Ch 4: Advice from the Skye
Chase stared out the lookout windows as Marshall had taken off with Ryder. He couldn't remember the last time where his police/detective instincts were not needed. Marshall had avoided him the minute they got in the elevator. Chase had tried to make small talk as they went up but couldn't find the words. The fire pup wouldn't even make direct eye contact with him. This made the police dog extremely nervous since that behavior was not like his friend at all. Ryder had advised the other pups of a situation that needed their attention. Cap?n Turbot was out on his boat when the engine had stalled and started to smoke. Now the poor captain was out adrift on a possible burning vessel. Ryder was quick to ask for the assistance of Marshall and Zuma while the other pups were in their gear and on standby for the time being. Though the possible call to action from Ryder was far of Chases mind currently. As he watched his friend drive away, he lifted his paw up to the side of his snout where Marshall had licked him and rubbed it. Was he wrong about what he was feeling right now? Did Marshall regret doing that? Did he get the wrong intensions from his best friend?
``Uhh Chase? Earth to Chase?'' A familiar high-pitched voice called to him.
``Oh! Uh! Hey Skye'' The police pup said, Skye had trotted over to his side and stared out the lookout windows.
``What Cha looking at?''
``Oh, just Ryder and the others leaving, just...hoping they will be alright.''
Skye yipped in reassurance ``I'm sure they will be ok! Nothing Marshall or Zuma couldn't handle before.''
``Yeah...definitely''
``Rubble and Rocky are downstairs, we were going to watch some Apollo, do you want to join us?''
``In a little bit, just going to stand up here. In case Ryder calls for me!'' Of course, that wasn't 100 percent the truth, the pup was a little more than anxious to see his black spotted friend than watching TV right now.
``Sure thing! I see you in a little bit!'' Skye said before making her way to the elevator.
Chase was still confused about this whole situation regarding his pal, and he suddenly didn't think that being alone with his confused thoughts would do him any good. He needed another perspective. Advice from someone he knew he could trust. He just had to be delicate about what he was going to say. The Police pup turned back to the elevator.
``Wait Skye!''
The pink clothed pup stopped in her tracks. ``Yes Chase?''
``Can I ask you something?''
Yeah! Sure thing'' The cockapoo replied.
Chase bit his lower lip, not entirely sure how to say this. ``Do you...I mean...Have you ever liked someone? But you weren't sure how much you liked them?''
Skye raised an eyebrow at her friend ``Liked someone? But...not liked them?''
The pup walked over to Chase curiously, sitting next to him and looking up at the shepherd. Chase figured this would be a little more difficult to word and unfortunately there was one example he could give. One he wished he didn't have to bring up again to Skye.
``Well...Like that time where...I said I liked you?''
Skye blushed and quickly turned her gaze away from her friend.
``Oh...uh...right. Yeah...''
Some time ago, the police pup had quite a crush on Skye. He was kind of obvious about it. Every time they were on a mission together, Chase was always very keen of checking up on her and ensuring she was ok. Next to Marshall, Skye was a pup he could talk about anything too. One day, out of sheer curiosity, Chase had asked Skye what he thought about him. It took her very off guard, but she wanted to do right by her companion and be honest.
``You had told me that you really liked me, and I told you that I thought you were very sweet, and handsome. Which is still true by the way!'' The cockapoo nudge Chase slightly. The police pup couldn't help but blush a little.
``But I also told you that I didn't really see you that way and only like you as a friend. Soooo...yeah, I think I have felt that before. When you asked how I felt about you, I thought about it for a little bit, I wondered if how I felt about you was more than friendship and realized it never went pass that, but that didn't mean we could not still be friends'' Skye finished
``Right exactly'' Chase smiled at the aviator pup ``And I accepted that.''
After that convo, Chase was a little let down and his feelings for Skye had died down a bit, but over the course of their time together Chase and Skye still managed to remain friends. The police pup was content with that.
``The reason why I'm asking is because...something has happened, and I don't really know how to process it''
``What kind of something?''
``I have...some feelings and I thought they were new feelings, but I think they were feelings I always had this whole time.
The cockapoos ears drooped at hearing that.
``Chase...I'm sorry but I still don't like you like that...''
Chase jumped, realizing that he misdirected the conversation implying it was regarding her
``Oh no no! sorry, I didn't mean you. I meant I have feelings for.... Someone else'' Chase rolled his eyes in a different direction saying that last part.
Skye perked up a bit, her tail wagged slightly at hearing that her friend might have a new crush she doesn't know about
``Oh?'' she teased ``And who might that be?''
Chase turned his head away from the small dog. Not sure if he could bring himself to say it. Skye leaped to the chases other side, making sure to lock eyes with him. She yipped excitedly.
``Is it Everest?!''
``No''
``Liberty!''
``No!''
``Is it Sweetie? I mean...she kind of mean so I'm not sure why you'd...''
``It's not a...girl...'' Chased mumbled under his breath.
``It's not a what?'' Skye asked back.
The police pup signed ``It's not a girl...''
Sky eyes went wide. It looked as if someone had told her that unicorns were real, and she was seeing one right in front of her. She leaned in real close.
``You like boys too?''
Chase leaned back a bit, suddenly feeling very anxious at Skye being so close
``Yes! I mean no! I mean...ugh!''
Chase put his paws to his face and laid down. Burying his snout between his front paws
``I can't explain it Skye, it's like...waaay more than what I felt about you.''
``Then who is it you're talking about Chase? You know you can always talk to me'' The cockapoo reassured, meeting his eye level and placing a paw on one of his own. Chase lifted his head up to meet his gaze with Skyes. He swallowed a lump in his throat, trying his best to admit what he has been feeling.
``It's...''
``Oh, He's talking about Marshall'' A voice called.
Chase and Skye jumped'' Standing near the elevator was a familiar mixed breed pup.
``Sorry!'' Rocky said ``I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but Rubble was wondering where you were, figured I check up on ya'll''
Chase jaw was down, his brain still processing what Rocky had just said.
``Wait! The pup you like is Marshall?!'' Skye whipped out.
``Wait! You knew I was talking about Marshall?'' Chase gasped at the Recycle pup.
``Yeah! I mean, it was kind of obvious. You both hang out with each other so much and you look at him now the same way you used to look at Skye, also....'' Rocky ducked his head down a little at what he was about to say.
``I saw Marshall lick you today while you were playing.''
``He did what?!'' Skye asked in surprise.
At this point, Chase felt his head spinning. He couldn't believe how far this whole thing was escalating and how obvious he could be sometimes about his feelings.
``Yes...Marshall licked me today. It wasn't playful ether. It was way more...friendly'' Chase blurted out. He closed his eyes and let out a small sign. Pulling his hat down over his eyes in slight embarrassment
``Look, I don't know if I like boys, but I think I've always liked Marshall. We've been together since day one. I thought that this feeling I have when I'm around him was just us being best friends but...I think it's something more. It's kind of if similar when I had a crush on you Skye but this one feels a lot different. When I had my crush on you, it just sort came in out of nowhere. Like a small fire in my chest''
The pup put a paw in the center of his uniform. Taking time to express himself. His friends listening to him intently.
``But after some time, that huge feeling just came and went. With Marshall through, it started slow, and it was so small. Then I'd feel it more often, and every time we were together, it'd drop to the pit of my belly and give me butterflies.''
Moving his paw downwards to his lower body, he rubbed it slightly. ``It happens more and more now, and I don't know how to approach this, I've never liked another boy puppy before, and I don't want to make things weird with Marshall!''
At this point, Chase was looking down. His voice had caught in his throat. ``I don't know what to do''
A sudden embrace came in from his right side. The small cockapoo had wrapped herself around his frame. Another larger hug came on his left, Rocky had placed a paw on his back and nuzzled his pal gently. Chase tensed a bit before letting himself relax and enjoy the tender embrace of his friends. Happy to finally have said what was concerning him.
``I'm sorry Chase. This must be so new and confusing to you'' Skye said, ``I'm glad you were able to tell us.''
``Like wise bud'' Rocky said warmly. Both pups gently let go of the police pup
``I think it's important that you explore these feeling with Marshall, that you be upfront and honest about him like you were with me.''
``But what if he doesn't feel the same though? When I tried to talk to him about it in the elevator, I didn't know what to say. He didn't seem like he wanted to talk either. What if I'm just overthinking all of this, and he doesn't like me like that?''
``Oh, I think he certainly does Chase'' Rocky said with confidence ``That silly dog is always one step next to you, practically on your tail constantly. Considering what he did today, I think that's a clear sign that he likes you in more ways than one.''
``That is true...'' Chase wondered out loud.
Skye took Chases paw into her own ``When he gets back, just talk to him. Be honest and see how he feels about you. Worst case scenario, you go back to being how you were before. You and Marshall have a bond that's so strong, not even a situation like this could break it but you will never know how he really feels unless you ask him.''
Chase looked at his friends and smiled. That familiar feeling still drifted in his belly, and he was determined to see it through. It may get a little awkward, but it had to be done.
``I will, when he gets back here, I'll ask him first thing. Thank you for listening to me. I really appreciate you both'' Chase said.
``Always happy to help Chase'' Skye yipped.
``We've got your back buddy'' Rocky beamed back.
``Do you both mind not telling Zuma or Rubble right now, especially not Ryder. I want to figure things out first and be sure to know where me and Marshall stand before we tell anyone else''
``You can count on us!'' Skye said.
Chase got up to his four paws and with an excited new energy in him, He made his way towards the elevator. Determined to find out more about his best friends' feelings.
``Sooooo...'' Skye whispered towards Rocky, leaning close to him ``Speaking of confronting your feelings, isn't there a certain brown lab you want to talk about?'
Rocky jumped at what Skye said. Blushing a little ``Oh! Did you hear that?! I think Rubble is calling us!'' He quickly moved towards the elevator, joining Chase.
Sky giggled ``Of course, That's for another day.''
