A/N: (The skipped chapter for ya!)
Brick stood alone in his room, staring at himself in the mirror, though his mind was far away. He contemplated the coming future, and his upcoming performance with Blossom. To Brick's surprise, he constantly thought of this night, eager for it even, since their first practice together. He couldn't deny he loved the way they fit together perfectly as they practically breezed across the ballroom floor during rehearsal. Or the way her hand felt so small and delicate in his.
The door creaked open, and he jumped, dropping the black and red pinstripe fedora Blossom had told him to use. "Butch, you asshole. Don't sneak up on me," he said, glaring through the mirror.
"Sorry." Brick watched his brother as he shut the door, shoving his hands in the pockets of the black latin dance pants he put on for the final performance. He looked almost identical to Brick's black pants and Sangria red pinstripe ensemble, though Butch's shirt had been a jade green.
"What do you want, Butch?" he said, trying to look at everything but the somber expression on Butch's face, something that was not very fitting for his typically laid back brother.
"We need to talk."
"And what would it be pertaining to exactly?" he said, trying to watch Butch from under his eyelashes, though, he could only see that his brother had been staring intently at him.
"You're into Blossom, aren't you?"
Brick swallowed hard, fidgeting awkwardly with the rim of the fedora he picked up. "You tell me," he said simply. He didn't like this scrutiny, it made him feel vulnerable, a feeling he was all too unfamiliar with.
To his utter surprise, though he didn't let the revelation show externally, Butch slammed his fist against the wall behind him. The room echoed with the sound of the rumbling walls. Nonetheless Brick only met his brother's eyes, watching him rant. "Goddammit Brick! Don't fuck with me. You know how I feel about her!"
"Yes, I do, but clearly you don't. Or you wouldn't be interested in her sister, of all people."
The simplicity of his voice, as if the accusation had been nothing but a comment on the weather, was like ice in Butch's veins. "What the fuck did you just say?"
Brick merely replied, "You interpret that as you will," as he brushed past Butch and out the door.
"Get back here you son-of-a bit-" but was cut short when Blossom stood outside the door, her hand raised as if to knock, and blocking Brick's swift exit.
"Oh," she yelped, startled. "I'm sorry, didn't see you come out. Wow, you two look amazing. You really pull the ensembles off."
"Thank you," the two said in harmony, though the callous tone they both shared brought a tight knot to her stomach, as if she didn't have one from nerves already.
She could sense the tension in the room; it was like the intensity of a thousand suns imploding. "Is… everything alright?"
"Fine," they both muttered before Brick slipped past her, meeting her eyes for the briefest of seconds, and disappearing around the corner.
The confusion seemed to drag her down like deadweight in the water, and she could feel her whole performance crumbling around her. Well, to be honest, she felt her circle of friend's crumbling. Brick and Butch never fought this way, at least not unless Butch had done something idiotic. Though, that had rarely happened since the two began seeing each other. The strain that was practically visible between the two whenever they were within feet of each other was almost scary to the Powerpuff. And she had no idea what to think of it, let alone how to solve the problem.
She turned to glance at Butch, who'd come to wrap his arm around her now bare waist. "What was that about?"
"Nothing, Blossom." He looked down at her, eyes wandering over every part of her body, taking in the beauty of her in her attire. "Whoa, babe. You look smokin' hot in that costume."
She stared down at herself, remembering she was practically half naked from the costume, or lack thereof. It was nothing but a short-sleeve white halter-top, which was cut way too low for her comfort, and a hot pink tassel miniskirt, with a sleek black belt. Even with her five foot four height, and four inch black peep toe heels didn't she wasn't even close to reaching Butch's six foot six height.
Blossom flipped her long, waved hair and meet Butch's eyes once more. "I feel too exposed. I'm uncomfortable."
He laughed, more than a little amused. Almost instantly, he stopped short, recollecting she would be dancing with his brother. And the very thought made him go rigid. "Maybe your right. You can't wear those black jazz pants like Bubbles and Buttercup?"
"I have to stand out, being that it's technically my number. So no, I just wish I hadn't let Bubbles go shopping for me."
He sighed deeply, wrapping his arm around her waist as they made their way to the now dark audience.
At the time of the uncomfortable interaction between Blossom and her Boys, Buttercup had been settling herself behind stage, fidgeting awkwardly with her now straightened raven colored hair. Even though it had been as straight as it had ever been in years, it barely reached past her shoulders, but even that quarter inch made the green Powerpuff feel off balance. The lime green halter top, Blossom had made her wear for the final number, and jazz pants made her feel without a doubt out of character entirely. Sure, she knew she looked hot in the costume, but it wasn't…her. She missed her chunky combat boots, and green skull tees. She didn't even mind the black denim miniskirt, she just liked the color of it.
But this, this girly jazz costume was just too Bubbles for her taste. Not to mention the bulky white flower that sat on the left side of her head, identical to Bubbles.
"Ready to kickass BC?"
She glanced up from the mic in her hand and smirked at Mitch, now situated at the drum set. "As ready as I'll ever be when I'm standing around in black jazz shoes. Why did I agree to wear this getup again?"
He smirked as he adjusted the drum set to fit his needs. "Because you love Blossom and want her performance to be perfect, as everything she does must be."
As much as Buttercup didn't like to admit it, Mitch was right. She couldn't say no to her sisters, hence her having to wear a costume of this quality. Curse Bubbles for being put in charge of the uniforms.
She sighed deeply, positioning herself at the microphone stand. "Let's get this over with."
Bubbles quickly ran on stage, Boomer's guitar in hand, and plugged herself up to the amplifier. "I'm here! I'm here!"
"You're late, and your lipstick is smudged," Mitch said, using the stick in his hand to point to where on his face she had to adjust. Bubbles yelped, adjusting her make up blindly, and grinning when Mitch gave her a thumbs up. "Let's go BC, we're ready."
The stage went dark behind the curtain before it rose, nothing but the single white spotlight over Buttercup. She remained silent as the audience took notice of her. They all sat in silence, waiting for her to speak.
She took the mic from it's stand, turning it on and smiling awkwardly. The nervousness finally hit her like a ton of bricks as she stood before the thousand people in the darkness. "Uh, hey everyone. I'm Buttercup, local ass-kicker as you know." The audience laughed in hushed tones, the sound partially relaxing the nervous Powerpuff. "So, yeah, hope you enjoy this. If not, don't say anything, or you'll see why I have that nickname."
Despite the repeated laughter, she could see the underlying tenseness in their chuckles. And it brought a smile to her face, relaxed her a little more as the two began to play in the back. The stage lit up, revealing Bubbles and Mitch once more to the audience, and she rhythmically tapped her hand softly to her thigh, timing each beat.
I've been so wrapped up in my warm cocoon
But something's happening, things are changing soon
I'm pushing the edge, I'm feeling it crack
And once I get out, there's no turning back
Her tension released a bit as she heard Bubbles join in softly behind her, just as it had been planned. The uneasiness of messing up drastically had been weighing her down dramatically. The simple two lines from her sister had been enough to set her off into a singing frenzy.
Watching the butterfly go towards the sun
I wonder what I will become
Metamorphosis
Whatever this is
Whatever I'm going through
Come on and give me a kiss
Come on, I insist
I'll be something new
A metamorphosis
Bubbles silenced in the background, though she continued to play strong, only encouraging Buttercup more. Then, she caught sight of her green-eyed counterpart, and she found a new inspiration to continue.
Things are different now when I walk by
You start to sweat and you don't know why
It gets me nervous but it makes me calm
To see life all around me moving on
She hadn't realized she'd started smiling as she continued to lock eyes with him, but being that he'd been right beside Blossom, Buttercup felt this dismal need to stare straight ahead, and not meet his glance once more, or risk doing something she might regret. But it didn't drag down the mood she had in the least. Bubbles joining in again was a bit of a nice assistance to her, kept her focus on something other than the rapid beat of her heart as she fought to forget Butch was less than ten feet away, watching her intently.
Watching the butterfly go towards the sun
I wonder what I will become
Metamorphosis
Whatever this is
Whatever I'm going through
Come on and give me a kiss
Come on, I insist
I'll be something new
A metamorphosis
The lights dimmed, being replaced by a purple darkness around the instruments and their handlers, while Buttercup practically was aglow under her bright white light, smiling into the mic as she sang. She couldn't stop smiling, knowing that Butch was engulfed in watching her. Not Blossom, but her. It's one of the few reasons she'd been looking forward to this night at all. The intensity of the mood grew stronger as she spoke the next part, all engrossed in her performance.
Every day is a transformation
Every day is a new sensation
Alteration, modification
An incarnation, celebration
Every day is a new equation
Every day is a revelation
Information, Anticipation
Onto another destination
The lights grew once more, and the music picked up for the end up the song, Buttercup's excitement finally settling as she closed her performance.
Metamorphosis
Whatever this is
Whatever I'm going through
Come on and give me a kiss
Come on, I insist
I'll be something new
A metamorphosis
The audience roared into applause, some even whistling at her, though she assumed it was for her costume rather than performance. She bowed and set the mic back on its stand, before the curtain fell.
Buttercup whirled around, grinning hugely at her sister and best friend. "Oh my God! That was such a rush!"
Bubbles and Mitch chuckles as the three walked back stage, listening to Buttercup blather on and on about her excitement.
Back out in the audience, the four other remaining super teens sat awkwardly, watching the curtain close. Butch's eyes were glued to the now empty stage, and Brick couldn't help glaring at his brother. "See what I mean?" he said to him as he stood up and walked away. "Can't decide what he wants," he muttered.
"What's he talking about?" Blossom and Boomer asked in sync.
Butch swallowed hard, clearing his throat as he met his girlfriend's eyes. "Nothing, Blossom."
She didn't care for him to tell her, Blossom was smart enough to know what Brick had been referring to. She wasn't stupid, she wasn't oblivious, but she was naïve. She saw the way Butch had watched Buttercup as she performed, the way he grew tense when she met his eyes during the second verse. Blossom's boyfriend was falling for her sister…she just didn't want to believe it.
A deep sigh later, she forced herself to her feet. "We should get back stage, we're all on in five."
Boomer could sense it too. Especially after Blossom having had pointed it out to him during a private conversation, where she'd confided in him of all people. She'd been so lost, having seen this for weeks now, though never being sure enough to act on such revelations.
Silently, he followed behind the arm linked duo as the three made their way back stage. He felt a deep sense of pity for his good friend, knowing his brother was bringing her such pain by feeling the way he did.