Stardust

830 words | 4 minutes | Originally published 2022-08-06 | This story is featured in the EMPTIED SPACES anthology!

"I'm sorry, ma'am, your application has been denied."

W-what? That couldn't be right! You'd been planning this for years, everything for this moment, and-

"Your record shows a history of a variety of mental illness - namely, autism, depression, and prior gender dysphoria. As a result, we cannot approve your procedure. Please accept our sincerest apologies; you may reapply at a future date with approval from three therapists."

This wasn't the policy a year ago! What happened‽

"I'm sorry, ma'am, administration updated our policies after media pressure from former dolls regretting conversion. A significant portion of our funding was diverted to fund research for un-converting people."

People. You weren't people, you've known that since you turned 18. No one treated you like a person until it was convenient to deny you your happiness and your identity.

610 words | 3 minutes | Originally published 2022-05-08

“Are you sure? You really want this?” I looked down over my wife’s shoulder, voice unsteady with anxiety and trepidation.

“Absolutely. More than anything in my life.” She looked back up at me after signing yet another endless form, and the look I saw in her eyes was an intensity I hadn’t seen since she told me she was going to transition all those years ago. “I want to be useful. More than that…I want to be yours.”

“You already are, Ash.” A hand over hers, our fingers interweaving and lightly touching in a way only lovers’ do. “And I’m yours.”

“I know, Sam. I know, but I want to be more. I’ve wanted this my entire life. Since before we even met. Please. Let me have this.”

I never was one to say no to her like this…