Author's Note

I'm not 100% sure why people shipped Texas and Stronghoof together when they came out, but I went with it anyways. This is the result:

Texas VS. Stronghoof

Their bodies dripped with sweat, their muscles flexing with each punch, and the only sound one could hear was the sound of grunts as punches found their targets. Our last story takes place in a quaint little gym in the middle of nowhere, where two partners sparred together.

One of them, Texas, a big burly brown bull, was the leader of the cattlekind tribe where Arizona, you remember her, was born and raised. He boxed in the prime of his life, taking home an impressive amount of awards. It was even through boxing that he met his wife Minnesota.

Unfortunately, the leader of the herd was forced to hang up the gloves when he took up the important role, not to mention that around that same time, his wife was pregnant with his daughter! Even though he retired from the sport, that didn't stop him from eventually teaching his daughter how to box as well, and from partaking in the occasional spar now and again.

Those were the good days, however. Today Texas and Minnesota are sadly divorced after Texas, despite his country roots, began spending more and more time away from home neglecting his duties as a leader and as a wife, ultimately killing their love with his developing interest in the city and leaving her drier as a desert as a result.

Fortunately for him, it wasn't all that bad. With time, he bounced back, meeting Stronghoof Hoofstrong, the jarl of Reine City by chance at a bar who also happened to be going through the same thing - A divorce and a daughter who detested him after he cut her off.

Even though they both lived entirely different lives, with one of them a simple nomadic country folk and the other a warrior in the city, living a lavish life with luxuries unfamiliar to Texas, the situation they were both forced into brought them together as friends who could rely on each other in these desperate times. With time, Texas discovered that in his past, Stronghoof used to box as well, and when confronted with it, the reindeer took it as a challenge to show his friend how good he used to be. In the interest of time, let's say that match, lasting a good two hours, ended in a tie. Thus beginning their tradition of weekly sparring matches.

“Sparring matches” is kind of putting it lightly. Texas and Stronghoof both tended to fight every match they fought, even if it was but a simple spar, like it was life or death. They fought hard, neglecting their safety and limits, pushing themselves as far as possible to claim victory. It wasn’t uncommon for either of them to start in perfect condition, and then leave the gym with blood and sweat pouring down every inch of their bodies. It seemed barbaric or weird to some but to them? It was fun.

Stronghoof retreated back to his corner of the ring, leaning over to pick up a bottle of water and taking a long drink. Stronghoof, a grey reindeer with a long flowing neck of floof, was around a foot smaller than Texas, but he made up for it with his impressive rack of antlers, which while they did nothing in a boxing match, did increase his spunk. For his attire, Stronghoof wore an ocean blue set of trunks with identical gloves, which were topped with a reindeer’s head, a common symbol often seen in the city of Reine. Texas wore brown trunks with a white waistband with white leather gloves that had evident signs of being at least two years old.

“Whew…” Texas exclaimed, wiping sweat from his brow, “You should've seen me in my prime! Ah ’d be punching ‘ya all the way to next week by now!”

Stronghoof chuckled. He was more humble than his partner, rarely saying stuff like that to his opponents. But for Texas, he allowed himself to do so every once in a while, “I’m surprised an old oaf like you could even keep up with me.”

“Oaf, eh?” Texas said with a chuckle, “Let’s see who’s the oaf when I kick ‘yer ass! Come at me… Yellow belly!”

Stronghoof quickly slid on his gloves, responding to his challenge by meeting him in the center of the ring where Texas was waiting for him, “Very well then.”

Texas smiled amusingly, “Remember that black eye ‘ah gave ‘ya last time?” He asked, guarding his face with a chuckle.

“Yes, I do remember. You still have the picture…”

“Damn straight! Let's see if ‘ah can get your other eye this time- OUUFH!!” Texas’s midsection flew back as the reindeer hit him right in the stomach, breath escaping his body as he did, “Ooufh… Got me good there…”

“Heh~ Not so cocky now are we?” Stronghoof said, grabbing onto Texas’s shoulder, allowing him to whack him in the face several times without interruption, forced to take the beating before Stronghoof shoved him back The old bull grunted as the blue glove bashed in his snout and teeth. Texas willingly chose not to wear a mouthguard, claiming he didn’t need one, so it was a blessing that Stronghoof didn't knock his teeth right into his mouth with his powerful swings.

“Hah, nice one~,” Texas said as he regained his footing, raising his fists, “You wanna play dirty? Let's play dirty!”

So it was going to be one of those fights that they were doing. Very well. Thought Stronghoof as he got into position. It wouldn't be the first time they discarded traditional rules and went all out. Stronghoof just hoped that his partner was ready for the beating of a lifetime.

Grabbing his shoulders again, Stronghoof raised a leg to knee him in the belly, but Texas was prepared, swiftly grabbing his arm and throwing a sharp uppercut! The reindeer felt his mouthguard slip slightly out of his mouth at the blow along with a pain that seemed to linger. He instinctively felt his jaw to make sure it wasn't broken.

Lobbing a fist at the center of his chest, Texas grunted, taking a step back, yelping as he tripped and landed on his back against the turnbuckle. “Oh dear~ What a predicament you've gotten yourself in~” Stronghoof smiled, flexing a bicep directly in his face before letting lose a storm of blows, turning Texas from bull to speed bag as the reindeer peppered the bull’s brown body with punches, sweat flying off of his chest as the blows landed, Texas clenching his teeth tightly as Stronghoof held him down and beat down on his abs, leaving them tingling and slightly bruised, each inhale causing a little bit of pain.

“I must admit, you're a really durable punching bag~,” Stronghoof said, backing off, allowing his sparring partner to catch his breath after having it knocked out of him so much.

“Alright, cowboy. It's my turn! Comin’ ‘atcha!” Texas pulled a fist back and charged. However, announcing what you're going to do before you do it isn't the greatest strategy in the world. Knowing what was coming, Stronghoof stepped out of the way just in time, repositioning himself at Texas’ back, so that when he turned around…

WHAM!!

…He was ready. Texas’ snout crinkled up under the glove. With a laugh, Stronghoof continued with another uppercut, flinging Texas’ head into the air, snout dripping little bits of blood. Finally, he swung downwards, sending the bull’s head down toward his level again. With his shoulders in grasp, Stronghoof grabbed them and kneed Texas in the belly.

Texas fell on one knee, an arm around his belly as he panted with exertion. Despite the beating, he still wore a prideful smile, letting the reindeer know he wasn't done just yet.

“Is that all ‘ya got?” Texas challenged, getting to his feet.

“You’re looking a little dizzy over there, old friend. Are we feeling a bit tired?” Stronghoof teased as he hopped from one leg to another.

“Ha!” Texas laughed, “‘Ah could go all night if ‘ah wanted to! Bring it!”

“Very well. So be it.” Alas, that would prove to be a fatal mistake for the reindeer. As he advanced, Texas jabbed to the side, faking out Stronghoof giving him a window enough to bust his gut with a brutal haymaker. Stronghoof’s knees buckled, his cheeks filled with air as the content of his lungs were evacuated. Texas’ fist went deep, and Stronghoof could hear the bull laugh.

“You should’ve seen ‘yer face! Haha!” Texas bellowed, wrapping an arm around Stronghoof and lowering him onto the canvas, enveloping his neck in a headlock, not applying any pressure, but making it so he couldn't wriggle out easily.

Stronghoof took a deep breath, slowly recovering from the blow, “My my! Who said you could put your hooves on me!” Stronghoof said, “Unhand me!”

Texas held a little tighter, “If ‘ya wanna get away so bad, ‘ya gotta put in some effort!”

“I’ll kick your teeth out, bull!” Stronghoof said as Texas’ muscular biceps dug into his neck. Well… This wasn't all bad.

“‘Ah’d like to see you try!” Texas said, letting the reindeer go, “Remember: Ah’m not afraid to get rough!”

“Well then… If it's rough that you want, I suppose you won’t mind if I do this-” Stronghoof knocked the bull down completely onto the canvas with a hoof before quickly sitting on his body and pulling his leg forward in a submission hold. Stronghoof laughed as the bull roared, struggled, and squirmed to push him off, pounding the mat, “Is that rough enough for you~?”

Texas found his eyebrows raising at the tease with a blush as the reindeer’s musclebound body loomed over him, droplets of sweat dribbling down his abs. Texas was always a straight bull, and he had been since he was a calf. But it was when he started developing his friendship with Stronghoof that he began to second-guess himself. It started innocently enough: simply admiring his shirtless body a little too much or laughing along with him whenever Stronghoof did until soon Texas began to almost enjoy those moments when Stronghoof had the upper hand and started wailing down on him, putting him in his place. In all of his years of fighting, he had never expected himself to enjoy being at the mercy of his opponent, even if did hurt. If he could, he’d stay in this position, pinned down by Stronghoof, forever. Most days Stronghoof was all Texas thought about. Texas had been married to Minnesota for almost thirty years, but the good times they had together and the happiness she used to bring him paled in comparison to how Stronghoof made him feel. Ah’ suppose there’s no denying it anymore… That day, with Stronghoof’s warm strong body mere inches away from Texas to how heated the match had become, it all finally dawned on Texas: Damn… ‘ah think I'm gay for him.

But of course, all that sappy stuff could wait for later. For now, he had a match to try and win. But in all honesty? He couldn’t care less who won, as long as Stronghoof was happy, it was a win in Texas’ book.

“Ggrrrhhh… Oh, it's on, mister.” Texas declared, pulling his leg away and getting up quickly, making Stronghoof fall to the ground. “Heh, perfect. Just hold still~” Texas said, tearing his gloves down and bending down. With a lifetime of physical activity to assist him, he lifted the reindeer into the air and slammed him with extraordinary speed onto his knee. Stronghoof couldn't do anything, only gasping as he fell back face-first onto the canvas, his back screaming. “W-Where on Foenum did you learn that?” Stronghoof gasped.

Texas flexed, putting a hoof on his friend’s body, “We bulls ain’t strangers to roughhousin’ like that. Whoo wee! I feel like a kid again!”

Stronghoof laughed, getting onto his feet, “Well then, perhaps it's time I teach you a move we reindeer are familiar with~”

“Well ah’d like to see ‘ya try!” Texas boasted, “First you’ll have to ahhh-!” Stronghoof charged and tackled Texas back onto the canvas, now filthy with sweat from the two males. Throwing down his own gloves, Stronghoof lifted Texas into the air, head facing the ground, and dropping him in a piledriver, rattling his skull and giving him a hell of a headache that could rival a migraine. With his opponent where he belonged, Stronghoof sat back down on his body, folding his arms.

Texas held onto his head which had begun to ache wickedly, the lights of the ring blinded him, and in the corner of his vision he saw Stronghoof, who had his arms folded as he waited for him to get up. But one thing was clear: Stronghoof wasn’t going to be executing another move like that, the move had taken a lot out of him, and he could see his companion sweating bullets.

“I don’t suppose you’re gonna tell me where ‘ya learned that, are ‘ya?” Texas said with a grunt as he stood up, bending his back, “Aaugh… Yep… Definitely not in the shape to do that again…”

“I hope I did not hurt you too badly,” Stronghoof said with a note of concern.

Texas laughed, “Ha! That’s funny, it ain’t my first time on the canvas, partner.” Said Texas, “Nah, you didn't hurt me. Ah’ just ain't that age anymore, y’know? Which reminds me, ‘ah think its ‘bout time I call it here. Back’s startin’ to act up again.”

Stronghoof folded his arms, “I am glad you spoke of it, I was just about to say the same thing.” he said, retreating to his corner of the ring and putting a towel over his neck. Texas did the same, running a rag over his sweat-soaked body and putting on a tank top.

“Ah’m gonna be sore tomorrow!” Texas said as he gathered his things.

Stronghoof chuckled, “Likely so. You will get used to it after a while.” he said, “By the way, I was thinking. I have some business to attend to after this, but after that would you like to accompany me to the local tavern in Reine City?”
Texas lowered his head at Stronghoof. Free alcohol and a chance to spend more time with the guy he was definitely gay for? How could he refuse? “‘Ah thought you’d never ask!”