Freckled Kisses

A boy was in love.

-1:00 pm-

         It was just another day at head quarters. Chase seemed to be in a bad mood. Actually, Chase had been in a bad mood ever since he got back from his mission with Marshall. Marshall couldn't help but wonder if he had done something wrong, something to upset Chase. The mere thought of upsetting his best friend made tears swell up in his round blue eyes.

-That evening...-

         It was now time for dinner. Chase still hadn't talked to Marshall since their mission. Marshall almost couldn't bare it anymore, he was beginning to get immensely worried. Marshall decided he should talk to Chase. But his decision was interrupted by a painful sight. Chase was sitting with Sky. He was sitting with her...

-Earlier, the same day-

       Chase had just gotten back from his mission with Marshall, but something was off about him. For some reason unknown to Chase, Marshall appeared to be distancing himself from Chase. Chase couldn't quite come up with a reason for why, so he decided he must have done something to upset Marshall.

"Maybe it would be best if I distanced myself, too.." Chase thought. "I hope he's okay."

-Returning to that evening-

        Marshall sat with his head down, no interest in the food in front of him.

"You okay?" Came the voice of Rocky, who was walking over to Marshall. "You seem to be a little down.."

"Huh? Oh, hi Rocky. Yeah, I'm great!" Marshall replied, his words slightly sad at first, but then ending with a fake happiness.

"Dude, why are you trying to hide it? What's wrong?" 

"You're right.. I'm not okay. It's just- I don't really know how to tell you this but I- well..." Marshall began, "It's just Chase is my best friend, and I think he's upset with me..."

"Dude- are you sure he's really just your best friend? You get this look in your eyes that's so different when you're talking about him or to him." Rocky held a strong gaze with Marshall.

"I- what-" Marshall's ears turned a gentle red, "Are you saying I- like.. him..?"

"I mean it is kinda obvious!" Rocky laughed a soft laugh like he always did when he was trying his best to be nice.

"Wait- if you think it's so obvious.. Do you think Chase knows?!" Marshall raised his voice in a panicked tone.

"Nah he dumb as hell." Rocky ensured. 

"I- okay.. well do you have any idea why he might be upset with me? Did I do something to hurt him?" Marshall asked, inclined to believe Rocky knew just about everything.

"Well, I just finished chatting with your dearest Chase, and he thinks YOU'RE upset with HIM." Rocky answered, with an overly confident smile.

"What?-" Marshall stumbled over his words as he glanced over at Chase sitting with Sky.

"Marshall? Are you upset with Chase?" Rocky asked.

"Um, not exactly.. It's just.. I can tell he really likes Sky.. And, I'm nothing like her. I mean, haven't you seen the way he looks at her? How his eyes light up when she talks to him? Or the way he-"

"Yeah but I've also seen the way he looks at YOU. And the way he gets this warm glow to him when he talks to YOU." Rocky interrupted.

There was a short silence from Marshall.

"Are... you sure?" Marshall's voice was almost at a whimper.

"Uh- yeah." Rocky replied with a playful tone and a wide smile.

"So.. You think I should talk to him? What about Sky-" All Marshall ever did was worry.

"Ignore that bitch she probably gay anyway." Rocky had such a way with words.

"Wh-" At that point Marshall didn't even know what to say. But, he trusted Rocky. 

As Rocky went back over to his seat with Zuma and Rubble, Marshall had a lot on his mind. But, he decided to act on Rocky's advice and talk to Chase. Chase was currently sitting on the other side of the dining hall with Sky. Marshall sat up and began walking towards Chase's table, when he suddenly tripped over his untied shoe lace. Trying his best not to fall, he continued to fumble in the direction of Chase. With his eyes closed, he felt himself fall into someone's arms. Such a warm embrace. 

He then heard Chase's soft voice, "Marshall- are you okay?" 

Marshall opened his eyes to Chase's face, slightly above his.