If they want to see me in these panties, I guess I can’t argue.

Part of me actually, really wanted to. I feel like it was a kind-of initiation for Noh to be accepted into the circle, to see me like this. I had to wonder how he’d react.

I swap places with Pearl, and she childishly places the undergarment on my muzzle.

I have to laugh at the way they all watch anxiously. I make the laugh sound awkward though, like I can’t believe they’re making me do this.

I quickly balance on both my right hooves while I use my left fore-hoof to fit the corresponding back hoof through the correct hole.

“Boo!” Patches cries. “I want my money back.”

“Give us a real show,” Pearl demands.

I look at Noh. All he does is lift an eyebrow.

I smirk. “I guess…”

Kicking the panties off, I do my best to start fresh. I leave my new hat on the counter behind me and rest my glasses on top of it. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you what came over me.

I roll onto my back and lift my hind legs in the air, holding the underwear in my right hoof. Feeling my face heat up, I close my eyes and try to ignore the audience. I grab the lace in my teeth and sit up, arching my back seductively. With undiscovered flexibility, I reach my head down and lie the panties across my hind hooves. I open my eyes slightly to make sure they’re facing the right way, then lie back down and raise my back legs in the air, keeping my front legs tucked against my chest.

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. For a second I don’t know why I’m doing this.

I start rotating my legs and the elastic wriggles around my hooves and to my ankles. I roll over again and lift my tail in the air. I’m still at a profile for the others, so they can’t see much between my legs. Though, I suddenly fear that that’s exactly what they want to see.

With my head resting on the floor and my ass in the air, I reach my fore hooves down to bring the garb up to my waist. Patches comments silently, “The blush makes it more believable.”

I laugh, everyone does. I have to pause for a second to stop laughing. Get back in the “mood,” I guess. Once I’m relatively calm again I pick up where I left off. The elastic is a little tight, but I’ve always kind of liked that sort of thing. I haven’t worn many undergarments, mind you, but I’ve previously preferred a tighter fit.

Then Stitches gives a command I never thought I’d hear, “Show us the goods.”

A chorus of encouraging laughter follows. I just blush and breathe deeply, an embarrassed smile, eyes still closed. I bite my bottom lip, heart pounding, and open one eye slowly to look at Noh again, like I’m begging for help. Again with the eyebrow, a gesture I could see even half-blind. Then a short nod.

I sigh. My heart’s pounding faster, and I know where all the blood’s going.

I back into the wall that separates the kitchen from the entryway, the narrow edge that turns into the breakfast bar. Using the wall for balance, I raise myself onto my hind legs. My nearly-erect shaft waggles about. I look down at it, trying to will it to relax, futilely. I bite my lip again and reach down to fully pull the lingerie up into place, my cock throbbing to full mast slowly.

I hear Pearl whisper, probably to Patches, “You think it’s a fetish?” I don’t dare look at their faces. The frilly elastic stretches around my scrotum, slipping my stones into the tight pocket. I let out the breath I was holding while the waist band slides into place. My penis is uncomfortably pressed against my abdomen. At least I’m done. They’re cheering.

I slide down onto my rump, eyes still closed. I lift my knees up to try and cover myself.

“Not a bad reverse-strip-tease,” Noh compliments. I laugh, embarrassed, and cover my face. “It’s definitely missing something, though.”

I think I know what he means; the show was too short. Either he wants me to take them back off, or for a new player to join in the fun. I want to uncover an eye and see Stitches swagger up to me and kiss me. I know that won’t happen, so I don’t bother looking.

Then, also taking notice of Noh’s implication, Patches demands, “Stitches, get in there with him.”

My eyes open wide, though still covered by my hooves. He responds to his sister, “No offense, but not gonna happen.”

“Come on,” she begs. “You can’t leave him high and dry like that! Not after the show he just gave you.”

Pearl interjects, “You’re trying to get your brother to have sex so you can watch?” It sounded more like a fact than a question. “That’s disgusting.”

I laugh behind my wall. I don’t think any of them heard.

“I’m just trying to start something that should have started weeks ago,” Patches insists. “Maybe earlier…” I hear her sip her cola.

“You can’t force these things,” Noh inputs.

“Seriously,” Stitches adds. “You’re being really insensitive.”

“Sorry,” she says, sarcastic, insincere. “I just figured you two wanted it and were, like, waiting or something.”

“It’s none of your business what I want.” Despite his arguments, he doesn’t truly sound all that offended. “Or what Timber wants, for that matter. Right Timber?”

I take one second too long to react. “Timber?” Pearl asks. What do I do? I was just enjoying hearing them talk, leaving me as I was.

“Timber?” Noh this time. I don’t want them to think I’m not having fun, but I can’t let them assume I’m covering something up. Anything I do next could ruin the rest of the day! What should I do?!

“Timber?” Now Stitches.

I look up ever so slightly and he’s a foot away, wanting to be closer without invading my space. I relax, “Sorry. Just trying to calm down a bit.” It wasn’t true, but also not a lie. I didn’t want to show off my erection again, but that’s not the reason I was hiding as long as I was. I was just listening, and really only forgot I was hiding.

Stitches sits down in front of me. “Are you sure?”

I’m trapped now. If I am “sure” they’ll think I’m lying and the tension will take hours to subside. But if I tell them the truth there’ll just be an awkwardness because I initially avoided it, and I might risk starting up another issue. “Well,” I breathe, “I don’t know what to say. I’m not worth you guys arguing.” No, that was the wrong thing to say. Now they’ll just pity me.

Stitches stammers while Patches climbs off my bed. “O-of course you are. Depending on the topic, I think it’s important to… umm.”

I’m happy he’s trying, but I put him into the situation. I have to help him.

Before I can, though, Pearl speaks. “Timber, I’m sorry we made you do that. We all got caught up—“

“No,” I interrupt, “it’s not that. Really, I was fine with the dress-up, whatever. It’s all good fun. I was just a little embarrassed, and when you guys started arguing…” I trail off, hoping they’ll get the idea.

They all let out a sigh. I guess that was the right thing to say. “I’m sorry,” Patches swears. “I promise not to argue anymore.”

“Really though,” Stitches goes on, “if you still have feelings…”

I want to roll my eyes like he’s just getting annoying at this point. I don’t, though. I look down in silence. “I...” Should I be honest? Or just tell him what he thinks I’m thinking? “I don’t know if I do.” I apparently decided to go with honesty. “I haven’t felt real feelings in a long time. Right now, I’m kind of afraid I’m just waiting to accept the first stallion who offers.” I look him in the eye. Do I see empathy? “I don’t want you to be here for the wrong reason.”

He smiles, so do I. A silent thank-you between us, grateful that we can remain friends. Then he kisses me. It’s just a quick little thing, our lips touch. He exhales through his nose and I breathe it in. Then it’s over. Dammit.

He looks at me. “Sorry.”

I grin and nod. I’m screaming inside, but he believes that was the end of things. The end for me would have been our last talk. That was all I needed! Why did he need this? He basically just turned a switch back on in my head that made me yearn for him all over again.

I’m eternally grateful for the others. “Are all your parties like this?” Noh asks warily.

I laugh softly, Stitches too. “Not usually,” I promise, retrieving my glasses.

“I mean, it’s all fine by me,” he rambles, “I just want to know if I should bring a stallion next time.”

“Absolutely not,” Patches objects. “I think there’s enough guys, bring some chicks!”

I’m a little stunned to hear her say that. Pearl’s laughing uncomfortably, like she agrees but doesn’t want to sound as brash. I look at Noh, he looks back with an eyebrow raised. Curse that eyebrow. “No, I don’t think you’re sister would enjoy this.” I have to say it before he asks.

“Wait,” Patches comes in again. “You have a sister?” She asks Noh. He shrugs slowly. “You have to bring her!”

“No!” I demand. “Noh, I forbid you.” Then he just starts laughing, raucous, like yesterday. I love his laugh.

There’s a silence that follows, so I try to keep the party going. I’m much more relaxed now, my legs are down, I’m wide open and I know it. I’m just challenging any of them to say something. “I think there’s one more present to open, right?”

Stitches snickers, “Right.” He turns to grab it. “It’s nothing much, just something I got, thought you’d need.”

“Oh,” I play. “I’m sorry, but it seems like you’re the only one who thought to do that.”

“Hey,” Pearl whines. “I got you a pillow!”

“And I got you a hat!” Noh inputs. We all stare at him silently. “You’re right,” he says to us all.

Then we all look at Patches. She looks up from her cup, confused. “What? You expect me to say he needed my gifts?” We all laugh.

“Glad that’s settled,” I say as Stitches places the final present in front of me. It’s got the same paper as his others, but the shape is asymmetrical. I start unwrapping excitedly. I love the present but I can’t help but wonder what I look like to them, unwrapping cereal boxes in girly, red briefs. I must look ridiculous.

I hold up a box of Apple Wheels gleefully, like a child with a new toy. Stitches enjoys the smile on my face, “I’m really glad you like it!” There are two other boxes of varying sizes, with different cereals, but I’m busy holding the Apple Wheels like a baby. Everyone’s amused.

“Well,” Noh begins, “it’s been real fun, but now what?”

At first I was afraid he was going to say he was leaving, but he finished before I got the wrong idea. “Oh. Well…”

“’Cause I’ve got an idea,” he offers. “If you’re interested.”

“Well we didn’t have anything else planned,” I admit. I stand and bring my new cereal into the kitchen, swinging my ass gracefully. I really do enjoy the feel of the lace around my glutes, and how tight it all is around my package.

“I was gonna suggest going back to the club,” Stitches inputs, a tad sheepish.

Noh laughs, embarrassed. I just laugh. The girls don’t get it, which is probably good. At least for now. Noh continues, “Well, I know a bar that does karaoke.” I like that idea. “If you haven’t heard Timber sing, you ought to.”

Patches chuckles, “So first you cry on the guy, then you sing for him? You sure you met him yesterday?”

I give a cheeky smile. I don’t remember telling her when we met, but I remember he had time to speak to her while Pearl and I were in the kitchen. Pearl switches places with me then, refilling her glass. I remember mine is on my desk and make my way toward it.

“I’m not sure I’m up for singing,” Stitches mumbles.

“Yeah but you were up for dancing that first night,” I tease, wagging my tail in his face as I pass.

“That was different,” he deflects.

“Well there’ll be plenty to drink there too, I’m sure,” Pearl announces. I sit back down beside Noh and pick up my glass.

“Ugh, whatever,” Stitches submits begrudgingly. “I’ll do it, but I won’t like it.”

“Well then what’s the point?” Noh points out.

“Yeah,” Patches agrees. “We can go, but we won’t make you sing.”

Stitches smiles. “Thanks guys. But, if I don’t sing I’ll just feel left out.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever works for you, pal. It’s your night.”

He smirks at me, “Then maybe I’ll have a seat on my new dildo.”

Before anypony else can react, Pearl spits out her drink. Noh gets a shower of cola and saliva. He’s the only one not laughing at first, but he does join in. She apologizes profusely, I point him to the bathroom and he gets up. I’m the first to relax enough to say something, “How’d you manage to spit on him from the kitchen?”

“It’s not a big apartment,” she reminds me, wiping her muzzle off with a dish towel. “If you think I did it on purpose—“

I raise my hooves defensively, “I don’t. I just think it’s hilarious.” I laugh some more and here the shower squeak on. For a second I’m distracted with thoughts of Noh in my shower, soaking wet. I’m still laughing involuntarily, and grateful that I am. With the images that come to mind I’d otherwise go blank and the others might get suspicious.

The water turns off soon after, as we’re all calming down. I take a deep breath and will myself not to laugh more while I take a drink. I notice Patches has an opened bag of chips on my bed and worry she’ll spill them. Then I worry she’ll choke on one in laughter. I chuckle at myself. (Good to know you’ve got your priorities in order.)

I place my drink down and head toward the bathroom to make sure Noh’s doing all right. I get to the doorway and feel my cheeks flush. Oh God.

He’s got his head down in the tub, drying his hair viciously. His ass is sticking up, and his tail flopped to one side. I get a clear look at his dark hole and intimidating package. His heavy balls jiggle as he scrubs his head. The firm cheeks around the dark flesh of his pucker flex as he rights himself on the edge of the tub.

He notices me standing in the doorway, but misses the look on my face. “Hey, do you have a comb, or something?”

“Uhh, yeah,” I try to react quickly, but it might have been too quick. I reach into a basket I had that held all my toiletries and dig out a fine-toothed comb. Patches told me if I combed my mane all in one direction every time I showered it would straighten out. Maybe it was working? I pass it to him.

“Thanks,” he smiles. He turns to the mirror and starts running the comb through his hair using his magic. I shake myself back to normal. “My mane’s getting too long,” he complains. “I should probably cut it.” He looks at me. “What do you think?”

I really like his hair long, though I couldn’t explain why. I usually like somewhat longer manes on guys, but that didn’t really matter right now. “It does look like it’s getting hard to manage.” I step closer. Why did I do that? “I did like when it was tied back, though.”

“Yeah?” He turns to me and chuckles. “Small bathroom, huh?”

I realize he’s talking about how close our faces are. I hadn’t noticed. “Oh, well,” I rub the back of my neck. “I guess it’s not really meant for more than one pony.”

“Everything all right in there?” Patches calls from the living room.

“We’re just about ready to head out,” Stitches adds. “That is, if you’re still up for karaoke.”

Noh calls back, “I’ll be just another second.” He shakes his head, rustles a hoof through his mane, then looks at me expectantly. I feel like he wants to say something. What could it be? “We done?”

I’m standing in his way. “Oh, yeah…” I back out quickly.

“Thanks,” he says with a smile. “Just let me put my hair up.”

I think I feel the pressure of my other friends and want to make a joke. “Aw you don’t have to do that for me.”

He snorts quietly and picks an elastic band out of his bag to tie up his hair. “You know I’d do anything for you.” What a damn tease. “Nah, just feels more comfortable this way after washing it.” He effortlessly twists his mane through the tie.

Everypony else is ready to go, so I just finish my drink and put on my new hat. All set.