A lithe brown dog stretched out, his gaze shifting to a tidy house on the opposing side of the street. He was waiting, knowing that his brother would be sneaking out soon. His mate, a blue-grey corgi mix shifted beside him restlessly.
"Chill out, Pep," said Bandit casually, "it won't be long now. That kid's gotta run off to school at some point."
Pepper snapped out a frustrated yawn. Life was too short to be wasted waiting around. She had enough of that with her perpetually laidback mate. For Bandit, she would tolerate just about anything, but keeping watch for his human-licking pet brother was horribly tedious. That aside, she liked Nicky. He wasn't a patch on his older brother- not in her eyes anyway- but he knew how to have a good time once he was dragged away from the house. More often than not, he'd have his two now-grown pups along for the ride as well. His mate, a refined whippet named Nina, preferred her home comforts, but Feather and Cloud could always be counted on to follow their father into the action.
It was Feather, the young bitch with delicate features and a soft golden coat who appeared first, her tail immediately wagging in wild circles as she glimpsed Bandit and Pepper in the bushes.
Unable to contain herself, Pepper jumped up, loudly yapping a greeting. Bandit gave a low howl, a 'hello'.
Nicky followed after his daughter, while the timid Cloud, grey and spindly, brought up the rear- as he always did. They ran across the road, taking no heed of the car that blasted its horn as they darted into its path. Raised by Dodger himself, Nicky knew what he was doing, and had no fear of city traffic. Cloud and Feather, in turn, were fast becoming expert street dogs as well- in spite of the comfortable home they shared their time with.
Bandit loped towards Nicky, and affectionately nibbled his ear. "Good night, bro?"
"Soph took us to the park at sundown. Place was crawlin' with dogs, wicked fun." Nicky wagged his tail. "If you're still hangin' around these parts you should come with us tonight, I bet Pepper would be the life of the party."
Pepper beamed. Being the life of the party was what she did best.
"I'll keep that in mind," said Bandit, "but I guess it'll depend on how things are at Fagin's. You know, how Mom's doin'. They're not goin' anywhere, but we've got way too much catchin' up to do." His ears flicked back in shame. "I'm not sure how Dash is gonna be… she's gotta be hurt that I haven't even seen her new pup yet. It's not like I didn't know she and Sunny were probably gonna have another litter."
Nicky tossed his ears, unconcerned. "Honestly, Brat, I reckon she's been to busy to waste time worryin' about stupid stuff like that. She'll be happy to see ya."
Needing no more reassurance that all would be well, Bandit playfully nipped at Feather's side, inviting her to play. "So, who's up for breakfast? I wanna see if Miss Feather's bagel snatchin' game is as good as her daddy says it is!"
Feather jumped forward, snapping her jaws as Pepper bounced in a play bow before her. They tangled together and ran off into the streets. With his young human, Sophie out of the way, Nicky switched personas, becoming a wily street dog, and his daughter was more than happy to take the opportunity to rebel against the boring pet life.
It felt good for Bandit to be back in familiar territory, the streets near to the bulk of his family, a part of the city he'd regularly frequented in days past. He and Pepper were wanderers by nature, with favourite haunts dotted around; from Coney Island, where they'd first begun their life together, to Brighton Beach, below the bridge over Astoria Park, and here, moving up into the lower Bronx, where his parents and youngest sister were waiting for him. More than anywhere else, it felt like home. Nowhere else could he rest, safe from the challenges of the harsh street life, and surrounded by dogs who'd greet him with wagging tails. He'd had his reasons for keeping his distance, and even now, desperate as he was to envelope himself back into the fold, he knew he'd made the right choice. It was a sacrifice for Pepper, and for her, he'd do anything.
Oblivious to the butterflies forming in Bandit's stomach as they approached Fagin's run-down home, Feather and Cloud had goaded the hot-headed Pepper into a chase through the slow-moving traffic, and squealed as she charged after them.
Nicky knew his brother better than his pups did. "So, are you gonna tell me what's kept you two away for so long? Like I said, no one's gonna be on your back 'bout it, but is everythin' all right, man? Don't tell anyone, but I was startin' to worry."
Bandit gave an anxious yawn. He wasn't ready to talk about his problems; he'd come home to forget about them, to go back to being the carefree loafer he'd been before things changed. He glanced across the way to where Pepper was tussling with Feather. "It's personal," was all he could reply. For now, at least, he was moving on and getting his own spark back. He brightened up, focussing on the thought of seeing the faces of his parents, uncle, aunt, cousins and friends again. "Never again though, I've missed all you guys."
The street below Fagin's bedroom window echoed with playful barking as his five canine companions- though 'companion' was still a bit strong a description for his relationship with Willow- and Dash's clan gambolled around, welcoming the new day. Fagin chuckled as Phoebe, now seven weeks old and full of beans, tugged at the bottoms of his pants.
"Get off! Off- off!" Fagin spluttered, shaking his leg in a futile attempt to dislodge the naughty pup. Crossing his arms in feigned annoyance, he turned his head to give a stern look to Dodger and Dash, who were watching beside his scooter. "I hope you're proud of your child-rearing skills, little lady- and you too, Grandpa! She's a monkey, this one."
Dodger grinned proudly. Pheebs was a chip off the old block, all right. Almost too much so; precocious as she was, Dash would soon be ready to take her home to the alley where the rest of the family waited. He'd miss that little imp, and Dash, Sunny, Daisy and Ella too, but they'd never be far away. Goodbyes used to trouble Dodger, but these days, he found it easier to let people go. He was totally secure in his position as centre of his growing extended family. Besides, with less dogs around, it wouldn't be long before the cats, Oliver and Evie, took up residence again. Dodger need never be lonely.
Playfully sparring with her granddaughters, Luna, Daisy and Ella on top of a parked car, Rita was happy. She had her moments, of course, when she felt down, but she knew from deep within that everything had happened as it was meant to, and that this new era in her life would be a positive one. There were still whispers amongst the dogs, and Rita was aware of it, about the circumstances of Storm's passing, which had been re-ignited by recent rumours of attacks on street dogs. She simply shrugged it off and pretended she didn't hear. With Phoebe growing every day, it was impossible to sit and mope anyway; that kid got into everything. How Rita would feel when Dash's clan moved on, she wasn't sure, but she wouldn't waste what time she had with them worrying about that.
Having finally pulled the wriggling pup from his leg, Fagin whistled the dogs over, and they piled awkwardly into the back of the scooter. As always, Willow held back with Dash, Sunny and the kids, her head lowered in mistrust.
"Later, guys!" Dodger called as Fagin put his foot on the gas. He had not a worry, nor a care. An old dog now, some things never changed.
Cold December winds blew against the dogs' faces as the scooter careened down the streets, leaving Tito's teeth chattering and Luna shivering. Rita huddled against Dodger, taking the warmth of his back against her belly. They screeched to a halt at a red light, and Dodger's eye was caught by the vision of an athletic brown dog, effortlessly loping through the cars across the way. He gave a high-pitched yelp, unable to contain himself. It had been many months since he'd seen his eldest son, his Bandit. Rita, Tito and Luna snapped their heads around to see what had caught their leader's attention, but the mutt had already leapt from the basket and was bounding over to greet his boy.
Following the dog who'd seemingly dissolved into a brown blur, Dodger ran into a bright alleyway, only to be surrounded. His youngest, Nicky, two eldest grandpups, Feather and Cloud, and Bandit's wild-hearted mate, Pepper milled around him, howling in mirth. Family reunions around here were rarely quiet. As Bandit dropped a bagel at his paws and turned around, the warmest of smiles lit his visage.
"Hey, old man! It's been too long, hey?"
Dodger bumped his forehead against Bandit's, greeting him with a broad grin on his own face. "Too long? Brat, I thought ya'd fallen off the edge a' the earth or somethin'!"
Bandit's smile became sheepish, but he recovered quickly. "I'm a big boy, papa, can't hang around my folks all the time."
"Try tellin that to ya…"
"Bandit!" Rita howled, and she flew down the alley, her paws barely touching the ground as she flung herself forward.
His eyes squinting with barely contained joy, Bandit bounced in circles around his mother, feeding off the love that was radiating off her. "I'm home! I'm home!" was all he could say.
Rita lay her head over her son's shoulder and held him close. "About time! You shouldn't be away so long, it's been killin' me!" For most of his four years, Bandit had never strayed from the vicinity of the gang for long; Fagin said he and Pepper hung around like a bad smell. It had been far too long now, and Rita had missed her firstborn.
"Easy there, Mama-dearest," Pepper quipped, "A few months? Tha's nothin'. You're gettin' clingy in your old age."
"Maybe, but at least you're charmin' as ever." Rita wagged her tail, and smiled at her son's mate. She and Pepper clashed frequently when in close proximity, but beneath it all, each thought very highly of the other.
Bandit grinned; it felt like they'd never been away from the gang. All that remained now was perhaps the greatest emotional challenge; reuniting with Dash and meeting the new puppy. How Pepper would handle it, Bandit didn't quite know.
The newcomers were led by an excited band back to Fagin's place, where Dash would be supervising the growing and cheeky Phoebe. Bandit felt a swoop of nerves as he looked up to the shabby little house. He expected his younger sister's feelings to be hurt by his absence, and knew that the sight of her with a new daughter would simultaneously be hard for Pepper to swallow. He was Bandit though, carefree and easy-going. He could handle this, no problem.
Phoebe ran out, squealing, into the backyard as she heard the approach of the group of dogs. Barely batting an eyelid at the presence of two strangers, she gambolled around her cousins, Cloud and Feather, whom she knew from experience to be excellent fun. Bandit felt a knot in his stomach as he watched her. The little one was such a joy, and he was missing that. He looked up from her antics, and met the eye of Dash, who'd followed her pup outside.
"Bandit," Dash breathed, her face full of emotion. "I'd been worried about you!"
Bandit wagged his tail sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I had a good reason for being away so long, I promise. Never again, okay?"
"Never. I missed you too much- and so much has happened! Bratty, meet Phoebe," she looked proudly down to her youngest daughter. "Pheebs, this is your Uncle B."
Phoebe sniffed at Bandit's paws. "Uncle B? Bandit. You're Mom's big brother?"
"That's right. Pleasure to meet you, Phoebe." He leant down and the pup clambered over his head. Immediately, he felt a surge of love for his niece. She had Dash's eyes, and Sunny's easy confidence in making friends. If he'd totally missed out on being a part of her childhood, he'd never have forgiven himself; they'd missed too much as it was.
Dash eyed Bandit suspiciously. Something didn't seem quite right about him. "It's going to be so good to have you around again. The kids have missed their favourite pup-sitter," she paused, nudging Phoebe back towards her cousins. "Are you sure you're okay? You look a little… I don't know… almost sad?"
Bandit winced, wishing he was better at hiding his inner turmoil. "I'm all right. It's just been a rough few months, that's all. We can have a real talk sometime; you've always been a good listener. Besides, I've got no business mopin' after the time you've had. I'm so sorry 'bout your pups, Dash."
"It hurt like hell. But we got Phoebe out of all of it. I wouldn't change anything. Hopefully things will get better for you too." Dash looked over her shoulder to keep an eye on her young daughter, who was growling dramatically as she hung off a laughing Pepper's ear while Feather egged her on. "Anytime you want to talk, you know you can count on me." She gave her brother a lick on the cheek. "We're actually moving back to the alley tomorrow, so if you want to hang round here it won't be so crowded. It's gonna be weird… I'm pretty sure Cocoa's gotten used to running the show."
Bandit laughed, feeling much better having seen Pepper relaxed and happy, despite his worries for her. "They'll be so happy to have ya home. Cocoa too; he thinks a lot of ya."
"He does. Sweet guy really; I think it's been tough for him since Jaffa left home. I miss Jack like hell, but I'm glad he's been such a great friend to him."
"Man, you go away for, what? Half a year? -And everythin's changed!"
"That's what happens, Brat. That'll teach you not to run away for so long."
Surrounded by family and free to roam and play in the cold streets, the day rolled by quickly for an increasingly contented Bandit. Despite his earlier words, nothing had really changed at all. Showers of rain left the rampaging dogs shaking cold droplets from their coats, but their spirits could not be dampened. Nicky's clan, as was always the way, could not stay long, but the others relished their freedom, skidding and sliding through the traffic with joyous ease. Bandit loped alongside Dash, who was giving her little Phoebe her first taste of the street life, all in preparation for the move they'd be making when the next day came. He stayed just close enough that he could nudge the pup back to the safety of her mother if she strayed too near to the edge. Seeing the wonder in the kid's eyes warmed his heart, remembering when he himself had first been introduced to this magical world, these streets of gold. Before long, though, Sunny had taken his place, and Phoebe's face lit up at the sight of her father. Coming back to earth with a bump, Bandit righted himself quickly, taking off after his own parents, who were bounding through the streets wildly.
Like a dark, furry streak, Bandit flew across the traffic, and soon felt Pepper running by his side. He howled, and all around him, the voices of those he loved howled back. Catching up with his parents, Bandit jumped at Dodger, and they tumbled onto the pavement, laughing and snapping at tails and ears. Rita and Pepper both joined the tangle, with Luna and Tito a little way behind. Rita howled again, letting go of her recent heartache and losing herself to the connectedness she now felt with her family. Falling to the cold, wet cement, Bandit caught her eyes and smiled as she came forward to nuzzle his dripping face. All the while, Pepper continued to pounce at Tito in a wild frenzy, truly letting loose for the first time in many months. They were home.
Leaving Pepper to blow off some steam, Bandit took a walk with his mother. He wanted to tell her, knowing she'd want to be there for him, but he couldn't bring himself to ruin the best time he'd had in so, so long. She wouldn't be going anywhere, after all.
Rita's tail just couldn't stop wagging. She'd missed him so, more than she could say. Somehow, seeing her firstborn son's face once more made it seem as though everything would be all right. "You're looking well, Ban; I'm glad you've been eating well. I know I shouldn't worry, but I guess that's what moms are for."
"I guess so. But you know I'll always come home. It must have been hard, you know, with Grandpa. I'm happy he was with you and Auntie Will."
Rita nuzzled him once more. "He was happy. You can't really ask more than that." Looking at her son, she couldn't have been prouder; he was strong and healthy, and he saw the affection in his eyes as he gazed over his family. It baffled her that he'd choose to stay away for so long, it just wasn't him. "You and Pepper haven't thought about the pitter patter of little paws have you? I've seen how great you are with Phoebe. If you're stickin' around, you'd never be short of help."
Bandit's breath caught in his throat, and the bottom seemed to fall from his stomach. He couldn't do this now, he was trying to let it all go. "You know me, responsibility ain't my scene." He shook his head, letting the subject drop. It wouldn't leave, rattling around his mind, tormenting him. He barely heard what Rita was saying to him, and he could only cluelessly nod along. When Pepper jumped up on him from behind, growling a loving invitation to play, he was grateful to be given an escape.
As night fell, Bandit and Pepper finally parted from the warm family gathering, retreating to Saint Mary's Park, close to Fagin's place but with the privacy Bandit now needed. He'd wanted to stay with the rest of the family, to sleep at Fagin's feet once more, but a sensitive subject had been brought up, and his first priority was caring for Pepper's feelings. It had taken courage for her to agree to come back, knowing that Dash had a young pup in tow. The run of abject failures in producing a litter had broken her heart a little bit more each time, and Bandit knew that the recent futile attempt to fall pregnant had been the hardest hit yet. They'd been desperate, but still, nothing. Bandit missed the carefree days, when all that mattered was him and Pepper, living for the sake of laughing, and letting all worries fall to the wayside. He wanted to be that dog, and he almost was, but there was a piece of him that knew it likely that an inadequacy on his part had led to the hopes and disappointments that had dimmed Pepper's spirit. Bandit worried for her. She was hurt, and she'd lash out, and then retreat to a dark place within when she'd pushed everyone away. On the surface, she was the same bouncy, joyously bull-headed dog she'd always been, but just below was a real danger that her pent-up emotions would boil over. Bandit could only be there for her, and hope that things would change. He didn't need to be a father, but he needed Pepper to be okay. Tenderly, he nuzzled her face.
"Was that okay, Pep?" he asked, glad that she hadn't heard his mother asking about their family plans. "I think it'll soon be like we've never been away. I hope so. Like you said… moving on."
Pepper's ears drooped a little, but she smiled at Bandit. "Yeah. Maybe someday I won't think about it so much. Maybe someday it won't eat away at me all the time. I think we made the right choice… it's good to be distracted; when it was just the two of us it was hard."
Bandit settled beside her, disquieted. Would 'just the two of them' ever be the same again? When she was alone with him, Pepper was reminded constantly that when it came down to it, they hadn't been compatible. Did she look at him differently? Bandit knew that he saw himself differently.
Snuggling in close, Pepper said goodnight with a sweet lick to Bandit's nose. It was enough, for now at least, to reassure him. He would be there for her, that much he knew.