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A gentle breeze passed among the trees as there leaves rubbed each other to form the sweet rustling sound heard in the playground. Kids made up of different breeds are seen playing together with their friends, inventing different imaginative games for their young minds to enjoy. Just by the patio looking at the children was a pair of eyes belonging to a certain blue heeler who goes by the name, Bluey.
Bluey being contented with watching the kids play opted to just sit and enjoy the shade offered by the school and the occasional breeze flowing through her fur.
As she watches the kids, she can't help but reminisce to the good old days were she was one of them as well. Playing and enjoying life has to offer, her mind creating different scenarios in order to invent different games which she will rope either her sister, parents or her friends to join in on the fun.
As time flies, she noticed that multiple cars are coming up the drive way, indicating the one of the kids parents are here to pick them up. Standing up from where she was sitting. The blue heeler dusted of some imaginary dirt of her as she continues her way to the play ground to tell the kids that their parents are here to pick them up.
As the deed was done she watches as one by one, kids are being picked up by their parents. She remembered how she wagged her tail the moment an orange jeep owned by her dad, Bandit, rolled in the drive way.
As the more and more cars exited the schools parking area, she noticed that a certain black car was not moving at all. She inspected the school playground and noticed that all of the kids already went home. Deciding to feed her curiosity, she approached the car to ask the owner if who are they looking for.
The black car was tinted so Bluey cant see the dog sitting in the driver's seat. So she gave a little wave to signify the driver that she was approaching. As she reached the driver's window, it rolled down to reveal a black and white border collie.
Bluey was shocked who she saw, it has been 9 years since she saw the face that made her fall.
"Hey there blue" the owner of the car said which made the blue heelers' eyes glassy as a tears slowly slid down her face. Her paws cover her about to hold on the emotion threatening to spill.
The car door opened, which Bluey on instinct stepped back to allow the dog inside to get out. When the dog finally was out, it took all her mental power to stop herself from suddenly engulfing the border collie in a big hug and kissing him senseless.
"It... It's been so long... Mackenzie" Bluey said between labored breathing due to her crying.
"Blue are you alright, why you crying?" Mackenzie said approaching the blue heeler as both of the border collies paw reached out to remove the paw hiding the blue heelers face and replacing it with his, wiping the tears spilling from the blue dogs eyes.
"Hey, hey blue. Please stop crying. I'm here" the border collie said as he slowly bring Bluey closer to his body until she was engulfed by the border collies hug. The thick fur of his cushioned Bluey making her hug in response as her tears dampened the chest area of her best friend/crush.
"I...I thought... som...something happened to you" Bluey tried saying in between breaths. The border collie did not respond as he made the hug a little tighter but not in away that will bring the blue heeler to a discomfort.
As the blue dog kept crying, Mackenzie kept his silence, moving his paw up and down the heelers back to calm her down. After a few minutes of emotional breakdown Bluey removed herself from Mackenzie as she wiped the remaining tears of her face.
Mackenzie lead them inside the school, as he was very familiar from the surrounding after being enrolled here once during his primary days. As they sat at one of the couches. Both the dogs were at complete silence as they were enjoying the company of each other.
It was not long when the serenity was broken by Mackenzie asking a question that made Bluey looked at him.
"So a teacher eh? Never imagined you being one"
Bluey was silent before a series small giggle escaped from her mouth until it turned into a hearty laugh. This made the border collie smile as he laughed alongside her. If an outsider was looking at them right now, it might just think that the two dogs sitting went mental.
"Hahaha yeah, never really imagined myself ending up with this career path one day" she responded.
Bluey was an adventurous dog, others thought that she will be following her dad's footstep in becoming an archeology but, they guessed wrong.
"Well it's perfect for you... I mean a childish dog gets to socialize with puppies" the border collie said releasing a small snicker.
The blue heeler not liking what she heard gave a glare at his best friend/crush before giving him a punch in his shoulder, making Mackenzie gave a fake 'ouch' which made the blue dog more annoyed.
"Hahah, there's the blue heeler I know and love" Mackenzie said making the blue heeler beside him smile and blush slightly.
" You know being in the army did not beat out your horrible teasing attitude" Bluey said trying to counter his remarks.
"Well, it did not but... it did gave me this guns" Mackenzie said as he flexed his arm muscles to Bluey, giving off a smirk
The blue heeler stared a little before coming out of the quick trance and pushing his face to wipe of the smirk he is giving.
"Hahaha... I did not see anything besides your ugly smirk" Bluey said which made Mackenzie laugh.
"Sure you did, it's not like I caught you staring for a little while"
Bluey blushed at the comment and decided not give him an answer to that. Both of the long time friends decided to go silent again. Enjoying the peace. Looking out the window, Bluey noticed that the sun have already set, giving the moon full authority to rule over the dark lands along with it's millions of follower.
"Bluey?" Mackenzie started, making the blue heeler break it's contact from the outside world.
"Yeah" she responded looking at him.
"Umm... Do you... still... hate me?" The border collie said slowly. Trying not to pressure the dog in question.
Bluey sighed and gave a small nod, breaking off her gaze from the black and white dog as she made eye contact with the floor as if it was the most interesting thing at the moment.
"Why?" Mackenzie responded his voice sounded hurt and broken.
"Because..." Bluey trailed off
"Because what?" Mackenzie pressed.
"Because..."
"Because what, bluey?"
"Because..."
"Because?..."
"Because...."
"OH COME ON BLUEY! SPILL IT!" Mackenzie said raising his voice.
"BECAUSE YOU LEFT ME!!!" Bluey shouted facing at him tears painting her face.
"What?" Mackenzie answered confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You left me Mackenzie... You left me to join the army, even though I told you to not leave me" Bluey explained wiping the endless tears falling from her eyes.
"What do you mean? I told you about this since we were in middle school, I told you, I was joining my friends in the army. When did you last tell me to not go?" Mackenzie explained, trying to find answers about Blueys accusations.
"It was in the letter I sent you" She explained, looking again at the floor, adjusting her tail so she could hug it.
Mackenzie was confused at first then suddenly realized it. He was handed a letter during his moments of packing his things but decided not read it, promising himself to open it once he was in camp.
The momenlt he read the letter it was to late, he can't go back now. He has to continue moving forward finding light on the situation he was in.
"I sent you letters, but never have I received even just one from you until... I just gave up." Bluey continued.
And like a sudden slap in the face, Mackenzie realized the gravity of his Bluey's position. During his training he have received multiple letter coming from Bluey, either once a week or twice a week. He wanted to write back but the situations he's in does not permit it. The location he was in did not offer anyway to let him send letters as they were always in a constant move and no one was available to mail the letter.
It was during the 7th year of his deployment that the letters sent became a minimum, from once a week or twice a week to once a month until it just suddenly stopped with the final latter being written as 'I HATE YOU' in bold and capital letters.
Mackenzie realized it and suddenly felt dejected, tears pricked his eyes at it suddenly fell freely down his face. He kept wiping it off but it seems to not stop.
"I'm... I'm sorry Bluey" is all Mackenzie can utter in his state of distress.
The silence was deafening, the dogs was not communicating. The ambiance of joy and happiness earlier was replaced with confusion and sadness as time progresses. It wasn't long until Bluey decided to make the first move first.
"Then why?"
Silence.
"Why did you not respond or leave?"
Silence.
"Why Mackenzie? For all I know you can leave freely. Why did you do it?"
Silence.
"Why Mackenzie? WHY?!"
"BECAUSE I CAN'T" Mackenzie answered looking at Bluey straight in eyes despite the tears he has.
"Why?" Bluey said almost broken and hurt.
Mackenzie looked at her before explaining the whole situation. Bluey listened not interjecting. She was listening well to at least know the other side of the story just like how her dad teaches her to not judge until you get both stories from other parties.
After the explanation, Bluey cant still feel relief because she knows there is something missing from Mackenzie's explanation. She can feel he was not telling the whole story.
"Mackenzie... I understand but it seems there is something you aren't telling me" Bluey said holding Mackenzie's face with one paw as she pushes it up to align it her her so she could look at the eyes that made her fall hard.
Mackenzie tried to break contact but she insisted to repeat her actions until the black and white border collie just gave up.
"Please Mackenzie, tell me" Bluey begged. Looking at Mackenzie with saddened eyes.
"Be... because...I-Im... Fighting for you"
"I'm fighting for this country in order to keep your smile"
...
"The smile that made me want to wake up every single day, the smile that motivates me and others, the smile I loved"
...
Silence ensued between the two, as Mackenzie poured out his heart a freight train of information just attacked the blue heelers mind, it wasn't until Mackenzie said something that just made her smile.
"I'm fighting for you, to keep you safe, and to keep you happy"
And just like that Bluey was enlightened. She never knew that Mackenzie's action run deeper than one might think and her of all the reason why such actions were made. She was curious about his statement so pressing a little further she asked and the answer made her cry not in sadness anymore but in joy.
"Why?"
"Because it's you"
And just like that, she was now satisfied. Letting fate decide her decision. She jumped, as her face closed the distance from her to her crushes mouth. She was expecting a push but she didn't. Instead she was met with an equal force of the kiss.
All the unsaid pain, truths, and everything was given to the kiss which was returned equally. The kiss turned heated from testing the water to fiery passion. It was not long as both broke off for much needed air.
Both dogs were panting as the kiss they had just signified the start of their relationship. Nine years of waiting was worth it as Mackenzie held Bluey's face as it was glass and slowly dragged their foreheads together. As both exchanged meaning ful conversation before continuing to a fiery night filled with romance and new beginnings.
"I served to protect you"
"Promise?"
"Promise."