#jack's dad

[skooblesleepymaw]

Baby Boy

[starcloudcat]

Perro waton jumpscare

[lazyartdog]

Gay dogs

[fullofsunsetwhispers]

Do you think Jack still has that robot he made out of his mom's blender or whatever?

Haha, I wish but I don't think so.

Let's say, the way I see how that robo-blender incident turned out, can be compared to a 5-year-old making rather dangerous experiments. How would you react if you saw your child making a mess even tho you asked them not to? Probably you would be angry. How would you react if you found out your kid was tinkering with something that belonged to you and now you can't use it anymore? If you're considerate enough, you'll explain why that behavior was wrong but still, you would be either upset or angry.

So, let's put ourselves in Mrs. Spicer's shoes. You want to make dinner for your family, so you decide to use one of your favorite kitchen appliances - the blender. You approach it and turn it on when suddenly in mere seconds it grows metallic limbs, and several other parts, which aren't supposed to be there. If something similar happened to me I would be extremely scared so I assume Jack's mom almost went bonkers when the blender started rushing toward her.

I can even see that poor woman, not being aware the Blender-bot doesn't want any harm, would hide somewhere in their mansion. My other assumption, I think it's very typical imagery for comedic moments in cartoons, is that Mrs. Spicer couldn't even make it out of the kitchen so she just jumped on the table/ kitchen counter/anywhere the Blender couldn't reach her and stayed there until Jack's dad arrived to 'save her' lol.

Unless Jack gave the blender a knife - then Mrs. Spicer's fear would be justified.

As we know, Jack rebuilt the blender out of spite. His mom didn't agree to let him attend knife-throwing lessons. He wanted to punish her in some way for that, and tbh these first signs of malicious intent would concern every parent. The only reasonable thing that Jack's parents came up with is to order him to dismantle/destroy the robot. Or Mr. Dad was so angry he destroyed the blender himself and then yelled at Jack for such a dangerous prank. Oh, and I'm 150% sure Jack was grounded afterward.

But, as I said, these are my assumptions. And you have to agree Jack was completely at fault in that particular instance. Not only was it malicious but Mrs. Spicer seriously had the fright of her life. In addition, losing the blender was a certain cost for the family (yeah yeah they're rich so it didn't hurt their wallets at all but still. When your kid does something with expensive house gadgets you have to explain how important that thing is so it won't happen again).

On top of that, Mrs. Spicer had only the best interest regarding these extra activities for Jack and did what every reasonable mother should do. She said 'no' to knife-throwing lessons to prevent 1. Jack's possible future injuries 2. possible accidents at home, which would involve Jack throwing knives at furniture, paintings, and simply everything. With that in mind, Jack's outburst was kinda cruel. I'm sure he wasn't aware of the consequences and even if he were - he wouldn't even consider that his mom could be in danger because of the blender-bot. Deep down, Jack is an empathetic person. And that statement leads me to make the conclusion - Jack felt sorry for what his mom has gone through because of his prank. Well, he wasn't sorry for the rest, tho. In his opinion, she had to be punished for not listening to his needs (oh my this boy's moral compass is messed up, isn't it). But, y'know, keep in mind he was younger and couldn't understand Mrs. Spicer's decision for ice-skating lessons was for his own good.

To conclude - nope poor blender-bot ended up in the trash bin. At best, Jack kept one part/screw as a keepsake. If your infuriated parents tell you to throw something away you just have to do it in order to calm things down.

[uncaaj]

Fanfic: Diesel's Petrols (Bluey)

READ NOW ON AO3!

The door to his dimly lit office opened, and Dr. Bernard, the Australian Army counselor, looked up. “Thanks for coming, Sergeant Kelpie,” he greeted.

Diesel Kelpie took a seat in the cushy leather seat opposite him and held out his hand. “No worries, Dr. Bernard.”

After shaking his hand, Dr. Bernard grabbed his tablet and pushed his glasses up. “So let’s get right into it. How have you been since discharge?”

“Well, it was great to see my family again, let’s say that first. Everything I do, I do for them. It was all I could think about on the flight home.” Diesel leaned back and recalled the whirlwind of a month he’d had.

+++

Fresh from a 12-hour flight, I felt light as a feather despite the jet lag fuzzing the edges of my sight. It never fails, I try to catch up on sleep on the flight and somehow stay up the whole time, idling the time away with the same crummy puzzle games and the same five movies.  Even still when I landed, I couldn’t help but jog from the gate straight to border control, hopping like, well, an excited dog in the queue.

Once I finally made it to the luggage claim, there they were, big smiles all over. My pack, my troop. My family. I probably looked like hell with my stained fatigues and baggy eyes, but I knew it didn’t matter one bit to them.

“Dad!” Rusty shouted, bolting over and jumping into my arms. I could hear the others catching up to him as I gave my little recruit a good squeeze before setting him down and letting them all in. 

“Aw, missed me, eh?” I joked.

“Yeah,” said Digger, the oldest.

“Missed you lots!” said Rusty.

“Thiiiiis much!” said me youngest Dusty, stretching her little arms as far as they’d go.

Then it was Pepper’s turn. “Welcome home, honey.”

I felt all my worries vanish with my sigh as I kissed my loving wife. “Good to be home.”

“How long are you staying for?” Rusty asked.

Dusty bounced up and down. “Will you be here for my birthday?”

I gave Pepper a quick smooch then turned to the kids. “Oh yeah, I didn’t mention that, did I?”

“Tell ‘em, babe,” said Pepper.

I knelt down to meet my kids’ eyes as they all bunched together. “Well, I have a little surprise for you all. I’m here this time…for good.”

“You mean…your service is done?” Rusty asked, almost pleading for it to be true.

“Yup,” I confirmed. “Done and dusted.”

We all met in a big hug in the middle of the baggage claim, and for the first time since hearing the news I was headed home at last, I felt like transitioning back to civilian life wouldn’t be so bad.

+++

DIESEL: This episode of Bandit is called “Diesel’s Petrols.”

+++

“How have you been filling your time over the past month?” asked Dr. Bernard.

“Well, that army schedule’s a part of me, so I’m still up bright and early every day. The kids keep me active with cricket, footie, the works.” He chuckled and slung a leg over the other. “But that’s not what you’re asking, is it?”

Dr. Bernard laughed. “No, it isn’t.”

“For my career after service, it was a no-brainer for me. All that time fixing Jeeps, I knew I was gonna open my own garage when I got home. And bless Pepper, she was gracious enough to come on as my business partner. Signing the lease on that space was the fulfillment of a dream, so I was psyched.”

“Fantastic,” said Dr. Bernard. “How about friendships?”

“Oh, I’ve kept in touch with my troop online. Couldn’t do that when I was a tyke. But I promised myself something on the way home. I see Rusty talk so highly of his schoolmates on the ride home from school, so I really wanted to get to know their parents. Thought they could be my new troop. And in a way, my garage helped me do that. It started while I was out promoting the venture…”

+++

I was taking my new shop truck on her maiden voyage with Rusty by my side. Figured it’d get the word out and drum up some customers since we were gonna open any day. We’re puttering along in Paddington and suddenly, Rusty points out the window and says, “Dad, look! It’s Mackenzie!”

I saw a couple o’ border collies standing by the side of the road, their ute smoking. “Looks like they’re broken down, kiddo,” I said.

“Can we help them, Dad?” Rusty asked.

“Well, if he’s your friend, let’s see what’s up.” We parked nearby and got out. Rusty greeted Mackenzie happily while I went over to his dad.

“You’re Rusty’s dad, right? Don’t see you around much,” he said.

“Yeah, discharged recently. Diesel.”

“Sorry, Josh,” a guy shouted, “my mechanic’s booked solid today.” A blue heeler and his pup walked toward us from a couple houses down.

“Biscuits,” Josh muttered. “Thanks for trying, Bandit.”

The Heeler pup waved at us. “Hi, Rusty!”

“Bluey!” said Rusty. “Me and Dad are spreading the word about his new garage.” He pointed at the logo on my truck that Pepper designed. 

“Diesel’s Petrols,” read Bluey. “Hee-hee! I like that name!”

“You work on cars, eh?” said Josh.

“Yeah, cars, Jeeps, copters, you name it, it’s my toast and jam. I could take a look if you don’t mind.”

Josh shrugged and led me to the wide-open bonnet. I felt the heat on my fur immediately and recoiled back. “Poor thing’s overheated,” I said, waving some smoke away. Now time to sniff out the problem. The army taught me that well. Let everything fall away and focus on what needs to be done. 

I took a deep whiff through my nose and exhaled sickly sweet aromas, like burnt caramel. It was coolant, alright, almost like the radiator blew or a hose had popped loose and covered the engine in it. For Josh’s sake, luckily it was the latter I spied immediately.

“I don’t understand it. It was all right yesterday,” said Josh once I regained my awareness.

“A hose popped off your rad here,” I said, pointing to the dangling pipe near the main gears. “Reckon you’ve lost all your coolant, mate.”

“Wow,” said Josh. “That’ll do it.”

“You know, I think I have a proper clamp and some coolant in me Ute. I can have you right as rain in a tick.”

Josh looked shocked. “Really? R-right now?”

I smiled. “I always like to come prepared for anything.”

Josh pumped his fist, his bummed expression washing out to giddiness. “Well, thanks a bunch!”

“No worries.”

It was simple to refit the hose and tighten it down properly. Then once his engine came back down to as normal a temperature as could be on the eve of summer, I topped up the coolant and gave him the go to start up. The engine tumbled for a second as the coolant recirculated but then kicked right into life. “Gotta love a rock-solid Toyota,” I smirked. Hardy and excitable, just like he was.

I waited a moment to see if the hose would pop off, but it held. I shut the bonnet and gave Josh the thumbs up. He called his son over and they loaded up.

“Thanks a bunch, mate!” said Josh as I approached the cab. “What do I owe ya?”

I glanced quickly at the temperature meter. A-OK. “Ah, twernt nothin’, mate,” I scoffed. “All in a day’s work.” 

I felt a tug on my arm, and I crouched down. “Yeah, mate?” I said to Rusty.

“Dad, remember what mum said? ‘If you fix some stranger’s car like I know you will, make sure you’re paid.’”

I gulped and stood up again. Both Mackenzie and Josh were laughing. I grinned embarrassingly.

“Your mum’s a smart cookie,” Bandit said with a wink.

“Thanks, Mr. Heeler!” said Rusty.

I shook my head and fished a business card out of my wallet. “Okay, how’s $30 sound? And you gimme a ring if your Ute ever packs in again?

“Done deal!” said Josh, quickly exchanging it for a banknote from his.

“Much obliged,” I said, shaking his paw. With a wave, he was off down the road with his pup.

+++

Not long after, I’d just finished installing the new ramp in the garage when in wheels this sturdy little Subaru. My first real walk-in. I head over and a Jack Russel steps out of it. 

“G’day, mate,” I said, “thanks for droppin’ by. what can I do ya for?”

“Do you do suspension work here?” he asked.

“Whatever’s ailing your car, I can put it right.”

“Oh, great!” he said, relieved. 

I wondered what brought that on, but I didn’t have to wonder long. The Jack Russel pushed down on his wheel arch and it didn’t budge an inch. “The ride’s been really rough,” he continued. “My tail aches every time I drive it longer than a grocery run.”

“That ain’t fair dinkum. Let’s put ‘er on my new ramp and I’ll take a look.”

I helped him position the car and once it was safely in the air, I could see straight away what the problem was. “Great day in the morning, your shocks are toast! Covered in oil and stiff as stone. What on earth did you do to ‘em?”

The terrier rubbed his arm, looking guilty with himself. “It’s a funny story, I suppose. I took a shortcut picking my son Jack up from school-“

“Wait, you’re Jack’s dad?” I exclaimed. “My son Rusty talks about a Russel named Jack all the time.”

“Ha! Likewise! Good to meet you, er…”

“Diesel.” I held out my hand and he shook it.

“Blake.”

“So what happened exactly?” I said, motioning him toward my tool bench.

“So my battery died leaving me without SatNav. This bloke called Maynard showed me a shortcut through the bush, but a sign just before said it was for 4-wheel-drive cars.”

“Hmm…” I suddenly had an inkling. I went back to the car and shone my torch around the wheels. I grimaced even more. “Yeah, this is an all-wheel-drive car.”

Blake raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t they the same thing? It’s got four wheels.”

I almost laughed but I didn’t want to do that to the poor guy. “Rookie mistake, mate. See, all-wheel-drive shifts power to all the wheels to help with traction on muddy or wet road. 4-wheel-drive is for serious off-roading like what you did on that shortcut, it looks like.”

Blake sighed. “Yeah, I…had an adventurous moment. But when I came home from the markets the other day with busted eggs, my wife said I’d better bring it in. She heard about you from Josh Border-Collie.”

“Issat so?” Small world. “Well, tell ya what- I have the parts here that I need. I can have you back up and running by day’s end for…how’s $400 and a promise to not take your car where it’s not meant to go?”

Blake perked up. “Really? That’d be fantastic!”

I nodded. “All in a day’s work, mate.”

+++

“Two new civilian friends, that’s a good start,” said Dr. Bernard.

“Thanks,” said Diesel. “But it’s funny.” He scratched his chin and tried to gather his thoughts. “I…didn’t think I was making friends at first.”

“How so?”

“I guess it felt like just doing what I had to do and sending ‘em on their way, nothing more, like in the army. The troop and I would bond for hours on end every day because we were together for that long. We slept on smelly cots together. I could know everything about them. I barely got to know Josh and Blake before their cars were fixed and they were off.”

Diesel paused, wondering if he should even say what he was about to.

“Do you need to confide about something, Sergeant Kelpie?” Dr. Bernard asked gently, without judgment.

“Sometimes I feel…like an outsider, ya know? It used to be I was barely home before I was back overseas. The army was my world more than here and suddenly, this is my world now. I wasn’t sure if Josh and Blake would remember me with how little we were able to talk. I wasn’t sure I could make my place here.”

“It doesn’t make your interactions any less meaningful,” Dr Bernard reassured. “It takes time and effort but it’s very possible.”

Diesel nodded. “Oh, I’m realizing that now. And what helped me change my view was that Heeler Bandit I mentioned earlier…”

+++

As it happens, it was the day after I expressed this to Pepper and we were discussing my rates in the garage.

“The prices I’m giving aren’t too low, are they, Pepper?” I said, my head hurting seeing her spreadsheets.

Pepper shook her head. “Don’t worry, love, you’re covering all our expenses. I just want to make sure you’re charging what you’re worth.”

“It’s never a big deal. I’m just glad I get to do this at all.”

Pepper took my hand and squeezed it. “Okay, well, I think you’re worth more.”

“Yeah, and I know you always will.”

How did I find someone so perfect, in partnership and…well, partnership? We moved in closer for a kiss until we heard someone nearby clearing their throat.

We turned to see that Heeler Bandit from the other day with his daughters, Bluey and an orange one whose name I didn’t recall. “Sooooo does Rusty run off screaming when he sees smoochy-kisses?” asked Bandit.

“Dad, you were kissing Mum’s stinky fish breath!” laughed Bluey. 

I stood up straight and saluted. “Sir!”

Pepper rolled her eyes and pushed me away. “Welcome to Diesel’s Petrols. How can we help?”

“I was just passing by and I wondered if you’d give my Jeep a once-over. I’m taking the family dune racing next month and I figure you’re the Jeep expert.”

I chuckled. “It’s a stereotype for a reason. I’ll make sure you can handle everything out there. Pepper’ll show you to the waiting room.”

“We’ve got toys!” she said to the Heeler kids, and they cheered and dashed off toward the lobby, their dad following.

The hum of the lift had become music to my ears by this point and I could operate it in my sleep. Wrangler, a good rugged vehicle, could literally take you anywhere. That once-over was probably the quickest one I’d ever done, even on an army vehicle. Bandit maintained it really well.

I wiped my brow with a rag and headed to the lobby. Bandit was in the middle of keeling over, clutching his chest. His kids had their hands out, wiggling their fingers at him and laughing maniacally.

I sniggered. “What’s all this then?”

“Hi, Rusty’s dad!” said Bluey. “Bingo and I overwhelmed him with our magic!”

Bandit looked at me. “Yeah, powerful stuff,” he whispered.

“Dad,” said Bingo, “you’re supposed to be asleep!”

Bandit slowly came to his feet. No doubt it took longer these days with those two scamps running him ragged. I certainly knew the feeling. “Let’s just call it a cliffhanger,” he declared. “Am I asleep? We’ll find out when we get home.”

Rugged, adaptable, and fun. Just like his car.

“All good?” he asked me.

“Good to go,” I said.

“Good job, there, mate.”

I smiled. “All in a day’s work.”

I held out my hand and he shook it vigorously. Of all the blokes I shook with, his was the best so far. “Make quick work like that and I might be calling you from now on,” he said.

What a compliment, especially since he already had a guy. “M-much obliged,” I said before I led him over to the computer to do his invoice.

“Only seen you at drop-off a couple of times. When’d you get back?” he asked.

“Not too long ago. It’s good to be home at last. Feels like I’ve missed too much outta my kids’ lives.”

“Yeah, I feel that way when I have to be on a dig site. I’m not gone nearly as long but it’s still too long.”

“Truth. And it’s good to really talk to someone outside of that whole world. Makes it easier to get back…to the swing of it, you know?”

“Hey, you oughta come and have a drink with me and some friends. Josh’ll be there. And Blake’s thankful you got his Subaru running again.”

“Oh yeah, I remember them.” But did they really remember me? “Well, I dunno-“

Bandit slung an arm over the counter. “C’mon, it’ll be fun.”

I gave it a rummage in my mind. Sounded like the perfect proposition, and so quickly after getting back. I’d hopefully have a new friend group to make reintegration easier. But it still almost felt like I was intruding on somewhere I didn’t quite belong yet. I wasn’t sure if I should step in.

I looked away for a moment. Bluey and Bingo had slid right into another game, involving the footy in the toy box. I laughed. “These kids make it look so easy.” So easy to get along, I thought.

“Yeah, we can take a cue from them every once in a while, eh?” said Bandit.

I nodded. I’d take that step. “Sure, gimme the deets and I’ll be there.”

+++

“I’m sorry, Sergeant Kelpie, but we’re out of time for today,” said Dr. Bernard, rising up. “But it sounds like you’re making great progress with reintegration. I’m proud of ya!”

Diesel stood up. “Thanks, doc. After opening my garage and meeting Bandit and Blake and the others, it really feels like I have another troop. I know I’ve only just started my new life and there’s so much I want to do yet, but…” He shrugged. “It’s like I always say, even in the field.”

“All in a day’s work?” asked Dr. Bernard.

“Yeah, all in a day’s work.”

+++

Diesel opened the door to the pub and cased the joint for the table where Bandit and his friends were. Catching waving hands out of the corner of his eye, he saw they were all smiling and waving at him.

“There’s the dog of the hour,” said Bandit, filling a glass and handing it to Diesel.

“For putting us all back on the road,” said Blake.

“And for being a stand-up bloke altogether,” said Josh.

“Good to know ya, mate,” said a yellow Labrador. “Congrats on the new venture.”

Diesel sat down and rose his glass, gulping down the lump in his throat. “Thanks for making an army dog feel welcomed home.”

“CHEERS!” Glasses clinked and mirth and merriment took him over as Diesel joined a conversation about an upcoming cricket game. The garage had always been a goal of his, but now he felt like he accomplished something far more difficult-making a place in a third troop, a group of guys he was proud to call his new friends.

[picklesinabottle]

I don't really understand why people only consider destiel jack's dads, not just because sam is also there, but also because it's infinitely funnier if Jack says "I have more dads than most people" and means 1. the devil himself 2. the president of the united states 3. a fallen angel 4. that guy's situationship 5. number 4's brother

who is doing it like him

[mishaesque]

my issue is that just rewatching Supernatural isn’t enough. It takes too long. I want it all at once. I need a room covered in 327 monitors that feed me every single episode at the same time. I need the DVDs melted down and put into an IV drip. I want every single minute of the show tattooed on the inside of my eyelids. I need to live inside its flesh.

[drulalovescas]

Husbands with a son

the son even looks like their dads

[sailorsallyart]

Destiel Pride, day 4 - divine purpose

maybe the divine purpose it to love your family and to live life to the fullest 😇👼🤠 🤲✨💕

[crumb-crumblet-s-crumbington]

military training

[skooblesleepymaw]

smoochykiss

[calibrationneeded]

So this is the “pilot episode” for a comic I’d like to keep adding onto just for fun, the basic premise is that it’s a post canon fix it comic about Dean discovering who he is outside of his macho persona while also repairing his relationships and building new ones.

It is a Destiel fic but it’s gonna be a slow burn because Dean has decided he can’t talk about his feelings until all his emotional issues are resolved (spoilers that’s not how things like that work).

I also plan on peppering in some lore explaining how Cas got out of the empty, how they ended up with a house, and who is currently God in universe. I’m not sure when I’ll get to work on another installment but hopefully it won’t be long because this has been an AU rolling around in my head since 2020

[lazyartdog]

Pride month

[bluerosefox]

Fenton Coded

Tim... Tim just stared.

He...

Huh.

He had once entertained the idea that he wasn't really a Drake, a very long time ago when he overheard his mom and dad arguing and some words were said in the heat of the moment, but to be honest Tim always thought the obvious culprit of anyone being his dad would most likely be Bruce (Bruce even admitted he had a small fling with his mother but that was two years before her marriage)

But before little Tim's curiosity could really take hold on the idea, he had saw on the news Robin performing a Grayson flip and the hint of Tim not being a Drake left his mind. Robin was Dick Grayson! And if he was Robin that had to mean Bruce Wayne was Batman!

Then well... his stalking of the Bats started and the rest became history.

But now, as Tim was staring at his own DNA test, something he never bothered to do until that damned Demon brat wanted to make sure he was ONLY blood son of Bruce (and doing a DNA test something even Bruce never thought of doing due to well… how he was towards Tim during his first months as Robin)

He well…

He kinda needs to find out who this Daniel Jackson Fenton is.

(Tim finds out he isn’t a Drake, but also not a Wayne (because Damian wanted to make sure he was only blood son) but is instead a Fenton)

[uncaaj]

Fanfic: Curry Impossible (Bluey)

READ NOW ON AO3!

Diesel threw the oven door open and was assaulted by thick, black smoke pouring out. It surged down his throat, not helped by his gasp of surprise at the orange glow of fire he beheld. He fell back into the kitchen island, bumping his knee on the corner and crashing into a heap.

“Retreat, troops, retreat!” he choked out in between hacking coughs, waving the smoke away. The smoke alarm overhead screamed its shrill alert, adding to the ongoing bombardment on Diesel’s senses. Blinded by searing tears, he crawled to the cabinet under the sink and grabbed the fire extinguisher. After standing and readying his weapon, he unloaded it up and down and across the oven. Once the last of the stray flames flickered out and the black smoke mixed with the extinguisher foam into a light gray matter, he limped to the window and threw it wide, ushering the smoke in that direction. 

Diesel heaved fresh air in and out and willed his racing heat down while holding his throbbing knee. Crisis averted, and now that his nose wasn’t overwhelmed with smoke, it was time to sniff out the problem. The oven control panel shone through the dissipating clouds and Diesel squinted toward it looking for an answer. Did he not hear the timer go off? Did he set the wrong temperature? What was it that caused such a calamity?

The timer was still ticking down from the three hours he set it to. In fact, it still had two and a half hours to go. Scratch that off. The temperature readout said 250, just as he set it. The “C” right beside it was a new sight however.

“C”?!, he balked in his mind, “Celsius?!”

Slowly turning his eyes down, what he saw on the sheet pan was not the red, pepper-coated roast beef he started out with, but a mass resembling a smoking volcanic rock freshly cooled from an eruption. 

Diesel’s stomach dropped and he ran a paw through his long hair. “Ohhhhh, biscuits.”

+++

DIESEL: This episode of Bandit is called “Curry Impossible.”

+++

Earlier that day…

In the living room of the Kelpie home, father Diesel and middle child Rusty were trading pushups, something the kid always liked to do with his dad.

Diesel rose to the apex, disregarding the mild burn in his biceps. “15!” He grunted.

“15!” Rusty parroted, coming to the top just the same.

“Good one, mate! Good form. Think you can go to 20?”

“Kids! Come on, let’s go!” called his wife Pepper. She was standing by the hall leading to the bedrooms. “The sooner we get your school shopping done, the sooner I can grab groceries for dinner!”

“Guess we’ll find out later.” Rusty nodded as Diesel lifted himself onto his feet. “I can handle the shopping if ya want, babe.”

Pepper smiled. “Oh, you’d do me a big favor. I’ll send you the list.”

The text popped up in a second and Diesel’s mouth watered at every ingredient. Beef, potatoes, carrots. “Mmm, I love roast night.”

“Me too,” said Rusty, his tail wagging.

“Me three!” chirped Dusty, the youngest Kelpie, running into the living room.

“Ditto,” said Digger, the eldest, walking in after.

Suddenly, Diesel was struck with a great idea, something he knew his kids would be excited for. “Know what?” he declared, “Why don’t I cook dinner tonight?”

“No thanks!” chimed the kids, backing away.

“Kids, don’t be rude,” Pepper hissed, then turned to her husband hiding her own apprehension. “Um, are you sure, honey?”

Diesel held his hands up. “Look, I know my history, but I’ve learned a lot since the ‘Garlic Incident.’ I oughta start pullin’ my weight around here now that I’m back for good.”

“I appreciate it, but I can handle it,” said Pepper, taking Diesel’s hand.

Diesel added his other hand. “But you don’t gotta. School shopping’s gonna be a handful as it is.” Diesel let go and knelt down to his kids. “You can give yer ol’ dad another chance, eh?”

The kids made their “thinking very hard” faces until Digger spoke first. “Well, roast night doesn’t seem that hard. Dad can probably do it.”

“The worst that’ll happen is we get fish and chips for dinner like last time,” said Rusty.

Pepper shook her head. She knew she wasn’t winning at this point. “Okay,” she relented, “Dad’s cooking dinner.”

Diesel pumped his fists. “Uss!” Dusty giggled at his victory dance.

“C’mon, then,” said Pepper, ushering the kids out the door before looking back. “I trust you, honey.”

“You can count on me now, babe,” Diesel shouted after. “I’ve got this!”

The door shut and Diesel looked back at the list. The weight of his current task was now upon him and it was heavy without warning. But he’d done much harder things in the army. It was just groceries and cooking dinner.

“I’ve got this,” he said again, grabbing his keys and marching out the door.

+++

Those words played in his head like a broken record as Diesel leaned against the counter and beheld his great cock-up. The kids were bound to be disappointed, but he could easily get back in their good graces. It was Pepper he was worried about. No one was safe from “the mom roast” as it was called, and she was bound to read him the riot act, not just for nearly burning down their kitchen, but for taking on something she could’ve already done herself, and correctly. She had sacrificed just as much as he had with his army service, and all he wanted was to give back.

A speck of brain power cleared and he recalled a mantra he drilled into his troop from day one, “Recognize when you need to ask for help, and then ASK!” He emphasized this because realizing you need help does no one any good if you don’t put your wounded pride aside and reach out.

Time to take his own advice to heart.

He left the carnage behind, grabbed his phone from the coffee table and found the group chat titled “Space Dads,” named after the game their sons liked playing all the time.

“SOS,” he texted, “Please come over right now.” He snapped a picture of the crime scene and sent it off, sweat beading on his back as his two best friends received the messages. Diesel paced the living room, waiting for a response but none came. Five minutes later, the doorbell rang, setting his tail fur on end. Diesel opened it and beheld a clean cut jack russel terrier and a bushy zebra-colored border collie holding their phones up, Diesel’s handiwork on full display.

“Mate,” they pointedly said in unison.

Diesel felt a blush betray his tan muzzle. “That’s a fine howdy-do,” he mumbled as he herded them inside. The group headed straight for the kitchen and beheld the now wisping roast corpse with their own eyes.

“Oh my,” said Blake Russel with a wince.

Josh Border Collie nodded, eyes wide. “The photo definitely sugarcoated it.”

“I’m in a right pickle,” said Diesel. “Me wife and kids’ll be home from the shops later lookin’ for…” He couldn’t even picture what the roast was supposed to look like, and just gestured with both arms to his homebrew charcoal. “…not that!”

“How’d you even turn it into…” Blake echoed Diesel’s action. “…that?”

“I set the oven low and slow for the chuck!” Diesel implored. “Recipe said 250 degrees!”

“You’re dreamin’, mate!” Josh laughed. “You grilled that meat!”

“I realize that now,” said Diesel. “That’s the last time I rely on an American recipe.”

Blake poked the roast and drew his arm back when a chunk broke off and crumbled into powdered carbon. He stared for a moment before nodding. “Ah…Righto. Fizzy?”

“I need it, mate,” Diesel sighed. Blake walked to the fridge and tossed a can toward Diesel who cracked it open while not breaking the thousand-yard stare setting in. He downed the entire thing down to the last drop and rubbed his temples.

“Mate, you good?” asked Josh. “It’s just roast.”

“It’s not just roast, mate!” Diesel leaned against the counter, arms drooping. “I asked to work the mess hall so many times, mate. I always told ‘em, ‘first thing I’m gonna do when I’m done is cook for my family. I wanna give back like they’ve given to me. They’re gonna love it.’ And I blew it on a silly mistake.” With one groan, he found himself fully at a loss. “What am I gonna do?”

Josh pulled Diesel upright again by his shoulders. “You’re gonna put dinner on the table, Kelpie. That’s what you’re gonna do.” Josh met Diesel’s despair with a stern determination, a change from the border collie’s usual happy-go-lucky attitude.

“How?” The kelpie wondered, “I-I used most of the meat I bought for my…cremation already.”

“This meat?” said Blake, holding a zip-top bag from the fridge.

“Uh, yeah, that’s the leftovers, I bought too much meat. And I ain’t grabbing no fish and chips or takeaway curry to pass off, not for what’s left of my dignity.”

 Josh opened it and beheld the contents, a gleam forming in his eye. He went to a nearby cabinet and started picking through spices.

Diesel followed. “What are ya doing, mate?”

Josh grabbed one more container, nodded, and shut the cabinet. “Don’t need a takeaway curry if you can make one.”

“What? Now you’re dreamin’!” said Diesel. “I don’t got all ya need for curry.”

“Trust me,” Josh countered. “You got enough.”

As Josh went to the fridge and sifted through the produce, Diesel watched his friend taking on the challenge ahead, not unlike what he did many a time under deployment. The fire returned to him and he knew he had to take charge or he’d stand around like a green private and not learn anything from this. And he had to learn.

“Hang on!” barked Diesel. Josh and Blake whipped their heads toward him, surprised. Diesel cleared his throat. “Lookit, I want your help, need it, really. But if I’m gonna ever redeem this in my mind, I gotta be the one to cook it.”

The two nodded their approval. “Of course, mate,” said Josh. “Sorry if I got a bit ahead of myself.”

“No worries. Thanks for talking me outta the hole. Now let’s do this, eh?”

They high-fived. “Yeah!”

Sergeant mode engaged. “Josh, feed me instructions step by step. Blake, can you fetch ingredients?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” Blake saluted.

“I was just lookin’ for onion and carrot, mate,” said Josh, and Blake took up the task.

“How’s your knife skills?” asked Josh.

Diesel answered by taking up the vegetables Blake offered up and cutting them in half and beginning to dice. 

Josh chuckled in amazement. “Sweet as. That mess hall work served you well.”

Diesel beamed without stopping his action. “Thanks, mate.”

“Watch your fingers!” Josh yelped.

Diesel startled and looked back down before shifting his fingers. He flashed a nervous grin. “Right on.”

“Take a breath, and just trust the process,” Josh said.

Diesel continued on the path, pushing all doubts to the back of his mind. There was a chance that this couldn’t work, that he didn’t have what was needed to pull this misadventure back from the brink. But he couldn’t focus on that. He needed to trust his friends and trust the process.

Before long, the meat chunks were cubed up and all ingredients prepped. The dogs congregated around a hot pot, empty and waiting. Diesel turned to Josh and the border collie nodded. First, the diced onions were scraped in from the cutting board and sautéed in oil and butter. Upon translucency, the carrots were added and took their turn on the scorching surface. Diesel listened to Josh’s every instruction as he guided him through a simple beef curry recipe, sure to please at a moment’s notice.

As Diesel poured in the beef stock and it began to boil, he took a moment to sniff the mixture he created. The smell his nose met almost blew him backwards. It was fantastic. Every piece of the puzzle had settled into place and for the first time since that morning, the weight of expectation had lifted from Diesel’s shoulders.

“Good, eh?” said Josh.

Diesel looked at him, grinning ear to ear. “Mate, this is ace! How could I ever thank you for saving my tail?”

Josh smiled. “Just promise to check your temp’s in the right format before you start cooking next time, okay?”

“Agreed,” Blake concurred.

“Make that a double,” said Diesel. “Now what’s next?”

“Rice time,” said Josh, rubbing his paws together.

“Right, I got a pot we can use. I’ll need to know the ratios and maybe some cardamom as well-”

Josh held his paws up with a chuckle. “Mate, just throw it in a rice cooker.”

Diesel stopped. “Heh-heh, got one o’ those as well.”

+++

The Space Dads were long gone and the Kelpies were seated around the dinner table, the steaming result of Diesel’s efforts placed at the center upon the lazy susan. Diesel’s tail twitched with anticipation as Pepper placed the first spoonful of curry into her mouth. The payoff moment was here.

Her gaze turned from skeptical to surprised to delight with every chew. An “mmm” from little Dusty broke the silence. The entire table devolved into yummy eating noises and Diesel’s tail devolved into full wagging as his heart surged with pride.

“Honey, this is amazing!” said Pepper.

“Ditto, dad,” said Digger.

After dinner, the two parents were on the couch cuddling while the kids did the dishes. Pepper stroked Diesel’s hair and he hummed happily.

“Thank you, Diesel Kelpie,” she said. “You don’t know how much you’ve helped me today.”

“I have an idea,” he responded. “All in a day’s work. I just needed a good recipe.”

“From Josh, I imagine.”

“No one makes it better.”

She sighed. “I never did get an answer as to why curry instead of roast night. Not that the kids minded.”

“Call it a whim, a moment of inspiration.” That answer sounded really good to Diesel, and to Pepper as well as she returned to scratching him behind his ears, his favorite spot.

“Dad!” Rusty called.

“Yeah, mate?” said Diesel.

“What’s this black rock in the oven?”

Diesel’s brow immediately produced a cold sweat.

“And why’s all this white stuff in there?”

Pepper sat up and crossed her arms. “Yeah, why is all that there, dad?”

Diesel gulped. “I knew I forgot something.”

[radiance1]

Killer Croc's little bro was apparently in Gotham.

How did everyone know? Because he was seen physically dragging said older brother out of the sewers and into the nearest cafe.

And Killer Croc was just. So docile??? He was shy, a bit nervous, amused, and was practically harmless. Which wasn't something anyone would have associated with Killer Croc.

And the fact that said little bro can lift him up easily too? What kind of parents did they have for their son to be able to lift up the Killer Croc so easily?

Meanwhile, Jack just doesn't get why everyone reacts negatively to his big brother, it's not like he was a ghost for goodness sake and yea he's working on not being like he was before his son revealed himself to be part ghost, but still.

His brother was still human, just extra.

Why did Jack come to Gotham? He was kinda maybe forced out the house to go and find his brother because he liked talking about him but never actually went out to find him.

Jack and Croc may be half-brothers, yes, but he's still family.

Jack strongarms Killer Croc into not living in, well, the sewers and at his house he bought when he came to Gotham and they both caught up with each other's lives. Jack told Croc about his family, and by extension the shit views he's had on ghost because it was a major part in their family dynamics, and Croc told him about his own life in Gotham.

Minus the more gruesome, parts.

Killer Croc lives with him for a while and notices that he didn't really seem to care for his life. Which is a major no to Croc, who tries to get him to gain some amount of self-preservation, yes he knows that his little bro is more durable than the average human has any right to be but please for the sake of your big bro's heart, please take care of yourself.

Jack is a bit floored by this, and tries to wave it off as a non-issue. But if Jack can strongarm Croc into living with him, then Croc can definitely strongarm Jack into things as well.

Busting through walls is fine, alright. He gets it, it's very fun. But please don't stick random things into your mouth that can kill you, nor follow strangers down an alleyway and shrug off a stabbing (Killer Croc had some choice words and actions for the person who did such a thing.), and please, please practice stranger danger, little bro. Please.

No, he doesn't give two, three, four, five or ten fucking shits if you have microsurgeons in your blood that gives you a superhuman healing factor, you can still feel pain little bro, and stop skipping meals and sleep to work on your inventions! No, you cannot substitute either for energy drinks!

The batfam keep an eye on the two brothers and find it to just be the both of them strongarming the other into healthy behaviors basically. (With a lot of verbal and physical "I love you"'s, the Batfam could NEVER. slash joke teehee.)