A/N: Well here it is, chapter one. Thank you so much to everyone who viewed my story. The prologue got a ton of visitors. Especially thank you to all the wonderful reviewers (most of whom I am big fans of on the site) You guys all make me want to continue writing this. Remember to let me know what you think of chapter one in the reviews, leave comments/criticism what have you. Other than that, I hope my story provide some entertainment for your day.
Zuma looked up to see his two friends playing tug of war together across the yard, as the sun was starting to set behind them. Chase and Marshall were always going at it, competing to see who the best at every little thing was. Despite that, they were sort of like brothers and Zuma as the newest Paw Patrol member often felt left out. The lab didn't want to burden them with his problems though, he figured if they wanted him to play too, they would have asked.
Still, they looked like they were having a lot of fun over there. Maybe I should just go ask if I can play too. He thought to himself, then shaking his head. I'll just go see if Wyder wants to play fetch with me instead, if he's not too busy.
Zuma sprinted towards the Lookout, the doors opened on their own and he scanned the room, looking around for their owner. "Wyder, you in hewe dude?" The lab called out. Nothing. He headed up the elevator next, sometimes the boy would hang out on the balcony and play his video games. Stepping out into the empty room above the lab called out again to no avail. I guess he must have gone out somewhewe. Wiewd, he usually tells us if he is though.
Zuma started to get a worried expression on his muzzle, he was about to call when he remembered something. Maybe he's ovew at that salon giwls place. He thought, a grin forming in place of his previous frown. I bet he was too embawassed to tell us, cause he likes hew. The lab snickered to himself.
With that thought, Zuma headed back out of the elevator to join the other pups, but just as soon as he stepped out Ryder burst through the doors carrying something in his arms. Zuma couldn't quite make out what it was, though he noticed Marshall and Chase were following close behind. "What's going on Ryder?" Marshall asked.
"Yeah is everything alright Ryder sir?" Chase added. A concerned look on his muzzle.
"Uh, yeah I think so pups, sorry to worry you. I was over at Katie's for a visit." Ryder continued as he set the mysterious object down in Zuma's pup bed. The other pups came over to get a closer look at it.
"You bwought anothew pup?" Zuma asked, looking down into his bed he realized that the object was actually a small grey pup, probably a bit older than he was. Wow The lab thought to himself He looks so thin and dirty, I wonder if he's okay.
Ryder carefully wrapped the small pup into a little green blanket and left him there on the bed. "I found him out cold in an ally on my way back from Katie's. I'm pretty sure he just passed out from hunger, the little guy doesn't have a collar or anything. Must be a street pup." The boy answered.
The three pups were crowding around the new arrival, curiously sniffing him. Ryder shooed them away gently. "Alright pups, let's let the poor thing get a bit of rest. I'll make sure there's a bowl of food and some water waiting for him when he gets up. We'll sort everything out then." He told them
"What do you mean Ryder sir?" Chase asked. "By sorting it out I mean? Is he gonna be a new member of the Paw Patrol?" The Shepherd pup added.
Ryder rubbed his chin, "Well we don't know if the pup has any skills or not so it's hard to say right now, but I can't turn him away back to the streets if he has nobody to go to. He can stay with us if he likes, but I'll leave that up to him when he wakes up." The boy decided.
Zuma was lost in his own thoughts, admiring the fragile looking pup. A new pup, I wondew if he's nice. Can't wait 'till he wakes up. I've nevew seen a bweed like him befowe, what kind is he? Whatevew he is, he's kind of adowable.
Ryder snapped the lab out of his daydream. "Zuma, it's getting a bit late. I think it's time for you to go to bed, you too pups" He added looking at Chase and Marshall. They both nodded and began to head to their pup houses taking one last glance at the new pup as they left. Zuma lingered behind them.
"Can I sleep in the Lookout tonight, In case the pup wakes up while you awe sleeping Wyder?" The lab asked looking up at his owner with pleading eyes. "I don't want him to wake up all alone." He wasn't sure why he cared about this stranger so much, but something told him he should be there for him. Ryder kneeled down and patted the pup on the head.
"It's very nice of you to be worried about him Zuma, of course you can." The boy smiled. "I'm going to get him some food and water so he can eat when he wakes up, I'll be right back." He told the lab, leaving the room.
Zuma turned his attention towards the newcomer as he plopped down into Marshall's pup bed, across from the mysterious pup, since his was currently occupied. The grey ball of fur looked so peaceful, yet so frail sleeping there. The lab noticed that the pup had a little dark spot over his left eye, and one of his ears flopped over cutely. As he watched the pup sleep he noticed his whole body was overcome with a warm feeling, his heart kept staring at the sleeping pup until he was too exhausted, letting out a big yawn as he himself slowly drifted off. I wondew if he'll want to be my fwiend…
The labs eyes opened suddenly, he blinked quickly as he looked around the dark room. The moon outside was casting shadows all over. For a second he forgot where he was, then he remembered he'd slept in the Lookout. Rubbing his eyes he took a glance at the bed next to him where that street pup had been. Zuma jumped up, the grey pup was gone.
Zuma looked around the room frantically. What if something bad happened to him, or, did he decide to leave? He wondered, feeling a bit sad at the thought of it, though not sure why, after all he didn't even know the pup at all. Then he let out a sigh of relief when he saw the stranger leaving through the front doors. The lab quickly decided to follow behind him, keeping his distance so he wouldn't be caught. He followed the pup outside up to a small hill they had in their yard, where the odd pup sat down, not moving.
What is that pup doing? Zuma thought. I wondew if I should go ovew and say hello, but I don't want to scawe him. The lab was conflicted. He watched the grey pup from afar for several minutes, but the mysterious stranger didn't move, he was just staring up at the sky.
Cautiously Zuma decided to approach the odd pup, when he was close enough to be heard he called out nervously. "H-hey don't be afwaid." The lab said quietly.
The grey pup jumped a little, then turned around to face Zuma, cocking his head to the side. "Y-you're the one who was sleeping next to me in there." The lab nodded. "Uh, sorry if I woke you." The strange pup seemed shy. I guess that makes sense, he did just wake up in a stwange place all of the sudden.
"Mind if I come sit with you dude?" Zuma asked. Wondering if he shouldn't have been so forward when the grey pup took a long time to answer. After all they did just meet.
"Uh sure." The pup replied quietly, for some reason he trusted Zuma, the brown pup did seem friendly. The lab went over to join him on top of the hill, sitting next to the grey pup.
Not sure what to say, Zuma sat quietly next to the pup looking up at the stars in the night sky. The moon was almost completely full and it cast a sort of magical light on the two pups. The lab noticed how the pups grey fur gleamed like silver in the light. Even though he was covered in dirt, he kind of looked beautiful. Wait did I really just think that this pup looks beautiful? Zuma thought. He couldn't deny that this pup had pretty fur though, he'd never seen anything like it. He brushed the thought off though and decided to break the silence.
"So how come you'we sitting out hewe by youwself?" The lab asked. Waiting patiently for the pup to answer.
The grey pup didn't look away from the sky. "I uh, well…"
"It's okay if you don't wanna say." Zuma told him. "You don't have to tell me, I would be shy too if I woke up next to a stwangew."
Finally the pup turned his gaze away from the stars and to the chocolate lab. "Nah, uh, it's okay, I'm just a bit new to this talking to others thing, and I didn't get to do that much out there." The grey pup confessed.
"Out thewe? You mean the stweets wight?" Zuma asked unsure if it was okay to pry like he was. His curiosity was getting the better of him though. "Sowwy, I mean that's none of my business."
The grey pup simply nodded. "That's okay, I don't mind talking about it. It's pretty lonely out there all by yourself, it's nice to have someone to chat with." He said looking down at the ground now. "I remember trying desperately to find something to eat, then I woke up here." They sat in silence again for a moment before the stranger spoke up again. "Where is here anyway?" The pup asked. "How did I end up in this place?"
"This place is called the Lookout." Zuma answered him. "My ownew Wyder lives hewe with us. He takes in lost pups to give them a bettew life." The lab smiled. "He found you passed out on the stweet."
Suddenly the grey pup got a sad look on his muzzle, looking down at the ground again. "Why me though?" He said so quietly Zuma almost missed it.
"Huh?" The lab asked. "What do you mean?"
"How come this, uh, Ryder took me in?" The pup glanced at Zuma who looked confused. "None of the other humans gave me as much as a second look" The grey pup clarified. "But this one did. Why would he even want a pup like me?"
The lab was shocked to hear this pup talking about himself like that. "Why would you say that?" he asked before adding "You seem like a nice pup to me."
The pup looked into the lab's eyes, his own beginning to well up with tears. "Well I just… I'm just a mutt. I didn't think anyone would want to ever adopt me." He started to cry, releasing all the stress and pain he'd been holding in at once, his tears gleaming as the rolled down his cheek.
Now it made sense why Zuma hadn't known his breed before. The pup was a mix. "Hey" The lab said pulling the stranger into a hug, catching the pup off guard. "Thewe's nothing wong with being a mix breed." Zuma told him.
The mix looked at the lab who was still embracing him and sniffled. "The other pups I met on the streets told me that mutt's like us never get a human owner. That they didn't want pups like us."
"That isn't twue, I don't care what they told ya, I think it makes you even mowe unique, and you shouldn't call youwself that" Zuma said, letting go of the grey pup. Glad the mix couldn't see him blushing in the dark, not knowing, the mix breed had some red on his own muzzle "Besides, Wyder doesn't cawe what youw bweed is."
The two of them sat in silence for a while, letting the mix breed calm down a bit. Once the pup stopped crying he finally spoke.
"Thanks." The mix told Zuma as he nuzzled his head into the lab's neck. Zuma felt a strange warmness he'd not felt before, blushing furiously he allowed the mix to stay there for a moment. The grey pup meanwhile was lost in his own thoughts. Something about this feels so perfect, so warm, I wish we could stay like this. He smiled.
The lab pulled away. "Hey we should pwobably go back to bed dude, gonna be a busy mowning. Wyder's gotta take you to get some supplies, that is if you'we staying with us?" Zuma mentioned, hoping for a yes.
The mix thought about it a moment. "I want to, but what if, um, Ryder doesn't like me when I meet him?" He asked. "I mean I never really met a human before, of course I've seem 'em around but never actually talked…"
The lab cut off his rambling "Of couwse he'll love you, he loves all of us no mattew what and you'we gonna be one of his pups now, family, so that means you too." The lab smiled. "Hey, my name's Zuma by the way, don't think I said that eawlier. What's youw name dude?"
The grey pup stopped midstride and looked away from Zuma shyly.
"What's the mattew?" Asked the lab. "Did I say something wong?"
The mix breed shook his head. "Well uh, it's just that I don't exactly have a name." The pup said embarrassed.
Zuma tilted his head, "What do you mean, how come you don't have a name?"
The mixed breed continued to stare at the ground, not making eye contact. "I just uh, never knew my parents, and I never had an owner like yours to give me one either." The pup explained. "Most people just called me mutt when I was living out there."
Suddenly Zuma let out a smile. "Well that's okay, Wyder will give you a good name I'm suwe of it, if you want him to of couwse."
"You think so?" The grey pup asked, his tail wagging happily, the thought of being called something other than a dirty mutt seemed nice.
"Yup, but not until the mowning when he gets up. We should get some west befowe then, I'm a little sleepy." The lab told him. The mix breed nodded in agreement, letting out a big yawn as they headed back towards the building. The two of them entered the Lookout and plopped down into their beds, and as the two of them started to drift off Zuma heard the mix whisper something.
"Thanks for being so nice to me Zuma, I never had a friend before." He said, closing his eyes and falling asleep.
Fwiend. The thought of that made the lab happy. For a second though he could have sworn he felt disappointment too.
"Zuma, time to wake up pup."
Ryder shook the curled up lab gently, earning a long groan as he tossed and turned.
"Aww Five mowe minutes?" Zuma whined. "I was having a good dweam."
The boy chuckled and picked up the tired pup. "Let's go sleepyhead, don't you want to see if our new friend is okay?"
Zuma opened his eyes, yawning. He looked below where the grey pup was still asleep. "I alweady talked to him last night actually."
"Oh really?" Ryder asked, setting the lab gently back on the floor.
"Yeah, he woke up and we talked fow a little while, he's a weally nice pup." Zuma told him, smiling.
The boy smiled back. "Good to hear Zuma. Did you get a chance to ask him if he'd like to stay?"
The lab nodded, "He does, but he's a little shy, and newvous about meeting you, he hasn't been awound humans much."
Ryder set the pup back down looking over at the stranger. "That's okay, I'll make sure to be gentle with him. He's probably been through a lot. I'm glad the pup has at least one friend already." The boy said.
Zuma smiled proudly as his owner approached the grey mix breed and lightly shook him awake as well. The pup woke up with a big yawn, stretching out his legs.
"Good morning pup." Ryder said quietly.
"Uh, h-hello." The mix responded, cowering a little at the sight of the much larger boy.
Ryder knelt down so that he was looking into the pups orange eyes, holding out his hand. "It's alright pup, I promise I'm not scary." He chuckled. "Nobody's going to hurt you."
The stranger eased up a bit, inching towards the human slowly until he met Ryder's hand sniffing it.
Once the pup seemed calmer, Ryder started to gently stroke the pup's head. "See that's not so bad huh?" Earning a nod from the mix. "There's nothing to be afraid of here." The boy smiled. "My name's Ryder, I'm the leader of the paw patrol, a team of rescue pups, and it's very nice to meet you, uh…"
"He doesn't have a name yet Wyder." The mix looked at the ground a bit embarrassed.
Ryder stood up. "I see, well that's okay we can think of a good one for you." He smiled. "What do you think of the name Max." he offered.
"He doesn't weally look like a Max." Zuma countered, the grey pup nodding in agreement.
"Alright then, how about Rocky, a scrappy name for a scrappy street pup?" The boy asked. Earning a nod from the lab. "I've always liked that name for a pup." Ryder added.
"That's a cute name." Zuma said causing the mix breed to blush. "I think that one fits you."
"So what do you think pup, want to be called Rocky?" Ryder asked, still petting the pup gently, giving his ears a light scratch.
The mix breed nodded. "I like that one" He agreed, giving Ryder a lick of approval.
"Well then Rocky, welcome to the family." Ryder said with a big grin on his face. "There's a couple other pups you still need to meet, but I think they are still asleep." He said looking at his watch and seeing it was already close to noon. "You pups sure can sleep when you want to." The boy chuckled. "Why don't you Zuma and I all head down to Katie's pet parlor and we'll get you some supplies, and we can get you cleaned up while we're there."
The three of them headed outside and stopped in front of Zuma's pup house. "You can ride with Zuma down to the parlor, I'll be taking my own vehicle." Ryder told the mix.
Rocky looked at the pup house, confused. "Wait, what do you mean ride with Zuma, pups can't drive. Can they?"
Zuma chuckled. "Wait until you see this dude, it's totally awesome." The lab barked and almost instantly the pup house transformed into a bright orange hovercraft. Zuma had a huge grin on his muzzle when he saw Rocky's eyes wide open with amazement.
The mix just stood there speechless for a moment, admiring the technological feat in front of him.
"So what do you think?" Asked Ryder smiling. "All of the pup houses here convert into transportation for when we go out on missions, and they are specially designed for ease of use with paws instead of hands."
"Wow that is so cool." Rocky said checking out every inch of the hovercraft. "Did you make this thing?" The pup questioned.
Ryder nodded, "With some help from my dad of course. I'm pretty gifted in mechanics but I couldn't have done it without his advice. He works with a different team in another city."
"This is the coolest thing I've ever seen." Rocky said. "I love making stuff too, of course all I had was stuff I found on the streets to make them with." The mix seemed much more outgoing while he was talking about his hobby.
Now it was Ryder's turn to be confused. "What do you mean, you're saying you like to invent too?"
"Well not anything like this I mean. Just simple gadgets and stuff, I just think it's really fun to make new things out of something old."
Interesting Ryder thought to himself. Perhaps this pup does have a skill after all?
"Well why don't you hop in with Zuma and I'll meet you pups down at the parlor in a few minutes." The pups nodded as they boarded the hovercraft and headed down to Katie's.
"Welcome to Katie's pet parlor how may I…" The blonde haired girl, about Ryder's age turned around to see him and two pups. "Oh hey Ryder, Hi zuma." She said smiling pleasantly. "And who's this cute little guy?" She asked looking down at Rocky who was halfway hidden behind his new owner's leg.
"This is Rocky, I found him alone on the street last night and brought him home with me. He'll be staying with us from now on." Ryder looked back at his new pup. "Hey it's alright to go say hello Rocky, Katie is a good friend of mine." He told the pup. "Sorry Katie, he's a little shy around humans."
The mix breed stepped out from behind the boy and approached Katie, who knelt down like Ryder had done and extended her hand gently. "It's alright sweetie, that's it." She said as Rocky finally made it over to her.
"H-Hi Katie, nice to meet you." The mix said as she suddenly rolled him over onto his back and began rubbing his belly. The grey pup started giggling uncontrollably. "Hey that tickles." Rocky whined. He secretly enjoyed the touch though, he hadn't felt anything like this before. He felt safe and warm. Maybe humans aren't so bad after all, the mix thought to himself as Katie playfully stroked him. I mean Ryder and Katie aren't so bad at least.
"What a good pup." Katie told him as she let him get back up, looking over to Ryder. "So I bet you're here for some things to get Rocky settled then."
The boy gave a little nod. "Yep, I knew you'd probably have everything we need. The boy said giving her a shy smile. He's gonna need a tag and collar so people know he's not a stray anymore. And of course we'll need some more food, I wasn't prepared to have to feed another pup."
"Sure, I'll go get some things for you that you'll want to have, meanwhile let's start a bath running so we can get him cleaned up, he looks a bit dirty." Katie said twisting the faucet handle allowing the warm water to pour out.
Suddenly Rocky started bawling uncontrollably, he jumped into Ryder's arms. "No no no, please I don't want to go in there. Don't make me go in there please, I – I …" The pup started to hyperventilate. Katie disappeared into the next room as Ryder tried to comfort the suddenly terrified pup.
"Whoa, hey pup it's alright no one's gonna make you do anything." He said stroking his grey fur softly as Katie came running back, now holding a small needle. "Everything's alright," he said again as Katie stuck the needle in the pup's side gently.
Rocky began to doze off almost immediately, his breathing slowing down to normal. "Sorry Ryder, he seemed to be having some sort of panic attack." Katie told him. "I figured this would calm him down." She said holding up the needle.
The boy nodded, "What did you give him?" he asked.
"Oh it's just a mild sedative I use when some pets get feisty or out of control while I'm working on them. It's harmless but he'll be out for a while. Now that he's asleep it may be a good time to wash him up while he is unaware." Ryder agreed and handed off the pup gently to Katie who began cleaning him up, scrubbing his matted grey fur softly.
"Wyder, what's wong with Wocky? Why was he cwying and yelling like that?" Zuma asked him confused.
Ryder had almost forgot Zuma was standing right there to see that. He looked down at his lab, whose eyes were wet. "I'm sorry if he scared you Zuma, I think our new friend might be afraid of water." The boy told him.
"How come?" Zuma asked.
"Only Rocky could tell you, but I think it's best if we let him come forward about that when he's ready, don't ask him about it okay? The last thing we want to do is scare him again."
"I won't Wyder." The lab agreed, sniffling. He was worried about his new friend. Wocky seemed weally tewwified. What could have happened to him to make him that way? Wondered Zuma.
Ryder knelt down and patted his pup on the head. "Good pup. Don't worry about Rocky, everything will be alright." The boy assured. "I wouldn't let anything bad happen to any of you, which means Rocky too." The lab eased up a bit and smiled as his owner pet him.
Both of them waited as Katie finished washing up the mix breed. She picked him up out of the bath and dried him off carefully with a pink towel then handed him back to Ryder who cradled the pup in his arms. "Wait here and I'll grab you some supplies from the back." Katie told them as she disappeared into the back room again.
Zuma looked up at his new friend, whose fur was now extremely fluffy from just being washed. Now that he was all clean the pup looked even more adorable than before. His fuw looks so soft. Thought the lab, who then shook his head perishing the thought. He had no idea why Rocky made him feel however he was feeling, but it made the lab uneasy to think about it.
After Katie and Ryder finished loading up his supplies, they exchanged a quick goodbye, Ryder handing her some money for everything. "See ya next time Katie, thanks for all your help." The boy smiled.
"Anything for you Ryder. I mean for you and the pups that is." She quickly caught herself, Zuma could have sworn he saw the two of them blushing. Why don't those two just get togethew alweady?" He thought chuckling to himself.
Ryder placed the sleeping Rocky into Zuma's back seat and buckled him in. The boy's own vehicle wasn't really safe enough to carry an unconscious passenger. "Alright Zuma, let's head home, Marshall and Chase are probably waking up by now and I don't want them to worry." The lab nodded in agreement and started his engine.
As Ryder and Zuma pulled into the driveway, the other two pups came running up to them. "Ryder sir, where did you guys go? Marshall and I were getting worried about you." Chase told him.
"Yeah I was worried we wouldn't get any breakfast." Marshall joked, earning a laugh from everyone.
Ryder looked at his watch again. "More like lunch now Marshall, you guys slept all the way through noon." The boy chuckled. "And I'm sorry I forgot to leave a note, Zuma and I were just taking our new friend down to Katie's to get him some things." He told them, picking up Rocky out of the back seat.
The two pups wore a look of concern as Ryder pulled him out. "Is he okay?" Asked Chase.
Ryder nodded, "he's fine Chase, Katie had to sedate him at the shop, and he'll just be asleep for a few hours. So no need to worry." The boy took the grey pup inside and placed him on his own pup bed which he'd bought from the parlor.
The pups had been trying to keep themselves busy until Rocky finally woke up. Marshall and Chase hadn't got a chance to meet him yet and they were really excited about having a new friend to play with. Zuma mostly just lay near the grey pup, watching him breathe slowly. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened at Katie's, the thought that something really bad happened to the mix was hurting Zuma inside. He just wanted to be able to help but instead he just felt worthless. Why do I even cawe so much, it's not like it's any of my business to wowwy about him anyway? The lab thought.
Just them Rocky's eyes slowly opened, just a little bit. Zuma is here He thought to himself, unsure if the Lab had noticed he was awake yet. He stayed with me the whole time, does he care about me that much? The mix noticed that Zuma had a sad look on his muzzle, he opened his eyes all the way, blinking a few times as his eyes adjusted to the light.
"Hey what's the matter, you okay?" Rocky asked, his voice coming out a little groggy.
Zuma got up quickly and jumped onto the mix breed, licking his cheek affectionately. "I should be asking you that dude, I was wowwied about you." The lab got off of the grey pup, remembering his promise to Ryder not to bring up the incident. As he let Rocky up the lab didn't notice the light blush painted across the mix's muzzle.
Zuma really does care about me, more than anyone ever did. The mix thought. He so funny and sweet, and somehow he makes me feel happy.
The two pups started into each other's eyes, not saying a word, simply watching. The lab noticed for the first time the color of Rocky's eyes. They were a beautiful brownish orange, and they burned brightly like a sunset at the beach. The brown pup couldn't take his eyes off of this pup.
Finally the silence was broken as Marshall and Chase entered the Lookout, making their way towards the mix breed.
"Hey you're finally awake." Marshall wagged his tail happily. "My name's Marshall, I'm the Paw Patrol's fire pup."
"And I'm Chase, the police pup, pleasure to meet you." The shepherd said sitting tall and proudly.
Rocky seemed a little bit shy at all the attention he was suddenly receiving, he couldn't get a greeting to escape his lips.
"You okay?" Asked Marshall. "You're awfully quiet, you do know how to talk right?"
"He's just shy dudes, give him a second." Zuma replied coming to the mix's defense, patting the grey pup on the shoulder with his paw. "These guys are fwiendly, go ahead and intwoduce youwself." The lab smiled.
"My name's R-Rocky." Was all that came out.
"Nice to meet you Rocky." Chase told him. "Welcome to our family."
"So, you guys wanna come play with Chase and me, we have enough people to play tag or something. I'll even be it fir…" Suddenly The Dally's tag lit up.
"Marshall, Chase I need you two to meet me up at farmer Yumi's, we've got an emergency."
"Yes sir Ryder sir." Chase responded.
The two pups ran out of the lookout, "sorry Rocky, sorry Zuma, we can play tag later." Marshall yelled back as he made his way to his pup house.
Zuma looked over at the mix breed who wore a confused expression. "As the paw patwol sometimes we get called on missions at any houwr of the day." The lab explained. "So I guess it's just you and me for a while."
Rocky nodded, "so what do you guys do for fun around here?" He asked.
"Well, while Wyder's got a mission, we've got to stay hewe in case he needs me. We could watch TV?" The lab suggested.
"TV?" The mix asked. "What's that?"
Zuma's eyes widened, "Dude it's only the best thing evew, Apollo the Supew Pup is a legend. Come on I'll show you." The lab grinned as he pulled his friend along by his paw. The two of them lay down in front of the screen and Zuma put on some reruns of his favorite super hero.
The pups lay there for hours watching the television, Rocky was enjoying every last moment of it, he'd never seen a cartoon before, and they were awesome. Is this what it feels like to have a home? He wondered. I like it.
After a while Rocky wanted to ask something he'd been thinking about. "So Zuma, if Marshall is the fire pup, and Chase is a police pup, do you have a job too?"
The lab nodded, "Yup, I handle watew wescues with my hovew cwaft."
"Water huh?"
Zuma realized that Rocky didn't really like water. A shame because the lab couldn't get enough of it, ever since he was born he basically lived in the blue ocean.
"Yeah, sowwy I know that's not weally youw thing." The lab said trying to ease the tension.
Rocky shook his head, "that's okay, you don't have to be sorry, just cause I don't like it doesn't mean nobody gets to." He chuckled. "I think it's cool that you get to help people. I wish I had a job like that."
The lab smiled at his friend, "well maybe Wyder will think of something fow you to do, you nevew know Wocky." The mix breed giggled lightly. "What's so funny?" Zuma asked cocking his head to the side.
"Oh sorry, it's just the way you say my name." Rocky told him as Zuma lowered his head embarrassed. The mix realized he shouldn't have mentioned it. "Hey no, there's nothing wrong with it, I think it's super cute. I never heard anyone talk that way is all, I think that makes you special. You know, just like you told me about being a mutt." Rocky clarified.
Zuma raised his head, blushing at the fact that his friend called him cute. "Thanks, most people just make fun of me fow it, I thought you wewe gonna as well."
"I wouldn't ever." Rocky affirmed.
"Don't call youwself mutt anymowe eithew, you don't desewve to be called that, even by youwself." Zuma scolded.
Rocky nodded in agreement and the two went back to watching their show. The mix breed stealing glances at his friend once and a while until the two of them started to drift off. The sun outside the Lookout was beginning to set over the bay casting an orange glow around the room as they both fell sound asleep.
Zuma's eyes darted open suddenly. He was in the Lookout again. Must have fallen asleep watching Apollo he thought. It was completely dark out now but a strange noise had aroused him. The lab looked over to his friend who was whimpering and muttering to himself. Zuma got up and sat next to the grey pup who was tossing and turning in his bed. He's having a nightmawe? Zuma wondered. The lab tried to gently shake the pup but he wasn't waking up.
"No please! Somebody help, please come back!" The mix was yelling out as he writhed in the bed. The lab wasn't sure what to do, he was scared, the pup just wouldn't wake up. So he reached his paw into the air and brought it down with a smack onto the mix's face jolting him from his nightmare. "Ouch!" Rocky yelled rubbing his cheek where Zuma had hit him. "What was that for?" The mix asked giving Zuma an angry look.
The lab lowered his head, he didn't mean to make Rocky mad at him. "I'm sowwy Wocky you wewe having a bad dweam and I couldn't wake you up. Sowwy if I huwt you, but I didn't know what else to do. I just wanted to help." Zuma explained, his ears flattening as he looked away from the mix.
Rocky's expression softened as he approached his friend, nuzzling him gently, causing them both to blush. "Oh… thanks."
Zuma looked up surprised, "so you'we not mad at me?"
The mix shook his head. "I've been having bad dreams as long as I can remember, ever since that day anyway." Rocky told him.
"That day?" Zuma questioned. "Does it have to do with youw feaw of watew?" Well so much fow pwomising Wyder I wouldn't ask. The lab thought.
Rocky just nodded. "I don't really want to talk about it though."
"That's okay, you can always talk to me though, when you'we weady I mean. I pwomise I'll be a good listenew."
Rocky smiled at his friend before laying back down, letting a yawn escape his muzzle. Zuma went back over to his own bed a plopped down as well, until he heard the mix whimpering softly. "Hey Zuma, I know it's kind of uh…"
"What's wong Wocky?" The lab asked looking at the mix, head tilted in confusion.
"Could you um, sleep next to me tonight? It would make me feel better if you were close to me." The grey pup looked away quickly, embarrassed at his request. Zuma's muzzle was firetruck red at the thought of sleeping next to his friend.
Why does Wocky make me feel like this? It's like I weally want to sleep with him. Being close to him like that, comfowting him.
"You don't have to if it's too weird Zuma." Rocky added, realizing it was taking the lab a long time to answer him. But the grey pup looked so sad, the lab couldn't say no to that look.
"Wocky, I'm happy to sleep with you, if it will make you feel bettew. I don't want to see you scawed like that evew again." Zuma told him, his eyes glistening with forming tears. "When we wewe in Katie's shop, and you stawted cwying, and I didn't know how to help you. I just felt so useless." The lab got up and lay down next to Rocky.
The grey pup looked into Zuma's amber eyes, glimmering from his tears. They were gorgeous, hypnotizing even. "Come here" Rocky said, as Zuma nuzzled his head into the mix's soft fur. Rocky rested his head on top of Zuma's, wrapping his paw over the lab's back as they lay there quietly for a moment, before the mix spoke again. "I'm sorry I scared you Zuma. You don't need to worry about me, all of that scary stuff is in my past, and even though I'm still scared of the water, and I have bad dreams sometimes, I'm really happy here with you and Ryder and the others. You've been such a great friend and I'm really glad we met."
Zuma just lay there silently, listening to Rocky talk to him, taking in the pup's scent which was intoxicating for some reason. The mix's fur was incredibly soft and warm as they snuggled together. Soon Zuma began to doze off, falling asleep in Rocky's arms. The mix breed looked down at his friend who was sleeping peacefully. He's perfect in every way, but two boys can't be together like that, can they? "I think I'm falling in love with you." The grey pup whispered. "I wish I was brave enough to tell you that." Rocky muttered as his own eyes began to grow heavy. "Goodnight Zuma." He said as he fell asleep, a smile on his muzzle.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed this first chapter, will Zuma ever figure out what it is he's feeling? Will Rocky act on his new found love? Well you'll have to wait for the next part. Love all of you, make sure to leave your reviews, they truly make me so happy. Feel free to PM me with any questions or comments that you'd like and I'll definitely respond. =) Until next time.
