Chapter 64 – Blushing Confessions

Jack and Emily had just left the living room, giving Madelyn and Sarah some time to themselves after the heavy conversation about the spy and Aeloria. Madelyn sat on the couch, her thoughts swirling, while Lyra perched on top of her head, her tiny presence a comforting weight. Sarah, sitting close beside her, nudged her lightly, breaking the silence.

“Sooo,” Sarah began, her tone light and playful, “what do you want to do? Do you need some time to think things over, or should we play another game, or maybe do something else?”

Madelyn considered her question for a moment before sighing. “A distraction sounds nice,” she admitted, “but I’m not really in the mood for Mario Kart. I don’t want to have to concentrate too much. Maybe we can do something relaxing?”

Sarah’s face lit up at Madelyn’s response. “Oh! Then I know something... I can paint your nails,” she said with a playful grin, wiggling her fingers for emphasis.

Madelyn blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. “Paint my nails?” she repeated, unsure if Sarah was serious.

“Yeah!” Sarah said, leaning closer. “I mean, you’ve got that whole beauty vibe going on right now—the dress, the hair, everything. Adding painted nails would just complete the look. Plus, it’s relaxing, trust me.”

Madelyn hesitated for a moment, glancing down at her hands. She’d never done anything like that before, but the idea sounded oddly appealing. “Okay,” she said shyly, “but nothing too flashy.”

Sarah clapped her hands together, clearly thrilled. “Yes! Alright, sit in front of me,” she instructed, patting the couch in front of her.

Madelyn complied, folding her legs beneath her as she sat down. Sarah pulled out her small pouch of nail polishes from her bag, displaying an array of colors. “Okay, pick one!” she said, holding up several bottles like they were the crown jewels. “We’ve got classic red, soft pink, sky blue, or—ooh, this shimmery gold one.”

Madelyn studied the options for a moment before pointing to the soft pink. “This one. It’s pretty.”

“Great choice,” Sarah said, grinning as she twisted the bottle open. She gently took Madelyn’s hand, her touch sending a wave of warmth through Madelyn that she tried to ignore.

As Sarah began to paint, her focus shifted entirely to Madelyn’s nails, her tongue poking out slightly in concentration. “Stay still,” she said, her voice teasing. “I want this to be perfect.”

Madelyn smiled softly, watching Sarah work. Her thoughts began to drift, her mind replaying the moment from earlier when Sarah had reacted to her calling her cute. The way Sarah’s cheeks had flushed, the way she’d stumbled over her words—it had made Madelyn feel… warm, like she had butterflies in her stomach. It was still a new feeling for her, but not an unwelcome one.

“Hey,” Sarah said, her voice breaking through Madelyn’s thoughts. “You’re quiet. Tell me what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

Madelyn blushed, shaking her head slightly. “Nothing,” she murmured, but the way her voice wavered betrayed her.

Sarah smirked knowingly. “Sure, sure. Well, whatever it is, I hope it’s good stuff,” she said, her tone light as she moved on to the next hand.

Madelyn watched Sarah’s face, the way her brow furrowed slightly in concentration, the way her eyes sparkled when she glanced up to meet Madelyn’s gaze. “It is,” Madelyn admitted softly, surprising even herself with the confession.

Sarah looked up, her expression curious. “Wha?”

“Good stuff,” Madelyn said quickly, her cheeks heating as she tried to play it off.

Sarah laughed, shaking her head. “You’re adorable, you know that?”

Madelyn didn’t respond, her heart racing too fast to form words. Instead, she let herself enjoy the closeness and warmth.

Madelyn’s gaze drifted down to her hands as Sarah continued painting her nails, the soft pink polish glinting in the light. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, circling back to the feelings she’d been trying to push aside for a while now. It wasn’t just the playful nudges or the warm smiles—it was the way her heart seemed to beat faster whenever Sarah leaned in close, the way her skin tingled where Sarah’s fingers brushed hers.

I have a crush on Sarah.

The realization hit her like a wave. She’d wondered before, but letting herself admit it felt monumental, like stepping off a ledge into the unknown. Did she really like Sarah—her best friend, her constant companion since childhood?

The thought was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. A thousand questions filled her mind, chasing each other in circles. What if she doesn’t feel the same? What if it changes everything between us? She couldn’t bear the thought of losing the comfort they shared, the bond that had only grown deeper since her transformation.

But she also couldn’t deny the fluttering in her chest when Sarah smiled at her, the warmth that spread through her whenever Sarah teased her in that soft, affectionate way. It was more than just friendship—it had to be.

Sarah suddenly looked up beaming, clearly pleased with her work as she gently wiggled Madelyn’s hand, showing off the fresh coat of soft pink polish. “See? Perfect!” she said with a playful grin, her green eyes sparkling. “You’re officially fancy now, Maddy.”

Madelyn smiled, her heart fluttering at the sight of Sarah’s delight. The color really did suit her, soft and delicate, just like Sarah had said. “Yeah,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “Perfect.” But as the word left her lips, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was talking about the nails—or the person holding her hand.

Sarah set Madelyn’s hand down gently, but her touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary. “Okay, now you just have to sit still while it dries,” she said, leaning back against the couch with a satisfied sigh. “No smudging my masterpiece, alright?”

Madelyn nodded, folding her hands carefully in her lap. She glanced down at the polished nails, then up at Sarah, who was now scrolling through her phone, her expression relaxed and carefree. Madelyn’s mind was anything but. The warmth of Sarah’s touch still lingered on her skin, and her heart felt like it was trying to beat its way out of her chest.

She wanted to say something—anything—but the words stuck in her throat. How could she even begin to explain what she was feeling? The thought of risking their friendship, of possibly losing this closeness, made her chest tighten. But at the same time, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wanted more. She wanted to hold Sarah’s hand without an excuse, to see that playful grin directed at her and know it carried something deeper.

Sarah’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts as she waved a hand in front of Madelyn’s face. “Hey, Maddy?” she said, her tone teasing. “You’ve been staring at me for like a minute now. What’s up?”

Madelyn’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she realized she’d been caught. Her amber eyes widened, and she quickly looked away, stumbling over her words. “I-I wasn’t staring!” she stammered, her voice high-pitched and hurried. “I was just… um… thinking!”

Sarah tilted her head, a sly grin forming on her lips. “Thinking, huh?” she said, leaning forward slightly. “You sure about that? Because it really looked like you were—”

Before Sarah could finish her sentence, Lyra’s voice rang out from her perch atop Madelyn’s head, her laughter light and teasing. “Oh, this is just great,” she said, her tiny voice dripping with amusement. “Caught with your hand in the cookie jar, huh, Maddy?”

Madelyn groaned, her blush spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. “Lyra!” she hissed, resisting the urge to reach up and swat at the mischievous fairy. “You’re not helping!”

Lyra leaned over so she was dangling upside down, her tiny face appearing in Madelyn’s peripheral vision. “Oh, I think I am helping,” she said, grinning. “This is way too entertaining to pass up.”

Sarah’s grin widened as she watched the exchange, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and amusement. “Okay, now I really want to know what’s going on,” she said, sitting up straighter. “What are you hiding, Maddy?”

Madelyn’s heart raced, her mind scrambling for an explanation that wouldn’t make her sound completely ridiculous. “I-I wasn’t hiding anything!” she said, her voice shaky. “Lyra’s just being… Lyra.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh,” she said, leaning back against the couch but keeping her gaze fixed on Madelyn. “Well, if you say so. But you’re blushing like crazy, and now I’m curious.”

Lyra giggled, flipping upright again and settling comfortably on Madelyn’s head. “She’s flustered because—”

Madelyn clamped her hands over Lyra before she could finish, earning an indignant squeak from the tiny fairy. “Don’t you dare!” she whispered furiously, her tail flicking wildly behind her.

Sarah watched the scene unfold, her grin softening into something warmer. “Alright, alright,” she said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “I won’t push you—yet. But just so you know, you’re adorable when you’re all flustered like this.”

Madelyn froze, her hands still cupped around Lyra as Sarah’s words sank in. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt her blush deepen, if that was even possible. “I-I’m not…” she began, but her voice trailed off, unable to form a coherent response.

Sarah chuckled, reaching over to lightly flick one of Madelyn’s twitching ears. “Relax, Dancing Flame,” she said, her voice full of affection. “I’m just teasing you. You’re way too fun to mess with.”

Lyra, now freed from Madelyn’s grasp, fluttered up and perched on Sarah’s shoulder, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Oh, this is fun alright,” she said. “You can see the way your tail swishes when you’re nervous. It’s like a little metronome.”

Madelyn groaned, burying her face in her hands. “You guys are the worst,” she muttered. After a couple seconds, she peeked through her fingers, her heart still racing from the teasing, only to freeze completely when Sarah shifted closer.

“Then let me make it up to you,” Sarah said, her tone light but carrying an underlying warmth. Before Madelyn could process what was happening, Sarah was already sitting beside her, reaching out to gently grab her arm. With a playful grin, Sarah leaned in and rested her head on Madelyn’s shoulder, her soft golden hair brushing against Madelyn’s neck.

Madelyn’s breath hitched, her entire body stiffening as a wave of warmth flooded her cheeks. “S-Sarah?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She could feel the heat radiating from where Sarah’s head rested against her, and her tail swished uncontrollably behind her, betraying the storm of emotions swirling within her.

“What?” Sarah said casually, tilting her head slightly to get more comfortable. “You looked like you needed a hug. This is a hug… kinda.”

Madelyn’s ears twitched as she tried to find her voice. “I-I don’t—this is—” she began, but her words tangled together, and she let out a small, helpless sigh.

“See? Relax,” Sarah said softly, closing her eyes as if this was the most natural thing in the world. “You’re so tense, Maddy. It’s okay to let someone be here for you, you know?”

Madelyn’s heart pounded, but slowly, the tension in her shoulders began to ease. She glanced at Sarah out of the corner of her eye, her golden hair glowing softly in the light of the room. Sarah looked completely at ease, like she belonged there, and the thought made Madelyn’s chest tighten again in a way she didn’t quite understand.

Lyra, still perched on Sarah’s shoulder, giggled quietly. “Oh, this is priceless,” she whispered, her voice like the tinkling of bells. “You’re so red, Maddy. You look like a tomato.”

“Lyra,” Madelyn hissed under her breath, shooting the fairy a warning glance. But she didn’t dare move, too afraid of disturbing the moment—or worse, of accidentally making it obvious just how much she was enjoying Sarah’s closeness.

Sarah cracked an eye open, glancing at Lyra with a smirk. “Hey, don’t tease her too much,” she said, her voice light. “It’s my job.”

Madelyn groaned softly, her face still burning, but despite her embarrassment, she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. There was something about Sarah’s presence, her warmth, that felt… comforting. Safe. Right. Like the world could fall apart around them, but as long as Sarah was there, she’d be okay.

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the earlier conversation about her dad and Aeloria momentarily forgotten. Madelyn found herself relaxing more than she thought possible, her tail swishing lazily behind her instead of flicking nervously.

Sarah shifted slightly, her head still resting on Madelyn’s shoulder, her voice quieter now but carrying an unfamiliar vulnerability. “Hey, Maddy.”

Madelyn blinked, her ears twitching at Sarah’s softer tone. “W-what?” she asked, glancing down at her.

Sarah hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “You know… you’re my best friend,” she began, her voice uncharacteristically unsure. “You’ve always been there for me. Every time I was sad, scared, or felt alone—you were there.”

Madelyn’s breath caught in her throat. She wasn’t sure where Sarah was going with this, but the sincerity in her voice made her chest tighten. “Sarah…”

Sarah sat up slightly, finally lifting her head from Madelyn’s shoulder to meet her gaze. Her green eyes shimmered with something that made Madelyn’s heart ache. “Us being friends… that’s never going to change. You’ll always be my best friend, you know that, right? No matter what happens.”

Madelyn’s tail swayed slowly behind her as she processed Sarah’s words. She could hear the unspoken question, the faint tremor of uncertainty, and it filled her with a mix of warmth and determination. She reached out, her fingers brushing Sarah’s hand before gently holding it.

“And you’ll always be my best friend, Sarah,” Madelyn said softly, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. “No matter what happens.”

Sarah tilted her head slightly, her green eyes locking with Madelyn’s. “Promise?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Madelyn nodded, her grip on Sarah’s hand tightening just a fraction. “Yeah,” she said with quiet conviction. “Promise.”

Sarah smiled, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks as she glanced down for a moment before looking back at Madelyn. “Okay, then… um, there’s something I want to tell you,” she began, her voice wavering slightly. “I don’t even know where to start, but when I saw you as Madelyn in Astralyth Online for the first time—even though I didn’t know it was you—something about you just… felt different. I didn’t know why, but I felt like I could trust you, like I had to talk to you, to get to know you.”

Madelyn’s ears twitched at the admission, her heart fluttering. “Really?” she asked softly, her tail swaying gently behind her.

“Yeah,” Sarah said, a nervous laugh escaping her. Then, her blush deepened as she added in a rush, “And… well… because you were hot.”

“Hot?” Madelyn repeated, her voice squeaking slightly as her amber eyes widened. She didn’t dare to hope, but her heart was racing now, every beat pounding louder than the last. She could barely breathe, her emotions swirling into an overwhelming mix of disbelief and anticipation.

Sarah rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, avoiding Madelyn’s gaze for a moment before glancing back with a sheepish smile. “Yeah… hot,” she admitted, the pink in her cheeks spreading across her face. “I mean, look at you! You’re gorgeous, Maddy. It’s kind of unfair, honestly.”

Lyra, perched on the armrest of the couch, beamed at the two of them, her tiny face lighting up with a wide grin. “Finally!” she chimed in, her voice full of glee. “I’ve been waiting for you two to start talking about the obvious.”

Sarah shot Lyra a look, but there was no real annoyance in her expression—only nervous amusement. “Thanks, Lyra,” she said dryly before turning back to Madelyn. “Anyway… what I’m trying to say is… I don’t know if you knew this, but… I’m, uh, kind of into girls.”

Madelyn’s ears twitched, her heart skipping a beat as her tail froze mid-sway. “I… I didn’t know,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her mind reeled, trying to process what Sarah had just revealed. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but hearing those words sent a bolt of electricity through her. Did this mean what she thought it might? Or was this just a casual confession that had nothing to do with her?

Sarah glanced down at her lap, her fingers fidgeting nervously. “Yeah, I figured you didn’t,” she murmured, her voice tinged with nervous laughter. “It’s not exactly something I’ve talked about much… or at all, really.”

Madelyn opened her mouth to respond, but Sarah spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper now. “When you were still Benjamin… I used to sometimes wish you were a girl, you know.”

Madelyn’s amber eyes widened in surprise, her tail giving a small, uncertain flick. “You… you did?”

Sarah nodded, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. “Yeah. I didn’t really understand why at the time, but… I think it’s because I felt something for you, even then. Something I couldn’t explain. And it made me feel… wrong. Like, what kind of friend thinks like that about their best friend?” She laughed softly, but there was no humor in it.

Madelyn’s breath hitched as Sarah’s words sank in, her amber eyes wide with shock and something deeper—something that made her heart ache in a way she couldn’t fully describe. Her ears twitched, and her tail swayed uncertainly behind her as she struggled to process what Sarah was saying. “Sarah… I…” she began, her voice trembling, but the words refused to come. She didn’t know what to say, how to express the jumble of emotions racing through her.

Sarah looked up, her green eyes shimmering with vulnerability, and continued before Madelyn could try again. “And then you became Madelyn,” she said softly, her voice carrying a weight that made Madelyn’s chest tighten. “And suddenly, it felt like… like maybe it wasn’t so wrong anymore. Like maybe the universe was giving me a chance to feel what I felt without hating myself for it.”

Madelyn’s ears drooped slightly, her heart aching as she caught the sadness in Sarah’s voice and the distant look in her eyes. “Why didn’t you ever tell me anything?” Madelyn asked softly, her voice laced with both curiosity and concern.

Sarah let out a shaky breath, her gaze dropping to her lap as she twisted her fingers nervously. “How could I?” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. You meant so much to me, Maddy, and I was terrified that if I said anything, it would change everything between us.”

Madelyn’s tail stilled, her own emotions swirling as she listened intently. “Sarah…”

Sarah glanced up at her, again with a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. “And if my parents found out…” she added, her voice trailing off. A shadow crossed her expression, the sadness in her eyes deepening. “They’ve always been so… traditional. So rigid about what’s ‘right’ and what’s ‘wrong.’ I didn’t want to make waves. I didn’t want to give them another reason to be disappointed in me.”

Madelyn’s heart ached as she listened, her fingers tightening slightly around Sarah’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Sarah,” she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. “You shouldn’t have had to go through that.”

Sarah shook her head, her smile small but sincere. “It’s okay, Maddy. It’s not your fault,” she said, her voice steadying. Then, almost imperceptibly, her mood began to shift. Her eyes, moments before clouded with sadness, now shone with a quiet determination.

“You know,” Sarah began, her tone soft but resolute, “I’m done being scared of what my parents think. I’m done ignoring what my heart is telling me. And I’m done holding myself back because I’m afraid of what might happen. Maddy, you’ve been through so much since your transformation, and yet… you’re still you. You still smile, still laugh, still get embarrassed. You’re the same person who’s been my best friend for years—only now you’re even more amazing. Seeing how strong you’ve been makes me want to be better, to stop hiding and start being true to myself.”

Madelyn’s ears twitched, her heart pounding as she tried to process Sarah’s words. “Sarah, wha...” she murmured, her tail flicking nervously behind her.

Before Madelyn could finish her sentence, Sarah spoke again, her voice steady but carrying a deeper weight. “I like you, Maddy. And I don’t just mean as a friend—I mean really like you.”

Madelyn froze, her amber eyes wide with shock, and her breath caught in her throat. The only part of her that moved was her tail, which was now swishing madly behind her, completely betraying her emotions. “You… you mean that?” she asked softly, her voice trembling.

Sarah nodded, her eyes earnest and filled with a mix of nervousness and hope. “Of course I mean it, Maddy,” she said, her lips curving into a small, vulnerable smile. “I like you, and… I hope you like me the same way too.”

Madelyn’s heart raced, her emotions swirling into a chaotic yet exhilarating storm. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but at the same time, she’d never felt more certain of anything in her life. “I… I do,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I really like you too, Sarah.”

Sarah’s eyes widened, her smile growing brighter as joy and relief washed over her. “You do?” she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Madelyn nodded, her cheeks burning but her smile shy and genuine. “Yeah,” she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. “I think I’ve liked you for a while now. I just… didn’t realize it until very recently.”

Sarah laughed softly, the sound light and full of happiness. “Maddy…” she said, her voice warm and affectionate. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

Madelyn’s tail swayed faster, her own smile growing as she felt the weight of her earlier fears and doubts lift. “I think I might,” she said softly.

Without thinking, Sarah reached out, gently cupping Madelyn’s cheek. Her touch was warm and tender, and Madelyn felt her breath hitch as Sarah leaned in just slightly, her gaze searching. “Can I…?” Sarah started, her voice trailing off as if afraid to say the words.

Madelyn’s heart pounded, but she nodded, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. “Yeah,” she whispered, her amber eyes locked on Sarah’s.

Sarah smiled, her cheeks flushing as she closed the distance between them. The kiss was soft, tentative, and filled with the kind of nervous excitement that made Madelyn’s chest feel like it might burst. It lasted only a moment, but when they pulled back, both girls were smiling, their cheeks pink and their eyes shining.

Madelyn’s tail swished happily behind her, and Sarah chuckled, her voice full of affection. “Your tail really gives you away, you know that?” she teased gently.

Madelyn laughed, her embarrassment melting into warmth as she rested her forehead against Sarah’s. “I don’t mind,” she said softly.

Lyra, who had been watching from the armrest with barely contained excitement, let out a dramatic cheer. “Finally!” she exclaimed, clapping her tiny hands together. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this? You two are so cute it’s ridiculous.”