Chase Runs Away

The Final Attempt at Peace

A little note before the story:

I know this can most likely go without saying, but when I refer to Chase and Marshall as "brothers" I'm referring to the fact that they consider themselves close as brothers, not actually blood. I know that's pretty obvious considering they're two different breeds, but I'm just clarifying....ok enjoy the story!
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This felt like the longest walk yet to Chase. Not only had he just gone through a breakup, but now he was confronting his biggest problem yet. It didn't help that the Dalmatian was surrounded by all of the other pups. It only made the journey harder. Between all of the journeys to each pup, it felt like the Shepherd had ran a marathon, even if he was only walking a few meters between each pup. The stress was just terrible.

Chase realized he only really had one good shot at fixing this. If he made it any worse, he might truly lose Marshall forever, and he couldn't even bear the thought of such a thing. He had already lost his girlfriend who had given him so much love in the span of such a short time. That hole was still fresh in his heart. Anymore damage and he would probably never be the same again.

"I have to do this right" Chase thinks to himself. "But what do I even say? How do I even start?" The Shepherd questions.

Chase realized in that moment that he had to take a blind leap forward. There was no time for a long and thought out plan. The day wasn't getting any younger. He didn't want to sleep with the thought that he may be too late to fixing this. He had to do it now and act on impulse.

"Here goes nothing" The Shepherd says as he approaches the pups.

With the other pups

"Yeah, that would be really ridiculous" Marshall says as he laughs with the pups, with closed eyes from the giggles.

The Dalmatian noticed that after a few seconds he was the only one laughing. He opened his eyes and noticed the pups had backed up. This confused him at first until he turned around and saw Chase right in front of him. All humor, laughter, and grins the Dalmatian once had were replaced with a cold stare that revealed no positivity.

The pups knew that there was no point in pretending to not pay attention. They were bound to do so. The least they could do was give them a bit of breathing space. However, with how tense the air became, oxygen felt scarce. Everyone was still at the confrontation getting ready to unfold between the two brothers.

After what felt like an eternity, Chase spoke up. Confidence starting build.

"Hey Marshall" The Shepherd says to the Dalmatian, hoping to elicit a response that could kill this deafening silence.

Silence ensues. It was hard tell why Marshall wasn't speaking. His expressions weren't revealing enough. He could be mad or he could be nervous, but none of those emotions were apparent.

The five other pups positioned behind them watched with a flinch. The atmosphere was so uncomfortable. The sound of Jake's fridge was audible to the pups.

Chase was tired of waiting. Words needed to happen now.

"Marshall, please speak. If you're mad just say it. If you're not then explain. You're giving me nothing to work with and it was hard enough to build up enough courage just to walk up to you" Chase explains in frustration.

Everyone was getting ready to give up hope on the two pups ever making up. Then, to everyone's surprise, Marshall looked the Shepherd in the eyes.

"Building up courage is nothing new to you" The Dalmatian said in a low unnatural voice, which was very unsettling.