A Good Deed Unrequested

As you take in the sight of Quinn's newly grown breasts, you can't help feeling like you should be a bit more surprised. But honestly, this is like only the fourth or fifth weirdest thing to happen tonight. And even then, while someone else might grade this particular event higher on the Weirdness Scale, you're like the only person in the world with firsthand boy-to-girl transformation experience. Familiarity doesn't quite breed contempt in this case, but it's fair to say that the shock is a bit cushioned.

Quinn's still staring at you, chest out-thrust. You'd better pop the breaks on the philosophizing and start being more helpful. "If you're comfortable with it, could I maybe get a better look at you?"

The quarterback stares back at you from a moment before murmuring a reply. "Um. I guess I don't mind. Is that weird? I feel like I should mind."

"You tell me, Quinn. It's entirely your decision."

More stares follow, but then Quinn gives you a resolute nod and pops open the car door. The quarterback waits for you to exit the car as well, somewhat awkwardly shuffling in place. "So, just the hoodie?"

You start to nod, then consider something. "Oh, before we get started though. Pronouns? Do you feel ready for that conversation?"

Quinn flushes beet red, seeming ready to give a definitive 'no'. When that 'no' doesn't come, it's tough to say which of you is more surprised. "I...she. Call me 'she'. I feel like a girl." Nevermind, it's definitely Quinn who's the most surprised, looking as if what's coming out of her mouth is simultaneously the most startling and most satisfying thing she's ever said. "I'm a girl."

"You got it, sister!"

"But just right now. I mean, I feel like a boy a lot, too. Some days. So then I'd want...oh God, this is too much, right? It's too confusing?"

"No, Quinn! Absolutely not. It's your right to be addressed in whatever way is true to how you feel, okay?"

Quinn lets out a breath she didn't seem to realize she was even holding. "Okay."

You clap your hands together. "So! Hoodie?"

"Right. Hoodie." Quinn reaches down and carefully begins pulling up her oversized sweatshirt. She's still wearing the compression shirt she must have been wearing under her pads, and the tightly fitted garment leaves nothing to the imagination. Quinn was always tall and well-muscled, the picture of athletic fitness, and that hasn't changed in the slightest. But you don't miss the newly feminine shape to her hips and powerful thighs, or the pleasant inward curve to her washboard abs. And there's no mistaking the pert fullness of her freshly blossomed chest. Her girlish handfuls look utterly petite next to your enormous rack? But on her frame, broad shouldered and powerful in a way that even your sculpted body can't match, they make quite the impression.

Quinn lets the hoodie drop to the ground, and you're finally taking in the full picture. With her blonde hair messily framing her boyishly pretty face, tall and strong and womanly and delicate all at once, you almost can't believe just how good she looks. "Jesus. You're like Wonder Woman's hotter little sister or something."

It doesn't take a deep insight into human behavior to notice how much that comment pleases Quinn. "I love Wonder Woman."

You had a suspicion. "So how do you feel, Quinn? About all of this?"

"I think I..." Quinn shakes her head, something breaking through her reverie. "Wait. Why aren't you, like, freaking out about this? Stuff like this doesn't happen!"

"Oh." Right, no reason beating around the bush. "Well, to be honest, I think I must have caused it somehow."

"What?"

"Yeah. I've got no idea how, though. The spell I cast on you was way too small to have an effect this big."

"What."

You nod, along, brow furrowed in concentration. "It was just supposed to boost your confidence, but something must have supercharged the effect. Maybe we can figure it out if--"

Quinn cuts you off. "You cast a spell on me?"

"Well, yes." You blink at the girl, just now noticing her darkening expression. "That's your first question? Not, like, 'magic is real?', or something?"

"We're well past that, Ash. When did you do this?"

"Oh. Monday? During anatomy?"

"Monday..." Quinn's eyes flare up. "Wait, when we were talking about Max's texts?"

"That's right..."

"Jesus Christ, Ash; I opened myself up to you and you cast a goddamn spell on me?!

This isn't where you thought this was going. "No, I--"

"No? You didn't do that?"

"No, I mean, yes, I did but I just--"

Quinn isn't giving you a way out. "You just...what? What, exactly? Thought you didn't need my permission to fucking enchant me?"

The weight of the newly christened girl's eyes keeps you locked in place as you desperately attempt to come up with some defense for yourself. Fuck, you have to say something. "But...you like it, don't you?"

Quinn stares at you a moment longer, then lets out a disappointed sigh. "So not the point, Ash." She bends down, snatching up her hoodie as she starts back towards the car. "Look, I'm just going to wait out here until Jenny can take me home. I've got a lot to think about, and I hope you do, too."

You watch helplessly as Quinn walks away, climbing back up into the car without giving you a second glance. How did everything wind up like this? It's barely been an hour since you tumbled down after Gal and Donna, and in that time you've run the gamut from panic to terror to thrilling hope to crushing disappointment to deep, gnawing guilt. It's too much. It's just too much.

Isabelle pales when at the sight of you when you quietly slump back into the barn. "Ash? Are you alright?"

You can't hold back your sniff as you sink into her arms, resting your forehead onto her shoulder in defeat. "No."

Your girlfriend holds you tightly, tracing her fingers through your hair in an attempt to soothe your obvious distress. "How can I help?"

"I don't know. I--" You trail off as you notice Asher chatting with the elves, your despair igniting into burning rage. "Let me borrow your car. I need to drive him home. To my mom."

Isabelle doesn't seem to think that's the best idea. "Are you sure, Ash?"

"Yes. Absolutely. I need this to be done. Tonight. Okay?" You can't help the bit of pleading tone that seeps into your voice. "Please?"

"Okay, Ash. But please don't forget that I'm here for you, okay? We're all here for you, and we're with you, and I love you. Okay?"

"Okay. I love you, too." With that, you gratefully accept Isabelle's keys and turn towards Asher, letting out a piercing whistle. When the man looks your way, you jerk your thumb towards the barn's exit and the future that awaits you both. "Alright, Asher Isaacs. Let's get this shit over with."