Author's Note: Again, thank you for all the reviews. I'm glad that people like this story. This chapter is slightly different in that it doesn't contain a mature theme, but I need it for the next few chapters I'm working on. Development of story or something. (Also, some people have been asking what my profile picture is. It's from Japanese anime cartoon "Doraemon: Nobita and the New Great Haunts of Evil". I don't think there's an English version, but it's on Youtube.)
I don't believe it, but Chase has finally managed to ask Skye out for a romantic dinner. Chase calls it a "discussion on recent events" but it is soooo a date. I'm in the lookout staring at them where they've set up a table, wondering whether I should use my water cannon on them, or just jump off the balcony. No, that latter option isn't possible. I'm too short. Curse Ryder and his overly tall guard rail.
Ryder's lying down where he usually is with no mission, those weirdo beanbag chairs that feel like you're in a tsunami when you're on them. "Hey Ryder," I walk over to him, "Can't you fucking stop Skye and Chase from fucking?"
Ryder scowls a bit. "I told you not to use those words, Marshall. Besides, they're not doing anything."
"Right, because a romantic dinner totally does not lead to them having rough sex in the middle of the night." Ryder gets out his binoculars and looks down at Skye and Chase. "They're just having a discussion over dinner, Marshall. I mean, you can even hear them. Chase is asking Skye on how he can improve his honing skills; I mean, Skye is the aerial lookout, after all." I decide to take a deep breath and resist pushing Ryder off the balcony.
"Ryder, you're a fucking idiot sometimes. I know you've never felt the comfort of another woman but that doesn't mean it's not happening with those two right now. They love each other, I'm the third wheel, I'm bloody pissed right now and you're standing here with that goofy smile plastered on your face." Ryder opens his mouth as if to say something but just walks back into the lookout, face blank. Maybe I came off a bit too strong; I could tell I struck a nerve with Ryder.
"Wow. I never knew how much of an ass you can be, Marshall." I turn around and wouldn't you know it, Rocky is standing there. Great. Sure, let's all just come and make fun of the Dalmatian.
"What on earth are you doing here, Rocky?"
"I came up to ask if you wanted to go for a swim with Zuma. He wants to play water polo and – just – ew, water. But then I hear you insulting Ryder. You're mean, you know that?"
"I'm not mean! Ryder and I, we just have a few issues to sort out, that's all."
"You know the PAW Patrol can't function if its members are disagreeing over themselves, right? You like Chase, but you never pursue it and now you're taking it out on Ryder. Douche." Something just snapped inside of me then, and – I'm not proud of myself for what I did – but I punched Rocky in the face. It's never healed; you can still see the bruise on his eye. Yeah, that's not his fur.
Rocky backs away, his paw over his eye. "Ow…fuck! What the hell, Marshall?" At the same time, Ryder comes out of his room. "What's all the commotion?"
"Marshall punched me!"
"He started it!"
Ryder points to the elevator. "Marshall, I've had enough. First you insult me, then you punch Rocky. I'm relieving you of your duty until you calm down."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Get the FUCK out of here and don't come back until you've got that temper of yours sorted!" Rocky looks over at Ryder since it's the first time he heard him swear. "Here, Rocky, let me take a look at that eye." I storm off to the elevator and try to give them the finger, but it's not possible with paws. Exasperated, I stick out my tongue instead.
I really hate my life sometimes.