"How long has she been at it?" Aspen asked. "Two hours nonstop. Everyone in the colony is staring" Lily replied. Claire zipped right over the dome at high speed like a shooting star. "Come down! Give yourself some rest!" Aspen shouted up at her. A red streak of light arced in the air and came down to the ground. Aspen still couldn't get over how much she had changed physically. Since obtaining power from Pelé, Claire could change size at will with ease and conjure powerful magics. Claire stood human sized right before her shaking her magnificent colored hair. In Fae mode, her hair was no longer blonde but a brilliant mix of orange and red. Like her hair had drank in a sunset lit sky. Claire held Aspen's cheeks and kissed her passionately. Giddy, Claire was shrinking her at the same time and let her tumble into her hands before tearing off back into the sky. "Slow down!" Aspen yelled. "Nope! Too much fun!" Claire laughed as she cartwheeled in the air.

Higher and higher she flew and then she stopped. Claire used her magic to keep them warm and able to breathe. "Look at it Aspen" she said unfurling her hands. "My god..." Aspen muttered seeing how high they were. Even on a plane she was never this high. Down below she could barely make out the estate. Just a smidgen in the expansive horizon. Speaking of, she could see the actual curvature of it. Above, the baby blue sky was not baby blue. Deep as the purest sapphire. Claire shed tears at the majesty of it and as they left her froze and fell. "I wanted to share this with my wife" Claire told her. "So peaceful and quiet" Aspen said. Claire held her close and Aspen felt her heart quicken. Claire pulled off Aspens clothes and tucked then in a pocket. With a flare of power, her own clothes burned away. Claire licked and kissed her pregnant belly. Her eyes glowed softly. "Claire..."

"Shhh. Nobody can see us except spy planes and satellites. Besides, don't you want to be a member of the exclusive 10-mile-high club?" Claire asked. "Just be gentle sweetie" Aspen said blushing. "You're my soulmate. Of course I will beloved" she said. Aspen blushed even harder hearing her call her beloved. Her moans of pleasure didn't travel past the cocoon of heat and oxygen surrounding them. Claire gently placed her teeth past her bump and sucked on her lower body. Aspen clutched the tip of her nose groaning as a giant tongue brushed her pussy and suction took away every drop of her juices. Her bare feet moved back and forth on her tongue as Aspen said her name. "...I love you" she moaned as she came. Claire held her in her hands evaporating away her saliva. Her wings shining fiercely behind her "I want you inside me so badly right now...but I know I can't" Claire said. "One day babe" Aspen told her. Claire held her close as she curled into a fetal position. "I can finally protect you. I can protect everyone" she muttered. Her heart beat so fast. "Let's go back down" Aspen said.

Claire flew back to the ground and grew Aspen back to normal size. "Well now" Lily said seeing them naked. Claire's power fluctuated. "Power down honey" Aspen said. Claire nodded and returned to normal. Aspen plucked her from the ground and carried her to their room. Claire was already asleep by the time Aspen placed her in their bed. After tucking her in, Aspen got dressed and came back outside. "I'm scared for her" Aspen said to Lily. Lily looked at the room window. "I know. Not even Titania had that much power. Even if she now carries the full power of Fae, she doesn't have the body to go with it" Lily said. "How so? Look at her" Aspen said. "I know. Her muscles are smaller, steps heavier, but the big question is does she have immortality? The reason Fae can endure such power is because our bodies are essentially immortal. To put it in a term you'd understand...it's like dropping a V8 engine in a compact car. Might have the room but will the frame and transmission handle it?" Lily asked. Aspen flinched.

"You saying it might kill her?" Aspen asked. "No. Her body is adapting very well but we can see...issues from it. She's emotionally unstable. Drunk with power if you will" Lily said. "She's happy Lily. She feels like she can protect us. Keep in mind for all her life she was just a weak tiny girl. Hell, not long ago she was fucking eaten" Aspen said defending her. "And do you want her going in guns blazing in the fight to come? She has to find her balance" Lily said. Aspen relented. She had to admit Claire was wound a little tight. "What do you propose?" Aspen asked. "...I know a person that can help her. Someone my organization has been protecting. I'll write down the address" she said. Lily scribbled it down and handed it to her. "Who is this person?" Aspen asked wary. "An old friend of mine that has to live under unique circumstances " she replied. "If so then why would they help Claire?" Aspen asked. "Because he likes blonde girls. Don't worry, he's harmless. Mostly..." Lily said shrugging.

Aspen left her and went to the side of the colony where Thomas, her father in law, worked. "Goodness Aspen! You should be laying down!" Thomas said seeing the giantess standing over him. "Got some time?" she asked. "Always kiddo" he said taking off his gloves. Aspen placed her hand down so the man could climb into her palm. She strode off to sit under a nearby tree. She lay down and placed him on her belly. "What's on your mind?" he asked tapping her belly. "What do you make of Claire as she is now?" Aspen asked. "Incredible. Simply incredible. To think I fathered a girl so beautiful. Why do you ask?" he said. "I'm worried that's she's pushing herself to hard. She erratic. She took us up into the stratosphere today and gave me oral for god’s sake" she said. "Sounds like a good deal. Sex and a nice view" the man chuckled. "I'm serious dad. Ever since she came back with those powers she's been moving about at warp 9. Has she even breastfed Luke since?" Aspen asked. Thomas shrugged. "No she hasn't. I do admit she's been...frisky" he winced.

"I had a late shift the other night. Delivery order came in late and we had to get it to the vendors in the city. Claire came by the dock and help so to speak. And she did, being your size she easily sorted out boxes and stacked them into carts. I didn't even notice her stares at me until she was hovering right over me. She snatched me up mumbling "yummy daddy" and began taking my clothes off. Licking me. Sucking on me. Jesus Aspen I thought my own daughter was going to eat me. She cuddled with me until nearly 3 a.m. giggling and saying now much she loved me. Passed out naked in front of the colony" he sighed. "And how did I not know that?!" Aspen asked astounded. "When she passed out she shrank down and I carried her home" he replied. "And you didn't say a word to anyone?" she asked. "Not even her mother. I figured it was just a side effect of her power. Something that would fade away" he said. "Obviously not. Lily gave me an address to send her to. Knows some guy who likes blondes that supposedly can help her" she said. "Sounds dodgy" he muttered. "Well she can't keep going at this pace. She's going to burn herself out, rape some poor bastard or worse..." Aspen said. "We'll support any decision you make. You are our daughter now after all" he said. Aspen picked him off her belly. "Love you too you silly old borrower" she said kissing him.

Later that night...

"I think your offer is for the best" Aspen said eating dinner. "What offer?" Claire asked sitting next to her. "The offer of sending you to a friend to get you sorted out" Lily replied. Claire put her fork down. "Sorted out?" Claire asked narrowing her eyes. "You're acting too weird. Impulsive. Flittering about like you lost your mind" Aspen said. "It's called stretching my legs!" Claire yelled. "Oh, I think it's way more than that" Lily said to her. "You're flying around like some horny cruise missile" Aspen said taking a drink. "Excuse me for wanting some intimacy with my wife!" Claire yelled flaring up for a split second. "Does that include molesting your tiny daddy?" Aspen asked. Lily shot her a look. "I was goofing around and just wanted some daddy daughter time Aspen! You don't understand that not being a borrower or having a dad!" Claire yelled. Aspen wiped her eyes. "I'll pretend you didn't say that" she whispered. Aspen got up from the table. "Don't you run off! We're not done with this conversation!" Claire yelled grabbing her wrist. There was a faint crack of bones before Aspen screamed in pain. Claire immediately let go. Lily rushed over to Aspen.

"You crushed her wrist. God sakes look in the mirror" Lily hissed. Claire turned her head to look. Her eyes glowed white hot as her hair flittered with energy. "I didn't mean to" she muttered before powering down. Lily used her magic to heal Aspen as Claire disappeared upstairs. "How is it now?" Lily asked. Aspen rotated her wrist. "Sensitive but way better. I really need to check on her" Aspen said before going up. She returned to her room and looked for her. She called her name and got no answer. She did hear faint crying. Aspen followed the sound to one of her sneakers. "There you are" she said. Aspen reached for her. "DON'T TOUCH ME! I don't want to risk hurting you or the baby" she cried. Aspen sighed and sat on the floor. "So you shrank yourself back down and hid in my shoe. A twist on what you used to do when we had fights" Aspen said. Claire stopped to listen.

"When we had that fight about inviting a boy to my 12th birthday party you hid in my shoe. Christmas three years ago when I got the wrong size clothes for you. Our friendship anniversary last year. Why my shoe?" Aspen asked. "Your pheromones" she replied. "Oh...that's sweet...I guess" Aspen said. "Since I got this power I can't smell your pheromones anymore. Happy, sad, horny. I knew what you felt just by smelling you. Have to guess now" Claire muttered. "Welcome to the club" Aspen chuckled. "Aspen you don't get it. This power is awesome, but I feel this hole in me. I'm sitting in your old shoe trying to smell pheromones but all I'm getting is old foot sweat. I used to get an orgasm shuffling my bare feet against your carpet. I stubbed my fucking toe last night getting up to go to the bathroom because I couldn't see in the dark! Borrowers have excellent night vision Aspen! But I'm not a borrower anymore..." Claire sighed.  "No, you aren't but you're still Claire. Whatever power you gained, it doesn't change your heart" Aspen said picking her up in her hands. Claire glanced at her wrist seeing a slight bruise.

Claire broke down sobbing. "There there. We'll get through this gummy bear Claire" Aspen said. "You know I hate that nickname. Sounds like you want to eat me" Claire sniffled. "I always do" Aspen said licking her lips. Aspen kissed her little face. "Aspen. I want to get better. I don't want to fear hurting my baby just by breastfeeding him" Claire whined. Aspen nodded and carried her downstairs. "She's willing to do it" Aspen said. Lily held Claire in her hands and snuggled her. "You know we just want what's best for you" she said. "I know. I'm sorry" Claire said. "Let me get a few things and summon a driver" Lily said handing Claire off.  15 minutes later, Lily returned with shopping bags. "What you got?" Aspen asked. "Care packages so to speak. Shitloads of DVDs, junk food, some video game discs. They guy helping you doesn't get out much" Lily said.

"What kind of guy is he?" Claire asked. "Respectable...kind of. A shut in. Dependable, an expert on what's going on with you, and best of all he's a Fae" Lily replied. They were caught by surprise. "A Fae? Is he like me? Mixed but with strong Fae blood?" Claire asked. "No, he's full blooded. Been around a very long time. You'll see. Oh and Aspen can't go with you. You have to do this without distractions" Lily said. Claire didn’t like that. "How long will this take?" Claire asked.  "Complicated answer. No time at all and as long as it takes" she replied. They weren't liking the cryptic shit. Lily had Claire grow to human size once more and gave the bags to her. "Marcus is outside for you. See you soon" she said kissing her cheek. Aspen walked her out. Rain was pouring outside as thunder sounded overhead. A man opened the door for her. Claire was trembling in her sandals. "I don't wanna let go" she said holding onto Aspen' s hand. "I know you don't but you have to" Aspen said. Claire nodded and let go. She got into the car and Marcus closed the door.

Claire was silent looking out the window as they rode down the M1. Sniffing and scared of herself and who she was meeting. "What do you know about this guy?" Claire asked wanting more answers. "Mr. P? He's cool. Lonely dude. I'm sure he'll be happy to have company especially if it's a pretty girl" Marcus replied. "Grandma made it sound like he's afraid to come out" she said. "He is. Bad news when he does. He does get out now and then to see the outside world. To keep his sanity. Now he's a bit eccentric but he's good Fae" he said taking the off ramp. Claire wondered what he meant by eccentric as he made his way to the address. "Here we are miss. I'll be right here when you're done visiting" he said lighting a cigarette. Claire got out the car carrying the bags. She dashed under an awning to avoid the rain. It was a bunch of lofts on the east side of the city. Expensive by the looks of it. Claire had to find number 5. When she did, she knocked on the door. "One moment please!" a voice said.

Claire was surprised as it sounded young. The door opened, and a teenage boy was there to greet her. He was touching his temple on his head. "Yeah she just arrived. Alright. I'll let you know. Bye Lily" he said before lowering his hand. "Come on in Claire. Make yourself at home" he said gesturing. Claire stepped in and slipped her sandals off at the doorway. "Pardon the mess. Wasn’t expecting company" he said pushing stuff around and picking up empty bags of junk food. Claire kept looking around. "Looking for the loo? It's down that way" he said pointing down the hallway. "No, I was expecting someone older. Parents?" Claire asked. "Parents have been dead a very long time. No, I'm the one you're looking for Claire. Oh! Is that for me?!" he asked taking the bag from her. "Yes! Into the Badlands season one and two! And crisps too?! Lily must really need my help" he said. Claire was skeptic as hell. The teen before her looked no older than 14. Hell, he looked younger than her brother Ritchie.

"Please sit. So, Lily told me you are having some mental instability coming from a big magic power boost. I take it you're showing off, bouts of lust, mood swings?" he asked. "Yes, yes exactly. I'm sorry I don't have your name" she said. "Ah, apologies. The name's Puck. Pleasure to meet you" he said quickly shaking her hand. "Why does that name sound familiar?" Claire asked. "Lord, what fools these mortals be? Midsummer Night’s Dream? The Bard girl!" Puck yelled. "Shakespeare? Oh. I don't read that much of him" Claire said. "Pity. You can learn a great deal from the human condition reading his plays. What you're experiencing isn't unique Claire. It happened very common among Fae when they reach their middle teens. Fae have magical ability the moment they enter this world but it's not until they hit puberty when their talents truly blossom."

"When that happens, they can become...egotistic. Their bodies changing, their feeling out their power. They can be dangerous to themselves and others. My job was to educate them, guide them, knock them down a peg or two" he said smiling. "Why you if I may ask?" she said. "Who better to understand a mischievous child than a trickster?" he said grinning. "In your case however, it's far more than magical growing pains. Simply put, you were never meant to contain such power, foreign power at that. The changes in your body is conflicting with your mind. If left be, you could go quite mad" he said. He sat down with her on the floor. "Lily told me you recently gave birth. This complicates matters" he said. "How? What does my baby have to do with anything?" she asked annoyed. Puck could see her hair turning red.

"Postpartum depression" he said flatly. "Borrowers don't get that" she said gritting her teeth. "You're not a borrower anymore! The Claire you knew is dead! What sits before me is someone else" he said. Puck winced for a second and then tackled Claire. He roughly kissed her slipping his tongue into her mouth. Claire pushed him off her. "Son of a bitch!" she yelled powering up. Suddenly she froze. She felt woozy and fell to the floor. She could see him growing larger. No... she was shrinking. "What...did you do to me?!" she yelled. "Nothing sinister...more or less. I used my blood to administer a spell. Right now, your power is suppressed. The spell seal is on the roof of your mouth" he said chuckling. As much as she tried, she couldn't change. "Take a deep breath Claire. I want you to think about something...anything" he said. She did and found nothing odd except his request. "What?" she asked. "Didn't you notice? You could actually finish your train of thought. I bet your mind is clearer than it has been in days" he said. Claire was taken aback. "You're...you're right" she said.

"Good. We can truly begin. Take your clothes off for me. I'll do the same. Don't give me that look. It's for a reason" he said. Wary, she did as asked. She blushed at his youthful body and genitalia. "Not bad for thousand-year-old Fae right?" he asked. "You look no older than 15!" she said. Puck looked away softly. "Things happen" he muttered. "First thing we need to do is reign in your sex drive. When you look at me, how do you feel?" he asked. Claire blushed and didn't answer. "Don't be shy. Don't hide your thoughts" he said. "You're very handsome. Healthy and strong. A good possible mate" she replied. "But that isn't all is it?" he said scooting closer. "I want you to play with me. Suck my...my pussy" she muttered. Claire hung her head and cried in embarrassment. Puck held her in his palms. "Don't cry kid. That was a honest answer especially from someone who was once a borrower. I needed a baseline to work with. Now for something hard" he said placing her directly in front of his giant cock. "Claire, look at it" he said. She didn’t want to but her mind was compelling her to.

Bigger than she was she trembled at the thought of riding his shaft. Her tiny cunt rubbing it over and over. Her mouth licking and kissing the tip. She couldn't take it anymore and dove for it. Puck shook his head. "You got it bad" he said. He used his finger to push her on the floor and held her until she stopped struggling. "Let me up!" she screamed. Puck did but afterwards shrank down much smaller than she. Her eyes locked onto his bug sized body and she snatched him up. An animalistic growl escaped her mouth. Young, fit, and cocky, he was attractive to her. With not even a word, she shoved him in deep inside her.

The tiny girl grunted like an animal as she fingered herself pushing him even deeper. Puck was not harmed in the least. He had lost count how many times a student of his had done this on the first day. With a shout, Claire came and fell back on the floor. Puck wriggled free seeing the tiny giantess's toes twitching, her breasts leaking milk, and her gasping for air. With a wave of his hand he was fresh and clean and grew to her size. He patiently waited for her to come around. Minutes passed before she looked around. "Scratched that itch?" he asked. She looked horrified. "Ehh. Nobody denies themselves the very first time. You surprise me though. Even with my seal I could sense your power trickling through. Could've been worse. I've had students stick me up their ass, eat me, step on me over and over. Your grandmother...whew!" he laughed. Claire was mortified at what she did but found his humor of it oddly comforting.

He held his hand out to help her up. "Let’s take a break. I'll make some popcorn and find us a DVD" he said smiling. She couldn't get over how weird he was and why did he look so young? "You ever watch Firefly?" he asked as he placed a popcorn bowl on the floor next to her. "Yeah. Shame it never got a second season" Claire replied. "I know right?! Joss Whedon is a genius!" Puck said pressing play. As they watched, he would hand her a piece of popcorn. The way he acted, geeked out on things, reminded her of Keith. Her thoughts led her to Keith. She missed him deeply. He always doted on her. Petted her gently in places pleasing to her. The night he gave her a child, he opened his soul to her. How softly he pushed into her and held her tight as he came. Sucked and licked her little feet when she was pregnant. Drank her milk when her breasts were swollen. Claire hadn't noticed but she was masturbating on her popcorn. Puck reached down and plucked it from her not thinking. "Wait..don't..."

He ate it and immediately tasted something other than salt and butter. Without glancing he spoke. "Me or someone else?" he asked. "...someone else. The father of my child. You reminded me of him" she muttered. The tip of his finger petted her head. "A compliment. I like compliments" he smiled. He placed her on his bare thigh knowing how badly she craved touch. "Will you control yourself there?" he asked. Shyly she nodded. It wasn't easy for her. He smelled of lilacs. She wished she could smell more of him and if she was still a borrower, she would've. He gently petted her until she fell asleep. Puck turned the tv off and carried her to his room. Tucking her in on the far side of the bed, he took a moment to stare at her. "Even the teacher can be tested" he muttered feeling his own erection.

Claire woke to the smell of food. She didn't know what time it was as there was no clocks but it seemed no time had passed at all. It was still dark outside. Her bare feet didn't tingle as it touched the carpet. Still shrunk, she found it creepy as she was actually winded from walking to the kitchen. "Harder to do things now isn't it? That's how human's feel when shrunk" he said finishing making an omelet. He placed her on the table as he spooned up some for her to eat. She tore through the food at lightning speed. "There are a lot of things you will have to deal with now. I'm you noticed a few. Harder to see and hear. Smells are weaker except a few. Stamina isn't so great anymore. And of course, there are other more personal things" he said.

"I take it you shrunk humans before. That's why you know so much" she said. "All the time. I used to shrink humans for shits and giggles. Running around crying for help. Seeing them avoid footfalls and rats" he said. "That's sounds cruel" she said eyeing him. "Only shrunk the assholes. There was this one time a noblewoman abused this poor servant girl. Had her sleep in this hovel of a room with rats and bugs. I ended up shrinking the woman and placed her in the same room with the girl and those rats. Here's the funny part. For a month I kept shrinking her and placing her in that room only to undo the spell at dawn. The whole time she was dependent on that girl to keep her from being nibbled to death. By month's end, that servant girl was sleeping in a very nice bed in that home" Puck chuckled.

"What time is it?" she asked. "Not a clue" he replied. "How long did I sleep?" she asked. "About 10 hours" he replied. She stopped eating. "Let's get back to work. I'm on the clock" she said seriously. "If you mean that deadline with your wife's baby don't worry about that. We got all the time in the world as long as you don't leave this room" he said pointing to the door. She was utterly confused. "Wait. Why is it still dark outside if 10 hours passed?" she asked. "Time stands still in this loft. Necessary for me..." he muttered softly. "Why do you say it like that?" she asked. "Tell you what. You go an entire day without fingering yourself, getting wet, or raping me, I'll tell you" he replied. The answer was insulting but not without difficulty. Claire was not permitted clothes and Puck didn't dress either. They both sat facing one another. "Now, our goal today is to push your buttons and see if you have control over your emotions. If you succeed, you're halfway there from fixing your problems" he said.

He waved his hands and right at her feet appeared two very tiny people. "Keith? Aspen?" Claire asked shocked. She shot him a very dirty look. "They're not real. Illusions. Very good illusions I'd say so myself" he said. She was wary of why he would do this. "Alright you two. Take your clothes off and get closer to her" he said. They obeyed without question. Claire was not liking this. She couldn’t help but take offense to him conjuring forms of those she loved and using them as tools no less. "I see why you married her. She's quite beautiful" he said leaning close. "Don't touch them" she scowled. "They're not real but the emotions you feel are. Look at them Claire. Naked and small. Vulnerable" he whispered. Her heartbeat rose. Her toes twitched at the sight of them small before her. He gripped her wrist. "I see you struggling. Trying to push out those thoughts. I want you to hold them each in your hands" he said. Claire looked panicked.

"Yes, you have to" he said. Claire picked them both up and held them. She desperately wanted to kiss, lick, and make love to them. "You're doing well. Seriously. Now, this is when we learn to not bury those feelings but to enhance them. It's stupid to think anyone could toss away such desires so we enhance them. Add to them. Look at Keith. Tell me what you see" he said. "A trusted friend. Young and healthy. Virile. A good mate. His scent is earthy and... delicious.... I....I can't do this!" Claire yelled. "Yes, you can. Close your eyes and think back of fond memories" he said. "Protector. Father of my child. Said I look like his dead sister. It hurt to hear him say that. He gives so much and asks so little in return. A nerd that thinks Captain Kirk was the best captain. When he told us, he gave himself up to be eaten to save us, I knew he would never let any harm come to any of us. He...he would die for us" she muttered tears falling from her eyes. "Open your eyes Clare and look at him again" he said. Claire did. Keith hadn’t changed in appearance, but she saw him differently now. Claire brought her hand up and cuddled him to her cheek.

"You see more about him now don't you?" Puck asked. "How could I have forgotten that? He's not just a cute mate or healthy borrower with a penis. He's a companion" she said sadly. "And what about her?" Puck asked looking at Aspen. He had her dance for a few seconds to push her. Claire sighed looking at her. Her trembling finger rubbed her bug sized body over and over. Her finger went down to her crotch and Aspen cooed at her touch. Claire breathing became ragged as she licked her lips. "NO!" she said placing them both on the floor. Claire rocked back and forth on her heels as she fought the growling anxiety. "Aspen. Aspen is different" she muttered. "Hmm...maybe so. Let's go back and try a different approach" he said waving his hands. Aspen changed into a young girl. Puck wasn't done however. Not only did he give her a 11-year-old appearance, but had her sit down and cry. "What are you doing?" Claire asked frightened. "Lily told me how you two met. Losing both parents so young is a hard thing. Oh, she's crying harder" he said pointing to her. "Why? Why did mommy and daddy die? I want them back...I want them back..." Aspen sobbed softly.

"Stop this! Stop it now!" Claire yelled at him. "I'll do no such thing. Maybe you should comfort her...unless you're scared you're going to do something terrible to her" he said. She gave him a deathly stare before gently picking Aspen up. The teeny girl looked up at the giantess. "I'm sorry about your mom and dad" she said. "I'd rather be with them" Aspen cried. Claire caught her breath. It wasn't just the heart wrenching thing she had said but it was the same thing she had said so many years ago. Claire and Aspen had told nobody about that part. How did Puck know? "Don't say that! You mom and dad wouldn't want you to die" Claire said crying. "I'm alone. Grandma is too old to be my friend. I'm so alone" Aspen cried. "No, no you aren't. I'll be your friend" Claire said. "...you will?" Aspen asked. "Yes, yes I will. I'll be here for you every day" Claire said hugging her to her cheek. Puck changed Aspen back to her adult form.

"Why would you do something so painful!" Claire yelled. "To prove a point. That young girl is the same as the woman in your hand. I get you want to fuck her. Hell, I want to fuck her but she's more than that to you. Not just someone good for shrinking and sucking on. She bared her soul to you. You are connected beyond the physical, beyond anything of this world. Part of Aspen is still that wounded girl just as you are still a part of a borrower. It's what's inside that defines us. That, that is what has to give you balance. It's not power, or what you can do with it.  It's accepting that power is a part of who we are and not the totality of us. Humans have a saying. "With great power comes great responsibility". A lesson that took me centuries to learn. I was a fucking asshole Claire. I tormented humans from the dark ages all the way to the enlightenment" he said. "Thought you said you only messed with assholes" Claire said.

"French countess gave spoiled food to her servant girls for kicks. Made a show of giving her poodle the best scraps in front of them. Asshole right? Shrunk her down in front of her servants. Well they scared her a bit (the ones that didn't run off screaming) but here comes her poodle. Gobbled her right up on the spot. Now she was a nasty bitch, but did she deserve to die?" Puck asked. Claire quietly shook her head. "Judging bad people and saying they're guilty is easy Claire. Enacting true justice is much harder. Now that you have this power in you, that burden of responsibility falls to you" he said standing up. He snapped his fingers and grew Keith and Aspen to her size. "Some company for you. A pop test if you will. I'll be in my room playing Call of Duty if you need me. Oh, one other thing. You slip up and I'll know. I can feel everything through my illusions" he said grinning. The giant walked out of the room leaving her there.

Claire was nervous being around her nude lovers. "Why don't we finish a DVD?" she asked anxious. Claire used her foot to press play on the remote and sat down to watch. Keith and Aspen scooted very close to her. She hesitated to touch either of them. Claire went rigid when Aspen placed her head on her thigh. "You're testing me" she said to her. "Yes, I am" Aspen replied. Claire was tense for over an hour but relaxed when the illusion of her wife actually fell asleep laying on her. Claire petted her hair. "I'm jealous" Keith said. "She being affectionate or me stroking her hair?" Claire asked. "Both" he replied. "How is you two, who aren't even real, acting like the real thing?" Claire asked. "Puck can read a person's mind and program his illusions to behave like you'd expect them too" Keith replied. Claire was surprised by his answer at how coherent and forthcoming it was. "So, he really knows all about me and how you two would react?" she asked. "You make the cutest squeak when your middle toe is sucked. You fantasize about Aspen eating you sometimes. Yes Claire. He knows" he replied.

Claire was mortified. "Oh relax. The guy is over a thousand years old. He's seen kinks you haven't even dreamed of before. He really wants the best for you. He sees so much of Lily in you it hurts" he replied. "Hurts?  What do you mean by that?" Claire asked. "Let him tell you that. Sit still" he said sitting behind her. Keith began to braid her hair. "You did say you did this for your sister" she said. "Yes, I did. Took her mind off worrying about finding enough food for us. Kept her distracted" he said. "That's why you're doing this? To distract me?" she asked. "Your ideal of me is someone that does what he can to help you. I'm just a personification of that" he said. A sobering reminder he wasn't real. Claire sat quietly holding his hand after he was done until Puck returned. "You like Salisbury steak?" he asked taking stuff out the fridge. "Dinner time already?" she asked.

"You binge watched my collection there. You've been sitting there with them for hours" he said clapping. Aspen and Keith disappeared. "Good job. Thought you might slip up when he put her head on your thigh" he said putting some ground chuck in a frying pan. "Oh..." he said snapping his fingers growling her to human size. "You can put clothes on again" he said chuckling. Claire put her clothes on and watched him cook. "Don't you think it's an invasion of privacy to be in someone's head?" she asked. "You know any other sure-fire way to avoid lies? Besides, I needed background info for Keith and Aspen. Speaking of, I find it lovely you love them so much. It changed the world it did" he said grilling onions and putting the gravy on. "How old are you really?" she asked. "Whew. Well, I think I'll be 1173 come this autumn equinox. Live this long, time kinda gets muddy. Especially in this room" he said looking around. "So, this body you have. Is it an illusion?" she asked. "Nope. It's real" he replied.

"Then because you're a Fae full blood you stopped aging?" she asked. Puck sighed as he spooned some mashed potatoes on plates and finished the steaks. He placed the plates on the table and had her sit down. "I did say if you passed that test I'll tell you everything didn't I?" he asked. Claire nodded as she cut her food. "Long ago, I lived among the Rose tribe. An outcast from my own acorn tribe, Titania and Oberon took me in. Because of my different family connections, I didn't specialize in nature magic. No, my skills were illusions. Near perfect copies. A skill I used to trick humans that entered our forest. Time passed and the skirmishes with Ebonheart took their toll on our numbers. A choice was made to mate with humans. Those that inherited out power stayed. Those that didn't were cast out. Well, we began to notice a problem with these Fae that had human blood in them. When they came of age, they were belligerent, dangerous, self-destructive. Some even died by their own hands."

"I was given a task. Guide them through their turbulent growing pains and instruct them on how to use their powers responsibly. Some I couldn't help no matter what I did. Those unfortunates had their power ripped away by Titania herself. Looking back, that was probably when she first had her taste of stealing the magic of others. You were not her first Claire. As the years passed, Oberon decided to realm the world in search of allies to fight Ebonheart. I myself was tasked to observe humanity to see if his idea of them being friends with us would or even could work. I didn't return for 400 years. Humans had changed me. I saw how cruel my tricks were. Fueling stories that Fae was evil sprites or imps of Lucifer himself. I thought I had done good by punishing the wicked but all I did was spread fear into the hearts of the innocent. I even fathered children with human women" he said placing his fork down.

"None of them were immortal. Not one. Sometimes I wonder why the goddess gave us immortality. What good is it when you outlive even your children?" he asked driving tea. When I returned to the forest, I was aghast to see almost everyone gone. Left long ago for the new world. Oberon still out there and not answering a single call or summon, Titania demanded to know my final opinion. She had been told by me of the big stuff.  The Hundred Years' War. The Spanish Inquisition. She seemed to revel in that for some reason. I made it a point to tell her that humans were capable of great virtues as well. A point lost on her. More years passed, and Oberon eventually did return but it didn't go well. His banishment made her distrust humans even more as she blamed them for the cause. A few decades ago, me and Titania got into a heated debate. She said that humans were the worst creatures to walk the earth and incapable of contributing anything of value. A bold statement is it not?" he asked.

"What about art? Literature? Medicine?" Claire asked. "Like she gave a shit Claire. Just about all Fae had left the first by then and she was determined to hate humans for it. I said something that would change everything for me, her, and what came afterwards. "Well they can give us offspring. Your argument is flawed my queen" I said. Fuck me was she pissed. Just to spite me. Just to prove me wrong, she decided to have a child by a human father. Not just any human though. She chose the vilest one near our forest" he said. "A rapist. Oberon told us this" Claire said finishing her food. "Yes...he was shrunk and brought to our forest. Seeing Titania, he wasted no time fucking her. It was interesting to see her happy. She actually had feelings for him and spoke of their lovemaking openly. Time proved it wasn't meant to be. It ended on the sourest of notes and Titania was bitter about the whole affair. However, she did get a lovely daughter out the deal. You grandmother Lily"

For a few years, Titania never brought humans up again choosing to use what power she had to seclude us from the outside world. Her empty kingdom like some creepy memorial to earlier times. Your grandmother clung to me like a vine. A father figure for her. She had incredible talent that me and her mother encouraged at an early age. Mastering size spells as early as five. Spells she used to play with children nearby. More than once I caught her shrinking kids and bringing them in our forest" Puck said chuckling. "As she got older though she started to use her powers for selfish dangerous reasons. What I'm doing to you now I did to her when she was 14 years of age. It was necessary. She was out of control. Shrinking village boys and having sex with them. Some...some never returned home. She denied it, but a shrunken shoe gave her away. She got angry and turned her power on me. Took me days to heal from the cuts from summoned thorny vines. I ambushed her when she was asleep, sealed her powers and shrunk her."

"She cried and said she was sorry, but I saw in her mind she wasn't. Her human blood burned in her. Demanded that she use her power. It hurt me so much to break her. Claire, I love your grandmother. Love her very much. It was my words that led to her being born after all. A week, it took a week to help her. And her last test revealed her motivations. What caused her violent outbursts and revelry. Her father. It was him that drove her. She wanted a human man's touch so badly she'd do anything for it. And when I performed the test, she nearly killed me" Puck said gathering the plates. "She passed it eventually. Doing it enough times, she learned to control her emotions and not let them control her. A task you will have to prove tomorrow" he said putting the plates in the sink. "What is the final test?" Claire asked. "One that will test your heart. One that will hurt you in such a way you will never forget. A necessary test" he replied softly. Claire really didn't like the sound of that.

"Your grandmother grew up to be a beautiful caring woman and would’ve stayed in the forest if I had taken her up on her offer" he said. "Offer?" Claire asked. "To be her husband. As I said before, feelings of fatherly abandonment influenced her mind. She saw in me a father figure and with almost no other males around anymore, she wanted me to be her mate. I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted. Good birthing hips. Ample breasts and backside. Flawless feet and toes. Her hair like spun gold. Sorely tempted indeed. Alas, I turned her down. As much as I might've lusted for her, I loved her more as a surrogate daughter. I'm sure it was my decision that had her leave. She may say it was to find out what happened to the other Fae or just to explore. No, it was me. Now as you know, Titania wasn't the model of sanity and she took the news of Lily wanting to leave not well. Hell, she grew a fucking wall of thorns around the village to keep her from leaving."

"Lily came to me begging for me to help her leave. After what I had done, I obliged. I created a perfect illusion of her to take her place. It would speak, eat, drink, shit, and sleep just like the real thing. Three days, I stayed awake three days to make sure the illusion never faltered. Then I fell asleep. Once I did the illusion disappeared. Disappeared at the worst time. Titania was telling the illusion how sorry she was for losing her temper and that she loved her deeply. Her wrath was astounding. She knew immediately I was to blame for her missing daughter and her humiliation of pouring her heart out to an illusion. Failing to find her by scrying, she demanded to know where she went. I didn't answer. She tortured me. Ground her dirty, sweaty, feet on my shrunken body. Squeezed me as hard as she could. She even sat on me for good measure. Still I didn't answer. She sat on her throne in grief like Lily had died. "She did what had to do Titania. Her human blood yearned to explore and learn what the world had to offer" I said making up excuses. That was the final straw for her. "Your childish tricks cost me my daughter. Always the trickster. Fine. By my power you merit a fate appropriate for one with a childish mind" she said coldly holding me in her fist."

"It hurt like the blazes as her curse invaded my very being. Once it was done I was cast out of our forest and bid never to return under penalty of death" he said. "What kind of curse?" Claire asked. "It's not obvious by looking at me? For every day that passes, I don't get older. I get younger. I won't die of old age. No, I'll age right to the point I cannot live outside of a womb. My fate is to die a premature fetus. Or it would've been if not for Lily. 12 years ago, by chance Lily found me. Depowered and small, I was mistaken for a borrower and caged for sale. She remembered me. My beautiful Lily remembered me. She was curious like you why I was younger without magic and I told her. The poor girl blamed herself and went about finding a way to break the curse. That was impossible. There aren't many in the world with that kind of power and even less those skilled in fairy curses. Lily never gave up and to stave off the curse, she rented a loft for me, gave me access to the dirt in her forest, and best yet, fashioned a special doorframe for me. Look there" he said pointing to it.

Claire looked at the wooden doorframe. The wood looked old but healthy and had carvings in it. "Arcane runes. A very complicated spell that makes time move at a crawl in here. How long have you been here Claire?" he asked. "About a day" she replied. "Only a few moments have passed outside. For every month out there, only a hour passes. I have been living here for over 200 years by my own time" he said finishing rinsing the dishes. Claire stood up and hugged him from behind. "I'm sorry you have to go through that" she said. "I wish you felt such pity for me tomorrow" Puck whispered. "I won't let it get to me whatever it is" she said. "Claire, I will do things in an effort to break you" he said coldly. He hid his face as she shed a tear. "Don't stay up too late. Big day tomorrow" he said leaving her on the kitchen.

Claire tried to sleep on the sofa bit found she couldn't. It wasn't as much as his story that kept her up. It was Puck himself. A perpetually young man living under a curse that flung him back into puberty days. A curse enacted by her own great grandmother. The power locked inside her. Could it corrupt her. Claire then truly saw the reason for the intervention. It already had. She found herself thankful she had people in her life that wanted to help her stay on track. And poor Puck. Living under home arrest for two centuries by now. To live so long and mold young Fae to be respectful only to have it turn to shit because of a good deed done in the name of love. And what about this test to come? Puck obviously didn't wish to speak of it and dreaded it more than she did. Claire tossed and turned thinking about it until she fell asleep.