.....................................................................................................CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.......................................................................................

Butch's lips brushed against another scar, following it up to where her bra would cling. Her skin was smooth and the scars were soft against his lips. He had closed his eyes imagining that they were gone, wishing they weren't there. They had looked so painful.

Buttercup arched her back, pulling it away from him and grabbed her tank top. She pulled it over her head and turned around, pulling it down over her stomach.

Butch watched her belly button disappear and he stared at her green fabric until he turned his eyes up and saw her staring down at him.

Slowly he stood from kneeling and he towered over her, staying very close, brushing his fingers against her left forearm. He loved how smooth her skin was.

Buttercup wouldn't look into his eyes when he stood.

"Tell me." He whispered against her forehead; his breath parted her black bangs.

She shook her head. "Don't you know it's rude not to knock?" She brought her hand up to her mouth, biting her thumbnail gently.

Butch tilted his head, taking in her scent and touching her hip with his other hand. "I need to know."

She chuckled awkwardly. "Need to? You don't need to know. They're just scars from old battles." She said as if it was nothing but her voice was shaking.

With one hand on her forearm and the other against her hip, he pulled her just close enough until her head rested against his chest. The moment drained him. His head leaned over and rested against hers. He didn't feel tired but he did suddenly feel weak.

"You're hiding something. Why can't you tell me?"

Buttercup closed her eyes and when she opened them a moment later she was scowling. She pulled away and shoved him back hard with all her strength.

Caught off guard, Butch flew back and his back hit the edge of her bed's wooden frame. He yelped in pain then dropped to his hands and knees, bowing his back to the ceiling, and pressing his forehead to the floor. There was a soreness burning against his spine.

"Damn it, Buttercup!" He yelled, glaring up at her. He staggered to his feet before catching his balance. The pain settled quickly.

Buttercup had hot tears pouring down her cheeks and she was exploding with anger. "Out! Get out! I don't want you talking about these stupid scars again! I want you out! Leave!" She ran to the door and yanked it open for his exit.

Butch went over and shut the door. "Shut up! You want your aunt to hear us?" He growled.

"Then leave or I'll scream." She threatened through her teeth. "You'll be getting a one-way flight ticket home by morning if you don't get out of my room right now."

"I was only—"

Buttercup opened the door again and he stared between her and the hallway.

He narrowed his eyes at her and walked out. "Fine but—"

Buttercup shut the door on his face and he took a step back. "Now who's being stubborn?!" He whispered loudly. Then he touched her door with his fingertips but froze when he heard Sophie's door open at the end of the hallway.

Butch quickly flew down to his room, shutting the door behind him, as Sophie turned on the hallway light.

Sophie had woken up to some commotion but couldn't decipher it from a dream she was having or not. It sounded like it was coming from Buttercup's room but when she gently opened Buttercup's door she saw that the lamp light was off and Buttercup was sleeping in bed, facing the wall.

Confused, she shut the door and walked down to check up on her 'sleeping'/'unconscious' guest before going back to bed.

Buttercup bit her lip to keep from crying and when she heard the door open she thought Butch was coming back in. She was too upset with herself to say anything. She almost wanted him to stay but she didn't want him talking about her scars anymore. She didn't want to tell him about how she got them. She couldn't bear knowing herself. He would just think of her differently if he knew about them.

When she heard the door shut she looked over her shoulder and saw no one. So, curling up into a ball, Buttercup closed her eyes and whimpered at the painful memories, trying to go to sleep.