It's a beautiful morning in Camden, London. The birds are chirping, the wind is whistling, and the sun barely touches the horizon, gleaming a bright orange glow across the land. And yet, one dog laying on a beanbag within his treehouse stares up at the ceiling pensively. The moment he returned home last night, he begin trying to clean some of the murky bath water excess from their fence. But he nearly stumbled into it as he dozed off, so Dylan went to bed early instead. Dylan hops off the beanbag, gently opens the door, and climbs down the steps to his treehouse. Now's the perfect time to get rid of the gunk (while also procrastinating his feelings for Clarissa).

With a hose and a firm towel, Dylan begins working on the bottom half of the fence. He splashes the fence with a horizontal line of clean water, then scrubs vertically with a sort of motion. Dylan feels his hips sway back and forth as he scrubs the fences like a sort of dance. Soon enough, he catches a consistent rhythm, gyrating around the backyard without a care in the world. Until he trips over the hose and smashes against the dirty fence, that is. Slightly irritated, Dylan finishes scrubbing the fence and decides to bathe. Surely, his confession wouldn't go swimmingly if the Dalmatian appears as though he enjoys dumpster diving.

The quiet thump of the back door makes Dylan's fur stand on its ends. A cacophony of Dalmatian snores fills the room every other breath, so Dylan slinks towards the bathroom between each snore. Just as his paw reaches for the door, a small exhale is heard behind him.

"Dylan Dalmatian…" Delilah whispers. "What has gotten into you? You're soiled in dirt and runny makeup! You haven't been up to something naughty, have you, sweets?"

"No, no, mum!" Dylan waves his paws. "See, there's this awful poodle that's been stalking me in secrecy, and the only way I could get her to stop was to dress like this and ask directly to her face." Dylan smiles wiggly, hoping his fib worked.

Delilah furls her brow. "If you're going to fib, at least make it believable, son…Listen, if you fancy that poodle, I don't mind it. I just don't want you changing who you are to fit in!"

"Mum, I'm telling the truth. Ask Dolly when she wakes up!" Dylan shakes his head. "I definitely do not have a crush on that poodle. N-not anymore at least. I have eyes for…someone else. Maybe you'll meet her s-soon?" Dylan shrinks.

"Hmhm. Out of ninety-nine kids, you manage to be the most awkward, Dylan!" Delilah heads towards the kitchen. "Whoever this mystery girl is, I look forward to meeting her, sweets. Oh, by the by, you been in Dante's wardrobe? I don't remember you being into spiked collars."

Dylan sighs as he enters the bathroom, looking at the spiked collar in the mirror. He removes the collar and places it on the cabinet as he runs the bath. He stares back at the collar once more. Dylan hopes he never has to be Danny ever again. What good is being dark and empty if you don't have the passion for creativity and exploration? He stretches as the water grows warmer. He gently enters the bath, letting the doggy-suds soak his fur. Dylan hopes his fur will glisten and shine, but he doesn't have much hope with bulk-bought shampoo.

After thoroughly scrubbing his fur and paws of makeup, Dylan wades in the bath water. He stares into the corner of the bathroom, thinking about what he'll say when he meets with Clarissa. What happens if Clarissa is still embarrassed by his presence? Or if she didn't really believe the apology from his siblings and the dog of his problems? What if…

"You're stalling, Dylan." A squeaky voice echoes.

"Ahh!" Dylan splashes in the water. "Drake, what the dog? I nearly jumped out of my fur!"

"Yes, well, you really are stalling," Drake replies. "I was drifting off back to dreamland, an' I kept hearing what sounded like your voice goin' 'What if? What if? What if?' like a broken toy. Now I can't sleep no more," Drake pouts.

"Sorry, Drake, I guess you're right…" Dylan hops out of the bath, pulling the plug. "I got something important to do. Why don't you brush your teeth, and then meet with Mum in the kitchen?" Dylan grabs the spiked collar, not even realizing he is putting it back on.

Drake yawns. "Okay…"

Dylan blushes a deep red as he goes to brush his teeth after Drake. Is he really this torn about the situation? Maybe overthinking it would make it more difficult. Maybe things will work out if he just tries being himself. Dylan ponders grabbing a bite to eat before heading over, but decides not to. He walks back towards the backdoor, gently pushing through it. He looks over at the tunnel leading into Clarissa's yard, deciding against it. Only one other option lies ahead of him. Dylan latches onto the fence, carefully using his shorter claws to scale it. As he reaches the top…

Boop! Ahh! Oof!

Dylan lands fit on his bottom. Something soft and wet bashed against his nose, surprising him enough that he lost his balance. The "something" on the other side of the fence growls loudly.

"How rude! Whoever did that, you will come to understand that one will not tolerate it!" Clarissa yells.

Dylan tilts his head. "C-Clarissa?"

"Dylakins- Pardon moi," Clarissa clears her throat. "It's you! What luck you must have. If it were anyone else, they'd be having an earful!"

"Uh, yeah! W-what were you doing climbing the fence?"

"One could ask you the same thing!"

Both dogs yell at once: "Coming over to talk to you!"

Suddenly, Hugo and Delilah shush from their doors, furling a brow at their respective backyard dogs. Dylan suggests that Clarissa climbs over to his yard, which she reluctantly attempts. As she reaches the top, her stubby back legs get fur caught against the top of the fence. Clarissa struggles to free herself, and before she could, she nearly falls nose-first into the ground. With quick thinking, Dylan catches her to the best of his ability (that is, allowing her to land on his body). After shaking off the pain, the two dogs awkwardly glance at one another. They sit so that only a part of them faces the other dog.

Dylan chuckles nervously. "So, heh…uh, how've you been, 'Rissa?"

"Mostly grand, if you must know." She raises her snoot into the air.

"Oh. Mostly?"

"Well, obviously one missed spending time with you, Dalmatian!" She turns to him. "One bore her fangs at a dog who did not deserve it, so one formally apologizes to you! Oh!" She looks at his collar. "Dylan, have you become a hooligan?"

"What?" He looks down at his collar. "Ohhh, not at all! This is my brother's, I forgot to swap back to my old one. And no worries, Clarissa. Wait, you believed Dolly, Dante, and other?"

Clarissa grimaces. "Should one have not? One had them vow with a trust exercise: if one pours tea on their backs without protest, one can determine the validity of their words."

"Huh. That explains the tea," Dylan smirks. "And of course you should have! I only have eyes for…well, y-you." He blushes deeply.

"Oh?" Clarissa titters, her face paralleling Dylan's in redness.

"And I was so wimpy, I nearly compromised what we have, all because I didn't want to seem like a bad dog. I'm sorry." He lowers his head.

"You've certainly been a naughty dog. But one shares your folly. What good is reputation if one burns the bridge that matters the most?"

"S-so that means…"

Clarissa inches closer until her nose is mere centimeters from Dylan's. Her face is the same as it was the previous times she looked at him that way. The warm, lovely smile, the glistening sparkle in Clarissa's eyes. Yes, Dylan finally understood it one hundred percent. It's not just affection. It's love. "Yes, Dylakins. One fancies you, above all else~ And now that one knows the feelings are mutual…" She leans a little upward, closing her eyes gently as she titters.

"O-oh!" Dylan's eyes go wide. He tries to prepare himself in the few seconds he is blessed with. He breathes a deep breath, not realizing that air blows in Clarissa's face.

"Oh, come now, Dylakins!" She huffs. Clarissa leans even closer, licking the edge of Dylan's nose gently. She bats her eyelashes at him as he stares in surprise.

Dylan shudders. "Y-y'know what? Fine!" Dylan puts his paws behind Clarissa's ears, and pulls her face in. He laps her face over and over, not realizing that his saliva nearly coats her entire face.

"D-Dylan! One adores the lovings, but-" Clarissa shakes her entire body, knocking Dylan's paws off of her. "That is NOT how I expected my first kiss to go, hmhm. Oh well, it's one to never forget! It probably will take hours, no days to wash it off!"

"Hah! You're starting to sound like me!"

"Really? Well, now…" She creeps towards Dylan. "Perhaps it's YOUR TURN!" She pounces on him, giving him the same licking frenzy. Dylan laughs and begs for mercy, which Clarissa refuses until his face is as soaked as her own. After enough protests, Clarissa rolls off of him onto her back, looking up at the clouds. Dylan stays put, wiping away some of the saliva.

"Ahh, look at us~," Clarissa sighs. "Acting like a couple of pups! One could get used to this."

Dylan smiles. "Even the slobber?"

"Mm. Maybe not that bit. One mostly refers to loving you, darling~."

"Yeah…hey, if you're not busy, why not come and reintroduce yourself to fam? After that shouting match, they're probably all up! And if Dolly's up, she's probably inviting the Prince over. You're okay with that, right? Oh, and if you want anything in parti-"

"Cease, Dylakins, please, hahah," Clarissa laughs. "One is available right now, but one has requested Arabella and Prunella's presence at noon. One invites you to attend for their formal apology, and so that one can properly introduce you."

Dylan glances over at Clarissa with a loving glance. "I'll be there, Your Grace~ Though, I guess I should call you the Duchess of Dalmatia instead, huh? Heheh."

Clarissa turns over on her tummy to face him. "…Y'know, one did keep a single copy of our marriage certificate…therefore, the title is fitting, is it not?"

"Wait, what!?"

Before the sun rises above Dalmatian Street, Dylan and Clarissa head inside the Dalmatian household to have breakfast and introduce the Corgi as Dylan's technical spouse. As Dawkins tinkers with the kibble machine, tens of Dalmatians line the hallways with bowls in their mouths. But they all turn to address the non-Dalmatian's presence. Clarissa quietly yelps, briefly shrinking away. Delilah and Doug lean over the kitchen table, coming out to see what is going on.

Dizzy smiles with glee. "Oi! It's Ms.-" Clarissa and Dylan flinch. "-Riveting Roundy from next door!"

"Well, it's a minor improvement…". Clarissa lowers her ears.

Dylan stands with frail confidence. "Mum, Dad, f-fam…this is my significant other. Clarissa from next door!"

"Technically, we are wedded." Clarissa shrugs. "Salutations, Dalmatian, umm… 'fam'. One understands any confusion when considering how often one attempted to have you removed from your home. For that, I, Clarissa Corgi, formerly apologize. One does not expect hugs, but one-"

Dylan shrinks. "Uh-oh."

"Hugs? Hugs! Hugs?" Nearly a hundred Dalmatians repeat. Before Clarissa can react, a mountain of pups land on top of her. Dylan pulls her out from beneath the puppy pile, readjusting her fur.

"Hey-hey! A trigger word! You already fit in so much, neighbor!" Doug chuckles heartily. "Wait, did she say 'wedded'?"

Delilah smirks. "So, this is who you fancy? Well, I suppose even princess powder puffs need princes."

"Oh! How rude!" Clarissa whines. "And yet, well deserved."

"Jus' having a laugh, sweets. I think it's wonderful! It's funny, really. I didn't expect two of my children to be wedded to Corgis."

Dylan and Clarissa gasp. "Two!?"

Suddenly, Dolly struts into the room, wearing an extremely fancy collar. To her side waddles in Prince Flapjack, a smile so big that all of his teeth show. Clarissa faints onto a pile of Dalmatian pups as most of the other dogs laugh. Dylan retrieves his normal collar, wafting the soothing scents to Clarissa's nostrils.

Dylan shakes his head. "At least you two will have a royal ceremony! We'll try not to be jealous with our measly paperwork, Princess bark-breath!"

Dolly laughs. "Hah! You're actin' like Clarissa won't demand a similar event, Duke of slobbered-faces!"

The room roars with laughter. Soon after, the kitchen fills to the brim with a royal Corgi, a royal-by-adjacent relation Corgi, and one hundred and one Dalmatians. The kibble machine rumbles wildly as it fills bowls with kibble-cakes. As Dylan and Clarissa's bowls come up, they look at one another with loving smiles. They look back at everyone else, who already began stuffing their faces with kibble. Hidden in plain sight, Dylan and Clarissa exchange licks as they squeeze their way close to Dolly and Prince Flapjack, burying their faces in kibble-cakes.

That evening...

A blanket of stars warms the unusually sleepy Camden town. Dogs, cats, and pet humans are already fast asleep, the sounds of their snores tailing a ride within the winds. Well, most dogs are asleep, anyway. Inside a rather homely treehouse nests a Dalmatian and a Corgi snuggling together on a comfy beanbag. The Corgi lays her head on the Dalmatian's back, licking his fur damp despite the spotted dog's protests.

Dylan sighs. "'Rissa, you really don't have to. I'll just get up early and shower before everyone gets up."

"Nonsense!" Clarissa chirps. "One wanted petty revenge, but it did not feel gratifying. Therefore, it is ones duty mend your wounds."

"Wounds? Wait, do I have a hotspot or something!?"

"Wounds to your pride and dignity, darling~ One would be a rather callous spouse to leave you muddled with cold tea."

"Ah." Dylan rolls onto his back, looking into Clarissa's eyes. "You're so sweet when you wanna be, Queenie~"

Clarissa follows suit, laying her head on his chest, gazing at Dylan lovingly. "Don't say that…I will always be sweet as sugar to you, Dylakins~"

The dogs rub their noses together, giggling and cooing at each other. Their tails nearly wag off their behinds as they embrace one another. Dylan pants, loosing his tongue in front of Clarissa's nose with a breathy exhale. She bats her eyelashes in response, and leans in close to her husband. This time, the Dalmatian brushes his tongue across Clarissa's nose with a careful, calculated lap. Clarissa chuckles, but her mouth wiggles with worry.

Dylan smirks, "Oh? Is your highness unsatisfied?"

"No, no, it's not that, Dylakins, really." Clarissa looks off into the distant night sky, several clouds billowing through the darkness. "One…umm, apologies. One was thinking about our history, ones own and your fam. A-and, er, well…gah, what is it that makes this so difficult!"

"W-woah, hey!" Dylan taps Clarissa's back. "Ohh, it must be something big if it has you like this. I won't force you to say anything, 'Rissa."

Clarissa shakes his paw off of her. "Ah, silence, Dylan! I must endure this! One…one apologizes for past conflicts. If one knew that one would learn to love you like this, one would have never tried to get you and your fam evicted so often! Imagine if one succeeded! Then…then…I am truly sorry, Dylan!"

"Oh, is that it?" Dylan chuckles. "'Rissa, I assumed that after you helped us, you already used that to mend the collars!"

Clarissa's face burns red. Dylan covers his mouth with a paw, trying to hold back laughter. Clarissa jumps up, standing over Dylan. "Why did you let moi kneel over like that!? One should gnaw your nose off for that, you…you…!?"

"…Ruff-raff?"

Clarissa huffs, jumping off of Dylan onto a separate beanbag. She sits facing away from Dylan, nose sky high with her eyes closed. Dylan rolls onto his feet, shaking the sleepiness out of his fur as he tries sitting next to the Corgi. She huffs again, moving towards the window with the same high-class expression. Dylan follows her to the window, sitting down next to her. He leans his head against her own.

"You're not really mad at me, are you?" Dylan whines.

Clarissa sighs, "Of course not, Dylakins. One is simply not well-versed in vulnerability, even with you."

"If it makes you feel better, the fam and I also have plenty to apologize for. We're not the best neighbors on Dalmatian street…"

"I imagine you have more enemies than I, hmhm," Clarissa chuckles. "One thanks you for listening attentively. One must make a conscious effort for their dearly beloved."

"T-that's good, 'Rissa. I love that you're willing to be a little uncomfortable for our sake. That just means I need to be more open with you too! Then our love for each other will be stro-oh!" Dylan's cut off by a tongue smacking across his nose.

"I love you, Dylakins~" Clarissa embraces her husband.

Dylan places a paw on Clarissa's head, awkwardly attempting to hug her back. "I love you too, 'Rissa."

Dylan and Clarissa squeeze each other tightly, enjoying the warmth in their hug. The wind whistles past the treehouse while the stars twinkle beautifully. Dylan thinks about grabbing a throw blanket, deciding otherwise in case it ruins his moment with Clarissa. Clarissa leans in closer, hoping that the moment lasts forever…or at least another few minutes. Eventually, the two end their embrace, settling for leaning against each other.

Clarissa clears her throat. "Dylakins?"

"Yes, Queenie?"

"This is a silly thought, and it must be due to the intoxicating feeling in the room, but…what do you think our pups would look like? I-in a hypothetical manner, of course!" Clarissa shies away, her tail tapping against Dylan's in a wagging frenzy.

"W-what?!" Dylan smiles a wiggly smile. "I dunno!? Heheh…but if that ever happens, maybe they would have your sharps ears and pronounced snout, and my gangly legs."

Clarissa places a paw over her nose, feeling slightly embarrassed. "One appreciates the compliments to ones features, at least…"

"How about you?"

"Oh! Well, our beautiful figment offspring would definitely have your prominent brows. Oh yes, and your rustic teeth."

"Hey…"

"It's only fair, darling~" Clarissa bats her lashes.

"I guess so. What made you think of pups, Queenie? Personally, I don't think we're there yet, but you can definitely 'practice' being a parent with my siblings as pups if you want."

"Pah!" Clarissa smacks a paw onto Dylan's chest. "Attempting to disguise your responsibilities as a learning experience? Ooh, Dylakins, you sound just like moi~"

"T-that's not what I—aww…thought I almost had you~"

The two dogs have a laugh as the moonlight shines within the treehouse. Dylan yawns with a gaping maw, prompting Clarissa to mirror him. The pair decide to lay down for the night, rearranging pillows, beanbags, and Dylan's constellation blanket into a make-shift bed for two. Dylan stands in the middle, turning in place and ruffling the blanket before laying in a crescent shape. Clarissa soon follows, laying flat on her back in front of Dylan. Dylan notices her chubby tummy, deciding to lay his head upon Clarissa. The two dogs share one final kiss of the night as they close their eyes, allowing love and comfort to drift them into dreamland.

Notes: Alright! First off, I wanna say I loved writing this! I wrote this in a single month, which I'm really proud of since it usually takes much longer to get ideas out there. I loved this so much that between writing the more emotional scenes, I would sleepwalk every night until I finished chapters! Second, I leave bits and pieces of Dolly's story in the background just in case I want to write a B-fic to this that instead focuses on Dolly and Prince Flapjack's romance instead. I really, really love 101 Dalmatian Street, and wish it could have more seasons! So many of the characters were underutilized in my opinion. Honestly, I have been binge watching other 101 media between writing as well, and I gotta say, there's plenty of interesting ideas that can inspire plots for a season 2 of Dalmatian Street. Let me know what you think, reader, and thank you for checking out this fic!

~ QuillJestah, The Writing Skunk

Featured Incidental Dalmatian: Drake, who wasn't written with any personality in mind. He was just annoyed by Dylan, and that's about it.

Song: Interstellar by Andrew Huang & Dana Jean Phoenix as a sort of "credits" song during Clarissa talking to the Dalmatian family.