Episode Transcript
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0:01
Today's story concerns adult subject matter for mature listeners.
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If that's not your cup of tea, or there are youngsters listening,
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please skip this one and come back for another story another time.
0:18
You’re listening to Pride Month on The Voice of Dog.
0:21
This is Rob MacWolf, your fellow traveler,
0:24
and Today’s story is “A Small Gesture” by Pendoggo,
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an artist and casual writer who loves big guys and fantasy worlds.
0:33
You can find more of his stories on furaffinity and his art
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on twitter or bluesky.
0:39
Coming out is not, as often portrayed,
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a single moment, a triumphant chorus,
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a dramatic climax after which all is mere unincidental denouement.
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It is a process, for most of us lifelong,
0:53
of balancing personal comfort with communication,
0:56
self-identity with the assumptions of strangers,
0:59
right to privacy with show of solidarity
1:02
and support for those we love.
1:04
Any day, every day, for a multitude of reasons,
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we may find ourselves having to come out in some way.
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Making anything from a formal statement to:
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“A Small Gesture” by Pendoggo
1:22
The scent of coffee and quiet murmurs filled the air
1:25
as sunlight shone through wide glass windows to warm the wooden flooring and tables.
1:30
The late morning air was still
1:33
pretty cool and pleasant in the small cafe.
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A portly civet walked through the room,
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picking up used cups and plates.
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He chittered happily to a bear behind the counter,
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who was busy preparing a cup of hot chocolate.
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The cafe was fairly busy, as most of the students were out and about for the weekend.
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“Hey… you there, Thomas?”
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A chubby, grey tabby asked, his eyes wide as he held a glass of iced coffee in his paws. “Hmm?
2:01
Oh!” The mastiff at the other side of the table said, his eyes focusing on the tabby cat.
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The dog wore a heavy brown coat, his physique even wider
2:10
than the tabby cat’s, yet slightly firmer. He took a sip of his coffee,
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wetting his lips. “Something on your mind, love?”
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The tabby said, a hint of worry in his voice.
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“We can go home if you’re not feeling good.”
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“No, I'm alright!” The mastiff replied, giving his partner a reassuring grin.
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“Just suddenly thought of something at work.”
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“If you say so,” the tabby said, leaning back.
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“Are there any good movies showing?
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“Let's see!” The mastiff replied, checking his phone.
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Still, a piece of his mind wandered elsewhere. —
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The sun cast a soft yellow over the cloth roofs and stalls
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as the two walked through the small town center near the campus.
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It was early Saturday morning, and a bunch of stalls were set up for the weekend market.
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Fresh fruits and vegetables were arranged side by side with iced coffee, fried noodles,
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and handicraft
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bags. Thomas chewed on a tayaki as he and a tabby cat
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walked through the stalls. The bulky, brown mastiff frowned slightly as he chewed,
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and took a swig of water from his coat pocket.
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“I hope there are some new vendors,” the mastiff said as they walked past a stall selling tomatoes.
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“Rotation is supposed to be this week.”
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“I saw a few new things,” Arthur replied, looking across the vendors.
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“The tayaki stand was new!”
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“New flavors, you mean,” the dog replied, chewing thoughtfully.
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“I prefer the usual red bean flavor better.”
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“I think the strawberry one has its positives,”
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the cat answered cheerily. “It's refreshingly fruity.”
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“The red bean’s creaminess works better with the pancake though,” Thomas replied.
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“Perhaps. There’s a reason why you always choose that. Oh, look!”
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The cat went ahead, his eyes looking at a curious stall.
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“Knit stuff!” The mastiff looked inquisitively.
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The stall was filled with different kinds of knit wear and knick-knacks, ranging from scarves and gloves to stuffed ducks.
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A lean deer manned the shop, his antler tips covered in an assortment
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of colored knit caps. He gave them a big smile and a small nod,
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his heavy antlers bowing down with him.
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“Welcome!” He said cheerily.
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His eyes grew wide in recognition as he noticed the tabby cat.
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“Arty?” “Bryan!” Arthur said, waving his paw.
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The deer quickly went over to the other side to give the cat a big hug.
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“How’re you doing girl? I missed you!”
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Bryan exclaimed, hugging the fluffy tabby cat tight.
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“Same old, same old,” Arthur replied,
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patting the deer on the back. “And what about you? What’s all of this?”
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“My sister and I finally decided to try selling some of our knits!”
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The deer said excitedly. “Finally got a slot here and gave it a shot!”
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“That's great Bry!” Arthur replied as they broke their hug.
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“Got a lot of stuff here.” “Well half of it is old work we didn't have space for anymore,”
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the deer said, handing Arthur and Thomas cards.
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“Though we have been making things specifically to sell recently.”
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“I remember this one!” Arthur said, picking up a knitted duck. *I
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can't believe you’re selling this. I need to take it before it vanishes.”
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“Aw I didn't know you liked that one,”
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Bryan replied. “Just take it then.”
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“No.” “Fine, but at least take this,”
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the deer said as Arthur fished for his wallet.
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The cat felt something warm plop on his head.
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“It suits you!” Bryan grinned.
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Arthur pulled the knit off his head. It was a rainbow colored beanie with
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small slits at the side for ears.
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“I don't trust your taste,”
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the cat replied as he put the beanie back on
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and looked toward Thomas.
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“It does suit you,” the mastiff replied, patting Arthur on the head.
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“You can have that one. It's just a prototype anyway.
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We plan on making more for pride month.”
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Bryan replied. “So? Pretty right?” “It's cute!”
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Arthur giggled. “I’ll keep it then.
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Thanks, Bry. I bet it'll be a hit.”
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“Sucks that I only have one, though. Thomas, right?” The deer asked the mastiff.
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“Drop by next week and I'll have another one ready for you.”
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“Oh, it's fine! No thanks,”
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Thomas said, waving his paw as Arthur placed the beanie on his head.
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“Rainbow doesn't really suit me.”
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“Nah, I think it looks nice on you!”
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Bryan replied, looking the Mastiff up and down.
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He smirked, giving the big dog a cheeky wink.
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“Or I could make one with bear flag colors.”
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“Nonono you don't need to!” the mastiff quickly uttered,
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making Bryan giggle. “You’re cute.” The deer said,
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giving Thomas a warm smile.
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He turned back to Arthur. “We should have some dinner together sometime! I'll bring Jake.”
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“Jake? He’s the cougar, right?”
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Arthur asked. “No, that was Jeff. Jake is a moose,”
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Bryan explained. He raised his chin, fanning himself with his hand.
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“I was too high maintenance for Jeff.”
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“You bitch,” Arthur said with mock shock,
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and the two laughed.
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“Jeff had to leave town and we decided we didn't want an LDR.”
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The deer said. “Jake helped me set up this stall! He’s a sweetheart.
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I’d love it if you guys met.”
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“Let's set something up then!” Arthur replied, taking the beanie back from the mastiff and putting it on.
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“It was nice meeting you Bryan!”
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“Yeah, nice to see you!”
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The deer said, waving back.
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He smirked at Thomas. “Drop by next week and I’ll have a beanie ready for you too.
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too.” “I said it’s fine-” the mastiff began,
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before the cat took his paw and led him away.
8:02
“Looks like pride month is coming,”
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Arthur said, his ears peeking out of the rainbow colored beanie as they walked down the weekend market.
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“The university’s gonna be celebrating again. I need to get out of the lab more often.”
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“And the shops are going to be filled with rainbow themed everything again,”
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Thomas replied, looking at a few banners that decorated the market.
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“Yeah,” the cat laughed,
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adjusting his brightly colored beanie.
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“Honestly, I don't mind all the pandering.
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It's still better than the alternative.
8:34
“Yeah…” the mastiff replied.
8:37
“Well you have any events in mind to attend?”
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Arthur asked. “I was thinking of going to the pridecon this Wednesday.
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You free?” — The nearly set sun cast dim light through the curtains,
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providing scant illumination to the living room at the other side.
9:03
A brown coat hung from a rack, resting after a long day outside with the newly acquired multicoloured beanie next to it.
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The television droned on in the dark room,
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gunshots flashing light from its screen and
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casting shadows. A bowl of half-eaten caramel popcorn lay
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on a table in front of it.
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Both the movie and snack were ignored by the occupants.
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Arthur slouched down on the couch,
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his head leaning back on the large cushion behind him.
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His sweater was pulled up over the curve of his soft belly,
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his one paw on the couch
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while the other slipped underneath his sweater
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to idly rub his nipple.
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His pants pooled down at his ankles,
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and his thick legs were spread
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to give full access to the parts that lay between.
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A large paw pushed against his thigh while another rested on his belly,
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gently giving it a rub.
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The same paw slowly reached up and over the plush stomach
10:01
to hold onto the tabby cat’s paw on his chest. The mastiff’s
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large head moved as he nuzzled the cat’s member with his muzzle.
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His cold, moist nose rubbed against the covered tip of the tabby's s dick,
10:14
carefully pulling down the foreskin to reveal the tip of the pink head underneath.
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He pressed his nose at the tip and took in his partner’s familiar and memorable scent.
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Lowering his muzzle, he traced down the thick, warm shaft,
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slowly pulling the foreskin down with it.
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He sighed as he reached the spot between the tabby cat’s shaft and balls.
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The cat’s dick lay across the bridge of his muzzle,
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the pink tip staring right at him as it leaked,
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already slick from teasing earlier during the movie.
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He nuzzled into the full balls and sniffed,
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the balls retracting from the cold air that flowed over them.
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Trailing his nose back up the shaft, he let the foreskin retreat back over the head before
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placing the tip at his lips.
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Giving the tip of the cat’s manhood a kiss, he slid his tongue into the soft folds as he suckled on the head.
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Thomas took his time savoring the soft, velvety tip of the cat’s dick.
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He licked over the smooth, slick head before going to the source.
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He brought one paw to the cat’s shaft,
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pressing into his fat pad to get more of that tasty dick out
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and pull the skin back to reveal the head.
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He lapped at the pre-slicked frenulum,
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tasting the precum that leaked out of the chubby cat’s
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slit. His tail wagged as he heard the cat mewl
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huskily, his chest giving a deep breath in pleasure.
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Eventually, he began to pull more of the warm meat into his muzzle,
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taking more of the shaft as he bobbed up and down.
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With a long pull back, Thomas pulled his muzzle off the shaft.
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The cat’s modestly-sized dick glistened with drool
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and precum, throbbing gently in the light of the television behind the mastiff’s broad back.
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Thomas tapped the pink head on his muzzle,
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the heat of the dick contrasting to the coolness of his nose.
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He looked up at his lover and their eyes met.
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“Do you think I’m not gay enough?”
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Thomas asked. “W-what?”
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Arthur asked, his pleasure-addled mind slowly snapping back to attention.
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“Uhh,”the mastiff said,
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tapping the dick to the side of his muzzle as he thought. ”I
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guess sometimes I feel like I don’t
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fit into the whole gay thing.” “Why’d you say that?”
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the tabby cat asked, reaching between his legs to pet the mastiff between the ears. “Have I been
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making you uncomfortable with anything?”
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“No, nothing of the sort!” Thomas replied,
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pushing the throbbing dick away so he could look at his partner.
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“I just sometimes feel I should be more… gay…
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is all.” “Tom,” Arthur said gently,
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reaching down to cup the dog’s head.
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“You don’t need to be anything but yourself.”
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The dog smiled back. “Thank you, love.”
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“Now,” the cat began,
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leaning back once more and giving his hips a light thrust.
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“It’d be nice for you to finish what you’ve started.” “Mmmhm,”
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Tom agreed, as he opened his warm muzzle once more.
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“Good boy,” Arthur said huskily,
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purring as he felt Tom’s tail wag at his feet.
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— The mastiff stood on the sidewalk as he waited outside the local pride comic convention on campus.
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He shifted around, checking his phone. The morning
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was sunny and pleasant, and the hustle and bustle at the entrance was nice and lively.
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Attendants kept everything in check, sorting the con-goers and artists that entered the venue.
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He looked around and tugged at his coat as he pulled his phone out,
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checking it for messages. Sighing, he looked back at the event and the brightly colored banners at the entrance.
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He shifted in place once more, checking his phone.
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A part of him was wondering if anyone would notice him,
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though he knew he had no reason to worry about that.
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Yet the thought still lingered.
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He frowned at the notion. He walked toward the entrance of the building, peeking into the event space.
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The inside was filled with students, faculty, and guests who came
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to participate.
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Many wore different shirts, bracelets, and pins representing the various pride flags as they walked
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around. Tom smiled, before walking back away to wait at the nearby bench.
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His thoughts were interrupted as a voice came from his right.
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“Hi!” Tom turned, and saw a young ferret girl look at him cheerily.
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“Are you here to attend the pride comic con?”
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“Oh, um, yes,” The mastiff said timidly.
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“I’m just waiting for someone.”
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“That’s great! There are seats inside that might be more comfortable,”
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The ferret suggested. “I’m fine with waiting here,”
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Tomas replied with a reassuring grin.
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“Alright,” She said, raising the basket she’d been carrying.
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It was filled with a bunch of stitched rainbow patches.
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“Well would you like a pride patch?”
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Tomas looked at the pile of small patches.
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“I’m fine,” he said reflexively,
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before pausing. He looked at the patches once more.
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Sometimes, he wished he had a specific memory as to
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why he felt uncomfortable.
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A demon he could point his finger at for his cowardice.
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Yet he had none. Just his own thoughts.
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He growled to himself. “No. Actually, I’ll take one.”
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“Hope you like it!” the ferret said cheerily.
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She gave Tom a shy grin.
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“It's just a small gesture, but it means a lot.”
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“Happy to help,” Tom replied,
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waving as the ferret left.
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He stared at the small patch in his paw,
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turning it over in the morning light before pocketing it into his coat.
16:12
“a small gesture…” His thoughts were interrupted as two arms wrapped around his shoulders and a chin rested on the top of his head.
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“Sorry I’m late!” Arthur said, nuzzling the top of Tom’s head gently.
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“Did you wait long?” “Not too long,” Tom replied,
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leaning into the nuzzle. “What took you?” “Just finished closing the lab,”
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the cat answered, going around the bench.
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He was wearing the rainbow beanie that he got a few days back.
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Rounding the bench, he plopped down at the mastiff’s
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side. He sighed, leaning his head on Thomas's shoulder.
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“And then went straight here. Can you give me a minute?
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Just resting from the walk.”
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Tom glanced down at the tabby cat.
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He felt his partner’s weight as he leaned on him,
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his breaths slightly heavy from the brisk walk. The cat looked content, a soft smile on his muzzle giving the mastiff a warmth that welled up inside him. He looked so content and secure with him. He put his arm around Arthur’s
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shoulder and pulled him close.
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Taking the cat’s paw into his own, he closed his eyes,
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accompanying his tired partner.
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“No problem,” Thomas said softly,
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a smile on his muzzle as well.
17:29
“I love you, Art.” — “Hey, if we’re too late we won’t get a good pick for breakfast!” Thomas called out through the hallway as he put his shoes on.
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The air was chilly though outside the window it was already light out.
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He heard a loud yawn come from their bedroom. “It’s only 6:30! There’s
17:49
no way the Saturday market is selling out this early!”
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Arthur replied from down the hall. “It’s still better to make sure!
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I want that egg noodle bowl!”
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Arthur hobbled out of the bedroom, rubbing his eyes.
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He lazily picked up his shoulder bag and placed it over his jacket before walking toward Tomas.
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He glanced at the husky mastiff.
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“Nice patch!” Arthur said.
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A small rainbow patch was placed on the flap of Tom’s messenger bag,
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adding some color to the dark brown cloth.
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“Thanks,” Tom replied
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shyly. He looked down at the patch, feeling a bit of excitement well up in him.
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He reached out to grab the cat by the waist and pull him close.
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Arthur looked up, and the mastiff met his gaze and gave him a quick kiss.
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“You make me proud.”
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“Tom…” Arthur said, ears red.
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“I’m glad.” “Alright,”
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Thomas said as he opened the door. He held out his paw.
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“Let’s get going!” This was
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“A Small Gesture” by Pendoggo,
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read for you by Rob MacWolf, werewolf hitchhiker.
19:00
And that concludes our Pride Month stories for the year.
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As of next week, we begin our Summer Reading Program schedule,
19:08
during which you can expect two episodes per week.
19:12
You can find more stories on the web at thevoice.dog,
19:15
or find the show wherever you get your podcasts.
19:19
Happy Pride, and Thank you,
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friends of every shape, ability, gender, and species,
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