Amy’s eyes darted to either side of the wide road she was driving down nervously. She wasn’t used to the wide-open fields she was driving past, and she was realizing that she had never really left the city before now, for a lot of reasons. Gnolls, wargs, and wyverns all lived out in the countryside, and any of these creatures could swoop Amy up and eat her. More than that though the country areas surrounding cities were the known areas of Amazons.

Amazons were about twice as large as Amy and other Littles, and, until recently, had a habit of kidnapping littles to be their forced babies for the rest of their life. Recent legislation had finally been passed the made doing this illegal, but that doesn’t mean it completely stopped happening. Only a few weeks ago Amy almost had this happen to her at a concert. Even with a large network set up to match willing littles to willing amazons, it still wasn’t unheard of for a little to be whisked away. Amy herself almost suffered such a fate at a concert she went to recently. Thankfully now if law enforcement ever found out a Little had been kindapped, there was some hope for the little to escape.

Amy remembered from her schooling that a notable difference between Amazon’s and Littles, despite the obvious size and strength differences, was that, while humans were social creatures, Amazons were solitary. This is partly why most cities were populated densely with Littles. Not only did it fill their social needs, but it also kept amazon kidnappings at bay. It was inherently difficult for Amazons to move in spaces designed for creature’s half their size. This was evident even in the road Amy was driving down. To her it was a 4-lane highway, but any Amazon’s vehicle took up twice the space of a Little’s vehicle; so, for them it was a 2-lane country road. Meaning in the tight city streets it would be impossible for an Amazon to navigate their vehicle, and there were many such barriers in the city itself.

This suited the Amazons though. They were solitary creatures, mingling with each other usually led to competition. So, they chose to live out in the country far away from each other. All their social needs seemingly met by the Littles they had acquired, either by taking them or through willing volunteers. The only real Amazon communities were small shopping malls where Amazons can buy human made goods and technology, including all the gear needed to keep treating their littles like babies. Amy glanced to her right to see such a store; a few large amazon cars parked by it. Amy gulped and kept driving.

The only reason Amy was driving this far out of the city was actually because of that near kidnapping she experienced. When it happened, she had gone to meet an old friend, Charlie. The new law finally gave her the courage to see her long lost friend who had been taken by an Amazon a few years before. Much to her dismay, Charlie was now one of the voluntary littles, living with her Amazon, Alashadara, willingly. Despite Amy’s innate fear of Amazon’s, Alashadara was the one to save her from her potential kidnapping, and she was eager to catch up with her old friend Charlie. So, she accepted when they both invited her over to spend the night. Obviously though, Amy had her reservations, but she felt it was worth the potential risk.

She double checked her phone’s GPS. Thankfully, she was close to Alashadara’s house. Amy was regretting refusing Alashadara’s offer to pick her up from one of the rest stops situated where the Little roads transitioned to the larger Amazon roads. She was too hung up on the booster seat though. Littles riding in Amazon sized vehicles were required to ride in booster seats. It had a practical reason of course; Littles were too small to fit properly in Amazon seats and needed the extra boost so that seatbelts could work properly. Despite the practical necessity though, the image it struck was undeniably childish. It didn’t help that all of the booster seats for Littles were all made to look excessively baby. They were made for Amazon’s taking care of their baby Littles, and not free Littles who just needed it to sit properly. Perhaps, the market would catch up some day. Amy picked out the most normal grown up looking one she could for herself, but even then it was decorated with cute shapes and had a full five-point harness that Amy had trouble undoing. She thought that was all too much, but after this nervous drive she was reconsidering.

Finally, she arrived at Alashadara’s house. It was large to Amy, but no doubt it was average to Alashadara. She pulled her toy looking car off to the side of the driveway and paused a bit to collect herself. Despite knowing she was safe; she still felt a sudden spike in her anxiety. She was about to willingly walk into an Amazon’s house, something she would never dream of doing a few months ago. Even now she wouldn’t go within a mile of an Amazon’s house she didn’t know. Amys meditation was interrupted by a muffled shout.

“Amy!” Charlie was happily bounding out of the front door of the house; her pink onesie was dotted with rather cute depictions of the animals Amy was worried about earlier. A pacifier clipped to the collar of her onesie swayed as she ran, and the diaper underneath was obvious.

“Little lady!” Alashadara was quick to follow her Little out of the house. Alashadara was wearing a green top and blue jeans with an apron tied around her waist. Charie whined back at her surrogate mommy.

Despite the shock of it, the appearance of the two did help calm Amy’s nerves and she was able to exit her car. Amy had on a t-shirt from the concert she and Charlie went to, and a black and white checkered skirt. She was quickly grabbed in a hug by Charlie.

“Charlie, maybe Amy needs a minute before you’re all over her,” Alashadara chastised. Charlie released Amy from the hug.

“Sorry Amy,” Charlie apologized in a childish way. “I just got ascited, I’ve never had a sleepover before, not since mommy anyway.”

“It’s ok,” Amy said with a small nod. “I’m excited to spend some time with you too.”

“I hope the drive wasn’t too bad for you,” Alashadara said with concern.

“It was surprisingly nerve wracking, actually,” Amy admitted.

“I was very worried when you said you wanted to drive yourself. I understand why but …”

“Yeah,” Amy cut Alashadara off. “I underestimated it for sure. I’ll take you up on your offer next time.”

“I promise I’ll make it as … professional as possible,” Alashadara awkwardly tried to come up with the right word. Amy chuckled nervously.

“Don’t make it weird Mommy,” it was Charlie’s turn to chastise. “Come on. Let’s go inside. Mommy was just making some dinner. Don’t worry, I gave her the recipe.”

“Lasagna with beef,” Alashadara confirmed. “Well, a little bit. I’ve got a me version and an Amy version.” Alashadara explained as the group made their way inside. It was worthy of clarification, as Amazon’s were largely vegetarian in contrast to Littles. Their diet even consisted of some plants that littles couldn’t digest, and similarly most meats the Littles could digest would make an Amazon sick. Their diets did overlap somewhat though, enough for most ingredients of a lasagna to be readily eaten by both.

Amy tried to hide her awe as she entered Alashadara’s house. Everything in it was huge, designed for someone twice Amy’s size, except for the baby furniture that was designed for someone Charlie’s and by extension it was made for her as well. She couldn’t deny the feeling this gave her: it made her feel small.

“You’re actually just in time,” Alashadara said as she shut the front door.

“Yeah, we were waiting on you to start eatin,” Charlie added.

“If you’re hungry, we can go ahead and eat,” Alashadara offered.

“We probably should. Mommy says I get fussy when I’m hungry,” Charlie said with a smile. Ablush donned on Amy’s face.

“Yeah, sure,” Amy brushed the childishness off.

“Well let’s get eating,” Alashadara smiled. “I bought a booster seat for you. I tried to get the most mature one I could find but it’s still a bit …”

“Yeah, I figured,” Amy sighed. It was probably just like her search for a mature booster seat for Amazon vehicles.

It was just as Alashadara described, the booster seat was in various pastel colors with a three-piece nylon strap across the waist, and even an attachable tray that Alashadara had put aside. With a sigh Amy climbed up into the booster seat and struggled to manage the harness.

At the same time, Alashadara was strapping Charlie into her decidedly more babyish high chair. It was bright pink and decorated with unicorns. Thicker nylon straps firmly held Charlie in place and seemed to purposefully highlight her diaper that could be seen underneath the tray that was locked in place. Charlie smiled as a pink bib was tied around her neck. Relative to Charlie’s high chair, Amy supposed her booster seat was mature.

“Do you need help Amy?” Alashadara offered.

“No!” Amy said a little too quickly. “I uhh, I figured it out,” Amy corrected with a blush, and true enough she had successfully strapped herself in.

“You don’t want the tray on?” Alashadara offered.

“I can reach the table fine,” Amy replied. Seemingly ignoring that even with the booster seat she would still have to reach up to reach food on the table.

“Don’t be difficult Amy,” Charlie said from her high chair. “You can’t reach the table.”

“And it doesn’t at all mean I think of you like I think of little Charlie,” Alashadara added.

“And you don’t make it weird,” Charlie scolded Alashadara. “You’re trying too hard.” Amy and Alashadara both grew a little flustered.

“Can you help me with the tray Alashadara?” Amy finally asked.

“Sure thing,” Alashadara replied quickly. She expertly attached the tray to Amy’s booster seat and then set plates of the Little lasagna on both Charlie and Amy’s tray, before sitting with a plate of the Amazon lasagna for herself.

“I’m glad you’re here Amy,” Charlie said lightening the mood. “Means I get to eat big girl food instead of baby food.”

“Don’t push it you still can get baby food instead,” Alashadara reminded coyly.

“I don’t think Amy can eat a whole lasagna by herself.”

“She can take home leftovers. If she’s enjoying it that is,” Alashadara looked to Amy.

“It is really good,” Amy said in between bites.

“You can thank the little chef currently on her way to getting a jar full of baby food.” Charlie smiled with pasta sauce messily on her face.

“It’s one of my old recipes,” Charlie said proudly. “From when I was a big girl. I guess Ash did a good job making it.” Alashadara sighed and wiped Charlie’s face off with her bib.

“A glowing review from my little baby girl,” Alashadara grinned. Amy was eating some too and she couldn’t deny that it was good, but she felt herself constantly growing flush as she could never shake the fact that she was in a childish booster seat.

There was a moment of awkward silence. Amy and Alashadara were actively trying not to look at each other, both for the same reason.

“All right,” Charlie spoke up suddenly. “Mommy, get my serious hat.”

“No, not the serious hat,” Alashadara sighed.

“Serious hat?” Amy asked with concerned confusion.

“Serious hat,” Charlie said crossing her arms. Alashadara got up and walked into the living room.

“What is the serious hat?” Amy said somewhat concerned.

“The serious hat,” Alashadara explained returning to the table with a plaid sherlock homes looking hat that she placed gingerly on Charlie’s head. “Is for when Charlie wants to be listened to like an adult and be taken, well, seriously.”

“So, to be taken seriously you wear a silly hat?”

“Don’t mock the serious hat,” Charlie replied.

“Amy,” Alashadara said seriously but she immediately walked the tone back. “It’s important to Charlie and to me that she’s allowed this”

“Yes, thank you mommy,” Charlie said looking remarkably official in her high chair and silly hat. “Look, both of you have some serious hang ups you need to work through. Mommy you need to stop walking on eggshells around Amy and every other Little out there, and Charlie, you need to stop being sacred of Mommy and being so weird about needing things like a booster seat.”

“I’m sorry if I’m a little on edge thanks to constant threat of being kidnapped for years,” Amy countered harshly. Alashadara recoiled at the comment.

“I’m not trying to minimize your experience Amy, but that’s not the world any more, and it’s not fair for you to be that way around Mommy. You should know she isn’t going to do that to you.” Amy turned away at that comment. “And mommy, you need to take off the kid gloves around Amy. We can all tell you’re trying too hard not to mommy her and it’s weird. You're not acting yourself.” Alashadara blushed a bit.

“You’re right,” Alashadara admitted. “I’m sorry. I just get so nervous around Amy. I just don’t want her to think …”

“I don’t think that. I know you would never try and take me,” Amy apologized. “I mean you saved me from that I just …”

“Have a lot to get over,” Charlie finished for Amy. “I get that. You both have a lot to get over. I think you would get over it faster if you two were friends.” Charlie meshed her hands together for emphasis.

“Did you invite me over here just to try and make me and your mommy be friends?” Amy accused.

“You can’t just make people be friends sweetie.” Alashadara agreed.

“I’m just making a suggestion,” Charlie defended. “You don’t have to be friends, it’s gonna be awkward when we hang out if you aren’t though. And I am very happy to see you, Amy. This is not just an excuse to get you and Ash to be friends, but I do think it’s a good idea. Do you disagree?”

“No,” Amy blushed. She looked over to Alashadara, who made an effort to look back. She nodded no.

“Ok so. So, you’re both going to try and act friendly to each other?” Charlie phrased this as a question. Amy an Alashadara both nodded with a blush. “Good. Now mommy please say what’s on your mind because I know what you're thinking.” Alashadara blushed, glancing nervously between Charlie and Amy.

“I don’t want to upset Amy,” Alashadara said meekly.

“It shouldn’t be something that upsets her,” Charlie was directing this at Amy. “If she stops holding things against you that she knows she shouldn’t.”

“Ok ok,” Amy took a deep breathe to brace for the comment.

“Ok I just …” Alashadara was visibly struggling. “I think you’re really cute in your booster seat,” she squealed out quickly. “I’m sorry but like you’re so pouty about it and you like were trying to do the straps to and trying to eat without the tray.” Amy blushed a bright red. “I’m sorry I don’t mean it like … you know.”

“Oh. My. Gosh,” Amy buried her face in the tray in embarrassment.

“Oh, I knew I should have just kept my mouth shut,” Alashadara scolded herself.

“No. No. Ash I’m just,” Amy tried to explain but couldn’t find the words.

“She’s blushy,” Charlie filled in “Just because she’s not a baby doesn’t mean she doesn’t get blushy, and she is cute.”

“Ah god,” Amy buried her head again which got a giggle from Charlie, but a concerned look from Alashadara. “I’m fine Ash really just … yeah.”

“So, me saying things like that doesn’t bother you?” Alashadara asked curiously.

“I mean it does a little bit,” Amy was honest. “But that’s me that’s not you. So I guess you can.”

“See, you two can help each other,” Charlie said in confident victory. “Ok serious hat off,” Charlie took the silly hat off.

“Do you let her do that often?” Amy asked with a tinge of annoyance.

“Well, she can be very smart,” Alashadara beamed. “I’m always eager to hear her advice.”

“Yeah, she couldn’t even function without me,” Charlie grinned. Alashadara pushed the pacifier clipped to Charlie’s onesie in her mouth. “But you’ve embarrassed us both enough. More lasagna Amy?”

“Yeah, sure I …” Amy paused as she started to attempt to undo her booster seat, but stopped short, reminding herself that she shouldn’t feel weird about needing the thing. “Actually, if you don’t mind getting me some more.”

“Sure thing sweetie,” Alashadara added the cutesy nickname giving Amy an expectant look, she nodded that she was ok with it, and the Amazon got up to get Amy some more food.

“Fens,” Charlie said over her pacifier from her high chair.

“Shut up ya big baby,” Amy smirked.

Thanks to Charlie’s intervention the night went on swimmingly. They all moved to the living room after dinner. Amy found herself sitting in a childish chair that Charlie used and only being mildly perturbed by it, Charlie bounced happily in her bouncer in the living room and Alashadara took her usual spot in her chair. They all watched a few comedy movies and talked with each other. As Amy spent more time around Alashadara and Charlie in their dynamic she grew more accepting of it, and it didn’t bother her any more.

“Well, it’s almost the baby’s bed time,” Alashadara said as the second movie started playing its credits.

“What?” Charlie bounced angrily. “You’re going to make me keep my bed time. Amy will think I’m a baby or something.”

“Like the bouncer and soggy diaper didn’t give that away,” Amy teased.

“How’d you even know I was soggy?” Charlie whined.

“You just told me,” Amy smirked. Alashadara laughed heartily at the interaction.

“Oh, you got her good,” Alashadara finished laughing.

“Mommy!” Charlie complained. Alashadara got up and picked Charlie out of her bouncer, resting her on her hip.

“Let’s get you ready for bed soggy girl,” Alashadara said sweetly. “We’ve got to get your friend’s bed set up and I’m sure she has to get ready for bed too.”

“Yeah, I’ve been kinda wondering how that was gonna work,” Amy admitted. “I’ve been holding it in since the start of the movie. I’m scared I’m gonna fall in your toilet.” Amy admitted with a chuckle.

“Well, I do have one solution for that,” Alashadara said knowingly.

“I’m sure you do,” Amy played along. “But Charlie probably goes through enough diapers on her own. You don't need me cutting into your supply too.” Charlie stuck out her tongue at this comment.

“Ah such a shame," Alashadara feigned sadness. "Seriously though you know I wouldn’t dream of it. I managed to find a little potty booster seat thing at the store. You'd be surprised how hard it was to get something like that."

“I’m really not that surprised actually,” Amy remarked. "I appreciate the effort." At this point they had moved to the stairs in Alashadara’s house that lead up to the bed rooms. Amy looked at the imposing stairs that she would have to clamber over. “Do you have room for one more?” Amy looked to Alashadara hopefully. Alashadara smiled and with a grunt rested Amy on her other hip, and started making her way up the stairs. Alashadara started to make a comment, but noted Amy’s uneasy expression as she rested unsteadily on her hip and decided against it. As soon as she was at the top of the stairs, she set Amy back down.

“Sorry Ash that made me kinda …” Amy started.

“Hey, you’re fine,” Alashadara assured.

“Yeah, I’m proud of you,” Charlie added in, letting her paci fall out of her mouth. “You’re really getting over a lot by coming over here and I appreciate it the effort. I've missed you.”

“Ach! Put her paci back in please. I can't take how sweet she is.” Amy said with a blush. Alashadara and Charlie both laughed. “I’m probably going to need your help figuring out this toilet booster seat.” Amy said uneasily.

“I don’t mind dear,” Alashadara said gingerly.

“It’s probably stupidly childish.” Amy said annoyed. Alashadara nodded sympathetically. “If you help me, you get one comment about me being cute.” Alashadara over dramatically pumped her fist in a celebratory manner, and Amy rolled her eyes.