It's a sunny day on Adventure Bay. All the residents are going about their business: someone in Mr. Porter's cafe is enjoying his specialties, someone is swimming on the beach. The puppy patrol was having fun playing different games, but only one puppy was not in the mood, as his thoughts were occupied by one puppy named Zuma. Rocky began to notice a long time ago that he was in love with him after one mission where Zuma almost died. From that moment on, the mongrel kept trying to approach his best friend to confess his feelings, but thoughts surfaced in his head that the Labrador would reject him and, even worse, would not want to be friends with him and would tell everyone about his orientation, which would completely break his heart.
He watched Marshall and Zuma having fun with each other. He was uncomfortable with the sight, even though Marshall was with him too. The Dalmatian also shared secrets with his friend, and Rocky realized that Marshall would be the one to whom he would tell his main secret, hoping that he would listen and understand.
After waiting for Marshall to finish playing with Zuma, Rocky approached Marshall and called him over.
When they were far away from everyone, he asked:
"Marshall, we're friends, right?"
Marshall was perplexed by this question, as if Rocky had never been his friend, and answered:
— "Of course we're friends, Rocky. Something happened? The Dalmatian asked with concern.
Rocky hesitated, not knowing how to explain to Marshall, afraid of his reaction, and taking a deep breath, blurted out in one breath:
— "I like Zuma as a guy," after that, he closed his eyes, hiding his face on the ground, quickly blushing with shame and waiting for a reaction from Marshall, who was shocked by what he heard.
Marshall didn't know what to say to that, but he didn't hate his friend. He understood it perfectly, he even suspected it, but he didn't think it was all so real. And then he said:
— "I suspected it, but I didn't think it was really true, I thought it would pass, but I see that it's true," Marshall said seriously, removing his paws from Rocky's face.
He was shocked by what he heard and the tone in which Marshall spoke. He really didn't think that one of his best friends would accept him for who he was, and that maybe this was a chance. Rocky saw the complete seriousness in Marshall's eyes, which is extremely rare for him.
Now Rocky has gathered his courage and asked Marshall for something he can't do on his own.:
—"Thank you, Marshall. Could you ask Zuma about his feelings for me? The half—breed asked, trying to be sure.
Marshall looked at Rocky in disbelief and did not understand why such a smart, sweet and one of the kindest puppies did not want to go to him and ask. It wasn't like Rocky. He could sometimes be so shy or a little fearful about water, but loving someone wasn't like him. Marshall himself was afraid to confess his love to Everest, but he never asked anyone to ask her about her feelings for him, the Dalmatian himself took a step and confessed to her, and she reciprocated.
Marshall decided to help his friend and have a conversation with him.
— Rocky, why did you decide to ask me to ask Zuma about his feelings for you? The blue—eyed man asked seriously. "Why can't you do it yourself?"
Rocky was taken aback by this answer to a question that had become a question itself, and replied, —Because I... I... I…
— "Are you afraid?" Marshall guessed. — I can't believe my friend is like this.
This made the brown-eyed man even more shocked that one of his best friends was talking about him like that.
— "Rocky, do you love him?" Rocky looked at him with tears in his eyes and nodded. "Are you ready to do anything?" Another nod. "Then why can't you do it yourself?" Because then it turns out that you just want to give me to him, and you'll be left with a broken heart. It feels like you don't love him.
Marshall tried to be careful, but the fact spoke for itself, and continued, putting a paw on his shoulder and lifting his chin so that Rocky looked into his eyes.:
— "If you love Zuma with all your heart, you should be the first to take a step towards him. I understand it's very difficult, especially if it turns out that he rejects your feelings, but at least so that Zuma doesn't reject your mutual friendship. This is the only thing that will remain between you. Maybe he'll realize later that he loves you too, but it takes time. And if you love him, you have to wait until he understands it. I tried it with Everest myself, and I did it, so you can do it.
— "I do not know, Marshall. I love him very much, but I can't. I'm scared," Rocky said, sobbing. "Maybe he's not like me."
Marshall sighed and said one last thing before leaving:
— "You will succeed, I believe in you. I don't think you're a coward, but I think it's better for you to take the first step towards him, without anyone's help, before it's too late. I'm sure he loves you too, and that you both have a chance at love. Good luck, Rocky.
Marshall left with a smile, leaving Rocky thinking about what Marshall had told him. He was sad that Marshall had refused to help him and actually called him a coward, but at the same time he realized that he was right, that if he didn't do it now, it would be too late, and he would blame himself for it all his life.
Wiping away his tears, he thought to himself: "Today I will do it, I will prove to myself that I am not a coward. Marshall is right, I shouldn't be afraid."
***
After waiting for everyone to go to bed, Rocky came out of his booth, looking around the neighboring booths to check that all the puppies were asleep and went to the Labrador's booth, looking at his cute face in a dream. Rocky froze, looking at it. Zuma is such an angel when he sleeps on his back, raising his paws up, as if he is playing with someone. What was Rocky's surprise when Zuma said his name in a dream. Is this really a sign that everything will work out and the chances of it are high? Rocky didn't wait and gently woke him up, trying not to wake the others. The Labrador woke up and saw Rocky, who lay down almost directly in front of him.
— "Rocky?" Why aren't you asleep? Zuma asked sleepily, trying to fully wake up.
— "I can't sleep." There's only one thing on my mind," Rocky said, trying to be confident.
— "About what?" Zuma asked, already very awake, wondering what Rocky was thinking.
Rocky thought for a bit and decided that the time had come.
— "About you, Zuma," Rocky replied with a slight tremor in his voice.
This answer made the Labrador finally wake up.
—"About me?"
—"Yes",— Rocky replied sadly, and began his confession. — I really like you, Zuma, more than a friend. I started noticing this after you almost died during the mission. You are the one who makes me overcome the fear of water. You're someone who makes me feel different and very good, along with Marshall. You're one of the most precious puppies to me, along with Marshall, that I have.
Rocky held his breath, then exhaled to say the most important thing.
— "I love you, Zuma." I love you very much. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since that day on the mission. I can't imagine life without you. Without your character, your optimism, like Marshall's. No lights in your eyes on missions that just glow in the dark. I cherish you very much, and I can't live without you. If there is no, then there will be no. I'll understand everything. I don't want to lose my friendship with you, I don't want to lose you ever. I love you more than anything in the world.
Rocky finished and looked at Zuma without looking away to see his reaction. Zuma was very shocked. Rocky's confession touched his soul and filled him with warmth. Zuma couldn't say anything because it almost brought him to tears. Instead of words, he expressed his love with a hug and a kiss. Rocky did not expect this, but he did not hesitate and began to respond to the kiss, intertwining with his tongue and hugging him back. The kiss became more tender with each movement, then passionate, almost reaching more. When they finished, they lay down with their arms around each other and were almost asleep when Marshall suddenly appeared, who saw and heard everything. He was proud of Rocky for being able to take the first step into a new phase of life with Zuma.
Rocky and Zuma saw him and blushed with embarrassment, but the Dalmatian smiled, indicating that he would not tell anyone. He said he was happy for them, and Rocky thanked him and told Zuma everything. He understood everything and was also grateful to Marshall and invited him to sleep with them. Marshall did not expect this, but accepted the offer with a smile. They lay down together in an embrace and fell asleep with happy smiles, but before that, Rocky and Zuma briefly kissed Marshall on the cheeks, another sign of gratitude for his support.
