Chapter Text
“- Nineteen, twenty.” Bryce carefully returned the barbell onto the rack; it settled into its grooves with a thud. Bryce lay on the bench panting lightly, smiling proudly to himself. Fifteen sets of twenty reps at two hundred and ninety pounds, a new personal record.
He sat up, shaking the minor burn from his arms. He took a moment to admire himself in the full-length mirror on his closet door. Since joining the varsity football team, Bryce’d spent hours every day on resistance training or aerobics. It’d paid off in a big way the previous summer.
His father told him it was because he’d finally stopped growing enough for the rest of him to catch up. Bryce figured there was some truth to that. He’d shot up like a weed his freshman and sophomore years. Back then, Bryce was a bean pole. It wasn’t until he’d plateaued that Bryce noticed significant improvements to his physique.
Bryce enjoyed the way his body filled in the old sleeveless t-shirt. Bryce lifted an arm and curled it into a flex. He enjoyed, even more, the way his bare arms bulged in all the places they were supposed to. His flex turned into a yawning stretch as he touched the tips of his fingers to the ceiling.
The hem of his shirt rode up, uncovering the lower half of his waist. His lean abs rolled with the pitch of his torso. They, too, had benefited from his training.
He had the whole year planned out. He was going to make it to college on a sports scholarship. His coach was already pointing out the various talent scouts that came to watch his games. His college career was all but secure. Bryce grinned at himself again; his life was going perfectly to plan.
A knock at the door interrupted his ruminations. Without waiting for an invitation, it opened. “Hey, Mrs. Daniels needs me to babysit tonight. Want to tag along?” It was Connor, his older brother, but only by a year. Though slimmer than Bryce, Connor was tall, taller than he by a few inches. His hair was slicked back, wet. Judging by the fact that he still wore his bathrobe, Connor must have only just gotten out of the shower.
“Ugh. Connor, I don’t want to spend my Friday night entertaining a bunch of little brats.”
“It’s not gonna be that, trust me. Plus, her husband is a gamer and has the sickest video game set-up you could dream of.”
“For real?”
“For real. I’ll even throw in a couple of supreme pizzas on me to sweeten the deal” Connor’s face took on a note of earnestness. “Come on, Lil bro, I don’t want to go alone.”
Bryce didn’t like to be surprised. Even if it was for fun, he liked knowing what was happening from one moment to the next. On the other hand, Connor was practically discord personified. He just seemed to drift through life, never concerning himself with things like college and responsibility.
Case in point. Connor was naturally gifted at basketball. Tall, lithe, and agile, he had natural talents that half of his friends would kill to have. Connor could’ve easily made varsity — that is, if he ever applied himself. Practice just ‘wasn’t his thing.’
Instead, Connor preferred to spend his time playing video games, sending heart eyes emoji’s to his girlfriend Megan or wasting time with friends. His laissez-faire attitude even extended to school. As a result, his grades suffered so much that last year he was forced to retake his senior year.
Bryce looked at his brother with suspicion. What was he up to this time? Bryce knew he shouldn’t take the bate. But… that entertainment system sounded sweet. “Fine.”
Connor’s face instantly brightened. “Awesome! Hurry up and get ready! I’ll meet you in the car.”
Bryce had heard about Mr. and Mrs. Daniels and knew that his sweats wouldn’t cut it at their house. He quickly changed into a pair of dark denim skinny jeans, a pink V-neck t-shirt that clung tightly to his sculpted torso, and his white hightop Converse. He laced up his shoes, gabbed his wallet, keys, and headed for the door, halting only long enough to grab a Nike baseball cap to complete the look.
Bryce plopped down in the car seat and shut the door. Somehow, Connor had scraped together the money to purchase a used Audi R8 Coupe. Compact, sporty, fast, and completely unobtainable on their allowances.
The day Connor had pulled it into the driveway, face beaming, Bryce refused to believe it was legit. But the title was under his name, as were the plates. Bryce was dying to know how his brother acquired the funds. The only cagey response Connor ever gave him was that he’d bought it with his babysitting money.
Video games weren’t the only reason Bryce agreed to go. This was his chance to see for himself what deal Connor had going with the Daniels’ family. From all he’d heard, they certainly had the money, but why would they give that much to Connor for a simple babysitting job?
Finally. You ready to go, Princess?
“Yeah, how about you? You do remember where we’re going?” Bryce said, inquiring about his brother’s peculiar choice of wardrobe. Connor was in gray sweatpants and a jet-black cardigan that he’d left open to display the wife-beater underneath… and a pair of Ugg boots?
“Bro, I’m babysitting. Not looking to be on the best-dressed list.”
“I thought Mrs. Daniels was a stickler about appearances.”
“She’s gotten a lot more forgiving about that recently, so I figured why not take full advantage?” Connor replied as he steered his Audi out of the driveway.
The car pulled up in front of a large single-family home that some would conservatively describe as a mansion. The house was in a builder community full of six-figure estate homes. The lawn was meticulously manicured, and the place was lit with landscaping lighting like what you would expect out of a magazine. Connor shut off the car; the brothers hopped out of the Audi and headed to the front door. Connor knocked; it was a pleasant rhythmic pattern, then stood back to wait patiently.
The front door swung open, and Mrs. Daniels peered around the corner. “Connor! I’m so glad you were able to come. You really are a lifesaver. Come on in… Oh, and you brought company.”
“I brought my little brother, Bryce. I hope you don’t mind.”
Mrs. Daniels flashed her pearl-white smile. “No, not at all.”
The boys entered into the foyer, and Bryce caught his first full glimpse of Mrs. Daniels. She was a petite woman with a facial structure of a model. Her face was thin with high cheekbones, big brown eyes, and long, thick, flowing chestnut hair that hung past her shoulders. Her petite stature was in stark contrast to the enormous sphere that protruded from her midsection, drawing her lower back into a deep curve. Her black cocktail dress hugged her pregnancy, accentuating every curve.
A beautiful silver necklace with a ruby pendant sat atop what Bryce assumed was her milk-filled bosom. It looked old, ancient like it belonged in a museum rather than as personal jewelry. He couldn’t quite identify the culture of origin, but he thought it looked Celtic. At least the loopy designs worked into the setting around the gem felt in style with the photos he saw in history.
Bryce leaned over to his brother and whispered in his ear, “Um, I think we’re a little early-”
Connor chuckled. “Bryce is right. I think we’re a little early.”
“You’re timing is pretty spot on. Actually, do you mind if we get started? I have a couple of things to finish up before my friend gets here.”
“Sure thing.”
“Wonderful!” Her right hand shifted to her lower back as she waddled over to the credenza placed against the wall. She opened the top drawer and pulled out an identical necklace to the one she was wearing. “Here you go, sweetheart.”
Bryce watched the exchange with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. Meanwhile, Connor wrapped the jewelry around his neck and secured the clasp before turning it around and hanging it at his front. A moment went by, and then Mrs. Daniels’ ruby began to glow red, and Connor let out a groan. Suddenly, his ruby also came to life with the same vibrant red glow.
Connor’s hands moved to the small of his back, and a low gurgling sound began to radiate from his midsection. The rumbling grew louder as his belly started to push outward from his athletic frame. His wife-beater clung as best as it could to his rapidly swelling abdomen before it finally relented and began to roll up the newly forming sphere. Mrs. Daniels stood opposite Connor, smiling and rubbing her shrinking pregnant form as it neatly disappeared from her figure.
Bryce’s eyes widened almost as much as Connor’s waistline. Connor’s moans and groans grew louder. His belly continued to expand outward in all directions threatening to tip Connor over. Mrs. Daniels stepped closer to Connor, took his arm, guided him over to the stairs, and carefully lowered him down into a seated position.
“Wow. I didn’t realize how big I’d gotten.”
“Hmmff. I thought it -whew- was because you’re -whew- so short. Connor let out another moan and leaned back as he experienced another growth spurt. His belly propelled even further in front of him, growing a little more ovular in shape. Connor placed his hands atop of his stomach and began to explore his newfound fecundity.
“Bryce?”
“Yea…I mean, yes?” Bryce stammered at Mrs. Daniels, still gawking at what was taking place in front of him.
“The transition is almost done. Can you stay with your brother? I’d like to go finish putting on my make-up.”
“Ummm…I guess so.”
“Great. Thank you.” Mrs. Daniels leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the surface of Mount Connor and then disappeared up the stairs.
Once he was sure that Mrs. Daniels was out of earshot, Bryce ran over and knelt in front of his brother. “Dude, what the fuck just happened?!”
“I told you. I’m -unnnfff- babysitting.”
“No! You’re incubating!” Bryce exclaimed, gesturing wildly around his brother’s gargantuan orb. “I mean, how is this even possible?”
“Hold oooooonnnnnnn!” Connor rubbed back and forth along the sides of his belly as the swelling came to a gradual halt. His innie belly button turned into a prominent outie with an audible -POP-. Connor huffed and puffed as the swelling slowed to a stop.
“Alright. Now that you’re done… impregnating yourself. Start explaining yourself!”
“You saw the necklaces, right?”
“Yea.”
“Well, they’re enchanted.”
“I figured that. How?”
“I don’t know. Mrs. Daniels doesn’t even know. They’re family heirlooms; they’ve been in her family for generations.”
“Okay, and you’ve been doing this off and on for how long?”
“Yep. I’ve been doing it for months now. Mrs. Daniels runs this huge business, and she can’t afford to miss things because of her pregnancy. The doctors didn’t want her traveling in her condition, so she didn’t.”
“Shit...well, do mom and dad know?”
“No. Much like you, mom and dad know that I come here to babysit, but that’s about it.”
“This is insane! I mean...you’re pregnant!”
The doorbell rang. Bryce let out a slight scream, whipping around to face the direction of the front door.
“Bro, will you calm down?” Connor said. He hoisted himself up to a standing position with assistance from the handrailing next to him. He wrapped the long flowing black cardigan around his expanded middle. The doorbell rang out through the cavernous foyer a second time.
“Connor. Bryce. Will you answer that, please? I’ll be down in just a moment.” Mrs. Daniels called from upstairs.
“Uh…” Bryce stammered.
Connor shot a look at Bryce. “Dude!”
Connor’s eyes pleaded with him before Bryce finally relented, “Sure thing, Mrs. Daniels!” Bryce made his way over before opening the large oak door. In the entryway stood a young woman with blonde hair smiling back at Bryce.
“Hi, can I come in?”
“Kelly!” Mrs. Daniels exclaimed as she came bounding down the stairs with a renewed pep in her step.
“Adrianne!” Kelly placed her hand on her back to support herself as she waddled through the threshold to hug her friend.
“It’s so good to see you!”
“You too! You’re surprisingly spry for a woman in her third trimester.”
Mrs. Daniels smiled before letting out a giggle. “Well, you know I was never one to let anything slow me down.”
“Of course. And this,” turning to face Bryce, “must be our babysitter. Connor, right?”
“Actually…” Bryce started to fire back.
“I’m Connor.” Connor gave a wave from the other end of the foyer.
“Oh!” Kelly said while taking in Connor’s colossal new figure. “Silly me. I’m not used to looking for a young man with a baby bump.”
“Right. ‘Our’ babysitter?”
“Oh, yes! Forgive me, Connor. I might have mentioned to Kelly about our arrangement and that you would be willing to babysit for both of us tonight.”
The color drained from Connor’s face. He looked anxious as he regarded how large his belly already was. “Mrs. Daniels, I don’t know if that is such a good idea-”
Kelly looked disappointed. “Adrianne, you said he would do it! What are we going to do?”
“Well, I’ve got an idea. Bryce…”
“Yea?” Bryce innocently responded before picking up the signal that Connor was giving off. “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. No, no, no, no, no. NO!”
“What a marvelous idea, Connor!”
“Absolutely not! I’m a guy. I’m not incubating…or babysitting...or whatever you want to call this!” gesturing to Connor’s swollen midsection.
“Bryce!” Connor said through gritted teeth. He waddled himself between the two women and Bryce. “Can you please give me a moment with my brother?”
“Sure thing. Come on, Kelly.” Mrs. Daniels escorted Kelly and herself off to another portion of the house.
Connor slowly turns around to look at his brother. “Bro…”
“Dude, no!”
“Bryce!”
“Connor! I don’t want to hear it! I’m not doing this!”
“Why not? It’s one night. What’s it going to hurt?”
“How about my body for one?!”
Connor rolled his eyes. “Your body will be fine. Trust me. I’ve done this dozens of times without a problem, you turn back, and there’s no sign you’d ever carried a baby.”
“What happens if-?”
“-Don’t play the what-if game with me, bro. Nothing is going to happen. We’re going to head downstairs, play some video games, chow down on those supreme pizzas I promised you, maybe hit take a dip in the pool?”
“There’s a pool?”
“Olympic-sized.”
Bryce placed his hands behind his head and paced back and forth nervously before looking back at Connor, ready to refuse.
Ever the car salesman, Connor preempted his refusal to sweeten the pot a final time. “They pay REALLY well. I mean, I told you. I got my car with the babysitting money.”
That gave Bryce pause. Connor had purchased an entire Audi with the money he made...
“Just one night?”
“One night.”
“Fine.”
Connor beamed. “Really?”
“Yes. Hurry up before I change my mind.”
Connor raised a hand to his mouth. “Mrs. Daniels! He said yes!”
Mrs. Daniels came back into the foyer with Kelly waddling quickly behind her. “That’s wonderful news. Thank you so much, Bryce!” She wrapped Bryce in a big hug.
“Don’t mention it. So...what do I need to do?”
“Wait here. Connor, will you help Bryce? I’ll take care of Kelly.”
“Okay.” Connor slipped the necklace over his head, letting it rest in his hands. He undid the clasp and stepped behind Bryce. Bryce felt Connor’s pregnant belly pressing into the arch of his lower back. What an odd sensation that was. He looped the necklace around Bryce’s neck and secured the clasp closed. The pendant came to rest in the hollow of Bryce’s pectorals.
“Ready?” Mrs. Daniels inquired.
“Ready,” Connor replied.
Mrs. Daniels slipped the matching necklace onto Kelly before taking a step back to observe the show.
The two ruby pendants began to glow the familiar bright red luminescence. Bryce let out a ‘whoa’ as a warmth bloomed up in his lower abdomen. He instinctually clasped his arms over the weird sensation. He felt full as if he’d overeaten at the Homecoming celebration. The fullness was quickly followed by the beginnings of his belly curving outwards, adding inch after inch to his formally chiseled torso.
A burning feeling built up as the waistband of Bryce’s jeans dug hard into the rapidly expanding middle. Bryce’s hands shot down to his waist to undo the fasteners, but it was too late. Luckily, Connor recognized it a split second faster than his younger brother. He rotated his sibling to face away from Mrs. Daniels and her friend. Suddenly, a snapping noise, followed by the shattering of a display vase in the front hall as the button on Bryce’s jeans shot off. The zipper slid open to allow his belly to continue its journey outward from the young athlete’s frame.
Bryce looked down at himself just in time to see his feet disappear. His belly stuck out further than it ever had in his life… and it kept growing. “Connor....bro...I changed my mind. Help! it’s not stopping!” Bryce shouted with a shrill tone in his voice.
“Dude, you’re doing great. It’s almost done.” Connor cooed as he massaged his brother’s shoulders.
Bryce began to hyperventilate as Kelly’s portion of the transference appeared complete, but he continued to grow rounder with each passing second. Bryce’s shirt strained to hold against the rapid swelling of his midsection but quickly relinquished, rolling up the taut skin, bunching up just below his muscular pecs.
His new pregnant form was now on full display, his clothes hung in ruins on his body. “Whoa!” Bryce’s hands shot to his back as the full weight of his condition hit him, and he bent his knees into a gentle squat to adjust to his new center of gravity. Finally, relief was in sight as the growth came to a slow stop. His belly button popped out and sat neatly at the apex of his belly, signaling that the transference was complete.
“There! All done.” Connor smiled at his brother. “See? You look great. You’re practically a natural!”
Bryce stood in abject shock over the changes to his body. His hands circled the new bulbous orb without ever touching the freshly taught surface as if he was trying to see his future in a crystal ball. He was oblivious as Connor unfastened the enchanted necklace.
“Here you go, Mrs. Daniels,” he said, handing over the piece of jewelry to the woman.
“Perfect. Now Kelly, hold still so I can get yours off.”
Kelly’s hand shot to cover the pendant. She turned around to face her friend. “Um. Would you mind if I wore it tonight?” She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror situated above the credenza behind Mrs. Daniels. “There’s something quite mystical about it.”
“Yea. No kidding.” Bryce mumbled as he rubbed the side of his newly impregnated belly.
My last husband was a letdown, and I’d like to find a good father for my boy.” Kelley continued. She walked over, and before Bryce could figure out what she was doing, she gave a short caress over the top of his belly. Bryce kept himself from reacting, but it was such a strange thing having someone speaking to his stomach like he wasn’t there.
“Why not. I don’t see the harm in it. It did help me find Mark. Maybe it’ll provide you the same good luck?” Mrs. Daniels smiled back at her friend then grabbed her purse from the banister. “Alright, boys, we’re off. There is a pantry full of junk food in the kitchen. Help yourselves. Mark’s entertainment center is downstairs. You all have the house to yourselves. Have fun, and Connor, you have my cell number if anything should happen.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Connor nodded reassuringly.
Bryce’s face grew concerned. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! If what should happen?”
“If there’s an emergency like a fire, or if someone should try to break in-” Connor quickly rattled off.
“-Or one of you boys goes into labor.” Mrs. Daniels threw out over her shoulder as she shut the door behind her.
Connor let out a laugh. Bryce didn’t find the joke the slightest bit funny. His face went ghost-white. The room spun, his Knees buckled and Bryce collapsed onto the marble, out cold.