I'm always a bit torn on these two. On one hand, the show gives us this perfect little snapshot of childhood friendship, all fun and games. But fanfiction isn't about sticking to that, is it? I've seen a lot of writers take the 'calm, stoic' label for Mackenzie and run with it, turning his quiet moments into something heavier, like a kid dealing with unspoken family stuff or anxiety. It makes Bluey's relentless optimism a point of tension instead of just a cure-all. She wants to fix everything with a game, but what if he doesn't want to play? That's where the interesting stories pop up—not in big dramas, but in those small, quiet misunderstandings that feel huge when you're six. The best ones I've read don't age them up into teenagers; they keep them in that kid-headspace, trying to navigate feelings they don't have the words for yet. It's less about romance and more about learning how to be a friend when your friend is sad and you don't know why.
Some writers use the creek episode as a foundation, that moment he got stuck. They expand that into a recurring theme where Bluey becomes hyper-aware of leaving him behind, both physically and emotionally. It creates a dynamic where she's almost overprotective, and he might feel smothered or, conversely, secretly grateful. It's a delicate balance, and when it's done well, it feels painfully real. You remember those friendships from childhood that felt so intensely important.