A/N
Geez, after that whole mix up with Chapter 8, I was a little afraid to even update the story :l. Stupid tech problems. Anyways, here is chapter 9. Enjoy.
Buttercup and Ace were waiting in line for the Tunnel of Love while Butch watched from a distance. Ace was staring ahead when he felt something wrap around his arm. It was Buttercup. He opened his mouth to speak when she said, "I can't wait till it's our turn."
"Um, yeah. Me too." He could not help but to notice her odd behavior. One minute she was completely fine and then the next, she was flirting with him. Chicks are so confusing, his mind said as he watched her closely. Blossom and Brick were already floating down the stream in their swan-shaped boat. Boomer, being a gentleman, held out his hand and let Bubbles into the boat first. Ace was simply on autopilot and helped Buttercup into the boat, minding her footing so that she did not trip. She ran a hand down his arm and smiled a thank you. His eyes fell wide and she giggled at his surprise. Shrugging it off, he took his seat next to her and the ride began.
Butch sighed. He did not appreciate the fact that his girlfriend was touching some guy, but at least she had no idea what she was doing and Ace didn't seem to return the affection. Pushing past Him, he muttered, "Let's just get out of here."
"Ah, ah, ah. We haven't seen the best part yet," Him sneered. He waved his claw and they appeared within the ride on the sidelines of the stream. Butch could hear Buttercup's laughter echoing through the dim tunnel and groaned. Squinting, he saw Blossom and Brick's boat appear first. They were kissing. He gagged audibly, seeing that they could not hear him anyways. Next was Boomer and Bubbles. They were nuzzling noses and giggling madly which caused Butch to turn a green color and puke into the stream. He wondered if his vomit would be invisible to them too or if Bubbles and Boomer would just see it appearing out of nowhere. Apparently they could see it. Bubbles yelped and pointed.
"Is that…puke?" Boomer asked curiously.
"Eww," Bubbles whimpered.
"Cool!" Boomer exclaimed, leaning closer for a better look. Bubbles pulled him back.
"You are such a boy!"
"But I'm a cute boy," he chirped. She smiled and nodded, initiating yet another nose nuzzle. More puke appeared out of nowhere. "This ride sure has strange effects," Boomer pointer out, Bubbles nodding in agreement.
And then, Buttercup and Ace arrived. Ace had his arm draped loosely around the head of the boat. Buttercup leaned back and lay against him. Ace cleared his throat nervously and tried to slip away easily, but she moved over even closer. "I'm having a wonderful time, Ace."
He nodded, avoiding eye contact. "Me too." He couldn't wait for the ride to be over. Don't get him wrong. Buttercup was beautiful. He was even beginning to wonder if he was falling for her. But she was off limits. True, she and Butch were no longer dating. But she still had feelings for him. That much he could tell for certain. And no matter how much he wanted to aim at a relationship, he couldn't put her through that confusion or pain; he wouldn't put her through that. He was aware of how hard it could be when you are forced to choose between two people. Plus, he had a feeling there was more to the story then Butch simply getting annoyed with the fact that she had worn a pink dress and had become ladylike. The Rowdyruff Boy would have laughed at the fact that her sisters had managed to get her, above all people, into a dress. Something was definitely amiss. So he kept his distance. At least, he tried. She was making it more and more difficult with each passing second.
By the time their boat was passing the waterfall, she was practically on top of him. Ace attempted to remove her gently, though it did not work.
"Is everything alright?" he finally asked.
"It is when I'm with you," she sighed, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Listen, I know—" But she silenced him with a finger to his lips.
"Ace, there's no need to talk…" Butch shook his head as he listened to her. Suddenly, he noticed the words she was saying were being repeated. Turning, he realized that as Him said something, Buttercup repeated exactly what he was saying. He was controlling her completely. He faced Buttercup and continued to listen. "I'm not dating Butch anymore so nothing is holding us back. We can be together."
Ace lowered her hands and shook his head. "You don't mean any of this. You are just hurt."
"But I do mean it," she said, leaning over. "Be everything he could not be," she purred.
Butch gritted his teeth and tears of anger burned his eyes as Him leaned over and let the words echo in his ears.
Ace sighed. "Buttercup—" He tried to say, but she quickly silenced him by kissing him.
"You—!" Butch hissed. He wanted to hurt Him so badly, but he knew that his attacks would faze right through him. So instead of assaulting the instigator, he raced to the aid of the victim. Butch shook his head, sprinting into the water. "Buttercup!" he gasped. "No, please! I didn't mean to. It wasn't my fault! Him and Princess, they set me up. I…I was trying to protect you…" Yet she could not hear him. He grasped the side of the boat and let his head rest on the frame as he watched her hold him.
Ace groaned and pulled away. "We need to stop this," he stated.
"But, Ace—" she moaned seductively. "You said I deserve a guy who knew how to treat me right; one who would tell me how much I am worth to him."
He positioned himself upright and glanced at her. "Yeah I know. So?"
"Do you think I am ugly?"
The question was so random, so blunt that he thought nothing of it as he shook his head and said, "No, you are beautiful. Why?" And then he realized where she was getting at. What he had told her before, the promise he had made her vow; she was twisting his words.
"Tell me you love me," her voice whispered. He stuttered, not knowing what to say. Luckily light poured across them, signaling that the ride had drawn to a close. He got out of the boat as quickly as he could.
"Drat!" Him hissed.
"I guess your little plan didn't work out after all," Butch stated, crossing his arms.
"I wouldn't go as far as that, boy! The night is merely just beginning and there is much time left for me to rip you apart!" His eyes glowed a menacing red. "I just have to set up the stage for another scene," he hummed and facing Buttercup, he smirked. Planting a new idea into her head, Him leaned back and watched his play unfold.
"It's getting late," Buttercup said. "Why don't we start heading home?"
"I agree," Ace whimpered.
She pulled her sisters aside. "Blossom, Bubbles, if you don't mind, I want to walk home with Ace." They blinked in confusion and she sighed. "Alone."
"Oh, okay," Blossom shrugged. "Uh, see you at home, I guess."
Boomer and Brick began walking the Girls home. Ace sneakily stepped towards the Gang and tried to escape, but Buttercup grabbed his arm and dragged him back. "Walk me home?" she asked, blinking slowly, charmingly. He sighed, but agreed to.
Butch watched as the pair exited the carnival. Him floated behind him. "How does it feel to see the love of your life going off with some other guy?" he taunted. "Does it hurt? I certainly hope so."
Butch growled, but stopped. Wait a minute, he thought to himself. Nobody can see or hear me, but Bubbles and Boomer were able to see me puking in the Tunnel of Love. Hmm…I wonder…
And then he had an idea.
He smirked. Time to give Buttercup a wakeup call.
A/N
I'll admit, I was laughing so hard at the part where Butch was puking and all Boomer and Bubbles saw was vomit appearing out of nowhere XD Poor Butch ^-^ But that will help him out very soon! You will find out in the next chapter ;D. Wow, this story is longer than I thought it'd be!
