"Why do we have to see bunhead dance at 6 o'clock in the morning" Blaze groaned as he shuffled his way past reporters and fans.
"Because" Brick grumbled.
"Because what? It's bad enough your brother's got Robin waking me up at four to vent but now this. Whyyyyyyyy" Princess whined. She wasn't a morning person plus the fact that she would not get the chance to do her daily shopping spree today only dampened her mood. Brick didn't bother answering her, instead he smirk at the nearest camera and walzed into the extravagant building.
Blaze nearly screamed. Of Course he would be bombarded with even more paparazzi the minute he entered the building. He glanced at his mother and father who had plastered this 'were so perfectly in love' smile on their faces.
They wouldn't even be that close on Christmas he thought. He took notice how perfectly comfortable they appeared. His father hand was at his mother's waist accentuating the golden sparkles on her pure white dress. His mother had her right hand on his father's shoulder showing her giant wedding ring. With her head tilted back laughing as if he was the funniest man in the world . Honestly if he hadn't known his parents he would have believed it.
It's not that they didn't love each other he's sure they did, but some days he's just….. not so sure. There was a time where his mother got so mad she threatens to leave, his father ignored her tantrum and continued his work. They didn't speak to each other for months using Blaze as messenger instead. Then there was a time where his mother and father both took a day off from their busy schedules, rented a circus in their backyard and spent the whole day with him together. He smiled a bit at the memory before a thousand flashes nearly blinded him.
As the paparazzi shouted a million questions a minute to Blaze. Brick and Princess finished posing for their last picture.
"Sorry but we must be going," Princess called over her shoulder as Brick and Blaze nearly dragged her to the theater.
As Blaze sat down he glanced around at his surroundings praying for some entertainment.
His mother and father were to his left pretending to be happily engaged with one another.
On the right of him was Julie playing some game on her phone.
To her right was Boomer glancing at his watch pretending he didn't notice the pictures the girls behind him were taking.
To Boomers right was Bandit who was currently taking the most ridiculous looking selfies with some teenagers.
"Idiot" Blaze mumbled. He tapped Boomer and asked for a seat switch. With his new seat he atleast had someone to talk to.
As soon as Boomer sat down Brick while still continuing his fake conversation with Princess pulled out his phone. Seconds later Boomer got a text.
" I'm guessing you and Bubbly are still pissed at one another"
Boomer frowned but replied with a short " yes". He turned his body toward his less than attentive wife and prayed Brick would see that as a sign to let it go. He didn't.
"And you still refuse to tell anyone about it"
"Bingo" was Boomers response.
Brick sighed and turned to his brother. It took him a moment to formulate his thoughts and when he did Boomer had already voiced his.
"I need some air".
As Boomer walked outside hundreds of paparazzi and fans ambushed him. Their voices blended together and he couldn't even fathom what they were saying. In the midst of this he heard an all too familiar voice.
"Um excuse me can you check again please". It was Bubbles. She was awkwardly standing next to an annoyed Benjamin and a irritated Blossom.
The ticket clerk, a sassy teenager who had begged Boomer for a selfie and hour before sighed and punched the numbers in again. "Like I said the seats have been sold".
"What do you mean the seats have been sold. We bought these seats five months ago"! Blossom screeched. Bubbles tried to shush her but it was lost amongst her anger, Benjamin rolled his eyes and demanded the girl ' check again'.
" Look better money came, we dont usually get celeberties here so the boss jumped at the thing you can do is let the kid dance and buy the video after "
" So we can't see Bloom dance" Bliss sadly asked. Her light blue eyes were wide and her lips were pouted. Next to her was an equally upset Bloom who was trying her best to appear unaffected.
Benjamin growled and demanded to see the girls manager. Blossom and Bubbles were now yelling as well demanding to know ' what celebrity' bought their seats. Boomer guessed the both already knew the answer.
When Bliss had begun to cry that's when Boomer lost it..
So after a couple of questions and a cheeky smile he sautered over to the ticket booth.
"Hey Cassidy right".Boomer said with a dazzling smile. The girl shriek as she nodded her head.
"Look I'll give you a deal you let them through and we can take that selfie you wanted". Cassidy squealed even louder immediately letting the Utonium's pass. She chatted animatedly while snapping as many pictures as she could. By the time she reached the seventeenth Boomer had to excuse himself.
When he stepped inside few paparazzi tried to follow him, those that did were instantly stopped by the security.
While silently thanking the men Boomer walked over to the still fuming Utonium's.
"Where is he" Blossom said her glare was almost as dark as her tone.
Boomer pretended to think over his answer dramatically draping his hand over his chin and looking up into space. " Who".
Blossom growled as Bubbles held her back.
"Hi Boomer! I didn't know you were coming to Bloom's cometition"! Bliss smiled.
" I think you mean competition silly" Boomer said. He laughed as he scooped up the young girl and tickled her over his shoulder. Immediately he saw camera phones and flashes. Before he could even register what was happening Bubbles snatched Bliss out of his arms.
Boomer sighed debating if now was the time to argue with her. He pulled his fingers through his hair and rolled his eyes. "Follow me I'll find you guys some seats".
When the reached the front row Brick smirked up at his brother but frowned at Blossoms glare.
"Should I know why Blossoms pissed at me" he whispered once Boomer sat down.
"You kinda stole her seats". Boomer whispered back.
" I thought you said you were giving us our seats back" Blossom said. Her tone had softened a bit but her glare was still as fierce as ever.
"You said what" Brick questioned his glare rivaling Blossoms.
With both glares now directed at him Boomer let out a shaky laugh "Well technically I said I would get you some seats".
"And how do you suppose you'll do that" Benjamin sarcastically questioned.
"We can sit in each other's lap" Bliss supplied. Boomer let out a small smile and mouth thank you at least someone was on his side.
" No way"
"In hell"
"Ewww"
Princess who had partially listened to the argument rolled her eyes and turned to the family of four beside her. " You I'll pay you fifty thousand for your seats". In less then a second four vacant seats appeared to her right.
Blossom scowled at the woman appalled by her actions. "Those were someone's seats you can't just pay them off. What happens when their child looks for them."
"Not our problem now are you going to sit or not" Brick asked.
"Not"
"Blossom I know it's bad but let's just sit, we're causing a scene". Bubbles said while motioning to the phones and cameras focused on them. Blossom scowl deepened but she nodded following her sister to the seats.
If you looked at the two families you would have no idea they knew one each other. All the adults were trying their best to ignore the others. Soon enough the competition began.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the annual Plete Bargain Junior Miss competition. Our first contestant miss Susie Kingston.
2 hours later
"This is torture pure unadulterated torture" Blaze mumbled through his fingers.
Bandit shrugged , he was chewing on some sticky candy Bliss had gave him. Which based on his expression was so delicious he had to fully digest it before he could add a short "It's not that bad".
"Are you kidding I don't know what's worse the seventeen year old taking pictures of the back of my head or the fact that this is Carrie Caeingminl's seventeenth time spinning on one foot and why the fuck is that smile plastered on her face".
" Its called an a la second you twit".
Blaze smiled a bit ' finally some entertainment'. Standing in front of him was none other than Bloom. She was dressed in a long silk robe with her signature bun.
"Bun head terrible to see ya, came to grace the little people with your presence". He grinned as she grimaced. She was always so fun to tease. Naturally he was a bit upset when she had to go backstage to see her teacher.
" Your one to talk poster boy I can't believe you came down from your pedestal to see me dance" Bloom said while gesturing to all the people taking pictures of the boys, She rolled her eyes as Blaze childishly stuck out his tongue and walked to Benjamin. " Daddy Miss Goodlady wants to see you".
Benjamin nodded and proceeded to get up only to be stopped by Blossom. "Why does Ima want to see you". Benjamin shrugged, shook his arm free from her grasp and walked toward the backstage.
"Aunt Bubbles can I borrow Bliss for a bit" Bloom asked. Bubbles smiled and nodded. Seconds later both girls were running out of the theater. When they finally reached their destination Bloom let go of Bliss hand and caught her breathe.
"Hahah the was fun let's run again say to the snack bar" Bliss said. She reached out to grab her pink eyes cousins hand only for it to yanked away.
"This is serious Bliss I'm freaking out I can't do this. I'm six Susie Kingsten is fourteen, I've never competed against teenagers before " Bloom whined.
" Whats age got to do with it" Bliss pondered.
"What do you mean whats age got to do with it"! Bloom yelled. Bliss slightly shrunk at her tone and frantically apologized.
" Bliss don't apologize it's not your fault Blooms scared" Bandit sneered. He glared at Bloom who just glared back.
" I'm not scared. Were you following us " Bloom angrily asked.
" Brilliant deduction Einstein… cool secret room." Blaze said. He sat down and basked in the lack of paparazzi and fans. " How about we just crash here till your competition things over with, I don't have cameras in my face all day, you don't compete against the teens. It's a win win".
Bloom shook her head horrified at the idea. "Do you know how disappointed my parents will be if I just bail. My dad pays too much for my classes and my mom she always tells me she can't wait to see me dance. Plus everyone back home is relying on me to represent Miss Goodlady's Ballet school. Molly Cariton practice her a la seconds for a whole year to make it to this competition and Miss Goodlady still didn't pick her. If I bail then I'm just wasting a chance Molly's could have had. I- I can't do that to them.
Blaze rolled his eyes." Then go dance".
" I can't",
"Why not"!
"Because"
"Because what"!
Bloom bit her lip unsure if she should respond. This wasn't like Blaze and her usual arguments. This was personal it was something she couldn't even share with her mom. Would he even get it?
" You wouldn't understand" Bloom bitterly murmured. Both redheaded children glared at one another while their blonde cousins wearily watched from the side. It was silent for a few minutes.
"There you guys are we've been looking everywhere for you" Brick said as he walked into the room. Immediately he noticed the tension . "Whats wrong".
"Don't bother dad you wouldn't understand" Blaze mocked. He grabbed Bandits sleeve, who grabbed Bliss's hand and left the room.
Brick stared at Bloom while she stared at the exit. Her eyes were glossy but a not a tear had been shed. When she looked at Brick she was met with the same question as before.
"Whats wrong". His voice was different. It wasn't the calm, sophisticate,slightly sarcastic tone she heard before. It was empathetic, compassion rolled after ever sound. And as crazy as it sounded it was exactly what she needed to hear.
" I- I'm not. I'm not perfect enough" she whispered. Saying the words out loud broke whatever dam had held her tears together. She began to cry furiously mumbling about disappointment, failure and uselessness. Brick went by instincts he held her. He let her soak up his suit in tears and bang on his chest until her cries became sniffles and her sniffles became silent.
"Look no matter what win or lose I think..I think your the best damn dancer here. No teenager, first grader or professional dancer will tell me any different. Your perfection in my eyes okay that goes for Blossy too. You're perfect to us okay" Brick said while wiping her tears. Bloom slightly nodded and walked toward the exit once she reached it she called over her shoulder in the smallest voice.
" Mr. Jojo"
Brick had yet to walk to the exit still replaying her words from before, he and Blossom definitely needed to talk. He shook his head and glanced at the girl. "Yeah".
She bit her lip indecisive of her response, shook her head and ran into his arms. "Thanks".
Seconds later her name was being called and both red heads broke apart. At the door was a surprise Blossom. She gawked a bit before directing her attention back to her daughter.
"Bloom you're on in ten minutes and Ima still needs to fix your make up".
Bloom nodded sent Brick a small smile and left the room.
"Bloss-
" She hugged you"? It's not that she didn't see, hell she couldn't get it out of her head. She just.. needed to know. She had to hear him say it.
"Yeah.. look we need to-
"We need to leave Bloom will be performing in a couple of minutes"
When Blossom and Brick both arrived at their seats Bloom was announce. She was still dressed in that red rob now with dramatic black makeup, ruby red lips and red ballet shoes. Brick ignored how much older it made her appear and clapped with the rest. It's like Boomer said she's six at a ballet competition it will be tasteful.
Her routine started as a slow jazz routine. Her turns and leaps were just as high as any teenager. Then the music began to pick up. When she gracefully pulled her hair out of its bun and dipped her hips Brick frowned. When she swayed her hips again and winked at the judge he glared. When she dramatically pulled off her robe…
"Oh youve got to be shititing me" Brick yelled.
" Brick calm down" Boomer whispered.
"Yes sweetie remember where we are" Princess cooed.
He couldn't hear them he was too busy glaring around for any man, boy, person that gazed a little too long. Even when it came to awards as Bloom went up to retrieve her first place trophy he still was glaring, praying that red robe would magically appear back on her body.
As the competition ended each part extended their goodbyes. Bliss gave Boomer the biggest hug her little arms could carry, Benjamin scoffed a small see you, Blossom and Bubbles regretfully added later and Bloom smiled up at Brick who was still too busy glaring at the men around him.
On the plane ride back home no one dared to speak to him. It was obvious he was in a mood his glare hadn't wavered and the slightest sound made him snap. It wasn't until they reached Bricks home and everyone left to give Brick some cool off time that Boomer spoke to him.
" Well that was special".
" Shut up Boomer".
"Hey Brick that's my niece so of course I thought the whole thing was way inappropriate.I mean if that was Bliss I don't know what I'd do".
"Shut up Boomer".
" Especially the choreography with that outfit".
"Shut. Up. Boomer."
"I sent a clip to Butch and he thinks-
Arghhh
" Yes I've just walked in, your oldest and your youngest son are currently wrestling on the floor. There animalistic side is coming out. You should be offended they get it from you Mojo. Right Kisses bye bye." A woman in all red said.
Immediately at the sound of her voice both boys got of one another and fixed their clothing. When he thought he look presentable enough Brick spoke. " Hello Mother what brings you here".
The women didn't bother replying to her son. She simply slammed an ipad on the table letting both men see the headlines of three news articles. The first was a photo of Brick offering the seats to Blossom and her family, headline: Jojo brothers pay for unfortunate family to watch the ballet. The second was a picture of a smiling Boomer with Bliss over his shoulder laughing Bubbles was besides them looking less than pleased. The last was Butch, Robin and Buttercup arguing outside the hospital..
Boomer casually glanced around the room praying to be anybody else. Brick choose to stare at Blossoms angry face in the photograph. Oh great she's going to have a field day with this did they have to name her unfortunate. His thoughts were interrupted when his mother cleared her throat and sat down, her sunglasses pushing her blonde hair back.
"We need to talk".