TILL DEATH DO US PART

ZumaxMarshall (request by HumphreryAlpha)

MARSHALL'S POV

We were perfect together, Chase and I.

Everything we did together was always fun and romantic, what I've always wanted. I cared for him and loved him, and he in return loved me equally back.

He was my alpha.

I was his proud beta.

He was my everything.

I was the light in his world.

He's dead.

I'm still breathing.

This wasn't supposed to be like this.

Although it did happen a year ago, my heart still aches from the sight of his eyes as he said his final words, and the almost peaceful, serene face he displayed when they placed him in the ground. Chase, my Chase, would never be the one to admit defeat, but it still got to him no matter how strong he was. My German Shepard was never weak, always strong for all of us. No one expected cancer to be the one who killed him. It was a minor case, the doctors said, but the chances of it becoming worse were very high.

Despite the turn of fate, Chase had stayed happy, at least his version of it. At the lookout, he rested more than usual and was getting leg pains to the point where he couldn't move. But he still showed a strong face and still socialized with us, playing when it was his better days. I didn't understand it then, but I get it now. He wanted us to remember him as a happy, amazing boyfriend and brother, not a weak sick pup.

His willpower throughout chemo was oh so strong and stubborn, that even the doctors thought he could make it.

I hate that we all were wrong.

The cancer had started in his hind legs, but now was at the heart. He probably isn't gonna make it now, the professionals said, but I refused to believe them. My Chase is strong, he can do this. None the less, he was admitted into the hospital for his final resting days.

We visited him everyday, taking about everything except for for what the paw patrol was like without him. It was miserable, no cheerful obey me wake up calls, no attentive listener who you could talk to for hours. Although he suffered a lot of pain, he still smiled with us, laughed with us, and shared memories together. He loved me, and I still love him. I would fall asleep next to him every night, because I didn't want to let him go. Every kiss felt like the last, every touch was precious and cherished like the end.

Cancer ended his happiness a week later.

I fell into this depression, everything felt so...mute without him, so blurred without his smiles. I wouldn't smile, laugh, make a joke. It had no point anymore!

That is, until Zuma blew my rainclouds away.

ZUMA'S POV

Standing by and not being to do anything to help Chase killed me inside.

Watching him pass on, his heart giving in to the disease was too much. Chase was my best friend, my brother, my should to lean on when things were wrong.

He wasn't supposed to die!

The German Shepard had requested before he died passes on, that he would have a private talk with everyone. The doctors had scheduled it a week before, in case an accident does happen. I had really though her knew about my crush on his boyfriend, but instead he wanted me to take care of Marshall.

Me, of all people.

I must have had a confused expression on my face, for he hurriedly explained that I was the second pup Marshall trusted after him, and that I had the ability to help Marshall recover. Love is hard to let go, but sometimes you have to. I remember him say. Chase seemed Iike he still knew about my secret crush, because he said he was letting Marshall go, letting him find another pup who would love him more than he ever did. As much as I would have wanted to date Marshall then, I decided to put my feelings on hold to help him first.

Both Marshall and Chase were stubborn as hell, and that was not helping my mission. He believed that he was the reason why Chase died, and how he should have also died as well. Seeing him, so mute, dried tears below his shadowed eyes everyday deterred me from my mission. I stopped trying so hard to get Marshall to talk, and I waited for a week. The other pups understood what I was doing, and quietly left me to my work. I wasn't taking over Chase's job, but I would be the first to wake up and to tell everyone to wake up too.

One day though, Marshall came to my puphouse, wanting to talk. Before I could even say anything, though, he broke down. I stroked his back gently as he sobbed, whispering me everything between breaths of air. Everything was spoken, how he first met Chase, how he was so happy just to see his face everyday, how he was dizzy because he didn't want to eat. He eats now, since I make him or else he can't leave, but still thinking and hearing about him before is depressing. I feel really bad for him, truly, but I do have to say I was a little jealous of all the wonderful things coming out of Marshall's mouth about Chase.

After that breakdown, we just talked, about everything. I wasn't trying to make him happy yet, but you could already tell he was feeling a lot better. Our talks became weekly, with me hanging out with him in the free days. No, he actually did hang inside down "to calm our minds" as I like to say. We had chose not to replace Chase with another pup, and all of us worked extra hard to fill in his pawprints (shoes).

I noticed Marshall was smiling again. Not his old, mega-watt grin, but ghost of a soft smile, barely able to be seen. But it was enough, time to start phase two, introducing happiness back into his everyday life.

MARSHALL'S POV

I don't know how Zuma did it, but six months after I was smiling and laughing again. His everyday determination to help me, his gentle smiles and caring looks reminded me that to not go back into the dark side. Chase would have been happy, seeing me better now. I know he wouldn't have wanted me to be stuck with him forever, he would have wanted me to be happy and in love again. I was quite shocked when Chase told me he was going to let me go. I was really confused! Did he really love me?

Chase wanted me to find true love again, to find some pup who would love me more than he ever did. That was hard, he did love me a lot! But I'm sure whoever it was, they would do the same as well. Is that good, Chase? Are you glad I'm happy again?

I still visit him, every three days to place flowers on his grave. I would sit, tell him about my days and Zuma would come join me. We would talk for hours, us and Chase, feeling as if he was there. It was quite nice, Zuma coming along with me to talk to him. He made it feel like it was okay to miss him, okay to still cry and mourn him.

I want to thank Zuma, somehow. I want to show that I appreciate what he did to help make me feel better. I was a rainy cloud, crying buckets of rain and glooming around. He was like the sunshine, scaring my fears and sadness away, and making my depressing day a happy one. Being my sunshine is a hard job, since I'm as stubborn as hell. But he made it though this war game of mine, coming out with me as the champion of my nightmares.

The chocolate Lab was a hard pup to thank. He was pretty closed off about his preferances, and pretty much off limits to flirt with, according to Skye.…. What? Skye did say he was too sweet to be flirted with accidentally, too chill to understand what flirting even is. Hmmm, he loves nature, so maybe something related to nature and the sea?

How about taking him to see the flock of pink tailed geese fly south? Yes, believe it or not, pink tailed geese live here, in Adventure bay. Every year they leave to go south for the winter and the sight is dazzling. All the plumes of their feathers, the sum reflecting on them brilliantly in shades of rose, salmon, and Cupid pink. Come to think of it, I think it's tomorrow? Well, I hope Zuma likes it!

I smiled, getting up from my pup house and using the light from the moon to find my brave saviour's pup house. This is my thank you, for everything.

EVERYPUP POV

"Hey Zuma, would you like to go to the mainland with me tomorrow? I already asked Ryder and he said it was fine." Marshall had knocked on the chocolate Lab's orange pup door, prompting the sleepy pup to wake up. He did, as soon as he saw Marshall for the first time since forever with EXCITEMENT in those sparkling blue hues. What was going on? Hmm, going to the mainland would be fun, and he could get to be with Marshall as well.

"Okay, that sounds fun!" He grinned sleepily back at Marshall, who smiled happily back. "See you then?"

"Actually... I was wondering if I could sleep with you... My nightmares are coming back, and they're still as terrifying... " The spotted Dally whimpered a bit, to emphasize his point. He didn't need to, as Zuma already began making space for him.

"Suwe, come on in, Mawsh." The spotted Dally happily went in and snuggled up close to the Lab, feeling safe and warm with Zuma by his side.

"Thanks Zumi…..night…" Yawning, Marshall fell asleep, peacefully off to dreamland. Zuma glanced at him, a bit shocked and blushing.

'Did he just call me Zumi?' Marshall NEVER called him that, he only called Chase a nickname. So what does that mean?

When the sun shone its morning rays over the sleepy town of Adventure Bay, the two paw patrol dogs were already half way to the mainland. They were going to go by ferry with all the other passengers, but had decided last minute to use Zuma's hovercraft.

The orange water boat sped across the water, wind and water blowing into their faces. Marshall still was kinda sleepy, so he leaned against Zuma's soft brown fur, the wind blowing his ears back.

Zuma himself was caught between crossroads. What was Marshall doing? Did he even know how crazy he drove him, not being able to show his affections? Should he act on his impulses? HIs already confused mind was now spinning in circles, still trying to maintain control on driving.

Thankfully, they arrived in one piece at the mainland harbor. After carefully docking, the two started walking towards the beach, the morning sun warming their pelts. Marshall was quite awake now, smiling and lightly joking with Zuma. The water pup joked back, feeling quite content beside him. He was glad, no make that happy, that Marshall was back to his regular self. His protective caring side couldn't help but come out as well, though.

"WOAH!" As the fire pup tumbled forward, having tripped over a traffic cone (seriously, who puts a traffic cone right there?) a pair of paws strongly grasped his shoulders pulling him up.

"T-thanks Zuma!" Marshall breathlessly whispered, prompting an eyebrow raise from his rescuer.

"You better be more careful, you know?" Yip, there's his protective side…..sometimes he hated it, like now. Marshall was old enough to be responsible for his own actions, much less not be chastised by his best friend!

"I know…." He smiled sheepishly, then turned forwards again.

The beach was pretty clear of people, most of them having many other jobs to do on this Monday. That left the whole sandy beach to themselves, free for them do anything they wanted.

Zuma looked closely at Marshall, concerned about him. The spotted dog was pawing the sand, head down, thinking of Chase again. He had to make Marsh better, he had to!

"Tag?" Marshall looked up, meeting eyes with a hesitant Zuma. One of his choco paws was touching him on his shoulder gently, as if it reassure him he was there to help. Playing tag was a pretty good idea, though. It would help him stop being so sad...

"You're on."Marshall started chasing the lab, barely giving him enough time to make s rum for it. The two chased each other around and around the beach, until they were too tired and plopped down in the sand.

"I.. Won..." Marshall said between pants of air. Zuma tiredly smiled back, feeling happy and content just lying next to his adorable best friend. Should he tell him of his feelings? Will he freak out? This was becoming harder and harder...gah!

Luckily, he didn't have to answer right at that moment, since the birds had appeared. The elegant, beautiful feathered friends flew slowly above them, letting their pink feathers catch the sunlight. They were quite the sassy birds, as they purposely turned back around for the two to see it again. A feather, the shade of a light rose, fell from them as they went back into their flying pattern heading towards the south. The little gift had landed on Marshall's nose, and that caused him to sneeze uncontrollably.

Zuma had to hide his growing grin behind his brown paw as Marshall struggled to blow the feather off himself. It wasn't working, though, it only caused the Dally to sneeze harder. Zuma was just about to sneak up behind Marshall to pick the feather off when Marshall let out a HUGE sneeze that caused him to fall backwards into Zuma. Rolling around and around, they finally stopped with the Lab grinning at the top.

Marshall grinned back at the cute lab, but he certainly wasn't expecting the water pup to kiss him on the lips. It had been a while since he was kissed...

Bliss.

That was what was on Zuma's mind as he kissed Marshall. Then suddenly he remembered who he was and broke the connection. Eyes wide in shock and embarrassment, he staggered off the Dally and ran away, towards the shops along the beach. Marshall stared after him, dumbfounded for a second, then started to give chase after Zuma.

"Wait, Zuma! Come back!"

Heh heh... I left it off there... *grins evily*

Aren't you all wanting to know what happens to our lovers next? Well, you better continue reading!

Yes, I put this note here, just because! ;)

Zuma will be more emotional here, just saying.

Now, back to the story!

Zuma ran, ran as his paws could carry him. Oh, he was so so stupid! Why would he ever risk his friendship like that?! Kissing Marshall was a bad idea, for sure.

"Wait, Zuma! Come back!" Marshall cried out, making the lab run more faster. "Oh slag... "

"Just leave me alone, I'm done with it!" Zuma hissed out, Marshall being too far away to hear. Tears started to blur his vision, and he began to head off the sidewalk towards the speeding cars.

"ZUMA STOP!" The Dally cried out as he tackled him to the ground, inches from the cars. He didn't waste any time, hauling the limp lab off to the sidewalk.

When they were finally safe, he whirled around to glare at the ashamed dog. "What were you thinking, doing something like that! You had me so worried! So you finally kiss me, and you run away? That's not the brave Zuma I know! Hey, look at me?" Holding up Zuma's chin, Marshall smiled reassuringly. "Don't look so sad, it's okay! I'm not mad or anything!"

"No... It's not you...it's me."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Moving into a sitting position, the two stared at each other. One thoughtfully and one confusedly, while pedestrians went by them. This wasn't a great place to talk...

Back at the beach, Marshall motioned for Zuma to go on with his sentence. Zuma sighed, then told his secret, buried for years now.

"From the start, I liked you, a lot. You were here before me, along with Chase. After seeing him as well, I knew I couldn't compete with a pup who's known you most of his life, I only knew you from six months old. For me, seeing you everyday was enough for me, to admire your beauty from afar and to hear your jokes and puns in the elevator. I accepted that you were taken by Chase, and I would be a fool to challenge that. You are way more than you think you are, so kind, caring, loving, honest and so so... Perfect. I made myself a promise to help you, not fall in love with you all over again. I guess I broke that today..."

"I like you a lot." Zuma snapped his head up in shock, staring at the Dally. "Huh?"

"I'm just practicing the way it rolls off my tongue. But it's true, I do like you a lot. Maybe not from the start as lovers, but now, we could be? I really want to thank you though, being with me through this hard time. Without you helping me, I probably wouldn't even be alive right now! You were my rock to cry on, my shoulder to lean on. Thank you for helping me recover. Chase really was a good pup, and he helped me be who I am now, to face the future proudly. You are my future, Zuma, if you don't mind me saying. You made me... Myself again, all while showing your true colours, making you selfless and caring. So yes, you are my saviour, my angel who saved me. Thank you."

Zuma sat there in shock, slowly digesting the confession of sorts. He broke out of it, and rushed over to Marshall to give him a bone crushing hug.

"Thanks for saying that... I really needed to hear that.." Marshall kissed the top of his head in response. "It's about time we were honest with ourselves, too."

"Yeah, it is huh?"

"Yip." Turning towards each other, they smiled affectionately as Marshall leaned forward. "So are we... "

"Do you want to be?" If the nod wasn't an indication already, the kiss placed on his lips proved that yes, Marshall liked him. In that way. And that was all that mattered.

High up in the clouds of heaven, Chase smiled down at those two, his smile like a permission to go on with their make out session. Indeed, he did give his permission, and he was happy Marshall found some pup who loved him just as much as he did, perhaps more.

That's the thing with love. You can't control it and hide it away, you have to face it and be honest to yourself.

"And them both, till death do them part, will remain true to each other, and care for the other when in need. This love shall last forever, till the end of time."

Chase smiled down at them once more, once again just a shimmering shadow. He has fulfilled his hope, and now he can rest peacefully, knowing that Marshall now has a knight in shining armour once more, to protect him. It worked out for everyone!

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi! 2starryeyes here!

I'm so sorry! I forgot to include this one in my flurry, and I hope Humphreryalpha isn't mad? :/

I hoped you guys liked it though!

As always, fav'ing and reviewing give me encouragement! I love y'all for reading! :D

Since we are nearing December, I thought it would be pretty nice to do a little drabble countdown to Christmas, don't you think? That's basicallywhat's going on now, as well as my ongoing requests:

-MarshallxRocky (fun one for horselover020619)

-MarshallxRocky (emotional one for marcogalmich)

-Continuation for Broken pieces (for guest)

-MarshallxChase, ZumaxRocky, and RubblexSkye (for SASSYCAT)

...that's a lot of requests! But then again, I've had more... I HOPEFULLY will get them done soon, but who knows! ;)

Until you hear from me again!

~2starryeyes :D