We left the restaurant, and he picked up my hand, putting it into the crook of his arm again. “It’s not far, but tell me if any spirits seem interested. Although I think my magic might sort of provide cover for you if I let it leak out a bit.”

I felt his magic start to pour from him in a sort of weak, steady stream. “Interesting idea. We’ll see if it works.”

We walked along quietly for a while.

“Michael is a mess.” I muttered, hoping Fen hadn’t really been listening to our conversation.

“But very fond of you.”

“Yeah.” I smiled.

“I’m glad you have so many friends who love you.”

I blinked, then beamed at him, “Me too!”

We’d walked a little further when a car slowed down beside us and I heard an obnoxious wolf-whistle.

Our heads jerked around, and I saw Fen bristling, but then we both realized it was Michael. He was laughing. “You should have seen both of your expressions! Hop in! I’ll drive the rest of the way.”

“Shotgun!” I giggled, and clambered into the passenger seat.

Fen slipped into the back.

“What did our expressions look like?” I asked my friend as we started driving.

“You looked irritated, and Fen looked ready to kill someone!” Michael laughed.

“Had it been anyone other than you, yes.” Fen shrugged.

“I was irritated.” I snorted.

Michael took us swiftly to the store, which was only about three more blocks down.

“You’re getting fancy clothes from your sugar daddy!” Michael sang as he parallel parked.

“Michael!” I protested, feeling my face heat. “We’re just friends!”

“Eh, whatever.” Fen shrugged.

“Fen!” I cried, “Don’t side with him!”

The men both burst into laughter simultaneously. Boys. They were boys. Children.

“You two are the worst!” I pouted.

“You’re cute, kid.” Michael grinned mischievously at me.

“He’s not wrong.” Fen agreed.

“Ya'll suck.” I unbuckled.

“Wait.” Fen said, serious again. He got out of the car and darted around, opening the door. “There.”

“Oh come on, he’s opening doors for you, girl!” Michael teased.

“Yes, but it does serve a purpose other than being polite, I’m looking around to make sure no spirits will catch her unawares as she’s getting out of the vehicle.” Fen explained quietly.

Michael grew serious. “Oh, that makes sense.”

“We’re still working on the ring that will hide her from spirits.” the fey king said.

“Yeah, she told me that. How much longer do you think it’ll take?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” Fen sighed.

“It’s alright, Fen, things are fine as is. I can wait as long as I need to.” I assured him.

“Good.” he smiled slightly.

We went into the store, and Fen was immediately greeted by a sales associate. “Mr. Idylwilde! So good to see you!” I could see from the vague image of the glamour that Fen had up, that he’d kept his appearance to humans the same as what they’d seen before he’d grown. It was a little odd, but it worked. “Are you here for another sweater, perhaps?”

“No, we’re looking for work clothes for Mercy.” Fen put his hand on my shoulder.

The lady smiled, “Of course. We’ll get a changing room prepared in the back for you.” she motioned at one of her coworkers, then asked, “So, sheath dresses, pencil skirts, slacks, blazers, button-ups, blouses, skirts, shoes?”

“A little bit of everything. It’s to go on my account.” Fen nodded, and I saw that the sales associate’s name tag said Tina.

“Yes sir.” Tina nodded, then told me, “We’ll have a look through the business part of the store, and you can tell me what styles catch your eye, and if you have any color preferences.”

We walked around the store, and I pointed out a few things I liked. Tina was good at her job, and picked up on what I liked quickly.

“Alright, I think we have enough to work with.” Tina smiled at me, “Are you ready to try stuff on?”

“Sure.” I nodded.

They led us all back to a private changing room area, where there were seats, plenty of mirrors, and then a curtained-off spot for me to actually try on the clothes.

Another girl met us there.

“I’ll check back in later! Tell Liz here if you need to swap out sizes, styles, or colors as needed!” Tina explained to me.

Liz cast an appraising eye over us, her eyes slid over me, but lingered on Fen. Of course they would, he was gorgeous, even though she could only see his much shorter, human glamour. She was about as short as I was, but was very thin and fit-looking, whereas I was a little on the softer side nowadays. Not that I’d ever been what could be described as fit.

“Go ahead and try them on.” Liz said in a bored voice, motioning at the clothes hanging in the curtained fitting room. “You know the drill.” The initial sales attendant, Tina, had been obliging, friendly, and good at her job, whereas Liz clearly didn’t want to be there, and had little time for me. She let the curtain close behind me, leaving me to change.

I slipped into a sheath dress. Examining myself in the mirror, I managed a smile. It actually looked nice. The bodice was lilac, and the skirt itself was navy. Yes, I liked that. It made me look a bit slimmer than I was.

After putting on a pair of low nude heels, I stepped out, actually feeling confident, for once.

“I like this one.” I said, smoothing out the dress. “It’s not too tight. And it’s comfortable. I don't usually like sheath dresses, but it’s a knit fabric, which makes it different than most I’ve ever tried.”

I stepped into the three-paneled mirror to get a better view, and saw Liz smirk and roll her eyes, then look away in disinterest from where she stood behind Fen and Michael’s seats. I could tell that Fen and Michael had seen her reaction, and they both looked at me to see my reaction.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Michael’s eyebrows shot up, and Fen’s were furrowed. I just shrugged and shook my head a little. Maybe she’d just had a bad day, or really hated her job. I probably wouldn't have liked it much either, if it were my job.

“It looks very nice.” Fen said, smiling slightly. “You should get a couple in different colors.”

“I like the way he thinks!” Michael laughed. “I agree. I’d get those same heels in navy and black too, although I know you prefer navy. But it’s better to have all three neutrals.”

“Alright. They’re not too tall, either, so they’ll work.”

“Next!” Michael sang.

I went back into the fitting room, and tried on a white blouse with a lovely, ditsy floral skirt. The skirt was a little too small in the waist, but otherwise I liked it a lot, so I didn’t zip it up all the way in the back. It zipped up enough not to show my underwear, so I went to show them. “The skirt is small in the waist, but I really like it otherwise. The shirt fits fine.” I said as I went to the mirror.

Another eye roll and smirk from Liz, but this time she muttered something beneath her breath. I didn’t catch all of what she’d said, I got the impression she didn’t think any of us could hear her, but she had definitely insulted me.

Fen’s head snapped towards her, expression furious. “Excuse me?!” he demanded.

She blinked, turning red at being caught saying rude things. “U-uh…”

Fen stood, seething with anger, Michael stood, flinging out a staying arm, muttering “Fen, she ain’t sh*t.”

“Did you hear what she said?!” Rage practically rolled off of the fey king in waves as he seethed.

“Nah, I don’t pay attention to rude b*tches.” Michael replied mildly, smirking at the fitting room attendant.

“I-I didn’t-” Liz started to protest.

“You’re just jealous of her!” Fen snapped. “Being horrible to a kind soul like Mercy because you hate yourself won’t get you anywhere. Get out!” he pointed at the door.

Liz fled the room.

I was a little surprised with how angry Fen had gotten. “What’d she say?! I only caught a little bit of it.”

“I’m not going to repeat it.” Fen shook his head. “It doesn't bear repeating because it’s not true.”

“I know she called me fat. I may have gained weight, and am not exactly happy about it, but I try not to let other peoples' words get to me." My mind drifted back to when the sorority girl had called me an ugly shit at the cafe. It had only stung a little, and this only stung a little too. My own thoughts about myself were far more brutal, so the words of others often hurt less than they would have otherwise.

“Skinniness doesn't equate beauty, anyways.” Fen said, shaking his head.

“Yeah, cause she was skinny, but it didn't make her pretty. Her personality ruins what she had going for her.” Michael shrugged.

“Thank you for sticking up for me, Fen.” It was nice to be somewhat unbothered by the situation.

The fey king merely shook his head, muttering darkly in Faerie.

Tina came in, looking confused and a bit out of sorts. “Forgive my intrusion, but did something happen?”

“The fitting room attendant was extremely rude to Mercy.” Michael said, crossing his arms.

Fen stepped forward, “She said-” he blocked his mouth from my view, bending down closer to Tina’s ear, and murmuring quietly enough that I couldn't hear. “And that’s entirely inappropriate.”

“Oh my!” Tina exclaimed. “Yes, that’s completely unacceptable!” she came to me, tone deeply apologetic, “I am so sorry! I need to go speak to the manager, then I’ll be back and help you myself!” She hurried from the room, then returned momentarily. “Again, I’m so sorry for that.”

“It’s not your fault.” I shrugged, then motioned at the skirt, “Could I get this in a larger size?"

“Absolutely!” she said, disappearing for a little while, and returning with the skirt in hand.

“Thanks!” I went and tried it on, and this time it fit perfectly.

“Is that better?” Tina asked through the curtain.

“Yes ma’am, thank you!”

“Good!"

The fashion show continued, and finally we had far too many things that I liked set aside to buy.

“Is that enough?” Fen asked me.

“That’s way more than enough. I should put some back.” I chewed my lip, casting my gaze over the to-buy clothing rack.

“No, it’s fine.” he shook his head, “I want you to have options.”

“But-”

“No buts.” Fen cut me off, “Go change back.”

I heaved a great sigh, knowing it was pointless to argue when he had his mind made up. “Fine.” Going back into the fitting room, I slipped back into my own clothes, then stepped out again, but this time, Fen wasn’t there, and all the clothes were gone as well.

“Fen went to pay.” Michael told me.

“Oh, right.”

“Come on.”

“Thanks for coming, Michael. I had a lot of fun, rude fitting room attendant aside.”

My best human friend smiled, “Me too! It’s been too long since I saw you in person.”

“Yeah, really.”

“Oh, do you know what Fen’s shirt is made of?”

“What? Oh, probably silk or-”

But he cut me off, “Husband material. Like seriously. Skip dating him. Just wife that man already! Or fey. Whatever he is.” he waved his hand impatiently.

“Michael!” I rolled my eyes, “Seriously, stop. It’s not funny. Just because it’s true doesn't mean anything!”

“You saw how angry he was! How he stuck up for you!”

“You’d have done the same, and you’re not even straight.” I shook my head.

“Yes, but if I were straight, I’d wife you. You’re my best friend!” he rolled his eyes.

“Exactly! You’re my best human friend, and Fen is my best fey friend. It’s the same, except he’s not gay, or...I don't think he is, anyways. He only said he's straight enough." I shook my head, continuing, "But like you, he’s also not interested in me like that. And it’s okay! It’s good, actually! That way neither of us will get hurt!”

“Mercy, I-”

“Ready to go?” Fen came back in, carrying two huge bags without any difficulty in one hand.

“Yeah.”

We left the private fitting room area.

A man dressed in a suit met us just as we approached the door to the shop. He addressed me. “I was talking with Mr. Idylwilde about the unfortunate situation with the fitting room attendant. I want to apologize on behalf of the store and the entire brand, because that’s not how we treat our customers.”

“Oh. Thank you.” I smiled. They were probably only being so nice because Fen was rich. But it was nice to get an apology.

“Will you fire her?” Michael asked bluntly.

“Yes. This wasn’t the first time she’s behaved poorly.” The manager sighed, shaking his head. “Please take this as a token of our apology and appreciation for your business.” he held out a gift card to me. “It can be used at any location our parent company owns.”

I accepted it, surprised, “Oh. Thank you!”

“Please have a wonderful evening.” The manager said, and we left.

“You should take this. You’re the one who spent money there.” I held out the gift card to Fen as we walked to this car.

But he waved it away, “Nah, keep it. I don’t need it. I’m rich, remember?”

“Fine.” I muttered, then looked more closely at the card. “Oh, their parent company owns a couple of restaurants.” My eyes settled on the amount on the corner of the card, and I gasped, “It’s for $200?! Just what did that lady say that they gave me that much on a gift card?!”

“It was bad, Mercy. You could have argued it was sexual harassment.” Michael shook his head.

“Yikes!” I grimaced.

“Exactly.” Fen sighed. “Well, we should probably get going before it gets too dark.”

“Good point.” Spirits tended to be more active at night.

“Alright.” Michael hugged me. “We should hang out again soon!”

“Fen, can Michael come to Faerie sometime?”

“Sure.” the fey king shrugged.

“Okay! You can come to Faerie next time!” I giggled.

“Sounds good to me!” Michael smiled.

Fen and I bade him goodbye, and started walking. “Okay, we need to find a secluded area to do this in.” He looked around. “Oh, that’ll work.” The fey man pulled me into a long, narrow alley, then turned to face me. “We have to move pretty fast, and you won’t be able to keep up. Can I lift you?”

“Can you do it with the bags?”

“Of course.”

“Just give them to me.” I said.

“Fine.” he shrugged.

I took a bag in each hand. “Alright.”

Fen scooped me up easily, saying, “You might want to close your eyes.”

I squeezed them shut and felt him burst into a sprint. Wind whipped around us, tossing my hair around wildly. Fen’s magic surged, and I felt him slow, then stop.

“Alright, we’re there.” he said.

I opened my eyes as Fen put me down. We were standing in front of the front steps to his manor. “That wasn’t too bad.”

“Here.” he brushed my hair into place. “The wind is the only downside.”

“That’s alright!” I laughed. My hair was usually a mess anyways.

The door opened, and Rose greeted us, coming forward to take the bags from me. “Welcome home!”