Emil wasn't an active individual; he never even pretended to be one. Despite that, however, and many protests, he was still forced to go to the gym with his girlfriend. It's not like she was particularly pushy about it, though the moment she started pouting when Emil initially declined to join her, he caved.
Now he was waiting for her to finish her shower so they could finally leave. The only reason he wasn't showering himself was out of spite for tagging along.
"Dammit, Vivian…” he muttered under his breath.
His girlfriend of five years was too adorable for her own good, and she knew she could use that to her advantage when trying to persuade him. How he got lucky enough to have her as a girlfriend was beyond him.
Emil shrugged as he closed his eyes and lay on his back. The floor was cold beneath him and sent a pleasant chill down his spine. He treasured the sensation as it helped distract him from his damp shirt, a result of sweating through Vivian’s rather intense workout.
How she could be active here yet sleep until noon back home baffled Emil. However, it wasn't as if she didn't deserve it. Between the two of them, Vivian contributed most to their rent.
Emil tried to find ways to help her when he could. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, he wasn't able to keep a job. Granted, he didn’t need much to live on, a fact he was reminded of the moment he felt the ground shake. Distant booms echoed, steadily growing in intensity with each passing moment. Still, Emil remained on his back, unconcerned with the ever-increasing shadow that soon surrounded him and several others like him.
Emil opened one eye, gazing up at the towering figure before him. Seemingly hundreds of feet tall compared to his diminutive stature, a woman was preparing herself for squats. Her blonde hair was tied back in a bun, her back facing Emil, unintentionally offering him a rather pleasant view of her rear. Though his spot wasn't meant for this purpose, he wouldn't deny that luck was on his side today.
The woman was fit and a frequent gym-goer. However, it was clear in her movements that she didn't pay much attention to the smaller patrons, some even smaller than Emil.
But not many people paid much attention to his kind. Betas. Those most affected by the Beta Epidemic, an event that started three years ago. It was an epidemic that revealed the true colors of many, upsetting the entire world and its natural structure. From it emerged three different types of individuals.
There were the Betas, people like Emil who were affected by the epidemic. These individuals often found themselves shrunk to varying sizes. How far one could shrink was never something that could be evaluated at a doctor’s office. The changes were almost always instant. All Betas developed pale skin, ashen hair, and red-pigmented eyes. They could shrink to a single inch or a foot in height. The lucky ones shrank only a few centimeters, practically maintaining their old height. Emil was obviously not one of those fortunate individuals. At only three inches tall, he got the short end of the stick, though he wasn’t the smallest. There existed a remedy for shrinking, a temporary solution that had to be taken continuously if a Beta wished to remain at their old height—a pink powder called Antilirin, the world's only effective remedy. But it was prohibitively expensive, costing most of an entire month's wages. It wasn't something Emil wanted to burden Vivian with.
Next were those who could be described as… Betas in waiting. A self-explanatory title, really. They were people who still retained their old height. Many still took Antilirin, with the fear of going full Beta being a very real concern in these times.
Finally, there were the Alphas. Those completely immune to the effects of the epidemic and, as such, had nothing to fear from shrinking.
Emil remembers the day he shrank. He and Vivian had moved in together a week before the Beta Epidemic began. He didn’t see it coming at the time, originally believing the first cases were a nationwide hoax. Vivian, on the other hand, was terrified of the thought of shrinking. Back then, he found it funny, but now it has been his reality for three years.
Vivian has been good to him. Extremely good, actually. They had known each other for years before they began dating, and he trusts no one more than her. He had tested her patience many times, and each time she remained calm, kind, and caring. She was a real gem in this crazy world. That's not to say she was never angry, though; Emil had witnessed her frustrations and anger manifest many times before.
It was quite a sight to behold.
A sudden splash of salty water engulfed Emil's head, breaking his train of thought. He choked on the liquid for a moment before regaining his composure and looking to see where it had come from. Then it hit him again, this time just as he was looking up. A large drop of sweat fell from the currently power-squatting blonde and landed right on his head. It stung his eyes, forcing the Beta to wipe them clean.
"Dammit! Didn't know gyms came with a splash zone!" Emil complained as he stepped out of the way of another droplet.
Up above, the woman was pushing herself to her limit. Her legs were shaking as she struggled to lift weights that seemed heavier than she could handle. Emil was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't even realized she had begun some time ago. In fact, several Betas restricted to the area had begun to evacuate the moment they saw the woman begin.
Those who had noticed Emil still hid in the back, noting that he was either very brave or very dumb. Or likely both. In reality, he was just lost in his own thoughts. Now though, he was alone, unsure of if he'd even be able to flee. Being so close to an unaware giant spelled all sorts of dangers for Betas. He could run, sure, but in so doing be found in the giantess’s path were she to move at the last second. Or he could remain and be at her unaware mercy. It was fear of both outcomes that forced him still.
The woman squatted one final time, pushing herself even further than before and bringing her so close to Emil that he could actually reach out and grab a handful of her pink tights. Unfortunately for him, the woman's body gave out. She threw the weights onto the floor in front of her, creating a shockwave that threw Emil onto his ass. He barely had the time to react as her rear came crashing down onto the floor shortly after, nearly on top of him.
"Damn..." She huffed, fully unaware of the Beta inches from her crotch. A bit more forward and she would have utterly crushed Emil.
The Beta was painfully aware of this, the heat radiating from his would-be death making it all the more clear. He wanted to crawl away to safety but found that an impossibility once the woman crossed her legs. Emil soon found himself trapped, all while the woman mumbled to herself.
"Almost beat my record." The woman said with a smile as she wiped away the sweat off her forehead. "A bit more and I think I'll be able to-"
She felt a sudden tickling sensation on her foot, bringing her attention towards it. Emil on the other hand was making a gamble he may not have completely thought through. He was trapped yes, but the real danger of being crushed had passed. He hoped that he could explain his situation to the blonde-haired woman, and he'd be allowed to go his way.
Her eyes locked with his. At first, there was a look of confusion as Emil talked to her. "This is...embarrassing to ask considering where I am... but can you move?"
The woman's expression quickly went from confusion to one of irritation.
"Fucking pervy bugs..."
Her toes gripped the arm that originally gained her attention, hoisting Emil into the air by it. He was in no pain, the soft flesh of the woman's foot helping with that. But the sensation of rising so rapidly wasn't pleasant. Before he could protest Emil was dropped to the floor, a dozen or so feet high for him. Hardly enough to kill him.
He landed with a barely audible thud, a pained groan escaping his lips as the woman rested her foot down on top of him. She increased the pressure ever so slightly, making sure to not kill the Beta but also making sure he didn't get off easy.
"Enjoyed the view freak?" She questioned. She positioned her head in between her toes to allow Emil the chance to answer, squeezing his head when he didn't. "I asked you a question. It's rude not to answer."
Still no reply. Instead, Emil was trying with all his might to push the foot off of him. The perspiration from the woman's workout had made its way into her soles, coating Emil in sweat that wasn't his. He should have seen this outcome as a possibility. While most were accepting of Beta and others were indifferent, there were still plenty who amounted them to little more than talking insects.
"I... just wanted...to get out of your way." Emil insisted as the pressure continued to grow.
The woman scoffed at his claim. "As if. You little fucks always want a piece of ass too big to handle."
Emil, despite his situation, couldn't help but laugh. "Lady...you're hot I'll give you that. But my girl is waaay out of your league."
In response, the woman squeezed Emil’s head again. "Yeah right! You pests probably fuck rats for all I know!" Slowly, she ground Emil back and forth picking up whatever dirt and sweat was on the floor, using his body as though it were a rag. "Forget rats. You things probably get hard when looking at actual insects."
What a vulgar woman...
Whatever else Emil had to say it was clear it would fall on deaf ears.
"Then again, I think I'd be inclined to believe you." She explained. Raising her foot off of Emil drew the Beta into a false sense of security. One that was quickly shattered when he saw the now dirt-covered sole hang overhead. "That is, if you clean my foot off for me..."
Emil stood in bewilderment. And she had the nerve to call him a freak? Without any sort of provocation on his part, she wanted him to clean the dirt off her foot.
"With your tongue too." The blonde added. "You'd like that I bet. I've had plenty of Betas lick my feet. Sometimes they'd even pay me for it."
The woman brought her foot closer, her toes wiggling above as specks of dirt fell off and clung to Emil’s sweat-covered body.
"Come on now. Get to licking." The woman urged. "Like a good little doggy. That's a lot better than a bug."
Emil felt as though he had no choice, fully prepared to do as asked. That was until he noticed someone standing just behind the blond.
"I love dogs." A new voice announced, drawing the blonde's attention towards it.
She quickly froze when she saw a tall, athletic, dark-skinned woman staring back at her. Their red eyes were piercing, staring daggers at the blond despite the smile they held. Her straight white hair was wet and stuck to her shoulders, having just exited the showers, judging by their casual attire of a simple T-shirt, jeans, and sandals.
"Who the hell are you?" The blonde questioned. She felt a great pressure on her right shoulder, taking quick notice of how the dark-skinned amazonian was gripping it tightly. The shorter woman winced in pain but didn't even so much as try and pry herself away. She had the feeling that if this woman wanted to then they could bend her in half.
Emil looked up towards his towering savior, a relieved smile on his lips.
"Vivian..."
Vivian said nothing as the blonde began shaking on the spot. She continued to smile even when a vein at the top of her brow took shape.
She was furious. That much was clear. And she was showing extreme restraint in not giving the woman who was tormenting her boyfriend a bloody nose and black eye.
She said one word. Only one word that the blonde had no choice but to listen to.
"Leave."
There was no argument or even an attempt at one.
The blonde woman just packed up her things, hastily apologized to Emil, and then left; still barefoot.
All the while Vivian watched with the same threatening smile. It wasn't until the woman had left did her smile faltered and she turned her attention towards her boyfriend.
"Emmy!" She shouted before cupping her hands over her mouth once she saw several people looking her way in surprise. She knelt in front of her filth-covered lover, gently stroking the side of his face with the tip of her index finger.
"Are you hurt?" She questioned. "Do you need something to wipe yourself off? Do you want me to go kick that bitch’s ass?"
Emil chuckled at Vivian’s questions, holding the giantess's finger firmly so as to ease her worries. "No, no, and no. I'm fine Viv, you don't have to worry."
Vivian on the other hand was still as distressed as every other time Emil found himself in similar situations.
"Are you sure?" She was pouting now, hoping to get the okay to drag the blond into an alley somewhere. Preferably near a dumpster. This time though, despite the pout, Emil was insistent that everything was fine.
"The only thing hurt is my pride." He assured. "And we both know that shit's flexible as hell."
Vivian reluctantly relented, placing her palm down in front of Emil so that he could stand upon it. She was huge. Well beyond most of what Emil was used to, at a staggering height of six foot six. Still, he felt safest when by her side.
Raising the Beta to her face Vivian tried to maintain a stern look before finally caving in and pressing the Beta against her cheek in an imitation hug.
"Gah! I love it when you act modestly! She practically squealed. "So cool!"
Emil didn't feel cool, especially after his experience. But Vivian always insisted that he was, never letting him think otherwise, even if it meant she had to toss her vastly superior size around.
She pressed her lips against his upper body, her soft flesh nearly taking the Beta inside. Vivian only stopped when she tasted sweat and dirt, immediately pulling away as a result, causing Emil to chuckle.
"I'm a little dirty right now." He reminded her. "Come on, say it. You didn't think that through."
Vivian spit out any lingering cloth before joining in Emil's laughter. "You're right I didn't. Though I'm pretty sure you'll want to shower now."
Emil couldn't argue with that.
Vivian’s nail ran across the front of Emil's shorts, rubbing across his crotch. His knees nearly buckled as he watched Vivian raise the finger into her mouth, sucking it.
"Doesn't mean you're done for the day, Emmy." She revealed. "You've been too relaxed at home. One way or another I'm making you sweat. Even if I have to get..." She brought her face closer; her lips so close Emil could feel the heat from her mouth. "Intimate."
Once again Emil asked the question of how he was lucky enough to have Vivian as a girlfriend. And like before he shrugged it off as he sat cross-legged in her palm as she made her way out of the gym.
Whatever Vivian’s reasons she truly did love Emil. And with every ounce of his heart, Emil truly loved her.
And with her revelation of what the two may be doing that night, Emil couldn't have possibly believed himself to be any luckier.