Work Text:
Skye woke up to the noise of a soft thump landing outside her pup house. She rolled over to try to go back to sleep, but the sun was shining into her eyes. Slowly stretching, she lackadaisically opened her eyes.
Walking out of her pup house to investigate the source of the noise, she found it in the form of a rolled up magazine outside. Wagging her tail, she picked it up in her jaws like a good suburban pup and brought it back to her pup bed. She fastidiously wiped the dirt off of the cover before unrolling the magazine. Was it the new issue of US Weekly? Or People?
Even better. The new issue of TMZ stared back at her. The Princess of Barkingburg was the star of the cover, posing for her sixteenth birthday party. She thought she saw a white flash in the distance.
She opened the magazine, skimming the photographs for the most intriguing article.
She found it halfway through on page 13.
A picture of Harold and Ryder was spread across the two-page spread. Ryder had obviously just finished getting dressed, and Harold's hand was sneaking towards Ryder's. Ryder's hand was turned up to accept it.
'RYDER HAS A NEW ANSWER TO THE CAT VS. DOG DEBATE' The headline blared. Skye wagged her tail at the cleverness before beginning to read.
"An exclusive photographer caught the prince of the puppies and long-time political rival Harold Humdinger leaving from a storage closet in Mayor Goodway's home. The two first met when Ryder formed the mighty pups and Harold used the meteor for his own advantages. While the two boys have not made any comments as of posting, the bond they have is clear to see with each other. An anonymous interviewee from the silent auction claims, "Harold and Ryder were glued to each other's side all night. It's only a natural progression for two young men." We're all excited to see how far this animal rivalry goes. Is the heir of the Humdingers and the PAW Patrol leader dating? While this remains to be seen, an anonymous interviewee claims, "I have never seen Harold and Ryder interacting before, but something is in the air at this silent auction! It's amazing what will bring young people together." We hope to continue to see the youth of today unafraid to be themselves and explore their various interests. We look forward to exploring the growing attraction between Adventure Bay's darling hero and Foggy Bottom's activist leader."
Skye burst out laughing. Her pup tag beeped, and she rolled the magazine neatly back up with her paws before bringing it to the Lookout in her mouth.
That mission had been exhausting. Her limbs felt frozen from sitting in her helicopter for so long. After pulling up the TMZ article on Jake's archaic computer, Everest and Jake supported her plan to relentlessly make fun of Ryder for his actions.
"Ho, prince of puppies!" Skye bowed dramatically.
Ryder frowned at her from where he was fixing something in the garage. It looked like the windshield wipers for Marshall's fire truck. "What brings you here, Skye?"
Skye wagged her tail. "What brought you and Harold together?"
"I already told you. It was a one time thing." Ryder focused on measuring the length of the windshield.
"Was Harold a good kisser?" She leaned forward expectantly.
When Ryder looked up again, a rapid blush was forming on his cheeks. "Um, yeah, pretty good."
He was flustered! She perched herself on the seat in Marshall's fire truck with her front paws on the wheel. "And the sex was good too."
"Yup, good. Great." Ryder chose a couple of windshield wipers.
"And you're going to be chaste and spare me all the details?" She flopped onto her back so Ryder had to peer into the seat to look at her.
"Yes. Now please don't ask me about this again."
She gave him her best cute puppy eyes. "Why was it only a one-time fling, Ryder? You sound happy."
"I'm happy because I realized I'm bi. Surely you understand that?"
She nodded seriously. "Isn't it so great when young people explore their interests?"
"Yes, Skye. It is." The blush had diminished and now Ryder was furrowing his brows. Even better. He was getting mad!
"Don't you just wish you could keep it going?" Skye pawed at the steering wheel. "Don't you want to explore your interests all the time?"
"Get out, Skye!" Ryder pointed a finger firmly at the door.
"Sure, Ryder." She jumped out of the seat. "Good luck with the windshield wipers."
Ryder looked down to where he had almost finished attaching them. "Thanks, Skye. Always nice talking to you."
"You too!" She ran back to her pup house to spread the gospel of Adventure Bay to the rest of the PAW Patrol.