FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Another weekend went by in a flash. It was simply amazing how fast time seemed to flow when you had something fun to keep your mind busy. And it was fun, Kramer thought as he walked through the forest, his arms strained from the heavy cases he carried with him. Pulling them with his bike was hard enough, his legs were still burning over that, but now this? Damn...

Baum's cave was a sight for sore eyes, and a surge of energy made the small otter stand up straighter, the large backpack hanging from his shoulders almost making him fall back. When he was only a few feet from the entrance, by sheer coincidence the bull came out, a look of confusion on his face that turned into visible concern when their eyes crossed. He didn't miss a beat running over to him.

"Hey! You took a while, right?" he asked, reaching over to take the cases and boxes from Kramer's hands. He held everything up with a single arm, which the otter assumed was entirely because he wasn't exhausted, and that there was no other reason whatsoever. Whatever the case, now that his body was freed from the strain, he let a loud sigh out, almost falling to the ground. "You shouldn't push yourself so hard, little guy."

"Who's little? You're not the only buff guy around. I'm perfectly capable of carrying some boxes," Kramer tried his best not to sound as out of breath as he was, and even struck up a pose, flexing to show off his modest musculature. Once again, it had less effect next to the bull's massive frame and the ease with which he held all boxes under a single arm. But when he noticed the ears and mustache shaking, he knew his actions had the desired effect on him. With that small victory, he felt appropriate to finally fall on the ground.

"Sorry about that, big guy," was he mocking him? Honestly, at this point, Kramer didn't care anymore. Baum let the boxes on the ground next to him, leaning down to the otter. A single second of proximity that made his heart skip a beat...before Baum jumped back, eyes wide while he covered his face. Was he trying to hide a blush? That was so damn cute. He offered a hand instead, one that Kramer was quick to grab, letting himself be pulled back up. "So, what's all this about?"

"I told you I was bringing you a heater next time I came over," his words got no reaction out of Baum, but that did little to curb his excitement, "and here it is!"

"And I'm pretty sure I told you that you didn't have to. And that I would feel weird if you did it," the bull covered his face again, and this time Kramer tried his best to look for the hints of bright crimson through his fingers, ready to tease the hell out of him for it. Baum ended up turning around, most likely aware that his expression was being inspected to that extent. "This is too much, there's no way I can just accept it."

"Yeah, yeah, you're saying that now, but just wait until you have your first real shower in ages! You'll get on your knees to thank me!" that was enough for the bull to look over his shoulder and raise an eyebrow, but the otter decided to ignore him. And in typical Kramer fashion, he pushed that broad back and made him walk towards the cave, taking pride in the fact that he was at least strong enough to move this mountain of a man.

After all this time coming over, and the one or two times he had to stay for the night, Kramer was fairly familiar with the layout of Baum's cave. He proved as much by not asking him for directions even once, pushing him all the way- or rather, the bull was already walking on his own while the otter followed close behind, hands on his lower back. Just as he expected, the sound of running water reached his ears a few seconds later, and rather than memory, Kramer started walking guided by his senses instead; not just hearing, but also by a certain humid scent in the air that he recognized right away, very subtle and yet growing stronger after every step.

By the time they reached that one specific turn in the hallway, Kramer wasn't pushing the bull any longer. Quite the opposite, he rushed ahead of him, excited in a very primal way to come across water, just like when they came across that lake the week before. He still remembered the rest of that day, coming back to Baum's cave and insisting on seeing this legendary bathroom of his, inspecting every inch of it for his experiment. Thus, it wasn't a new sight when he finally stepped in the alcove carved into the rock: Perfectly round, the walls smooth to the touch save for the few jags and spikes jutting out that acted as small shelves for the bull's necessities, from the same cotton and alcohol he used to heal Kramer's scrape on his first visit, to a small toothbrush and what he deduced was the soap, likely crafted by the bull himself.

But most impressive of all, and instantly drawing his eyes forwards, was the small waterfall on the other end of the room, blasting powerful through a single opening similarly carved in the rock a few feet above him. Kramer remembered seeing it for the first time the week before, awed by the sight alone. It was so simple and yet so fantastic at the same time, perfect for Baum, he thought. And he also remembered his hand going into the water, checking it and jumping back right away when it proved far too cold for his preference. To think the bull showered with that... And yet, even with such a memory in his head, Kramer's body kept telling him to jump in, to soak and get every inch of his fur wet. It took a lot of willpower not to. His mind wandered to other things instead, to try and distract himself from that voice in his head that told him to go in. He looked above at one of the many sun-powered lamps Baum had hanging from the ceiling to keep his home illuminated, to the rocks lined around the makeshift shower that kept the water at bay, and lastly to the bull himself, just as he put the many boxes on the ground and looked back at the smaller otter with a curious smile.

"Why are you smiling?" Baum asked, and Kramer not only felt the smile on his muscles, but also the way it quickly dropped as he turned away. A chuckle from the bovine reached his ears over the sound of running water. "Are you that excited about installing this thing? You big nerd."

"We've made it clear already we're both nerds!" he rushed towards the boxes, frowning at the bull all the way and only getting more laugh out of him. With a pout, the otter dragged the many boxes closer to the waterfall, already opening the first one, setting things on the ground while the words flowed out of his lips. "You know how you use solar power batteries for your lights?"

"Yeah, I have a lot of them..." a tired huff came out of Baum, easily the first time Kramer heard such a thing from him. "I keep half outside, loading up in the garden, and just change them up whenever one of these runs out. They last enough and its clean energy. Why do you ask?"

"The biggest question about this whole thing was how to power up a heater with solar batteries. That was the first mod I had to work on, and it took the biggest chunk out of my weekend. I had to look up so many DIY videos just to get the basics," he looked back when another huff got his attention, and saw Baum being the one frowning at him this time around. "Shush! I had fun doing it, really. Anyway, I had to lower the output a bit, so I'm not sure how long a single battery will last. For now, let's save it for quick, comfortable hot showers."

"I don't like taking long showers, anyway- Ah, wait, that's because they're always cold..." he was at a sudden crossroad. But Kramer sitting on the ground surrounded by countless trinkets he didn't quite understand took precedence. "Ok, so it uses solar batteries like everything else in here, but what else? How does it work and-

"I'm getting there, be patient," it was probably the first time the otter brushed him off like that. He was far too into his task, a screwdriver in one hand as he stood up on one of the boxes and leaned forward to the top of the waterfall. Baum instantly rushed for him, grabbing him by the hips and making sure he wouldn't fall over. Kramer had yet to notice any of that, focused on the opening from which the water fell, doing the math in his head while holding a large metal cylinder with small clamps coming out of each end. "Let me just... This goes here and this... goes here..."

Each of the clamps opened and Kramer attached them to each side of the rock opening, the water pouring in and out in a swift motion, exactly as he expected. Normally, he would've drilled the whole contraption into the wall to secure it, but after the scolding he got from the bull when he so much as suggested opening holes in his cave, he shot that idea down; those were the things going through his head as he closed the clamps, fastening the screws around them to make sure they stuck to the rock tightly. A quick check and the heater showed no shaking whatsoever, making him feel confident about it.

"That should do it. The clamps might loosen up over time, so you want to keep checking them every once in a while, tighten the screws up when it does, but you'll have to change them altogether sooner or later. That means you'll have to get new ones, or I can do that for you. Won't happen for a while, though these are... high... quality..." he slowed down when he realized the bull was still holding him, and the two of them stared at each other in the immediate second. Kramer felt himself stop breathing, unlike Baum. Next thing he knew, the bull was stepping back and turning around, his hand going to his face again, and the otter found himself copying the action. "Right! So... H-Here's the battery slot," he opened a small panel on top of the heater, far enough from the water, and took one of the smaller tubes from the floor before setting it inside. "You put it in, you turn it up here and then adjust temperature with this dial here. Um... I tested it, it's relatively fast and it can get pretty hot, so just try it out until you find a setting you're comfortable with."

"Sounds pretty simple," and yet, despite those words, the bull kept a notable distance from the waterfall, almost as if he feared the heater might explode in his face any second now. The more Kramer looked at him, the cuter he seemed. "Well, I guess that's that! I'll make sure to try it out later tonight-

"Tonight?" this was a rather peculiar moment, an idea brewing in the otter's head; a chance that didn't present itself often. Despite the neutral expression he had on his face, there was a certain wickedness behind his words that the bull failed to pick on, thankfully. "Why not right now, while I'm here? That way I can fix any quirks it may have without you having to wait until the next time I come over," he tried his best to sound innocent, but he couldn't help the way his eyes looked up and down the bull's body, already wondering just exactly how he looked like under his clothes. Funny how he had yet to see him shirtless despite how much the large bovine enjoyed the outdoors; you'd think he was the type to show off instead of having to goad him into it. "We don't want you getting burnt on it if it gets too hot, right?"

"It just went from simple to dangerous in like two seconds," and the bull took yet another step back. It took a lot out of Kramer to not laugh right there; the only thing helping his willpower up was the promise of watching the bull's bare torso at long last. He stared intently, waiting to see that glorious moment when he would pull the shirt off his tired, tight muscles... "But hey... Since you're the one who has to check it out and stuff, why don't you do the honors instead?"

"What?" did he hear that right, he wondered. For a second, he figured perhaps Baum had the exact same idea he did, but that thought failed for two main reasons: The first being that the bull simply didn't strike him as the horny type; the second, that he had already seen Kramer shirtless on his last visit, and even complimented him at that. But that only made his reaction more peculiar. "I mean... I told you, I already tested it back at my place. I like how it gets, but you're the one who's going to use it from now on, so... You know, your preferences and stuff-

"Nonsense! I insist, you should give it the first shot!" since when did Baum insist!? Weirder still was how he pushed him towards the water, patting his shoulders in the process. "You made it, you deserve it. I trust your skill, I'm sure the heat won't kill me or anything, so go ahead and take a shower, relax a bit before we go to the hot springs."

"Why would I relax before going to the hot springs? You're supposed to relax there. You're being sillier than usual, bull," he turned around again, but just like before, Baum had stepped back again. Whatever this fear was, it had gone from cute to annoying. "What's up with you? Are you that freaked out by a heater?"

"W-What? Freaked out- Of course not! Who's being silly now?" he tried his best to laugh it off, but laughter in general wasn't really his specialty. Kramer walked over to him next, but the bull immediately took a step back, making both of them stop in shock. "S-So, you just go and take that shower, buddy."

"Baum, you're being weirder than your usual creepy old hermit routine," the bull actually recoiled at that, and Kramer took the chance to close the distance between them. His hooves then moved by themselves, and step by step Baum kept away from him until he had his back against the wall. Cornered, he tried to look away from the otter, snout pressed against the rock. "Baum, what's going on?"

"You stink, ok!?" huh? "You- You- You smell! You reek! It's really off-putting and I have a very sensitive, creepy old hermit nose!"

The hell was this cow talking about... Of course he was wrong; he had to. Kramer was sure he was wrong, actually. So sure, he raised an arm and leaned int-

"Eugggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!" and he fell to his knees, defeated by his own odor. He didn't notice Baum walking around him, towards the other end of the bathroom, until the two of them let out a simultaneous gasp for fresh air. And that's when it all started rewinding in Kramer's head. "You know, now that I think about it, I was so focused on this little project, I forgot to shower through the weekend... And also, I was too tired from all the climbing and just went straight to bed when I got back home on Friday... And I may have been too lazy to shower the day before..."

"You're also wearing the same clothes-

"Yeah, I know!" he screamed at the bull covering his nose, and raised his arms threateningly in response. The look of horror in Baum's face was honestly priceless. And he stood like that for a solid two seconds before they both simply burst into laughter. It was the first time he saw the bull like that, literally bending down over it, and he looked so damn adorable, it only made Kramer's own voice come out even louder. It made him forget everything else, even the smell coming off his body right now. For a second, at least. "Oh fuck, ok... Ok, I stink, I'll admit it. I'll take the shower, I clearly need it," he reached for another quick sniff and instantly regretted it, recoiling at the smell. He still tried to laugh it off a bit. "Damn! I don't know if just a shower will be enough."

"Here," Baum went over for a small crevice carved into the walls, reaching inside. It didn't escape Kramer that he stayed glued to the wall, keeping the distance between them constant. He pulled a small white jar and tossed it over to the otter, freaking him out until the exact second it landed safely on his hands. When he opened it, a bittersweet scent instantly filled his nostrils, and it was as if the powerful stench coming out of him was neutralized completely. "It's a mix of herbs and plants I made myself, I use it for the days it gets really bad. I keep myself as trimmed as I can, but there's still enough fuzz down here," he pointed at his armpit at that, and of course Kramer's eyes wandered there, "to get dangerous. You don't get these muscles without working up a sweat, you know."

"You've been bringing up your muscles way too often lately," and just as he expected, the bull gave him no real answer. He subtly, and without moving much, flexed yet again. He really was doing that far more often now, but if it meant Kramer had the chance to see that flex tightly press against his clothes, he was definitely not complaining. "And I've never seen this mystical fuzz you speak of, let's see it now."

"You're into pits now?" it was the otter's turn to choke and turn around, hoping he didn't see the crimson blush on his face. He was definitely not answering that one. No matter how much Baum chuckled, or how deep and rich his voice was- He really was weak to that. "Alright then, I'll let you to it. Have fun on the shower. But not too much, it's a pain to clean this water after."

"Speaking from experience?" he tried teasing back, and all he got was a cough from Baum on his way out. Kramer couldn't help but laugh at his embarrassment, but once left alone, his brain was instead filled with images of a naked bull under the water, his breathing heavy, his chest rising in tandem, and his hand going down, a tight grasp as his forearm flexed from-

Ah shit, no! Too spicy, dammit! He didn't remember the last time he felt so red, and he actually fanned himself. But the images had yet to leave, and he sighed in resignation, his eyes falling to the... If he said so himself, the prominent bulge between his legs. He looked over his shoulder one last time, but he didn't know if it was to make sure Baum wouldn't just jump in while he took off his clothes, or because he wanted the bull to do so. Kramer wondered if he was nervous about being seen naked, or if he was disappointed that he had left without even taking a peek, but both ideas fell flat when the bovine didn't walk back inside.

So be it. The stench coming out of his armpits was a far more pressing matter, anyway. It started clouding his thoughts now that he became aware of it, actually. Any second now, he would start feeling dizzy and pass out- Hell, he giggled at his own joke like a creep; if only Baum had been there to hear it and make him feel better. Funny how thinking about the bull helped him feel better even about small things. Maybe it really was a crush...

Enough of that. At long last, the shirt was the first thing to come off, and he didn't think too much of letting it down on the floor. He had been wearing these clothes all weekend, so it made no difference if they got a bit of dirt on them. Perhaps that would help get the smell out of them, a bit of nature on them. His shorts came next and his thumbs hooked on his underwear as well, pulling it all down in a swift motion. It... jumped slightly once his legs were left naked, and without the fabric holding him down, it was far more evident just how it jutted far forward. It made no sense, he liked being naked and he was more than comfortable with his body. So why was he having such a hard time looking down at his dick right now? He dared a quick glance, but the blush spreading through his cheeks beat him, and he looked back at the waterfall instead.

With every step, he tried not to think too much on the smell now coming from between his legs as well, or the swinging motion that only made him think even more of Baum's naked torso. He wanted to focus on the water instead, the tempting flow that called to his most primal instinct once again-

"Holy shit, it's cold!" he winced, looking over his shoulder again to make sure Baum didn't hear him. As much as he wanted the bull to check him out, he didn't want to just flash him a boner like that, not even he was that forward! With a slight shiver, he reached for the very same dial he showed the bovine before, and in a matter of seconds, the water started heating up, just the way he liked it. "It's working even faster than I anticipated, I'm so good. I hope he likes it when he finally gives it a shot."

Under the water the outside world no longer mattered. He didn't even hear anything but the rumor around him, the soothing hum of the heater above him as it worked its magic. Quick and comfortable showers, he saw now why such a thing was unrealistic. There was something about the waterfall itself that made him wish he could stay like this forever, hugging himself and holding his own arms tightly, feeling content.

It actually took him a few seconds to realize he had no idea what to do with himself now: Where was the soap, the shampoo and all other things he needed to actually stop the smells? All Baum gave him was some cream that he actually had no idea how to use. That could've been the soap, for all he knew. And while he was at it, was he going to just wear the same old clothes again and get all the stench back all over his fur anyway? That made no sense; none of it made any sense. And still, under the warmth of the water, it didn't matter in the least. He was so relaxed, even his boner had died out, and yet his hands wandered down and looked for it again...

"Kramer, I forgot to bring you a tow- Ah!" in a single second, Baum stepped in, looked up and turned around fast enough that his horns actually bumped against the walls. It was so fast, the otter didn't even have time to react to him, and he was now frozen in place under the water, one of his hands dangerously close to his crotch and his face locked in a wide-eyed expression betraying how much he wanted to die right now. "I don't- I didn't- I forgot- I mean, it didn't click- Shit, uh... I'm sorry, I just, you know, uh..."

"I-It's fine," he was finally starting to react, and it was with an intense fluster that started clouding his every thought. "You'll be seeing a lot of this when we go to the hot springs anyway, and that's in like an hour or so. Why get nervous about it now, right? Might as well turn around and see it all!" he actually said that after deciding not to flash the bull- No, he never actually decided that, did he? He sort of wanted to do it.

"I'm good..." that was actually disappointing... But at least it got Kramer to move again and he turned just enough to hide every indecent bit he had to show. He still stared at the bull, just out of curiosity. He was slouching, his body twisting maybe one inch at a time before turning back to the front, but being just a bit more courageous every time. Kramer got a glimpse of his violet eyes, just a corner, and that was the last time the bovine turned back. Was he seriously checking him out...? "I-I brought you a towel! And some old clothes. They're from when I was younger, but they're probably too big anyway. Because of my... m-muscles... Anyway, I'm sorry, I'll-

"Actually..." his words froze Baum in place. Kramer would've been thankful for the chance of seeing that broad back for a bit longer, if it wasn't for the fact that he was frozen as well. Damn mouth always moving on its own, think of something quick! "Uh... C-Can you... get me the soap?"

"Sure," he took a step back and reached for the impromptu shelf where the soap was. After that, he stopped for a moment, his head rising as if deep in thought. And then he started awkwardly walking backwards, his arms stretched to the back to try and get the soap to him. Kramer couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't laugh! Tell me when I'm close enough, I don't want to trip and fall on the water."

As tempting as making him do just that sounded, Kramer stretched as well and reached for his hand. It was an innocent gesture, meant to let him know that he was already within reach, that he could already let go of the soap. But in that second, both of them froze up again. The bull's palms were as rough as he expected them to be, but his grasp was surprisingly tender. It was all exactly as he expected it to be, and yet to finally touch his hand- Was this seriously the first time he held his hand? A different kind of temptation invaded him. One that told him to slip his fingers in, to entwine them together. He just had to squeeze them between the soap.

"Ok, that's that," the bull pulled back. It wasn't fast or sudden, nor did he seem bothered in the least by any of it. He just pulled back, as if nothing had happened. He was comfortable with what just happened, that's what it meant... That's what Kramer told himself, at least. "Um... You mix the cream with a bit of water and scrub to get rid of the smell. We're going to the hot springs as soon as you're done, but take your time."

Neither of them said anything else. Baum made his way out of the bathroom with decided steps, not falling to the temptation of looking this time. But his stiff shoulders were all the evidence that he wanted to. Or at least, again, that's what Kramer told himself.

Once he was left alone yet again, another chuckle escaped him. Maybe he was reading too much into it, maybe there was too much wishful thinking. But he was happy. He didn't even get why, but he just felt content right now.

---

"Are you sure you're ok?" Baum asked him over his shoulder. After the shower was done, all it took were five minutes for everything to go back to normal between them, and they were now in the middle of the long hike to the hot springs he had been promised. "I can carry you if you want."

"If you start... flexing again... I'll turn you into a burger," an exhausted Kramer panted, his feet dragging across the ground while his ears filled with the bull's laughter yet again. He was in shape- He was in great shape, dammit! But this large, beautiful man insisted on pushing his body to its very limits, no matter what. And apparently, that included an hour of walking up the steepest hill he had ever seen in his life. Calling it a hike was a stretch at this point; it was straight up hell. "These hot springs better be worth the effort."

"A good soak at the hot springs is always worth the effort," the bull said with a surprisingly cheerful tone as he stepped on a rock and, with shocking grace, pushed himself over a ledge and up. Kramer stared at him barely able to hold his breath, and when the larger man turned around to offer a helping hand, he begrudgingly accepted it just because of how sweet his smile looked. Just being out like this really did wonders for the bovine's mood. The further they walked from his home, the deeper they got into the forest, the more thrilled he seemed to get. And despite the otter's warning, he was flexing. It wasn't just the outdoors, he enjoyed the strain it put in his body. "A bit of cardio has never killed anyone."

"That's wrong and you know it," the otter gasped as he finally got over the ledge with him. Any pride he used to have on his physique and the time he spent on the gym quickly vanished when he realized his body no longer had the energy to continue, and he sat on the nearest rock, ignoring whatever glance the bull may have thrown his way. "Fuck... Let's take five, man. How do you do this? You were a huge gym rat before you moved here, weren't you? I bet you bench press with trunks on your time off. You just lift the entire tree and start pumping iron... Pumping wood?"

"Come on," Baum crouched in front of him, his broad back a pleasant sight even when the otter's brain was clouded with exhaustion. He could clearly see the creases of definition through his clothes and the purple poncho, which only went to say how strong the man was. He was wearing a light teal shirt borrowed from him, loose enough for the fabric to hang off his arms and chest, yet it reached his waist perfectly; it was hard to believe the same massive back he was staring at could've ever been covered by something like this. If Baum were to wear this now, it would be more of a crop top- That was an image Kramer appreciated a lot more than he should. "Kramer, come on. Hop on!"

"W-What..." his eyes went to the bull's arms next, realizing they were waiting for him to do as told, his hands aimed back ready to hold him, gesturing for him to do it already. The blush on his face was something out of this world. "Y-You can't just tell a guy to do that, man!"

"I know, but I told you the trip on the way back is still long and I don't want to be around the forest when it's dark. So let's get a move on," his voice was firm then. Just like the first time they met, it was less the playful bull he had come to know and more the serious, experienced hermit that had attracted him in the first place. It was a commanding, admittedly handsome voice.

Kramer accepted defeat and went for the bull's back, his arms shyly coiling around his neck. He had to hold tight when Baum stood up without a hint of the same reluctance he was showing, his hands reaching for his guest's buttocks and holding him up, his body as light as a feather for those enormous muscles of his. Kramer was sure he was still flexing just because he was closer to them, but he was too tired to complain, and actually appreciated the large back to lie on. The bull started walking up the hill again, and against all expectations, his steps and constant rocking were a rather soothing motion that almost made the otter fall asleep against his body, face resting on his neck at first.

"I was a huge nerd in high school, actually," the cheerful voice returned, subdued by the deep baritone but nonetheless perfect. But what really made Kramer stir were the actual words that came out. "Wait, that came off wrong- I was a tiny nerd in high school! Not as tiny as you, but I was super lanky and my glasses were way bigger and more embarrassing. But I was really into buff nerds back then, so I promised myself I would be one and make all the cute guys swoon. I started working out seriously in college, but I was maybe half as big as I am right now. This is all pumping wood."

"So... You're into guys?" any other day, Kramer would've joined in on the jokes, but this was perhaps the only chance he would ever get to make questions. Even after months, this was the first time Baum opened up to him about his past, even if he stayed as generic as he could. But the otter had always been rather greedy himself, and he wanted to know more.

"I mean," the bull started, looking over his shoulder with a smile and a glint on his violet eyes, "wasn't it obvious?"

"A bit, but you've never actually said it yourself," he leaned on his back again, tightening his grasp around the thick neck, letting his fingers brush his chest and collarbone under the fabric. That was on purpose. "A lot of people assume I'm gay because I'm into guys, and I have to remind them I'm bi. So I try not to assume things."

"You're into guys!?" Baum gasped so dramatically, he might as well have done it in Spanish. Kramer's only reaction was to smack him on the horn, getting another laugh out of him. "I'm just so shocked, you look so straight when you're staring at my arms and hoping it's hot enough for me to take my shirt off," another smack and laugh combo. "Stop that, it tickles... But yeah, I'm into guys. I just made it official. I'm into buff nerds, actually."

"Thank you. And that just means you're into yourself," the otter squeezed his shoulders in return, getting a chuckle out of his friend. Then again... His eyes roaming his own body happened to take notice of the definition on his own arms, remembering the last good workout he got. He was a buff nerd as well, wasn't he? He counted for that... Was that what Baum was trying to tell him?

He was thinking too far into it. Like always. Just because a guy is into guys doesn't mean he's into you, he learned that the hard way. He'd rather lean on the bull's back and let the thoughts drift away from his mind, ignore them in his own special, not necessarily healthy way.

"Alright, we're here," of course they were. Just as he started getting comfortable, Kramer was told to get off, the story of his life. But as his feet touched the ground whatever exhaustion may have invaded him vanished after he took in the view in front of him.

They were maybe halfway up the mountain, short grass and several rocks scattered left and right. A small pool in front of them was the first thing the otter noticed, the steam coming off calling out to him, making his sore muscles scream in anticipation, and the soothing heat already reaching his body from a distance, making him loosen up at the same time. Several rocks surrounded the pool as if they had been put there by hand, and a tall stone wall rose to the side, reaching towards the mountain's heights that not even the more experienced bull could hope to go through. Trees of all sizes surrounded them, their branches hanging high and low, their bright green leaves framing the picture into an almost otherworldly image.

But the one thing that really got the otter was the open view beyond the hot springs. From this high up, you could see the entire forest expanding in front of your very eyes, the countless hues of green mixing almost seamlessly, the mountains in the distance piercing the sky like giants, and not a single cloud covering the blue horizon or blocking the sunlight. Kramer's jaw dropped at the sight, his body twitching just as his glasses steamed; he took them off instantly because he couldn't bear a single second without admiring the sheer size of the forest, the trees beneath swaying with the first breeze that hit them. It was like out of a movie; had he not been seeing it himself, he would've had a hard time believing it really existed.

"I told you it was worth it," Baum's hands landed on his shoulders, surprising him yet again. He lost count of how many times the bull had surprised him today already, but he didn't mind seeing him smile at his jumpy reactions. "And that's before you even sink in. I'll let you take your clothes off and jump in, just let me know when I can turn around."

"Ah! R-Right," part of him had already forgotten they would be naked next to each other, and he wasn't sure how he felt about it when the bull turned around. As comfortable as he was with his shirt off to go for a swim, Kramer was too conscious to just let him look at the lower half, but at the same time there was a part of him that honestly hoped Baum would try and take a peak while he changed. If anything, to give him a proper reason to try and do the same.

As he took off the borrowed shirt, Kramer tried his best to push those thoughts out of his mind. The only body and muscles he should be focusing on were his own, and he kept that thought as he rubbed his own chest, anxiously aiming down to the hem of the shorts. He glanced over his shoulder one last time, confirming that the taller bovine wasn't cheating, and with a swift motion he slipped off them, exposing his body to the elements. The hot air was already welcoming and all his worries faded away thanks to it. His legs moved on their own and his toe took the first experimental dip into the water, testing for the heat. He melted after that, a mellow sound coming through his lips as the rest of his body slipped inside in a smooth movement, all the way to his shoulders.

It was pure bliss. The heat spread all through his body, seeped into his pores and instantly made him whimper in delight under the water. Ironically, a shiver ran up his spine from the varied sensations, but as soon as it was over, he rose from the water, leaving only his lower half and leaning against the edge with a sigh. A quick glance below showed him that clear as it may be, the surface of the water didn't allow a single bit of his body to show. A double-edged sword, he thought: It meant Baum wouldn't get to see any of him, but neither would he.

"I'm done," he noted the bull, and right away he heard the shuffling of his hands going for his own shirt. It was such a peculiar thing, how his current relaxed state made his other senses spike to the point that he heard the shirt folding and falling off his shoulders. Kramer entertained the idea of taking the peak the bull had refused, and with the heat relaxing him to the point of not thinking clearly, he almost fell against his needs.

"Someone didn't fold his clothes," until Baum's voice made his eyes roll away and a crimson blush form on his cheeks. Maybe, if he sank into the water and swam away, the bull wouldn't get the chance to catch and scold him. But a large hand ruffled his head and surprised him again, taking over his thoughts. The next thing he heard was the light splash of the water as a new body entered. "God, I needed that..."

Kramer was ready to say something else and defend himself, but those words got stuck in his throat when he saw the man sitting next to him. Just like he did, Baum left his upper half out of the water, all the extra bits the otter had been craving hidden by the steamy surface. But for the first time, he forgot all of that as he admired the exquisitely defined Greek sculpture in front of his eyes. It was the first time he saw Baum shirtless, and of course it was with the steam perfectly framing his body, leading his eyes to all the important places. Rising from the water were those shredded abs, covered in short white fur, the deep creases making his fingers twitch for a touch; solid pectorals on top rose with every breath he took, the golden fluff sprouting from the depths of his cleft looking even softer than he imagined it could be; his shoulders moved slightly as his hands sank in the water and he cupped it up, soaking his face on it, pulling the golden mane back over his horns...

And there it was, the best part of it all. Without his glasses, those gorgeous violet eyes were shining all on their own, and his mustache shook slightly, a few strands dripping water in an elegant manner. His beard glistened from the humidity, and his horns looked as if freshly polished, sunlight bouncing off them. When he looked back at the otter, it was with a face that somehow mixed a stern expression with pure sex appeal. Kramer couldn't help but wonder what kind of karma he had that led him to meat such a beautiful man.

"What?" he finally asked with a chuckle, leaning back on the edge just like the otter did, his chest pushing out in the process and somehow managing to look even bigger. "Do I have something on my face?" he asked, but Kramer was in no position to answer. He was far too gone. Baum could definitely tell, and he looked over his friend's shoulder instead, taking a look at his body- That's what got Kramer out of his trance, was he checking him out!? "That's the tattoo you mentioned the other day, right? The one on your back."

"Oh! Yeah, that's... that's it," he tried his best not to let the blush show, but it was clear that Baum saw it all. It was better to just try not letting the shame take hold of him, but also significantly harder. "How is this the first time you notice it? I've been shirtless in front of you before- Just now, in your bathroom!"

"In my defense, I turned around pretty quickly when I saw you in the bathroom. Didn't get to see much of anything," that was an interesting way of putting it. Perhaps Kramer was reading too much into it, but it almost sounded like he wanted to see something at the time. He was seeing a lot this time, staring intently at the otter's back, to the point that Kramer turned around and rested his head on his arms. "I don't know. I've been focused on other things when you're shirtless around me. That happens a lot, doesn't it? You take your shirt off an awful lot!"

"I wasn't made for clothes," he said with a smug tone and a wink that got another chuckle out of the much larger bull.

"I like it. The tattoo, I mean," his thick fingers twitched as his arm rose, stopping midair just an inch of the water. Kramer wanted to let him know it was ok if he wanted to touch, but that was a bit preposterous of his part as well. Wishful thinking as it may be. "Uh... Does it mean anything?"

"That's a state secret, mister. I'd have to kill you," that one also got a laugh out of the bull, thankfully. Truth be told, Kramer was far more nervous than he thought he would get about this. But it was the chance he had been waiting for a while. "Don't change the subject. We were talking about you, weren't we? You're into buff nerds, what else?"

"You're finally asking about the weird old hermit in the middle of the forest? What, are you scared I'm a serial killer- I'm not a serial killer, I swear, and I know that's exactly what a serial killer would say, but..." he really didn't expect that sudden outburst out of Baum, and based on the way his mustache shook in retaliation, neither did the bull. But when he stopped, it was just reason for another laugh between them. That was becoming more and more common. "Ok... What do you want to know?"

As he said that, Baum leaned back on the water, once again letting his chest push out from the position, his deep sighs making it rise while his abs moved slightly. Kramer knew he shouldn't be checking him out so blatantly, but it was all too good to just look away. His shoulders fell as the heat seeped into his muscular body, and only then did the otter realize how tense he often looked, as if he was always carrying some sort of weight on his back. It was small evidence, but it helped confirm the concerns that he had been ignoring all these months.

"Do you feel like telling me why you're living here this time?" there. He asked. Kramer still remembered making the question before, getting no answer and choosing to respect his privacy. It's not like Baum was the only one with things to run from. But his curiosity had always been one of his biggest qualities and flaws, and he couldn't help himself much longer. The bull sighed in return, his eyes closed and his fingers rubbing his temples, clearly tired about this. He'd probably been dreading the question for a while, and Kramer instantly thought about taking it back, scared that his shoulders might go tense again, that he might just close again.

But before he could say anything, Baum's large hand landed on his head, and much like the previous time, he ruffled his short fuzz, getting him wet with the warm water dripping off his fingers. When he looked up, Kramer noted the bull's nostalgic smile, and the glimmer still present in those beautiful, violet eyes.

"I really don't want to talk about it," he admitted, making Kramer regret even asking, until he noticed the bull's still unwavering smile, "but you do have the right to know. Just... There's a lot about it that I haven't quite gotten over just yet."

"That's fine. Just what you feel comfortable sharing is enough," the otter reached, his hand aimed for the bull's own. Or was that too much... The thought only lasted a second before Kramer went for his shoulder instead, squeezing it reassuringly and getting another sigh out of him.

"I was in a... relationship. Back then, before moving here. It lasted through my entire college career, and I was happy with it; I was happy with the way things were. But, um..." he turned away. Just enough to keep Kramer from looking him in the eye. He cupped water on both hands again and splashed his face, pulling the mane of wild golden hair back and just looking gorgeous like he always did. The man was opening up to someone maybe for the first time in years and Kramer couldn't help checking him out. It actually made him feel kind of scummy, but who could blame him with such a masculine presence next to him? And yet, despite the sheer strength Baum's muscles emanated, despite the way they flexed slightly with every little movement, his eyes were still glossy as he looked down at the water. "Let's just say... I can love nature, and it would take care of me as much as I take care of it."

"Oh..." that... Kramer had to look away, unable to hold his gaze up to the bull any longer. Or rather, unable to face anyone else looking at him. He gulped audibly, feeling the pit of his stomach start twisting. His snout buried between his arms and his fingers tightened their grasp on his biceps, all for the sake of muffling the groan that came out of him. "Yeah. I've been there too, actually. It... It sucks when you're with someone and you try to meet them halfway through, but they just never go their own half of the way. And then-

"Then you feel like you're not the one compromising enough. And you just keep giving," that's what got Kramer to look up. Baum wasn't looking at him, but at the sky, lost in his thoughts, the nostalgic air in his face still present. The most surprising of all was that he had something of a smile on his lips, but not quite. Kramer didn't really have words for it. But it was oddly soothing. And then the bull looked away again. "I really don't want to talk about it. It wasn't pretty... But it's why I moved here, somewhere I wouldn't have to deal with relationships or expectations. I'm more or less squatting here, but it's worth it."

"...Wait, what?"

"You didn't think I owned the whole forest, did you?" and he tried to laugh it off, his chest rising far more than necessary with each breath. All of it on purpose for the sake of pulling Kramer from the actual topic at hand. But the otter wasn't having any of it, and for the first time since they met he didn't pay attention to the bulging arms and the plump, exposed chest; he just frowned at the bull, waiting for his answer. It took only a few seconds for Baum to realize that, and his forced laughter stopped. "W-Well, yes. I don't actually own the cave where I live. I don't think anyone does, strictly speaking? It's something of a gray area. Legally speaking. A... slightly dark-leaning gray."

"You're living here illegally," as soon as the otter said it, Baum groaned in a surprisingly childish tone, sinking into the water until only his eyes and the prominent horns peaked up from the surface. It was far from the reaction Kramer expected out of him, the closest thing to a tantrum he had seen the bull do, but strangely endearing in its own way- No! He was mad right now, dammit! "I...! Ok, hold on, damn..." he got off the edge of the water, sitting in the middle of the pool, trying to get back the relaxed sensation the heat had given him before. But it was gone, his brain working fast to put his thoughts in order. "I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, but you do understand why this is bad, right? I mean, what happens if you get caught? Do you get a fine? Do they kick you out? Do you get sent to prison?"

"Kramer, it's fine. No one has found out about me living here ever since I moved, except you. And even if they did, they don't actually have any legal grounds to kick me out," of course the otter wasn't convinced. But he had known Baum long enough by now that he knew no matter what he said, he wouldn't be able to convince the man otherwise, or to get more out of him. Didn't mean he was just about to seat back and take it all in so easily, and the bull predicted that and let a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be fine. If I do get found out, that's something I'll deal with when it happens. No point thinking too much about it right now."

"There's a lot of reasons why you should be thinking about that right now," Kramer tried his best not to sound like he was nagging him, but it was incredibly difficult. In a way, it was reassuring to see that Baum, despite all his talk about self-sufficiency, had his own issues he clearly couldn't deal with on his own. He wanted to help him; so much, it made his fingers twitch and his body shiver anxiously. The last thing he wanted was to see the bull taken away. "Look, I have a lawyer friend, let me at least ask her about this, ok?"

"If it'll help you sleep at night," the bull leaned against the edge again and it was clear that the conversation was over, at least on his side. Kramer wanted to get more out of him, but with a sigh he went back to his own position, leaning next to Baum, taking discreet glances at the bull as he kept pushing his chest forward. Even with such a heavy subject, he just couldn't stop thinking about that impressive body of his. "Take a picture, it'll last longer."

"I'm not sure if I like the snarky Baum. Go back to being a shy hermit in the forest," that got another laugh out of the bull, this one making his mustache shake again. Kramer stared at it even more than at the bovine's torso, yearning to feel it brush against his own lips... "Can you blame me? I would kill to have abs like those."

"What, these old things?" one of his hands reached and rubbed up and down, his fingers trailing the lines, blatantly drawing the otter's eyes to them. At one point, they went down enough that the tips pierced the surface of the water, as if they were aiming lower, below his waist... Kramer tried not to let the blush take over, but he was convinced he was doing it just to tease him. "You can touch them if you want."

"W-W-W-W-Wha- Huh!?" while Kramer fell on the water, splashing furiously in confusion, his tail went stiff and burst out of the surface, pointing at the sky. Witnessing it all, Baum simply laughed in response, his voice even louder than before. The poor otter didn't understand what was going on, and the tall, muscular hermit seemed like a completely different person right now. Maybe that's how he got when the heat got all the way through his sore muscles, he didn't know. What he did know was that he was laughing at him, at his outburst, and that got Kramer fuming. His impulses took over and he dove for the bull, a deep frown on his face and his hand resting atop those glorious abs the bull had so openly bragged about. That's when Baum looked down at him, his face frozen in shock and his laughter completely stopped. Kramer, fully realizing what he had just done, looked up with crimson on his cheeks, but his expression still firm. "T-There."

"I can see that..." Baum breathed out, gulping and looking away. It was only for a second, the longest one in the otter's entire life, but the bovine soon went back down, first taking a glance at the hands on his body, then going up to the otter's face. "Well... What do you think?"

"Honestly..." his hands slowly moved up and down, feeling Baum grow tense under his touch for a moment. It only lasted an instant before the bull relaxed again, a sigh leaving his lips as Kramer's thumbs trailed his abs up and down, much like he had done himself before. Seeing them was one thing, but actually getting his hands on them, feeling how deep down they went, the level of sheer definition and the strength of his muscles underneath the short fur... He had to bite his lower lip at first to keep the more uncouth sounds from making it out. "They're amazing. It's unfair, actually. I wish I had abs like these."

"Yours aren't bad," he couldn't look up at Baum after he said that, dammit! It was taking a lot not to faint just from the sudden embarrassment. "H-Hey... Do you remember when we first met and you kissed me," of course he remembered that, and he didn't get why Baum had to bring it up right now, "and then we said that maybe we could... do it again if we got closer?"

"Y-Yeah... Yeah, I think we said something like that."

"Well... Do you mind if I do?" that's what finally got Kramer to look up, eyes bulging out and a sudden shudder crawling up his spine. Baum's expression was the same serious one as before, his violet eyes seemingly shining again. Seeing him this closely, he looked even more attractive than he remembered. He wanted to say that, to compliment the man in front of him, but his throat was dry and no words would make it out, no matter how hard he tried. All he could do was nod in response.

Baum leaned forward, his body feeling bigger the closer he got to the otter. It was such a different feeling when he loomed over him, Kramer realizing that his chest was at face level; he had always been aware of it, but seeing it with him naked, the golden fuzz looking him straight in the eye as the massive bull got closer, close enough that he could tell Baum had stopped breathing. It wasn't until a large hand cupped his chin that he looked back up, just as there was only an inch between him and the bull. Kramer braced himself, his eyes starting to close as the distance between them cut, their faces growing closer...

Baum turned slightly to the side and his lips landed on the otter's cheek, sinking into his soft fur, leaving a quick peck on his cheek. Kramer's grasp on his abs tightened as the heat on said cheek shot through the roof, but it wasn't embarrassment that he felt. He felt... something stirring underwater, his legs unconsciously crossing to keep it hidden. But most of all, he felt the craving for more as Baum pulled back, his face serious, somewhat uncertain, but his thumb still stroking the otter's chin.

"Can I... get one too?" Kramer asked, and with a shy smile, Baum nodded in response. That was all the otter needed to let go.

He went for it faster than Baum, closing the distance between them in a few seconds, softly letting his lips rest on the bull's. He didn't realize when his eyes closed, and he had no idea what was going on around him; he didn't feel anything but the taste of his lips, the light tremble before Baum also leaned forward, pushing back into the kiss, their lips finally locking in that tender moment. After that, his large hands left Kramer's chin, going down his shoulders, his back, following his muscles and letting them down around his waist, slowly pulling him closer. The otter followed suit by coiling his arms around his neck like before, pressing against his body until their chests were together. Every time he was convinced he had a proper scale between them Baum, without trying, showed him just how much bigger he was.

It didn't take long for the heat to take over, tongue trailing each other's lips, trying to cross the boundary beyond a simple kiss. Kramer's hands left the bovine's thick neck and roamed down his collarbone, quickly finding the plump chest once again. He pulled back just enough to let his hand on it, pressing and squeezing the hard muscle under his fur, shivering as he realized just how solid it was. His fingers brushing against Baum's nipples were all he needed to let the bull inside, his rough, thick tongue snaking its way around with shocking expertise. He leaned further down, his hand on the otter's hand keeping him in place as he pushed against him. Far more aggressive than he thought he would be, but Kramer's body clearly gave into it, feeling himself get harder under the water. One of those enormous hands finally landed on his stomach, rubbing through the fur, his fingers aiming down as Baum slowly went down, his knuckles sinking into the water-

Kramer pushed him away. Their kiss broken, the otter stood with both arms on the bull's chest, keeping him in place while he looked at the water, eyes bulging out in shock. A single shiver ran up his spine, this one far different from whatever Baum made him feel before. He trembled just enough that the bull probably noticed, but he didn't have it in him to look up at him. It only lasted a second, and then he blinked a few times, clearing his head of any bad memory that decided to rear its ugly head. Now, of all times. His jaw clenched as he kept the spiteful words down his throat. Baum didn't deserve hearing them.

Baum... During that second, the otter had completely forgotten about the bull. When he looked up, it was to a completely broken expression that he never imagined on his face. His mouth agape, his lips quivering and his throat contracting, all the words wanting to make it out at the same time; but it was the eyes what really made Kramer stop. Those brilliant, beautiful violet eyes were now dull and wide open.

"I'm sorry..." he weakly let out, his chest slowly rising as his breathing resumed. "I'm sorry, I thought- You said- We were- I thought you wanted to- I'm sorry," he started breathing even harder, his shoulders rising as much as his chest, his eyes bulging further out. Both arms fell limp as he held himself tightly, a light tremble coursing through his body. "I'm so sorry- I'm doing it again, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"What? N-No! Hey!" Kramer's first instinct was to reach for him. When his hand landed on Baum's shoulder, the bull winced in shock, but then he looked up and stared at the otter like he had just seen a ghost. His eyes closed after that, taking deep breaths. "I'm fine... It's ok, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

How the hell was Kramer supposed to not worry about it!? He was closing up again, right after they finally... No. He should be thinking about Baum's sake right now, not about that. Whatever it was the bull didn't want to tell him, he hadn't imagined it had gotten to him this badly. But it's not like he was the only one like this.

"I'm sorry," Kramer was the one apologizing this time, and Baum looked up at him in shock. "It's my fault. I thought I was ready, I really did. I wanted to- I want to, I really do, but... The last guy I was with..." his hands balled into fists under the water. Why did he still have a way to slip into his mind? Why did he allow that... "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Baum's soft, deep voice was as soothing as always, and the bull cupped his cheeks, pressing their foreheads together, his horns like a crown around the otter's. Just a silly thought that brought a small smile to Kramer's face while Baum spoke. "It seems like we both have a lot to deal with. But if I'm honest, I still want to give this a try, be selfish for once. And I want to help you with this as much as you want to help me. So, maybe we can try things out at a slower pace, and about this part, well... We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

The first thing that crossed Kramer's mind as he looked at the water was that he couldn't see through the surface. He saw the silhouette of Baum's legs through the water, but every detail he may have been able to catch was undetectable. Better left a mystery for when they were ready, eh? He couldn't help a chuckle, and he nodded weakly to the bull, getting him to squeeze his shoulder again. They looked back up at each other for a moment, and another quick kiss assured Kramer that the bull was right.

"We have to get going soon. I don't want it to get dark while we're going down," just like that, he went back to normal. Part of Kramer wondered if it would all happen like that; if they'd just have to ignore this until each got better. Then he noticed Baum still had his arms around him. "You'll stay over tonight, right? I mean, you don't have to, but it'll be dark when-

"Yes. I'll stay over," and he pressed himself against the bull's torso again, his arms locking around him as well, holding him tight. Any dread he had of being pushed away vanished when Baum rubbed the small of his back, playfully nipping at the base of his tail. Kramer's head rested against his chest, and he felt the golden fuzz for the first time, as ticklish and soft as he imagined it to be. "Can we stay for a while longer?"

"Anything you want, little guy," he leaned against the edge, holding Kramer with him, still rubbing his back while one hand rested on his head, thumb petting his ears. For now, that was more than enough.