Gadget POV 3rd person 

Commencing Option 1

Then there was no pain.

That was the first thing he noticed. Oddly, the air felt a bit warmer, though still slightly chilly. And it seemed… brighter out?

“Huh?” Opening his yellow eyes, he saw something unexpected; a site he hadn’t seen for years. “W-What?”

Jumping to his feet, he instantly recognized the lake he stood near. Water flowing softly, creating a gentle sound to accompany the light breeze that shook the tree leaves during the now midday sunlight.

‘The lake near the town where I stayed in the orphanage at,’ the wolf studied as he thought to himself. ‘I’m sure this is it. But… what’s going on?’

It didn’t feel like a dream, but it had to be. There’s no way he was here, or that this was real, right?

….. 

“Ow!”

He pinched himself. 

That definitely hurt. But, maybe it’s dream logic trying to think he hurt himself… that’s too complicated. He had no idea what was going on.

“What the crap are you doing doofus?”

That voice. Turning sharply around, now facing away from the water, was Zero. He looked, younger? Like the year they met younger. How?...

In surprise, the wolf tripped and fell on his butt as he hadn’t been paying attention to anything but the absolute shock over seeing the jackal. After falling was when he noticed he was, shorter? And wearing clothes from back at the orphanage. Was he younger now, like the Zero that stood in front of him? The Zero shaking his head at Gadget’s very obvious clumsiness?

“Z-Zero?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he chuckled before walking up and offering a hand, “You have got to be the cluzitest person I know.”

Those heterochromia eyes were the same as back then. Innocent, a bit devious, and loving, though currently holding an expression of confusion and slight concern. Crouching down, he took a closer look at the wolf’s face, Gadget himself not moving or taking his eyes off the jackal.

“Are you okay Gadget?”

“Um…” he went quiet for a moment, before answering softly, “Yes, it’s just…”

A brow rose from the second pause. Seeming unsure of what to do, Zero sat down by Gadget, who was lost in thought. Warmth spread on his cheek as Zero pulled Gadget’s head to rest on his shoulder.

“Wanna talk about it?”

“...” 

Silent still, the Rookie never felt so unsure. Fingers dug into the red hair on his scalp, and instantly helped relax Gadget in a way he hadn’t in a long time.

He let out an almost inaudible moan as he whispered, “Feels good…”

“...Good,” Zero responded, voice a bit husky, “Keep moaning like that though and there’s gonna be a problem.”

“!” Flinching, and face bright pink, Gadget rushed out, “S-sorry!”

“Heh,” a smirk played on the jackal’s lips before nuzzling his lips into the other’s neck. “You’re so cute. I can’t take it.”

Teeth gently nibbled, enough to make Gadget’s breath hitch. Eyes fluttered shut, enjoying the feel of Zero against him. He missed this so, so much. A louder moan willingly left tan lips.

“...Zero…ah.”

Gadget was slowly and carefully led to the ground. Back situated comfortably or not, he hadn’t noticed as the ebony male continued to shower him with kisses.

So much. He missed him so much. He wanted this. Desired this. Needed this.

Digits dug hastily into white streaks before pulling the other into a passionate lip lock. Zero groaned loudly, not caring about anything at the moment except for the love of his life lying below him. 

Wait…

The actions immediately halted. Confusion settled on Gadget’s face before hearing. 

“Are you crying?”

“Huh?” Gadget lifted his fingers near his eyes to indeed feel tears streaming down. Seeing the worried face the jackal was making only made it worse. “Zero!”

Arms looped around Zero’s neck before being forced into a fierce embrace while listening to Gadget sob uncontrollably. 

“What’s wrong Gadget?!”

“I had this awful dream! We both thought the other was dead, though finding out the other was alive, but we were on opposite sides in a war. I saw so many die, and I thought you died too, and, I…!”

“Shh…” Zero gently shushed as he brushed the fur on Gadget’s head, “It’s alright. I’m right here.”

“It felt so real. And I was so worried that waking up here was a dream, but it feels real. I don’t even know what day it is or anything that’s happened the past few days because of that stupid dream!”

Both boys now laid side by side as ebony arms wrapped protectively around the other; still weaving one hand through the fur on Gadget’s head and the other soothingly rubbing his back, and letting the wolf in his embrace finish his cry.

“Man, that must have been some dream. I’ve never seen you like this,” was whispered sorrowfully, “I can’t even imagine a world without you, and I don’t want to. That’s the worst thing I could ever think.”

“I don’t want to imagine being without you either. It was awful…” He sniffled, “What day is it today?”

“Heh,” the jackal chuckled a bit, “You really are out of it. It’s October 21, 20XX.”

The 21st? Wait! Back then, or, in his war dream, he met the Kola family on the 17th, that being the last day he saw Zero, and left the orphanage on the 19th. It’s like, it never happened?

“...What’s happened the past few days?” Was inquired while mentally freaking out.

“Well, about three or four days ago, you mentioned a couple came to visit the orphanage. I saw you that morning and convinced you to sneak out and come to work with me, and you did. You rebel,” Zero practically bragged while holding a victorious grin. “Though you didn’t stay the whole shift because it ran later than expected so you went home in the evening while I stayed until dark. And I mentioned the next day that I ran into Jastar after work, kinda the young jackal mentor in a sense, and how super pissed he was about my whole life here, but that we were able to come to an, agreement, or deal of sorts.”

“A deal?”

“Yep. I guess I hadn’t told you much about it cause I didn’t want you to worry or anything…”

“Please tell me.”

“Huh? You sure?” Zero inquired which was confirmed with a nod. 

“Basically, jackals aren’t supposed to get close to anyone outside the pack, I mean like, not at all. So, my relationship with you goes against everything we’re taught. Cause of that, I technically could’ve been beaten, or worse, for what I pulled. However, when trying to figure out what to do, someone came up to me and gave me an idea of how to bargain with him. I suggested to Jastar that he tell everyone I’m dead, and I’ll never come back to the pack or bother him.”

“What?!”

“See, I knew you’d worry. However, I wasn’t sure if it’d worked, but I guess after some thought, he decided to let me do that. Jastar and I don’t particularly like each other, and though he’d probably rather have killed me, I’m assuming he didn’t want to have to figure out what to do with my dead body so…”

A deadpanned mixed with a disgusted look shadowed over Gadget’s face. “That’s so morbid.”

“That’s his personality.”

“Eck,” the wolf stuck out his tongue in distaste, “Who gave you the idea?”

“I dunno. It was night out when it happened and he had his face covered. I only know it was a guy cause of his voice. He couldn’t have been that old, but was definitely older than us.”

“Hm? That’s kind of weird.”

“I know right?!” Zero fake exasperated, causing giggles to leave the wolf, “You finally smiled.”

“Oh!” Tanned cheeks slightly darkened, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Do you feel better now?”

Nodding, yellow spheres stared at the ebony jackal. “Do you want to go walk around the town?”

“Uh, sure. I thought you’d want a bit of different scenery today so I brought you here.”

“After that crazy dream, it feels like it’s been forever…” he spoke as the two finally sat up and his eyes looked ahead at the lake in front of them.

“Gadget?”

The wolf turned back to the jackal, “Yeah Zero?”

“What?”

“Huh?... Didn’t you say my name just now?”

“No…” Zero drew out, feeling perturbed once more. In the next moment, he stood, and then made Gadget feel like he was flying as he was pulled quickly to his feet. “Let’s go take that walk around town.”

“You sure?”

“Of course dummy,” the jackal grinned, “You want to see the town, so let’s go!”

Zero laced his fingers through Gadget’s as he began to lead the way from the lake and towards the sea side town. A bubbly feeling was felt in the wolf’s chest as his lips upturned. With a smile gracing his lips, he hoped this was reality, and that it’d never end.
