Dinner

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The next morning dawned bright and clear, the peaceful suburb bathed in warm sunlight. The Heeler household was abuzz with activity as Bandit and Chilli prepared for a special visit. Uncle Stripe, Bandit's brother, was coming over with his daughter Muffin to meet their unusual guests.

Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millie were seated in the living room, trying to appear as normal as possible. Blitzø fidgeted with impatience, his tail flicking restlessly.

"Who exactly is this 'Uncle Stripe'?" Blitzø asked, his curiosity tinged with irritation.

"Bandit's brother," Chilli explained as she set out some snacks. "And Muffin is their daughter. She's... quite a character."

Moxxie adjusted his tie, looking slightly apprehensive. "I hope we make a good impression."

Millie squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We will, Moxxie. Just be ourselves. Well, the best versions of ourselves."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, and Bandit opened it to reveal a blue heeler who bore a strong resemblance to him, but with a more laid-back demeanor. Beside him was Muffin, a spirited little pup...who is a total fucking pain in the ass.

"Hey, Bandit!" Stripe greeted, clapping his brother on the back. "Good to see you!"

"Good to see you too, Stripe," Bandit replied, ushering them inside. "Come in, meet our... interesting guests."

As Stripe and Muffin entered the living room, the members of I.M.P. stood up to greet them. Blitzø sized up Stripe with a quick, calculating glance, while Moxxie and Millie offered polite smiles.

"Uncle Stripe, Muffin, these are our new friends, Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millie," Bandit introduced. "They're... well, they're from a different place."

Stripe raised an eyebrow but smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you all."

Muffin, on the other hand, immediately started running around the room, touching everything in sight. "Hi! Hi! Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Blitzø's eye twitched, but he forced a grin. "Nice to meet you too, kid."

Moxxie and Millie exchanged wary glances. Muffin's energy was already grating on their nerves.

As the day wore on, the adults chatted, and the children played outside. Muffin's high-pitched laughter and constant demands for attention quickly wore thin on the I.M.P. team. Blitzø found himself biting his tongue more than once to avoid saying something he'd regret.

"She's a handful, isn't she?" Blitzø muttered to Moxxie during a rare moment of peace.

Moxxie sighed, rubbing his temples. "More like a full-time job."

Millie, always the optimist, tried to keep the mood light. "She's just a kid. We were all like that once."

Blitzø shot her a skeptical look. "Speak for yourself."

As evening approached, Chilli and Bandit prepared a big family dinner. The table was laden with delicious dishes, and the smell of home-cooked food filled the air. Everyone gathered around the table, the atmosphere a mix of chaos and camaraderie.

Blitzø found himself seated next to Muffin, who was chattering non-stop. He struggled to keep up a polite facade, his patience wearing thin. Moxxie and Millie, seated across from him, offered worried looks.

Bandit raised his glass, smiling at his family and friends. "To new friends and family, may we always find joy in each other's company."

Everyone raised their glasses, and a chorus of cheers filled the room. For a moment, even Blitzø felt a sense of warmth and belonging.

The dinner proceeded with a mix of laughter, stories, and the occasional interruption from Muffin, who seemed determined to be the center of attention. Despite their initial irritation, the I.M.P. team found themselves warming up to the Heeler family's friendliness.

After dinner, the group moved to the living room, where Bandit and Stripe shared stories of their childhood, much to the amusement of everyone else. Even Blitzø found himself chuckling at some of the antics they described...usually the ones where they cause havoc.

As the night drew to a close, Stripe and Muffin prepared to leave. Muffin hugged everyone, her boundless energy finally showing signs of waning.

"Bye, everyone! This was so much fun!" Muffin exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millie exchanged tired, in a way fake smiles. "Bye, Muffin," they chorused.

After Stripe and Muffin left, the Heeler household settled into a calm, peaceful atmosphere. The members of I.M.P. stretched out, finally able to relax.

"That was... something," Blitzø remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice. "You guys really know how to do family."

Bandit chuckled, sitting down next to Chilli. "It's not always easy, but it's worth it."

Chilli nodded in agreement. "Family is everything."

As the night grew darker, the house quieted, and the I.M.P. team found themselves reflecting on the day's events. Despite their initial reservations, they had found a small corner of acceptance and understanding in this strange new world.

And for a group of hitmen demons from Hell, that was no small feat.

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