Too Smart to Love - RockyxZuma

How I came to love a particular mix-breed

(Zuma's POV)

I woke up to my alarm, which was set precisely five minutes before Chase's, and got up. I quickly did my morning routine before getting out of my pup house and headed to Rocky's

I knock on his door for a bit to wake him up

"Wocky! Time to get up! We need to get weady to continue youw swimming lessons!" I yell as I sit in front of his pup house and wait for him to come out

I could hear Rocky groan from inside, but he still wouldn't come out

"Come on, Wocky! You know what happens if you don't!" I yell as I look to Chase's pup house; his alarm should ring in just a minute

That sure worked. Soon after, I hear Rocky scramble to come out of his pup house. The doors opened to reveal the mix-breed that I've come to love over the years, but something seemed off; he was very tired

He looked at me and smiled, trying to seem energetic, but I know he was just trying to hide the fact that he was somnolent

"Did you get any sleep last night?" I asked with his same attitude, but at least I don't need to fake it

"Uh... yeah, sure" he said giving me that warm smile again

I get that he wouldn't want me to worry for him; it's actually one of the things I love about him, but to lie to me?

"Don't do that" I responded with a frown

"Do what?"

"Don't lie to me again just because you don't want me to wowwy fow you. You think I didn't notice how lethawgic you wewe yestewday? Well I did; I just decided to let it slide, but now you can bawely keep youw eyes open!"

"..." He didn't respond, instead he was standing there and drooling. Poor guy, I've always known he's a light sleeper, but at least he's usually able to get some sleep

"Wocky?" I said softly and waited for a second but he still wouldn't answer

"WOCKY?!" This time I practically yelled to his perked up ear. It's kind of adorable how one of his ears is floppy and the other one's perked up...

Wait, I'm still supposed to be mad at him for lying; I can't get distracted by his adorable ears, or his cute shaded eye, or his god-blessed tail... damn it, I can't even focus now?! I thought I had my crush on him under control?! If I keep being so obvious he's gonna find out...

"ALRIGHT I'M AWAKE!" Rocky yelled, forcing his eyes open. I didn't mean to startle him but at least I've finally got his full attention

He rubbed his eyes and sighed. "... I'm sorry, but I couldn't sleep last night, or the night before... was it that obvious?"

"Don't be sowwy, but yep, it was noticeable. At fiwst l let it slide, but now you seem extwemely tiwed. You need to get some west befowe we continue, so go back to youw pup house and get the sleep you vewy much need. I'll ask Chase not to wake you up today unless you have a mission and you can have bweakfast latew; it's vewy eawly in the mowning anyway". I turn around to talk to Chase who just got up and is preparing to wake everyone else up for breakfast

"Wait!", Rocky called. "Look, Zuma, I know that you worry for me but I'm fine. I just need to eat something and I'll be ready to continue, or should I say start, the swimming lessons. It's not like it's something I'm really looking foward to but the sooner we start the sooner we get this over with"

I couldn't help but to frown once again at hearing this. "Awe you weally not looking forward to this? This could be an oppowtunity fow us to have something in common that we can do togethew! Wouldn't that be fun?!" I barked happily as my tail bagan to wag in exitement. Just the thought of doing my favorite thing in the world with my favorite person in the world makes me happy, but I'll be even happier if we actually do it