“You miss it don’t you?” Ember asked Chelsea from across the room.

“Miss what?” Chelsea asked knowing full well what Ember was referring to.

“The power of the garden at your command. It must’ve felt great to have that much control.”

Chelsea sighed and rubbed her arm with her right hand. “A part of me does. But I think a bigger part of me is kind of glad it’s gone. It was so much to hear and think and feel all at once. It wasn’t just me even though I was in control. Some part of me knew that at any moment I could lose it and hurt someone or the plants, or you. It was a lot of responsibility to take on.”

“It looked good on you though. Like you belonged in control.” Ember looked down at her feet awkwardly.

Chelsea could hear the unspoken ‘of me’ that Ember wasn’t saying. Chelsea had always known that she was dominant, but it was different now. It was almost personal between them. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel right, but I think I need to figure out what it means for me. Personally.”

“No I totally get that. That’s really-”

“And figure out us.”

Ember stopped and slowly looked up at Chelsea. She was doing her analyzing thing again. Chelsea could almost see the gears turning in Ember’s head. Even before she became an android she used to do it, but now it was more apparent to tell. Her eyes did a subtle flicker back and forth. It would be impossible to tell, except that Chelsea knew Ember.

“Please stop analyzing me to figure out what to say and do.” Chelsea mumbled shrugging up uncomfortably.

Ember blinked and quickly turned away. “Sorry. I’m still trying to figure my new body out.”

“I get that. But could you just try to not be perfect for the moment. I really want to talk about us and what happened.”

“What did happen?”

The words took Chelsea back. They both knew what had happened. It was almost as if Ember was dismissing it. “Don’t play it off like that.”

Ember groaned and gripped her head. “No I don’t mean it like that. I just. I don’t know if anything was real from that. I mean look at me. I’m an android now.”

“It was real for me. Isn’t that enough.”

“Chels. I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t know how much of the game was making me say things or feel things in the moment. What if we never played the game, would anything we did still happen?”

Chelsea hesitated. She hated to admit it but a part of her had been feeling the same way since the game ended. “I’ve been thinking that too. But the game did happen. So why should it change anything?”

“It changes everything. I mean. Look at me!” Ember gestured to herself frustrated.

Chelsea did look. She was always looking. Ember was so beautiful, somehow even more so now. Plus she clearly liked this form before, enough to keep it somehow, so then why was it the problem. Or was Chelsea the problem.

“I am looking at you. I’ve always been looking at you Embs. So why won’t you look at me?”

“Because if I do I’d have to admit that this is real and that things have changed between us. And what if it fails or we ruin our friendship. What if everything goes wrong? And what if you don’t like this. I’m not even a human anymore.”

Chelsea walked over and gripped Ember’s face. “There’s nothing more Ember than a doom spiral. So yeah, maybe you’re now an android with all sorts of features that I don’t know about, but as a matter of fact, I have a thing for robot girls, and since I have a thing for you, then I guess everything works out.”

“But-” Ember croaked out fighting back tears.

“Embs I want you to relax for me and just hug me.” Chelsea slowly wrapped her arms around Ember’s stomach and buried her face in the android’s chest. She could feel Ember shake softly, her arms slowly wrapping around Chelsea. Her hugs were stronger now, not that Chelsea minded, she was happy.

Ember slowly calmed down, her breathing slowing. Chelsea could feel more of the android’s weight resting on her and was surprised at how heavy it was. She’d have to spend more time at the gym in order to keep up.

“Chels, do you think we’re going to work?”

Chelsea nuzzled Ember’s chest with her head. “I don’t know what the future holds. But I do know one thing. You’ll always be my flower.”

Ember shook and Chelsea could feel the electric current that ran up her back, it tickled over her fingers as it ran up her spine. She smirked, it seemed Ember still had some strong feelings about that word. Chelsea leaned back and slowly slid her hand up Ember’s stomach and up under her chin. She gripped it roughly and forced Ember to look down at her. Ember blinked slowly, her mouth hanging open just slightly. Chelsea wanted to kiss those lips so badly.

“So Embs. Was that word I just said something you liked being called?”

Ember nodded slowly. Chelsea could see the little bit of drool pooling at the edge of her mouth. Chelsea bit her lip nervously.

“If I asked, would you be my little flower?”

Ember quickly nodded and swallowed. Chelsea could see the way Ember’s eyes glazed over slightly everytime she said the word. Oh she would have so much fun with that later.

“I’m going to kiss you now, Embs.”

“Please…” Ember whined, already leaning down. 

Chelsea leaned up, moving her hand to the back of Ember’s head. She pulled the android in tightly, their lips pressing together. Ember quickly wrapped her arms around Chelsea to keep her close.

Chelsea was in absolute heaven. Ember’s lips were soft yet firm, she wasn’t forceful either. She was being so delicate with Chelsea and yet Chelsea could tell she wasn’t overthinking anything. She was just letting go. Chelsea slowly pulled away leaning back from the kiss gasping. She should’ve taken a longer breath beforehand.

Ember still stood there slightly dazed with a goofy smile on her face. Chelsea chuckled, snapping the android out of it. She blushed, red creeping into her cheeks.

“Think I could spend the night?” Chelsea asked, straightening her top out.

“I don’t have a bed yet.” Ember said, gesturing to the empty room.

“Not here you fool!” Chelsea laughed, hitting Ember’s arm to find it surprisingly not painful.

Ember pulled her into a hug kissing her cheek. Chelsea smiled to herself. Sure they still had a lot to talk about and deal with, but she suspected everything would work out for them.

Matty stood up and walked over to the door on the far side of the room. They hesitated and slowly gripped the handle opening it. On the other side was just another empty room. No trace of stone, no rockwork, nobody waiting for them. They sighed and slowly walked into the empty room. In there had been their home for weeks. In there had been their everything. Now it was just empty.

“Hey.”

Matty turned around. Ry was standing in the doorway playing with the bottom of their shirt. “Hey yourself.”

“Need to talk?” Ry asked slowly, pulling the door shut.

“Don’t you need to talk to Stella?” Matty asked as the door closed to a soft click.

“She’s busy napping. Turns out the game took a lot out of her.”

“Yeah. So she’s a catgirl now. That should be interesting.”

“Yeah.”

Matty could tell they were both beating around anything serious. They sighed and rubbed the back of their neck. “How did you know you were non-binary.”

Ry looked up surprised and moved to lean against the wall. “I guess I just wasn’t feeling right in my body. It was a bit like how most of us have felt, except that when I realized if I tried hormones or acted a certain way, things felt better to me. Not always, but if I just trusted myself and my feelings, things felt right. I guess my case is a little different than others, but there’s no right or wrong way to feel about yourself. I’m guessing the game kind of left you changed too?”

“Not in the same ways as everyone else.”

“I get it. I spent most of the game not in control of my own body. It felt like something was always forcing me to make a decision or do something else. Funny how that really felt like what I’ve been internalizing lately with my emotions towards the group, my relationship, my job. It all just felt like I’m not in control and I should be. But as soon as I let go and realized I didn’t have to be, things were pretty good.”

Matty walked over to the wall and leaned against it next to Ry. They seemed more relaxed and confident in themselves before the game. “But it wasn’t real though, was it? None of that actually happened and no time passed so how do we even believe that those things really affected us?”

Ry shrugged. “We can’t. But I guess that’s up to each of us. Only things I know, Chelsea and Ember are finally together, Stella finally got to become a catgirl for real, I’m going to stop fighting everything and just go with the flow, and you-”

Matty sighed and looked down. “For me the game felt like weeks. I was in here for weeks in a hell like place. Except it was amazing. I had this master who forced me to submit and worship them. Then this mistress came and she turned me into the female version of myself. And then it was weeks changing my body, altering me, using me, just being a thing for others. A part of me doesn’t really know how to process it all.”

“But a part of you does?”

“I’m supposed to be the strong one in the group. I’m the one who lifts the heavy objects. I drive the truck. I’m the strong protector guy.”

“But a part of you really liked just being soft and at the whim of others. Not having to be the one in charge.”

Matty nodded burying their face in their hands. “So which one of those is real? Which is the real me?”

Ry reached out patting them on the back. “I can’t answer that. But you probably won’t be able to either. Probably because they’re both you and that’s okay.”

“But it was weeks Ry. How am I supposed to move past that? What am I supposed to do next?”

“I think I have a friend you should meet. I suspect she can probably help you talk through this better than I can. She’s acutely suited to helping people who have a hard time letting go of power, do so.”

Matty looked up and rubbed their hands together. “What, like a dominatrix or something?”

“Her name is Jessie. I’m not sending you to her for work. Just to talk. I think she can probably help you figure that part out. As for how you feel about your body and yourself, what does your heart say?”

Matty groaned and closed their eyes. “I’m finding I’m using they/them pronouns when I’m thinking to myself. It feels more right. But I don’t know beyond that.” They opened their eyes, taking a deep breath.

“And that’s enough for now. We’re talking about a lot of big things that are flexible and different for everyone. There’s no right answer to it. I certainly don’t have all of them myself. But I’m always here if you need to talk.”

“Thanks Ry.” The sound of scratching came from outside of the door. Matty laughed softly and turned to Ry. “Pretty sure that’s for you.”

Ry nodded and gave Matty a pat on the chest. “You going to be okay if I leave you be in here?”

Matty nodded. “Go on. Go get your girl. I’m just gonna think through some stuff.”

Ry stood up and headed for the door. They opened it giving one last look at Matty before closing it behind them.

Matty looked around the room. It was hard to believe that just a few minutes ago they were tied up and full of cum. They touched their stomach slightly disappointed. Things were different now. Things would be different for a while. They resigned themselves to that knowledge and took a deep breath letting go of it.

Things would be different. But that didn’t mean they’d be bad.

Stella hurled herself into Ry’s arms immediately tackling them to the floor. They peppered their face in kisses, tail wagging furiously. Ry rolled their eyes and let Stella get it out of her system. After a minute she seemed satisfied and sat up along their waist waiting.

“How’re you doing babe? How’s the changes?”

Stella cocked her head, ears flattening down against the top of it. “Honestly it’s still a bit weird. I mean did you know this was gonna happen to me?”

“Well you were always talking about being an anthro creature so I figured if the game was all it was cracked up to be, you could finally have that.”

“You should have mentioned it to me before. I mean look at me. How am I supposed to play this off as normal to people?”

Ry sighed and pushed themselves up on their elbows. “I know. I just wanted to give you something nice, for putting up with me for everything the last few months. I know I’ve been a real piece of shit and I really didn’t know how to say sorry until this came around.”

“You couldn’t consider flowers or chocolates first. Instead of a tail and ears.”

“Yeah no. I realize I fucked up again.”

Stella groaned. “You didn’t mess up. Firstly I’m allowed to be mad at you for not telling me. But I can also be happy about this. I mean, this feels amazing. It feels amazing.” She purred, grinding her hips a bit. “But I’m also allowed to be mad at you for just thinking you can fix things with this and not apologize or-”

“No you’re right. I should’ve apologized for things first. I should’ve done that long ago. Things have just been hard. I know you know.”

“I’m always here for you Ry. But you have to stop pushing me and everyone away.”

Ry pushed themselves sitting up and wrapped their arms around Stella’s shoulders. “I know. It’s not easy to do that sort of thing, but I’m going to try. I’m also going to try letting go a bit more and just going with the flow. I’m too high strung and trying to control everything.”

Stella just looked at them shocked. “What did I miss in the first few rounds of the game?”

“Where do I even start? The game possessed me, a symbiote attached itself to me, you’re familiar with that, Ember and I had a pretty decent blowout. That’s about the majority of it.”

“Are you okay?” Ry could hear the concern in Stella’s voice.

“Yeah. I’m actually doing a lot better now.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” Ry leaned in and kissed Stella’s cheek. There was a slight hint of fur on her cheek and it tickled their nose.

Stella sneezed a soft sneeze that caused her to jump up off of Ry’s lap. She blushed and her tail curled into her back. “I’m good too. I wish you would’ve told me before. Now I have to try to explain all of this to my co-workers.”

“Well I think it’s cute.” Ry reached up and gently pet the top of her head. Stella purred softly, her eyes closing.

Ember walked into the room with Chelsea’s hand in hers. She took one look at Ry petting Stella and looked to Chelsea for help. Chelsea sighed and released her hand stepping forward.

“Hey kittens. Save that for home.” She nudged Stella’s leg with her foot. Stella turned hissing at her. “Shove it Stella.” Chelsea looked around the room. “Anybody seen-”

Matty opened the door looking far better than the last time Ember had seen them. Interesting, her heads up display was now using they/them pronouns for Matty instead of he/him. That would certainly be helpful in the future. He looked to Ember and gave a little wave. She returned it politely.

Chelsea cleared her throat. “So obviously a lot happened tonight. Is everyone doing alright?”

Matty raised their hand. “Umm. Hey I know the game was one night for you all, but for me it was like weeks in there. And I kind of want to use they/them pronouns now. I don’t know what it means yet, but if that’s okay with everyone?”

Everyone gave the thumbs up of approval. Matty relaxed, shoulders dropping to their sides. “Thanks all.”

“I’m a cat now!” Stella cried out excitedly jumping up to her feet. She shook her butt, her tail wiggling back and forth with excitement.

“Clearly I’m an android now.” Ember said, raising her hand awkwardly.

“Yeah so what does that entail? Do you still eat and age or are you immortal?” Stella ran over and started poking at Ember.

Ember groaned and just stood there. Chelsea picked Ry up off of the floor. “Deal with your girlfriend or I’m going to pry her away from mine by force.”

Stella stopped and looked between Chelsea and Ember quickly. She jumped up throwing her arms around Ember’s neck. “Oh yay! You two are finally dating!”

Chelsea stepped forward annoyed. “That tears it!”

Ember raised a finger and pointed it at the floor. A small red beam shot out of it directly from her fingertip. “Hey Stella. Look.” Ember whispered, gesturing with her head to the floor. Stella turned and dove for the dot clawing at it. Ember quickly moved it up the wall sending the cat girl chasing towards it. Everyone laughed. 

“Ember can you stop toying with my girlfriend like a cat?” Ry asked, chasing after Stella.

“Oh yeah. Sorry.” Ember turned off the light and crossed her hands under her chest.

Ry grabbed Stella’s arm and pulled her up to her feet. “Look, we should probably get out of here. Who knows what else will happen if we stick around. Plus I owe everyone dinner.” Ry turned winking at Ember.

“Wait, when was that decided?” Matty asked, looking between everyone.

“Don’t worry about it Matty. Sometimes you just have to accept things as they are.” Ember shrugged and walked over, throwing her arms around Chelsea.

“I’m calling sushi!” Chelsea screamed over everyone throwing in their opinion.

“It’s always sushi with you!” Matty cried, whining over it.

“I could go for sushi.” Stella said, licking her lips.

Ember smiled to herself and nuzzled into Chelsea’s neck. Sure everything had changed, but everything also felt exactly the same. She couldn’t be happier. Still, she wondered what else her grandma’s house had in store for her.