Warning: This story contains mature themes such as possible mental illness.
A Dalmatian by the name of Marshall slumps over in his puphouse. His heart palpitates.
It has been so long since we've spent time together.
Marshall puts a paw over his heart. It aches to see her again despite only seeing her mere minutes ago.
Marshall and Skye had been hanging out earlier. Skye and Marshall had played alone together. The other pups had been on a mission with Ryder, and Marshall knew he wasn't her first choice; he was her last.
It hurt to think how she could possibly hate him the most out of the five boys that were there. And there were even more boys outside of the five that lived there. There was Tracker the tracking pup, Rex the dinosaur whisperer pup, Tuck the shrinking pup, and Al the Trucker pup.
And who knows, she might be more into bad boys like Hubcap, Dwayne, Moby, or Claw. Not to even forget she might not even like boys.
Marshall wanted to wail, putting his head under his paws. He never had a chance to begin with.
And now? Skye was playing with Rocky and Chase. They had returned from the mission and Skye played with them like she hadn't just played with Marshall alone.
Marshall sighs. When will things change?
Skye will never see him in a more romantic way if he couldn't manage to convince her to spend time with him. It was just impossible.
Marshall sniffles, feeling his cheeks dampen and flattening his fur with tears.
A repetitive thud was made on his puphouse door. Marshall gloomily stands up, pressing a white paw to the door and it whooshes open to a brown face.
A simple "yo" came from the brown dog in front of him. It was Zuma. His light yellow-brown eyes were the easiest to identify since no one else had lighter brown eyes than him.
"Hey," Marshall replied, a crack in his voice.
Zuma was the surfer of their little canine group. He rescued people who needed help in the sea, clearly one of the most important jobs in the squad. It was his job to dive in and help solve problems from within the waters—it was similar to Marshall's, the firefighter in the team who uses water to put out the fires.
Zuma sizes him up, scanning him briefly. "You look horrible, dude." he calmly informed. Marshall couldn't tell if he was concerned or unamused.
"Thanks," Marshall automatically responds.
Zuma tips his head, "What's on your mind, 'Shall? You seem to have your head in the clouds, yo."
Marshall looks away. He didn't want to bother Zuma with his problems. Especially since they seemed so trivial. "Er, it's nothing, Zazu."
Zazu was a joke name he and Rubble created for Zuma. He was called that because his favorite character from The Lion King's Zazu. Every pup called him that nickname from then on out. Zuma was fine with the nickname.
Zuma cocks his head. "Really, dude?" His eyes fell slightly. "I don't believe that. What's on your mind, my spotted friend?"
Zuma sits, preventing Marshall from escaping.
Marshall sighed. He knew Zuma meant well, but this put a lot of unwanted pressure on him. He didn't want to expose his feelings to Zuma.
"I'm, uh, in love with Skye." He looks away. He could feel Zuma's golden browns striping him down as he evaluated the dally's every movement.
"Really? That's what you're so miserable over, bro?" Zuma asked, a tinge of confused annoyance in his voice. "You should stop worrying about that kind of stuff. It gets you nowhere."
Marshall flinched. He wished Zuma would give him more support, but there was wisdom in his words.
"It's not just that I'm in love with her—"
"I get it, dude. You're afraid she won't like you back. But you can't cry over these uncontrollable feelings."
Marshall sighs, "I know." He pauses with pursed lips. He looks at the ground. "It's just...Skye feels so elusive. There are so many options for her. Many guys and girls."
Zuma stares at Marshall, unamused. "You think Skye would ever be into someone like Everest? They're polar opposites—quite literally."
Marshall opened his jaws to tell his friend that it was still a possibility, but Zuma placed a paw casually over his mouth before continuing. "Plus, Skye told me she likes boys. I was quite sure she was into Liberty for a while."
"But even still..."
"Yeah. There's plenty of guys out there."
"She will never love me!" Marshall wails, shielding his eyes with his paws as he falls down onto his pup bed.
"I dunno what to tell you, man." He looked tired of the negativity.
"You're not helpful." Marshall flashes him an angry look.
"I'm not trying to be helpful. Look, I listened to you and what I think you should do is listen to your heart. That's all. I get love is strange, but instead of whining in my ear about her never loving you...perhaps you should just give it a shot. Ask her to hang with you and confess."
"Maybe you're right..." Marshall trails off, glancing up at the Labrador with a curious gaze.
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Either way, you can't say she will never love you because she already does least friend-wise."
"But why would she ever give me a chance?" Marshall wonders.
Zuma rolls his eyes. "I get you're not the most confident pup, but sometimes girls ignore the guys they like. I wouldn't know if that's true, but sometimes they're shy, not ready, or even have mixed feelings about it, but I can tell you Skye doesn't hate you."
Zumba turns away and is about to leave. He turns his head, ear flopping with a smile. "Don't worry about it, buddy. Just get your answer from Skye rather than letting yourself fall down a deep dark hole you'll never escape from. I get confessing is hard, but sometimes you just got to find out rather than..." he points with a paw, "this."
Zuma races off to join Rubble in his relaxation.
Skye...doesn't hate me? I suppose she couldn't hate me if she still plays with me. But then what would be the reason she ignores me? Do girls actually do that?
Weird.
Deciding to pick himself up, Marshall wonders what the best approach is to confessing.
He's seen plenty of stories where the guy goes out to buy the girl chocolates and flowers, but Marshall thought that was too unoriginal and put that thought to the side.
What about a date where I pay? Nah. I don't have that kind of money. Plus, I don't want to set Skye up thinking I'm rich when I'm not.
This would be hard. What was the best way of confessing?
Marshall continued to think, standing up and padding to and fro. He was oblivious to time. Nothing mattered at the moment.
"Marshall? Marshall!" A voice through his pup tag got his attention. It was Ryder.
Marshall shook his head. "Yes, Ryder?" he inquires with a tilt of his head.
Ryder sighs, "Thank goodness I got to you. I called you seven times. You didn't answer. It's time for dinner, buddy."
I was worrying for that long?! Marshall immediately dashed out his puphouse. I better get to dinner before Rubble tries to snack on my dinner! I'm starving, he realized.
"Sorry about that Ryder! Been thinking about something. I'll be right there."
He could hear Ryder chuckling a little as his tag beeped and the light on his pup tag turned off.
He skitters as he runs into the dining area, eyes wide as he slips on a puddle of drool from Rubble. He was waiting for him; they all were.
Skye smiled brightly at Marshall. "You're here! Great! Ryder had to keep Rubble from starting without you." She leans into his ears to whisper, "But he couldn't keep the poor fellow from drooling all over the floor." She snickers with a paw to her mouth.
Marshall's body burned. He could feel it in his ears as she spoke, feeling the breath of life tickle his fur and making his heart race as a goofy smile adornedbhis visage. She truly didn't know how loved she was, especially by him.
Marshall smiles back, feeling awkward. "Yeah, I guessed. He really is an impatient pup."
Skye sighs with a soft smile. "Yeah. That's our Rubble! Always ready to eat, but nevertheless ready to assist."
Marshall nods. "Yeah. He's still my best friend...you all are my greatest of buddies."
Chase wraps a paw around Marshall with a grin. "But I am your bestest of best friends, right Marsh?"
Marshall attempts not to flinch. He knows that the German Shepherd has a crush on Skye. But Marshall also has a crush on her. It would hurt to pretend there wasn't a conflict between the two deep down on their insides. A fight might be bound to happen.
Marshall didn't wish to hurt his best friend in that manner, but...I just have to change it. I adore Chase, but I also shouldn't put his feelings above my own. It's Skye's feelings that determine things in the end, but I need to share my feelings with Skye.
Marshall nods, trying to swallow the sigh that was about to escape. "Y-yeah!" he stutters, wrapping a paw around Chase; he was trying to match his energy but failed to do so. "We're the closest of best friends!"
Marshall attempts to puff out his chest in fake pride.
If Chase noticed his change of emotion he didn't say anything, grinning as he padded back to his food bowl. "I'm starving, pups. Ryder, sir, are we allowed to begin now that my best buddy's here?"
Chase gazed at Ryder expectantly.
Ryder chuckles. "Of course, my friends. Pups, you are allowed to eat." Ryder dramatically waves at his pups food bowls and bows.
"PRAISE THE LORD!!" Rocky screams as he digs in first.
The other pups' eyes widened. They weren't expecting this from the usually quiet eco-friendly pup.
Rocky lifts his head with food in his mouth. "What? I've been busy working with Ryder on something and then helping him dish out this yummy food. What do you expect?"
The other pups laughed. Rubble's tooth wiggled around in his mouth as he giggled. "Hey!" he points with a paw. "I usually am the one who digs in first."
The other pups giggle along.
Rubble then digs in. "Yummy, yummy, yummy!!" he declares as he chews with his mouth open.
"Rubble! Close your mouth." Skye's giggles kept the remark from being serious.
"Yeah, Bud. You're going to choke," Ryder warned, his expression slightly more grim. Like clockwork, Rubble suddenly started to choke from beside Skye, putting a paw desperately on his throat.
Thankfully, their CPR expert was right next to Rubble on his other side, right beside Marshall. Zuma wrapped his paws around Rubble's belly, right below the ribcage. The chocolate lab pulled inward towards his own stomach, angling upward as well.
Rubble's face contorted uncomfortably before a small brown pellet surrounded by phlegm was spat out. Rubble sharply inhaled, panting slightly. It didn't seem like choking affected his mood.
"Back in!" he declares, looking up at them with wide eyes. He waves a paw in the air. "But slower I suppose. Thanks, Zuma!" He bounces, pressing his paws together.
Zuma nodded, keeping his eye on the fast eater as he downed his bowl; Rubble licked the bowl clean of any dust.
Ryder sighs in relief as the other pups start eating their dinner before another catastrophe occurs—or before anyone else chokes.
It didn't matter, but Marshall stood next to Zuma and Rocky. While Marshall was closer with Chase and Rubble, he didn't mind hanging around the water and eco pups. They were both really cool—Rocky was extremely smart and often upgraded Marshall's gear so he could keep up with his friend's upgrades, and Zuma quite clearly was always willing to listen to Marshall's stupid woes; he appreciates them both.
Out of the corner of his eye, Marshall notices Zuma and Rocky whispering. The two had already finished their meals and were watching the White-and-black dog intently.
What are they talking about?
Finally, after Marshall took a couple more bites—right around when Chase finished his meal and made a clatter with it to Ryder, Zuma and Rocky approached him.
"Oh, hello guys!" he chirped, cleaning his teeth with his tongue. "Is there anything you need?"
Rocky stepped forward. "Zuma told me about your crush—"
"Zuma." Marshall shot his friend a glare. Zuma shrugged nonchalantly. "I figured if anyone could help it was her comic pal. Plus, I don't snitch unless I think it'll help."
Rocky nods, crossing his heart. "I promise I won't tell anyone." He winks. "Especially Chase."
Marshall wasn't sure if he was assured by this comment—but at least Rocky understood him, even if it wasn't as much as someone like Chase.
"So what do you have for me, oh 'comic pal' of Skye? What could you know that none of us do?" He then whispers, "Or Chase does for the matter."
Rocky leans on his right side casually. "Right, Marmar." He leans closer, putting a paw to Marshall's ear, eyes shifting suspiciously. "I say go for it." He backs away with a smile, sticking out his tongue and crossing his eyes. "Mlehm."
Zuma smirked, leaning closer to whisper, "That's great advice, dude. Perhaps you should take it. Just approach her tonight before it's too late."
"What are you guys talking about?" Skye asked, padding over to them with a soft smile.
Zuma leans away. "It's nothing, Skye. Just having us a guy's chat." His face became expressionless, almost cool. It was like he knew he could fake not knowing anything.
"Oh. Well, can I join?" Skye inquires with a tilt of her head at Marshall. Her paws were spread apart.
"Uh sorry, Skye." Rocky shyly smiled, lowering his head slightly, trying to assure Skye while trying to shoo her away. "It's nothing personal. We just have to talk about something specific. Could you perhaps go talk to Chase—Or Rubble?"
Skye's face fell. "Oh. I get it." Her lip quivered, but she put on a face. Marshall wanted to reach out and assure her she did nothing wrong. Before he could, she took off to talk with Rubble who was nodding his head in understanding at something Chase was talking about.
Speaking of Chase, Marshall managed to look long enough to see Skye speak up, and Chase jumping at the sound of her before relaxing and talking with her too.
"Now then." Marshall turns to face the mixed breed with uncertainty. "You go do that, and we will be rooting for you, Marmar."
Zumba and Rocky continued to talk Marshall's ear off while he finished eating. By the time he lifted his head Skye and Chase were both gone, and Rubble was pawing at the treat dispenser.
Ryder, meanwhile, was talking on the PupPad with Daring Danny X. He was attempting to maintain a straight face while talking with the daredevil.
Marshall wonders why Ryder answered his call anyway. It wasn't an emergency. Surely he could've had a chat with someone a little less annoying to the Dally.
He could be talking with Katie. Those two are close.
Marshall padded to the elevator.
"Are you looking for Skye?" Rubble asked, putting aside his mission for more treats to talk with Marshall. Marshall nodded. Rubble beams. "I saw her go down to her puphouse; Chase is at his As well."
Rubble pauses with a grin to add, "I've heard he's confessing to his crush tonight." Rubble tilted his head, almost expectantly. He panted, sitting. He licked his chops. "But don't keep that from talking with Skye."
Rubble's eyes darted, very aware of something. Did he know about Marshall's crush on Skye? And did Chase reveal his own crush on Skye to him?
However, Marshall stopped paying attention to the bulldog after he took a giant leap towards the pup treats, breaking the glass with his hefty paws. He knocked three out of the dispenser, a blue dog treat breaking and falling on top of both a pink and red treat.
"Oops." Rubble leaned down and picked up the broken treat. "Mm...broken treat." He then ate the pink and, finally, the Red.
So Chase plans on confessing to Skye tonight? I must confess first! Sorry, buddy, but this is my one and only chance to see if she likes me.
"Well," Rocky barked, padding up to Marshall's side. "Are you going to confess to her now? I'd advise doing it now. Get it over with." Rocky seemed to know something, glancing out the window towards Chase's puphouse.
Marshall nodded. "I will. Thank you two. Didn't expect you guys to be this much help."
Zuma dramatically put a paw over his chest. "Pardon me? Do we not hang out as much as you and the other pups?" he inquiries with mockery.
Marshall rolled his eyes. "Sorry. Was just expecting my best friend to support me." He then whispers, "But I suppose if he's my rival, then I guess I should expect support from anywhere."
He pressed the elevator button. It dinged and he took a step.
"Wait!" Rubble cried, Rocky glaring at him. "I have something to tell you."
Rubble saw the anxious expression on Marshall's face. "Is this important? I want to talk with Skye."
"Yes, it's—" Rocky put a paw over his throat, attempting to stop Rubble's words. It was effective. Rubble sweated slightly, seemingly bothered. "Never mind." His voice faded away.
That's odd.
Marshall shook it off as he walked inside the elevator and pressed the first floor. The elevator door closed, and Rubble's worried face continued until Marshall didn't see him anymore.
The elevator dinged as it opened and Marshall raced toward Skye's puphouse.
Hurry, hurry, hurry. I wish I brought you some flowers or something, but right now all I have to offer is myself as I confess. I hope that's enough.
Marshall's ears flapped as he panted, tongue sticking out while he raced for Skye's puphouse. His heart wouldn't stop racing and he felt like he was running from a zombie apocalypse with how agile he was.
He realized after this he would probably be thirsty, but there was no time for afterthought. He kicked up dust and grass as he made way for the tiny pink puphouse that housed their aerial pup.
Marshall panted, gathering a couple of seconds to catch his breath, sweat pouring down his body and heart thumping out of his chest. He wasn't sure if he would be collected enough, yet he slammed his paw on the door a few times.
Come on. Come on! Don't be too late! Desperation showed on his face.
The door opened and Marshall smiled at the confused cockapoo before him. She blinked curiously at him, tilting her head and her paws started to split apart at the sight of him.
"Yes?" she inquires with her general curiosity.
"I have something to tell you!!" he shouts, putting a paw over his mouth.
Skye didn't say anything. She patiently waited for what he was going to tell her.
"I am in love with you," he continues, finding comfort in Skye's small plush pink bed.
He looked up to see her eyes closed and her head angled away. It was hard to describe what he was seeing. But he supposed it was a mixture of shame, happiness, and sadness.
But why would she be shameful and sad if she's happy?
A few seconds pass. Neither speaks. Finally, Skye looks back at him and sighs. "Marshall," she begins, a somberness like no other in her voice. Was she rejecting him? "I love you too," she pauses to collect herself.
Tears fall down her face. Why was she crying? Was she happy or sad?
His heart fell slightly despite the confession. It was all he wanted, yet there was something about it that felt unsettling.
"Then why are you crying?" he demanded with worry. This should be a great day for both of them. If they both shared feelings, then nothing else matters...
Unless she's sad because she knows Chase loves her. She knows she loves me and has to reject him.
Skye sniffles. "I just feel so bad for Chase. He told me something even I was shocked at."
"He has a crush on you, I know," Marshall confirms with a frown. He hoped his and Skye's getting together wouldn't affect his friendship with Chase, especially since they shared the same romantic interest in Skye.
I'm surprised he hasn't revealed his crush on her to me yet. Does he not trust me as much as I thought? In fact, recently he's been more skittish around me. Does he know about my crush on Skye as well?
Skye's eyes watered, tears pouring down her face. She shook her head. "No, Marshall. He told me he's in love with you; Rubble knows also. He told me when you were talking with Rocky and Zuma."
"I was busy talking to them about my crush on you. They were encouraging me to go for it."
Skye smiled warmly. "Rocky," she breathed. "He's always been a good friend. I told him about my crush on you. Though, I don't think Chase told him about his crush on you."
Chase...you were preparing to confess to me. Marshall felt embarrassed. Chase was never after Skye. Then why was he always so...strange around her? He constantly worries about her, is constantly glad when she's safe and unharmed, and so much more.
Marshall wanted to know the answer.
But first, "Skye, will you go out with me?" he rubbed the back of his head with a paw while Skye stared at him with a curious tear-stained face. "I don't have anything special to give you, but—"
Skye stared at him in disbelief. He became silenced. "R-Right. But still—"
Skye approached him, leaning against him with a soft smile. "You are enough," she declares as she nuzzles him. His jaw drops at the touch.
A gasp comes from behind the two. Skye and Marshall turn around to see Chase with an interesting lavender-shaped plant bouquet; it is the color of a flame.
The flowers dropped from Chase's mouth.
"Marshall, I-I," Chase stutters. His eyes darted around their yard, finding anywhere less embarrassing than the scene in front of him.
"Chas...I'm sorry." Marshall's eyes held somberness. "I'm straight, and I love Skye."
Chase's gaze never found their way back to Marshall. "I understand, buddy, but how I feel for you isn't on friendly terms."
Marshall sighs. He didn't imagine he'd have to be the one to let his friend down gently. "I understand that, Chase. I'm sorry things aren't going to work out for us in that way, but you have to understand my perspective. I honestly thought you were straight and that you were in love with Skye."
Marshall should have seen this coming. Chase was always worried for him. But he was also worried for Skye and most pups and people aren't gay. Then again, I thought of all the possibilities for Skye. Guess I couldn't see him being gay due to how masculine he acts.
The more Marshall thought about it the more his head hurt. He didn't want to think anymore about his best friend. He didn't want to hurt him.
Chase looked surprised, "what gave you that implication?"
"You always worried about Skye. Plus, you never freaked out that much over my health," Marshall remarks, mind wandering.
Was there a way to sort this out? He knew this wouldn't have a perfect ending, but not everything needed one. He just needed to assure Chase of this...
"That's because Skye's small, and back then I didn't trust her judgment. Plus, I was always closer to you anyway. Skye...moved on to other friends and all I had left was you." Chase looks away. "I'm sorry for sprouting my sexuality on you all of a sudden. I just thought if I confessed you might feel the same."
Marshall knew there was something he could do. He wouldn't let this end like how those stupid kinds of stories went where someone was left unhappy or dead because of their romantic interests.
Plus that's messed up.
"I get it. Don't be sorry for who you are Chase. I'm not upset over this. I just want to help you find someone who will cherish you in that way. I still adore you as a brother, but I cannot share these feelings."
Skye steps forward. "I'm sorry, Chase. I kept my feelings for Marshall hidden this whole time." She looks away as if ashamed of herself.
"Don't you dare be sorry, Skye!" Marshall barked assertively, startling the other two dogs, eyes widening, ears perking.
His raised hackles lowered. He cleared his throat. "Why are you sorry?"
Skye sighs, nervously making circles in the ground. "I just listened to Chase without so much as telling him a word of my affection for you. I feel like I should've been more honest."
She looks away. "I'm not going to lie: I kept my crush on you a secret and stopped playing with you Marshall because I was afraid of what you might think. I didn'f know what to make of my crush, nor did I think pursuing it would do any good. Plus, sometimes it felt like you were sending mixed signals and I thought you were in love with Everest."
It was true. Everest was close with him. It makes sense to consider her as a possibility. But...
Marshall frowned. "You're so much cooler than Everest. I want to spend time with you, especially now that you're my girlfriend?" He questioned it. Were they dating now?
Skye nods. Good.
Marshall turns back to Chase. "Anyways, I cannot share these feelings you have for me, " he picks up the flowers, "but what I can do is help you find someone else. You deserve happiness too, Chase." He hands Chase the flowers with a paw.
"Heh. Thanks, buddy." Chase's eyes were tearing up slightly.
Marshall didn't know how to assure him he would find his own romance one day, so he just smiled.
"Don't worry, Chase. Things'll work out in the end."
Marshall was about to say more when a couple of barks gained their attention. Al and Liberty were running their way, hopping from parked vehicles to visit. Marshall almost forgot about them.
"You really think so?" Chase asked Marshall as Liberty screeched loudly, knocking Skye over.
Marshall nodded as Al casually approached the group. "What's up, pups?" he asked with a soft smile at Chase and Marshall.
Chase eyes him suspiciously. "Uhh, nothing much." He points at Marshall and Skye with a paw. "Those two are dating now, though."
Marshall realized Chase wasn't attempting to sound his disappointment.
Liberty squealed, lifting herself onto her hind legs in her excitement. "Oooh! I'm so happy for you, Skye!" She hugged Skye, nearly crushing her in the process.
"Ack!" Skye exclaims, putting her paws on Liberty's. "You're choking me!"
Liberty retracted her paws skittishly, "Oops!"
Al put a paw on Chase's shoulder. "Are you okay, brother?" Al blinked at Chase curiously. He must have sensed Chase's pain. "Would you like a drink?"
Al didn't let Chase answer, running inside his truck and pulling out a drink. He rubs the back of his head. "I might have grabbed you something. It's soda." He laughs, "I had no idea what you liked since we don't hang out much."
Another horn honked and Tracker was here.
"Hey, guys! What did I miss?" Skye shared the news and Tracker smiled. "That's wonderful! Do you guys want to play?"
Everyone nodded, and all the pups played together, two pups now joined together as lovers while another was trying to find a new love.
Who knows, maybe he just found one.