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"So I've been thinking about it for a long time and I think we've become really good friends and… well… there's no easy way to say this so I'll just blurt it out… I'm a woman," Az said, shuffling on her feet and feeling terribly vulnerable.
Maggie shot upward, disengaging from the cuddle she was having with Nina on the couch. "That's so exciting! Have you picked out a new name? A new wardrobe? Ooh! Makeup!" Maggie said, her soft curves accentuating her excitable bouncing. Nina's gaze lingered on all that bouncing for a long moment before shaking her head to clear her thoughts. She mused that her rut must be right around the corner…
"Mags, let her answer," Nina said, giving the hem of Maggie's shirt a tug to urge her to sit. Instead, Maggie stepped forward.
"I'm so happy for you. Thank you for telling us. Can I hug you? You really look like you could use a hug," Maggie said, squealing in excitement as the flushed and watery-eyed bookseller nodded.
Az looked over Maggie's shoulder, this hug lingering and she tried to accept it with grace.
"So babes, do we get to do the makeover montage? Or are you happy how you present currently? No wrong answers, no wrong way to be a woman," Nina said, propping her chin on her hand as she waited for the end of the embrace. At least the view was nice from here.
Az laughed, the sound tight with insecurity. "I was h-hoping…" she cleared her throat after her voice caught. "I'd rather like to go shopping for an outfit. I thought you two would be the best companions. Maggie, you're so encouraging, and Nina, you're honest and won't let me look…"
"Like a man in a dress?" Nina supplied, seeing Az's face fall as she nodded.
"I know the cutest charity shop! We can get you a beautiful dress, gorgeous heels. Oh, you're going to be so beautiful," Maggie said as she stepped back, getting a little misty-eyed herself.
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Nina ushered her two curvaceous shopping buddies along to the thrift store, stifling a snarl when one group of gents eyed them a little to long. Maggie held Az's hand the whole time, squeaking in excitement whenever their eyes met. Az couldn't help but smile back, butterflies fluttering away in her chest. This had been weighing on her for so long and it was both liberating and terrifying to be her true self.
It was a blur of second hand clothing, clarifying questions from Maggie, and some shrinking in on herself as Az looked at these new clothes options. She was so used to her slacks, her waistcoat, her bow tie. Her heart hammered when she allowed herself to caress the hem of a flouncy sundress, a lace blouse collar, a structured skirt that quite frankly looked like the sibling to the waistcoat she was currently wearing.
"Okay, try this dress, these shoes, ooh! These pearls are probably fake, but you seem like the kind of girl who would live in pearls," Maggie said, handing the items over and practically shoving Az into the dressing room. Nina wrapped her arm around her beta's waist, pressing a light kiss on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her.
"Oh I can't wait, I'm so excited," Maggie murmured with a grin, eyes glued to the curtain of the changing room.
Az stepped out, nervously smoothing the cottagecore dress over her waist, eyes glued to the floor just ahead of her little flats. She finally looked up at Maggie and Nina, eyes clearly asking 'How do I look?'
Nina held up a finger and stepped away for a moment, coming back with a large sunhat complete with a lace band and a huge flower, and a dainty little handbag. Meanwhile, Maggie raided her purse and applied some lip gloss to Az's lips and used her finger to swipe some iridescent eyeshadow onto Az's lids.
Maggie and Nina each rested their hands on Az's shoulders, smiling at her like proud mothers, before turning her toward the large three-way mirror. Az fussed with the sweet little purse before looking up. She was glad she wore flats in that moment, because she suddenly felt faint.
"Oh Azi, you're so beautiful," Maggie said, tears brimming in her eyes.
Az looked at herself before doing an experimental twirl because you simply have to twirl in a dress like this. She absolutely glowed in that moment.