A/N: Hey guys! Here's chapter 13. Also edited chapter 12 because I left a few minor mistakes on it. I also have a Twitter account now, feel free to follow for updates and teasers @RiverWater46. I'm sorry about the timing, my life had been hectic. I pinky promise chapter 14 will be out before the end of the month (July). Also things get crazy dramatic here. Might have to change the genre to Drama eventually, lmao. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you for the comments and likes/saves.
"I will see you next month, then," spoke the dog, adjusting her glasses on her short pug snout. "Brandy, you have grown so much since I've started seeing you. I'm glad you are taking the next step in establishing a stable connection with your sister."
"Yes, and thank you," Brandy blushed at the comment. The flight was soon. A lot of time has passed, and Brandy had began noting new changes in herself.. For one, she had taken an interest in working out- which has helped prosper her into greater heights health-wise. Brandy had noticed her fur patterns change gradually over the month, a normal occurrence for heelers, though many of her spots were disappearing and new ones were being formed in more desirable areas.
As she walked out of her therapy appointment, she couldn't help but smile at her reflection on the windows. Her fur was looking so magnificent these days, almost like her baby pictures.
I'm getting that wave of nostalgia again, aren't I?
Another thing to note was that Brandy still continued to regain parts of lost memories in London. It didn't happen very often, but when it did, it always left her thinking of how time only seemed to march forwards; never backwards. Yet a simple city was enough to take her back in time.
"Brandy, this was you as a puppy," a figure handed an incredibly young Brandy a photograph of a young puppy. The girl in the picture had perfect looking marks, making present day Brandy a little jealous.
"My fur looked really different."
"Yeah, you looked just like a red version of Auntie Linda. The perfectly split mask on your face, and the different colors on your legs, and the spots on your tail honestly made me think you'd grow up to look just like her. It was a little uncanny- having the same markings with different colours!"
"Oh. Do I still look like her?"
"No, you look more like me now," she laughed, petting young Brandy's head. "But you still have a lot of her facial features. You and Chilli both got her eyes."
Brandy blinked, the memory disappearing instantly, replaced with a normal London day. Clouds built up in the sky, the usual smell of cigar smoke rose in her nose, and she was at home in less than ten minutes by paw. The wonderful thing about England, in Brandy's opinion, was the walkability of the cities. Brandy often would take the car to clear her mind back in Brisbane, but in London, a walk was enough to do the trick.
She returned to her flat, grabbing the luggage and heading over to the next building, where Tori lived. They had agreed on taking the same flight together, luckily getting seats right next to each other's.
I am so so terrified.
A chill tan up Brandy's spine, leaving her partially paralyzed for a second before she had the chance to knock on Tori's door. Luckily, the dachshund was already watching from the window and opened the door, revealing herself and her luggage.
"Ready?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure, but it's too late to back out."
Jet lag hit Brandy and Tori like a truck, who both arrived in the middle of the night at the Brisbane airport. It was near 1 AM in this portion of Australia, but it felt like one of those late afternoons at work running on two hours of sleep.
"We're checking in at an inn," Brandy muttered over to a half awake half asleep Tori, who was mumbling something about clouds. "Wake up, we just landed."
The heeler shook Tori lightly, whispering the same sentence in her ear. When she woke up fully, she stretched and cracked her back, feeling the relief of nearly being able to move from a multiple hour flight. "Wait...weren't we gonna drive over to your dad's house?"
"He lives way too far away," Brandy answered. "I'm afraid I'll fall asleep on the wheel if I even attempt driving over."
"Dang, I wish Chilli would just move into her new house already," Tori stretched her short arms, cracking some more bones in her body. And that means I'll have to sit for an even longer amount of time. This whole thing is murder on my back.. "Her flat's closer, yeah, but there's only one spare room and it doesn't have a bed."
"House?" Brandy questioned her, curiously. "What house?"
"...Your aunt's house? It's gonna be passed down to Chilli. I thought you already knew..," Tori gave her a look of astonishment. "This has been a thing for months now, did she really not tell you?"
"...She did," she lied. "I wasn't able to sleep on the flight at all, so my mind's foggy right now."
The older child gets the house though. That house should be mine. Brandy raised an eyebrow in confusion. Many times in the past had Clarice, her mother, hyped up the fact that one day, the family would move out of the tiny boring town they lived in and live in a big "fancy" house in Brisbane. The reason it hadn't happened yet was because Clarice's parents didn't let go of the house until they were too old to work efficiently enough. By then, it was too late.
Instead, shortly passing her death, Linda, Clarice's younger and only sibling, had inherited the house and moved in with her husband and son. Now, it was being recycled again...but to the younger heiress for the second time in well...ever. Or at least from the little Brandy knew about the house's history.
She sucked it up, going through the airport with Tori, who lagged on behind lazily. Constant waiting for the luggage to come their way, constant waiting for ID checks, constant waiting for the quick bite of Macca's they ordered...
"I swear we ordered that food like an hour ago," Brandy moaned, feeling very impatient. Her stomach hurt slightly- not an unusual pain when she hadn't eaten in God knows how long. "I'm going to eat that worker's face..."
Finally, the food was ready. After eating, Brandy and Tori slowly walked out in Brisbane, slightly nostalgic for the older times. She passed by the nearby coffee shop, which was now run down and not as futuristic looking as it used to be back then. The city seemed more alive though, as did the buildings all the way in the center of the city.
A cold breeze ruffled Brandy's fur, reminding her on the mistake she made on not bringing at least a coat outside the luggage. She had gotten used to harsher winters up in England, so she mistakenly assumed she'd be able to handle 10C with her natural coat, but surprisingly shivered. It must've been the atmosphere rather than the temperature itself.
The two nearly wed cattle dogs fell in a deep sleep as Chilli spent another night over at Bandit's flat, snuggled into his chest. As much as Bandit would've liked to say that he was excited for the wedding (he was, he really was), he was mortified when Chilli had mentioned to him last minute that Brandy and an acquaintance of hers would be arriving. The acquaintance really didn't bother Bandit at all, it was Brandy being there.
Just now, as he laid awake, staring at the ceiling of his own flat, he tried to calm himself down from the strange dream he had.
Bandit succumbed to his girlfriend's lusty stares, missing their intimate times on the month he spent away from home. It was amazing- traveling and discovering ancient artifacts of ancient dog beings, but nothing ever beat spending time with the woman he loved the most.
As any typical wet dream, Bandit started off gently touching the red heeler, admiring her stunning beauty- and the soft sounds that escaped her cute muzzle. It wasn't unusual- when Bandit had these types of dreams, it always involved Chilli. Of course they did, he loved her so much.
As Chilli reciprocated on Bandit, he let himself go with the flow, just doing what felt right. After all it's happened enough in the past 8 years that he knew this was just a dream. It was easy to tell when the window outside showed a beautiful space night with rings identical to Saturn's reflecting their light on the lovers in a passionate manner.
Suddenly, as Bandit was trailing soft kisses on his lover, he spotted a pair of eyes staring at them through the window. This turned him off instantly as he backed away from Chilli.
"What's wrong babe?" Dream Chilli noticed the change in Bandit's demeanor, curious on what he was staring at. She thought it must've been the window. "I thought it would be nice to try on a Saturn filter on the window. If it's too weird, you can change it, love."
"Y-yeah. I'm going to change it," Bandit walked up to the window, noticing that Chilli stared at him with curious eyes, nearly identical to the ones on the window. "It's a bit warm here, don't you think? I'm going to open the window."
When he took his focus away from the red heeler, he opened the window to reveal that the eyes were gone and the filter had been changed to show a depiction of Big Ben in London. Eerily, he turned around, shocked to see Brandy Cattle, laying in a seducing pose, staring at him with lust in her eyes.
"Oh Bandit," she cooed. "Won't you give me another try?"
"No, Brandy," he stood shocked, not knowing what had happened to Chilli. "Where is she?"
"I'm the same dog you were just caressing a minute ago!" Brandy huffed and crossed her arms. "Be honest! You're really excited to see me again."
As she neared him with that ahegao-ish look on her face, Bandit backed down into a corner- afraid for himself.
That was when Chilli had accidentally kicked him in his area, waking him up as he cried curse words out in pain. Bandit sighed once the pain calmed down and readjusted the sleeping red heeler to where her head laid on his chest and not on his head.
What the hell was that?!
He jumped when Chilli's phone rung, causing her to stirr a little in her sleep.
"N-no you i-idiot...W-why the hell w-would I t-take your stupid phone...?!" Chilli growled, her hands flexing, making her claws appear bigger. "Wh-why are you so an-annoying..."
She nipped Bandit's arm and once again the blue heeler had to readjust her. He raised an eyebrow at her quizzical remarks because Chilli would never say this stuff about anyone.
"M-Madge, why don't you p-piss off...?!" Chilli's claws dug into the mattress.
Oh, never mind. That's not out of character for her, she hates that woman. Bandit giggled to himself, recalling Chilli's various not-so-friendly things she had said about her older coworker at the airport.
As Chilli continued to voice her thoughts on Madge in her sleep, Bandit inched for the phone before he grabbed ahold of it and stared at the notification.
Brandy:Hey Chilli. I just arrived to Brisbane- Tori and I have decided to stay at an inn rather than with Dad. I'll send you the details tomorrow, when you are awake. I am so excited to see you.
Bandit's eyes widened. Brandy really was coming.
He decided to open her phone, careful not to click on the message for he didn't want Brandy to think Chilli was up at this hour- nor did he want the stress of faking a message as Chilli.
He was blown away as he clicked Chilli's only social media at the time, finding Brandy's profile through it. Brandy seemed to be doing well, with a few posts of nature paintings, novels, and pictures taken with a dachshund by her side. What garnered his attention was a picture of two wine glasses with plates of food. The post was quite old, but it read: Here's to a two year anniversary...and hopefully a puppy in the meantime.
Strange, this is from 5 years ago. Bandit scrolled some more, before hitting a dead end. Wait, why does Chilli follow two Brandy accounts?
When he clicked on the other one, he noticed that the posts were modern- the last one being from two weeks ago. It read: Treated Tori to coffee. Love seeing how nuts she gets after drinking too much of the stuff.
No pictures of kids or this guy, though... Bandit noted. I guess she must've lost her old account and made a new one then. Still doesn't explain the lack of kids and hubby though.
Bandit pondered some more, deeply immersed now. Could it be possible? Could it really be possible? That she...miscarried again?
Bandit's stomach formed a knot, remembering what had happened that day so long ago. The pain on Brandy's face, the tears she shed the day after, the cold shoulder she gave him afterwards... I did all I could to help her back then...If she hadn't changed so drastically...would we still be together today? Would we be the ones tying the knot instead of Chilli and me?
He shook these thoughts away quickly and glanced at Chilli, who had finally gotten back to a proper sleep. What the hell?! Intrusive thoughts at this hour is a new level of low... But I still wonder what made her change. We haven't talked a word since I moved out so long ago.
I kind of...want to see how she's doing.
Bandit did the unthinkable and opened up the conversation with Brandy. Shit, what the hell am I doing? Now I have to reply or Brandy'll notice that Chilli's "awake" and will ask questions...
His fingers flexed helplessly on her phone, wondering on how he could word his message. "Damn it."
Then, he figured since he was already snooping, he might as well keep going. Why do it in the first place to only see a measly text message announcing her arrival? So he scrolled up, ignoring her latest message.
It was the early afternoon the next day, Brandy groaning as she woke up and stretched, scratching her fur. She has woken up extremely late, her brain still functioning in the English hour rather than the hour in Brisbane. She gasped and shook her best friend awake, telling her they didn't have much time to get ready and make it to the ceremony. They rushed through taking showers, drying their fur, applying proper makeup, and wearing their fancy dresses, in red and green shades respectively.
"We leave, now," Brandy told Tori, who was taking her time eating the food they had packed in the fridge last night. "I am positive they will have food at the after party, Tori!"
"Yeah, but the ceremony will take its time!" Tori sighed, grabbing her leftover McDonald's and stepping outside with Brandy. "I can't believe we overslept this badly.."
"I know," Brandy said shortly, running out the lobby door. "I hadn't considered setting up an alarm clock..."
The dogs took one good look at their invitations before they realized where it was taking place, which wasn't more than a twenty minute drive away. The problem, however, was that they didn't have a car.
"We're going to need a taxi," Tori motioned for the two to stand in the bench, which Brandy followed, nodding her head in agreement.
"What will Chilli think of me showing up so late?!" Brandy stamped her foot in frustration, reminded by the pain in her leg that she was wearing heels. Dogs don't usually wear shoes, but when they did, something comfortable like slippers or trainers were generally preferred. Of course, neither of those were appropriate to wear to a high-end wedding...
"We aren't late," Tori tried her best to comfort her, which was frankly like trying to stop a fizzy drink from reacting to mints. "We are a half hour early, if anything."
"That's normal for literally any other wedding out there," Brandy crossed her arms. "When it's your sister getting married, it's expected that you're amongst one of the first to show up! I might as well be a stranger to her."
"Brandy, don't say that. You've made it this far, returning to Brisbane to celebrate her moment- plus she knows you are here, and it's the thought that counts in cases like these where local time is over 8 hours ahead from back home."
Brandy didn't reply and instead looked down at her feet, wondering if it was really worth all the stress and anxiety to arrive if she couldn't even be one of the urgent few to talk to her in person for the first time in years.
When the taxi arrived, she looked outside the window and didn't say much at all during the ride there.
Chilli, I am so sorry. Brandy apologized in her mind. First, I second guess coming here because of your boyfriend-I mean soon-to-be husband, then I triple guess it because of you and when I finally get the courage to show up, this happens. I can't even be early.
She held in the urge to howl of sadness. Speaking of him, I wonder...how he has been the past few years. I...miss him so incredibly much... And now that I get to see him again, he's going to marry my sister.
Her heart plundered down to her chest as her palms started sweating the wet, cold, sticky type of sweat that occurred during a moment of shock or sadness like this. Could it be possible that I...still...
Brandy growled in her throat, catching the attention of Tori. She has tried to get the red heeler to open up, but it hasn't worked, so she gave up trying. It was different now that she was growling though.
I'll watch them kiss, then stay to chat with her a bit, then I'm flying back home on the first damn flight I can find. There's no way I'm staying the whole week...to see them get all cute with each other...I'll have to tell Tori that I'm leaving today or tomorrow then...
It wasn't as easy as that.
"Chilli, ever since the first day we met, which I am sure was at the caravan park in the 80's," Bandit had started his portion of his vows, staring at Chilli with a childish look on his face, again bringing the topic on where the two had properly met. "I knew there was something special about you. You made me feel..different from anyone else I had ever come to know in my life. Maybe it was the way you looked out for me when we first started dating and I wasn't exactly 'well-off' as you'd call it. Maybe it was how you always lit up the room no matter what was going on; I felt like I never had problems when I was with you. Maybe it's how remarkably beautiful you are. You always take my breath away every time I see you."
Chilli's eyes twinkled with incoming tears of happiness, reaching her clothed hand up to her face to wipe one away as she continued to listen to what her lover had to say about her. Her tail wagged furiously, sending her jeweled dress in a sort of dance that seemed to make her shine like diamonds.
"Maybe it's just simply love," his tone shifted. "We have overcome so much, and in a way, seeing us triumph through our hardships together proves how much we compliment each other. Whether or not life continues testing us, I promise to stand by your side and be the most supportive husband I can be. I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world- and I'll try to promise to stop accidentally eating the leftovers in the fridge, but don't count on that!"
The crowd laughed softly before focusing their attention on the blue heeler again, which kept reciting his promises and what he loved about Chilli. The list seemed to run endlessly, which was sweet for the crowd and obviously the bride, but felt like continual stabbing in the soul for Brandy.
She smiled anyway- it was what her sister wanted and what Tori expected of her, but by no means was she happy about her sister's transition from Miss to Mrs. especially with Bandit. But something in her abdomen stung, not like an ache, but like pain. The type of pain one feels when badly wounded there, or rather hurt emotionally.
A part of me wishes Bandit had jilted Chilli. Brandy's ugly wishes brewed deep in her heart as Bandit's vows came to an end, marked by the crowd's "aww". Soon after, Chilli began her own, which Brandy couldn't decide if it hurt more than Bandit's. Still, the pain in her abdominal area had continued, though it seemed to be calming down. If I keep thinking this stuff, I'll pay the price...
What really set off Brandy wasn't the vows, however.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Bandit lifted Chilli's muzzle...in the same way he had done to Brandy on the day after they properly met... staring into her eyes with a twinkle in his that Brandy had never seen before. Slowly inching his lips towards hers, the sister heeler felt a knot in her stomach. When their lips touched, Bandit had hugged her tightly and brought her towards him, like he couldn't get enough of her.
Brandy took it in with a fakest smile she could, though she felt something sour boiling in her stomach, side eyeing Tori as she beamed for their kiss.
"Brandy!" Chilli had yelled out at the after party, worried after multiple missed calls. The music had grown loud, Bandit was excitedly discussing his plans for their honeymoon with his mates, Bruce and the rest, Tori and the childhood friend group excitedly caught up (besides Sadie, Tori had kept her as an acquaintance since Chilli's birthday party 8 years ago), and everyone else seemed to be having a good time. "I must've called you like 15 times! At least text me to tell me you're..."
Brandy turned to look at her sister in the most beautiful wedding dress she had ever seen. What she saw was beautiful, but what Chilli saw was a red heeler so drunk she couldn't even keep her head straight. She noticed how much she was wobbling, her messy fur, how bloodshot her eyes were, and the obvious stench of the alcohol around her. "What the hell?"
"Chilli...l-look," Brandy adjusted her dress and fur to appear less wasted than she really was. "I-I j-just got carried away w-with Tori..."
"Brandy, the alcohol was to loosen up a little," Chilli's face expression changed from a worrisome look to that of an angry mother's. "You need to go and lay down. What the hell were you thinking, drinking so much?!"
"One g-glass of vodka t-turned into two...," Brandy tried to reason with the blurry figure in front of her. Vodka was typically taken in shot glasses...but the ones on Brandy's table were the size of normal drinking glasses...the ones meant for kids to drink fizzy drinks out of. Things seemed to be moving at one frame per second, like a really bad video game. "And it d-doesn't matter anyway...I'm not d-doing much harm c-cooped up in my little corner."
"You are ruining the atmosphere here," Chilli growled, placing her clothed paw on her forehead. "I thought you were going to catch up with me, not...whatever this is. You barely spoke a word to me after the reception and ignore my calls and I know the Tori thing is bullshit because Tori told me you forced her to leave you alone!"
"Oh why won't you leave me alone, Mrs. Heeler," Brandy growled, standing up while using the chair as a support system of sorts. "I told you I shouldn't have come, that it w-wasn't a g-good time for me at all. So let. Me. D-drink. In. Peace."
Chilli stared at her, wondering if it was of any use to try and get through to someone who couldn't even manage the weight of their own head right now. "Okay," she said in an exhausted yet irritated voice. "Okay. The party room is compromised of the main party room and one for guests to relax in without the noise. You're going to that room now."
Bandit saw Chilli struggling to carry Brandy on her side and joined in to carry the intoxicated sister to the silent room. "What's happened to her?"
Chilli gave him a glare that told Bandit to keep his questions to himself. Knowing that whatever had occurred wasn't great, he just looked at Brandy, who was seriously making about ten faces a second. Knowing how drunk Brandy played out at Lester and Sadie's wedding all those years ago, he decided to take charge.
"Chilli, I'll handle this," Bandit took her sister's weight and sprinted over to the restrooms, which thankfully were much closer than the silent room.
Chilli stared in disbelief, but allowed herself to relax when Trixie approached her and asked her to gamble along with some mutuals. "Sure."
Once Brandy was done doing her business in the women's toilets, she came out, looking as pale as a ghost. Her face was written with regret and she felt herself starting to tear up when she noticed Bandit, waiting for her around the corner. He looked so fine, just as she had dreamt..
"You okay?" Bandit brushed her lips with a napkin, collecting the bits that hadn't made it into the toilet. He felt awkward seeing his ex in this state, but he was mature enough to put that aside and focus on whether she was okay or not. No one drinks that much, even if they are a heavy party goer.
"No," she sighed. "God, I'm one of the biggest fuck-ups to ever step foot on this earth."
Tears streamed down her eyes, staining her fur black because of her now-wet mascara. She fell onto the floor and hugged her knees tight, letting herself cry silently.
"Come on, let's go into the silent room like Chilli said," Bandit extended his paw, surprised that she placed hers on his so quickly. He didn't remember her being that compliant, but people can definitely change in an 8 year span. He knows he sure did, in more ways than one. "We'll talk in there."
Once they were in the silent room, only accompanied by some young kids watching TV, he turned to get a good look at Brandy.
Her fur looks so different now. It's a lot fluffier...and her spots are less abundant and much...well...much more easy on the eyes.
"So...what happened?" Bandit poked at the obvious elephant in the room. "I only saw the bit where my wife was attempting to carry you here."
His tail wiggled slightly; he was still getting used to calling Chilli his wife and not girlfriend.
"I drank too much, and ignored her calls. Then, she got mad at me for it," Brandy said, avoiding eye contact. She feared she would do something she'd regret if she kept looking at him.
"But why? No one just decides to drink that much," Bandit mentioned. Brandy shook her head and continued to sob onto her knees. "Look...I know it's none of my real business since this is our first conversation in years...but I still care about you, Brandy. If there's something you need to get off your chest, I'm here."
"I haven't accomplished anything meaningful in my life," she spat in her tears. "Everyone here is successful. Happy."
"Oh what?" Bandit gave her a look. "You're one of the most successful people I know! And I'm not just saying that, mate."
Brandy didn't answer, instead clutching her thighs closer. She felt mortified. Mortified that she had made a fool of herself in front of not just her sister, but also her husband. I wish I was dead.
"You're making so much from just doing what you love," Bandit started listing off Brandy's good traits, knowing that Chilli also required this type of comforting once every while. "Like your books are still a huge deal here, and you don't even live here anymore! And you're so close with Tori and your other friends, and you're dating a man that looks like he treats you right. I mean, seriously?! He took you to a Michelin star restaurant and took you to France-"
"Bandit, how do you know all that?" Brandy turned to face him, a look of horror on her face. "We haven't communicated in 8 years in your words, have we not?"
Bandit's eyes widened in shock of his own stupidity. He had read through Chilli's messages with Brandy and looked at her posts, yes, but he thought he knew better than to bring it up.
"Um...Chilli told me?" Bandit smiled nervously, shrugging. He knew that if Brandy informed Chilli of this, she'd give him the earful of the century.
"Chilli told you, is that right?" Brandy wiped her eyes, a strange look on her face, one that Bandit couldn't read. "Funny, because I never told her about the Michelin star restaurant. And that happened years ago, so even if she knew, why would you remember it?"
"I...um..."
"It's fine, I just realized you got it from Facebook," Brandy's expression changed to a more relaxed one. She seemed to sober up in these moments that passed, almost like she hadn't drank the stuff at all...except for the smell, of course. "Still, how did you find my ex's account? And has he not deleted that stupid Michelin post?"
"It was pretty easy, actually," Bandit shrugged honestly. "He tagged you. You seemed pretty happy in that picture."
"Yeah...," Brandy stared off into the distance, recollecting those memories again.
"Are you two still together?"
"No, he left me not even a month after he took me there," Brandy scoffed. "Just like the last one, except he didn't even have enough money to take me to Macca's.."
"Oh, I'm sorry Brandy," Bandit pulled her in for a half-hug, startling her. She'd almost forgotten how physically affectionate Bandit had been. "It's okay...my mother used to tell me that things seemed darkest before dawn. It was certainly my experience finding love."
"Oh, are you referring to us?" Brandy frowned. "I'm sorry. I should've been...better. Thank you for putting up with me during that time. Who knows where I'd be if I didn't have you around at the time.."
"It's fine, Brandy. And no, I wasn't talking about our relationship," Bandit continued, treading on light footsteps emotionally. "Do you remember when we truly met at Lester's wedding? And then you spent the next night with me?"
"Of course I do," Brandy said, a bit louder than she'd wanted to. "You were my first real love. You don't forget that stuff easily."
"Right," Bandit nodded. "I told you about her before we..."
The two blushed and looked away, looks of regret on their faces. The same thought seemed to run in their minds: what fucking idiocy.
"She did a number to me mentally," Bandit broke the silence, looking at her again. "I told you my story, but I left some parts out. I just didn't feel okay with telling anyone at the time. I still don't, honestly. Really only Chilli, Stripe, and my bandmates know to this day. But I'll tell you the full extent."
Terrifying, that woman. Brandy's eyes widened at the horror of some of the stories Bandit was telling, leading up to the big event at this party from many years ago. Hits, scratches, bad words...SA...
She loosened her stoic expression and allowed herself to feel what he was feeling, which was grim and depressed. She felt horrible that because of her, he had soured his mood at his wedding after party.
"She's gone for good," she was the one to hug him this time, offering the bit of comfort she could. "And don't worry, it'll stay safe with me- and I am so...happy for you. You've overcame so much and more with our relationship. You deserve all the best."
Bandit uttered a soft thank you before smiling gently at her, admiring her empathy, which is a trait she continued to retain much to his comfort.
Brandy's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, noticing how...minuscule her problems from the past two relationships had been. "I didn't go through something nearly as traumatic as you. My past two relationships ended because they wanted kids and I just...couldn't give them that. They said bad things to me, yeah, but...Sorry, if I'm being rude, please tell me. I know you just told me your story and I don't want to-"
"It's okay," Bandit said. "What happened happened. I think treating it as this big no-no thing actually makes it worse for me when it's brought up. So go on, I want to hear your story."
"I see," Brandy nodded. "Okay, I'll tell you."
She sighed deeply, hoping Bandit really was okay. Deep down, she cared about him enough to want to find this Kate woman and tear her apart. Some people didn't deserve the gift of knowing Bandit, and that wretched demon was one of them.
"Well, it's not unusual for me to be struggling with fertility. My mother, she had multiple miscarriages before she successfully had me, then went through one more before she had Chilli. Then, she died in labor to what would've been my brother, if he hadn't passed away as well. My aunt Linda could only manage one child before he passed away due to heartworm," Brandy remembered what her father had told her about her mother's and aunt's troubles when she had vented to him years ago after the first had left her. "So it makes sense that I'd be struggling. It's a common thing for us cattle dogs actually- but it hurts when you have this dream. A dream that can't be achieved because your own body hates you."
Bandit nodded, offering sympathy for Brandy's deceased mother and cousin. "At first, when I was like 13 or 14, I thought kids were stupid. Who'd want the responsibility of loud, bouncing little dogs at all, right? Well, my cousin Ralph...I wasn't close to him before, but I remember this specific time our dad dropped us off to his house, I ended up finally giving in and playing with him. I have never felt so joyful in my life; seeing that little pup smile and jump made me feel whole."
"Right, right. We all say the dumbest things during our teenage years. Get this, I thought my band would become this famous touring band and I'd be rolling around in money. I liked the idea, but our band wasn't cut out for it. And in a way, I'm glad it didn't. My simple life as it is now is what I find fulfilling, much more than any amount of cash or instruments. I still enjoy our small shows, though!"
"Exactly," Brandy nodded. "You grow and find yourself. I'm still learning about myself as I go through these things. Like sure, I'm having unlucky miscarriages, but my mother went through the same thing, and here I am now, talking to you. Without her, would I be able to request to hear your band play again?"
Bandit looked at her. "Don't you hate my bandmates? And you never liked how loud we were."
"Did you forget already?" Brandy teased. "People change, right?! I'm not the same Brandy who hated anything that had to do with fun!"
The two laughed and looked at each other for a long, dragging moment, when Brandy's urges took over. She leaned her snout closer to his, eager for a kiss, when Bandit placed his index finger on her lips, a blank look on his face, terrifyingly different from the joyful one he had on a moment ago.
"Brandy, I care about you, and I'd love to play for you sometime, but don't forget that I'm married and madly in love with Chilli." Bandit removed his finger as he slowly got up from the corner.
"Bandit, I'm sorry," she called out, extending her hand. "It won't happen again!"
"It's fine, I'm not mad, okay? But try to be more respectful to Chilli and I's marriage." Bandit gave her that stupid look again. "Now sober up in here, I'm going to go and talk with my mates."
Brandy sat in the corner, processing what had just happened. Somehow...somehow...it seemed to startle Bandit less to talk about his trauma involving Kate than what had almost happened just now...
She felt a new emotion she couldn't even name. I need to go apologise properly. Both to Chilli and Bandit. And I can't believe I almost...kissed him. On his wedding night...with my sister.
-End-