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Beach Bod

It's been a while since Thomas went to the beach. If he tried to remember the last time he felt the sun on his skin and the salty breeze of the sea. He would most likely say as a child. At the time, he had no concerns. When he became aware of his own appearance and dealt with negative glances, the joy of the beach faded until it was completely gone.

He was past his youth, even young adulthood, and he convinced himself it was okay to return and enjoy the atmosphere that only a beach can provide. Despite this, Thomas was wearing a dark shirt in addition to his swim trunks. He was still self-conscious about his big, chubby body. And that as a hippo who by species alone leaned to be that body physique by genetics alone. His medium-length dark hair covered most of his face. He was self-critical about his entire body. So being on the beach alone, without even entering the water, was a huge accomplishment for him.

Thinking about it, it was strange for him not to enter the water. Hippos love water and thrive in it. Perhaps that is why Thomas was eventually able to persuade himself to go so far. Still, that's probably the furthest he'll go today. He was laying under a sun umbrella he had brought with him, with a large comfortable towel to sit on. He kept some food and drinks in his car in case he needed them. He wanted to avoid bringing too much to the beach. Mostly so he can easily leave if things get too intense considering his anxieties.

His eyes swept the beach, noticing children and their families playing in the water. Teens and friends are enjoying the freedom that the ocean can provide to anyone willing to join the waves. He didn't focus on anything in particular, just enjoying witnessing others' joy, even if he won't join in the same kind of liberating fun.

As his eyes moved across the water, they became fixated on something for a brief moment. He noticed someone by himself. They didn't seem to have anyone with them. A cute swimming bikini. The addition of the frilly thin fabric made it look floaty and even whimsical. They even wore a sun hat. Just enjoying the feel of the waves.

Thomas tried to look elsewhere. But his attention was drawn to the same person over and over. They appeared to be completely worry-free. They were also on the heavier side. Not too far from his own overweight. Maybe he was a little chubbier. But he could be mistaken because he is watching them from a distance. Still, the gentle joy on their faces drew him in more and more.

As he attempted to look away again, the person turned and looked in their direction. Their eyes met, and both of them realised they were looking at each other. He could only think about how attractive they were. Full lips, large blue eyes. They even wore a bit of makeup, not much, but enough to make them look pretty.

Their blonde hair is long and reaches all the way over their shoulders. It looked amazing against their mostly dark fur as a black-furred horse. A nice chubby belly that matches the rest of their curvy figure.

When Thomas realised he was looking back at them for too long, he immediately broke eye contact, embarrassed that he had stared at them in the first place. The thought of uncertainty entered his mind. Doubting himself, fearing that he would be perceived as creepy. He wished to disappear into the warm beach sand. The sound of footsteps and the crunching sound of sand reached his ears.

The horse he had been staring at for so long was now directly in front of him. He couldn't help but glance at them again. With them so close, he could see much more detail about them. And all he could think about was how beautiful they looked. Their eyes met again, but no words were exchanged. All the horse did was making a small gesture before walking past him and to the changing booths.

Thomas was unsure what to do or whether he had understood them correctly. Doubt entered his mind once more. When he looked over his shoulder, he saw the horse standing there, looking at him before disappearing around the corner of the small building. Not going into it at all. His heart was racing as he finally managed to get up and follow them.

Many thoughts raced through his mind. He feared he would be chewed out in some way. Or even tricked. His heart was racing so fast that he thought it might escape his throat at any moment. Just as he reached the corner, he felt a hand grab his biceps and pull him away from the other beachgoers view. Before he knew what was going on, the horse had pinned him against the wall.

A voice reached his ears, causing them to twitch slightly as he noticed its aggression. "What are you doing here? Are you messing with me? Is this a weird joke?"

Thomas blinked several times. His brain needed some time to catch up. He recognised the voice. Usually, it was not that aggressive when he heard it at work. "Chris?"

That caused the horse to stop. He blinked back, stopping to push the hippo against the wall after a few moments of realisation. "You didn't recognise me?"

How could Thomas have recognised him? He looked very different from his usual business suit attire at work. Yes, he was a black horse with blond hair. But he never wore it open like that. He knew he was chubby, just like himself. However, business suits reveal little about a person's physique. He genuinely liked Chris. He was one of the few coworkers with whom he had meaningful conversations. Maybe the only one he would call a friend. He felt dumb for not noticing earlier. The Hippo could not respond with words, only a simple shake of his head.

Silence fell over both of them, until Chris scratched the back of his head. "Fuck. I could have handled this better."

Both of them could have. Then again, Thomas had no idea what he could have done differently.

“I'm sorry I kind of overreacted. You surprised me and I panicked."

Thomas was now able to recognise the horse better. His voice has the softness he has grown used to. He again shook his head. If he thought someone he knew had discovered something about him that he wanted to keep hidden, he would have panicked as well. However, he is not the type of person to confront an issue head on. "It's fine. If I had realised it was you. I wouldn't have starred as much." He pauses for a moment. "Maybe I shouldn't have starred in the first place. But you looked so happy and content in the water that I couldn't take my eyes away, even though I tried several times."

Chris's ears wiggled when he heard that. "So you liked what you saw and didn't recognise it was me." As those words sank in, the horse smirked slightly.

Thomas nodded. There was really no point in hiding that. There was already enough misunderstanding in this situation. "You look good that way. It suits you. I could never do something like that."

"Nonsense!"

The sudden outburst startled the hippo. He was afraid of saying something wrong again. He was about to apologise. "You would look absolutely adorable in a bikini. It would be a hundred times better than the baggy swim trunks and shirt you are currently wearing."

He expected the horse to be upset when he said he liked what he saw on him. Not the other part of his sentence. "No, I can't.. It wouldn't,. I mean."

Chris looked at the Hippo, noticing his discomfort as he remembered something. Something he had completely overlooked up until this point. "Wait, that's right. You told me before that you do not visit beaches or public pools when I asked if hippos enjoy water. It is amazing that you are here in the first place, and I almost ruined it! I'm so sorry."

There was a sting in the hippos chest. Not in a negative way. He never expected to receive anything close to praise for simply being at the beach. That is something everyone can do. It's nothing special. Still, hearing this reaction made him feel a little proud of himself.

"You never explained why you have so many issues with that. Shouldn't you seek water just because? I know other people who are drawn to bodies of water due to inherited preferences. And they usually have homes close to bodies of water."

Thomas wasn't sure if he should go into more detail about that issue. However, remaining silent about it at this time may not have been the best idea. This situation was already complicated enough as is. If anything, Chris was one of the few coworkers with whom he spoke. He did not want to ruin that as well.

"It's silly, really. I should have been over it by now." He was still debating whether he should go into more detail or leave it at that. "I felt judged as a child, you know. I didn't like younger kids pointing at me or adults talking behind my back, assuming I couldn't hear them. It took all of the fun out of going to the beach and pool." Saying it aloud made him feel even sillier about the whole situation. "Like I said, it's dumb. As an adult, I should have moved on from that."

Suddenly, he felt two hands on his shoulders. He looked directly at the horse out of reflex, given how close his face was. From this close, he could easily see the light makeup he was wearing.

"It's not dumb. Don't talk like that about yourself. Childhood experiences can be difficult to overcome; some people struggle with this throughout their whole lives. You, on the other hand, are at the beach today, hoping to change that. Give yourself more credit."

The hippo was shocked. Sure, it took him a lot of willpower to get here. Even while sitting on the beach, he couldn't get much further than watching the other beachgoers. But hearing those words still felt good to him. They both fell silent, unsure what to say or how to respond.

Chris loses eye contact at some point. Scratching his cheek, as if he was thinking about something but didn't know how to express it. Thomas didn't ask and instead waited for the horse to decide what he wanted to do with it.

"Well, Thomas, I may have a suggestion. You can always decline if you don't want to."

Thomas tilts his head; the horse's lack of confidence seemed out of character. Even more so after meeting him on a public beach in his current outfit.

"There was something that really helped me find my confidence. "I was struggling with.. You know... This," he said, pointing to his outfit. He had known his coworker and friend for a long time. Seeing him in that cute bikini. It was carefully chosen to conceal areas that would otherwise undermine the illusion. Even a thin scarf, like a piece of fabric, was wrapped around his hip. It made it appear wider and concealed what Chris did not want others to see right away.

The hippo looked back up into his friend's face. He saw a blush there; perhaps he noticed Thomas's expression. Or it was the suggestion he was struggling to convey. "Well, I didn't feel confident about my body. Different reasons than you, for the most part. Nonetheless, I planned to ignore it and not act on it. Then a friend had invited me to a place. I initially thought it was a prank, but I quickly realised it wasn't."

Chris's suggestion remained unclear to the hippo. He noticed him looking to the side and followed suit to see what he was looking at. He didn't notice the sign right away. He hadn't noticed when he came here earlier either. But, to be honest, his mind was elsewhere as he mustered the courage to go to the beach in the first place.

He blinked, reading the sign over and over. His heart felt like it was going to explode. "I can't do that. There's no way I wouldn't faint from that."

Chris surprised him by wrapping his arms around him and pulling him into a hug. Feeling his soft body press against him caused his heart to race for a completely different reason. He smelled of the sea and a sweet floral lemony perfume. It suited him.

"I figured you'd say that. But trust me. I felt the same way when asked to meet a friend there. But I'm glad I didn't back out; otherwise, I would never have considered doing what I'm doing right now in the first place."

Thomas was overwhelmed by the thought and situation. His friend hugged him like that, which felt nice and much better than he expected. Then the suggestion on top of that. His voice shook as he continued to speak. “But the nude beach? I can't even sit on the normal one without a shirt."

Chris stopped hugging the Hippo. "Yes, I noticed that. That's why I thought you might benefit from this. In spite of many beliefs. You do not need to be naked on a nude beach. Many people lack the courage to go completely naked. And no one judges them for it. Everyone needs his own amount of time to find the courage to go completely bare."

He paused, unsure what to say next. "I told you that it is okay if it is too much for you. However, seeing people who are not concerned with their appearance, but rather enjoy themselves and are confident in what they have. It's a refreshing experience. It helped me open my eyes. But saying it like that sounds silly." He chuckled softly. It was a warm, sweet sound. So different from what Thomas would have expected. It sounded good on him. "It's weird. I had to go naked before I gained the confidence to wear clothes that made me feel good about myself."

The sound of the horse's voice made Thomas' heart ache. It had a bittersweet sound to it, which made the hippo realise that Chris must have overcome many obstacles to get to where he was now. "It's not weird or silly. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to get to the point you are now. If you tell me I should be more proud of myself for making it to the beach. Then you should be proud of your accomplishments as well."

Thomas is unable to look his friend in the eyes for the next sentence he is about to say. He felt too embarrassed about it. "And you looked so happy in the water earlier. That explains why I couldn't stop staring at you. It was such a warm, beautiful sight."

His ears wiggled with embarrassment. They always do when he is embarrassed or has strong emotions. Something he was very conscious of.

"Do you want to go back to the beach? I feel bad for cutting that short earlier."

The sound of his friend's voice caused Thomas to look back into his eyes. The genuinely thankful and appreciative smile he saw there caused his heart to flutter once more. His eyes and expression revealed no malice or mischief. Simply genuine care.

He took a deep breath before shaking his head. "I think. I'd like to try it. You will be with me and not be upset if I want to leave right after the start?"

It was the horses' turn to be astonished again. That surprise vanished, replaced by the most openly joyful smile Thomas had ever seen on his friend. It was stunning.

"I do not mind. You are already willing to try, which is more than I could ask for. And how about I give you a small deal as a bigger incentive? If you genuinely enjoy yourself and manage to remove your shirt at some point. I can decide what we will do for the rest of the day. If you believe it had no effect and did not enjoy it. You get to decide what we do for the rest of the day. No questions asked, and there are no rules regarding what we can or cannot do. It will be entirely up in the winners hands. How does that sound?"

The idea behind that deal sent shivers down Thomas' spine. There was a good chance he would end up with something far worse than a nude beach. However, he was not concerned given how much his friend appeared to care. In addition, he had the opportunity to spend time with Chris in any way he chose. The logical part of his brain warned him not to do it. But curiosity overcame that part.

"Alright, deal. Just don't try to make my heart explode with embarrassment if you win the deal."

Chris leaned forward, and Thomas was startled and perplexed by what his friend was planning to do. He closed his eyes as a reflex. Until he felt someone's forehead press against his. "I promise. Like I said, I'm already happy that you are considering it in the first place. I wouldn't gain anything by completely ruining your progress with the deal afterwards."

The hippo was unsure how much his heart could take anymore. The way Chris was acting, being so close and not afraid of such close contact. It was something he hadn't done in years. It didn't help that the longer he looked at the horse, the more he realised he really liked what he saw.

"Anything you left at the beach you want to bring with you?"

Thomas paused for a moment after seeing his friend step away and give him some space again. His heart was relieved to have the opportunity to calm down. At the same time he felt a pang of sadness because it was over.

"Let me get my sun umbrella and towel into my car and I'm ready to go."

Chris nodded and followed Thomas. It didn't take long to load his belongings into his car. He took advantage of the opportunity to drink some water while also offering it to his friend. After dealing with everything, he took another deep breath, feeling doubt overwhelm him once more. He felt a hand grab his and looked up in surprise to see the horse's warm smile again. The hippo could not help but smile at the sight. This time, he wasn't alone. He never imagined he'd be able to say this about dealing with his anxieties.

"And remember, you don't have to be naked. I'll probably keep my clothes on as well. Only if you are truly ready for it."

Hearing that gave Thomas some confidence back, and he nodded. Without saying anything else, they started walking. Their hands are still holding each other. Another pleasant surprise for the Hippo.

It didn't take them long to arrive at the nudist area. It was marked with numerous signs and warnings to ensure that no one accidentally wandered onto it. With each step, Thomas became more nervous. He even started to squeeze Chris's hand without realising it.

Finally, they reached the edge. One more step and he would have officially entered the nude beach. His heart was racing at the thought.

"Ready?"

Thomas looked to his friend when he heard that word, and was greeted with the same warm, sweet smile he had seen earlier on the horse.

"No, but I don't think I can get more ready in the first place." He paused as he realised what he was about to say, feeling his courage fade. But before it could completely vanish, he forced those two words out of his mouth. "Let's go."

The feel of warm sand beneath his feet, the familiar crunch of stepping on sand. The sound of waves and the warmth of the sun. The smell of the ocean. All of this calmed Thomas' soul. But nothing gave him more courage than feeling the hand in his.

He tried not to look at others at first, needing some time to allow his eyes to wander. The first thing he realised was that Chris was correct. Others were still wearing their swimsuits. It was a small amount, but they were present.

The next thing he noticed was how quiet it was. It was no different from the usual beach he knew. No, actually, it felt more peaceful here. Perhaps it was because there were fewer people around.

He could see visitors of all ages and body types. Some sunbathing. Others swam in the ocean, and still others played in the sand.

Nobody seemed to pass judgement on anyone. He even overheard some people complementing one another. It was such an alien feeling in a place like this. He had a completely different expectation of the whole area.

It felt good. Less judgemental and more accepting. He couldn't pinpoint the exact feeling. All he could tell was that he understood why Chris suggested it. They kept walking along the sand, with no clear goal in mind. The horse did not say anything, most likely to allow Thomas to experience it for himself and take the time he needed.

As they walked along the beach, the hippo became more relaxed. It was as if a weight was slowly lifted off his shoulders. A voice suddenly reached out to them. Thomas was already expecting the worst when he heard the person speaking. It was a woman around their age. She was naked and the polar opposite of what he was. Given her thin physique, he would not have questioned if someone told him she was a fashion model.

"Sorry for bothering you two. I just wanted to say that you look adorable together." Thomas was too shocked to respond properly.

Chris, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind it. "Thank you so much. You look great yourself. My friend has never been to a nude beach before. So I'm sorry for him being unable to say much."

"Thank you, as well. And that is perfectly fine. The first time is always a bit overwhelming. I remember how nervous I was. But there's nothing to be concerned about. Enjoy your stay."

With that, she was gone. Thomas' heart was pounding like crazy. He can't remember the last time he heard such a simple compliment in his life.

"You ok Thomas, you are shivering a bit." The hippo looked at his friend, who appeared completely concerned. "If this was too much we can leave."

"Yes… I mean, no. I mean, it was surprising. You know it's.. Ehm .. I mean." Too many thoughts were rushing through the Hippos' head, and he could see the horse becoming increasingly concerned. His words did not help either. So he did the only other option he could think of. He let go of his friend's hand for a moment before grabbing the lower edge of his shirt and pulling it over his head, exposing his soft upper body to him and everyone else on the beach. His round belly, love handles, and moobs. Together with his smooth and soft-looking skin. He tucked his shirt under his arm and resumed holding his friend's hand.

He didn't say anything else, and Chris didn't either, but his worried expression quickly gave way to a warm smile. Silence laid down on top of them. They were just walking along the beach, enjoying the moment. Thomas slowly relaxed to the point where he began to consider and plan to return to the beach. He surprised himself with that thought alone.

Only after they walked back to his car, did the silence between them begin to break. "So you enjoyed yourself?"

Thomas looked at his friend and considered his own thoughts. It had been a long time since he was so relaxed. He felt very light. He nodded as an answer. "It was eye-opening. I now understand what you meant earlier. Seeing everyone unconcerned about their appearance and simply enjoying their time. It felt refreshing. It made me realise that your own happiness and content with yourself are more important than what others say. I suppose I always knew that, but I was never able to feel it as deeply."

Chris nodded and smiled, relieved that he could assist his friend after all; that smile faded into a soft smirk after a few moments. "So I guess I won our little deal then?"

"I completely lost track of that. But I suppose you did." The hippo had totally forgotten about the deal by now. They approached his car, and he paused to look at his friend. "So what is it?"

"I want to try something with you, and I believe the best location is at my house. Don't worry, it's nothing bad, and if it doesn't work out, we can spend the rest of the time watching movies or playing games. How does that sound?"

Thomas wanted to ask what that something was, but he figured he wouldn't get much of an answer. "Okay, you got here with your car?"

The horse shakes his head. "I actually live very close. I usually walk here. You can drive us there. That way, I don't have to change my clothes. Just give me a moment."

Thomas saw Chris walk away. His eyes were drawn to his wide hips and big butt which jiggled with each step. He shook his head and opened his car to get himself some more water. He could see the horse return quickly, now carrying a sports bag by his side. He must have used one of the lockers available at the changing booths to keep it safe.

It didn't take them long to get to his house. There was even room for Thomas to park his car. He should remember that; perhaps he could park here the next time he goes to the beach. Perhaps even ask Chris if he wants to join. He smiled silently, still amazed when he found himself wanting to return to the beach.

The interior of the horse's house was nice; it had a modern feel but also felt inviting and cosy. Something that Thomas rarely saw working. He looked around seeing all the little things placed around the living space.

"So, Thomas. I was wondering if you were willing to try something. When I saw you at the beach and after you removed your shirt. I couldn't help but think you'd look good in more feminine clothing."

“Huh?"

"Well, your body is a little bottom-heavy. Not much, but enough to make it look good. Even before we met on the beach today, I thought you were cute and imagined how certain things would look on you. It's fine if you don't want to try. As I said before, if it's too much for you, we can just watch a movie."

Thomas was unsure what to say. Most definitely not what to do. He accomplished a lot today, overcoming his anxiety to go to the beach, even going to a nude beach and being able to remove his shirt. All of the big steps he didn't think he'd be able to handle, or at least not without a few tries.

However, without Chris, he would most likely not have gotten that far. The look of hope, excitement, and worry on his friends' faces gradually pushed the Hippo in one direction.

"I will try, but if it gets too much for me I hope you are fine with me stopping right away."

Excitement briefly appeared on the horse's face before being replaced by worry. “Are you sure? There's no need to force yourself or feel obligated to agree. Sure, I thought about it for a while, but if it is not for you, there is no point in trying. "

Thomas appreciated having another chance to deny. Especially after hearing those words. "You thought about it for a while?"

Chris's cheeks begin to blush a bit. His ears wiggled slightly, as if he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He had no idea he said that part until you pointed it out. "Eh, yeah... I always thought you looked cute, so I started fantasising about it. But if you don't want to, that's fine."

Silence grew between the two. Thomas thought about it again. The mere idea made him nervous. Chris has already demonstrated that it can work with himself. Just looking at him reminded the hippo that he was still wearing his bikini from the beach. Not just that. He was extremely helpful to Thomas, and the last time he suggested something, it worked even better than Thomas could have ever imagined.

“Yeah I'm willing to try. That way you can put your fantasy to rest."

Chris smiled widely and jumped around Thomas' neck. The unexpected weight and body contact made him twitch in surprise. There was nothing he could do to prevent it. He never expected the horse to be so comfortable expressing his emotions outside of work.

"Thank you, Thomas. I will do my best, and if it is too much for you, please let me know. All I wanted was for you to try." Chris stepped back, grabbed Thomas' hand again, and led him through his house, ending in his bedroom. It was large, had a massive soft-looking bed, an open wardrobe, and a variety of other features he had never expected to see in his friends' and coworkers' home until now. The large makeup table with a massive mirror was one of the items.

While he was still looking around, Chris let go of his hand and walked to the wardrobe. "Hmm, what could we choose? I bet a bikini would look great on you, but I think it would be too much for your first try."

Thomas' heart skipped a beat as he overheard his friend thinking aloud. He was about to say something about it, but the words became stuck in his throat as he noticed his friend's body language. Chris's broad smile and swishing tail conveyed his excitement. He looked adorable, so engrossed in the task and enjoying himself.

A blush crept on his cheeks when he tried to distract himself. Most of all, he wanted to avoid getting cold feet. If he thought about it too much, he could see himself changing his mind before it even started. So his eyes began to wander again as he noticed something on the large bed that he had not noticed before with the grey bed covers making it hard to spot.

Curious, he approached it and picked it up. It was plushy. It looked really old and past its age for common use. He was even afraid he'd break it if he touched it too hard. The couple repaired spots on its body showed how much it was loved, repairing it over and over again in order to keep it for a little longer. It was a hippo plush on top of that. This was the last thing he expected to find here.

“You found Tommy? It's so normal for me to have him in my bed. I didn't even consider hiding him before dragging you here." Chris gently took over the plush toy. The warm gentle smile he gave the old children's toy caused Thomas to feel a warmth spread through his chest.

"Silly, isn't it. I have had this little guy for as long as I can remember. He was always by my side. My mother told me he was the first real plush toy I ever got." He walks past the hippo to return the plushy to its original place, giving it a couple of pats on the head."It's funny. I believe he was the reason I started talking to you. You can't believe how surprised I was when I heard your name. Thomas? It felt like too much of a coincidence. I couldn't simply let it go. So I continued to talk to you, despite the fact that you are a shy and quiet introvert guy. But the more I did, the more you opened up to me, and I became interested in you. I enjoyed spending time with you at work. It actually became a highlight of my day."

He chuckled before turning to the hippo and smiling warmly. "I guess that secret is out now."

Thomas's heart rate increased when he heard that. He wasn't sure he got that right.

"Maybe that's why I was so freaked out when I saw you on the beach staring at me. You were the last person I wanted to figure this out like this. Again, I apologise for being so aggressive at the beginning."

Now that made more sense to the hippo. He thought it was a very strong reaction from him. But then again, he couldn't imagine the terror of being seen in that manner by a coworker without being ready to make it completely public.

Thinking about those words, he could see a lot of things making more sense now, but he didn't want to overinterpret them. Maybe he was just imagining things.

"Well, I chose something for you. It is nothing crazy. Some hot pants that should fit you well, and a nice crop top to go with them. I also put fishnet socks and gloves on the bed. If you're willing to try it. Then there are some briefs you can wear underneath, that are not too big to poke out from under the hot pants. There are some panties that would go well with everything, but I'm not sure if you're willing to try them."

Thomas looked over the edge of the bed, seeing everything the horse had mentioned laying there. The colours fit well together. They were much more colourful and brighter than anything he'd worn in ages. However, he was not surprised by this.

"I can wait outside if you prefer. Or I can assist you with it. I'm not sure if you're okay with me staying around when you get naked, though. As a small piece of advice, try not to look in the mirror while putting them on. It freaked me out a lot more when I started doing this, because I could see myself putting on the clothes."

The hippo thought for a moment. His face felt hot just thinking about having Chris around while stripping naked, or more specifically, taking off his swim shorts. On the other hand, he felt as if he had missed an opportunity earlier by not being brave enough to be naked on the nude beach. Here, it was just them.

His ears wiggled as he reached a decision. He didn't notice his friend's small smile as he watched those adorable ears move.

"You can stay. Maybe I'll need some assistance, and if I follow your advice about not looking in the mirror, it will be even more difficult for me to know if I'm doing it correctly."

The horse chuckled warmly. "It's just clothes; they function like any other. But thank you for trusting me so much."

Hearing that, Thomas could only nod in response, the words getting too stuck in his throat to say anything else at the time.

He walked to the edge of the bed, not wanting to think about it any longer. There wasn't much else he could do. He took the crop top into his hands. The fabric felt nice and much more sturdy than it appeared. He slipped it over his head and got it into position. It was a strange sensation once it was in place. It was too short to adequately cover most of his belly. Something he was most definitely not used to.

He could try the fishnet arm things next, but they looked complicated, and he was afraid he'd break something on them. The only other option was to remove his swim trunks and put on underwear.

His heart began to beat faster again. He knew he needed to act quickly or he would never be able to pull them down, given how nervous he was. Finally, he tucked his thumbs into his waistband and slipped them off. For the time being, he had his back to his friend. Even if he knew he'd have to turn around and choose one of the underwear options later. And, without realising what he was revealing, he had already bent over when he finished pulling down his trunks.

A soft hum reached his ears, making them wiggle, and he quickly realised where it was coming from. He looked over his shoulder and saw his friend staring right at him. Chris looked up, and their eyes met, causing the horse to blush as he realised what he was doing.

"Sorry. I just..." He needed a moment to take a deep breath before reaching for the back of his neck and scratching himself. "I've always wondered how you'd look like under our rigid business suits at work. And none of my fantasies came close to how attractive you are in real life."

Thomas felt his heart race up his throat when he heard that. He never got compliments on his appearance, or at least he couldn't remember ever getting any. And today, got them several times. He wasn't sure his heart could take much more. Still, he could feel a smile spread across his lips and a soft blush appeared on his cheeks. It began to feel nice to be appreciated. "Thanks."

He was surprised at himself for being able to thank Chris without his voice breaking. He stood up straight again, knowing that the next step was to turn around. Mostly not to look completely silly by grabbing more clothes from around his body. He knew that meant showing his naked front to his friend. He could ask the horse to turn around, but that felt just as embarrassing. His small tail twitched nervously as he tried to decide, which made Chris smile even more.

Finally, he took a deep breath before turning around. His wide hips, and the adorable patch of fat above his cock. Nicely sized balls and an average-looking flaccid cock with foreskin above all on display. As well as his belly and love handles, but given the clothes Chris chose for him, those would remain exposed even after he was finished putting them on.

The black horse could not stop himself from looking. At the very least, he managed to remain silent this time. Not that he disliked what he saw. All of it, the whole package Thomas had to offer, was just perfect in Chris's eyes.

Now it was time to make another decision. The Hippo reached out to get one of the underwear options. He initially assumed it was a simple going for the briefs, but he stopped reaching out halfway through. He had no idea what was causing him to think that way, but the thought of going all the way became more intense. If he was already doing this, then he should go all the way.

He grabbed the panties, much to the surprise of both himself and the horse. He slipped into them like any other underwear, but quickly realised that they didn't fit properly. He tried to figure it out, unsure of what it was.

"Can I help?" Chris asked gently so he wouldn't startle his friend. Even so, the hippo froze for a split second before nodding. "Yeah, I would appreciate it."

The horse moved closer as he placed his hands at the panties. He only put them with the outfit by chance, or perhaps in the hope that Thomas would find the courage to try the,. He really did not expect it to happen at all. "There is a little trick to get them to sit properly. Don't be surprised if I have to slip my finger underneath the fabric to properly pull them over your butt cheeks, so I can get them around your tail without it feeling restricted or uncomfortable."

A shiver ran down Thomas' spine as he felt those hands on his butt and the back of the horse's thumbs running along his skin. Even a gentle touch on his tail, lifting it slightly, gave him goosebumps.

"There, feels better?"

The hippo moved around slightly, his small tail wiggling. It felt perfect now and not even slightly uncomfortable anymore. "Yeah, thanks."

"My pleasure."

Now it was time for the booty shorts. They were much tighter than any pants Thomas had worn before, more like underwear than pants. This time, he was able to properly put it on, just like Chris did with the panties. They felt so snug against his body that there was no room for imagination at all.

Now there were fishnet socks and gloves. This time Chris didn't ask if he could help, he already assumed help was needed. When he saw Thomas pick them up, he took another step closer. "Here, let me. Even I have trouble getting them on right by myself sometimes."

He had the hippo sit on the bed and pull the socks over his legs. It was an unusual sensation. Tight and loose at the same time. Not to mention how close the horse's hands came to his legs and thighs while slipping them up. He even got assistance with the gloves, completing the entire outfit that was chosen for him. "It feels tight."

Chris can only chuckle and say, "Yeah, something to get used to. It was the same for me, but this way it highlights all of the good parts."

Thomas was about to turn to the mirror when he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. "Can I ask you for another big favour, before you look at yourself?"

Not knowing what his friend wanted, he nodded in response.

"Can I apply some makeup to you and put your hair up? You always use it to cover half of your face. Don't worry, I won't use much. Even less than I do for myself."

A blush spreads across his entire face. He hadn't considered makeup, but he can tell the difference it would make just by looking at his friend. And, if anything, he didn't want to regret not going all the way after coming this far. "Fine, what do you want me to do?"

"Just stay sitting on the edge of the bed and let me work."

He nodded and Chris got right to work. He began by brushing Thomas' hair and applying hair clips. Despite how disorganised it appeared, it was simple to work with. There are no hair knots at all. It took no time to make it look good. Next came lipstick, which even Thomas could tell wasn't much. Then some eyeliner, not much of it as well. The hippo wasn't sure if it was visible or not, given how faint it felt.

"Done. Now close your eyes. I will lead you to the mirror. I believe that would make for a much more impactful reveal."

Thomas did not fight the idea; instead, he closed his eyes and let his friend lead him. When he stopped pushing him, the hippos' heart began to race.

"Whenever you are ready."

Thomas never imagined that opening his eyes would be so stressful. In his mind, all he could see was a grotesque fat male hippo dressed inappropriately for his size and age. Together with some strange makeup. Nothing else, just something to laugh at.

But he wouldn't know unless he opened his eyes. Despite his heart and mind telling him not to, he finally opened his eyes. Mostly because standing here for much longer felt wrong, and simply ending it here seemed like a waste.

When his eyes opened, his brain couldn't comprehend what he saw. He knew it was his reflection, and it looked back at him with the same surprised expression he was wearing right now. But that can't be right.

His face alone looked beautiful. The small amount of lipstick, which was slightly darker than his actual lip colour, made his lips appear much fuller. The small amount of eyeliner highlighted his large green eyes, which appeared to be shining. It's been a long time since he'd seen his face without the hair in the way. Chris's simple hairstyle, which included a couple of hairpins and a small braid, made his face appear less round, which he always despised. It looked, for lack of a better word, cute.

But it did not end there. His eyes wandered down his body. The tight top, which he would never have chosen for himself, fit perfectly with his dark skin. It made his torso appear smaller. Because it only goes down to half his belly, it made his hips appear much larger. Even the belly poking out like that, along with his love handles, looked good. Specifically above the thighs of the hot pants. His thighs appeared thick, but not too much.

He turned to his side and looked at his butt, which appeared round and full. And, thanks to the colour, his little tail looked adorable sitting above it.

Even the fishnet gloves and socks were helpful. They broke the straight lines between his darker and lighter skin tones. Hippos have a typical coloration. The brighter colour of his skin extends from his lower lip down his throat, across his chest and belly, and along the insides of his legs and arms. Following the line of his skin colour, he noticed how attractive his chest was. It was not looking fat; his usually despised moobs gave him a little bit of chest, just enough for the crop top..

Overall, it was obvious that he was male. He did not suddenly transform into a magical girl. He was simply looking more pleasant and feminine in a positive way. He seemed cute.

It had been many years since he looked in the mirror and liked what he saw. He couldn't believe it was really him. "That's really me?"

"Yes, and you look amazing. Not every guy can wear such revealing feminine clothes without looking like a guy misfitted into feminine clothes. I knew it could look good on you, but this is far beyond my expectations."

Thomas smiled widely. It was broad enough to show his teeth, and his typical hippo tusks were visible, which he usually tried to hide. Chris' heart skipped a beat when he saw the genuine and happy smile.

"Thanks. Not just for the compliment. For everything today." He turned around and looked straight at the horse. He reached for a hug without thinking twice. He spoke without hesitation. "I really mean it. Thanks."

Chris was the one who was surprised now, but it didn't take him long to hug the hippo back. "It was my pleasure. I didn't expect much from this. Mostly just a try. A small experiment. I felt great after finding an outfit that looked good on me. It boosted my confidence significantly. I was hoping to get at least a fraction of that for you."

They stood like this for a while before the horse broke the hug. "I know I said we could watch some movies later. But what if we go for a walk instead? If you think that's too much, we can just snuggle up and watch Netflix instead like planned."

Thomas shook his head. He even liked how his hair felt when he did that. "No, I actually would like that."

"Well, let me put something else on. I kind of want to get out of this bikini and wash some of the salt water off my fur."

"Go for it."

Chris smiled as he left, and Thomas returned his attention to the mirror. His brain was still struggling to connect the dots. But the more he examined himself, the more small details he discovered. It was so strange. Like discovering that an old toy had incredible features you were unaware of.

His gaze returned to the plushy on the bed, and he approached it and patted its head, just as Chris had earlier. "I guess I should thank you, Tommy. Without you, Chris may not have started talking to me in the first place."

Thomas could hear footsteps getting closer. Chris didn't take long, using only a small amount of water to remove the most irritating edge of the salt in his fur. He stepped in with only a towel around his neck, showing the hippo his naked body for the first time.

He didn't even hide the fact that he was checking out the horse. He smiled as he hummed, much like Chris had done earlier. It caused the horse to stop and blush much more intensely than before. "Did you just hum?"

"You did it earlier, too. I like what I see."

Chris had heard the proverb 'Clothes make the Man' before, but such a drastic change in such a short period of time. "You're so different. It's weird not to see you all shy."

"I get what you mean. I'm not sure why. I always wear baggy, big clothes to protect myself from the outside world. Surprisingly, this feels more like protective armour than any other clothing I've worn before. I feel like I can be more open and not worry as much. Is that weird?"

The horse chuckled and shook its head. "No, it's not. Do you remember what you said earlier?

"What exactly do you mean?" Thomas wasn't sure what exactly his friend was referencing.

"When I asked if you truly didn't recognise me. You said I looked like I was having so much fun. It was liberating. That is how I feel about this type of clothing. I feel like I can be myself. As if I could get anywhere and accomplish anything i want this way. So no, I don't think it's weird."

Chris smiled as he walked to the dresser, trying to find a suitable outfit for himself. Only to hear another hum from the hippo. He glanced over his shoulder, unable to contain another chuckle. "Did you just hum at me again?"

"Yes, you look amazing all around. I had thought about it since I saw you at the beach, but I couldn't really tell you. Not to mention, I know you enjoy it. When I hugged you earlier, I noticed your growing boner. Thin clothes make it difficult to hide that." Thomas smirked back. He was even surprised at himself. Has he ever smirked before?

"Oh god, I created a monster." The horse joked as he returned to the dresser, his twitching tail indicating how much he enjoyed the attention even without words.

"At least a good looking one."

This time, Chris couldn't stop laughing. Thomas wasn't far behind and joined in. It was a liberating feeling, as if so much weight had been lifted from his chest and shoulders. Who knew that something as simple as some clothing could have such an impact?

It didn't take Chris long to get some clothes together. They weren't much different from Thomas; perhaps a little more revealing, but not by much. And more appropriate colours for his black fur.

In no time, they were walking along a path towards a nearby old wooden pier. It used to be a fair, but now it only had food trucks; it' was still a good place to visit.

Thomas had never felt so free in his life. Even being looked at didn't mean anything to him. Not to mention that the majority of those expressions appeared to be one of surprise nothing else. He held Chris' hand, fingers interlaced. He could have sworn he had a spring in his step.

"Looking forward to eating something so much?"

The hippo tried to deny it, but he couldn't really. "To be honest, yes. I'm kind of starving. I only ate breakfast today because I was so nervous. But that is not the only reason, as you know well."

The horse squeezed Thomas' hand and smiled widely. "Yes, I know. It's just so nice to see you this way. Has anyone ever told you that your smile is infectious?"

He wanted to respond to that question when another voice approached them. Thomas' ears wiggle with the sound. It felt familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint from where. He turned to face the sound and was surprised to see who was there. It was the same women who had been at the nude beach earlier, but now fully dressed. She still appeared stunning.

"Hey, guys! Oh my god, I almost didn't recognise you. What happened?"

Chris worried for a moment that old habits would resurface, and he was ready to step in to help his friend. But he didn't have a chance.

"I trusted my friend with some clothing choices, and it turned out great. Have you just returned from the beach?

"That is amazing; he has a great eye. You look stunning. And, yes, I was on my way to get some food on the pier when I saw you. I was unable to stay silent after seeing this change."

"Thank you; that means a lot. You look great yourself."

"Aww, shush you. You're not only beautiful, but also charming. Sadly, I do not have much time. I would love to hear more from you; please take my card. I think I could use some sexy guys like you on my team. See you around and have a great day."

Thomas accepted the business card with a smile. "To you too."

Chris was flabbergasted. He had known Thomas for years; they worked in the same office even team as a businessman, and he knew Thomas had even issues to handle clients. This was an entirely different level of confidence.

"So, what's on that business card?" Thomas, who had been waving at the women for a while, had yet to look at it. His attention shifted to the card, and he froze. His brain had just shut down and required a quick reboot.

"You okay Tommy?" Hearing that nickname, Thomas found his footing faster than expected.

"Have you just called me Tommy? No, don't answer; we'll talk about it later.He flipped the card around and began to shake.

Chris became concerned and moved his head slightly to catch a glimpse of the front of the card, "The Lioness. Wait, that is a well-known modelling agency. We used to do marketing work for them at our office."

"Yeah, I never met the CEO of it before though."

Chris began to open his eyes wide and took the card from the hippo. He turned it around and saw the CEO's name. "You're telling me we received a card from the CEO of one of the most well-known modelling agencies in the area. And she asked us to contact her directly if we wanted to work with her?"

Thomas began to breathe heavily. Not answering the question at all. Chris began to worry again, fearing it would be too much for his friend to handle. He was pulled to the side before he could say anything. He found himself in a small space between two shacks on the pier. It was just wide enough for them to fit through. The pile of old, unused boxes indicated that no one had come here in a long time.

Thomas looks at his friend's eyes. He was still breathing heavily. His face was as red as a tomato. His ears twitched randomly. The horse had never seen his friend like that. He opened his mouth to ask if he was okay, but nothing came out. When his lips parted, he felt the hippos' lips pressed hard against his. Smacking eagerly together, his tongue did not wait for a second before slipping into the horse's mouth and exploring it while binding it in a wild dance. It was a brief kiss, but it took Chris' breath away.

The horse was correct in thinking Thomas was overwhelmed, but in a very different way than he expected. Still breathing heavily, his entire body felt on fire.

“What…?"

"That has never happened. Nobody ever complimented me on my appearance. Then you come around and demonstrate genuine acts of attraction. That was already throwing my body out of whack. Then you made me see myself as something desirable, and now a model agency has asked me, of all people, to join their team. Nothing less than a CEO?" His breathing calmed only slightly down, and he felt like he was about to melt. "Then I started thinking, what if? What if it worked? Many people would notice and fantasise about me. ...Fuck, I am so hard right now."

Years of not allowing others to see him. Years of denying himself to see himself. Hiding and not wanting to be in the spotlight. Being seen in this way triggered something in him that he had no idea existed.

"I'd like to take you to my place so you can relax. We order some food and unwind and if you can't calm down, I'll help you out."

Thomas shakes his head. "Can't wait that long."

Chris was surprised when he gently moved his hand down Thomas' belly and touched his crotch. The bulge was throbbing so hard that he was worried the hot pants' seams would tear. "When was the last time you dealt with this? And you are huge!"

"Don't know, and I've never compared. I just know I'm a grower, not a shower."

"Are you sure about this? Anyone looking in our direction might see us when walking by."

Chris could feel the bulge in his hand throbbing hard. This caused him to finally realise something.

"You want to make me cum inside the hot pants then keep saying that." Thomas exhaled a hot breath.

"You are an exhibitionist." Chris spoke softly, for himself rather than his friend.

"I'm a what?" The hippo had never heard of that. However, he never did any research and rarely looked after himself in that way in general. Whenever he did in the past, he ended up staring at himself cleaning his mess and disliking what he saw. That was different now.

"An exhibitionist. You're aroused by doing things in public, the possibility of being caught, or the thought of strangers watching you." Thomas' hip twitched when his friend described it. His mind was filled with images of these exact scenarios. The most persistent one was just fucking on the nude beach from earlier.

Thomas tried everything he could to keep this under control, but his body was winning out over his will. He moaned when he felt two hands on his hips, slipping down the hot pants and panties to reveal his pride to the world. The cold air on his hot, pre-covered cock made him shiver with delight.

"What are you…?" Thomas didn't even notice Chris squatting down. His warm breath swept over his sensitive cock. He moaned again, staring at his friend so close to his cock.

"Damn you are enormous, bigger than me and I thought I was supposed to be the horse here."

"You know that hippo's are called river horses as well?" Thomas had no idea where that came from; his mind was a mess.

"Makes sense." Chris leaned in, inhaling his friend's scent. It was quite appetising. He had never smelled anything like it before, and it was his natural scent on top of that. His tongue slipped out and dragged along the shaft's underside to the tip. He collected as much pre as he could. It tasted even better than it smelled.

Thomas moaned loudly, feeling that tongue. No one, except himself, ever touched him there. He never liked himself enough to allow someone so close to be able to see him naked.

"If you are too loud we end up attracting people."

Those words caused Thomas to bite his lower lip in an attempt to gain control of his voice. It did not work. Just thinking about it causes his cock to squirt. Hitting Chris with his pre right on the nose.

"Yeah, you are an exhibitionist. "No doubt."

He continued to breathe deeply as his mind became increasingly eager to let go of this overwhelming sense of pleasure. "Glad…. We figured it out." He tried to be sarcastic, but it was difficult to do so while gasping and moaning.

"Sorry, let me help you." After licking the pre from his snout, Chris dove in. His mouth widened as he took the tip of the massive cock in front of him into his mouth. Fortunately, he had some experience but not with others. There was one thing he always wanted to be able to do as a teen, and years of practice and exercise enabled him to suck himself off. Now he was glad he had spent so much time to gain that skill.

Thomas could only moan as an answer. Another gush of pre filled the horse's mouth.

The black stallion did not want to keep his friend waiting any longer. It was clear at this point that he was feeling overwhelmed by the situation. His body was on edge, and his mind was full of desire. Chris started bobbing his head. Sucking eagerly on the swollen member in front of him. His tongue ran along the shaft, teasing the glans expertly. He was simply doing what he enjoyed doing to himself, and it was working.

Thomas' legs began to shiver, his mouth opened wide, and his tongue rolled out. His eyes rolled to the back of his head. He had never felt so much pleasure before. "Fuck…" He did his best not to make too many noises, but it was a fight he could not win. The moment he felt his cock slide into the horse's throat, it was all over. Gasps, moans, and any other sound of pleasure were escaping his mouth as Chris deep throated him.

“Sooo close…."

Hearing that, the black stallion pushed the cock all the way down his throat, his snout pressing into his friend's soft crotch chub, filling his senses with the incredible smell he was experiencing. His own hands moved to the two large butt cheeks around Thomas' hip. The hippo threw his head to the back of his neck, releasing wave after wave of hot semen into his friend's eager mouth. The first few shots went straight into Chris' stomach, and then he leaned back and let the tip rest in his mouth, catching the rest and enjoying the taste. It was even better than the pre-cum, thick and sweet with just a hint of saltiness. There was another flavour he couldn't identify, but it improved the overall experience significantly.

Finally, the orgasm subsided, leaving the hippo and black stallion breathless. Both of them needed some time to regain their sense of reality, which caused the horse to smile and look at his friend, who had stepped away. "Feeling better…" He paused at the sight. Thomas had removed his hot pants and panties completely and leaned forward against the opposite wall. His big, chubby butt wiggled right in front of Chris face.

"Please fill me."

"Thomas, we really can't do that here. It's too risky." Saying that caused the hippo to moan and shake his hip even more. He even spread his cheeks apart using his own hands. The pucker winks eagerly, inviting the horse to do more.

“Please fill your Tommy up. I need it."

A shiver ran down the horse's spine; his own cock was already hard, but the words made it jump even harder. The smell coming from the hippo drew him in even more. Before he knew it, he had leaned in and started eating that amazing butt out. The pucker didn't even resist for a moment, allowing his tongue to slip in without hesitation.

"Ohhh…. Yes… get in there deep."

Chris didn't need to be told twice, his tongue slipping as deep as it could, exploring every last spot possible, only to hear Thomas moan out in complete bliss again and again.

Slipping his tongue out, he inserted one finger, then two, and then three. There was no problem at all. The horse was surprised and perplexed, but that didn't matter right now.

He stood up, his hands resting on the soft love handles of the presenting hippo. He pushed his fat tip against the tender muscle, almost getting sucked in. "God… I never seen or felt this before." His tip slipped in easily, and his shaft followed suit, before he realised his own big cock was all the way inside his friend. It was as if Thomas had been doing that for years. But Chris knew that wasn't the case based on his earlier words.

The insides were massaging his entire cock, sucking on it while moving his hip back and clenching around it when he pushed back in. It was heavenly. He leaned down and moved his lips along Thomas' neck. Kissing him and nibbling gently. Only to get more moans from him. His hands move from his love handles to his large, soft belly, fondling it with the same reaction from the hippo. Then his chest, his nipples were so hard that Chris wouldn't have been surprised if they pierced through the crop top fabric.

"Nggh… "I am … haaah~." Chris could feel the warm velvet tunnel tighten around his member. He heard cum hitting the wall, which made him realise he had just gotten a second orgasm from his friend. "Don't stop…."

The stallion considered stopping for a moment, but hearing those two words in the most desperate sound he had ever heard in his life sparked a fire in him that he could not control. His thrust became harder and faster. His nostrils flare as he grunts at Thomas' neck. “Oh yes… fill me.. Fill me all the way."

He shivered as a third orgasm shook his body. His mind melted from the total bliss he was feeling. Chris knew this wasn't normal, but his desire to fill the hippo overcame his concern. He had always wanted to do this, and now he finally has the chance. He won't miss it.

His thrusts became more irregular as he rapidly reached his own peak. He let go with a strong huff. With hot semen gushing deep into the hippo, he can't help but shiver and moan in delight. His own cock twitched as it wanted to cum again, but this orgasm was deeper, hotter. It satisfied an itch that could not be scratched in any other way.

Chris on the other hand never came this hard in his life. Both of them shivering as their bodies succumb to the bliss of a divine orgasm, followed by an even more welcoming afterglow.

They remained in this position for a while. Chris hugged Thomas from behind, holding him as he noticed how much his legs shivered. His muzzle gently nuzzled Thomas' neck. Once they had both caught their breath, the stallion began to speak first. "Let's catch something to eat and go home~"

Thomas nodded. "Just a moment. I need to be able to feel my legs again first."

Chris can only chuckle hearing that.

_____

"Here it is. 'On rare occasions, strong new stimuli from various sources in a short period of time can result in an overflow of sexual desire. If this happens to your partner, the best way to deal with it is through sexual intercourse. Sometimes their bodies seek that release so much that their bodies prepare for it by itself.' So that explains why your anus was so relaxed around my cock. 'If you come across someone who does not find the necessary release in time or if the state of desire persists after sexual intercourse, consult a doctor. A hormonal infusion is required in that state, as a prolonged period of hormonal overflow can result in serious complications.' Well, we didn't have to worry about that. Even if it was a bit embarrassing that the owner of the food stall next to our hiding spot gave us free food because of the good show." Chris finished reading an article on his phone before closing it and placing it to the side.

When they got home, Thomas completely collapsed into an embarrassed mess. He took a shower to get rid of the aftermath of what had just happened. He didn't regret it, but it was still embarrassing. His entire head was bright red from the intense blush he was experiencing. His hands were covering his face even as Chris has wrapped an arm around him and pushed the hippo against his side. “Stop… please. It is shameful enough."

Chris can only smirk at this. Despite the embarrassment, he knew he had a good time, as did Thomas. He didn't read the section about people attempting to replicate that state because it was one of the most rewarding sexual experiences possible from the article out loud. Only to make Thomas not even more embarrassed.

"You still have to explain yourself for calling me Tommy." The Hippo attempted to change the topic.

"Well, you called yourself Tommy shortly after."

Thomas moved his hands away from his face, his cheeks flushed and his lips formed an adorable pout. "I was in fucking heat you can't put that against me!"

Only saying that made the hippo blush even more. Chris was surprised that this was possible. He leaned in and kissed him on his adorable nose, which at least made him stop pouting. "Sorry, it was just an experience I think I will cherish forever."

Thomas' ears wiggled in the cutest way again, making Chris want to hug him even tighter. His voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Me too…" He pauses as he continues, his voice barely audible. “I hope we can repeat that in the future."

This time, the horse's ear wiggles in response to that sentence. He cannot help but smile brightly. He knew he could say something to cheer the hippo up. Even though he was concerned, he acted too quickly. Then again, they had known each other for years by this point. He huffed out of his nostrils before he began speaking. "Fuck it! I will just say it." He looked Thomas directly in the eyes. " I love you, Thomas, and have for a long time. You are as important to me as Tommy, who has been by my side throughout my life. That's why I called you that name without thinking."

The hippo looked up at the horse, his eyes bright and his cheeks flushed red. "So you mean…" Chris's heart was racing as he waited for the sentence to end. "I'm just a toy for you?" Hearing that made his stomach drop.

"What! No! "You are the most precious..." A finger on the top of his lips cut short his rant, prompting him to look back at the hippo, who chuckled at him.

"I'm messing with you. Two can play that game. I love you too Chris. Now shut up and hold me for a moment before we begin eating. I am starving." He snuggles into the horse's embrace, enjoying the sensation of being touched and held like this. It was a warm feeling that almost overwhelmed him, but only almost. “I love the feeling of you holding me."

Chris' ears wiggle gently again, and he cannot help but smile. He never expected this day to unfold in this manner. But holding Thomas in his arms like this, they shared a nice affectionate moment. He dreamed about this so many times.

"But perhaps you should put on some clothes before eating. Who knows what will happen if you are overstimulated again."

"Chris; I swear to god if you keep to be smug about the whole thing, I will start fucking you silly until you are in heat."

"Is that a promise?"

Thomas groans at the words. "Can I take my 'I love you' back?"

The horse shook his head. "There are no take backs in this house. Besides, you couldn't get rid of me no matter how hard you tried. I've already proven that I love and care for my chubby hippos. Ask Tommy; He's been with me for over 30 years."

"Hard to compete against." Thomas looked up at the horse, still snuggled close to him.

"Yes, he is a good listener. But you outperform him in every category by far." He leaned down, a smile on his face.

Thomas moved up, meeting him halfway, and couldn't help but smile. As their lips touched, they both savoured the warm sensation of each other's lips, and a soft tender kiss held them together for a few moments. Their hearts beat faster as they enjoyed each other's company.

As the kiss ended, they stared deeply into each other's eyes. Chris's lips formed a soft smile as he admired the look in those deep green eyes, but it only lasted a few moments before it turned into a smirk. "Hope that didn't evoke another heat."

"Goddamn it! Can you stop ruining the moment and let it rest?"

"Mhhm give me another two or three… weeks and I will be past it."

The hippo lets out a loud groan and hides his face in the horse's chest, refusing to look at him any longer. Chris gives Thomas a soft kiss on the top of his head before placing his chin in the same location. Silence finally swept over both of them.

At least a few seconds passed before the horse's chuckle could be heard.

"Chris one more word and I punch you in the dick."

"Fine~"