The next few weeks were rough for Cass and Yan in different ways. Cass was feeling the worst of the side effects of the medication cocktail. His diet regime had changed. He had been told losing a few stone would help relieve the pressure on his back. He was having plenty of kale and spinach shakes, and some of the medication was making him sick so he struggled to keep things in the first few days. Yan was very supportive and helpful through it all and was there a lot, even deciding to take her lectures from home to help him. She was unable to stay back for her basketball sessions, especially on insistence from Cass that he could manage and that she should not let him hold her back in her promising career.
The basketball was Yan's only break from her otherwise difficult schedule. She had not imagined she would have to be caring for someone while juggling the studies and the basketball. At times, she felt stressed but looking at Cass's struggles made her realise there were bigger stresses in life that she was fortunate not to have to encounter. The NCAA Pac-12 conference was starting soon and she was not sure she would make the starting squad. However, her other distractions perhaps freed up her mind on the basketball courts and she just couldn't stop hitting buckets at crunch times in the practice games. She was the fittest in the team and they loved her stamina. It felt like despite being just a sophomore, she was clearly going to lead the ladies out on opening night.

Cass was recommended physiotherapy and strengthening exercises specific to his spinal issues. Fortunately, Yan's old roommate Alice was now sharing an apartment with another girl that was in her final year's physio training. Yan suggested Cass seek her help to do the exercises, as otherwise hiring a professional would have been expensive at a time when Cass was not even receiving any college stipends or scholarships from basketball. Alice's friend, Jordan, was happy to help and decided Cass could be her case study for her practical training. The only thing Cass was feeling embarrassed about was that he felt his looks and frailty would attract unnecessary attention if he were to do the physio near his college. It was agreed that they would do their work in a small gym outside of Eugene , and Jordan would expense it on her college research stipend. She had read the brief on what his exercise regime needed to be. She felt her field of specialization , sports physiotherapy, would help Cass immensely.
Cass had been for the first session with Jordan nearly 3 weeks after the medication. He was feeling weaker and anxious about the physio hurting him further. She was very fit, slightly shorter than him but with a 6-pack and very defined muscular shoulders and arms indicating she was herself a gym bunny. Her short cropped auburn hair, tattoos and muscular frame made Cass suspect if she was gay. Yan sometimes refused to talk much about her previous roommate, and Cass had wondered if Alice had moved to be with someone she was in a relationship with, rather than just to be near her college. He was not complaining, he was very comfortable in the bedroom, even if it was a touch too feminine.
It was clear Jordan had read the notes from the Katie Chang, his previous physiotherapist. "We are going to focus on trying to shape your body to lower your center of gravity a little bit so your spine doesn't have to bear as heavy a load", Jordan's booming voice broke his thoughts. It was not the first time he had been told that. He nodded. "I used to be a basketball star for the Beavers, you know? I know a thing or two about work outs and core strengthening!" Jordan looked at him, a little annoyed at his attitude. "Look Cassie, I know you USED to be a star. You can barely run without pain, and looking at your muscles and your posture, I think I could have you on the mat. So either listen to me and let me help you, or find yourself someone that will adore you with little puppy eyes but not help your condition one jot! What do you say?" Cass was a little taken aback by her aggression. "Sorry, ok I will listen..I am just trying to tell you I can learn quickly ". Jordan nodded and said "Ok. Just remember I am here to help you and I need to improve your physique to get through my thesis as a success".
Jordan had Cass do plenty of squats, with and without low weights. It was painful at first, and there were times he felt like giving up and he even felt foolish for having given Jordan the talk earlier. Jordan pushed him, but made sure she was also laying him flat on his front and giving enough massage to keep comforting after every strenuous exercise. He was drained after an hour. Jordan seemed to be a bit more sympathetic by the end. She patted him and said "Don't be hard on yourself Cass. Your body needs to get used to these different work outs that you previously never had to focus on". Cass didn't have much left in him and just wanted to get home. "I can drop you off if you want, it will save you having to walk or get the bus"Jordan offered helpfully. While in the car, Jordan seemed to soften a bit more. "hey, you might want to braid or get your long hair in a bun. It's too pretty to have it covered in sweat", she said. Cass realised she had just complimented and flashed a smile and a "thanks". He was feeling some pain, but it was going to take a lot more to beat him. He was thinking to himself, "one work out down, only going to get easier here on".
When he got back home, he realised Yan was back from her training session . She was keen to hear how it had gone and Cass told her how he struggled through it but he was determined to keep at it. "That's the true fighter Cassie I know!" She said and gave him a big hug. They had both decided that with Cass's medication and pains, they should try to avoid any more than the cuddling and spooning. Yan was finding it harder when she was big-spooning Cass with her legs over Cass's ass and her crotch against his ripe bum. Cass looked spent after his work out. As always Yan fetched him his tablets and the special tea which Cass was starting to really appreciate. It seemed to calm him down.
The next few weeks for Cass was all about strengthening his lower body and shedding weight off his upper body. Yan was having to spend days and occasionally some nights away playing her basketball games. Cass would look forward to an evening ,after the intense workout, of watching Yan on the TV or through the live streams showing NCAA college basketball. He was very encouraging and would often send little messages of support and encouragement when she was playing somewhere further away that needed her to stay in motels with the team overnight.

Yan felt like time was running away from her. Fortunately the school of computer science had allowed her to take her exams and project submissions at a later date as she was representing the university, and one of their star players at that. There was going to be a break over Christmas and she was looking forward to spending that time home with a break from the school projects as well as basketball. She wanted to be there and treat Cassie to a special holiday. Her mom was not around for Christmas for the first time ever, deciding to visit her family in Taiwan instead. Cass had decided as well that he was not going to travel away to meet his family over Christmas because of his health. He had been to visit them at Thanksgiving anyway, so he was looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday with Yan too.

Yan came back home the day after her final game before the break. Cass was waiting for her eagerly, to embrace her and congratulate her on another fantastic result. As he threw his arms around her, Yan hugged him and kissed him, and couldn't help but notice that Cassie's ass was feeling a lot chunkier and rounder in her hands. Cass definitely felt Yan's strength as she pulled him in and even slightly lifted him off his feet as she cuddled him. The work outs were definitely giving Cass a decidedly feminine shape with his ass, thighs had got rounder and thicker and a more slender upper frame. Yan's shoulders were starting to look like Jordan's and her fitness and upper body strength was definitely more pronounced since the start the term. Yan slipped her tongue in as she kissed Cass. He let her probe away as she leaned back and let Yan pull him closer by the waist. "Are you feeling ok?" Yan asked, hoping she was not hurting him by pulling him in. "Shh, just keep kissing" Cass whispered and leaned up for Yan to resume her kiss. Yan realised Cass had also done his hair in a very pretty style, like how she had done it a couple of months ago when he first moved in with her. She appreciated that Cass had made the effort for her... Even if he was still in his shorts and t-shirt unlike the previous instance when he was in Alice's dressing gown. She decided not to mention it and just continued the kissing.
" Wanna Netflix and chill tonight?" Cass asked, coyly. "Sure, let me have a shower. You get comfortable and order us a pizza and let's just cuddle in front of the TV" Yan said,smiling and knew Cass was up to something. While in the shower, she was imagining what she really would like Cass to look like,ultra-feminine and dolled up like Barbie , with pretty fluttery eyes and full, luscious lips. She started rubbing herself and feeling excited at the thought. She wondered if Cassie would be up for some sex that night. She was feeling horny and wanted to relieve her stresses.
She got into come comfy college hoodies and sweat pants. Cass was sipping his licorice green tea just flicking the TV over. "Hey I got you a large Hawaiian pizza and got a veggie slim-line myself", Cass said as she walked up to get comfortable next to him. "Aww you are so good with your diet. I really should be as well with the conference play offs coming up in the new year" Yan said settling beside Cass and starting to play with his now long hair reaching down to the middle of his back. "Remember that first night you stayed over? That was so wonderful and it has been life changing. I hope you have liked staying here with me in Eugene?" Cass looked at her smiling and said, "Yan, I absolutely love being here, I adore you and cannot thank you enough for being there for me". His eyes were starting to well up. "I don't know where I would be if I was still in my shithouse wallowing in selfpity". Yan loved how sensitive and emotional Cass was getting- she wondered if it was the hormones in the pills her was taking. It made her reach for him and give him a tender kiss, and said "Don't cry, I am here for you baby girl", she said before realising it "errr baby guy...haha" she said and Cass actually giggled. "That's so funny, I do feel like one at the minute, I am often feeling quite emotional and some nights when you are away playing games, I just cannot stop crying at my situation. I have never been so vulnerable ", Cass confessed. He had not told anyone that, but with Yan here beside him and having the time to have conversation, he wanted to open up. "Awww I am so sorry pumpkin, I wish I was here for you more". Yan was feeling bad but she was also glad Cass was able to express his sensitive side and talk to her about it.
"And...I did love the first night I was here. What did you like best about it? " asked Cass. Yan decided that now they were having the time to talk, she was going to take a step forwards and open up on her thoughts as well. She turned to look at Cass in the eyes, still stroking his silky hair "Can I be honest?" Cass nodded and said, "Please I do want to know what gets you happy. I appreciate how you care for me despite your uber-stressful life with the difficult degree course and the basketball, and I want to know how I can make you happy". Cass stroked her hand that was resting on his soft and pale thighs and leaned his face to let her other hand stroking his hair cup his cheeks. " Ok, Cassie I will tell you what I vividly remember from that evening. I loved how you were sitting in front of the vanity mirror, letting me style your hair feminine and looking so soft, sweet and vulnerable. I loved that you had Alice's cute robe on. You let me please myself by rubbing against you and you were so sensitive to the vibrator against you. Every one of those things just make me want to cuddle and kiss and do things to you..... Like you were my girl". Yan looked for his reaction, especially to that last bit. Cass's eyes widened at that but there was no look of contempt or shock or anger. He seemed to have a very calm and just a quizzical look. It took him a while, she could see his lips purse and his eyes looking up as if he was reading his script from up at the corner of the ceiling. "Omg he looks so cute" thought Yan. Cass then spoke,"ummm I am not sure what to say to that, other than I did enjoy you playing with me like that. I had wanted to try and find your wand to play with myself on the first day I was here but I was feeling embarrassed. The next day... You remember, when you got back from your training...I loved how you're so strong and knew what to do with me". Yan could see Cass was blushing furiously now and was looking down at his thighs as he was speaking. "When you rubbed my insides with your finger, it was like a magic trap door opening to reveal new pleasurable sensations". Yan could not believe her luck, and thought she must be dreaming this conversation. She placed her hand under Cass's chin and got him to look her in the eye. "Ohh Cassie, you are such a sweetie pie". She leaned in and saw Cass close his eyes with his lips moving to her. They kissed. Yan let her tongue play it's magic inside Cassie's and it seemed like an eternity before Cass pressed her shoulder to indicate she should give him a breather. He took a deep breath as he opened his eyes, still smiling. Yan was smiling too and she had a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Will you let me do something?" Cass nodded and said, "Anything". Yan jumped up and said, "let me make you pretty again, come with me to your room." Cass had already brushed his hair fairly nice but he knew Yan might have other plans. He had not told Yan that he had been learning to braid his hair and experimenting with styles that girls that did running or gym work were suggesting on tiktok. He let her lead him.
"Sit down, and just enjoy. Would you like another cup of your relaxing tea.. madam?" Yan was smiling while speaking in a fake British accent, trying to sound like a hair dresser at the salon. Cass laughed and decided to play along. "ooh yes please that would be so lovely darling!", in a fake high pitched voice. Yan went to work on his long blonde hair, brushing it, and using a styling iron to add some curls and trying some pretty bangs.
She then said,"please let me add some makeup, it will be fun I promise!". Cass was beyond the point of saying no to Yan on anything. It was not like she had really waited for a response, she was already going to open one of Alice's draws that still had her stuff in. Mainly some little jewellery and a few makeup bits. Yan first started with a concealer and told him it was to hide some tired spots on his face. She then squirted some liquid foundation and spread it with her fingers and then used a brush. "Your eyes will really pop when I do this" she said, as she opened an eye liner pencil and lined his eyes. "Let's highlight those pretty eyes" she said, applying some lash extending mascara. Yan was doing all of this standing between his face and the mirror so he had no idea what it looked like. "Now, let's work on your pout", Yan was spreading some red lip gloss. "Part your lips and look up", she said. When she was done, she spread a different gloss around the outside lines of his upper lip, apparently to make them look plumper! .l"Now, just to complete the look, let's get some pretty little jewellery", she said reaching for another little bag in the draw. She clipped some long dangly earrings, and got a little pretty grip to hold one side of hair. "Oooh that looks perfect", she said. "Ready for your reveal, madame?" Yan was thoroughly enjoying herself and Cass was pleased they were having fun. He did kind of enjoy the pampering, even if it was not something he had any experience of. When Yan stepped aside, he nearly jumped out of his chair- there was a pretty bombshell staring back at him - open-mouthed and wide eyed, fluttering her..his.. gorgeous eyes. "Ohhhhh myyyy gaaaawwd. I was not expecting that!" He looked at Yan who was beaming and enjoying the surprised look. "See ,I told you I enjoyed seeing you look pretty and I hope now you do too!" Cass didn't know what to say. "Errr , wow, thanks... Gosh, I didn't think I could look like that." Yan then said-"there is just one small aberration in the look. You can't look dolled up like that with a t-shirt and shorts. Let me get you something more appropriate. I am sure Alice asked me to keep some of her special dresses in here because she didn't have the space in her new place". She then opened one of Alice's closet, reached for a dress from the back and held it up for Cass to see. "That's perfect for you". Before Cass could protest, the dress was going over his hair and Yan got him to push his arms through before letting the dress fall down. It was a gorgeous red and black chiffon dress with little red hearts on it. Yan moved his hair to one side, zipping up the dress at the back and also finding a necklace to complete the ensemble. " There, now can you please stand up, my pretty maiden, and give me a twirl?" Yan said, laughing. Cass stood up, still staring at himself in the mirror, looking like a gorgeous young girl at one of the various parties and proms he had been to. And without realising, Yan had taken his hand and spun him around, the dress skirt billowed out beautifully before settling just below his shorts. She then pulled him in and said "thank you so much, you are so sweet", and she pulled his back in closer to her and kissed him, gently at first but more passionately as he could feel the taste of lipstick and her lips treating him like the delicate young lady he looked like.