When she misses you, she's hurting inside

Rain lightly hits the window outside as Buttercup stares out of it with a somber expression.

It's been nine years.

Exactly nine years.

When she was younger, she thought it was great when the Rowdyruff boys left. Who needs 'em? They were just troublemakers, all they did was make her life harder and she was glad to be rid of them. Or so she thought. There came times when she would long to hear the name 'Rowdyruff Boys' when she answered the hot line. When she would long to see a certain smirk, followed by spiked black hair, twinkling green eyes, and some twitching. Why did they leave anyway? What right did he have to leave? She wasn't done beating him up yet!

Buttercup groans, turning away from the window. He's just an ass, that much probably hasn't changed… changed… Has he changed? Did his eyes lose their twinkle? Did he no longer spike his hair? How tall has he grown now? Does he still wear that smirk? Does he still twitch?... Does he have a girlfriend? Has he had his first kiss on the lips yet?...Does he miss her?

Buttercup scoffs suddenly; of course he doesn't miss her. All she ever did was beat him up! Of course, that's all he ever did to her and she… she might miss him. Maybe a little. They say little boys pick on the girl they like, did that mean…? No, no way he liked her. He clearly stated he wanted to destroy her and her sisters. Clearly he couldn't, could he? She did, she thinks, maybe a little. She did always like the bad boys. After all, her first crush was Ace, the 'badest of the bad.' And yet, getting over Ace was so easy. She liked him for a day and she got over him in a couple minutes. But Butch… She didn't even know she liked him and… here she is. Wishing she could see his face one last time, tell him she misses him or something. Just to hear his voice again, she's beginning to forget what he sounds like… it hurts.

Is this what missing someone feels like? This painful tugging at your heart from just thinking about him for a while? Why is it so hard to breathe? She turns back to the window, pitifully wishing to see a glimpse of dark green cross the sky. Clenching her shirt in front of her heart as it aches painfully.

She wasn't done killing him yet!

He couldn't leave!

He wasn't allowed to!

He wasn't supposed to!

…Why did he leave her?

"Butch" his name leaves her lips in a whisper. She clenches her shirt tighter as the pain grows.

"Butch, you god damn asshole."

"Gee. Thanks." His voice bounces off the walls as her eyes widen. Great, now she's hearing things. Clutching her hands over her ears, she squeezes her eyes shut. She needs to snap out of this! She's going insane!

"Hey! I don't like being ignored, you know!" She hears him again. Shaking her head, she refuses to open her eyes. Suddenly, she feels hands on her arms, pulling them away from her ears. She feels a warm presence behind her as the hands travel down her arms to her own hands to hold them softly.

"Wow, I never would have thought you'd miss me this much." His voice states, much to close to her ear, she can feel him breathing, but she's scared to turn around. What if she turned around and he disappeared? What if she is just hallucinating? She grips his hands tighter and she feels him breathe out a laugh.

"Are you going to look at me or what? Can't we talk face to face? Come on, Buttercup, I haven't seen you in nine years! Aren't you happy to see your arch enemy reappear?" His harsh tone is some how convincing and reassuring, she lets herself turn slowly to face him.

How much has he changed?

She is shocked to see an exact replica of a younger Butch, only taller and a little older looking. His black coal hair is still spiked into that ridiculous fashion, his toothy smirk still present, and…his eyes. Buttercup looses herself staring into his eyes, his green eyes still hold that twinkle, that sparkle that's just so…Him.

"Butch," hot air hits Butch's face as he feels her breathe out his name.

"Damn, Buttercup," his voice softens into a whisper as he looks into her eyes. They shine. He doesn't know how it's possible, but they shine a light green that reminds him of green apples, shinny green apples. She hasn't changed much, he's glad to observe, same old Buttercup. Just taller and, well, prettier…probably stronger though.

Stronger… Why hasn't she hit him yet?

Why aren't they fighting?

Why doesn't she push him away?

Why…Why did she miss him anyway? It's not like he missed her! Okay, maybe that's a lie…but still! Just fight him already! Damn it, Buttercup…

"Damn it," Butch mutters, squeezing her hands, which he realizes are still intertwined with his, "how have you been?" he whispers, feeling dumb. To his surprise, she simply shrugs. Lifting their hands to brush some of her hair behind her ear, she replies,

"I missed you," her small whisper shocks him, what shocks him more is the words carried by the small whisper. Sure, he knew she missed him, but hearing her say that she did…That's something else entirely.

"I…I missed you too, Buttercup," his answer is automatic. He hadn't meant to say it, he just did… Brick and Boomer are so going to kill him later.

This thought is lost, however, as he looks into her eyes again. Her shinny eyes are becoming glassy and he stares wide eyed as a tear rolls down her pale cheek.

"Why did you leave? You weren't supposed to! Why did you leave!" Her tears flow freely as her voice rises. He lets go of one of her hands and wraps an arm around her tightly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Buttercup," his whispers reach her ears softly, slowly calming her tears. "Hush, now," he murmers, blowing air down her neck comfortingly, "don't cry. Don't cry," he continues to ramble awkwardly to her until her tears stop. He's sitting on his knees now, one arm wrapped around her as she sits on a chair by the window. His other hand squeezes hers softly before pulling her off the chair towards him. He slowly sits on the floor, leading her into his lap. She doesn't say a word as she wraps an arm around his neck, her other hand refusing to release his. Counting his heartbeats, she feels him begin to slowly stroke her short black hair. He exhales slowly, holding her tighter, bringing her body as close to him as possible. Gently releasing his hand, she traces small patterns on his chest while he wraps his now free arm around her, bringing her closer still.

"Don't leave again," he strains to hear her soft whisper as she leans her head against his shoulder. Brushing his nose against her neck, he breathes in her fresh apple sent,

"I won't," another automatic response, he didn't even need to think about it. Screw Mojo, screw Him, he wanted, needed, Buttercup…He never wanted to leave this spot. With her in his arms, everything felt right. Better, everything just felt better. God, he missed her…that bitch. How the hell did she do this to him?

"Good…" her breath hits his neck and he squeezes her tighter in response. "It hurts too much without you here," how the hell did he do that to her? It hurt without him? What does that mean? Butch figures he'll have plenty of time to figure that out as he plays with her hair gently, knowing he'll never leave again.

Knowing he couldn't ever leave again.

Knowing she couldn't live without him ever again.

She'll never have to miss him again, and he hopes he won't have to miss her.

I hope you liked!

This one kind of got away from me... but I just kind of let it! So.. yeah. I hoped you liked it!

suggestions:

When she's sad, make her laugh.

I LOVE YOU! SO MUCH! :D