A Time For Cuddles.

Chloe woke up to a beautiful site once again. Aubrey was sleeping topless again wearing a slim bubblegum pink latex choker. Chloe decided to wake her girlfriend like she had yesterday, and began to suck on Aubrey’s breasts. Aubrey let out a slight moan of delight, as she woke up.

Aubrey stroked Chloe’s hair out of her face. “You know, this is far more pleasurable with you doing it than when Talia did it. Mmmm.” Aubrey let out a sigh.

Chloe stopped and licked her lips. “What about Sam? Was that pleasurable?”

“A bit. Not as much as you but more than Talia.”

“Good.” Chloe started in on her other breast. After finishing Aubrey off Chloe said. “You know after your date night with Mark, I’m taking you out on a date, right?”

“I look forward to it.” Aubrey smiled. Then Aubrey sighed and her smile fell. “Chloe… What are we going to do?”

“About what?”

“Mark. I feel like a rift is growing between us and him.”

“Fuck him. That’s my plan for tonight anyway.”

“What!?”

“I mean assuming he’ll let me. Aubrey I thought about what you said. You’re right, I’m going to ask that we formalize our relationship and have him fuck me.”

“Even after what we read in the book?”

“Yes. I’ve been formulating a plan based upon what was in the book. Why do you think it’s a mistake now?”

“I don’t know, I feel like it would be a mistake for me to ask him to just have sex with me. What are you going to do about contraceptives?”

“Not sure yet. Going to talk to Mark about that on our date.”

“Okay… but what about me? How am I supposed to bridge this gap?”

“Aubrey, stop thinking of Mark as your baby maker.”

“I’ve never thought of him like that.”

“Uh huh. Call it what you want but that is essentially what you’ve been doing and I see why Mark isn’t thrilled.”

“I have not!”

“Describe Mark in a few words?”

“Dependable, caring, nurturing.”

“See the issue yet?”

“A bit, but Chloe I can’t change how I think about that just because I want to.”

“Yes, you can actually. How you feel maybe not, but how you frame things is up to you. Aubrey, I truly love you but the more I think about it. The more I realize how shitty we’ve both been to Mark.”

“How so?”

“Well, I’ve been giving him shit for stuff that isn’t his fault. I’ve constantly been assuming the worst when Mark hasn’t done things to really make me assume that, rather the opposite. Some of that is associating him with Sadie some is just being distrustful. Now for you. Imagine the pressure Mark is under. Also you want him to get you pregnant. I get you can’t control that fact but, think about it from his perspective. He was getting ready to start a family, but that was after years with Allie. She was still using contraceptives when the show started, which was why Mark blew up at Cassandra. Now a woman who he mostly knows from more than a decade ago is baby crazy and wants him to be the father. Think about if the situation was reversed. Think about if Mark was determined to knock each and everyone of us up immediately before getting to know us, and kept pressuring us to have sex with him, we would call him a lecherous creep, if not worse. I know it’s hard but you really need to figure out how to focus on something besides wanting to get pregnant.”

“And if I can’t?”

“Figure it out Aubrey. This is important. Figure out how to want Mark as an individual, not as a potential father. I don’t want to watch you become a broodmare for him.”

“And if I can’t?” Aubrey asked a bit more forcefully.

“Then I’ll get you to make me a promise that you will try your best. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I’ll try my best—”

Chloe put a finger on Aubrey’s lips. “Don’t promise me now. Just try.” Chloe got up out of bed. “Alright I need to get ready for my date today. Care to join me in the shower?” Chloe asked as she slipped out of her pajama bottoms. Aubrey didn’t need more of an invitation and followed her into the shower.

Merida once again awoke absolutely content. Flora was sleeping naked cuddling up next to her. The two of them had another intense session of oral sex last night. Bloody hell, I had nae idea that a person’s tongue could feel that guid doon there. Merida absentmindedly glided her hand over Flora’s breast, causing Flora to purr. I cannae believe I told Mark I was goin’ tae screw him on oor date nicht. I cannae believe I meant it or that I still mean it. That book was interestin’ too. Flora was richt, everythin’ seemed accurate. Shite, I cannae believe I fell in love and apparently been fantasizin’ aboot him for years. With her free hand Merida patted the top of her head. I cannae believe after just yin day it feels weird no' havin' fox ears and a tail. Weel, it’s a matter o' time, I guess.

“Hey, Kitty. Dae ye mind if I get up?”

Flora sleepily replied, “Yes, but I won’t keep you.” Flora rolled over on her stomach and stretched out just like a cat with her butt in the air, while yawning.

Merida got up, “Ye seem tae hae really embraced bein’ part feline.”

“Well that’s partially the TF and partially Mark’s suggestion. I do like it though.” Flora curled up again under the covers.

Merida went to get changed. When she opened the door to her wardrobe she found an outfit hanging on the door with a note. ‘I really liked this on you the other day. Hope it becomes a regular outfit for you.’ Merida begrudgingly decided to put it on as she was already stripping off her clothes.

“MROW!” Flora said from across the room. “Kitty likes.” Flora continued to eye Merida up and down in the virgin-killer sweater that Mark had chosen for her. “We are definitely making sure that Mark sees you, in that today.”

“Glad ye like it. I’ll make sure tae mention tae Mark that ye want a matchin’ yin.”

Flora shrugged, “Sure why not? We would be so hot together like that.”

Merida tied her hair up in a messy bun, “So, library? I kinna want tae see if we can find any mair interestin’ books.”

“Eh… I mean we could. I’ve just been up there a lot recently and as much fun as it is to read some of the books, well I sort of have a pile I’ve been collecting and getting through. Plus I sort of need a break from reading. You can go though.”

“Nah, I’m terrible at findin’ them on my ain. I’d be lucky tae find yin by mysel’. Maybe after I become a vixen, my sense o’ smell and hearin’ will improve. I think I’ll just relax until I inevitably get pulled tae the shops.”

“Okay well, looks like Talia is making breakfast for everyone so let’s get some food and then come back here to relax and read.” Flora got out of bed and led Merida off to breakfast.

Lucia woke up being held by her sister and mistress. God has my life gotten weird. I would never have let Laura dominate me like this before the show. I can’t believe I actually asked Talia to ram the dildo down my throat. I can’t believe I’m going to change my sexuality for her. I turned down all those three-ways with her before because I thought it was weird to do that with my sister. Wait, something feels off… Lucia turned around and prodded Laura with her head since her hands were still restrained behind her back. “Laura. Laura, like wake up please.”

“What’s up pet?”

“Red. Like not now. I feel like something is totally wrong but I don’t know what.”

Laura sat up and helped Lucia do the same with a look of concern. “What makes you feel like something is wrong? Or rather what were you thinking about that brought the feeling on?”

“Well I was totally thinking about how weird this is. That I plan to, like, change for you, and that I turned down so many three-ways because I used to, like, think it was soooo weird to be with my sis like that.”

“Lucia… you do know that didn’t actually happen to us right? Those memories are from different versions of us. That you are Ellen too, right?”

Lucia blinked a few times, “I… that’s like totally what’s wrong. I like, forgot that.”

“Shit.” Laura went to start taking off the bodysuit but found that unlike when Ellen had put it on, the suit wouldn’t just phase through the restraints and come off. “Double shit. We need Mark to come down, and take all this off you.”

“Do we? I mean, like, is it an issue if Ellen and I merge?”

“Yes. If I hear that from Ellen maybe we can talk about it, Lucia, but otherwise yes. What would her dad think if she just vanished. I realize in our memories he is our dad too, but in reality he doesn’t know either of us. He would be devastated if Ellen vanished. I’m helping you dress and then we are going to breakfast where Mark is going to remove all this from you so you can take off the bodysuit.”

Allie woke up to the sound and smell of sizzling meat and promptly dropped onto the floor. Isabella landed right beside her. Talia looked down at them and offered each of them a hand.

They both took one and stood up. Isabella asked “What happened? Why did I wake up falling to the floor in the kitchen?”

Talia pointed to her lips. Then at each of them, placing a hand on her hip. Allie saw her issue, “Isabella can I kiss Talia? Just so she can speak?”

“I suppose. I don’t want to and it does seem mean to keep her mute.” Allie gave Talia a quick peck on the lips.

“Thanks. Now to answer your question, Isabella. You just floated over here because of the smell of the meat. Then fell to the floor when you woke up.” Talia responded. “Want to help make breakfast?”

Allie grumbled, “I would but I suck at cooking, and didn’t get that boon.”

“Well just because I have the skills now doesn’t mean I enjoy it. Count me out.” Isabella said.

Talia looked at Allie sympathetically, “Don’t worry, I can teach you the basics. It really is just practical chemistry. Plus wouldn’t you just love to be able to cook for our future husband?”

“Okay… I don’t know how to feel about you calling Mark that. Especially since there is no way he would have agreed to make you his fiancée yet.” Allie replied.

Talia shrugged. “I mean you know I want him to be my husband and that I love him. Are you really telling me that he won’t eventually make that happen? That you won’t make that happen?”

“No. Mark will definitely marry any of us that want to marry him. Of course I will help you with that too.”

“Then I feel like my descriptor for Mark as our future husband is accurate.” Talia began cutting up vegetables.

“Fine but I wouldn’t call him that in front of him. Also did you two officially become a couple? I figured you probably would and you gained a lot of points… did you well… you know?”

“Copulate? No. Mark did accept me as his girlfriend though. Allie, would you be willing to help me with Mark?”

“Sure, you mean my Walkthrough right?”

“Maybe, maybe not. Mark says he likes me. I don’t need him to fall head over heels for me right now. Well… I looked in the mirror with Mary yesterday. I definitely end up married to Mark, and had his kids. Just in one of the visions it felt like my feelings were truly reciprocated and in the other it felt lacking. I could tell he cared about me, but I don’t know if it was love, at least romantic love. I don’t know if I want to take a shortcut to getting Mark to love me, but I do know I want it to happen.”

“Hmm, that is tricky. Any clue as to why his feelings were different?”

“Maybe something to do with my faith. I’m not sure though. I hope I’m wrong.”

Isabella chimed in, “Well, don’t give up or change your faith to get Mark to like you. First of all, he isn’t worth that, no one is. Second, Mark wouldn’t be happy to find out you abandoned your faith simply to be with him.”

Talia replied skeptically, “I mean it seemed like he was definitely trying to get me to convert to the church of Laura as he put it on our date.”

“I’m sure Allie would agree here, but I know Mark well enough too. Mark wouldn’t have a problem if you converted because you wanted to. Even if his arguments were the cause for you to want to. He would have a problem if simply did it because it would make a relationship easier with him. I’ve talked with him before about this, since I’m Catholic myself. I think Mark is envious of those with faith. I also understand why he lost his. So, don’t go worshiping Laura simply because he suggested it.”

Talia continued to cook as she thought over Isabella’s words. “Isabella, would you be willing to share why he lost faith? Or you Allie?”

Isabella looked at Allie and got a nod saying it was fine. “So, normally I would say no. Mark though would happily tell you or anyone else, at least in general terms. How much do you know about how Mark grew up?”

“Well I watched the alternate histories of us together. Mark said that quite a few of them were pretty similar. His family seemed like a pretty normal suburban middle class family.”

“I would say that is accurate. Mark’s upbringing was fairly good overall. He has been fairly fortunate himself, but his life has been littered with examples of how awful people can be. Ultimately, the loss of his father was the final push for him to completely abandon his faith. Though he had already left the church by that time.”

Talia tilted her head quizzically “What do you mean by how awful people can be?”

Allie responded, “Parental ****, sexual ****, homicide, people being defrauded out of their homes and retirements. Mark knows or knew multiple people who have directly suffered those things. Family, good friends, and classmates. He specifically left the church because he knows multiple people who were denied justice from the various **** scandals.”

“I… I see. That does make more sense as to why he said he would never return to the church even if he did return to the faith. Also why he isn’t overly thrilled with my faith.”

Isabella replied, “Mark doesn’t have an issue with Catholics, or Christians. He does have an issue with bigots though. Especially bigots who use religion as a shield. Did Mark actually tell you to convert?”

“He very heavily implied I should.”

Isabella looked at Talia skeptically. “I doubt that. Let me guess how the conversation went. Something like: Talia, why do you worship Christ, not some other god? Why is your religion the right one? With Laura allegedly being a minor deity now and everything to do with the show, it isn’t unreasonable to assume other gods are real. So why not worship Zeus, Odin, Ra, or Laura I bet he made some technical arguments about the scripture too.”

“Yeah, that is pretty much accurate. How is that not implying if not telling me to abandon my faith.”

“Again did he tell you to convert or was he asking you why you believe what you believe?”

“The latter. Though he did say that I should consider being Laura’s first high priestess.”

Isabella put a hand on her hip, “I bet that was with some qualifier.”

Talia thought back on the conversation. “I guess it was… So you really think he isn’t trying to get me to abandon my faith?”

Isabella shook her head. “No, but in my opinion if you would stop believing because he told you to, then you don’t really have faith any more.”

Allie exclaimed, “Isabella! How could you say that!?”

Isabella shrugged. “Because it’s true. If Mark telling you to convert can alter who you worship then your faith is already broken. It might be because of a TF or the changes to your history, but that doesn’t change the fact that if a short conversation with Mark can convince you to change your beliefs then your faith is already in tatters.” Isabella looked out the window, and saw the others beginning to congregate outside. “Looks like the others are here. We can talk more later if you want Talia. I’m going to go out and join the others. Would you like me to take anything out to get ready?”

“Plates and silverware. The food should be done shortly.”

Isabella and Allie moved to set the table for breakfast.

Mary woke up to a very strange sensation as she felt something coiled around her body. When she opened her eyes she saw Sam in her dragon form coiled around one leg and her torso, finally coiled in a small pile atop her chest. Sam’s head was resting in Mary’s sizable cleavage with a foreclaw on each of her breasts. How did she wrap around me so many times without me noticing? At least she isn’t trying to constrict me.

Sam muttered in her sleep, “My treasure…” and slightly massaged a breast with one of her claws.

Fuck that felt good. Wait a second… She’s treating me like her treasure pile, like Smug does. Okay I don’t know whether to be flattered or offended. I’ll go with flattered. Her scales are so pretty. Mary reached up and gently stroked Sam’s horns. “Hey sweetheart. Mind letting me get up?”

Sam sleepily responded, “Did you rub off on Allie or she on you?”

“Huh?”

“Both of you don’t seem to understand that this is a time for cuddles.” Sam now did slightly constrict around Mary.

“Sam… I need to use the restroom.”

“Allie used the same excuse…”

“Sam I will shift into Mark before, I am **** to wet the bed. I don’t know what that will do considering you are wrapped around me rather tightly. Please let me go and we can resume cuddling afterwards.”

Sam let Mary go and Mary got up to use the restroom. Sam shifted back to her humanoid form and waited expectantly. Mary came back out and slipped back into bed, and cuddled up resting her head in Sam’s cleavage this time. Mary glanced up at Sam and asked, “What you thought I wouldn’t come back for cuddles?”

“Maybe a little?” Sam said as she brushed Mary’s hair out of her face.

“We can stay here as long as you want.”

~Ping~

Mary sighed, “Or as long as we are allowed to anyway.”

Sam asked, “Are you not going to check on that?”

“But then the cuddles end.” Mary complained.

“That IS a good argument to destroy the device with **** prejudice.” Sam joked. “But you should probably check anyway.”

Mary rolled off Sam and checked her phone.

Laura: Hey Mark, I need you to come down this morning. Sooner is better than later. Lucia sort of forgot about being Ellen for a moment when she woke up. I can’t take the bodysuit off of her because of all the bondage gear from the tower. She got the bodysuit on while wearing the collar and cuffs. I didn't realize she would have an issue getting it off.

Mary sighed, “Well we are definitely heading down for breakfast.”

“What’s the issue?”

“Ellen is trapped as Lucia. Lucia also forgot at least for a moment that she was actually Ellen.”

“Okay let’s get dressed then. We can’t let that continue.”

Mary: I’ll be down for breakfast and we can handle it there okay?

Laura: Thanks Mary.

The two got changed. After changing back to Mark, Sam hugged him from behind tightly. “I know I said it before but thank you again for last night.”

“No problem, I was happy to be there for you.” Mark placed a hand on Sam’s. “You were the one to buy the date though.”

“Yeah but I didn’t even realize I might be allowed to go. Thank you so much. It also helps that we told my mom, uncle and Brooke what’s happening. I feel less alone. Like I know things will turn out okay now as I have their support.”

“Good, because you aren’t alone.” Mark turned around in her hug and leaned over and kissed her. “Lets head down shall we?”

“Sure. Oh Mark, you still need to buy me an outfit this week. I’ll let you know which one I want.” Sam walked to the door.

“Maybe I’ll just pick something I’d like for you to wear. That’s what I’ve done so far.”

“You won’t if you ever want me to wear it for you. Besides, I think you’ll like what I want.”

“Fine.” Mark held up his hands in surrender. “Good morning, Hilde. You still look exhausted.” Mark said as he helped Sam into the carriage and then got in himself.

Hilde got the carriage underway and said, “Yeah, a bit. I may have done a few more laps of the library yesterday.”

“Find anything important?” Sam asked.

“Maybe…” Hilde glanced back at Mark. “Not sure though. I will say the book up front was an interesting read.”

“How did you read that book? I bound it shut with my boon.” Sam said furrowing her brow.

“Sure and the knot is still in place. Of course I just cut the cord that was keeping it shut. Don’t worry the book is still bound up front. Just not bound shut. It was a very interesting read.”

“How is that interesting to you? Why would you want to do that?”

“So, you know what the book is about Sam?”

“Only generally. I didn’t read it.”

“Hence why you don’t understand why it is interesting then.”

“Mind filling me in?” Mark asked.

“Yes.” Sam said.

As Hilde said, “No.” Receiving a glare from Sam. “Mark the book—”

“Don’t you dare tell him about it Hilde.”

“Samantha, I don’t take orders from you. I take orders from the boss. If you don’t want him to know, convince him to tell me to be quiet.”

Sam turned to Mark, “Mark, please. The book will just be an unneeded temptation for you. You trusted me last night. Trust me now.”

Mark sighed. “Hilde, without telling me about the book. Is it relevant to what we discussed the other day?”

“Yes.”

“Well shit.”

Sam looked at Mark, “Wait, you are thinking about adding someone to the harem? You can’t be serious! Mark, tell me you aren’t… wait… yesterday you said you accepted you would need to do something you didn’t want to.” As Sam glared at Mark he thought he saw fury in her eyes. “Mark, tell me who right now?”

“Sam, calm down.”

“Fuck no. Mark—”

“It’s me.” Hilde said from up front. “Maybe. Could be one of my sisters instead. So shut up Samantha. This is between us and him. You don’t get to ask questions about this either.”

Sam sat in silence after being rebuffed. Why? I mean I know Mark was interested in Freya. This doesn’t seem to be about that, since Hilde said it could be any of them. So… Astrid? But why not just tell me that. I mean it isn’t a secret we are trying to help her. But just because it’s known that we are trying doesn’t mean how… So informational security is important. Sam looked at Mark, “How secret is this?”

“I would prefer to have conversations about this in the magical equivalent of a SCIF. I don’t have one though.”

Sam visibly calmed, “Fine Mark. I’m not sorry for getting worked up about this, but I will trust you and Hilde have a reason for it.”

“Thank you.” Mark squeezed Sam’s hand.

They arrived at the cottage and Mark got out of the carriage and started to walk towards the set tables. Hilde held Sam up just a second saying, “Sam, I swear if you cock this up by talking about it. I will make you regret it. So keep it to yourself.”

As soon as Sam stepped off the carriage Hilde drove off.

First thing Mark did was take Lucia inside the cottage and took all of the bondage gear off of her. Then he got her out of the bodysuit. “Okay Ellen, how are you feeling?”

“Like naked.”

“I wanted to check in with you before asking if you wanted the gear put back on you or not?”

“Oh. I’m, like, totally super. Like I’m okay with all of it going back on. Could you, like, not tie my hands behind me, though?”

Mark put everything back on Ellen. “Now I intend to put a chain between your cuffs. So get dressed unless you would like to go nude.”

“Like, yes Sir.”

Ellen got dressed in the schoolgirl outfit, adding the glasses from her secretary outfit and tying up her hair, and trying to look as prim and proper as possible. As she did so it looked like she got younger. “So Mr. Garret, does my uniform meet the school dress code?”

“I think you know it doesn’t. A collar and cuffs are most certainly against code.”

Ellen pouted. “But professor, I like, wore them just for you, like you asked.” Ellen leaned over to show off her cleavage to Mark.

Mark grabbed the ring on her collar. “I know, because you are a good girl who does as she is told. But you are also a bit of a slut aren’t you? Particularly my slut.”

“Yes, Sir. I’m totally your slut.”

Mark patted her face gently and linked her cuffs together with a four inch chain. “Good girl. Now it’s time for breakfast.” Mark got up and walked out of the cottage to join the others.

“Aboot bloody time. Talia insisted that we couldnae start eatin’ until ye got oot here.” Merida complained.

Mark made a point of checking Merida up and down in her sweater. “Very nice Merida, you pull that off really well. Also thank you for being so patient and waiting for me. I really appreciate it.”

“Mark, if ye call me a guid lassie. I definitely won’t be. Save that shite for Ellen… Thank ye for the compliments though.”

“You’re quite welcome Merida. Also I appreciate you telling me how to rile you up.” Mark smirked at her playfully.

Talia interjected “Okay, quit flirting you two. Now I never cooked this meat before but I followed the instructions to the letter. Apparently it is to die for and we have sheer dumb luck and Sam to thank for having it.” Talia glanced at Mark to see if he would correct her. He didn’t. “Okay, dig in.”

Mark noticed after Talia sat down she closed her eyes, bowed her head and folded her hands and was mouthing something. Isabella and Merida were doing the same. Huh, Talia and Isabella I expected to pray but Merida is too? Have I just not noticed or is this new? Not really my business.

Mark dug into the breakfast and it was good. Everyone was making sounds to that effect. “Damn, I know I had this last night but the taste is just incredible. Also what is this sauce?”

Talia responded “It’s uh… vanilla honey glaze… I’m glad… you like it.” Talia was squirming in her seat just watching Mark eat the food.

After finishing his current bite Mark asked, “Talia would you prefer I keep my comments to myself?”

“Lord no! I want the feedback.”

So breakfast continued mostly in silence as everyone was devouring the food, but with occasional small talk here and there. After breakfast wrapped up, Mark noticed Flora lead Merida off towards a portal while Talia practically dragged Laura into the cottage to Allie and Isabella’s annoyance. Allie and Isabella joined Sam in taking Bruno for a run through town. Mark stopped Ellen before she left. “Ellen, you didn’t answer me properly earlier in the cottage. Are you doing okay? I don’t want you to lose yourself as Lucia. I like you as a person, not simply the roles you play. I know Lucia is more you than most roles you would play, but there are differences.”

“Mr. Garret, like, thanks.” Ellen placed a hand on his cheek. “That’s totally sweet… What if I like being Lucia though?”

“My first question is what about the people who know Ellen?”

“I was already planning on getting a reality adjustment for that TF. So people should totally be able to know it’s me.”

“Okay, but what about you? I like you as you are, for who you are.”

“Mr. Garret… Do you like Lucia too?”

“Yes.”

“Like, even if I swap between being Ellen and Lucia everyday, I’ll still slowly end up being Lucia totally eventually. I guess the question is: Is Lucia like a role I play sometimes, or is she like a part of me? It totally feels like the latter Mr. Garret.”

“So you just want to become Lucia?”

“No, but… I don’t want to only be Lucia like, once a month either.”

“Hmm… I’ll talk to Cassandra, she seems rather amenable right now, maybe a future round of TFs will allow something where you can be both Ellen and Lucia, without giving up being the other. If not, she might allow me to craft a custom TF for that.”

“I think I’d like that, Mr. Garret. Like thanks for taking care of me.” Ellen gave him a swift peck on the cheek and stood up and skipped off.

Mark noticed that Chloe and Aubrey were still hanging back. Aubrey was pointedly fiddling with the last bits of food on her plate not looking up. Chloe was gathering up the dishes and when she noticed Mark looking their way she put a hand on her hip and pointedly looked between him and Aubrey with a ‘FIX THIS’ stare. Then resumed collecting the dishes.

Mark sighed, and stood up and walked around the table. “Aubrey, care to go for a walk with me?” Mark offered her a hand.

She looked up, a little sullen but took the hand and stood up. “Sure, that would be nice.” The two walked off through the portal to town.