AN: I decided to post this a day earlier because I'll be really busy tomorrow and I might forget. Before people ask, yes I am planning on posting Everest Gone Missing sometime this month now that Falling For My Best Friend is done. The story between Zuma's Fear and Courage will be a little bit longer.
Disclaimer: I don't known Paw Patrol
The mission didn't require Zuma to help out, but Ryder's rules were that you weren't allowed to leave the Lookout until the mission was over just in case you were needed. All Zuma could do was just daydream about Misty and the kiss they shared. He never imagined that out of all the pups he would be the first to get an actual girlfriend. Despite Adventure Bay being a popular place for dogs and cat owners, there weren't a lot of other friends the Paw Patrol had despite their fame. They met other dogs and cats, but they always kept to their own group.
Romance was something that had been teased as few times, like how he and Rocky once volunteered to be Skye's "Prince Charming" during Halloween as a joke. There was also Chase's obvious crush on Skye though it was still unsure if she knew of it. Plus, Rocky said there were some hints that Everest and Marshall were liking each other more than friends but both were obvious to what they were feeling for each other.
And yet here he was, the second youngest, with his own girlfriend. Sure he had only met her in one day, but Zuma liked to be quick about his actions and it just felt so right to be with Misty.
Even when the mission was over and the pups ate and went to bed, all Zuma could think about was how he was going to spend his time with Misty. He thought about telling the others about her, but decided to keep it a secret for now.
The next day, Zuma met Misty again at the same pier they met and decided to explore Adventure Bay a bit more. Well, explore at least for Misty. She had dozens of questions ranging from cars to shops to even the purpose of a fire hydrant. Zuma in turned asked Misty about the ocean. She knew more about it then even Zuma did such as what types of fish there were, coral, and how to tell when storms were coming hours ahead of time.
The two also made sure to nuzzle or lick the cheek of the other, always with a giggle or a smile. They soon came to one of Zuma's favorite places to hang out: the playground. Misty had never been in one but was soon having the time of her life.
She laughed like a little kid as Zuma pushed her on the swings, letting her ears flop around in the air. She even jumped and did a flip before landing on her paws perfectly. Zuma applauded her and then she dragged him out to the sandbox. Working together, they made a great sand castle of a design that Zuma never saw before. When asked what they should call it, Misty said "Puplantis".
They then played on the jungle gym until the sun started to go down. Tired from their adventure, they sat on the top of the slide and nuzzled each other while watching the sun go down. "This was a lot of fun," said Misty, sighing. "I wish we could stay here forever."
"Me too," said Zuma, as he looked at his girlfriend. The two of them smirked before kissing each other, lasting longer then their previous times. Even though he had done this more than once, Zuma felt like each kiss was new and fresh. Like they were falling in love again for the first time.
"You said you were a wild dog once?" asked Misty, breaking the kiss.
"Yeah, I never knew my pawents," said Zuma with a shrug. "I mostly wandered awound until Wyder adopted me. He's like my Dad, you know? And all the other pups are my siblings."
"I got family," whispered Misty, sighing but looking sad.
"Wait, why are you here then and now with them?" asked Zuma, tilting his head.
"I just needed a break… be on my own… they can be very protective of me, but I can take care of myself!" shouted Misty with puffed cheeks.
"Are they far away?" asked Zuma, wanting to know more about his girlfriend. He had heard that some wild dogs form and join packs like wolves, but he never saw one himself.
"Very. It would take at least two weeks to get there," said Misty.
"What do they do?" asked Zuma.
Misty took some time to think about it and stated rubbing her paw nervously. "Well, my dad is like one of our leaders. We have a leader, but he's one of the groups that helps and supports him. My big brother is a warrior, but we don't see him often since he's always busy. And my mother…" she took a deep breath and looked saddened. "My mother died when I was young… in an accident caused by humans. It's why my dad doesn't trust them."
"I'm sorry," whispered Zuma as he nuzzled her while a few tears leaked from her eyes. "I guess I can't blame you for hating humans if that happened."
"I don't hate humans," answered Misty, shaking her head. "I never blamed them for my mother's death. From what I hear it was an accident. I've actually been curious about sur-I mean civilized life for a long time." She smiled as bright as the rays of the sinking sun. "And I love everything about it so far… and I love you, Zuma."
Zuma turned red as he soon began to smile just as bright. "I love you too, Misty."
The two leaned in for another kiss and continued to watch the sun sink.
This week had been the best Zuma had ever had. For the past five days since he met her, Zuma had spent each of them with Misty and became more and more in love with her each time. They ate, played, and swam together when they weren't kissing. Zuma didn't know if love came this fast, but even if it didn't he didn't want it to end.
The two of them were wrestling in the sand, trying to see who could get on top when Misty finally pinned Zuma down. "Gotcha! You're at my mercy, Zuma."
"Oh, and what howible thing will you do to me," asked Zuma with a grin.
Misty's response was to kiss him as hard as she could which Zuma responded by wrapping his paws around her barrel and bring her closer. That's when he heard a familiar voice cry out, "Wow! We figured you had a new friend, but not like this!"
Zuma gasped as he jumped up, Misty rolling the sand before getting up as well. His five best friends were there grinning at him with knowing looks and a few blushes on their cheeks from seeing the make out session. "What are you guys doing here?"
"You've been spending a lot of time alone, so we figured we'd follow you," said Chase, as he eyes Misty with a smile. "We thought you found a new playmate. We just didn't know it was a different set of play."
Zuma blushed as Misty, who was hiding behind him and looking confused, gently turned to her and said, "It's okay, this is my team. The ones I told you about." He turned to his friends. "Evewyone? This is Misty, my, uh, girlfriend."
Marshall, being the ever lovable and friendly guy that he was, rushed over first and held out his paw. Misty slowly began to shake it. "Nice to meet you, Misty! I'm Marshall, Paw Patrol's Fire Pup! I hope we can be friends!"
Marshall gave his signature cheery smile which, as always, made everyone nearby smile just as bright. It was kind of contagious but in a good way. "Nice to meet you too. Is it true that you always cause crashes in the elevator? Zuma's told me a lot about those," said Misty, giggle at the dumpfounded expression on his face.
"W-what?! No, well not all the time…" chuckled Marshall, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh, yeah? Last rescue you ended up landing on Chase's face with your butt," said Rocky which made everyone laugh but Chase, who was still trying to forget the smell, and Marshall who just nervously giggled. Walking forward, Rocky nodded and shook paws with Misty. "Name's Rocky. I fix things for the Paw Patrol. Zuma's like my best friend so I hope you treat him right."
"You're the one afraid of water, right?" asked Misty, which earned her a nod. "I've never met anyone scared of the ocean. It's so beautiful and amazing."
"Yup, this is Zuma's girlfriend alright," joked Rocky with a small laugh.
Skye was next as she barked a bit before shaking paws. "I'm Skye! I'm the Flying Pup of Paw Patrol!"
"When Zuma told me you could fly I thought he was joking," said Misty with wide and excited eyes. "Can you really fly?!"
"Yup! I'll show you some time with my wings!" said Skye as she looked pleased at the thought of showing off her skills in the air.
Chase was the next one to come forward and puffed his chest out. "Officer Chase of Paw Patrol reporting for duty, ma'am. If you have trouble, just yelp for help and I'll be there."
"Officer? So you're a guard?" asked Misty, tilting her head.
"I guess that's one way to put it," said Chase, shrugging his shoulders.
"And I'm Rubble! Nice to meet ya, Misty!" said Rubble as he came up and shook paws enthusiastically with her. "When were you going to come to the Lookout and show us your girlfriend, Zuma?"
"Uh," Zuma tried thinking of an excuse, "Um, soon?"
"Why not tomorrow? We can invite Everest and Jake and the whole gang can be there!" said Marshall, jumping in excitement.
"Sure! Sounds like fun, I'd like to meet the rest of Zuma's family," said Misty with a smile. "He's told me so much about you that it would be nice to meet you all."
"Oh, really? What has he told you about us?" asked Rubble with a smirk.
"Well, he says how Chase and Marshall are like his big brothers. Skye and this Everest pup are his big sisters. Rocky and Rubble are his best friends, and your owner, Ryder, is like his dad."
The pups were shocked by this and slowly turned to a blushing Zuma who was pawing the sand. It wasn't that he was bothered by Misty spilling his true feelings, he just felt so embarrassed by that. "You… really see us as your real family?" asked Chase as a warm smile began to decorate on his face as well as the others.
"Well, yeah," confessed Zuma, smiling back. "I love you guys. I wouldn't twade you for anything in the wowld."
"Ah, come give your big brother a hug!" shouted Marshall as he tackled Zuma and squeezed him tight to the point where he was turning blue. "I've always wanted to be the big brother!"
"Hey, I'm his big brother too!" said Chase, getting in on the hug.
"Don't forget the big sister! Arf!" yelled Skye, getting in on the hug.
"Us too! We want hugs!" shouted Rocky and Rubble who laughed and piled on.
Misty saw the whole thing and giggled at Zuma's expression as he felt his organs slowly caving in on themselves. Still, he wouldn't deny he liked the attention.