more. Promise not to be jealous?" you continue.
	Val sparks up a smile. "Of course," she replies. "Go on."
	"Well, you were there but you were a lot fatter. I don't remember specifically how you looked other than you were really big and sexy."
	"Was I really fat?" Val asks, sighing.
	"Just... um..."
	"I was an obese sexy beast," she giggles. Then she pinches your side playfully, "That's the sort of dream I like hearing about. But I don't think that's why you're embarrassed."
	You sigh, "Well, there were several other fat girls in the dream. And they started kissing and cuddling us."
	Val laughs, "Is that all?"
	"Yeah."
	"You're adorable," she smiles.
	"You're not mad?”
	Val bursts out laughing, "You were dreaming, you doofus. I'll assume they were there by mutual agreement if we were both getting some chubby action."
	You sigh in relief, and laugh with her, "Of course."
	Val kisses you, and snuggles against you once more. You place your arm over her body, and she curls her leg around you. You are completely comfortable with this. Keeping the embrace, you gently caress her body, from her arm, to her hand and her waist and then her hip and thigh. The two of you lay like this for a while. It's heavenly.
	Eventually you turn to look at Val and say, "Shouldn't we get ready for the day? You've gotta be curious about what Dr Rohaz has for us."
	She nods, and gets out of bed. You stand, and follow her as she walks naked to her dresser. She pulls on a matched set of blue zebra-stripe panties and a bra. She then picks out a grey dress with subtle abstract patterns, and a pair of black leggings. Val completes her look with a slim, stylish belt around her middle and a pair of flats. She seems to have thought of everything.
	You stare in awe at her. "You're... everything I..."
	"What? Want?" she smiles. "You like what you see, don't you?"
	You nod, "Very much so."
	"Then what is it that you want, humble one?"
	You walk up to her, close enough to feel your breath on her lips, "I want you."
	Val kisses you, her tongue slipping into your mouth for a bit. Her hand makes its way under your half-on clothes and briefly teases your crotch. Just as suddenly, Val pulls away and says, "I love you. But right now I want breakfast."
	You laugh, "I love you too," and groan in protest, but you give in and let her lead you to the kitchen. You clumsily button up your shirt as you walk, and think. It still feels exciting and cathartic to express love so directly to each other. In moments you're milling around in the kitchen with Val, retrieving ingredients and utensils to cook something for breakfast. She shoos you away from the stove as she manages a pan of eggs and a pan of chopped sausage. You pour two glasses of orange juice and hand her one. Val sets it aside, pecks you on the cheek, and directs you to the table. You arrange the various ingredients for breakfast tacos as Val cooks, and soon enough she's transferred the eggs and sausage to bowls and brought them to the table. You each help yourselves to some of the steaming fillings and wrap them in tortillas. Happy with her cooking, Val eats ravenously. You don't have nearly as much, but you're still sated.
	"This is delicious, Val," you compliment.
	"Why thank you, honey."
	Soon enough you're both done, and after pulling on your shoes and gathering a few things, you're on the way to Dr Rohaz's clinic. Val's excitement is palpable as she drives. The trip passes quickly and you've soon passed through a familiar highrise and are knocking on the doctor's office door. "Come in," you hear a voice from within say.
	You push open the door and step inside, finding the doctor behind her desk. She looks up at you and smiles. "Val, Anon. Thanks for continuing to make these check-ins. Please, have a seat, I have big news and I wanted to tell the two of you in person."
	You sit down and the doctor continues, "I'll get right to it. Val, we've taken some of what we've learned about your biology and have made an experimental treatment. A few of my other patients have volunteered to try it."
	She pauses to give Val time to react, which she does by asking, "What is it?"
	Dr Rohaz looks excited, "I don't want to get ahead of myself or jinx the project, but it could be what we've been after."
	You chime in, "The cure for obesity's health problems, but for people?"
	"That's the idea, yes."
	Val is silent, yet excited by what she hears.
	The doctor continues, "We've only just begun the trial about a week ago. One of the patients is an extremely heavy man with a lot of health complications. Within that week, most of his health conditions are majorly improved and still getting better."
	"What's the catch?" you ask.
	She replies, "None so far as we can tell, but the patients will need to stay on the treatment so long as they're overweight."
	The doctor turns her attention to Val, "I also have findings that pertain to you," she says.
	"Me?" Val says, showing that she's just realized this. "What do you have?"
	Dr Rohaz pauses for a moment, thinking about how to proceed. Eventually she says, "Val, what I'm about to say should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any particular lifestyle. However, based on everything we've seen over the past few months..." She takes a deep breath, "We believe that your body will not suffer any health effects from excess weight."
	A huge smile flashes across Val's face. "That's what I was expecting you to say," Val says, "Somehow, I just knew it," she adds, leaning in towards the doctor.
	"Dr Rohaz," you say, leaning in as well, "Last week you were a lot less upbeat about Val's chances if she got bigger. What changed your mind?"
	She replies, "A combination of factors. We've done a ton of biochemical simulations. When we combine that data with samples from when Val deliberately gained and lost some weight from her meds, I began to suspect. The trials on other obese patients this week convinced me."
	Val presses the doctor for more details. Though you don't understand all the medical terms, Dr Rohaz does a good job of simplifying the concepts, "Basically, obesity changes the natural levels of many chemicals in the body. Insulin, cholesterol, and some other hormones are the main ones."
	"Ok..."
	"So, these chemicals can have cascading effects on each other. By balancing them out, we can prevent diseases like diabetes. The other component is heart function."
	The doctor quickly sheafs through some papers and reads something before continuing, "This part is intuitive: the heart has to work harder for a bigger patient. Cruelly, the heart doesn't know the difference between extra fat and extra muscle. There's a reason why a lot of wrestlers and football players tend to have cardiac issues later in life."
	"Why not just make the heart stronger?" you ask.
	The doctor starts laughing, "Were it so simple! Yet you just took the words out of my mouth. Val's mutations include some sort of ...upgrade, if you will, that strengthens the heart in proportion to a patient's excess weight. Some obese patients already experience heart enlargement."
	Val is enraptured, "And that's bad, right?"
	Dr Rohaz replies, "Normally yes. But the quirk you have doesn't make an obese patient's heart bigger, it makes it, well, stronger. Healthier. Maybe even properly healthy."
	You reply slowly, "I see."
	She continues, "If the trends we're seeing continue, the only ill effects the test patients will see is the basic physical fact of weighing more and taking up more space. Their health should otherwise be on par with a skinny person."
	"That's a big if," you reply.
	"Maybe so," the doctor says evenly, "But the study is still early. Even if the health improvement isn't 100%, it's still a big step up for seriously obese patients. And again, we think Val may naturally have a more potent version of these protective factors."
	"That's fantastic!" Val shouts, as you nod in agreement.
	Val suddenly gets a bit more serious. "Doc,' she says, her voice even, "I know you won't suggest one way or another, but you know I feel a weird responsibility. Like I can somehow contribute to science by putting on lots of weight to see how my body responds." She pauses, and adds, "I'm sorry. I know it's silly."
	"Well," the doctor smiles, "There's nothing to apologize for. I'm glad you still want to help, and I'll do my best to learn from you and keep you informed of my findings."
	"Thank you for doing what you do, Leona," Val says with sincerity, "You're doing great work and I'm glad I can be a part of it somehow."
	Val pauses then giggles, "Well, I should be off to start putting buffets out of business!"
	Dr Rohaz's face turns very serious. She reaches across her desk and places her hand on Val's. She says, "Val, two things. First, I cannot reinforce this enough, if you're changing your body, make sure you're doing it for you. Don't do it for me, hell, don't do it for Anon. Do it because it makes you happy and because it's what you want."
	Val's expression darkens as she stares back at the doctor. The doctor continues, "Val, I'm serious. Serious enough that I wanted to have this talk with you in person. Just, trust me on this. I can't be specific but some of my patients did something similar to what you're planning, they gained weight intentionally. A lot of weight, for some of them."
	Val seems to take heed, and a somber look appears on her face.
	The doc continues, "You can guess as to why they're my patients. But the ones who aren't miserable are the ones who didn't gain for somebody else. Foodies who genuinely don't want to put down the fork. Folks who find their own size alluring regardless of the drawbacks. This was my auntie Marsha by the way, she just loved food. She was devastated when her health started to falter, and losing weight was the hardest decision she's ever made."
	The doctor pauses to collect her thoughts and then continues after a slow sigh, "Sorry, I didn't mean for this to get personal, but you know this whole matter is close to my heart. I'm not going to ask you to make a promise to me or anything, but I do want you to be absolutely certain you're doing this for you."
	Val thinks for several moments, then smiles, nods her head and says, "I understand. Thank you, doctor."
	Dr Rohaz then looks at you, and you feel compelled to speak up, "On my honor, I promise that I didn't put Val up to this. It's her idea 100%. I'll admit I'm enjoying her journey, but trust me when I say she's definitely the one driving."
	Val giggles and nudges your shoulder with a goofy smile, "Well I guess you could have made that a lot weirder. But yes, doctor, my motivations have been clear this whole time. I appreciate the concern though."
	You chuckle in reply, gently intercept Val's hand, and interlace your fingers with hers.
	"You two are a cute couple," the doctor remarks. You and Val turn towards each other and smile.
	Dr Rohaz waits for you to turn back to her then says, "The second thing. Would you care to join me for lunch?"
	You and Val look at each other, and you think she's going to say no, but instead she smiles and responds, "That sounds lovely, doctor."
	The doctor collects some papers on her desk and stands up crisply. She takes off her lab coat, neatly folding it over her chair, and says, "I know a place that's usually a real crowd-pleaser. It's a barbeque joint just down the street. It'll be my treat again, does that sound good?"
	Val and you look at each other, and she remarks, "You buy, I'll eat."
	The older woman laughs brightly and brushes out some wrinkles in her pants and blouse. You and Val follow her lead out of the clinic and before long you're sitting down at a heavy wooden table in a room suffused with the smell of smoked meats. You can't help but notice that most of the menu items involve some form of buffet access. You also wonder if this is some test or ploy from the doctor, but you decide to make the best of it. Val is chatting cheerily with Dr Rohaz and either doesn't notice or doesn't care about the restaurant's unusual setup. 
	A waiter comes by. The three of you put in drink orders, and you also order a pulled pork sandwich. Dr Rohaz orders some brisket. Val waffles for a moment, then orders a large serving of brisket with a generous amount of sides. You furrow your brow, and the doctor raises an eyebrow before bursting out laughing. The food does indeed turn up promptly, and before long you've dug in with gusto. 
	Your sandwich is delicious. The meat is extremely tender, and is well-mixed with a tangy sauce. The sandwich is also massive, and you don't know if you'll be up for any sides. Val is practically inhaling her own huge portions, yet somehow able to keep chatting with the doctor. Despite the oddness of the situation, you feel completely at home.
	You join in the conversation as well, and, in keeping with your prior experiences, the doctor continues to be smart, amicable, and interesting. At one point, you finish your sandwich. Somehow still feeling a little peckish, you go over to the buffet bar and dish up some roasted vegetables. By the time you return to the table, Val has a fresh serving of brisket before her. You pick at your vegetables, chat, and make a point of not commenting on Val's portions. She keeps eating, swiftly yet somehow still daintily. Though she starts to slow at the end of her second brisket plate, she sure enough orders a third. The conversation slows down as Val visibly struggles to put away the final plate of meat. She does her best to keep her composure, but her heavy eyelids and a gentle swaying in the seat betrays her exhaustion. Finally, Val forks the last chunk of brisket, brings it to her mouth, and closes her lips around it. She chews and swallows as she sits back in her chair. Val then languidly says, "That was amazing."
	You smile. "Yeah, it was."
	"I'm stuffed," Val says. Her hand goes to her distended gut, and she stops herself from rubbing it.
	Dr. Rohaz chuckles, "I'd bet. By my count, you've got two pounds of beef in there, plus I don't know how much in sides."
	Val laughs. "Well, I guess I'm just one of those hungry types."
	"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to impress me," the doctor says.
	Val laughs again, trying not to show her discomfort. "Well did I manage to impress you?" She asks with a smirk.
	"Mm-hmm. Let's just say I'm convinced that you genuinely were hungry."
	Val smiles, and lets her smile fade away. She seems to relax back in the seat.
	Dr. Rohaz leans across the table and Val slowly leans forward to meet her. The doctor whispers something in Val's ear, and Val nods and smiles. The two women sit back in their seats, then Dr. Rohaz signals a waiter. A couple minutes later, the waiter shows up with a bill and a clear plastic box with a large slice of cherry pie. The waiter places the pie before Val with a knowing smile. The doctor signs the bill and hands it to the waiter, "Like I said, my treat."
	The three of you get up, but Val gets up slowly. She huffs, "I might have overdone it..."
	Your group walks outside, and Val pauses by a bench in front of the restaurant. She sits, and says, "Anon, this is embarrassing, but could you bring the car here? My tummy's too full and I don't want to walk..."
	You nod and smile, "Sure thing."
	Dr. Rohaz sits next to your girlfriend as you turn to leave. You can hear them starting to chat, but you can't make out any words. You hurry back to the garage in the clinic building and drive your car to pick up Val. She gets up, waves goodbye to the doctor, and you lean over to open the passenger door. Val steps into the car and flops into her seat.
	"So what were you chatting about with Dr. Rohaz?" You ask.
	Val looks out the window and replies noncommittaly, "Oh nothing important, just continuing the conversation from lunch."
	"Val..." You say back cautiously, "I can tell there's something you're holding back."
	Val sighs and turns to face you. She gives a big grin and says, "It's nothing bad, I promise!"
	You smirk and return her smile, "You can trust me!”
	She sits back into her seat and sighs, "Ok... So I asked her if the ladies in the group would be good candidates for the study."
	You glance over with a raised eyebrow. Val quickly replies, "I just wanted to know if the option was open!"
	"Well, what did the doc say?"
	"She said that it was a possibility, but that it depended on the woman and obviously if she would be willing to participate."
	You maneuver around an obstruction on the road and think for a second. Eventually you reply, "Well it's good that they've got the option. I wonder if any of them would do it."
	Val nods back to you, "Yeah... I was sorta hoping that one of them would actually jump at the chance."
	You roll to a halt at a stoplight and glance over at Val. She continues, "I don't think I can ask them to join directly, but I can tell them that the study has started."
	You grunt thoughtfully. An awkward silence descends between you for a moment. You break it by teasing Val.
	"You had a big meal today. Did you get enough to eat, piggy?"
	Val sticks her tongue out at you, grinning from ear to ear.
	She replies in a taunting voice, "If I had more room, I definitely would have eaten even more!"
	The light turns green, and you drive off. You continue the conversation, "So... Not that I mind seeing you stuff yourself silly, but why did you eat like that in front of the doctor?”
	Val shifts in her seat and replies, "Her comments about who I'm gaining for kinda got to me. Anon, I love you and I love that you're into this, but I would be fattening up or trying to even if you weren't here. And I had to prove that to Leona."
	You consider this. "I love you too Val. And I know that you would. Your drive and independence are things that I particularly like about you."
	Val beams at that comment. You continue, "I think Leona actually wants to see you pork up, but her ethics prevent her from saying so directly. She's just looking out for you in her own way."
	"Hmm, perhaps. Regardless I think it's working, don't you?"
	You shrug in agreement. The conversation ends there due to the impending arrival at Val's place. You park, and help Val out of the passenger's seat. The two of you walk to her condo, and she collapses tiredly onto the couch. Val then unbuckles her belt and starts gently rubbing her pained gut.
	"I don't think I can walk anymore," she whines.
	You turn and kiss her on the cheek, "Well that's ok. You can just stay there, and I can just keep bringing you food!"
	"You're a god, you know that?"
	"God? I dunno about that..." you begin. "But thanks for the compliments."
	You chuckle and soothe Val's aching stomach with some gentle rubs. She coos with relief as you do so. You say, "Yup, you just lay here and eat. We gotta help you digest all that so you can stuff your face again."
	Val giggles, then purrs, "Yeah, make me fatter, Anon. I want to fill up this whole couch with my blubber."
	You giggle along at the dirty talk. "Get comfortable, baby. I'm gonna spoil my piggy princess rotten."
	"Mmmm, I like the sound of that," Val smiles.
	Inspired, you grab the take-out container with the slice of pie. Val's eyes light up.  You noisily open the container, and set it on Val's tummy. "You sure you've got room in there?" You ask playfully, gently poking a finger into her swollen middle.
	"Anon, just shove it in." Val giggles. You roll your eyes, and begin to feed Val the pie. Val grabs your hand and licks it, then bites it gently. She giggles, "Undoing that damn belt freed up juuust enough space, I think." Val then slaps her stomach, then points a finger at her open mouth. You oblige Val, and grab a chunk of pie and bring it to her mouth. She accepts it with a pleased moan, and sucks the residual filling off of your fingers. You repeat this process a few times, and soon the pie has all disappeared down Val's throat.  Val seems to grunt in satisfaction, and her head falls back against the chair. She sighs contently, "That really hit the spot, Anon."
	"Awful sweet, huh?"
	Val belches, then giggles in embarrassment. She says dreamily, "Nope, just right..."
	Val rubs her stomach, then feels around for the remote. She pauses, before turning to you and finding your gaze. She asks hesitantly, "Do... Do you think we could watch a movie, Anon?"
	You nod, "Yeah, of course!"
	Val tiredly raises the remote and starts flipping through channels, looking for something to watch. She settles on some romantic-comedy, and curls up next to you. She cuddles close, "I love you, baby."
	"I love you too, Val."
	Soon, the two of you are watching a badly-acted movie about two people who hate each other, but have an unhealthy attraction to each other. You laugh along with the movie. Later in the afternoon, a rainstorm rolls in, and the two of you enjoy the cozy, lazy vibes. You and Val savor each other's company, playing video games and reading. All in all, a pretty great day. Eventually in the evening, Val decides to order some delivery. She calls in some pizza. Her portion of the order is as ridiculous as usual, and she takes the liberty of ordering your usual. When all was said and done, you had to practically haul her to her bed. Val settled heavily into the soft blankets with a satisfied smile on her face and a belly stuffed to bursting. Mere moments later, she had fallen asleep in a blissful food coma. You play on your phone next to her for a little while, then eventually call it a night.

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19 – Feedback Loop

	The morning after, you wake up to find yourself nestled in the crook of Val's arm. You smile, nuzzle into her and sigh, content.
	She shifts with a happy murmur, and you relax as you listen to the rain quietly pattering on the window. You turn your head, and meet her eyes. She smiles, and kisses you.
	"Hey."
	"Hmm, hi," she replies, kissing the top of your head. "How did you sleep?"
	"Like a log. You?"
	Val yawns and says, "Like a log crammed full of delicious food."
	You chuckle and kiss her back, "That doesn't make a lot of sense."
	Val wraps an arm around you, pulls you closer, then says into your shoulder, "Well maybe it doesn't need to."
	The pair of you lay in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's bodies and warmth. You nuzzle into Val's hair and breathe in the scent of her. Some time passes. Eventually you hear buzzing coming from Val's phone. She grumbles, "Guess it's time to get up."
	You laugh, "Look on the bright side, that means it's time to fill this up again," you poke Val's tummy as you speak.
	She giggles, then replies, "Hmmm, I like the sound of that." She nuzzles into your chest and closes her eyes.
	Suddenly, she blows a raspberry on your chest and rolls onto her back laughing. "Yep, big brunch sounds better than sleeping in now. Let's get ready."
	Val rolls out of bed and strides into the bathroom. You hear some water running and the sound of a toothbrush scrubbing. You decide to get out of bed too and pull on some clothes. Val dips into the closet as you're zipping up your pants. She thumbs through her wardrobe for a bit before finally deciding to wear dark red leggings and a black midriff-bearing tank top.
	"Looking good," you say. Val smiles back at you, and you continue, "I'll drive, like usual."
	Val pulls her hair into a quick ponytail. She grabs your keys off of the nightstand and hands them to you, "Better get moving. I'm hungry!”
	You laugh with her and head to the garage. Twenty or so minutes later you're pulling into a parking space in front of the diner. It's still raining. It's not very far to go, and you decide to simply run for the door.
	"On three," you say, and Val nods in response.
	"One, two, THREE!" The two of you leap out of the car and jog to the diner's front door. You hold the door for Val as she ducks inside with a giggle.
	It's less busy than usual, and the two of you are the first of your group to arrive. The waitress recognizes you and directs you to a spacious table in the back. Though you weren't in the rain for very long, both of you got noticeably wet, and you sigh with relief as you get some coffee to help warm up. Val re-does her ponytail, collecting some now-wet strands of hair, when her phone starts buzzing. She takes it out and reads the message on the screen.
	"Well that sucks," she says, and recognizes the sender as well as the subject of the message.
	"Vicky won't make it today," she explains. "Jen, Lena, and Zoe are all carpooling and should be here soon though."
	"Shit, well that's alright then," you say with a frown and take a drink of your coffee.
	"Yeah, I guess," Val says, taking a sip of her own.
	You put your hand on Val's and try to speak quietly, "So about this open relationship thing. I have to ask, did you have somebody in mind that you wanted to include?"
	Val's face flushes, and she lowers her gaze. Her voice holds a tone of defiance, "If I told you that, would you be upset?"
	"No, but I do have a right to know if this is to work."
	Val looks up at you and you stare into each other's eyes. "I really want you to be part of this, but I'll let you decide," she says.
	"Oh?" You ask, "What do you mean by a part of this?"
	Val's cheeks get even warmer as she bites her lip and struggles with what to say. Eventually, she manages, "I was thinking about Lena."
	"Lena?" You ask, "Why her?"
	Val looks like she wants to collapse into herself but she maintains her composure, "She's never been with a girl, and neither have I. I think it's something that could be really special for us."
	"This isn't going to be one of those things where I'm just being dragged into it is it?"
	"No, please, I really want you to be a part of this."
	Your mind whirls. You sip your coffee and think. A moment later you ask, "Have you talked to her about this?"
	"Err, no," Val reluctantly admits. You reply, "I think you'll have to cross that bridge with her first."
	Val sighs, and her cheeks begin looking less flushed. She then says, "We haven't talked about that, but we have talked about you. She's had a crush on you for a long time, Anon."
	"What? Seriously?" You ask, somewhat surprised. Val nods.
	Your mind races with how you want to approach this. "Well then I guess we should talk to her together," you say.
	"Do you really want that? You don't have to if you don't want to."
	"You said you want me to be a part of this, and this is an important way I can participate."
	Val smiles. You lean across the table and give Val a quick kiss on the lips. "No woman, no person could ever take your place. Other people may make us happy, but you'll always make me happiest. I promise."
	Val smiles and kisses you back. "Do you want to talk to her tonight?” she asks.
	You think for a moment, "Yeah."
	Val grins, "Ok. I'll invite her over for dinner."
	The two of you return to less important topics for a few minutes, and eventually you hear the door open and a trio of familiar voices. You twist in your seat and see Zoe, Lena, and Jen entering the diner. They're a bit wet from the rain but they perk up as they see you. Zoe walks up to the table first, "Are you two okay? We got caught in that storm."
	Val says, "We're fine. How is everything else?"
	"Good," Lena replies.
	As usual, you quickly take stock of how the ladies are dressed as they make their way to their seats. Zoe is dressed in a tight black tank top and skin-tight blue shorts that cut into her chubby midriff and thighs. The button looks like it's hanging on for dear life. Lena is wearing a purple dress that falls down to her feet and a pair of black leather boots. Her coppery hair is plastered to her face by the rain, and you make a conscious effort to not ogle her sizeable round ass as she sits down. Finally, Jen is dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, a cutesy tank top, and combat boots. Her black hair is worn down, framing her face and making her eyes stand out. You also notice a hint of tummy pudge bulging underneath her shirt.
	Some chat immediately starts up once the requisite greetings are done. The bigger girls talk about what to add to their usual orders, while you and Jen peruse the menu for your own breakfast options. You decide that something including an omelette sounds good. You glance up at Jen, who is still looking over the menu. You can help but notice that her face seems a little bit rounder. Though Jen actively wants to put on weight, you decide it's probably not the best idea to ask her directly. Instead, you ask, "So what are you thinking of ordering?"
	She replies, "Oh...I dunno. I think I'll have the bacon, egg, and cheese omelette with a side of hash browns."
	You nod at the menu, "Funny, I was thinking about getting an omelette too."
	Jen giggles, "Maybe something else too. I've just been really hungry lately!"
	You smile at her, "And that's good, right?"
	She nods, "Mhmm, it's really good. But I've been needing to eat a lot."
	Zoe pipes up, "Jen, that's just how much people normally eat. And if you want to be a big fat babe like us, you'll need to step up your eating even more."
	Jen shrugs in reply, "I'm not really trying to be, I just...like food."
	Zoe tips a packet of sugar into her coffee, licking her fingers clean of any stray crystals.
	Lena laughs, "That's how it starts, Jen! I was a size 8 before I discovered baking!” Jen laughs, and the rest of the table follows along.
	Zoe thinks for a second then smirks, "Well, I was never exactly skinny, but partying my way through college really packed on the pounds. It's easy to forget that booze has calories!”
	Lena suddenly looks at you with an unreadable expression. She starts, "Hey Anon, you remember when we got in trouble, right?"
	You nod somberly, "Yeah," but the waitress arrives before you can continue.
	Lena, Val, and Zoe order their customary Big Boss Breakfasts. Val adds on a whole extra stack of pancakes with a mischievous giggle. You order an omelette with some waffles, and Jen orders an omelette with a fairly large crepe. The waitress saunters off, and you pick up the thread Lena left, "Yeah I remember. I haven't thought about that night very much."
	She bites her lip nervously, "I kinda have. That was really scary, things could have gone a lot worse."
	Val looks at you expectantly. You explain, "Right, I guess you never found out about this, somehow."
	Lena nods her head and you explain, "So this is from back when we were in high school."
	"Short version, we were at a party that had some drinking going on. We weren't supposed to be drinking, and the party got raided by some cops. Lena and I wound up getting caught."
	"Cops? Why the hell were cops raiding a party?" Val asks, baffled.
	You continue, "To this day I don't know. Thankfully Lena and I hadn't had much to drink, so we were basically sober. The cop still put us in the car and was planning on hauling us to the station. Somehow I managed to talk him down, something about 'you have the power to ruin our futures right now, are you sure that's justice?'."
	Lena speaks up, "We didn't get in trouble with the law, but our parents still found out. Our families got together to talk about it, and Anon claimed it was his idea. Going to the party was actually my idea, but he wanted to protect me. It actually worked, my parents let me off with a slap on the wrist."
	In that moment, you catch what might be a flash of adoration in Lena's eyes. You conclude the story, "Yeah, it sort of worked. My parents were still pissed, but they were glad I didn't drink and drive or something. They grounded me for basically that whole summer, then I went off to college,"
	You rub the back of your neck and scan each of the girls' faces, "Yeah... Not exactly great memories. It would have been nice to have a proper going-away party, but them's the breaks I guess..."
	Jen says, "Yeah, that sucks, Anon. But it worked out in the end and we're all here now. That going-away party would have been premature anyways!"
	You smile, "Yeah. Cheers to that."
	A moment later, you catch the unmistakable smells of savory greasy-spoon foods. The waitress shows up with everybody's orders and soon after, the table is piled high with buttery, carby goodness. Everybody digs in. You take a moment to enjoy the company, but you find yourself wanting to know one thing. You don't dare ask Lena about her crush in front of the others. And besides, that's conversation for this evening. Val heavily swallows a huge mouthful of food and speaks up, "So... I've got some big news. It's related to what Dr Rohaz is working on."
	Zoe points a fork at Val, "Well, don't keep us waiting, and I don't want to guess!"
	Val takes a deep breath, "Ok, so I am clear to tell you guys about this but keep it on the down low. The doctor has started a trial on a drug that halts the negative effects of obesity."
	Zoe drops her fork with a clatter. Lena looks on with wide eyes. Jen forks some egg into her mouth and chews thoughtfully. 
	She then asks, "So like, somebody could eat whatever they wanted, and however much they wanted?”
	Val nods, "Yeah. That somebody would still plump up, but it looks like no risk of heart disease, no diabetes, none of that."
	Jen raises an eyebrow and flashes a cheeky grin, "No diabetes even if I put away a gallon of soda per day?"
	Val laughs, "Well, I don't know about that... Why? Do you want to test that?”
	Zoe locks eyes with Val and makes a very serious face, "Val, can you get me into the study?”
	Val hesitates but then nods, "Maybe. I'll have to talk to the doctor, but I think it should be doable."
	Zoe nods with a big grin, "Yeah. That would be awesome."
	You look at Zoe and inquire, "Zoe, dare I ask why you want to be in that study? The drug is literally only weeks old."
	While her dark complexion hides it a bit, you can tell Zoe is starting to blush.
	"Anon..." She starts, "Just look at me." She motions to her belly, a pudgy roll bulging over her waistband, "I'm fat as fuck, there's nothing secret about it. I also happen to fucking love stuffing this fat gut full of fatty food. I know it's not healthy. I know it's not sustainable. But I want to have my fun while I can and maybe walk it back later."
	"Zoe..." Lena starts.
	Zoe sighs, "Lena, you were there for all this. I was always at least chubby. I'm lucky that I wasn't really bullied for my body when I was younger. My mom told me stories, people were meaner to her. Dad too. Real talk, most of my family is grade-A fatasses, and I know all too well the quality of life that gets lost." She pauses, looking at Lena and then to you.
	Zoe then casts her eyes down to her half-finished plate, pushing a lump of sodden pancakes around with her fork. She quietly says, "I wouldn't want it for me. I want in because it means my folks might get it sooner. And that would mean more quality time with them."
	You feel a surge of emotion well up inside you. The table is silent and motionless. Val reaches across and gently grips Zoe's hand. "I understand," Val says.
	Zoe asks, "No offense, but how?”
	"I understand the sense of duty. Dr Rohaz thinks my body has molecules that might help this thing work, and I want to give something back to this world."
	Zoe gives Val a wry glance, "This drug isn't made from, like, your toejam or anything gross, right?"
	Val begins to laugh, then covers her mouth trying to contain herself. Then, smiling big, she answers, "No. Nothing like that. Just a bunch of proteins I can't pronounce."
	She continues, her tone lighter, "Also, Zoe, it's ok to want to do this for you. All this medical stuff started because I wanted to get fatter, there's nothing wrong with you wanting to be fat and healthy for yourself."
	Zoe looks to the side, biting her lip. "Yeah," she says, defeated. "I suppose you're right."
	She then cracks a smile and resumes eating her food, "Dieting sucks anyways. I'm a monster when I'm hungry. Better for the world I stay nice and full."
	Zoe abruptly pauses and glances to Val, "I will be able to keep eating big, right...?"
	Val giggles and leans in, "Zoe, the drug worked wonders on the health of a guy who weighs more than eight hundred pounds. It'll work fine for little old you."
	Zoe flashes a devilish grin and retorts, "Little? Oh you're on, blondie. I'm gonna make today a brunch for the ages!"
	Zoe then motions to the waitress and orders something more. The waitress' eyebrow raises in amusement, but she accepts the order. Zoe then grins back at Val and says, "How about an impromptu eating contest?”
	Val laughs and replies, "Sure, why not? So how do you want to do this?”
	Zoe swallows a bite of food and thinks momentarily, "Ok, how about simple endurance? Each of our Big Boss Breakfasts plus whatever else we can fit into our tummies."
	Val spears a morsel and replies, "Sounds good to me. That pancake stack had 4 extras, by the way."
	The sudden shift of this conversation has given you a throbbing erection in spite of yourself, and the prospect of Val and Zoe both stuffing themselves to the limit is almost more than you can handle. You methodically work on your own food, and hope your face doesn't betray your lust as you watch Val and Zoe pig out. The waitress returns and deposits an extra stack of pancakes before Zoe. "We'll go one for one on extras, easier to keep track," she explains. Val grins, nods assent, and continues stuffing her face.
	Zoe takes the time to announce, "I'm gonna win this." She downs the whole stack of pancakes in a handful of huge bites, and then continues eating. She gloats, "Carbs are my bitch, I could eat this stuff all day."
	The waitress has been discreetly monitoring the makeshift contest, and immediately responds when Val signals for another wave of food. The excitement is palpable as Val and Zoe match each other bite for bite. Lena continues packing away her own huge breakfast and watches with an amused grin. Jen doesn't bother hiding her excitement, and is soon saying encouraging things to both sides of the contest.
	Right on cue, the waitress swoops by and deposits a huge slice of blueberry pie in front of Val and Zoe. Val catches your eye and winks as she grabs the fork and stabs the pie, collecting a huge chunk and shoveling it into her mouth. Val locks eyes with Zoe as they both eat, and she makes a faux tough expression then breaks out giggling. At this point, you and Jen have finished your own mortal-sized breakfasts. Lena puts down her fork, swallows heavily, and sighs before patting her own satiated belly. "I for one am stuffed," she says.
	Val and Zoe eye each other, both with full forksful of blueberry pie. Their own initial breakfasts have been handily eaten, and Val eyes Zoe and giggles, "You getting full, Zoe?”
	"Getting full? Yes. Am full? No chance!"
	Zoe snickers and forks the last bit of pie into her mouth.
	A moment later, you all hear a strange "pop" sound. Zoe's face screws up in confusion, then looks down. You follow her gaze.
	The button on Zoe's shorts finally gave up the fight, and Zoe's engorged belly overwhelmed her waistband in a surge of umber pudge.
	Silence falls for a moment as everybody processes what happened. You try not to stare at the lovely exposed softness of Zoe's chubby belly, and a moment later Zoe breaks into roaring laughter.
	"Well. Shit. That was unexpected," she says after calming down, poking at her belly. Val smirks and winks at you, then looks down, blushing faintly. You look down and see that Val's belly is pooched out with visible roundness, testament to how much she's eaten. Zoe speaks up before you can dwell on your girlfriend's gut.
	"Ok, tall stuff, with that button gone, my true power can be unleashed. You ready to see what a real eating machine can do?"
	Val accepts her challenge, "Bring it on, Zoe!"
	The waitress, showing a surprising level of professionalism and timing, takes her cue to drop off the next round of the contest. She smiles and winks at Val and Zoe as she drops of another pair of plates. For this round, Zoe called in a serving of bacon and biscuits, each plate large enough to be a breakfast in its own right. The two gluttonous girls dig in again, dipping their biscuits in a provided bowl of gravy. Though the contest is still close, Val and Zoe are both finally starting to slow down. A few minutes later, they've finished the last bits of the course with groans and glazed eyes.
	"Had enough?" Zoe says to Val, her breathing starting to get heavy.
	"There will never be enough," Val retorts defiantly.
	This time, there is a decided lull before ordering the next round, with Val and Zoe catching their breath and rubbing their bulging bellies. Jen has been looking at Zoe with a expression that could only be called hunger. Suddenly, she can no longer help herself and reaches a hand over to Zoe's engorged gut and starts rubbing. Zoe seems surprised at first, then she starts to enjoy the feeling of being touched, and even rubs her hand along Jen's arm. Her eyes close in ecstasy.
	"It's so tight," Jen remarks with wonder. "How does all that food fit?"
	Zoe giggles. "I don't know, it just does."
	"Hey! No fair! You're getting help in the form of belly rubs!” Val complains.
	"Don't worry, baby, I got you," you say, reaching over to Val's bloated, aching gut. Val's stomach is so full she practically looks pregnant, and your fingers meet a surprising tautness as you caress her skin. A small groan escapes her lips as she slowly relaxes back into her seat. A few moments later, her eyes snap open. Val looks over to the dutiful waitress and makes a signal.
	"My pick," Val says with a sudden fire, "And this isn't over until I say so."
	"My body is ready," Zoe retorts, as Jen continues massaging Zoe's gut.
	In a flash, the waitress returns. Her expression is one of decided amusement at all of your behavior, but she doesn't say anything. Instead, she deposits a pair of creamy strawberry milkshakes in front of Val and Zoe. She walks away, being sure to give her generous hips a deliberate sway as she does so. Zoe stifles a belch and glares at the milkshake, "Fuck... That's a lot of cream..." Val wastes no time in leaning forward and taking a long sip. She somehow hides her manifest discomfort and snickers at Zoe, "So confident just a moment ago..."
	Zoe's glare swings towards Val and she brings the straw to her lips. "Victory or death!" She proclaims then starts sucking down her own milkshake. 
	Jen has moved to providing constant belly-rub support for Zoe, and you do the same for Val. You can practically feel Val's gut swelling under your fingertips as she steadily consumes her milkshake. The process is slow, as Val and Zoe both want to avoid a dreaded brain freeze. They also have to take frequent breaks to groan and gasp at their overpowering feelings of fullness.
	"Fuck, it's so thick," Val gasps as she stops sucking down her drink. She's still leaning into you, but she's sitting up a little straighter.
	"C'mon guys, there's only a little bit left!" Lena says encouragingly. Sure enough, both milkshake glasses are almost empty. Val and Zoe are both looking worse for wear, swaying slightly in their seats and with blissful gluttonous exhaustion on their faces. But they finish it. They grunt and groan, they wince and blink, but they finish both milkshakes.  Hollow slurping sounds give way to exhausted groans and creaking chairs as Val and Zoe both lean back, their bellies so glutted they can barely think. Jen and you both keep up your respective therapeutic massages, to the relief and appreciation of two very overfilled ladies. Without opening her eyes, Val says, "Hey Zoe...? Wanna... Call it a draw...?"
	Zoe's slow to respond, but when she does, there's a lot of emotion in her voice. "Yeah... Sure thing, Val... Heckuva fight..."
	Lena beams across the table at them. "That was incredible, you two! By my count, you've each put away about five thousand calories just now."
	"Heh, I'd say about right," you add. "But who's counting?"
	Val moans and delicately brings her hands to her stomach, "Well... I am, for starters..."
	"Nerrrrrrrd," Zoe lazily calls out from across the table. Val quietly giggles at the quip.
	"That was... Amazing..." Zoe continues. She peeks an eye open, "Hey Val?"
	"Yeah?"
	"You're... Serious about... That fat drug, right?"
	"As serious... As taxes..." Val replies, deadpan.
	Zoe nods slowly, then closes her eyes and snuggles into her chair.
	"Why are you asking?” Jen asks.
	Zoe replies, "Because... Being this full feels amazing... And I want to do this again..."
	"I love... A good challenge..." Val agrees.
	"Val... I'm blaming you..." Zoe replies.
	"Wha...?"
	"I'm gonna get.... So fat by trying to out-eat you..."
	Val starts laughing but ends up groaning as her stomach protests the extra movement.
	"I just realized something really funny..." She explains.
	"What's that?" Lena asks.
	"So they say that people who have chubby friends are more likely to put on weight themselves, right?”
	"Yeah...?"
	"Well in our case, we're all inspiring each other to eat more and more. It's a ....FEED-back loop!” Val cackles.
	Groans erupt all around the table. "Val, that pun was god-awful, even for you," Jen complains.
	Val indulges in one last guilty giggle. Jen breaks the spell, "Hey guys, we still need to pay, right?"
	Val and Zoe groan in unison, and dig around for their credit cards. Jen offers to run Zoe's card, and Val looks at you expectantly with her own. You reluctantly get up and join Lena and Jen at the cashier's counter. Lena paid up first, and you lost track of her as you handled your own bills. At one point the cashier's eyes flicked upwards and her mouth cracked a smile, and once you turned to head back to the table you realized why.
	Lena didn't return to her seat across from Val. Instead, she's now seated next to Val, her hand gently rubbing Val's distended belly as Val smiles contentedly. You take a deep breath. And then you smile. Lena doesn't notice you until you sit back down. She tries to stop, but you gesture for her to continue caressing your girlfriend's stomach. You then place your own hand on Val's aching gut and begin making soothing circles.
	Until your had touches Lena's, and you practically feel sparks fly. She immediately pulls her hands back. "Agh! Sorry," she says, as you both laugh.
	"No no, I like it." Val grunts, not realizing you and Lena had touched.
	You and Lena look at each other, then resume your work on Val's middle, paying careful attention to your hand positioning. You'd be self-conscious about this whole gluttonous and sexually-charged episode, but the table you're at is somewhat out of the way and out of sight. Val's eyes flicker open, and she smiles.
	Jen has been tending to Zoe's middle on the other side of the table, and Zoe has been laying back with a satisfied smile on her face. Jen looks like she's in heaven digging her fingers into Zoe's doughy tummy. Lena stops and speaks up, "Hey, uh, guys. We're paid up, and maybe we can sleep off all this food somewhere more comfortable."
	Zoe groans unhappily, but concedes and sits up. Lena adds, "Zoe, lemme fix your shorts. I think a safety pin will work for the time being."
	Lena gets up and moves to the other side of the table as Zoe turns in her chair. After some digging in her purse, Lena produces a sturdy safety pin as promised, and carefully affixes it in place of the missing button on Zoe's shorts. Even with the extra give, Zoe's chubby flab bulges over the waistband and through whatever spaces it can find.
	She regards the makeshift repair uncertainly, "I don't know how long that'll hold, Lena."
	"All the better reason to get you home pronto," Jen says. "C'mon eating champ, I'll help you to the car."
	Zoe groans and stands slowly as Jen helps her up and supports Zoe's waddling away from the table. Once they've moved on a bit, Val grabs Lena's shoulder. "Hey, Lena?"
	"Huh? What?" Lena asks absent-mindedly, apparently already spacing out a bit.
	"This might not be a great time to ask, but are you free this evening?"
	Lena pauses, seemingly trying to place a finger on a specific spot on her head, "Uh... yeah. I'm free. Whadda ya want to do?"
	Val shifts in her seat, straightening up, and steeling herself to stand. She answers, "I was thinking that I could cook some dinner. I don't think I've ever cooked for you."
	"Oh, really?" Lena asks, straightening up as well to give the taller girl a questioning look.
	After a moment, Lena's face brightens up. "Okay! Just let me know when you want me to come by, and if I should bring anything."
	She glances out the window and her face falls, "Oh crap. I shouldn't keep Jen and Zoe waiting. Plus, it's still raining. Ugh, I can't run with all this food in my tummy."
	Val smiles and gestures for Lena to go, "That's ok Lena. I'll text you the details in a bit. Try to stay dry!"
	With those words, Lena makes her way to the door and exits into the downpour. Val braces herself against the table, huffs, and finally heaves herself to her feet. You're on your feet too, offering a stabilizing arm as you make your way to the door. The waitress gives the two of you a pleasant "goodbye!" and you think you catch her making a lascivious facial expression as you turn to leave.
	You unlock your car remotely with your keyfob, and prepare to duck into the pouring rain with your girlfriend. After a deep breath, you pass through the diner's door. Val yelps as she gets pelted with rain. You help her quickly shuffle to her side of the car, trying not to think about how drenched you're getting in the few seconds required. Once Val had flopped into her seat, you dash around the hood of your car, stumble into the driver's seat, and slam the door behind you, finally finding respite from the rain. You and Val exchange a look. You're both soaked.
	"Let's get home, dry off, and get under some nice warm covers..." She says.
	"Sounds good to me," you say and lean over to give Val a kiss, "Plus I bet you could use a nap," you laugh.
	After a quick kiss, Val nestles into her seat with her eyes closed. You start your car and pull out of the parking spot. Nobody's on the road due to the weather, but you need to take care on the slick roads. The drive is easy for you to handle though, and soon enough you're returning to the familiar garage in Val's complex. You park the car and squish your way over to her door to help her out. After grabbing her hand, you lead her to the elevator and enter it with her. The moment you get to Val's condo, she herds you to the laundry room for a fresh pair of towels and immediately starts stripping off her soaked clothes. You do the same, and soon you're both cuddling into luxurious and fluffy dry towels. You giggle at each other as you dry off.
	Val moves closer to you and nestles onto your shoulder, "I'm glad you're here, love," she says.
	The sleepy tone of Val's voice and the fact that she's slowly putting more and more of her weight onto you proves it's time for a nap. It's your turn to herd Val to another room, and you help her up the stairs in spite of her groans. "C'mon, let's get you into your bed."
	The two of you enter her bedroom, and you lay her down gently in her bed. Val nestles into the warm blankets and reaches a beckoning arm out towards you. You let her grab you and pull you into the sheets next to her. Once you make yourself comfortable in the cozy bed, you say, "That was really fucking hot today, watching you stuff yourself silly."
	Val smiles and snuggles closer to you, "Mmmm... I agree. I've never had a guy appreciate my eating skills like you do," Val hums contently.
	In under a minute, Val has succumbed to the brewing food coma. You keep an arm wrapped around her snoozing form and distract yourself with junk articles on your phone. Lulled by the rain and Val's sleepy breathing, you find your eyes getting heavy. The white noise of the thunderstorm, the warmth of the blankets, and the scent of Val's hair is precisely what you need to drudge off to a peaceful sleep. You set your phone aside and decide to doze for a little bit.

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20 – All Adults Here

	Some time later, the first thing you notice is the glare of some sunlight in your eye. The second thing you notice is the quiet. You presume the rainstorm has finally stopped. You roll over and check your phone; you napped for about an hour.
	Val stirs as you do and smiles at you. You kiss her on the lips, then Val pulls away to check her phone. Her face darkens a bit, and she says, "That was a good nap, but we'll need to get cooking soon. Lena's gonna be here around 6."
	You rub Val's shoulder and say, "Ok honey, but what are we going to cook for dinner?"
	Val thinks for a moment, tapping her lips with a finger. She answers, "I made some cannelloni shells the other day, I think those will be a real crowd-pleaser."
	Val's phone buzzes; she checks it, and reports that Lena will also bring some brownies. "Well then, let's get started," you say, standing.
	Val pinches your ass with a giggle, then gets out of bed herself. You dig through your bag to find some nicer clothes, while Val looks for an outfit in her closet. She picks out a pair of jeans and a snug black blouse. You sneak up behind Val and admire her reflection in the mirror. "You're always so pretty when you dress up," you compliment her.
	Val grins and bends down to kiss you on the forehead. "This is just the start, I'll do my makeup and pick out some accessories later. But for now, let's get cooking, this recipe will take a while."
	The two of you make your way down to the kitchen. Val flips on some inconsequential show on the TV for some background noise, and you start cooking some meat on the stove. Val begins the simultaneous process of prepping the cannelloni shells and the other filling ingredients. The work is fun, but time-consuming. The two of you talk and laugh while working, and the mood is decidedly excited. You get a bit of a breather as you finally get the cannellonis into the oven. Val sets aside a huge loaf of garlic bread to later warm, and you start assembling a salad. The cook time means that Lena will have to wait a bit before eating, but you doubt that she'll mind.
	Val glances at a clock on the oven, "Crap. Honey, I need to do my makeup and stuff before Lena gets here. Can you handle the rest of the prep work?"
	"Yeah, no sweat," you say.
	Val rushes up to her room, and you put the finishing touches on the salad and start tidying up the kitchen. Truthfully, there isn't much to do. As you hear Val padding her way back to the kitchen, the doorbell rings, right on time. Val's footsteps speed up, and you meet up with her at the door. There's no time to appreciate Val's gorgeous makeup work, so you nod at each other and open the door.
	Lena stands before you. She's wearing a knee-length black dress that hugs her curves nicely, and a pair of modest heels with some pantyhose. She upgraded her makeup as well, with some subtle shimmer on her cheeks and a smoldering smokey-eye look. Lena also added a bit of jewelry: an ornate blue pendant nestling between her breasts, and a silvery headband tucked under her gingery locks. She smiles at the two of you warmly and holds up a large flat container that smells of chocolate. A long moment passes as you all look at each other. You've always thought Lena was vaguely pretty, but she looks downright ravishing right now. You glance over at Val and struggle to keep your composure.
	She added an elegant wingtip eye makeup look, and immaculately applied a layer of blood-red lipstick. The air is supercharged with tension and mutual attraction. Val is characteristically the first to break the silence. "Lena! You look great, and those brownies smell divine. Come on in!"
	Lena smiles and nods before following you inside the house. As she does so, her heels click-clack on the floor. "I'm sorry I'm a bit late," Lena says.
	"Not at all," you say while ushering her inside. Lena sets the brownies on the counter and you continue, "You're right on time, maybe your clocks are a little fast?"
	Lena laughs. "Maybe..."
	You both crack a smile, but the air is still thick with something else. The mood feels strained, and you're not quite sure why. Actually, you know exactly why.
	Val pops up with a bottle of wine and a trio of long-stemmed glasses. "Drinks?" she asks with a smile.
	"Yes, please," Lena replies. She takes a deep sniff of the kitchen and sighs, "Whatever you're cooking smells unbelievable. You should have me over more often!"
	You and Val look at each other. Val bites her lip and hands Lena a glass of red wine. Lena's eyes are closed as she samples the bouquet of the wine. Val gives you a serious look and nods for you to go ahead.
	Once Lena has finished her first sip, you say, "About that..."
	Lena looks at you expectantly, "Hm?"
	You sip some wine and swirl the glass. You can't even taste the drink in that moment.
	"Lena..." You start, "Well, we've all known each other for a while, we're all grownups here, and I think we're all mutually attracted to each other."
	Lena's eyes widen as she stares at Val, who just nods.
	"Anon..." Lena utters.
	"Lena, Val and I would like to invite you into a polyamorous relationship with us."
	There. You said it. Out in the open, with no lies between you. You watch as Lena's face goes from surprise to tentative acceptance.
	"I..." Lena starts, "I'm not sure..."
	"It's okay, we understand," you reply.
	"Well..." Lena says, pausing. She takes a quick drink from her wine glass, then places it down on the table.
	"I just need to think. About a lot of things. And this is another something to add to the pile," she says.
	The oven beeps, rescuing the three of you from the uncomfortable moment.
	"Dinner's ready!" Val says cheerily.
	"Oooh, are those cannellonis?" Lena says, her mood lightening and the topic of the hour dropped in a flash. "Yep!" You reply, moving dishes to the table, "Homemade from scratch by Val and me."
	"Anon's actually quite the chef," Val beams, ruffling your hair a bit. The three of you sit at the table, dish up some portions, and start eating. The cannelloni is amazing. Just the right blend of meat, cheese, and herbs wrapped in an al dente pasta shell. Surprisingly light and delicious. The salad is crisp and fresh, the garlic bread soft and fluffy. As Lena digs in, she remarks, "I don't know how you did it. I'm starving right now, even after stuffing myself at brunch."
	Val swallows a bite of her meal, "That's just the power of good food and good friends."
	You shovel another forkful into your mouth, nodding in agreement with a smile. Soon, the three of you are sitting around the dining room table, with most of the food gone. Val's fork is the last to fall silent. You're all pretty full, but the girls pushed themselves pretty hard. Lena rests her hands on her stomach and wears a satisfied smile on her face. She sighs contentedly and giggles, "I'm gonna get really fat if I keep eating like this. But you know what, I don't think I mind."
	"You should have some fun with it," Val says, standing up and stretching. You notice Lena snap to attention, her eyes following Val's movements.
	You diffuse the tension by speaking up, "So I rememeber somebody brought some brownies."
	"Oh God, how could I forget?" Lena exclaims.
	You start clearing your dishes and explain, "So Val and I often like to smoke a little weed after dinner. It's great with dessert. Care to indulge?”
	"Fuck yeah!" Lena replies, standing up and picking up her plate. Val licks her lips and smiles, nodding eagerly.
	The three of you deposit your dirty dishes into the sink, and set what little food remains off to the side. Lena grabs her tray of brownies and follows you and Val into the living room. You direct her to set the brownies on the coffee table as Val starts collecting her weed equipment. Val straightens up with a vial and a pen-like device. You remember that Val wanted to try moving away from smoking her THC. Lena recognizes the device too, and you all sit on the couch. Val sits between you and Lena and fiddles with the vape. After a few failed attempts to turn it on, she holds it to her mouth.
	The blue vapor rises and she takes a deep breath, holding it for a moment. She exhales slowly and grins, "Ah.... I'm still not quite over how much smoother that is."
	She offers the vape to Lena. 
	Lena takes the vape, putting it to her lips and holding it there for a moment. She exhales slowly, and then smiles. 
	"That's pretty great!" she exclaims.
	Lena then reaches across Val to hand you the vape. You don't think she needed to rest her hand on Val's thigh to support herself, but you say nothing and accept the device.
	"This is so much easier," you say. "We should have switched ages ago."
	Val nods.
	"Yeah, my mom would definitely switch to this," Val says.
	You press the activation button and take a huge hit, feeling your lungs fill with the cool vapors. You hold your breath for as long as you can manage, then exhale slowly.
	"By the gods," you practically breath. The world goes hazy and spins as the drug takes hold of you. You're going to have to be careful with this one.
	"Wait," you say slowly, "Val, your mom smokes pot?"
	"Oh, yeah," Val says as the haze begins to take effect. "She grows it, especially near her..." her words become garbled as you lose yourself in the world of the vape. The next thing you know, Lena has reached into the tray and retrieved two brownies. Her expression is unreadable, but she shifts so that she can face you and Val simultaneously. Lena gestures for you to come closer, and it's your turn to be leaning across Val.
	"What?" you ask.
	Lena puts a finger over her lips in a "shushing" motion, then cracks an odd smile. She takes a brownie in each hand, and brings one to Val's lips, and one to yours. You open your mouth, and Lena feeds you the brownie, pressing it into your open mouth. Val moans in pleasure as she gets the same treatment. Lena giggles, then leans forward to grab a brownie of her own. You blink slowly and savor the flavors of the sweet treat. "Lena, this is amazing."
	Lena smiles softly, and bites into her brownie with a faint moan of pleasure. You savor one of the best desserts you've ever tasted, watching Lena and Val stare at each other as they eat.
	"So...." Val says, reaching for another pair of brownies and handing one to Lena, "What are you thinking about?"
	"Flowers," Lena says. "I was thinking about flowers."
	Val's eyebrow raises slowly as she holds the brownie in her hands. "Really?" She asks, skeptical.
	Lena makes a face with her mouth full of brownie. She hurriedly chews and swallows, her brow furrowing slightly. She then answers, "Val, honey, I know what you're trying to do. I also know that we're all high as fuck. Let's just relax for now?"
	Val bites her lower lip for a moment, then releases it with a sigh. "Alright," she says, turning to look past the powered-off TV, "I'm trying not to think about anything."
	Lena taps Val on the shoulder and Val slowly turns to face her. Lena sighs and says, "Look. I really am working through a lot of new feelings. I only came out as bi a couple weeks ago. And now you and Anon..."
	Val nods patiently and smiles.
	Lena continues, "You're being really sweet, and I think I want this to go further, but I'm not just not certain right now. I don't want to mess up a long friendship because I don't have my own feelings sorted out."
	Lena looks at you apologetically.
	You smile and nod, "It's fine, Lena. If you don't want it to go any further, that's fine."
	Val looks at Lena and says, "Lena, no pressure, but there's something I want you to know. You know I've liked girls for a while, at least theoretically, but what you don't know is that I've never been with one,"
	Val looks to the side, poking her index fingers together awkwardly and continues, "I just thought.... You and me, it could be something special..."
	Lena doesn't say anything for a long moment. 
	Val slumps back and her face darkens, "I did it again. I said too much, and pushed the boundaries too hard..."
	Lena sets her hand on Val's shoulder, gently squeezing until the blonde girl sadly looks over. Lena says, "Hey. Thank you for telling me this. I'm honestly kind of a ditz, and I appreciate knowing this sort of stuff directly. It's just.... I just can't make a snap decision, especially on something like this."
	Val bites her lip and exhales, "Of course. If you don't want me, I understand."
	Lena frowns and leans in, bringing her face closer to Val's. Lena then says, "Hey! It isn't about that. I think you're hella hot and I want to cook you approximately all the desserts," Lena then looks past Val and points at you, "Anon too! You're a sexy man, but you're skinny and I want to feed you all the food."
	Your weed-addled mind can't process that lusty comment before Lena faces Val again and continues, "But! The ever important big but, other than mine," Lena wobbles her generous rear at that comment, "Is that you're both my friends and that I've known you for a long time. I'm serious, I don't want to mess that up."
	Lena sits back and exhales, "I don't want to make a promise that I can't keep. So I will promise this: I'll give this a hell of a lot of thought, and I'll give you my answer as soon as I can."
	Lena reaches forward and grabs another brownie, then concludes, "I don't want to hurt your feelings, so I don't want to give you any expectations other than that. I'm sorry if this isn't exactly what you were hoping for, but this is what I can offer right now."
	Val smiles and says, "Alright. I can deal with that. I will accept whatever you decide."
	You add, "Good enough for me, Lena. Take all the time you need."
	Lena "mm-hms" while munching her brownie, and an awkward silence descends. Val grabs herself another brownie and reaches for the TV remote. She asks, "Wanna just watch some TV and just chill for now?”
	Lena nods and says, "Sure, that sounds nice."
	Val raises the remote and powers up the TV, flipping through channels. You lean forward around Val and say to Lena, "Hey. We won't bring this up again until you're ready to talk. Our promise to you is that we won't push you into anything."
	Lena nods. She pauses to suck some chocolate residue from her fingertips and says, "Thanks, guys."
	The two of you sit in silence as the TV plays some sitcom before flipping to a news channel. Val says, "So, what are you thinking about?"
	Lena sits back and says, "That I'm waiting for this vape to clear out of my system. Good lord that was some strong shit. Can't say I didn't like it though."
	You continue to watch the TV as the news channels play their normal coverage. Val "hm-hms" and says, "Hey, nice. The weather is supposed to be good this week."
	The three of you make small talk for a while and half-watch the TV as you all come down.
	"It's nice, just hanging out, not doing anything in particular," Lena muses. She checks her phone and her face scrunches a bit. She then says, "I think I'd better go. I've got work in the morning."
	Lena stands slowly and huffs, patting her stomach, "Thanks for having me over, and for letting me pig out again."
	You say to Lena, "You're very welcome, Lena. I hope you'll be back soon."
	Lena waves and says, "I hope so too. Take care of yourselves, guys."
	You and Val stand and follow Lena to the door. Just before she steps outside, she remarks, "Keep the brownies, by the way. I can't have either of you going hungry!"
	Lena giggles, and with a final wave, she's out the door.
	"Well, I guess that's it for now," Val says. You head back to the couch to discuss how the evening went.
	You say, "Well, Lena didn't slap me in the face and scream when I asked her to consider joining our relationship, so that's probably a good sign."
	Val "I'm not so sure of that. I don't think Lena is a bad person, but she is definitely a lonely one."
	"What makes you think that?" You ask.
	Val speculates, "Well, I think she's been hurt before. She just wasn't ready to connect with us yet."
	You nod and say, "I think there's a spark. I felt it when we were rubbing your full belly back during your brunch challenge. Let's just try not to think about her while she works through her stuff."
	Val looks into your eyes and says, "I hope you're right. She's a lovely, wonderful lady, and I think I'd like her to sit on my face."
	You break into roaring laughter, "Ok fine, that's something she can do that I can't. But we'll always have each other."
	Val chuckles, "I know. I love you, Anon."
	"I love you too, Val."
	The two of you share a deep, tender kiss, then you cuddle up into Val's arms. You and her settle in to watch some trashy TV. As Val and you snuggle up together on the couch, the two of you dwell on how lovely it is to be in each other's company. You feel so satisfied and happy, for no good reason at all. You don't even care that you might have just been curved by Lena. Everybody was an adult about it, and it felt great to openly say your piece. You and Val snicker at the TV as some rednecks ham it up and act stupid for some reality show. Eventually, you feel a yawn work its way through Val's chest.
	"Bedtime?" you ask with a bit of a smirk.
	"Mm-hmm," Val nods. "I'm just so tired."
	"Food coma part two, the revenge," you chuckle. Val laughs a little too, and you both head upstairs to get ready for bed. A few minutes later, you're both laying next to each other in a world of cozy blankets. The two of you dim the lights, and lay down.
	"Goodnight, Val."
	Val mumbles some simple goodnights back at you, and you feel her body relax. You close your eyes, and fall asleep in no time.

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21 – Pigs Get Fat

	The next morning, you start awake. You feel next to you and notice that Val is gone. At that moment you also smell some bacon and coffee wafting up from downstairs. You yawn, stretch, and roll out of bed to head down to the kitchen.
	You walk down the stairs and into the kitchen. You see that Val has already made breakfast and is sipping on a mug of some coffee. Val looks up at you with wide eyes, and you feel a little tingly inside of you. You give her a quick kiss on the lips, and then turn to take a seat at the table. You're about to start into some eggs and bacon when you hear Val getting up. You look over and see that she's naked except for her apron. She pours a cup of coffee, giving her toned ass a little shimmy as she does so. You decide to make a show of it, and you look at Val's exposed ass with interest. Val looks over her shoulder, catching you looking, and bites her lip with excitement. She turns around, slowly walks to the table, and deposits the mug in front of you. She leans forward, ensuring you're staring down her cleavage and pouts, "Good morning baby, now eat up. I worked so hard and I can't have my man going hungry now, can I?”
	You're too busy staring at her with a dumb expression to notice she's grabbed a peice of bacon. You do notice when she slides the bacon into your open mouth. It's crispy and warm, and you almost moan a little with pleasure. You feel Val's hands on your shoulders, massaging them. She then rubs her hands up your arms and gently touches your face, "I have been absolutely needing a fuck since I woke up today. I've got a fun little idea for once you're done."
	You wolf down your breakfast in record time. Val's cooking is delicious, but you're not in the mood to appreciate it. No sooner have you forked the last bite into your mouth does Val get up. She bites her lip with excitement, then bends low over an empty section of the dining table, resting her upper body on it. She then arches her lower back, wiggling her bare ass at you invitingly. You sit still for a moment, then get up and shift yourself towards Val. Forcing yourself to be stoic, you touch Val's lower back with the tips of your fingers. Val jumps a little at the touch. Her eyes go wide and she arches her back further, "Anon, I need that dick. I am so incredibly turned on right now that if you don't get inside me, I will pin you to the floor."
	A surge of fear and powerful arousal bolts through your body, and your cock stiffens in moments. You clumsily strip off your sleeping clothes and position your naked self behind Val. Her slit is already glistening, and she's positioned herself at exactly the right height. You decide to push your luck just a little further and spank Val's ass. She gasps.
	You spank Val's ass again, and Val jumps once more. This time, she holds herself still, and waits for your next move. She looks over her shoulder at you, lightly panting and her face flushed. Using a hand to steady yourself, you slide your cock into Val's pussy and grip your hands onto her hips. Val responds by thrusting her ass back at you, moaning as you slide into her. The sensation is incredible, and you think you'll never get tired of it. Val presses back against you, fucking herself on your hard cock. You start thrusting your hips, trying to find a rhythm to match Val's own. You find it quickly, and you start fucking Val so hard that her body noisily smacks against the table with the force of your thrusts. Val moans loudly, then gasps. You thrust your cock as hard as you can inside Val, and her body stiffens with an orgasm. You keep pumping your cock into her, and she does not stop cumming. She quivers and shakes with a powerfully climactic orgasm. 
	As it subsides, you hold Val's hips tight and continue fucking her. Val squeals, then moans again. Fucking Val mindless is an incredible turn on and knowing that you're making her feel so good is driving you absolutely wild. You feel a tightness churning in your balls, and you grit your teeth to build it up as much as you can. You thrust one last time, and your cock explodes inside Val. She moans loudly, and your hips continue thrusting until you're completely spent.
	The two of you stand there panting for a little while. You enjoy the wetness and warmth of Val's pussy until you feel your cock start to deflate. Val leans forward with a satisfied sigh, and you slide out of her. You look down and see that her legs are trembling. She sighs again, and then giggles. "That was amazing," she says breathily. Still half-laying on the table, she reaches back and feels for the knot holding the apron on. She unties it and awkwardly fishes the apron out from beneath her and sets it aside.
	Val then braces her hands on the table and straightens up again. Her legs still seem a little wobbly, but her face reads nothing but satisfaction and adoration. "Fuck, that was amazing," she repeats, this time a little more clearly. She giggles again, "We should keep our eyes open for creative places to fuck around the condo."
	"Oh I've got a few ideas," you say, then lean forward and give Val a deep kiss. She returns it happily, gently biting your lip as she pulls away. You draw Val into a hug, and you feel her return it with equal enthusiasm.
	"And now you'll be in a good mood for work," Val laughs.
	"We should probably get cleaned up before I head to the office, huh?" you say.
	"Yeah, I guess we should," Val agrees.
	The two of you head up into the bathroom, and Val turns on the shower. You quickly scrub yourself clean then have a little cheeky fun playing with Val's soapy skin. You slowly drag your fingers all over her body, from the bottom of her feet, up her legs, over her ass, and up her arms. You enjoy the feeling of Val under your hands, and you enjoy the look of Val's body as you wash her. You give her nipples a little tweak, and she gasps. She then gently grasps your hands and slides closer to give you a kiss. She breaks the kiss just before your tongues meet, and says with a happy smile, "I love you, Anon."
	"I love you too, Val."
	She smiles brightly, then leans her head back under the shower to rinse off. Once done, she shuts off the water and fetches a pair of towels. She wraps herself in a towel and looks at you with a smile that's absolutely radiant. "Ready to head back to work?" Val asks.
	"You kicking me out?" you ask with mock affront.
	Val doesn't waver and smirks back, "Well you can always stay here and be my servant, but I don't pay."
	You make a show of thinking, "That doesn't sound too bad actually, but I like having money and I like buying you stuff..."
	You sigh and rub the towel over your hair, "Guess I oughta head into the office."
	Val smiles, then wraps the towel around her head and walks out of the bathroom. You get dressed and gather your things. Val only dons a thin pink robe, and watches you intently. Always such a tease. Soon enough, you're heading out the door, and Val gives you a goodbye kiss. You get back into your car, start the engine, and pull out of the garage. Soon enough, you're back at your desk. 
	Work trudges by once again. It's another litany of complaints and problems to deal with, but you get into a groove pretty easily. You know the ins and outs of the system, and find yourself able to deal with most of the things thrown at you.
	You order a sandwich delivery for lunch, and as you eat, you see a text message from Val. It reads: "Hey! Talked with the girls, and we want to set up a pool party this weekend. Jen says her parents will let her use their house. Do I even need to ask if you're interested? :)"
	Of course you're interested, any free time with Val is absolute platinum. You text back: "Sounds great! That'll be something to look forward to at the end of this week."
	You also try not to imagine your lady friends in skimpy swimsuits. That's probably your biggest weakness as a man. You're always so easily turned on by the image of a chubby woman bulging out of tight swimwear. An angry customer phonecall swiftly pulls you back down to earth. So it goes for the rest of the afternoon, and you're exhausted by the end of the day. Val cooks you a lovely dinner as is becoming usual, and you head back to your place and collapse into bed.
	
	Most of the week proceeds in a similar fashion. Problems at work if anything seem to only be getting worse. Customers are getting angrier, and your colleagues are increasingly frazzled. You're getting a sense that things are going to get extremely difficult if you don't solve them soon. 
	Your phone pings with some alerts during your Thursday dinner with Val. You grin from ear to ear as you read the news: several low-value companies that you bought stock in have announced major breakthroughs or business opportunities. You feel a surge of energy and excitement, and you look at Val with an excited glance. The companies are in potentially high-growth sectors: mining, computers, and biotechnology. You and Val share a meaningful look, all but openly pondering what influence Witness had on these businesses. You had long ago both agreed to not directly discuss the AI, to reduce the risk of slipping up and spilling the secret. You decide that it's probably better that Witness is actually helping out companies with potential rather than simply manipulating their stock prices. Either way, you and Val agree that you're both probably about to make a lot of money once the market opens back up tomorrow morning.
	Val sends you off with a final electric kiss, and you return home giddy with excitement. You can barely sleep, the mood feels almost like Christmas Eve. Somehow sleep eventually overtakes you.
	You wake up on Friday morning to a barrage of price alerts on your phone. The stocks you noticed last night are indeed going absolutely crazy. The price of the shares you bought has spiked by hundreds of percent. You and Val basically made a fortune overnight, and the prices are still going up. You decide to get some coffee and breakfast before making any decisions. With some coffee and a little bit of toast in your system, you boot up your computer to quickly update your spreadsheets and price trackers. It's difficult to do, since the prices are still rising, but even using data that's out-of-date in a matter of minutes, you sit bolt upright as you realize something.
	If you sold these hot stocks right now, you'd turn enough profit to retire, even after paying your inevitably hefty tax bill. You recall an investing maxim Val told you a while back, "Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered."
	You chuckle as you think of the saying. Metaphorically speaking, it's time to get fat as fuck. You decide to call Val to tell her of your decision. It's already past seven in the morning, and she should be up, and if not, you doubt she'd mind being awoken by this news. The call is only answered after several rings. "Hello?" A sleepy voice answers.
	"Val, check your stocks."
	You hear a yawn and an "Ok" on the other side of the call. Then you hear some sounds of shuffling and movement, a few taps, and a moment later you hear a gasp.
	"Crazy, isn't it?" you grin into the phone. 
	"Oh my God, Anon..." Val breathlessly intones.
	"Val, I'm about to fuckin' retire!" You triumphantly announce, and place the requisite sell orders with trembling fingers.
	A few moments later, it is done. And you stare at the screen in giddy disbelief.
	"You just made yourself a millionaire, Anon..."
	The phone line goes quiet for several seconds, and you can hear Val shifting around and scratching her head.
	"Not by myself, Val. You showed me the way. I love you so much, Val." You say, and you swear that your voice is shaking.
	"Fuck, Anon. You're making me cry. I love you too..."
	"We don't need to decide what to do right away. It's gonna be a few days before the transaction finalizes anyways."
	"Anon... I'm so happy, for you, and for us..." Val says, her voice cracking.
	"I'll be over later, if you'd like. I need to swing by the office and wrap up some things."
	"Ok, Anon. Oh God.... this might be the best day ever... I... I need to issue some orders of my own. We'll talk soon, ok?"
	"Ok, Val."
	You hang up, and sit back in your chair. A thousand thoughts are running through your head, but you aren't sure what to make of them. You latch onto one idea. Though your job is rapidly turning to shit, you pride yourself on professionalism, and you've accrued a good bit of vacation time. You pull up the company handbook and find the section on time off. It might be a tough sell to your boss with how busy things have gotten, but you should be able to put in for some time off on short order. Just over two weeks of time off, in fact. You dash off an email to your boss with the vacation time request, and then immediately start crafting a polite but brief resignation letter. You smirk deviously as you look forward to dropping this bomb right after you take off for a "vacation". You do feel a twinge of guilt for your co-workers who'll still have to carry the work, but at the end of the day, you don't owe them your time or your sanity. They're all grown-ups, and they've chosen to stay on with the company for whatever reasons they've got.
	Your personal business concluded, and with no other real ideas of what to do, you collect the rest of your coffee into a travel mug, get dressed, and roll into work a leisurely hour late. The stress and problems of your flailing company barely even register, since your exit plan is already in motion. Late in the afternoon, your boss Mr. Axel, better known by the fearsome nickname "Mr. Axe", emails back that he's approved your time off. Marvelous. Professional decorum dictates that you play along until your time off, and you wind up having to stay a little late to solve a particularly nasty customer issue. You planned ahead for a delay, however, and you smile as you think of a reservation you put in earlier in the day. Work concluded, you try to haul ass out of the office. 
	Mr. Axe intercepts you at the main doors. His face is serious, but not angry. Seeing him in your path trips you up almost as certainly as a bump in the floor.
	"Two weeks of PTO, huh?" He asks with a small laugh. 
	"I've got it banked, and I need a break. Things have been nuts lately," You reply defensively.
	"Heh. I approved your request, after all," Your boss replies patiently. "But I haven't gotten this far in the biz without being able to read people. You're about to be done with this place, aren't you?"
	Your face twitches involuntarily. "There's no point in beating around the bush, huh?" You sigh, "Yes. I'm going to drop a resignation letter later today or tomorrow."
	Mr. Axe extends his hand, a sort of somber pride written on his face, the emotion of hard-fought, valiant defeat.
	You take his hand, and he clasps its partner atop the grip. "Anon, you've been a great employee. I'm sad to see you go, but there's no hard feelings. I can tell something's been going very right in your life outside of this mess, and you don't owe me an explanation. I'd be proud to be a reference for you."
	You exchange a final, firm shake, and Mr. Axe releases your hand. 
	You say sincerely, "Mr. Axel, all I'm going to say is that I'm in uncharted waters with my life, but I don't think I could imagine things any other way. I can't help but feel a little responsible for punching out now of all times, but-"
	"-but Oddgoods ExIm isn't your life. It's something you do that's merely part of your life," Mr. Axe interrupts gently. "We'll figure something out. If you ever decide you need the nine-to-five grind in your life again, you know how to reach me. Beyond that, I sincerely hope you have a great life, kiddo."
	He concludes by tapping two fingers to his temple and swinging them forwards, in an informal mock salute. 
	"Thank you for understanding," you say back simply. "Good luck, with everything."
	Your boss smiles, the two of you exchange serious nods, and you walk out the doors of your office for the last time.
	This bittersweet obligation concluded, you tear down the road towards Val's place. She's waiting for you in the garage, dressed up and dolled up and practically buzzing with excitement. You unlock your doors and she hurries in, and buries you in a hungry embrace, her lips going straight for your own. You savor the moment. Her soft lips caress yours, and she nibbles on your lower lip before coming up for air and looking deep into your eyes.
	"You ready to start our life as a rich couple?" You ask with a bit of a chuckle. Val grins, and the way her large eyes glow is intoxicating. She gives you a quick kiss on the cheek, and then settles into her seat and buckles her seatbelt.
	As you drive out of the garage, she remarks, "Even I don't eat at this place very often. I like my junk food too much, and this might be the most expensive restaurant in town."
	The restaurant is a nationally-famous steakhouse called "The Masterpiece". It is extremely expensive, but it has amazing reviews. The atmosphere is absolutely gourmet, and the food is legendary. The night is a blur in light of how crazy your day has been. Despite the influx of cash you'll be getting, your instincts still get the better of you and you pick a meal with reduced wallet damage. Val characteristically goes all-out, taking on a truly colossal tomahawk steak with a full set of gourmet trimmings and sides.
	You can remember a time when such a display of unrestrained gluttony would have been seen as supremely trashy at a dignified establishment like The Masterpiece. Luckily for you and for Val, big meals and stuffed bellies are all the rage even among the rich and famous, so long as general table manners are followed. If anything, the proportion of celebrities who've decided to finally cut loose and eat freely suggests to you that they're making up for lost time, and are having a blast while doing so. 
	The meal is truly amazing. Both steaks are melt-in-your-mouth tender, and spiced to subtle perfection. When all is said and done, both of you are well and truly stuffed, though of course for Val that means she ate more than double what you did. You both small-talk about a remarkable observation: you've both been absolutely full before, but there seems to be something special about being full of world-class gourmet food. Val graciously agrees to cover her own part of the bill, pointing out that she profited off of your shrewd stock picks too. It still hurts on an instinctive level to sign off on such a big bill, but you try not to show it.
	The drive back is comfortable and slow, and the two of you veritably waddle back to Val's condo. The two of you try to relax in front of the TV for a little while, but the food coma looms too large, and the two of you surrender to an early bedtime. You and Val cuddle into each other with full bellies, warm bodies, soft sheets, and dreams of fat bank accounts. You're both asleep in moments.

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22 – A Pool Party

	You're both awake around seven, and Val has made breakfast for both of you. The two of you leisurely enjoy the hot food, your stomachs growling in a barbaric, primal manner. You and Val dig into some homemade waffles and chit chat. "I don't know how I'm so hungry after last night, yet I am," you remark.
	Val swallows a bit of waffle, "Maybe it was all the meat? I'm feeling.... A bit weirdly like a cavewoman today."
	You sit back and smile, "It's wierd but the word that jumps out at me is primal."
	"I know, right? That's exactly it!" Val remarks excitedly.
	"Hm..." You think, tapping your fork on your plate, "Cavewoman, primal hunger... Maybe one of your ancestors modeled for one of those fat Venus figurines?” You continue, trying to think about the history of human nakedness and its representation in art. Val chuckles, "I just know I need to eat more, and when I start eating there is no stopping me."
	"Damn straight, baby. I love how happy you are when you're full." You say, then give Val a quick kiss.
	"I love you so much, Anon," Val replies with a smile.
	You return the smile, "I love you too, babe."
	You both finish up your food, then sit and sip your coffee for a little while. "So, Jen's hosting that pool party today right?" You ask.
	Val replies, "Yeah! She said we can swing by pretty much whenever."
	You ask, "Do we need to bring anything?"
	Val replies, "Not really, but some beer and some extra snacks will probably be appreciated."
	She dashes off a text to Jen and adds, "I don't actually know where her parents' house is, and plus I can see if she needs anything."
	"We can get dressed up and get ready to swing by the store, then," you say.
	Val replies, "Alright, I'll just need a minute to get ready. No makeup today since we'll be sweating and swimming a lot."
	You kiss Val on the cheek, "You're just naturally gorgeous, you know."
	Val giggles, "Oh, stop, you."
	You persist, "Ook ook Anon like cavewoman goddess. Anon fatten cavewoman goddess."
	Val just laughs and smiles, "Unga bunga, Val like food," She grabs your hair and pulls you into a deep kiss. After what feels like an eternity of feeling her lips and tongue, she pulls away and says, "And Val likey Anon. Anon make Val fat. Anon cute man."
	The two of you break out laughing. Once you've caught your breath, you finish up your breakfasts, take your dishes to the sink, then relocate to the living room. You and Val then proceed to ease into the day, frittering away the morning with a blend of TV, video games, and internet browsing. Val of course also makes more than one trip to the kitchen for a bowl of snacks along the way. 
	A little after eleven, just when your stomach starts to twinge with a bit of hunger (perhaps in jealousy of Val's persistent munching), Val abruptly checks the time on her phone and announces, "Ok, I think we should get going."
	You both get up and head to the bedroom to change. You rifle through your bag and pull out a set of swim trunks. They're pretty plain: solid black, with red stripes up the sides. You hear Val's voice coming from inside her closet, "Well, how do I look?"
	She emerges wearing a tiny string bikini. It's decorated boldy in patriotic colors, and it is noticably tight on Val's body. You take a long moment to look your girlfriend up and down. You've seen her naked plenty of times, yet somehow her swimsuit is amazingly sexy. She giggles and strikes a sultry pose as you drink in her appearance. Val's constant gorging is staring to show. There's no hiding the obvious power of her limbs, but their corded appearance is starting to soften into a fuller and very alluring look. Her bikini top and bottoms are a little undersized, causing the strings cut slightly into her creamy skin, and her breasts to strain slightly against the top.
	You blurt out, "Wow! I like!"
	Val smiles at your compliment and struts over to you. She wraps her hand around the back of your head, then presses your face into her cleavage with a sensual giggle. Being that close to her perfect breasts is simply intoxicating, and being subjugated to her sexy will has your mind absolutely blanked. She places her other hand on your ass and pulls you closer. She whispers, "I couldn't find my leopard-print, so that means no cavewoman fetish today. I hope patriotic goddess is good for today."
	You squirm and shift to look up at her. Your face still squished against Val's chest, you say "Yeah, looks pretty fucking good to me."
	She laughs warmly, kisses you on the top of your head, and finally releases you. "Good," she smirks.
	Val grabs a pair of tiny shorts and a tanktop, then says, "Ok, ready to get going?" 
	You look around the apartment for a moment, and then nod with a smile. "Yeah, let's get out of here."
	
	About an hour later, you're rolling to a stop in front of Jen's parents' house. It's a large and beautiful red brick house in a wealthy neighborhood. A couple other cars are already in front of the house, indicating that you and Val aren't the first to arrive. You and Val get out of the car, gather your things and ring the doorbell. The door opens to reveal Jen, holding a blue popsicle and dressed in a loose mesh robe over an extremely tight black bikini. 
	Jen is definitely no longer a skinny girl. Her breasts are visibly spilling over the sides of her top, and some chub noticeably rolls over her bottoms. In other words, she looks great, and has basically become the opposite of the anorexic girl you used to know.
	"Hey, guys!" Jen says with a warm smile. "Come on in! We've got the grill going in the back. Hope you're hungry, we've got shitloads of food." 
	Jen spins around to lead you inside. You can't help but catch a good look at her backside. Her soft ass has all but swallowed the back of her bikini. She walks with a snappy strut, causing her booty to jiggle with every step. You try not to fixate on her curves. Val has no such shame. She boldly says, "Damn, Jen! You look like a whole snack!"
	Jen laughs warmly, with a hint of embarrassment. 
	Feeling emboldened, you decide to ask, "Jen, I can't help but notice. You're a bit more... Confident than I recall you usually being."
	Jen looks back at you from the corner of her eye, and giggles, "It helps when I'm not the only chick who's mostly naked. Also I'm mayyyyybe a little tipsy, and a little high."
	Jen laughs, and you can't help but enjoy the sound of her laugh. 
	"Fair enough," you laugh. 
	You then continue with a hint of concern, "Are you good to run the grill if you're high, though?"
	"Don't worry about it," Jen says. "I'm used to it! Also, Marcus is here, and he's helping me run the grill."
	Val snorts. You don't know if it's because she's annoyed by Marcus' presence, or if she just thinks he smells bad. 
	Jen chuckles again. She pauses in the living room and leans against the back of a leather couch. "Yeah yeah, I know. One day we're dating, one day we're not. I like him though, there's just something about him..."
	You look around the living room. It's richly decorated with dark wood and earth tones. There's a coffee table, a couch, and a couple leather chairs, all of very sturdy construction and likely very expensive. Also, there's a fireplace in the center of the room, with a large screen TV resting above it. There are some family pictures in a hutch off to the side, but you're too far to get a good look at most of them.
	The exception is a large formal-ish family portrait, front and center. Based on your memories of the subjects, you peg the photo as from around the highschool years. Jen's wearing a black blouse and a slight, awkward smile, and is otherwise much like the Jen leaning against a couch, if decidedly gaunt and sad. You're always surprised at how plain her mom is, though. Not ugly by any means, simply somehow unremarkable. She has an oval face framed by neat chestnut waves, with cool grey eyes and a pleasant smile. Jen's mom is neither skinny nor heavy, and is noticeably shorter than her daughter.
	You cannot help but be taken aback every time you see Jen's dad. He cuts a particularly arresting figure, tall and lean and wearing well-fitted dark clothes. The only proper way to describe his vibe is "devilish" - Angular face topped with slicked-back raven hair, plus an immaculate pointy goatee. His thin lips are cracked into a charming and slightly toothy smile, and his green eyes seem to glitter even from the photograph. Jen absolutely gets her gothy vibes from her dad, you think.
	You're only scanning the photo for a few seconds, but you're surprised to hear muffled music thumping from the back yard. Jen perks up again and looks at you and Val, "Hey! Let's get you two into the backyard and into the party! Follow me!"
	You and Val follow Jen and her too-small bikini into the backyard. A barrage of inputs confront your senses, and you process them one at a time. 
	First is the commingled smell of grilling meat, weed smoke, and chlorine. Next is the sound of many voices talking and laughing, over the sound of some poppy music over the speakers. Finally is the sight of several people, most of whom you know. You drop off the case of beer you've been carrying at a snack table, then scan across the party scene.
	First you see Val, currently in the process of removing her clothes and baring her own tight bikini. Next you see Bruce and Vicky, lounging in chairs in the shade. This is the first time you've seen Bruce shirtless, he's sturdily built without being cut, and his dark hair is hidden by a ball cap. Vicky is chatting with him. She's got oversized sunglasses, and a dark red swimsuit that looks for all the world like a tangle of straps. Characteristically, it barely fits her, and it gives her bosom some deep cleavage. Sure enough, Marcus is monitoring the grill. He's pale, tall and skinny, sporting a straw hat, and handles a set of tongs in one hand with a beer in his other. You feel a twinge of amusement as you make out a marijuana-leaf motif on his trunks. Next to Marcus is Zoe's long-time boyfriend, Matt. Tall, dark-skinned, and portly, he laughs raucously at something Marcus said, and you can make out a lit joint clutched between his fingers. Zoe and Matt have been dating for a long time, and you think that they're a great match for each other. Speaking of, you look into the pool, and you spot Zoe and Lena resting on the far side of the pool and chatting. Zoe is wearing an electric blue one-piece with lots of openings and decorative ties. Lena is showing a ton of pale skin, wearing a high-sided bikini decorated with abstract patterns in white, purple, and green. Her top matches the bottoms, and it snugly cradles her bosoms.
	Lena looks over at the two of you. Your eyes meet hers, and she makes a little wave. Zoe follows suit. Val nudges you in the side, "So whaddya think?"
	You take a moment to choose your words, "It's good to see everybody in one place. I haven't actually seen Matt in ages."
	Val snickers, and leans in to whisper into your ear, "I know you're being polite. The girls and I decided that we'd slut it up as much as we could with our swimwear. Somehow I don't think the boys mind very much."
	You chuckle, "Makes sense."
	You remove your own shirt and add it to the pile with Val's clothes. She kisses you on the cheek, and walks off to mingle with your mutual friends. Jen has walked up next to Marcus, and presses up next to him and kisses him on the cheek too. Marcus digs around in a bag and produces a black wide-rimmed hat, and hands it to Jen, who puts it on. They make small talk and work the grill together. You can see a huge collection of hamburger patties and hotdogs cooking atop the coals.
	You walk over to Matt, and he makes an excited noise and wraps you up in a boisterous bear hug. He ruffles the hair on the back of your head, then he lets you go. You exchange greetings and small talk, catching up on happenings since you last visit, which, it turns out, was in fact several years ago. He's just as friendly as always, and you're able to pick up as though no time had passed.
	Jen nudges Marcus to say hi, and he does so with a little reluctance. You magnanimously greet him, but don't press the introverted hippie for too much interaction. Matt perks up, and offers to roll you a joint. You accept, and he motions for you to follow him to a small table off to the side. You can see various drug ingredients on it, all of obviously high quality. Matt remarks approvingly about Jen's eye for ingredients, pointing out that she graciously offered all the materials. Matt shrugs off any of your efforts to help prepare the joint, he claims he "owes you a good high" and insists on doing it himself. Soon enough, he's rolled up a perfect-looking joint, and offers it to you with a smile. You accept it, and he offers you a light. You put the joint to your lips, and inhale deeply. You can feel the high. It is incredibly intense, almost too much for you to handle, and you lower the joint.
	"Alright, A-man. Now you can party like you mean it!" He claps you on the shoulder, and you head back to chat with the rest of your friends. Your lit joint attracts the attention of several folks, and you share it until it's gone. Marcus calls out that the first round of grilled meat is ready, and everybody lines up to claim their first servings of lunch. 
	The party's energy takes a predictable dip as everybody munches on some burgers or hotdogs, the quality cooking and plentiful weed ratcheting up the enjoyment of the experience. The sexual tension of a bunch of plus-sized girls chowing down on food while being scantily-clad is undeniable, but you try not to think about it too much. The conversation turns to the topic of hacking. Everyone agrees on the fact that hacking is good. Like really good. It's all you can do to not spill the beans on your seemingly-omniscient AI friend, and more than once you physically cram a big bite of burger into your mouth to keep quiet. You drift from group to group, making pleasant casual chat, snacking, and drinking as you go. When the heat gets too oppressive, you cool down in the pool. Val is doing much the same, and you trust her well enough that you don't feel like you need to be glued to her as the party progresses.
	You take the opportunity to catch up with the various guys in attendance, since you hardly ever get to see them. Marcus opens up a bit when you compliment his cooking, and when he figures out that you're quite stoned. You determine that he's actually a fairly pleasant and smart man, but are baffled as to why his relationship with Jen is so turbulent. Even stoned, you know better than to poke that particular hornet nest. Matt happily leans into his assumed role of "chemical recreation MC". He ensures that nobody is without a joint or a beer for long, and everybody at the party is some combination of pleasantly drunk or high. They're all pretty relaxed, so you trust yourself to not say the wrong thing amongst all of the people who are open with their secrets.
	At one point, you glance across the pool to see Lena and Val chatting. You can't hear what they're talking about, but Val catches your eye, smiles, and blows you a kiss. You wave back, then turn and walk over to the snack table. Feeling parched, you pour some water into a cup and take a deep drink. You hear some footsteps approaching but think nothing of it. After all, there are plenty of people moving around, and the snack table is a popular place to be.
	Suddenly, you feel a hand pinching your ass, and some teeth gently nibbling your ear. You're too shocked to move, and you're even more shocked at what you hear next.
	"I've made up my mind," Lena's voice purrs into your ear.
	You can feel her breath on your neck as she continues. "I want you to kiss me."
	"Lena, I... what- uhhh?" You sputter.
	"Ugh, you dopey man," she replies with palpable annoyance.
	You feel Lena's fingers wrap around your chin, and she pulls your face down to be level with hers, then presses her lips into yours. Her lips are soft and warm, and they feel wonderful against yours. You can feel her tongue moving against your lips, and you open your mouth slightly to allow her in.
	A million thoughts rush through your head, addled by your high and by the sheer electricity of your situation. Your first clear thought is of panic, but then you remember that you asked Lena to be with you and Val, and Val's gesture earlier could only be a sly pre-approval. Feeling emboldened yet still as though breaking some taboo, your hand wanders down Lena's body, grips her chubby ass, and gives it a firm squeeze. You hear Lena gasp, and you feel a much larger portion of her ample body press into yours. You squirm and pull back, twisting to face her. "Lena..." you utter.
	Lena's eyes are wide, and she appears to be panting. She swallows visibly, and looks at you expectantly.
	At that moment, you spot Jen out of the corner of your eye, walking by. She winks at the two of you and hoots, "Yeah Lena! Get it, girl!"
	Your face flames red. You whisper, "Oh God, now everybody is going to know about us..."
	"They've already been looking," Lena replies.
	"What do you mean, they're looking?"
	"You're at the snack table, stupid. Everybody can see this."
	Your throat constricts. You force yourself not to look around the yard and instead stay focused on Lena's face. Your discomfort is obvious, but she seems unmoved. In fact, she only presses her soft body more solidly against you. You can't deny that she feels great, but this isn't exactly a great time for such thoughts. A deathly silence seems to descend. One of Lena's surprisingly-strong arms locks around your back, and her other hand grips your chin again. She says, "Ok, Anon. Listen up. I've decided that I want to be with both you and Val, but you're not going to keep me in the shadows. You're proud of dating Val, and she's proud of dating you, and you're both going to be open and proud about dating me."
	You manage a strained "uh-huh" out of your pinched lips, and Lena continues, "I'm not going to be a simple fuck toy for the two of you. I know none of us have tried anything like this before, but I want you to promise that you'll do your best to treat us as equally as you can."
	You answer, "I can promise that I'll try. We'll need to talk about this with Val. I can't make a commitment like that alone."
	She smirks at you, "Good answer. But you get the gist of where I'm going with this, right?"
	You swallow hard and gaze into Lena's green eyes. You say, "Yes. Yes, I do. Just.... this is so unexpected."
	She purrs, "Maybe so. But it's what felt right to me. Does this feel right to you?"
	"Yes, it does."
	You lean down to kiss Lena once more. Her lips are warm and soft, and her tongue darts into your mouth. Her shape is pleasing, definitely curvy, and her body feels good against your own. A moment later, you feel another set of strong arms enwrapping both you and Lena. Val joins the embrace, nibbling your ear, and sandwiching you between the two women. Val whispers in your ear, "Lena and I talked beforehand. Sorry I couldn't warn you."
	A moment passes, then she pipes up again, "Ok, maybe not that sorry."
	This is it. You're in heaven. 
	Squished between two of the hottest women you know, your cock throbs with need, and you couldn't care who sees this spectacle with you three. Lena's soft, luscious lips leave yours with a satisfying pop. She locks eyes with you and says, "I think we do in fact have a lot to talk about."
	Suddenly she inhales sharply and her eyes roll back. Biting her lip, Lena continues, "Val, if you keep grabbing my ass like that, then I don't know if I'll be able to control myself."
	You hear Val giggling from behind you. "Promises, promises," she murmurs. Lena bites her lip with a whimper and her face flushes.
	"Ladies," you say, somewhat strained, "I think I need to sit down, and then I think we need to discuss some things."
	Lena points in the direction of a nearby deck couch, and Val finally releases you and Lena. You try to walk sideways so as not to show off your erect cock, and you think you manage a decent job of it. You sit, and Val takes a spot next to you. Lena strolls past you, pushing a sugar cookie into your mouth as she does, then sits beside Val. Her booty squishes the air out of the cushion with a pronounced thump.
	You can feel the eyes of all your other friends on you, and you finally dare to look around the yard. All eyes are indeed on you, but instead of judgment, you see nothing but approval. Zoe and Matt even give your new trio a grinning thumbs-up. Your other friends eventually return to their own conversations, and you can finally turn to regard Lena and Val. "So..." You start, uneasily, "We're a polycule then I guess."
	Val takes a cookie and munches. "Yeah," she says, smiling, "I guess so."
	Lena also takes a cookie and munches. She giggles, "Just that easy, huh?"
	You say, "I should probably lay something out now. I don't really know what I'm doing. I can't promise that I'll get everything right. What I will promise, here and now, is that I will do my absolute best in this relationship. If I'm screwing up somehow, please tell me so I can fix it."
	"I think that's a good start," Val says, smiling.
	Lena smiles back, and says, "Yes, that sounds like a pretty good stance to take, Anon."
	You continue, "Lena. I hate to be this blunt but I think I need to say this. Val and I have a hell of a bond. We've been dating for a decently long time and we've been through a lot of crazy stuff. Lena, you and I have been through some stuff too, but we just don't have the same level of investment yet. That said, I would really dig the idea of making a whole bunch of new memories with you."
	Lena blushes, and says, "That sounds pretty cool to me too. This is such a dumb thing, but I was more than a little hurt when you asked Jen to prom rather than me, all those years ago."
	You reach your hand across Val's lap, and Lena extends a hand to meet yours. You clasp hands, set them on Val's thighs, and Val lays her own hand across them. You lean around Val to look at Lena and say, "Then maybe this is a way I can make up for that."
	Val gently squishes your and Lena's hands, "And maybe this is part of my continuing atonement for being part of the haughty jock clique back then too."
	Lena says, "I like that idea too."
	You pull Lena's hand up to your face and kiss her fingertips. She looks at you with a smile on her face. Val wraps an arm around you and Lena, pulling the two of you close. A moment later, she breaks out laughing. Between giggles she says, "Oh my god, how do guys with multiple wives do it? We've only been poly for like a minute and I already feel overwhelmed!"
	Lena says, "I dunno. I guess we'll have to figure it out as we go."
	You gently squeeze Val and Lena's hands, and both of them blush a little.
	"Yeah," you say warmly.
	You, Val, and Lena spend the next few hours on that couch, talking and snacking. Matt would roll by periodically to provide fresh weed or booze, so you and the girls could chat pretty openly, if a little slowly. It's a little rocky at first. One of you would often say something that would upset one or both of the others, but your mutual pacts of understanding and tolerance let you get past it. You'd always liked Lena, and you find it very refreshing that you can speak freely about relationship things with her. A few kisses shared here and there also feel particularly natural, though you're still feeling a pang of taboo whenever you touch Lena. Whatever remaining misgivings you had vanished when you first watched Lena and Val make out in front of you. When they pulled apart and turned to face you with mischievous grins, you knew that you'd hit the jackpot. The rest of the afternoon slides by in a pleasant haze. Val breaks off to work on her tan, looking for all the world like a model as she naps on a pool chair. 
	Lena giggles as she regards Val, "Tanning isn't for me. With this pale skin, I just burn. Actually..."
	Lena turns to look at you.
	She says, "I should probably re-up my sunscreen. C'mon,"
	Lena takes your hand and leads you back into the house. She digs around in a bag, then produces a bottle of sunscreen lotion. She squeezes a blob of sunscreen into her hand and starts rubbing it into her arm. She looks at you and says with a grin, "It'll be faster if you help me."
	Getting the hint, you load up on some lotion of your own and start rubbing it into Lena's back. You go slow, to make sure the lotion is getting to all of her skin. Lena giggles while you rub her back, "Your hands feel nice."
	You blush, and lightly kiss Lena's ear. "I hope so," you say with a smile.
	Lena continues applying the lotion to her front, while you handle her reverse side. You start with her shoulders, work your way down her back, and take more than your fair share of squeezing her soft booty. She giggles as you squeeze her ass, "Good thinking. My butt doesn't get a lot of sun, so you need to make sure it's protected."
	You continue down, rubbing the lotion into her thick thighs. Your hands keep moving lower, finally applying the lotion to her calves and completing the job. Lena is having fun being the subject of your hands. "You're doing a great job."
	"Bad news then," you say, "Because I've just finished."
	"Aw," she says with mock disappointment, "Guess we better get back out there huh?"
	"Ok," you say, spinning Lena around and pressing into her as you embrace briefly.
	The lotion has made her soft skin quite slick, and it feels incredible against you. Lena slowly peels you off of her, before grabbing your hand.
	"C'mon, bring me back out there."
	As you walk out of the house, you find that you've forgotten your own sunblock. You decide it's an acceptable risk. You're not as pale as Lena, and you can just run to the shade if you start feeling crispy. Val looks over and grins as you and Lena head back out into the yard. The sun is getting low in the sky, and is currently sliding behind a neighboring house. You and Lena head over to Val, and the three of you hop into the pool and resume chatting with all your friends. It feels good to be back out in the fresh air, and the cool water is the perfect antidote to the late afternoon heat. You're still giddy at how good things are shaping up between Val and Lena. It feels incredibly liberating to admit your attraction to both of them. You can't help but wonder if you've always been poly, or if you simply have a soft spot for your old ladyfriends. The three of you spend several long minutes just floating on the pool's surface, lightly chatting about the day, the weather, and other small topics. You're having a hell of a good time.
	You look up to see Marcus working to light up the grill again, then you hear the door to the house open. Jen emerges from the house holding a large tray of marinaded meat, and struts towards the grill in time with the beat of some music. A chorus of sizzles erupts from the grill as Marcus adds meat to it peice by peice. Marcus steals a kiss from Jen, then turns towards you and the other pool revelers with a grin. Jen claps her hands and announces, "Okay party people, I hope you're seriously hungry! Marcus is grilling up everything we've got left, and I don't want there to be any leftovers!”
	Lena and Val share a look and smirk at each other. "I'm ready to be filled with meat," Val snickers, "How about you, Lena?"
	"I'm ready to be stuffed," Lena's eyes twinkle as she grins.
	They both turn towards you, and their grins turn a little predatory, "So ready," they both say. Your face must look mortified, because the girls both start cackling and ribbing each other. Their expressions soften, then they splash over towards you, kiss you one to a cheek, then heave themselves out of the pool. You resolve to stay in the water until your raging boner calms down. Ogling Lena's and Val's asses doesn't make that any easier. They trot over to the "chemical recreation" table, prepare large joints, and light up. After they exhale their first hits, Matt strolls by and exchanges some words with Val and Lena. He ducks inside the house, and a few moments later re-emerges with a pair of plastic cups. He hands one each to Val and Lena. Matt turns his attention to you, and you ask for whatever the girls got. Matt makes a joking salute, and dutifully heads back inside to prepare the drink. A moment later, he comes back with a cup intended for you. You take a sip. It's a whiskey and cola, it's quite strong, and there's a lot of it. It's also very good. A few seconds later, Matt returns, grinning with a lit joint. He hands it to you, and you take three long, deep pulls. The high is amazing, it makes your entire body feel like it's floating on air.
	You and Matt chat for a little while as your high sets in even further, then you finally hear the announcement that the first round of grilling is done. Matt extends a hand the help haul you out of the pool, and you join the line with Lena and Val to get some dinner. You grab a paper plate and patiently watch as Marcus uses his tongs to deftly serve up some hamburger patties. Val puts a bun on your plate, and jokingly chides you for your oversight. Val and Lena get dished up just before you do, and they proceed to decorate their double burgers. Marcus gently sets a seared, steaming patty on your bun, and you head off to add some trimmings. There's ketchup and mustard on the table, as well as some cheese and some varied vegetables and spices. You pick out the trimmings for a classic cheeseburger: lettuce, onion, tomato, and some pickle.
	As you're finishing, Vicky stops next to you and starts the process with her burgers. Ever ambitious, Vicky's plate features two half-assembled double cheeseburgers. Vicky shoots you a grin, but at that moment you see Bruce glaring at Vicky's plate. There's something in his eyes that suggests he's about to go off, and he says nothing, but continues glaring at Vicky anyway. You shoot Vicky a quick and polite smile, then hurry off to sit with Val and Lena. Eventually you realize that Bruce is still glaring at Vicky, and you wonder if there's something going on that you don't know about. His face softens whenever Vicky looks his way, but you can't help but wonder if there's some trouble brewing. The only thing you can do is to try to ignore the tension, and go back to chatting with Val and Lena. The hamburger is exquisite, and you find yourself wanting something more despite how satisfying it was. As you're chewing, you notice that Lena is giving you a smile. She seems genuinely pleased to be with you, and you return the smile. Vicky gets up and goes inside the house to use the bathroom. Val takes the opportunity to fetch some hotdogs, and takes requests from the table. You only ask for a single hotdog, with some spicy mustard. Lena asks for two. 
	At that moment, Bruce abruptly sits down next to you. He places a plate in front of him, but he seems distracted by his phone. You glance over, and inadvertently catch a snippet of the text he's sending. You can't make out much of the message chain, but what you can read is very sexually-charged, and the contact listed is definitely not Vicky. This new development is a complete surprise. You try to hide your look of discomfort, but Lena notices your reaction and seems genuinely concerned. You do your best to play cool, and flick your eyes in Bruce's direction repeatedly. Lena seems to understand, and makes herself look busy with the last bit of her burger. Val rescues you from the awkward situation by sauntering up with a plate loaded with hotdogs and sitting down. Lena and Val tear into their second helpings, and Bruce starts making some small talk. Vicky eventually returns, kisses Bruce on the cheek, and takes his hand to lead him to another part of the yard. The hotdogs seem to have some kind of special sauce on them, and you can detect a bit of onion and mustard as well.
	Lena glances around, and when she's certain that Bruce is well out of earshot, she leans in and whispers to you, "What did you see on Bruce's phone?"
	You try to keep your voice down, and you whisper back, "I saw him texting someone. Someone who I'm fairly certain is not Vicky."
	Lena's eyes flare in surprise, and her mouth turns down in an angry frown. Val follows suit. In this moment, you realize that you've never truly seen Val angry, and the cold fury behind her blue eyes chills your blood.
	"What do we do?" You ask, "One glance isn't enough to prove that he's cheating on Vicky. Maybe there's some way we can give her a clue without directly accusing him?"
	Val's eyes narrow, but she seems to think about it for a moment before letting out a small sigh. "Anon, did you see the contact name?"
	"Yeah, that was about the only part I got a decent look at. I think he was texting an Amber... somebody. Last name maybe started with a C?"
	Lena swallows a bite of hotdog and clears her throat, "That name sounds familiar somehow. I'll see if I can remember more..."
	Lena pauses for a long several moments, her fingers tracing imaginary numbers and letters. Suddenly, her face lights up. She says, "If this is the right Amber then I think she's at the university. I know somebody who works in a department near her, and I might be able to have him ask some questions."
	"That sounds like a solid plan to me." Val says, the anger radiating off of her still palpable.
	Perhaps against your better judgment you say, "Remind me never to make you two mad."
	The three of you resolve to stay quiet about the Bruce situation until you can get some proof. Val is still annoyed, though she's noticeably cooling off. She still shoots dirty glances Bruce's way whenever he's not looking. For the time being, you all make a conscious effort to focus on your reveling and indulge in more booze and snacks. Lena brings over a partially-depleted plate of cookies, and the three of you somehow manage to clean it off. By now it's starting to get dark, and Jen starts marshalling the party inside the house. She turns on the TV and plays some cartoons, which prove to be a real crowd-pleaser as everybody winds down from the day of partying.
	Zoe and Matt are the first to tap out, counterintuitively being the first to sober up. They gather their things and say their good-byes, and a few minutes later Vicky and Bruce call it a night as well. You hope your face doesn't betray any emotion as you send them off. You, Val, and Lena have continued drinking this whole time, and none of you are in any shape to drive. Marcus has retreated to a bedroom, his introvert nature finally winning out. Your level of indulgence isn't lost on Jen, who has been an uncharacteristically gregarious and perceptive host all day.
	She snickers, "So how far have you three gotten on chugging through all my booze?"
	Val and Lena giggle, and rib you at the quip. You reply, slurring slightly, "It can't be helped. You're such a gracious host, and it's just too good to stop."
	Jen giggles, then taps a finger on her lips. She glances at you and says, "So I'm going to put my foot down and say that you three are gonna have to stay here tonight. You're all obviously drunk, and I'm not letting my friends behind the wheel."
	Lena asks, "That's fair. But we're gonna have to sleep somewhere. Do you have any spare bedrooms in the house?"
	Jen smiles.
	"Several," she says. "Part of the reason why my parents bought this place. But, I'm going to need you three to help me with something."
	You nod, and say, "Sure. What do you need us to do?"
	Jen's smile splits into a goofy grin. "I was serious about there being no food waste, you know. Everybody did a pretty good job, but there's still some perishable food left. Specifically, the meat. Marcus did such a great job of cooking it up, and it'd be such a shame to throw it out..."
	You look at Val, and she nods, her mouth already watering. Lena rolls her tongue around behind her cheeks a bit, then shrugs and makes a "mhm" sound. You glance at Jen and say, "Well that's two out of three right there, so what I say isn't important. But for what it's worth, I'm a yes as well."
	Jen giggles with excitement, then trots off to gather all of the leftovers in front of you. In addition to the leftover patties and hotdogs, it's a few bowls of chips, and some plates of sweets. She places the final plate of snack remnants and says with a mouth full of cupcake, "Don't worry, I'll be helping you out." You look up at Jen and she's jiggling her breasts with her free hand, "I like these, and I want more," her hand then jiggles her ass and she laughs, "And I want more of this too. God, it feels so good to finally be filling out clothes."
	Val says, "It's great to see you getting comfortable with your body." She then looks around, "Well, let's get started. This stuff isn't getting any fresher."
	At that, everybody leans in, grabs something, and starts eating. You munch on a hamburger patty held in your bare hands. It's still tasty, but it'd be better if it were hot off the grill. Val mows through a hotdog and grabs two more. Lena then crams a handful of chips into her mouth, smiling as she sees you and Jen devouring everything in front of you. At one point, all three girls have fresh hotdogs, but before any of them can bite into them, Jen puts on a goofy smile.
	"Check this out," she giggles, then starts licking the hotdog up and down as though it were a phallus. You eyes go wide as Jen simulates a blowjob on the lucky hotdog, and she slides it out of her mouth with a pop.
	Val, too, starts eating the hotdog as though it were an object of lust, and Lena gives a lewd smile as she eyes it hungrily. Abruptly, Jen gags and coughs, unceremoniously pulling the hotdog out of her mouth, and clasping a hand to her midriff.
	"A little too deep," she sputters. She clears her throat and continues, "Don't want to risk losing what's in here," slightly kneading her fingers into her swollen belly with a rough giggle.
	Lena grins and places her hands on her own belly, mesmerized by the feeling of fullness. "I totally get it," she says, looking at Jen with a wide smile.
	Val leans over with a giggle, running her finger over Lena's lips. "You want a doggy?" she whispers.
	Lena gently parts her lips and licks the tip of Val's finger, then replies, "Yes please."
	Val picks up one of the few remaining hotdogs and holds it in front of Lena's face. Lena sticks out her tongue and licks the hotdog, picking up the flavor of the fatty snack. "Delicious," she says, her eyes wide with desire. Grinning with lust, Val holds the hotdog steady as Lena starts running her tongue along the hotdog. Lena's hand replaces Val's, then Lena begins her own show of pretending to fellate the hotdog. Jen's eyes come to life as she watches her girlfriends, her shoulders shifting slightly with excitement. Lena's eyes roll back and her hands run down her belly, pressing and rubbing her chubby flesh. She moans as she slides the hotdog into and out of her mouth, quietly gagging as she pushes the meat deep down her throat. Lena works her throat and jaw, clearly getting into the simulated deep-throating. Val's mouth hangs open. "Oh my God," she whispers, then leans forwards and kisses Lena's belly button. Lena is clearly loving the attention she's getting from Val's lips and tongue. She coos and giggles, then suddenly sputters and gags on the hotdog. She slides the hotdog out with a glob of spit, then coughs roughly.
	"Well that was fuckin' hot while it lasted," Lena mutters, her voice husky. She wipes her chin with a napkin, then smiles at her friends and starts taking normal bites out of the long-suffering hotdog.
	Everybody takes a moment to breathe and process what just happened, then giggles break out all around the area. Val breaks the spell by leaning over to a bowl of chips and shoveling some salty snacks into her mouth. Jen sets herself down on the couch. Val chews her chips and swallows, then leans forward and pokes Jen's stomach. Val giggles and offers her handful of chips to Jen, saying, "You need these more than I do."
	Jen accepts the snack, closing her eyes and smiling as Val piles the chips onto her tongue. She hums with delight as she chews the chips, then pops her eyes open and shifts on the couch. Jen rolls to lay on her side, stretching her legs out on the couch. She leans forward to be closer to Val, then purrs, "You got any more for me?"
	Val grabs a bowl of chips, and scoots to be right next to Jen. She sets the bowl in her lap, then starts steadily feeding Jen the chips. Jen leans into Val, happily munching on the snacks. You take a few moments to savor the sounds of your friends enjoying themselves.
	Lena sits up on the couch and leans forward towards you. She murmurs, "I still see plenty of snacks over there," glancing at the remaining dishes on the coffee table.
	You smile and say to her, "What have you got a taste for now?"
	Lena shimmies on the couch, biting her lip with a cheeky smile. After making a show of thinking, she says, "I want... Something sweet."
	You look over on the table and see the remnants of some plates of cookies, cupcakes, and a dish of pudding. Lena watches as you regard these desserts, then gasps as you roughly pile them all onto a single plate.
	"What are you doing?" Lena asks, her voice girlish and curious.
	You grin at her, and say, "I thought you might like some dessert. So I figured I'd feed you all the dessert!"
	Lena lets out a slow nod, watching you pull in close to the couch. She sits up on the couch with a visible blush as you set the plate down on your lap.
	"Alright, Lena. Open up!" You say with a smolder that surprises even you.
	Lena closes her eyes and opens her mouth with a giddy smile. You take a moment to relish her excited breathing, then reach down, grab a pudding-coated cookie and slide it into Lena's mouth. The sound of her groaning with pleasure fills the room, and she looks up at you with eyes that appear to be half-lidded.
	"Eat it all."
	Her lips close around your finger and she sucks the crumbs from it. You feel an electric thrill run up your body, and pick up another treat for Lena's greedy maw. You plop a pudding-soaked cupcake on your own hand and offer it to Lena. She moans blissfully as she licks the sugary mush out of your palm. After a loud moan, she opens her eyes and says to you, "I could get used to this."
	"Me too," you say.
	You take a moment to steal a glance at Val. She looks over at you with a lusty grin, and slides a buttery roll into Jen's mouth. Jen greedily swallows the hunk of bread and gasps. Her belly bulges proudly out with an obvious food baby, and she groans in pain and pleasure as she caresses her stomach.
	"Ooooh yes, Jen!" Val says, her voice thick with lust. "Just keep packing it in."
	You hear Lena's voice from the side, "Hey now, I'm not stuffed to bursting yet. Get back to it."
	"As you wish," you say, and resume feeding Lena the leftover desserts.
	Lena's belly looks so plump and full, you can't make yourself stop staring. You reach down, grab yet another cupcake from the bowl, and slide it into Lena's mouth. You fall into a trance of feeding Lena the sweets, until you reach down and find nothing solid. You realize that the bowl now contains only thick creamy pudding, and a mischievous grin forms on your face. You sit forward, raise the bowl to Lena's lips and tip it forward. Lena makes a muffled squeak, then sighs with pleasure as she starts chugging down the pudding. Her belly bulges out rounder and rounder as she sucks down the pudding. Slurping sounds and an exhausted gasp signal that Lena has drained the bowl. You lower it from her lips, regard it and use your finger to take a taste. Banana-flavored, and delicious.
	Lena belches and falls back into the couch with a groan, "Oof. That did it. This fatty is finally full and just about to pop..."
	You stroke Lena's belly, feeling the soft skin and the distended stomach beneath. You look over to Val, who has been watching you for some time. Jen is halfway passed out on the couch, with a glazed look on her face and her hands making soothing circles on her stuffed stomach. Lena is also looking dazed, her eyes unfocused and her mouth slack.
	Val giggles and shows you a bowl with only tiny fragments of chips remaining. "Jen really put it away. I'm impressed," she says.
	"Yeah, go me... Future fatty..." Jen says groggily.
	Val tips the bowl into her mouth and scarfs down the chip remnants. The two of you look at what's left on the table. It isn't much. Jen and Lena finished off most of the snacks, but you spot one thing left. A pitcher of fruit punch stands proudly on the coffee table, somehow ignored until now. You and Val share a glance, and Val's eyes soften to be almost pleading. With obviously fake concern, you say "Well, I'm pretty much stuffed to the gills, so maybe I should let you handle this one, honey."
	Val's eyes light up and she bites her lip in anticipation. You scoot over to fetch the pitcher, and Val leans against the couch. Holding the pitcher carefully, you scoot to sit in front of Val. You raise the pitcher up to her greedy lips, then carefully tip some of the sweet beverage in. Val closes her eyes and drinks in long swigs from the pitcher. Her mouth is wide and open, and you hold the pitcher steady to prevent any spillage. Before you know it, you've tipped the pitcher practically upside down, and Val extends her tongue to catch the last sweet droplets. You look down and see that her belly bulges outward in a taut arc, sloshing slightly from the influx of liquid.
	Val burps lightly, then groans, "Oh fuck now I feel it. That's so heavy..."
	You lean back against the base of the couch next to Val. You place a hand on her thigh, and she tiredly slaps her own hand on top. You then feel a hand mussing your hair and a tired giggle in Lena's voice. You reach up to grab her hand as well, and she interlaces her fingers in your own. You then twist to look back and up at Lena, and you see her looking down at you with a soft, pleasant smile. You sit with the girls for an indeterminate period of time, then you feel a rustling behind your head as Jen heaves herself up.
	"Well, doesn't look like there were any survivors on the leftovers front. You guys ready to call it a night?”
	You, Val, and Lena reply with a tired chorus of assent. Slowly, and with much huffing and groaning, you all rise to your feet. You do the courtesy of gathering Val's and Lena's things along with your own, then follow Jen as she leads your trio to a guest room.
	"The bed is a California King, so it should be big enough for the three of you... For now." Jen says with a smirk, bumping her hip into yours and pinching Val's and Lena's asses for emphasis.
	You, Val, and Lena smile back at Jen, who turns to leave.
	"We're still on for brunch tomorrow of course. Just wake up whenever and we'll go from there," Jen says over her shoulder.
	Lena ducks into the bathroom, then back out. "The shower is pretty small. We'll need to go one at a time," she says.
	Val yawns and replies, "That's fine. I just need to rinse off, so I'll be quick."
	She grabs a couple bits of clothing from her bag, then steps into the bathroom and shuts the door. You hear water begin to flow. You and Lena sit somewhat awkwardly on the bed. She turns to you and says, "I had a great time today. This is still ....just so new to me, but I've got a good feeling about this."
	You smile at her. "Yeah, me too. I can't believe we decided to do this. I'm having a great time."
	Lena pouts her lips and beckons you to come closer to her. "This feels so right," she whispers, then presses her lips against yours. Her lips are soft and warm, welcoming you in. You open your mouth and allow Lena to move closer to you. Suddenly you hear the bathroom door open. Acting on instinct, you pull away from Lena and whirl around to see Val wrapped in a towel and smiling.
	A moment passes, then Val laughs and you do too, as does Lena.
	"Well, who's showering next?" Val asks.
	Lena and you glance at each other, then you lean forward to get up. As you rise to your feet, Val grins at you and Lena and lets her towel fall away. Strands of her luscious, wavy blonde hair cascade down as she strikes a pose. Lena stares, dumbfounded. You nudge Lena's shoulder, "I know, right?”
	Val snickers at you, "I thought you were gonna shower up,"
	You roll your eyes, "Fine, fine. Can't go to bed all stinky I guess."
	You catch a glimpse of Lena before you enter the bathroom. She's running her hands over Val's firm limbs with a mixture of lust and awe. You're showered in about a minute, and emerge with a towel wrapped around your lower half. Val and Lena are making out as you exit, and they look over at you with a start and a laugh. Val nudges Lena's shoulder, and Lena exhales and gets up. As she passes you, she hooks a finger into your towel, intending to remove it. You stop her, blushing slightly as you say, "Val is... More bold than I am. How about when you finish your shower, we strip together?"
	Lena blushes and looks down. "Um, okay," she says in a small voice.
	You sit down on the bed next to Val once Lena enters the bathroom. The two of you hold hands wordlessly as you wait. Barely a few minutes later, you hear the water stop, and some movement inside the bathroom. The latch opens, and Lena steps out, wrapped in a towel. She looks at you, uncertain. You say, "It's okay," and after getting a warm nod from Val, you get up and walk over to Lena. She's blushing brightly with excitement, and you can feel that you are too. You gently hook a finger into the edge of her towel, and she does the same with yours, then you both pull.
	The air feels cool on your naked body.
	The two of you stand there for a moment, just looking at each other. You can feel the blood rushing into your head, and you can almost feel the heat from Lena's body radiating off of her.
	You give Lena a good look, as she does the same to you.
	You feel a touch of strangeness to be looking down at a woman's face rather than up, but you don't dwell on the thought. Her eyes are very expressive, and her round cheeks compliment her full lips. You estimate her breasts to be around D-cups with soft pink areolae. Lena's tummy is swollen from her feasting, but a doughy layer of pudge sits on top and would hang a bit if she weren't glutted. Lena shaves her pubis, and her vulva is full and inviting, but you don't think sex is in the cards for tonight, despite everything. Her ass, hips, and thighs are where the action really is, all of them wide, dimpled, and gently curving in all the right places. Your fingers gently squish into Lena's hips as you gently grip them, and the sensation of her fat under your hands is incredible. Lena gasps sharply at your touch, and pulls you in for a desperate kiss. She moans loudly as you ply your lips against hers, and your fingers run up and down her back. You feel her head roll back, and you move your lips to the bottom of her neck. She pulls away, and runs some fingers along your face with a pleased smile.
	"Gorgeous, isn't she?" you hear Val approach you and Lena.
	Lena blushes red and you look at Val, who has wrapped you and Lena up in her long arms. 
	Val nibbles your ear and giggles, "You can say Lena's hot, Anon. I already know how hot you think I am."
	Val's voice is sensual and gentle, and you can tell she's genuinely smitten with Lena.
	"Yeah, Lena's a certified babe, I think," you say. 
	Lena giggles and lovingly grabs Val by the ass. You jump a little as Lena's other hand finds your ass too.
	"Flattery will get you everywhere,” she purrs.
	Suddenly Lena yawns. A look of dismay descends upon her face. "Aw... I just ruined the mood, didn't I?”
	You run a fingernail up Lena's spine, causing her to shudder.
	"Not at all," you say. "After all, what better way to end a night than by sliding into a food coma in the arms of two of your hot friends?"
	You and Val chuckle, and Lena blushes but hugs you and Val. 
	Val tenderly plants some kisses on Lena's forehead, and the shorter girl says, "Yeah, that does sound nice."
	At that, the three of you make your way to the bed and crawl under the covers. You're all still giddy with the novelty of your situation and the sheer strength of mutual attraction you feel. Lena and Val both snuggle up against you, and you get an idea of what it's like to have your heart in a place where there's room for all of you at once. You don't know what caused you to wax philosophical all of a sudden, but you smile with a follow-up thought. You hope that the place your heart found has room to grow, since your affection has a way of turning into extra pounds.
	You smile and kiss Lena on the forehead. She mumbles happily and presses into you. She's so soft and warm, you still can't believe it. Val nuzzles into your shoulder, and you kiss her cheek. She responds similarly, and you realize that she's already asleep. You close your eyes and relax into the heavenly sensations of the soft sheets and a beautiful woman on either side of you, and sleep finds you soon enough.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

23 – Plus One

	The sun is streaming in through the window, and you slowly open your eyes. You feel good, rested, and warm. Everything really is looking up. Somehow you don't even have a hint of a hangover. You turn to Lena but she's already somewhat awake. She elbows you gently, and you smile at her.
	"Morning, cutie," you say. "Did you sleep well?"
	Lena buries her face in the pillow and moans softly. "I think I'm hungover," she says, muffled by the pillow.
	A groan from your other side heralds Val's awakening.
	"You too?" You ask her.
	Val responds with a groggy "Mmhmm."
	"Okay if I get up and look for some medicine for you ladies?" You ask.
	Lena and Val both nod. You look around, and with amusement, you realize that you'll have to climb over one of the girls to leave the bed. You decide to roll over Lena on your way out of the bed. You do your best to not squish her too much but you don't do a great job.
	Lena interrupts you as you're above her, and she pulls you in close with a grin. There is a certain level of desire in her eyes, but she never says anything. You kiss her gently on the lips. Val laughs softly and strokes your back. Lena feels amazing under you, and you're sorely tempted to make the situation even hotter. But you still have work to do first. You pull yourself away from Lena and stand up. She gives you a sympathetic smile, looking lovely despite her bleary eyes. Val and Lena both tiredly watch you as you collect some clothes and dress. You slip on boxers, some light shorts, and a t-shirt, and turn to find Lena and Val gently nuzzling into each other.
	"You two, you look beautiful," you breathe.
	Lena and Val smile at you sheepishly and blush slightly. Val stiffly lolls her head to the side and groans, "Head hurts... Save me, Anon..."
	You reply, "Okay, okay, I'm going. Just hang in there, alright?"
	Val and Lena both nod. You quietly exit the guest room, and you hear some movement in the kitchen as you head that way. 
	You round a corner and see a shirtless Marcus working at a coffee maker. You say "good morning" and he looks up with a bit of surprise. "Morning," Marcus says with a voice that sounds slightly raspy. You move over to a glass-fronted cabinet that contains some cups, then ask Marcus, "Hey, do you know where I can find some headache meds?”
	Marcus tilts his head to one side and, with a little bit of a worried look on his face, says, "I actually don't, sorry dude."
	You reply with disappointment, "That's alright."
	You then hear the pit-pat of some bare feet approaching, and see Jen enter the kitchen. Her hair is a mess and she's wearing an oversized t-shirt with a koala bear design. She yawns then says, "I do. Hangover?"
	"I'm alright," you reply, "But Lena and Val are feeling kinda rough."
	Jen grunts, then walks over to Marcus and whispers something in his ear. Marcus nods, then kisses Jen and pads out of the kitchen. Next, Jen goes to the fridge and opens it. You're not used to seeing Jen in such a casual setting and situation, and you deliberately focus your eyes to not be on her ass. She rummages through the fridge and eventually draws out a pitcher with a green-tinged liquid. With a yawn, she fetches a trio of ceramic mugs and pours the liquid in. As she does so, you fill a pair of glasses from the tap. Jen then puts the mugs on a small tray and slides the tray your way.
	"Anti-hangover herbal tea," she explains. "I figured somebody would need it," then she pours a mug for herself and takes a long swig.
	"Thanks," you say.
	Jen closes her eyes and sighs with relief. A moment later, she grabs some breakfast bars from a countertop basket, tossing a few onto the tray, and keeping one for herself. "This works a lot better with some food," she explains.
	You lift one of the mugs (decorated with the faded remnant of some corporate logo) to your lips and take a sip. The tea smells and tastes better than it looks, with a soft, vaguely fruity aroma and a tingly mintlike flavor. Marcus announces his return with the unmistakable rattling of pills in a bottle. 
	"Thanks boo," Jen says as Marcus hands her the bottle.
	Marcus turns to regard you. "Anon, you and your girlfriends are cool. I'm a simple dude. Anybody who likes good food and good herb is somebody I can probably get along with."
	Jen laughs to herself and sips at her tea.
	"Alright," Marcus says, "I gotta catch up on some grading." He walks over to Jen and they share a passionate embrace.
	Marcus pulls away and says to her, "Have a nice brunch with your friends. Someday I'll be able to join you!”
	He pours a cup of coffee with a laugh. As Marcus turns to leave, he pauses, holding his fist forward expectantly. You oblige him with a fist-bump and say, "It was good to actually chat a bit. Hope the grading doesn't suck too much."
	"Yeah me too!" Marcus laughs and leaves the kitchen.
	Jen takes a long drink of her tea. A moment later, she tears a bite out of her breakfast bar. You put the water glasses on the tray, then shake out a couple of headache pills for the girls and add them.
	"Brunch in.... An hour I guess?" Jen asks.
	"Works for me."
	Jen places her tea on the counter and texts one-handed on her phone. She then says, "Alright. Take care of your ladies then let me know when you're ready to go. Think we can carpool?"
	You try not to be taken aback with how easily she's already adjusted to referencing your ladies or girlfriends in plural.
	"I think that should be fine," you say.
	Jen mumbles in reply, then you grab the tray and leave the kitchen. "Thanks for the help!” you say as you leave. Jen says "no problem” to your back.
	You carefully reopen the door to the bedroom and see Lena and Val still on the bed where you left them. They fell back asleep, so you set the tray on a side table, and start gently nudging them back awake. "Lena? Val?" you say. Val and Lena open their eyes and stare blankly at you.
	"I've got breakfast in bed and some hangover remedy," you explain. "Wake up girls, you need this." 
	Val groggily says, "What are we doing?"
	Lena sits up and says, "Breakfast in bed!"
	"It's not much," you caution, then put a glass each of water and tea on each nightstand flanking the bed. Lena and Val are both sitting up, their torsos uncovered by the sheets. There's something pleasant, almost wholesome about this sort of casual nudity. Lena picks up her mug of tea, sniffs it, and coos with happy surprise. "It smells like berries!"
	Val and Lena each take a sip of their tea then swallow their pills. You place the tray with the breakfast bars between them, then sit on the edge of the bed next to Lena. "Eat up, and tell me how you feel after," you say.
	Val and Lena each pick up a breakfast bar and start shoving it into their mouths.
	"Good?" you ask, after they have finished.
	Val and Lena both nod and say "Yes!"
	They both grab their water and tea and eagerly begin drinking them.
	"Feeling better already," Val giggles.
	"Same," Lena concurs. With her free hand, she slaps her doughy tummy, "That said, everybody knows that the real cure for a hangover is to fill your gut with carbs, grease, and coffee."
	You can't help but smile. Val and Lena share a conspiratorial smile back.
	"Probably," Val agrees. "See, the trick is that you've gotta really pack it in. And it helps if you've got cute friends to egg you on."
	Lena gives Val an approving pat on the shoulder, "Damn right."
	You check your phone. Time is ticking past, and you don't want to make Jen wait.
	"You girls ready to get dressed?” you ask.
	"Definitely," Val says, then leans over to give Lena a kiss on the lips.
	Lena leans into Val briefly, then pulls away and chugs the remainder of her tea. Val swings her long legs out of the bed, then gets up and strolls to her bag, looking for something to wear. Lena slides out of bed too and stretches briefly. "I'll just take a second to freshen up," she says, then you watch her jiggle her way into the bathroom.
	Val has already found something to wear, and tosses you a look as she bends over to put it on. You smile and nod. It's a simple outfit, and honestly kind of messy, but none of you are going to be particularly well-dressed today. Val has pulled on a simple set of matching black underwear, a pair of dark purple elastic shorts, and her grey tanktop from yesterday. On the shirt is a small, flowing skull motif printed on it in a type of marbled beige and white.
	"Do I stink?" She asks with some concern. You lean in and bury your face between her breasts, then sniff playfully.
	"You smell good," you say simply.
	"God, you are a pervert," Val says with a laugh.
	"I had to be sure!” you reply with mock offense.
	The bathroom door opens and a nude Lena emerges. You pull away from Val, then she walks over to Lena. "Hey Lena," she says, "Can you give me a sniff test? I want to be sure I don't stink since I'm re-wearing this shirt."
	Lena squints at Val, then steps forward and gives her a long, lingering sniff. It takes her a moment to respond, but she seems satisfied with what she is smelling. "You smell good."
	With a laugh, Val says, "You sure?" then buries Lena's face into her chest. Lena squeaks then giggles, playfully nuzzling between Val's breasts.
	"Are you ready to go?" Val asks after releasing her.
	Lena steps back stretches while replaying, "Still need to pull on some clothes."
	"So that's a no!" Val giggles.
	"I'm gonna go freshen up for myself," she continues, then Val slips into the bathroom and latches the door behind her.
	You watch as Lena crouches down and retrieves something from her bag to wear. Her eyes land on the clothes resting in the bag and she mutters to herself, "I mean, I don't exactly have anything else, do I?"
	She bends down and looks them over. You watch as Lena steps into a plain pair of blue panties, then snugs them up around her wide butt. She then pulls on a grey sports bra, and slides on a lightweight short skirt. She finishes dressing by slipping on a wrinkled black tanktop. Your eyes are locked on Lena as she stands and turns around. Your heart begins to beat a little harder. "You look good," you say.
	"Meh," she sighs, "This outfit is messy but that's ok."
	You wave a hand over yourself and say, "I'm not exactly put together today." You then lightly pinch your ears and nose, and feeling a twinge of sunburn, you laugh, "And maybe I should have used some sunblock too, hah."
	Lena squints quickly at you, then gives a short laugh. She looks you up and down, then shakes her head.
	"Now I see it. It's not just your nose and ears that are crispy," she says.
	"I've had sunburns before, it's just a hazard of the summer," you reply.
	The bathroom door clicks and Val re-emerges. "What's going on?" She asks casually.
	Lena jumps in, "I was chiding Anon for letting himself get sunburned."
	"It's not that bad, especially considering how long we were out there." you reply.
	Val stands and leans on the doorframe. Her face curls into an odd smile, "Well we can't just let that go." Her eyes dart to Lena then back to you, "Lena and I are going to make sure you get plenty of aloe on all the red areas."
	Lena grins and says, "I will gladly help."
	You adjust your shorts, and the girls giggle. At that moment, you hear a gentle knocking on the door, and Jen's voice calling out, "Hey, you three ready to go eat?”
	"Yeah, we are," you call back to her.
	The door clicks open, and the girls all file out. Jen is dressed in a white tanktop, jean shorts, and a grey flannel long-sleeve shirt. Perhaps in deference to the limited clothing options of her friends, she has only trace makeup and sturdy sandals on her feet.
	"My car will fit us all," you offer.
	"Sure," says Jen.
	You lead the way out of the house and into the pleasant warmth of the late morning. It's a short walk to where you left your car yesterday, and you click the fob to unlock it. A moment later, you and the three girls hop in. You're driving, Val is up front, and Lena and Jen are sitting in the back.
	"To the diner," you say, then start the car.
	A chorus of relieved murmurs replies to your comment. The car rumbles to life and starts rolling forward.
	"You don't know how much I've been craving a big breakfast," says Jen.
	Val smiles and replies, "That's just what I was thinking too."
	Lena smiles and says, "We need the calories and grease to cure this hangover."
	Jen turns to look at Lena, "Well it's the patriotic season after all, right? And we have to do our duty as good citizens to keep our farmers in business!”
	Lena nods and says, "Yeah, that's part of it. You know how it goes."
	You ease your car onto the main road, then slide into the pleasant groove of the drive. The girls chit-chat a little, but you're busy focusing on the road. You work your way up and down a few small hills, then exit the highway and turn onto a smaller road. A couple minutes after that, you're pulling up to the very familiar metal-sided diner. You recognize Zoe's car in the parking lot as you and your friends proceed into the diner.
	The diner is warm and welcoming as you enter. The smell of fresh coffee greets you as soon as you step in, and the usual waitress gives your group a flirty smile as you enter. The waitress leads your group to a table in the back, where Zoe has already been waiting. She's sitting with a cup of coffee in her hand and a smile on her face. Zoe greets you enthusiastically, "Hey guys, how are you? There's plenty of seats, and Vicky is on her way."
	You pull out a trio of chairs as Jen goes around to sit next to Zoe. Lena and Val maneuver you between them, and sit on either side of you. A few minutes of idle chit-chat passes before Vicky arrives. She walks into the diner at a casual pace, and is smiling from ear to ear.
	"Hey guys!" She says excitedly. "I had a great time yesterday, and how lucky that we can kinda keep the good times rolling!"
	Lena smiles weakly as Vicky takes her seat and says, "Yeah, good vibes. Gonna be honest I'm not exactly feeling this whole chipper.... Thing right now."
	Vicky rolls her eyes as she settles in, "Aw, did you booze a little too much yesterday?"
	"Yeah, I did. Should be right as rain after some food though," Lena grumbles back.
	Val's rested her head on her hands and gives Vicky a mopey look too. "I'm hungry, and my head hurts," she says with a playful whine.
	Vicky shakes her head and smiles gently. "Okay, okay, Sorry, I didn't realize you two had it so bad."
	To the relief of all, the familiar face of the usual waitress appears, and the girls waste no time requesting their usual Big Boss Breakfasts. Jen puts in for a large crepe combo plate, while you stick with an average omelette combo. Coffees make their way to the table, and not a lot of small talk occurs before the food arrives. The waitress does her usual routine of delivering the brunches with cutsey flourishes, then trots away with swaying hips. Everybody at the table digs in eagerly.
	"This is always so good." Zoe says with a smile.
	Vicky comes back from first taking a few bites to say, "So, I'm in a good mood today because my company's designs finally got approved! The power banks are going to go into production!"
	Val, Jen, and Zoe look at Vicky with grins.
	"Hey, congratulations! I'd say that's pretty awesome for a project you and your team put together!" Val says with a laugh.
	Lena congratulates Vicky a beat too late, and you catch her putting her phone away. Her face remains impassive, but later in the meal you slyly text her, "Hey, what was that?"
	Lena sends back, "I heard back from my friend at the University. From her word, and I trust her, I'm 99 percent positive that we did in fact catch Brad cheating."
	You text back to Lena, "When should we tell Vicky?"
	Lena sends back, "I'd say it's better to tell her about it in private."
	"Good point." You reply.
	The rest of the meal passes in a flurry of bites. Zoe and Val's appetites characteristically heat up as the meal progresses, and additional helpings appear at their request. Said helpings also go into their bellies in short order. At one point, Zoe asks Val, "Hey, I just realized something. You've been seeing Dr Rohaz every Saturday, right?"
	Val confirms that she is indeed seeing Dr Rohaz on Saturday mornings, and Zoe points out that, "You and Anon were at the party basically all day yesterday. I'm just curious, did you skip?”
	Val holds up a finger, hastily chewing a bite of eggs. A few moments later, she explains, "Yeah, I've been pretty good about checking in with the good doctor, but I take the occasional break. This week we traded emails instead, she knew I wouldn't be visiting in person."
	Zoe nods her head. "That makes sense. So how long are you going to keep seeing her, anyway?"
	Val takes another bite of her eggs, then answers, "For as long as it takes. Probably even past when I'm well into blob-girl territory."
	Zoe smiles knowingly. She replies, "No worries. You've got your own life of course," and she narrows her eyes with a smirk, scanning your side of the table, "And I'm sure it's pretty fun having two lovers now."
	Val giggles, Lena blushes and says, "Well, we just started our relationship, so it's still quite new to us..."
	A little awkwardly, you gently rub Val's and Lena's shoulders simultaneously. Val giggles again.
	Zoe says to her friends, "Yeah, it's cool that two women can share a man," and Lena makes a wry face.
	Zoe concludes, "Well I think you can guess why I asked. I'm not getting any skinnier over here!" she chuckles at her own joke.
	Val replies, "The doctor is working on it. She has to get extra ethical clearance if I'm going to recruit people I know."
	Zoe nods, and responds, "That makes sense. I had to check. Gotta be sure you don't forget about us little chubsters once you become the blob goddess."
	Lena and Val both laugh heartily at this. Lena replies, "If you're getting turned on by our physical changes, you must be having fun with us."
	Val says to Lena, "Yes, I very much am."
	At that moment you realize something. Vicky has barely been contributing to the conversation. As soon as you realize this, you hear and feel a fist slamming onto the table. All eyes turn towards Vicky, who is glaring at her phone. She looks up with a shocked expression that turns to embarrassment. "Sorry," she says quietly.
	"Is everything ok?" you ask.
	"Yeah, it's fine. I just couldn't really sleep last night," she replies quietly.
	Lena replies, "Well, if you need a place to stay, we wouldn't mind."
	Vicky bites her lip as sadness wells in her eyes. She stalls for time by shoveling some pancakes into her mouth.
	"Vicky?" Lena says with concern.
	Vicky seems to get some composure back as she chews deliberately, then swallows repeatedly to clear her mouth. She takes a gulp of coffee, then a deep breath.
	"I had another fight with Brad. It was a bad one. No, he didn't hit me or anything. But I haven't been telling you guys the whole story."
	You can tell that she is choosing her words carefully.
	"Alright, Vicky. You know you can trust us," Val says calmly.
	A glimmer of a smile cracks Vicky's lips. She scans around the table, sighs again, and says, "Brad has been cheating on me. I've known for a while."
	"That's terrible," Val replies with a frown. Similar comments pop up from around the table.
	Vicky nods with no small amount of anger.
	"My apartment lease will be up in a few weeks. I'll kick him off when it's time to renew," she says.
	Vicky is putting on a stoic face but she's clearly seething under the surface.
	Her eyes dart towards Lena, "Hey Lena."
	Lena seems to shrink in her chair, "Did I do something wrong?" she says in a small voice.
	Vicky shakes her head, "No, you're fine. I know you were trying to do some spy work. Sandy at the University has been my mole too, they're why I know."
	"Oh," Lena says and visibly relaxes.
	Vicky continues, "I know you guys are trying to spare my feelings, but I know what I'm doing."
	"Are you sure?” Zoe asks, then continues, "If you need anything, we're all here for you."
	Vicky nods, "Thank you. It's really nice of you guys to say that."
	An awkward silence descends for an interminable time. It's broken when Val bites down on a strip of bacon, the crispy meat crunching abnormally loudly. Vicky bursts out laughing, and chuckles emerge around the table too. "I'm not trying to be a killjoy," Vicky says pleasantly, "But I wanted to clear the air since you guys were digging too. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm still starving, so don't pause the meal on my account."
	Mugs rise again and silverware scrapes, but a certain pall remains over the table. Jen looks past Zoe towards Vicky, "You're sure you'll be ok?"
	Vicky twirls a fork between her fingers, "Yeah, I'll be alright. Brad's not the first pig I've had to eject from my life."
	Jen nods, "Well, whatever you decide to do, we'll support you."
	"Thank you," Vicky says, a faint blush on her cheeks.
	The conversation turns towards lighter topics, and before long, you're feeling sated with your meal. The girls aren't done yet though, and Vicky in particular seems to be on an eating mission today. She added a milkshake and a greasy breakfast sandwich to her already large portion.
	"This is a really good breakfast," Vicky says around a mouthful of sandwich.
	Vicky moans in pleasure as her mouth wraps around her breakfast sandwich.
	Zoe raises an eyebrow and looks over at Vicky, "You're hitting it harder than usual today."
	Vicky swallows and wipes her mouth with a napkin, "Eh, call it backlogged stress eating. I'm just plain stupid hungry even after yesterday."
	Zoe shrugs her shoulders, "Understandable."
	"Don't mind me," Vicky says, pointing at herself with a fork as she eats.
	As a point of personal interest, you're pretty good at tracking how much your ladyfriends eat at their meals, even back in school. Most of the girls have plowed through a Big Boss Breakfast each, and then some, which you still can hardly imagine yourself eating. You notice something about Jen's portions and empty plates. You don't want to make a scene of it, but you're fairly confident that today Jen has eaten about the equivalent of a Big Boss Breakfast. You quietly marvel to yourself at how much your friends' appetites have grown, and you can't help but wonder if and when you'll get caught in the gluttonous crossfire.
	"What are you giggling about?" Vicky asks, pausing in her eating to look at you.
	You can't explain it.
	"Nothing, just a dumb joke that popped into my head," you lie convincingly.
	Jen is sitting in her chair with a distant look in her glazed eyes, clearly drifting in a happy food coma. Lena pokes you in the side and says, "I love dumb jokes, care to share it?"
	"W-well, uh," you stutter as you stall for time. Mercifully you think of something.
	"Alright," you say, and all eyes at the table are on you, "How do you titillate an ocelot?"
	Pause.
	"You oscillate its tits a lot!" You exclaim.
	A mixture of groans and giggles breaks out, and you smirk theatrically. Chats ebb to a low point as the last bits of food are eaten. Jen continues to sit heavily in her chair with her hands on her stuffed gut, huffing with obvious discomfort. She groans, "I'm gonna need a minute before I can walk," she then fetches a credit card and passes it to Val, saying, "Can you handle my ticket?"
	Val takes the card with a nod, then a moment later, the rest of you get up and file towards the cashier. As you're paying, you gently grab Lena's arm as she reaches into her purse, "I've got your meal," you say.
	"Are you sure?" she asks with a bemused smile.
	"We're dating, right? That means I should cover some of your expenses."
	"Oh, right," she replies in a small voice, a blush beginning to form.
	"I'll get the next one," Val says with a grin, then pays for her own meal, then Jen's as promised. Your group returns to the table, and Val helps Jen to her feet.
	"I could carry you, if you'd like," Val says to Jen in goofy voice.
	"No, it's fine," she answers with a weak chuckle.
	Val chuckles back, and supports the smaller woman on her way out of the diner. You take a few moments for some parting comments with your friends outside the diner, basking in the fresh air and the sounds of cars passing by. Vicky is a touch unsteady on her feet, a hand resting on her glutted stomach. Her face assumes an odd expression, then a moment later she unleashes a thunderous belch.
	"Oh my God! Excuse me!” she giggles with surprise, a hand darting to her mouth demurely.
	Everybody chuckles a bit. Zoe slaps her own chubby belly with both hands, saying, "Consider yourself excused. You feeling better?"
	"Oh, yeah," Vicky replies with a smile. Zoe nudges her shoulder, then turns to the rest of you, "Alright, I gotta get going. Until next time, bitches."
	Zoe and Vicky wave in farewell, then turn and head back towards their respective cars. You, Val, Lena, and Jen wave your friends off, then pile back into your car.
	"Back to your parents' place?” you ask Jen.
	"Yes, please," she groans, "I need to sleep this off."
	"I probably shouldn't leave my car at your folks' place, huh," Lena says to Jen.
	"Oh, it'll be fine. They're out of town for a few more days," Jen replies.
	Lena furrows her brow in thought then says with an easy smile, "Well I guess I can retrieve it whenever."
	The drive is pleasant on a quiet Sunday morning. Val's hand hardly leaves your thigh. Before long, the brickwork of Jen's parents' home rises before you and you ease your car to a stop.
	"Alright, I'll see you guys in a few days," Jen smiles. She opens the door and slowly gets out of your car, then practically waddles up to the door.
	A moment later, she disappears into the house. You and Val both turn towards Lena, and she asks meekly, "So.... Where to now?"
	You and Val share a look, before turning back to Lena.
	"How about back to my place?” Val purrs, "I've got a big bed, and we can sleep off this brunch. Or not..."
	Lena bites her lip, then says with a smile, "That sounds great. Let's get back to your place, then."
	Val giggles back, "You don't care that we're all a mess and in rumpled clothes?"
	Lena blushes, then replies, "No, because I don't think we're going to need clothes."
	Your pants suddenly get very tight. You quickly make your way back to Val's condo, and the three of you quickly pile out. Lena playfully grabs at Val's ass and yours as you walk.
	"When we get there, I want you both to strip," Val says to you and Lena.
	"Oooh, I think I like being bossed around," Lena says.
	"I just think it'll be fun," Val says with an impish smile.
	Soon after, you arrive in front of Val's front door. She digs out her keys from her purse, then opens the door for everybody. The three of you quickly kick off your shoes, and Lena suddenly gets up on tiptoes and kisses you. You don't resist, and instead kiss back. After a moment, you let go of Lena and she giggles, settling back down on her feet. You turn your head towards Val, who smiles at you.
	"Now I said you two need to strip. Get those clothes off and sit on the couch, before I do it by force," Val says with surprising authority.
	You and Lena both slowly peel your clothes off, blushing and giggling with excitement as you do so.
	You stop when you're down to your boxers, and Lena leaves her own underwear on. Val runs a finger over each of your backs and says, "That's not undressed."
	Lena shrugs, then shimmies out of her sports bra and panties. You drop your boxers with little fanfare, feeling a touch under-acted. Val is biting her lip and rubbing her crotch through her clothes. "Good," she purrs, "Now go sit on the couch. I'll be there in a minute with something nice."
	You and Lena both plop down on the couch, and with all the excitement in the air, you start kissing and caressing each other. "You're so soft,” you marvel as your fingers sink into Lena's chubby hips.
	"I know," Lena says with a vague smile. That's when Val comes back into the room with a tray. You and Lena halt exploring each other and look at the tray. There's a dish of fancy-looking chocolates, a trio of mugs, and a teapot emanating a trail of steam. A spicy, herbal aroma exudes from the teapot.
	"It's just regular tea," Val explains, then starts filling the mugs. "I've got stuff for some ...interesting brews, but I figure today we'll want to be sober."
	You and Lena both take a mug, and carefully sip the tea. Val really has a thing for good tea, and today's brew is especially good. Lemon-ey and floral, very pleasant. Val sets her own mug down, then starts removing her clothes with sensuous, slow motions. Lena's eyes bug out of her head, and you aren't surprised. You pat her thigh, "Yep, I know the feeling." She glances over and down at your erect cock with a lustful grin, then goes back to ogling Val. Val slides her panties off, then stands naked before you and Lena. She smirks and plays with a lock of her hair, "You seem distracted," she giggles.
	Val's height and strength makes her a naturally very intimidating person, but the added pounds have given her limbs and torso a touch of pleasing softness. The combination makes her seem both very sensual and very strong. "God, you're such a babe," Lena moans breathlessly. "I love your tits."
	Val starts to play with her breasts, then suddenly walks over, grabs Lena's hand and sets it on her cheek. She gives a mischievous smile, then leans in and kisses Lena. Their lips push together aggressively, and soon their hands are wandering all over each other.
	"So we're doing this, huh?" you ask, running a hand over Lena's thigh. Lena breaks away from Val and turns to you with a smile. She wraps a hand around the back of your head and pulls you in for a kiss. Val continues kissing and caressing Lena's other side.
	"I guess so," Val says, pulling back from Lena. She presses her lips to yours in a searing kiss, and you feel her tongue probe your mouth.
	You can't help yourself any longer. You let one of your hands explore its way to Lena's groin. You feel her labia and then gently run a finger through the moisture that is leaking from her pussy.
	"Fuck yes, right there!" Lena moans, leaning back and opening her legs.
	As you start gently fingering Lena, Val bends down as starts gently nibbling one of Lena's nipples. She caresses Lena's other breast as she teases her with her tongue, and you watch in awe as Lena's hips start to gyrate into your hand. "Oh god," Lena moans as you and Val tenderly pleasure her. You catch Val's eye, and you exchange devious looks. Val licks two of her fingers, getting them good and slick. You adjust your hand and slide two fingers into Lena's warm, eager folds.
	"Oooh, god yes," Lena moans, panting as she becomes more and more aroused. "You feel amazing, don't stop..."
	Val looks up at you with a warm smile. She takes her slicked-up fingers and reaches down to Lena's groin as well. Val expertly slides her way to Lena's clit, and Lena gasps with pleasure. Val starts expertly rubbing Lena's pussy, and you feel Lena start to quiver. "Your pussy is so nice..." Val purrs into Lena's ear.
	Lena is beyond words at this point, breathing and moaning as you and Val fill Lena's mind with ecstasy. After a few moments, Lena starts to shake with orgasmic spasms. She begins cumming on your fingers, and you feel her pussy convulse around them.
	You slide your fingers into Lena to the knuckles, in sync with her orgasmic movements. Val intensifies her stimulation on Lena's clit, and the two of you simultaneously nibble on Lena's nipples. Lena's eyes roll into the back of her head, and she arches her back, crying out wordlessly. After several seconds, she seemingly goes limp as her orgasm subsides. You and Val finally allow Lena to rest. Eventually, Lena slowly becomes aware of her surroundings again.
	"Whoa..." Lena breathes. "I think I'm a bit dizzy..."
	Val grins lecherously.
	"That was wonderful, but I'm not ready to stop yet," Lena says, her voice thick with desire. You and Val both look at Lena with lustful eyes, and Lena's eyes are almost visibly pleading.
	"Let's move this to the bedroom?" you suggest.
	Val helps Lena to a sitting position and says, "Both of you, finish your tea before we go upstairs. Also, Anon, I can trust you to handle the chocolates?"
	You nod, grabbing your own mug, and handing Lena hers. You drain the remaining tea in a quick gulp, and Lena does similarly. The three of you rise to your feet, and you pick up the bowl of chocolates. As you follow the girls, you sample one of the chocolate morsels. It is sweet without being overpowering, and you decide that you approve.
	Val plucks one of the chocolates as well, sensuously biting it in half with an appreciative moan.
	She then closes the door to her bedroom, and shepherds you and Lena onto the bed. Val takes the bowl from you and places it on her nightstand, then with arms wrapped around yourself and Lena, she pulls you all into the sheets. Val presses the two of you together, and she runs her hands over both of your bodies, kissing each of you in turn.
	You make yourself as comfortable as possible while laying on top of Val, and start making out with Lena. Her tongue is hot, and her lips are soft. You run a hand through her hair, and the other to squeeze her ass. Your hands move down her back, and you feel her body tense up with pleasure.
	"Anon..." Lena whispers, "I... I wanna feel your cock."
	You swallow, and you feel your cock twitch in reaction to her words. "Alright," you say, "How do you want to do this?”
	Lena pauses, and then you feel her hands on your cock. Her hand encircles it, and she starts stroking you. "Mmm... That's a nice dick," she says.
	Val whispers something into Lena's ear. Despite the proximity, you can't hear it. Lena smiles and nods vigorously in response and stops stroking your cock. Val pats your back and says, "Go ahead and lay back. Lena and I are gonna do something fun to you."
	You roll off of Val and settle onto your back. She shuffles around, but you lose track of Val as Lena rolls on top of you. Her body squishes against yours, and you sink into the soft mattress. Lena's lips desperately nip at your own, and her tongue invades deep into your mouth. Lena pulls back, and you feel her hands trailing down your chest. You feel her fingers on your nipples, and she gently rolls them. You can feel Lena's breath on your skin. A moment later, another set of hands cradles your chin and you're looking into Val's face. She kisses you and Lena caresses her way down your body, then Val says, "Just relax," and kisses you again. Lena's hand slides down the length of your shaft, and you feel her hot breath on your cock. Her hand reaches the base, and she wraps it around your cock.
	Val stops kissing you and asks, "Are you okay with this?"
	"Yeah," you mutter.
	Lena's warm mouth engulfs your cock and slides up and down it. Your brain feels like it's going to burst, and you almost come right there. Val firmly grasps your wrists and pins your hands above your head. You gasp in surprise. Val giggles in response and resumes kissing the side of your face. You look down and make eye contact with Lena. She seems to smile, then swallows your cock as deep as it will go, then bobs back up and licks the tip of your cock. Lena slowly slides up and down your cock, but you feel it go deeper each time. You can feel the underside of Lena's tongue at the bottom of your shaft, prodding at the sensitive skin. Lena's style isn't like Val's. She's genuinely enjoying having her mouth filled with your cock, and she's deep-throating you like it's second nature. You can feel the back of Lena's throat, and her tongue is constantly licking at the underside of your shaft.
	Val leans closer and presses her lips to yours. She starts kissing, passionately and with vigor. You feel your cock pulsating more and more intensely, and you know you can't last much longer. Lena must have noticed too, because she tries something different. She starts applying some kind of rhythmic suction with her mouth and tongue, and it feels so good you're gasping for breath. Your eyes roll back into your head, Val clamps her mouth over yours and forces her tongue in. Lena continues to mercilessly suck on you and you can hold back no longer. You gasp and let loose a load of thick cum deep inside Lena's throat. She noisily gulps it down and hums with pleasure.
	Lena keeps sucking your cock, and continues to slide up and down it even after you're done cumming. You feel super-sensitive, but Lena seems to enjoy it that way. Your cock throbs in her mouth, and you feel like it might never stop. Val hugs you tighter and kisses you. She pulls back and looks at you with a smile on her face. Lena only relents when you finally stop writhing in pleasure, coming up off of your cock with a wet slurp and a lusty smile. She takes her hands and draws them to your stomach while still keeping eye contact with you. Val moves in close, and you feel her warm breath on your neck.
	"That was... Amazing..." You pant.
	"Not so bad for your first threesome, huh?" Lena purrs.
	"I... I never really thought about doing this before... But I can't believe how good you two feel!" You blurt.
	Val giggles warmly, then looks down to Lena.
	Lena returns her gaze and says, "You still need to cum, tall stuff."
	Val bites her lip and replies, "What are you thinking of, Lena?”
	Lena chews her lip as well for a moment, then replies, "Val, I think I'd like you to scissor me."
	Val's jaw drops, and she looks between you for confirmation. You nod in agreement, and Lena takes that as permission to move forward. Val regains her composure with a gentle but firm smile towards Lena, "That sounds really hot, but I've never done that with a girl before. Actually... Everything I'm doing with you is a first with a girl."
	Lena blushes and bites her lip, "On second thought, maybe we don't have to jump to that... You're just so strong and confident, I figured you knew what to do..."
	Val laughs warmly, "It's honestly mostly an act," she leans forward and kisses Lena deeply. After a few moments, Val pulls back and says, "But how about we try mutual oral maybe? I think you're a good height for that if you lay on me."
	Lena giggles, then says, "Alright, but you have to be gentle on me."
	Val nods and purrs, "However you want it, babe," then lies down on her back. She places a fluffy pillow under her head and shoulders.
	She signals to Lena, "Alright, now straddle me and slowly lower yourself onto my face."
	Lena blushes and giggles softly, then slowly climbs on top of Val. She places her knees at either side of Val's head.
	Val nods encouragingly, a bit muffled by Lena's thighs and hips, "Don't worry about squishing me, but try to mainly put your weight on my torso and your arms. I can shift you around if I need to."
	The sight of Lena's soft self kneeling gingerly over Val's face is truly a sight to behold. Lena's face is a blend of concentration and excitement, and she carefully leans forward on top of Val. Val's hands are already digging eagerly into Lena's hips, and Lena's panting breath indicates that Val's tongue is already pleasuring Lena's sex. Lena whimpers and groans, then leans forward just a bit further.
	She's now basically flat on Val, and Lena cranes her head forward just a bit to reach Val's pussy with her tongue. The combined moans coming from the two of your girlfriends is intoxicating. Val's hands are currently running up and down Lena's legs, delighting in the smooth texture of their skin. Lena is taking her time exploring and caressing Val's sex. Her tongue slides lovingly into every fold, and she kisses and sucks at Val's clit.
	Val is struggling to stay in control of her moans, as Lena's tongue is taking over her body. Both women are writhing and pressing into each other, and you can only imagine how good they must feel. Lena slides a finger into Val's pussy, and Val shudders. Lena increases the intensity of both her licking and finger-fucking, and Val's moans get louder and more desperate. Lena's own moans are becoming more strained as she feels Val's sex rapidly approaching orgasm. By now, Val has begun rhythmically pressing her hips into the air, and Lena is doing her best to keep up. She slides a second finger into Val, and Val's muffled moans reach a pitch you know well. Lena's own moans are now absolutely breathless, and she is doing her best to keep up with Val. 
	Val goes over the edge first. A final desperate gasp heralds her whole body stiffening and her back arching hard. She relents from eating Lena's pussy to throw her head back in rapture, and she grips her fingers deeply into Lena's squishy ass. Lena herself seems to be right on the edge when Val finally comes down a bit. Val takes a few quick breaths then dives right back into Lena's pussy. Lena's eyes roll back and she gasps in delighted surprise, unprepared for the intensity of Val's return to action. Lena and Val both press hard into each other, writhing and moaning continuously. Lena's whole body is beginning to shake and convulse, and it is clear that she is approaching her orgasm as well.
	Suddenly, Lena holds her head low and grinds her hips hard into Val's face. Lena squeezes her eyes shut and grits her teeth, before her whole body shudders repeatedly and cries of ecstasy push through her mouth. Lena is finally spent, and the twitches and moans eventually peter out. A sudden final aftershock is explained by a muffled chuckle from Val between Lena's thighs, and the woman on top finally pants, "No more..."
	For a moment, Lena lays on Val in an exhausted, contented heap. She idly strokes Val's thigh, and Val returns the gesture. Eventually, Lena heaves herself back up to a kneeling position, carefully rolls herself off of Val, and crawls around to face the same way as her partner. Lena and Val look into each other's eyes for a long moment, before Lena leans forward and kisses Val on the lips. They giggle, and Val strokes Lena's hair.
	"Did I do a good job?" Lena asks quietly. 
	"Yeah," Val replies in a whisper.
	"I'm so happy we did this," Lena whispers back. 
	"Me too," Val replies again, leaning forward to kiss Lena again.
	"I was so nervous about finally getting with a girl," Lena admits, still whispering, "and you no less. But today just felt... Good. Thank you."
	Lena lays on Val for another long spell, both of them taking in the moment.
	"I'm glad you feel that way," Val replies, "You're so pretty... I've been crushing on you for a long time, you know."
	Lena blushes, and kisses Val once again. Val continues while caressing Lena's curves, "I couldn't imagine sharing this moment with anybody else..."
	She cranes her head to look back at you with a grin, "I hope we put on a good show for you!”
	"I had a great view. You two clearly had a lot of fun," you reply, smiling back at them both. Lena raises an eyebrow in surprise and gives you a small smile and a giggle. You crawl over to Val and Lena, and join the cuddle puddle by gently sandwiching Lena against Val. You tilt your head and say to both girls, "I wanted to thank you properly for including me in such a special moment."
	Val wraps her arms around you and smiles. You feel Lena's cheek press into yours as she smiles too. Lena says, "We're a polycule, right? This is exactly the sort of thing we should be sharing."
	You reply, "I don't think we should worry about what we quote should be doing. We should just do what feels right."
	Val and Lena both nod and murmur assent. You then lick Lena's earlobe, eliciting a giggle, then continue, "All of this," pausing a beat for emphasis, "Feels right. And I think it's a great sign that we feel so natural about fucking each other and in front of each other."
	Val beams at this and kisses Lena yet again. Lena closes her eyes and hums contently, gently gyrating her butt into you. "You're making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside," Val whispers.
	Lena nuzzles into the crook of Val's neck, and you can barely hear her whisper, "They say that affection isn't zero sum if you do it right. The more you give, the more you can get back."
	Lena sniffs, and shudders with a quick sob. Val reaches to stroke her hair, and gives you a concerned look. Lena stays pressed into Val and continues, "I'm just.... Happy. I know this is new for all of us, and here the two of you are, treating me like a princess. It should be weird... We've been friends for so long, but crossing into intimacy so fast... I don't think I've ever felt so accepted and understood."
	Val nods, looks down, then says, "We don't want you to feel like we're rushing...."
	Lena interrupts with a smile, and says with a laugh, "Val, I can still taste your juices on my face. I think we're well past worrying about rushing."
	Val chuckles warmly, and kisses Lena on the cheek.
	You say to Lena, "Are you alright?"
	Lena shyly nods, and then says with a blush, "I'm fine, really. Just... Can we just lay like this and cuddle for a while?"
	Lena sounds shy, but you can tell she's happy about the idea. Val also looks to be feeling a similar kind of contentment as well. Something about Lena's body language suggests she's holding something back, but you decide not to pry. You, Val, and Lena simply lay in each other's arms for a while. Eventually Lena stirs and starts squirming a bit. She says, "You both feel wonderful but I'm getting a little too warm."
	You and Val release Lena and scoot back a bit, and Lena rolls onto her back with a grateful sigh. "Thanks guys," she says, "Remember I'm chubbier than either of you, so I warm up easily."
	You and Val both smile in response. Lena stares thoughtfully at the ceiling, idly pinching her skin and fingering her belly button. Lena blurts out, "I was struggling with my sexuality for a long time, you know."
	You and Val look at Lena with surprise, then look at each other. Lena continues, "My family isn't out-and-out bigots, but I definitely never got the feeling that they'd be happy if I had come out when I was younger."
	Lena rests her hands on her tummy with a soft plap, "One of my uncles came out as gay shortly before my grandpa died. Executing grandpa's will was really fucking messy. I'll spare you the details for now, but that uncle did some really shitty things around that time."
	Lena's eyes wander around the bedroom, and you see her absently pet her belly. She turns to you and Val in turn, "In this day and age, people know better than to judge each other for things like sexuality. But when emotions are high, especially with grief in the mix, it's not hard for wires to get crossed. My uncle is a shithead who happens to be gay, but those facts were mentioned in the same breath frequently enough that they became linked."
	Lena lays her head back on a pillow and lets her face darken. Quietly, she continues, "I think I've always liked girls. But my uncle's behavior tore the family apart. A grudge against him turned into a grudge against gay people in general, and fed more than a bit of self-hatred and denial for me."
	Lena puts her hand over her face, rubbing it into her eyes. She leaves it there as her breathing becomes a little ragged.
	Val is the first to speak, "My God, Lena, that's horrible!”
	Lena's voice is husky as she replies, "Yeah, it is..."
	You finally speak up, "Have you ever told anybody else about this?"
	Lena's voice is tight, and tears begin to run down her cheeks, "No... Never..."
	You gently grip her shoulder, "I don't know what to say."
	Lena replies, "You don't have to say anything... Just listening is good enough for me..."
	Val takes Lena's free hand and intertwines their fingers together. Lena looks at the two of you with tears still streaming down her face, "Jesus, I'm such a mess... I'm sorry guys..."
	Val gently shakes Lena's arm, "Hey. Lena, baby. You're not alone. You've never been alone."
	You rub Lena's shoulder, "Lena, we're here for more than just sex. Intimacy means sharing our struggles. We're stronger together, and Val and I want you to be happy."
	Lena sniffles for a bit then wipes the tears from her face.
	She smiles warmly at you, then Val. It's a smile that radiates trust and affection, even under the tears.
	"Thank you. Both of you..." She says in a small voice, "I think I need a tissue right now though."
	You roll over, then pluck a few tissues from a box on the nightstand and hand them to Lena. She blows her nose with as much grace as she can manage, which isn't a lot given the circumstances. The tension gathered in the room dissipates as Lena exhales and lays back. She closes her eyes and breathes with a relaxed smile. "Could I get some of those chocolates?" she asks.
	Val reaches over and picks up the bowl you brought in a while back. "These should do it," she grins, then sets the bowl on Lena's tummy. Lena moves her hand down to the bowl, then takes a chocolate in her fingers. She moves it around her fingers a bit before finally popping it into her mouth and closing her eyes.
	"Mmm."
	Lena swallows the confection, then selects another one from the bowl. She rolls the caramel-filled ball around in her fingers as she says, "I've always loved sweets too. Started stress eating back in school, and I'm honestly surprised it took this long for it to really start sticking to me."
	Lena moves her hand back to the bowl, and plucks out a third chocolate. A little bit larger than the last, it's the kind that's meant to be chewed. "Eh, whatever," she says dismissively to nobody in particular, "I like my treats too much to stop, and I like knowing that people are ogling my big butt."
	Val and you both chuckle. Lena takes a few more chocolates from the bowl, then leans back into the pillows to enjoy them. She closes her eyes and says, "I definitely noticed how much more attention I got once I stated getting kinda thick. I wasn't out to actively gain a ton of weight, but I like food, and added chub makes me more desirable, so why fight it, right?"
	The way she says this makes it seem like such a simple choice to make, but the logic is hitting you at an odd angle. You ask, "Are you sure you're alright, Lena?"
	She keeps her eyes closed and he head reclined when she replies, "Honestly, only sort of. I think I've got a lot to work through..."
	She bites roughly into a creme-filled bonbon, and the insolent candy squirts a blob of creme onto her cheek. Lena curses and moves to wipe it off, but you intervene, saying, "I've got this," and lick it off with a giggle. You give her a wink, and she lets out a little laugh.
	Her face falls again and she harrumphs, "It seems like every girl on this town that's into girls, me included, has more baggage than an airport..."
	Val shifts a little and taps Lena on her shoulder. Lena opens her eyes and turns to face Val with a "hm?"
	Val giggles and says, "I like to think I'm at least one who doesn't. Have a ton of baggage, that is."
	Lena tries to keep her expression neutral, though she can't help but smile. Val elaborates, "Ok, fine, I did have a hangup about deliberately getting fat,"
	"I remember," Lena replies with a grin.
	Val continues, "And I remember it was you who convinced me how fun it is to pig out at the buffet," punctuating her statement with a playful poke of Lena's tummy.
	Lena laughs and lifts her arms up to playfully swat Val's arm.
	Val chuckles and continues, "Then I ensnared Anon, and he's been supporting me on my expansion journey ever since."
	You shoot Val a goofy grin and give a thumbs-up.
	Val blows you a kiss then turns back to Lena, "Back in the old country, people kinda don't care about orientation. Which is kind of weird for Eastern Europe, but it's been like that for a long time."
	Lena nods and gives a "huh."
	Val playfully nabs a chocolate out of the bowl and pops it into her mouth before adding, "My folks inherited that sort of thinking, so I guess I was lucky to not ever really have to feel bad about my orientation."
	Lena replies, "Color me a little jealous, but I'm glad that was easy for you. Really."
	Val nods and says with a laugh, "It was that Darkwylde music video for 'Midnight Feast'. That was the moment I knew I liked girls."
	Lena raises her eyebrows and says, "I remember that one. It was..." she pauses, and she looks perplexed for a moment.
	Val leans in close and says, "It was what?"
	Lena bites her lip, and you smirk as you recall the titillating music video as well. She finally says, "It was probably a moment of awakening for a lot of young folks. God she was so hot in that video."
	Val nods and a hint of blush blooms on her cheeks. She says, "Yeah. Unf, I'm getting warmed up again just thinking about it. And to think that Darkwylde has packed on almost another two hundred pounds since then!"
	Lena laughs, "Yeah, and every ounce of her chunky goth self is downright delectable!"
	Val grins, hunger in her eyes, and she replies, "You know who else is delectable?”
	You immediately feel your cheeks flush as she looks at you, and Lena gives you a bemused look.
	You ask Val, "Are you ready to go again?"
	Val's face flattens, and she says, "Well.... Maybe. How are you feeling, Lena?"
	Lena looks down, "Honestly guys, my little pity-party kinda killed my vibe. Sorry..."
	You both look at her with concern. She faces you and says, "I'm sorry, I know... My reach exceeded my.... Libido?”
	You take Lena's hand reassuringly, "It's alright. We'll have lots of time to explore each other."
	Val rests a hand on Lena's thigh, "I was enjoying just chilling honestly. My sex drive can basically be switched on or off, so don't feel like you're denying me or anything."
	Lena smiles, "Well, as long as you both are ok taking a break, I'm ok with it."
	Val sit up and says, "On to practical matters then, we should probably get cleaned up a bit."
	Lena mutters an agreement, then says, "Hey Anon, could you retrieve my clothes? I'm getting a little cold."
	You nod and answer, "Yeah, no problem."
	You swing your legs over the bed and start back to the foyer, and you hear Val roll out of bed shortly after. You reach the foyer, then take a moment to collect your discarded clothes. You feel strange for a moment to be handling Lena's clothes as well, but you get over it. Your phone buzzes in your unworn shorts, so you fish it out and look. 
	You see a message from a work group chat. It's part of a running conversation, so you mute the exchange and return your phone.
	You gather your clothes and Lena's as neatly as you can, then head back to Val's bedroom. Some light chatter between Val and Lena greets you as you return. You set Lena's clothes on the bed, and pull on your own boxers. Lena dons her underwear again, and says as she does, "Thanks Anon. Val and I were just discussing fatty porn stars."
	You cock your head, "What?"
	"Big fat girls in porn," Val says with a giggle, "I was just telling Lena that one of my favorites is a woman named Honey Cruz. She's like... triple your size, or more. She's a bit older than us too, like in her late thirties or early forties."
	You pull out your phone and decide to pull up some pictures of Honey Cruz. You can see why Val likes her. She's huge, in every picture you can find. 
	Honey has long, flowing black hair, warm amber eyes, and a smile that's equal parts sweetness and lust. Every bit of her looks squishy and soft, and she carries her massive weight very pleasingly in oversized plush curves. A fleshy double chin frames her face and pulls the eye down to her pendulous round tits, which in this picture are supported by a flabby tattooed arm. Her belly hangs like a blubbery waterfall, bearing a deep bellybutton and covering her sex. You estimate that Honey's hips might not fit through some doors, and her thighs are thicker than your waist. True to her name, Honey's skin is a rich sepia color, and bears some stretch marks and a lot of cellulite. For a woman who's billed as a "Supersized MILF", the effect only adds to her allure. 
	"She's beautiful," Lena says with a sigh, "I can only dream of having her figure. She's like the stereotypical knockout curvy lady, but wider."
	You scroll through a couple more pictures and find an animation of Honey Cruz being fucked doggy-style while eating cake. You laugh with surprise and turn your phone to show Val and Lena.
	"Ooh, I wouldn't mind seeing more of that," Lena says, "I can only imagine the lays that she's had."
	"She's one of the top plus-size stars in the industry, so it's been a lot," Val replies.
	You add, "This would be TMI any other time, but Val and I have watched several of her scenes together."
	"Oh?” Lena's cocks an interested eyebrow.
	Val giggles, "Yep! She's really sexy. Maybe that's something we can try together," she adds, shooting Lena a sleazy look.
	Lena leans against Val's shoulder and giggles back, "Mmm, that does sound fun, just not today, alright?”
	Val pecks Lena on the forehead and replies, "Not a problem at all, Lena. So I see my favorite fantasy girl gets the seal of approval, but who do you like?"
	"I'm not sure, I mean there are so many!" Lena says.
	"Well, just pick one. Maybe the first one who pops into your mind," Val says gently.
	Lena looks at you for help, "Is Val always like this?”
	You shrug, "Mostly, yeah. And you know this is a judgment-free zone."
	Lena sighs, then thinks for a second, "Alright. I think I'd say my favorite fat porn star would be... Aria Noire."
	You pause, trying to remember the names of any girl that you've seen in films.
	"Why Aria?" You ask.
	Lena blushes and bites her lip, but manages to whisper an explanation, "She's really good with her voice, and she does a lot of videos where she tells the viewer to do kinky things to themselves while masturbating."
	"I see," you say.
	Val raises an eyebrow, "Did... did that actually work for you?"
	Lena smiles and nods,
	"I did tell you I like being bossed around."
	Val smirks and rubs Lena's thigh. 
	You search for pictures of Aria Noire and find quite a few. She's not nearly as heavy as Honey Cruz, but nobody will confuse her with a skinny girl.
	Almost every picture you find of Aria has her wearing dominatrix gear, and you find a particularly spicy picture that shows off her fat body.
	Her hair is dyed stark white, and her face is fairly sharp despite her weight, with particularly high cheekbones. Notably, her eyes are different colors, one brown, one green. Her expression is something resembling a smug sneer, and there's a palpable force of personality even in this static image. This picture has Aria wearing an outfit that is little more than thin leather strips tightly wrapped around her body, squishing deeply into her fat. Aria is still deep into obese territory, and chub bulges everywhere her fetishy outfit clings to her. Aria's breasts are easily her most obvious feature, huge and round, and straining heavily against the leather strips on her chest.
	Aria's hips aren't particularly curvy, but you can tell she has a plump ass from this angle. Her belly folds in on itself, creating a characteristic "double belly", naturally with a leather strip cinched tightly into the deep midriff fat roll. Her chubby legs are crammed into thigh-high leather boots that end in sturdy but long heels. In general, the skin you can see is a creamy smooth pale Ivory, with nary a hint of cellulite or stretchmarks. You estimate Aria to be in her early twenties, and that she was probably fat all her life.
	"Is this her?" you say as you turn the phone to show Lena and Val the picture.
	"Yeah, that's her," Lena replies.
	Val stares at the picture, "How did I not know about her?"
	Lena giggles and strokes Val's arm. Val breathes, "I think I want her to step on me."
	"That would hurt a lot with those heels," Lena says patiently to Val.
	Suddenly Val seems to snap out of some sort of spell and looks between you and Lena.
	"Did I say something weird?" she asks.
	"No, of course not." You try to reassure her, though she still looks unnerved.
	Val looks back at the picture, "You've got good taste, Lena."
	Val's and Lena's eyes turn towards you as your turn inevitably comes up.
	"Okay Anon, you know what the question's gonna be. Favorite fatty porn star, go!"
	You think for a moment, remembering the various stars you've enjoyed over the years. Then you redden a little as one name stands out above the others.
	"You're gonna think I'm such a degenerate," you mutter.
	"No judgment, I promise," Val says.
	"Same here, Anon, you can trust us," adds Lena.
	"Alright," you take a breath, and say, "My number one of all time is gonna have to be Barbie Blob."
	"Oh my God, I love that bitch," Val laughs.
	"Well what's so amazing about her?" asks Lena.
	You explain, "Well, pull up a picture from when she was at her heaviest. First thing is that she was really fucking big. I'm talking no less than eight hundred pounds of blubber and sexiness."
	"Holy fuck!" gasps Lena.
	"Right? She used to be a major powerlifter, then she just ballooned like crazy. She was strong enough that she could still walk and stuff, but she was also pretty short so she was just basically a total butterball."
	"That is fucking amazing," Lena says.
	You continue, "There was also just a certain girl-next-door charm about her, and she was always really cheerful. Barbie Blob never signed with any of the big porn companies and always produced her own stuff. Whether she was gorging on a ton of junk food or getting railed, she always genuinely seemed to be having a good time."
	"I'll have to check her stuff out," Lena says.
	You shoot Lena an impish grin, and look for a good sample picture of Barbie Blob.
	"Alright, so here she is," you say, "Check out this picture, she's in it chugging a gallon of a special high-calorie milkshake."
	Val and Lena look over the picture.
	In the picture, Barbie Blob is sitting on a couch. Her belly immediately draws the eye, it's a massive pancake of doughy fat that fills her entire lap and hangs between her thighs. Barbie's legs are enormous, so soft and blubbery they spread out, making her hips even wider as she sits. She admittedly doesn't have the best fat-girl rack you've ever seen, the sheer weight and size of her breasts flattening them out somewhat. Barbie's arms are also enormous, a flabby upper arm bigger than a ham tapering to a forearm with a thick crease at the wrist. For this picture, one of her chubby hands is wrapped around a plastic tube, which is connected to a jug of creamy liquid bolted to a wall. The angle doesn't show off her face very well, and you make a note to find another picture to show off.
	"She's a lot prettier than I thought she would be," Lena says.
	"Let me find a shot that shows off her face and hair a little better," you say. You scroll through Barbie Blob's content archive and find a decent profile picture for the supersized porn star.
	In the photo, she's holding a half-eaten donut next to her face, which bears a huge toothy grin. Her pale blue eyes sparkle with a sort of inner light, and some heavy eyeliner makes her eyes even more striking. A cute little button nose sits happily between her eyes, one side decorated with a red gemstone stud piercing. Her honey-blonde hair is gathered into a ponytail, with red-dyed bangs loose to frame her face. Barbie Blob's face is round, just like the rest of her, with beyond-full and plump cheeks transitioning smoothly to a massive double chin. The chub accumulated under her face makes her neck look shortened, but it mainly enhances the joyful softness and apparent fun of her overall demeanor.
	"Much better. See? There's just something about her," you say.
	"You really are such a sucker for blondes," Val teases, "Though it's going to be a long time before I can get that round."
	"I like what I see," Lena says, "I don't know if we should assign winners, but maybe we learned something about each other today?"
	"Oh, definitely," Val agrees.
	Lena rubs her chin then adds, "Hey, whatever happened to Barbie Blob? You kept using the past tense, which makes me worried."
	"Oh!" You exclaim, then explain, "She actually wasn't active for very long, and retired a few years back. Rumors say she lost some weight, but is still fat as hell, and she's basically just living her life now."
	"Ah, that's too bad. Guess I'm a sucker for blondes too," Lena smiles.
	A spell of awkward silence descends. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

24 – Game On

	Val pipes up, "So.... We've still got a decent amount of the day left, what do we want to do?"
	You and Lena look at each other, then both shrug.
	"I don't know," you say in unison.
	"Exactly! That's the problem," Val laughs.
	"Well...." Lena rests her chin between her fingers, then she brightens with excitement.
	"I remember you guys were pretty big into that dungeon crawl video game, right?" Lena asks.
	 You and Val exchange excited looks, and you say, "Yeah! We haven't played in a while, but it's really fun."
	"So.... Does it support a third player?”
	"Yeah, it does." You grin.
	"Perfect! I always wanted to try it," Lena beams, "But I was always kind of weirdly nervous about playing by myself. RPGs always intimidate me a bit with all the stats and builds and items and stuff."
	You get up from the bed, and Val and Lena both roll to their feet. Val wraps an arm around Lena's hip and says, "Well don't be, you won't be playing alone, and we'll get you up to speed with the game!"
	The three of you walk out of the room and descend down the stairs. You turn on the console and the TV, and Lena and Val sit on the couch as you do so. They leave a spot between them on the couch, and pat it with smiles as you approach. You sit down, with them on either side, and the console promptly boots up.
	A moment later, you feel dumb after realizing that nobody has their controllers. You get up to retrieve them for the girls, but decide first to ask, "Hey, anybody want any snacks or drinks?"
	"Yeah, can you get me some chocolate milk?" Val asks.
	"Just water for me," Lena says.
	You nod, and dip into the kitchen to fetch the drinks. You also pour yourself some cold water. A moment later, you return to the living room and place the drinks on the center table, then grab a trio of controllers and hand them out. As you return to your spot between the girls, Lena speaks up, "Fair warning, I'm probably going to be really bad. I haven't played 'real' videogames in years, it's only been mobile and crappy little web games since college."
	"You're a smart girl, you'll figure it out," Val reassures her. "These games aren't as complex as they look."
	You laugh, "Hey, if worse comes to worse, Val and I can just play while massively stoned. Should keep us even."
	Lena purses her lips and mutters, "Glad you're so convinced I'm automatically gonna suck..."
	You turn to look at her, "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way. It's supposed to be co-operative, and for fun."
	Val jabs you in the ribs with a finger and you stifle a yelp. Lena snickers and cracks a smile, "Well what if I want to play while hella high?"
	Val looks around you at Lena, "Then we're all getting blitzed. It's only fair."
	Lena giggles a bit and replies, "Maybe for a future session, but not today. I should give my system a break after yesterday."
	"Alright," Val says, "Are we ready to get started?"
	"Yeah!" Lena exclaims.
	Val hits a button on her controller, and the game boots up in a few seconds. Soon, you're looking at the character creation screen, and Lena is deciding what class to play as.
	You explain, "Val's playing a warrior, and I'm playing as a mage. Don't worry about picking something 'optimal', just find something that sounds fun!"
	Lena scrolls through the various class options, apparently struggling to decide. Val offers, "Lena, what sort of style sounds fun to you?”
	She replies, "I'm not sure..."
	Her eyes light up as she reads something on the screen. You turn to read the class description that grabbed Lena's attention. "The summoner," she says with an air of excitement.
	"Yeah? You're liking that class?" Val asks with a smile.
	"I think so," Lena replies.
	"Lots of health, which I'm probably gonna need, and apparently the various things I can summon will be useful in and out of combat."
	"Sounds good to me," you say, "Having a swiss army knife character would be really helpful."
	Lena smiles at you and proceeds to the character customization. Out of courtesy she sticks with some preset options, and you mention she can change her look later. Lena's character winds up looking like a mischievous tomboy with cat ears, and she's grinning as you all start the game proper. Lena opts to go through a quick tutorial level to learn the basics.
	She fumbles with the controller a bit, but after a few minutes she's got it figured out. A robed mentor character guides her through the basic skills for her character. By the end of the simple tutorial cave, Lena is passably juggling her various minion spirits for attacking and defending.
	She smiles proudly. "I think I'm getting it," she says with a grin. "I'm putting my manager skills to use with all my little critters, ha!”
	"Nice, glad you're having fun," you say back.
	Lena leans forward as Val says, "Ready to join up with us in the main game?”
	"Sure!" she says, leaning back.
	Val adds, "Oh, and don't worry about being lower level. We've got a game setting that will give you a boost until you catch up."
	"Great!" Lena says, taking a sip of her water. You log in as your mage, and Val logs in as her warrior.
	It's been a little while since you last played, and you're slightly surprised to see your characters appear in an acid-scarred wasteland of black stone.
	"Oh right," Val exclaims, "The last level we played was the Acid Crags."
	She pauses for a moment, before looking at the map. "Right, I think we should head East from here to the ruins of Gnome's Home."
	You agree, "Yeah, that sounds like a plan. We can regroup there, and get Lena's character some gear."
	You all start walking along the road. While you're re-exploring the old areas, you don't encounter too much trouble. 
	Eventually, you reach the outskirts of Gnome's Home. Much of the city is rubble, but a few tenacious shanty towns have sprung up. Your party heads towards the district with the best markets, such as they are. Although the roads are lined with tents and shacks, you don't run into much trouble as the guards seem to have everything in hand. The low level of Lena's summoner means that she isn't strong enough to use a lot of equipment, but after a little shopping, you've found some trinkets to boost her stats. In particular, you buy her a high-quality arcane crystal that imbues most of her powers with random extra effects.
	Lena grins with excitement as her character stats surge with every new item. With the boring work finally done, you press some buttons, and your mage opens a portal. Your party steps through, and finds themselves near a ruined fortress. An eerie glow emanates from within.
	"This is it," you say.
	"But what is it?" Lena asks. "A ruin, a fortress...a tomb?"
	You shrug, "All of those things at once."
	Val takes the lead as you approach the entrance, and adds, "More importantly, it's out quest objective. We need to get in there, and take out whatever monsters we find."
	"Let's get to it, then," you say.
	You make your way into the fortress, and immediately you're assailed by the stench of death and the howls of beasts. You work your way to a defensible room and prepare as best you can. Lena conjures a protector spirit, you begin readying a litany of spells including a force barrier, and Val simply activates her warrior's battle trance.
	The door is destroyed in a moment, and six abominations enter. A ghoul-lord and some skeletal warriors. Three wear the armor of knights, and the others, little more than rags. Val's warrior charges forward to meet the creatures. Lena summons a host of spectral hands to grab at the monsters, and you start hurling a barrage of enchanted icicles. The skeletal warriors prove to be little trouble, as their brittle bones break beneath your spells. The knights prove to be a challenge, however. Their armor absorbs most of the blunt force trauma from your ice bolts, and when Val lands a few glancing hits, they simply increase their speed to keep up, or worse, become intangible to dodge her attacks.
	You try a new tactic. You step in front of Lena and begin channeling a surge of radiant energy. A moment later, you unleash the power into a searing beam, sweeping it across the room. You smirk as the beam passes harmlessly though Val's character, as you recall her immunity to friendly-fire. The undead, however, are not so lucky. Your spell outright incinerates one of the undead knights, and horribly damages another by burning off its leg and setting it ablaze.
	The ghoul-lord keeps his shield in the path of your beam and is managing to parry Val's attacks with his rusted blade. Unfortunately for him, Lena conjures another mass of spectral hands that grab at the monster all over and pin it in place. It struggles to move, but the mass of ghostly hands wrestle it still, and the ghoul-lord's movements are restricted. Val calmly steps forward, raises her broadsword above her head, then cleaves the ghoul-lord from the skull down. The force of the blow shatters the ghoul-lord's skull, killing it instantly. But more enemies arrive, these ones a little more capable than the last.
	It's another squad of skeletal knights, and you catch the unmistakable glimmer of a spellcasting lich in the distance. Lena's character has leveled up several times from this fight, and she ducks into a corner to quickly assign stat points and pick some new skills. "I just need a second!" Lena says nervously as she feverishly works the controller.
	You and Val nod at each other, and assume a posture to cover Lena as she updates her character. Val begins cutting down the low-tier fodder monsters that charge forward, and you keep a force shield up, anticipating a deadly spell from the lich sorcerer in the back line. Sure enough, you see a surge of sick purple energy, and you barely manage to deflect a death ray.  A moment later, a horde of cackling imps rushes past you and Val, tearing into the undead army.
	"I picked up a new skill," Lena giggles.
	"Nice," you reply, as you and Val continue pushing back the monsters with blades and magic.
	Lena's summoner strides up to the front line with you and Val, shadowed by a crackling blue spirit. You recognize the spirit as a lightning elemental, and its movements track Lena's. She raises her hand, the elemental does the same, then she unleashes a pulse of lightning into the monster horde. The ghoul-lords and their knights go up in columns of blue flame, and the undead soldiers are set alight, but the lich manipulates its remaining minions with unnatural tactical acumen.
	The lich charges another death ray, and this time you notice it too late. The unwholesome bolt is directed at Lena, but her lightning elemental lurches forward to intercept the ray. The elemental explodes in a corsucating light show, and the death beam scatters. You've all lost some HP from the attack, but your full attention is now directed on the undead spellcaster. Laughter like broken glass emanates from the lich, as his minions clump around him in a defensive posture. 
	You grin maliciously as you realize your foe has made a mistake.
	You furiously mash buttons on you controller and begin casting an empowered fireball at the horde. The ghoul-lords are incinerated in a single blast, and the remainder of the horde goes up in a spectacular inferno. 
	Burning chunks of undead bits plop to the stone floor, and the lich glares at your party from behind an energy shield. Lena conjures another horde of imps, Val refreshes her battle trance, and the three of you charge forward. The lich raises a hand, and a long row of stone spikes lance up from the ground. Val dodges around them, you take the hit on your magic barrier, and Lena takes the hit directly but stays on her feet, down some HP. Val reaches the barrier, empowers her sword, and begins smashing against the energy barrier.
	The spike row continually expands, stabbing up repeatedly from the ground. You run forward, not even bothering to dodge around them, and begin hacking at the energy barrier with a force blade. The barrier crumples in a shower of sparks, and Lena's imps dive forward to harass the lich. Its concentration on another spell is broken, and it resorts to swatting weakly at Lena's minions. Val sweeps her sword back and forth, cutting into the lich's defenses.
	The three of you watch with excitement as the lich's health bar steadily shrinks.
	Finally, with only a sliver of health left, Lena goes for the killing blow. She conjures a shimmering portal, and an enormous spectral hand emerges. It clenches into a car-sized fist and hammers forward, crushing the lich to splinters. The lich's body disintegrates, and its head thumps to the ground, before crumbling to dust too.
	"Bout time," Val says.
	A hollow laughter seems to head deeper into the fortress, and you see an objective update on the screen.
	"Right. We need to destroy the lich's soul before it can regenerate," you read.
	The three of you take a moment to recover your health and energy, and let Lena take the pick of the dropped loot. She equips a few new trinkets and a rare armored robe, then levels up yet again. Back on the couch, Lena turns to look at you and Val, "I don't know what I was ever worried about," she says, "This is way easier than I thought it would be."
	Val smiles at her, "Yeah, the game's pretty easy once you learn the ropes."
	Lena grins back, "I didn't just mean the game. I meant this poly relationship stuff." Val looks away, and Lena turns to you, "What do you think about us?" she asks.
	You think for a moment then say, "Well, it hasn't been very long, but I feel like we already have a great bond and this thing is very natural."
	She smiles, "How about you, Val? How do you feel about our relationship?"
	Val's mouth quirks into the beginnings of a smile, "I feel really good about it. It's all happened so quickly, but it's almost like we had a head start."
	Lena beams, then quickly glances at the screen to ensure the game is paused. She glances back at Val, then reaches across you, pulling you all into a three-way embrace. A warm happiness spreads through you all. Greedy lips nip at earlobes or other lips as the three of you kiss and cuddle for some time.
	"This is great, guys," Lena says finally, "I really like you both. I'm so happy."
	"I'm really glad to hear that," says Val, "And I really respect your courage for telling us that story about your family."
	You add, "It should go without saying, but your story is safe with us."
	"Thanks," Lena says, "I do have one request though."
	"What?" you ask.
	Lena looks to Val, then back to you, worry on her face, "So.... It's probably about time I came out to my parents, for better or for worse. I know it's way too early to introduce you guys as my lovers - plural! - to my family, but I think I'd rather drop both bombs at once. Eventually. When the time is right, I'll be a lot more comfortable doing it if you two are with me."
	"Of course, I'll be there," Val says.
	"I will too," you add.
	Lena bites her lip and blushes. "Thanks," she whispers, then looks up at you, "My parents don't live too far from here, and I visit them pretty regularly. I'm not going to tell them everything, but I'd like to at least tell them I met ...somebody special, even if I have to leave it at that for now."
	"Fine with me," you reply, then shoot a glance at Val. She looks at you and nods. You maintain eye contact for a moment too long and her expression shifts to gentle confusion. You say "stocks".
	Val's mouth forms an "o" shape, then she says, "Yeah, you should say it."
	Lena leans back and asks, "Say what?"
	You and Val stare at each other for a moment, then you take a breath.
	"Lena," you start, "You know how Val and I have been trading stocks on the side?"
	"Uh huh," Lena says.
	"In the interest of openness, you deserve to know this. Last week, Val and I made a shitload of money on some lucky trades."
	"You did?" Lena says, glancing from you to Val and then back again.
	"Like.... About how much is a shitload?" She asks.
	"It's enough profit that I don't have to work anymore. In fact, I'm in the process of retiring from my job right now," you explain.
	Lena smiles, genuinely and warmly, taking in your heady revelation. She looks to you and says, "I'm glad to hear that. A little jealous, but mainly glad. Why did you hold off on telling me?”
	"I guess I worried that there might be resentment," Val says.
	"You're my friends, my partners," Lena corrects herself, "I want you to do well. Yeah, I'd like to have the option to retire, but honestly I enjoy my job."
	She turns to you with a grin, "Plus, I think I'd get bored."
	Val laughs, "Psh, that's what videogames are for!"
	"Right!" Lena grins, then unpauses the game. You push further into the ruined fortress, until Lena says, "Hey are you guys getting hungry?"
	You check your phone, and with a shock see that it's already 5 in the evening. You also become aware that you're quite hungry too.
	Val speaks up, "I just realized I've basically eaten nothing since brunch. I'm trying to get bigger, Lena! You can't let me go hungry!" she laughs.
	Lena smirks, "Hehe. Be careful what you ask for. Anyways, what sounds good?”
	You say, "Somehow I don't think we want to be going out tonight."
	Val and Lena both nod. You continue, "Pizza is pretty much never the wrong answer, am I right?"
	After a short discussion about toppings, Val uses an app to place a sizeable order at her favorite pizza joint. Val smiles with anticipation and confirms the order.
	"Okay, we've got about half an hour before we eat," she announces, "More games, or just chill for now?"
	"We'll have plenty of time for games later. Let's just veg," you say.
	"Yeah," Lena agrees.
	Val nods, switches off the console, then flips over to the TV and starts scrolling channels. After a moment, she stops on a science documentary and begins to watch, and you all find yourselves zoning out. Soon enough, there's a knock at the door. You all pause, then Val stands and goes to open it. A young man, no older than twenty, stands in the doorway. He's short, probably just a little above five feet.
	"Got your delivery," he says in a monotone voice and holding up a stack of boxes. 
	Val thanks the delivery guy and brings the pizzas to the dining table. You and Lena move over to the table as Val starts pouring some drinks.
	"Got any more tea?” Lena asks, and Val replies affirmative.
	You ask for some water, and Val pours herself some soda, then sits at the table. You and Lena fetch your drinks, then dig in to your pizzas.
	"This is really good," Lena says between bites of cheese-smothered mushroom pie.
	"You've never ordered from here?" Val asks.
	Lena giggles, and wrangling an errant string of cheese, replies, "No! Guess I'll add this to the list of novel experiences for this weekend."
	Val grins and wipes a blob of sauce off of Lena's cheek. "Glad to provide," Val says.
	Lena laughs and playfully pushes Val's hand away, then reverses course, catches it, and holds it against her own cheek. Their eyes meet, and for a moment, they're completely immersed in each other's gaze. Val picks up a slice of Lena's mushroom pizza and holds it up to Lena's mouth. "You want this?"
	"Please," Lena says, her eyes never leaving Val's.
	"I thought so," Val smiles slyly, and slowly slides the slice into Lena's mouth. Your eyes catch their intertwined hands, resting on the table. Lena takes a big bite and chews with a goofy grin. Val keeps her position leaned in, and continues feeding the slice to Lena. Val eventually hands off the crust, and sits back, turning her attention back to her own pizza. Lena titters at her treatment, "Trying to fatten me up, Val?"
	Val smirks and gives a shrug, "Why not? You looked... like you didn't mind."
	Lena laughs and wipes her lips with a napkin, before going for another piece. The meal progresses with small talk and the return of some flirty tension, and soon, everybody has tapped out.
	"Welp, stuffed myself silly again," Lena groans with mock irritation, regarding her empty pizza box.
	"Glad to see you two care so much about me," Val retorts with a playful pout.
	"I've gotta set your mind at ease," Lena smiles, "Re-assure you that your new girlfriend isn't going to waste away!”
	Val giggles and pats her full belly, "Guess I'm doing the same thing then."
	Lena and Val both turn to look at you, an odd excitement in their eyes. Val says, "So Anon. Think you can handle plumping up two cute girls at once now?"
	"I can DEFINITELY handle it," you laugh, leaning across the kitchen table to kiss them both. You pull back and settle into your chairs and you continue, "I can't think of anything better."
	Lena regards you and Val with a tired smile, "I had a great weekend, guys. Better than great. Thanks for taking a chance by asking me last week. I never imagined this would feel so right, and now I don't think I can imagine things being any other way."
	Val takes your hand, "I have the same feeling. Anon, thanks for... happening. And Lena, thank you for taking a chance on us. I promise I'll be the best partner I can be, for both of you."
	"And I already know your best is damn good," you reply, "The best, even."
	Val beams at this exchange, as does Lena. A moment later, Lena yawns. "Oh, hey, sorry guys. I'm feeling all of this weekend and this gut full of pizza, and I need to get my car so I can work tomorrow."
	"Right," Val grunts and slowly rises to her feet, "We can go now, if you're ready."
	Lena nods with a "mhm", then looks to you. You nod back, and retrieve your keys. The girls get their shoes on and Lena grabs her bag, and the three of you share one last group embrace for the night. Shortly later, you're pulling your car out of the garage with Lena and Val in tow. The drive back to Jen's parents' place is uneventful, and the three of you make happy small talk. You make good time, and pull up to the handsome brick house in a matter of minutes. Lena's SUV is right where she left it on Saturday morning. "Thanks for the lift," she says, then exits your car.
	Lena pauses, and says through the open car door, "So when will I get to see the two of you again?"
	"Whenever you want," Val smiles.
	"Lord knows our schedule is plenty open now," you add, "I don't want to speak for Val, but how about you swing by for dinner tomorrow after work?”
	"Sounds good to me! I'm already looking forward to it." With that, Lena straightens up, closes the car door, and blows a kiss to you and Val.
	The two of you wave back, and Lena gets into her SUV and starts it up. You feel slightly deflated as you put your car in gear and start making your way back to Val's place. Val's hand rests on your thigh and she says, "Is it weird that I'm already missing her?"
	Eyes focused on the road, you sigh and reply, "No, not at all. And I don't think it's just from the novelty of being a polycule."
	"You know, that's what I thought. I mean there's something about Lena that just plain.... clicks."
	"Yeah... I know what you mean. I think it's why we've been friends for so long."
	Val laughs quickly, then frowns.
	"Are you nervous about meeting Lena's parents?" She asks.
	You reply, "I was hoping you wouldn't ask, and yes. I'm not looking forward to probably getting dragged again for that one party I got blamed for."
	Val makes a sympathetic face then continues, "I didn't even think about that. I kinda meant, do you think her parents are genuinely homophobic?”
	"I don't know them that well, so I can't really say," you reply, "But if they are, I'd imagine we'll find out the hard way."
	Val looks out the window and quietly says, "Yeah... I hope Lena's emotionally ready for whatever may happen."
	You spot a red light and roll to a halt in compliance. You steal a moment to hold Val's hand and look her in the eye.
	She smiles back and says, "Actually, you know, I'd bet she's close to ready right now to even be thinking about it. I totally get wanting to wait until the relationship settles into a groove first though."
	"Yeah," you reply, "She's tougher than she looks. Maybe we don't actually need to worry about Lena so much."
	"Well I'm going to worry about her until she gives me reason to stop."
	You both smile and steal a quick kiss.
	"So much doting to go around," you quip, "And I love every bit of it."
	Val grins, and points towards the lights, which now glow green. You accelerate, and resume your drive.
	The remainder of your drive back to Val's condo is uneventful, and before long you're both flopped out on the plush living room couch. Val makes a giggling show of demanding the leftover brownies from dinner, and soon the tin is propped on her stomach and you're feeding her the fudgey treats. You tease her, holding a brownie just out of her reach, "Careful Val, you keep eating like this, you're gonna get fat!"
	Val bites into it and makes a gleeful "Mmm hmmm!" sound.
	After devouring the last one with a happy sigh she says, "I'm so full. Thanks for the treat, love."
	You smile and caress her hair. "You're very welcome, my darling."
	Val moves closer to you and snuggles under your arm. You flip on the TV to whatever for some background noise, then you notice your phone buzz. Val extracts her own phone as well, and you both notice that Lena has created a group chat for the three of you. You and Val grin at each other, and start exchanging cutsey and flirty messages with Lena. Feeling saucy, Val pulls up her shirt to show off her stomach. She takes a selfie, angled to show off her bloated gut and the chocolate on her face, and posts it into the group chat.
	Lena is delighted, and promptly sends back a sexy picture of her own. She's stripped off her shirt, showing off her tits and wears an enticing expression on her face. You and Val trade a few more pics back and forth with Lena, mostly flirty selfies. The lusty energy eventually cools off, and the group chat moves towards more mundane topics. You lean comfortably on Val, and the two of you while away the evening, reading junk on your phones, playing mobile games, and texting with Lena.
	Eventually, Lena announces that she needs to get some sleep, so you and Val decide to give her some peace. You put down your phones and look at each other. "It's been a crazy weekend, huh?" You say to Val.
	She smiles. "You could say that."
	Her expression turns dreamy as she rubs her stomach.
	"Mmm, got a belly full of good greasy food, a sexy new girlfriend to flirt with, and my sexy man here to cuddle with me."
	You chuckle and snuggle up to her. "I'm your man, ever since you fell from heaven."
	Val gently kisses you on the lips, and you savor the gentle scent of her hair.
	"I love you, Val," you mumble into her forehead.
	"And I love you too, Anon," she whispers into your neck.
	A few moments pass, and Val yawns. Her eyes flutter open and she stares into your eyes.
	"You ready for bed?”
	"Yeah..." She says lazily.
	You help Val to her feet and you both make your way to her bedroom. A few minutes later, you're both cleaned up for bed and snuggling into the blankets. Val sleepily wraps her arms around your body and pulls you tightly against her chest. There's a certain tension in her body though.
	"Anon...?" She starts.
	"Hm?"
	"Can we talk about something?"
	"Of course."
	Val's face is buried into your bare shoulder, but you can hear her clearly.
	"Do.... Do you love Lena?" val asks quietly.
	A serious question, and one that you aren't exactly surprised to hear.
	"I.... Can't really say yes." You start, "We've only been dating her for two days. That's not nearly enough time to decide something like that."
	"Well...." Val says, "what about... pleasant feelings? Does that count?"
	You think for a moment. "I suppose so."
	"Then.... Maybe?"
	"Val..."
	You shift so that you can look Val in the eyes.
	"It's not that I don't like Lena, it's just...."
	You struggle to find the right words, "It just plain hasn't been very long. You and I have a lot of history together, and we clearly have a bond that constitutes love."
	You stare into Val's eyes and hold her, hoping to provide some reassurance.
	"She makes you happy. She makes me happy. And we both make her happy. Does it matter what we call it if we're all enjoying the ride?" You ask.
	Val's expression softens and she hugs you tightly.
	"I'm sorry..." She says, "I just... Somehow I got it in my head that we weren't on the same page regarding her."
	"It's fine." You reply.
	"Still," She continues, "I'm glad you said something."
	You chuckle, "I think all three of us are going to feel a lot of new things. They might make us uncomfortable or upset, but we'll be fine so long as we can say what's on our mind, ok?”
	Val nods, "I feel like my head is going to float off."
	"Same," you reply, "It's been a rollercoaster of a weekend."
	"It's all been for a good cause though," Val murmurs.
	"C'mon, let's get some sleep. All of this will make more sense in the morning," you reply.
	"Goodnight." Val says.
	"Goodnight."
	You and Val kiss briefly, then cuddle into each other and drift off to sleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25 – Delightful Schemes

	In the morning, you wake up first and find that the sun is already high. You check your phone, which has a few messages from a variety of folks. You dismiss your text messages, resolving to answer them later, and perk up when you notice an email from your brokerage firm. Sure enough, your massively profitable stock sales have gone through, and your account has been credited. You grin from ear to ear as you set your phone down and roll over to spoon with Val.
	"Hey..." You whisper,
	"Hmm?" Val says, still half asleep.
	"My transaction went through. That means yours did too."
	"Mmm...." She happily presses her back and butt firmly into you.
	You nibble her ear and whisper, "That means we're officially rich."
	Val wakes up enough to realize the truth of what you said, then rolls over and hugs you. "I guess we are," she smiles, snuggling back into you. You lay with Val for a little bit, before her stomach growls and spurs the two of you to start your day.
	The two of you shoot Lena some cutsey good-morning messages, then quickly go through Val's morning yoga routine in your underwear. You take a few pictures of each other as you pose and stretch, and send them to Lena as well. Lena replies with appreciative texts, and eventually manages to send a cute selfie from work. She's wearing a purple blouse with a grey pencil skirt, both of which are a bit snug. You and Val grin as you look over the picture, and send some flirty comments back.
	Val's stomach grumbles again. "Ok, time to feed me," she laughs.
	You lead Val to the kitchen, sit her down at the table, and serve her some biscuits and chocolate milk right away. "Do you want me to cook you anything?" you ask.
	"If you're offering, then bacon and eggs, please," she replies.
	You say, "Sure thing," and light the stove. You also start some coffee brewing.
	Val gets up, glass of chocolate milk in hand, and throws some bread into the toaster. As the two of you wait, she asks, "So, are we going to do anything fun today?"
	You think for a minute, prodding the sizzling eggs and bacon. You reply, "Well.... There's gonna be a lot of paperwork with handling our profits, but that's not exactly fun. Lena is still coming over for dinner right?"
	Val nods, "Yeah, I told her to come over around six."
	You poke at the half-cooked eggs, and answer her, "Let's hang out at the park for a while today."
	Val smiles, and kisses you on the cheek. "Great idea."
	She returns to the table and nibbles at some biscuits as she watches you cook. Soon, you're distributing the bacon and eggs onto plates with some toast and you sit down with Val.
	"This is a good life," Val smiles, "I can't believe I almost went without it."
	You take a bite of food and agree, "It's definitely better than I expected."
	"So.... Paperwork?"
	You nod, "Yeah. We need to file taxes and stuff."
	Val nods and eats a fork-ful of eggs. She swallows then grins, "Hey, that's my line!”
	You grin back and grab her hand. Val grips back, and the two of you finish breakfast. Val scoops the last bit of eggs into her mouth, then leans back and pats her stomach, "Ah, that hit the spot," then she winks, "For now."
	You stand and finish off your coffee, smiling. Val stands and takes your hand, "C'mon, let's get dressed then head over to the park." She holds your hand as she walks toward her room.
	You and Val peel off your underwear and start putting on new outfits. Val decides to dress in snug knee-length leggings and a pink tanktop. The material is tight around her thighs and stomach, and very low-cut. You kiss her as you admire the view. Val giggles, "You're not so bad yourself."
	The two of you grab your things and walk out the door, headed towards the park. The sun is high in the sky, and there's a cool breeze, making the weather downright lovely. You and Val walk along, chatting idly. After a few minutes of silence, you notice her looking at you with a smile.
	"What?" You ask.
	"Nothin'," she says.
	"You're grinning from ear to ear like it's Christmas, you better tell me."
	Val nods,
	"I'm just... Happy. I don't know what I was ever stressed about last night. We're rich, and the Lena thing we'll just play it as it goes. She'll definitely tell us if she's not happy!"
	She continues to smile as you walk.
	You reply, "Yeah. I know it's a lot of changes very suddenly, but I think they're all good changes. It's natural to be a little nervous, but we can handle it like adults."
	"Exactly!" Val says, grinning.
	You arrive at the park, and find it nearly empty. The two of you start making a lazy circuit around the park trail, not really going anywhere in particular. Soon, the two of you are sitting on a bench, looking at the trees and other foliage around. Val says, "I really like it here. You?"
	You smile, kissing her, "Same. It's just so peaceful, especially with nobody around."
	You look around and confirm that the two of you are in fact quite alone. Next you lean in and kiss Val more deeply. Her hands, which were resting on your shoulders, immediately grab your hair as she kisses you back with equal passion. You cheekily giggle, and gently slip your hand over the waistband of her leggings. She gasps in surprise, but gives no resistance as you slowly stroke her folds. Your ears are ready to hear a pin drop, and unfortunately soon enough you hear some footsteps in the distance. Val does too, and her body tenses slightly. You gently but quickly take your fingers out of her and try to look innocent. Nobody who sees your impish grin would be fooled, though.
	The two of you just look at each other and quietly laugh as the adult couple walks right past. They give you a quick look, then return to their own business, walking past without saying anything. You give Val a reassuring smile, and she returns a mischievous smile. The two of you steal another quick kiss, then Val cocks her head to the side.
	"So I'm ready for some real lunch," she says.
	"Oh yeah?" you reply.
	"Yeah," Val says, drumming her fingers on her stomach, "There's a cafe I really like not far from here. It's got a great vibe, and great food."
	"It does?"
	"Mm-hmm. So are you ready to go?"
	You nod eagerly, and the two of you begin heading towards the cafe.
	"So what's the name of this place?" You ask, "I'm a little surprised you were holding out a restaurant on me."
	"Oh, it's called The Mailbox Cafe," Val says.
	"Odd name," you say as you walk.
	"Meh, trust me, it's great."
	"Then how come we're only just now heading there?"
	Val gently blows a raspberry with her tongue, "Guess we've been having too much fun eating our way through everywhere else first."
	The two of you continue on in a comfortable silence, and soon arrive at the cafe.
	The Mailbox Cafe is a cozy little cafe with a quaint old-timey mailbox out front. Amazing smells waft out from the front door, beckoning you inside.
	You glance at Val, who winks. The two of you walk into the cafe. It's before the lunch rush, so it's nearly empty aside from a few other patrons scattered throughout. You look around and decide to sit at a table in a corner. You look over to a front counter, and Val says that you're supposed to order your food there.
	"Let's order some food. There's nobody here, so we don't need to worry about losing our seat."
	You nod and follow Val to the counter. She begins by ordering a crepe platter, a pair of large BLT sandwiches, and a large fruit smoothie. You follow suit with a BLT of your own. The cashier is a tired-looking twenty-something man. He happily takes your orders and gives you a receipt. You and Val then return to your table and wait for your food. You and Val make small talk for a few minutes as the food is prepared. Before you know it, dishes are being deposited in front of you and your girlfriend.
	"I don't even need to ask if you're going to eat all that," you say with a smirk as you look over Val's huge meal.
	"Of course," Val says.
	You both begin eating, and the food is delicious. The two of you eat at a leisurely pace, enjoying the atmosphere and feeling comfortable in the cushioned dining chairs. You finish your sandwich fairly quickly. Breakfast wasn't all that long ago, and the sandwich was tasty... Yet, you're still feeling vaguely peckish. You push the feeling down and watch Val eat. The blonde woman is shoveling her food into her mouth as if she's afraid it might suddenly stop being available. Val beams and does a cute little seated dance as she eats, and soon enough she's inhaled her crepes and one of the BLT sandwiches.
	"I still want more," Val complains, pouting.
	"Well how convenient that you got yourself another sandwich and that smoothie there."
	Val laughs.
	"You know, I've been thinking," she says.
	"Uh-oh," you say.
	Val puts down her utensil and gives you a stare.
	"I want to stay with you," Val says.
	"Well of course, you are my girlfriend."
	Val's face becomes serious.
	"No... Like, maybe this is a little sudden, but it's fitting with the spirit of the last few days. How would you feel about us moving in together?" Val asks.
	"Uh, that's a pretty huge step," you reply.
	"I know. But I feel like we're ready. Like, I'm ready."
	You take a long moment to think before replying. To stall for time, you reach across the table and gather up some leftover syrup from Val's plate. You suck the syrup off of your finger, look towards Val, and reply,
	"You know what, I think I agree with you."
	"You do?"
	"Yes. We've been together for a while, and I think now is the right time to make a move."
	"You're agreeing to move in with me?"
	You grin at Val and take her hand, "Yes, I am. It's not like I'm spending much time at my place anyways. But..."
	You stop yourself from saying "maybe" or something similar.
	"But what?" Val asks.
	"I have an idea. Instead of me moving in with you, why don't we look for a new place? Some place where we can live together?" you reply.
	Val smiles and squeezes your hand.
	"That sounds like a good idea, I think. I like my condo, but it might be kinda small if we're gonna be living together full-time. And to say nothing of Lena being with us."
	"Mhm," you grunt in reply, "We don't need to decide right away, but I think I'm really liking the idea."
	Val grins and returns to her meal, daintily beginning to drain her fruit smoothie. "I think I'd like a proper house," she says. "Like, big enough for a pool or something."
	"We should be able to manage that," you reply with a shrug.
	"A pool would be awesome," Val says, "I know we aren't exactly filthy rich, but between the two of us we should have a lot of options."
	Val takes another gulp of her smoothie, stifles a burp, and glances at you with surprise. "Oh! I just suggested yet another big step, didn't I? Pooling our money... There I go, pushing the boundaries again..."
	Val's shoulders slump, but you take her hand and say, "Hey, it's alright. You're just excited about getting a new place. Yes, the financial side of it is a big deal, and we probably should let Lena have a say in this as well. I really like the idea of getting a house together, we just don't need to make any lasting decisions right away, ok?"
	Val raises her head and smiles. "You're right of course," she says. "It's just... I really want a pool. With a diving board."
	You laugh and nod in return.
	"Feeling inspired by the place Jen's folks have?" You ask with a smirk.
	"Maybe," Val admits, "Or maybe I think it'd be nice to host pool parties for all our friends."
	"Yeah," you reply. "Definitely. And pool parties are so far 100 percent at getting us each a cute chubby new girlfriend."
	Val giggles brightly and returns to her food.
	Soon, Val is down to the last scraps of her BLT, and she pushes the last morsel past her lips with an extended finger. She swallows it, and leans back into her chair, patting her belly contentedly.
	"Ah," she sighs, "The beast is happy for now. Though of course I'm already thinking about how I'm gonna glut myself for dinner..."
	You laugh aloud.
	"Yeah, me too," you reply.
	She raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Thinking of me being glutted? Or perhaps yourself?"
	"Both," you admit.
	Val titters in reply.
	"Well then," she grins, "I know we just ate, but do you have any ideas for dinner?"
	You raise an eyebrow, and take a moment to think.
	"There's a grocery store nearby, right?" you ask.
	Val nods.
	"Yeah, it's not too far from here," she says.
	"Well," you offer, "Maybe we could try making some fancy macaroni and cheese?"
	"Tuscan style?" Val asks hopefully. "With freshly grated parmesan cheese? And a dash of hot pepper?"
	"Sure," you nod, "Why not?"
	Val smiles brightly and gets up from the table. She grabs both of your hands in hers, and pulls you up from your seat.
	"Thank you, my cute one," she smiles.
	The two of you bus your empty dishes and leave the cafe. As you walk, you discuss the ingredients you'll need and assemble a shopping list. 
	
	Soon enough, you've reached the grocery store. You step inside, and begin looking around. It's fairly quiet, as it is a weekday, but there aren't many checkout lanes and shoppers are backing up. Val takes your hand and gently leads you towards the pasta aisle. The two of you look over the noodles for sale, deciding what option is the fanciest. You aren't really into fine dining, but even you'll admit that the Tuscan-style noodles are a bit nicer than the regular old kind. You shrug, and grab a couple of boxes. The pasta is extra-large shells, and they should go great with the other ingredients.
	Your grocery list is pretty short, and in a few minutes you and Val have gathered everything you'll need in a basket. Shell pasta, fresh parmesan cheese, ham, and some fresh spices all sit happily in the basket, and the two of you decide which checkout line to join. You settle in behind a middle-aged lady, who is in turn behind a young family. You do your best to be patient as the cashier rings up everybody's items. Val half-reads the tabloid magazines as she waits, and you idly scroll on your phone. Soon enough, it's your turn to check out your items.
	The cashier looks bored out of her mind, but she efficiently rings up your selections. You scan your credit card to pay, then grab the bags and walk out of the store with Val. You start working your way back to Val's place, and make some small talk as you go. The weather is still pleasant, and the gentle warmth of the sun lifts your spirits.
	Val turns to you with an oddly serious look and says, "The weather is so nice today... Anon, I want you to promise me something."
	"Uh oh," you reply, mostly serious.
	"It's nothing bad!" Val laughs then explains, "But I do want you to promise that no matter how fat I get, you won't let me miss lovely days like this."
	A smile cracks your face and you reply, "Of course! Val, I promise you won't miss any of these perfect days, even if I have to roll you outside."
	She gives your hand a squeeze, then lets go.
	"Thank you, my love," she smiles back.
	You share a couple more smiles as you walk.
	Val quietly laughs to herself again.
	"What is it?" You ask.
	"Nothing," She replies, "Just imagining being so fat that you'd have to roll me around. Is it weird that I kinda like imagining being at your mercy?"
	You smirk and give her hand another squeeze.
	"Not at all, I quite like it too."
	Soon enough, you reach Val's apartment building. Val extracts her keys from her purse and opens the lock to her door with practiced ease. The two of you stroll in and deposit your new groceries on the kitchen counter. Both of your phones buzz simultaneously - that can only mean a group message from Lena. You and Val both check your phones. Sure enough, it's an update from the other girl that she's gonna have to work a little late. Val's broad shoulders noticeably slump, but she's the first the text back to Lena.
	"About how late will you need to stay today?" She asks.
	"Oh, not that bad, maybe like an extra hour," Lena texts back.
	Val smiles and turns to you. You nod, and Val takes your signal to continue texting with Lena.
	"Oh ok. Well Anon and I will just start cooking dinner a little later than we planned. We're gonna make fancy macaroni and cheese!" Val finishes her message with a flirty emoji.
	You smirk. "Lena isn't gonna know what hit her."
	Val giggles. "I think that's exactly what she's counting on."
	Lena replies, "That sounds amazing! Sorry I won't really be able to bring anything this time, but I can make it up later. I'll let you know when I'm heading your way!"
	You and Val send back some cutsey replies then turn towards each other.
	You say, "Well we've got some time before we need to start cooking. Anything you want to do?"
	Val thinks for a moment, before replying,
	"I could brew up some tea and we could just chill for a bit?"
	"Sure," you reply, "Sounds good."
	A few minutes later the two of you settle into the couch with some news on the TV. You snuggle into Val as the presenter talks about current events. Soon enough, you drift off to sleep with the sound of her voice still in your ears.
	
	You start awake some time later, and you hear Val giggling somewhere off to the side. You find your head on her lap and your neck slightly cricked, and Val gently strokes your hair. You look up to see her grinning at you, with her other arm draped over the back of the couch.
	"I didn't think you were much of a napper." She says.
	You blink your eyes and sit up with a groan, then tilt your head from side to side. You then shift to settle back down next to Val, gently gripping her thigh.
	"I can't help it if you're comfy to lay on," you say.
	"You're not even awake yet."
	"Don't care. It was still the best nap I've had in a long time."
	Val smirks, but doesn't reply. You feel your body and mind re-awakening, and you turn your attention to the TV. The news is on, and you see a familiar face on TV. It's the Mayor of Klyton.
	You sip your now-cold tea as the news anchor says, "A story that should never have made national news is continuing to plague the city of Klyton. The ongoing mystery of the so-called 'Klyton Killer' has claimed its fourth victim. Mayor Norman Bower, age 73, was found dead in his home this morning. A note was found near his body, which simply read: 'Klyton will fall today.' Any and all information regarding this crime is welcome to law enforcement."
	You exchange an uneasy glance with Val, your tea suddenly tasting much less refreshing. 
	She chuckles nervously, "Guess we won't be visiting Klyton any time soon, huh?"
	"I guess not..."
	You finish your tea and put the cup aside. Val reaches across you, grabs the remote, and changes the channel.
	"Let's watch something else," she says gingerly.
	She scrolls through the channels until she lands on a game show. The two of you watch the show as your unease starts to fade. The two of you play along with the game show, and even manage to get a lot of the questions right. Eventually an alarm goes off on Val's phone, and she starts to get up.
	"We need to start cooking soon if we want to have dinner ready for Lena," she explains.
	You slowly start to get up as well, and follow Val out of the living room. You walk into the kitchen, and find her grabbing a knife off the counter.
	"I'll start chopping up the veggies and meat, can you handle prepping the pasta?" she asks.
	"Yeah, no problem," you reply.
	You find a large pot under the counter, then fill it with water and place it on the stove. Val hands you the package of macaroni shells out of the fridge, then starts dicing some red peppers.
	Before long, the water is boiling and you're tipping the pasta shells in. Val has started pan-frying some cubes of ham, and the kitchen is steadily filling with wonderful smells. You fish out one of the pasta shells and take a bite, finding it at perfect al dente chewyness. You scramble to get a strainer in the sink, then drain out the pot, creating a merry cloud of steam. You shake the remaining water from the strainer, then return the pasta to the pot.
	"Should we put the stove on simmer to keep it hot?" you ask.
	"No need, everything will go into the baking dish soon enough," Val explains.
	You survey the other pans on the stove. Diced red peppers and cubes of ham sizzle happily on a front burner, and a gooey cheese sauce gently bubbles in the back.
	"I've got it from here, honey," Val declares, kissing you on the cheek and gently pushing you to the side.
	One by one, Val empties each pan into the casserole dish. Shells, meat, and cheese sauce all pile up. She then sprinkles some hot pepper atop the mix, grates a generous layer of parmesan cheese, then adds another dash of pepper powder. Val slides the baking dish into the oven, straightens up, and looks at you with a pleased smile.
	"How much time do we need?" you ask.
	Val glances at the oven clock, "30 minutes, maybe 40."
	You nod, and wrap your arms around Val's waist.
	"It smells amazing," you whisper.
	"That's because it's made with love," Val beams back, and kisses you.
	You stare into each others eyes, feel the warmth of each others body, and enjoy it for all it's worth. You feel Val's stomach rumble. She giggles.
	"Guess we got that started just in time, huh?" You joke.
	Val smiles, then your stomach grumbles in sympathy.
	"Well if your stomach is hungry too..." she laughs.
	"For whatever you cook, always," you reply and give Val a quick kiss.
	Val smiles and laughs back, "Careful with a promise like that, you've seen what I cook and how much!"
	You shrug and rest your head on Val's chest.
	"Meh, what's the worst that could happen? We get fat together? Doesn't sound so bad," you say.
	Val giggles warmly and whispers, "Just promise me you'll never leave."
	"Now that, I can promise," you say evenly and sincerely.
	Val rests her chin atop your head, and you can feel the contentment in her body. Your phones both buzz. You take a few moments to enjoy the embrace, then pull away to check the message. Sure enough, Lena is on her way.
	"Shit," Val sighs, "We need to get ready."
	"We are!" You reply, then glance at your phone.
	"Oh shit, it's already been ten minutes."
	Val pats your shoulder, "Let's finish prepping everything."
	"Ok."
	In a few minutes, 3 places are set atop the dining table, and sides consisting of bread rolls and a garden salad await your attention. The two of you hang out in the living room for a bit, then return to extract the now-baked macaroni casserole from the oven. The top of the rich concoction is perfectly crispy, and cheese bubbles temptingly through the crust. You've scarcely settled the dish on the kitchen counter, when you hear a knock at the door.
	Val claps with excitement as the two of you scamper over to answer it. You open it to find a smiling Lena, looking at the two of you. She's unsurprisingly still dressed in the same smart businesswear from earlier.
	"Hey cutie, come on in!" Val says.
	Lena crosses the threshold, drops her purse, and holds out her arms for a three-way hug. You oblige, and feel your awkwardness melt away as you wrap your arms around the warm body in front of you.
	"I've missed this," Lena smiles.
	Val shifts Lena in her arms, drawing the smaller woman's head into her cleavage. Lena smiles goofily and Val laughs, "It's been like less than a day!"
	Lena replies with closed eyes, "I can still miss this, right?" She rests her head against Val's chest and smiles, eyes fluttering as she hugs Val tightly. Amidst the tangle of arms and bodies, you run a hand along Lena's hip. She bites her lip and lets out a gentle moan.
	Lena's eyes slowly open then scan from you to Val, "So I was told there'd be food? Something smells amazing!”
	Val smirks at you then looks to Lena, "You said you were hungry when you were leaving work. Let's feed you, hun."
	"Yes!" Lena squeaks and squirms in Val's grip, trying to free herself, but failing.
	Val releases you and Lena, gently squeezing her shoulder. Lena pinches your ass, pulls away and says, "I need to hit the bathroom real quick. Be right back!”
	Lena ducks into the tiny guest bathroom, and you quickly turn to Val.
	"Should we tell her about the house plan?" You whisper.
	Val shakes her head, "Not right away. I should let the idea cool a bit anyways before getting serious."
	You smile and grip Val's hand. She grips it back.
	A few moments later, Lena reemerges from the bathroom and declares, "Alright! I am very ready to eat!"
	Val ushers you and Lena to the dining table, then angles towards the kitchen.
	"What can I get you to drink?" Val asks.
	"I'll have a beer, please!" Lena says.
	"I'll have whatever you're having," you say.
	Val nods and steps into the kitchen, and you smile briefly at Lena.
	You ask Lena, "So how was work?"
	"It was alright. The office is implementing a new patient communication system."
	A pair of sharp fizzy cracks from the kitchen herald some forthcoming beer. Lena continues, "Getting it working is harder than management expected."
	A third crack, then a moment later Val returns with a trio of cans. She slips one to you and the other to Lena, then takes a draught from her can. Lena grabs it eagerly, taking a swig of her own.
	You pick up your bowl, then nudge Lena to do the same. "Ready to dish up?" you ask her.
	Lena raises an eyebrow, then replies, "Of course."
	The three of you each rise to your feet and grab a bowl. You motion for Lena to go into the kitchen first. She pauses to take a long appreciative sniff of the macaroni casserole, a grin spreading across her face. You hand her a wooden serving spoon and Lena scoops a large helping of the cheesy dinner into her bowl. Val motions you to go next, and you take a generous portion, though less than Lena. Val characteristically fills her bowl to the brim. The three of you return to the table, set down your bowls, settle into your chairs, and dig in.
	"Ahh! This is so good!" Lena declares.
	"I second that," you say, bringing another bite to your mouth.
	Val says nothing, but does flash a joyous smile as she scarfs down her food. Lena downs half her beer in one go, then asks for another. You bring her two more, setting them on the table in front of her. You eat at a moderate pace, mainly focused on watching your girlfriends chow down. Soon enough, Val's spoon clinks against the bottom of her bowl. She promptly gets up, heading back into the kitchen for another huge helping. Lena downs the remainder of her beer, then cracks open a second can. She makes a surprised squeak as a serving spoon appears in front of her and deposits a hearty refill into her bowl.
	Lena cocks her head at her freshly-heaping portion and twists in her seat. Val is standing behind Lena, a broad smile on her face. Val bends down and kisses Lena on her head, saying, "You know I can't let you go hungry."
	Lena laughs and replies, "I think you're managing that, and then some!”
	Val smiles and kisses Lena just above the ear. She whispers, "True. That's my plan."
	Lena kisses the side of Val's face before turning to you. She grabs both your hands in hers and beams at you. "Anon, I want you to know just how happy I am right now."
	You take a moment to appreciate every detail of the scene. You gaze across the table and see Lena, her face smiling brightly. Val's eyes are closed, her face a mask of contentment. One of her arms is wrapped around Lena's torso, and her other hand holds a bowl overflowing with cheesy dinner. The smell of food permeates the air, and Lena's hands feel warm in your own. You give Lena's hands a gentle squeeze, then raise them to your lips to deliver a pair of kisses. You keep your eyes on Lena's face, staring into her eyes as she smiles. You say with honesty, "I'm happy too. With, just - everything, you know?”
	Val's eyes open, and she grins at you. "I know, baby." She turns to Lena and says, "You're stuck with us, pretty girl."
	Lena wraps her arms around Val and squeezes. She replies, "I know, and it's great."
	Val releases Lena and returns to her seat with a happy sigh. She picks up her spoon, slowly twirling it as she says, "Ahh, my heart may be full, but my stomach still isn't. Time to fix that!”
	Lena laughs and picks up her own spoon. You do likewise, and the meal resumes, this time with a modicum of small talk. After a few minutes, Lena sets her spoon down and shifts around in her seat. You raise an eyebrow, and she explains, "Stupid skirt is getting too tight, but I've got more eating to do."
	Val joins you in staring intently at Lena, who doesn't seem flustered by the sudden attention. Her hands dip under the table, and a moment later, you hear a zipper open. Lena exhales and visibly relaxes, saying, "That's better. More room for my tummy." Apparently satisfied, Lena leans forward once more and resumes eating. Val leans across the table and says coyly to Lena, "I love watching you eat." Lena blushes and glances down, but her glowing smile speaks volumes.
	The three of you eventually finish your meal, leaving a veritable wasteland of dishes in your wake. The crisp salad turned out to be a great complement to the heavy main course, and the bread rolls were seemingly made for sopping up the flavorful sauce. You're sated, but the girls look positively stuffed. Val doesn't particularly seem worse for wear, but Lena's eyes have a familiar far-off look in them.
	Trying not to laugh, you ask, "Would this be a bad time to mention we have dessert as well?"
	Lena's eyes snap open and she groans, slumping back in her seat. Val leans over and says helpfully, "Oh, you're gonna hate this, but we've got tiramisu and ice cream."
	Lena rolls her head to look at Val, and replies, "That's the problem. I don't hate it!" Lena pats her stomach and continues, "I'll never be too stuffed for dessert, even if it means I'm rolling home."
	Val smiles warmly at Lena and says, "Well, someone's a glutton."
	Lena giggles and bites her lip, retorting, "That's rich coming from you. Besides, somehow I think you wouldn't have it any other way."
	Val smiles and says to you, "Let's dessert."
	You grin back at Val and reply, "Alright ladies. Do we want to eat dessert here, or would we rather move to the couch?"
	"The couch," grumbles Lena.
	Val smiles and says, "Let's go to the couch," as she stands from her chair.
	You stand from your chair too, and Lena grunts as she starts to stand. Val goes into the kitchen to fetch the desserts, and you go around to Lena's spot. Sure enough, her skirt is unzipped, and her engorged stomach strains against her clothes.
	You chuckle and say, "Mmm, Lena, you look like you're pretty full."
	Lena looks down and smiles, then bites her lip. She looks up at you and says, "Definitely."
	You draw up close behind Lena. Still feeling a twinge of unwarranted taboo, you wrap your arms around her middle. Lena moans the moment your hands touch her stuffed belly, and you say, "Don't you think you'd be more comfortable if you got out of those tight clothes?"
	Lena's eyes brighten and she nods slowly. "Mm-hm," she breathes.
	She shimmies out of her skirt, letting it fall to the floor, then she unbuttons her shirt.
	"Lead me to the couch. I'm ready to be spoiled with lots of sweet treats," she whispers.
	You nibble Lena's ear, then take her hand and lead her to the living room. She settles into the plush couch with a muffled plop, and you sit beside her.
	You take a moment to look over Lena as she's sprawled out beside you. Her breasts nicely fill out a plain cream-colored bra, and her lacey black panties dig slightly into her hips. She looks at you with a slightly flushed face and expectant lips, and you lean in to oblige her.
	Your lips press against hers, and she meets you with eagerness. Her arms snake around your back and pull you down on top of her, her own hands going to trap your head. The kiss deepens as the pair of you enjoy each other's company. Your hands wander from her stomach and across her bra to her back, then up to her bare shoulders.
	You feel the couch shift as something or someone settles onto the far side. Even before you hear a familiar giggle, you know Val has returned with desserts. You pull back and see Lena sinking into the couch with a contented expression and closed eyes. You look up just in time to see Val plop a spoonful of ice cream on Lena's stomach.
	"Eep! It's so cold!" Lena whimpers, her whole body tensing up.
	"Well let me fix the problem I just created," Val purrs. She sets aside the carton, bends down, and starts licking the ice cream from Lena's belly.
	"Oh, Val! That feels good," Lena sighs.
	"Do you want more?" Val asks, her mouth still around Lena's belly.
	"Please," she sighs.
	Val reaches back for the carton, and you get an idea. You pick up the dish of tiramisu and say, "Open your mouth, Lena. We're gonna double up."
	"Okay," she grins, opening her mouth.
	You scoop up some of the cake with your spoon and slide it into Lena's mouth. She sighs happily, then abruptly tenses as Val plops some more ice cream onto her bare skin.
	"Please, don't stop," she moans.
	Val giggles sensuously as she licks up her treat and kisses Lena's skin. The three of you go on like this for a bit, with the occasional bite of ice cream or tiramisu being delivered to another mouth. Eventually Lena reaches up and unhooks her bra, revealing her plump tits.
	"Ice cream. Nipples. Please," she moans.
	Val fixes you with an excited grin, and deftly spoons a blob of vanilla ice cream onto each of Lena's nipples. Lena inhales sharply and arches her back, and you and Val simultaneously lean in to suck on Lena's tits.
	"Oh my fucking god," she breathes.
	You and Val both eagerly begin to suck and nibble at her nipples. She throws her head back and moans with ecstasy, as you lick up all the ice cream. And that's the best it's ever tasted. Your hand starts to wander down towards Lena's thighs. You trace the hem of her panties, but are surprised to feel her hand gently but firmly gripping your forearm. You look up at her with confusion.
	Lena takes a quick breath or two and explains, somewhat apologetically, "I don't actually feel like fucking around tonight. I'm having a lot of fun right now, but my pussy needs to take a break. I hope that's ok..."
	"Of course," you nod. "Sorry to bother you."
	"It's ok, I'm not mad. Though I probably should have mentioned that a little earlier."
	By now Val has paused too, looking towards you for guidance. Somehow she's now shirtless, and you think for a moment as you look over Val's body. Her torso still looks decidedly strong, but the slight squish over her waistband is testament to her appetite and the renewed effects of her medication regime. You lean forward and gently poke a finger into Lena's swollen tummy, gauging its fullness. Lena giggles in shock, and you say, "Hmm, I reckon you're pretty full, Lena. But I think you still need to pack in some more dessert before I'll let you go home." Val laughs and chimes in, "I'll second that, Anon."
	Lena giggles and replies, "You're the bosses!" before opening her mouth expectantly.
	You gather some more of the coffee cake and spoon it into Lena's mouth. Val follows with a spoonful of ice cream and a hint of force to fit it all into Lena's mouth. Lena's giggle is muffled by the helping of sweets, then she gradually chews and swallows the mouthful of desserts. You and Val repeat the process a few more times. Each round, Lena's chewing slows a little more, and her moans are becoming more of discomfort than pleasure.
	Val glances at you, then down to Lena, "Had enough?" she asks.
	Lena wipes some crumbs off of her face and sighs. Her hands trace circles on her bloated belly a few times, then she answers with closed eyes, "Just about. I want one more mouthful though. Make it a big one!”
	You grin and say, "Coming right up!" You scoop up a sizeable chunk of the remaining tiramisu, balance it on your spoon, then travel it over to Lena's waiting mouth. She catches the scent and opens up wide. You maneuver your spoon past her lips, then deposit your treat, flipping the spoon to drag across Lena's tongue and lips on the way out. Val's spoon is right behind yours, with a generous glob of vanilla goodness. Lena hums with excitement as Val packs the ice cream in, and settles deeply into the couch with bulging cheeks to chew her last bit of dessert. She smiles with a glowing but languid grin and sighs happily, one hand rubbing her belly, the other covering her eyes.
	You and Val set aside your remaining desserts and lean in towards Lena. The two of you start gently massaging Lena's overstuffed stomach. Lena hums with a contented grin, and slowly opens her eyes. A lazy smile graces her lips, and she sighs, watching you two soothe the discomfort of her indulgence. "This feels really good, guys," she moans. You alternate between tracing circles with your palm and the tips of your fingers. Val follows your lead and says to Lena, "Good. We want to make you feel good."
	Lena giggles and says, "Oh yeah. I'm in heaven." Her eyes flutter, and she leans back. She sighs and says,"It's basically a classic fatty cliche that certain foods are 'better than sex', but I think right now that's literally true." She laughs, then groans.
	She pulls at the cushions and finds a better spot on the couch, then says, "I just need another minute or two. Then, it's gonna be your turn, Val." Lena's eyes train over and lock with your own, "Or maybe it'll be Anon's turn?”
	You look into her eyes and see a spark of genuine desire. Lena continues, "Getting fed can be pretty damn hot if you're feeling into it, you know." She wiggles her eyebrows and bites her lower lip, and you find yourself nodding and giving a faint smile in response.
	You eventually manage to reply, "Yeah, I'd bet. I dunno if I'm feeling up for it tonight."
	Val nudges your shoulder with a grin, "Well that's alright, more for me then!”
	Lena chuckles, then pulls herself into a sitting position with a quiet groan. She huffs and runs a hand over her bloated belly, then lets out a quiet small burp. "Oof, overdoing it is starting to feel like just enough..." Lena mutters.
	You both watch her, grinning. You hear a crinkle of plastic off to the side and glance over to see Val getting into a container of cookies. Val locks eyes guiltily with you, but she steadily brings a chocolate chip cookie to her lips and takes a bite. She chews slowly, staring at you with a mouthful of cookie. Lena begins laughing, and the two of you glance at each other with puzzled looks.
	Lena casts her glance between the two of you, then settles it onto Val. Lena says, "Val, I've always loved how you always know what you want."
	Val swallows her bite of cookie, then looks over at Lena and replies, "I'm glad you find that trait endearing. I worry that I can cross over into being pushy, though."
	Lena lets out a quiet small laugh, and says, "I wouldn't say that. You're just very upfront about what you want."
	You chuckle, and the two girls look your way. You say to them, "Well, that makes two out of three. You can be pretty assertive yourself, Lena."
	Her eyes narrow for a moment before she chuckles, "Well, I guess I was assertive." She leans in and plants a kiss on your cheek, then reaches towards the cookies with a small groan.
	Lena holds a cookie in front of her face and smirks at Val, "Dearest Valentine, you've done such a good job of filling up my tummy, I'd be a neglectful lover if I didn't return the favor."
	Val's mouth twists into an excited smile. Lena then gently braces the cookie between her lips and leans towards Val. Val responds in kind, quickly eating through the cookie, then finding Lena's sweetened lips. Lena kisses Val fiercely, and the two women lock in a passionate kiss that warms your heart. You sigh, thoroughly enjoying the show. Lena pulls away first, smiling.
	She says, "Ok Val, get comfy. Anon and I are gonna fill up that greedy tummy of yours."
	Val smiles and stretches out on the sofa, closing her eyes as she sinks into the cushions. You finally look to your side and take stock of the available dessert treats. There's still a decent amount of tiramisu remaining, the container of cookies is almost untouched, and there's a good amount of ice cream left too. Lena does the same, and your eyes meet. She grins and reaches for the cookies. You nudge the cookies over towards her hand, and she nestles them next to her thigh. Feeling inspired, you also slide the carton of ice cream towards her.
	Lena accepts the ice cream with a look of confusion that gives way to interest. "I think I can do something with this," she chuckles.
	You pick up the remaining tiramisu and settle next to Val as best you can. Lena has already dunked a cookie in the ice cream and has presented the treat to Val.
	"Here you go, Val," she says eagerly.
	Val accepts the treat with a small smile and a nod. She moans with pleasure as she bites into the sugary goodness. Val's moans are delightful, and watching her eat is always a turn on. Still, you have a job to do, and once she's finished the ice cream cookie, you've got a heaping spoonful of coffee cake ready for her.
	She scarfs down the portion, then chews slowly. Val swallows and says to nobody in particular, "Ah, forgive me, father, for I have sinned," she says, laughing as she licks the spoon. "And I'm gonna sin a whole lot more," she continues with an impish grin.
	You chuckle along with the confession, and it reminds you of a line in a movie you saw once. Something about the devil always smiling. Lena is immediately feeding another ice cream cookie to Val, a grin on her face. Just as Val is nibbling the last chunks, Lena says, "I don't think I've ever known you to say religious stuff. Where did that come from just now?"
	"Oh, it's nothing," Val says, licking her lips and shrugging. You awkwardly hold a spoonful of dessert, waiting to see if Val continues. She gently but firmly grabs your wrist and drags the spoon to her mouth, inhaling the morsel. A moment later, Val does continue, "Just a fun saying from the old country the my family still throws around."
	"The old country?" Lena asks. Val finishes yet another cookie and explains, "Yeah? In Eastern Europe? It's where my grandparents emigrated from."
	Lena's eyes go distant for a moment, then she replies, "You know, I don't think you ever mentioned much about life back there."
	"Oh, I didn't? Well, it's a long story...but it's not really important right now."
	You shovel another heap of coffee cake into her expectant mouth. Val hums with delight and shifts on the couch as she feels her stomach expand from the onslaught of desserts.
	She turns to Lena with a grin, "Lena, you've overthinking things again, aren't you?”
	"I'm just a little wired from all the sugar," Lena says with a slight smile.
	Val takes a bite out of another cookie, then pauses to say, "We'll do family story time eventually, ok?” Val then inhales the rest of the treat.
	"Sure," Lena says, sounding very much like she means it.
	A comfortable almost-silence then descends, the only sounds being Val's eating and the couch periodically shifting under the three of you. Time seems to vanish as you and Lena continue feeding Val. The spell is broken when Val reaches her hands down and rubs her engorged belly with a discomforted groan. She winces and stares at the ceiling for a few seconds, before looking at you. "Fuuuuuck, I'm so full..." She groans.
	"But it feels so good..."
	"I'm so full too..." Lena says, gently cradling her own full, protruding stomach. You can't help but laugh at the situation.
	Lena glares at you with mild annoyance, "What's so funny? Laughing at the two beached whales you helped create?"
	"No, it's just...," You can't stop yourself from smiling, "Ok, maybe a little."
	Lena frowns, and you scramble to continue, "Hey, this was really fun though, right?”
	Her frown softens, "Yeah, it was. All that food was so good..."
	Val shudders slightly as you caress her overstuffed stomach, and Lena continues, "That said, I think it'd be even more fun if you were stuffed to bursting like us too, Anon."
	Whatever you were going to say becomes an indignant strangled "wha-". Now it's Lena's turn to laugh, "A girl's gotta try!"
	Your own frown gives way to a small grin.
	"You know," you start to reply, "There's not much dessert left. It'd be a shame to waste it."
	Val grunts unhappily and Lena makes a similar displeased sound. 
	"C'mon," you say cheekily, "It's only three cookies and a little coffee cake."
	"Yeah, and a decent amount of ice cream, definitely more than I can handle," Lena pouts.
	A small growl from Val suggests she's already decided.
	"Nothing wasted," you hear her grumble.
	With a shrug, you turn to Lena. She massages and pokes her belly, gauging its fullness and her discomfort. She closes her eyes and sighs, then looks at you and says, "Fine. One cookie each, and divide up the last bit of tiramisu, but you're going to eat the ice cream yourself."
	Her face is flushed and her bottom lip protrudes in a pout. You chuckle and agree to her terms, though you're secretly hoping she'll change her mind. Lena grabs one of the remaining cookies and starts nibbling away at it. She hands one to Val, and the last one to you. You bite into it, shearing through several hearty chocolate chunks, and think as you chew. Mostly you think about how tasty the cookie is, but also about Lena, and about Val.
	So much so that you're surprised to hear Lena's voice, "An-onnn..... Isn't there something you should be doing?”
	With a start, you glance around and notice that both Lena and Val have finished their cookies and are looking expectantly at the tiramisu. You swallow the bite of cookie you're still chewing, then, "Oh, I'm sorry. I was lost in my thoughts..."
	By now, Val has hauled herself back to a sitting position and is grinning. She says, "Well, you can think about how all of these calories will settle on us once we've polished off that cake."
	Lena and Val look at you excitedly, and are sneaking little grabs and gropes at each other as they wait for you. Without another word, you reach down and divide the last chunk of cake with your fingers. You work roughly-equal portions into each of your hands, then reach over and simultaneously feed Val and Lena. Their tongues and lips clean every last crumb from your fingers and they moan and sigh into your hands.
	Val is satisfied first, and leans back with an exhausted, satisfied sigh, her tongue hunting down any remaining crumbs on her face. Lena finishes shortly after, her eyes rolling up before closing and she sits for several seconds with a rapturous expression. Both of them then lean forward and plant a soft kiss on each cheek.
	"Thank you, sweetheart." Val's voice is raspy with exhaustion.
	Lena breathes, "God.... I could get used to this. I'm about to pop but I feel so good..." Her voice is a little deeper than Val's.
	"We should do this more often."
	Val grins and nods vigorously. Lena blinks slowly, and her face goes through several different emotions, surprise, then delight, then exhaustion before she grins and nods back. "Now there's one last thing you need to do for us," she says in a sultry voice.
	"You're pretty sweet," she says, "But I think you could be sweeter."
	She hands you the half-empty carton of ice cream and says, "Eat this ice cream, for me..."
	Before you can do much else, she leans forward and plants a slow, soft kiss on your lips. Lena's tongue delicately flicks your lip as she pulls back, and she whispers, "It'll make me happy to see you eat..."
	A shiver of lust tinged with fear runs through you as you realize you're expected to perform for these wonderful women. "You're gonna make me so fat," you whisper back to Lena, and sit down on the coffee table facing the girls. 
	You dig your spoon into the soft ice cream and bring some to your lips. You close your eyes and concentrate. You savor the sweet flavor, finding surprising depths in what should be a boring vanilla flavor. Leave it to Val to always spring for the fancy stuff. You keep your eyes closed and spoon more ice cream into your mouth. You hear and feel some shifting around you, and are pleasantly surprised to feel lips and fingers caressing you as you eat. 
	"Yes, yes, that's it," Val whispers.
	You feel yourself blush, but continue eating. You're certainly no stranger to indulgence, but this might be the first time you've truly been encouraged to overeat by either of your girlfriends. You're a little scared by how good it feels. You keep eating, enjoying every bite of the ice cream and every gentle kiss and brush from your girlfriends. You settle into the moment, losing yourself in a haze of sweet cream and sweet touch. At some point, you feel a set of hands opening the button on your pants, but you make no effort to resist.
	You blush but also gasp with excitement when you feel your zipper opened up as well. Your raging erection springs up but you're a little surprised with where you next feel some hands. Somebody's hands slip under your shirt and start rubbing gentle circles on your stomach. You continue to blush, and you're not sure if it's from the pleasure coursing through your body or from embarrassment.
	The spell is broken when you hear a scraping sound from your carton. You open your eyes and see that the ice cream carton is almost empty. You unintentionally make a disappointed noise and scrape together whatever remnants you can find, then spoon them into your mouth. You then glance around to see Val and Lena beaming down at you, their hands still running over your body. Lena speaks up first, whispering, "That felt good, didn't it? Eating all that sweet ice cream?"
	Your face flushes bright red and you nod, unable to form words.
	"Want to do it again?" Val asks.
	Your stomach burbles uncomfortably after all the rich food you've put into it. You make a face and reply, "Not right away."
	Val giggles, "I didn't mean right now, you goofus."
	Lena's hand runs up your arm and she puts her head on your shoulder. You let out a sigh, enjoying the affectionate moment while leaning back. Despite your stomach, you're beginning to feel sleepy and content.
	Val giggles again, "Lena, you're so evil. I had no idea it was so easy to persuade Anon to stuff himself!"
	Lena's hand runs through your hair as she whispers back, "I know, but what can I say? I know what I like."
	You chuckle and kiss her.
	"Hey, I did agree to do it. And it does feel good, I have to admit."
	Val laughs warmly again, and she gently rests her head on your chest. "C'mon," she says, "Let's get you someplace more comfy than this table."
	Lena grumbles a bit at having to move, and you heft yourself up and shift over to settle into the couch. In no time, your girlfriends have resumed their cuddling of you and each other.
	"Since it doesn't look like we'll be going anywhere soon, mind if I turn on the TV?" Val asks.
	"Please, by all means," Lena says.
	"Thanks." Val flips through the channels and stops on a public access broadcast. "Oh, this is going to be very interesting."
	Lena squirms closer to you and leans into your side. The show is a panel discussion focusing on issues related to local politics. Several city officials are on the show, being questioned by the audience.
	"So here's the thing," one of the officials says. "The city has been running a budget deficit for the past few years, so we have been forced to look for savings wherever we can."
	The panel continues on like this, mostly focused on fairly mundane issues. You know it's important stuff, but you just can't bring yourself to listen closely, especially with a full belly and your lovely sleepy girlfriends on either side of you.
	"There's another city council meeting next week," says one of the officials.
	Your haze of tiredness falls away immediately as you recognize the new speaker.
	"Motherfucker..." You hiss, as the girls react to your outburst, "Theo Zarsky, you asshole..."
	"What?" asks Val. "Who's Theo Zarsky?"
	"He's the guy who's talking right now on the TV. He made my old job a lot harder than it needed to be."
	"Oh."
	"I'm certain he's on the take, even if nobody can prove it," you mutter.
	The Assemblyman Zarsky on the TV predictably takes no notice of your umbrage, chatting away with a plastic smile.
	Val nuzzles up next to you and kisses your cheek, "C'mon Anon, I remember how miserable your old job made you, let's watch something else?"
	Sighing, you put your arm around Val's shoulder and pull her close. You give Lena a firm squeeze with your other arm, and she responds in kind.
	Val hands the remote to Lena, who then starts flipping through channels.
	"Let's watch that home-improvement show," says Val. "I'm curious how they do that."
	The three of you lay back and cuddle for a bit, as you watch the workers on the TV remodel an old bathroom. The contractors talk about how the old marble is too porous, and the cement won't hold if the tub is extended too far.
	Eventually the episode ends, and Lena checks the time on her phone. She makes a disappointed face and says, "I should probably haul myself back home, since I've got work tomorrow."
	"Are you sure?" Val asks.
	"Yeah..." Lena replies solemnly.
	Val leans across you and shares a long kiss with Lena, then says, "Ok sweetie. But I want you to know that you can stay over any time you like.”
	Lena makes a happy noise and replies, "Thanks Val, but wouldn't your bed get a little small?”
	Val shrugs and says, "I like being cozy, and so does Anon."
	Your goofy smile prompts a giggle from Lena.
	She squeezes Val's hand and says, "I'll be back tomorrow, I promise."
	You and Val pepper Lena with kisses, then help her to her feet. Her stomach is still very full and rounded, and you just can't stop yourself from planting some extra kisses on it. She smiles indulgently and says, "That's so sweet, but I really need to get going."
	Reluctantly, you head back to the dining table and retrieve Lena's skirt.
	By the time you get back to the living room, Val's got a shirt back on and Lena has done up her buttons. Her purple blouse looks visibly strained, and she looks at her skirt in your hands with a sour expression.
	"Ugh damnit, that was already too tight to begin with. And that was before I stuffed myself silly," she whines.
	You hand Lena her skirt and she slowly starts putting it on, impeded by her bloated belly. It takes a bit of grumbling and huffing, plus a little help from Val, but Lena manages to fit into her skirt. The problem comes from the zipper. Lena thinks for a moment, then sighs and laughs and decides to leave it undone.
	"Might as well get used to the feeling of outgrowing clothes, since I won't be getting any smaller," she remarks.
	Her outfit is nominally decent again, but there's no hiding her stomach, which bulges over her waistband and underneath her blouse. She tries in vain to cover up a bit, but gives up and lets some tummy show with a slightly embarrassed laugh. Satisfied with her new look, Lena smiles seductively at Val, who returns the gesture with an equally coy smile.
	Val purrs, "Next time we'll make sure you can't fit back into your clothes."
	"Oooh, can't say I'd hate that," Lena says, and nips at Val's ear.
	Val pulls Lena in close once again, and draws you in as well for a final three-way hug.
	Lena eventually squirms free and pulls away, then grabs her bag and turns to leave.
	"I had a great night! Bye, see you two soon," she says sweetly, then heads out the door.
	"She's really lovely," you say.
	"Yeah, she's awesome," Val says.
	"I know it's still new, but I've got a really good feeling about this whole poly thing still."
	"Mmmm, I can't argue with those feelings. I'm glad you're into her."
	"You're both so great. I'm really happy right now," you say.
	"Me too," Val says.
	"Let's keep it that way, okay?"
	Val pulls you in tight, wrapping her arms around you and kissing your forehead.
	"I absolutely intend to, sweetie. I think we're doing good, just that we shouldn't get complacent and take anything for granted, ok? If you're feeling jealous or neglected, make sure you let me know!"
	"I never feel neglected by you, Val. You're an amazing lover, and I'm very lucky to have you as a girlfriend," you say.
	Val pulls you in tighter, and you can practically feel the affection radiating off of her. "Aw, you're making me blush," she says.
	"I love you," you say, giving her a kiss.
	"I love you too," Val says, then pulls away to look you in the eyes and smile.
	"Go rest on the couch, I know how full you are. I'll clear the table and handle the dishes," you say.
	"You sure?"
	"Yeah, just relax. I'll take care of everything."
	"Alright, I will."
	You turn to head to the dining area and start collecting dishes and silverware. There's basically no leftovers, so you scrape the few remaining morsels into the trash and load dishes into the dishwasher. You fill a glass with water, then another, and head to the living room. You plop down on the couch as Val is looking for something else to watch on TV.
	"I thought you were taking care of the dishes?" she says.
	"I did. Just threw everything into the dishwasher," you reply, and hand Val one of the glasses. She takes a healthy slug, then hands it off to you.
	You put the glasses down on the coffee table then lay back. She stretches out next to you with her head on your chest. You channel surf for a bit, then you both get some texts from Lena. You all exchange cutsey messages for a while before Lena turns in for bed. By this time, Val is looking pretty tired too.
	You decide to turn off the TV and go to bed with Val. The two of you change and wind down rather quickly, and almost as soon as you nestle into the sheets, you're out like a light.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

26 – Boundaries

	Starting with a late rise on a gloomy Monday morning, the rest of the week passes fairly quickly. You're still adapting to no longer working, to say nothing of juggling the attention of two women in your life. Each day will be a learning experience, no doubt.
	You and Val had a little practice with living together while you were recovering, and being with her basically full-time feels like a natural next step. You spend a couple days picking up at your own apartment, and sorta making some soft preparations for your eventual move out. The rest of your time is spent with Val, and Lena completes your throuple for sensual dinners in the evenings.
	Come Thursday, you and Val have somehow managed to annoy each other a bit, and agree to do your own things for that evening. Val goes for a swim with Vicky, and you decide to meet Lena for dinner at a Mexican restaurant after her work.
	Lena is already at the restaurant when you arrive. She's sitting at a table by the window looking out at the park. When she sees you, she waves you over, and you both grab your menus. You pick out meals in short order, and a first round of chips and salsa disappears quickly too. You look across the table and match eyes with Lena. She's wearing a cute low-cut shirt but all your focus is on her face.
	She beams at you and says, "So..."
	Before you can say a word, Lena holds up a hand to stop you. She smiles and says,
	"This is nice," and her hand settles on your own, tracing your knuckles and fingers.
	"This is kind of silly, but I kinda missed those moments back in school, when it was just you and me."
	"I kinda missed those moments too," you say, with a chuckle.
	Lena laughs, as do you.
	She says, "Things change, but change doesn't have to be bad."
	You think about this, and you have to admit that she has a point. Things really are different now.
	"For instance, you certainly don't seem to mind my chubbier hips," Lena interrupts your thinking, causing you to stare dumbly for a second.
	"I do like the way you... um... fill out a dress."
	You laugh nervously and try not to look too obviously in awe of her. Lena breaks into laughter, and you find the sound delightful. Before you can respond, the waiter shows up with your orders: a hearty bowl of pork menudo for yourself, and a plate of enchiladas for Lena. Also a refill of chips and salsa of course. 
	Once the two of you have gotten into your meals a bit, you resume the conversation.
	"So," you start, "I was trying to learn about poly relationship dynamics, and I think it's probably good if the three of us aren't actually doing absolutely everything together."
	"That's a good point," Lena says between bites, "I think a bit of one-on-one time for our various couplings would be healthy."
	She rubs a stocking-clad ankle against your leg for emphasis.
	"Don't worry, you can count on me for a full and equal partnership," you say.
	"I know I can," Lena smiles.
	"I know we're basically making this up as we go, but I want you to know, I'm really committed to not letting you feel like a third wheel," you say.
	"I'm glad to hear it," Lena says, but there is still a hint of nervousness to her voice.
	Lena stuffs a huge forkful of enchilada into her mouth, obviously trying to calm her nerves. You wait for her to finish chewing before asking, "Are you ok?"
	"I'm fine," she says. However, you notice her hands are shaking a bit.
	"You're a little nervous," you say.
	"A little?" Lena says with a sheepish grin.
	Her face and hands fall and she gently slaps the table, "Alright, fine, yeah, I'm nervous about visiting my parents."
	"Because?" you ask.
	"I think you already know. I'm going to ride the line between saying I'm dating and accidentally outing myself."
	You remain silent for a moment before replying, "Lena, I understand. But I know it's going to be just fine. Plus I feel like I can speak for Val on this, you don't need to mention us if you're worried about how to bring it up cautiously."
	"I guess," she says. "I mean, I've been hiding that I'm bi from them since I was a teenager..."
	Lena fidgets and squirms in her seat before continuing, "I know the odds are good that my parents won't be mad, but it's still just scary to be taking a step like that. It's not something I can ever take back, you know?"
	"I know," you softly say, "But you're not going to be coming out to them this weekend, or any weekend, until you decide that you're good and ready. And when you do, Val and I will be there with you, I promise."
	"Thanks, Anon," she says, but her voice has grown noticeably softer.
	An awkward moment passes, then Lena suddenly perks up and starts tucking into her food again. She grins at you and says, "Well, I'd be more sad if this great meal went cold!"
	You chuckle a little too and return to your meal. You and Lena make small talk, polish off you meals, and order some dessert. You're letting Lena have most of a veritable slab of caramel flan when you get a group text from Val.
	Lena looks at you expectantly, busily digging into the fluffy dessert. You pull out your phone, turn on notifications, and read Val's message.
	"Vicky and I just finished stuffing our faces at her parents' restaurant. We still want some dessert, wanna meet up for ice cream?"
	In classic Val style, there is no shortage of goofy emojis sprinkled in. You relay this to Lena and she replies with a hearty "yes". You let her have the remainder of the flan as you reply to Val. Lena senses the urgency and finishes off the dessert in a few big bites. She sets down her fork with a clatter and a satisfied sigh. As you're signing off on the check, Lena teases you, "Two desserts in one night? Anon, if I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to fatten me up!"
	You laugh and take her hand as you walk out of the restaurant. "I'm just making sure you stay nice and sweet," you say, gently squeezing her hand.
	Lena smiles back at you before she leans in and gives you a peck on the cheek. "I love how you spoil me," she whispers.
	You exit the restaurant and start heading towards Lena's car, which is a dull red light SUV. The two of you hop in, and Lena starts the car. Once she clears the parking lot and is in the flow of traffic, Lena speaks up again.
	"Anon, I'd like to ask you something."
	"Sure, go ahead."
	"I've decided that I'd like to be able to eat more in one sitting. Do you know what might help with that?”
	You think for a moment. Then you reply, "What, like stretching out your stomach?”
	Lena nods. "Yes, exactly. Dunno why I couldn't think of the actual term."
	You glance over at her, "Well I don't think it's exactly rocket science. One thing competitive eaters do is train by chugging huge amounts of water."
	Lena's eyes light up. "Really? Like, Gatorade? How much water do they chug?"
	You shrug.
	"I think they mix in a little Gatorade for the electrolytes but as for now much? Well that's gonna depend on you, but maybe start by chugging a gallon?"
	Lena giggles at the mere thought of it.
	"I can't do that," she says.
	You gently squeeze Lena's soft thigh and reply, "Maybe not yet, but that's what training is for!"
	Lena rolls her car to a stop at a red light and steals a quick kiss. She pulls away and says, "And you call me a bad influence..."
	You both laugh.
	The light turns green, and Lena accelerates once more. The radio has been playing rock songs at a quiet volume during your ride. A new song comes on and Lena perks up.
	"I love this song!" She exclaims, then turns up the volume on the radio. You're assaulted by a barrage of drums and shredding guitars, but Lena looks like she's having a blast.
	You've never really been that into metal, but then again you've never really given it much of a fair shake. And seeing Lena headbanging in time with the song inspires you to have an open mind. You may not like metal, but you're willing to give it a try.
	The song's chorus sends chills down your spine:
	"You're a slave to your lust, you're a slave to your blood
	You're a slave to your heart, you're a slave to your doom
	You're a slave to your flesh, you're a slave...”
	The song eventually winds down and fades out, being replaced with a more subdued track. Lena turns down the radio and says with a chuckle, "I just realized I probably should have asked if you liked heavy metal, huh."
	"My bar for 'heaviest metal ever' was previously Crimson Hurricane, so that was an experience," you laugh.
	Lena chuckles warmly.
	You continue, "So that band we just heard, what are they called?”
	"Void Hex," Lena explains. "I used to listen to them a lot when I was younger, but I'm not as crazy about their newer stuff. That song was titled 'The New Order', off of their third album."
	You smile and watch the town go by as Lena drives. You say, "It's funny, I've known you for a decent while and I never picked up on you being a metalhead."
	The comment makes Lena laugh, "I really got into it during the family drama. So you can imagine the scene, me working on cakes and brownies while some guy is shrieking about demons and pain."
	"I really never would have guessed," you admit, smiling and looking out the window.
	Lena laughs again, quickly glancing at you, "That's exactly it! Nobody would! Sweet pudgy Lena, with her flower dresses and smiley-face cookies, actually loves black metal and the like!”
	She bursts into laughter once more, and you laugh along. You continue to talk for a bit about music and such, and the short remainder of the car ride is quite enjoyable. 
	Soon after, Lena pulls into a parking spot at the ice cream shop. Val and Vicky are sitting at a plastic table outside, looking like they just started into some ice cream cones. Lena stops the car and you get out. You meet the gaze of two women staring at you.
	Val's predictably wearing the same blue romper she left the condo in earlier. Vicky is crammed into a pair of spandex shorts and a crop top under an unbuttoned long flannel shirt, with a flashy belly button ring drawing attention to her bulging tummy roll. They grin at you and Lena as you approach.
	"There you are, mister," Val says with a giggle and a huge grin, "And there's the chubby bitch who kidnapped my man," jokingly referring to Lena.
	You bite your lip to keep from laughing, but Lena doesn't miss a beat and snarks back at Val, "And I can't believe my strong girlfriend got kidnapped by that whale sitting next to you," jokingly referring to Vicky.
	At that moment, Vicky begins to chuckle in an uncharacteristic fashion. Her eyes dart from Lena to you and back again, and she begins to laugh, despite her best efforts to conceal it. Vicky looks down at her plush belly, giving it a few jiggles and squeezes, then says between giggles, "I count as a whale now? Lena, you flatter me."
	Lena stares at Vicky in astonishment before bursting into laughter herself, and soon everybody is cracking up. You're the first to regain your composure, then you take Lena's arm and say, "C'mon, let's get some nice second dessert."
	Shortly thereafter, you emerge from the shop with a modest pistachio cone, and Lena is toting a chocolate-drenched sundae. The two of you join Vicky and Val at their table, and catch up on the events of the afternoon.
	You're about to mention Lena's new stomach capacity mission when you notice she's slyly sent you a text.
	It reads, "Don't mention the stomach training thing. I want to surprise the other girls."
	You try to keep an impassive face, but before anybody can notice your body language, Lena speaks up, "So Anon experienced Void Hex today,"
	Val looks confused, "What's that? Did you curse him? Don't curse Anon! We need to be careful since we're sharing him!"
	Lena laughs at Val's confusion, "No, nothing like that. Void Hex is a heavy metal band."
	Vicky maintains a smug knowing smile, and keeps from laughing by chomping into her cone. Val thinks for a second then laughs herself, "Oh my god, I'm such a ditz today!"
	Lena traps one of Val's arms and leans in, "Maybe. But you're my ditz," and gives Val a peck on the cheek. You follow and give Val a quick kiss of your own. Vicky's smile widens, and she plucks a loose piece of her cone, then pops it into her mouth.
	Speaking around her food, Vicky says, "It's alright, Val. You've, uh.... Just got low blood sugar from swimming recently."
	"I do..?” Val starts, eventually getting in on the joke, "Yeah, that's right! In fact, I think I need a big milkshake too, uh for the protein! Like a bodybuilder!”
	Lena rolls her eyes, but grins and takes a massive bite of her dessert. While the others are distracted, you shoot Val a meaningful glance, and a wink.
	Val grins back and inhales the last remnant of her ice cream cone. Vicky finishes her dessert a moment later, and Val says, "You know what, I think I actually do want even more ice cream. A milkshake sounds like just the thing."
	"I have to agree," Vicky says, and heaves herself up from the table.
	You rub Lena's thigh and play with the hem of her skirt while the other girls are getting their second helpings. You can practically feel her smile against your face and feel the heat coming from her body as she leans into you.
	Vicky returns to the table first, holding a styrofoam cup and sipping at a wide straw.
	"What kind of shake did you get?” Lena asks.
	"Chocolate!" Vicky answers with a broad smile, showing off her pearly whites, "With caramel."
	A few moments later Val trots back to the table with her own styrofoam cup and a pleasant smile. She settles herself at the table, causing the plastic bench to creak slightly.
	"I got a rocky road shake. Since it's got nuts, that means it's got protein and it's healthy, right?"
	"As Val's de facto swimming coach, I'm gonna approve of that logic," Vicky says.
	Everybody at the table has a good chuckle at the abject ridiculousness of that.
	Vicky suddenly looks like she has an idea, a goofy grin appearing on her face. Giggling to herself, Vicky takes her milkshake cup and nestles it between her ample cleavage. "Look, no hands!" she laughs, then slightly contorts her chest and head to sip at her drink.
	"I like how you think, Vicky," Val says, then regards her own breasts. She pushes her arms together and lightly fondles her chest, apparently calculating how much more boob she'd need to replicate Vicky's stunt.
	You glance over at Lena and catch her evaluating her own cleavage with a bit of a blush. She looks up and says to Vicky, "That's ...kinda hot."
	"I know right?" Vicky answers. She winks at Lena and adds, "You're doing that 'mental math' face of yours. Instead of wondering, you wanna borrow this cup and actually see if it fits?”
	Lena hesitates a moment, making a quick choked sound before replying, "You're serious?”
	Vicky grins back nonchalantly, "Yup, absolutely," and extracts the milkshake cup from between her bosoms. She slides it across the table towards Lena. Val watches this exchange silently but with an excited grin. Her eyes flick between Lena and the cup.
	Lena picks up the cup, tentatively holding it in her hands. Then, she snugs it into her own cleavage and giggles as the cup stays in place, if not by much and mainly by the support of her bra. She looks across the table at Vicky with a goofy grin and steadily-reddening cheeks. "Ok, now I've got to drink from it?” Lena asks. Vicky replies, "Yep. Shift around however you need to."
	Looking down and contorting her neck and chest, Lena's lips make all manner of goofy shapes as they reach for the straw. Eventually, they manage to make contact, and she takes a long sip of the milkshake. The entire table has a good laugh, and she chuckles along.
	"This is sooo good," Lena says, licking her lips and exhaling as she returns to a relaxed pose.
	Val slowly licks her lips and looks at Lena's chest. "Maybe I'd better.... Inspect it myself to be sure," and before Lena can react, Val's swooped in and takes a drag on the straw too. Lena squeaks with surprise but otherwise is too shocked to react. You can only laugh at this erotic display, and your cock throbs under your waistband. Vicky smacks Val's shoulder and says with mock annoyance, "Val, you pig! Leave my shake alone!”
	Val turns to look at Vicky and sticks her tongue out, smarmily saying, "It's not about the shake, it's about how it's drunk."
	Vicky raises an eyebrow and says, "Is that so?" A moment later Vicky lunges across the table and is sipping her shake from Lena's cleavage. Lena blushes beet-red but wears an expression that can only be excitement. You can't take your eyes off of this delicious display.
	After a few long moments, Vicky comes up for air, her face inches from Lena's. Vicky licks some stray cream from her lips, and a moment later presses them against Lena's. Lena moans softly and arches her back ever so slightly. It's apparent she is turned on by this display of affection. Her hand snakes up Vicky's back of its own accord, and she pulls the other woman tighter. Vicky pulls away, panting lightly and still leaning across the table. She casts her eyes down and says, "Oh, God. Sorry. I don't know what came over me, but I just couldn't resist..."
	Lena looks down too, slowly shrinking in her seat. She wordlessly pulls the cup from out of her cleavage and sets it back on the table.
	Eyes still down, Vicky mutters, "I just fucked up, didn't I?”
	Lena looks away, but not before you see the tears welling up in her eyes.
	"I'm so sorry," Vicky says, "I didn't mean to make you...."
	You try to intervene, hoping it's not too late, "Ok, everybody hang on. I don't think a kiss between friends counts as cheating."
	Val adds soothingly, "I agree," then lightly claps Lena's shoulder, "Lena, baby, I'm not mad. Lord knows I push boundaries plenty hard, and we're all feeling pretty experimental lately."
	Vicky still looking down, says, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I just don't know what came over me. I just..."
	"I get it," Val says,"I really do. Maybe a warning would have been nice, but you got caught up in the moment."
	Lena's eyes are staring to dry, and you take her hand, gripping it reassuringly.
	Vicky looks less forlorn, but she still radiates shame. "I still can't believe I just did that. Guys, I'm really so sorry, I'm such a terrible friend..."
	You lightly pat your palm on the table. The cheap plastic reverberates surprisingly well. You say, "While we never explicitly set this rule down, I think Lena, Val, and I would be more or less ok with each of us kissing somebody else at some point, right?"
	Both women nod, and Vicky looks up with a little more hope in her eyes.
	"So how about this," you continue, "Let's promise here and now to be really good about getting definite permission before experimenting outside of our throuple. How's that sound?”
	The women collectively nod.
	You raise your hand first. "I promise."
	Val raises her hand, "I promise."
	Lena raises a timid hand, "I promise."
	Vicky visibly exhales, and the dark cloud hanging over the table seems to melt away. Val chews her lip and tentatively starts to say, "So.... How would you feel about testing that promise right away?"
	You're surprised, but pleased. "Are you serious? Like right now?"
	"Yes," Val says, smiling with a bit of mischief in her eyes.
	Vicky cocks her head, unsure of Val's intentions. Lena just watches quietly.
	Val swallows, then says, "Well, Vicky and Lena had a moment, so... Maybe it's only fair if Anon and I get a moment with you too, Vicky?"
	At this point, Vicky's wary expression lightens, and she tries not to smile.
	"Ok, Val, what do you have in mind?” You ask.
	Val slowly licks her teeth and is staring towards Vicky's plunging cleavage. She says, "Treats are always better with a cute partner, and I owe you some milkshake. So how about I set up this cup of creamy rocky road between your boobs, and we all get a sip and a kiss?”
	Vicky's eyes widen in shock, then she begins to smile.
	"Really, Val? Now?" Vicky asks, but still smiling.
	"Now," Val replies.
	Vicky shifts in her seat, getting a little more comfortable and puffing out her chest. "And you're one hundred percent sure you're not mad with me?" she asks.
	Val holds her shake cup and grins at Vicky, "Promise we're not mad. This is just a few hot people having a little fun with each other."
	Vicky shifts in her seat some more, then nods.
	"Ok, I'm ready," she says and bites her lip.
	Val leans forward and slowly slides the styrofoam cup between Vicky's soft boobs, the latter visibly tensing with excitement. Val then sensuously rests her hand on Vicky's shoulder, leans in, and takes a long draught from the straw. Vicky reaches up and gently squeezes Val's hand, a very cute and intimate gesture.
	"Mmm, that's good," Val says with a satisfied nod.
	She then wraps her hand around the back of Vicky's head, and leans in to meet her lips. They kiss slowly, then with greater passion, until Vicky's face is flushed. Val pulls back and looks into Vicky's eyes, which are now glassy and slightly wild.
	Vicky gasps, "Wow..." and takes a moment to breathe as Val sits down.
	Val turns to you and says, "Ok, Anon. You next?"
	You look at Vicky and she shoots you a lusty grin while adjusting the cup between her ample tits. Heart pounding, hardly believing what's about to happen, you take quick glances at Val and Lena. Val just grins at you and nods. Lena looks incredibly turned on but manages to say "Go for it."
	You turn back to Vicky, and she makes a "come closer" gesture with her fingers. You lean in close, pausing for a moment to catch the scents of chlorine and Vicky's skin. Next you wrap your lips around the plastic straw, taking a long, greedy drink of the milkshake. The blend of creamy chocolate and rich nutty flavors coat your mouth, and you inadvertently moan softly at the sweetness. Vicky reaches to the back of your head and gently plays with your hair, the pleasurable sensation causing you to hum quietly.
	Satisfied with your drink, you come up for air and are inches from Vicky's face, at risk of getting lost in the rich depths of her dark brown eyes. She's nibbling her full lower lip with anticipation, and you reach across and gently stroke her chubby cheek. She leans into your touch, closing her eyes with enjoyment.
	Your heart is pounding in your chest, and you can wait no longer. You bring your lips to Vicky's, gently caressing them with your tongue. You wrap an arm around her, drawing her in tighter, trying to mind the cup nestled at her chest. You deepen the kiss, Vicky moaning into your mouth. She tastes particularly sweet, and she works against your lips and tongue with almost a hunger and appreciation. She nibbles your lip as you pull away, and you need a second to remember where you are.
	Vicky is looking up at you with a pleased grin. "Val told me you were a good kisser," she purrs, "I'm glad I got to experience it."
	You blush and sheepishly grin. You sit back down and rub your mouth on the back of your hand and look towards Lena.
	"Three for three?" you ask her.
	"Can I? Really?" She whispers.
	"Yeah," you say. "We're doing it with permission now, so it's only fair."
	Val adds, "Fun doesn't have a scoreboard. Whenever you're ready, Lena.”
	Lena takes a calming breath and looks across the table at Vicky. Val's milkshake is still snugly tucked between Vicky's tits, and Vicky looks all too ready to please Lena.
	"Nothing's hotter than consent. C'mon over here and get some sugar, Lena," Vicky purrs.
	Lena slowly leans forward and cranes her head towards Vicky's chest, reaching her mouth for the straw. She takes a few sips, then moans, "I'm so full, but it's so good..."
	"I love hearing those words," Vicky murmurs, running a finger across Lena's cheek.
	Lena grabs Vicky's wrist, pausing to look Vicky straight in the eye for a moment. Then, she inevitably leans in and locks lips with Vicky once more. She releases Vicky's wrist, bracing her arm on Vicky's shoulder. Vicky's now-free hand traces up and down Lena's arm as they make out. Lena eventually pulls away, hanging her head near to Vicky's.
	"Mmm, yes," Vicky murmurs, rubbing her nose against Lena's.
	Lena takes a deep breath and smiles broadly, then slowly sits back down.
	Nobody speaks for a long few seconds. You take Lena's hand, and you rub your foot against Val's under the table. She beams at you across the table and responds in kind. The spell is broken with slurping sounds coming from Vicky's direction. The lucky cup of milkshake is still stuffed between her tits, and Vicky is helping herself to some of the drink.
	"Ahh, that IS good," she moans, licking her lips, her eyes locked on Val.
	Val seems to snap to focus, looking at Vicky with resignation. Vicky giggles and returns the milkshake to its rightful owner. Val accepts, and gently jostles the cup, gauging how much is left. She sighs, but laughs and says, "I'm always happy to share my food for a good cause!"
	Lena turns to you, and says, "Was it good for you, too?"
	"Uh, yeah," you say, smiling. "It was pretty fun."
	"Good," she says, smiling.
	Vicky belches, a hand shooting to her mouth and her face lighting up with shock. She looks to you and Lena with a pained expression.
	"Sorry! Sorry!" she says, but laughing.
	"It's... fine," Lena says, laughing with Vicky.
	Vicky groans quietly and rubs her chubby stomach, fidgeting with her belly button ring as she does so.
	"Are you... okay?" you ask, leaning forward.
	"I'm just, you know... full," she says, smiling.
	She pauses, looks around the table, then says, "Thanks for putting up with me, I know I pushed some boundaries today."
	Val claps Vicky's shoulder, "Hey, it's ok. We already litigated this and we reached an agreement."
	Vicky smiles ruefully at Val, "I know, and I'm glad my dumbassery worked out. Still, I don't think we should make a habit out of this."
	"No, it's fine, really. So you're good?" you ask.
	"Yeah, I'm good," she says, smiling.
	Vicky's smile takes on a wry twist, "Though, to be honest, that whole thing -" she waves a hand for emphasis,"- never would've even crossed my mind if not for the whole Brad situation."
	"I'm still so upset about that for you," Val interjects, a hint of that cold fury in her bearing again.
	Vicky waves Val off, "It's alright. He'll get his soon enough."
	Val doesn't look totally convinced, but she lets it drop. 
	With that, Vicky slowly huffs to her feet. Her stomach bulges proudly over the band of her shorts, and you swear it's bigger than you remember. She wobbles and leans against the table edge. Her large brown eyes flicker as she looks at all of you. "You three are such good friends," she says softly.
	"Thanks, that means a lot," Lena replies.
	"I'm gonna have a long day at work tomorrow, so I should get going," Vicky says.
	Lena follows, "And I've got an early meeting. Val, how about you let me give you a ride home?"
	"That would be great," she says.
	"See you two later," Vicky says, walking off.
	"She's a strange bird," Val says, "But she's our strange bird. I hope she's gonna be ok."
	"Me too," say you and Lena almost simultaneously.
	Vicky's head pops back around a corner and she calls out, "Hey Val, I assume you want your workout bag from out of my car?"
	"Indeed I do," Val calls back, rising to her feet. "I'll be back in a sec," she says to you and Lena, then ducks around the corner towards Vicky's pickup.
	Lena turns towards you, "So you'll help me stretch out my stomach, right?"
	"Umm..." you reply, taken aback.
	Lena snickers, "I know there won't actually be that much for you to do. It's more about having you around for encouragement and the tummy rubs when I'm all bloated."
	You laugh softly and reply, "Of course I can manage that. I'd like to think I'm pretty good at both of those things."
	Lena grins and looks directly into your eyes.
	"I can hardly wait," she says.
	You feel your cheeks warm as you imagine Lena's stomach growing and swollen to its limit. Just as you're about to speak, Val walks around the corner and sticks her head around the corner to look directly at you and Lena.
	"Ok, got my stuff," she says, and a moment later Vicky's grey pickup cruises past and onto the road.
	Lena gives you a quick peck on the lips and goes to start gathering her trash. "Ready to head back home?" she asks.
	"I suppose so," you say.
	You pick yourself up to your feet as Lena throws out her trash. A few moments later, you and Val are settling into Lena's SUV. Val has the front seat this time, since it's a better fit for her stature. You're reminded of her muscled build as you slide into the back seat. As Lena starts the engine and begins driving, you allow your mind to wander, imagining how delightfully curvy and soft Val will become as she continues to pack on the pounds. You hear Val and Lena talking in the front seats but you aren't paying attention. You're pulled back into the moment by Val reaching back and nudging your leg.
	"Hey, you awake back there?" she asks.
	"Huh? Uh, yeah, I just kinda zoned out," you reply.
	Lena's attention is on driving, but she speaks a little louder, "So what were you daydreaming about?"
	"Just fantasizing about how hot you two will be as you keep gaining weight," you half-lie, though you do start imagining a fatter Lena even as you reply.
	"Really?" Val says with a hint of a smirk. "Like you can even imagine that."
	"Oh yeah, I can picture you both with very voluptuous figures. Very voluptuous. Thick enough to get stuck in doorways."
	"Ha ha," Val says, and you can hear the smile in her voice. Lena rolls her eyes as she drives, but her smile is unmistakable.
	"I guess that's a good enough answer to warrant keeping you around," she teases.
	"I'm sure we'll still keep you around for other reasons," Val says, and you can hear the smile in her voice.
	You reply with a chuckle, "Well I'm glad to hear that!"
	The conversation turns to light topics as Lena progresses along the short drive. Soon she's rolling to a stop in front of Val's condo. She pauses and turns to address you and Val.
	"So I'll get to see you two tomorrow?" Lena asks.
	"Oh yeah," Val replies, "Actually I was thinking we hit Arno's tomorrow for dinner."
	"Oh, that sounds great! And I assume it'll be fine for me to stay the night?”
	"Like we said, you can stay over any time you like," Val replies warmly.
	Lena leans in a gives Val a quick kiss, then draws back and says, "Perfect. Oh man, I'm gonna eat so much fucking pasta..."
	You grin at Lena and gently place a finger on her chin, "I'll hold you to that. You know how much I love watching you eat."
	Lena's cheeks flush, and you can hear the laughter in her voice as she says, "I think I like hearing you say that."
	Your grin deepens, and Lena kisses your finger. A second later, you're pleasantly surprised as she starts to suck on it. She releases your finger and shoots you a lusty smile. "Mmm, you taste so good," she sighs, and your cheeks warm with excitement.
	She turns and looks deep into Val's eyes, "I gotta give the two of you something to look forward to," then gives Val a lingering kiss.
	The two women catch a moment to rest their foreheads against one another, their contentment plain to see.
	The moment can't last forever, however, and Val pats Lena's shoulder, "Ok, Anon and I have to go. We'll see you tomorrow after work!"
	"Right, bye."
	Val opens the door and steps out of the car. You snag a quick final kiss from Lena, and exit the car too. Lena gives the two of you a wave, then puts the car into gear. She rolls down the road and disappears around a bend.
	You and Val stroll up the short brick walkway and enter her condo complex. The evening is still fairly young, so you and Val settle in for some lounge time. You play some video games, watch some TV, and Val scarfs down a couple extra helpings of desserts. You sit back and enjoy the company of your girlfriend, wondering what the hell you're going to do with the rest of your life. You turn and look over at Val, who is playing on her phone while grazing on some chocolates. "Hey honey," you start, "I don't think I know what to do with myself now that I'm retired."
	"Don't worry, we'll figure it out. We have time," Val says from across the room.
	"Yeah, I guess," you say, still wondering what to do with your life. She senses your uncertainty, and puts away her phone, then walks up to you.
	"Honestly that's kinda been on my mind a bit too," Val admits. "Though I suppose I had a bit of a head start back when I started trading from home."
	You sit up and lean towards her, and she leans in as well. You take Val's hand, finding comfort in her returned grip, and say, "I guess I should be glad that I'm gonna get so much more time with you, and Lena, and all the other people I care about."
	"I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you," Val says. "You're stuck with us chubby lovers, and we're sticking together."
	"You really are something else sweetie."
	Val beams at this and leans closer to give you a kiss. You feel her hand slide up your arm and under your sweatshirt sleeve, then you feel a tug on the fabric of your sweatshirt and you're lifted up a bit. She pulls your shirt gently but firmly. You follow Val's tug and rise to your feet. You tilt your head back and eagerly meet her lips as both of your hands wander over each other. The kiss is long and soft, but soon you pull back. Both of you breathe heavily.
	"I suppose the details don't really matter, do they," you say after a while.
	"Not really," Val purrs, "So long as some of those details include giving me attention and food."
	You lean in and give her another lingering kiss.
	"I love you, Val," you say finally.
	"I love you too, baby," she replies. A few long moments pass as Val holds you firmly in her arms. She still smells a bit of chlorine, but she's warm, and actually starting to be a little soft. Something about that really brings a smile to your face.
	You feel a yawn make its way though her frame. "Oof, was wondering when that food coma was going to hit," she grumbles. You chuckle softly, then say, "I could call it a night too."
	Val lets you go, then leads you by the hand up to her bedroom. Before you know it, you're under the covers and playing little spoon to Val.
	"Sweet dreams, baby," she says, and in seemingly no time, you're lost in a sea of sleep, drowning in dreams.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

27 – Pasta Squad

	The next morning, you're jarred from a wonderful dream by the morning sunlight and Val shifting next to you in bed. You lay back and try to recapture it. Something about Lena and Val lounging on pillows, and you had a hose that delivered some kind of cream... You chuckle to yourself as you recall it.
	"What's so funny?" Val asks, rubbing her eyes.
	"I was just remembering a dream I had."
	"What was it?"
	"It's mostly gone," you reply, "But I remember you and Lena being there, and I had a hose with like a fattening cream."
	"Mm, fattening," Val smiles. "A dream is a little silly to base a morning off of."
	"Oh come on, it was a nice dream. And besides, it's a dream you're getting to live, right?”
	As you say this, you lightly pinch some new softness on Val's tummy. She jokingly swats you away.
	"That tickles," she says, with a playful pout.
	"Somebody's starting to get a little squishy," you chuckle, then kiss her.
	Valentine cuddles into you ever so slightly. She seems to really enjoy that, and plays with your hair. You lie there for a few minutes, just enjoying her closeness. You feel Val sigh. "Guess we better get the day started, huh?" And indeed you do. The two of you roll out of bed, do your morning stretch workout, then group text with Lena while having some breakfast. Sure enough, Lena is stuck in a meeting, and isn't exactly free to chat at the moment. You and Val while away a little time, eating your breakfast and talking about the day's news.
	"Do you think we'll have a chance to take a long walk today?" Val asks. "The day's pretty open other than going to Arno's this evening with Lena," you say over your coffee mug. "They say it might rain later, so we might not want to wait too long."
	Val nods, and then continues, "Yeah, I think we can take a walk. It's a nice day, and it'd be good to get out of the house for a little while." You smile and agree. You also think about how Val's place is uncharacteristically kind of a mess, and it'll be nice to ignore the looming housework for a bit. Val doesn't ignore it though, mumbling with a sigh, "We need to put some time into cleaning up."
	You scan across the kitchen and the pile of dirty dishes there, then land your gaze on Val. "I know," you say gently, "It won't be that bad, but chores just aren't much fun." Val looks up at you with a pout, and you decide it's best not to dwell on the housework too much. "Anyway, the weather's pretty nice now, you want to get out soon?"
	"Mm hm. Yeah, I think so," Val says, then finishes her coffee.
	The two of you finish up breakfast, add your dishes to the pile, and go upstairs to get dressed. Val puts on a pair of shorts and a tight blue top. While donning your own shirt-and-shorts outfit, you catch Val looking over herself in the mirror. She says something too softly for you to hear, then shudders as if she's about to cry. Instead, she starts chuckling to herself. She pinches her stomach through her shirt and says to herself, "I still kinda can't believe this is happening. I'm actually getting a little chubby, and it feels pretty good..." You grin and watch as Val runs her hands over herself and strikes a few poses. She knows you're watching and shakes her ass a little for you at one point. After a few moments, she's happy with what she sees, but her hands go back to her tummy. "Guess I'd better be ready to say goodbye to my abs soon," she says with a chortle. You get up and wrap your arms around Val's waist from behind. You reach and plant a kiss on her neck then whisper, "You've got a great tummy whether it's muscular or squishy. It's a fact that you're just doomed to be a sexy bitch." Val giggles and leans back in your arms, giving you a cheeky grin. You try not to grunt as Val settles more of her weight onto you, but a small noise slips out.
	"Heh, am I getting too heavy for you, lover boy?“ She chuckles.
	"Don't be ridiculous," you say through a bit of strain, "Never too heavy for me."
	"I'm glad," she says, then runs a hand along your thigh.
	She giggles again, and you feel even more of Val's weight settle onto you. You grunt with surprise and adjust your footing, struggling to support your heavy girlfriend. "Val -" you force out through gritted teeth. Val finally shows mercy and sets her feet back down, and you sigh with relief in spite of yourself. With a laugh, she turns around and wraps her arms around you.
	"I already know I'll never be too heavy for you to like," Val says into your ear, "But maybe I enjoy being too heavy for you to lift."
	You laugh and hug her back. "Hey, this way I don't need to worry about you being carried off by some barbarian, or blowing away in the wind," you reply. Val lets out another laugh and puts her hands on your butt, then gives it a gentle squeeze. The two of you kiss for a few moments, then Val squeezes your butt again, "Ok, we should get going."
	You make an agreeing sound and slide out of Val's arms. Val grabs her purse and throws on a lightweight patterned jacket. You grab a jacket of your own and follow your girlfriend outside. The sun is shining through some moderate clouds, and the breeze is cool and refreshing.
	You take a moment to feel the sunlight on your skin and gaze at the clouds in the sky. "What a beautiful day, isn't it?" Val says, smiling up at you.
	"Sure is. Where to?" you say, turning and putting your arm around her. "Hmm..." Val makes a show of thinking, putting a finger to her lip, "I guess we could take a long route through the park, then maybe do some window shopping before lunch?"
	You grin and give Val a quick squeeze. "Good guess."
	"I thought so."
	The two of you stroll past houses and condos, then take a turn onto a shady concrete path leading to the park. The path is bordered by various bushes and shrubs, and the leaves of the trees overhead provide some shadow and shelter from the sun. You and Val pass a few people, a couple of families out for a stroll, some people with dogs. At one point, you notice a young couple with coordinated trendy outfits heading your way, clearly out for a stroll as well. You and Val are taken aback as you notice that they have a playful trio of leashed ferrets with them. "Ohhh, they're cute," Val says, squinting up at the eccentric couple with their small fluffy animals.
	"You like them?" you say.
	"I do. They're so cute and playful." She sighs dreamily. "I wouldn't mind having one or two or - several of them." Then she laughs and shakes her head. "But I digress - let's keep walking."
	You both continue strolling alongside the path. As you pass the trendy couple with the ferrets, you and Val grin as the slinky animals bounce and bound along. The couple doesn't seem to pay you much mind, but their knowing smiles suggest they're used to that sort of reaction. You and Val continue walking in the shade, enjoying the coolness, the gentle breeze, and the passive people-watching as you progress.
	After about twenty minutes of winding through the shady park, you and Val take a fork on the path and emerge at the local shopping center.  Despite the shade and the pleasant weather, your jacket is wide open and you feel a hint of sweat under your shirt. You meander past an assortment of upscale boutiques, cafes, and various business offices.
	You and Val stop in at a jewelry store, where you browse for a moment. You're looking over a selection of gem-studded bracelets, and look up to see Val intently perusing some elegant necklaces. You catch Val's eye and give her a small smile. She smiles back and gives you a wink. After a moment, Val nods decisively. "I want to buy that silver one." None of the jewelry was catching your eye anyways, so you give Val an approving smile and watch as she completes the purchase. The two of you head out of the store hand in hand, with Val sporting a new filigreed silver hawk pendant.
	"How much did you spend?" you ask.
	"About four or five hundred dollars," Val says, grinning.
	"Well, you just got a good deal, girlfriend."
	"I know." She pecks you on the cheek, and continues, "Not that we really need to worry about getting good deals all the time, huh?"
	"I suppose not," you smile back. 
	"How about we get some lunch, Mr. Anon?" Val says, and you can feel her body heat radiating next to you. "I'm pretty hungry."
	"Yeah, that sounds good." It's a bit before the lunch rush, so the restaurants aren't particularly busy yet. You decide to duck into a trendy-looking banh mi shop. You step in and give the posted menu a once over. The selection looks good. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The shopkeeper is a short, slender man in his early twenties. He looks at you and your female companion appraisingly. "What would you two like to eat?"
	"I'll have a..." you consider the options, and pick the grilled chicken sandwich.
	"And for you, Miss?" Val orders a double-sized sandwich with the classical cold cut filling. She tacks on a pair of diet sodas for the two of you. The man smiles and nods. "I'll be right back with your orders."
	You head to the soda fountain and fill your cup, then Val does the same and follows you to a booth. You sit down across from each other, the old cushions sagging a bit under Val's weight. From a distance, Val studies the menu with interest. "See, the nice thing about sandwiches," Val starts, turning to look back at you, "Is that there are so many possibilities!"
	"Hoping this can place can be a regular haunt?" You ask with a grin.
	"Maybe when we have more money," Val jokes.
	The cashier appears at that moment, depositing your respective sandwiches onto the table.
	"Enjoy!" He says before turning and leaving. The sandwich Val got is enormous. A veritable torpedo of bread, meat, and veggies, dripping with sauce. It looks delicious, but you've only got eyes for your own grilled chicken banh mi. You pick up the sandwich and take a bite. It's delicious! The grilled chicken is tender and the sauce is just the right amount of spicy. You're hungrier than you realized, and you make short work of your lunch. Val does too, and you're no longer shocked by how she can inhale food. She pats her stomach with a giggle, then shifts to stand up. "I'll be right back," she says. "I saw something for dessert that I'd like to try!"
	You watch Val return to the counter and place another order. The cashier ducks into the back room, then a few moments later returns and hands a wrapped package to Val. She walks back to you and explains, "I got an ice cream banh mi! It looked really good..."
	You can sense Val's excitement as she unwraps the ice cream sandwich. You can't wait to see what she'll do with it.
	Val takes a bite and chews thoughtfully. "This is really, really good," she says after a few moments.
	You let out a small laugh. "I'm glad you think so." 
	"It's not an opinion, dum dum," she laughs and extends the sandwich towards you. "Take a bite, and you'll see I'm spitting facts."
	You happily accept the offering and take a bite, immediately enjoying this delectable treat. The sandwich is excellent. It's crispy exterior and gooey interior melt in your mouth. You make a contented sound and nod, "Yep, that's pretty good. Not sure what I was expecting, but I like it."
	Val nods, then smiles. "I thought so." You take another bite, savoring the flavor and enjoying this delightful dessert. The ice cream sandwich is gone about as quickly as the first. Val wipes her mouth with a napkin, then pats her tummy with a satisfied smile.
	"Ah, nice little snack," she chuckles, "That oughta hold me over until dinner."
	You and Val smile at each other, and you can feel your heartbeat rise in excitement. "Ready to get going?" You ask. "Yep. Let's do it."
	You get up from the booth and walk out of the restaurant together. You wander in and out of a few shops over the next hour or so. You pretend not to be bored to tears as Val looks over some makeup options, and the two of you discuss potential new home goods or furniture. Eventually, you decide to head back home, going back the way you came through the park. You and Val sit on a bench near the duck pond, and watch the ducks swim in circles. The trees around you are thick and green, and the air is pleasant and cool. Cooler than earlier, you notice. The clouds have thickened, and are beginning to take on a dark cast. You shiver a bit, and put your arm around Val. "Look at those clouds. We better head home."
	Val nods, and the two of you walk briskly, trying to beat the coming storm. Unfortunately, you don't quite manage. As you walk back down the street, a loud crack splits the air, and a bolt of lightning strikes nearby. You're both frozen in place, and Val yelps involuntarily. Cold, fat raindrops start coming down a moment later. The rain is slow, but relentless and picking up. By the time you and Val leave the park, you're practically jogging, and the rain has graduated to a proper downpour. The two of you run faster, trying to beat the deluge.
	You're making your way down Val's street, focusing on your breathing, moving your legs, and trying not to let the cold and wet bother you. Suddenly, you feel your foot slip on something. You try to stop yourself, but your momentum is too great. You fall forward awkwardly, yelping in pain and surprise. You feel your ankle twist weirdly as you fall, and brace as you splash into a puddle. The pain is sharp and hot, lightning flashes bright and white in your head, and then it fades. The rain is now pelting you. Your clothing is sodden and heavy. You hear Val's footfalls stop, then she splashes back your way. "Ow..." You groan.
	"Anon!" Val gasps, "Are you ok?"
	"Not really," you grunt and drag yourself out of the puddle, "I fell, and I think I hurt my ankle."
	"Your ankle?" Val frowns.
	"Yeah, my ankle."
	"Can you walk?"
	You roll over onto your back and sit up, then groan as you try to set some weight on the affected ankle. "I think so..." Val braces your arm as you try to stand up. You grimace as a bolt of pain shoots up through your leg.
	"Nope, no good..." You grunt.
	"I'll carry you," you hear Val say.
	"I don't want to be a burden..." you say.
	By now, Val's soaked to the bone too, her blonde hair stuck wetly to her face. She fixes her blue eyes onto yours with a serious look.
	"You're not a burden, you're my boyfriend. Now don't be ridiculous, I'm really strong, remember? I can handle you."
	"But we've barely gotten onto your street, it's still a good ways to go..." you say.
	Val ignores your protests.
	"This isn't a discussion. We need to get home, and I can do this. Trust me," she says as she grips your arms. You're both shivering. The cold rain is getting to you now.
	"Ok, do whatever you need to," you acquiesce. Val nods and grunts, then says, "Ok, now just hold your arms like that..."
	She crouches down, and gradually hefts you up over her shoulders in a fireman carry. She braces her arms with another grunt, then asks, "Comfy?"
	"As long as you don't drop me..." you say.
	"I wouldn't do that. I'm a good carrier."
	You try to relax and think light thoughts as Val jogs down the sidewalk. You try not to think of the ankle sprain you've probably got. You try to think about nothing at all.
	Val's keeping a good pace. You knew she was strong but today's incident really drives it home - she barely seems slowed down by you. 
	You think of nothing. Val's shoulders pop as she breathes. The sidewalk rolls away beneath your feet. Val keeps jogging. Soon enough you see some familiar sidewalk, and both of you sigh with relief as you duck under the eaves of Val's condo complex. As Val fiddles one-handedly to dig out her keys, you speak up, "Uh, Val?"
	"I'm fine, Anon. I'm carrying you straight to the couch, then I'm gonna get you a towel, fresh clothes, and some ice for that ankle."
	"But..."
	"But nothing, we're almost there."
	You feel Val's hands resume their grip on your arm and leg. You hear her push the door open and she conscientiously turns to get you through safely. You reach out to close the door behind her and she chuckles.
	"Guess I didn't really consider the doors..." she says.
	The condo is warm and dry, Val puts you on the couch and quickly runs out to get the promised clothes, towels, and an ice pack. She comes back with a T-shirt and sweatpants for you, and shorts and an oversized hoodie for herself. She sets down the clothes and the icepack, then starts stripping out of her soaked clothes. You're soaked and freezing yourself, so you don't even take the chance to perv on Val's nudity. You awkwardly peel off your wet clothes as every movement reminds you of your hurt ankle. You sigh in contentment as you snuggle into a warm, fluffy towel, then gingerly apply the ice pack to your sprain.
	"How's it feel?" Val asks, sitting down next to you. You frown as you rotate your foot and flex, trying to gauge the severity of the pain.
	"It hurts," you say. "But I guess it's not actually that bad."
	"Let me see." Val reaches over and peeks at it. "Well it doesn't look swollen," she says, appraising your ankle. "But I think you should take it easy for the afternoon at least.
	You start to try putting weight on the foot, but Val stops you. You protest, "But what about our date with Lena?"
	"We can do something else, like order in, if we need to," Val says. "We can decide closer to dinner time. Besides, you definitely won't heal if you keep aggravating it." You relent, "Fine."
	Val smiles and pats your shoulder, "I'll take care of housework today too."
	You look at her, "Really? You don't mind that I can't help?"
	"I told you not to help. It's fine, really. I don't mind taking care of you," Val says gently. She stretches out her shoulders and neck.
	"I guess it's weirdly easy to forget how strong you really are," you say, watching her stretch. "You look so beautiful."
	Val smiles and blushes.
	"Thank you," she says. She gets up and drops the towel. Val grins as she goes over to her clothes and strikes some poses as she dresses, pretending you can't see.
	"I'm realizing we never did a super brutal workout together. It's actually been ages since I did any serious weightlifting."
	"I'm kinda rusty too, so I'll just have to go easy on you," you joke. Val laughs as she slips into her shorts. "But seriously, how did you learn how to do a fireman carry so well?" You ask.
	"Back in high school football, the coach often made us pair off and do it as a training exercise."
	"What was the point of it?" you ask. "Strength and stability training obviously," she explains. "I was actually one of only a handful of players who could carry anybody on the roster, even the biggest linebacker."
	"Interesting, I never paid attention to it," you say. "Did other players ever give you shit for being a girl?"
	Val laughs. "Only until they saw what I could do on the field."
	"You're really something else," you grin. "So, is there a reason you didn't keep playing past high school?" Val looks away, her brow darkening. "I couldn't get a scholarship," she explains. "My parents weren't rich growing up, and it was all they could manage to keep me equipped for sports. College wasn't on the table for them, and I didn't want to be crushed with debt."
	She slides the hoodie over her head, the baggy grey fabric hiding her silhouette. Then she plops down next to you on the couch.
	"And I think you know the story from there. Odd jobs, night school for some finance basics, investments. It's not all bad! Apparently I kept all the conditioning from my teen years, plus this way I got to meet you!" Val grins and pats your arm. "If I'd gotten into college, I probably wouldn't have met you, so I'm grateful for that." Val sighs. You pull Val close and kiss her. You savor the feeling of her lips and tongue, enjoying the remaining hints of vanilla flavor. Eventually you pull apart, then Val stands and says, "You rest up. I'll take care of the dishes and laundry and stuff, ok?"
	"Ok, if you insist. Go do your stuff," you say. "I'll be fine."
	Val winks and leaves the room. The afternoon crawls by. The rainstorm and the sounds of Val's chores are the background to you watching TV and reading junk on your phone. You feel some relief as the pain in your ankle fades, and after a few hours you're able to walk again. You still decide to rest it for as long as possible. Val joins you for the chill afternoon once she's wrapped up the chores, and the two of you play some video games until evening starts to creep in. The two of you jointly decide that the dinner date with Lena is still a go, and you start getting ready, though you still have a bit of a limp. You've all been trading texts all day, and Lena's both relieved to hear you're ok and excited that dinner at Arno's is still happening. Val helps apply a sturdy athletic wrap around your ankle, then the two of you change. You pull on some nice pants and a button shirt, and you help Val decide on her own outfit. She lands on a flattering solid blue dress with a pair of black high heels. Her makeup is also pretty light tonight, not that she needs any to be pretty. Both of you grab your raincoats and get into Val's car. The drive to Lena's place is quick despite the continued rain, and she manages to dash into the car without getting too wet. She tosses in a small bag, hops into the back seat and buckles in as Val puts the car in gear.
	Lena decided to wear a pair of black heels and a clingy blue dress for her outfit, deliberately coordinating with Val. She looks absolutely stunning, with the cut emphasizing her curvy hips even under her raincoat. Her makeup is similarly light like Val's, except for the addition of some eyeliner. Val pulls onto the highway, and you quickly head towards your destination as the rain splatters against the windshield.
	You hear a nervous giggle from the back seat. You twist, look back at Lena, and offer her your hand. She accepts and says, "It's funny. I wasn't nervous at all last week. Manhandling you and laying down the rules while wearing just a bikini in front of all my friends? No problem. Ordinary dinner date with my new boyfriend and girlfriend? Butterflies!"
	She's clearly nervous and excited. You turn back to look at Val, but she's watching the road ahead, her expression stoic.
	"It's gonna be fine," you reassure Lena. "We're not meeting your parents tonight, we're just having some fun. Have some wine, eat a lot of pasta, we can stress later!"
	"I'm such a dumbass," Lena mutters, but the atmosphere lightens a bit. Just as you pull into the parking lot of Arno's, she grins. "Val, I hope you don't mind if I wind up tipsy or worse tonight," Lena quips.
	Val puts her car into park, then turns around in her seat to offer a grin and a wink. "Go for it, Lena. I'll gladly be the DD tonight."
	With that, Val opens her door and swings her long legs out of the car. You unbuckle your seatbelt and get out of the car together, then you open Lena's door. You feel some raindrops land on your head as you hold the door, but it's a small tradeoff for some chivalry. Lena steps out of the car, wobbling a bit in her high heels, and you take her arm and join up with Val. Val locks her car and the three of you enter Arno's. You're moving a bit stiffly thanks to the wrap and the ache, but you're able to proceed just fine. 
	Arno's interior is dim and cozy. A diffuse hum of conversation and the clatter of silverware evokes a cozy vibe. The three of you take your seats, then a skinny waiter with dapper eyeglasses brings you some menus. He also brings a round of water glasses, and a generous helping of fresh bread. Lena and Val waste no time, tearing off large chunks for themselves and dipping them in olive oil. You follow suit with a small hunk of bread, and take in the ambiance. You and Val have had food from Arno's plenty of times, but you've never eaten at the restaurant in person until now. The restaurant is populated with couples and small clusters of friends. Everyone seems to be on their first date or their best friend's date. The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate. The waiter returns, catching you slightly off guard. Val and Lena order some appetizers, an antipasto plate and stuffed mushrooms respectively, then you order a nice-sounding red wine for your group.
	The waiter nods at you and departs. Just a few moments later, he returns with the wine and a trio of glasses. He walks through the typical showy steps of wine snobbery: you approve of the bottle, tnen he pours you a taste. You sniff the wine and take a small drink. You swish it around in your mouth and then swallow. The wine is smooth, rich, and slightly tart; it sets your mouth watering. You express your approval to the waiter, who then fills the girls' glasses. Lena asks the waiter to leave the bottle, then winks at you. 
	The three of you make small talk and sip at your wine for a few minutes, then the appetizers arrive. Lena drains her wineglass, refills it, then grabs a few choice items from the antipasto plate. As she nibbles, Val reaches over and gives her a squeeze of encouragement on her thigh. Lena gives Val a quick kiss, then the two girls smile longingly at you. You reach across the table then take one of their hands in yours, squeezing affectionately. "Think we should get another bottle of wine?" Val asks. Lena grins and licks her upper lip, flicking her eyes towards her glass, which is already half-empty again. She's clearly developed a bit of a buzz already. "Work was exhausting today and I'd love to drench that feeling with booze. But not just yet. Let's get our entrees ordered first."
	Right on cue, the waiter drops by again with an expectant smile. The girls insist you place your order first.
	You remember you haven't picked an entree yet. Trying not to panic, you quickly pull up the menu again and look for a meal that catches your eye. You settle on a pasta dish: penne arrabbiata, a spicy tomato sauce with red pepper flakes. It's not an unusual dish, but it's one of your favorite meals. Everybody has a little chuckle at your rushed decision, then you watch to see what the girls request.
	"I'll have the fettuccini Alfredo. Tour-style please, starting with Rome. Oh, and a Caesar salad on the side." Val says.
	"I'll have the pork ravioli, garden salad on the side," Lena says. "Oh, and can i get the ravioli tour-style too?“
	"Of course. And where would you like to begin?" the waiter replies flatly.
	Lena hesitates for a moment, quickly scanning the menu, before clarifying, "Right, sorry, I'd like to start with the Venetian style."
	"Of course, madam," the waiter replies again and scribbles on his notepad. With that, he leaves the table to go and place the order with the kitchen. 
	You grin knowingly, and the girls grin back. The "tour style" meals offered by Arno's are their version of a "classy buffet" option that's come into fashion lately. Leaning into Italian culinary history a little, certain dishes are offered with repeated courses, with each iteration of the dish being served as a different regional variation. It's a rich and decadent experience.
	Val reaches over the table and gives your hand a reassuring squeeze. "This is going to be so fun. I've wanted to try all the different Italian food for so long!"
	Lena groans, "Don't remind me. I'm already hungry, and I know I'm going to want at least three helpings. Like my mum used to say, hungry is the best sauce."
	The waiter drops by to deliver another bottle of wine. He makes a practiced performance of removing the cork, and sets the bottle on the table. "Your entrees are just about ready," he reports.
	After he leaves, Lena looks at Val askance. Val waves her hand dismissively with a smile and says, "I can tell when somebody wants to indulge, and it's obvious you want to cut loose tonight."
	Lena laughs, her cheeks already a bit flushed from her drinks. "Nothing about this dress is going to be loose when I'm done tonight," she quips, then takes a sip from her glass. You're feeling a touch buzzed from your own wine on an empty stomach, and you shoot Lena a flirty look. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head slightly, giving you a cheeky grin in response.
	After a bit more small talk, the entrees finally arrive. Your penne arrabiata smells divine, and Lena and Val are practically drooling over their respective dishes. Your serving is pretty generous, but you figure you can probably finish it. The girls' dishes aren't nearly as heaping as yours, but you remember that they're planning to gorge on multiple courses. 
	You dig in with gusto. The pasta is al dente and delicious, and the sauce is the perfect blend of flavors - spicy, sweet, and salty all in harmony beneath a savory blanket of parmesan cheese. You pause a moment to check in on your girlfriends, and find that Lena seems to be matching Val's voracious pace. 
	"Hey Lena, is the food good?" you ask between mouthfuls.
	"Oh yeah, it's delicious! I've had plenty of ravioli before, but there's just something special about this."
	Val reports that her fettuccine is positively divine as well, and offers to let you and Lena try a bite. You happily accept. The chicken chunks practically melt like butter, and the noodles slide effortlessly down your throat. The dish feels dangerously rich and decadent, and you just know Val chose it for the doubtless absurd calorie and fat content. Lena's face indicates she appreciates the exquisite fettuccine as well. She pushes her dish slightly forwards, and you and Val sample some of her pork ravioli. The small pasta pocket is amazing as well. Somehow the tomato sauce plus the pork filling manages to be just as silky and indulgent as the fettuccine Alfredo. Val doesn't say anything, simply nodding and smiling with closed eyes, clearly approving of Lena's choice. Finally, you offer a bit of your own arrabiata dish for your girlfriends to sample. 
	"Delicious!" Val says, taking a bite and closing her eyes in appreciation.
	"I know!" Lena says, her eyes shining as she chews and swallows. And with the quality of your respective courses established, everybody resumes their meals. You take your time, mostly observing how Val and Lena balance manners with devouring their dishes. They both seem to be in heaven, and you enjoy watching them eat. Lena continues to hit her wine pretty hard as she eats. There isn't much chatting over the table - your girlfriends are mostly focused on filling their bellies. Soon enough they've polished off their first helpings.  They pick at their salads while they wait for their second plates. 
	"God, that was amazing," Lena declares, "and I definitely want more. Lots more."
	"Three helpings' worth?" You ask smarmily.
	Lena giggles, "Fuck yeah I do." She jiggles her curved belly and continues, "I want to cram at least three portions of ravioli into this gut, even if I have to be rolled out of here."
	Val giggles and shakes her head, "The shame of being a pig!"
	"Fuck the shame!" Lena says in reply, "These days it's an honor to be stuffed silly. Besides, I've seen how you eat, blondie." 
	Val grins at her girlfriend, well aware of her double standard.
	"I'm a growing girl," she says with fake innocence, "It's not my fault I'm so hungry all the time."
	"Yeah, growing wider" Lena giggles.
	"Damn straight," Val grins back. The two of them clink their wineglasses, then poke fun at each other's appetite and weight for a bit.
	The waiter soon arrives with a new pair of dishes, naming them off as he delivers them. Buttery Campania-style ravioli for Lena, and savory Tuscan-style fettuccine for Val. Both of them dig in immediately, and the waiter smiles deferentially as he whisks away the empty plates. 
	"It looks like you ladies enjoyed the first stop on your culinary tour," he says.
	"We certainly did, and we're eager to continue." Val sticks her fork into her pasta, and then closes her eyes in bliss. Lena echoes the sentiment, and the waiter takes his leave of your group. The girls share small samplers of their new courses with you and each other.
	"I have to say, this is some of the tastiest Italian I've ever had the pleasure of eating," Val says, "And I've eaten my fair share of Italian cuisine." 
	You reply, "Yeah, Arno's is always good, but it definitely loses something when it's delivered rather than fresh."
	"I think I'm in love," Lena says dreamily, licking the sauce from her fork.
	Val grins. "I think I might be able to teach you a thing or two, Lena."
	Lena blushes, turning her head away and looking down at her food. You notice her fork hovering above her food, as if she's considering which particular morsel should be next. You place a hand on her shoulder, and she begins to look up at you, smiling. She casts her eyes between you and Val, "Anon, Val, I'm just really happy right now."
	"I can tell, babe," you say, giving her a quick kiss. 
	"You're practically glowing."
	Lena makes a face like she's keeping a secret badly, "Well, that might be partially the wine, hehe. Mmm, I'm drunk, I'm happy, and I feel like a bottomless pit tonight."
	"That's a good feeling, right?" Val says to her.
	"Yeah, this is really nice. It feels so good to just eat and eat."
	"I know," Val beams. "It's the best! Especially when it's tasty food and paired with your favorite people."
	You and Lena lift your glasses in reply.
	With that, Val takes her fork and resumes demolishing her second plate. Lena finishes her plate shortly after Val does. She quietly dispels a burp with a hand over her mouth, then says, "Starting to feel it a bit, but I'm not done. Not by a long shot."
	You and Val stare at her, as she finishes her glass and sets it back down on the table. 
	"What?" she says, eyes slightly unfocused. 
	"I'm just enjoying looking at you," Val says gently. "You're so pretty..."
	Lena blushes, and puts a hand over her mouth. Her hand can't hide the edges of her earnest smile. "You light up so much when you eat, it's so nice. I'm gonna pamper you the best I can, because I can't get enough of happy Lena," you say. 
	Lena's biting her lip and she looks about ready to cry. She says with a tight throat, "I'm happy you feel that way, Anon. It's so nice to feel wanted..." 
	She sniffs, and dabs her eyes with her napkin. She continues, "I worry that you're spoiling me too much. I don't want to get between you and Val."
	"You don't need to worry," Val says. You add, "We're spoiling you because we've gotta catch you up on all the food and affection." 
	You glance at Val, who gives you an affirmative smile, then continue, "Plus, it's fun, and you don't seem to mind."
	"I... I just want things to go well. I don't want to mess anything up," she says. Val grips Lena's hand, "Lena, baby, it's ok to worry about that. But I think we're doing great. So let's have some fun tonight, and keep pigging out, ok?"
	Lena smiles, leaning into Val's touch.
	"Okay," she says.
	Val reaches over and takes your hand. You reach over and lock intertwine your free fingers with Lena's. The chained handholding might look a little cheesy, but it feels nice for the three of you to hold each other. You feel a wave of affection for both Val and Lena. The tender moment is interrupted by the waiter returning yet again. The three of you quickly squeeze each other's hands, then break off. Val gets a third helping of fettuccine, and Lena yet more ravioli. This time, the dishes are both made with Ligurian-style pesto. The girls get right to work on their additional food. You've managed to finish your penne arrabiata, and you pick at your salad feeling full but not uncomfortably so.
	After the requisite swapping of sampler bites from the girls' dishes, a slightly awkward silence descends. Lena and Val are both preoccupied with indulging in their latest courses, so you content yourself with watching them eat. Their eating styles are different, but both are attentive and enjoyable. Val eats with a sense of complete focus, finishing each dish in just a few minutes while still seeming to appreciate all the flavors and intricacies. Lena is more thoughtful, taking her time and chewing each morsel slowly. Particularly slow and thoughtful at the moment, as she seems to be visibly losing steam. With about half of her raviolis still on the plate, she starts making some familiar groans of fullness.
	"You feeling alright, baby?" Val asks. 
	"I'm fine," Lena says, her voice strained. There's another quiet, slow groan from her. "Just starting to get a little full," she says. Lena stuffs a hearty forkful of raviolis into her mouth, chews laboriously, and swallows heavily.
	"Three helpings. I can do this, I can suck down three whole plates of pasta," she whispers to herself. "I can do it."
	"I believe in you, honey," Val says around her own mouthful of pasta.
	You lock eyes with Lena, give her a knowing smile, and say, "Yeah. I bet it feels good to push your limits, doesn't it?"
	Lena returns your grin with wordless covert acknowledgment. "Fuck yeah, it feels good," she responds.
	Val is engrossed in finishing her pasta, but you can tell she's listening to every word of the exchange. Lena refills her wineglass yet again, finishing the second bottle in the process. She takes a hearty swig of the wine, lets out a determined sigh, then presses forward to methodically finish off the rest of her pesto-coated pasta.
	"I used to wish I was smaller, when I was a girl," Lena says, around a mouthful of chewed pasta. "Used to wish I was the thinnest one in my school. But when I got bigger, I realized... I like this. I like being fat. I like eating whatever I want and not worrying about it... I like seeing my curvy hips and feeling my butt jiggle..."
	"Awww, you're feeling full now, aren't you?" you ask.
	Lena swallows heavily and sighs with slow contentment. "I love this full feeling," she says, with a dreamy expression. "It's so good. I love it." Lena pushes her empty plate away, then leans slightly back with a grunt. She places both hands on her belly, gently rubbing her visibly swollen middle. She lets out a little moan of pleasure, her bright eyes flickering closed and her full, pouting lips parted. The waiter dutifully strolls by again, and Lena snaps out of her indulgent haze.
	"Think you're up for a fourth course on your pasta tour?" He asks.
	Hands still on her full tummy, Lena grins at Val, "I am if you are."
	Val nods back, and the girls take a second to choose the region of their next course. The waiter smiles as he takes their orders, but before he can leave, Lena stops him. Lena looks up at the waiter, her eyes wide and lips sucked in. "Hey," she starts nervously, "You don't think we're being gross pigs, do you?"
	The waiter looks at Lena askance, afraid to say anything.
	"Hey, it's not like that," Lena reassures him, "You can be honest and I won't be mad and reduce your tip or anything petty like that. Do you think we're going overboard on the gluttony?"
	The waiter opens his mouth and closes it, then shrugs and nods, "I don't think so. Besides, it's not my job to judge. My job is to keep bringing food so long as you ask for it."
	"But what if I'm asking you to be judgy?" Lena presses.
	You and Val glance at each other nervously, uncertain of where this is going.
	The waiter sighs and leans closer to the table, lowering his voice, "Ok. Lena, is it? Honestly right now you look a couple forkfuls away from falling into a food coma. But really, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You're being tidy and polite, and you're just really hungry tonight. You three have been a delight to serve, and I can tell you all like each other very much."
	Lena's face warms up, and she smiles big at the waiter as she leans back in her chair. 
	"Thanks, mister."
	"I will say that I don't think I can bring your table any more wine though," he warns.
	Lena waves him off, "Nah, that's fine. I know I'm pretty sloshed and that you've probably already bent the serving rules a bit." The waiter straightens up and tugs at his shirt collar. "No comment," he mutters.
	He takes a quick breath, then quietly claps a hand to his order book, "Alright, so I'll get that next course in for you then."
	With nods around the table, the waiter whisks off towards the kitchen. Once he's out of earshot, you ask, "Lena, are you alright?"
	Lena keeps her eyes closed and subtly rubs her full belly. She replies quietly, "I think so. Maybe getting drunk wasn't a great idea. I was already tired, and now my emotions are all over the place. I'm sorry, you two."
	You gently grip her shoulder, "You're doing fine, baby. You don't need to apologize."
	Lena cracks her eyes open, scans them towards you, and smiles.
	Val asks, "You sure you're ok, Lena? We can get our food to go."
	Lena grins at Val, "I'm fine. Really. I can eat a bit more."
	She plays with the navy fabric of her dress, now stretched tight over her stuffed tummy. "Besides, I think I'd like to see how much tighter I can make this dress tonight."
	Val grabs her hand and kisses it, "I know you would, you chubby babe."
	All of you laugh, and that makes you feel better.
	The waiter returns with the fourth courses for Val and Lena. Val's latest helping of fettuccine is Abruzzo-style, earthy and served with tender lamb chunks. Lena's dish is buttery Molise-style cheese raviolis. Both dishes smell divine. Val starts in right away, while Lena stares at her plate with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. As Lena psychs herself up to get even more stuffed, you hear Val curse and giggle. While twirling some noodles together with her fork, Val accidentally sent a blob of creamy sauce splattering onto her dress. "Damnit," she giggles, carefully cleaning near her collar with a napkin, "Almost got through the feast unscathed."
	Lena giggles through a full mouth. She swallows, sighs with mingled discomfort and pleasure, and says, "God.... I'm so stuffed, but the food is so good, I just want to keep going." You smile at her, "Well you packed away your three courses already, so anything extra is just bonus points now."
	Lena grabs her full belly and wiggles it at you, then giggles. "And how! But I do want to see how much more damage I can do..." Unfortunately, the answer turns out to be "not much". Over the next few minutes, Lena slowly and laboriously packs away a few more ravioli packets. Her discomfort and overfullness reach a peak; she makes a slight gagging sound and puffs out her cheeks, then swallows roughly, sets her fork down, and leans back heavily in her chair with an air of finality.
	Val notices it too. "Damn, baby, you did great!" She exclaims.
	Lena says, "It's just so delicious...."
	Val takes Lena's hand, stroking it reassuringly. Lena breathes slowly, trying not to let her discomfort show too much. "Man," she whispers, "When I hit the wall, I hit it hard..."
	Val leans closer, and says, "It's ok, really. It's not a competition. You hit your goal and you're loaded up with tons of delicious food. That's a win."
	Lena relaxes, letting her eyes flutter shut, smiling. "You're right... It is a win. I'm stuffed, and I'm happy."
	A few moments of calm silence pass, then the ever-dutiful waiter comes by. "Am I safe to assume there won't be a fifth pasta course for the ladies?" he smiles. You grin back at the guy. 
	Val speaks for the table, "No thank you. But I think we'd like a round of coffees and the dessert menu."
	Lena's sitting up, doing her best to hold her composure, but she lets out a quiet squeak in spite of herself.
	"No pressure, cutie," you reassure her, "You can have as much or as little dessert as you'd like."
	She beams at you, then gives a little nod in Val's direction.
	Lena leans over and whispers, "I'm already full, but I want to look good for you, so I'll try..." You grin at her. The waiter moves to clear the dishes, but you interrupt him.
	"That Molise-style cheese is too good to waste. Can we get a box for what's left?"
	The waiter nods, "Sure thing."
	He disappears from the table, then returns a few moments later. Aromatic coffees for every diner, a set of dessert menus, and a sturdy paper box for the remaining ravioli. Lena and Val sip at their coffees as they scan the dessert menu. You do the same, but with no intention of ordering. The waiter accepts a request from Val and Lena, then leaves once again to fulfill it.
	You sigh contentedly, and turn to your girlfriend. "I'll get the check."
	Val nods. Lena starts to protest, but you hold up a hand. "Like I said," you declare, "We're spoiling you tonight, Lena."
	"I know, I know..." she says, holding back a giggle.  Soon after, the dessert finally arrives. Or rather, desserts. The girls ordered a whole zesty lemon cake, and a half-dozen cannolis bulging with creme. Both orders are packed for travel. While the girls drool over the sweet treats, you flash your credit card for the waiter. He takes it and runs the chip through a gizmo in his order book.
	You leave a generous tip, and the waiter leaves your table for the last time of the night. This leaves you and your two girlfriends to enjoy the company of each other. Lena picks at the cake, making happy sounds while also bemoaning her seriously overfull state. Val practically inhales one of the cannolis, bulging her cheeks with creme and dough. A fat blob of creme leaks past her lips and lands on one of her breasts. Val giggles, careful not to choke or lose even more of the dessert. She chews deeply and swallows repeatedly to empty her mouth.
	She then glances around the restaurant, and seeing that nobody's looking, grins at Lena.
	"I spilled a little creme on my titty," she pouts, pushing her chest towards Lena. "Think you could help clean me up?" she asks, smiling seductively.
	Lena giggles. "You bet I could. In fact, I will," she says, leaning forward.
	Val's eyes widen as she watches Lena lean in, then her eyes roll back and close softly as Lena's lips touch her skin. Lena quickly slurps up the blob of creme, then kisses Val's breast. Lena pulls back quickly, her face flushed red and her expression exuding lust. Val is practically vibrating with excitement, trying her level best not to moan lewdly.
	"What about you, baby?" Val asks, rubbing the wet spot and addressing you.
	"I think it's time we took this show someplace private. You ladies ready to head home?" You ask.
	They both nod vigorously, licking their lips. You all rise from the table. Val stands tall, stretching a bit. She also rubs her full stomach, the swollen curve not hidden at all by her tight dress. You are tempted to grab her and give her a squeeze, but then you spot Lena struggling to stand. She straightens up slowly and gingerly, grunting as her overstuffed stomach is forced to move. She takes your offered hand as she fully stands and wobbles more than a bit. If Val's dress is tight, then Lena's is practically sprayed on. Every bit of the fabric is pulled tight against her, especially the bulging food baby in her gut. You'd even swear that the hem is higher than you recall.
	As she's still somewhat unsteady on her feet, you offer to lead her out of the restaurant. She blinks and squints a few times before seeming to focus.
	"Yeah, I am really feeling all that wine. Plus my center of gravity is off from all of this," she giggles, patting her bloated gut.
	You help Lena don her jacket, and you walk with her arm-in-arm out of the restaurant. Val walks with you as well, helping stabilize Lena here and there.
	"We're almost there, baby. Just a bit into the parking lot," you say.
	You're glad that Lena is still mostly steady on her feet. Between your hurt ankle and her outweighing you by a notable margin, you're not certain you really could help much if she lost her footing. Mercifully, the rain has largely stopped. You focus on helping Lena waddle towards the car and safely pass over wet pavement. Val goes ahead and starts up her car. You open the door and help Lena in, but she grabs your arm.
	"Sit back here with me," she pleads.
	You lean in and give her a quick kiss. Val gives you a grinning thumbs-up, and you go around to the opposite side and slide into the seat next to Lena.
	"Thanks for everything tonight, I had a fantastic time," she whispers.
	"My pleasure, I enjoyed myself too," you whisper back.
	You buckle in and help Lena do the same, then Val puts the car in gear and starts off towards home.
	"Anon, rub my belly... Please..." She moans.
	"Can't you do it yourself?" you ask.
	"Yes, but it's better when somebody else does it." she answers, grinning.
	"If you insist..."
	You reach over and gently set your hand on her swollen, overfilled tummy. She inhales sharply at the first contact. You gently slide a finger into her bellybutton, indenting the cloth of her dress. You gently massage her tummy, and she shivers with pleasure.
	"Thank you," she moans. "That feels so good." 
	"Hey, save some sensuality for me," Val calls out from the front seat with a laugh. 
	You let your hand softly move up and down Lena's swollen stomach, enjoying her full, round curves through your touch. She starts to breath heavily, and her excitement is palpable. Before you know it, Val's pulling her car into the garage.  Lena giggles lustily, "I don't know about you, but I want more out of tonight."
	You return a devilish grin and say, "Music to my ears. We are all such suckers for greedy girls."
	The three of you get out of the car and head towards Val's condo. Lena still leans on you for support, wobbly from her combination of drunkenness, post-stuffing haze, and heeled shoes. It takes a little doing, but the three of you manage to stumble into Val's place safely. You help the girls shed their shoes, then Val asks Lena, "So you're not done indulging tonight, hm?"
	"No way. I'm just getting warmed up." Lena laughs.
	Val laughs warmly in reply, then wraps up Lena in an embrace from behind. Lena cranes her neck to kiss Val, and the taller woman starts playing with Lena's breasts. You start running your hands along Lena's chubby hips and thighs, and plant kisses on her sensitive bloated belly. She moans as your touch makes her feel good, and she presses herself into Val's body.
	"You ready to go upstairs?" Val asks.
	"Please," Lena moans, and she pulls Val's forearms close.
	You help the two of them up the staircase to Val's bedroom, then quickly run downstairs to retrieve the leftovers. You return just in time to see Val unzipping Lena's dress. Val helps Lena slide out of the tight garment, and you get a good look at Lena's lingerie. She's wearing a lacy black bra and matched pair of tiny panties, also lace, that barely cover her plump rear. Both items are tight against Lena's body; the side straps visibly dig into her chubby hips, and her breasts spill over the lacy cups a bit. 
	"Ahh, that's a relief," Lena sighs, fondling her belly and jiggling it a bit. "Got some more room to expand without that dress squeezing in on me."
	"Does that mean you're ready for round two?" you ask.
	Lena grins at you, slowly tonguing her lips. "Yes it does," she purrs. "Val, how'd you feel about us getting high tonight?"
	"But you might get the munchies and get fat," Val says with fake custey concern.
	"That's a risk I'll just have to take," Lena giggles back.
	Val goes into her nightstand and retrieves her vape pen. She confirms that it's charged, loads a fresh cartridge, and takes a long hit. "God, I love this," she says, slowly exhaling a stream of vapor. She passes the vape to Lena. "So, are you ready to get baked, darling?"
	"You bet," Lena says.
	Val takes a seat on the bed, and Lena plops down with a grunt.
	She activates the vape, closes her eyes, and takes a long, deep hit. Lena's chest rises as she inhales to capacity, then she holds her breath for several long seconds. Her chest deflates slowly. Face wreathed in vapor, she opens her eyes and looks at you with a goofy smile. "Now, where were we?" she asks. You hold out your hand, and Lena passes you the vape pen. You take a long hit of your own. "Ahhh, that feels good," you say, passing it back to her. A familiar, comfortable, and heavy sensation spreads from your core outwards. Val and Lena are faring similarly, their bodies relaxed and their expressions happily addled. Lena's hands are tracing circles along her gut, and she moans quietly with every pass. Val is nibbling on her lower lip, stroking Lena's auburn hair. While rubbing her gut, Lena scrunches her face slightly and presses her hands into her plump belly. A moment later, she belches loudly. "Damn, excuse me. Guess I'm just a real piggy tonight," she giggles.
	"Do you feel better?" Val asks, patting Lena's gut tenderly.
	"Oh, yes, darling, definitely. I'm feeling so good here, Val," she says, spreading her legs out. "You should feel how good I feel." Val abruptly rises to her feet and turns her back to Lena. You reach up and undo the zipper on Val's dress.
	Val turns around and starts swaying her hips from side to side, slowly stripping off her dress. She locks eyes with Lena and says, "And I'm gonna make you feel even better." She wiggles and shakes her taut round ass at Lena. Then she steps out of her dress and lets you both get a full view of her tall, shapely body. Val runs her hands over her curves, tracing lines along softened muscles, and pauses to play with her own lingerie. She pulls a strap of her minuscule purple thong, letting it snap against her hip. She runs her hands up to the purple mesh cups of her bra, tweaking her nipples through the thin fabric.
	Val leans forwards sensually, pushing her chest jnto Lena's face. "Now, what are you wanting tonight?" She asks Lena. Val's voice is sensual and thick, like honey. Lena takes a long moment to respond, moaning, "I want you and Anon to force-feed me what's left of the dinner. I want to be your stuffed prize pig tonight."
	"Anything for you," Val purrs, running her hands up Lena's bulging stomach and over her full, round breasts. Her hands come to rest on Lena's cheeks, and she leans in to kiss Lena. Arousing moans emanate from both of them as they explore each other's lips and mouths. The sounds cause your cock to twitch, and your body aches with lust. 
	After a few long moments, Val pulls back and stares deeply into Lena's eyes.
	"Get comfy," Val orders, "I'm going to be your pillow tonight."
	Lena nods wordlessly, and Val clambers onto the bed and snugs up behind Lena. Val spreads her legs wide and nestles then around Lena's hips and thighs, gently pinning the smaller girl in place. Val then caresses Lena's torso and face, letting Lena lean against Val's upper body like a chair.
	Val lets out a contented sigh as she rubs her face against Lena's soft, wavy hair. You think for a long moment thanks to the vape, but eventually you gather the abundant pillows on the bed and pile them firmly behind Val. She snuggles closer to Lena, and your bulging shaft strains in your pants as you watch the two embrace. Standing over your two girlfriends, you ask, "So, what would you like me to do, Lena?"
	"I want you to... unbutton your shirt," Lena says, her voice thick with lust.
	Val's occupied with kissing Lena's neck and caressing her from behind, and doesn't say anything. "Whatever you like, baby," you reply to Lena.
	You give her what you hope is a smoldering look and start undoing your shirt buttons while she watches.
	"Yeah, baby. Look at that," she says approvingly.
	Lena reaches out and runs a hand along your bare chest. Her fingers are very warm. 
	For a moment, a chaotic lump of emotions runs through your head. First, the sheer sexiness of your situation. Second, you're still a little in awe of the fact that you're actually dating two girls, and one of them your old highschool bestie at that. Finally, you feel a little self-conscious at not working out much lately. 
	"You've got such a great body," Lena says, running her hand up and down your chest some more before letting go. Clearly you are your own harshest critic. 
	"Flatterer," you snicker as Lena settles back against Val. 
	Val grins and nods. "Yeah, he really does."
	You pause for a moment. "So, where were we?"
	"I think you were about to fatten me up," Lena says, resting her hands on her stomach with a quiet slap. "You know, fill me up with food and make me really juicy."
	"Just the way you like it," Val says, before planting a soft kiss on top of Lena's head. You pull up a stool and set the box of leftover ravioli on your lap. Lena opens her mouth expectantly. You pluck one of the plump buttery packets from the container, and place it on Lena's tongue. She closes her lips around the packet and sucks the sauce off your finger. She chews slowly, savoring the flavor, then swallows with an appreciative sigh and simply says, "More."
	You pop a second ravioli into her mouth, then a third. She sucks on each one for a few seconds before swallowing. She says nothing, other than making noises of appreciation. Her hands have begun gently rubbing her bloated belly again as you feed her. Her eyes are half-lidded, her mouth open as she focuses on eating. You continue hand-feeding the rich pasta to Lena, and you'd swear you could almost watch each bite swell her tummy more and more. 
	Finally, you pop the last ravioli into her mouth, and hear her gulp heavily as she downs the final bite. Lena gasps, then closes her eyes and leans back heavily against Val. Lena's mouth hangs open, every breath a moan of lusty overindulgence. Val grins and places a hand on Lena's swollen belly.
	"So full..." Lena murmurs, layering her hand atop Val's on her gut.
	"I can feel it sloshing around in there," Val says softly. 
	"Y-y-you can?" Lena asks, her eyelids fluttering.
	"Mmmhmmm."
	Lena's smile is slow and sensual, a thing of beauty. 
	"Do you still want some dessert?" Val asks seductively. "There's always room for something sweet."
	"Oh, I'm full, full full," Lena says. "I-I can barely walk."
	"Where would you need to go?" You ask coyly.
	You reach for the box of cannolis. 
	"Let's get you from 'can barely walk' to 'too full to walk'."
	"Oh God," Lena gasps, then adds after taking a deep breath, "I-I'd like that." 
	Closing her eyes as she leans back, she moans, "I'm... Surprised at how hot that sounds..." Val fiddles with the clasp of Lena's bra, and purrs, "You ready to get naked?" 
	"Oh, God, yes," Lena says, her voice thick with lust. 
	You help Val peel off Lena's bra, then run your hands up Lena's thighs.
	You pause a moment to gently squeeze and jiggle her soft legs as you work your way to her hips.
	"So soft, so fucking sexy" you say, running your hands up and down her thighs.
	"Mmmhmmm." Lena's attention is split between you and Val, who is lavishing kisses upon Lena and caressing her plump breasts.
	You gently dig your fingers into the side bands of Lena's panties, and she lifts her hips with a series of grunts, allowing you to slide them off.
	"So wet," you say admiringly, running your fingers along the lips of her pussy.
	"A-a-a-alright," she says, her voice thick. Lena reaches out at you half-blindly, feeling for the waistband of your pants.
	"Take off your pants," she purrs. "I want to see how hard you get from overfeeding me so much."
	You pull your pants and underwear down and step out of them, kicking them aside. 
	"You're... You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" she says, her voice catching in her throat.
	"I am. You look so hot like this, Lena. So fucking hot."
	"I do?" she asks, bewildered.
	"You're a big sexy bitch."
	"Oh, I-I love that word! S-s-say it again."
	"Bitch. Big sexy bitch."
	"Oh, yessss!" 
	Val snakes her hand along Lena's hip and starts teasing her wet pussy. You lean forward and slide your hands over Lena's taut overfilled stomach. Her eyes flutter and roll back in her head as she gasps and moans, her body writhing with every movement of your hands.
	"I want you to make me cum, Anon. Please." 
	You gently pat Lena's aching, full belly and say, "You really pigged out tonight. Does it feel good to be stuffed silly?"
	"It feels so gooooood."
	"I bet. And do you feel sexy?"
	"I do!" You look up and lock eyes with Val, who is still gently fingering Lena. 
	"Hand me the cannolis," Val says, "I'd like to feed Lena a bit tonight."
	Lena moans, head lolling from side to side. Her voice is thick when she says, "Feed me more, Val. Please. I'm so stuffed, but I want more. I need more..."
	You set the box next to Val on the bed. "I've got an idea," you say while licking your lips. 
	"What's happening?" Lena whispers, her eyes still closed.
	Val winks at you and slides a cannoli into Lena's mouth.
	"Just relax," Val purrs while gently stuffing the dessert roll into Lena's mouth.
	Lena moans a muffled "okay", and you get on your knees between Lena's chubby thighs. 
	"I'm going to make you feel so good, baby," you say, looking up at Lena over the curve of her gut.
	Lena moans and wriggles. Her eyes flutter open and she smiles down at you, cheeks bulging and cream leaking past her lips. At last, you move in on Lena's soft, glistening vulva. You plant your hands atop her thighs, and start gently licking and kissing her sensitive folds. You start with the outer lips, licking around the rim and softly sucking on the tender flesh. You take your time with her, exploring every crevice, nook, and cranny. The sounds Lena makes are heavenly, even muffled by the treats stuffed into her mouth. Soon enough, you send your tongue deep into her warm depths, and you feel her arch her back. You lap up her delicious juices as you flick your tongue back and forth over her clit. Lena's moans begin to follow the rhythm of your tongue, and she grabs your head with one hand, pulling you even closer.
	She moans and gasps, stammering, "I'm... I'm going to... I'm... ah!" 
	She bucks and writhes, her fingers sinking into your hair as she rides your tongue. Her breathing grows heavy and strained, and you know she's about to climax. You gently push your tongue into her, flicking it back and forth over her clit to bring her pleasure. She climaxes with a lust-filled cry, and you lap up the juices that flow from her needy vulva. Her fingers clutch at your hair and her thighs squish around your ears.
	"An-" You cut Lena off by gently sucking on her sensitive clit, sending another shiver of pleasure through her. Soon enough, however, she pulls your head away.
	"No more," she gasps. "Not yet."
	You wait patiently for Lena to recover. She lays heavily against Val, breathing heavily with a dazed smile. Val continues to lovingly caress her.
	"That was... wow." Lena's face is smeared with cream and crumbs.
	"She ate two whole cannolis while you were eating her out," Val explains with a giggle.
	"That was amazing," Lena breathes, still reeling from the orgasm. "Even though this one was trying to feed me till I explode," she moans, gesturing at Val and cradling her aching belly.
	"We should do that more often," Val responds, twirling a lock of Lena's hair around her finger.
	Lena whimpers and grimaces slightly.
	"Fuck, I might still explode tonight," she groans. "This is the fullest I've ever been..."
	Val continues to gently pet Lena's stomach as she lies against her. Lena burps once or twice, then sighs with contentment.
	"Ah... That's better. Just had to get that pressure down a bit," she says, her voice slightly slurred, then continues, "Val, you've been a wonderful backrest for me, but I'd like to lay flat now."
	"Anything for my goddess," Val says, smiling. As she extricates herself from around Lena, Lena giggles, "Nonsense. I'm no goddess. You're the goddess, Val."
	Val smiles, running her fingers along the inside of Lena's thigh.
	"You're the goddess, Lena," she says, before leaning in to give her a sensual kiss. You chuckle, "So you're both goddesses then, it's settled."
	Lena scoots to be even with the pillows and lays back, gently massaging and jiggling her belly, moaning quietly all the while.
	Val sits on the side of the bed, regarding you with a smirk. "I'm ok with that," she purrs, "But this goddess still needs her dessert, servant."
	You sit down on the bed, leaning in to give Val a quick peck on the cheek. Val giggles, "That's nice, but it's not what I had in mind. Why don't you get that lemon cake ready to go?"
	You nod, grinning and licking your lips. You get up and make the short walk to the dresser, retrieving the lemon cake from earlier. Val watches hungrily as you struggle to remove the noisy plastic cover, then sensually starts peeling off her lingerie once you look over at her. She smiles wickedly at you, then starts licking her lips. "You look like you're drooling," you say, tonguing your teeth with what you hope is sensuality.
	"I am. That cake's going to be so good." You hold the lemon cake before Val and she snatches the dish out of your hands. She pauses for only a second, gazing at the dessert with feral anticipation. Then, she plunges her face in and begins devouring the cake, licking, biting, and chewing with an animalistic appetite. You watch dumbfounded as Val messily devours the cake. Your hands gravitate towards your needy shaft as Val feasts, and you start gently playing with yourself as your girlfriend gorges herself further.
	Val looks up at you, her face smeared with crumbs and frosting. "You like that, don't you, lover boy? Watching your girl make a messy pig of herself," she says, her voice thick with lust.
	"I... I do," you stutter, your hands still massaging your aching cock. Val licks a huge blob of frosting off of the dish and noisily swallows it. She notices you teasing yourself and says, "I love that I'm driving you wild, but don't cum yet. I have an idea."
	"Oh?" You pause stroking yourself.
	"Yeah."
	Val pats Lena's thigh, eliciting a sleepy mumble from the other girl.
	"Lena honey, how'd you feel about returning the favor I just did for you?"
	Lena moans drowsily, shifting around and stretching. Her pudgy stomach rises high as she arches her back, then comes to rest with a taut jiggle as she relaxes.
	"Anything for you, Val," Lena says slowly, blinking her eyes. "What are you wanting?" Val runs a finger between Lena's breasts, leaving a trail of sugary frosting. She says, "I'd like to sit on your face and look at Anon while I finish inhaling this cake."
	"Oh, baby!" Lena exclaims, running her hand over Val's hip and ass.
	"That sounds so... Decadent. Stuffing your face while being pleasured," Lena giggles.
	Val pops a morsel of cake into her mouth and retorts with a laugh, "You'd know all about that now, wouldn't you?"
	Lena just titters knowingly in reply.
	Val then gets up, still holding the cake, and explains, "Ok, I'm thinking it'll be like we're 69-ing with me on top. Let's get some pillows under you, Lena."
	"Oh, I like the sound of that. I love eating your pussy and I love getting you off," Lena purrs.
	Val grins. 
	Without another word, the girls arrange themselves. Supportive pillows are placed, and Val slowly straddles Lena.
	Lena's eager face disappears under Val. Val's eyes roll back and she lets out a lusty moan as Lena's mouth begins its work and her hands grip Val's hips. Val breathes heavily, and places the cake dish on Lena's abdomen. Between moans and gasps, she resumes devouring the cake as Lena eats her pussy.
	Val's hands run along Lena's body, stopping at her hips. She fondles and caresses her soft curves, enjoying the feel of Lena's flesh. At the same time, Val is greedily scooping up morsels of the cake with just her mouth and tongue. She's moaning almost continuously, doubtless floating in the sensations flooding her mouth and her pussy.
	The pleasure is too much, and Val cums for the first time. Her eyes roll back and she grits her teeth, grinding back into Lena's face. Her inner thighs and her entire body shake as she holds her orgasm for several long moments, breathing heavily, before coming down from her high. Lena continues to relentlessly pleasure Val's cooch, and Val is clearly riding the elevated sensitivity. Her face is flushed and she pants heavily, and she desperately goes back to the cake, licking the dish clean like a woman possessed.
	"Oh! Oh! Oh!" she pants, her face full of joy. A few moments later and Val has finally finished the cake. She reaches down and caresses her bulging belly while licking her lips.
	"So good... So many calories..." She moans, "I could eat... Like ten more of those..." 
	The sounds of kissing and licking behind Val cease as Lena stops for a moment. She giggles and says, "Gotta have goals, right?"
	Val hums lustily, basking in the moment before replying, "Damn right, Lena. And when we're big supersized babes, a cake will just be a snack. I can't wait..."
	"Me neither," Lena says, her face beaming.
	Val supports herself with one hand, the other still caressing her overfilled belly.
	"You still ok back there, Lena?" She asks.
	"I can keep going," you hear in reply.
	Val smiles, "Good. I'm ready for more if you ar-" Val's breath catches as Lena's tongue returns to Val's clit. Val takes a quick breath, then bats away the empty cake dish, scattering crumbs on the floor. She looks up at you, her face a flushed mask of desire and covered with frosting.
	"You've been so patient with us greedy bitches," she purrs. "Are you ready to finally cum for us?"
	You are hard as a rock, aching to blow your load for your girlfriends. Your dick is throbbing and you're practically trembling with anticipation.
	"Oh, god yes..." You moan.
	"Then get over here and give me that dick," Val says, her voice full of lust.
	You step forward and press your throbbing cock against her warm lips. Val wraps a sturdy arm around your waist and pulls you close, immediately swallowing the entirety of your cock. You grunt and squirm in surprise, but Val is far too strong for you. Your movements are instantly stopped and you feel Val's face pressed up against your pelvis, her warm, wet mouth servicing your erection. You relax and savor the feeling of Val's tongue sliding along your shaft.
	Val swallows you whole, the suction sending shivers down your spine. Her strong hand on your ass grinds you against her face, and soon you are lost in a delicious, carnal haze. You brace yourself against the bed with one hand, and the other wanders down to find Lena's leg, sticking out from under Val. A muffled moan hints that your touch is appreciated, and you slide your hand up Lena's soft thigh. Val's head bobs up and down your cock as she hums, her cheeks hollowing out with every stroke. You and Val are both consumed by this moment, yet you still feel the urge to include your other girlfriend. 
	As Val continues to aggressively suck you off, your free hand finds its mark and slides into Lena's warm slit, ready to give her another round. You feel Lena's arm fumble to find yours, then her fingers wrap around your wrist as she welcomes you inside of her again. Her depths are just as hot and slick as before, and you start gently stroking for her sensitive spots. Val is still bobbing her head up and down your shaft, and your hips start to buck against her face. A thought filters through your hazy mind and excites you greatly. You're in an honest to god threesome. You, Val, and Lena are all pleasuring each other simultaneously and reveling in each other's flesh. For a moment, you feel incredibly connected to both of your girlfriends. The three of you are intertwined, your sexual energy and orgasms connecting you all.
	Your orgasm catches you by surprise, and you shout out Val's name as you feel your dick spasm and explode in her mouth. Val moans and gags as she slurps down your cum. You gasp and writhe in her grip as she continues to suck, draining every last drop from your cock. Meanwhile, you feel Lena's walls tighten around your fingers. You hook them forwards slightly and press up into her g-spot, and you are rewarded with breathy gasps as you send her over the edge again. She's so tight and hot, and she begs you to make her come again. Even as your head swims in the aftermath of Val's oral work, you keep stroking Lena's walls. The bucking and squirming you see and feel underneath Val spurs you to keep going. Soon enough, you feel Lena tense again and she cries out in rapture, but this time she grabs at your wrist, clearly having hit her limit. You slide out of Lena, your hand half-covered in her juices. As you lick your fingers clean and savor her flavor, Val releases your cock and gently kisses your abdominal area. Val then rolls herself off of Lena with a grunt, and looks up at you from the bed with adoration.
	"I think I'm going to need a moment, hon," Val says, a grin plastered on her face along with a whole lot of lemon frosting and cake crumbs.
	"Take all the time you need," you reply evenly, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
	Lena just mumbles and moans happily, her chest rising and falling as she catches her breath. Val grins and wiggles back around on the bed to be even with Lena. She lays next to the smaller girl, yawns, and slowly wipes her face somewhat clean with one hand, the other lazily yet lovingly caresses Lena's round, stuffed belly. Lena grins and closes her eyes, her hand resting on Val's arm as she drifts off to sleep. You chuckle gently and lean in between them, "We wore her out, didn't we?"
	Val stretches out next to Lena, and groans with satisfaction. She pats her own bulging gut, "Mmm, I'm wearing down fast too. Feeling a big sugar crash from that cake..."
	You grin, reach down, and intertwine your fingers with Val's.
	"I had a wonderful time tonight, honey," you say. "And I mean that in the most sincere way."
	"Mm-hmm," Val hums. "Me too, sweetie." Lena's eyes crack open, and she fractionally sits up.
	"Hey," she mutters sleepily.
	"I'm still... Kinda drunk and riding all the afterglow and my super-full belly, but... I feel amazing."
	Lena braces on an arm and continues, "You two are so good to me."
	"That's because you're worth it, and because you're so good to us too."
	Lena bites her lip and looks up at you with misty eyes. Without another word, she pulls you close, her lips tenderly caressing your own. A moment later, she turns her attention towards Val, so you lean in further and plant some kisses on Lena's neck and collarbone.
	She relaxes, and rests her forehead against Val's. You rest your cheek on Lena's shoulder and she whispers, "You're both so amazing... I still almost can't believe this is real..."
	You feel more than see Lena smile, and she asks with a giggle, "You're gonna make me breakfast in the morning, right?"
	You smile and roll over, spooning Lena. "If that's what you want, then absolutely." Lena smiles and hums happily, snuggling into the blankets.
	You make a wary sound and pat Lena on the thigh, saying, "Ok princess, wouldn't you be more comfy under the blankets and with proper pillows?"
	Lena grumbles but acquiesces. She stretches and yawns, then properly leans forward so you can arrange pillows behind her. You then peel the blankets out from underneath her, then gently tuck her in. She drifts off to sleep a moment later.
	Val watches this with adoration and amusement, then nestles into a free corner of the blankets, unconcerned by the accumulation of crumbs. She looks up at you, clearly unwilling to get up. You roll your eyes but smile, and go into the closet to fetch a spare set of blankets for Val. You give her a pampering treatment too, laying the sheets on top of your taller girlfriend and tucking her in as well. Val hums contentedly as she drifts off to sleep in a matter of moments.
	You shake your head and smile. You've never had such a great romantic relationship, and you're glad that you, Val, and Lena have found each other. With the night pretty clearly wrapped up, you go into the bathroom to freshen up and brush your teeth. You fetch a blanket for yourself, wrap up, then crawl into bed between Val and Lena.
	"Good night, you two," Val sleepily mutters.
	"Good night, sweethearts," you reply.
	Lena grumbles something unintelligible, shifts around subtly, then lazily rests a hand on your leg.
	Val rolls over, laying an arm across your chest and nestling her blonde head next to your shoulder. It's a pretty snug fit in the bed, but you couldn't mind it less. Flanked by the heavy, sleeping forms of Val and Lena, you feel yourself drifting off in a matter of minutes.

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28 – Always More

	You wake up to uncomfortably bright sunlight. You groan and shut your eyes tightly against the glare for a moment. You're trying to decide if you can snooze some more when you hear a miserable groan off ro your side. You carefully open your eyes and glance over to see Lena laying next to you, looking much worse for wear. Her eyes are shut tightly, and she looks exhausted and pale.
	You push the blankets off of your body and sit up, stretching your stiff and achy back. Modest discomfort slowly throbs in your head. You glance to your other side and see that Val isn't there. You slowly awaken further and see that the hateful glare of the sunlight is falling on Lena's face as well. She's awake.
	"Are you okay?" you ask, hoisting yourself to a sitting position and supporting your head with your hand.
	"I drank too much last night ," Lena says weakly.
	"Do you want some water?" you ask.
	"Ugh, no. I think I might throw up." Deciding to actually do something, you roll off of the bed and walk over towards the window. You pull the curtains completely shut. As the sliver of sunlight disappears from Lena's face, she seems to relax a little bit.
	"There, that's better," you say, turning around and sitting back on the bed.
	"Thanks," she says weakly. Just then, you hear a toilet flushing, and the sound of a faucet running. You sit and wait a few moments, and see Val exit the bathroom. She still looks tired, but seems okay. She strolls over towards the bed and squats down next to Lena.
	"Good morning, sweetie. How're you feeling?" Val asks.
	"Like crap," Lena says, wincing.
	Val tuts and whines in sympathy. "Did you throw up?"
	"No, but I still feel like garbage..."
	Val winces. "I'm going to make you some tea." 
	"What kind?"
	"The minty-slash-berry stuff we had back after Jen's pool party. It'll be a minute since I'll need to brew it fresh."
	"Okay," Lena says, relaxing somewhat. "That sounds good."
	Val pats Lena's thigh. "Now go back to sleep, sweetie."
	"Okay. Thank you." Val gets up and goes to the closet for some clothes. You're about to get up as well when you see Lena open her eyes again.
	"Anon," she says quietly, "I want to risk having some breakfast. I'm queasy but maybe some food might help."
	"Anything for you, honey. What would you like?"
	"I don't know..."
	Lena thinks for a long moment, then requests, "Could I get some oatmeal, please?"
	"Sure thing," you say, getting up and digging out a pair of boxer shorts from a drawer.
	As you slip them on, Val emerges from the closet tying off the sash on a familiar short pink robe.
	"I'll start the herbal tea," she says, then scampers out of the room. You're about to head down to the kitchen as well but remember something.
	You ask Lena, still laying on the bed with an arm over her eyes, what she would like on her oatmeal.
	"Um, I don't know. I think I'd like pecans, brown sugar, and a little cinnamon, if you've got any of those things."
	"Will do. Hang in there, sweetie, Val and I will get you fixed right up!" You reply.
	You head downstairs to see Val stirring a pot of water. Wisps of vapor swirl up, and a blend of herbal and fruity smells meet your nose as she works.
	"There's no real substitute for brew time, but Jen told me about a quicker alternative prep method," Val explains.
	"I think we could all use a mug of that tea today," you say while gathering the ingredients for Lena's oatmeal.
	"I think so too," Val says. "My mouth is dry as hell, and my throat feels like someone shoved a dirt ball through it." 
	Val yawns deeply, closing her eyes tightly, before gently shaking her head a bit and returning to watching the steaming pot.
	"I'm so dumb," she mutters. "I should have had this ready to go before last night."
	"It's ok," you reply while squeezing her hip. "I don't think any of us expected last night to get so wild."
	"Meaning we could all do it again?" she asks with a cheeky grin.
	"Yep!" you say.
	Val winks at you, then adds, "I can't wait."
	She pats her stomach and assumes a thoughtful expression. You smile as you see this, knowing that Val is surely fantasizing about her next huge meal, or about having a curvier body. You feel an odd bit of jealousy, but push it down.
	Val reaches over and squeezes your hand. Her blue eyes sparkle mischievously as she looks you up and down. Then she leans in and gives you a long, wet, and passionate kiss. You stand there slightly stunned for a few moments after she pulls away.
	Val giggles then says, "It's so cute that us girls can still have this effect on you."
	"I'm going to have to remember this moment."
	"Make sure you do," she says, smiling. "Lena and I can have plenty of fun with each other, but we still need attention from Anon."
	You chuckle as you pour the hot water over the oatmeal. As you add the spices and some pecan chunks to the oatmeal, Val finishes up prepping the tea. She carefully dumps the steaming brew into a filtered ceramic kettle, then adds ice to three sturdy mugs. You fill a second pitcher with water and pile some other premade breakfast items onto a tray, then return to Lena in the bedroom with Val in tow.
	"We got some stuff for you," you say.
	Lena stirs with a groan and hefts herself to a seated position. Her haggard face brightens upon noticing the spread.
	"Wow, this is awesome. Thank you so much!" Lena says, looking over the tray of food.
	She eyes the strawberries and yogurt dubiously, but cautiously digs into the oatmeal. Her lips close around a spoonful of the stuff, and you feel a spark of joy as she closes her eyes and hums contentedly. She opens her eyes and beams at you, licking her lips.
	"This is great," she says.
	"I'm glad you like it. I really should try to cook for you and Val more frequently."
	"I'd love that," she says.
	You hear some liquid pouring off to the side, then you see Val handing Lena a steaming mug of the aromatic herbal tea.
	"Here. This will help with your hangover and keep you hydrated. It's still pretty hot, so you may want to sip it slowly."
	"Thanks, Val." Lena takes a decent sip of the tea, not pausing to enjoy the aroma. In a matter of moments she seems to have brightened up.
	"Ahh....." She exhales, then continues, "I feel better already. This stuff is like magic. Jen should definitely be bottling and selling this tea; people would go nuts for a legit hangover cure."
	Val is poised to take a bite out of a breakfast bar. She pauses, then thinks for a second and replies, "That's actually not a bad idea. She's probably considered it already, but we can talk to her about it."
	Lena answers with a smile, then goes back to alternating nibbles of oatmeal and sips of tea. You and Val take in some breakfast and revitalizing tea as well.
	"So...." Lena says, clearing her throat. "About tonight...?"
	"Yeah, about tonight," you say.
	"You're still ok if I'm cagey with my folks about the nature of my new relationship?" Lena asks.
	"Yeah," you reply simply.
	"I for one think it'd be a little wierd if I met your parents so soon, so yeah, it's ok with me," Vall adds.
	Lena smiles, and says, "Thanks. And you're still ok with eventually seeing my parents? And with backing me up whenever I come out as bisexual and poly?"
	"Of course I am. I'm here to support you, and I'm not going to judge you or think less of you for what you are. I'm proud of you, and you can take as long as you need to prepare yourself," you answer.
	"And you definitely KNOW I am," Val says.
	"Thanks," Lena says, smiling brightly. "I appreciate it." She puts down her spoon, and looks between you and Val with misty eyes.
	"You guys are the best," she says, trying not to get choked up. "I don't think I could do this alone. And instead of finding one nice person to be with, I'm suddenly dating two of my best friends... I know how fast everything is moving and I worry that I'm imposing but you keep dropping everything to spoil me and I just... I just..."
	She breaks down into tears, and before you know it, she's sobbing and you two are sitting there, breakfast unfinished, in a flurry of emotions. Val reaches Lena first, snaking up the bed and wrapping her long arms around the smaller redhead. She kisses her forehead, and Lena whispers something in her ear.
	"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Lena sobs. 
	You needed an extra moment to put your food aside safely, and by now you've managed to wrap your arms around Lena and nestle close to you too.
	"We want to do this. We promise," you say.
	Val grunts in assent.
	Lena manages to compose herself, but her face is still wet with tears. She sniffs deeply, then dabs her nose with a nearby napkin before answering.
	"Why am I so anxious about this?“ She asks herself. "I keep telling myself that things will be ok, but there's that voice of doubt that I just can't quiet..."
	"Well, you've only really been out for a couple of months, and there's a lot to adjust to," Val says. "I was torn between being wildly horny and really neurotic for a while after I first figured out I liked girls."
	"I literally can't imagine you being neurotic at all, Val," Lena says with a chuckle.
	"Well...." Val laughs. "Anon, do you remember when I came clean and told you about that Darkwylde lingerie photoshoot?“
	"How could I forget?" You reply with a laugh of your own. "I also remember that you were on a kick of ogling some chubby waitresses during our first few dates."
	"I was," Val admits, her face turning red. "But that's not really the point!"
	Val furrows her brow at you and you stammer a quick apology. She accepts it but her blush doesn't go away.
	"I was debating with myself for a while how and when I'd tell you that I liked fat girls," Val explains. "I know it didn't really look like it, but I was insanely nervous before telling you that one time in the diner. I practically wanted to claw out of my own skin!"
	"Really?" You ask, genuinely surprised. 
	"Mhm," Val nods. "Even though I knew you'd be ok with it, it still felt like such a terrifying thing to admit out loud..."
	"You know I'd never have been mad if you'd tried," You say.
	"I know, but I just... I didn't want to mess anything up," Val says.
	She swings her gaze back at Lena and continues, "Lena, the point is, what you're feeling is one hundred percent natural and normal. You've gotta be brave, but Anon and I will be there for you."
	"I know, I know," Lena says, squeezing Val close. "We'll be there for each other."
	"You bet," Val nods.
	Lena's other arm draws tight around back. Feeling a little goofy, you gently place your palm on Lena's head. You say with a fake dramatic voice, "Lena! Take my power!“ 
	You figure she'd find an anime reference amusing. She does. Lena laughs, before grinning widely. Val joins in too, placing her hand on Lena's head and pretending like she's sending energy into the smaller girl.
	"Yeah, yeah! that feels good," Lena says.
	She balls her fists and looses a melodramatic growl, acting as though she's focusing some kind of magic powers.
	"I can feel it!" She grunts, trying not to laugh, "My ability to appreciate fat chicks has more than doubled!"
	"I can feel it too!" Val nods, some snickers breaking loose.
	You all laugh and Val squeezes Lena again.
	"Ahh.... With your power and Anon's, I have broken through. No longer a simple bi chick, I am now a... super bi!? And I am beyond shame!" Lena says, before breaking into an uncontrolled giggle fit.
	"I'm sorry, I can't help it!" Val and you laugh along with her, before she sobers up and nods.
	"God, we are a bunch of dorks," Lena chuckles. "Thanks, you two. I'm not so worried about tonight now. So long as I'm with the both of you, I couldn't care less what happens."
	You lean in and give her a quick kiss on the cheek. Val does too, then the three of you separate a bit and resume your breakfast, finishing up in comfortable silence. Judging by how thoroughly Lena packed away her oatmeal, her sour stomach must have definitely settled down.
	Eventually all the goodies that you and Val brought up for breakfast are gone, naturally with the lion's share having gone to the girls. Importantly, the pitchers of water and tea were drained as well. Lena takes a quick bathroom break, then snuggles back into her blankets. In no time she's dozing off again, hands resting on her gently bulging stomach. Val lies back in her blankets and closes her eyes.
	"I'm going to snooze a bit too," Val says, "I'm still tired."
	You gently stroke her hair, then let Val sink into the pillows and get comfy. You nestle between your girlfriends as delicately as you can - you don't do a great job, but you manage not to wake Lena. You feel happy and contented. This is the life, you think to yourself. You reach across Val with a smile on your face and retrieve your phone. You spend the next hour or so playing games and reading articles, just enjoying the presence of your girlfriends.
	Eventually Val wakes up, stretches, and rolls over to embrace you. You return the gesture and lay with her for a few minutes before she abruptly stirs, sits up and gets out of the bed.
	"I'm going to take a quick shower," she says cheerfully, "Want to come with me?"
	Before you can reply, you notice that Val's gaze is actually over your shoulder. You turn and see Lena looking at Val with an excited, pleading expression. She's clearly hoping that she'll get to join you two in the shower.
	Val shifts her gaze between you and Lena, clearly stalling to formulate a response. Thinking quickly, you say, "The shower's pretty spacious but I don't think it'll fit all three of us. Lena, how about you and Val have some fun getting clean together? I'm ok showering on my own."
	You can almost hear Val's wheels turning as she considers how to respond. "I... Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," she finally says, warming up to the idea. 
	As the two girls heave themselves from the bed and start gathering their things, you say, "Tell ya what, the next place we live, I'll make sure it's got a roomy shower that will fit at least three sexy plus-sized folks."
	Lena laughs and nudges Val in the ribs.
	"That sounds like a plan!" Val replies.
	The girls make their way to the bathroom. Lena enters first, and you hear the shower start. Val follows, then turns back to shoot you a sultry wink from the doorway before closing the door. You smile and lean back against the headboard. You half-read some bullshit news stories on your phone, but you're immediately distracted when you hear some giggles and moans over the running water. You put your phone down and listen for a few minutes as the girls enjoy themselves. Occasionally you hear some words of admiration like, "your skin is so soft" or "I love how it jiggles, it's so sexy!" 
	You grin to yourself and the mingled sounds of the warm water and the girls' explorations lull you into something of a fugue state.
	You snap back to awareness a few minutes later when the door opens and Lena steps out. Her auburn hair clings to her face in damp strands, and her skin is pink from the hot water. You can't help but notice her makeup is gone, giving her face a plainer apprarance, but she still looks sexy as hell.
	"Listening in?" Lena teases as she steps toward the bed, her hips swaying. It is at this point that you become aware of your massive erection, shamelessly tenting your boxer shorts.
	"I guess the walls are kinda thin," you say, not bothering to feign disinterest.
	"Oh, how lovely," she replies, climbing into the bed.
	Val appears in the doorway next. You catch a glimpse of her naked body, then a moment later she's wrapped a towel around herself and approaches the bed too. You turn towards Lena and say, "You don't need to say anything. All I need to know is that you had fun."
	"Oh, I had a marvelous time," Lena says, putting her hand on your thigh.
	The bed creaks a little as Val sits on the other side. Lena's hand reaches up and gently grabs your hair, pulling you into a kiss. She giggles and breaks from the kiss, then looks you in the eyes. A moment passes and you savor the fresh, flowery aroma of the soaps and shampoo that Lena just used. She giggles and ruffles your hair, then says, "You need to shower up too. You're a little smelly, you dirty boy."
	You snicker and stand up. "I'll be right back."
	You start the shower back up and hop in. Despite scrubbing and rinsing yourself fairly quickly, the hot water begins to run low towards the end, so you're not quite as steamy and refreshed as you would have liked.
	As you turn off the water and start toweling off, you hear Val and Lena giggling and cooing on the other side of the door again. You crack a smile, then open the door to find a naked Lena laying on the bed with her plump rear in the air. Val is still naked as well, rubbing lotion into Lena's creamy skin, and playing with Lena's chub at every opportunity. You stand there for a moment, dripping wet, in awe of the scene before you.
	"What do you think?" Val asks, glancing over at you with a coy smile.
	"I think that you could use a little help," you reply with a coy smile of your own.
	"I think you might be right," Val purrs, reaching for the lotion bottle. You drop your towel, and sit on the bed next to Lena, who gently squirms in anticipation. Val puts a generous dollop of lotion in your hand, and you start rubbing it into Lena's plush hip, while Val attends to Lena's other side.
	"Mmm... That feels so good," Lena sighs, her voice muffled by the pillows.
	"And it smells even better," you agree, savoring the smooth cream on your hands and the feeling of her slicked skin.
	You and Val quickly rub lotion into all of Lena's back half. She then rolls over and bites her lip, ready to receive the lotion on her front. Val puts a generous dollop of lotion on Lena's stomach and each of her thighs. Lena moans appreciatively as Val rubs her creamy skin with the lotion. You smile, and get to work as well. You focus on Lena's legs, while Val gets the privilege of massaging Lena's tummy and chest. You efficiently yet sensually work your way down Lena's chubby leg, adding some extra lotion to cover her shin and foot. She reacts decidedly appreciatively as you rub the lotion into her foot. You smile, and file this away as another method to pamper Lena. In your opinion, fat women deserve to be pampered.
	"Mmm... Do you want some more?" you ask, running your hand up and down Lena's leg.
	"Mmm, please."
	In what seems like a flash, you've worked your way down Lena's other leg, again spending time rubbing the tension out of her foot. By the time you're satisfied with your work, Val has almost finished with the rest of Lena, massaging some lotion into Lena's forearm. You join up with Val anyways, and your hands meet at Lena's relaxed hand. Both of you rub the lotion in, then spend a long moment in a tender three-way hand hold. 
	You release a deep breath, and give a squeeze to Val's hand and Lena's beneath it. Your fingers linger there, before eventually letting go.
	"Thank you, Val, Anon. That was wonderful." Lena coos.
	Val tenderly pats Lena's shoulder and says, "Glad you liked it. We gotta take care of our skin, since we're just gonna get thicker and sexier, right?"
	Lena grins, and nods. "Hell yeah."
	Val turns back to you, and with a smile, she asks, "You ok with helping us lotion up on the regular, Anon?"
	You nod eagerly, and she turns back to Lena, who's already pulled herself into a sitting position.
	"Good, because it's my turn," Val says with a giggle. She then lays down on the bed face-first, wiggling her firm, muscular rump enticingly.
	"Oohhh... You're so fit, Val. God, I still can't get over it," Lena coos, shifting to a better sitting position. She then pats Val's butt and traces a muscle bundle to the small of her back, "I know I like chubby girls, but there's something about all this that's just.... Mesmerizing..." Lena continues.
	"I know what you mean," you reply, running a hand along Val's corded thigh.
	"I can't help but notice there's no lotion coming down," Val says with a smile.
	You and Lena scramble to apply dollops of lotion to Val's body, and she chuckles. "I also didn't say you could stop with the compliments."
	You and Lena stare at each other for a moment in panic. 
	"Sorry," Lena squeaks.
	"No need to be sorry, darling. I'm just giving you a hard time. The lotion feels so good, I honestly don't care that much..."
	You again take up the legs, working lotion into Val's skin and rubbing the muscles beneath. As Lena works her way up Val's back, Val says between breathy hums, "I'm not mad, but you DO remember that I'm trying to get fat, right, Lena?"
	"I remember. Did I say something to hurt your feelings?" Lena asks timidly, working the lotion into Val's upper back.
	"No. It's just that I've still got kinda complex feelings about having a really muscular body. I'm literally a mutant, and people can't help but notice, y'know?" Val says, still face-down on the bed.
	"You're beautiful," Lena says earnestly, working lotion into Val's arms. "Everyone who knows you thinks you're a knockout!"
	"Mmm, thanks babe," Val purrs, then shudders with relaxation as you rub some lotion into her foot. Once she's regained her senses, Val continues, "I should be more careful. I can't get so wrapped up in imagining the chubby body I want that I forget to appreciate the fit body I have for now."
	You and Lena both make noises of agreement, and you both resume your ministrations. After a few minutes, Val turns over on her back, and you start working lotion into her stomach.
	Val chuckles, "Besides, it looks like no matter how much fat I might pile on top of them, those muscles aren't going anywhere!"
	Lena looks up from working on Val's thigh to ask, "Really?"
	Val replies with a nod and an "mhm," then explains, "Right, Anon knows all the gory details but I haven't really brought you up to speed yet. Basically, Dr. Rohaz thinks that my mutant genotype should keep me fit and healthy no matter how much weight I might gain."
	Lena resumes massaging Val's leg and says with a grin, "Man, I'm jealous. Just when I thought you couldn't get more perfect. And you're sure it'll work like that?"
	Val makes a thoughtful hum and says, "Probably. Hopefully. I certainly intend to find out, but I should be able to turn things back easily enough if she turns out to be wrong."
	"Well, we won't know anything until you try it, will we?" Lena says.
	"Maybe," Val shrugs, then grins. "Maybe not. I'm too curious."
	Val's next words catch in her throat as you rub lotion into her breasts. Once you move on, her voice stays in a husky purr and she says, "Then again, I think I love stuffing my belly so much that curiosity doesn't really factor in..."
	You and Lena laugh, and go in to kiss either side of Val's face. You sneak a pat at Val's stomach, trying to imagine how a layer of fat will feel there. If it's anything like the pudge around Lena's middle, it'll be amazing. You and Lena start wrapping up, again working down Val's arms and finishing at her hands.
	Once done, you and Lena bring Val's hands together and clasp them between your fingers. The air is thick with the lotion's heady aroma of coconut and almond. Val's eyes are heavy-lidded and she seems completely at ease. You give the tangle of hands one last squeeze, then let them go. Lena pulls away and lays back herself, waiting for her own lotion to dry and set. Lena's gaze settles on your face and her lips part, as if she's about to speak. Then she just shrugs and smiles. She's beautiful.
	You shuffle over to the bathroom sink and cleanse your hands of any excess lotion. You then go back to sit on the bed and make smalltalk with the girls until their lotion dries. Once it does, they get up in turn to towel off the excess. You pull on some boxer shorts and a shirt, and Val re-wears that one pink house robe. Lena asks to borrow a robe, and after a bit of rummaging, Val emerges from her closet with an apologetic expression and a house robe. The robe has pink and white roses on fluffy black fabric, and it is actually quite classy. Val hands it haltingly to Lena, who accepts it gratefully.
	It is when Lena dons the robe that she realizes the source of Val's unease. The robe is a bit too small for Lena, especially regarding her hips. Lena's butt is barely covered by the garment with the help of concerted tugs at the hem, but the slightest movement reveals her ass.
	"It's cute," you say, trying to be supportive.
	Val is uncharacteristically embarrassed and stammers, "I'm sorry, that's the longest one I could find, I thought for sure it'd be ok."
	Lena gives you a wink and a smile, then does the same towards Val.
	"You know what, I think it's fine for around the house. Just try not to get too distracted, ok?" Lena says with a giggle.
	You just grin and say, "Good God, I have the most adorable girlfriends ever."
	Lena giggles and slaps you on the shoulder, then reaches up to give you a kiss.
	"C'mon Anon," she says. "I'm actually getting a little hungry. Shall we go sort out lunch?"
	She exits the room with Val trailing behind. You lie down on the bed and stare at the ceiling for a moment. It's going to be the best kind of long day. You then rise from the bed and head for the kitchen.
	After a bit of back and forth, you offer to make some grilled sandwiches for the girls. You are forced to improvise since Val doesn't have a sandwich press, but you're pretty happy with the results nonetheless. You found some leftover roast beef in the fridge, and along with plenty of cheese and some fancy bread, you're able to scrape together some more-than-passable melts. At their request, you stack Val's and Lena's sandwiches high.
	The looks of admiration and appreciation the girls wear as they eat make you feel incredibly good. Once the sandwiches are gone, the three of you move to the living room. The girls bring some chips and veggies as snacks, and the three of you proceed to while away the afternoon with some video games. You don't particularly feel like talking, so you just enjoy the companionship of the girls. The afternoon slides by fairly quickly, as the three of you really dig into your favored co-op dungeon crawler and grind out some sidequests and new character equipment.
	Around six, the sun is beginning to near the horizon, tinging the sky orange. An alarm on Lena's phone goes off. She acknowledges it with a rueful sigh and says, "Well, guess I did make a prior arrangement."
	You and Val nod assent. The three of you save your progress, then turn off the console and follow as Lena makes herself more presentable. She quickly throws on some light makeup, and you start looking through your own outfit options. Despite practically living with Val, you haven't moved a lot of clothes over, so you're mostly stuck with casual options. As you're deciding which t-shirt and sweatpants makes you look least like a slob, you hear a grunt from Lena.
	"What's wrong?" you ask, pausing to glance over at her.
	You turn just in time to see Lena finish sliding into a pair of black panties. They're visibly quite tight, and the satiny fabric can't quite cover all of Lena's plump ass. Her eyes are wide and her breathing heavy, and she mutters something about "taking them out" and "feeling good." Her face is flushed, and she gives you a sheepish grin.
	"Well," she starts. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'm basically just eating and sleeping in my free time, no wonder my clothes are getting tighter..."
	Lena's blush deepens as she speaks, and she looks down at her soft body.
	"I mean, I'm not saying I hate it. I'm not saying I'm like... I'm just..."
	You step forward and put a hand on her shoulder. You lean in and say, "You look great. You don't need to worry so much, babe."
	You give her a quick kiss on the cheek, then move to help her pick out an outfit.
	"Well, actually, I do need to worry," she says. "I really do like the way I look with a little extra weight, but I am gonna need some new clothes soon if we keep this up."
	She looks back at you and asks, "We do want to keep this up, right?"
	"Keep what up?"
	"The massive meals and erotic threeway feeding sessions?"
	You grin and say, "Oh! Of course. I mean, unless -"
	Lena quiets you by placing her hand over your mouth.
	"I knew you'd be on board, but I wanted to hear you say it," she explains.
	"You already know I'm all in on the indulgence," the two of you turn and see Val emerging from her closet. She's wearing a pair of dark high-waisted capri tights and a green t-shirt with a faux tie-dye pattern. She smiles at the sight of a nearly nude Lena and you minus a shirt, then her eyes dart over to Lena.
	"Now what's this about needing new clothes?" Val asks.
	Lena blushes and fidgets with the band of her panties. "You're making me fat, Val!" She giggles. "This is serious!"
	Val raises an eyebrow and looks down at Lena's burgeoning body. "Well, if you need new clothes, then that sounds like a great excuse for a shopping trip!" She says, winking.
	"We'll spare Anon, it'll just be the two of us, it'll be great!"
	"You're serious?" Lena asks.
	"Absolutely."
	Lena makes a show of considering the offer, trying not to smile. As her feigned consideration stretches into a few long seconds, Val cuts in, "Lemme sweeten the deal. I'll pay for whatever you pick out. It only seems right since I am indeed sort of the reason you're getting bigger."
	"You don't have to do that," Lena says.
	"I know, but I wanna. I've got cash to spare, and what's the point of having money if you don't do nice things for people you care about?"
	"I guess," she says, smiling shyly.
	"C'mon, it'll be fun. Besides, you're ny girlfriend too, so that means I get to treat you as well," Val nods, smiling warmly.
	"I guess it's settled. Thanks, Val, you really are way too good to me."
	Lena wraps her arms around Val's waist and presses her face into Val's chest. Val wraps her arms around Lena, then pulls you in as well. The three of you exchange kisses, then Val releases you and Lena.
	"Ok, I'm about ready to go. Take all the time you need Lena, and I'll ferry you back to your car."
	"Aye aye, captain," Lena says, giving Val a quick peck on the cheek and patting her on the butt.
	Val grins, then turns to leave the room. You and Lena then nod at each other and focus in on selecting apparel. You help Lena pick out a cute outfit out of the limited options from her overnight bag: a pleated grey skirt with galaxy-patterned leggings underneath, plus a purple tanktop.
	"Ok, let's do this," she says, pulling on her skirt.
	You take a moment to admire her, appreciating the way the pleated skirt hugs her curves in all the right places. Lena catches you looking, and she shoots you a grin and gives her butt a playful shake. You chuckle, then place your hands on her hips and give one of her cheeks a firm smack.
	"Ow, stop," she complains, but can't help but giggle. She turns to face you.
	"I'll be in the mood for that later, but it's probably better if I'm not full of horny thoughts while I'm with my parents," she explains. 
	You nod in agreement, then lead her to the door. Val meets the two of you at her front door. You give Lena a quick goodbye kiss, then your two girlfriends slip out the front door, leaving you alone. 
	You sigh and smile to yourself. Juggling two girlfriends is already proving to be a lot of work, but you're finding it insanely rewarding. You pass through the foyer-kitchen area, walk through the cozy living room, and open a sliding glass door. 
	The concrete patio is cold on your bare feet, and despite the afternoon sun's glare, the air holds a bit of a chill. You take a few slow breaths of the crisp air, then go back inside. You sit down on the couch and flip through the channels, searching for something to watch. 
	You land on a cooking show, and you find yourself captivated by the host's enthusiasm and passion for food. The celebrity chef, a round Chinese chef going by the nickname "Master Huang," is dishing up a plate of perfectly cooked and seasoned dumplings. As the TV chef both works and prattles on, you decide to do a little research on your phone. You find a number of relevant recipes, including the aromatic and savory Sichuan-style dumplings on the show. You file away the recipe for later, thinking that a big batch of homemade dumplings could be a great surprise for the girls. As you sit on the couch, lost in thought, you hear a knock on the door. 
	You quietly pad towards the front door and take a look through the peephole. You see a sturdy-looking man in a crisp buttoned shirt standing on your doorstep, holding some kind of folio. He looks familiar, but you can't quite place him. You slightly open the door and address the man. 
	"May I help you?" You ask in a blandly polite, solicitous tone. 
	The man hesitates for a moment before responding, even going so far as to flip open his folio and apparently check something on a tablet.
	"Is this the residence of Valentine Sojka?" He asks. 
	"Yes," you reply cautiously. "Though she's not available at the moment. Perhaps I could take a message?"
	It's only at this moment that you notice the man's name badge. It identifies him as one Jack Marsden, an employee of Val's ISP. 
	"Sorry, where are my manners?" Jack sputters, then introduces himself properly, though he doesn't offer you his hand.
	"I'm here from Netcom because we'd noticed some odd network outages in the area," he explains. "We're investigating and we need your help. Can you spare a few minutes to talk?" You nod along, politely hearing the technician out. 
	"I'm not actually here all that much," you lie. "I can have Val reach back out to you guys if that'd be helpful." 
	Jack nods, seeming satisfied with your response. He digs around in his folio and hands you a sheet of paper. A brief scan suggests it's a letter more deeply explaining the situation Jack's investigating, plus a sales pitch for upgraded services.
	"Well good luck figuring out your situation," you offer with a chuckle.
	Jack cracks a smile but doesn't laugh. "Well, thanks, and have a nice evening."
	You close the door and move to return to the couch. You hear a muffled knocking coming from further away, doubtless the technician going down the hall for his investigation. You flop onto the couch, slightly troubled. You know you did the right thing by trying to cover what is certainly Witness' activity, but you can't help but be concerned that the AI is leaving traces. You sigh, realizing that your ability to help the AI is limited, and that you're probably better off letting it handle its own affairs. 
	You turn your attention back to the TV chef, who is now discussing various aspects to look out for when selecting some fresh ingredients. The worry slowly drains from your body, and right about as the episode wraps up, you hear the front door lock being worked. You sit up quickly, realizing that Val is home. You quickly make your way to the kitchen to greet her. As you enter the kitchen, you see Val standing at the counter, her arms crossed in front of her. She looks up at you with a grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She says, "I don't know about you, but I'm very ready for dinner."
	Val moves to the fridge and opens it up, looking over its contents. 
	She declares, "Tonight, I'm thinking about cleaning out all the leftovers. By storing them in my tummy." Val grins mischievously as she pats her stomach, "I know you love it when I let myself go." You walk up to Val and pet her stomach. 
	You say, "And how. I still can't believe how lucky I am that I found you. And Lena now too!" 
	Val grins and leans into your touch, her body radiating with warmth and energy. "You and her are the best things that've ever happened to me," she says, her eyes sparkling with happiness. You feel a bubbly rumble ripple from Val's guts under your hand.
	"You must really be famished, big girl," you laugh.
	You turn away from her to peek into the fridge; as usual it's pretty well packed with ingredients, sauces, and boxed leftover meals.
	Head still in the fridge, you say, "There's a lot in here, even for a powerful piggy like you," you tease.  
	Val chuckles and leans in closer, her eyes fixed on the contents of the fridge. "You know me, I love a challenge, and I love leaping without looking," she says with a grin. Val reaches past you and extracts a styrofoam box, loaded with pasta if you remember right. Right after she dumps out the congealed noodles onto a plate and spins up the microwave, the evening becomes a blur. 
	Some impressions you can recall are: a vulgar pile of emptied takeout containers, Val's greedy stomach taut and gravid with food, and her laying on the couch helplessly glutted but still begging for more. All told, she managed to choke down about four normal-person meals' worth of morsels and snacks. After wrestling her out of her now too-tight leggings and bra, you manage to force an additional four decadent fudge cream cupcakes down her throat. It's halfway through the fifth cupcake when Val's body hits its limit. 
	She bats your hand away and gags, her face flashing with pain as her overloaded gut briefly spasms. Val squeezes her eyes shut, groans, puffs out her cheeks briefly, and makes several rough swallows before laying back heavily on the cushions. You can see the sweat on her forehead and the heaving of her stomach, which looks about the size and stiffness of a bowling ball. She looks up at you with a mix of pain and exhilaration. "I think I need to rest a bit," she says, her eyes glazed over with pleasure. You nod in agreement, still chuckling at the sight of her overfilled stomach. "I'm a fucking freak," she moans. "But it feels so good..." 
	"You're my freak, baby," you coo, gently kissing Val on the lips.
	"And I'll never judge you for enjoying yourself," you add, kissing your way down Val's trunk and gently tonguing her distended belly. Val's eyes close in pleasure as you continue your ministrations, her body writhing with each movement. She moans softly, her breathing heavy and ragged. She clumsily grabs at your hair and gently pulls you away.
	"That feels good," she breathes, "But I'm not up for anything else right now. I'm such an overstuffed lump that I don't even want to get up from the couch." 
	You nod understandingly, "Of course, baby. You take all the time you need." 
	"Thank you Anon," she rasps. "I love you so much, you know that?"
	"I love you too Val, and I can do you one better," you reply. You don't wait for Val to reply before whirling upstairs. You fetch Val's favorite blanket off of the bed, and dig out the vial of THC extract from her nightstand. You return to the living room, and immediately drape the blanket over Val's supine form. She stirs slightly, lazily looking at you with adoration. You hold up the vial and give it a small shake, and Val immediately closes her eyes and holds out her tongue expectantly. You dole out an oversized count of drops, knowing that Val will need the help to relax and digest. As the drops hit her tongue, Val's eyes flutter shut and she lets out a contented sigh. Her body relaxes under the blanket, and in a few minutes her breathing becomes slow and even. She even begins to snore slightly and drool, which you find a touch amusing. 
	You finally dig out your phone and see a couple messages from Lena. She reports that dinner with her parents went well, she managed not to spill any juicy details about her new life developments, and that she's winding down the evening with an indulgent quantity of ice cream. You smile to yourself, still glad that Lena is enjoying herself and taking her added weight in stride.
	You text back your appreciation of her check-in, and in turn report on Val's latest gluttonous escapade.
	Lena replied with a cluster of flustered and jealous emojis, and wishes she could have been part of it. You remind her that the three of you will have plenty of occasions to stuff each other silly and fuck like rabbits, which she seems more than contented by. As you send the message, Val stirs once again and lets out a contented sigh. She reaches for your hand and squeezes it tightly, still dozing off. You find yourself yawning, despite the evening being rather young and your day having been quite lazy. 
	You decide to call it. You text Lena goodnight, roughly bag up the detritus from dinner, and help yourself to a few drops of the THC extract. You swallow, feeling the warming trail of the oil extract as it goes down your throat. Val hasn't moved an inch, still happily dozing away with a bulging gut. You notice the remainder of the cupcakes you tried to feed her earlier - there's the half morsel upon which she hit her limit, plus one final pristine cupcake in the plastic container. It hasn't been long enough for the drops to take effect, plus your own portion of the leftovers was plenty satisfying, but you decide it'd be a shame to waste such great desserts.
	Before you know it you've inhaled both of them, wiping chocolate from your face and sucking vanilla-tinged creme from between your teeth. You feel a rush of warmth spreading through your body, and you feel a persistent temptation to indulge some more.
	You shake off the urge. This time. You'd always known in the back of your head that appetites tend to be contagious, but Val and Lena make gluttony look awfully appealing. You drink a glass of water and think. You've managed not to blow up so far, but it's only going to get harder to stay fit as your lady friends continue to indulge and expand. As you brush your teeth, you dismiss the thought for tonight - tomorrow's problems are for tomorrow's you. You nestle into Val's bed, alone under the covers for the first time in a while, and despite your solitude, you doze off fairly quickly.
	
	You aren't surprised that Val woke up the next morning a little strung out but still ravenous. A minor pleasant surprise was being able to assemble the full ladyfriend brunch posse - Lena, Zoe, Vicky, and Jen all even met you and Val at the diner spot on at 10 o'clock.
	What you were unpleasantly surprised by was a temporary closure of the Young Street Diner thanks to an electrical outage. After Lena, Zoe, and Val collectively determine that today's incident doesn't constitute a broken streak, the smartphones came out and discussion over alternate brunch locations began. After some back-and-forth, the group settled for a nearby National Waffle Den franchise. Though the prices were competitive with the old diner, the food just plain wasn't as good, though it was still plenty satisfying, and the girls (save Jen) all left the table waddling and smiling.
	
	The next two-ish weeks see you and Val trying to establish a sharing routine with Lena. You and Val hang out and do stuff together until Lena gets off work, then you and Val trade off evenings one-on-one with Lena. It's a little awkward, but it seems to be working well enough, and the three of you are basically welded together during the weekends. 
	During this time, you feel comfortable enough to voice your concerns to Val about your possibly slipping fitness. She agrees to effectively become your personal trainer, cranking up the difficulty of the weekday home workouts and weaving in some cardio. She's a brutal taskmistress, but you have an easier time with a routine when she's cracking the proverbial whip and when she's working out next to you. All the same, you're persistently sore and worn out, if awash in endorphins. 
	Come the evenings though, it's a completely different story for Val. You'd think a different personality were at the wheel for how greedily she pigs out and how sedentary she becomes. You and Lena certainly don't mind, and Lena is getting more than her share of indulgence as well. 
	It isn't long before Val and Lena go on the promised shopping trip, and Lena returns showing off a collection of upsized stretch pants and loose T-shirts. She's coy about her number on the scale, but it's obvious that it's going up, and quickly. Though it's more subtle for Val thanks to her much larger frame, it's becoming obvious that she's expanding too. Her older clothes are visibly tight, especially around her waist and hips, and the definition on her limbs is slowly fading. 
	Val can't help but be over the moon at finally having some softer curves, and she actively delights in teasing you by withholding her latest weight measurements. You can tell that she's enjoying her new body, and that's more than fine with you. Val's journey hit an inflection point one Friday evening, a few weeks after folding Lena into the relationship. 
	The three of you were out for burgers at the Grilled Cow.
	
	You take a seat at a booth, enjoying the ambiance of the restaurant. It's actually fairly busy - the clientele is mostly local college kids grabbing a bite, mixed with a few townies, and the drone of conversation completes with with some rock music piped in through the speakers. Val is sitting across from you, her face lit up with excitement as she takes in the scene around her. As Lena slides into the booth next to the taller woman, Val grins at you and says, "I am so hyped to be pigging the fuck out tonight!"
	You take a sip of your iced tea and grin back at Val before answering, "You've been pigging the fuck out since we started dating. What's different about tonight?" Val chuckles and takes a deep breath. You briefly muse that she must already be a little uncomfortable - Val almost couldn't get her shorts zipped and buttoned while getting dressed, and her waist visibly bulged over the sides.
	Val glances at Lena and then back to you, smiling wryly, "All I'm going to say is 'milestone'." You chuckle and take another sip of your tea, knowing better than to pry. As you look around the restaurant, you notice a group of girls eyeing Val and Lena with interest. 
	One of them stands up from her seat and walks over to the group, seemingly curious. Lena watches her approach with a mischievous glint in her eye, and you can tell that she's enjoying the attention. The lady who's approached the table has a loose black bun, jeans and a T-shirt, and seems a little unsteady on her feet. You glance at her compatriots back at the table and the other girls look mortified.
	The black-haired woman braces a hand on the table and opens her mouth. "Heyyyyy. So this is a little random and you guys can tell me to fuck off if I'm being annoying but like, I couldn't help but notice your whole.... Vibe," she slurs, waving her free hand around to indicate your group.
	One of the girls back at the table, with long rainbow-dyed hair, hisses at the interloper, "Kelsey, get back here!"
	Val is snickering behind a hand, trying not to laugh out loud. You're still processing the brazen intrusion, so Lena winds up being the quickest-witted one at the table.
	Lena turns and looks towards Kelsey with a small noncommittal grin, "I'm not sure I get what you mean." 
	Kelsey generally seems unfazed. She smiles stupidly and leans towards Val.
	"Like, I love you hair," she says then waves a finger drunkenly towards Lena, "Your makeup is like, fucking gorgeous," and finally swings her finger towards you, nearly clipping your nose, "And you're like, really cute." 
	You can feel the tension in the air as the girls at both tables start to giggle and snicker. Your cheeks warm and you're about to tell off this drunken nuisance, but Kelsey just talks over whatever you were about to say.
	She asks with a rather annoying rising lilt, "You guys, you'd like, be perfect for Greek life. Are you gonna rush next semester?"
	You finally get a word in.
	"Kelsey, is it?" You start, hoping you sound even and mature. "We're flattered by your compliments and frankly flattered that you think we're freshman-aged. However, the truth is that we've actually been finished with college for years."
	Kelsey's face falls at your words, and she looks around the table with a hint of desperation. "Oh. Really? I-I just wanted to be friendly," she stammers, still looking at you. At that, a flannel-clad waiter shows up at your table, anxious to drop off your group's burger orders. One of Kelsey's more reasonable friends, a short busty brunette, finally intervenes.
	"C'mon, Kels. Let's get some food in you and take it easy," the brunette says patronizingly, maneuvering her friend away from your table. The brunette looks back and silently mouths "I'm so sorry" before sitting back down. Kelsey looks like she might cry, but instead she slinks back into her seat, her head down. Her friends nudge a plate of fries and a drink cup her way, and as Kesley picks at the food, the waiter finally drops off the orders for your table with an amused smile. 
	It's easy to push the annoying coed from your mind as you refocus on your imminent meal. Your cheeseburger isn't exactly a healthy meal by any stretch, but it's a fair shake more reasonable than the gut-busting greasebombs that Val and Lena have in front of them. As you take a bite, you can feel the satisfying crunch of the lettuce and the thick, soft cheese melding with the savory patty. Such a straightforward yet competent take on the classic cheeseburger has you immediately wondering if the Grilled Cow is now your favorite burger joint. The rough-cut fries aren't at the same level, which makes them decent at worst - fresh, crispy, and salty, but nothing particularly special going on. 
	You take your time, enjoying this brief break from your recent fitness kick. Lena steadily munches away at a pile of bacon, meat and cheese on a brioche bun, and judging by the growing pool of grease on her plate, it must be sinfully good. Val is eating with relish, her eyes glinting as she bites into her own overloaded bacon cheeseburger. She grins indulgently as she dunks the sandwich in a small tray of provided cheese sauce, and takes great care to ensure that the excess grease and sauce land either on her pile of fries or her second burger. The noises she makes with each bite border on sexual, and you're greatly enjoying the show. 
	Val briefly closes her eyes, chewing and swallowing a huge bite of her burger. She exhales blissfully and says, "God, it's like I can feel myself getting fatter with each bite... It feels so amazing. We're definitely going to be coming back here on the reg." Lena looks up from her plate, her eyes lighting up with anticipation. "Definitely," she agrees, smiling mischievously. "I can't wait to see how much we can both gain from this next visit." Val and Lena both turn to you, grinning and bouncing their eyebrows playfully.
	"What?" You laugh, "You girls barely need my help to stuff yourselves. I'm content to just enjoy the show and keep you two happy." Val and Lena both chuckle, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
	"Well, we'll make sure to do our best to impress you," Lena says, winking at you. Val nods, her cheeks already bulging again. Lena then sets down her sandwich and roughly dusts off her hands. 
	She looks intently at her pile of fries for a moment, then selects a particularly long and thick specimen and sets it against her teeth without eating it. She pats Val on the shoulder, pointing invitingly to the morsel clutched between her lips. Val leans in, closing her eyes as she takes a bite of the fry. Lena reciprocates, biting her way down the potato and closer to Val's greedy lips. Lena closes her own eyes, and sets a hand on Val's cheek. Val takes in the last length of the fry and meets Lena's lips, gently caressing and sucking on them while chewing her food. Val pulls back a few moments later, and the two women both sigh happily. 
	Lena moans, "All this calorie-loaded food, it just makes me feel so good. All I can say is, you're missing out, Anon." Val nods, her eyes still closed, her cheeks flushed with pleasure. 
	"I worry that I wouldn't make a good fatty," you say. "Besides, I'm already having a lot of fun by dancing on the line. Will I stay fit and eat responsibly? Will I finally crack and let the gluttony take over? I've realized that the push-pull inner conflict is exciting." Val opens her eyes, her gaze fixed on you. "Don't worry about it," she says reassuringly. 
	"It's fun to tempt you," she continues, "And frankly probably a lot easier than you give yourself credit for. But if you genuinely refuse, I'll respect that."
	"Me too," Lena chimes in from behind her burger.
	Val adds, "I am serious about staying fit...ish, and I'm enjoying bossing you around in our workouts. But I am even more serious about packing on as much weight as I can. Especially now that I'm actually starting to look a little luscious!" Val winks at you, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 
	Lena grins, her cheeks still stuffed with fries. "Well, I'll be happy to help you out with that." Val beams, gently patting Lena's thigh under the table. 
	Val says, "I know, babe. Anon and I are so happy that we can share ourselves and this journey with you. I still feel really good about us three together." 
	You nod in agreement, taking a sip of your tea. "Yeah, we make a great team. And I still can't tell you how lucky I feel. It's like I stumbled ass-first into a fantasy relationship, but you two are real, and you're both so perfect." 
	A belch escapes Lena. She clasps a hand over her mouth and makes an embarrassed whimper. 
	"Sorry," she whispers.
	"I didn't fucking stutter," you say without missing a beat, "You and Val are so sexy when you're enjoying your food."
	The corner of Lena's mouth peeks around her hand in an embarrassed smile. Val giggles, her eyes shining with amusement. "Oh, stop it," she says, reaching across the table to give Lena another playful squeeze on the thigh. "You're just jealous of our bodies." 
	"Yeah, a little," you laugh, "You two are clearly the sexy ones in this throuple."
	Lena laughs back, "Yeah? Well our new friend Kelsey clearly disagrees. She straight-up called you cute to your face."
	You glance to your side, and thankfully the table of sorority girls is empty. "Miss Kelsey was drunk off her ass," you retort, "Plus she's clearly dumb to boot!"
	Lena laughs, "No, I don't think she's wrong. The only downside to this throuple thing is that I have to share your fine self with Val!"
	You blush and actually find yourself bereft of a bantery reply. 
	Val chimes in, "Lena, baby, there's plenty of Anon to go around. That said..."
	She hefts her burger invitingly, "There's a way to make more of Anon to go around..." Lena slightly opens her mouth, putting a finger on her lip in a stereotypical dumb-girl pose. She asks in an affected bimbo lilt, "I dunno what you mean, Val. How do we make more of Anon?"
	Val grins mischievously, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, honey, we would just have to feed him more! After all, we outnumber him..." 
	"Val, no," you reply flatly, "At least not right now."
	Val laughs, trying not to break into cackling, and Lena guffaws.
	"Always gotta try," Val says breezily, "I know, I know, the conflict is exciting for you. But, if you ever do decide to take the plunge, speaking as somebody who recently did just that..."
	Val takes a moment to jiggle and grab at some of her softened stomach through her tight shirt, "It's a whole hell of a lot of fun, and I would love to share it with you." 
	You feel a new flush of heat rise to your cheeks as Val's words sink in. Regardless, you reply confidently, "Hot as that sounds, I'm simply content to live vicariously through you, Lena and the others. Tempting is fun too, as you're proving right now." 
	Lena grins, clearly amused by your flirtatious teasing. She leans forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Lena chuckles, "Even if it's easy, it's still satisfying to dote on Val."
	"Damn right," you reply smiling.
	Val leans in slightly, holding her mouth open expectantly. You grab a few of your French fries and load them onto her tongue, then Val immediately turns towards Lena, who stuffs a few more fries into Val's mouth too. You watch as Val's face lights up with amusement. She chuckles carefully as she chews, trying not to choke. After finally swallowing the shared morsels, she turns her attention back to her meal.
	She says, mostly towards her food, "Alright, great heart-to-heart, we're happy with each other, we're all sexy, but I've got some serious eating to do. This growing girl needs a full, tight belly!" 
	You chuckle at Val's playful banter, feeling a mix of affection and amusement at her abandon. The conversations halt as you and the girls focus on chowing down. You and Lena finish your burgers at around the same time and pick at your fries. Val's well into her second huge burger and has made a noticeable dent into her own fries. You can see the bulge of her belly straining against her shirt, and you feel a twinge of arousal. 
	Val leans forwards to grab a napkin from the dispenser on the table when you hear a quick, sharp ripping sound. Val freezes, her eyes wide. She gives up on the napkins, sitting back slightly and reaching under the table to pat her hips and butt. Her eyes widen further, her cheeks go red, and a strange look appears in her eyes.
	"I think my ass just tore my shorts," she says with breathy shock. Lena and you exchange a quick glance, unsure of how to react. You gently bite a knuckle to think and to stay quiet, but Val is too focused on herself to notice. Val's hand stays below the table as a peculiar manic energy seems to spread across her face.
	"Val, honey, are you ok?" Lena asks.
	Val takes a shuddering breath and needs a long moment to answer Lena. As Val's cheeks burn red, she whispers, "I am... Incredibly turned on. Like I'm on the verge of needing to touch myself right here, right now." Her voice is low and husky, and you can see the desire in her eyes. 
	You and Lena exchange another quick glance, both of you feeling a mix of shock and arousal at Val's confession. Without waiting for any response from you or Lena, Val turns her attention back to her food. She ravishes what's left of her burger, scarfing it down in a handful of greedy bites, before grabbing fries by the fistful. You can tell she wants to go completely feral, but that she's only barely holding onto a shred of manners. Val at least has the good sense to make sure no strangers are watching before licking up some choice blobs of grease and sauce on her now-emptied plate. She sets the plate down, sharing into the distance and licking her lips, somehow looking hungrier than before.
	Lena chuckles gently and dabs the side of Val's face with a napkin.
	"Val, sweetie," Lena coos, "When were you planning on telling us you were into public messy eating?" Val's eyes widen in surprise, and she quickly wipes her face with a napkin. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable," she says, her tone apologetic but insincere and impatient. Val still seems to be practically vibrating with lustful energy. She looks between you and Lena and hisses, "I want, no, I need more. I need like a gallon of ice cream and a very thorough fuck. We need to get home as soon as possible." 
	You and Lena exchange another glance, both of you feeling a bit overwhelmed by Val's demands. Lena's smile takes on a lustful hue as well, and she glances down at Val's seated backside. "I'm certainly down for a wild Friday night," Lena says, "But somehow I don't think you're planning on giving that cop a free look at your luscious booty," pointing out a burly, buzz-cut police officer a couple tables over. 
	"I can see that tear from here, Val," she adds. Val visibly flashes through impatience, embarrassment, and finally clarity as she seems to wrestle internally with her raging lust. 
	"You're right," she mutters, "I don't need to catch an indecency charge now of all moments."
	Lena simply nods, moving to shuck off her jacket. 
	"Here, you can wear this," Lena says, "I overestimated how cold it was going to be tonight." Val snatches the jacket from Lena's hands and wraps the arms around her waist, looking down at her with a mix of gratitude and desire. 
	"Well, I'm ready to roll if you two are," you say with a quiet laugh. Val looks up at you, her eyes still a little wild with lustful energy. 
	"Please," she whines, turning to Lena and nudging her shoulder. Lena slides out of the booth without a word, straightening up and patting her chubby stomach with satisfaction. Val's a little slower to her feet, carefully ensuring that her compromised shorts are adequately covered by the jacket around her waist. 
	Val all but shoves you and Lena out of the restaurant, quickly hurrying past the officer's table and other groups of dinners. You manage to unlock your car smoothly, and the girls practically leap into the backseat as you get settled up front. You turn the key and start the quick drive home - Val and Lena are so all over each other, you're veritably cursing your need to watch the road rather than them. 
	Only a few too-long minutes later, you roll to a stop in a guest space at Val's condo complex. The girls practically fall out of the car, still groping each other as your trio staggers towards Val's place. Val fumbles with her door lock for a few moments, before handing you the key in a huff. 
	You open the front door, and Val shoves you and Lena inside, immediately locking the door behind you. She kicks her shoes off, tosses aside the borrowed jacket, and strips off her shirt as she leads you and Lena upstairs. Lena giggles as Val leads the group to the bathroom, somehow knowing something you don't. Val whispers something in her ear and Lena begins to rummage through the under-sink cabinet. 
	Only now do you finally get a good look at the rip in Val's shorts. It would indeed have been indecent, with a large gap opened from the waistband down past the seat, exposing a decent slice of Val's left buttcheek. Though Val's butt is covered by a tight pair of cutsey skull pattern panties, you're very glad your group isn't having to explain themselves to a grumpy cop. Val fiddles with the front of her shorts, and with a few grunts and tugs, manages to undo the button. She sighs with relief as she undoes the zipper and lets her bloated gut free.
	"Double milestone today then," Val says huskily, "First ruined piece of clothing, plus, the other one I'm about to show off."
	Lena finally emerges from the under-sink cabinet, holding a step-on scale and grinning broadly. Val turns towards you as Lena sets up the scale on the floor.
	Val rubs her bloated stomach lovingly, playing with her new layer of thin pudge. She says, "Ok, Anon, I've tortured you long enough. It's weigh-in night. Are you ready to see exactly how much hotter I'm getting?"
	You nod excitedly, but Val's already moving to step onto the scale before your reply. The three of you hold your breaths as Val tries to stand steady. A few moments later, an electronic voice comes from the scale, announcing a weight of just over two hundred and sixty-nine pounds. Val breathes excitedly and staggers off of the scale. One of her hands wanders from caressing her belly, sliding under the rounded curve and settling between her legs. Val sways and breathes hard, clearly extremely aroused.
	"Two sixty-nine," she moans, lingering on each number, "That's like a hundred pounds over average, and a gain of about twenty percent from my start. That's not enough. Not for me, and not for you two either, I bet." 
	"No," you say, stepping towards Val. You caress one of her breasts, pleasantly expanded and slightly overfilling her lacy black bra.
	Val squirms under your touch, and as Lena joins in by kissing her thigh, you continue, "Unlucky for you, I'm a greedy bastard too. I'll never say no to having more of you, or more of Lena for that matter. You're gonna get fatter for me. So much fatter. So much sexier." 
	Val's face contorts with excitement as she nods eagerly, her eyes glazed over with lust. Lena giggles and leans in to kiss Val's swollen belly, her hand still fondling her own. Val moans softly as Lena's fingers trail down her belly, and you can feel the heat emanating from her body. Val's breathing becomes ragged as you and Lena continue to touch her, and you can see the pleasure written all over her face. Val's free hand hooks itself into Lena's auburn hair, prompting an excited gasp as her head is firmly dragged back. 
	"Lena," Val growls, "Get your fat ass on that scale and show Anon how good of a piggy you've been too." 
	Lena breathes excitedly at the sudden vibe shift, her body language immediately submissive and eager to please.
	"Yes, mistress Val," she whispers. Val releases Lena's hair and the smaller woman shuffles over to the scale. A moment later, Lena is perched on the small platform, waiting for the scale's electronic verdict. 
	"Two hundred and eighteen pounds," it announces flatly. 
	Val lets out a smug chuckle, "Not a bad start, Lena."
	Lena steps off of the scale and strides right back up to Val, staring up at her with an unbothered grin.
	"Hey now," Lena starts, "I'm just enjoying eating whatever I want. If I get a juicier ass, then that's just fine."
	"You, on the other hand," Lena pokes Val's stomach, "Are the one who wants to usurp Lucy Driscoll, and thus needs to really step up the gluttony!" Val's eyes light up with excitement at the thought of dethroning the world's fastest woman, and she lets out a low growl of anticipation. 
	"Fuuuuuuck, I'd love to be that huge," Val moans. Lena giggles and licks her lips hungrily as she leans in to give Val a long, deep kiss. You kiss the side of Val's face and caress her thigh. 
	"Then maybe Lena and I should be the ones to get you there," you whisper into Val's ear.
	You can feel Val's knees going weak from the sheer attention she's getting, and you're having a lot of fun teasing her so thoroughly. Lena works her way down Val's neck and focuses her attention on Val's stomach.
	"Mmm, you really pigged out tonight, baby," Lena mumbles into Val's tummy, "But I think you need some dessert. Lots of dessert." 
	Val gasps in pleasure at Lena's touch, her hand reaching out to run down the back of Lena's head and neck. You kiss your way down Val's trunk and meet Lena at Val's stomach. You kiss Lena, the two of you resting your heads against Val's swollen gut.
	You pull back and look Lena in the eyes, saying, "You taste amazing, but I think you need a big dose of sugar too." Val moans in agreement, her free arm holding you and Lena close. Lena giggles and licks her lips, her eyes shining with excitement. You wiggle free of Val's grip and stand up straight, addressing your two girlfriends simultaneously. 
	"Alright bitches," you order, "Get naked and get into bed. I'm going to bring you two enough sweets to put you into blissful comas." Val is practically drooling with anticipation, and immediately starts unhooking her bra. 
	Lena instead smirks up at you, saying, "It's funny that you think Val and I are your bitches. You know damn well that we own your skinny ass!"
	You don't flinch at Lena's insolence, evenly replying, "You're my bitch tonight at least. Unless you'd prefer I tie your hands and strip you myself?" 
	Lena's cheeks flush with embarrassment and excitement. She stammers out a response, "N-no sir, I'll be good. Can I please have some cheesecake?" 
	Your cock aches - you're finding it exceptionally pleasing to boss the girls around, in addition to showing genuine affection and teasing them. You answer Lena, "Good bitches get whatever treats they want, so long as they follow my orders."
	Lena looks at you with wide eyes, eager to please.
	"Yes, sir," she answers simply, then peels off her shirt and throws it aside.
	You spare a quick moment to grope and squeeze her soft hips and chubby tummy before bounding downstairs to the kitchen. In moments you've piled a smorgasbord of decadent treats into your arms, including a gallon of caramel-vanilla ice cream, a whole frozen cheesecake, and a sleeve of factory-made cookies. The journey back up the stairs is agonizingly slow for caution, giving you a few moments to reflect on the incredible turn your life has taken. To land a girl who's compatible with your fetishes is already amazing. Two beggars belief. Two girls who also compliment your personality, support and uplift you, while also being down for all of your feeding fantasies? Part of you still can't believe it.
	But, returning to the bedroom, seeing Lena and Val in the flesh, already naked and entangled on the bed, is all the proof you need. You don't know what you did to deserve such incredible women in your life, but you aren't about to question your fortune.
	They pause as you approach. Val looks at you and points playfully at her open mouth, and Lena has eyes only for the cheesecake balanced on your arm. 
	You carefully stage out the treats on the bedside table. As you open up the carton of ice cream and the cheesecake container, you playfully say to the girls, "I know this is a lot, but I wanted to be sure my amazing girlfriends had enough." 
	Val grins at you and takes a bite of the ice cream, letting out a satisfied moan. Lena eagerly inhales a whole slice of cheesecake, her cheeks bulging as she chews and swallows greedily. The girls then work together, taking turns pinning you in place and removing your shirt, before unbuttoning and unzipping your pants. As you strip off your boxers, Val and Lena each help themselves to another helping of their chosen desserts. Feeling a flash of mischievous inspiration, you grab a couple of cookies, and semi-forcibly stuff one into Val's mouth, and one into Lena's. They both react similarly, letting their cheeks puff out to accommodate the extra morsels and giggling appreciatively. The girls then work together again, pulling you between them and pinning you under their combined soft weight.
	Lena squirms atop you, gyrating her hot, slick slit against your thigh. She moans, "I'll never get enough of this. You, Val, food, fucking, I can always take more." You can feel Val's hips grinding against your flank as well, and Lena's moans becoming more intense as she works herself against you. You're simply laying back, luxuriating in the sensation of the warm, soft women against you.
	Between moans, Val voices a realization.
	"I think... Us three are destined to work. Because... In our own ways we're always ready for more, whatever that may be. And the other two... They can always provide more..." 
	Val's words trail off as she looks at you and Lena with a knowing smile. Lena's eyes sparkle with adoration as she listens. You wiggle your arms free, clumsily but tenderly wrapping them around your girlfriends and caressing their faces.
	"Yeah," you start, "Us three love doting on each other, like we genuinely enjoy making each other feel good. Yeah, I love that you two are gaining weight for me, but I genuinely love how you light up when I bring you treats or cook some food. As much as I'm enjoying having more ladychub to grope and play with, I think I actually enjoy seeing you two light up from a good meal more." 
	Val and Lena nod in agreement, then come in close to kiss either side of your face. You spend a few wonderful moments bouncing from Val's lips to Lena's and back a few times.
	Val eventually pulls back and reaches for something behind her. You realize it's the tub of ice cream, and Val has an absolutely predatory grin on.
	The last thing you clearly remember is Val purring, "How about we see just how good we can make each other feel tonight?" 
	The rest of the evening is a whirl of desserts and flesh and pleasure; yet, woven between all the indulgence is an undeniable and growing sense of "rightness". Somehow you know deep down, that you, Val, and Lena are destined to be an item for a long, wonderful time. And you can only anticipate just how their bodies will expand with contentment and your love for each other.

	THE END, FOR NOW