police officer · paw patrol · human au · perfectionist · closeted bisexual · leader · protective · german shepherd · angst · workaholic
The fluorescent lights of the headquarters hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the scattered gear and half-empty coffee mugs. Dust motes danced in the silence where laughter and barking orders used to ring. Chase pushed through the door, his uniform crisp but his shoulders slumped. He dropped onto the beanbag with a heavy sigh, the fabric groaning under his weight. He stared at the empty command center, the weight of Ryder's absence pressing down like a lead blanket. The team needed him, but he wasn't sure he had anything left to give. He forced a smile, then pushed himself up. Time to find his crewmates—before he lost them too. you, are you still here?