Threes Company

Chapter 1
Dinner Visit

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Chapter Description: Tom the panda meets a childhood friend and finds a new family.

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"Tom, is that you?" The stocky panda looked up from his paper, his round ears drooping a bit in embarrassment. He had always been shy and being out in public tended to put him even more on edge. He blinked as he took in the green eyed, grey furred husky and frowned. The canine didn’t look in any way familiar. His mind raced even as the husky chuckled. "It’s Chuck. You know, Charles Malone? I know it’s been a while since school but do I really look that different?"

Tom’s mouth worked. He hadn’t seen his classmate in over a decade. "Ch..Chuck? I..I had no idea. I was thinking you were somebody from work or something.." he stuttered awkwardly. He went to stand, but before he could his old friend took a seat across from him. "It..It’s b..been a real l..long time. What have you been up t..to?"

"Not too much. I started up a home business a few years ago and just moved into a place not too far from here." His long tail wagged happily and the panda noted that the canine was bundled up a little more than the weather required. "I was just running some errands for my pa.. er.. room mate and taking in the neighborhood at the same time. Do you live around here?"

"N..no, I..I.. work d..down the street doing IT." Tom answered, warming up to his old friend. He eyed the husky as they chatted. He had certainly filled out, not that Tom could honestly say that the husky had gotten ’fat’ but he was definitely on the chubby side. Chuck’s green eyes seemed to twinkle in his grey face as they talked. The two chatted about old friends and the city before the panda’s watch beeped, alerting him that his lunch was just about over.

Chuck smiled and stood as he gazed at his long time friend. He had always liked the panda and their impromptu meeting seemed like a great way to rekindle their relationship. He especially loved how easily the short panda blushed. He was as shy as ever. He grinned as an idea came to him. He just hoped that Mark would be up for it.

"It’s not a problem if you need to go, bear. I need to be getting back home anyways," he smiled. His stance seemed a little wide and the bashful panda was taken aback when he was given a great big hug and a wave before the husky wandered down the street. He blinked as he looked down at the card that had been slipped into his black paw. It just had an address and a phone number.

Tom smiled to himself as he wandered back to work, his spirits high as he reminisced about his high school years. He was jarred out of his reverie as he entered the door to his department and was immediately accosted by his supervisor. "Where have you been?" shouted the tall vixen, her muzzle wrinkled in a snarl.

"I..I.." he stuttered, trying to convey that he still had a few minutes left in his lunch hour.

"I..I..I don’t want to he..he..hear it," she snapped, mocking his impediment. "I’m writing you up for negligence. Now get those reports done. I need them for my meeting with the partners tomorrow," she finished as stomped off. The next few hours were absolute torture for the poor panda and by the end of the day he was close to breaking down. All thoughts of contacting his friend had completely gone out of his mind by the end of the day.

Tom groaned as he trudged up the three flights of stairs to his home, his shirt rumpled and tie askew. His bleary eyes focused on the note pinned to his door and he feebly lifted a paw to rip it down as he numbly read it. The building had been rezoned and was going to be torn down for a new shopping center. He had a month.

He sniffled as he numbly trudged through the tiny living room, stumbling as he alway did on the makeshift table in the middle of the room. He let himself collapse on the couch with a muffled whine, his mind a sea of despair. Oblivion soon over took the panda as he lay sprawled on the tiny couch, his ample white belly spilling out from his rumpled business attire.

The blaring of his alarm was not enough to wake him the following morning. It wasn’t until his phone joined in on the unholy chorus that he was able to rouse himself from the fitful slumber that had taken him the night before. He was groggy as he fumbled for his phone, his paw finally making a path to extract it from his twisted pants pocket. "H..hello?" he mumbled his eyes bleary.

"Where the hell are you? Haven’t I told you before that tardiness is not acceptable?" his boss shrieked from the other side of the phone. Tom cringed. He had been late once in the last three years and his supervisor had never let him hear the end of it. He mumbled an apology and tried to make some excuse that he was sick. The vixen huffed at this before telling Tom that he would be receiving a cut in salary due to the infraction. He should have notified them yesterday that he was unwell, she informed the bleary panda.

Tom sighed as he hung the phone up. He hated the unfairness of how he was treated but he had never been able to stand up to her. Anytime he tried it seemed that his will deserted him at the most crucial moment and left him in an even worst predicament. He fumbled to put his phone back in his pocket and stood up stiffly, his bladder gurgling as he stretched. The panda numbly went about his morning routine, making a special trip into his room to turn off his alarm before showering and getting dressed. Having the day off he chose a pair of overalls as he knew he needed to get packing. He had no idea where he was going to go but he couldn’t stay here. At least most of the large furniture belonged to the building, he thought.

As his eyes wandered over the wreck of an apartment, his eyes found the card that Chuck had slipped into his paw the day before. He frowned, his stomach knotting. Could he? The husky had mentioned that his home was close to Tom’s work and that it was quite large... But he had always had a crush on the husky and moving in would only make it worse. In addition, it sounded like Chuck had a relationship with his room mate. He pondered, not really certain. He sighed as no other ideas readily came to his mind. He knew how difficult apartment hunting was in this city.

He bit his lip as he called the number on the card, uncertainty mounting as the number rang. An unfamiliar voice answered. "Hello." Tom cleared his throat uncertainly. The voice was deep and confident, though not unfriendly.

"Uhm, ye..yes is Chuck at home? Th..this is T..Tom. W..we bumped into each other at lunch y..yesterday," the panda faltered, his heart in his throat.

"Oh yes, Tom. Chuck mentioned that you might be calling. He is a little.. indisposed at the moment. What can I do for you though? Are you alright?" The voice warmed, a kindness seeping through the receiver that took Tom off guard. He started to sob a little, his world crumbling again. He tried to pull himself together as best he could. "He.. Chuck.. mentioned.. having a room.. and my building.. demolished.." he stuttered brokenly before he stopped with a sniffle. He paused for a moment, his thick black paw gripping the small phone, it’s plastic frame creaking a bit and biting into his fur. "M..maybe y..you could have him call me back..later?" The panda gasped as he realized he wasn’t in any condition to be speaking to strangers about this kind of thing.

The voice rumbled comfortingly, "I will have him call you as soon as he can. I’m sure we can help you out somehow. I know! Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? It would be nice to meet you and I know Chucky.. er Chuck would enjoy the company.." he trailed off. Tom’s heart sank at the pet name, but he mumbled that yes he would and that he did have the address. "Okay we’ll see you at nineteen hundred Tom." Mark said calmly as Tom hung up. Great, he thought, I had to add dinner with my school crush’s boyfriend to the list of crap that was piled on me. Why couldn’t I keep my muzzle shut for once? He sighed as he started cleaning up his mess of a kitchen, fixing himself some snacks as he went.

He worried and fussed over dinner most of the day as he packed and cleaned. He found his paw often sneaking a treat as he pondered calling Chuck back and making some excuse as to why he couldn’t make it. He would just about talk himself into doing it when a lump would rise in his throat and he would shake as he tried to stave off a wave of depression. It wasn’t like he had many other options and despite his timid nature he really was quite lonely. He had talked himself out of dinner for the fifth time when the phone rang, pulling him out of his reverie.

Hesitantly he picked up the mobile from the table near the door. He was sweaty and covered in dust from cleaning and he sneezed into the receiver as he answered the phone. A familiar laugh came back at him through the phone. "Bless you, panda. I hope this isn’t always the way you answer the phone." Tom could almost see the grin on the husky’s muzzle, feeling his own stub of a tail wag in an imitation of Chuck’s tail wagging pattern. He had gotten in the habit of doing that when they had been classmates and it almost seemed that no time had passed as his body reacted unconsciously.

"N..no s..sorry Chuck. I’m er.. covered in dust from c..cleaning," the panda’s black nose twitched as he tried desperately to stifle another explosion.

"Yeah I heard that you were having some troubles with your apartment from Mark. Why don’t you come over early bud? We’ll get you cleaned up and fed, then see what we can do for you.." he trailed off hopefully his tongue clipping off as though he wanted to say more. Tom’s heart skipped. Going over there like this? He couldn’t.. but his bathroom was a mess and Chuck had offered... He had always wanted to shower with the big husky and this was as close as he was likely to get. He blushed as he heard himself agreeing to leave now, despite the fact that he hadn’t fully thought things through.

Before he knew it he was in his truck. He was careful to type the address into his navigation system, knowing that without it he would be hopelessly lost in the city he had called home for the last seven years. He couldn’t help the slight arousal that filled him as he fantasized about the husky on his drive. The sun was setting as he drove down the road, grateful that he was going opposite of rush hour traffic for once.

As darkness hugged the buildings, the streets began to take on a foreign feel and the only thing that kept the stocky panda from turning back was the reassuring voice of his GPS system telling him to turn right here, left there until he finally pulled up in front of a two story building. Chuck had given him a code for the parking area, and the gate opened silently as his trembling digit finished pressing the last button.

Tom exited the green truck and gulped as he haltingly made his way up the lit stone steps. He caught a glimpse of his reflection as he rang the bell and froze. He looked horrible! What had possessed him to come out like this! He had half turned to leave when the door groaned open. Light spilled out over him and the comforting smell of baking bread flowed from the portal. A large figure stepped in front of the light, his frame blocking most of the entry.

Mark was a very large rabbit, not only in height but in girth as well. He eyed the disheveled panda kindly, taking in the messy fur, tear stained eye patches, and filthy overalls that were a size too small and the belly fur that spilled out of the sides. He pursed his lips over his large front teeth. He hadn’t quite expected him to be in this bad of shape. This panda looked like he desperately needed a night free from his worries.

"You must be Tom," rumbled the large rabbit. The panda recognized the voice from this morning and was taken completely by surprise as he was engulfed in the sizable bun’s arms. Mark rocked him a little as he hugged the panda, feeling him relax a little in his arms before releasing him. Tom blinked up at the big bunny before stiffening. What was he doing? You weren’t supposed to get all mushy with strangers, he berated himself. "Why don’t you come inside and I’ll get you cleaned up." The kindly host said, placing an arm around Tom’s shoulder and guiding him through the doorway. The panda took one last fleeting look out the door as it was closed behind them. Light, soothing music wafted about them as the bunny guided him upstairs, through a hallway and into what Tom assumed was the master bedroom.

He didn’t get much of a look at the room as he as pushed into the adjoining bathroom. A large bubble bath had been filled for him and he gaped at the jacuzzi sized tub. Rubber ducks and other bath toys floated about in the steaming water. Mark gently pressed Tom’s back. "Why don’t you soak and relax. I saw that you didn’t bring anything to change into, so I’ll go grab something for when you get done." The panda didn’t get a chance to respond as the door clicked shut behind him. How could he have been so stupid? He hadn’t even considered bringing a clean change of clothes. He sighed and grimaced at his reflection in the mirror. Well it was too late now. It would be rude to forgo the bath now that it had been readied for him.

He disrobed quickly and lowered a foot paw into the warm water slowly to test out the temperature. He smiled sadly, certain that this was the worst first impression of all time. His mind was still on his numerous flaws as he lowered himself into the tub. The water temperature was perfect and small mounds of bubbles floated about him along with the cub toys. He batted a toy boat about, raising his ample tummy to form an island. He sighed and closed his eyes, letting himself relax in the water and to the soothing music that seemed to be ever present.

The music almost seemed to be suggesting something as he lay there, relaxing in the nice warm water. It almost seemed to say that if he wanted to be taken care of, that he should just let go and relax completely. Of course he could always just get up, it also said. Weary and lonely, the panda let himself drift into sleep, the water and music wrapping him in a loving blanket.

"Heya there, wake up ’lil panda," a large paw shook Tom awake. The panda started, having dozed off in the soothing waters. He looked up at Mark, who grinned down at him over the brim of his large tummy, a large towel in his paws. The water gurgled as it drained around the panda and he realized that he was nude in front of his host. He blanched, paws covering his genitals as he slunk down into the bottom of the half empty tub. "No need for that, Tommy," he chuckled softly. "Let’s dry you off and get you dressed before we have some dinner. Chucky is getting impatient." He didn’t move other than to spread the towel out wide. Tom didn’t really see any other escape as he stood and stepped out to grab the towel. The bunny was quicker as his large arms engulfed the panda, rubbing him firmly but gently all over with the warm towel.

Tom breathed in the scent of the clean fabric as he was tussle dried. Mark finished and draped the towel over the panda’s shoulders with a chuckle. He laid a thick arm around Tom as he ushered him back into the room. A set of clothes was laid out for him on the bed. A red t-shirt, a pair of shorts, socks, underwear, he paused cocking his head. Something seemed off. The shorts looked like cargo shorts, but there wasn’t a zipper, only an elastic waist. The underwear seemed a little strange, he thought. He was interrupted from his musings as the bunny pushed him down onto the bed. Mark grinned as he grabbed the underwear and slipped them over the panda’s feet and up, lifting Tom up off the bed enough to get them over his waist.

"H..hey, w..wait, what are you...?" Tom gasped as the large smiling bunny accosted him.. not sexually but by dressing him. He had never expected or even imagined another grown fur doing this to him. "I..I can dress myself.."

Mark chuckled. "Given how you showed up at my doorstep, I don’t think a little help would hurt," he smiled as he pulled the shirt up over Tom’s surprised head. "Arm’s up, please," he commanded amicably. Tom didn’t really have a comeback for the remark and haltingly did as Mark asked. The bunny pulled socks over the panda’s fuzzy feet, the little white ankle stockings looking a little silly against his black leg fur. Last came the shorts, which Mark pulled on just like the underwear, tucking the shirt into them before hauling his guest to his padded feet. He winked down at the panda. "Good as new. Now why don’t we get downstairs before your little friend comes looking for us."

The bunny hop-walked out the door and to the left, leaving the speechless panda alone. What had just happened? The bath, being dried off, dressed, it was all so surreal, yet he couldn’t deny that he had enjoyed it. Mark seemed to have a gentleness and warmth that Tom had never received from another adult. He felt like he should say something but for the life of him he couldn’t think of a real complaint that wouldn’t make him look foolish or ungrateful. Mark had invaded his personal space, but that was really about it.

Tom blushed as he went to follow the bunny, pausing to adjust his tail out of the hole in his underwear and shorts. What was that other sensation, he wondered. His paw groped a little in his shorts as he adjusted his tail. The underwear were a little bulkier than he normally wore, especially in the crotch and they...Wait. They had elastic bands around the legs and waist? His eyes widened. These were cub training pants, only adult sized. What was going on here? He looked about, seeing no signs of his clothes. He was half tempted to strip them off and go in just shorts when Chuck bounded into the room.

"Wuz keeping you? I’m starving!" he wagged, his long tongue rolling out the side of his muzzle as he panted and drooled a little. Tom shook his head. His old high school friend was dressed exactly like him except that his shirt was green. There was a faint rustling sound as Chuck wagged his tail and Tom couldn’t help but grin at his friend. The husky looked like an adult-sized cub. He was the spitting image of himself at ten years old or maybe even a bit younger.

"I’m sorry, I was just adjusting my tail in these shorts," he paused. If he was wearing cub trainers and the husky was dressed just like him.. Chuck bunny-hopped over to the short panda, giving him an extra big hug. It wasn’t the fatherly hug that he was growing to expect from Mark, though he still found himself enjoying it as he lightly inhaled the scent of his friend. The panda yelped and hopped back a little as the husky squeezed his rump playfully.

"Race ya downstairs," he said, scampering off while giggling maniacally. Tom followed, his own shorts rustling a little as he chased after the husky. A smile lit his face as he was suddenly transported back to his childhood. Chasing Chuck around his old home, racing to dinner, and cool winter nights filled his head. He skidded to a halt at the sight of Mark placing a plate for him at the table. Reality reared its ugly head again. He kept having these amazingly carefree moments only to have his own mind jerk him out of it. He frowned.

"All right, calm down boys. There’s enough for everyone," Mark laughed, smiling. The big bun looked encouragingly at Tom and motioned for him to take a seat across from the husky, the bunny’s plate obviously at the head of the table. The panda blushed as he sat down in front of the plate piled high with spaghetti. A large piece of fresh garlic bread steamed off to the side and a small salad sat just opposite. There was only one problem. Either the table was too high or his chair too low. His chest just barely came up to the top of the table and his dinner was only a small distance from the bottom of his muzzle.

The husky giggled and Mark quickly stood up. "I’m so sorry. I forgot that chair is for taller..." he paused and smiled down at the panda. "Here, let me get you something to sit on." He moved over to a cabinet as Tom got off his chair, his stomach growling at him to sit down and eat. He glanced at the last chair and saw that it was the same height as his own. He turned back just in time to see the large bunny place a plastic cub booster seat in his chair. "There you go. That should get you high enough for dinner." He ruffled Tom’s head fur. "Need help up there, cub?"

Tom just stood there staring at the two. Had they gone insane? He felt like he should say something but all he could do was blush. He started to speak a couple of times but all that came out was a stammered "Umm" before the large bunny took charge. Two large paws slipped under the panda’s armpits and lifted him easily up and onto the molded plastic seat. He squeaked a little as hist underwear rustled into place.

He was now just about eye level with Chuck, though Mark still seemed to tower over them both. The big bunny smiled down at the two fatherly as he dug into his meal. Tom glanced at the grinning husky as he adjusted himself in his seat. Chuck had just finished eating a forkful of pasta and was looking over at him, sauce smearing his muzzle. "You not hungry panda? It’s real good. Papa.. er Mark is a great cook."

"Um..I... I’m hungry," he paused a moment before digging in. Something had clicked into place from his friends last comment but the thought was driven from his mind as his muzzle closed around the pasta. The food was amazing! He had never had such a range of flavors flood his senses, all the while complementing and balancing each other. He looked up at the grinning husky, pasta and sauce covering his muzzle and little bits of his shirt. Chuck winked at him and the panda blushed. He was certain he was wearing almost as much sauce as his friend.

He gulped and reached for his cup. The panda shouldn’t have been as surprised as he was when he discovered that it was a sippy cup. It almost seemed like he was in a constant state of embarrassment tonight. Only two things were keeping him from running from the house. One was how totally calm his hosts were acting. Mark and Chuck behaved so normally, as if this kind of behavior was perfectly natural. The second thing was that his husky friend seemed so happy receiving the same treatment that making a scene seemed somehow rude. He tilted the cup in his muzzle, sucking the juice out of the small holes.

"All done!" Chuck piped excitedly, bouncing in his seat. His tail thrashed the air excitedly as he raised his arms. Mark had finished just before him and had been leaning back in his chair watching Tom try to drink out of the cub cup. "Let me wipe you clean before you go play. You finish up pan-pan, and you can join him in the living room. Then we can watch a movie." Tom blushed as he watched the husky giggle and squirm under the large bunnies paws as Mark took a damp rag to Chuck’s sauce covered muzzle.

As soon as he was free, the husky scampered off to the next room. Tom looked away from the big bunny as he tidied up the table, gulping down his food. He was about to get up when a firm paw grabbed his arm. "Where do you think you are going, mister? You have more food on you than Chucky did." He chuckled as he gently rubbed at Tom’s muzzle and face, getting all of the pasta up off him. He leaned down and gave the panda a lick on his muzzle before setting him down on the floor. "You go keep your little playmate out of trouble." The large bunny patted the panda’s bottom before turning back to his work.

Tom felt a little surreal as he walked around the partition into the living room. Chuck was sitting on his bottom, his legs spread around some building blocks. He had a truck in his paw and was flying it around his head making put-put sounds. He glanced at the large stuffed couch behind his friend and the large television that hung from the wall. Cub books, toys, games, and movies filled the low shelves that sat against the walls. The panda paused as he debated going to the bathroom before approaching the husky.

"Heya Tommy, you having fun?" Chuck asked, bounding to his feet and bunny hopping over to the panda, grinning happily.

"Uhm, yeah, I.. I guess," Tom faltered. "I was wondering though..."

"About all the cub stuff?" The husky giggled. "Well, we were gonna just have you over for dinner, but then you called saying how badly you needed a new place. We thought you should see what it was like if you were gonna move in." His tail thrashed as he blurted all this out excitedly, his paws gripping his toy truck tightly. Before Tom could prepare himself, the husky mock growled at him and pounced, sending them both tumbling. Chuck grinned as he wound up sitting on the panda’s tummy. He yipped in triumph and licked the panda’s nose.

"You don’t mind being my playmate again do you?" he asked, bouncing on his friend’s tummy. Tom ’erfed’ and grimaced, as he tried to keep from wetting his pants. "It’slotsa fun having a big papa bun-bun." He paused, getting serious. "It’s okay if this kind of thing isn’t for you, I just hope even if you don’t want to move in we can still see more of each other. It’s been way too long." Just as suddenly as it came on, his serious demeanor evaporated. He grinned evilly and started to tickle the prone panda, his paws flittering up and down his sides and under his armpits.

"H..hey, s..stop that!" the panda yelped as he squirmed. He felt a trickle of wetness spilling out into his shorts. He clamped down and struggled. He hated being tickled and definitely didn’t want to add to the evening by wetting himself. He was saved by the sudden emergence of Mark. The bunny rounded the corner, an apron wrapped around his prodigious girth, a towel and a bowl in his paws. "What’s going on here?" he paused surveying the situation, then mock scowled. "Do I need to give you a time out again cub?"

Chuck looked guilty and rolled off of Tom. He quickly stood and hung his head. "Nu-uh, we wasjus playin, papa. I didn do nofin bad."

"You okay, Tommy? He wasn’t too rough on you was he?" He offered a paw to the panda. Tom took it gratefully, having a little difficulty getting up from flat on his back. He blushed and shook his head. "Naw, he was jus playing." Mark gripped his shoulder firmly. "Okay, but you just tell me if he gets too excited. Why don’t you pick out something to watch from our collection? I’m gonna be finished in just a minute. Then we can watch it and have dessert." He grinned and ruffled Tom’s headfur before heading back to the kitchen.

Tom shifted a little, feeling his damp underwear bunching a little. He looked over at the husky who had completely lost his guilty demeanor and was hopping excitedly. "Wanna watch the Care Bear Movie? We haven’t watched dat one in ages."

"Uh, sure. B.. but, where’s the bathroom down here? I..I k..kinda need to go." He stopped himself from squirming despite the pressure building in his bladder. Chuck had already started hopping to the movie shelf. He didn’t even turn around as he waved in the general direction of the hallway. "Oh, its the second one onda wight." Tom was halfway to the hall by the time he finished. He closed the door behind him and sighed in dismay as he discovered that there was no lock.

He shrugged as he fumbled at his crotch, taking a moment to remember that even if the shorts had had a fly, his training pants did not. He groaned to himself as he pulled them both down, feeling them slide around his ankles as he let himself go to the bathroom. He softly moaned in relief as he finished, shaking a few drops free before going to pull up his underwear.

He paused and stepped out of them. They were definitely more damp than he had realized. What was he going to do? He couldn’t see a clothes hamper or anywhere else to put them in. He frowned, deciding to just wear them and pretend like nothing happened. He stepped back into them, pulling them up with a slight squish. The damp fabric that cradled his bits was a bit cool at first, but quickly warmed to a comforting envelope. He glanced at himself in the mirror.

The cub trainers bulged a little at the front and had a definite yellow stain. The sewn in plastic liner was the only thing that was keeping them from leaking into his shorts. He sighed at his decidedly cubbish appearance and adjusted his tail in the elastic rear. He was just about to don his shorts when a knock interrupted him. His eyes widened and he turned his back to the door bending over to pull up his shorts as Mark let himself into the bathroom.

"Need any help in here?" he asked, grinning at the panda’s rump. Tom quickly pulled up his shorts, the snap of the elastic waist filling the air. "N..no, I..I’m just finishing up."

"That’s good, cause our little husky is bouncing off the walls waiting for us," the big bunny chuckled and placed an arm around the panda’s shoulder, leading him out of the room. "I hope you are having a good visit. I know both Chucky and I are enjoying your company." The big bunny blushed a little, and scratched his long ear. Tom gulped a little guiltily. He had been so occupied with his own situation that he hadn’t really given either of his host’s feelings much thought.

He wrapped a paw around the big bun’s waist and squeezed him a little. He hadn’t really noticed till now just how much larger the bunny was. He doubted that he could reach the bun’s ears if he reached. "I..I’m having a g..good time. I.. I don’t think I’ve been this relaxed in a l..long t..time." He stuttered, pleased to see a large smile fill Mark’s muzzle. He was a little surprised to realize that what he said was true. Despite all the strangeness of the evening, he was really quite at ease. A smile lit his features as he snuggled up to the broad rabbit’s body.

Chuck was bouncing on the sofa as the two entered the room, saying "Movie, movie, movie!" over and over again as he hopped on his bottom. Mark sighed. "You see what I have to put up with here?" he asked the panda, a look of martyrdom in his eyes. Tom giggled and nodded up at the bunny who grinned and winked down at him.

Mark plopped down on the plush sofa and pulled Tom down against his side, snuggling the panda up to him. The husky grinned from the other end of the couch and laid back, setting his feet in Tom’s lap. "You ready?" he asked pressing the remote buttons without waiting for an answer. The movie started immediately, opening on an orphanage filled with cute human children. Tom sighed as he snuggled into the big bunny’s side, chuckling to himself for watching a cub movie. He smiled as he watched, blinking a little as he stifled a yawn.

Mark looked down in surprise as he heard a muffled sigh from the panda. He grinned when he realized that Tom had dozed off. The movie was almost half way through, the evil spirit from the movie having just summoned a giant fish to sink the care bear’s boat. A slow smile spread over his muzzle as he winked at his little husky. Chuck giggled as he carefully got off of the sofa and grabbed a blanket. He gave one corner to Mark, pulling the opposite edge over the snoozing panda and over his own legs as he snuggled up to Tom.

Tom’s slumber was interrupted once again by a tender nuzzle of his host bunny. "We seem to keep putting you to sleep, lil panda." he grinned as Tom yawned, rubbing his eyes. "I’m, em, sorry Mark. I don’t mean too.." he flushed as he stood up, feeling his soggy underwear squish.

"Well we should get you home before it gets too late." He winked at the panda and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Chucky’s upstairs brushing his teeth, but I’m sure he’ll meet us at the door. I put your clean clothes in a bag with some leftovers from dinner." Tom had wrapped a paw around the bunnies lower back and could feel Mark’s stubby tail rub against his fur as they moved.

Tom sighed a little as they came to the front door. He didn’t really want to go home or to work tomorrow. A brown paper bag was folded next to large entryway and he was quick to pick it up. He could feel the heat of the leftover pasta against his fur as he turned around. He was just in time to be engulfed in a big hug by Mark. He ’erfed’ as he was lifted off of his feet, the bunny’s muzzle nuzzling the panda’s ears before giving his muzzle a good bath.

"Now I want you to think about your visit. You got a taste of what living here will be like from tonight, but I don’t want you to make a decision until Sunday. You give us a call in the afternoon and let us know one way or the other. I hope even if you don’t move in you’ll at least come and visit." He paused and gave a proper kiss before depositing Tom back onto his feet. Tom nodded and smiled back up at Mark, holding his paw for a moment before getting tackled by a ball of fluff that turned out to be a giggling husky.

The only thing that kept Tom from falling over and dropping his bag was the door behind him. "Hey!" was all he got out before the husky bounced off him, panting in front of the panda in a blue footed sleeper. "Careful Chuck, you almost knocked me over!"

"You gonna come visit soon?" the husky asked, his tail wagging frantically. Tom smiled despite himself. He was feeling much more relaxed since his last nap and was having less difficulty enjoying the quirks of his hosts. He nodded to his friend and tweaked his damp nose with his paw. "I promise that I’ll visit soon, pup. I had a very good visit. Thanks for your hospitality and the offer for a place to stay. I’ll be calling you on Sunday. Thanks again for everything." He waved awkwardly before turning down the path to his truck.

The drive home seemed to fly by for Tom and he had a spring in his step as he mounted the stairs up to his apartment. He had just finished putting the leftovers in the fridge when he noticed a note atop of the pile of clothes left in the bag. As the panda lifted it he realized that the top garments were not his but were in fact several pairs of disposable training pants. Tom felt himself flush, suddenly quite aware of his own soggy underwear. Mark’s writing was clear on the page as the panda read it. ’I have added some more training pants in case you have any more accidents. There are enough to get you through the weekend. I’ve also included a CD of our house music as well. Enjoy the leftovers, cub.’

 

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