Violet Tears and Devil Food 4

Author Note: Hey guys! I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everybody, you guys all make me stronger every day! ^_^ Happy Holidays, God bless you all!

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"…oh Jimmy…" Bubbles didn't like soap opreas, which was why she was watching one now. She wasn't dressed or decent, and she was surrounded by chocolate wrappers.

"Wow," Buttercup shook her head as her and Blossom spied in the keyhole, "she's really depressed this year."

"I think something happened that she isn't telling us about," Blossom bit her lower lip, "I mean, seriously. She never keeps anything from us."

Suddenly, her phone rang, making all three jump. Fumbling under the sheets, the blonde answered. "Hello?" Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she looked around, making sure nobody was watching.

When she thought she was alone, she smiled, "Hi, Brick. What's up?"

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"Who's Brick?" Buttercup confronted the youngest of the trio the instant she got off the phone.

"Huh?" the blonde blinked, like she didn't know what she was talking about.

"We heard you, now who is Brick?" the green girl demanded in a tone the blonde wouldn't dare test.

"A guy I met last night. He warmed me up, gave me a place to stay," she confessed, turning down the volume on the TV, "then when I woke up he introduced himself and I got his number so I could thank him later."

Raising an eyebrow, she slowly nodded, "What's he look like?"

"A lot like Blossom," her sister looked thoughtful, "hair and eyes were the same, he was handsome, I guess…"

"Handsome!"

"No! I meant…"

"Bubbles and Brick, sitting in a tree!"

"Shut up!" she threw a pillow at her, running out.

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"Welcome to the Devil Food Pit," a boy with red-blonde hair and black eyes greeted Bubbles at the door.

"May I speak to Brick?" she puffed, out of breath.

Just then Brick himself stepped out of the kitchen. He raised his eyebrows at her, remembering her from the night before.

"May I help you?" he stepped back when she all but ran to the counter.

"Can…" she suddenly got so shy, not knowing why she'd even come herself, "I..have a cupcake?"

He reached behind the counter, handed her menu, and disappeared. The boy who'd greeted her showed her a seat at the counter and smiled gently, pulling out a notebook.

"My name is Jackson, I'll be your server," he told her, "would you like a drink?"

"Sure…" she mumbled, not really paying attention. Something felt weird inside her, it churned and made her mind feel like somebody had just scrambled them with some toast.

Moments later he returned with some milk in a glass and a red velvet cupcake. She took both, thanked him, and took a bite, followed by a sip. They were both sweet, and that sweetness made her tongue tingle and her relax. She savored each bite and sip, feeling it comfort her battered soul and heal her. When it was done, she looked up, amazing, at Brick.

"How did you do it?" she whispered.

"I guess it's just knowing exactly what it feels like," he shrugged, "what's your problem, huh?"

"I…I'm guilty for my big sister's death," she felt herself sinking into guilt again.

"I'm guilty for my brother's death," his words brought her back up to reality. She stared at him through teary eyes.

"W-what?"

"Wasn't thinking, I just pushed him into the road…" he sighed, pressing his hands to his forehead and leaning heavily on the counter, "..and now he's gone. It happened eight years ago today."

Her eyes widened as she whispered, "Mine happened yesterday eight years ago."

"Then the problem is shared. Makes the cupcake all that sweeter," he pulled out another to split between them, "guess that's how I do it."

She felt so weird now. It was like the depression was dulling around him, staring into his eyes. When she finished the sweet, she rose on shaky legs and stumbled out, as if drunk. When she was far enough from town, she collapsed in heap, fever hitting her hard and getting sick. She slipped into blackness and didn't resurface.