Ch 2: His Sleepy Pal
After a long day of play and an unexpected call to help herd some of Farmer Yumi's animals get back into their pens, it was safe to say that the pups were wiped out and needed some rest for the night.
Each pup slept soundly in their doghouse. Chase slept away, his head curled on top of his paws, when his ears picked up a light thumping sound.
``Wh...What the...'' Chased Yawned. He was quick to stand up and investigate. He tip toed slowly passed his companions, Most all snuggled up and fast asleep in their appropriate homes but one black spotted dalmatian was missing...
``Marshall...'' The pup whimpered at the empty doghouse before hearing the thumping sound again, This time much louder than before. Chase moved carefully towards the sound and spotted a familiar figure pressed against a large tree.
``Oh...of course'' Chase signed in relief before approaching the figure in question. Marshall had an unfortunate habit of sleep walking. Chase remembered vividly how his pal had got the pups all spooked once, thinking he was a ghost haunting the lookout. Marshall was currently fast asleep and was walking himself into the tree. His head bumping slightly against the bark. Chase quickly moved one of his paws between Marshall's forehead and the tree before slowly guiding the sleepy pup to his pup house
``This way silly pup'' Chase whisper
Marshall only grumbled something in response as he was walked with Chase. Eyes barely opened and head swaying side to side. Chase had managed to gently move Marshall to his house and have him lie down. Breathing a sigh of relief, the pup sat and watched as Marshall slept soundly, his legs kicking a bit. Probably dreaming of something fun, maybe of Chase and their friends playing together. Maybe just of Chase...
And there it was again. Chase squirmed a bit, but he definitely could not ignore this feeling again as it had swelled in his chest and worked down to his tummy. The police pup suddenly felt flush, wormed a bit more in his spot. Wondering if he should just head to bed now.
``What is this? Why does this keep showing up?''
Chase remembered the first time he started feeling this way. Some time back, the pups had delt with a serious forest fire. All pups were on deck to handle the emergency. While Marshall and Rubble handled putting out the growing blaze, Chase and the rest were helping animals and civilians make their way through the forest. Chase had tried to rush on in to get mayor Goodway out of the way of a falling tree branch. Invertedly, the branch had missed them both, but the unexpected leap to push the mayor had caused Chase to roll on his front left paw.
``Oh! Ow ow''
``Sorry! Sorry! that's not good.'' Marshall said sadly. Ryder had Chased pulled aside next to Marshall's Firetruck. Per his orders, Marshall pulled out his Xray and examined Chases Front paw.
``Yep, Sprained. Definitely sprained.''
Ryder signed. ``I'm glad that its only that but Chase, you must sit the rest of this operation out. You are in no condition to work currently''
``But...But...But'' Chase argued
``Please Chase, it can get worse if you put weight on it. You better sit back for now'' Marshall had pleaded
A soft whimper escaped Chases mouth. He knew he couldn't help right now, and he definitely was not going to tell Marshall no
``Alright, I'll hang back''
``Good, Marshall please keep an eye on Chase for the time being. Most of the fire has died down and the rest of the pups can double check the forest for any other people or animals''
``Understood Ryder'' Marshall Replied.
Ryder took off to help the others while Marshall slowly started to treat Chase's injury.
``That was a close one today, Chase, I will have to probably take you back to the lookout in a few minutes'' Marshall said
``I hate having to sit back and not do anything though...
``Yeah but...I don't want you to injure yourself more...'' Marshall stopped working on Chases paw and looked up at the police pup ``You almost got really hurt out there today and I don't know what I'd do if you had''
Chase looked at his best friend. His big blue eyes stared back at him with concern and worry for his teammate.
``Marshall, its ok. Nothing bad is ever going to happen to me''
``You can't promise that mister''
``Alright then I promise that if I do get hurt again, I won't argue. I'll step out straight away and follow whatever you tell me to get better. Deal?''
Marshalls concerned expression soften a bit ``Deal! After all, who better to treat you then me?''
``Well Considering how long we've known each other; I wouldn't have it any other way''
The dalmatian's expression lit up and he gave a big goofy smile at his friend. Chase always loved that, He always felt so safe and secure when around Marshall, ever since they first met, but this time, something felt different. Seeing his buddy being so happy and so caring about his wellbeing, Made Chase feel all warm inside. The feeling spread to his chest and worked its way down to the pit of his belly. His face felt a lot warmer all the sudden, he found himself lost in the sight of Marshalls face. His eyes in particular''
``How does that feel Chase?''
Chase gave no response.
``Chase?''
The police dog snapped back to reality. Not realizing his paw was all bandage up now.
``Uh...yeah. It's fine...Thanks.''
Chase left his thoughts, coming back to his current whereabouts as he stood in front of his sleeping friend. Chase cared so much for Marshall. He absolutely cared and loved the other members of the Paw Patrol as well; they were his family. Marshall though, was much more than that. Hanging out with him or being on patrol with him is always the best part of his day. He wondered how long they'd be friends for, if they would still be friends when their much older. He couldn't really explain why he felt the way he did. One thing did come to mind...and the German pup eyes widen at the thought. He wiggled his head back and forth a bit before the turning around and started walking towards his doghouse
``Chase?'' A voice perked up behind him
The shepherd turned around and saw his dalmatian friend had woken up from his slumber
``Oh! Heya Marshall'' Keeping his voice low ``I didn't mean to wake you''
``It's ok, my head kind of hurts a bit though''
``You were sleep walking again. Found you running into a tree'' Chase giggled quietly
Marshall blushed at hearing that. ``Oh, sorry about that''
``It's all good, just glad I found you before we all woke up next morning. Get some rest, ok?'' Chase said before starting to turn away.
``Wait...Chase''
The shepherd stopped in his tracks and turned to look at his friend. Marshall fiddled with his paws a bit. Looking down at them, like he was trying to find the words to say.
``About earlier today, what the others were saying. Sometimes...it does bother me. I mean,I know the others don't mean what they say, but...sometimes I feel like my clumsiness makes me a burden''
``A burden?'' Chase choked on the words
``Like, it happens so often with me tripping over or crashing into things. Even stuff like sleeping now, I feel like everyone must keep an eye on me or expect something bad might happen that I cause'' The Dalmatian ears droop further and he kept staring at his paws
``Marshall, you are definitely not a burden''
``You're always watching out for me though...''
``Not always, there's so much you do without my help or the others near you. You're our fire pup, our EMT, so much more! You handle a lot of stuff on your own and you rarely let yourself fall over when it comes to ensuring the day is saved''
``Yeah...you do have a point about that'' Marshall blushed
``You are a real asset to this team Marshall, plus your clumsiness has its own charm. In its own special way'' Chase said confidently but he couldn't help blushing a bit at that last part
Marshall seemed much more assured about himself; those last words in particular made the pup smile his usual big silly smile.
``Thank you, Chase.
``Of course, Marshall''
``Now lets just hope I don't Sleepwalk again later hehehe''
Chase paused for a moment before speaking ``Well then, we need to make sure you don't get up again!''
With that, Chase made his way towards his friend. Marshall stared at him curiously before the shepherd quickly settled next to his friend. Laying his body close to Marshalls, His head ever so laying on the dalmatians neck. Marshall didn't say anything, but his face suddenly flushed a bit at how close his friend was. Chase himself tried to act confident at his actions but also couldn't help turning a little red at what he just did. It just sort of came to him to sleep next to Marshall to ensure he didn't wonder off again, but admittedly he might have had another reason to be so close to his friend...
``Is this ok Pal?''
Marshall stammered a bit ``Yeah...yeah! It's all good''
``Comfy?'' Chased whispered
His friend gave a reassuring nuzzle below Chases chin ``Yup yup, I won't go anywhere now''
``Hehe good, Goodnight Marshall''
``Goodnight Chase''
As both pups drifted off to sleep, Chase pondered at the feeling he still had, it resided in him with being so close to Marshall. All though he was unsure what this meant, He didn't mind it at all if it meant being with his best friend. He wondered if Marshall had something with being around him. Whatever it was he felt...
Little to Chases knowledge, Marshall had more than just a feeling. Out of the things that Marshall had doubted about himself, He never doubted the feeling he currently felt now with Chase cuddling him so softly. It was a feeling he had ever since the early days with the Paw Patrol and since the first time he started hanging out with Chase. They were best friends, But Marshall wanted so much more than that. He was in love with the Police dog, and in their current position, Marshall could not help but snuggle close to his friend as they slept.
``Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!'' He thought to himself
``This is it, this is the proof I needed. I won't hold back anymore. Tomorrow!'' He thought
``Tomorrow, I'll tell him how I really feel''
And with that, He too fell asleep.
