From Real to Realm

Another perfect night of rest was a welcome change. Getting proper sleep without nightmares was a return to partial normalcy.

However, it also seemed getting woken up by bright light was also becoming normal for her. What would otherwise be another comfortable morning of hopefully sleeping in, was interrupted abruptly.

With a groan, Val did the only thing she could think of—roll over, burying herself deeper into the blankets.

“Really? I decided to come and help you, and that’s the welcome I get?”

In a sleep-addled state, Val didn’t immediately recognize the voice. Even after two days, it was still hard to recognize each person by voice alone. It was decidedly feminine, familiar… but Val’s brain was still swimming in fog.

It started to sink in as Val replayed the words in her head.

With a jolt she shot up in bed, eyes locking onto the smirking girl across the room.

Lynesia immediately broke out in a giggle while pointing at Val.

“Your hair is a mess!”

Lynesia’s voice was smooth and teasing, the kind that made everything sound just a little more playful than it should.

Val couldn’t help but chuckle softly while rolling her eyes.

“Very funny, like you wake up any more gracefully compared to me. A messy head is a sign of good rest in my opinion.”

Lynesia was leaning against the bed post, arms crossed and smiling. Her brunette hair was loose today compared to the braid yesterday. She looked at Val with hazelnut eyes framed by a soft face. Freckles were sparsely spread across her features and that smile of hers could light up a room.

“Sure, sure, whatever you say. Now get out of bed, you need to take a bath before we can start any rehab.”

Val’s heart lurched at the idea of Lynesia helping her with her bath.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want it to happen—it was just that the idea was way too enticing.

To Val, Lynesia was undeniably attractive.

Dark brown, wavy hair cascaded down to her lower back, framing an objectively cute face. As for her body, she had just the right amount of curves in all the right places. The shirt she wore did little to hide her perfectly balanced bust—full enough to catch the eye, but not overly pronounced.

Val’s eyes consistently migrated to Lynesia’s midsection and hips as she moved around the room. The shirt she wore barely reached the hem of her pants, so Val would catch small glimpses of a toned midsection. No well-defined abs, but perfectly flat in just the right way. Her hips, though—they led Val’s eyes to that deliciously plump rear.

It took everything in Val to tear her eyes away to avoid getting caught looking.

It wasn’t that she was afraid to admire someone attractive—it was that this was technically her best friend. Leering at her like this, with such desire, felt wrong in many ways.

Val did her best to start getting out of bed, figuring a much needed focus for her brain was a good idea. It wasn’t until she heard the tsk of Lynesia that she looked up.

“Too eager to get started?” she asked, rushing over. “Let me at least help you, a fall in this state could be dangerous, dummy.”

“I’m fine.” Val huffed. “I don’t need to be carried.”

She paused, then smirked. “Although I wouldn’t say no if you offered.”

Lynesia couldn’t help but laugh at the poor joke. 

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think I could carry you—even in your current state.”

Val feigned being hurt. “Ouch. After I lost all this weight just to feel more feminine, too.”

Lynesia shook her head while holding back another laugh.

It made Val happy to see the girl laughing and smiling compared to when she left yesterday. Whether or not she even came today was up in the air after the way things ended.

However, the bond of their friendship seemed stronger than the grief caused by the illness.

With Lynesia’s help Val was sitting on the edge of the tub. Lynesia was operating the runes to fill it with hot water.

Val fought the urge to sneak a glance as Lynesia bent over in front of her.

It was a losing battle.

Lynesia’s frame was smaller than Val’s in both height and stature. Her long brunette hair shone from the sunlight through the window as she tucked in behind her ear. Her clothes hugged just tight enough to tease at hidden curves beneath—subtle shapes that revealed themselves when she shifted her stance or reached for something. Her sun-kissed skin wasn’t flushed today, letting Val notice how the freckles highlighted her soft features.

“Alright, bath is made. I’ll hangout in your bedroom to wait for you. If you want, we can talk through the door?”

“Maybe see if I can’t knock a few memories loose from that hard head of yours?” Lynesia offered, smirking, hand on hip.

Val paused. “Hey, my head’s not that hard… or was it?”

Lynesia shifted uncomfortably. “You were pretty stubborn before… everything.”

It was obvious still talking about what happened, along with missing memories, was bothering the girl.

Still the brave face she was putting on for Val was admirable. It wasn’t hard to see how much this was still hurting her.

Val reached forward, gently grabbing Lynesia’s hand before squeezing lightly. “Hey, we’ve got this, right?”

Lynesia rubbed the back of Val’s hand, then nodded.

“We do.”

The water was hot, but it felt amazing.

Lynesia had already gone into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. That left Val alone to look down her body.

Even after two days, it was still surreal to look down and remember she was a futa. It wasn’t a realization she spent much time mulling over though, since thinking about it would do her no good right now.

“So, how long have we known each other? Or been friends?” she asked, hoping Lynesia heard her.

The brief silence that followed made her think she hadn’t.

“Your family was here when mine moved in nearby. We moved here when I was only three, I think? We left a small little town on the outskirts, hoping being inside the walls would offer better opportunities. Our mothers apparently shopped at the same produce store nearby, so they inevitably bumped into each other one day.”

After a steadying breath, she continued. “What started as a small conversation eventually evolved into planning a play date for us. I needed new friends, according to my mother.”

Val would have chuckled at the last bit there, but she was feeling a pang of guilt seeping in.

Lynesia’s reaction yesterday made much more sense now. Technically, she and the original Valnarei had been friends for close to fifteen years.

Imagine hearing your best friend just overcame a potentially lethal illness… Only to find out she doesn’t remember you…

Fuck.

Lynesia had more emotional strength than Val gave her credit for.

After 15 years down the drain, she was still here eager to help with Val’s rehab.

“The first time we met, didn’t go to plan exactly. You were this bubbly toddler, eager to make friends with anyone. Whereas, according to my mother, I was scared of my shadow, much less other people. I hid behind her the first time I met you and your mother.”

It was hard to tell, but Val was confident Lynesia was smiling right now. The shift in her tone echoed happy memories.

“After a few more similar meetings, I finally warmed up to you. You were just so friendly, so open, bubbly. I found it hard to resist your charm, so we became fast friends. From then on, we were practically inseparable, attached at the hip.”

Aside from learning valuable information about the original Val, she could tell these were fond memories. Rebuilding such a bond wouldn’t be easy, but she was willing to give it a shot.

Lynesia didn’t deserve to be going through all of this pain, if there was a way to help, Val would find it. Then she heard a sniffle through the door.

“Then… about a year ago, you started weakening by the day. At first we assumed it was a normal illness, something that could be handled with medicinal herbs. After taking some, you seemed to bounce back for a few days. Then one morning, you just didn’t wake up.”

Lynesia let out a long sigh. “Your mother was a mess… poor woman wouldn’t leave your bedside. Your father started missing work, trying to do his own research. He couldn’t find any answers, so he resorted to the only thing he could do—throwing coin at the problem.”

Holy shit. Such a drastic deterioration in health? Barely a week from healthy to not waking up?

“Professionals from multiple fields came to see you, Gilded Mire even sent some of their eccentric researchers. It was at that time your mother told me it was best to stop visiting for a while. I could see it in her eyes, that she was hoping to take the burden on her own, to save me from the pain.” She paused briefly.

“No one could figure out the cause, much less a way to cure you. They thought it might have something to do with your magic, but they had no way to prove it. The leading theory was that your body just couldn’t handle the magic flowing through it. That it was slowly eating away, or decaying, your soul.”

“A new illness, a first of its kind, at least recorded. Your mother collapsed the moment they told her, I can still hear the echo of her sobs through the house. The way she begged them to do anything they could, to save her baby girl.”

Val could hear a long drawn out breath through the door.

She didn’t blame Lynesia for needing a moment to gather herself.

I—I don’t think I could handle something like that. To be told my child is dying and nothing can be done about it.

How could the gods overlook something like that? Were the gods even capable of knowing what kind of illness’ exist?

As much as Val wanted the answer to that question, it was best for another time.

“The final verdict was to just keep you comfortable… at least until the day you, well—died.”

“There were multiple professionals who took stringent notes, anything they could. Your parents wanted them to get as much as they could without harming or disturbing you. At the very least, they wanted to save other parents the heartache of seeing this happen. Gilded Mire were going to begin looking into a cure. Who knows if they’ve been successful?” A small chuckle followed by a sniffle came afterwards.

“But here you are—awake, and somehow healthy. A miracle from the gods themselves.”

After such a heavy retelling of the past year, Val finally began washing herself.

Lynesia had stopped talking, so it was as good a time as ever.

It only made sense to give the poor girl some time to regain her composure. Like she said, though—Val is here, alive.

Instead of focusing on the past, now it was time to focus on the future instead.

One that includes a damn haircut. This is killing me.

Val never did like having overly long hair.

However, over the course of a year being bedridden, her current hair had gotten long, well below her rear.

With a practiced efficiency, she finished washing up before climbing out to grab her towels.

A few minutes later she was walking through the bathroom door only to find Lynesia sitting on her bed.

Her face was red, eyes slightly puffy, still sniffling a bit. Revisiting such painful memories had done a number on her.

“Feel refreshed now?” She asked while sliding off the bed. “Breakfast should be done soon. After that, we can see what rehabilitation Wilhelm had in mind for you. No pushing yourself. You need to take things slow and avoid hurting yourself.”

Val took the chance to begin digging through her clothing options. “Don’t worry, I have no plans on hurting myself. Any delays to my recovery means more time before I can finally enjoy this second chance.”

A new wardrobe would be needed eventually. Most of the clothes left behind were dresses and skirts.

Not a bad choice, but not her first for everyday clothing.

“Mind hanging out in the hallway so I can get dressed? I’ll meet you out there once I’m presentable.”

Lynesia froze for a moment, then nodded. “Sure, yell if you need me.”

Val emerged from her bedroom a few minutes later dressed with slightly damp hair.

Lynesia held out her arm to help with balance, should Val need it. Val took the opportunity to do so.

I could get used to holding onto a pretty girl like this.

Val fought the smirk on her face, trying to keep her mind in check.

Ever since getting a better look over Lynesia it had gotten more active in the imagination department.

Together they made their way to the dining room. As they walked through the doors they were greeted by everyone except Vesperia.

Lynesia greeted everyone as she helped Val into her seat. “Morning everyone.”

“Morning Lynesia.” Volde said with a soft smile.

“Good morning, Lynesia.” Maxwell said with a wave.

“Morning…” came a curt response from a pouting Celestia.

Maxwell and Volde exchanged a glance before chuckling between themselves.

Val on the other hand was slightly confused what the issue was.

Could it be jealousy maybe? Is she jealous Lynesia gets to help me every morning now?

Val couldn’t help but smirk at her hunch.

It was adorable to have her little sister so eager to help that she’d be jealous already.

It wasn’t much longer before Vesperia joined everyone at the table. The warm smile she gave Lynesia was a loving, and very thankful one.

With everyone present, the meal finally began in earnest.

Conversation began to flow naturally across the table as everyone got involved. Of course there was an additional voice added to the chorus this particular morning.

The more jovial attitude had only gotten stronger with a second consecutive day Val was able to join in.

As breakfast continued on, time almost seemed to slow for Val.

W—when was the last time I did something like this?

With my first family?

An unfamiliar pang of homesickness began welling up inside of her.

I hope we did it enough, at least until I moved out.

In an attempt to squash the sorrow building, Val got involved in a conversation happening between Celestia and Lynesia.

It didn’t help to dwell on the past too much, she needed to focus on the future.

“You’re welcome to join us anytime you’re able,” Lynesia offered. “I’m sure Val wouldn’t mind the extra help.”

“Well, I guess if it’s alright. I need to keep my eye on you anyways,” Celestia said sticking her tongue out. "Make sure you don’t steal her away from me.”

“Hey, don’t I get a say in who steals me away?” Val asked, smirking. “Either way, the extra help would be much appreciated, at least until I can comfortably walk on my own.”

Breakfast continued to breeze on by.

Aside from the few homesick thoughts Val had, it was a perfect morning all around. Near the end, Maxwell and Volde both had to leave for work, one after the other.

With them gone it was down to just the ladies.

After breakfast Celestia helped Vesperia clear the table while Lynesia and Val let their food settle.

Once she was done, the three of them made their way to the garden.

“The fresh air will help, I think,” Celestia said, pushing the doors open.

“I’d say I agree, plus if the weather is nice, why not?” Lynesia asked with a shrug.

“Well, I’m too weak to make a break for it, so I guess I have no choice but to trust you both.” Val said, grinning.

Over the next month or so Val began making progress with her rehab.

It wasn’t always necessary to help her walk or support her weight around the house. However, her body would get tired quickly so they limited how much they did.

It was during the month of rehab and exercises that her body began reacting in new ways.

This came in the form of her first time waking up with morning wood. It was a bit jarring to say the least but that wasn’t the worst part of it. Everyone made an agreement that Lynesia would come to wake Val up each morning.

That meant the first person to see the tent being pitched was her.

“Val… Wake up.”

“Hmmm…” Val rolled away from the voice. “I’m still tired.”

“Val... what do you have under the sheets right now?”

Val yawned, blinking her eyes into focus. Then she noticed an unfamiliar feeling beneath the sheets. She slowly pushed herself up on her elbows.

Just as Lynesia had mentioned, there was something under the sheets. It only took Val a few seconds, which felt like eternity, to realize what she was looking at.

It wasn’t something she just saw, she could also feel it beneath the sheets, straining against her boy shorts.

Immediately her face flushed as she quickly pushed it down to hide it. Her heart rate had increased immediately after connecting the dots.

At that same moment, all words were forgotten as she blanked on how to explain this away.

“I uh... It’s uh... I—I mean.”

Lynesia cut her off. “Val, is that what I think it is?”

After a calming breath, Val gripped the sheets, finding the courage to meet her best friend’s gaze.

Lynesia’s expression was just as red Val’s, but the confusion was more evident.

She wasn’t next to the bed anymore, her body turned slightly away.

Lynesia had likely kept her distance or stepped back after getting Val to finally wake up.

“It is.”

“It’s a side effect from the illness I had... It was there when I woke up.”

Val wanted her bed to swallow her whole.

Why now?

Why did this have to happen when she’s the one to wake me up?

Ugh, she probably thinks I’m some kind of freak!

The silence that followed dragged on for entirely too long, so long it made her uncomfortable.

Lynesia wasn’t calling her a freak, or running away screaming.

The entire situation was embarrassing as hell, but she was still standing there. Val could see how her eyes were flicking between the spot under the sheets and Val’s own eyes.

There was definitely a level of disbelief there, but also reluctance to press for more information.

This all but confirmed for Val that futa like her didn’t exist in this world.

“This isn’t going to be a problem, is it?” Val finally asked. “I can’t exactly help it when it happens, so this probably won’t be the last time.”

It took Lynesia longer than Val liked to finally speak again.

It was with a smile though which settled Val’s heart, which had been hammering in her chest the whole time.

Lynesia was a godsend for helping Val adapt to this world. If she ever lost that support, the only people left to turn to would be her family.

The last person she needed to see this was her little sister, or god forbid her mother.

“It’s going to take a while to get used to, but it doesn’t bother me,” Lynesia said, eyes averted. “Just… do your best to keep it under control.”

Val felt her body relax as Lynesia somewhat brushed off the news.

It was clear she was still processing the new information.

The quick glances, combined with the lingering blush on her face, were giveaways.

The new shared experience had the morning starting off a bit rougher than normal. However, after a quick bath everyone fell back into the normal routine.

Val still caught Lynesia occasionally blushing or glancing at what was likely her crotch. She never brought it up, or made a point to ask why.

Honestly, Val just wanted to pretend the entire morning never happened.

The next few weeks went about as expected. There were mornings where a tent was nowhere to be seen, other mornings Val was not so lucky.

The tension was always palpable when it was noticed, but Lynesia never made a point to focus on it. Val saw no reason to bring attention to it either. So, she did the same.

It would take at least a few minutes if not longer for it to calm down though. During that time Lynesia would find something to focus on, like preparing the bath, setting out clothes, or cleaning up Val’s room. No matter how hard she tried to focus on something else, a blush would persist across her face.

If anyone were to ask Val, the reprehension Lynesia showed the first time was gone. The looks she did catch on occasion were more curious.

Now whether that meant Lynesia was interested, or wanted to see, Val wasn’t willing to ask.

Everything culminated when Val woke up one morning to a sudden poking sensation.

It wasn’t sharp, just… persistent.

She was a deep sleeper, but this new sensation was waking her up.

What the hell is—

When her eyes opened, she spotted a familiar shape beneath the sheets.

Oh come on. Again?

She groaned. The tent was worse than normal today and… throbbing.

That wasn’t what caused her to sit up so quickly, though.

Lynesia was standing further down the bed, hands behind her back.

And her face was beet red.

Lynesia usually shook Val awake if she couldn’t get her up with words.

Instead, she chose not to draw attention to the unusual wake-up.

As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes Lynesia finally spoke up.

“Val…” She paused, shifting her weight. “Um… does it hurt? You know, being like that in the morning?”

Val shook her head with a laugh. “No it doesn’t hurt at all. It tends to just throb a lot while refusing to go away. It’ll go down like it has before.”

Lynesia eyed the tent warily. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Val just chuckled. “Well...” She rubbed the back of her neck. “Getting me off would probably solve the issue.”

It was meant as a joke, but the silence that followed stretched too long.

When Lynesia heard Val joke about getting her off she took a deep breath.

She gripped the hem of her shirt while shifting from one foot to the other.

Unconsciously she bit down on her lip while considering making the offer.

I… I could do that for her.

Right?

I just want to help her, that’s all.

She’s too weak to do it herself so it’s only right I offer to, right?

It’s not because I want to see it…

Or because I like her.

Right?

The entire time she could feel the heat in her face from blushing.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she considered making the offer.

As she looked up at Val she was reminded of how attractive she is, even while being a little thin from the sickness.

She swallowed hard.

Took a breath and met Val’s gaze.

“I can do that."

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