The next morning Chip wakes up to pressure on his chest. It was Dale, who calmly snuggled into Chip as they both slept. This was not an uncommon attribute of Dale. When both were young, Dale did this more often than not and eventually grew out of it. It was something that made Dale feel safe and calm. Chip was amused that Dale hadn't completely grown out of the fond memory.
Chip gently strokes his paw across the fur on Dale's head. With a smirk on his face, he briskly kisses Dale's forehead.
"Dale, are you awake?" - Chip asks in a soft tone.
Dale was reluctant to get up and just groaned in a quiet voice.
Chip glares at the clock on the wall. It reads 10:00 AM. "Well, if you'd like to have breakfast this morning, I think we should get up now." - Chip says.
Dale yawns and opens his eyes slowly. "Okay, Chipper." - He says.
As Dale opens his eyes, he realizes who and what he is sleeping on. That wasn't the pillow that Dale was on. It was Chip. Dale slowly glares up to Chip, who has a large grin on his face. Dale blushes with a dumbfounded expression. He's both speechless and embarrassed.
Dale blushes, "Sorry." - He says in a bashful tone.
Chip ruffles Dale's hair, followed by a chuckle and a sigh. "You don't need to apologize." - He says, getting out of the bed and heading downstairs.
Moments after Chip began breakfast; Dale joined him in the kitchen with a look of question.
"Say Chip." - He says.
Chip looks up at Dale. "Yes?" - He responded.
"How did I get to bed last night? I remember falling asleep on the couch." - Dale says, recalling the night's events.
"Oh, I carried you up to bed." - Chip answers.
"Why did you do that? Come to think of it; you never do that." - Dale says.
"Your breathing wasn't very well last night from what I noticed. I carried you up to bed because I wanted to make sure you were safe throughout the night." - Chip explains.
"Breathing?" - Dale asks, confused.
"Dale, let's not play games here. I know you have asthma, and I know you know that. You don't openly state it, but I can see it affects you." - Chip says.
Dale sighs. "You're right. I was having difficulty yesterday. I'm thankful that you were looking out for me, Chip." - Dale says.
"Did you take your puffer yesterday that the Doctor gave you?" - Chip asks.
"How did you know I took a puffer?" - Dale asks in a surprised tone.
"Dale, we're brothers. We share the same bedroom. I saw it in the dresser drawer the other day. I'm not asking these questions to single you out or embarrass you. I just want to make sure you're healthy and safe. So if I have to nag you to take your puffer, then I will if that's how we're going to get past this." - Chip explains.
Dale smirks and chuckles with a sigh. "Okay, Chip. I'm sorry for not telling you. I thought I could keep that a secret, but I guess secrets like that can have consequences." - Dale says.
Chip places a plate of toast and a plate of eggs on the table. "They certainly can." - Chip says.
Both then sit down and enjoy their breakfast. Afterwards, they proceed upstairs and get dressed for the day.
"So what should we do today, Dale?" - Chip asks.
Dale, removing his nightgown, pauses at the question. "I'm not sure, Chip." - Dale says.
Chip puts his coat on. "Well, maybe we could find something to do outside." - Chip offers.
Dale pulls his head through his shirt. "Okay, that sounds like a good idea." - Dale says.
Chip was about to leave, but then Dale asked him a question that gave him chills.
"Chip, I want to ask you something, and I hope you don't get mad at me, but why are you so nice to me? I know what you said at the table the other night but why all of a sudden?" - Dale asks.
Chip grimaces with a sigh and then walks over to the bed and sits down next to Dale.
He places his paw on Dale's shoulder. "Gadget and I had a chat, and she told me that I should start treating you better. Be more like a role model and brother-like figure towards you instead of a demanding leader. I expect a lot from you and don't give you much credit, but you're a crucial member of this team. Regardless of what I may say before thinking to you or hitting you...I...Gadget wants me to be better and to treat you better. She's concerned about you and how you've been behaving in the last few weeks. You've been quiet and shy. I just want to make sure it wasn't something I've done." - Chip explains.
Dale sighs. "I didn't realize it was that obvious. I have been feeling depressed lately, not just because of what you said but in general. We had a terrible childhood, and no matter how much I try to forget about...it keeps coming back to my memory. We started this group to help the helpless and bring hope to those who had lost it all. We wanted to do something for someone because we never got the help we needed when we were in their position. I just find that sometimes our work triggers the past for me." - Dale explains in a somber tone.
Chip then comforts Dale, who is becoming emotional.
Dale somberly chuckles.
"What's so funny?" Chip asks.
Dale sighs, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "You are. I've never seen you this close to me before. It's something I'm not used to." Dale explains.
Chip feels instantly crushed by this and removes his arm. He gets up and leaves the room.
"Chip?" Dale says in a subtle tone.
Chip closes the door as he leaves. Dale then gets up moments later and sees Chip heading outside. Dale then rushes down and runs outside to see Chip sitting on the bench next to the door.
"Chip, are you okay?" Dale asks.
Dale slowly walks over and sits down next to Chip.
"I'm sorry for not giving you the love and respect you deserve, Dale. I screwed up." Chip says in a somber tone.
Dale places his paw on Chip's back. "You did screw up but, I forgive you. You're my brother and my best and only buddy. I know we've hardly ever seen eye to eye on things, but I'll always be there for you. I just hope you can promise the same to me." Dale says.
Chip embraces Dale. "I promise," Chip says as tears emerge.
The two breaks from their embrace, and Chip wipes his eyes.
"Come on, let's go have some fun down in the park," Chip says.
"Where are we going to do?" Dale asks.
"You want to go fishing?" Chip asks.
"Sure!" Dale says enthusiastically.
"Let me go get my hat," Chip says.
After Chip retrieves his hat, he and Dale then leave for the pond to go fishing. Shortly after they arrive, spend some time fishing, then both decide to rest in an open patch of grass, eventually falling asleep as they lean up against each other. A couple of hours go past as they finally awake and become aware that it is bearing night time. Chip was the first to wake up.
Chip taps Dale's shoulder to wake him. "Dale, come on, it's time to go home." He says.
Dale puts up a bit of a fuss in getting up but eventually does so. The two walk home in a sleepish manner. However, before they could get to the tree, they are confronted by a group of thug rodents.
"Well, well, what do we have here. A pair of lovebirds out on a stroll, I see. The name is Mitch." Mitch says.
"We don't want any trouble; we're just going home," Chip says.
Chip then pulls Dale closer to him as he realizes they're surrounded.
Mitch flips out a small switchblade. "What's the matter, scared?" He says with a sinister tone.
Dale gulps deeply in fear. "What are we going to do, Chip?" He says in a frightened tone.
Chip turns to Dale. "Don't be afraid, Dale. I'll protect you." He says.