It's been so incredibly long. For one, school has been incredibly taxing. Feels like I never have a moment to myself, really. But damn working on this chapter was pretty good! Though also a bit controversial. A lot of things are happening here and some things may not be "rational" or morally right, but that's one of the best things about Bluey. Nobody is perfect and people gain wisdom at different rates...and unfortunately the "gaining" part is very dependent on your life experiences, both positive and negative.

Anyway, that out of the way, I must say the next chapter will likely be a gut punch in many different ways. As we tread closer and closer to the actual timing of the show, things will start to settle in their place. Who's ready to see Bluey in chapter 20 (I couldn't stop myself..)? Or 21? I haven't decided yet, but Bluey will finally be included.

The two friends sat there quietly, their faces feeling extremely hot with a confusing yet alluring connection between them. Brandy stared at him, feeling her tail wiggle slightly beneath her.

They had been talking since they had arrived to Bruce's place. A little more about Chilli, some about Bandit and Tori, but the real game changer was talking about Martin and his girlfriend Wendy. It was awkward at first because of Brandy's last feelings on the whole matter- she used to and still confused her feelings of lust with romance, knowing that beneath his hot looks, lay someone who was just there for the ride and not the destination.

Things had escalated a little more than that...

"I did like him, in fact sometimes I think I do like him again," Brandy confessed angrily. "Ugh, I fucking hate that cunt though. He's so arrogant and so uptight and even though we get along, it's so obvious he just likes the attention I give him. And it's just gross the way he yearns for feminine attention when he is already dating Wendy."

"I've never liked him," Bruce said proudly and smugly, smirking in Brandy's face. "But I've noticed the way you look at him. He's...how can I put this lightly...he's an alright guy generally, but when it comes to romance...well, just look at Wendy for starters. He doesn't treat her right and it's starting to show. From the few times I've seen Wendy, she never smiles when Martin is around. At least not genuinely when he's busy trying to lead on a bunch of naive young'ins."

"Wait what?" Brandy shook her head. She felt her whole body shiver in disgust as she grimaced, feeling awful about her now ruined 'feelings' for the chow chow. "Yeah no, I am done with him."

"I'd be too...But are you done with Bandit too?" Bruce began his interrogations, making Brandy feel slightly off. Her ears slightly cowered as she felt nothing but disgust with herself for holding the blue heeler on such a pedestal.

"Yes, I'm done. He's with Chilli and that's final," she nodded.

After such a strange turn of events, Brandy had found herself slowly getting to know Bruce more and more. She really enjoyed his company the past few days, but having not felt much romance in years...

She kissed him, in the same style she had almost kissed Bandit. This time it wasn't wrong- he returned it, the red heeler feeling his paws meet on her lower back, pulling her in deeper. She found herself wrapping her own arms around his neck, embracing this strange yet hot turn of events with every fiber of her being; she felt electrical sparks raise her fur on its ends. Their lips kept breaking and making contact, giving way for more passionate kisses, one after the other as she slowly pulled him onto her, feeling the couch sag slightly with the weight of both. She felt an immaculate pounding in her chest, an urge to continue, Bruce not objecting in any way as he continued escalating more and more, dragging his right paw up to her cheek, bringing her face closer for a rougher kiss than the previous ones.

After a while, Bruce pulled away from her, a string of saliva connecting both of their wet muzzles. He stared into her beautiful doe eyes, a feature he had admired so gracefully on Chilli's sharper features in one moment of time, but now admired on Brandy's softer features; she slowly revealed a wet smile admiring his own build as well. It was a hot moment with so much tension- Bruce wanted so badly to fulfill the hole in Brandy's heart and she wanted nothing more than to claim him as hers...but something stopped them.

"Hold on...," Bruce paused. "Brandy, what was that..?"

The red heeler sucked in a sharp breath, thinking of so many excuses she could find to justify the makeout session she had just performed with Bruce- yet feeling compelled to ask him the same thing. He reciprocated, didn't he? She gave him a look that reeked of puzzlement, feeling guilty all of a sudden.

"I love it," Bruce muttered honestly under his breath. Brandy internally sighed of relief, once again leaning into his face to continue before she was gently stopped. "But Brandy- I don't mean to be simply a rebound to you."

In that moment, the mood had been killed; Brandy slowly sat up and maintained a good distance from Bruce. Things had just gotten too far in the short amount of time she had been here and everything caused turmoil in her soul- but something about the energy convinced her to stay. She wouldn't lie, she had looked up some local flats in Brisbane just in case.

The look in Chilli's eyes when they had gone out for breakfast had killed her. Brandy didn't particularly hold anything against moving back, but she looked back at him, reminded again of how much gray there was in this situation. She had believed for so long that England was the perfect place for someone like her, isolated from family and mutuals that had only contributed to her desire to run away. She saw how happy Chilli was with her boyfriend and her friends, but when it came to family, she found herself isolated. Her father lived far away, her mother had passed many years ago, and Brandy ran off to England.

No matter how much Chilli loved her friends, she knew they could not repair the damage left behind by eons of familial tensions.

"Bruce...Let me be honest with you right now..." Brandy said under a heavy breath, her graceful paw brushing over his cheek and cupping it. "I am one of the most fucked up dogs ever to roam this earth...but to merely use somebody like you? No...in fact, Bruce...you make me question if I really want to return to England.."

Bruce seemed satisfied with her answer, adding in some of his own commentary. "Brandy... For what it's worth, I'd love to have you around for longer..."

With that being said, the two trapped in a rash heat continued melting in each other's alluring essence, Brandy feeling both the feelings of hasty love and anticipated dread. Ignoring her thoughts as her body's yearnings took over, she briefly closed her eyes and couldn't mutter but a single word: "Bruce.."

"You know, Brandy's been with Bruce for quite the while," Chilli initiated conversation with Tori as they peacefully rested in their flat, freshly returned from Stripe's. She had been feeling much better since the dispute earlier and was eager to chat with Tori while she was here- especially since they had their depart rather soon. "Do you think..."

"I have no idea," Tori interrupted, choking on the leftover barbecue she brought to the Heeler flat. "Where'd you get that from?"

"Oh Tori, you can tell me," Chilli laughed at the gravity of her reaction. "It's obvious; Bruce hasn't acted like that in...a very long time."

The red heeler struggled to remember the last time he was so touchy with somebody besides the crush he had on her long ago.

"Okay fine," Tori sighed. "She hasn't told me yet, but I have seen them cuddling together more and more often. I didn't want to tell you Chilli, but Brandy was planning on leaving right after the wedding and Bruce generously taking care of us after the afterparty was what convinced her to stay the full length. I didn't even know that either, but I heard the two chatting recently over it."

"Ah, welcome to my world," she lightly poked fun. "It's so strange you're out of the loop though, I figured she would've said something about it by now.."

"She hasn't really been talking to me much on the trip. I'm not taking it personally though since she's really branching out with everybody. I think it's good for her, even if it hurts me a little."

"Ah, I get it," Chilli nodded, pouring a glass of wine for herself. "Want some?"

"Nah, I'm off the stuff after that afterparty," Tori rubbed the back of her head awkwardly. "Maybe tomorrow whilst I clear up...I swear I still feel hungover."

"Tell me about it," Chilli sat down and took a long sip, swirling the glass around. The red wine twirled around the edges of the cup. "Brandy's a crazy one though, she pulled this exact stunt back when we went to England for...a friend's wedding."

She rubbed her neck again, phantom pain hitting her randomly. "A-and that's when we properly met Bandit."

"Oh yeah...she told me about how they'd already decided to move in together at their relationship's ripe age of 2 days.."

Bandit's ears swerved down at the incredible naivety of his younger self, equally as shocked in Brandy's eagerness to host him at the time. It was a long time ago and he was a very different person now, but it was insane nonetheless that it even happened.

"Guys come on," Bandit joined in the conversation. "Both Brandy and I were way different back then...and while I don't know about her, im positive these days I wouldn't be that hasty to move in with someone I barely know."

"Trust me when I say Brandy would never do that again," Tori clarified. "Buuut she still falls for people in the span of hours."

"Oh I can tell," Chilli sighed, thinking about how they kept on making contact with each other. "But Bruce seems to like her back. I'd say this time, it's a good thing. She's gotten hurt too many times and I know Bruce would do right by her."

Bandit smiled to himself, happy that Bruce would finally leave his self-proclaimed membership at the "Lonely Hearts Club". It'll get her off my tail and she's really a wonderful person beneath her layers. They'd be adorable together. "Y'know, and I don't usually notice these kinda things, but I noticed that Brandy's really changed since she got here. I know you already mentioned it Tori, but...it's a relief."

"It's her crush talking," Tori laughed. "She's very much different- but I know she's smitten when she'll randomly start being peppy with everyone. Like mate, it is so obvious."

"I just didn't see it coming," Bandit paused. "She really...didn't seem like she would..."

"Bandit?" Tori raised an eyebrow. "Is it really that crazy?"

It is when she tried to kiss me nearly two days ago. Bandit breathed out harshly, very confused on the entire thing- he had felt happy for her and Bruce, yet now...he felt a burning sensation in the pits of his stomach. "I'm sorry, it's not that she and Bruce might be a thing, it's just that... y'know.."

Bandit quickly scrambled for an answer before Chilli cut him off, playfully laughing it off. "Oh Bandit, her rash feelings shouldn't shock you after everything you two went though!"

Bandit sighed, thinking back on that moment.

She looked so precious in that moment, so pure and full of life.

"I'm not the same Brandy who hated anything that had to do with fun!"

When Bandit laughed along with her, it's no joke that the intrusive thought merely crossed his mind once or twice. She was so...beautiful then, despite her messy fur, the alcoholic breath, and the vomit-stained dress she wore. He didn't know how it was possible, but something about the way she looked up at him with so much admiration in her gaze...

Chilli knew everything he had told her sister, but despite all her amazing qualities, something about the way she handled learning about Bandit's trauma didn't quite resonate in the same manner Brandy's did. Of course she comforted him and tended to his needs, she was so kind, but she always tip-toed around the subject despite his many comments implying he didn't want to tread around it more than he already had to. That wasn't her fault at all- who wouldn't? He did the same damn thing to her after the entire Lester situation, and yet here he was applauding Brandy for simply...understanding him a little better? He hated himself in that moment.

Bandit anticipated her next move, he had known she still had lingering feelings for him. It was so obvious, the way she leant into him and the indistinguishable spark in her eye that she only had when they were together...

It sounded so wrong and horrible said out loud especially on his wedding night, but if he had just been a little more drunk...

Hell, would he have even entertained it if he was less drunk? Sure, he would've been by Brandy's side, he was naturally willing to help out wherever he could, but he certainly wouldn't have let things get as bad as they got.

Again...if he had taken just one more shot glass..

An image spawned in his mind of him giving into it, both reciprocating that bitter kiss, worse off, both of their paws wrapping around each other.

The blue heeler felt this disgusting taste in his mouth and growled to himself, catching the attention of the two women.

"Okay, okay, we'll stop teasing you," Tori joked around some more, laughing. "Just don't bite us, alright mate?"

Chilli stared, amused. "Yeah, babe. Nothin' wrong with pulling your tail a bit, right?"

He stared at Chilli, those beautiful sharp features he thanked his lucky stars for waking up to every day. He was certain Brandy was a thing of the past, he knew he only loved Chilli and would never even dare to let anything happen to ruin his marriage especially so soon, so why...?

"You just like the attention I give you, huh?"

Bandit blinked, an old memory from one of his very first dates with Chilli returning to his mind. They were both so young and nervous, and she was the biggest tease he had ever been with. Sure, she was gentle-mannered and yet quite snarky, but she just loved teasing him whenever he got flustered over something.

I'm such a bad dog. I just like the stupid attention she gave me. The blue heeler sighed of relief knowing that there was a logical explanation for all of this, but also in shame, feeling revolted at himself for nearly back-stabbing the love of his life like this. I just wanted to give her what she wanted, but I obviously couldn't. I just wish I knew how to help her because I don't think she's quite stable yet...

Brandy fidgeted helplessly late at night; the end was finally coming. It was the last day- the last moments she had to truly admire how handsome Bruce had gotten- in every single way and form.

To think I just wanted to kick him out so long ago... Brandy's tail wagged, than sullied itself as she laid in bed next to him, watching his graceful features sleep in peace. They weren't "dating", but they weren't just friends with benefits either, leaving them in this strange in-between even though both were inclined to date. They'd discussed it of course- but if Brandy was truly honest, she had no desire to pursue a long-distance relationship.

She raised her paws in the air and stared into her palms, wondering what she should do; an oppurtunity with a good man like him rarely came around- and a small part of her regretted not holding onto the gem that was Bandit- though she knew deep down it was for the best; he had stared at her with nothing but pure love and admiration yet towards Chilli, his gaze was magnified. He simply couldn't keep his eyes off of her and the two blended so well together- it was something straight out of a love story, a story Brandy had no right to meddle in.

"You up, hon?" Bruce said groggily turning his gaze towards her. He rubbed one of his eyes and smiled at how mystical Brandy's fur glimmered in the faint moonlight glow coming from the window.

"Oh, Bruce," Brandy smiled faintly, returning the fixated look he had on his face. "I was just...thinking. This week has been phenomenal.. and while I regret not checking in on some old friends...I am so glad the reasoning is you. And..."

Bruce interlocked his finger with some of Brandy's brilliant red fur, twirling it. He grinned when she giggled slightly, placing her paw on top of his. "My bad, hun. What else were you going to say?"

"Well...I was thinking...if I can't do the whole 'long-distance' thing...what if we tried 'short-distance'?" Brandy coyly muttered, feeling her cheeks flush under Bruce's paw. She hadn't outgrown the awkwardness in such confessions like this, but she managed to clear her mind and stare at him, uncertain of how he would respond.

"You mean, like a normal relationship?" Bruce smugly asked her, still entranced by her lovely features expressing a slightly fearful view on the question itself. "I'd love to, but you are the one not keen on long-distance."

"Bruce, I thought you got smarter since I left," Brandy laughed, grabbing his cheek playfully, awkwardness fading as quickly as it came. She was a real tease.. "What I'm really trying to say is that maybe I don't...I don't want to go back."

"You want to return here...? In good ol' Brisbane? Just because of me?" Bruce gasped, too shocked to laugh at her little comment. "Brandy, that's a huge decision you're making just for me!"

"Love, you've been the highlight of my holiday...but who said I'm returning just for you?" It was the red heeler's turn to smirk, once again pulling his cheek slightly. "Going back to what I mentioned earlier...I do miss how things used to be at times. Everyone was mostly so kind to me... And Chilli...she needs me, and I need her.."

Bruce smiled at her; she finally seemed to be seeing the bigger picture. "...It's your choice, Brandy... But if you do decide to return, I'll be more than happy to help you where I can. Even happier to be able to call you my girlfriend.."

Brandy's tail went wild on her side, almost shedding a tear. All of this time...she had been lonely. She had Tori, but who else? The most important people in her life lived here, her family. Even so, she had grown fond of England, how naturally calm the atmosphere was and how independent she could be. She couldn't just not return. Things needed to be arranged- her flat, her side-job at the cafe, her therapist, and most importantly, how she would manage breaking the news to her best friend.

"I have to return at least temporarily to get things in order- and even then, I might want to stay...the one thing I find most attractive about London is how peaceful things are there. There's never any drama...but it gets so boring being stuck in a cycle of writing, taking orders, and talking to the same person over and over. I need this change because running away has only brought me yearning to fix my wrongs..." Brandy sighed. "I can't stand having to deal with Chilli's outbursts, but do I really have a say in this when I was the one melting down as young adults? Do I really even have the right to be saying this after all she's went through?!"

"Brandy, you know what you want," Bruce said sternly. "You crave human (dog?) connection. I do too, i know exactly how it feels to be isolated from everybody. It's why we found solace in one another, hun. You know your feelings towards not just me, but everyone, Chilli included. If you want to help her, you must know how to manage her outbursts- she's been hurt by those she trusted, and so have we. We both know how guilty and stupid we feel after experiencing a meltdown over something seemingly 'fine'. I'll even step in if I feel that I should...and you're a heeler, honey. You don't tire out easily for things you want, right? It's why you didn't just up and leave right after the wedding- you crave that connection."

Brandy made eye contact with him once more, feeling his warm embrace as his arms wrapped around her as best as possible in their bed. "Bruce, I needed this...thank you so much."

Underneath that thankful demeanor, underneath her newfound feelings for Bruce...she found herself thinking back to Bandit. How could I go from nearly kissing a married man to being...'taken' in the span of a week?!

She hated how he plagued her thoughts every time she thought about love, how her paws instinctively made their way to her abdomen. It was so long ago, but the loss of their child had been the one to hit her the hardest. Of course, all of them hurt, it was naturally painful in every form, but because Bandit had been so gentle...so patient with her in the days before she lost it...

She wanted to believe that the thoughts plagued her because it was her first lost child, but deep down in her experienced mind, her dumb, naive young adult self longed to already have established a life for this child...

Brandy pulled the fur on her stomach, but quickly moved on with the warmth provided by her new lover, finally one who would do right by her.

"So you're just going to stay here?!" Tori flipped out on her, barely receiving the news on the morning of their last day, Brandy and Bruce arriving to the Heeler flat.

"Brandy?" Chilli's jaw fell in astonishment. "B-but you told me-"

Throughout the entire scene, Bandit just watched intently, unsure of how to feel about everything.

"Don't worry Tori, she won't be moving out overnight," Bruce chuckled awkwardly for the dachshund didn't seem to be taking the news well. "She'll have to be in England for the gig she's picked up with me."

"I don't know if I'd call it a gig," Brandy began to feel second-thoughts creep in. "I...Yeah, I'll be helping with the band later on, but this whole thing is simply me guiding them around. Besides, I'll be spending time with you and maybe...maybe I'll change my...mind. Please Tori, I'm so sorry for just springing this onto you..."

"Damn, Brandy. I just... expected you to tell me earlier," Tori sighed. "I thought I would be the first to hear about something as major as moving back here. I don't want to get angry, but isn't this sudden? We were stable back in England!"

"Tori, it's not that I had this planned out since the very start, it's that I found out during this holiday. I won't move right away, this is a process. I still think I'll be living in England probably for the next couple of months while I get everything settled on both ends, you know? And of course, like I mentioned earlier, I could always simply...change my mind."

"Yeah, but you weren't keen on even arriving here. What drove you to want to move all of a sudden? Because last I remember, your... boytoy is the only thing keeping you attached here." Tori slyly pointed at the Newfoundland dog behind Brandy. "Come on Brandy, be serious for a moment. I know you fall easily, but we are past thirty. Act your age for once!"

"What's that about not being mad all of a sudden?" Brandy questioned her with some agitated sass in her voice. "Honey, it is a lot more than just Bruce. I missed everyone here, people whom I still haven't gotten to reconnect with. I've missed Trixie, Wendy, and most of all my sister Chilli."

"You fought with her during the holiday Brandy!" Tori placed her thumb and index finger on her forehead, feeling her head pound. "Look, you can make your choices, but please actually think about it logically. I care about you Brandy; you're my best friend. I'd hate for you to move here and the rose-coloured glasses come off because I know how hard and tense these kinds of things can be for you."

Bandit continued to watch the argument, Chilli eventually stepping in while Bruce was stunned in space, hearing every little word the dachshund had to say.

"Hey Tori... I hate to interrupt this...chat, but don't worry about her if she decides to move back. She's in good hands, love! I've been dying for her to come back and you have no idea how happy I am that she's found a reason to contemplate her lonely, shut-in life back in London," Chilli's paw brushed against the dachshund's arm, Tori recoiling in frustration. "Maybe it's for the best...and maybe you could think about living here, too. You know we had some good times here growing up, and I'd love to have you back in my life."

"I know, but aren't you scared she'll hurt you again or that you'll hurt her?" Tori questioned her. "It really hurts to see the two of you fight- and for Brandy's reasoning to be lust.."

"You're right," Chilli stared at Brandy. "There's never a foolproof way to guarantee that we will never squabble again. However, all I've learned from us avoiding each other is that the wounds don't disappear. They sting and ache whenever you celebrate milestones or when anything even vaguely reminds you of them. But...despite our fights, we've been talking again, in a civilized manner. Suddenly, I can feel the wounds healing, I feel that with constant communication, we will be able to move on one day."

"That's right," Bruce finally spoke. "I have no idea how the dynamics will change if Brandy decides to return and neither does she. But how will she know if this is what she really wants if she isn't willing to bite the bullet?"

Tori sighed, her paws holding her arms as she felt the unexplained urge to cry overtake her. "I- I know. But beneath all this rage, all I really want is for Brandy to finally be happy. She moved with me for a reason and I'm sorry if I don't exactly advocate for her moving back. It's a process that requires much more thought than what you all would think. I moved to England for so many reasons- but I had been formulating my plans for about two years in advance. A week...a week is nothing!"

"I know," Brandy replied. "But Tori, this is a choice and a risk I'm willing to take. All of my life, I've been making choices because of others. I ran off with you because I was too narrow-minded to understand the point of view of everyone around me- Bandit, Chilli, my father, hell- even just normal folk. I fetishized my own sadness for so long that I went off and did things I regret."

She looked at Bandit who winced, but quickly hid his expression, not wanting to ruin Brandy's defence.

"I'm not saying I'm a completely different person now...I'm still taking baby steps in my self-care journey and I tend to relapse often, even during this very trip! I'm still nearly the same as I used to be, but I'm aware. I want to just...be happy with everyone. And I think I've found it here with someone who's willing to help me at my worst."

"I see," Tori nodded. "It's a matter of self-care now."

"I know it may not be the choice you prefer and trust me that I care about what you have to say, but you'd be surprised on how much I've considered in such a short amount of time," Brandy smiled, attempting to hug her best friend. "I found this deal on flats not too far from here while I was considering moving back on my own. Maybe you could take the deal while it's still there?"

"I..I don't think I'm willing to move back, Brandy. Like you said, choices are being made and I know my soul belongs there. But...I'm sorry for lashing out on you. I love you, Brandy. You're truly the bestest person I have ever had the pleasure to reconnect with. You made me feel less alone when I'd gaze back on my Aussie roots. Just...promise me that you'll reach out. Please don't just drop me the way you did them when you moved..."

Brandy's eyes glimmered with tears, hearing her best friend's voice start to crack.

"I know you'll stay for a couple more months at most...but I still need you."

Brandy nodded, taking Tori's paws in her own. "I will always come by and visit and I'll send you postcards every month and I'll call as much as I can, hun. Now please, save the waterworks for a different day..Get excited; we're going to be guiding this marvelous band!"

Tori nodded, wiping a tear, gazing down at the ground.

In the bat of an eye, the chat cooled down and Brandy began to tell her plans one by one to the rest of the gang, everyone excitedly pondering her Aussie debut.

Tori found herself on the couch, alone, contemplating the immense regret she had in urging Brandy to come, though she knew that was just a manifestation of her selfish side. Before she knew it, she felt someone else join her on the couch, turning around automatically before meeting eye-to-eye with the blue heeler himself.

"Tori, you alright mate?"

"I'm not sure about that, honestly," she shrugged, staring away from him. "A part of me is selfish and wants to drag her back with me. But she's been run down over and over again over there despite what one may think. I guess I'm just not used to not having my way these days."

Bandit nodded, understanding. "No, I get it. It's a hard adjustment because it's been almost a decade. Now I personally believe it's a bit naive to stay because of him, but who am I to talk, right?"

He chuckled a little, recalling all those years ago when he pulled a Brandy and agreed within the first day.

Tori understood then. She had moved away from Australia for a similarly rash decision. She had been offered a cheap flat at a nice complex since she had resources, but she was really in it for romance. She hadn't told anyone at the time and when she finally did tell someone, it was Brandy many years later.

Honestly, it was a miracle the red heeler didn't just bring it up and ruin her argument right away.

"Who am I to talk either?" Tori grit her teeth. "I moved away for a guy too, I just never told anybody!"

"Oh," Bandit looked at her.

"And he wasn't half as decent as Bruce is!"

Tori shook her head. "It is what it is, then."

"Not necessarily," Bandit stood up, stretching. "Maybe one day, the two of you will reunite again. I'm sure something will happen down the road. Remember that you're always welcome here if you ever decide to return."

He smiled, heading back towards the chatter. Now, Tori understood why just about everybody seemed to like Bandit so much; she felt her cheeks redden.

Of course the dachshund wouldn't try anything, it's just an observation. Maybe even a longing for a deeper connection after the news had broken out that her best friend was off and away, whisked off her feet by the most unlikely of candidates.

She mentally accepted the situation and got up, preparing to grab her stuff for the return home.

-End-