Disclaimer: Powerpuff Girls belongs to some super duper cool guy who's not me!
Author's Note: So, thanks all my wonderful readers and reviewers! Y'all are amazing!
Anyhoo, there'll be lots of Reds in this chapter because it's pretty important. Not much Blues or Greens, but maybe next time... And there will be some POV shifting, because as I mentioned before, this is kinda an important chapter. The first half is Brick's POV and the second half is Blossom's (if that helps...).
Thanks sweeeeeetxoxoxo123 for the new title! I love how it relates to them and it's also a play on that new movie's title, No Strings Attached. So, clever! And thanks so much! (:
Aaand, if you could vote on my profile for the gender of Blossom's baby, that'd be great! I might not completely go with the result of the poll, but I'd love to know what y'all want her to have.
Welp, this is the end of my A/N. Enjoy the fic! :D
...
(Brick's POV)
I scanned the large ballroom looking for a face that wouldn't annoy me to tears. I hated coming to these fundraising gala things. All I would do the entire evening is listen to a bunch of stuffy old people who are too full of themselves. Sometimes I got lucky and scored a drunk hottie, but considering most the guests here tonight would qualify for Senior Citizen Movie Night at the local theater, my chances didn't look to good.
I took a sip of my bubbling champagne and adjusted the black tie of my tuxedo. Yes, I was wearing one of those. My hair was all slicked back too. I took another sip, but reminded myself I couldn't get drunk because I was here for work. See, Mr. Morbucks thew this thing; he's one of my top investors and after I broke up with his irritating daughter Princess a few weeks ago, I was treading on thin ice. I'm alright now because I managed to manipulate the situation so that Princess was the one who dumped me (yeah, she was sleeping with some other douche while we were 'dating'), so Morbucks doesn't hate me anymore, but I wanted to be safe. Aaand if these parties were good for anything, it was racking in new clients. The people who showed up to these things were loaded and almost all of them knew someone who had been wronged by a doctor.
Speaking of doctors... God, I hate doctors. Do I have a least favorite? Well, that's tough considering they're all miserable sons of bitches, but I'd have to say Dr. Utonium. She's this annoying surgeon who thinks she owns the world and has never made a mistake. I can't stand her. But I don't need to ruin my evening even more by thinking about people like her. I should be thinking of people like...Blossom?
No, I didn't mean it like that (although I wouldn't mind thinking about her). I think I just saw her in the crowd over there. ...There she is! ...Damn, she looks amazing. As she turned around, I could clearly see that she'd went all out for this gala. She was in this white sleeveless formal dress that had a red sash under the bust that she had tied into a bow. Her auburn hair hung down in gentle curls, framing her milky heart-shaped face. Her almost pink-looking eyes looked huge with the make-up she had put on and her full lips were painted red. It didn't seem like she was wearing too much make-up like some people -coughPrincesscough- did; it looked natural. And as I examined her further, it almost looked like her hips were wider and chest fuller. Probably an effect of that tight curve-hugging dress.
She finally looked over to me and our eyes met. Her eyes widened (in alarm, surprise, maybe?) and she quickly flashed me a smile before returning to her conversation. I took this as an invitation to approach her and grabbing another glass of wine, I headed over in her direction.
"Maybe I borrow this beautiful young lady?" I smoothly asked the old man she was talking to. He gave a knowing grin and made himself scarce. I turned to Blossom who, though trying to hide her surprise, couldn't.
Finally, "B-Brick, what are you doing here?" she asked incredulously, "Not that I'm unhappy to see you, that is," she added quickly.
I sent her a signature smirk, "I could ask you the same thing," I replied. She raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. I shrugged, "I'm trying to get on Morbucks's good side after I dumped Princess," I replied. It's the truth. I looked at her, "You?"
"Oh, um, you know, work," she answered rather quickly.
"Champagne?" I asked her, lifting the glass I had gotten for her.
She shook her head, "I'm not really feeling like it right now," she replied curtly, "Plus, I never drink on the job."
"That sounds smart," I chuckled, taking a sip of my own drink. After she declined, I placed the extra glass on a plate a waiter was carrying. "Are you having a good time?" I inquired, even though I knew the answer. She was just as miserable as I was until our eyes met.
"I was until you interrupted me," she replied cheekily. She laughed, "Just kidding. I've been so bored for the past few hours," she groaned, putting her hand up to her forehead for effect.
"Same here. I hate these parties," I told her. She nodded understandingly. I let my gaze finally slip off her to the other people in the ballroom. There were a lot of old people swaying on the other side of the room to some slow song. Bingo. I looked down to Blossom, my eyes meeting hers, "Would you like to dance?" I asked her, putting my hand out. Her cheeks pinkened, but she nodded, taking my hand into her own.
I led her to the floor and gently wrapped my arms around her tiny waist. She softened at my touch and wrapped her own arms around my neck. Just at that moment, the song came to an end and an even slower one started to play. I felt her rest her head on my rather large chest as she brought her body close to my own. We swayed for a while until Blossom glanced up at me.
"Deja vu, right?" she murmured.
I smiled, "Yeah, except we're sober right now," I noted. She rolled her eyes. I could feel her pressing closer to me, her arms tightening around my neck, so I pulled her closer and lowered my hands to her round hips. The song continued to play in the background and to be honest- I don't remember who initiated the kiss, just that we kissed.
It was a great kiss. In fact, it was probably one of the best kisses I've ever had, right alongside the other two times I kissed her. Our lips were pressed against each others' for a long, wonderful while until something buzzed and Blossom pulled away from me.
I looked her, confused, as she pulled a pager and cell phone out of her red clutch purse. Her eyebrow furrowed as she read the message on the pager and she bit her lip as she gave a sigh of frustration. She looked up, giving me an apologetic glance.
"Brick, I've really got to go. I am so sorry," she pushed her eyes closed as she slowly stepped back away from me. She gave me a quick wave before her pace quickened and she left, leaving me standing there dumbfounded.
What had happened? I danced with and kissed a beautiful girl who's been on my mind for weeks, months. But more than that... Why did I meet her here in the first place? This gala was for the people Morbucks's funded. And he only invested in the best of each business.
So what was her business? Why did she leave like that? ...And why did I have this sinking feeling that she's hiding something important from me?
...
It had been about a weeks since I saw Blossom at the gala and I couldn't get her image out of my mind. If I closed my eyes, I'd see her. And when I opened them, I wanted to see her. ...Damn, that sounded corny. But... It was the truth. God, it was unnerving having these feelings. They almost distracted me from work, but I had consciously kept them in check. I had finished early today, made a few phone calls to some of the people I'm suing (yes, including that insufferable Dr. Utonium), then headed back home to chill.
I put the finishing touches on my sandwich, put back my materials and carried my delicious creation to the lounge where my brothers were hanging out.
"Dude, I'm serious! They're like the perfect girls. If they had more sisters, the world would definitely be a better place," Butch said, nodding his head.
"I bet they're not hotter than Bubbles and her sister," Boomer replied, "I mean, Bubbles is gorgeous, but her older sister isn't bad either. She's got these eyes that are like pink, I swear!"
At this I looked up from my sandwich. How many girls had pink eyes? Only one I knew of. "Who are we talking about?" I asked between bites.
"BC's sister's got some pink-looking eyes. Red hair too," Butch ignored me. Pink eyes and red hair?
"Who are we talking about?" I repeated myself a little louder.
"What was her name?" Boomer asked himself, "Lily?"
"Petals?" Butch thought aloud.
"Blossom!" they said at the same time. If I had food in my mouth when they said that, I would've choked.
"Blossom?" I croaked. Exactly how many Blossoms lived in Townsville?
"Hey, you don't think we're talking about the same person, do you?" Boomer asked, uncharacteristically thoughtful.
A silent moment.
"HOLY CRAP!" they exclaimed at the same time.
"We're dating sisters?" Boomer exclaimed.
"Butterbutt and I aren't dating," Butch clarified.
"Dinner, flowers, you're always talking about her... You sure about that?" Boomer chuckled. Butch sent him a nasty glare. Boomer shrugged, "Whatever, dude."
"You know, Brick, I hear Blossom's single..." Butch started.
I glared, "Thanks but no thanks, bro," I finished off my sandwich and left the room. After dropping my plate in the sink, I shook my head, trying to forget what my brothers said. Sometimes they could be really stupid, you know. What can you do? Brothers. I shook my head.
I pulled out my phone and with nothing better to do, logged onto Facebook.
One New Friend Request: Bubbles Utonium
Bubbles Utonium? Okay, please tell me that's not Boomer's girlfriend... I clicked on her name and her profile popped up. I looked at her picture and it was Bubbles surrounded by a bunch of little kids. Bubbles Utonium... She had to be Utonium's sister, because frankly, Utonium is a freakish name that no one else has. Boomer said she had two sisters... Butch was dating one of them and the other was a redheaded, pink-eyed beauty named Blossom...
Oh, no. Hell, no.
I quickly clicked on Confirm, confirming Bubbles as my friend. I didn't really care about her, but I needed to access her information. Soon enough, I was redirected to her profile page and I went to the information tab. She had two people listed as sisters- Buttercup Utonium and Blossom Utonium.
I felt my hands go numb as I clicked on Blossom Utonium's name. Her profile page loaded and I took a nice, long look at it. There was a picture of Blossom in a black and pink polka-dotted sundress at the beach.
Blossom. My Blossom. The Blossom I was falling in love with.
Utonium. The cranky, irritating, arrogant, surgeon-bitch Utonium. The Utonium I was suing next month.
And they were the same person. And Blossom Utonium knew it.
She was playing me! It explains everything. That's why she never talked about work. She knew who I was and that's why she rejected me at the coffee shop. When we met at the bookstore, she must've changed game plans and decided to string me along. She was taking advantage of me, probably trying to find a weak point or an Achilles heel she could use in court. Blossom Utonium had no intention of ever having a relationship with me, she just wanted to keep her winning streak. She probably hates that we slept together and is after revenge.
At this realization, I threw my phone across the room and let out a yell of frustration. My eyes turned a blood red and I growled. She wasn't getting away with this.
Blossom Utonium would pay.
...
(Back to Blossom's POV)
Gosh, I was so HUNGRY! I hadn't eaten all day and being pregnant didn't help my stomach at all. Thankfully, the hospital cafeteria was empty right now, so I didn't have to bother waiting in line. I grabbed a sandwich along with a pickle and bag of chips, a side salad with lots of carrots, a banana, a big chocolate cookie and a large bottle of apple juice. I showed the lady at the counter my hospital ID and she didn't charge me, she just handed me a plastic baggie to put my food in.
I had just finished my appointment with Sara and it was official- I had finished my first trimester! Whoo! So, I still wasn't showing just yet (which was good! Nobody knew and I wanted to keep it like that for as long as I could!) and my nausea was gradually going away. Sometimes I get headaches or I get really dizzy or tired, but that's probably just because of the hormone changes going on within me. I've only gained two pounds, which was a little less than normal even though my baby weighs less than half an ounce. I've noticed my hips get wider and my boobs get bigger (which isn't as great as it's cracked up to because my back has been killing me!). So all in all, I've been doing pretty good so far.
Just then, my phone went off. It was my effervescent little sister Bubbles.
"Bubbles?" I spoke into it.
"Blossom! Are you done with your appointment? Tell me! Am I having a niece or a nephew!" Bubbles exclaimed from the other side.
I laughed to myself at her excitement, "Bubs, I won't know for a few more weeks yet, maybe even a month or two."
I could feel her smile fall, but she continued excitedly, "Well, I guess that's alright... I just really wanted to start shopping for my little niece or nephew!"
"Bubbles, when I find out, you and BC will be the first to know, alright?" I reassured her.
"Okay, I can live with that. ...Omigosh, I've got to go! Boomer's here! Bye, Bloss! Love you!" she hung up, as did I.
Boomer was Bubbles boyfriend. He was also Butch's brother. Butch was Buttercup's boyfriend (they weren't using labels, but come on. All of us knew). And Boomer and Butch were Brick's brothers. Brick... Brick was the lawyer guy I was supposed to hate professionally, and I did in the beginning... But I kept meeting him everywhere and he was so sweet and charming and great to be around! He was an arrogant, chauvinistic, womanizing leech of a malpractice attorney, but he was also this great guy who happened to be the father of my baby. I used to hate him, then my feelings became conflicted, but now they're clear.
I've fallen pretty hard for Brick.
In fact, I couldn't get my mind off him! Last week I met him at Morbuck's gala and we kissed. That was the last time I saw him, the time before being a month ago at the park with Princess. Ugh, Princess. Anyway, I really-
Oop, my phone buzzed again. I looked down to the caller ID- Brick Jojo. I paled. It was Brick, but... It was Mr. Jojo too. Mr. Jojo hated Dr. Utonium and she was supposed to hate him too. But me, just Blossom, really, really, liked Brick. Aww, what was I going to do? I didn't want to talk to him in a professional surrounding for fear of letting my personal feelings get in the way. But I couldn't let my pesky emotions obstruct my professionalism. Okay, Bloss, just play it cool.
"Hello?" I asked, cool as a cucumber.
"Afternoon, Utonium," Brick replied, "Personally, I wouldn't call if I didn't have to. I've got a scheduling mix-up and I need to change around some court dates."
"Is the big bad attorney scared of a little ol' doctor?" I teased a little mockingly. I didn't mean to! I just couldn't resist.
"Funny. I can see you next week in court if you really can't-" I couldn't let Brick know it was me! I needed more time!
"No, it's alright. Just fax over the new dates," I quickly cut him off.
"Okaay, thanks for being somewhat amenable. I'll see you in about a month, Utonium," he finished.
"Back at ya, Jojo," I replied before hanging up. As I hung up, I noticed that his voice sounded much different over the phone. Mine must have too. That's probably why Brick hasn't connected the dots yet...
Anyways... That was certainly the most civil conversation we've ever had as doctor and lawyer... Maybe Utonium and Jojo are making some progress. I was going to tell Brick that I was the surgeon, but... I didn't want to lose him. We were friends and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Brick couldn't leave; and I just had to make sure he didn't despise Utonium before I told him.
For the third time in the last ten minutes, my phone went off again. Gosh, who gave out my number? I looked down at it- it was an email from Isabelle.
New Email Message (recieved at 1:12 PM)
Dr. Utonium,
I know you're on lunch break, but Dr. Mayor, the Dean of Medicine, requested that you stop by his office before leaving today. Just wanted to inform you of this!
Isabelle
I was about to walk into the elevator that would take me up to my office when I read this, so I stepped back. I turned around 180 degrees and headed towards the lobby of the hospital where Dr. Mayor's office was located. I peered into the glass walls and seeing him alone, decided to step in. Dr. Mayor was a small man, with a shiny bald head and fancy monocle. He wasn't the smartest or most organized doctor ever, but he was the one who loved Townsville General the most.
"You wanted to see me, Dr. Mayor?" I asked, stepping in.
"Oh, uh, Blossom!" he gushed. "I've got some terrible, terrible news."
I frowned and I could feel my eyebrows scrunching. I prepared myself for the worst, "W-What is it?"
"Oh, it's horrible!" he exclaimed, "Our lawyers at the hospital are gone! You know that one of them died a few weeks ago, but then other two got into a fight and left! Oh, it's terrible!"
My eyes widened. The hospital had no lawyers? How the hell was I not supposed to get sued by idiotic lawyers, then! "Um, do we have replacements?"
"No, no, no," Dr. Mayor muttered, "I'm looking for some, but it's gonna be a few weeks until I find someone. And I can't guarantee they'll be the best."
"What about all the lawsuits filed against me?" I asked incredulously. This could not be happening!
"I'm so sorry, Blossom," Dr. Mayor shook his head, "...Is that a pickle I smell?"
Okay, there's no way my day could get any worse.
...I shouldn't have thought that.
Now it will for sure.
...
It had been a few hours since I talked to Dr. Mayor about our attorney issue. It was freaking me out. How was I supposed to cover my butt in court without the help of my lawyers? Not only would Jojo find out about our one night stand, but he'll also wipe the floor with me in that courtroom. I groaned and let my head hit the desk.
I lifted my head as I adjusted my red satin blouse and flattened the crinkles from my white skirt with red swirls. I had just finished my shift in the emergency room, doing a few quick surgeries here and there. I was a surgeon by trade, but I specialized in emergency care as well, so I worked down the ER sometimes. After my shift, I headed back to the cafeteria to grab a snack. I picked out this delicious chocolate cake with strawberries and took it back to my office.
Yum, that was an amazing piece of cake. I tossed the container in the wastebasket as I grabbed tomorrow's files to take a quick peek at what the next day entailed. I spun my chair around so that my back was facing my desk and I was facing the large window that overlooked the hospital courtyard. I opened the first file and started to read, but suddenly my office door slammed open.
"S-Sir! You can't come in here! You don't have an a-appointment!" a rather unconfident voice that I recognized as Isabelle's pleaded.
"Let go," the man growled.
"Eeep!" she jumped back, "Dr. Utonium, I am so sorry!" she exclaimed before hurriedly leaving.
That man... His voice seemed familiar. I couldn't put a finger on it exac- Oh no. Oh no. No no no no. Anyone but him! It was Brick! He KNEW!
Shit. I paled. My back was still turned to him so I had the advantage. The malice in his voice stuck a pang in my heart. I couldn't let him know that I had feelings for him... He hated me! I had to play it cool. Pretend none of this ever meant anything to me. I didn't want a relationship with him. I wasn't pregnant with his child. And I hadn't fallen for Brick Jojo.
Yeah right.
I just had to act like I knew all along and that I didn't have feelings for him. I had to be tough and intimidate him. I couldn't face his blatant rejection if he knew I loved him! That would be too much for me. I couldn't do it.
I closed my eyes as I pulled together my thoughts and removed any ounce of emotion from my face. I was getting ready to tell the biggest lie I've ever told. I spun the chair around so that I was facing Brick Jojo, my face indifferent.
"Blossom Utonium," he snarled, his burning red eyes enough to scare the most fearless. If looks could kill, I'd be dead about seven times already. I could see in his eyes the anger, hatred and bitterness he held for me and I could feel my heart shattering into a thousand little pieces. But I couldn't let him know.
"Took you long enough," I replied, coolly indifferent.
"You bitch," he spat, taking a step towards me in an attempt at intimidation. Oh, boy, it worked. I was terrified.
But I couldn't let it show, "Really, Brick? I would've expected more from you," I scoffed, standing up from my chair so that we were at eye-level (kinda. He was like half a foot taller than me!).
He fumed, "What you've been doing is pretty low. Even for a grimy doctor like you," he growled.
"Only an idiot wouldn't have connected the dots," I said contemptuously, "Oh wait, you didn't, did you?"
"It takes a certain kind of cold, manipulative whore to sleep with a guy, then lead him on like that, you know," Brick growled as he neared closer to me.
I gave a little mocking laugh, "Well, I'm sorry you fell for it," I apologized insincerely, a mirthless smile on my lips. My red pumps clacked as I took another step towards him, mimicking his earlier movement. I raised an eyebrow, daring him to continue.
"And people wonder why I hate doctors," Brick muttered, looking down. His fierce eyes soon shot up and met mine as he tried to burn a hole through me, "You think you're better than everyone else. That you could never make a mistake," he said tauntingly.
"I've only ever made one," I replied bitingly, "You," I paused for dramatic effect, "And you're exactly why I hate lawyers. Always butting into people's business, thinking you know what's best when you obviously don't. Making a living off ruining lives," I spat.
"Whose? Yours?" Brick grinned maliciously as he shortened the distance between us as he took another, final step towards me. He couldn't have taken another step if he wanted to. There wasn't even enough space between us for a sheet of printer paper.
I didn't reply, I just looked up at him glared. Sometimes, the best messages were said with silence. I glared caustically and he returned the favor with scorn. Our eyes were locked in anger and hatred and the sexual tension in the room could've been cut with a knife.
Finally, I roughly grabbed him and slammed my lips to his. Instead of pulling back like I thought he would, he clutched my sides, his hands dangerously moving lower. I moved my hands to his head, gripping fistfuls of his shaggy red hair as he brought his hands to my blouse and popped off the first button. In response, my hands reached to his chest and pulled off the buttons to his shirt ferociously as our tongues battled for dominance. In an instant, my red blouse was on the floor and I had been pushed onto my desk as Brick hungrily pinned me down. He had pulled the pins out of my hair, letting my wild red hair flow down my shoulders. Our hands roamed each other and I fully enjoyed taking in his chiseled body. He reached behind me to unclasp my bright red bra when-
"Dr. Utonium, I hate to interrupt- Oh my god I am so sorry!" Isabelle had left just as soon as she had come in. Thankfully, she broke the moment and I pulled away, as did Brick. He picked up his black dress shirt off the ground and began to button it as I turned around to put on my red blouse.
"This isn't over, Utonium," Brick spat.
"You bet it isn't," I replied acerbically. He fastened his last button and stormed out, slamming the door of my office shut. After he left, I finished fixing my shirt and went to pick up the pins he had scattered. I pushed them back into my auburn locks and grabbed my whitecoat, pulling it on and covering myself with it as I sat down in my chair.
I felt hot tears well up in my eyes and I let them flow freely. I had no inhibitions here and I let my emotions rack my body with sobs as I cried out my frustration.
I guess I never intended to let him know because, deep down, I knew this would happen. I knew he'd hate me and everything I stood for. Now, he'd want no part in my baby's life. But it was beyond the baby... Brick was the first guy I had ever felt this way about and now, we were over. He hated me and he thought I hated him.
That was it. We were done. It was over. And now, there was nothing I could do to fix it.
...
Wow, Greenie, do ya always have to end your chapters on dramatic notes? ...Yes, yes I do! :P
Welp, I hope you enjoyed that... (well, it wasn't a lime or lemon or anything too citrusy. It was a little steamy, so... a clementine?)...whatever you want to call it. And I hope you enjoyed the chapter as a whole!
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