"Blossom!" the blonde pigtailed Powerpuff called from Gate 23. "Hurry up! They're boarding!"
Attention turned back to the call, Blossom said, "Alright Angela, we're about to board," to Ms. Keane, their former kindergarten teacher and new step mother. "I hope your Nana feels better. We're going to miss you in New York."
"Thank you, Blossom," she said in that partially nasally sounding voice of hers. "Make sure your father doesn't get too lonely when you're touring New York. I'm sorry I couldn't be there."
"It's alright. We'll bring you something back!" She turned to see Bubbles urging her to hurry up. "Sorry, I have to go. Love you, Angela."
"I love you too, Blossom. Pass along that to your sisters and father as well. Bye sweetie," Angela said before Blossom quickly hung the phone on its receiver in the line of payphones and bolted for the gate, her pink carry-on bag slapping against my hip the entire time.
"Sorry, I was talking to Angela. She sends her love and apologizes for her not being able to come."
The Professor smiled as he handed his ticket to the flight attendant. "That was nice of her. I'm going to miss her on this trip."
"Daddy," Bubbles said, handing her ticket to the lady as well. "It's three days. It's already the day before New Year's Eve; it isn't that long."
"I know, but when you get to be my age, companionship and science are all a man has."
"What about children?"
"That too, Blossom," he said quickly, hoping to cover his brief slip up.
Quickly thanking the flight attendant as she closed the door behind her, Blossom followed after her fast walking sister and father, only to stop in her tracks. "Wait! Where's Buttercup?"
Bubbles waved her hand dismissively over her shoulder as she rolled that small baby blue suitcase behind her. "She's been boarded for almost five minutes. You were too busy on the phone." She flashed me a brief glare, a knowing glare. Had she heard that Blossom had snuck a brief phone call to Brick before their mother's call?
When they finally loaded on the plane Blossom took notice that the cabin was fairly calm now, most seated while a select few struggled to fit suitcases in places. It was stunning to see nearly half the flight empty. "Wow," she remarked. "Evidently traveling the day before New Year's Eve is not on the agenda for many people."
"Everyone's already in New York silly, duh!"
"Thank you for your amazing ability to state the obvious, Bubbles," a voice called from behind them, startling Blossom.
She was quick around turn and see Buttercup having been settled in a seat not even one row back from where she had just passed. "There you are! We're travel buddies!" Blossom teased as she stared at the number of the row in comparison to her ticket.
"You can travel buddy all you want by yourself, I plan to sleep on this three hour flight, dozing off to the sweet sounds of Asking Alexandria."
Blossom contemplated that as she shoved her duffel bag into a space above their seats, loving the way there was so much available space in contrast to what most would expect of a first class flight. "Isn't that screamo?" she inquired.
"Exactly."
"How do you sleep to that?"
Buttercup shrugged, quickly replying to a text from Butch before shutting the phone off. "How do you stay awake to classical music?" she retorted sarcastically.
All right, Blossom couldn't help but admit her sister did have a valid point, despite the fact it had been in the form of an unsuccessfully degrading comment. Silently, Blossom slipped past her and settled herself into the seat between Buttercup and the window. "So what did Butch say?"
Buttercup's brows furrowed, wondering where on earth that question had come from. "What are you talking about?"
"I do have super sight, Buttercup. I saw your iPhone said Butch Jojo. Did you tell him you're going to New York?"
"Yes," she said, unremorsefully. "What about your boy? Brick upset that you won't be there to plant a sloppy kiss on him when midnight rolls around?"
"Damn, sometimes Buttercup's observant nature was tedious and unsupportive." Blossom thought to herself. "Brick and I aren't together. You're mistaking me for Bubbles," she said somberly, praying Buttercup didn't see the faint hint nervousness that had arisen in her tone briefly.
The two shot a sideways glance at their sister and father, who was already fast asleep in the set of seats across from them. With a scowl, Buttercup turned her attention back to Blossom and frowned. "I'm not stupid. I know you've been sneaking around with that boy."
"Shut up," she muttered. "We're just . . ."
"Trying to get it in?" Buttercup said with a smirk.
"No!" Blossom couldn't help but scoff at her vulgarity and grimaced. "We're just friends," though she wished more than anything for that to be more. "Like I don't see you're having the same issues with Butch."
"Um, girls," Bubbles cut in as she leaded into the aisle. "I am right here. I don't need super hearing to hear you. I don't see why you girls just don't go out with them. They're so hot!"
"Ew," the two crooned in harmony. "That's like incest," Buttercup added.
"How so?"
"Because my dumb-minded sister," Bubbles scowled at Buttercup at her insult. "The boys are bothers, and we're sisters. If you and Boomer get married, we'd be dating our brother-in-laws."
She scoffed, disbelieving that they could be fretting about such meaningless things. "It's not the same for us. We're genetically engineered."
"And how does that make it different?" Blossom inquired, having trouble processing her innocent minded sister's train of logic.
"Because we're not of blood relation. We weren't conceived and given life through the same mother, but rather the same chemical formula." Blossom's head was reeling from the idea that Bubbles, her "little" sister, could sound so smart unintentionally.
Buttercup and she exchanged a look. "Am I the only one offended by that comment?"
"You mean the fact that she just said we weren't really her sisters? Why, no, Buttercup. You are not the only one."
Realization came to Bubbles eyes as she grasped what her statement cold have implied and she smiled regretfully. "No, I didn't mean that! What I mean was . . . I just meant . . . oh, phooey on you guy!" and with a Hmph, she slouched in her seat and went silent.
Buttercup and Blossom traded a quick glance once more as they settled for the flight before them.
It was nearly midnight when their flight made a swift and flawless landing in LaGuardia Airport. The terminal was silent, with very few people to speak of. "My god," Bubbles said, her voice echoing throughout the building. "It's empty as hell in here . . . but this place is so beautiful! Look at the architecture!"
Buttercup rolled her eyes. "You would notice that of all things. I'm too tired to think of anything other than the warm beds at the hotel we'll be staying at."
Blossom said nothing, having been distracted as she stared around the Delta terminal, finding it a bit difficult to grasp what on earth fascinated her "youngest" sister's attention so firmly. Nothing appeared to be different in comparison to any other airport. Grey tiles on both the floor and ceiling gave the terminal an almost drab feel, and the bluish gray everything as you went down the moving walkway made it all the more dreary. Blossom couldn't believe how much she suddenly craved the thriving crowd of people that normally filled the airport, wishing the array of colors from the diverse groups of people would add some life to this place. But alas, she would be lucky to see one person at all.
"Remind me again why we decided to take an eight o'clock flight? It was absolutely pointless."
Her father stared at her, smiling warmly as he shrugged. "Less traffic, Blossom. It makes for a much simpler traveling experience."
She couldn't say anything, merely shrugging as they waited patiently (well, not so patiently on Buttercup's part) for their bags to be released at the baggage claim. Blossom stared to her left at Buttercup, who was already texting away, to Butch of all people. Her lips were lifted in the corners, fighting back a smile apparently.
"Yeah, you don't like him," she muttered to her now glaring sister, smirking as Buttercup shoved the phone into the pocket of her lime green poly satin jacket.
The very mention of Butch brought Blossom's thoughts instantly to Brick, and picturing his gorgeous self with her now. Mindlessly, she found herself reaching into her bag as they made their way to the taxi lane, waiting eagerly for her phone to restart. It was all too apparent that Blossom's heart skipped a few beats when she saw her background being her and Brick, teasingly being cute. Of course they weren't together, but she could understand how her sister's thought otherwise, especially when looking at this picture. Chime. A text and two calls already?
"You're boy call you yet?"
Blossom glared up at her sister. "He has a name, Buttercup. And yes, if you must know, he did."
She ignored her sister and put the phone to her ear. The sound Brick's velvet and oddly sexy voice filled her ears as his message replayed. "Hey, Blossom. I hope you made it to New York alright. It's oddly quiet around here. Butch is moping around from Buttercup's absence. And don't even get me started on Boomer."
"Awh!" Bubbles crooned as she pressed her hand to her heart affectionately, having evidently been listening in on the voicemail.
Blossom rolled her eyes and continued to listen. "Anyway, before I begin to babble, I just wanted to be sure you made it in alright. I'm kinda going insane around here. So call me and tell me how the flight was. Even if you don't get a chance to until three in the morning. I'm sure I'll be up then. So, please, call me . . . no really, call me. I'm going out of my fucking mind." The phone garbled a second, as if it was being snatched or moved rapidly before Butch's voice was heard. "Don't believe his bullshit. He just misses his girlfriend. Please call him, Pinky. He's been a pain in the ass since he left your house this afternoon."
Buttercup snickered beside her in the taxi, fighting back a smirk as cursing and a grunt sounded before Brick's voice replaced Butch. "Don't believe him. Anyway, this call didn't turn out to be like I'd hoped. So I'll talk to you soon, or hopefully tomorrow. Goodnight, Blossom," And the message ended.
"He is so whipped," Buttercup muttered just high enough for the super teens to hear.
"Buttercup!" the two snapped in bewilderment.
"What? It's true!"
"Like you're man isn't whipped. Did you not ear Brick say he's moping around like a whipped little boy?"
Buttercup shot a glare at her pigtailed sister. "Brick's lying."
"Uh-huh," Blossom muttered, shaking her head doubtful as she stepped out of the cab on the curb of the Best Western hotel, just minutes from the airport.
Blossom felt the exhaustion falling upon her like dead weight on her shoulders. She just wanted to get to bed and sleep off the jetlag. But in the back of her mind, she was practically willed to just sneak off and give a quick call to the man that had been on her mind since their departure.
What felt like an hour later, Blossom grabbed her phone and, now dressed in black and pink plaid pajama bottoms with a hot pink tank top, headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Buttercup asked, staring up from the phone as she sat casually against the headboard on one of the two queen sized beds. "I'm pretty sure the Professor said not to leave the room, especially since he isn't sharing the room with us and can't watch us."
"Since when are you into following the rules?"
"Buttercup, leave her be," Bubbles said from beside Buttercup, her feet up in the air as she lied on her stomach to read the magazine she picked up in the terminal back in Townsville. "She wants to go call her boyfriend, let her enjoy the romance."
"He's not my boyfriend, and what makes you think I'm going to call him?"
"Uh, I'm pretty sure you don't order room service from the hallway with your cell," she retorted.
"Yeah," Buttercup added. "And I'm pretty sure the only one awake right now is your boy, whose probably sitting eagerly by the phone for you."
The idea made Blossom smile, but she struggled to conceal it. "I'll be back in a few minutes," and without another word, she began to input the number into her cell as she closed the door behind her.
She bolted at super speed to the main lobby of the hotel and slowly stepped out onto the streets of Greenpoint Ave, the snow falling softly on the early New Year's Eve night.
The ringing finally came to a stop as Brick's soothing voice answered on the other end of the line. "Hello?"
"Hey, Brick," she greeted gently.
"Blossom!" he greeted eagerly, only enhancing the smile on her face. "I didn't see the ID. How was the flight?"
"Great, slow, but I got a lot of reading done. I have another book to recommend to you now."
"You'll definitely have to tell me all about it when I see you."
There was an evident disappointment in her voice as she sighed at the thought of having to wait. "Yeah, but that's so long from now."
"What makes you say that?"
Her brows furrowed as she leaned against one of the small trees planted at the edge of the curb. "Because I don't get in on Monday until like eleven at night. I won't see you until after school Tuesday."
Brick's sarcastic but oddly seductive smirk sent a chill up her spine. "Well, maybe it doesn't have to wait that long."
If she thought she was muddled before, she was utterly lost now. "I don't understand."
Two strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist, and lips at her ear whispered, "Is this clearer for you?"
Blossom whirled around and stared up at the two magma red eyes watching her. "Brick!" she screamed before throwing her arms around his neck, legs wrapping tightly around his waist. "What are you doing here?"
He laughed as he easily supported her weight. "I hear there is nothing more beautiful than Time Square on New Year's Eve."
She laughed, hugging him with all her might, before a sudden rush of worry hit her and reality sunk in. She dropped down to her to her feet, though Brick refused to let her go and further from him than that. "What on earth are you doing here! I'm so dead if the Professor finds out you're here. He was hoping this would be a break for all of us, a break from you guys."
His frowned, falsely hurt. "Hey, I thought he loved us."
"He does, just not all the time. As far as he's concerned, we might as well be hand cuffed together. We're never separated."
Brick's frown morphed into a mischievous grin. "Now there's an idea…" She smacked his arm playfully, letting herself relax a bit. "Relax, baby. I'm not the only one here. We're all here. I thought this would be my belated Christmas gift to your sisters."
"They're gonna love you now," she paused, scowling up at him as she cut off mid-sentence. "Don't call me baby. We're not dating!"
He couldn't help smirking at her resilience, arms pulling her even closer. "Aww, come on baby. Do we really need to do this back and forth banter?"
"It's not back and forth banter. It's the truth. Your brother is dating my sister. We can't be together."
Without a word, Brick pushed Blossom up against the brick wall of the hotel, his face inches from hers as he caressed her cheek. "Blossom, you know how I feel about you. Why does that matter? I've told you I love you, numerous times. Why do you have to be so stubborn about this?"
She groaned, pushing at his chest to move him back. "Because it's just wrong. I was just discussing this all with Bubbles on the plane. If she and Boomer end up marrying, that will make us in-laws. I can't be in love with my brother in-law. It goes against every sense of moral and mental suitability there is. It's just not right."
He contemplated that a moment, only to flash a crooked smile that made her heart nearly stop. "An in-law as sexy as you? I wish every marriage was like that." He chuckled, though she was less humored. He could see this was not the proper time to be joking in the way he had been. Now somber, Brick stepped closer, softly brushing a part of her auburn hair back to see her face. "Blossom, I love you. I have for the longest time. Why does whatever the fuck is happening with our siblings matter? I want you." She was silent, refusing to look up from the concrete floor. "Can I at least get a hello kiss?"
She giggled and finally met his gaze. Eyes sparkling with excitement and desire, she was compelled to give in. "You really know how to push a subject, you know that? Am I as annoyingly stubborn as you are?"
"Baby, you're worse. But I wouldn't trade that for anything. It's one of the cute little quirks I love about you."
Blossom smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying herself in his black wool peacoat as she firmly kissed him. Brick loved the way she fit so perfectly in the warmth of the coat with him. His hands enclosed them in the jacket as they fought against the icy snow with cozy kisses. He couldn't believe how soft and sweet her lips were, the wintry weather only making her even more warm and sexy.
His strong hands traveled down the length of her back, pushing himself against her a tad more, deepening the kiss. Even now, at seventeen, she still seemed so delicate and fragile, though in all honesty she was stronger than he was. But he liked that about her, it was a nice balance, as was everything else about her personality. This, however, the long sultry forbidden kisses, warm and passionate, in the most beautiful city he'd been to in the longest time, was like nothing he could ever imagine.
Without warming, she pulled away, gasping faintly as she rested her head on his chest. Brick himself was also feeling a bit winded, but it was like an adrenaline rush that never felt better. He smiled as her as she met his gaze, and he couldn't help feeling mesmerized by those pink eyes of hers. "Still don't think we can be together? Or is that how you kiss all of your in-laws?"
She laughed and pulled him close once more by his pants belt loops, lips pressing softly to his. "Shut up and just keep kissing me," she said teasingly.
"My pleasure," he murmured against her lips as the two lost themselves another moment in the blissfulness of the most romantic kiss they'd had yet.
Bubbles finished flipping through the last few pages of her magazine, groaning in irritation as she flopped from her stomach to her back. "This is so boring! Where is Blossom? Wasn't she just going to go talk to Brick?"
Buttercup groaned internally, lying under the blanket of her bed, and rubbing her forehead as if she had a headache coming on. "She's probably sulking on the sidewalk, missing him like crazy. Why don't you go to sleep if you're bored? Hasn't the jetlag hit you yet?"
"No, I had a coke on the plane; I'm energized enough to last until the end of New Year's Day." Bubbles sat up, grabbing her pillow to hug like a doll. "Let's play a game!"
She glared up at her bright eyed sister, scowling. "No, Bubbles. I want to sleep. Unlike some, I didn't drink a shitload of sugar and am exhausted. I want to sleep."
"You're just grouchy because Butch isn't here to do sexual favors for you."
Buttercup scoffed. "Shut up! Butch doesn't do that!"
Bubbles considered that a moment and rephrased. "You're right. You do sexual favors for him!" and without a word she bolted from the bed, nearly missing a missile like pillow coming right at her.
"Bitch, shut up. Go away. I'm going to sleep."
"Fine," she said with a humored humph, grabbing Boomer's blue hoodie from on top of her suitcase and slipping it over her silky baby blue talk top and matching bottoms. "I'll go to the restaurant downstairs. Hopefully their still open."
"Whatever, just let me sleep." Without a word more, Bubbles grabbed her wallet and skipped out the door, leaving Buttercup completely alone and in peace. "Finally," she muttered grumpily as she switched off the light and prepared to sleep. Not even a few moments later, a hard knock sounded at the door, and she groaned aloud. "Goddammit! Bubbles, if that's you saying you forgot your hotel key I am gonna fling you out the window."
She switched the light back on and stomped for the door, swinging it open so fast that it nearly came off its hinges. She froze, eyes locking with the oddly jade green ones of her rather sexy counterpart. "Hey baby," he greeted casually as he leaned against the door frame on his forearm. "Holy shit, I don't have a witty comeback for that. Whoa, New York really knows how to throw a guy off."
"Butch!" she screamed, instantly covering her mouth. "Shit, Butch what are you doing here?" she whispered, hoping she hadn't woken the Professor with her rather loud statement.
"Do you honestly think I'd miss being able to give a sexy kiss to you on New Year's? I've been looking forward to that since last year."
"We didn't kiss last year."
He smirked, nodding as he wagged his large pale finger at her. "My point exactly. I ain't missing the opportunity again this year. Now, are you going to invite your man in or just come out here and kiss me?"
Despite her having rolled her eyes, Buttercup's heart was racing, and butterflies had gone wild in the pit of her stomach. She grabbed the knit hood of his leather jacket pulled him into the room, shutting the door before she hugged him. "God, it's great to see you. I've only been here an hour or two, and I'm already bored out of my mind."
Butch chuckled and draped his arm over her shoulder as they walked to the bed. "Anytime, baby. Now, which bed is ours? I'm suddenly in the extreme mood to jump in the sack."
A hard hit to the back of his head made him go silent. "This isn't our room, smart ass. You can go share with the Professor if you like, but I have to share with my sisters. And I told you, we're not dating. I am not sleeping with you."
"Yet," he said, slipping his jacket off.
"Ever." Buttercup grabbed his jacket and shoved it back at him, unaware he had been eyeing the way she look in the tight green tank top with matching green and black plaid cotton bottoms. "You need to go, before the girls get back. Or I'm dead."
Despite her best efforts, Butch was in no rush to leave. He tossed the jacket on the chair close to them and sat on the edge of the bed. "Awh, relax Butterbabe. Blossom is preoccupied. She has her hands full with a man of her own, in more ways than one."
She scoffed, wincing at the thought. "That's disgusting. Like I want to know what she and Brick─" she paused, realizing what had been implied. "Wait, Brick's here as well?"
A simple nod. "Uh-huh. Boomer too. He's god knows where right now, but I just saw the wannabee couple out on the sidewalk sucking face."
"And she says she doesn't like him?" Buttercup thought to herself. "Alright, so good, I won't be the only one in trouble when the Professor finds out. Thank god."
Butch pulled her to his lap, wrapping his arms around her small waist. "Can we just go to sleep? I'm fucking tired as hell."
Her eyes brows arched in bewilderment as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Sleep? Now that is the first time I think I've ever heard you ask to sleep rather than sex. Good for you, Butch! You're making progress on the Becoming Less Perverted task."
"Yeah, yeah. So sue me. I just flew here, without a plane, all the way from Townsville. And I had to carry my own suitcase. Don't worry though, there will be plenty of begging time tomorrow after I get a good nap in."
Buttercup glanced around, eye brows furrowing. "Suitcase? Where is your bag?"
"In my hotel room. Brick booked us a room two floors down."
"So why don't you sleep in your room?"
"Because I need my sexy girlfriend beside me to sleep comfortably. I didn't see one down there, so I came up here."
With a dark scowl, Buttercup slipped off his lap and backed away a step or two. "I'm not your girlfriend."
"Come on, baby. We both know better than that. You don't kiss guys that aren't your boyfriend the way you kiss me."
She crossed her arms defiantly, scowl deepening. "Maybe I do."
"Prove it, there's a guy two doors down who was checking you out when you came in. Go knock on his door and kiss him."
"You've been here since then? Why didn't you come by!"
Butch's victorious smirk spread across his face as he pulled at her waist, bring her close. "Ah, so the clinginess is yet another thing you do for all guys?"
"That's not clingy. That's bored out of my fucking mind and in need of relief from a friend."
"Uh-huh. You're falling in love with me, don't lie."
In all honesty, Buttercup was having a hard time keeping a straight face. Butch read her like an open book, and she hated him for that fact. "You're awfully confident for something you don't know anything about? How do you know when a girl's in love if you've never been in love yourself?"
"And who says I haven't?"
Buttercup couldn't hold back her laughter. "Butch Jojo, Townsville's biggest player, in love? Call the media, I've just discovered the impossible."
"It's not all that impossible. If she's funny, chill, and super-hot, I don't see why I can't love her. If she's in any way compatible with my personality, then bring her on."
She stared at him wordlessly, a blank look on her face. "I'm sorry, I think my brain is shutting down at the thought that you'd care at all whether her personality worked with yours."
He scoffed, pressing his hand to his heart. "I'm hurt, Buttercup. Am I really that shallow to you?"
"To the world, Butch. Not just to me."
"I can be monogamous. I can love too," he said teasingly, though in truth, he was being so serious it scared even him.
"Prove it," she said.
He smiled and inched his fingers at her, urging her to move in. "Come closer and I'll show you."
To her dismay, she couldn't help smiling, and hated how much he had an influence over her. But, without a fight, she leaned in and kissed him softly, letting herself enjoy the way his lips felt against hers, and the way his strong arms made her feel delicate and so feminine as he enclosed her in a tight embrace.
Bubbles sighed in defeat as she stared at the dark room of the Hotel restaurant. "Of course they're closed. It's after one in the morning." She crossed her arms and stared around, eyes locking on the street of Greenpoint Avenue. "Maybe there's something open twenty four- hours on the street."
She adjusted the three times too big hoodie of her boyfriend's that she now wore and stepped onto the street, eyes going left and right in search of Blossom. What she did not expect to see was her sister in the way she was how. "Blossom!"
Her sister pulled away from the rather attractive red-head she was kissing not too far from where Bubbles stood now, eyes huge with a look that just screamed I'm in trouble. "Bubbles? What are you doing out here?"
She stared between her sister and Brick, baffled by how he could be here at this hour, or at all to be frank. "I was going to get something to eat. I'm starved. I see you're hungry for something else apparently."
"I wasn't, I mean I─"
Bubbles couldn't contain her excitement as she skipped over to them gleefully and pat Brick's shoulder. "It's about time you convinced her to put this whole thing aside. I knew you two were into each other."
"Bubbles, that's disgusting. He's like my brother."
Brick smirked as he stared down at Blossom, and Bubbles didn't forget to note the way his eyes sparkled every second he stared at her. He's in love with her. "So you tongue every male family member you have?"
"Ooh, using tongue? Way to be rebellious sis."
Blossom face palmed herself and groaned. "This is ridiculous. I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Brick. I'll see you upstairs sis."
Despite her best efforts, neither gave Blossom the chance to leave. Brick's arms wrapped around her waist, locking him to her, while Bubbles blocked her path. "Nice try sis, but you can't downplay this one."
"Baby, just forget it. She knows, it's about fucking time. I'm tired of sneaking around." He gently ran his fingers across the side of her neck as he pushed her long hair out of the way and began to kiss her neck. "It'll just be our little secret. She knows now, and I don't think you're gonna beat her until she has amnesia."
"It's a thought."
"Blossom, it's not as if it's a surprise to anyone. We could see this months ago. It's just the first time I've ever seen him shoving his tongue down your throat." Blossom opened her mouth to give some sort of protest, but she raised her hand and cut her off. "I won't tell anyone if that makes you feel better. As long as you two come with me to get something to eat. I don't want to eat alone."
"Sounds like a splendid idea," Brick answered for her, pulling her along as he wrapped Blossom in his coat. "Lead the way, Bubbles."
"But I─"
"No," the Ruff and Puff objected, pulling Blossom along Greenpoint Ave into the snowy night.
The three slowly made their way down the block, hardly acting as if the cold bothered them in the least. Blossom had other things on her mind, such as the way her sister was walking with her and Brick uncaring, especially about the way she had just caught them making out on the street. Or the way Brick's hand was sliding up her shirt as he curled up with her in his peacoat.
"Look, a twenty-four hour pizza joint!" Bubbles crooned gleefully, hopping up and down as she skipped into the restaurant.
"Brick!" another familiar voice called from not far off. "I've been looking for you for almost an hour. Where─" but he stopped short at the sight of his bobbing girlfriend's pigtails and called. "Bubbles!"
The blonde haired puffed grinned as she stared at her boyfriend, shrieking, "Boomer!" and hopping into his arms. "What are you doing here?"
"Brick suggested we come down. I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, baby." Without another word, she pressed her lips to his passionately, the heat of their kiss practically leaving steam in the cold winter's night.
The owner cleared his throat, bring the attention of the two couples to the older man behind the counter. "Would you mind closing the door before you let the cold air out?"
Bubbles giggled as she took Boomer's hand and lead him and their siblings inside, picking a table for four just to the left of the door. "I already know what I want, and I can probably guess what Blossom wants," Bubbles began. "So I am gonna go order. Boomer, come with me! Brick?"
"Whatever you get Blossom," he said, his eyes never leaving the shy looking Blossom beside him.
The Blues nodded and walked, hand in hand, to the counter. Brick's finger's trailed up Blossom's bare arm, leaving an intense tingling sensation where his fingers once were. He buried his face in her long auburn hair, kissing her neck slowly and passionately. Despite having loved the feeling of his lips on her skin, Blossom cringed back, but a small smile on her lips. "Brick stop," she whispered.
"Why?" he said against her skin.
"This isn't right."
Although he wanted to argue, he didn't, merely sitting back in his seat as he draped his arm over her shoulder. He was certain to never let her go, fearing he might lose her (or she might leave at this ridiculous notion they couldn't be together). He felt incomplete without her near, and he couldn't think without her close. But he didn't like to see her unhappy, so he played along with this even more ridiculous façade of them being friends. In actuality, Brick couldn't hold back himself from saying he loved. He wanted to shout it from the rooftops, to be able to caress her face and hold her endlessly, to be able to kiss her without fear of her pulling away or feeling like he was being judged (or so Blossom said). Brick loved Blossom so much it almost physically hurt him to be away from her, to not think of her, to not be able to hold her.
Blossom felt the same, he could see it with every bat of her lashes, ever velvet smooth kiss they shared, every touch, every muttering of I love you . . . and it only made him want to say it more. But Blossom was scared, scared of being judged or feeling out of place. He could see where her logic came from. But Brick was a man of action, emotion, not so much logic like Blossom. He knew this, their relationship, was all too right. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach, deep in his soul. But Blossom couldn't get past the fact their siblings were dating. He vowed though, to get Blossom to see that they were meant to be together, and nothing would keep them apart.
What felt like second later, Boomer and Bubbles returned, a few slices of pizza in hand. "Hope you guys were okay with pizza, plain is all they had left."
"Perfect," the two harmonized, taking a slice. The coincidence brought about a smile and giggle from Blossom as she bumped shoulders with Brick playfully.
Bubbles grinned at the sight, turning to Boomer to converse. "So how was the flight?"
"Flight? This asshole made is fly without a plane. Total bullshit."
"You would have not gotten in until four this morning had I not said to fly." Brick turned his attention to the nervous looking Blossom beside him. "I wanted to be here as quickly as possible," he murmured, his fingertips caressing her face at a featherlike weight as he brushed back her veil of auburn hair, nuzzling his face against hers. It made his stomach do flips that she leaned her face against his, enjoying the warmth of his touch.
Boomer's brow rose in utter perplexity. "Did I miss something?"
"Nothing," they said in harmony, their gazes never leaving each other as they said as they were.
"Blossom's finally starting to admit she and Brick are together. Slowly but surely," Bubbles explained as she bit into her pizza.
"Ah," Boomer said, as if that little explanation said it all. But, considering this was almost old news to him, he was not surprised.
"So where are you boys staying?" Blossom asked Boomer, her hand clasped around Brick's as his nose brushed against her skin, his fingers playing with strands of hair.
"Your hotel. A room two floors down."
"Forget it," Bubbles objected quickly. "You're staying with us. We have two queen beds and a pull out couch."
"Bubbles! If the Professor finds out, he is going to kill us!"
The blue eyed Puff rolled her eyes and waved it off. "It's not a big deal. He won't find out. They're just going to have to be out by ten, the latest. You know how jetlag hits him. We have until at least eleven, but ten just to be on the safe side."
Blossom opened her mouth to object, and shut it quickly, nodding in agreement. "Point taken. I suppose it's not absolutely out of the question."
Brick snickered against her skin, lips brushing against her jawbone. "Why is it when I suggest something like us being together, you flip out, but sharing a bed is condoned?"
She turned to smile at him, forehead to forehead. "Bubbles used logic."
His warm breath brushed against her face as he chuckled. "Good point." He pulled back to look over the table. "Is it safe to go? I'm suddenly extremely tired," he said with a rather mischievous grin.
Blossom elbowed him as she watched her sister and Boomer stand up. "You're not that lucky, so don't think it."
"Ah, young love. Don't you just find them so adorable, Boomer?"
Boomer chuckled from beside his girlfriend as he wrapped his arm around her. "I'm not sure. I'm still in a state of shock that they're coming out about it."
"We're not," Blossom objected.
"Sure . . ." the Blues harmonized as they threw out their garbage and walked out.
They made their way to the hotel, carefully floating past the Professor's room and unlocking their own door. Blossom froze, hand still clasping around the doorknob as she flipped the lights on, revealing a sleeping Butch beside a sleeping Buttercup. "What the fuck?" she said, her hand instantly going to her mouth, as if it would conceal the curse word. "Buttercup?"
Slowly, Buttercup's head rose, eyes struggling to stay open in the bright light. "Shit!" she said, suddenly at full attention. She shot out of bed, and fully clothed to both her sister's relief. "This is not what it looks like!"
"Don't play it down, babe," Butch said from the bed, shifted from his side to his back, arms behind his head. "We didn't have sex, but we're together. Let's not play this off."
"We're not together!"
"Damn, you too bro?" Brick said sympathetically. "Blossom's the same way."
"Brick! Now is not the time."
"I see what you mean," Butch said, chuckling at the pink Puff's defensiveness, incredibly impressed at how identical it was to his counterpart's.
"Okay, silence," Bubbles said, shutting the door on the six powered teens and silencing them all without effort. "Now, Greens first. What is going on?"
"Butch came by. I didn't invite him─"
"No, we know that was Brick," Bubbles said, waving the fact off dismissively. "Next."
"He came to the room, just to talk. And we ended up falling asleep on the bed. Nothing else."
Bubbles considered that a moment as Boomer stood beside her, his arm snaking around her waist. "Okay, now Reds. What is going on with you two?" It was difficult for their voices to be distinguished from each other as they began to babble, staring between each other and the petite mediator. A sharp whistle silenced them both. "Brick first, because he's the reason we're having this conversation in the first place."
"Thank you," he said as Blossom crossed her arms. "Blossom is being incredibly difficult about us. She doesn't want to even give us a try because you and Boomer are dating. Something about it being incest or something."
"Yeah, yeah. We had that discussion earlier. What else?"
"I am not being stubborn," Blossom said, jumping in. "It's the truth. It's just not right."
Brick turned his attention back to his would-be girlfriend and frowned. "It shouldn't matter! You know how I feel about you. How many times have I kissed you like it was our first kiss, how many times did I just hold you for hours, like it was our last moments together." He took a step closer, his fingers brushing against her silky smooth cheek as he caressed it, other hand on her waist. "How many times have we made love and I made you feel like you were the most important thing in the world? How many─"
"You've slept together?" the four remaining teens said in sync, eyes huge with disbelief.
"We were drunk, it was an accident."
Brick couldn't hold back the scowl. "Once is an accident, three times is something."
Butch whistled, cackling like a maniac as he sat up in the bed. "Way to go, bro! Even Boomer and I haven't been that lucky yet."
Brick made no effort to reply to his brother, his eyes locking on his counterparts, tone low and seductive. "How many times did I tell you I love you? You know I mean it. I couldn't love you more if I tried. You mean more to me than anything. Why can't you just accept us . . . give us a chance. Fuck our siblings."
"Hey!" Bubbles and Boomer snapped, but Brick didn't faze in the least.
Blossom's lips trembled as she tore her gaze from his, taking a step back. "It's just not right, and not fair."
Brick felt as if his heart was breaking, and the audience didn't help. "So what, it's over?" he muttered, his hands falling to his sides.
The faint crack in Blossom's voice didn't help her cause, but she couldn't fight it back as she said, "We never started." Turing to look back at him, she could see his eyes glassed over. It broke Blossom's heart to see the pained look in his eyes, mirroring hers, but she couldn't not say it. "I'm sorry."
The look on Brick's face disappeared, and his expression hardened as he stood tall, chin jutted out in defiance. He said nothing, walking out of the bedroom in three strides, damn near cracking the door in half as it slammed against it's frame when it shut. Bubbles and Buttercup screamed briefly at the sudden sound of a crash in the hallway, but all were too frightened to go see what had unfolded. Blossom stood motionless, her sister's practically willed over to her side to comfort her.
Boomer and Butch exchanged brief glances before both started for the door, running after their betrayed brother in silence. As the door shut behind Boomer, Blossom's head hung in heartache, tears streaking down her face as she slowly started to collapse on the floor. Bubbles was quick to catch her and ease her to the bed, only to be pushed away and left, watching her crying sister disappear into the bathroom.
Buttercup was frozen, a sudden epiphany coming to her after having seen this. "What are we going to do?" Bubbles asked, interrupting her thought process.
"Hmm, oh . . . I don't know. Just let me talk to her. You go to sleep. Don't bother the boys, let them get their time alone. I'll coax Blossom out of the bathroom."
Despite the nervousness that arose in Bubbles stomach, she trusted her sister enough to let her deal with the drama how she felt necessary. "Okay, I'm going to go check and see if the Professor's awake. I'm sure that whole scenario must have woken him. I'll cover."
"Good idea," Buttercup said, making her way for the bathroom. The door was locked, so Buttercup knocked softly, hoping her gentle tone would encourage Blossom out. "Bloss, can I come in?"
There was no answer, the only noise being Blossom's sobs and a soft click, the door unlocking. Buttercup took this as an answer to move forward. She eased the door open, stunned to see her sister at the foot of the tub, face flushed from crying and eyes bloodshot. "What?" she snapped.
"We need to talk, this has gone far enough."
"I don't want to talk."
"Too bad you're gonna," Buttercup said in a mirroring dark tone, settling herself beside her sister, and letting her sob into her shoulder. "Blossom, why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Tell Brick all that stuff. We all know that's utter bullshit. We know how you feel about him."
"Wasn't it just─ you that─ said it was─ like incest to─ like the guys─ like that?" Despite her having been difficult to understand between sobs, Buttercup easily kept up.
"I've changed my mind. It's not incest. It's called being in love."
Blossom sniffled and pulled back to look at her sister. "What?"
"I saw the way Brick looked like you stabbed him after that. You broke his heart. He couldn't love you more than anything if he tried. He said that. He loves you, more than I can even comprehend. And I see you love him. It's the same with Butch and me. I . . . I think he loves me."
"Butch doesn't know what love means," she snapped, rolling her eyes.
Buttercup didn't hesitate to laugh. "That's what I thought. Until today. When he came here, do you know he didn't ask for sex, turned it down flat."
"Really?" Blossom's eyes rose in disbelief. "Are you sure he wasn't sick?"
"Evidently not. And when he kissed me . . . it wasn't like when we first started to hook up. It wasn't just about getting it in . . . there was something there. It was romantic, passionate, tender . . . I think he really does love me. And . . . I love him."
Blossom's bloodshot eyes went huge with awe, wondering if the crying jag had messed with her hearing. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Yeah, no shit. Shocker to me as well. But it's no less true. As with you and Brick." She brushed back a strand of her sister's auburn hair, hugging her. "Don't let Bubbles and Boomer's happiness get in the way of you and Brick's. Don't keep lying to yourself. Just give him a chance. This is probably the most emotional he's ever been. Give the boy a chance. I know you want to. I realized I wanted the same not even a minute ago. When I saw the broken hearted look between you two, it nearly imploded the room. I don't want that for me and Butch. I want to give us a chance, because I know we can be happy. If our relationship is anything like our friendship, it's going to be amazing, if not perfect. And I want that, I want what Bubbles and Boomer have. I am going to take the chance that's before me. If you're as smart as you think you are, you will too."
Contemplating that a moment, Blossom slowly rose to her feet, wincing at how her head hurt from the sudden movement. "Can I have a minute, please?"
Buttercup nodded and pat her sister's shoulder before walking out, shutting the door behind her. Mindlessly, Blossom ran her hands under the warm water falling from the sink faucet, slashing her face. The room did feel as if it were going to implode. She couldn't take the emotional overload. This night had gone from absolutely amazing to tragic in less than an hour. She couldn't answer as to why she'd said that to Brick, she hadn't meant a word. But it was the emotional overload, the sudden audience watching her voice feeling that she'd been fighting against for months, and secrets spilling out like nothing.
Three things stuck in her mind, replayed over and over again. One was the way Brick's lips felt against hers, and the way her skin tingled all over at his simple touches. She loved the feeling and ached when he wasn't near her, holding her in his embrace and eternally protective grip. She wanted him with her always, at her side every moment, so she could feel safe and secure like he always made her feel. That, and to be able to have unlimited access to his perfect lips. If there was one thing she couldn't live without, it was his kisses. They made her feel whole, perfect. They were tender, soft, gentle, warm, passionate, erotic, teasing, and every good thing a kiss could be time at least ten. She hated to not be able to kiss him when she wanted.
Another thing that played in her mind was the broken look of Brick when she'd said that. The heartless look in his eyes when he stormed out, it nearly tore her heart in two to know she'd hurt him like that. She never thought that to be possible.
The last thing that rung in her head like a broken record was Buttercup's words . . . Don't let Bubbles and Boomer's happiness get in the way of you and Brick's. Don't keep lying to yourself. Just give him a chance. This is probably the most emotional he's ever been. Give the boy a chance. I know you want to. Buttercup was right though. Blossom was longing to get past this foolish belief in her head, to just be with Brick, the love of her life. In all honesty, as she watched Buttercup and Butch in past weeks, the insane conviction had started to die in her head, if not consciously, at least subconsciously. She could see her emotions were stronger than this logic. Her love for Brick overpowered any doubt she had about them, about their situation, at least when he was near her it did.
But what was she to do now? She'd just pushed Brick out the door, and it killed her. She couldn't just go talk to him; he would not listen to her. He probably hated her after how she'd hurt him. Her feet were working against her though. Without effort, Blossom stormed out of the bathroom, and to the hallway door.
"Where are you going?" Bubbles inquired, but just a moment too late, for Blossom had already stormed out of the room at lightning speed.
She walked to each door, listening for some voice that sounded similar. Thankfully, it was only two guesses later that Butch's laughter caught her attention and she knocked on the door. He was laughing as he swung it open, the sound dying instantly at the sight of her. "Pinky," he muttered. "Uh . . . what─"
"Where's Brick?" she said as she stormed in, her tone begging and aching.
"Don't know," Boomer replied, standing up from the edge of the bed he'd been settled at. "We were hoping you'd be able to tell us. He wasn't here when we went after him. Bag's still here, but boy's gone. He didn't go to convince you to take him back?"
"No," she murmured. "That's what I'm here for."
Both Ruffs brows rose in disbelief, but both fought back smirks. "Well, can't' say I'm surprised," Butch stated. "He's not here though, Blossom."
"I see that," she snapped at Butch, her palms pressed against her forehead. "Can you just tell him I need to talk to him when he returns? Please?"
Their genuine smiles returned as they nodded. "Will do," they harmonized.
With one last nod, Blossom bolted from the room and back to her own, only to walk into to a sleep Buttercup and Bubbles. Silently, she flipped the light off and laid in the closest bed, just beside Buttercup. the weight of the emotional burden suddenly hit her, and adding that to the jetlag, she was asleep before her head hit the pillow . . . but that didn't stop her from crying in her sleep as she dreamt of pained magma red eyes, praying she had the chance to fix this and redeem her relationship.
Blossom's shaking hands were shoved deep in her jacket pockets as she made her way down West 41st Street, her sisters trailing with the Professor not far behind. "This is so exciting!" Bubbles exclaimed. "In less than an hour, we are going to get to see the Ball drop on Time's Square!"
"Oh, how New York has changed since I was a lad," the Professor reminisced, his voice showing every ounce of nostalgia.
"You've come to New York?" Buttercup inquired, sounding as if this was life changing news.
"Why yes, I used to come here every summer with my fath─" but he stopped short, eyes locked on something over Blossom's shoulder.
"What is it, Professor?" the green and blue Puffs questioned nervously.
He blinked a moment, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips before he met his daughter's eyes. "Oh, it's nothing, Girls. I could just have sworn I saw . . .nevermind."
"Saw what?"
"Well Bubbles, I . . . I thought I just saw that Rowdyruff." He wiped his forehead relieved. "I am just so used to seeing Brick and the rest of them everywhere that I half expect them to just pop out of nowhere."
Blossom's head shot up, and for just a moment, she could have sworn she had seen Brick. "Brick?" she murmured softly.
The two remaining Puffs eyes widened in anticipation and were quick to conceal it, just as their eldest sister had. "Um . . . Professor!" Bubbles began, her tone chipper.
"Why don't we go see Broadway? I hear the snow made it exceptionally extravagant."
"Oh, but─"
"Don't worry, Professor," Bubbles cut in. "We'll fly you over, to save time. We'll even be back in twenty minutes. Plenty of time to find the perfect place to watch the ball drop."
"Well . . . okay!" he said exuberantly, taking his daughters hands to fly off. "Blossom, are you coming?"
Her gaze was locked on something farther ahead, a small alley between two darkened buildings. "Huh?" she said, her gaze shooting to the professor. "No, thank you. I want to look at this one store not far down. I hear they have great stuff for men. I might pick something up for Brick."
The noticeable pout on the Professor's face hurt Blossom for the faintest second, but it disappeared as he said "okay," and flew off with her sisters.
When she was certain her father and sisters were out of sight, she started for the alley she'd seen him. However, to her utter dismay, the alley was abandoned, nothing but a faintly warm breeze blowing from the building vents. There was an evident pout as Blossom moved on, eyes wandering over the tables of street salesmen.
Casually, she stopped at one, glancing over a watch she instantly thought Brick would like. Hesitantly, she reached for it to glance closer, but stopped at the sudden thought that Brick would probably not accept it after this morning.
"You wanted to see me?" Brick's velvet voice murmured in her ear, the sound bringing a rush of relief to the tense Powerpuff instantly.
She whirled around in an instant, his face inches from hers. But, this wasn't the Brick she was used to seeing. His expression was hard, almost lifeless. If anything, there was a dark look to his normally perfect face. His eyes were dull, dark circles under those magma red eyes. His normally clean cut, short dark red hair looked longer, or at least disheveled. And his normally clean shaved face was a tad darker, a faint hint of a five-o'clock shadow starting to come through. She couldn't resist looking over him in full, taking notice of the fact he was in the same clothes, his peacoat looking worn out, as with the rest of his clothes. "Brick, what happened to you?"
He stared down at himself as she looked up to his eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked innocently.
"Did you not go to the hotel last night? You look like you didn't sleep at all!"
"I didn't," he said matter-of-factly.
She opened her mouth to say something, but she didn't know what to say. She wasn't used to this, this awkward silence had never been a part of their friendship. They were always so comfortable in silence, just relaxing and being with each other. She didn't know what to say ─ at risk she might screw up and make him even madder. So she said the first thing that came to mind that was logical. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I'm so sorry, Brick."
His expression didn't soften in the least. "Don't be. You've made your reasoning for it clear, and I'm not in the mood to argue. So let's leave it at that."
Blossom went silent after that, switching it for another topic. "So what did you do if you didn't sleep?"
"I went out for a flight," he muttered, staring around the display table mindlessly.
"Of course," she said to herself. "It's your favorite way to relax. You always did love that more than anything."
"Wrong," he said softly, turning his hypnotizing gaze back to her. "I loved you more than anything."
Her heart nearly gave out at the sudden way he turned to leave, and she couldn't herself back. "Brick, please. Don't go," she begged, her hands going out to reach for his.
He stopped for a brief moment, looking over his shoulder at her briefly. For a moment, Blossom thought he would speak, but the sudden shrill of a small girl beside her brought their gaze down. "Blossom! Oh my gosh, it's a Powerpuff girl!" the girl said, looking to be about six or seven. "Can I have your autograph?"
Her mother smiled apologetically beside her, but said nothing. Blossom's gaze shot back to Brick as his hand slipped from hers, watching him fade into the crowd of people. "Brick, wait!" but he didn't stop.
"Pretty please?" the girl begged.
With a reluctant sigh, Blossom smiled at the girl warmly and nodded, taking the small notebook from the girl's hands. "What's your name sweetie?"
"Blossom," she said confidently. My mommy named me after you. She says you're a great role model."
Blossom found herself grinning like a goofball at her mother, signing the ironic name onto the page. "That's so sweet, I'm flattered." She knelt down beside the girl and handed her the notebook back. "A word of advice . . ." The girl waited patiently from her idol. "Wait until you find love, because it does exist. And when it finds you . . . hold onto it with all your might."
The perplexed expression on the mother's face softened as she smiled. "My mommy always says that," the little Blossom said to her Powerpuff. "It must be true if you're saying it."
"It's absolutely true," Blossom murmured, kissing the girl's soft brown hair and standing to shake the mother's hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you. If there's ever anything you two need, you can find me at Townsville City Hall, of course."
"Thank you, Miss Utonium," the mother said graciously before taking her daughter's hand and walking away, in the opposite direction Brick had gone.
The very thought of Brick had Blossom shooting to the sky, flying after him. She found him instantly, about a quarter of a mile away from they once were. Without effort, she landed in front of him, startling the lost-in-thought Brick.
"What the fuck?" he muttered. "Blossom, what─" but he was cut off by Blossom passionately putting her lips to his, arms snaking around his neck without hesitation. Against Brick's better conscious, he found himself enjoying it, and letting his arms wrap in a tight embrace around her. It was slow, sexy, warm, comforting, and every good thing he could think of to describe it. Every ounce of anger he once felt toward Blossom vanished as she kissed him.
To his dismay, she pulled back ever so slightly, hugging him with every ounce of her might, and he did so in return. "I'm sorry, Brick. I'm so sorry," she whispered in his ear.
He held her as tight as possible, lifting her so her legs wrapped around his waist as she kissed him again. "It's okay," he murmured against her lips, loving the taste of her. He couldn't hold himself back; he felt as if he hadn't kissed his love in years, when in actuality, it'd been mere hours.
"I love you," she repeated, over and over. "I don't care about what's going on with Bubbles and Boomer. I love you so much."
"I love you too, Blossom," he said, pulling her into another long kiss.
The sound of the Professor clearing his throat broke the kiss of these two red-headed love birds, Blossom instantly slipping to her feet as Brick stood in utter fear. "Oh, P-Professor . . ." she stuttered.
"Sir," Brick muttered frightened. "We were just . . ."
"You were kissing my little girl," he finished for the startled Reds. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised about this. I just want to know how he got here."
"I flew, sir. My brothers and I came, at the suggestion of me. I couldn't bear parting with Blossom, and I wanted to surprise her."
Blossom wanted to wince at the thought of how her father would respond, but, to both her and Brick's disbelief, he chuckled ever so lightly. His eyes were locked on the way Brick's arm had circled around her waist, holding her close and protectively, and the way her hands were locked in his, looking as if they would never let go. The Professor wasn't blind, and he wasn't naïve. He recognized the look and posture of these two teenagers, and it reminded him of the way he looked as his beloved Angela Keane. They were in absolute love. No doubt about it.
"Well, I see I missed a lot in the ten minute going to see Broadway. But, hey, who am I to stand in front of your happiness. It would be outright hypocrisy for me to not accept you but have accepted Bubbles and Boomer."
"Does that mean . . ." Blossom trailed off, but the Professor easily understood.
"Don't look at me, look to your mother for approval. But, she's always rather liked Brick. So I am not jumping to conclusions when I say she'll approve."
Blossom, to both her sisters' surprise, shrieked and threw her arms around Brick, who had been laughing with delight as he kissed her delicately. There was an evident sexual frustration between the two as they kissed, but for the most part, they were innocent about it.
The Professor cleared his throat, causing Bubbles to giggle at his embarrassment. Brick released Blossom and smiled apologetically as the Professor pat his shoulder. "Keep it clean, son."
"Yes, sir," he muttered, taking Blossom's hand and following the group into the sky and perching on the ledge that had been perfect for them to see the ball drop.
"Whoa," the Professor gasped at the sudden height. "You kids aren't scared about being this high all the time?"
"Nope," they muttered, sounding almost bored of the subject.
"Girls!" a faint voice called to them from afar. "Blossom! Buttercup!"
Every pair of eyes darted to the sidewalk not far from where they stood, watching pair of hands waving erratically in the crowd of bystanders. "Angela?" the girls muttered in harmony.
"Angela!" the Professor screamed after her, leaning forward to get her attention as he waved. "Whoa," he gasped as he nearly fell forward, saved by a quick hand of Brick's. "Thanks. Angela!"
Buttercup started to fly off but a blue and green streak captured Angela and brought her to them. "Are we late for the party?" Butch asked sarcastically, sitting beside his Puff as Boomer carefully set Angela beside the Professor and Brick.
"Oh, thank you, Boomer," she said graciously curling up into the Professor's embrace.
"What are you doing here? How did you get here?"
"Butch and Boomer came and flew me here," she began. "I was going to take a plane and surprised you. My sister took care of my mother for me so I could come. But they showed up and flew me. You know, honey, these kids fly awfully high for someone their ages. I don't know if it's so sa─" she stopped short, shrieking at the sudden sight of how far the ground had been. "Why are we so high!"
"It's the best view of the Ball. Take a look!" Bubbles soothed, pointing to the now lit ball just a few buildings down. "Whoa, it's almost time. Where did the hour go!"
Brick smirked at his girlfriend and wrapped his arms around her, holding her as if he'd never let go.
"Twenty seconds!" the announcer said, sending the audience into a roar of applause and glee.
The couples, all four of them, took their partner's hands as they eagerly waited for the final countdown.
"Ten! . . . Nine! . . . Eight! . . . Seven! . . . Six! . . . Four! . . . Three! . . . Two! . . . One!"
The sky filled with streamers and confetti being thrown up by bystanders, cheers and laughs filling the midnight hour. Without hesitation, Brick and Blossom started off the kisses by letting themselves get lost in the passion of one themselves. Boomer and Bubbles followed suit, as did the Professor and his wife. Buttercup and Butch were the last to kiss, but they made up for it with the overuse of tongue (but no less passion than their eldest siblings).
Blossom and Brick hadn't stopped when their families began to chat of the beauty the night had brought, the snow falling around the lit city street and making it look perfect. And that's what it was. It was perfect. Blossom and Brick had found their bliss and were no longer struggling to hide their feelings. They had each other, and were able to have many more amazing nights like this. Brick couldn't have been more ecstatic as he held his girlfriend in his embrace, lips warm and softly pressed to his. And as the snow fell, they let their bliss engulf them, enjoying the most perfect New Year's celebration anyone could even comprehend.