Makeup Curse p10 & 11 Finale

FiThis is a hefty post. I'm extremely interested if you feel this has a satisfying ending for this particular story.

The characters are now part of a bigger storyline that involves PPP Mittens and the new dysphoria story.

Makeup Curse Part 10&11

Becca sighs and looks down at her feet. She can feel the anxiety building up inside herself as Ross glares in her direction.

Ross taps his foot and steps towards her with purpose.

“Who gave you the makeup Becca?” He questions firmly.

“Okay!” she replies in defeat, nervously rubbing at her face. “I didn’t think any of it was true. I thought it was all a load of crap. You’ve gotta believe me!”

“What are you telling me!? You knew this could happen if we used it?”

“I didn’t know it would do this!” she responds frantically. “If someone told you a simple box of makeup could do all this…would you believe them!?”

As Becca looks at him with honest eyes, Ross chokes on the stale air inside the old dusty factory. He slowly looks around at the darkness that surrounds them. “We should go talk about this outside. This place gives me the creeps.”

Becca instantly nods in agreement and they head for the entrance. The walk to the door was very awkward in complete silence.

Exiting and moving off to the side out of the wind, Becca leans against the side of the building and lets out a long breath. “I thought we’d be able to fix your face. I never thought this place would be so run down….like this.”

Ross clenches his teeth and stomps his foot as he scowls in Becca’s direction “So you DID know that bloody makeup was cursed!”

“Don’t raise your voice at me Ross,” Becca replies with indignation. “I didn’t think any of this would actually happen.”

Glaring directly into Becca’s eyes, Ross huffs and looks down at himself. “Tell me..,” he mumbles. “Tell me what you are hiding from me.”

Becca begins to anxiously play with her fingers. She gives Ross a quick smile but frowns as he continues to look down at himself wearing the dress she brought him.

“I honestly don’t remember too much,” Becca says, trying her best to recall all the details. “When I was twelve, my mother took me to that makeup shop we visited.”

“So if you know about it…why did we even visit the store. You must have known it was closed!”

“I went when I was twelve Ross!” Becca growls impatiently. “I remember getting the makeup because it was such a surreal experience! I didn’t check on the company's fortunes after that! I just chucked it into a cupboard and forgot about it!”

“Answer me this Becca,” Ross huffs, furrowing his brow as he stares daggers in her direction. “Did they tell you it wouldn’t come off if you put it on someone!?”

Standing up straight, Becca towers over Ross. “Let me finish already,” she grunts.

Flinching a little, Ross steps back and folds his arms. His face goes bright red and he looks away. “Well carry on then!”

“My grandmother took me there,” Becca continues to explain, leaning back against the factory wall casually. “When we entered, I wanted to buy makeup—being a young girl, that is what I thought I wanted. Then as we arrived, the owner—a really strange little man, told us to come into the back room.”

“Riiight?” Ross replies curiously.

“So, I was then told I wasn’t there for makeup, but a small jagged shiny shard broke off from something,” Becca says, touching the skin on the back of her hand. “I remember it was soft to the touch. I also remember being a little bit scared of it. Like it was something terrible, calling to me from a nightmare.”

Ross rubs his arm with the cold almost nighttime air making his hairs stand up on end. He sighs. “I don’t understand Becca. What has that got to do with the makeup box?”

Becca looks down at her body and she lifts one of her large feet forward to look at it. “I didn’t want that thing they were offering to me. They pleaded for me to take it. My grandmother told me it was rightfully mine and I needed to take possession of it to keep it safe.”

Ross sighs again impatiently. “I’m lost.”

Becca looks up to the darkening sky and drops her foot to the ground. “I don’t understand it either Ross. I still don’t know to this day what the… shard-like thing even was and why I needed to take it. Sometimes I dream about it. It calls to me for some reason. Like it knows exactly what and who I am but I’m too afraid to accept it.”

“So you took this thing then?” Ross questions, rubbing his arms again for warmth. “Does it have something to do with the makeup?”

“No, I didn’t take it!” Becca quickly replies, turning up her nose at the idea. “I wanted makeup, not some weird old creepy object.”

“What's any of that got to do with it then?” Ross criticizes.

“I’m trying to tell you everything I know Ross!” Becca complains back. “Look, once I’d said no, my grandmother and the strange little man told me to wait in the shop. Minutes later my grandmother came out from the backroom with the makeup we used in her hands”

Ross opens his mouth to ask more questions but is interrupted by a strangely squeaky voice from behind them.

“You two are talking very loudly,” the voice says, making them both jump with surprise. Ross backs away and steps closer to Becca as the person talking comes into view from behind a nearby box of abandoned boxes.

Standing unsteady before them, is a withered, small man. His clothes are tatty and his face is grubby. Although it frightened them both at first, they could see he was harmless but the smile on his face. He steps closer but stops as he starts uncontrollably coughing into his hand.

“Been a long time…,” he croaks, looking in Becca’s direction. “I Don’t take kindly to you describing me as a ‘strange little man’ Rebecca.”

Ross’s face drops as the unfamiliar man from an unfamiliar town knows Becca’s name

Before he can even comment, Becca stops leaning and steps towards him without fear.

“Are you….?” Becca begins to ask but gets interrupted by the strange man.

“The man who ran the makeup shop in your town….,” he says confidently. “Yes. The name’s Elm Eden.”

Ross claps his hands together in excitement. “So you own this company!?” Ross asks, stepping out from Becca’s shadow.

Elm stares curiously at Ross and then smirks before giving Becca an obvious wink. “You’re current girlfriend?”

Ross frowns before staring annoyed in Becca’s direction. He still feels a bit sensitive about being referred to as a girlfriend.

“Well kinda…,” Becca chuckles, putting resting her arm over Ross’s shoulders. “We’ve actually been looking for some help. Help with a product this company manufactured”

Elm notices that Ross is shivering and he chuckles. “Your girlfriend looks cold.” Elm then points over at the other vehicle in the car park. “Let me light a fire by my van and we can talk more.”

Elm then turns slowly and starts walking in that direction. He struggles to move at any sort of pace causing Becca and Ross to share a quick judgemental glance with each other. Becca shrugs and they start following behind him.

“Do you remember me, Becca?” Elms asks breathlessly, struggling with his walking.

Taking tiny steps, not to be rude, Becca shakes her head. “No…sorry.”

“Wait a minute!” Ross screeches, instantly halting on the spot as both Becca and Elm glare at him. “How does he know that’s you, Becca? Why is he asking if you remember him—almost like he recognizes you! You’ve only been a man for like day—how can he know it's you!?”

The man grumbles and sighs. “Oh. That’s interesting,” he comments, resuming his labored walk back to the van.

“Interesting!” Ross scoffs as Becca continues to follow behind the old man. “Interesting….! I’d say it's more than that! You guys need to start explaining this to me!”

“Calm down Miss,” Elm chuckles, reaching out to his van for support. “I’d know the prince no matter what form they’d decided to take.”

Becca rushes towards Elm and stands in front of him. She looks spooked by his words.

“Prince!? She barks, clearly upset. “My grandmother used to call me that. She never told me why!?”

Elm grumbles a little as he awkwardly pushes past Becca’s large male frame. Ambling over to a small fire pit on the ground, he fumbles out some matches from his pockets. Striking one, he inelegantly sits on the floor and lights the fire.

As the bright glow and warmth of the fire grows, Ross rushes over to warm his hands. His dress really wasn’t much to keep him warm. He holds his hands over the fire as Elm looks up with a soft smile.

“You’re rather pretty,” Elm remarks, watching Ross warm up. “You must be very special for the prince to have chosen you.”

“Thanks,” Ross replies sarcastically. “Right now I don’t feel special. I feel lost.”

Allowing her large frame to sit on a nearby discarded box, Becca shuffles forward to sit nearer the fire. Warming her hands, she looks at Elm with interest.

“Prince?” she asks, confused by it. “Why did my grandmother call me that? Why do you call me that? Being female all my life, I never understood it.”

Gasping, Elm coughs again and painfully splutters. Rocking back and forward, he eventually controls his breathing and wipes tears from his eyes.

“Argh,” he complains, clearing his throat. “She never told you? Did you never learn about our people—your people?”

Becca looks at Ross bemused. Ross looks back just as confused. “No…,” Becca answers impatiently. “My parents stopped me seeing her shortly after she brought me to your store.”

Elm coughs again. “I see.”

Poking at the fire with a small stick, Elm glances quickly at Becca and looks away instantly.

“I do have a question for you,” he admits, pointing up at her head. “I’m happy to see you’ve finally taken your correct shape, but where are your cat ears and tail?”

Throw his hands down flippantly to his sides, Ross scoffs at Elm’s insane question. “Cat ears!? Tail!? Becca this old fart has gone mad! Let's just ask him about the makeup and go already!”

“Old fart!” Elm coughs but then chuckles.

“I have to agree with Ross,” Becca says, leaning towards the fire. “Why on earth would the makeup curse cause me to have cat ears or a tail for that matter?”

Elm shifts on the floor and raises a curious eyebrow in Ross’s direction. “Ross…?” he questions. “Odd name for a human girl.”

Frustrated, ross folds his arms and looks away with embarrassment. “I’m not a girl,” he sneers quietly. “I’m a guy.”

“That is interesting,” Elm says with his eyes wide staring in Ross’s direction. “I still maintain you are a very pretty young lady. Sorry for assuming.”

Becca points at Ross’s face. “I put the make on him Elm. The make-up from your shop and now it won’t come off.”

“Oh, the company,” he replies, reminiscing. “We had to shut when everyone left the town. I’m the only one left.”

Elm snorts and reaches into his pockets to pull out a small pipe. Striking another match, he lights the pipe and takes a small puff.

“Even more interesting,” Elm ponders, looking puzzled. “I’d forgotten we’d made it take that shape for you. However, more importantly, do you still have it? Please tell me you still have it!”

“Taken that shape?” Becca questions slightly confused, looking over at the car. “We still have the makeup yeah.”

“Thank heavens,” Elm huffs in relief. “It was lovely seeing you again, but you shouldn’t remain here for too long. It’s been here looking for it recently. We can’t let IT get hold of the pieces.”

Seriously confused, Both Ross and Becca frown. Elm takes a long drag on this pipe and stands. Looking extremely worried, he points at their car. “You must not waste time. Go now please.”

Getting to her feet, Becca looks at Ross’s angry-looking face. She knows she can’t just leave it like that. It's all well and good for her being confused with family matters from the past, but she feels a little guilty about using makeup on Ross.

“We can’t go yet,” Becca explains, pointing at Ross again. “I’m not sure what you seemed to be so worried about, but we need your help right now.”

“Worried!?” Elm scoffs, gesturing for them to leave. “I’m not worried, I’m terrified! Terrified that IT might return here again. Look at what it did last time it came this way. I lost everything! My wife—my son! All because it came looking for that bloody shard that we gave to you. Now you’ve had the stupidity to bring it back here!”

Animated, Elm struggles to breathe and splutters and wheezes. “You must leave!”

“Please,” Ross pleads, putting his hands together. “The makeup won’t come off my face! I can’t live with this stuff on my face indefinitely.”

Shocked, Elm glances at Ross for a moment then back at Becca. “You did what?” Elm asks angrily.

Becca rubs the back of her neck and looks away nervously.

“I remember telling you!” Elm Grumbles, shaking his head at Becca as he wheezes and coughs. “I told you never to show or use that makeup on anyone—except for yourself!”

Becca clenches her teeth and looks at Ross’s scared-looking face. “I’m sorry!” Becca cries in pure despair. “I had no idea what he said was actually the truth. I thought they were making it up!”

“That explains the failed transformation. You’ve used it on another and it’s only been able to half complete its job.” Elm gripes. “You aren’t going to be able to pass through to our world now. You're going to have to find the other pieces now to complete your transformation.”

“WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!” Ross screams, breathing heavily as his chest rises and falls rapidly. “I don’t understand any of this! Just tell me—are you able to remove the makeup on my face!?”

Turning to face Ross slowly, Elm’s eyes are wide. He wags his finger at Ross as his outburst causes nearby birds to fly from the trees.

“You need to calm down,” Elm demands. “I can’t help you—no. I don’t have the other pieces anymore. They’ve been spread out to keep them safe.”

Frustrated, Ross bites his lips to stop himself from screaming. As tears well up behind his eyes he petulantly looks away.

“Elm…” Becca says desperately, stepping close to him. “Is the makeup box one of those pieces!? Was that how you and my grandmother tricked into taking it all those years ago!?”

Putting his pipe on the floor, he rubs his face in frustration. “To get you to take it, we transformed it into a makeup box…yes. Look, get another one of the pieces of the orb, and you can fix the damage you’ve caused to your friend.”

“You hear that Ross,” Becca shouts delighted. “We just need to find another piece and we can fix this.”

As Ross ignores Becca, Elm stands and reaches for Becca’s arm. Breathless, he pulls Becca down making her bend closer to him.

“You need to tell him the truth,” Elm whispers. “Your immaturity may have caused that young boy some real mental scaring.”

Becca shakes her head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Elm continues to whisper, but grips Becca’s arm tighter. “You know the truth and I think you owe that boy some answers. I don’t know what you're motives were but he deserves to know.”

Becca's face goes white as a sheet. “I can’t,” she replies nervously. It pains me to admit it. I’ve hidden away from it for so long!”

Elm lets go of her arm and steps away. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a small tatty polaroid picture. He holds it to his face for a moment then reluctantly passes it to Becca.

“Take this and get going!” he barks, shoving the picture into her hands. “It’s the only clue I can give you to the location of another piece.

Becca takes the picture and glances quickly at it. “A small pink box?” she asks, confused. “What...really!?”

Turning away, Elm huffs and coughs. “I must make preparations to leave also! There’s been a change recently. Someone else has awoken.”

“Someone else?” Becca asks, bemused.

Elm looks away. “Just go already. It’s not wise for either of us to stay.”

Stunned, Becca looks at Ross, and the fear of having to explain herself sends a shiver down her spine Stuffing the picture into her pocket, she points at their car. “Ross, we need to go.”

Flapping his hands by his side, Ross starts walking towards the car but childishly ignores Becca as he walks past. Getting into the passenger side of the car, Becca takes another look at Elm struggling to get into his van.

“You didn’t tell me why you called me prince!?” Becca shouts, gaining Elm’s attention.

Glaring in Becca’s direction, Elm slams his van door closed, leaving Becca confused.

“Fine…,” Becca grunts, walking back over to the car. “Be like that then old man.”

Getting closer to the car, Becca’s confusion is replaced with a feeling of intense pressure. Becca's heart rate races as she stuffs herself back into the driver's seat of the car. Having to slide the seat back, she looks at Ross who doesn’t acknowledge her at all.

“I’m sorry,” Becca says softly. “I know that’s not exactly what you wanted to hear, but he did give me a clue.”

“What did he mean…tell me the truth!?” Ross asks, sniffing having clearly been crying. “ I heard you talking. I know you’ve been hiding something from me. What is it!”

“You heard that huh?”

“Just tell me, Becca. I’ve had enough of all of this!

“I-I….just. It's hard for me to say.”

“Stop it, Becca! Just tell me! You may think I’m enjoying prancing around in dresses, pretending to be your girlfriend but this is not me! You know it's not me! I told you earlier I only agreed to experiment with you because I’m in love with you.”

“Ross…I-I….”

“Spit it out!” Ross growls, turning to face Becca with blood-red watery eyes, “Tell me why I must be cursed to have my face look feminine for the rest of my life! Tell me why I’m going to have to make up excuses for the rest of my life!”

“OKAY!” Becca screeches, rubbing her stressed twitching face. “I knew, alright! I knew what the makeup could do and I wanted it to transform your gender! I wanted you to be a girl because…because I-I.. love you!”

“You wanted to make a GIRL!? F’ing hell Becca, that’s mental. Why!?”

Lowering her head, Becca sighs. “You won’t understand.”

“Tell me,” Ross whines, jabbing Becca in the side.

“Alright!” Becca gripes, rubbing her side. “If you must know, I’ve hated my body for years. Hated being a girl. Hated everything about it. Do you know how that feels!? Do you know how it feels to be treated like something you are not? Do you know how it feels to be so out of place and out of touch with your physical shell that it makes you feel sick!”

Ross’s mouth drops and he goes silent.

“Do you know how it feels to have everyone around you expect you to be this pretty little feminine girl when all you want to do is play fight and play sports? Do you how it feels to be forced to experience your first time as the wrong gender? Having to deal with being on the wrong side of it all!”

“Becca…,” Ross says gently. “D-do you feel more comfortable as a m-man?

Slapping her palm onto the car steering wheel, Becca howls. “I am a man, Ross. I’ve always been a man hiding in a woman's body. Trapped inside my skin, destined to be forever uncomfortable with my appearance! So of course—yes, I’m happier this way!”

“Becca….,” Ross repeats, almost speechless. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Becca stares intently at Ross as tears stream down her face.

“Oh yeah…cos it’s so easy to bring that up in conversation. Hey, boyfriend…do you mind being a girl for me now because I’m more comfortable pretending to be the man..” she sarcastically rants. “You’d have thought I was crazy and had left me years ago!”

“Settle down Becca,” Ross squeaks. “You're scaring me.”

“Sorry!” Becca growls. “Sorry for everything. Sorry for being alive! Sorry for even coming near you! You’re going to leave me now anyway and I’m so goddam mad!”

“I never said I was going to leave you, Becca!” Ross defiantly shouts, grabbing Becca’s attention. “I just want to know the truth from you. From the person, I’m in love with!”

Becca squints quickly at Ross before putting her head in her hands. “I’m sorry. I really thought that with you being submissive to me—enjoying the more feminine role, you have gender issues like me. I really thought you’d be happier being a girl. That’s why I did it! That’s why I put the makeup on you. I thought it would transform your body, not mine!”

Sobbing, Becca sniffs loudly and furiously shakes her head as Ross watches on silently.

“I thought it would make you happy,” she moans, sobbing through her fingers. “I thought it would make me more at peace, being a girl! I thought that having a real girlfriend would make me happier too.”

“So you….,” Ross huffs, trying to take it all in. “You used the makeup that you knew would curse someone, on the off chance it would transform me into the girl I’ve apparently always wanted to be. All that just to make yourself feel more like a man?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think I have to ask…seeing as you almost exposed yourself in the store earlier, but I need to hear it from your mouth. Do you find me attractive dressed like this?”

“I-I…I do find you sexy right now… yeah.”

Ross shifts uncomfortably in his seat before crossing his legs.

“So have you ever been attracted to be normally—boy me…before all this?”

“I wouldn’t say attracted to you…no. More hopeful you might be like me and that you understand me.”

“Do you honestly love me—or is that a lie?”

Becca instantly sits up and rubs her eyes. She then frantically looks into Ross’s watery eyes.

“I do love you, Ross.” She answers with honest desperation. “Please believe me! When we are together, my dysphoria fades into the background. I can’t tell you how much I love you for making me feel more complete and these last few days—as shocking as they have been, I’ve never felt closer to you!”

Ross fiddles with his hands, before looking out the window for a moment or two. Becca is left anxious waiting for his response. She leans forwards and is about to touch him on the shoulder before he turns to face her.

“I don’t get it,” he says, rubbing his forehead. “At the hotel, you seemed so mad about your body changing. Like you really didn’t wanna be a guy at all! So now you're telling me that is actually what you wanted!? That doesn’t add up Becca!”

“Oh yeah.” Becca shamefully mumbles. “Sorry about that. I felt bad when I ignored how excited your were about being seen as a girl. It’s just I knew eventually I’d have to tell you all this and I could only see it going badly. You leaving me was the last thing I want.

Becca smiles and then awkwardly laughs. “I honestly thought If I said anything I’d be jinxing what is essentially my dreams coming true! I’m so sorry Ross. I’ve been such a dope!

Ross doesn’t say anything in reply. He just looks out the window and then down at his bare legs. Pulling down his dress, he lets out a long sigh.

“We can’t stay here,” he says emotionless. “it was very clear he wanted us to leave. Don’t get me started on all that either! What was with that guy? He referred to me as a human girl. Does he think he’s from outer space or something!?"

Ross looks at Becca with a vacant expression. Becca’s heart flutters at the clear disdain in his expression towards her and she can only muster a shrug in response.

“So what happens now?” Ross asks in exasperation.

Becca rubs her face anxiously and tries to lighten the mood with a smile. “We go find this other piece Elm was talking about. I guess we can use that to remove the makeup somehow.”

Ross itches his face and uncrosses his legs. Pulling down his dress once more he lets out a long exasperated breath.

“I meant with us.” he responds impolitely.

Becca feels her mouth go dry. She’s already seen this coming a hundred times. He’s going to break up with her. This is exactly what she was worried about!

Tapping the steering wheel with one finger, she dares not say a word. What can she say now? Wouldn’t someone normally run for the hills right now after what she’s done?

Worried by her own silence, she glances at Ross as he fiddles with the thin material of his dress. She looks him up and down and hopes a part of him can see past all this. She hopes he can see past her gender change.

Reaching a single hand across to his side of the car, she lightly runs her fingers through his soft hair. Reacting to her touch by turning to look at her, Becca slides her hand down his rosy cheek and tenderly takes hold of his chin.

Ross just stares in Becca’s direction. His expectant eyes wait for her response to his question. Becca doesn’t say a single word as gazes back into his eyes and leans towards him.

As their faces get close, neither of them looks away.

Becca fears the rejection of earlier, but she needs to know! She needs to know if there is a single small spark of a chance it might work between them!

Their faces now only inches apart, Becca stops, expecting Ross to move away.

Not reacting as he did earlier, Ross’s heart starts beating like crazy as he feels Becca’s breath on his face. His eyes dart between both of Becca’s eyes as she inches slowly closer to him.

Becca closes her eyes in hope.

Ross closes his eyes in wonder.

Seconds later, Becca’s supple lips affectionately touch Ross’s gloss covered lips. She passionately kisses him once and only once before pulling away. Her nerves are completely shot to pieces as she waits for his response.

Her eyes still closed, she feels and savors Ross’s breath against her face. She’s happy he didn’t flinch away but terrified he won’t kiss back.

Another second passes without incident. Becca resists opening her eyes to see what Ross is doing. That’s when she feels a small delicate hand touch her bristle-covered face. A soft, but lust-filled kiss from Ross quickly follows.

Opening her eyes wide in shock, Ross kisses her once again with his eyes shut. Becca is overjoyed! He does still want her!

As she kisses back a few times, Ross eventually stops and opens his eyes. As he sees Becca lovingly gazing at him from close range, he smiles.

Becca smirks then smiles. “Will you be my girlfriend… Joss?”

Bashfully looking away with a quick giggle, Ross looks back up and kisses her passionately once again.

“Yes,” he whispers between kisses. “Will you be my boyfriend Bennie?”

As their lips touch for a final time, Becca’s smile grows wide across her face. Holding her hand against his warm cheek she giggles.

“Bennie?” she laughs.

Ross goes red and nods. “Yeah. If you’re a boy now, you need a boy's name and I like that name.”

“Bennie it is then,” she joyfully replies. “And yes, I’d love it more than anything to be your boyfriend!”

The two of them chuckle as the tension between them slips away. Then touching their foreheads together, they share a moment neither of them ever thought was possible.

“Shall we go then, my hunky new boyfriend?” Ross playfully laughs, touching Becca’s face.

“Yes, my little beauty of a girlfriend.” She replies, running a searching hand up Ross’s bare leg. “I’ve got an excellent idea and it involves you, me, and an empty room!”

Blushing Ross looks away for a second before turning back to face Becca. “I still want to remove this makeup y’know.”

“I no something I want to remove from you,” Becca replies with a cheeky grin, pointing at his dress.

“Let’s just get going before I think about this all too much!” Ross remarks, giving Becca a single soft kiss.f”

“So much for it being a curse!” Becca giggles, passionately kissing back. This feels like our destiny!”

The End