Twuth or Dare

A/N: Hey there! This is a midquel in my series Pups Find the Rainbow, so I recommend reading Part 1's 22 chapters to understand what led up to this point. Although I wrote Testing the Waters before this, it takes place after this and builds on Rocky's dependency issues. I hope you enjoy this partner swapping oneshot!

About a month had passed since all three couples had done the deed for the first time, and since Everest had left to go back to Jake's Mountain. It had been even longer since Tracker had left for the jungle again. The chihuahua had unsurprisingly spent more time cozying up to Rubble and teaching him Spanish than he did learn construction like he said he would.

Although Skye and Rubble's partners were gone for the meantime, things didn't quite go back to normal at the Lookout. Ryder noticed that the pups still worked together perfectly on missions, but outside of them, things were changing. Rocky and Zuma rarely spent an hour apart. Chase and Marshall somehow found excuses to sit together at every meal. Even Skye and Rubble spent most evenings on calls with Everest and Tracker.

The bulldog and cockapoo were certainly happy to spend time with each other as friends, but Ryder saw their occasional frowns upon seeing the other four pups being around their respective mates as much as they wanted.

"Hey, Skye, Rubble..." he said after breakfast one morning, after the other four had left the lobby.

"Yeah, Ryder?" Skye perked up.

"What's up?" added Rubble.

Ryder rubbed his neck, unsure of how to phrase it without being too weird or intrusive.

"Are you guys...lonely?"

"Whattt? Pfft, no! Of course not!" Rubble replied almost immediately.

Skye glanced at the bulldog, making him gulp.

"We both know it's true, Rubble, don't lie...having calls with Evie and Tracker just isn't the same as the others spending every second together," Skye admitted, looking up at Ryder with anxious eyes.

Ryder frowned. "Thanks, Skye...that's kinda what I've been thinking..."

Rubble defeatedly sighed. "I really miss Tracker, but I get that he's busy helping the animals in the jungle and everything..."

"Guys, I'm not going to force the others to spend time away from each other—that's just awkward. But...I have an idea, if you're interested."

Skye tilted her head. "I'm all ears!"

Ryder gave them a small smile. "I talked to Jake and Carlos earlier. How about I invite Everest and Tracker over for a game night, just like old times?"

Rubble's eyes lit up. "You mean we'll get to see our partners again?!"

Skye beamed, her tail wagging a mile per minute. "I'll come up with some ideas!"

Ryder's grin grew. "My priority besides helping the town is making sure you're all happy, and I think a team-bonding activity is perfect!"

"Oh, Ryder!" Skye leapt forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. Rubble rolled his eyes, but not without joining Skye to hug their leader.

"Thank you..."

"Anytime, pups."

Chase raised an eyebrow from across the floor as he watched Skye and Rubble whisper to each other at dinner time.

"Hey, guys...whatcha talkin' about?"

Skye scoffed, blankly looking at Chase.

"First time you've talked to us in, how long? Let me see..."