Continuation of my angsty shifter!puppy!Raleigh and Koala!Chuck from here.... I needed a happy ending!
When Chuck finally switches back he hunts Raleigh down and finds him in his room staring at himself in a mirror and poking at a not so small scratch on his nose. Chuck knows Raleigh is embarrassed, they've talked about this before. Raleigh knows in his puppy form that he gets himself into dangerous situations, that's why he's not allowed on the Shatterdome floor when he switches. Koala!Chuck might be able to ride along Herc's shoulders but that's because he isn't going to go and cause trouble like puppy!Raleigh did that one time he ran out into a traffic lane and caused a small transport to swerve so hard it dumped it's cargo. By the end of the all night clean up, puppy!Raleigh was banned from the floor.
Chuck just watches Raleigh for a little bit, unseen, trying to get his feeling under control. Guilt, shame, love, so much love. He should have been more careful. His claws are much sharper than Raleigh's and he should have known even taking them out to ward Raleigh off would be dangerous. He forgets how young Raleigh is in his puppy form. How easily he can get hurt.
When Raleigh finally sees Chuck in the reflection, color starts to rise in his cheeks. He's about to turn and try to say something but it's difficult right after a shift to vocalize. Usually words come out sounding more like yips and growls. Something about how the brain takes longer than the body to adjust and you still think and feel like your animal self. Gradually it fades, but the voice is that last thing to switch over.
Chuck doesn't give him the chance to try his voice. He practically runs up to him, grabs his face in both hands, and kisses the tip of his nose. Chuck pulls back and stares at Raleigh, hoping all his feelings can shine through in his eyes.
Forgive me, I didn't mean it. I'm sorry, I love you. He's starting to mentally babble and what composure he had in the hallway has left him.
Raleigh can sense the change in him and calms him, caressing his cheek and nuzzling in for a kiss. I know.
Raleigh curls into Chuck's solid shoulders knowing the closeness will reassure them both. Chuck wraps both arms around Raleigh, never wanting to let him go.
