Mason runs a fashion company with Sebastian, who is later revealed to be his step brother, and has been pressured to slim down to model the clothes for their ads and match Sebastian in his idea of conveying “perfection”. It’s a good theme given the nasty history the fashion industry has had and still has on people’s views of weight. There are quite a few moments in the story reflecting on how being shamed for their weight has affected both Mason and Julian at different points in their life. So know going in that there is some angst, even if the message itself is body positive.

The fashion aspect isn’t heavily leaned into but serves as a backdrop to Mason’s conflicts in his life. Much of it stems from Sebastian (and Mason) struggling to fulfill his father’s vision for the company that goes against the ethos of District 96 itself. There are comments about them not making plus sized clothing, expanding their lines into weight loss products, and how the residents of the area skew heavier. They couldn’t support this company even if they did like their products. Even Mason himself wouldn’t have been able to wear them at the initial size he was before Sebastian began to control his life through authority and the power granted to him by the deal with Rasmus.

I appreciate the story’s portrayal of Mason’s depression and Julian’s emotional struggles too. I think the flashbacks to when they met when they were younger were very sweet and had a nice parallel to how easily they clicked again even if Julian didn’t remember Mason at first. And while Sebastian is an asshole, I wound up feeling sorry for him too. I think in his own way, he believed he was doing what was good for Mason. He cared for him enough not to want him to share in the consequences of the failed deal at least, which is more than his own family did for him. Sebastian was pressured into a position he didn’t want, and passed that pressure on to his step-brother. It’s sad, and I’m curious to see where their story continues in District 96.

My favorite part about this one is definitely our two leads. Both of them are very imperfect, with varying levels of actual malice behind their actions at different parts of the story. While Token might view shifting some of his weight off on unsuspecting people who irritate him as harmless, Cole seems well aware that a lot of the things he himself does are wrong. Token enjoys being fed, being cared for, and yet Cole always finds ways to try to push past his boundaries. Always needs a little more. Greedy in a way different from Token. Meanwhile Token is in his own way using Cole, happy to let him take care of everything for him while he enjoys the new perks of serving Ras and getting to put on weight like he wanted, despite not wanting to be serious with him. Cole is convenient and already in on the secret of magic by that point, so why not?

Well, Token finds out why not. Where Token wants to be big, having been put in a position to gain weight as he pleases under Ras’s orders, Cole wants Token big. He’s upset when he gains weight himself, yet sees no limit for Token’s even when Token becomes frustrated with the difficulty of getting around. His fantasy seems to be of Token to be immobile, unable to leave his apartment. And he’s content to do whatever need be done to keep him growing even once he decides he’s had enough. Ras too accommodate this, needing Token to get as large as he can within the given timeframe so he can have him transfer that weight to someone he is saving it for. Who and why? You’ll have to read for that part since it’s a rather big reveal I don’t think needs spoiled for this review. But know there are actually two scenes in this story where rapid weight gain is used as a horror device, relating to characters who absolutely hate the idea of gaining weight. I think it makes for a good contrast, comparing the joy of gainer characters versus the feeling of lack of control.

Outside of these aspects of the story, more information about the city’s magic is introduced, along with Theodore, who will be one of the POV characters in District 96. For now, know that he’s around and he has a brief encounter with Ras after receiving a vial of the appetite enhancing potion from Cole.

One point in the story I do want to touch on that initially gave me mixed feelings was the couple of chapters spent at Token’s family home. I was initially caught off guard by the inclusion of Token’s brother and their shared interest in gaining. Nothing sexual was included, but I guess being clotheslined in the past with sudden sibling relationships in comics had me find it suspect. However, I feel since the comic isn’t entirely based around fetishes, I eventually came around to this inclusion. Token’s dad is into fitness because he used to be heavier, and has become the father equivalent of an Almond Mom. The type of parent to reflect their own anxieties about their weight and sometimes old fashioned views on appearance onto their children. Meanwhile his sons have an entirely opposite view on being fat, while their mother is mostly ambivalent but leans more toward the boys’ opinion.

I feel this portion of the story was a very human one and wanted to mention it to encourage any readers to give it a chance and to know it doesn’t go anywhere particularly taboo. It’s kind of a common trope as well within this particular kink for family members to appear. It could be because it’s a common shared experience, to have some memory of a family member shame you for your weight at some point in your life or inadvertently make you feel ashamed of it. It’s emotionally damaging even if you don’t share their views on body image. I don’t see anything wrong with exploring those feelings and situations through stories that also have kink scenarios.

Reading some of the author’s Q&A posts as well, Token’s brother Finn has no sexual feelings about gaining at all. I know I mentioned in a blog post once that there is a high number of asexual artists who make BHM content, so it was nice to read about their experiences as well. If you want to know more about the behind the scenes of their comic and their views on the characters, I recommend checking out their Bluesky where they post extra art and questions from readers.