Work Text:
The story (3rd person pov) :
It's been days since Marshall left the Paw Patrol and everyone is starting to get used to his absence. We'll all expect one, ever since Marshall left, Chase hasn't been able to do a lot of things like he used to do. How could he eat when Marshall is possibly dying from hunger. How could he play when Marshall is possibly fighting for his life against a wolf or some other wild creature. How could he sleep when Marshall probably hasn't slept in days because of the really cold weather. It's questions like this that were hunting Chase all day long. It even got him to the point that he begged Ryder to let him go search for his best friend, but the human stood his ground; if Marshall wants to come back, he'll come back on his own. They shouldn't force him to be somewhere he doesn't want to be.
Chase could definitely not argue with that, but still. His constant worrying about Marshall was eating him alive. And because of his anxiety, all the scenarios kept getting worse and worse. For all Chase knows, Marshall could be dead right now! At this thought, Chase's heart skipped a beat. It made him realize that he couldn't let that happen. He needed to do something and he needed to do something now!
He needed to find a way to check up on Marshall without him noticing , because Ryder was right on one thing and it was that they shouldn't force someone to do something they don't want to do. Chase wished that Marshall had told them why he left, at least he would know if it was something personal or if he should have run after him and begged for his forgiveness. Chase still thinks about his reaction after the Dalmatian accidentally tied them all up to the volleyball pole. "Quite the spike Marshall..." Those words kept running again and again like a broken disk in Chase's head. Oh how he wished he thought before he talked. He really didn't mean anything by it. He was actually trying to make a joke just like Marshall always did, but didn't take the time to think that the Dalmatian could possibly be hurt by it. Maybe Marshall was more sensitive than he let on. Chase swore that from now on, he would always take Marshall's feelings into consideration before saying or doing anything.
After some time and thinking, Chase found his magical solution ; he would use his spy gear to check on Marshall without him noticing!
That day, Chase waited for everyone to fall asleep, before getting his drone and starting to look for Marshall. It was hard for a tiny drone to find a tiny dog in a huge city, Skye could have definitely helped look quicker, but something inside Chase made him feel like the others wouldn't understand, so he told no one about his plan. While Chase was hoping that Marshall stayed in Adventure Bay, the drone finally found him. Chase was so relieved to see the Dalmatian alive and well. He was sleeping peacefully under a tree. "He must be cold." , Chase thought, even tho there was no evidence of it, Marshall looked very well. But just in case, the Sheperd used his drone to leave Marshall a blanket, oh and some snacks just in case and maybe he could use- before finishing that thought, Chase took a deep breath. He couldn't bring the whole lookout to Marshall, so he just left the essentials, a blanket and some snacks. Even tho he still wanted to leave more stuff, Chase just left that and reassured himself by thinking that he could always bring more tomorrow, if needed. Before bringing back the drone for good, Chase took a last look at Marshall and wished that he could just bring him home, he really missed him.
The next day, the team quickly realized that Chase was acting differently than how he had been acting for many days now. It's like he got his spark back. He was smiling more, trying to help everyone and even making jokes. At first, Rocky even thought that Marshall had come back and was really surprised to see that he didn't. They weren't sure how or why it happened, but all were happy to see Chase act like himself again and decided to not look further.
Chase actually spent all day thinking about how he'll see Marshall again tonight. He decided that every night, when everyone will be sleeping, he'd go and spy on Marshall just to make sure he was okay and that definitely motivated him to go on with his day like he used to do before all this. When the moment finally arrived, Chase rushed to his gears, he really couldn't wait anymore. He found Marshall in the same spot as yesterday. When Chase saw Marshall again, his heart immediately relaxed and it was like all his problems went away. The Sheperd never realized how much Marshall affected his mood until he lost him, guess you really only see someone or something's real value until you lose them huh... Chase still wished he realized it before, maybe things would be different now.
Chase watched Marshall sleep for a bit before deciding to go to sleep too. When he turned off the drone, a little pitch hit his heart. When he finally arrived at his bed, he looked at the sky and noticed how empty life was without Marshall. "Why did he have to leave?" thought Chase before finally finding sleep.
In the morning, Chase was happy and hopeful just like he was yesterday, but around the afternoon something in him changed. When they had lunch, Chase couldn't stop looking at the empty seat beside him. Then they went to play soccer and the teams were uneven. Chase just stepped out, even if the others insisted on him to play. In his heart, he knew he couldn't play without Marshall. When he sat on the
bench, he couldn't bring himself to stop thinking about his best friend, it had really become an obsession at this point. Before, he could just make sure that Marshall was okay by looking at him, but now he can only see him in the night. But what if something happened to him in the morning? Chase really tried to stay calm, but the intrusive thoughts wouldn't stop coming. When the thought of Marshall dying came back, Chase's heart skipped a beat again. He looked around and since everyone seemed busy, he went to his gears and started looking for his best friend. "One peek won't hurt, right?" , thought Chase. He just needed to make sure Marshall wouldn't see him.
Soon enough, he found Marshall at his usual spot. He was playing with some bunnies, "How cute" Chase thought before blushing and brushing it off. When the Sheperd was about to call back the drone, he saw the bunnies go back into their home to what Marshall frowned. It didn't take Chase much thinking before understanding that Marshall was feeling lonely. He was trying to play by himself, but just failed and got more sad. Chase's heart broke, he didn't know how he could help and most importantly why did the Dalmatian prefer living like this than with them. Were they that horrible, Chase wondered. He then heard Ryder calling for him. He reluctantly called back the drone and went back with the others. Chase spent the rest of the day looking at the floor and not doing much. The others tried to cheer him up, hoping to give their friend some spark, but nothing cut it. Chase had become once again just the shadow of himself.
When the night hit, Chase went back to his drone and looked for his beloved. Of course, Marshall was already sleeping, so Chase watched him for a bit and then left. As he was walking back to his bed, Chase noticed the empty spot where Marshall's truck used to be. He sat there for a while; oh what he wouldn't give to have Marshall back.
Then the morning hit again. Chase just did what he needed to, without real enthusiasm. And when the others went to play again, he once again, sat on the bench. It was almost becoming a ritual at this point, so no one really tried to convince him anymore. Chase thought about how lonely Marshall was yesterday and couldn't stop himself before going to check on the Dalmatian again. This time, he was sitting peacefully by the lake, admiring his own reflection. He then sighed and said something Chase never thought he would hear : "I wish Chase was here." In Chase's mind, everything was running fast. He couldn't believe that not only was Marshall not mad at him anymore, but he wanted to be beside him. Why didn't he come back then? Chase just couldn't figure it out. All his being just wanted to race over to Marshall, his Marshall, and bring him back. But Ryder's voice brought him back to reality. He needed to let Marshall come back on his own, he couldn't force it. Chase went back to the others with a defeated look on his face.
Later that day, Chase couldn't forget Marshall words and couldn't stop himself before checking on him again. This time, Marshall was counting marks he found on a tree. He looked really focused on his task. Chase laughed and watched him a little bit before leaving him be. He was going to be back at night anyway.
Day after day, Chase's little trips to spy on Marshall were becoming more and more regular. The Sheperd was having a very difficult time letting go from the drone. The trips were becoming more and more regular and more and more long. Every time, it was like Chase was falling more and more for Marshall, which just made his worrying worse. But it wasn't until he saw Marshall engrave "M+C=<3" in one of the trees that he realized that maybe Marshall wasn't just a friend to him. Maybe he wanted something more. And all his behavior suddenly made sense to him. Chase was so excited for the day Marshall would come back, the day they'll finally be reunited again. He had to come,right? Chase's worrying was in fact getting worse. It even made it to the point that he stopped making sure that no one could notice his absence before leaving. He left so many times in the day, that all the team realized it and asked Chase about it, to which he just responded that he was sick and kept going to the bathroom. Unfortunately for him, Ryder saw clear through his lies and decided to follow him. He was shocked to see Chase scotched to a screen with Marshall on it, he was like mesmerized. Ryder quickly realized what Chase was doing and confiscated his spy gear. The Sheperd begged him not to, explaining that it didn't hurt Marshall and that he doesn't know. But Ryder insisted on the fact that it was an invasion of privacy and that the gears weren't made for that. Also, he told Chase that his health was clearly getting worse and he was getting way too obsessed with Marshall, he needed to let go, for himself but also for Marshall. Chase didn't know what to say, he knew Ryder was right, so he just stayed silent. He stayed silent for a long time.
The cycle began again, Chase barely ate, played or did anything at all. When he was called on a mission, he didn't even move or react, he stayed where he was and kept looking at the floor. Life without Marshall didn't have a meaning for him. The problem was that he knew Marshall loved him back, he knew everything could be sorted out, and yet they couldn't be together. He couldn't even try and talk to Marshall once because Ryder was now always keeping an eye on him. You can't move on from something that didn't even begin. So Chase just waited for the days to pass, hoping that Marshall would come back to him. He dreamed about their reunion each night.
One day, while he was alone at the look out, Chase heard a voice he thought he might never hear again.
"Hello! Ryder? Are you there? Anyone?"
It was Marshall calling for help through Ryder's pup pad, which he forgot at home.
Chase : Marshall, I'm here! What's wrong?!
Marshall was a little shocked hearing Chase's voice, he didn't realize how much he missed it...he missed him. But he had no time for that, he needed to get help quickly!
Marshall : Chase! I'm so glad to see you! Maire Humdinger is destroying the whole forest with his new machine. I really didn't want to bother you all, but I can't stop him alone and the animals are getting hurt and losing their homes!
Chase noticed a sad undertone in his voice.
Chase : Marshall, you're not bothering us, you could never... And and that's what we do! We save people! Don't worry, I'm coming as fast as I can. The others are on another rescue, but should join soon too. See you there!
Chase quickly closed the call, he wanted to join Marshall as soon as possible. Before calling Ryder, Chase saw his own reflection in the pup pad. His fur was messy and he had big eye bags. He didn't realized how bad he looked now, it's almost like he had done a depression, but that's just ridiculous. He would have clearly preferred Marshall to see him in a different state, but lives were on the line, no time for that now. He called Ryder and told him the situation before rushing to his best friend. He still couldn't belive that was happening. He was going to see Marshall. He dreamed about it ever since Marshall left, many weeks ago.
When he arrived, Chase stared at Marshall. They were so many things he wanted to ask him, but he just couldn't, it wasn't the time. Chase and Marshall kept looking at each other for another minute before the rest of the team came and broke their moment. They were both a little disappointed, but again, not the moment. The mission went on smoothly, Maire Humdinger was stopped and his machine was destroyed. They also helped the animals rebuild houses. When it was time to go, Ryder planned on talking to the Dalmatian, since it has been so long, but saw Chase staring at Marshall and decided to let him handle the talking then just left.
Chase wasn't sure what to do, again he didn't want to push or pressure Marshall in any way. Then he thought about what he promised and looked over to the Dalmatian, there must be a sign or something he missed. Marshall was looking at the other members who were going back to the lookout. He turned to his truck, then suddenly stop and looked at the floor with a frown on his face. He wanted to go back for sure. This realization made Chase's heart lighter. He didn't lose a second after that before going to talk to him. When he approached him, Marshall startled. The white and black dog was sure that everyone left.
Chase : Soooo, are you liking it in here?
Marshall was surprised by the question and wasn't sure what to answer. He didn't want to be taken by petty tho, so he lied.
Marshall : Yeah, it's great.
Chase wasn't expecting this answer, now all his confidence faded away. He still continued, it was his only chance to get Marshall back.
Chase : Is it better than the lookout?
Chase looked at the floor, he couldn't look at Marshall in the eyes if his answer was positive.
Marshall : Nothing can be better than the lookout.
Those words came out of Marshall's mouth before he even realized what he was saying, but they were true. A little bit after he left, Marshall started dreaming about coming back. He was hoping that the team would eventually look for him and explain to him that it was some kind of misunderstanding and that they needed him. But that day never came, maybe he really was a useless heavy weight. To this thought, Marshall also tried to look at the floor, but Chase hold his face to make sure he was looking at him, he had a very serious look.
Chase : Then why did you leave?
Chase asked while trying not to sound as broken as he is. Marshall stayed in shocked for many seconds before being able to answer something.
Marshall : I was just bringing the team down. The day I left, I heard you talking about what a silly pup I am and how I couldn't do anything right, so I just gave you a break from me. And you guys never came to find me or something, so it just meant you were better off without me and I needed to leave you be. I don't want to be a burden Chase.
Chase was looking at him with an horrified look on his face, to which tears starting rolling off.
Chase : I-We thought you needed space? Why-why didn't you tell us, why didn't you answer Ryder's call. Marshall for days and nights, all I wanted was to come and drag you back, but we didn't want to pressure you into coming back while you didn't want to. I-I even spied on you! O-okay I admit it, it wasn't the right thing to do, but I couldn't bare not knowing how you were. All these nights, they were so empty without you Marshall. Nothing had meaning anymore.
Marshall : Wait, were you the one who left me a blanket and snacks?
Chase : Yes! Marshall the rescues, they took so much more times without you. You have no idea how many almost got hurt because you weren't there. No one, beside me, was able to use your gear and I-I just couldn't do it without you. Even Ryder knew he needed a fire pup, but refused to hire anyone else. Marshall, we need you and only you.
Tears started to roll off Marshall's face. Chase took him into a big hug. That's all they secretly wanted for weeks. They never wanted to let go again, but had too since they noticed that the night was starting to show it's face.
Marshall : Race you to the lookout?
Chase : Oh you're on!
Chase doesn't remember the last time he saw Marshall's smile. Oh how he missed it...
Once back at the lookout, all the other members were surprised but glad to see that Marshall was back. The Dalmatian explained why he left and everyone took him in for a big hug and started to explain why he was indeed important and how bad it was when he wasn't here.
After that, they all went to sleep and while they were going back to their beds, Chase looked at Marshall's pup house then at his. He suddenly remembered how lonely he felt all these nights, even tho all the rest of the team was still here. Marshall really had a special place into his heart. But that made him realize how lonely Marshall must have felt, he had no one. And no one came for him.
Chase : Can you sleep with me?
Chase suddenly turned to Marshall and asked.
Marshall's face to a pinkish-red turn.
Marshall : I'd love to.
He said before following him into his bed. Needless to say that this was the best night of their lives. They were finally not alone anymore.
The end.