[pseudoclever]

9. Three Types of Tension


Ten minutes later Anthony led Tiffany and I down the back stairs of his apartment, all the while shooting furtive glances over his shoulder to make sure we weren't seen. He made us press together against his door while he worked the lock, shielding us with his body. The closeness was momentarily surprising ? Tiffany tight against me, nearly eight feet tall from my perspective and barely dressed. And mere inches from my face, just beneath eye level, was Anthony's crotch. I took a deep breath, controlling my reaction to the two giants, until finally the door opened and we slipped inside.

The apartment looked gigantic, predictable, and for a moment I just stood taking it in. What stuck me wasn't the massive size, but that the place wasn't near as messy as I'd expected. Sure it could've used a woman's touch: a pass with a vacuum, maybe a couple house plants. But, no empty pizza boxes stacked on the floor, no empty beer cans on the coffee table, no posters of half-naked ladies on motor bikes...I'd say he was doing alright for himself.

Tiffany, however, seemed less than thrilled. She strutted about the room, a displeased, almost motherly expression on her face. The four foot girl ran her hand through the fabric of his window curtain, swiped a finger across his dusty bookshelf. I had to fight down an almost suicidal urge to laugh. Tiffany's miniscule size, her surroundings and attire, most of all that look on her face ? she looked like the world's smallest combination swimsuit model and housekeeping judge.

Er...second-smallest, I guess.

?I SUPPOSE these quarters will do,? the larger girl sighed. ?Now before you do anything else Anthony, go prepare a room for us. Samantha and I will take our growth serum, at once.? She waved a hand, dismissing him.

Anthony turned, halfway through the act of putting his coat on a hanger. ?You know Miss Ardeen...Tiffany. This whole act of yours is wearing a little thin. I've worked with you for over two years now. In that time, you've done nothing but treat me like a servant....?

?I NEVER!? Tiffany interrupted, sounding genuinely offended. But Anthony spoke over her, never missing a beat.

?...and I'm not going to take it. This is my HOME. Sorry, but you're going to have to give me some respect while you're here.?

Tiffany glowered, hands on hips. ?Oh, now I understand. You think that since you've shrunk me to the size of a pre-schooler that you're big man on campus now. Finally going to stand up to your big, scary boss, are you?? Her voice had risen a couple notches, and she was advancing on him, fist raised. ?I won't stand for you trying to turn this situation to your advantage you...you vulture!?

I expected him to break, to apologize. But surprisingly, Anthony stood his ground. ?Funny how you accuse ME of using an unfair size advantage, when using your height to push people around is basically all you do.? He crossed his arms, peering down at the snarling girl, who now stood only inches from his chest.

?Take...that...BACK!?

?No.? He sighed. ?Look Tiffany, let's get to the point. I admit I'm responsible for you being this small. And I did it without fully understanding what was going on between...you and Samantha. But look. Regardless of how this happened, you're here because you need my help. All I ask is that you treat me...well, if not as though you're grateful, like I'm being a friend to you...how about for once you act like I'm a human being??

The silence that fell so was heavy that it was almost a physical object. Anthony continued to stare down his miniature boss, and although Tiffany kept right on scowling, her eyes were now fixed on the corner of the room. Watching those two giants argue, feeling the tension in the room, I felt smaller than ever.

When Tiffany finally spoke, it was barely a whisper. ?Sorry.?

The word was so quiet that I was sure Anthony would demand she say it again, and that the fight would flare back up.

?Okay,? Anthony breathed, in a manner that suggested the subject was closed. ?Anyway. Yes, it IS our first priority to get the two of you growing again. Come on, we can use my bedroom.?

He turned, motioned, led us down the hallway. I followed behind, feeling like a pygmy warrior stalking an elephant. A moment later I heard Tiffany's running footsteps, and when I looked the tiny giantess was scurrying along behind, her enormous handbag slung over her shoulder.

Anthony's bedroom was as well-kept as the rest of his apartment. It looked as if he had cleaned up recently, and unless he had taken to sleeping on the couch, he'd made his bed the previous morning. Tiffany came in behind me, and nodded a faint sort of approval. ?Alright then. Samantha, seeing as you're so much shorter than I, why don't you be the first to take an application of the growth cream??

I felt a sudden, irrational urge to object, to tell her I wanted to be this small for just a teensy bit longer.

?Very nice of you,? I replied instead.

She gave me another of those disconcerting mind-reading grins of hers, and began to rustle around inside her purse. ?Hop up on the bed, then. It won't be as comfortable as my massage table, but it'll have to do.?

I approached Anthony's bed, feeling its owner's eyes on me. How I'd wanted to see this place, to be here in this room with him. And what a strange way this was of getting my wish. After a moment, another thought occurred ? the bed wasn't especially high, but at my current height of three feet it would be at the very least 'inconvenient' to try and climb it.

I was trying to figure out how best to go about this while still maintaining my dignity, when I felt Anthony come up beside me. ?Want a hand??

Pleased to hear a distinct lack of humor in his voice, I nodded.

Anthony bent to one knee, slipped one arm behind my back, and another beneath my knees. He lifted slowly, trying not to disorient me. And then something strange happened. He just...held me. It went on that way for what felt like an eternity, with him hugging me gently against his chest, and my arms wrapped tight around his neck for support. I had time to think how awkward this should be ? being cradled like a baby by a man who I not only had the hots for, but who had also been six inches shorter than me as recently as yesterday. And I had time to realize that no, it didn't feel awkward at all.

But then Anthony came to his senses. He set me down on the bed, and stepped respectfully away as I crawled over to sit on its edge.

Tiffany came to stand at my feet, and I caught a brief sneer on her face that just might have been jealousy. The way she positioned herself before me, stopping directly between my legs, just a little too close, was almost casual. Almost. She tried to give me that same old confident smirk, the one that always made me feel like a pathetic little supplicant grovelling at her feet. Somehow though, it had lost its edge.

?Very well then, Samantha. Just get yourself comfortable. You're going to enjoy this sweetie, I promise. Time for a nice little rub-down...with some of this.?

The girl lifted a squat plastic tub, holding it up so I could read its label. It was the same one I had seen earlier, with the little 'plus' sign scrawled on its side. It looked practically enormous in Tiffany's hand, and I was again forcibly reminded that, even though the girl was MUCH bigger than I was, she was still pretty tiny.

?Woah, woah hold on!? I held up my hands, warning her back. ?The LAST time you showed me that bottle you gave me the old switch-er-oo, and I ended up even smaller than I was before. How do I know this isn't another trick??

?Would it be so bad if it was?? Tiffany spoke the words innocently, but again there was that smirk. The one that said 'I'm big and you're little and I know you love it.'

She was right of course, damn her, and I could already feel the temptation of shrinking beating hot in my temples. I could just ask her for the other bottle if I wanted, the one with the minus sign. She had almost certainly brought it with her.

Anthony had come silently to stand beside Tiffany. She started guiltily as he came into her peripheral vision, then pretended to ignore him. Anthony seemed to be trying to get between the two of us. Protecting me? Or was he jealous, too? In any case the two giants were both close enough that I could reach out and touch them...and close enough that both were strengthening that tingling awareness of my tiny stature. Anthony especially. He was huge to me, almost twice my size, yet I could easily imagine what he would look like if he were just a bit bigger...if I shrank down another inch. Or two. Or....

?No,? I said at last, pulling away from the fantasy. ?It's going to take long enough to get back to normal as-is. If that's really the growth potion, then give it here and I'll use it.?

Tiffany looked momentarily disappointed, but the smirk was back almost immediately. ?Oh, did you forget? The growth cream REQUIRES another person in order to be activated. So you see Samantha...you HAVE to let me touch you.?

She was right on top of me now, leaning, one of her braids falling 'accidentally' into my face. From the corner of my eye I saw Anthony stiffen, cross his arms. The gesture was almost petulant ? so it WAS jealousy.

?And so...I'll just give you another little massage. Only this time I promise you'll end up bigger than when we start. Anthony can even stay and watch, to prevent any mischief on my part. And maybe...just maybe...he'll let me...finish...with you this time.?

?Tiffany,? I whispered, in my most seductive voice.

?Yes?? She drew the word out in a purr.

?Give the jar to Anthony.?

?What.? The word was flat. Not a question ? a declaration of outrage.

?Yeah, sorry, but I just don't trust you at the moment. What if that really IS shrinking cream, and before Anthony can do anything you dump the entire jar on me? How small would I end up THEN??

The question hung for a moment, the two of us each imagining the answer. And in that silence, I saw something in Tiffany's eyes...something that I didn't identify until much later.

?Anyway, you've already rubbed me quite a bit today. You must be pretty sick of it. Why not let someone else have a turn.? I paused, looking up at Anthony. ?You...don't mind, do you??

He gave me a long-suffering sigh, and I almost didn't notice the twitch of a smile at the corner of his lip. ?I suppose not,? he answered seriously.

Tiffany shook her head in disbelief. She reached up, defeated, and pressed the jar into Anthony's outstretched hand. Without another word, she turned and padded for the door.

I called after her. ?Hey, you don't have to leave. Stay and watch why don't you? I bet it'll be a hell of a show.?

?Thank you, but I just...I think I want to go lie down for awhile.? All the passion had left her voice...she really DID sound exhausted. Tiffany bent, retrieving her giant handbag, and looked over her shoulder at Anthony. ?Samantha and I are sleeping in the living room, or...??

He shook his head. ?There's a spare bedroom, second door on the right. I haven't changed the sheets in awhile, but it's all made up. Here, I'll show....?

?That's okay, I'll find it. I may be little, but I'm...you know. Not helpless. Have fun you two.?

And with those words hanging in the air, she left us. Anthony and I were alone ? together.