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Chase whimpered, nuzzling Ryder’s hand. "Can we get you anything?" He asked.
Ryder just sighed, lifting his face from the cushions. "I don't know. It's been a long day."
All the pups agreed with that. It seemed that there were missions one right after the other all day. The pups got breaks when they weren't needed, but Ryder was out all day. From helping set up decorations, to saving people's lives.
"I'm gonna call Harold," Rubble said, going to the big screen. Chase gave Rubble a look that he responded with, "Maybe he can have an idea we haven't thought of."
While half of the pups were still very suspicious about Harold, and understandable considering what the teen did in the past, Rubble and Skye seemed to finally trust the boy Ryder chose to give his heart.
Rocky helped Rubble with the calling function and soon Harold's face was on the big screen. "What's up Ry… woah. I heard you were all over town today but I thought it was an exaggeration. You okay?"
"No," Ryder groaned into the couch.
"Anything we can do?"
"I don't know."
Then Harold said something that none of the pups thought of. "I'll give you three options."
Ryder lifted his head, looking at the screen in confusion. "What?"
Harold gave Ryder a soft look as he listed. "Do you want to talk about it, a distraction, or some space?"
"Hu," Ryder said with an impressed contemplation. "That's… actually really helpful. I can still get the kind of…"
Harold joined in with a victorious smile. "Kind of help you need without needing to find and pull that need out of thin air."
"Minimizing the amount of thinking he's doing when he's upset," Marshall said with a nod and smile.
"And it doesn't waste any of our time on something that won't be helpful."
Ryder smiled at Harold. "You really are a genius."
Harold's face lit up a flustered red, but he simply said a calm, "So what will it be?"
Ryder thought for a few more moments before saying, "Some time to myself? If that's alright."
"Of course it's alright," Harold said. "That's why I offered it. Hey Pups. How about I come over and you can show me a couple of your favorite games to pass the time."
"Yippe!" Skye said with a flip.
"And Ryder, you take all the time you need and remember, you're always allowed to change your mind."
Ryder smiled at the screen. "Hey Harold?"
Harold stopped going to hang up with a "Hm?"
Ryder smirked. "I really like seeing all the growth you're doing."
Harold's blush was back with a vengeance before he hung up.
"Maybe you can teach him how to take a compliment," Rubble teased as he lead the pups to go down the elevator.
"Let us know if you need anything," Zuma called before the lift began to go down.
Ryder smiled. "What good pups," he said before flipping onto his back, letting out a sigh, and relaxing for the first time that day.
Harold accepted the ball from Zuma before throwing it again, all of the Pups ran after it, barking with happiness. While Harold never saw the appeal of running, it obviously made these guys happy so he gladly threw the ball again and again.
Once when he threw it, Chase stayed behind. "It's been hours," he stated. "Do you think he's okay?"
Harold shrugged, checking the time. "Closer to an hour, but point made. If he doesn't contact one of us in 10 minutes then we can go check on him. But I specifically stated he was allowed to change his mind, so let's just let him do what he needs to. He could have just fallen asleep."
Chase nodded in understanding as Skye came up with the ball so Harold took it and threw it once again.
A few minutes later, Harold got a call as he accepted the ball from Marshall so he threw it once again before answering the call. But only Rubble ran after it when Harold answered the call with. "Feeling better Ryder?"
"Yeah. I'm good. Could you get the pups their dinner then come up here?"
"Sure! See you soon."
Rubble ran back, ball in his mouth and a confused look on his face. "Why didn't the rest of you follow?"
"Ryder called," Harold said. "It's time for dinner then he wants me to go up."
"Yay!" Rubble celebrated, running to the Lookout. "Food!"
"Wait for me!" Marshall called before tripping over the ball they were playing fetch with and rolling into the doors instead of running.
The pups laughed at Marshall's clumsiness and ran after the two, ready for dinner.
The pups decided to play together before bed once they were done eating, but before they went to sleep, Sky snuck into the top of the Lookout to check on the two and had to resist squealing at the adorable sight.
They were both on the couch, laying down and fast asleep. Ryder’s arm was wrapped around Harold's middle as the blond's body faced away from the brunette. A blanket was over their legs as the two breathed deep in sleep.
Skye, very careful, used her teeth to pull on the blanket so it would cover their whole bodies. Looking at Ryder, she was glad to see him smile at the warmth and hold Harold tighter. Harold smiled in his sleep, using his arm to hug the one wrapped around him closer.
Sneaking back out, Skye smiled. They really were good for each other.
Ryder groaned as he woke up slowly, strange considering his years as a rescue team leader made him such a light sleeper just in case someone called at night.
Gaining more awareness, he registered that he wasn't in his bed and something was pressed against him.
Then he remembered what happened the previous day and startled slightly, realizing that he was holding Harold in his sleep. Luckily, Harold didn't wake up, just nuzzled closer with a sleepy groan.
Ryder smiled and held his boyfriend tighter enjoying this while he could.
Unfortunately, the moment was ruined by a call coming through on his Pup Pad.
Harold groaned as he began to wake up, but Ryder shushed him, grabbing the pup pad. "Go back to sleep. I'll handle this."
With a small noise, Harold followed his instructions, breath evening out.
Giving Harold a fond smile, Ryder answered the call. "Mayor Humdinger!?" He whisper shouted with surprise.
"Harold is missing!" The Mayor shouted into the call. "He left with no explanation yesterday and he's no where to be found."
"Calm down, Mayor," Ryder whispered, moving the screen to show Harold asleep next to him. "I had a bad day so he came over and we accidentally fell asleep. I'll drive him back after breakfast."
"Oh," Mayor Humdinger paused. "You two didn't do anything. Did you?"
Ryder looked at the screen confused. "What do you mean by that?"
Mayor Humdinger scoffed. "What's the term Harold uses? Explicit?"
Ryder’s face was imediendly as red as Marshall's uniform as he realized what the Mayor thought they did and whisper yelled so to not wake Harold up. "Of course we didn't! We haven't even kissed yet!"
"Just looking out for my nephew," Mayor Humdinger said, unrepentant. "You get him back here as soon as you can Mr."
Ryder sighed. "I'm letting him sleep then we'll eat breakfast. After that I'll bring him back to Foggy Bottom. Promise." Ryder hung up the call before the Mayor could say anything else and sighed. "I swear. The man doesn't care about anyone's safety but his. Why suddenly be the overprotective uncle?"
Looking back at Harold, Ryder smiled at the soft face he was making and got comfortable again. He was gonna enjoy this moment for as long as he could.