The cool evening air wrapped around them as they waited by the old pier, the agreed-upon meeting spot. A slight nervousness, pleasant and warm, fluttered in their chest. It wasn’t a conventional date, not with Maxi. But then, nothing about Maxi was conventional. Their queen of the ocean, a massively fat great white shark with a rebellious spirit, usually tamed only by their presence, was always worth the wait.

A minute turned into two, then three. Just as a tiny frown started to form, a tremor vibrated through the wooden planks beneath their feet. Then came the sound: heavy, rhythmic thuds, each one echoing deeply, followed by a low, powerful sloshing that grew closer, shaking the very air. They turned, a smile already blooming.

And there she was. Maxi, a magnificent silhouette against the fading sunset, her enormous form dwarfing the pier. Her broad, brunette head dipped down, a knowing glint in her dark eyes. Before they could even fully register her colossal scale – her belly, a veritable landscape the size of a pickup truck and a half, her tail fin alone wider than most cars – a strong, yet incredibly gentle, hand reached out. Maxi’s fingers, surprisingly dexterous, carefully scooped them up from the pier.

They were lifted high, then slowly, safely, lowered onto the soft, yielding expanse of her massive belly. It was like settling onto a living, breathing cloud. A warm, slightly damp snout brushed their cheek, followed by a soft, affectionate peck. They giggled, their arms wrapping around her neck as best they could, pulling their face close to hers. They returned the kiss, pressing their lips against her surprisingly soft, velvety skin. In that moment, surrounded by her immense warmth, they felt utterly cherished.

The sweet tableau, however, was abruptly interrupted by a low, thunderous growl. Maxi’s belly rumbled, a deep, resonant sound that vibrated through them, shaking them gently. Maxi let out a sheepish huff, her eyes wide. “Well, that’s my cue,” she mumbled good-naturedly.

They chuckled, giving her another quick, loving smooch. “Lead the way, my hungry queen.”

With another affectionate rub of her nose against their cheek, Maxi began to move, as fast as her immense body would allow, a determined expression on her face. The destination: the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet a few blocks inland.

Upon arrival, the buffet’s doors seemed to practically yield to Maxi’s presence. She wasted no time. Her eyes, usually so focused on them, had now locked onto the endless rows of crab legs, shrimp cocktail, and sushi. With an almost comical speed for someone of her size, Maxi navigated the spacious aisles, a living, breathing natural disaster of appetite. She leaned down, scooping up platters of food with practiced ease, her jaws opening wide as she began to inhale everything in sight. Platters emptied in mere seconds, disappearing into the vast cavern of her mouth. They watched, fascinated and amused, as her already immense belly seemed to expand just a fraction more, a testament to the sheer volume of sustenance she was consuming. A little smile played on their lips. They loved her, every glorious, massive inch. It was probably a good idea, they decided, to go claim a table before all the chairs were gone