Fire on Fire

Chapter 23

WARNING, this is a pretty serious chapter and may trigger some emotions. I apologize in advance but the character Richard is supposed to live up to his nickname.

"Okay, so we know for sure we're telling Sweetpea first. Anyone else you have in mind?" Buddy asked. A day had passed since the pair had first started discussing telling the others about their love. Walking side by side at the dog park, the couple sat down in some shade. Thinking for a moment, Mel replied, "I'd say Max and Chloe. They were our first friends when we first moved into the apartment."

"That's a good idea," Buddy remarked. The dachshund started snickering to himself as he added, "I think it's safe to say we're not telling Snowball immediately. The psychopath won't be able to contain himself." Chuckling, Mel replied, "Oh my god I can see it now. He would be screaming at the top of his lungs out enough for the city to hear." The pair burst out laughing at the thought. Leaning against his boyfriend, Buddy wheezed, "We'll still tell him just not right away. Can't have him spoiling the surprise."

"Yep," Mel answered. Nuzzling his friend, the pug gave him a kiss on the cheek. Still giggling like some child in a candy store, Buddy gently head butted him as he scolded teasingly, "Come on, that's not my mouth." Smiling, the pug kissed the dachshund again but this time on the lips. Both dogs were wagging their tails a million miles per hour and their hearts were singing with love. Unfortunately, the moment was ruined by a snapping twig.

"What in the world do we have here?" a voice growled. Startled, Mel and Buddy broke the kiss and looked up. Standing before them was a big golden retriever with shaggy fur and a chain for a collar. Neither of the dogs liked the look in the retriever's brown eyes. There was trouble written in them. Tilting his head to the side, the bigger canine rumbled, "Name's Richard, and you lot are on my turf."

"We're so sorry, we didn't realize," Buddy apologized. He glanced over at Mel worriedly. Since when has any dog tried to claim anything in the dog park? This golden retriever was here to cause trouble, and neither wanted it. Backing away slowly while keeping Buddy behind him, Mel nodded his head and stated, "It won't happen again, we promise."

"Oh I know it won't because you both need a lesson about not desecrating someone's zone," Richard growled, baring his teeth. Confused, Mel mumbled, "English please? Some of us don't know big words." Biting his lip, Buddy whispered, "He's referring to us kissing, I'm guessing he found it offensive." There was a moment of silence before Mel murmured, "Oh..."

"Very good Sherlock, now get your homo butts out of my sight before I rip your faces off!" Richard barked angrily. He was not messing around. He approached the pair on stiff legs, following them out of the bushes and out into the clearing. His eyes wide with terror, Mel kept one eye on Richard and another on Buddy. He also kept himself between his boyfriend and the bully. There was no way he was gonna let anything happen to the dachshund. Even if it meant he was in danger.

Thankfully that never happened.

"Hey ugly! You leave them alone!" Duke's loud bark sounded across the dog park. Startled, Mel and Buddy turned around just as the Newfoundland mix raced past them. Horrified by the whirlwind of brown fur coming his way, Richard wheeled around and ran with the mutt in hot pursuit. Frozen in place, Mel and Buddy were still processing everything when Max trotted over. "Oh my god are you guys okay?!" the Jack Russell terrier exclaimed, "We saw that golden retriever growling at you guys and freaked out!"

"We're okay, thank you Max," Mel rasped, finding his tongue. The pug turned to Buddy. The poor dachshund was shaken up pretty bad by the experience. Nuzzling his boyfriend reassuringly, Mel mumbled, "It's gonna be okay Buddy, we're safe."

"What was that dude's problem anyway?" Max questioned. Just then, the trio heard the terrier's owner Katie calling. Upon investigation, they saw the young woman was worried about Duke, who had returned limping. Max gasped in horror when he saw that. Sensing their pal had to leave soon, Mel murmured, "We'll explain when we get home. Tell Duke we said thank you."

"I will, see ya soon guys," Max called over his shoulder as he ran to his family, leaving Mel to comfort Buddy alone. Still trembling, the dachshund whimpered, "That was scary, I thought he was gonna get you." Kissing the top of Buddy's head, Mel reassured him, "It's gonna be okay, I hope that's the last we see of Richard."