“Cindy, I’m sorry. I thought I was helping, really,” Greg’s voice trembled with the weight of his guilt. He reached out toward her, though the distance between them felt larger than the few inches that separated their bodies. “I understand now that I wasn’t.”
Cindy didn’t respond immediately. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, her eyes fixed on the far wall of the habitat, refusing to meet his gaze. The soft hum of Madison’s music, now faint in the background, filled the silence between them like an invisible barrier.
“We need allies if we’re going to survive this,” Greg continued, his tone growing more desperate. He was grasping at anything that might ease the tension between them, anything that could bring them back to the solidarity they once had.
Cindy scoffed, a bitter smile curling at the corner of her lips. “Sure, Greg. It’s no secret you and McKenzie have always been close. You’ve always got along well, and now that we’re both Littles… I guess we see where I really sit.” Her voice dripped with hurt, the sarcasm doing little to hide the deeper wound she felt. She glanced at him briefly, the flash of pain in her eyes visible before she turned away again.
Greg winced. Her words cut deeper than she probably intended, but he couldn’t deny the truth in them. He and McKenzie had always been close—closer than Cindy and McKenzie, at least. It had never been an issue before. But now, in this twisted new reality, everything felt amplified, every small divide between them becoming a chasm.
“We are in this together,” Greg said, his voice firmer, though he could feel the conversation slipping further out of his control. “Marriage is about togetherness—your victories are my victories, and mine are yours. If McKenzie is upset with both of us, that doesn’t do us any good.”
Cindy let out a sharp breath, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “Togetherness?” she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. “It sure doesn’t feel like that, Greg.” She turned toward him, her eyes narrowing as she spoke. “You made your choice, and now I’m supposed to just… what? Accept it? Pretend like it doesn’t hurt?”
Greg’s jaw clenched as he tried to steady his voice, to keep his defensiveness from spilling over. “I’m doing this for us, Cindy. I thought aligning with McKenzie would give us a chance, a way to—”
“To what?” Cindy interrupted, her voice rising with anger. “To make things easier for you? To get in with McKenzie so you can play both sides?”
“That’s not what I’m doing!” Greg shot back, his own frustration beginning to show. “I’m trying to keep us from being completely at Madison’s mercy. If McKenzie’s on our side, we stand a better chance!”
Cindy shook her head, her hands trembling as she clenched them into fists at her sides. “Maybe you should run that by Madison. I’m sure she’d love to hear how one of her Littles is working to get in good with McKenzie instead of her.”
The words were sharp, but Greg could hear the hurt behind them, the fear. Cindy wasn’t going to tell Madison, he knew that. But her anger wasn’t just about him siding with McKenzie—it was the fear that she was being left behind, that McKenzie would slowly take Greg away, leaving Cindy alone in Madison’s care.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel like this,” Greg said softly, his tone shifting as he tried to defuse the situation. He could see how raw her emotions were, how close she was to breaking. “Cindy, you’re not alone in this. We’re not going to let them split us up.”
But Cindy’s posture remained rigid, her eyes distant as she stared past him. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” she whispered. “That McKenzie will take you away, and I’ll be left with Madison… alone.”
Greg’s heart sank at her words. The image of Cindy, stuck under Madison’s thumb without him there to support her, flashed in his mind, and for the first time, he understood the depth of her fear. Madison, with her newfound authority and unpredictable moods, could be overwhelming. And while Greg had managed to carve out a fragile alliance with McKenzie, Cindy was left navigating Madison’s world on her own.
“I would never let that happen,” Greg said, his voice firm but gentle. He reached out again, this time his hand resting lightly on her arm. “We’re in this together. I promise you that.”
Cindy’s gaze finally softened, though the hurt in her eyes remained. She didn’t pull away from his touch, but she didn’t lean into it either. “It just… it doesn’t feel like that sometimes,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to lose you, Greg. Not to them. Not to this.”
Greg’s grip on her arm tightened slightly, a quiet reassurance. “You won’t,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I’m not going anywhere.”
For a long moment, they sat there in the quiet, the only sound the faint thrum of Madison’s music drifting through the room. The tension between them slowly began to ebb, though the unspoken fears lingered in the air like a shadow. They were still trapped in this nightmare, still at the mercy of their daughters, but for now, at least, they were facing it together.
“Cindy, honey, that’s exactly why getting in with McKenzie is so important,” Greg said softly, his voice thick with emotion. Standing next to her, he looked up into her eyes, searching for understanding. The height difference between them, something that had never mattered before, now seemed to amplify the vulnerability he felt. “I can make sure we stay together. I can have a voice with McKenzie—the only person who can keep us together. I won’t let us be separated.”
Cindy, taller than him by a head, stood stiffly, her arms wrapped around herself in a defensive posture. She wasn’t looking down at Greg; her eyes were fixed on the far wall of their small habitat. The distance between them felt wider than ever, not just in height, but emotionally. The soft hum of Madison’s music drifted in from the background, creating a steady thrum that filled the silence.
“I won’t leave you behind, no matter what,” Greg continued, his voice more urgent now, his smaller frame reflecting the uncertainty he was trying to push away. “We’re a package deal, Cindy. I won’t let that change.”
He stepped closer to her, his hand gently reaching up toward her shoulder. The height difference made it more difficult to comfort her in the way he once had, but he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer into him. The familiar warmth of her body enveloped him as he pressed his face lightly against her chest. Cindy stiffened at first, her taller, sturdier frame resisting the comfort Greg was trying to offer. But after a moment, she exhaled, her defenses loosening just slightly.
Greg held her, even as his shorter stature made it feel as though he was clinging to something larger, something he might lose. Cindy had always been the stronger of the two, but now, their size difference seemed to mirror the emotional gap that had grown between them. She could still wrap herself around him, still physically protect him, but there was a fracture in their bond that Greg wasn’t sure how to mend.
“I don’t want to lose you,” Cindy whispered, her voice barely audible, her breath warm against the top of Greg’s head. She rested her chin on his hair, the weight of her fear palpable in the way she held him—tentative, like she wasn’t sure how much longer she could trust his reassurances.
“You won’t,” Greg said, his voice slightly muffled against her chest. He tightened his hold around her waist, trying to convey through touch what his words couldn’t seem to fix. “I promise, Cindy. No matter how hard this gets, we’ll face it together.”
Cindy closed her eyes, her chin still resting on his head. She could feel the smallness of his form compared to hers, the way he seemed almost fragile in her arms. It was a reversal of their old roles—where she had once leaned on him for support, now he was the one reaching up to her, clinging to her as if she was the only solid thing in this shifting world.
“I hate this,” Cindy murmured, her voice soft but heavy with emotion. “I hate feeling like we’re pawns in someone else’s game.”
Greg shifted his head slightly, pressing his cheek against her chest. “I know,” he whispered, his grip on her tightening. “But we’re going to get through it. We’ll find a way.”
Cindy pulled back just enough to look down at him, her eyes searching his face. She could see the determination in his expression, but also the fear—fear that mirrored her own. “And what if we can’t? What if… what if we lose each other in the process?”
Greg lifted his head to meet her gaze, cupping her face in his hands, though his reach didn’t quite cover her cheeks the way it used to. His thumbs brushed away the tears that had begun to gather at the corners of her eyes. “We won’t,” he said, his voice steady, though his heart raced. “I won’t let that happen, Cindy. You’re my everything.”
For a moment, the world outside their habitat—the looming threat of Madison’s control, the constant fear of McKenzie’s decisions—seemed to fade into the background. In this small space, they held on to each other, Greg’s smaller frame leaning into Cindy’s taller one, the physical connection bridging the emotional distance between them. It was a fleeting moment of safety, a reminder of what they once had before everything had changed.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us together,” Greg said, his tone resolute. “Even if it means playing along with McKenzie and Madison. Even if it means bending to their rules. I’ll do it for us.”
Cindy nodded, her forehead resting against his as they shared the weight of their fears. The height difference made it awkward, but she didn’t care. “I just don’t want to be alone in this,” she whispered, her voice laced with vulnerability. “I need you with me.”
“You’re not alone,” Greg reassured her, his voice soft but certain. “You never will be.”
They stood there for a long while, wrapped in each other’s arms, finding solace in their shared warmth. The outside world—Madison’s footsteps, the distant music, the looming presence of their new reality—faded into the background for just a moment. In that space, they were still Greg and Cindy, still a team, still together.
It’s a fantastic episode here and a great development for Greg and Cindy.
Yup, a bit of character development and working through problems as they are arising. Being together in this will be key for them.
Despite everything her fears are valid and understandable. Cindy wound crack quickly if Greg wasn’t with her. I doubt she’s be recognizable under such circumstances. She needs Greg and Greg needs her. Misery loves company but hard times are easier when there’s someone to help you. It works both ways.
I agree when you are struggling and in a rough situation having someone with you can make all the difference in the world. Going through it and feeling like you are all alone is ten times harder.
This can be especially true if you also feel a bit responsible for the situation you are in.
0) Back to smaller chapters.
1) “Though the distance between them felt larger than the few inches that separated their bodies” that’s because each inch would be about two feet from Greg’s perspective.
2) I understand where Greg is coming from thinking it’d be better to appease McKenzie’s ego in the moment, But I also understand why that would upset Cindy.
3) “We need allies if we’re going to survive this,” It’s sadly true that they do need allies to handle their own kids.
4.1) “It’s no secret you and McKenzie have always been close. You’ve always got along well” Oh, yeah Cindy, lord FUCKING forbid a man have a good relationship with his daughter.
4.2) “I guess we see where I really sit.” who’s fault is that Cindy?
5) “It had never been an issue before” yes it had, it just wasn’t an issue for Cindy because McKenzie had to hide her emotions for fear of worsening her situation through further fighting, now she’s the one who gets to hold power and the issues that previously existed aren’t hidden from her mum.
6) “You made your choice, and now I’m supposed to just… what? Accept it? Pretend like it doesn’t hurt?” Of course, it’d hurt, she shouldn’t have to pretend it doesn’t, but it also hurt Greg to be forced to make that choice, and she understandably can’t see that right now.
7.1) “I’m trying to keep us from being completely at Madison’s mercy” That’s definitely something they’d want to avoid.
7.2) “If McKenzie’s on our side, we stand a better chance!” it’s true, a little having their guardian’s guardian on their side would help.
8) “Maybe you should run that by Madison. I’m sure she’d love to hear how one of her Littles is working to get in good with McKenzie instead of her.” Greg is technically McKenzie’s little, but I’m really glad Cindy won’t actually spill, I’ve seen emotional women do dumber things to spite a man.
9.1) “We’re not going to let them split us up.” You will have next to no say in the matter.
9.2) “That McKenzie will take you away, and I’ll be left with Madison… alone.” That is a very real possibility and a valid fear.
10) “The height difference between them, something that had never mattered before, now seemed to amplify the vulnerability he felt” It wouldn’t have mattered as it would have been normal when they were bigger, but it’s more about the change in the size difference than it is about the difference itself.
In future generations, smallborns will normalise women being bigger than men, the opposite of what humans have.
11) The two of them embracing and comforting each other was so sweet, wanting to reassure one another that they were in this together and planned on staying together warmed my heart.
12) “I hate feeling like we’re pawns in someone else’s game.” Says the woman who was just arguing strategy.
0) Back to smaller chapters.
the chapters are kinda all over in length. As I just wrote to stopping points. Smallara proper is a bit different in that regard.
1) “Though the distance between them felt larger than the few inches that separated their bodies” that’s because each inch would be about two feet from Greg’s perspective.
That is true their size would play a factor in how they are perceiving the distance. As an inch would be how he measures his own height.
2) I understand where Greg is coming from thinking it’d be better to appease McKenzie’s ego in the moment, But I also understand why that would upset Cindy.
I agree its a relateable juxtaposition. Neither is wrong in what they are thinking and feeling. It’s a tough situation.
3) “We need allies if we’re going to survive this,” It’s sadly true that they do need allies to handle their own kids.
It’s hard when your kids are now giants compared to you. They need every edge they can get. Being McKenzie runs the house I can understand wanting to stay in her good graces.
4.1) “It’s no secret you and McKenzie have always been close. You’ve always got along well” Oh, yeah Cindy, lord FUCKING forbid a man have a good relationship with his daughter.
When i re-read this chapter today I thought that same thing that it comes off as her punishing him for being a good father and having a healthy relationship with his daughter.
4.2) “I guess we see where I really sit.” who’s fault is that Cindy?
She does have only herself to blame for htat one.
5) “It had never been an issue before” yes it had, it just wasn’t an issue for Cindy because McKenzie had to hide her emotions for fear of worsening her situation through further fighting, now she’s the one who gets to hold power and the issues that previously existed aren’t hidden from her mum.
This was also Cindy’s own doing. While one could say she may not have realized McKenzie was as upset she was. There is a bit of a role reversal here that Cindy needs to try to find the new normal. As the way she handled Mckenzie previously won’t work.
6) “You made your choice, and now I’m supposed to just… what? Accept it? Pretend like it doesn’t hurt?” Of course, it’d hurt, she shouldn’t have to pretend it doesn’t, but it also hurt Greg to be forced to make that choice, and she understandably can’t see that right now.
Greg was in a impossible situation. McKenzie was pressing for an answer as she seemingly didn’t want to be hurt which is understandable as her mother had hurt her. But it did force Greg into a position wher eh ehad to choose between his wife and his daughter.
7.1) “I’m trying to keep us from being completely at Madison’s mercy” That’s definitely something they’d want to avoid.
Yes I wouldn’t want to be at Madison’s mercy either.
7.2) “If McKenzie’s on our side, we stand a better chance!” it’s true, a little having their guardian’s guardian on their side would help.
Madison has proven she respects McKenize’s authority. So being in McKenzie’s good graces would be helpful. As it would restrict Madison’s power to some degree.
8) “Maybe you should run that by Madison. I’m sure she’d love to hear how one of her Littles is working to get in good with McKenzie instead of her.” Greg is technically McKenzie’s little, but I’m really glad Cindy won’t actually spill, I’ve seen emotional women do dumber things to spite a man.
He is McKenzie’s technically you are right. I also agre with you in that I’ve seen emotional women do similar thing to spite a man. I weighed it if im being honest and it came down to the fact that they are married and I feel like that would mean something to Cindy. As Greg has been a good man, a good husband and a good father.
9.1) “We’re not going to let them split us up.” You will have next to no say in the matter.
THat is also true but what else is he supposed to say to console her. I think they both know that to some degree but its comforting to know that Greg isn’t pushing for it.
9.2) “That McKenzie will take you away, and I’ll be left with Madison… alone.” That is a very real possibility and a valid fear.
There is a degree of eventuality to that as some day Madison and McKenzie aren’t going to live together. They will need to come up with some kind of arrangement be it they each take both parents for some kind of tiem share or they split them up. In theory if they were split up they could still talk as they would some kind of devices available to them to video chat and such. As there would still be times they are left home as Madison and Mckenize do things like college or work, or whatever.
10) “The height difference between them, something that had never mattered before, now seemed to amplify the vulnerability he felt” It wouldn’t have mattered as it would have been normal when they were bigger, but it’s more about the change in the size difference than it is about the difference itself.
In future generations, smallborns will normalise women being bigger than men, the opposite of what humans have.
Exactly it will be come more normal as time goes on you are right. Smallborns won’t know any different as there culture would be reversed in that women are kind dominant gender and the one society more leans towards. Which is similar to how many animal species work.
It would be more pronounced for Greg as he was used to be being bigger than his wife and now he is much smaller. Masculine is the new feminine.
11) The two of them embracing and comforting each other was so sweet, wanting to reassure one another that they were in this together and planned on staying together warmed my heart.
I wanted to illustrate good moments and character growth. Celebrating there victories moreso then I did with Jordan in mainline smallara series. This was kind of one of those lessons learned as you take things forward.
As it creates opportunities to use Madison’s world as a secondary branching point to the mainline series.
12) “I hate feeling like we’re pawns in someone else’s game.” Says the woman who was just arguing strategy.
lol yes.
0) I get it, it makes sense that they wouldn’t be all the same length. I prefer the shorter chapters personally though.
3) Definitely a relation ship worth maintaining, or preparing for a certain dumb cunt.
4) I Definitely read that the same too, though I do think she’s actually just jealous that Greg and Kenzie are close.
5) Yep, she could have easily avoided it. SHe didn’t even need to change her ways too much, just allow others to have their own ways. And now she has to be the one to bite her tougne and submit to someone who doesn’t care to listen either.
6) It wasn’t fair of McKenzie.
7.2) Yeah, they can hope McKenzie pulls Madison in line.
9.2) It’s definitely coming, they’d basically be forcing their parents into a separation like what would have likely have happened to thousands of couples already. I do hope that at minimum Madison and McKenzie stay in the same city for their parents.
10) Female littles being more dominant is already present in the stories. Your two most dominant littles are Kelli and Cindy, Lisa was also able to put her foot down when she needed to, the only female little who didn’t seem at least a little more dominant than the males was Christine but she’d very obviously been the victim of torture and abuse so her spirit was very broken.
I’m not sure if it would be that “Masculine is the new feminine” but am interested in discussing how the alterations are being made in little culture compared to humans.