The walk from the bus stop had been long, and a little frustrating. Nothing near what she had endured at work, but almost a capper to a crap day. She liked her job. Mr. Hemenez ran a great hardware store. And he beamed every time someone thanked him for the progressive pride flag on the front door. But the questions about Ali from her co-workers had been relentless. At least simple answers had been enough. It was the damned misgendering from customers. Keltam was the worst of it. He knew his business was too large a part of what was keeping the store healthy. That Mr. Hemenez – Julio – wouldn't just throw him out and tell him to never come back. Then there was the innuendo he layered onto the misgendering. She almost punched him over his "self-copping" joke.

Climbing the stairs to the third floor, she let out a weary sigh and let herself into the apartment. She had to smile seeing Ali lying on the couch. She turned slightly, feeling something about the room was different. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it felt warmer, safer.

On the couch, Ali's eyes opened slightly. She smiled and sat up. "Hey, Micha—" She stopped, sensing the tension in her sister-in-law. Her voice softened, "What happened?"

Micha hung her purse on one of the hooks next to the door. "Keltam. Fucker made a 'joke' about feeling myself up. I almost decked him." Her head bowed. "I can still hear him and his business partner laughing as I told Jerry to take over."

Fluidly, Ali stood, tails appearing from the pocket dimension and walked over. She wrapped Micha in a warm hug with arms and tails. "It's ok, sugah, you're home, you're safe." In the back of her mind, a fox yiped, wanting to go on the hunt. To return hurt for hurt. Ali held it in firm check. She knew Micha's preference to fight her own battles.

"Ali…" She almost melted into the embrace. "Ali, it's almost too much. He's there almost every day. Julio can't really afford to throw his scummy ass out."

"I know. You'd mentioned 'Nutless' months ago and how he acts." She led Micha to the couch and sat her down. "Wait here. I'll get us some tea… or would you rather a long-neck Deschutes?"

"I'll take the beer." She sat back on the couch as Ali disappeared into the kitchen. "Did… Did you do something to the couch? It feels different, cozier."

Ali returned with Micha's beer and a Coke for herself. "Yeah. Well, two things really." She gave Micha the beer and then sat down. Her tails slipped into the pocket of other-space behind the cushion.

Micha blinked. "What…?"

Ali smiled. "I added a pocket dimension for my tails. I also found that the person who built the couch originally included enchantments in its frame."

"No way—magic is bun—" She looked at Ali, words dying in her mouth. "Seriously?"

Ali nodded. "Seriously. I revitalized them. They facilitate well-being, safety."

Micha leaned forward and sipped her beer. "Wow…"

They drank in silence for a few minutes. "Magic is that real? Like in common things?"

"’Pears so, sugah. I was surprised, t' find it in our couch, but here it is." She paused a moment, weighing something in her mind.

"What's up, Ali? I can still tell that look of yours when you're wrestling with something."

"I… I want to offer you something Micha. A gift borne out of love. I'm just not sure how to put it."

"Well, in words generally is the best way." Micha grinned and took a swig of beer.

"Hah. I'm serious. It has to do with some of the spells I've learned. I… I can fully change your gender for you. All at your choice, your direction. But no more HRT. Beard plucking—"

Micha glared at her. "Is this your idea of a joke? Offering to 'fix' me?"

Ali's ears folded into a submissive cant. "No. I'm not joking—you should know I'd never joke about this. And it isn't 'fixing' it's—you're family, Micha. I want you to feel safe, happy, whole. What I'm offering is at your choice. To accept or not. To guide what changes are made, what aren't." Her ears dropped flat. "I'm sorry if I overstepped or offended you."

Micha finished her beer and set the empty beside the couch. "I… I'm not sure how I feel about it, Ali. I appreciate your intent. I just…"

"It's ok… I…" Ali fell silent. She hunched forward. "I've listened and heard you describe knowing something was out of place but not being able to act. I lucked into having something I didn't even know was missing. I just… I want to share."

Micha nodded. "That's why I'm conflicted. Look, Ali, give me some time to mull this over. And no, sis, you didn't fuck up."