Is it here? Yup, in the middle of August...I present chapter 15. Again, I adore hearing your thoughts on the story, so don't shy away from telling me what you think! I have also decided to start work on an AU version of "on a night under the shining stars", where Brandy does work out her problems with Bandit. There's not much in the "Brandit" scene, and I'm determined to change that! Though, it will be shorter, to compensate for working on this fic and the Bluey and Bingo fic. I also joined this cool server, titled "Bluey Hangout". Disclaimer that you do have to be at least 16 (and probably should be anyway if you're reading this fanfic), but it is a very fun, cute server! Many other Bluey fanfic writers are on there! The invite link is: https/discord.gg/Z2jQcHBWDT. Have fun!
Things were quiet at the restaurant; Bruce had given Brandy and Tori a ride. Brandy tapped her foot impatiently on the concrete, waiting for their taxi to show up. She felt a bit worried, firstly because of the whole liquor incident at the wedding and secondly, almost kissing the groom. If anything else went wrong...
"Hey, don't worry," Tori grabbed Brandy's paw. "Everything will be fine."
You have no idea how awful I can be. Brandy stared at Tori from the corner of her eye, feeling nothing but guilt seeing her best friend so...unaware of the atrocities she was capable of. "Thank you. I feel calmer with you around."
Then, they saw the car pull up and park briefly near the entrance before the couple stepped out. Chilli greeted with a cheery demeanor, meanwhile Bandit seemed to be looking at anything except Brandy.
"Hello Chilli," Brandy hugged her, feeling the warmth of her sister. She smiled faintly before remembering that he was here. She separated herself from her sister and let out a shaky hand. Bandit awkwardly received it before cheerfully greeting Tori.
"Tori, it's been so long," his tail wagged at the sight of an old friend. "I'm so happy you could join us for breakfast today."
"Me too," Tori agreed. "I see you cut your mullet off."
"Only because she made me," he looked at Chilli while talking through his teeth.
"Oh no I didn't," Chilli lightly punched him on the shoulder. "I gave you advice on how you could be even hotter!"
The couple started to lightly tease one another, laughing as it went.
In the restaurant, Brandy had finished ordering when Chilli noticed the connected shop nearby, revealing a lot of little restaurant themed merch and cute stuffed animals along with plenty of snacks. "I've got to check this out."
"I'll join you!" Tori exclaimed, right behind Chilli's tail.
This left Brandy alone with one of her biggest fears. Bandit Heeler. "Bandit."
Bandit looked at her awkwardly. "Look mate...I'm not interested. I'm married."
"I know. Neither am I," Brandy nodded. "I just don't like how awkward it is. I was drunk and I would've never done that had I been sober."
"I don't like it either...but I can't just forget something like that," Bandit sighed. "Chilli cares about you so much, hence why I didn't tell her about yesterday. I care too...but I don't want to cross any boundaries."
"I understand," Brandy sighed. "I was completely out of line, but I miss you. Not in a romantic way, but as a friend. At least act normal around Chilli and Tori, or they'll suspect something happened."
"I'll try to act friendly, but I'm still not over it," Bandit sighed. "Look, Brandy...I'm nervous that you'll let it happen again."
"I know. I'm so sorry," Brandy looked down at her paws. "Will you forgive me?"
"I do...but please don't let it happen again," Bandit felt bad at the sight of Brandy's expression. "Don't cry."
"I won't," she wiped the soft tears away. Bandit sighed and lifted a shaky paw and dabbed her tears away with a napkin. Fearing an expression of attraction, he smiled in relief when Brandy softly thanked him instead of crossing boundaries. "I promise you're only a friend to me."
"Thank you, mate," he smiled back at her. "I'm so glad you haven't lost your amazing soul."
Brandy fought hard against the incoming blush before she quickly exclaimed "Oh! Are those Poké-dolls?! I must go see them!" and took off towards the gift shop. Bandit sat alone for a minute than sighed and got up to use the toilet.
As Brandy examined the cute Pokémon dolls, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"I didn't know you were into Pokémon," Chilli giggled, a little curious on the red on her sister's cheeks. I also didn't know Brandy's heavy on the blush. I wonder what brand that is, so pigmented and stuff.
"I play the games sometimes," Brandy admitted. "But I don't really like talking about it. People'll think I'm weird."
"So?" Chilli picked out a Jirachi doll and walked to the counter with Brandy aside her. "It's just an interest."
"Yeah I guess," Brandy didn't know what to say. After it was rung and brought, Chilli handed over the Jirachi.
"If I'm not mistaken, in the cartoon, they did say this star Pokémon grants wishes?"
"In the games, Jirachi does grant wishes when it wakes up from a thousand year nap," Brandy accepted the doll, thanking her sister. "I wonder if this will grant my wish?"
"I'm sure it will," Chilli laughed. "But like a genie or a fairy, I bet there's rules, right?"
"I don't think so," Brandy pondered. "If that's the case, I would wish for all the things that are usually against the rules. Like true love, superpowers, and reviving the dead."
"Especially that third one," Chilli sighed. "You know, I feel bad about having had the wedding so close to our mum's..."
"Don't worry about it," Brandy smiled weakly. "She's happy that you're happy. Things happen, and unfortunately events don't always occur the way we'd like them to take place. Time heals all, Chilli."
"I never told you, but I never really got 'over' it. I still cry on the day of," Chilli sighed. "I was too scared to tell you growing up so I pretended it stopped hurting me, even though you seemed to take it even worse than me."
"I get that," Brandy nodded. "I also pretended a lot. Sometimes, Dad would walk in on me crying and I'd lie to him about why. I'd even get angry over my classmates talking about how 'embarrassing' their mums were. I'm not sure if it was right of me to lie to Dad and get angry at normal teenagers wanting independence, but I am positive that if Mum could appear and talk to you, she'd be over the moon with you. She loves us more than anything."
Chilli smiled and embraced a hug with her sister. Brandy felt a warm connection she hadn't felt since childhood.
Tori, on the other side of the shop, overheard everything and smiled for Brandy's sake. I'm so happy for Brandy.
"You really think so?"
"I know so," Brandy told her. She told me in my dream after all. "And Chilli...don't ever feel like you have to pretend around me. I'm here for you. Literally. You know, because of the wedding and all."
"Got it," Chilli let out a mellow chuckle. "Brandy, I miss you...I miss this."
Brandy looked away in guilt, knowing what was coming next.
"Why can't you come back and live here?"
"Chilli, you know I can't," Brandy sighed. "I've worked really hard to establish my life as an Englishwoman. I...can't throw that all away! It's the responsible thing to stay there."
"...Why?" Chilli asked solemnly. "You know you could always stay at our flat. Or even my new house."
"Right, the new house...," Brandy eyed her younger sister, reminded of the conversation she had with Tori when they arrived to Brisbane. "But look...you're happy here. I'm happy there."
Brandy tried to convince herself harder. "I would be a fool to return."
"But why?" Chilli asked again. "What is it that you're so...afraid of? Brandy...I know you left for a reason."
"Chilli-"
"You left after the breakup with Bandit. Do you think I didn't notice how little you talked to me after I told you we started dating?" The puzzle pieces were starting to connect in her mind. "Is that why you drank so much at the party?"
"Chilli look-" Brandy started to feel defensive, angry even.
"Tell me...did you leave because of Bandit and I? Did you drink your weight in liquor because of it?! You put a lot of emphasis on my new last name when I caught you drunk!"
"Stop interrupting me!" Brandy spoke too loudly, getting some heads to turn.
Tori gulped for the sisters' sake. I know a big reason that she left right behind me was because of him.
"If it's not Bandit, than what was it?! Why did you run away? What else could've possibly gotten you to move continents?! You have had nothing else happen that didn't involve Bandit!"
"I didn't leave because of him," Brandy growled quietly. "And frankly, it's none of your business, Chilli. You pry and you pry and the more you do that, the more our relationship will strain. You hardly know me as well as you think! Don't you know how aggravating it is for someone you barely interact with to act like they know every detail of your life?!"
"Do you know how aggravating it is to have to look out for my big sister?" Chilli asked, raising her tone a bit too high. Passerbys were starting to raise their ears higher, passing slowly to hear the entire argument. Tori debated whether to get involved or not, but she didn't want to get stuck in a choice between the sisters. On one hand, she was best friends with Brandy and the two had grown very close. On the other hand, Chilli was easier maintenance and was a friend since childhood as well. "It should be you looking after me, Brandy. You think you're so mature, withholding information from me, then blowing up like a toddler having a tantrum!"
"There's a reason I stay away from you," Brandy felt the blood pounding in her forehead quickly. The force of her paw suffocated the poor Jirachi doll, who looked like it would blow inside out, stuffing everywhere, if Brandy didn't calm down. "There's a reason Trixie, Wendy, and especially Tori have seen me more than you have.."
Chilli stared at her sister, not knowing how to respond. She felt hurt, like a small fragile animal at the brink of death. But something about what Brandy had said confirmed one of Chilli's suspicions. "So you do avoid me."
"YES I DO," Brandy gasped, tears forming in her eyes. "Because no matter what I do...no matter how I respond...something ALWAYS goes wrong when I'm around you! I...I was already planning to fly back..."
Brandy's tears started burning her face, a few gasps in her breathing. "And this just proves to me that I was right. Staying in England is the responsible thing to do."
"I didn't know you felt that way," Chilli's own eyes started to water. "Brandy, I still want you to come back...we can work this out, I know we can. Remember my birthday party all those years ago? Look- if we just communicate better, we can be real friends! Like you are with Tori and all them! I'm sorry for pushing you too hard- I didn't mean to...Brandy!"
"My mind's made up, Chilli," Brandy started to exit the store, onto the restaurant exit. "Have a nice day. Eat the extra food. Say goodbye to Bandit for me."
Tori finally stepped in, going after the older heeler, leaving Chilli behind with tears in her eyes.
"Holy shit dude," a teenage Doberman whispered to a teenage Rottweiler. "I hope they sort it out. Got real ugly back there."
"Brandy, wait!" Tori ran as fast as her little dachshund legs would allow towards Brandy.
"Tori," Brandy paused and waited for her to catch up. "Tori...I want to go home. You're going to come with me...right?"
"Brandy, our tickets are set for a week and a half from now," Tori's paw inched towards the heeler's paw, the one with the doll in it. "It's not too late to go back in and apologise."
"Apologise? Apologise for what?! She pushed me when it was clear as day I had no interest in continuing the topic," Brandy growled a bit too closely to Tori, frightening her.
The cattle dog composed herself quickly, sorry for having scared her friend, but was still adamant on being right. "She did this to herself. I tried to interact with her best I could!"
Tori let her friend vent, even though she knew she would have to tell Brandy eventually that while Chilli was at fault, so was she, and neither were completely wrong or right. But she knew how Brandy functioned, and she took criticism best after releasing her emotions.
"I just wish we could be normal! Like all other siblings out there!"
Tori sighed. "Brandy...you do remember I went no contact with...her, right?"
"...I'm sorry Tori," Brandy put her paw on her mouth, remembering the big falling out between Tori and her sister, Madonna. "...I know this sounds silly to you, but you're the one I trust the most."
"I know...," Tori nodded. "Look, let's just call Bruce to come for us, and we'll keep talking later, okay?"
"That sounds...good," Brandy wiped the remaining tears from her eyes, filled with regret. First, the Bandit thing, and now this fight with Chilli. I just cannot come here. Never again. This is the last time they'll see me here.
Brandy looked in the distance after she called Bruce, who was concerned over her shaky voice. I can't continue running though.. Something will happen and I'll somehow end up here in Brisbane once more. Why can't I just be perfect?!
"Run your own race."
Those words echoed mindlessly in her head, but all she could muster was looking back at the restaurant. Then, a jolt of guilt struck her and she turned back towards the restaurant.
"Hey Tori...you can head on along with Bruce. I...I have something I have to take care of in the restaurant."
"Brandy...are you sure? You're not going to start fighting with her again, are you?"
"I hope not, but I can't leave her crying in there," Brandy sighed. "I know she was pushing me too hard...but I shouldn't have blown up on her like that."
"Good on you," Tori smiled, feeling hopeful for Brandy. "Tell me what happens?"
"You're always the first to know things about my life already," Brandy rolled her eyes playfully.
"I know, I know," Tori flicked her paw playfully. "Just tryin' to light up the situation. Good luck, Brandy."
"Yeah...Thank you Tori. For being there for me. I'll take you out somewhere nice when we return home."
"You're welcome. I know a couple of good-looking places," Tori pondered.
Brandy giggled before she returned back inside, peering around for the younger red heeler. The cashier stared at her angrily in the distance, but she ignored him and kept peering around until she found Bandit hugging his wife tightly in the same table they were last on. Faint tears streamed down on her face as she stared off down into the distance.
"Chilli...," Brandy shakily placed a paw on her back, nervous on Bandit's expression. "Look- I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I know it seems like I've been purposefully avoiding you. But...I do it because I'm...I'm scared."
"Scared?" Chilli wiped away her tears, bringing her gaze up to her sister's. "I know you are. But...I'm not going to force you to tell me why. That's your business, Brandy, and I have no right to tell you how to live your life. I'm sorry for pushing you too hard."
"Look, Chilli...," Brandy started off, easing onto the topic of yesterday. "I'm scared of you."
A moment of silence passed.
"I'm scared of...hurting you. Like...like how things were when we were younger. I'm terrified of it, Chilli. And maybe that's why things have been so...distant lately. If I were to get any closer...well...this happens. I don't want to hurt you anymore, believe me."
"Why couldn't you just say that?" Chilli looked at her. "All this time, and if you could've just told me you were scared of hurting me...I would've made sure you felt safe around me. I never wanted you to feel this way. We're family, Brandy. We should feel safer around each other more than anywhere else."
"I know, and I'm sorry I stayed so far away from you," Brandy apologised. "But look...I think I'm going to stay in England. I'll come over when I can...but I love England. Maybe one day I'll move back."
Chilli sighed, but nodded, understanding her needs. "It's okay. I'm sorry for pushing you. Do you still want to eat?"
Brandy looked around; some people were staring at them. "Actually..."
"Bruce, mate, what's that scent in your car called?" Bandit questioned him in the two lead seats, sniffing the air. "It smells so good."
"I think this scent is called Waterfall Lone Wolf," Bruce scratched his chin, the other paw managing the steering wheel.
"Those names are so goofy," Brandy joked around with Tori, who laughed. "What's next, a scent called Alpha Lion Sunset?"
"That's the last scent I used before this one, actually," Bruce laughed. "Yeah the names are stupid. So what? My car smells great; that's all that matters!"
"Right, my favorite was Foliage Leader Buck before I smelled this one," Bandit joined in.
"I don't care about bucks unless they're dollar bucks though," Tori cracked a joke. "The animal is only good to eat."
"Wait! Let me guess another one," Brandy pondered. "Is Mountain Killer Ram a scent?"
"That's Stripe's favorite, I believe!" Bandit confirmed.
Chilli looked out the window, ignoring the conversation about car scents, instead losing track of time in her thoughts.
"I'm scared of...hurting you."
The younger heeler held in the urge to cry again, balling her paws into fists. How is she the one that's scared? After I tried so hard to be welcoming and give her a place to stay while she's here...she's gone over to Bruce's. I give her a free breakfast to talk like sisters again, and she brings in the entire outside world.. I'm scared I'm losing her, like she's just another stranger in my life.
"Chilli?" Tori whispered to the red heeler aside her, leaving the conversation. "Are you okay?"
"Oh Tori...I'm fine," Chilli lied. She wouldn't get it...she's so incredibly close to her. She knows more about her than I probably ever will. "Thanks for worrying about me, but go on, have some fun and discuss those stupid names."
"Oh, I've had enough talking about the scents for a day," Tori held out a paw, rolling her eyes at Bruce's decision to turn on some loud, obnoxious music, drowning out the quietness of the duo. "And the music, even though he just turned it on. You'd be surprised how quickly I can get tired of things."
"Me too," Chilli nodded. "The scents are the cherry on top and I didn't even talk about it."
"Yeah, I noticed," Tori's expression became worried again. "Look, I know Brandy's being difficult right now, but we're best friends. I know she cares about you more than anything."
"Really?"
"Yes," Tori affirmed. "She's a tough nut on the outside. Even I can get annoyed by her sometimes. But once you crack and get to the middle, you get one of the sweetest dogs you could ever meet. She's helped me through a lot, and I've helped her too. The point is to take your time. Brandy's adamant on how she presents herself- if you try and push her beyond what she allows...she'll snap. I've had that happen to me before, on both ends."
"So she's in for the long haul," Chilli peered over at Brandy, who was giggling hard by this time.
"Sexy Chocolate Doe?!" Brandy hollered, holding her paw over her mouth. "And I thought the 'masculine' names were dumb!"
"She'll let it go soon," Tori peeked as well. "She doesn't hold grudges anymore. A lot more forgiving than she was back then anyway!"
"Oh, I figured," Chilli nodded. "She didn't speak to you at all ever since that birthday party she had as kids."
"Yeah, that was a different time," Tori sighed. "When she held grudges and our friend group was toxic. Yeah, funny to use that word on a group of kids, but we weren't the best to Brandy during that time."
"What...happened?" Chilli asked. "Brandy never told me, but she would get mad at me any time I brought it up."
"We ostracized her," Tori sighed. "Not my proudest moment, but I was a child who didn't know any better. Chilli, we replaced her with you."
"They'd talk to you and I would spend time sitting alone, pretending I was fine with being left out over and over again."
Chilli remembered the snippet from their reconciliation so many years ago. She recalled the various play dates she would have with Tori and the group, remembering Brandy staying at home for the entirety of it. I know it happened...but talking to someone who actually took part in it like this...It makes me feel sorry for her. "But why?! It was so messed up of you guys! Couldn't we have all been friends instead?"
"Looking back on it, yeah, we all should've been friends instead," Tori shrugged. "But alas, pre-teens only care about looking cool in front of their peers. Chilli, you were popular back in late grade school and you were nice. Brandy was awesome, but she...well she..."
Chilli nodded, understanding what Tori was getting at. She wasn't exactly popular. "How did you guys become so close again? Brandy held that grudge all the way up until adulthood."
"I believe it started during her relationship with Bandit," Tori recalled their past relationship; Chilli had told her about it on one of their near-annual phone calls many years ago. "See, I used to work at that party bar near the apartment complex."
Chilli nodded, knowing what club she was talking about.
"One night, she came in and I found her crying in the restroom area. She was washing her hands, furiously," Tori imitated the scene as best she could with her short arms. "I wanted to help her because I was always eager to help those who had partied too hard or were uncomfortable. I saw her crying like that- so naturally I tapped her shoulder and asked if she was okay."
Chilli listened, mesmerized by the dachshund's storytelling. I think Brandy has had an effect on her. I don't remember her being this detail-focused last time we properly spoke.
"I told her to get a therapist pretty soon into our convo because she really had it out for you. She had fought with Bandit over how she treated you," Tori adjusted her floppy ears. "Well, we did end up moving away after we became friends, but I moved away a few months first. She cycled through guys, nearly settled down with two, but things were...pretty bad. Eventually, she found a suitable therapist to process the hurt from that. I was there throughout the whole thing, and we both acted as each other's support."
Wait; there were two guys? Chilli scratched her head.
"Don't you know how aggravating it is for someone you barely interact with to act like they know every detail of your life?!"
Chilli felt the truth settle in, knowing that angry insults were sometimes rooted in truth. Seeing Tori read Brandy like a book reinforced this further; the heeler held the urge to cry again.
Tori eventually realized she had struck a nerve. "Oh...Chilli, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have talked about her so much."
"It's okay," Chilli nodded. It'll be okay. I hope. "Tori, how do you think I should go about talking to her? I don't want her to feel uncomfortable or scared of me."
"Be patient with her, don't pry," Tori advised her. "You've seen what happens when you pry, so make sure to avoid it. And yes, she will open up over time, but it is a lengthy process."
"...Thank you, Tori. You've given me a lot to think about."
Tori nodded before spacing out with Chilli, the other three going nuts over names in general.
Just then, Chilli thought about things a bit more. As Bandit and I save more money, I want to go over and visit Brandy myself. Right now, we've barely got enough saved for Italy.
I'm sure Bandit would love to go; it would serve as a nice trip down memory lane from that party so many years ago.
After a lengthy breakfast, Bruce and Brandy left, leaving the couple with Tori.
Chilli sighed of relief, her coat finally relaxing instead of being prickled up. I don't have to walk on eggshells anymore.
She peered around her flat, taking in the last few days she had of living here before her lease expired and she would move into the big house with Bandit.
I'm gonna miss this rubbish bin, it had a lot of good memories.
"Chilli?" Bandit poked her. "You okay?"
Chilli stared at him for a second before responding. "Sure."
"Let it go, Shallow Red," Bandit brought her in for a half-hug. The silly nickname was brought upon as a counter for her occasionally nicknaming him Deep Blue.
"I'm trying," she said in a harsher tone than intended.
Bandit stepped away, knowing Chilli needed twenty minutes. Maybe more. "You should go relax, babe."
"I'd love that...but Tori, are you fine with hanging out with Bandit?" Chilli sighed, rubbing her right temple. "He can be...you know."
Bandit shot her a look. "Wow."
"I don't mean it like that, honey," Chilli looked at him sympathetically. "It's just...not everyone can put up with your energy. I can, but I love you."
"No, it's okay," Tori nodded. "You should go rest. I know it's been a long day for you."
"Okay...sorry about this, it's just...sisters, you know?" Chilli weakly smiled, digging for the keys in her handbag.
"I know," Tori nodded, understanding with a soft, bittersweet expression. "Sometimes you just need a break from life after interacting with them."
"Exactly," the red heeler nodded, starting to walk towards the stairs. She understands me. "Anyway, thanks love, I promise I'll find a good day to hang out while you're here. See you. Bye Bandit, I love you."
"Love you too, babe," Bandit waved, Tori joining in as well.
Chilli went inside and locked the door, letting out a defeated, heavy, unpleasant sigh.
"I hope she's okay," Tori looked up at their door.
"She will be," Bandit said. "Anyway, I'm going to go to see my brother Rad; he's wanting to do a barbecue later today. I believe a couple of your friends will be there, like Sadie."
"Sadie?!" Tori's mouth fell open. "She's here?!"
"Yeah," Bandit nodded. "I mean, Chilli and I got married!"
"I know but...she didn't tell me and I didn't see her."
"Both the reception and party were packed and you could've told her you were going," Bandit chuckled at the dachshund's surprise.
"True," she nodded. "Does Chilli really want to miss out though? This sounds pretty fun."
"She won't, I'm going by really early to help with the setup and catch up with him," Bandit explained. "I mean we just ate brekky. I'll come back and pick her up."
"Oh cool," Tori nodded. "Okay, sure, I'll be going."
"Alright," Bandit opened the door for her. "I hope you have fun; it's just Stripe, Trixie, and Rad there right now."
Tori nodded, before thinking back on Brandy. Is she gonna come by?
-End-