Abhorrent. Appalling. Disastrous. Ghastly. Gruesome. Harrowing. Horrendous. Blossom had her phone hidden under the dining table and was scrolling through a thesaurus for new synonyms for the word 'terrible' in an effort to retain some semblance of sanity and control.

The moment Brick had introduced himself the casserole dish that the Professor had been holding tumbled to the ground, sending baked ziti across the living room and splattering everyone within. Bubbles threw up her fists and had fired off a few blasts of blue energy before Blossom could convince her that Brick wasn't there to attack them. Buttercup had run into the room at the sounds of chaos, slipped in the fallen casserole, and burst out into a loud fit of laughter at the situation.

As soon as he had been able to compose himself - or, in other words, regain the ability to speak - the Professor picked up the phone to order pizza; for some reason he still insisted on having a dinner that evening. Blossom and her sisters went upstairs to change out of their soiled clothes, where Bubbles had confronted Blossom about bringing a Rowdyruff Boy to the house and yelled at Buttercup for not telling her about it before. By the time her rant was over and the three of them trooped back downstairs, the blonde was stubbornly ignoring both of her sisters.

They now found themselves sitting in an awkward silence at the dining table - the living room being to messy to sit in at the moment - waiting for the pizza to arrive. Twenty minutes had passed, and still there was no sign of the food. Buttercup was looking around at everyone's expressions and chuckling to herself, Bubbles refused to look anywhere near her sisters, the Professor was trying his hardest to force a smile at Brick, and Blossom had her head in her hand and was staring down at her phone.

Brick, however, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself. He was humming lightly and looking around pleasantly at his surroundings. Blossom heard him mumble, "Nerd," and looked up to see him leaning over and staring down at her phone. "Shut up," she muttered back while shoving him away with her shoulder. She did, however, slide her phone into her pocket and sit up a little straighter.

The Professor cleared his throat and attempted to speak for the first time since Brick's arrival. "So, uh, Brick...ahem, how, uh, how is your family?"

A mixture of expressions were shot at the Professor at his question, the most striking of which belonging to Brick, who looked around incredulously before laughing lightly and responding, "They're doin' alright. I think my brothers were planning on hitting up a few b-" Blossom sent Brick a sharp look, warning him not to continue, "...libraries...while I'm out, and Mojo's off doing...something."

"Oh, um, that's nice." The Professor was nodding and once more trying to force a smile on his face.

"Wow, libraries. I didn't know you guys could read," Buttercup said while forcing back another round of laughter. Bubbles's wide blue eyes were swinging around at her family members in shock.

"Um, are we just not going to talk about the fact that there's a villain sitting at the table?" The blonde had whispered the word villain, as though it were a curse. "I mean, we've been fighting his entire family for a while now, but just because Blossom has a little crush on him we're just supposed to be fine with it? Well, I'm not! I've always thought that Boomer was cute, but you don't see me sneaking around with him."

"Hey, is it cool if I tell my bros about that Boomer thing? I think they'll get a kick out of it." Bubbles glared at Brick, who was spared of her response by the sound of the doorbell.

Three different voices yelled out, "I'll get it," but it was Brick who actually stood up. "No, let me. I've caused a bit of trouble already. It's the least I can do."

All the Utonium's were shocked at Brick's apparent politeness, and nobody said anything as he stood and went to the front door. They heard the front door open and a few mumbled words before the door was slammed shut and Brick reappeared with a couple of pizza boxes balancing in one of his hands. The boxes were slid onto the table as he resumed his position next to Blossom.

As the others dug into their dinner, Blossom leaned over slightly and whispered to Brick, "Did you actually pay the delivery guy?"

She saw the corners of his mouth twitch slightly. "Would you believe me if I said I did, or should I just not bother with lying," he whispered back.

"Brick!"

"What? Free pizza and I made a good impression. How is that a bad thing?"

"So Brick," Buttercup cut in from across the table, "what do bad guys do when they're not being bad guys? I've always wondered."

Brick's mouth twitched once more, as though he was holding down a smile. "Normal stuff, ya know. Like blowing things up, setting things on fire, catfishing people on the internet, committing tax fraud, causing ten car pileups on the freeway. That sort of thing."

The room was silent for a moment, before the Professor let out an anxious laugh. "Oh, hahaha, yes. That sounds very...interesting. I'm sure we'd all love to hear more about...those things...some other time."

"He wasn't being serious, Professor," Blossom told him.

"I was being serious about some of those things," Brick mumbled. Blossom shot him a stern look, though he simply winked in return.

"What's the most expensive thing you've ever stolen?"

"Buttercup, you can't just ask things like that," the Professor chided.

"What? I'm just trying to make conversation," the green-eyed girl replied.

"So Buttercrap - oh, sorry, that's what Butch calls you - I guess you're a Townsville Titans fan," Brick said, gesturing towards the jersey she was currently wearing.

"Heck yeah! Number one team in the country," she exclaimed.

"Yeah, they suck," he deadpanned. She bit back, and soon the two were engaged in a back and forth concerning various teams, Brick always finding some reason to disagree with what Buttercup said. The conversation was lost on the others at the table, but it did wonders for easing the tension that had pervaded the atmosphere up until that point. By the time the Professor went to the kitchen for dessert, Blossom was feeling relatively comfortable with the situation and Bubbles looked marginally more cheerful.

As the evening neared its end, and Blossom found herself thinking that while dinner hadn't gone perfectly, at least it hadn't been worse. That was, until the Professor offered to walk Brick out. The moment the two left the room, she slammed her face down on the table. It seemed that the Professor was going to give Brick one of his 'dad talks.'

Blossom heard a couple of chairs scrape across the floor, and looked up to find that her sisters had run to stand near the doorway and were trying to listen for what the Professor was saying. With a sigh, Blossom stood up and walked over - hey, if you can't beat them, join them. All three of them pressed their ears against the door; in hindsight, their superhearing rendered this action completely unnecessary, but something about doing it just seemed fitting for the situation.

It seemed that Brick and the Professor were standing in the living room, and the latter was clearing his throat to begin speaking.

"Ahem, yes, well, it was lovely having you over Brick, but I think there's something we need to discuss."

"Alright, lay it on me."

"Okay, well, this wasn't exactly the evening that I was expecting, as I'm sure you're aware. The thing is, I just don't think I'm very comfortable with you seeing Blossom. I'm sure you can understand why, given your history," the Professor said with a small, nervous laugh. Back in the dining room, Blossom's face fell. She hadn't been expecting the Professor to like the situation, but now that she was hearing it out loud she found the hard truth disappointing.

"Ooooh, this is gonna be one of those things, isn't it? Alright, let me save you some time and cut to the chase. One, it ain't up to you, and two, I don't give a shit - oh, sorry - I don't give a crap about what the rest of y'all think. As long as Blossom wants me, I'm gonna stick around."

The Professor's flabbergasted silence rang through the house for a few moments before he composed himself enough to answer. "Well, that's nice, I guess. But it's my duty as a concerned parent to tell you that if you dare hurt my little girl-"

"Yeah, well, I don't think that's gonna happen, pops. Honestly, if anything does happen it'll probably be the other way around, so...moot point. Now is that it? I gotta get goin'."

"Oh, um, yes, I suppose that's all."

"Cool. Thanks for the pizza, man."

They heard the front door open and shut, signalling Brick's departure. When the house fell silent, Blossom straightened and looked up to find both of her sisters staring at her. She cleared her throat and turned to face Bubbles, saying, "Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I just didn't want -"

"He defended your relationship! That is sooo cute!" Bubbles flew forward to wrap her arms around her shocked sister.

"Wait, but...I-I thought that you were mad about it," Blossom stammered out.

"I'm over it. That was so five minutes ago. Did you hear the way he just stood up for the two of you," the blonde gushed. "And he talked sports with Buttercup and got the pizza and he was staring at you like the entire time. It was adorable! I ship it so much!"

"Yeah, that could have gone a lot worse," Buttercup added.

"So you really don't mind it," Blossom asked.

"Of course we mind, but, like I said, could be worse. Coulda been Fuzzy," Buttercup replied with a shrug.

"Ewww, can you imagine that," Bubbles chimed in. "Ugh, how would someone even kiss that? WAIT, have you in Brick already kissed?"

Blossom felt her cheeks turn pink, and she mumbled, "None of your business."

"That means she has," Buttercup said as she walked back to the dining table to pick up the now-empty pizza boxes. "Gross, Bloss. Now I'm gonna be picturing that for the rest of the night."

"Oh my gosh, I want to know EVERYTHING," Bubbles squealed.

"Thanks, Buttercup," Blossom said. The girls felt silent as the Professor re-entered the dining room.

"Well, Blossom. Not the best choice, I must say," he said with a sigh. "I'm not so sure about this."

"Professor, I'm eighteen, I've already graduated, and I start college in a month. I think I can decide who to date."

The Professor sighed. "Well, it's hard to argue against that logic. But I really don't feel comfortable with this. I don't want that boy in the house, okay?"

"I wasn't the one who invited him over tonight," she retorted.

"Don't take that tone with me. And I don't like the idea that you would have tried to hide this from your family."

"Oh, she didn't," Buttercup jumped in. "I knew about it a while ago."

"Why didn't you tell me," the Professor exclaimed. Buttercup just shrugged it off.

"Didn't think it was that big of a deal. Besides, he seems to be treating her nice enough, dontcha think?"

The Professor rubbed his face with his hands and sighed once more. "Alright. I seem to be outnumbered here. But Blossom, I want to know exactly when you're with him and where you are from now on."

"Yes, Professor," Blossom said, turning her face so that he couldn't see her roll her eyes. She had no intention of telling him anything of the sort.

"Oh, wait, Blossom?" The Professor had walked over and set his hand on the ginger's shoulder. "He hasn't done anything...inappropriate...has he?"

"Ew, oh, wha-Professor, no!" Blossom's face turned beet red, and she could her Buttercup sniggering behind her.

"Well, I just had to make sure!"

"NO! Just...just go to bed, I'll clean everything up, okay?"

With a sigh, the Professor agreed and turned to head upstairs to his room. Blossom turned and found her sisters sharing a smug look behind her back.

"C'mon, let's just get this cleaned up," she told them. Buttercup put a hand on her shoulder to stop her and, with a look of feigned concern, said, "Now, Blossom, you haven't been doing anything inappropriate with this boy, have you?"

"Seriously?" Blossom shook her head and moved on, leaving her sisters giggling behind her.


The next few days passed by quietly. Blossom had spent most of the time out enjoying the nice August weather with Brick. She now found herself lounging on her couch, reminiscing on a particularly lovely afternoon she had spent with him that day when the hotline began to ring upstairs. Bubbles's mumbled voice could be heard answering it, and soon Blossom was greeted by the sight of her sister floating down the stairs towards her.

"That was the mayor's office. They just need to talk to us about something real quick," Bubbles told her.

"Oh, okay. Where's Buttercup?"

"Out with some friends, I think. It didn't sound too urgent, so we probably don't have to bother her."

"Alright, just give me a moment to grab my shoes." Soon, the two sisters were out the door and flying off towards Townsville City Hall. There, they were greeted by Ms. Bellum, as usual, and led inside to the Mayor's office.

"Oh hello Blossom, there you are," the Mayor greeted her in his sputtering voice. Ms. Bellum sat down nearby and told Bubbles, "You know, we really only need to talk to Blossom, so if you have other things to do you don't have to stay."

"Oh, no, it's fine," Bubbles replied. "I think I'll stay. I wasn't really doing anything today anyways."

"Okay. Well, Blossom," Ms. Bellum began, "it has come to our attention that you've been spending a lot of time with Brick of the Rowdyruff Boys. We've heard some reports of you two being sighted together in a few different places around Townsville. According to these reports, your interactions with him were rather, er, friendly."

"Oh, yeah, they're dating now," Bubbles told her. "Aren't they cute together?"

"Yes, well, that's the problem," the Mayor bumbled. "They're too cute!"

"No, Mayor, that's not the issue," Ms. Bellum said sternly. "Blossom, you have to understand that this is a little concerning for us."

"Wait, what," Blossom asked.

"Given his track record, we feel that it would be a conflict of interest for the two of you to continue seeing each other. I'm sure you understand."

Blossom was taken aback. "No, I'm afraid I don't understand. What are you trying to say?"

Ms. Bellum hesitated and turned - futilely - towards the Mayor for assistance before answering, "We think it best if you suspend your Powerpuff duties for the time being."

"WHAT," both Blossom and Bubbles yelled at the same time. Ms. Bellum sighed and shifted uncomfortably. "We just feel that if you're under any sort of influence from a known threat to our city that it may cloud your judgement in some circumstances. The Rowdyruff Boys haven't quit crime, we have records showing numerous misdemeanors from the past month alone. If you're just going to turn a blind eye to that, then there's no telling what else you may let slip under your radar."

"You can't seriously believe that I'll show that kind of favoritism," Blossom shot back. "I have given years of service to this city, and never once have I given you reason to question my judgement. How dare you start now."

"That may be true, but this an entirely different situation."

"But she's our leader," Bubbles shouted. "What are we supposed to do without her? There are some things we can barely handle with all three of us fighting. Now you're going to cut us down to just two people?"

"We would reconsider the decision if Blossom were willing to end her relationship with Brick," Ms. Bellum stated firmly.

"You've got to be kidding me," Blossom insisted. "It really can't be that big of a deal."

"Look, Blossom. You may trust him, but we don't. He's done too much damage to the city. We can't rest knowing that any favoritism on your part might allow for further crime. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is. We'll give you a day to think about it, okay?"

"I can't believe this," Blossom said. "You're seriously going to try and stop me from being a Powerpuff Girl?"

"If it comes to that, then yes, we will."

Blossom nodded angrily and turned to leave without another word, Bubbles following closely behind. As they neared the door, the Mayor called out, "Wait, girls. Can one of you open this pickle jar for me?" Blossom stopped and glared over her shoulder at him.

"I'm sorry, but don't you think it's a conflict of interest for me to be aiding you when I'm being so heavily influenced by a villain?" With that, Blossom and Bubbles stormed out, slamming the door behind them.


"So that's it? You can't exactly give up being a Powerpuff!" Buttercup was ranting and pacing around Blossom's bedroom. Blossom and Bubbles had just filled her in on what was said at the Mayor's office, and she was as angry as they were.

"I know I can't, but what do you want me to do," Blossom asked. She was sitting cross-legged on her bed with her head in her hands; she had a splitting headache, and Buttercup's exclamations weren't doing much to sooth it.

"Break up with him," the brunette yelled.

"She can't just do that, Buttercup," Bubbles told her softly.

"No, really. Just pretend to, and see him secretly. The secret thing worked out before, didn't it," the green-eyed sister suggested.

"Yeah, but it didn't," Blossom replied. "We weren't exactly flaunting it before, and they still found out. I bet they'll be watching out for us now, the little freaks." She sighed and rubbed at her temples.

"What are you going to do," Bubbles asked.

"I don't know," Blossom muttered. "I really like him, but I've been a Powerpuff Girl my whole life. I can't just quit now because some people downtown are getting pissed off for no damn reason."

"Daaaaaang, that's the most brutal thing you've ever said, leader girl," Buttercup said with a laugh. "Maybe Brick really is 'influencing' you."

Blossom shook her head - bad idea. It felt as though her brain smashed against her skull each time she moved. "Sorry, I think I'm getting a stress headache. Do you mind if I just lie down for a while?"

"Oh, sorry. No problem," Buttercup said, and she and Bubbles got up to leave the room. As soon as the door shut, Blossom leaned back on her pillows and rubbed at her forehead.

What the heck was Ms. Bellum thinking? She had no right to pull something like that on Blossom. Hadn't she proved time and time again that she was trustworthy and loyal to the city? Blossom would never let what was going on with Brick affect her duties as a Powerpuff Girl.

Then again, she had let Brick get away with stealing a few things. But were spaghetti sauce and pizza really that big of a deal? It wasn't grand theft auto or anything.

What was she supposed to do? She mulled over the two options for what felt like hours, unable to arrive at a clear conclusion. She refused to stop seeing Brick. On the other hand, she knew that she had only recently come to like him like that, but she had been a Powerpuff Girl for as long as she could remember. Blossom groaned and sat up, looking around her room for answers. Nothing came to her.

Her eyes fell on her phone, which had been lying on her bedside table until that point. Slowly she pulled it towards her and unlocked it. For a moment she stared down at a conversation she had been having with Brick earlier on that day. Biting her lip, she opened the keyboard, typed a short message, and pressed send.

Can you meet me soon?

Moments later, two messages appeared from him.

Of course.

Same place as usual?


Hello! If you happened to read my little 'Yellows' one-shot earlier this week, then you'll know that this is "Update Week" for me. I decided to start with this story because it's the most fresh for me, and I'm going to try to have new chapters for the other two on Friday and Saturday.

I think I ought to warn you, I don't see this story going on for too much longer. I have a couple more chapters in mind, but I don't want to stretch it too far and have it spiral out of my control. It has been really fun and I've enjoyed writing this so far, so I'll be sad to see it go, but c'est la vie. All things must come to an end.

As usual, thank you all so much for giving this story a chance and sticking to it! I really appreciate all of y'all and the support that you've given me in this endeavor. You're all amazing! Thanks again.

-ICantThinkofanOriginalName-