Tour De Heart - Prologue [TG Lesbian Romance]

Anonymously Commissioned

Ken has always struggled to find meaning in his life, and even a scenic trip to France hasn’t lifted the cloud of dissatisfaction hanging over him. When a mysterious woman offers him a free bike, he accepts. As Ken discovers a passion for cycling, strange things happen—reality warps around him, and his body changes. With each ride, he slowly transforms into Amélie Blanchet, a renowned cyclist on the verge of competing for gold in the Tour de France. As his old identity fades and the world shifts, Ken must navigate the blurred lines between who he was and who he’s becoming and maybe find love along the way. 

Prologue

It was a beautiful day in the French countryside. The sun was out, there was a gentle breeze, and the weather was warm and inviting, But Ken couldn’t appreciate it at all. His legs burned with every step, the muscles trembling as he forced himself up the uneven trail. His lungs felt as if they were on fire, as they dragged the humid air deep into his chest, only to expel it in a frustrated huff. Sweat clung to his skin, soaking through his shirt and plastering it against his back. The sun blazed above, relentless and merciless, and though the shade of the trees offered some respite, it wasn’t nearly enough. 

He hated it. The steady rhythm of his boots against the dirt, the weight of his backpack digging into his shoulders, the way his heart pounded as if it were trying to escape his chest—he hated all of it. Hiking was supposed to be an adventure, a means to get in shape while reconnecting with nature. All the books and videos he’d watched had been filled with beautiful, smiling people getting in shape and enjoying themselves. None of them were red in the face and feeling gross. 

After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached the lookout point. Ken stopped hands on his knees, gasping for breath as he looked out over the valley. He waited for that sense of pride and accomplishment to wash over him as he took it all in, but it never did. The view was... okay. The rolling hills stretched out before him, a patchwork of greens and browns dotted with quaint villages that looked like something out of a postcard. It was picturesque, sure, but as he stood there, trying to catch his breath, it didn’t feel worth it. He could have had the same experience looking up a photo online or driving. 

His eyes trailed to the signpost near the edge of the lookout, Kening the end of the trail he’d just conquered. The trail name was in French, so he couldn’t understand it. What he could understand was the little English note beneath it that read “beginner Trail” in unfeeling bold letters. 

Ken’s gaze shifted to the rugged peaks looming in the distance, the higher, more challenging trails that snaked their way up the mountain. Hikers passed by him, their strides confident and determined as they started their ascent, chatting easily with one another as if the climb was just a leisurely stroll. There was even a family with a little girl, all walking and chatting without being out of breath at all. It almost felt like they were mocking him. 

It didn’t seem fair, he wasn’t even that overweight! He was more skinny-fat than anything. Sure, he had a little bit of pudge here and there, but he still fit into medium-sized clothes. All this panting and sweating should be reserved for people who were really out of shape. Then again, he was learning lately that fat and out of shape were two entirely different things. 

Ken groaned, this was only the first day of his ‘holiday’. He had a whole week of hikes, nature walks and walking tours to look forward to. He’d thought spending his vacation time abroad would make the whole, getting back in shape thing, more exciting. How wrong he was. He seriously considered booking a bus back to Paris and eating pastries the whole trip. At least then he could enjoy it a bit before the guilt set in. He took one last look at the proper trail leading up the mountain before turning back and heading down. What was the point? 

By the time he reached the little village at the bottom of the trail, he’d drained all his water, and the idea of walking the half-mile back to his rented apartment sounded like actual torture. Instead, he flopped down on a nearby bench and decided to spend some quality time moping; it was his best skill, after all. 

“It is too fine a day to look so miserable.” 

Ken looked up to find an athletic-looking woman with bright blue eyes smiling at him. She had a bike gripped by the handles and a helmet that barely contained her wild hair. 

“Just finished a hike.” Ken said, “Just a little tired, that's all.”

“It doesn’t look like hiking agrees with you, monsieur.” 

“No, no it does not.” He sighed. “But I am trying to get into shape so…”

He waved vaguely at the mountains and the woman giggled. 

“I recommend bikes over walking, faster and less rocks.” She giggled. 

Ken looked over the bike she was holding. It was sleek and silver, with blue paint and those low handlebars that professional riders had instead of the regular kind. He didn't know anything about bikes, but even he could tell it was an expensive one. 

“I spent all my money getting here, I’m afraid. A bike is probably out of the question.”

The woman looked him up and down before smiling sympathetically.

“I think I know how you feel, I was like you once. Tell you what, take this one.”

“What?”

Ken gaped as she pushed the bike over to him and replaced her hands with his own. 

“I’m just paying it forward. Maybe you’ll do the same one day.”

“No, I can't accept-”

“Don’t worry about it, mon cher. Enjoy.”

And with that, she walked away, speeding up to a jog and disappearing into the crowd. Ken yelled after her. She couldn’t be serious, right? This had to be some sort of scam, she’d show up tomorrow with a police officer and accuse the American tourist of stealing her bike. People didn't just give away things like this to total strangers! Still winded from the hike, he had no chance of catching her though and was left standing in the street, holding his new bike, feeling flustered and confused. 

“Um, thanks?” He said to open air. “I guess I’ll just…take it with me.”

Lacking any better ideas, he wheeled it back to his tiny rented holiday apartment. He didn't dare start riding. When this scam eventually revealed itself, he didn't want to give it any extra fuel. He’d leave the bike somewhere safe and wait, ready to give it back without a fight and argue whatever fine they tried to stick him with. 

~

Three sweaty, miserable walk filled days later and still nobody had shown up to claim he’d stolen the bike. It sat chained to the front of his holiday apartment unused and it was starting to bother him. Walking was miserable and not making him feel any more healthy, or look it, to be frank. The temptation to get on and give it a go was mounting each day until finally, he’d had enough. His phone pinged that morning at breakfast to remind him to get an early start, he was supposed to be doing his first intermediate hike today and to say he was dreading it would be an understatement. At least giving the bike a go would give him a good excuse not to go. 

He winced slightly, sitting on the seat for the first time. He hadn’t ridden a bike since he was a preteen and it felt almost alien. 

“They say you never forget how to do this…” He whispered to himself. “Come on.”

He balanced on his toes, trying to find a comfortable position on the seat and figure out how he was supposed to rest his arms on those strange handlebars. Then, after taking a deep breath, he started to peddle. After a few wobbles, he found his centre and to his surprise, biking came naturally. No form of exercise had ever come easily to him before!

Ken grinned as he peddled his way down the street and through the random streets of the town. He’d been staying on the outskirts to be close to the hiking trails, so it felt nice to get as far away from them as possible. He biked closer toward the town centre where the crowds grew and things became more lively. The mountains got further and further into the distance as he surrounded himself with cafes and shops. What would have taken him an hour on foot only took twenty minutes on his new bike, and when he stopped for a coffee, he was delighted to realise he wasn’t even winded! He was excited to return to it when he finished his drink. 

“Bonjour!” called a fellow biker as they passed, and Ken waved back without a thought, only to wobble as he moved his hand off the handlebars. 

Thankfully he was able to right himself before he crashed.

“I should probably get a helmet.”

Luckily, he was in France, the place known for the biggest bike race in the world, so finding a bike shop wouldn’t be difficult. With renewed confidence and vigour he started up again, this time pumping his legs a little harder until they started to burn. Unlike yesterday though, the sensation brought a smile to his face. He swore he could almost feel the pudge melting away into taut muscle as he rode. In fact, Ken was enjoying himself so much that it was only when he returned to his holiday apartment that he realised the sun was setting, and that he’d forgotten to buy a helmet. 

“Oh well,” He shrugged, “Tomorrow.”

He walked inside and stretched happily, only to freeze when he flicked on the lights. The room looked…wrong. The walls and floor were clean, missing the distinct wear and tear he remembered frowning at when he first arrived. 

“Maybe they got a cleaner in?” 

That had to be it. It was the only explanation, or at least it was until he went to take a shower and found the tiny, leaky faucet had been replaced with a bathroom three times the original size, completed with a separate tub and huge glass screen shower. A cleaner could explain the walls but there was no way this whole place got renovated overnight! Ken was halfway through dialling the company he rented the place from when he stopped; what exactly was he going to say? The bathroom is suddenly way nicer? He put the phone back down with a nervous laugh.

“Okay, this is a bit weird but it’s not…bad.” 

The shower felt heavenly. The water seemed to glide across his skin in a way that it never had before. As he ran his hands over his naked body, he marvelled at just how smooth his skin felt. He’d never had the biggest amount of body hair, but it wasn’t like he shaved. All the coarseness seemed to just flow off his body, leaving him smooth and soft. When he stepped out and caught sight of himself in the steamed mirror, he actually paused. 

“Is that…me?”

His bit of chub was gone, and his muscles even had some definition. He wasn't buff by any means but he looked athletic, in fact, with his skinny frame and the sudden lack of body hair he looked a lot like the woman who’d given him the bike! Minus the obvious features of course. He placed a hand on his hip, enjoying how he could actually feel the bone properly rather than through a layer of fat. 

“If this is what one day of biking can do, I am in! Finally, a kind of exercise that works and is fun!”

He went to sleep that night with a grin on his face for the first time since his holiday began. Eager to get right back on that bike tomorrow and see what changes tomorrow’s ride would bring.