FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The pups arrived back from their mission, a job well done as anyone would've suspected. It was starting to get pretty late in the day. Clouds had rolled in, filling the sky as the wind started to pick up. Despite the wind and the clouds, Rocky and Rubble were outside digging for a bone. They loved to dig for bones, it was one of their favorite hobbies. Fun-filled hours of chewing and gnawing were sure to follow every time they found one. Although if they got too dirty from all the digging, that meant bath time was sure to follow. Rubble didn't mind, as the cheerful bulldog loved bubble baths. Rocky, on the other hand, would try and hide somewhere to avoid taking baths. As much as he tried, he still ended up getting baths in the end.

Chase was in his pup house. He was worried about Marshall. As much as he wanted to ask the Dalmatian about what happened and what was going on, he knew Marshall wouldn't open up to it.

"Sometimes that pup can be so stubborn..." Chase thought to himself.

Nevertheless, he tried to relax. Maybe all Marshall needed was some space.

The Dalmatian was waiting inside the bottom of the lookout for Zuma. He saw both Skye and Zuma headed in his direction. Marshall stepped outside and walked over to them, meeting them halfway. He was still limping, but he didn't care at this point. He wanted answers, and he was going to get some. Seeing Marshall headed in their direction, Zuma started to turn, walking in another direction before he was stopped by Marshall.

"Zuma....we need to talk."

The Chocolate Lab could tell that Marshall was being serious. No games or cracking jokes. He had rarely ever seen Marshall so serious.

"What's the matter, Marshall?" Skye interrupted, worry took her eyes.

"I just...need to talk to Zuma about something, privately."

Skye was skeptical at first, but was reassured nothing was wrong when she heard Zuma.

"Don't worry, Skye. Marshall just wants to talk."

"Well...okay then. I'll go and see what the rest of the pups are doing."

And with that, she ran off to join the other pups. Marshall tilted his head to Zuma to signal talking inside the lookout. They both made their way inside.

When they got inside, there was an awkward silence that filled the room. Marshall stared at the brown pup. He loved everything about him. His personality, his eyes, his shiny fur coat, and he needed Zuma to know that. He also needed to know why the Chocolate Lab had been ignoring him all day.

Zuma was looking away from Marshall. All sorts of thoughts filled his head. What did Marshall want to talk about? Why was he so serious? Had he figured out the truth? The silence seemed to last an eternity before it was finally broken. Marshall spoke first.

"Zuma...why have you been avoiding me all day today? Is there something that I did to make you hate me?"

"No, Marshall...I-I'm sorry but I just..." Zuma thought for a moment. He wasn't sure of what exactly he wanted to say. He was still trying to deny any feelings he had for the spotted pup. "I just didn't want to be around you today! I wanted some time away from you.."

Hearing Zuma's response, Marshall started to tear up.

"Why?..."

The Chocolate Lab was at a loss for words. He didn't know how to respond. When Marshall realized that he wasn't going to reply back, he proceeded to talk again.

"Zuma....there's something you have to know..."

Tears started choking the Dalmatian up.

"Ever since we met, I've always had a crush on you. You were the one pup that always stood out to me. Everyday, as I got to know you more and be around you more, I loved you more and more until recently, when I knew you were the one for me. I knew I wanted to have a relationship with you, to call you my mate, to be in your loving arms....but most importantly, I wanted for you to love me back and to be able to love each other.."

Zuma stood there in silence and in shock as Marshall was about to burst into full crying mode.

"Marshall....two dudes can't fall in love with each other! It's not right!"

"Why not? Who says it's not right?!"

"It's not the way the world works, Marshall! Boys are supposed to fall in love with girls! It's not-!"

"Do you love me, Zuma?" Marshall interrupted before Zuma could finish.

"What?" The brown pup was stunned and froze at the question.

"Do. You. Love. Me?"

"Ye-...No! No! No! I don't love you! Two dudes aren't supposed to love each other! I will never love you!"

Just then, Marshall ran up and kissed Zuma in the lips. He hoped this would prove something, or at the very least he could say he had the kiss had been waiting for many years.

Zuma pulled away shortly and slapped Marshall across his face. Rage filled the brown pup, which was unusual since the pup was so laidback and very rarely ever got mad. It took a few seconds for Marshall to process what had just happened. It was as if time froze. There wasn't a single noise or movement. Reality faded to black, white, and grey.

Marshall ran to his pup house, not caring about the pain in his left paw. Instead, crying all the way until he got inside and shut himself off from everyone. All the pups had turned around at the sound of Marshall's crying. Realizing that Marshall ran off crying, Chase followed after him.

"Marshall, buddy? What's wrong? What happened?" Chase knocked on the spotted pup's door and got no response.

The others ran to check on Zuma and find out what had just happened. A look of fear filled his face.

"What have I done?...."