In Animalia, 'dad bod' can have an entirely different meaning than what it means elsewhere. It's not secret that Animalian men fit many a woman's definition of masculinity. And so far, being a father in Animalia invariably means that he's also double-dosed and has far more virility than what he originally had when he was in his prime. And their wives are very appreciative of this fact.
The Father's Day photoshoot is far more for the delight of their wives than anything meaningful. Some husbands might be a little more reluctant to participate until their wives reminded them that they posed for the Mother's Day photoshoot for them and now it's time to repay the favor. Though the people who really suffer the most embarrassment are any children who end up being dragged along to this.
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Elly Nozdrin were glad her parents had moved to America and gotten away from the increasingly-irate Russian military. She was glad that they joined Animalia as fellow rhinos, which mean she no longer towered over them. Though there were times that Ellie thought they were adjusting a little too well. She was understandably feeling rather awkward about seeing her father pose in various outfits, most of them being bare-chested. She was lucky that most of them also involved long pants.
Elly's relationship with her mother was a little awkward since they were now about the same physical age. Though all the other girls she had spoken with, the ones who were both double-dosed and had youthened mothers, told her that eventually the awkwardness diminishes and things will feel normal. Though at least Ivana wasn't hounding after Ellie about having grandchildren yet. There was no rush for that right now, not when her belly was slowly swelling with Ellie's new brother or sister. However, she was often asking about something else.
"So, ven are you and Rod going to, as Americans say, tie the knot?" asked Ivana.
"Mother, ve've already moved up to boyfriend and girlfriend, ve're living in the same apartment, what more do you vant?" asked Ellie in annoyance.
"To make sure any future grandchildren aren't born out of vedlock," said Ivana.
"You know, some couples in America do live together and have families vithout actually getting married," said Ellie.
Ivana raised an eyebrow and asked, "Vhy vould they do all zat vithout getting married?"
Elly paused and said, "I'm not really sure. Maybe ze think marriage is too restrictive? Anyvays, me and Rod have been careful."
"Did I ever tell you vhy I married your father?" asked Ivana.
"I'm sure you have," said Elly.
"Vell, I'm telling you again. Your father vas good policeman back home, not like some of ze khuligany who think they could do as zey pleased. He vasn't wery high-level officer, but he vas fair vith zose he vorked vith and for. He is a man who stands by his principles," said Ivana. She was particularly proud that Aleksi ended up joining the Rhino Guard, though the situations that required their presence are few and far in between.
"And do you not see Rod as such a man?" asked Ellie.
Ivana thought over her words carefully. Some things are hard to convey in any language. "Rod...is a different sort of man. He is more...likely to change his beliefs, from his political view to sexual interests."
"Rod vas misinformed on a lot of things, including vhat I thought of Putin's government. He vas rather aggressive at first, but he's got a better control of his temper. Yes, he has changed a lot since I met him, but all for ze better," said Elly.
"Including his interest in you?" asked Ivana.
"I vas only going to help him adjust to his new bisexuality," said Elly, "It just naturally became...more."
"Vell, ze important thing right now is zat you realize zat you love each other," said Ivana. Ellie didn't respond because she knew what was going to come next. And predictably, her mother added, "And I'm sure vedding vill come along in time."
Ellie rolled her eyes and let out a rhinoceros snort. She hoped that when her new sibling was born, her mother would fuss more over him or her than telling Ellie when she needed to progress her relationship with Rod. It had taken the two of them long enough to admit that they like each other enough to become an official couple. Ellie wasn't going to be pushed into marrying Rod until they were both good and ready. Though she had to admit a small part of her envied her mother's current state and wished that she were currently carrying Rod's calf. And if Rod did pop the question, Elly wouldn't be saying no.