(A/N: I honestly don't know if I'll do more with this or not (probably not to be honest). But the idea came to me and I just had to get it out of my head.)
Of all people, it's Mayor Humdinger who realises it first.
Another genius scheme is brought to a halt by the PAW Patrol. They bask in the praise and glory while Humdinger stands to one side, arms folded and sulking. It's not like this is anything new. It's happened before and will doubtlessly happen again. Nothing has occurred to make him snap, but this time he does.
"You little brat! If it weren't for you and those stupid dogs, I – "
"Mayor Humdinger!"
Mayor Goodway's voice rings loud and sharp, cutting through the red haze. Humdinger freezes. Looks down. His fingers are wrapped in the fabric of Ryder's shirt, almost hefting the boy off his feet. The pups are growling – practically snarling – and looking at him with intense anger.
And Ryder looks afraid.
He stares at Humdinger, those large brown eyes almost comically wide. In all of the PAW Patrol's countless rescues, Humdinger doesn't think he's ever seen Ryder show fear. It seems strange on his face. Foreign. The confident leader has been replaced by a frightened young boy. Less of a saviour and more of a…
A child.
Humdinger releases his grip and stumbles backwards. The word reverberates in his mind, bouncing around with increasing intensity.
A child.
How has he not seen it before? How has nobody seen it? This entire town is being protected by a ten year old boy – a child – and his puppy pals. And Humdinger has plotted against him so many times he's long since lost count.
Mayor Goodway fusses over Ryder for a moment before letting the pups take her place. She strides up to Humdinger and her furious expression is hard to take seriously when Chickaletta, comfy in her purse and oblivious as always, lets out a meaningless cluck.
"Mayor Humdinger!" Goodway yells. "What on earth did you think you were doing?!"
"What are you doing?!" Humdinger wants to ask. "What are any of us doing, letting a child and his puppies risk themselves day in and day out for us?!"
But he doesn't. The shock of what has been in front of him all this time has momentarily stolen his tongue. His kittens look up at him expectantly, waiting for him to give some curt, dismissive reply. Maybe with a few insults sprinkled in for good measure. They meow curiously when he stays silent.
"I think you should leave", says Goodway stiffly.
Ryder glances at them, one hand still rubbing the back of his neck where the skin is a little red from the collar of his shirt pressing into it. The mask is already slipping back into place – the brave leader who acts far beyond his age. Less of a boy and more of a young man, gazing at the world with far too much intelligence in his eyes.
He looks like he wants to speak. No doubt to tell Mayor Goodway that it's okay. Nobody is hurt and Mayor Humdinger probably didn't mean it. And then they'll all smile and carry on with their lives and nothing will change.
"Fine", says Humdinger, before the boy can get the chance. "Come on, kittens".
They seem confused but obediently clamber into the kitty carrier. Humdinger leaves perhaps a little too quickly, his mind racing. His thoughts are cluttered and confusing and when they return to Foggy Bottom he sinks into his chair and stares at nothing. A kitten paws at his leg. They all seem somewhat concerned now.
"He's just a child", Humdinger murmurs.
He's supposed to be the bad guy here, so why is he the one suddenly questioning this? Why does nobody in Adventure Bay see how wrong it is?
A child.
Humdinger frowns and gets to his feet. He's a liar and a cheater and a thief, it is not his place to be worrying about this. But he does, and it's driving him crazy.
"I need to lie down", he grumbles. "Kittens, don't let anything disturb me".
They meow and roll their eyes, which Humdinger takes as a 'yes'. He retires to his room, hoping that after a good long nap his mind will be clearer and everything will be fine.
Though somehow, he very much doubts it.
