The Cadet and The General (Final Space)

Chapter Fourteen: Some Good News

As Cataloupe was in his office, his mind kept wandering off about Pawblo. He couldn't stop thinking about how he acted today. It made him happy, and maybe a little adventurous.

There was a knock at the door. Cataloupe snapped out of it, looking down in front of his paperwork, trying to look busy. "Enter." The door opened to reveal General Purrito.

"General. I bring to you some good news."

Cataloupe's ears perked as he looked up. "Yes, General?"

"We and the other Generals have evaluated Cadet O'Connor's progression and fitness test scores. We believe that he is ready for Soldier status. All we need is your approval." Cataloupe smiled. He was proud that Pawblo earned this title fair and square. "I certainly approve of that. He deserves it, after all his hard work."

Purrito nodded. "I'll leave you to it to tell him of his promotion. Also, we cleaned out all the mold-infested bunks. Seemed to go by quicker than the last time, haha. O'Connor is free to return to his bunk and be out of your fur." Cataloupe felt saddened to hear this.

"General, if i may suggest, I think Pawblo will be just fine under my care. He is, after all, one of the best soldiers I've trained. Maybe it'd be best if I keep him under my watchful eye." He let out a chuckle, but kept it to himself. Purrito paused for a minute to think, and then nodded. "You're absolutely right. With the way he's progressing through your training, it seems that he grows stronger with you around." Purrito nodded and soon walked out of Cataloupe's office.

The big ventrexian smiled and blushed, knowing that he and Pawblo could spend a bit more time together. That put him in a good mood to keep working on paperwork.

The evening soon rolled around, and everyone at the base was either still working, asleep in their bunks, or barely heading home for the day. Cataloupe waited patiently inside of his truck, and soon heard the passenger door open. It was his boyfriend. He felt a kiss on his cheek, and it made him feel all warm inside.

"Hey, babe. I mean Cataloupe. Crap, I'm never gonna get used to that." He blushed in embarrassment. The big ventrexian chuckled. "You'll get used to it, Blueberry." He began to drive the truck out of the parking lot and down the road.

"Let me tell you where to go." Pawblo gave him instructions as to where he wanted to take Cataloupe to dinner. As he drove, he hummed to himself. He was happy to have a companion such as his Blueberry.

The truck soon pulled into a parking lot. There was food trucks all over. When Cataloupe stepped out of the truck, he saw Pawblo walking ahead of a line in front of a food truck. He began to call out a name. "Yo! Reggie! You there?"

A ventrexian with forest green fur popped his head out the window. "Pawblo? That you, buddy?" He soon got out of the truck and shook Pawblo's hand. "Great to see you, man! How's the military thing going?" The blue-ish ventrexian chuckled. "Well, it's been fun, if I'm being honest. It's been hard balancing this and my love life at the same time, y'know?"

The green ventrexian's ears perked up. "Whoa! Really? Awesome! Who's the lucky person?" Pawblo chuckled and waved over to Cataloupe, motioning for him to get over here. He did just that. Pawblo's friend was in shock. "This guy?! Wow! Happy for you, buddy." He smiled. Cataloupe chuckled nervously. "I assume you two know each other?"

Pawblo's friend nodded. "I'm Reggie." He waved his robot arm's hand. "Don't mind the hand. Got it in an accident." He chuckled. Cataloupe nodded. "I'm Cataloupe. Any friend of my Blueberry is a friend of mine." Pawblo blushed a little. "Aww. Anyway, we're both pretty hungry. Mind hooking us up with some munchies?" Reggie winked. "You got it, bro. Gimme a minute. The line's getting rowdy." He soon walked back into the food truck and kept cooking.

The couple walked over to a table and sat down. "How did you two meet?" Cataloupe was a little curious when asking this. Pawblo smiled a little. "Before.....us...I just dropped by here to get some food. I was starving and the food at the base didn't really help either. He gave me his number when he served my food and....well, I figured it would be a good way to....get you out of my head. After the first date, I turned him down and asked that we just be friends, because.....I was in love with you. He was okay, and he understood the situation." He fidgeted with his ear.

Cataloupe nodded. "So....I drove you crazy?" He smirked, placing a paw on Pawblo's. The cornflower blue ventrexian blushed. "I, uh, guess you did, Big Guy." They both chuckled. Soon, their food was ready, and Reggie gave them their tacos free of charge.

"Thanks, Reggie."

"Anytime, Pawblo. I'm just happy for you." He smiled.

As they got back in the truck, Pawblo looked at Reggie, who was busy and making conversation with the customers. It made him smile. "I think he'll be alright", Cataloupe commented. "He'll still care for you as a friend, but he'll always remember you." He curled his mustache. His boyfriend's words made Pawblo feel better.

"Yeah.....I guess he's gonna be alright."