Rory was carrying a small bag as he walked up to the smiling Stephanie.

That smile keeps getting to me. Then he gave himself a mental headshake. Keep it together, Rory. Time to try this and hope the advice was good.

“Hey Steph,” he said nervously. “I umm.… brought you something.” He was looking at the desk she was behind as he said it. Then he hesitantly lifted the bag and held it out for her.

She giggled. “Why thank you, Rory. That’s very sweet.”

He shrugged. “It’s just a little something so you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” He looked up at her through his lashes and saw her smiling widely. She opened the bag and took out the tiny bottle.

She took a brief sniff and looked a bit surprised. Shit. Was it the wrong choice? “If you don’t like it, I can exchange it for a different one,” he rushed to say.

“Did you pick it out because you liked the smell?” she asked gently while looking up at him. He nodded, blushing. “Well, then I’ll make sure to be wearing it when I see you next.” She put it back in the bag and put it in her own vault, which he couldn’t see. She wasn’t wearing a ring. “For now,” she continued, interrupting his musings, “let’s get you measured.”

He nodded and followed her and proceeded to strip in front of her again. This had become something of their unofficial routine apparently. This time she didn’t touch his skin, but she did help put his hair up and kissed the back of neck again. His skin got those little bumps and he shivered from the contact.

After successfully getting scanned, she took him to the room and spoke as she guided him to what had become their standard position on the couch: her sitting and him lying comfortably with his head on her lap. Without looking at the data, she said, “Based on what I saw when you took off your clothes, you must be having some growing pains.”

Rory was surprised but nodded.

“Let’s check your results then” she said while looking at the tablet for the first time.

She tapped it for a bit before speaking. “I’d say you’ve been investing in your vitality again and added to strength as well.” As always, he didn’t respond. “Your increase in fiber density is continuing without any measurable drop-off in any of the two main areas we look for, skeletomuscular and circulatory.”

She looked down at him with a grin. “Slow and steady is good.” He blushed and cleared his throat but nodded. She giggled but continued her report. “Both density and muscle mass increased this time,” she told him. “It was pretty obvious,” she added with a hungry look. He felt his blush deepen but she continued without stopping. “Even so, I’d give your body a rest if I were you. You should avoid investing any points for at least a few days. Give your body time to adapt.”

He sighed.

I would if I could. I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it. Stupid bloody broken tree.

She looked down at him concerned. “I’m serious, Rory. You really should slow down. You have time.”

He could only sigh again in response.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

She looked down with a determined face. “Sit up. Let’s talk for a second.”

He did, looking at her nervously once they were both upright on the couch. She moved close enough that what her professional skirt exposed of her slim legs were touching his. “What’s wrong that you feel you have to grow so fast?” she asked him. “Would a day or two of stopping really be that bad? Is someone pressuring you? Family?”

Rory looked at her and then down at his lap, unsure how to respond. He was debating just that when she spoke up again. “For whatever reason, you’re really secretive. I know you said you don’t trust people. I understand that and you don’t have to tell me.” Then she put her hand on his in his lap. “Just know I’m concerned for you.”

He couldn’t think of what to say other than I can’t. And he knew that answer would lead to even more questions.

“I’m going to come closer, okay?” Rory heard her say. He looked at her and nodded. She stood up then, walked over, and slowly sat on his lap. He could have stopped her. A part of him almost did. But he found he really didn’t want to.

She then put her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder. He heard say next to his ear, “It’s okay to not tell me, but I’ll listen if you want to talk about it.”

Sighing, he wrapped his arms around her and they just sat there like that for a while. After a few minutes of pleasant comfort and silence, Rory asked something he been both curious and fearful of. “Umm. Can I ask a question about body changes?”

“Sure,” she said while nodding into his shoulder.

“What does adding agility do and would that add more stress to my body?”

She sat up and looked at him with an incredulous expression. He held up one hand in surrender while still holding her back with the other. “I’m asking because I want to know if it’s safe. If not, I won’t do it.”

She seemed to slump slightly with relief and explained. “Agility can vary based on body type. With your musculoskeletal structure, I’d guess your ligaments and tendons would gain elasticity and probably resilience to tearing. You might also get a little lightening of the bones, but with the density gains I’ve been seeing, I can’t say how much effect it would have on your overall maneuverability. Remember, I see things from an armorer’s perspective, not a doctor’s or biochemist’s – so what I’m saying is based on my experience and expertise. Even so, I don’t think it would be a good idea to invest in your body for a couple of days, agility or otherwise. Hold the SVs if you can, or use them on your constructs if you can’t and have to spend them for whatever reason.”

Rory sighed. “Thanks. I guess I’ll try to hold off,” he told her.

Feeling brave, he leaned forward. She smiled and matched him, allowing their lips to touch.

She backed up after a few seconds and said, “Hey, so remember what I said about having some fun without sex? You interested in trying? I promise not to push too far. You’re in charge so we stop when you say stop. Okay?”

Rory watched her but didn’t find anything but affection and maybe desire. He nodded slowly, a mix of nervous and excited.

“Are okay if I touch you on the chest and face?”

He nodded. She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him again. Then without releasing his lips, she reached down and under his shirt, running her hands along his sides and then up over his chest. He gasped a little and his hand around her pulled her closer slightly out of reflex or instinct. The burning tingling was back as her hands moved over his chest and then lower to his stomach. Her fingers were at his pant line when then tucked under just a tiny bit and he gasped into her mouth again. They moved around to his side and went slightly farther in.

“Okay,” he said quickly. She immediately stopped and pulled back. He was panting for breath, his whole body on fire.

“That was nice for me. Did you like it?” she asked with a kind smile.

He nodded. “Yeah. It was intense though. My skin’s been kind of sensitive since I got inscribed.”

“Oh? Well that’s good to know,” she said with a sly grin. “That’s for the future though. Making out is fun, right? And like I said, you can tell me to stop at any time it gets too much.”

He looked at her and saw she was flushed. “You okay?” he asked.

She giggled. “I’m fine. A little pent up. But okay.”

“Uhhh…” was all he could say to that statement.

She laughed out loud. “Relax Rory,” she said as she patted his chest. “Let’s save that conversation for later.” Then with a smile Rory had trouble focusing through, she asked, “For now, want to try again?”

His body basically nodded without him even realizing he was doing it.