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Brock came back to Monterrey every weekend like clockwork, always checking in with Collin for his usual veggie dog during his jog up and down the pier. He even started showing up more times than usual in the middle of the week as well. Brock would stick around and wait for Collin to get off work so they could grab a bite to eat or head off on some little outing together.

In that time, they both refused to call what they were doing 'dating'. They jokingly referred to them as 'little adventures'. While Collin couldn't deny that he had an attraction towards Brock, he felt there was something holding him back. Brock seemed like a perfect catch. Incredibly well built and handsome, warm and patient. He was almost too perfect. Or at least too perfect for someone like himself. Collin had started dieting and working out during high school but had never managed to develop anything like what Brock had going on. Collin felt out of the rhino's league in almost every way.

For several weeks after their first dinner together, Brock would arrive by ferry and text Collin to announce that he'd arrived on the mainland. They would discuss options for places to eat, things to do or places nearby they could go. Brock offered to take him as far up as San Francisco but Collin had declined, insisting that they could find just as fun things to do within walking distance. It wasn't long at all before Brock started suggesting that Collin should visit Wildfox.

On the final Sunday of June, Collin went with Brock on a little walk along the beach with a metal detector. Brock had never tried it before and Collin was more than happy to teach him how.

"...And I usually like to go up and down in a zig-zag along the beach here. You tend to find a lot more stuff over there when the tide is lower but you can also go up here. People tend to drop a lot of stuff, especially where they lay down towels and bags or where they play games like volleyball." Collin explained, walking beside Brock while waving the metal detector ahead of him, side to side. He had his earbuds on his head, only covering one ear while the other was free so he could converse with Brock.

"Do you find a lot of stuff out here?" He asked, looking over the metal scoop in his hands. There were lots of big holes in it, just the right size for sifting sand without losing a single dime.

"Oh yeah, lots of stuff! Mostly jewelry and rings, lots of spare change. Still haven't found a treasure chest though!" He chuckled.

"You must have quite a collection," Brock said, grinning.

"Ehh...Not really. I usually look for inscriptions on rings and stuff. I try to return things to their owners if I can. Most stuff I just take to a lost and found and just hope for the best."

"What about coins?"

Collin gave a sly grin. "Oh those I keep, always. I think sometimes I make more combing the beach for change than I do in tips! I also have a small collection of coins from other countries as well. I haven't found any...like...artifacts yet. I'd like to go to the east coast one day and try the beaches there. Or like...maybe one of those Civil War battlefields!"

Brock smiled. Collin felt his ears prickle and burn. A little shiver went up the small of his back when Brock reached out and rubbed along his back.

"So what are you listening to?" Brock asked, noting the earbuds in Collin's ears.

"Oh these?" Collin pulled the other one out. "It's not music. It's the metal detector. Here!" He offered the earbuds to the rhino. Brock tentatively put them in and held the wand awkwardly out in front of him, waving it side to side like Collin had.

"I don't hear anything..." Brock said.

Collin fished around in his pocket, pulled out a quarter, and tossed it on the sand in front of them. Brock waved it over the coin and Collin could see a smile grow across the rhino's lips.

"Ahh! So that's what it sounds like!" Brock said, grinning at Collin as he picked up the coin. "So do you have to wear the earbuds?"

"Nah, I just do so that the beeping doesn't disturb other people trying to have a good time at the beach. Sometimes during the early mornings or evenings when it's less crowded I'll unplug the earbuds."

"I gotcha." They walked a little down the beach while Brock waved the metal detector in front of them. "Do you ever listen to music or anything while you do this?"

"Sometimes! I got wireless earbuds I can connect to my iPod-"

"You have an iPod?"

"I mean...yeah? It still works good. I got tons of music and podcasts still on it."

Brock grinned, "I was just teasing. It's been years since I've seen anyone with one of those though. What kind of music do you listen to?"

Collin cringed a bit and laughed, "It's kinda...it's a little hard to explain..."

"Why don't you try...Oh!" Brock stopped and waved the metal plate over a very specific part of the sand.

Collin knelt down and used the scoop to gather up a bunch of sand. He shook it for a bit before reaching into the basket and brushing away some sand.

"Yooo!" Collin cheered enthusiastically, "This is a buffalo nickel! What a find! Look at that!" He got up to show Brock the coin, brushing the sand away from the face. "Woah...I can't believe you found one of these on your first try!"

Brock, looking surprised, asked, "Is...is it valuable?"

Collin smiled and replied, "I guess it depends. You might be able to get like a dollar for this. It's pretty worn down already. I can kinda make out that the date is 19...35. I can't tell where it was minted but either way, these are hard to find! I found a few wheat pennies out here and even a half dollar!"

Brock replied, "You sure know a lot about coins."

Collin gave a sheepish grin. "I just think old coins are neat. I got a little collection at home of coins I found either metal detecting or at work." Collin smiled and took the rhino's hand, slipping the coin in his palm. "That's yours to keep."

Collin could see the rhino was grinning and flicking his tufted tail. A little tinge of pink touched the rhino's thick grey snout. He thought it was maybe the first time he saw Brock blush. Brock held it for a moment, gazing down at the aged silver coin in his palm before slipping it into his shirt pocket.

As they started walking again, Brock said, "I'd love to see that collection sometime. I'm also curious about your enigmatic taste in music."

Collin gave a sheepish little smile and shrugged his shoulders. "Well...my place is kind of a dump. And my room mates are kinda...well...I never really told them I was gay. We don't really talk to each other a whole lot, honestly. We all mostly just keep to ourselves."

"Ahh...so you'd feel weird about bringing me home?" Brock smirked.

"No! I mean...I just don't see any point in going to my terrible little apartment when we got a whole city to explore, right?"

Brock mulled it over for a moment. "That's a fair point, I suppose." He turned to smile at Collin. "You know, I really do enjoy spending time with ya. Going on these little adventures... I bet you'd love Wildfox."

Collin smiled but shifted uncomfortably, rubbing his arm. "Yeah, I dunno..."

Brock gave a little smile and a nod. "Maybe one day. It's a real fun place."

"Yeah but...I'm kinda body shy, you know?"

"Aww, you'd be fine, Pink. It's not strictly nudist. It's clothing optional. And there's lots of handsome boys there. Just like you," He gave Collin a wink. "But like I said before, no pressure."

Collin gave a little smile and said, "Maybe...I dunno. It took a lot of courage for me just to wear that little rainbow pin to work. And that worked out real great..." He added with some bitter sarcasm. "I just don't think I have the kind of courage to go there..."

"I feel like you'd fit right in," Brock replied. "I was pretty shy myself when I first went there. I was worried I'd be recognized but...I quickly made friends with a lot of guys. It's very warm and welcoming." Brock paused for a couple seconds. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"When I touched your back a bit ago...did I make you uncomfortable? I'm sorry if I did..."

"Huh? No, why?"

Brock tilted his head, "Well I felt ya shudder when I rubbed up your back. I wasn't sure if you were comfortable with that kind of affection."

Collin smiled and shook his head. "Naw, you're good! It was nice! I'm just not used to being touched like that, I guess."

Brock smiled, "Mind if I put an arm around you then?"

Collin rubbed his hand over his snout, hiding his blush. "I mean...Of course!"

The rhino put an arm around him. It was strong and warm and from where he was he could get a good whiff of the rhino's masculine, slightly sweaty scent with just a dash of cologne. Possibly deodorant? All he really knew in that moment was that his knees felt like they were about to buckle under how hot the rhino was. Or from the weight of the thick arm on his shoulders.

"You're very tall..." Collin murmured.

"And you're very cute," Brock said, sticking his pointed tongue out playfully at him. "Oh. I think I heard another beep!"

They continued up and down the beach, finding everything from coins to cola can tops. Collin was more than happy to let the rhino keep his big, muscular arm around his shoulders. He even leaned against him a few times, taking in the warmth that radiated off his broad chest and breathing in his scent. He thought that either Brock had some kind of warm, protective energy or if he was just so touch starved that any little touch felt amazing. But Collin did feel comfortable and safe next to Brock. And weirdly a bit tingly too, mostly in his belly. Brock had what guys younger than Collin would call 'good vibes'.

They got back to the pier with their modest haul just as it was starting to get a bit late. They threw away the trash they had found along the beach and Brock insisted that Collin keep the change they found, even though Brock had found many of the coins. They eventually came to a compromise as they left a sizable tip in a tip jar when they went and got frozen yogurt. Though he noticed that Brock kept the buffalo nickel safe in his shirt pocket.

They sat on a bench together looking out over the wine dark ocean, watching the sun gradually melting behind the horizon. They watched people coming and going through the shops, stores, and restaurants along the boardwalk. Brock still had his arm around Collin's back.

"I had fun today," Brock said, grinning at Collin. "I always have fun when I'm with ya."

Collin muttered a bashful little, "Thanks...I like spending time with you."

Brock looked out over the ocean, his eyes in the direction of Wildfox. "I'd still love to take ya on a date back to Wildfox..."

Collin gave a shy giggle. "A little adventure," He said, jokingly correcting him.

Brock turned and gave him a shrewd smile, saying nothing.

"A date..." Collin said, conceding softly. He leaned a little closer. "I dunno though...I get nervous just thinking about that place. I think I'm just scared of other gay guys. And nudity."

Brock gave a laugh. "You're not afraid of me, are ya?"

Collin grinned. "Of course not. I'm just...not really comfortable in my own body. I've never really knew anyone else who was gay before. I see customers all the time that are...or I think might be, but I never really know sometimes. I feel invisible a lot too... I think I'm just more comfortable that way. I think most people assume that I'm straight since it's the default and I don't really make much of an effort, like...I saw a lot of regulars who were surprised when I wore that rainbow pin to work."

Brock nodded. "Would you have guessed that I was gay?"

Collin looked up at Brock, assessing him for a second. "Maybe? You're really muscular. And intimidatingly hot." Collin grinned when he got a good laugh out of the rhino. He really liked his rich, deep laughter. He continued, "But I honestly kind of thought you were just because of how you flirted with me and stuff. I wasn't sure if you were just teasing me or if you meant it."

"It was a little of both," Brock replied, beaming at Collin. "I loved getting a smile out of you and seeing you being all blushy and shy. You're cute."

"Thanks...But yeah, I just feel intimidated by the idea of lots of other gay guys. I've never been to, like, a bar or anything. I've never attended that Pride thing they have here either. I feel like I'd be out of place."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a pig." Collin said. "And because I've been trying to lose weight since middle school. I was such a little porker back then. I got some muscles now from working out every day but...I love food and I work for a cheap little hot dog place."

Brock frowned softly and rubbed Collin's shoulder. "You shouldn't think that way, Collin. I don't know who put those kinds of thoughts in your head but this isn't the 1950's anymore." Brock lowered his sunglasses, looking the boar in the eyes. "I thought you were handsome from the moment I laid eyes on you. I made sure to come back every time I could just to see ya. And I worried that one day I'd come back and you'd have moved on to some different job."

Collin felt his cheeks and ears growing warm again, unable to maintain eye contact with the rhino.

"But like you said, I wasn't a hundred percent sure if you were gay or not. When I saw you wearing that pin, I thought I'd shoot my shot. That's what the kids are saying these days, right?"

Collin giggled a bit, "No idea, I'm in my thirties now. I'm practically a boomer."

Brock chuckled. "Well, that makes two of us. Still...You're more than just handsome. You're sweet and interesting. And I can't wait until we turn our little adventures into proper dates. You know?"

Collin nodded.

Brock opened his mouth to speak. He seemed to notice something off in the distance before suddenly saying, "Hey, let's walk and talk for a bit huh?"

"Oh...okay!" A little confused, Collin got up and walked back down the pier with Brock, moving a little faster than their normal stroll. The rhino had put his sunglasses back on and had lowered his baseball cap a little more over his eyes.

"Anyway, as I was saying...I'd love to take you to Wildfox sometime! Hopefully before Pride Month ends but I know that's probably too fast for you."

"I'll think about it..." Collin said, feeling a little anxious again.

"It's more than just a nudist resort and a bunch of gay bars," Brock added quickly. "But I know it can be scary. I was nervous my first times going there but you get used to it! The people are very welcoming and friendly! And there's-"

"Hey, could you slow down just a bit?" Collin said, panting a bit. "I'm having to jog just to keep up!"

"Oh," Brock gave a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry." He slowed back down. "Anyway, I'd still be happy to do fun stuff here on the mainland with you. Just as long as you're happy to have me around."

Collin gave a little smile and replied, "Of course..." He tossed his empty cup and tiny wooden spoon into a trash bin as they walked. "So...where would you like to go for our next date?"

Brock raised his brow, then gave a wide grin. Collin reached out and took the rhino's hand, giving it a squeeze.