Too Smart to Love - RockyxZuma

Fool's Gambit

Zuma's POV

For hours in the night, Rocky and I were silently watching the stars. I didn't know what I would say, or if I should say anything at all, but I had to talk eventually, it scared me that Rocky had locked himself in his pup house for so long and he only does that when he has serious problems because he only knows to hide from his issues rather than confront them.

But what am I supposed to say? I can't just throw him the question. What if he gets all defensive and closes out again? Oh, sh*t... this is going to be harder than I thought

You see, everyone sees me as 'the chill pup'. And it is true based on how I choose to behave, but just because I don't show the worry doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I worry about a lot: what if I messed up on a mission, or said the wrong thing in a convo, or sound stupid when talking to Mr. Genius next to me. But I don't really let it show. Sometimes I feel like if I did show it then people wouldn't like me anymore. Because if I'm not 'the chill pup', then who am I?

But deep down, I know Rocky doesn't care if I don't sound smart like him. He'd probably say something like "there is no such thing as sounding smart, there is simply what is known to be the particular use of words and vocabulary common among people considered 'smart' based upon how society quantifies such word. But in reality intelligence has not a single specific way of being expressed. In fact, not even intelligence itself has a single specific way of being. By that I can guarantee you any words you utilize can be 'smart words'. And you already talk smart in your own smart way"

Come to think of it that does sound very much like something he'd say. How did I know this? Oh, wait, he told me that once... anyway, I'm getting off topic. I need to think of something to say. I was thinking maybe something funny to get him to laugh and then casually bring up what happened today and asking him of whatever reason made him lock himself in his pup house and everything else. And when I'd finally thought of the perfect thing to say, I spoke up

"Hey, Wocky?"

"Yeah?" The mix responded while still admiring the stars

"Well-" and just my luck, I immediately forgot what I was gonna say, so I tried to play it cool and skip to asking the question

"I was just wondewing, you know, what happened today. You had me worried..."

I could see Rocky tense up at this. I didn't want it to go like this but there's no going back at this point

He stayed silent for a couple of seconds and spoke slowly and hesitantly. "I... something happened, yes, but... I don't think it's really worth discussing. I-I am better now... you have nothing to worry about."

The pup was lying through his teeth and I could feel it. I could feel myself frown at the thought of my dearest... friend to not want to tell me of something serious. Then again, he's Rocky. He may truly be better and not want to talk about it, but I wasn't so sure, so I let him... or not

"Lies. What's the mattew?" I said looking straight at him

He looked back with a face so astonished, which then turned into a deadpan and spoke with considerable annoyance in his voice. "I said, I'm fine." His emphasis of the word fine made it clear he didn't want me to push it any further, yet I did. Maybe not such a smart decision...

"But you don't seem fine-"

"I said I'm fine! Now won't you just shut up about it?!" He said, this time it was so obvious anyone with half a brain would know to back off. I wonder where the other half of my brain went at that moment...

"But you wewe in your pup house all da-"

"Will you just shut up?!" He said standing up. It looked like he would leave so I was forced to stop (for once)