#mackenzie's dad | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

uncaaj · 1 year

Text

Fanfic - The Brekkie After (Bluey)

READ ON AO3 NOW!

The morning light crept into Bandit’s vision and seared his eyeballs. All at once he became painfully aware of how bad he felt. Time for his own version of the “Checklist.”

Dry mouth? Check.

Throbbing headache? Check.

Back aching from sleeping on Stripe’s floor and not his comfy bed? Double check.

Time to lay back. The show’s not going on today.

“Ugh…babe?” he croaked. “I did it again.”

His wife Chilli didn’t move from where she lay next to him. “Me too,” she sighed.

“Me three,” groaned Stripe from the couch.

Bandit shrugged. “Well, that’s not too bad, I suppose.”

At that moment, a chorus of moans erupted from all the adults splayed out in all corners of Stripe’s living room, the casualties of the kid-free get-together they had last night that went a little too long and a little too crazy.

“Biscuits,” Bandit hissed. “Spoke too soon.” They were all irresponsible and were paying for it now. If he didn’t interact with any kids today, it would be a blessing.

+++

BANDIT: *yawwwwwnnnn* This episode of Bandit is called “The Brekkie After."

+++

Bandit massaged his forehead with his fingertips as he eased himself upright. Bright light assaulted his eyes as if the sun was right in his face. “Why did we think this was a good idea?”

“Can someone get the shade?” said Stripe, his strong bark barely a grunt today.

“Got it,” said Bandit. He dragged his lead paws behind the couch to the patio door. Pulling the shade across the glass felt like heaving a heavy rock across a swamp. He sighed with the relief of a dimmer living room.

“My towel is still wet,” said Wendy, rolling off the other couch and flopping onto the floor.

Pat scrubbed board game pieces off his chest and held up a bank note to show everyone. “Still have the bet I won when I dared you to jump in the pool.” He then let his arm go limp on the side table, accidentally knocking an empty beer can onto the floor. “Oops.”

“Only because Bandit dared to get cheeky with me,” Wendy grumbled.

“Seems to happen a lot at Heeler get-togethers, eh? The pool, I mean,” said Bandit, before feeling the roof of his mouth and making a yucky face. “Feels like there’s slime in my mouth.”

“Nah, that’s from when you ate a whole jar of peanut butter faster than Pat,” said Chilli.

“Blegh!” said Pat. “That stuff’s only good in small amounts and on crackers.”

Bandit leaned back and felt his back crack satisfyingly. He saw Josh Border Collie shiver and wince, which meant he was awake too. “I suppose since I’m the only one up, I’ll go put the kettle on and get brekkie goin’.” He shot a smug look over his shoulder as he stepped gingerly out of the living room. “You lot just lay there and have a think about what you did.”

“You as well,” said Chilli, sending that look back at him. “I recall this party being your idea.”

Bandit gulped. “Yes, babe,” he said as he trudged to Stripe’s kitchen.

“Well, I might have a shower then,” said Josh, sitting up rapidly, and collapsing back down just as fast. “Ugh, room’s spinnin’. Never mind.”

“Get in line, Josh,” said Wendy, shooting him a death glare with all the energy she had left.

The sink water filling up Stripe’s electric kettle sounded like a churning waterfall to Bandit’s sensitive ears. His headache rumbled inside him with the ferocity of a rolling timpani as he shut off the tap and placed the kettle on its perch to come to a boil. He then carefully placed the stray wine glasses on the bar into the sink before peering back through the entryway to the goo-like adults who had barely moved. “Stripe, what should I make for brekkie?”

“Could you make hangover eggs?” Stripe asked. “Those always do the trick.”

“What? No!” Pat protested, scrunching his snout. “That’s disgusting.”

“This isn’t like college, Pat,” Stripe rebutted, “I got more in my fridge now than just tomato sauce and day-old dim sims.”

“Don’t matter. Bandit’ll still put anything he wants in there, even stuff that doesn’t go together. Remember when he put instant noodles and anchovies in it after the ‘99 Winter Social? Blegh!”

“Never stopped you from lickin’ your plate clean every time, did it?” Bandit quipped.

Pat stuttered and the whole room mustered as much laughter as they could in their hungover state.

Bandit’s headache lightened slightly and his tail twitched with pride. “I’ve ‘improved’ the recipe through the years so just lay back and let the chef make some magic, alright?”

“Righto,” Pat chuckled, not willing to argue anymore.

Bandit nodded and went to grab some ibuprofen from a cabinet he knew was far out of reach for Muffin and Socks. The kettle clicked, signaling the water was ready. Just in time, thought Bandit. “And take some ibuprofen,” he told Pat. “It’ll take your crank away.”

Pat rolled his eyes and looked at Chilli. “Bandit sure is somethin’, eh?”

Chilli smiled. “Yeah. The best.”

After tea and ibuprofen were dispersed around the room, everyone seemed to come out of zombie mode. Of course, Bandit knew this was merely a chisel to the hangover when they needed a jackhammer. The kids were coming back from his big brother Rad’s pad later, so onto that brekkie.

The Faceytime jingle played on the tablet on the counter. Speak of the devil, and he shall ring, especially when you’re preoccupied with searching through Stripe’s refrigerator. He ducked away from the fridge to tap the green call button then returned to rummaging his paws through the vegetable drawer.

“How goes it, little brother?” greeted Rad in his usual sunny manner.

Cradling a green pepper, spinach, mushrooms, and bacon in his arm, he shut the fridge and turned to the tablet. He nodded to his brother on screen and tried to smile as he set the stuff on the counter. He silently wished that he didn’t look like he hadn’t slept in days, but perhaps the blue and red heeler mix wouldn’t notice. He was a little absent-minded at times.

“Whoa, you look like you haven’t slept in days,” Rad laughed.

Well, throw that out the window. “Perceptive this morning, are we?” said Bandit, rubbing his eyes.

“Did you and your mates do it again?”

“Yeah, we did. Hope the kids ran you ragged as well,” said Bandit with a playful sneer.

“Yeah, I bet. Nah, it’s all good. We gave ‘em enough games to ensure they slept through the night. In fact, Bluey’s the only one up right now. She went on a run with me.”

Bluey scampered into the frame and waved. “Sure did!”

Bandit gave a thumbs up. “Good on ya, kiddo!” Didn’t matter if he was hungover or not, a grin from his oldest pup made feel light as a feather every time.

“Are you alright, dad?” Bluey asked, moving in closer.

Bandit rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, we just got to bed late last night.”

“Everyone?”

“Yeah, everyone.”

Bluey raised an eyebrow. “That happens a lot at Heeler parties, doesn’t it?”

A cold sweat formed on Bandit’s back. He had forgotten he used that excuse once before. He’d better hop off before any more questions were asked.

Luckily, Rad was on top of it as he pet Bluey on the head. “Alright, I’ll take care of brekkie for the kids. You just make sure everyone else is right as rain, you hear?”

Bandit nodded. “Will do.”

“Bye, dad!”

“See ya, Bluey!” With that, they disappeared from the tablet.

“Was that Rad?” asked Stripe from the living room.

“Sure was,” said Bandit. “Bluey’s up so I better make this quick.” He got to work chopping the bacon into lardons and the pepper into a fine dice.

“Hey, mate,” said Pat, wandering in, mug in hand. “Top us off, could ya? Everything still tastes like peanut butter.”

Bandit smiled. “No worries.”

After his mug was refilled, Pat took a seat at the bar and sipped the warm liquid, swishing it around his mouth to rid every last speck of peanut butter. “If my kids ever find out what we grown-ups do when they’re not around, I couldn’t look ‘em in the eye again.”

“Bluey nearly did, I think,” Bandit gulped.

“Ha! Insightful nose, that one.”

“Did I ever tell you about what happened after Chilli and I were here for New Year’s?” Bandit asked. Pat shook his head and took another sip. “So in walks Bluey and Bingo, looking to play Whale Watching with us-”

“Hang on,” Chilli called, making her entrance. “You cook, I wanna tell him this story.”

Bandit winked at her. “Fine by me, babe. You tell it better anyhow.”

Josh tapped his foot as he sipped his tea, the warm drink putting him in better spirits. “Will we ever, doo doo-doo doo, be that funky again?” he hummed to himself.

“You’re going to get that silly song stuck in my head again,” Wendy barked playfully.

Josh shrugged. “You kiddin’? That was the best part of the night right there.”

“I didn’t sound too bad, did I?” asked Stripe.

“‘Course not!” came Bandit’s voice. “I’m just glad you sang with me at all!”

“Just like old times,” Stripe called back.

A content silence settled around the room, broken only by the distant sizzling of bacon and the release of its sweet, smoky aroma into the air. The quiet was welcome among them all, not only because of their still sensitive heads but because it was such a rarity in their households since they had kids. All those old times when they had not a care in the world were now left behind, having made way for the new times and the joy and responsibility they now shared.

Wendy piped up. “Yes, I suppose it was a good song…do you think we will ever be that funky again?”

Stripe stretched his neck, feeling it pop. “Nah.”

Josh shook his fluffy head. “Nope.”

“Not a chance!” Pat exclaimed.

Everyone laughed, wistful nostalgia echoing between them until they all settled again into their tired, hungover selves.

“That’s okay, though,” said Stripe. “I like how funky we are now.”

Wendy nodded and sat back. “Yes, I agree.”

“It’s certainly easier on me head, I’ll tell ya that for free,” said Josh.

“Brekkie’s on!” shouted Bandit.

Soon they were all congregated at the dining table, each adult provided with a generous egg scramble on a piece of toast. Tea was refilled and they all proceeded to tuck in.

Pat didn’t know what he was in for, but it was hot, it was here, and any brekkie he’d wait for back home would just be dry cereal. He picked up the toast and hesitantly took a bite.

“What do ya reckon, Pat?” Bandit asked.

Pat swallowed and couldn’t help but wag his tail slightly. “I forgot you made ham and pineapple pizza a religious experience,” he said, licking his chops. “I will never doubt your abilities again.”

“Uss!” Bandit cheered, pumping his fist. “Still got it!”

“Good job, babe,” said Chilli, squeezing his hand.

“As long as I wake up to this,” said Josh through a mouthful, “Good friends and good food, I wouldn’t mind doing this again. Just not too funky next time, eh?”

Everyone nodded. “Agreed.”

#bluey #fanfiction #aj tries to write #bandit heeler #chilli heeler #pat bluey #lucky's dad #wendy bluey #judo's mum #stripe heeler #joshua border collie #mackenzie's dad #ao3 #hangover #fluff #humor

12 notes · View notes

hmmm-shesucks · 3 months

Text

Katelyn posts a video of Aaron playing with the girls in their living room and captions it, “Watching my husband love our daughters because his world didn’t end at fifteen.”

#aaron minyard is the best dad #and he loves his girls how he wished his mom had loved him #he is the parent he needed #aaron minyard #katelyn mackenzie #aftg katelyn #aaron x katelyn #twinyardsx2 #aftg #aftg hc #aftg headcanon #all for the game #the foxhole court #the kings men #the raven king #my aftg

206 notes · View notes

luke-hughes43 · 29 days

Text

stella and mack are the closest thing that alyssa has to a mom and jack is forever grateful for them.

he knows that she’ll have really amazing female role models in her life to look up to.

even when mack and trev are broken up, jack lets mack come by to see alyssa whenever she wants.

#alyssa hughes #dad!jack #stella zegras #mackenzie boldy

7 notes · View notes

wendybergmann · 11 months

Text

disclaimer: I love ted lasso but this season fully cemented the large underlying issue I have with this show, namely its relationship problems

- sam and rebecca: I feel like there was tons of discourse when this was happening so I won't rehash it but i personally don't like how the show tried to push the narrative that there wasn't an issue with the relationship by talking about some of the glaring issues with it (age, power dynamics, etc.) within the show and attempting to counter them. I personally was against this relationship and the stress I felt this season every time they shared a loaded look took ten years off my life

jane and coach beard: red flags galore. I naively thought the show was going in a direction pre s3 where coach beard would have a storyline about getting out of this abusive relationship and was looking forward to this topic being addressed and done respectfully. I quickly realized this season that this was not the case when ted made a comment about how jane and beard's baggage fit together. I feel like this is a case of two "quirky" characters being in a relationship with red flags that are soothed over by just being like "these two people are weirdos, of course their relationship would seem weird/different" instead of just recognizing it for what it is: abusive

- jack and keeley: this was honestly the tipping point. I initially loved that they were making keeley canonly wlw (and yes, I know it can seem regressive to need a relationship for a sexuality to be "canon" but the references in earlier seasons did give me a vibe of straight humor where girls joke about experimenting in the past but it not being meant to mean anything more. maybe I am wrong to think this but given the state of media even today, sue me) and jack and keeley did have great chemistry right away. I have no problem in discussing toxic relationships, even in queer relationships, but the show irked me by having relationships such as sam/rebecca and jane/coach beard being supported by the show while the 1 wlw couple be the one where the red flags are discussed, brought up, and certified by the show by having them break up and show jack's true colors in the aftermath. to say it rubbed me the wrong way would be saying it lightly and the nicest way possible

- michelle and the therapist: yes i forgot his name. it's dr. something or whatever. the detail of ted having an aversion to therapy because his marriage counselor seemed to be against him when he went with his wife only to reveal that they started dating is just outwardly disgusting. the finale to even have him not even try to be invested in the game for michelle and henry's sakes and then have him sitting further away on his phone makes me wonder why are they even together. she doesn't seem that into it and it seemed to only be used as a plot device to show ted growing by being open and honest to his ex wife about his feelings and to be a driving force in having him feel left out of his son's life. why were they still together in the end is a mystery but I guess not shocking

#ted lasso #ted lasso spoilers #mackenzie speaks #sorry for the long post and i wasnt going to do this but alas #i could have gotten more into it but it was already becoming an essay #im also tired of people not being happy being chalked up to tedbecca not happening like no #this show does have its issues dont minimize how people feel #jamie and his dad isnt romantic so its not included but it is one of my major issues with the show #also not included dr sharon and the rando only because i am jumping to conclusions by assuming it was potentially a sports team member of a #team she was working for and before you judge me can you honestly blame me for thinking that

24 notes · View notes

thewanderingace · 10 months

Text

Roger and Bree in the 7x06 promo.

I am very excited to see that scene with Roger! Look at his face! Oooooh it's gonna be crazy 👀

#outlander spoilers #outlanderedit #outlander 7x06 #outlander #roger mackenzie #brianna mackenzie #roger mac #roger mackenzie wakefield #my gifs #mod post #hate making gifs on my phone with a web app but i needed this now.#trying really hard not to post big spoilers but ooooh this storyline! I'm excited!#im so excited for protective dad roger!!!

18 notes · View notes

ymdslf · 8 days

Text

the end of surprise might’ve healed what the sign did to me

#mattis talks #bluey #like #what kid is that #who’s kid is that #blueys? or muffins?#and who’s the dad?#if it’s blueys kiddo- jean luc? mackenzie?#somebody else entirely?#is it bingos kid?

3 notes · View notes

livingdeadvoid · 1 year

Text

Domestic Zatanna and John Constantine.

Like they're married with kids and everything. John would hate it at first, he'd be so bored. But then he would like fall in love with it. They would teach their kids magic and everything.

Now lemme make a Zatanna and John Constantine love child.

#dc comics #zatanna #zatanna zatara #john constantine #he's bi #bisexual #domestic life #john constantine as a dad #zatanna would be a great mom #they would have a daughter and a son #your honor they're in love #your honor i love them <3 #making a love child #naming her mackenzie

39 notes · View notes

marchdadness · 1 year

Text

these are dads from marvel's agents of SHIELD! vote for your favorite, or the one you think is the best, or the hottest, or whatever! the winner will be entered into a poll tournament with 63 other fictional dads.

#march dadness #alphonso mackenzie #mike peterson #calvin johnson #phil coulson #agents of shield #poll

28 notes · View notes

snekjin · 1 year

Video

Ugly Sweaters with MacKenzie Entwistle and Jake McCabe

#subscribe!#jake is so dad and macker is so baby #mackenzie entwistle #jake mccabe #chicago blackhawks #video #i clipped this from the intermission so idk if it's been uploaded elsewhere

21 notes · View notes

amelia-mariee · 1 year

Text

I totally get what Mack's trying to say with his whole season 5 storyline of "let's not lose ourselves and become murderers too" but it just feels a little off to me that Shotgun Axe wielding Alphonso "I'm-The-One-Who-Kills-Gordon" Mackenzie is suddenly horrified by the thought of killing someone

#maybe it was his experience in the framework #he was just a nice dad #maybe there's still a bit of that guy left in him #alphonso mackenzie #agents of s.h.i.e.l.d.#agents of shield #agents of shield season 5

7 notes · View notes

supermarvelgirl15 · 2 years

Text

I finished Agents of SHIELD and now I don't know what to do with myself

26 notes · View notes

uncaaj · 1 year

Text

Fanfiction: Dog Teeth (Bluey)

READ NOW ON AO3!

“Come on, Bingo! Pull!”

“I am, Bluey!”

It wasn’t uncommon to hear joyful laughing and squealing coming from the Heeler backyard, especially when close family paid a visit. The source of the noises of merriment this time was Bluey and Bingo engaged in a fierce Tug-O-War with their young cousin Socks. The 2-year-old Heeler had a tight grip on the rope and was not letting up.

“‘Atta girl, Socks!” called her father, Stripe.

Chilli, Bluey’s mom, was astounded. “For going against kids twice her size, Socks is hangin’ tough.”

“Yeah, she’ll drag me round the room askin’ for dinner every night. Isn’t she something?” Stripe couldn’t keep pride out of his voice.

“This...is something,” said Chilli, continuing to watch.

Bluey felt a tickle in her nose. She sniffed but it only grew in intensity. “Ah…ahhhh…"

“Bluey, no!” said Bingo, feeling the rope slipping in her paws.

“AH-CHOO!” Bluey's sneeze blew her backwards, and Socks gave a mighty tug. It shocked Bingo so much that she was dragged to the turf by it, ending their match decisively.

“Hooray!” cheered Stripe and Socks’ big sister Muffin.

“Bless you!” said Chilli.

“Aw, biscuits!” Bingo grumbled.

“Kids!” said Bandit from his post on the grill. “Sausages are ready!”

All the Heelers disappeared into the house, except for Socks who continued chewing on the rope in earnest. It was so much fun to chew that she didn’t even notice anyone had left until she felt herself being hoisted by Bluey.

“Let’s go, Socks,” she grunted, carrying her cousin inside, rope trailing behind them all the way.

+++

BLUEY: “This episode of Bluey is called 'Dog Teeth.'”

+++

All were gathered up on the balcony at the picnic table, with the kids congregating at their own table. Sausages and trimmings were distributed generously and thus the feast began. As Bingo chomped her sausage, she noticed Socks seemed more interested in chewing on the rope than eating.

“Uncle Stripe?” she asked after swallowing her bite. “Why is Socks still playing Tug-O-War?”

All the adults couldn’t help but chuckle. “Socks ate before we arrived, so we brought that so she’d have something to do at the table.” Stripe turned to Bandit and Chilli. “She’s teething,” he said, and they nodded.

“What’s teething?” Bingo asked.

“Well,” said Bluey, pointing to the sharp incisors she had. “You know how your dog teeth got in your mouth? They grew there!”

“That’s…one way to put it, dear,” Chilli said before turning to Bingo. “It’s a bit of a sore process so a toy to chew takes the toddler’s mind off the pain for a while.”

“A dog’s teeth are his pride and joy,” said Bandit.

“Really?” Bluey asked.

“You bet!” said Stripe, standing up.

Chilli and Trixie shared a look. “Here they go,” they said.

“Our special sharp dog teeth show we’re tough,” Stripe continued, flexing his arm. “If you keep 'em shiny and pointy, you can protect your family from anything.”

“The mark of a real dog’s dog, passed down from our ancestors,” said Bandit, rising up himself. “With our pearly whites…”

“We win the fight!” Stripe finished.

The two slammed their paws on the table and growled. “Grrrrrrrrr!”

All the kids showed their appreciation by hooting and hollering aplenty and Bandit and Stripe joined in. The womenfolk rolled their eyes.

“You two are full of yourselves,” Trixie laughed. “That’s so outdated.”

“No one even needs dog teeth anymore,” Chilli concurred.

“Says you,” said Bandit. “What if one day I just wanna bite something?”

“And when has that day ever come in the thousands of times I’ve heard that excuse?” Chilli asked.

Bandit paused. He knew she had him there. “Er…i-it’ll come! I’ve kept ‘em ‘cause I know I’ll need ‘em.” He crossed his arms and stuck his snout in the air.

“I know!” said Bluey. “Let’s find a reason for Dad to use his dog teeth.”

“Yeah!” Bingo cheered. They hopped down and dashed away.

“‘Atta girls!” Bandit cheered. “See? Dog teeth can be useful and I don’t even have to prove it.”

“This can only end well,” Chilli sighed.

+++

The first stop was the fence where they could see Lucky’s dad Pat lounging in his backyard, sipping a cold beverage.

“Lucky’s dad?” Bluey called out.

Pat peeked out of his sunglasses and waved at them. “Bluey! Bingo! How’s it hangin’?”

“Good!” said Bingo. “Could we ask you something?”

Pat got up and walked to the fence. “Yeah, no worries. What’s up?”

“We’re trying to find out what you can use dog teeth for,” Bluey explained.

“You've used your dog teeth before, right?” asked Bingo.

“Sure have. In fact, I got a great story. Bingo, you’re gonna play Janelle.”

Bingo jumped for joy. “Yay, play story!”

“And Bluey, you’ll be this big meanie.”

“Ooh, okay! Who will you be, Lucky’s dad?”

Pat climbed over the fence and tumbled into the Heeler’s backyard. “I’ll be me, of course! Now, hold my hand, Bingo.” Bingo ran over and took Pat’s paw. “Check it- it was back in college, you see, and me and Janelle were at a party for the cricket World Cup final. We were dancing.” Pat began humming a danceable tune and shook his tail to the beat. Bingo danced along too, giggling all the while. “Then suddenly, this big meanie comes over and says ‘I can dance better than you can!’”

Bluey walked up and pointed at Pat. “I can dance better than you can!”

Pat crossed his arms. “So I said, ‘Hey, shove off, mate! She’s here with me.’”

Bluey grabbed Bingo’s hand. “Come on, babe, let’s party!”

“And so…I flashed my teeth at him.” Pat crouched down to Bluey’s level and growled at her playfully.

“Eeeek! Sharp dog teeth!” Bluey squealed.

“Then I chased him around the party!” said Pat, and he and Bluey proceeded to run around the backyard for a spell before he tackled her and they fell to a heap, laughing until their bellies ached. “The end,” he panted.

“Hooray!” Bluey and Bingo cheered.

“Good story, Pat!” called Bandit from the balcony. “Your dog teeth showed that meanie what for!” Pat gave Bandit a thumbs-up as they all stood up.

“Do you still scare meanies away with your dog teeth?” Bluey asked.

Pat rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually, I don’t. I don’t have ‘em anymore.”

“What?” Bandit exclaimed, surprising the lot. “You still had ��em when we graduated! You still owe me for biting my tail at the ceremony!”

Bluey and Bingo giggled. Everyone turned to look at Pat and a little shade of red shone through his yellow coat. “Tell us that story!” said Bluey.

“Er…oop! Lucky’s calling me. See ya!” And Pat was back over the fence before anyone could say another word.

“I guess his dog teeth weren’t that important after college,” said Chilli.

“He never even bit the bloke!” Bandit groused. “How’s a dog like him who I’ve known for years not have his teeth?”

Ding-dong!

“I’ll get it,” said Bandit, and Bluey followed after.

“Bingo, before you run off,” Trixie called, “can you help us wash up lunch?”

Bingo waved back. “Okay, aunt Trixie!”

+++

When Bandit answered the door, a bushy black and white Border Collie was standing there. “Oh, Josh!"

"Hey, Bandit," said Mackenzie's dad, "could you give me a jump? My car won’t start.”

“Oh, yeah, sure thing, mate."

“Oh, Mackenzie’s dad?” Bluey asked as they went down the stairs into the front yard.

“Yeah?”

“I’m trying to figure out what you can use dog teeth for.” She looked over and saw her dad heading to the garage. After she saw him disappear inside, she turned back. “I think dad’s worried that his don’t have a use anymore.”

“Gotcha,” nodded Josh. “Well, I did have a use for them. At my last job, in fact.”

“What did you do?”

“I was a sheep herder for a big farm back in New Zealand, so I had to make sure the sheep didn’t wander off in the pasture.”

“Did you show them your dog teeth?” Bluey asked, showing hers to him.

“Sometimes. I’d even bark at ‘em. But if they wouldn’t listen, I’d have to pick ‘em up by their scruff and bring ‘em back in line. Here, I can show you if you’d like.”

Bluey’s tail wagged. “Yeah! Can I be the sheep?”

“Right-o! Here we go.”

Bluey felt a gentle pinch at the back of her neck as she was hoisted up into the air. “Baa!” she bleated, wiggling around.

“Come on, cheeky sheep!” said Josh through a full mouth. He trotted around the yard with Bluey laughing the whole way, then he sauntered over to the porch and set Bluey down gently on the steps. “Just like that. My dog teeth helped me get a grip through all that wool.”

“Hee-hee! That was fun!” Bluey cheered. “So do you still pick sheep up and carry them about?”

“Not really. I got a different job when we moved here, and once Mackenzie came along, I wasn’t doin’ much herding. So I got rid of the dog teeth.”

“What?!”

They both jumped. Bandit was back, looking upset again. “You don’t have your teeth either? I thought you still had sheep.”

“Only a couple. And you've been to my house. Camn't wander much in my backyard, eh?”

“Ugh, not again!” Bluey grumbled. She trudged inside and shut the door behind her.

Josh stared and couldn't speak for a moment. “W-was it somethin’ I said?”

Bandit sighed. “Don’t worry about it, okay? Let’s get your ute goin’.” As he slung the jumper cables over his shoulder, he was beginning to feel his own dog teeth in his mouth. He knew he cleaned his teeth well that morning but it felt like something was there that shouldn’t be. If his friends didn’t keep their dog teeth, where did that leave him?

+++

Along the way to the playroom, Bluey ran into Stripe.

“How’d it go at the door?” he asked.

“Mackenzie’s dad doesn’t have his dog teeth either,” said Bluey.

“That’s weird. Josh always seemed like a rough and tumble kinda dog.”

Bluey tapped her foot and looked down. “I think dad’s more worried now than when I started.”

“Ya know, back when me and your dad were kids, every guy kept their dog teeth. Your grandpa Bob even told us we weren’t real dogs unless we had ‘em.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Stripe nodded, kneeling down. “Every day, he’d tell us when we cleaned our teeth. Wanted us to be able to ‘fight for our future wives’ as he called it. Your aunt Trixie likes to tell me how ridiculous he was, and maybe he was. But you know who always listened to grandpa Bob?”

“Who?”

“Rad. If anyone tried to be the dog grandpa Bob wanted us to be, it was him.”

“Hey, that’s a great idea!” Bluey dashed out of the room.

“Uh, where are you going?” said Stripe, running after.

“Let’s FaceyTime uncle Rad!”

+++

The little spinny thing on the screen spun and spun as the tablet worked its internet magic.

“This’ll settle it once and for all,” Stripe said.

“And I can make dad feel better!” Bluey agreed.

The spinny thing went away and a split second later, Radley, the eldest Heeler brother appeared, a towel covering his usual poofy hair apart from his yellow cowlick. “Hello?” he greeted.

“Uncle Rad!” said Bluey, tail wagging.

Radley smiled and waved at them. “Bluey! Stripe! What’s up?”

“You look like mum out of the shower!” Bluey giggled.

“I just got out of it,” he said, patting his towel bun. “This is how I dry my hair. So what’s new?”

“Well, we’d like to ask you something-”

“Bluey!” called Bandit, closing the front door. “Where’d you go?”

“In here!” She waved him over.

“Bandy! It’s Rad! We’re gonna ask him about his dog teeth,” said Stripe.

“Oh, you beauty!” Bandit bounded over and bent over into the camera frame. “So Rad, spill it. Been tryin’ to find someone who thinks dog teeth are still useful and I know you’re the dogliest dog of us all.”

Radley rubbed the back of his neck. “Heh, ya don’t say.”

“You must still have your dog teeth. Shiny and pointy, eh?” Bluey asked.

“Yeah, you got ‘em, right?” said Stripe, leaning into the screen. Bluey followed and soon, all three of them took up the entire camera frame.

Radley was taken aback. “Um, er…no. I don’t got ‘em.”

Bluey, Bandit, and Stripe were so gobsmacked, they lost their balance and faceplanted on the coffee table, knocking the tablet off its perch.

Radley winced upon suddenly seeing his family tumble, then seeing nothing but the Heeler’s ceiling onscreen. “Uh, you okay?”

Bandit propped himself and the tablet up first. “What?!” he shouted. “You were daddy’s boy! You made us keep our teeth clean because he told you to!”

“I’ve been using the expensive toothpaste for years!” Stripe said with a smirk.

“W-well, I’ve just come to realize I was pushy about that stuff. When you think about it, it’s kinda silly dad thought only a couple of teeth made you dogly.” Radley held his arm aloft and flexed it, showing the muscle it had. “I’ve got other ways of showing that.”

“Silly?!” Bandit howled. “This is outrageous! It’s like they don’t mean anything to anyone anymore!” And Bandit stormed off, grumbling and muttering incoherently.

“Whoa, big bro!” said Stripe, chasing after Bandit.

“Aww, I made it worse,” said Bluey, her ears drooping.

“...I think I’m missing something here,” said Radley.

“I tried to find a use for dog teeth so dad could feel better about his. Lucky’s dad doesn’t have his anymore, and Mackenzie’s dad doesn’t either.” Bluey rested her arms on the counter and plopped her head on them. “I couldn’t help dad.”

“It’s okay, Bluey. You did your best, but I think this is something your dad has to handle on his own.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, it’s something your grandpa Bob instilled in us when we were kids. Sometimes it’s just hard for people to break out of what they’re used to hearin’. But if you let him know you love him, with or without the teeth, that’ll bring him around.”

Bluey rose out of her pout. “Are you sure?”

“You bet, squirt,” Radley nodded. “I learned it’s not your teeth that make you, it’s your heart.”

Bluey smiled at that.

“You should put that on a t-shirt, Rad,” said Trixie. Bluey turned around. She, Chilli, Bingo, and Socks were coming down the stairs.

“Mum!”

“Come on, let’s go cheer up your dad.”

+++

When Stripe and Bandit reached the backyard, the elder Heeler was still muttering to himself.

“Right,” said Stripe, stopping in his tracks. “I was playing along at first, but you’re actually torn up about this, aren’t ya?”

Bandit slowed to a halt, and his shoulders slumped. He then sat down and hugged his knees. Stripe padded over slowly and took a seat next to his brother.

“I know it’s a silly thing, and I know having no teeth suits me mates better. But…I dunno. I like how I look with my dog teeth, they make me feel tough.”

“They remind you of dad,” Stripe observed.

Bandit nodded. “Yeah. See right through me.” They sat there for a moment, watching birds flutter by. “I just…d’ya reckon he’d be disappointed in me if I did get rid of ‘em?”

“I think he’d say ‘Ya can’t count on me for that, Bandy.’”

The two Heelers laughed for a little bit at Stripe’s impression and by the time they calmed down, they were wiping tears from their eyes.

Bandit sighed and stood up. Stripe did as well. “Thanks, little brother,” Bandit said.

“No worries, big brother.” Stripe placed a hand on Bandit’s shoulder. “Whatever ya do, just know I love ya.”

Bandit smiled. “Me too.”

When Bluey, Bingo, Chili, and Trixie made it to the back porch, Stripe and Bandit were standing by the tree, locked in a hug.

Chilli stepped onto the stairs but Bluey held a hand out to stop her. “What’s up, Bluey?” she asked.

“Just like uncle Rad said,” Bluey responded, smiling. “Dad figured it out himself.”

Bandit broke the hug when he felt a tug at his leg. Looking down, he saw Socks holding out her rope, her growing dog teeth showing in her smile. “Play tug, unca Bandy?”

Bandit picked up the little pup and suddenly, his dog teeth felt right at home, like they always were. “You bet, mate.”

#bluey #fanfiction #aj tries to write #bingo heeler #bandit heeler #stripe heeler #socks heeler #trixie heeler #chilli heeler #radley heeler #mackenzie's dad #pat bluey #lucky's dad #fluff

16 notes · View notes