“Watch it! Don’t touch that!”
“I wasn’t going to!”
Having two pups was tight enough inside the sub but three was seriously pushing it. Far less comforting for Moby was that he didn’t really know these two dogs all that well. Claw marveled at the ocean around him. Every so often, leaning a little too close to the center console. Obviously wanting to press something. Sweetie, the smaller one out of them, never took her sight off the fluffy dog. Eyeing him up and down curiously. He could feel her gaze on him.
“What are you looking at?!” He snapped.
“Oh nothing! It’s just….Arrby said you were a former merpup. I was just…”
“Just what? Looking for my fish tail? Gills?”
“Nooooooo….well maybe.”
“What about scales?! Or a fin?!” Claw asked. Leaning into the console again. “I’m surprised you don’t have a means to defend yourself out in the open sea!”
Moby wasn’t going to dignify that with a response, only for Sweetie’s face to contort in horror.
“Wait, do you shoot ink?!”
“What?” Moby barked in embarrassment.
“Excellent point Sweetie! Wait, where would he shoot ink fr...…”
A crass blush appeared on Sweetie sand Claw’s snouts with Moby following much of the same.
“I don’t shoot ink! Gah! Can we just...not say anything for a while?!”
A part of him really really wanted to straight up lie to them. Tell them Arrby was somewhere else then dump off these two on a different island somewhere far far away from him. Another more reasonable part inside him knew that these two, despite their attitudes, were important to Arrby and that meant they were important to him too. Sort of.
So, Moby minded his manners and his tone, keeping his gaze focus on the ocean view in front of him. Even as Sweetie raised her eye brow at him. Obviously wanting to ask him something else.
“What?”
“How do we know Arrby is actually with you?”
“What do I have to gain from lying?”
Sweetie remembered what Arrby had said earlier. About Moby being in part of his current emotional conflict. Claw leaned in close to the fluffy pup.
“No a thanks, but we don’t exactly know you too well.”
“I could say the same thing about both of you. Like it or not, You’re going to have to trust me. Just like I’m trusting Arrby to make his decision and settle this for the three of us.”
Claw was quiet at that, leaning back in his seat in thought. Sweetie didn’t inquire further either. There was some tension among the three obviously. They were essentially rivals, each pup vying for the same dachshund. Each of them examining and studying their competition. Particularly Claw and Sweetie as the pair had only worried about each other. Now they had to compete with this pup who they had to admit was unconventionally...attractive. The trio couldn’t help themselves at plotting how to dispose of the each other but they would always fall back on the fact their potential lover would not approve of their shenanigans.
“So...it’s agreed then. No matter what decision Arrby makes. We respect it. Right?” Sweetie asked.
Moby let out a small grunt in approval with Claw begrudgingly agreeing.
“I swear, as a knight. On my loyalty and my title!”
Moby looked at Sweetie in confusion. The pampered pooch rolling her eyes. Indicating without words that. “Yes, He’s always like that.”
“You said that Arrby is off the shore of Seal Island yes?”
“Yeah, trying to make up his mind.”
“How do you know he’s alright?!” Claw barked in surprised.
“You make an excellent point Claw. Arrby doesn’t have his pup tag on him.”
“I’ve already got that covered.”
As much as he didn’t want to do it, Moby had to call in a favor from the one pup who could go out and ensure that the pirate was still out in the bay. He hadn’t provided her with all the details, only that it was important to him that Arrby was doing okay. Her excited squeals over their pup tag communication had sealed the deal.
--
Arrby let the waves carry his vessel along. The current wasn’t super rough so he was content with just laying back in the dinghy. He watched the stars above him, his thoughts drifting with the sea. He thought about everything. His fight with Sid. Claw and Sweetie fighting over him. Moby freaking out and spilling his heart out over his frustrations at not wanting to be a merpup. Claw yelling at him on the cliff. Surprisingly, there was a lot of yelling over the last few weeks.
In that time though, there was a lot of good too. Dancing with Sweetie at the gala, pranking the Duke with Claw, Building the sub with Moby. It was all so amazing, some of the most fun he had in a long time with other pups. It all truly started on one night in particular though. Long before he met Claw and Moby. Long before he gave Sweetie a rose. It had always been Sweetie first.
One night on the shore of Barkingburg. He and Sid had stolen one of the princesses royal carriages. Horses and all. Sweetie had been in the carriage at the time and had boarded the sloop unsuspectingly. Being the clever pup she was, She quickly convinced the pair that she was in fact a princess. Arrby was almost immediately smitten with her. Doing as she asked, even disregarding Sid’s direct orders. Eventually, the fun had to stop and Sweetie revealed she wasn’t actually a princess of any type. Despite being tricked, Arrby still respected her. He wasn’t always an honest pup himself, why would he judge her? After that whole ordeal, She had stayed in touch. With the pirate visiting on occasion. She was one of the first friends he had made, one of the first pups he had known he was beginning to feel something for.
Up till then, he had yet to meet some pup with the same tenacity as her. That changed when he met Claw. He was prideful, egotistical, and head strong. Some pups might not have the patience for him, but Arrby found his attitude quite cute. He saw that despite being prideful, he was brave. Not seeming to be afraid of anything or anyone. Plus behind that armor and boastfulness, Arrby saw a pup who was lonely. He had his dragon sure, but what he needed was another pup to comfort him. Let him know it was okay to be soft or scared sometimes. Arrby didn’t mind being that pup because he valued the type of dog Claw was.
Moby was a different beast all together. He was the most intimidating of the three. Arrby came into his life in a transition of sorts. One where he was actively trying to be a better pup. Even if he didn’t believe he didn’t deserve it. Despite his closed off nature, the pirate saw a dude who just wanted to be understood. That what he did wasn’t out of malice or thoughtlessness. It was a need to be accepted and the pirate was set forth on showing him he was willing to accept him no matter who or what he was. A genius first and full most, and absolutely beautiful.
Arrby pulled himself upwards, Looking out towards the open ocean. He could make out lights just off the coast of Adventure Bay. He could barely see the shape of the lighthouse off Seal Island with it’s glowing head spinning round and round. He whined softly, he couldn’t keep putting this off. He had to make decision, but by dog it was so difficult. No matter who he chose, it would devastate the other two. He could be quick and direct with Sid and what ever insane plan he cooked up but choosing one of his friends to be more than a friend was too painful. He didn’t want to hurt any of them.
A gentle nudge had rocked his dinghy. Arrby peered over the edge. Wondering if a whale or dolphin had tried to push him along. He didn’t see the rubbery body of a porpoise but familiar streaks of gold and blue fur. A cockapoo, her head poking up out of the water, looking straight up at him.
“Rough night?”
Arrby jumped backwards, surprised at the intrusion.
“Coral! What are you doing here?”
“Moby asked me to check up on you. He says you don’t have your pup tag.”
Arrby reached for his neck, realizing that he did not in fact have it.
“Oh! Right...clever Moby.”
She maneuvered herself up the side of the dinghy. Getting a better look at the pirate
“He didn’t really give me a whole a lot of details about what’s going on but from taking one look at you, something tells me it’s complicated.”
“Well….”
Arrby hesitated. Coral didn’t really deserve to have all his problems off loaded on her but she was being kind. He could see it on her face that she was patient and willing to listen.
“Aw heck, why not...I’m in love with Moby!”
“YEEEEE!” The merpup squealed.
“And two other pups!”
“YEEEeeeee...Huh?”
“It’s definitely complicated.”
“You’re talking about Sweetie right? From the gala?”
“Was it obvious?”
“Oh yeah. At the gala, you two seemed really close!”
“Pretty close you could say.”
Coral would have teased him a little further but she could see how much this was weighting on him.
“And the other pup?”
“Claw, He’s a whole other story. A wild and crazy one.”
Arrby said almost joyfully, slumping over the edge of his dinghy. Letting his paws barely touch the water.
“This whole thing is a mess! All because I can’t make up my mind! I love Moby and Sweetie and Claw! On top of that, Who knows how my captain will even react to any of this! If he’ll even want me around afterwards.”
Coral lifted a paw and placed it on his head.
“Awww Arrby, I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this. The heart is complicated thing. Sometimes it pulls you one way and sometimes it pulls you another.”
“Like tug of war, Though I don’t know which side I’d lean on.”
“Should I give you some more time? Let Moby and the others know you…”
Arrby lifted his head up in surprise.
“Others?”
“Oh uh...Moby found Sweetie and Claw. Their waiting on Seal Island.”
“Oh...good. Great.”
Arrby felt the pressure build, he would have to face them but he wasn’t confident on what he would say. A terrible realization came to him. One he had not considered before but he couldn’t just let it be.
“Maybe I can’t decide. Maybe I shouldn’t be with...any of them.”
He let out another whine in protest. If he didn’t choose to be with them romantically, could he maintain a friendship with any of them? Would they just be satisfied with staying friends after this whole ordeal he put them through?
“I don’t know what to do!”
Coral patted his head in reassurance.
“I’m not entirely sure myself. These are the complications of monogamy.”
“I’m guessing this sort of stuff isn’t so complicated down in Puplantis huh?” Arrby joked. He had remembered that down in the depths of the city. Among the friendly faces of the merpups, He had encountered one or two with more than one partner. How easy and carefree they all seemed to get along. If only it were that easy.
The thought made Arrby’s ears shoot straight up.
“Maybe...it could be that easy.”
“What do you mean?”
A crazy thought came to the dachshund. It was long shot, a crazy and borderline selfish one but he still wanted to pitch it to the rest of his friends. He only hoped they were willing to listen.
“Coral, Can you push me back to shore. I...I think I’m ready to make a decision.”
--
“Alright, Make your move.”
Claw watched the pawns on the chess board. Eyeing his opponent carefully as one of his yellow tentacles pulled forward and recoiled over each piece. The ferocious beast seriously considering his next move. Just as he doubted himself, McSquidly squeaked aloud. Moving his bishop to take Claw’s knight. Making it impossible for him to move his King some where safe. The pup stomp his paw in defeat. He might have thrown a tantrum with any other pup, but he had to admit that the squid knew what he was doing.
“Ah! You clever creature. Good game!”
He held out his paw towards one of McSquidly’s tentacles, taking it with ease. Only for the inevitable to occur. Claw could not pull away, He paw securely stuck in the squid’s reach. Moby couldn’t help but smile at sight. Though he was not particularly happy of having other pups he didn’t know in his cove, there wasn’t much he could do till Arrby came back. Sweetie on the other hand, paced near the entrance. Seeming the most impatient of them all.
“He’ll be back. Just got to give him some time.”
“It’s passed midnight at this point! He has to be lost or something!”
“I seriously doubt that!” Claw remarked. “Being a pirate means he’s probably got a good sense of navigation.”
“See, even the crazy one isn’t worried.”
“Exactly...Hey!” Claw shot back, still trying to wrangle his paw out of McSquidly’s grip
“He’ll be back. Just wait, then he’ll make his decision. Finally settling this once and for all.”
“Yes, Once and for all.”
The three looked up at one another in the cove. McSquidly sensing the tension in the air. Each pup ran their gaze over each other. Seeming more than ready to throw down if need be. Was it really going to come down to this? The mollusk felt his whole body settled down as he pointed out the dinghy quickly making it’s way towards the shore.
“Look!” Sweetie cried out.
All three pups nearly collided with one another as they left the cove and ran towards the sand. They stood side by side watching the vessel slow down and come to a halt. The pirate eagerly hopped out. Seeing his three closest friends all in one place filled him with immense happiness.
“Howdy!”
Sweetie couldn’t help herself and ran towards him, Claw in pursuit as the pair knocked him down. Soaking them in the approaching tide.
“Arrby!”
“We had no idea where you had gone!”
“It’s alright! I’m alright. Hehehehe!”
Moby felt sort of left out in the fray but he didn’t really know the royal pups to well to join in on the hug. Sweetie and Claw seemed to have come to their senses. Realizing they were practically hugging each other and quickly separated.
Arrby pulled himself up as Coral quickly walked up from the shore. Giving her whole body a shake as she dried herself. Moby gave her a nod of approval as thanks. She smiled back at him, Without saying a word, she walked along towards the cove. Giving the four some much needed privacy. Though Moby could have sworn he had seen her and McSquidly poke their heads out from entrance.
“’m really sorry I kept you all waiting. That whole thing with Captain Sid came out of nowhere. Plus the fight I had with him after.”
“A fight?”
“It doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is us. Right here. Right now.”
“Absolutely love. We’re all here for you. Plus we’ve come to an agreement!” Sweetie announced.
“An understanding if you will.” Claw added.
“That’s the same thing…” Moby bickered to Claw.
“Is not!”
“Like we said.” Sweetie quickly interrupted. “We won’t let what ever decision you make affect our friendship with you. We promise.”
The boys nodded in agreement. Arrby felt some slight relief at that but held his breath still. Putting what he was going to say as delicately as he possibly could.
“I think I know what to do but I’m nervous about how you will react.”
“Lay it on us. Straight up. Who do you want to be with.” Moby asked.
Arrby eyed the three pups. Each one pleading in their own way. Sweetie giving her biggest puppy eyes, Claw following much of the same. Ears dropped down and all. Moby, always the outlier, Simply nodded his head to his companion.
“All three of you have made my life so amazing since the day we’ve met!”
Arrby walked up and went down the line.
“Sweetie, you’re wonderful and cunning at the same time. A queen in every right.”
“Arrby…”
“Claw, you’re heroic and sensitive. The best qualities a knight and friend should have”
“Um...Emphasis on heroic though right?” Claw blushed.
“Moby, You’re intelligent and ridiculously sweet. Genius and beautiful all in one.”
“Hah..pfff!...No I’m not.” Moby’s tail wagged at the compliment.
“It’s soooo hard to choose between any of you. So, I...I...I’d like to try something. A proposal.”
“What?!” All three pups barked out in shocked unison.
“No no, Not like that. I meant an idea! If you would be willing to hear me out.”
Arrby bit his tongue and stood his ground
“I...I truly can’t decide on choosing any single one of you. So….Sooo...Would you guys be okay with...all three of you….dating me?”
No pup said anything. Sweetie’s mouth open and closed in bewilderment. Claw slowly tilted his head down, almost like it was going to spin it all the way around. Moby’s ears and tail twitched. Like he was really trying process what Arrby had said. All three of these troublesome pups muttered out the same word.
“Huh?”
Arrby stammered his response.
“What I mean is...”
“Like...dating each other?” Sweetie asked.
Sweetie and Claw took one look at one another and turned away in embarrassment but both raised an eyebrow towards Moby. Who looked bewildered.
Arrby had to better clarify.
“No, Just me. I would date each of you separately. You three would hang out and be friends. Well, I hoped you’d be friends but….I’d be your mate or um...your boyfriend.”
Moby smacked his forehead in realization
“Ohhhhh, Duh! Like a polyamorous relationship.”
“A what now?” Sweetie questioned
“We all date him and only him. We have relationships like that back in Puplantis. Some merpups date multiple folks. Some times they all date each other.”
“Huh...Interesting. I’ve never considered that before.” Claw inquired.
“Only if you all want to! I know that’s a huge ask and I don’t expect all of you to be on board so fast.”
Moby stepped forward without hesitation.
“Trust me, I’m already there.”
Sweetie stammered in place.
“What? What..Are you really considering this Moby?”
“Considering? No, I’m in. It makes the most logical sense. Every pup gets what they want. Arrby gets all three of us and I get Arrby.”
“Are you absolutely sure Moby? I don’t want you feel pressured to do this if you don’t want to.”
He turned to look at the pirate
“Arrby. I mean it. Like I said, I’m crazy about you. Sure, it probably means that I can’t have the privacy I’m used to having but...heck. I’m willing to sacrifice that if it means I get to be with you”
“Moby…”
Claw and Sweetie stood their ground. The Doberman rubbing his chin in thought. He turned Sweetie. Genuinely valuing her opinion on this.
“Well, perhaps we...could consider it?”
Sweetie’s eye brow rose. She had expected the armor clad pup to besiege the pair and take Arrby as his own. Had he really changed that much?
“Claw, You don’t have to agree to join just because Moby…”
“I’m not! Truly!”
To pointed a paw towards the pirate.
“Before he came along, I only had my dragon. That, Plus the occasional spat between you and I. When Sparks left, I was at my lowest point. Despite all of my egotism and pride, he stayed by my side. Help me back on my paws. I wouldn’t trade a friend, let alone a boyfriend like that for anything. Even if it means I have to share him with you and the fluffy one.”
Arrby giggled at Moby’s nickname, who just rolled his eyes towards him. The pampered terrier stared at Claw, then at her front paws. Not really saying anything. Her ears twitched in mild irritation at how easy the boys were swayed to this idea. Every so often she would look up, her gaze fixed primarily at Arrby, a mix of worry and scorn.
“So...you’re essentially choosing, without actually choosing.”
Sweetie couldn’t help but say that bitterly. Moby and Claw didn’t appreciate her tone but Arrby stepped forward. Head lowered towards her.
“I’m sorry...I know this isn’t what you were expecting.”
“It really wasn’t. However…”
She ran a paw under his chin, moving his gaze up to her.
“It’s not entirely unreasonable I think.”
“So, are you saying you want to give it a shot?”
“I’m not saying yes.” She barked coldly. “But...I’m not saying no either. This is a tremendous ask you’ve offered and I can’t jump on like the boys have. I would seriously consider the decision all three of you are making.”
Moby shrugged, seeming set on his decision.
“Why make it complicated?”
“Because it can get complicated!”
She stomped towards the pair.
“How do you possibly expect to share him huh? Claw is temperamental as is. We have trouble keeping civil with one another normally. Imagine how much worse we’ll be if we’re dating the same dog? Let alone throwing you into the mix?”
“We can at least try!” Claw argued.
“And how exactly would we plan this? Does he come visit each one of us certain days? Do we all live together? What about your horde back in the dragon highlands? What if Sparks returns? Will you leave him behind to be with us?”
Claw was ready to spit back something vile, but he had to admit. Sweetie did have a point. He held back his rude comment.
Sweetie pinched the bridge of her nose with a paw. Trying to settle down.
“I’m sorry for being so curt but there’s so much that will have to be considered. I think...I think it’s only fair that Arrby let’s have time to ponder this. We gave him plenty of time to focus on what he wanted to do.”
Arrby felt a tinge of sadness but nodded his head.
“Yeah, That’s fair…”
“Arrby.” Moby tried to argue.
“No, She has a point.” Claw pointed out. “We can’t just jump into this.”
Moby felt his jaw clench, Not believing that they these so called friends of his partner would even hesitate to this compromise. He took one look at the pirate, His soft facial features showing off hurt but overall understanding. It was enough for Moby to fix his own glowered expression.
“Maybe you two do need time, but...but I’m still in.”
Arrby leaned into him.
“And I really appreciate that Moby, but we need to give them a moment to think hard about all this.” He looked towards the royal pair. “Take all the time you want. I can wait for you. Both of you.”
Claw nodded politely to his friend while Sweetie turned her head. Not really looking the pirate in the eye anymore.
“I’d...I’d like to go home now.”
“Sure thing, We’d need to pile in the dinghy though. Moby’s sub won’t fit all of us.
Just like that, they were back at an impasse.
Claw looked defeated, Moby looked irritated, and Sweetie was frustrated. Arrby stood in silence. Wondering if he had made the right call. This wasn’t at all what he had hoped for. Their impasses was rudely interrupted by an enormous wave that crashed to the shore. Something massive had popped out of the water. The pups pulled themselves up from tide. Staring at the Swashbucker Sloop. It quickly changed from sub mode to a ship. A scattered and worried looking Sid Swashbuckle tossed the anchor overboard. It landed with a dull thud in front of the pups. With the frazzled captain leaning over the rail to look down on them.
“ARRRRBY!”
His ear piercing shriek echoed off the shore.
“ARRRRBY! I’M SORRY! I’ve tossed it! All of it! Well, most of it...but a lot of it! Ahhh!”
He leaned too far over the railing, falling over board and landing hard on the sand. He quickly picked himself back up. Arrby was in shock at the state his captain was in.
“Captain? How’d you find me?!”
“Track ya friends pup tags! Or girlfriends tag? Boyfriends? Yarrr it don’t really matter! All I know is I haven’t been listening! Putting my need need NEEDS over my own pup! What kind of captain am I?!”
He dramatically threw his hat off. It sailed in the air before landing on Claws head with surprising accuracy.
“I don’t need some junk! I need my pirate pup! I need him to be safe! I need him to be happy!”
He dropped to his knees, pleading towards his four legged friend.
“I’ve been a real scallywag! Please please PLEASE forgive me!”
Sid fell forward in the sand, groaning loudly. Even as the tide washed over him and threatened to dry drown him. The display was over the top, Sad even. Sweetie had put it best though.
“Ugh...pathetic.”
Arrby looked up towards the sloop, He couldn’t see any of the junk he had accumulated earlier. It seemed that Sid was telling the truth. The dachshund approached his captain. He leaned over gave his ear a lick. Sid bolted upright, His eyes lighting up at the gesture.
“Captain...Sid. I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
“No, no. Arrby. I was in the wrong. All that stuff, that glorious, wonderful stuff!” His mind drifted a bit but he came back to his senses. “All of that can’t make up for my one true pal.”
Arrby squeezed himself in between Sid’s arms. The pirate returning the affection with tremendous force. The pirates enjoyed their tender moment. Even as the other three watched. Still unsure of where things would go from here. Sid picked up on the tension.
“Yar, Did I...Interrupt something?”
--
It was decided that Arrby would take Claw and Sweetie home. Letting them really consider the option of being in a polyamorous relationship with him. Everyone seemed set on this, though Moby couldn’t help but grumble and growl at Arrby having to leave once more.
“Moby, It’s okay…”
“Why couldn’t they just say yes?” He said quietly.
“Because that isn’t fair to them. Give them time. For me?”
Arrby let out a sad pitiful whine. Moby simply sneered in fake annoyance
“Ugh...fine. I’ll do it for you but...don’t keep me out here all by myself. Alright?”
From the cove, McSquidly nudged at Coral. Giving an annoyed squeak that sounded like.
“What are we to him? Chopped tuna?”
The cockpoo giggling at his response.
“I’ll see you soon. I promise.”
Arrby leaned up and gave the fluffy pup a kiss on his snout. Moby leaned into the affection. Even as the pirate was hulled up towards the ship. With a final wave goodbye, Sid piloted the sloop out to sea.
As Moby watched his beloved pirate pup leave, he felt his unease begin to rise. His breath had quickened and a dull ringing began to echo in his ears. Coral recognized those signs immediately. She told McSquidly to grab the pup’s shell phones but to her surprise Moby raced out into the water. Yelling out as loud as he possibly could.
“Arrby!”
The pirate turned to look at former merpup.
“You have me! You hear that?! You dumb little pirate! You have me! No matter what they decide! No matter what comes next! You still have me!”
The pirate felt his lip quiver, he tried his best not tear up. He felt a set of reassuring paws on his back. Sweetie and Claw stood by his side and even gave a friendly wave towards Moby. Arrby could just make out the faint colors of Moby’s brown and white fur as they left the shore of Seal Island. He blew a kiss towards blur of fluff.
“I love you too!”
Moby didn’t move. He sat in the water, just watching the sloop disappear into the night. He didn’t react as Coral and McSquidly slowly approached him.
“Moby? Are you okay?”
Moby let out long sigh and turned back towards the shore.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yup. I just need something to take my mind of it. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to be left alon…
That’s when he saw it, a wooden dinghy. In their haste, the pirates had left their dinghy behind by the cove. He looked at the flimsy but sturdy vessel and got an idea.
“Actually...Coral...McSqiudly. Can you meet me here first thing tomorrow morning. I’m gonna need a set of paws and tentacles.”
“Yip yip! I should be able to swing by”
McSqiudly squeaked out a confident greeting.
Moby let a mischievous smile cross his face as he eyed the dinghy and his sub parked next to it. There was nothing better than working on his inventions to pass the time. Might as well work on something that he, Arrby, and a few other pups could use.
“Time for an upgrade.”
--
The Sloop had arrived at the Dragon Highlands. Sid choose to stay on board, far too scared to leave the vessel on the off chance he’d encounter a dragon. Claw nodded towards Sweetie. Giving her a proper goodbye.
“Well, that was quite an adventure. Could do without falling out of the sky next time.”
“Hah! Where’s the fun in that?” she snorted at him.
The pair snickered among one another with Arrby seeming confused at what they were talking about. Sweetie respectfully stepped away to give the pups some space. The Doberman wasted no time giving Arrby a small kiss.
“Thank you for the ride love. Let me give your proposal some thought alright?”
“Absolutely. Are you sure you won’t be too lonely up here by yourself?
“Hah, The greatest knight in all of Barkingburg can make it one night! Plus, Something tells me I will be seeing you very soon!”
The pirate wrapped himself around the knight one last time before he briskly jumped off the ship. Landing somewhat carefully on the shore. He gave one final nod to Sweetie and Sid as he walked back to his cave.
The forest and vast green plains of the Dragon Highlands seemed so beautiful at night but the creeping loneliness he felt began to well on him. Perhaps he should have taken Sweetie’s offer to go to the castle but he figured he caused enough trouble for her.
As he made his way back home, to the den he had left behind, He heard something. He let his instincts kick in and kept low to the ground. His ears shot up straight listen closely to the sound. Claw could make out...breathing, heavy breathing. Coming from the direction of his home.
“It...It can’t be.”
He ran towards the den, only to come to a halt at the sight of his cave. Every thing that had been stashed inside had been throw out. All the gold, All of his things. It was scattered every which way. There in the center of the cave was a massive yellow and bright red dragon.
“Sp...Sparks…”
The dragon’s head shot up, His eyes fixed on the Doberman. His pupils went wide and the beast lunged forward. Practically steamrolling over top of him. Letting his massive tongue slip out and giving Claw a lick on his face.
“Ack! Sparks! Yuck! Hahahaha!”
The Doberman pulled himself up. Placing a paw right on the dragon’s snout.
“I thought you were gone. Left for good. I…”
Claw struggled to keep himself composed. The dragon used one of his massive claws to pull the pup closer into his nose. Giving him a nuzzle. Claw let himself go, snuggling into the massive dragon’s snout. Bawling his eyes out.
“You...You missed me. You...You actually care about me.” He bellowed through his tears and hiccups. “I’ve...missed you so much Sparks!”
Sparks let out a gentle growl in approval. Claw wiped his eyes and looked around. Still trying to understand something.
“Wh...Why did you toss all this stuff out here?”
A massive roar came from inside the cave. Claw jumped as he watched a large Blue dragon with green horns step out. It was followed by two smaller looking baby dragons. Who chirped and flew over towards Sparks. Claw watched as his friend nudge his head into the Blue dragon. Finally realizing what was going on.
“Oh, OHHHHH! You made room for your new friend huh?”
Sparks growled in approval.
“So that’s where you’ve been at this whole time? Naughty boy. Finally had to bring her and the kids home huh?”
Claw could have sworn he witnessed the equivalent of a dragon blushing as Sparks bellowed steam out his nostrils. The female dragon giving him a playful shove with her tail. The babies circled their new father in admiration. Claw’s heart swelled at the sight.
“Hah, Funny enough Sparks. Something similar happened to me too. Recently.
Claw was glad that he wouldn’t be lonely for the night. He laid back and watched stars with his dragon companion. He reminisced about every crazy thing that occurred in the last few weeks. Leading up to the events that transpired tonight. It was a thrilling tale to tell. Exciting, daring, and most of all, Romantic. Right then and there, Claw made his decision.
--
Arrby offered a paw towards Sweetie but the pup simply grabbed the rope with her teeth and lowered herself down off the sloop.
The pair said nothing, Not even as the they approached the front of the castle. The pirate stopped in place, thinking this was far enough for she and him to part ways.
“Well, that was crazy night huh?”
“Indeed.”
Sweetie didn’t meet his gaze.
“I’ll...I’ll see you soon right?”
“Perhaps.”
Arrby looked towards the ground. Unsure of what to say but ultimately deciding to just let her be.
“Good night Sweetie. I...I love you.”
The pirate turned to leave before a paw caught his collar.
“Say that again.”
“Sweetie…”
“Arrby.”
She looked up at him. A sad look on her face.
“Please, one more time.”
The pirate slipped his paw into her own and leaned in close. His nose pressing into hers.
“I love you Sweetie.”
Sweetie’s face went crimson at that and she just let whatever popped in her head come spilling out her mouth.
“I want you Arrby! Not the crown, Not the castle, Not even the approval of my subjects. I want you! I fell for you hard and I don’t know if...if I would be willing to share you.”
“Sweetie. You mean the world to me but….I can’t just give everything I have to you. Especially my heart. When it loves Moby and Claw too.”
“Hmmph. Just can’t disappoint any pup can you?” Sweetie mused, leaning her forehead into Arrby’s.
“I literally can’t, but I hope you will still consider it.”
“I will. Goodnight.”
Sweetie gave the pirate a quick peck on his lips before turning away. It was a bittersweet ending, One Arrby had to contend with for the time being. He had played his part, now it was time to let his friends play theirs.
Sweetie made it to the front of her castle. The gala had come to an end. All their guests were gone, and Sweetie was by herself again. Sitting down by the entrance as the draw bridge was pulled down. She let a few tears roll down her face. She didn’t budge, not even as the princess came running over towards her. She felt herself being lifted off the ground and into her human companions arms. Busby spun circles around the pair, happy that his friend was home and safe.
--
Arrby pulled himself up and waddled back on to the deck. Sid watching him close.
“Yarr...Arrby. You doing okay?”
“I’ll live.”
Arrby sat by the bow. Not really observing the view in front of him. Just sort of lost in his head. Sid flung the steering wheel to starboard. Putting it in auto pilot as he set course for home. He made his way down to the deck and sat next to his first mate. Reaching out his hand to pat him on the head.
“Quite the ladies man are ya?” He joked. “Gentlemen too hmm? Har...Not that I take issue with that.”
“I get ya boss.”
Arrby looked around the deck, Observing all the free space on board.
“You really did get rid of all of it?”
“Every last bit of it. Just kept the essentials.”
Arrby shot him a look.
“Define essentials.”
“Ya know! Food, water, Coconuts….60 inch plasma screen…” He whispered that last part.
Arrby couldn’t help but laugh.
“Okay, it is a cool TV though.”
“It is! Yarrr!”
The pirate pup leapt into his lap and nuzzled his chin.
“Thank you Sid. You really are a good friend.”
“Anytime! Speaking of, Why don’t give me the low down on what exactly is going on between you and those other pups. If ya want to that is. I’m all ears this time, I swear!”
Arrby, for once, was glad to have his attention. Even as the decision his friends would make lingered in his head. It would do him no good to sit and worry. He might as well reminiscence on what made him asked such interesting proposal in the first place.
“Well, It actually started right here. On the shore of Barkingburg, I was out singing a sea shanty...”
