(Bandit and Chilli)
This Chapter of Bluey's Kaleidoscope is called:
•[Self-Worth]•

~*•*~

Dinner had gone by calmly after Chilli explained to her daughters about your headache situation. Bandit had checked up on you and seen you were asleep, so he placed a container of the cabbage stew aside for later. The Heeler's went on with the regular night routine, but the girls were still sitting there with an upset expression.

"Are you girls still worried about (Y/n)?" Chilli asked while sitting on Bluey's bed.

Bluey nodded, "I understand what you had said earlier, but I don't understand why (Y/n) is sad and mad all the time."

"Yeah. I don't think they want to be here." Bingo said sadly.

"I hope their parents come back for them. I think they miss them." Bluey glanced at your shut bedroom door.

Chilli frowned, "Actually..." She sighed softly. "You know how they get sad or upset around those topics, right?"

They nod.

"It's because they never had parents. No Mum or Dad to take care of them when they were born."

Bluey and Bingo gasp. "You mean, Baby (Y/n) didn't have anyone to take care of them?"

"No, but they did have a lot of babysitters to watch them. That's another reason why (Y/n) isn't too comfortable with grownups. When it's not me or your Dad taking care of you while we're not home, you girls feel different, right?"

"Yeah."

"They've just had a lot of bad luck and sometimes there are some things that you can't have because it's not meant to be and there's nothing anyone can do about it." Chilli frowned while thinking about her sister. "But the only thing that WE CAN do, is just be there for them when they need it."

The door to your bedroom opens and you sluggishly step out, only to run into Bandit. "Sorry." You rub your eyes with exhaustion.

"No harm done, Kiddo. Did you want to have a late dinner then take your medicine?" He gently guides you in the direction of the stairs.

"If (Y/n)'s not meant to be anywhere, then why are they here?" Bingo asked.

You stopped to look into Bluey and Bingo's bedroom. They were now sitting close to their mom as she smiled warmly at them.

"Well, you know how amazing our family is, right?"

"Oh, don't we know it." Bluey smiled.

"BUT, we had a feeling that someone was missing." Bandit spoke up while bringing you into the room and you two sat down on the floor. He glanced at you with a grin and placed a paw on your head. "Your Mum and I spent every SINGLE day, waiting for something else to show up. Waiting was the hardest part."

Chilli moved to sit next to you while pulling the girls to sit between you guys. "We searched high and low, near and far, because we weren't looking for just something....we were looking for someONE."

You grew bashfully as Chilli held you close with her free arm.

Bluey and Bingo's tails wag and they gasp, amazed. "You and Dad were looking for (Y/n)!"

Bandit nodded, "That's right!"

You were still tense about the whole thing and your mind began to think negatively. It felt odd being included in this family bonding, but it also felt...really...nice. "And when you found me...you chose me?"

They two heelers could immediately sense that you wanted a true confirmation to your disbelief question. "We chose YOU." They said together.

Bluey nods, "Yeah. Unless you don't want to stay with us, we can't really make you stay, but...I want you to stay." She looked at you sadly.

"Me too. I think I like having an elder sibling." Bingo said.

You gave her a dramatic gasp of offense. "Elder? I'm not THAT old from you two." You gently jab at their stomachs as they laugh. Unfortunately, the loudness made your head hurt and they apologized with a sheepish grin.

"She's right, Big Bubby." Bluey declared with a smirk.

"Oh my—Please, don't tell me that nickname is going to stay." You say embarrassed.

Chilli snickered, "Oooh yeah."

"Most definitely." Bandit grinned.

Bingo giggled into her hands, "Big Bubby."

The girls laugh more when you reach over to flick their forehead. "You two won't get away with it, if you do use that nickname." You chuckle before wincing in pain.

"Alright, girls. It's time for bed and your 'Bubby' needs to take their medicine." Chilli laughs softly.

Bluey and Bingo yawn, still protesting about sleep, but end up getting comfy in their beds. Bandit helps guide you again, though you wave at Bingo and Bluey as they say their good nights to you. Once the bedrooms were out of sight, you grew anxious once again when taking a seat at the counter in the kitchen. Parents always change their attitude once their children are out of sight.

"One of your friends dropped off your school work while you were asleep. If you ever need any help, don't be afraid to ask me or Chilli." Bandit smiles at you while warming up your stew on the stove.

You nod, noticing Chilli walking in.

"Girls went right to sleep." She subconsciously rubs her hand on your head. "How's your head, Sweetheart?"

You couldn't help, but lean into her touch. "There's still a bit of a headache, but nothing I can't handle." You take the medicine Chilli set out in front of you.

"Did you enjoy the school day before you got hurt?" Chilli asked and patiently waited for your answer, making sure you were now aware.

Bandit takes a seat next to you while placing down your bowl of stew and a plate of some sort of pie with fruit on the top. He and Chilli shared the dish with another fork for you.

"It was great. I've actually felt...really welcomed. I could just be myself whenever I'm there." The cabbage stew tasted amazing and the warmth helped with your head. "Zara's got a really mean kick once she gets competitive. Then Antoine would be screaming about getting hurt and me and Theo would be trying to calm him down." You snicker happily. "Ida is more of those preppy girls, but she has respect for everyone."

Bandit and Chilli listen to you with fondness in their eyes. "Chilli Beans is quite the competitive gal herself."

Chilli huffed and flicked a stray blueberry at his face. "You're one to talk, you cheeky Old Man. Especially playing board games."

"Oh, you know you love me for it." Bandit winked.

You burst out laughing and try to keep it down. "You guys flirt a lot! It's cute, but Gross! I'm still in the room, trying to enjoy a late dinner."

Their smiles and moods brighten at your laughter. "The girls think it's adorable." Chilli puts away the dishes in the dishwater.

"Kids are curious about that stuff, just like everything else, so what do you expect? They don't know any better." You say, then look toward the stairs. Maybe you can apologize to Bingo and Bluey when you're done. Maybe Bandit and Chilli were waiting for you to mess up, so they could get rid of you.

"(Y/n), what's wrong, Mate?"

Bandit grew worried once your mood shifted. He didn't want to reach out to you, just in case you would growl again.

"I know you guys don't want me here, just stop sugar coating it and say it's a mistake. I'M a mistake."

The room had grown silent and the long pause gave you the wrong idea that they were going to burst in anger. Chilli and Bandit hadn't experienced this kind of scenario before and it was still new, but they did know that something needed to be addressed.

Chilli exhaled softly, trying not to...cry. Not from the difficulty of the situation, but from the pain in your words that you believed all your life.

"Alright, I guess you are old enough that we don't need to sugar coat this conversation, so I need you to look at me, (Y/n)." Bandit said with an assertive tone. "You are NOT a mistake."

That caught you off guard and you turned to him. "What?"

"YOU are worth more than you realize. It's going to be a hard time for you to believe that about yourself, Kiddo. Chilli and I know that you're old enough to understand a lot of things, but it does not mean you're old enough not to receive any help. As soon as you came through that door and as soon as we laid eyes on you, we wanted you here." Bandit held Chilli's hand.

"It'll be up to you if you want to stay or go, Hon. We want to help you to continue growing up, to support you with who you want to become. (Y/n), we chose you because you needed and wanted a family for so long to be there for you. To listen to you, to encourage you—"

"—to annoy you and have fun times with you." Bandit added in with a heartfelt chuckle.

"Yes. And also to love you for you." Chilli playfully rolled her eyes at her husband and smiled gently at you. "(Y/n), you belong here with us. Will you let us love you?"

Throughout your childhood, it was not the best and there were extremely rare moments with a sprinkle of happiness, but it always turned away from you. Out of reach.

Everything you wanted was always out of reach.

"It doesn't have to be, Kiddo. You just gotta take that first step." Bandit reasoned at your statement that you didn't realize you had said out loud.

Again, it was terrifying taking those steps to help you get through life.

A better life.

Also....

You forgot you were sitting on a stool and ended up falling forward.

Fortunately, Bandit and Chilli reach out and grab you, only for them to tumble to the floor as well. They were relieved they caught you in their arms, then the three of you laughed out loud, hoping that didn't wake up the girls.

"You didn't have to take THAT big of a step." Chilli jokes.

"Unless you were trying to fly and I'll be honest, that attempt flew out the window." Bandit added.

"I honestly forgot I was sitting on a stool, okay." You cross your arms and snort. "Also that pun was not necessary." You jab at Bandit's stomach before yawning heavily.

"Time for bed. You don't need to go to school tomorrow, but you need plenty of rest."

That was a relief for you, but the school work would be the worst. Your ears flatten at the thought and you groan all the way up the stairs. Being productive sucked and that was only the mere thought of it. As such, it is life.

"(Y/n), before you head to sleep. I want you to know, our family friend is coming over tomorrow, so don't be alarmed if you hear someone else in the house." Chilli said.

"Okay. Uh...and the answer for your guy's question was probably very clear, but yes."

The two Heeler's pull you into another hug. "That's good to know." Chilli kissed the top of your head then Bandit gave a soft pat to your back. "Now, get ready for bed, Big Bubby."

You huff and scrunch your face at the nickname. "I'm leaving now and for the record, only Bluey and Bingo can call me that, Big Fella." You pat his tummy.

Bandit gasped dramatically. "Ah! Again! Straight through the heart." He smirks, "You know I'm gonna get you back, Mate."

"Give it your best shot, MATE." You retort back.

Chilli snickered and held her hands between you two. "Alright, Children. Bed. Now."

This time you and Bandit turn to her with offense. "But, Chilli!"

"No, buts. You two can continue teasing each other when one of you feels better from their head injury." She points down the hall where your room and the girls room is located. "Go."

You walk down the hall and Bandit starts to follow, only for Chilli to turn him toward the direction of their own room. "Babe, where are you going? Our bedroom is this way."

"Oh yeah. I forgot." Bandit chuckled.

Chilli rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek. "You Big Goof."

You and Bandit glance back at each other and immediately give the Loser (L) gesture on your foreheads, then stick out your tongues at each other.

This time though, Chilli gave you two a warning stare and made you two laugh sheepishly. "Sorry. Heading to bed now."

~*•*~

Inside your room, you notice your beanie discarded on the floor and you pick it up. Bingo probably dropped it when they ran out earlier. You sigh heavily and rub your thumbs on the buttons/pins. Silently, you walk across into Bluey and Bingo's room.

The softness of your beanie made Bingo smiled in her sleep as she hugged it close to her and her toy bunny, Floppy.

You smile softly and go over to Bluey's bed.

The little blue heeler's ear twitched when she heard her name being whispered. She finally opened her eyes when she felt a nudge to her arm. "Bingo. It's still dark out."

You laugh quietly. "Yeah and I know it's still bedtime, but I need to tell you something important, Bluey."

"(Y/n)?" Bluey sat up to rub her eyes, but it didn't do any good as the sleepiness made her want to close them again. "Are you okay? Should I get Mum and Dad?"

You shake your head. "I'm alright. I already told them goodnight." You give her a tight hug. "I'm sorry that my anger burst out on you and Bingo earlier. I still feel bad about it. I'm really sorry, Bluey."

She yawned and smiled tiredly, but happily. "It's okay. I accept your apology, so does Bingo."

There's a loud snore that came from Bingo's side of the room which made you chuckle. "I'm glad."

Bluey hummed in agreement before leaning more into you and crashed back out. Unfortunately, you couldn't pull her off and you didn't want to wake her again. You were now trapped in a sleepy kid's arms and decided to accept your fate for tonight.

"Aw, geez."

You move to lay down and manage to shift Bluey to lay against your side. The medicine began to grab ahold of you and your gaze went to the glowing stars on the ceiling. Subconsciously, run your fingers over Bluey's fur to ground yourself.

Your whole world was changing.

It's so hard to believe and try to see whatever the Heeler's see in you. They did give you many reasons on why they chose you. Yet, it's still hard to understand their perspective of things and most of it was basically childish nonsense.....or...maybe you grew up too fast.

You were expected to behave and be a perfect child for all the families you've been with.

Your choices didn't matter.

"Mrs. Heeler. I know, you might mean well in taking a pup like them into your lives, but as you're aware it will take an extreme amount of patience to, at least, get their traumatic stress in control. You never know if they'll lose control around others, especially smaller pups—...Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Well, for one, YOU are patronizing MY child in front of me. IN front of THEM, no less. Two, you don't specialize in that profession to tell me what I don't already know and have been ready for. Three, I don't care if you're a doctor and if you need to call security, but I will very WELL give you a piece of my mind. There are a lot of dogs who know me extremely well, that I will stand up for anything and anyone if the situation does not sit right. Do you want me to keep going?"

"N-no, Mrs. Heeler. You've said enough. I think we should, at least consider that your child needs therapy—"

"(Y/n) is My Child and I will be the one to decide if they need any more help. So far, we've only come here to tend to their head injury to make sure they'll be okay. Your opinion is not needed, unless it's physical harm." Chilli looks over at your dazed form on the hospital bed. "Their choices and opinions matter in everything."

"Alright. I'm sorry for seeming over observate in the situation. Right now, their head injury is nothing too serious. They just need rest."

"Thank you and I'm also sorry about blowing up at you. Now, if you don't mind, we would love to go home now."

"Of course, Mrs. Heeler. I'll have the nurse assist with the discharge. Best of luck to you both." The doctor walked out of the room.

Chilli groaned, "I hate to say this, but I hope we won't have to deal with that doctor again. Luckily, you'll be having our primary doctor— (Y/n)! What are you doing?!" The red heeler whisper shouted and rushed over to you, shutting the cabinets and drawers that you were digging around in.

"This doctor ain't got no stickers. So booooring! They got band-aids, but there's no color or character to them." You whine out and tossed the bandages to the floor.

Chilli cleans it up and smiles humorously at you, "And why do you need band-aids, Sweetheart?"

"To show that I have an injury. Like in the cartoons and when they rip it off, it's better."

Your opinion made Chilli very confused, but she ended up laughing softly and petting your head. "That would be amazing, but unfortunately, that cartoon logic does not apply to real life. Sorry, Kiddo."

The both of you walked out to the nurses desk and you barely realized you held onto Chilli's hand the whole time. You look up at Chilli's face as she speaks with the nurse and you tap her arm to get her attention.

"Yes, Honey?"

You feel your face flush with embarrassment and whisper, "I need to tell you a very important secret."

Chilli glanced at the last paper the nurse laid out for her to sign. She quickly did so and leaned down a bit, "What's the very important secret you need to tell me?"

"You're the greatest mom in the whole world."

"Really?"

"Don't tell anybody. They might take you away from me." You squeeze her hand.

Chilli immediately pulls you into a tight hug. "No one will ever take you away from me and it's your choice of where and who you want to be with. But the most important secret for you, (Y/n), is that I'll always be here for you, even if you can't see me because I love you. Remember that, okay?"

"I'll try." You mumbled tiredly.

"I know you will." Chilli went to check up on you and the girls, only to walk in while you were whimpering in your sleep. "You're safe now, (Y/n)." She glanced back at Bandit, who had grabbed your blanket from your room.

The blue heeler covered you and Bluey. "Sleep tight, Kids."

The orange lamp is switched off, making the glow in the dark stars shine brightly around the room. A calming atmosphere, yet a few sleepy scuffles here and there while you and Bluey slept soundlessly.