Ch 5: What I'd like to be

A large lump formed in the pit of Marshalls stomach as they approached the lookout, The whole situation with Cap'n Turbot had been resolved a lot quicker than expected. Marshall had managed to cool down the overheated engine with his water cannons while Zuma used his boat to tow the vessel back to shore. Cap was super happy to be back on land and out of harm's way. For a moment, Marshall was distracted by the situation to not think about what might happen once he got back home.

``What happens now?'' He thought ``Chase is going to want to talk. He's going to mention what I did! That was so stupid! I don't know what I was thinking!''

Marshall couldn't really think clearly at all right now. After that night where Chase was willing to sleep beside him to ensure he'd stay put, he was so sure that Chase felt something for him. Marshall always liked Chase, for as long as he could remember, and when the opportunity came to return his affection, he just decided to jump the gun and try to kiss him out of the blue! His heart led him to that choice, not his brain and he might have just lost his best friend in one fell swoop.

The fire pup whimpered as he slowed his vehicle down towards the entrance of the lookout. He was quick to put it in park and jump out. He did a quick scan of the surrounding area. No sign of Chase or the other pups. Maybe they were inside, watching Apollo or playing a game.

``Maybe if I'm careful, I can just stay in my pup house...just hide out there for a bit'' He thought, The Dalmatian patiently waited for his firetruck to convert back into his pup house. Once completed, Marshall had tiptoed towards the front, intent on hiding out as long as he could...

``Marshall, you ok dude?''

The pup jumped a bit, not realizing that a certain brown lab had parked just next to him.

``Yikes! Oh, Zuma you scared me.''

``Sorry dude, but you alwright? You kind of look like pale. I mean like...more pale than usual''

``I'm not feeling very well...I was going to go rest at my pup house for a bit.''

``Oh yeah?'' The brown lab walked up to the fire pup and placed a paw on his forehead. Marshall stiffened up a bit at the sudden touch from his friend ``You don't feel verwy warm to me, you look nervous. Like when you did when you had to take over for Chase's role in the play about King Arthur''

Marshall quivered slightly, Was his posture so obvious that he nervous about confronting Chase?

``I guess you can say that...funny enough, it actually has something to do with Chase.''

The chocolate lab tilted his head curiously.

``Did you guys get into a fight or something?''

``No...it was just something I did, and I don't know how Chase is going to react''

``Well, I think you'wre going to find out in a sec cause...''

Zuma pointed behind Marshall, the dalmatian froze but cocked his head back a bit. Walking up to them was the very police pup they were talking about.

Marshall's heart raced and everything in him was telling him to run but his paws just froze in place. Eyes fixed on the pup he cared so much for.

``Hey guys! How was the mission?''

``Sup dude?! All good. Saved the cap and his boat no prowblem!''

``Yeah...no prob! Any who! I'm kind of sick! Tired! I mean tired! I was going to head to bed'' Marshall was quick to make up an excuse to leave but his paws just kept him in place.

``Actually Marshall, I wanted to talk to you for a little bit. If that's ok''

``Uh...Uhh...Uhh...'' Marshall stammered.

``Oh! Don't mind me then, I'll leave you two to it!'' Zuma said with his usual lisp and started to walk away, not before giving Marshall a quick nudge towards Chase. His body pushed close to the police pup, only inches away from his friend. Marshall's heart futtered a bit and he looked back at Zuma, who gave a small smile of reassurance. He may not know what's going on between Marshall and Chase, but he seemed confident that whatever it was, Marshall could handle it. The fire pup smiled back at his friend before turning back to Chase.

``Why don't we head by the tree over there?'' Chase pointed to the large oak that Marshall had banged his head on more than multiple occasions. The fire pup blushed and slowly nodded his head before walking over with Chase.

The pups had settled themselves just underneath the small shade the tree provided. It was midafternoon at this point and from their comfortable spot under the tree, the boys had a decent view of all of Adventure Bay. Not as good as the view from the lookout, but pretty close to it. Marshall looked out at the town, his front legs shaking a little, trying his hardest to not to run from his friend. To cower somewhere where he could not be confronted with what he did earlier in the day. Though, Chase also looked a bit nervous as well, he fidgeted with his paws a bit on the grass before finally speaking up.

``Sooooo...all go well today with Cap?n Turbots boat?''

``Oh...yeah. Nothing to serious thankfully'' Marshall said softly. Still avoiding eye contact with Chase

``Good Good'' Chase said back.

A dull silence hung between them. Chase was thinking hard at what words he wanted to say, how to delicately put in perspective what was going on between them.

``So, Marshall...I wanted to talk about what happened earlier.''

Marshall froze at hearing that, and his mind raced quick to respond.

``I'm Sorry!!!''

Chase jumped a bit at the sudden loud response from his friend.

``Uhm for what?''

``For trying to...lick you'' He muttered out, his voice just barely a whisper.

Chase blushed at remembering that incident.

``It's ok, Really! I...''

``I like you.''

Chase blushed even further after hearing that from his friend. His eyes had widened, his tail has started to wag in excitement. He was right! His instinct about Marshall was right! That familiar feeling had snuck its way back to his chest, but Chase had welcomed it this time.

Marshall, however, didn't seem as excited. Taking a slow breath, He took off his fire helmet and set it on the soft grass below him. Setting a paw on top of it, He was collecting his thoughts and realized that there was no point in running from this anymore. He needed to be up front and honest with his closest friend.

``I...I like you more than a friend. I liked you for such a long time now. I think it was right when we first met, and it just sort of progressed from there. I didn't even think I could like any pup as much as I liked you... Especially a boy'' He giggled to himself ``But we've been through so much together. You always have my back when ever were out on a mission or if I fall over myself, which happens more often than I'd like.''

Chase couldn't help but chuckle a little. It was a very accurate.

``After the other night, when you brought me back to bed, and told me I wasn't a burden, then stayed with me ... I don't know...I thought you might have felt the same way too.''

Chase watched and listened intently, He wanted to say his piece, but it was important to him to hear what his friend had to say as well.

A heavy sign slipped from the fire pups' snout.

``I overstepped my bounds though; I shouldn't have done what I did earlier today and it's ok if...'' The pup started to stutter a little

``If you don't feel the same way.''

Chase's familiar feeling dropped suddenly at hearing that.

Marshall had turned to the police pup, he smiled big toothy grin at him, his bright blue eyes stared at Chase, but something was off, tears...tears had started to swell in his eyes. Chase felt his chest start to hurt at the sight of his friend.

``It's ok though, we can go back to how we were no problem! We can still be best friends, still do missions together! And pretend like what I did never happened'' Marshall beamed, closing his eyes tight to keep from tearing up any more than he already was.

``We can still save this...''

Marshall had laid it all out to his friend. He had no idea how this would turn out, if his and Chases relationship would ever be the same. If chase would even still want to be friends with him at this point. The idea of Chase rejecting him would be hard to take. He understood that, but the idea of Chase not wanting anything to do with him after his confession...It was taking everything in the fire pups' power to maintain that goofy smile on his face. Despite everything, He was happy. He was happy that he could finally be so honest with his friend. Even if it meant the potential end of their friendship.

Chase started to shake; his snout quivered. The sight of his best pal being somehow so happy and yet so sad was digging hole deep in his chest. He couldn't take it anymore and quickly reached over to engulf Marshall in a tight hug. The fire pup gasped, Chase squeezed the pup tight his front paws, The police pup buried his snout into Marshall neck. Trying to calm him down.

``Marshall, It's ok. It's ok...''

Marshall whimpered loud and could no longer keep his composure. He let his paws wrap around his friend and cried into his shoulder. Nuzzling him close.

``I didn't mean to ruin what we had...'' He whispered.

Chase pulled his head back and looked Marshall in his watered-up eyes.

``You didn't ruin anything Marshall. Nothing can ever to do that.''

``Really?'' he whimpered back.

``Of course, We're best pup friends forever. Always'' Chase smiled wide, Showing his bright white canines to his pal. Marshall's heart fluttered seeing that and he started to settle down a bit. The police pup hugged his friend again. Letting Marshall try and calm down a little before he continued. A shaky breath would come from Marshall's mouth as he nuzzled close to Chase. After some time, the dalmatian had finished crying and recomposed himself. He would have preferred to stay this close to Chase forever but knew it was now his friends' turn to say what he wanted.

``Marshall...'' Chase said low, letting go of his friend. His face starting to turn red again at this point.

``I think...I think I might feel the same way.''

Marshall heat must have skipped a beat, and his mind had flipped itself upside down at what he just heard.

``Waaaa??!!!''

``Well, I mean, it's kind of hard to explain'' Chase started. Marshall had snapped himself out of his funk and paid attention to the shepherd.

``So, it kind of like how I told you how I felt about Skye...Like how I had a crush on her.''

``Yeah, I remember'' Marshall said. The fire pup remembered that day all too well and he was not super fond of it. Chase had confided to him that he liked Skye a little while ago. This news disappointed the fire pup greatly, as it would mean that Chase would never reciprocate his feelings. Despite that, he still wanted to support Chase. No matter the outcome or the expense of his own feelings. When Chase was rejected by the cockapoo, he was quick to give him some comfort along with the rest of their friends. Though Marshall couldn't help but feel just a little relief as it meant there was still a Chance he could be with his best friend.

``Well...I feel the same way for you but it's kind of been there...this whole time. I mean...We've been friends for a while and the feeling just sort of grew.''

Marshall started to blush, and his tail wagged slowly.

 ``Really?''

``Yeah, kind of like with Skye. Noticing how pretty she is and all...Not that, I'm saying I find you pretty! Wait...I mean...I do...sort of! That came out wrong'' It was Chases turn to stutter.

Marshall had blushed even further. It may have come out kind of weird but the idea of his crush finding him pretty, made the dalmatian feel all gooey inside.

``I mean...I find you attractive in a more...Boy like way? If that makes sense, I guess I'd call it handsome and...cute'' Chase blurted out. The pup had pulled his hat down over his eyes at this point in slight embarrassment at what he just said, but he was just being honest with him, and Marshall was loving every minute of it.

``My point is, I'm glad that you feel the same way because I also feel something for you, and...'' Chase swallowed a lump in his throat. ``I want to explore these feelings with you! If you're ok with that of course!'' Chase exclaimed.

Marshall felt his chest tighten, his heart was beating so fast, his mind was drawing a blank. He could not believe that not only did his friend accept how he felt about him but that his hunch was correct! Chase did like him!

``Sooo...you want to be...more than friends, like...boyfriends?'' Marshall blushed and turned his eyes away from Chase. His big goofy smile returning to his face.

Chase was much the same as his friend. The term boyfriend echoed in his head, he mouthed it quietly, it rolled off his tongue with excitement ``Ye...yeah! This is all so new to me and I'm still trying to figure it out, but I want to figure it out with you.''

Chase took one step towards his friend.

``Cause...I want to be with you.''

``And I want to be with you!'' Marshall beamed back. He quickly approached Chase and nuzzled his cheek. Chase jumped a bit but soon reciprocated the response. Nuzzling against Marshalls Cheek as well.

Marshall pulled back and asked, ``So...where do we go from here then?''

Chase smiled warmly at his friend; his face still flushed. ``Well for starters...''

The nervous police dog closed his eyes and with a quick lean forward, he gave a long-wet lick against the left side of Marshall's snout. His belly swelled with butterflies at how bold he was being with his friend now turned boyfriend. Marshall had completely turned bright red, his face suddenly feeling very hot, the pup giggled madly and stumbled back a bit before tripping over his own helmet.

``Whoa!!!''

The love-struck pup yelled, falling backward onto the grass.

``Marshall! Are you ok?!'' Chase asked. Moving close towards his companion.

Marshall eyes rolled in circles before meeting his gaze with Chase, the pup stared up at him, and Marshall got all giggly again.

``I'm good...In fact, I'm better than good'' he said with usual goofy smile. His tail wagging excitedly.

Chases giggled right back at him. Feeling the same as Marshall did

They both felt more than good, better than good, not just great.

They both felt loved.