CHAPTER 35: BEFORE CLASS
ME: So here we have a new chapter! Sorry to anybody who was getting impatient. *sweat-drop*
BOOMER: FINALLY!
ME: Okay, okay; I got it!
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing besides my own OC's and the story, guys...sadly, I must add.
Chapter 35: Before Class
Looking out the window, Boomer felt tiredness tugging at him but not actually taking over.
Sure, he should be going to bed, but after all the events of the day, he just didn't feel like it.
He sighed, glancing down at his Math notebook. Thanks to Him, he'd managed to get most of the subject's contents.
Boomer leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. "...Sleep...or no sleep? That is the question."
"...Boomer, honey? What are you doing still up?"
Startled, Boomer jumped out of his seat and got into a fighting stance. He sighed in relief when he saw who the intruder was. "Oh, it's just you, Him. You know how I feel about you sneaking up on me in the middle of the night."
Him just grinned somewhat creepily. "Sneaking is my thing," he purred. He leaned against the door and placed a claw on his hip. "Okay, Booms; spill. Why are you still awake and NOT in bed?"
"Same could go for you," Boomer shot back.
Him sighed lightly, fanning himself with a claw. "Oh, Mojo snores like a bear...or should I say a monkey?" Then he smiled again. "But enough about me. What about you? I did ask you first."
"Well...I can't sleep," Boomer admitted sheepishly, shrugging as he managed a weak grin. "I guess I'm just...not tired."
"...Do you want to sleep with me?" Him offered, almost threateningly...but mostly teasingly. He smiled eerily. "It'll just be like every other children and their parents, bonding by―"
"I'm good!" Boomer said quickly, eyes wide. He rushed to the bathroom. "If you need me, I'll be washing up!"
"...Good boy," Him purred. He turned before shrugging. "...What? Was it something I said...?"
And then he walked out of the room.
Bubbles snuggled underneath the blankets, holding Octi closer. "...Good night, Octi," she whispered.
"...Good night..."
Bubbles closed her eyes, but then they flashed back open. Sitting up nervously, she called, "Hello...? Wh-Who's there...?"
...No one answered.
Scared, Bubbles snuggled back down and hid under her blankets, trying to calm down.
I-It'll be fine, she promised herself. You'll see.
When morning finally rolled around, Bubbles awoke to the smell of toast and coffee. Sighing happily, she snuggled back under until...
She smelled smoke!
She quickly sat up and jumped out of bed, flying down the stairs to the kitchen.
Blossom was standing at the stove, and she was coughing as smoke billowed into the air. Then she quickly used her ice breath to freeze it all.
"B-Blossom?" stammered Bubbles.
"Oh hey, Bubbles!" Blossom said sheepishly, turning around. "I thought I'd cook breakfast today, but it looks like tying my hair while using lasers and then having Brick call and me getting unfocused while the lasers were still firing wasn't"―she took a deep breath―"a good idea."
"I'll say!" Bubbles gasped, rushing forward.
Blossom wasn't a bad cook, she was just a busy girl. And a busy girl meant she could easily get distracted. Still, Blossom was a good cook when she was focused―so at 7:00 in the morning it probably wasn't a good time for her.
"Are you okay?" Bubbles asked, taking the block of ice and dumping it into the sink.
"I'm fine!" Blossom stated indignantly, taking her hand back when Bubbles came up to examine it. "I just thought that since your hand is―"
"Shhh!" Bubbles hissed, clamping a hand over her sister's mouth. "Don't say it!"
"Right; sorry," Blossom apologized with a muffled voice.
"...Strangely strange position, much...?"
The girls all turned to see Buttercup in the doorway. "BC!" they both cried.
Blossom pried Bubbles' hand off. "What are you doing up so early!?"
Buttercup raised an eyebrow. "...Relax, girl. I'm just getting some milk." She turned and made her way to the fridge.
"...Will you be joining us for breakfast...?" Bubbles asked timidly.
Buttercup turned to stare at her before staring at the giant block of ice in the sink. She sneered in disdain and raised an eyebrow again, turning to face the two. "...As soon as you make it, maybe."
Then she walked back up the stairs, cold milk in hand.
Blossom was the first to speak: "...What is up with her?"
"Perhaps she had a troubled night," Bubbles suggested quietly.
Blossom snorted. "More like she troubled the night." And then she was off to the fridge too.
Bubbles frowned. Even though the two had made up, it didn't look like the day was going to go off with a...
How do they say it...?
...A blast.
"BOOMER!"
Boomer jumped upwards, startled. "Yes, Brick?" he answered nervously.
"Where...the hell..."―Boomer raised an eyebrow―"is BUTCH!?"
Just as he shouted that, a DING! came from his phone.
Brick paused in yelling to pull out his phone, checking the new text. His eyes widened and then he grumbled "shit"' under his breath.
"...What's wrong now?" Boomer asked, raising an eyebrow.
Brick sighed before thrusting his phone toward Boomer. "Check it out yourself; it's from Buttercup."
Boomer glanced down at the phone, and he frowned. "...Oh."
"'Oh hey I forgot to tell you. I took Butch to the infirmary yesterday.'"
Boomer looked up. "...We're going to the school early, aren't we...?"
"Duh," Brick answered, raising an eyebrow like it was obvious.
...And it was.
"Okay, okay," Boomer sighed. He shoved a hand up his blond hair. "At least let us grab a bagel or something first."
"...Riiight," Brick snorted. Then he grabbed Boomer's wrist. "Let's GO!"
"Ow! Okay, okay!" Boomer shouted, now being pulled along.
Him greeted them downstairs, smiling. "You boys want―"
"No time!" Brick shouted back, grabbing some bagels. Boomer just managed a weak wave before the two were out the door. "We're heading to school early today!"
"―some breakfast," Him finished with a sigh, an unamused expression on his face as he raised an eyebrow. Then he sighed again and turned around. "Whatever you say~"
Meanwhile, Brick and Boomer were still flying...and eating bagels. Brick had stuffed one in Boomer's mouth. "Here; eat it," he had said.
"Bwick, ya know I can fwi on ma ow righ?"
Brick turned to face his brother. "...What?"
Boomer swallowed the pieces of bagel in his mouth. "...You know I can fly on my own, right?"
Brick raised an eyebrow. "...Whatever; your choice." And then he let go.
"Whoa!" Boomer stumbled in the sky a bit before regaining balance. He turned to glare at Brick. "Brick!"
"I said, it's your choice," Brick reminded, smirking.
Boomer rolled his eyes, doing a face-palm. "...Whatever, hotshot."
"...That's what I thought," Brick said with a grin. Then he did air quotations. "'Whatever; your choice'", he repeated. "Remember that?"
"...Shut up," Boomer muttered.
Soon the two got to the school.
"Let's hurry," Brick said, grabbing Boomer again (Boomer stifled a groan), "people will start filing in any minute now."
The two brothers rushed to the door. Brick shoved it open and the two stumbled inside.
"Destination: infirmary!" Brick called.
Boomer sighed, flying after his brother.
When they got there, Brick raised his fist to knock on the door. But Boomer stopped him.
"...Wait..."
"Wait for what!?" Brick demanded, turning to Boomer and raising a demanding eyebrow.
Boomer pointed.
Brick followed his gaze and his eyes widened.
"...There. That's why."
Brick kneeled down and picked up the item. "...It's BC's..." He trailed off.
"Phone," Boomer finished in a whisper.
Brick picked it up and they glanced at each other nervously.
"...Should we...?" Boomer questioned.
Brick shrugged. "We probably shouldn't, but..."
"...But we're gonna do so anyway...?"
Brick hesitated. Then: "...Okay, fine; go ahead. If it's locked, we'll leave it. If not..."
"...Then we continue," Boomer finished.
"Well, duh," Brick began...
"No, I mean really: then we continue," Boomer interrupted.
Brick paused. "...What...?"
"Take a look at this," Boomer said, passing Brick the phone. "It doesn't have a password."
"...Talk about not being careful," Brick muttered under his breath.
Boomer smiled. "It's easier this way, you know?"
"I know, I know," Brick sighed, rolling his eyes. He looked down. "Now we―" He stopped abruptly.
Boomer waited for a few seconds, but his brother's focus remained on the glowing screen. "...Brick...?" he inquired.
"...No way," Brick whispered.
"What?" pressed Boomer, suddenly feeling curious.
"See for yourself," Brick answered, passing the phone to Boomer.
Boomer fumbled with it. "You do know this isn't ours, right...?"
Brick rolled his eyes. "I know, I know―now just look at it."
"Okay, okay; I don't see the―" Boomer froze when his eyes trailed down. "―big deal...?" His eyes widened as he began to comprehend what it was. "Whoa..."
"What did I say?"
Boomer glared at him. "You really didn't say much, you know."
Brick shrugged. "Whatever; at least I got my point across."
"Yeah; no kidding," Boomer muttered under his breath.
The two brothers shared a glance before looking back down at the phone...
...where there were texts between Buttercup...
...and Butch.
"'Meet me at our old meeting spot at 10:00.'"
"'Why won't you answer!?'"
"'Wanna meet up again; same spot and same time?'"
"'See ya there.'"
"'Usual time and place!'"
DING!
Boomer scrolled back down.
"'BC? Hey I forgot to ask you something.'"
Boomer and Brick shared awkward glances. What were they supposed to do now!? They couldn't just answer. Buttercup would kill them if she found them messing with her phone!
DING!
"'...BC...?'"
Silence.
DING!
"'Oh come on not this again!'"
DING! DING!
"'Can you just reply!?'"
"'What's going on NOW?'"
DING!
"'Look, whatever I did, I'm sorry, 'kay? Can you just answer your phone now?'"
Brick and Boomer exchanged glances again, both swallowing hard.
DING!
"'...C'mon BC. I love you. Remember that.'"
Boomer faced Brick. "We can't do this to him! What should we d―"
DING!
"'...I'm sorry BC. I miss you.'"
They both stared at the screen before looking up. Their eyes met and they felt slightly panicked inside. They could not get themselves killed by BC, and they could not jeopardize Butch and Buttercup's relationship any. Further.
"Okay," Brick began, taking a deep breath. "Let's just―"
"Oh, hey guys."
Startled, Brick jumped slightly and turned to see Buttercup. "O-Oh. Hey BC."
Boomer quickly hid the phone in his pocket.
Buttercup offered a half-hearted wave and nod as she walked over. "Have you seen my phone? I think I dropped i―"
"Pffft whaaat? No way," Brick said quickly, dismissing it by waving his hand.
Buttercup raised an eyebrow.
Brick flushed when he realized he'd come off as too quick. "Err...I'm just playing with you." He walked over to her and nudged her. "You know how I am and all."
"Yeah, yeah; sure, whatever." Buttercup rolled her eyes. "Well then; that's just great: I can't find my phone."
"We still have time until class starts," Boomer offered, joining the two. He slipped the phone into Brick's hands.
Brick laughed nervously. "Oh yeah; I'm sure we'll find it by then."
"...'We'...?" Buttercup repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Brick suddenly paused. "O-Oh. I mean, we could help you... I guess..." He grinned sheepishly.
Buttercup frowned. She wasn't buying it.
Brick sighed. "Look, do you want our help or not?"
"I didn't say I don't―" Buttercup began, but didn't finish.
"Guys, let's just―" And then Boomer was cut off as well.
"Jesus! What the hell are you two doing out here like idi―"
They all turned to see a frustrated Butch walk out. He was slightly bent over, probably from some kind of pain.
Brick and Boomer shared looks.
"We just decided to visit you before class started," Brick finally said. "We couldn't find you in the morning."
Butch snorted. "What...? Do you have a tracker on me or something...?"
Brick raised an eyebrow. But then he smirked, and he pointed his thumb at Buttercup. "...Something like that."
Butch's eyes widened as he saw the green Puff standing behind Brick. "BC...? What are you―"
"Nothing," Buttercup interrupted.
"...Right," Butch muttered under his breath, gaze suddenly dark.
Boomer and Brick's shared glances were both nervous.
...The two could burst at any moment.
The two greens stared at each other for awhile, and an awkward silence descended.
Just as Brick was going to shift over to Boomer and suggest they think of something, Butch broke the ice first. "...Why aren't you replying to my texts...again?"
Buttercup backed into the wall at the outright question. It was just so goddamn direct. "I-I..." She trailed off. Then her eyes became determined―she obviously didn't want to admit she'd lost her phone. "Whatever. Does it even matter? We're gonna see each other during school, anyway."
Butch's glare darkened. "...Lies," he scowled.
Buttercup was surprised. "...What...?"
"Lies!" Butch shouted, thrusting a hand out. "THOSE ARE JUST STUPID LIES! You're not going to talk to me during the classes! Sure, you might say something, but that'll probably just be it!"
"Wh-What are you saying!?" Buttercup yelled back.
"I mean, you're HIDING SOMETHING!"
"Like you weren't; and still aren't!"
"I already told you, that 'evidence' is fake! WHY WON'T YOU JUST TRUST ME!?" Tears were appearing in the corners of Butch's eyes.
Brick bit his lip. ...Fuck. This is bad; REALLY bad.
"I can't trust someone who cheats and lies to me!" Buttercup screamed back.
"I'M TELLING YOU, I DIDN'T FUCKING DO IT!"
"SHUT UP!" Buttercup gritted her teeth and raised her hand...
Boomer's eyes widened and he swallowed.
Brick, meanwhile, had been looking around wildly for something to stop the inevitable fight, felt Boomer's hand on his shoulder. A sharp smacking sound followed, and his eyes widened.
...No way.
...No way!
Brick quickly turned back to the scene. She couldn't have, she couldn't have...!
His eyes widened as he froze when he saw the scene in front of him. He was holding out a giant ruler he'd grabbed desperately, and it clanked to the ground, now forgotten.
...Buttercup had slapped Butch.
...She'd slapped him.
She'd slapped him!
His own brother! And BC had just fucking slapped him!
"BU―" Brick began to shout, but didn't finish.
Butch, whose gaze had darkened, had just been standing there. But then he spoke: "...I see," he whispered.
"...Butch?" inquired Brick, feeling uneasy.
Butch smirked weakly...falsely. "...I see." He scoffed a little, it sounding like a wheezy laugh that didn't quite make it as an actual laugh. "I see now."
"Butch, dude, I think you need to chill―" Boomer began as he stepped toward his brother. But he was cut off.
Butch shoved him aside, falling to his knees. Despite his creepy grin, tears pooled down his cheeks.
...The sight was unnatural.
"Butch...?" Buttercup whispered fearfully, looking genuinely scared and sorry.
"...I see now," Butch finally said slowly, breaking his suffocating silence. He threw his head back and sneered weakly. "I get it now. You don't trust me anymore. Ha; who would've thought? We really did lose the 'us' in 'trust', didn't we?" Then his gaze darkened again.
"No, Butch, I..." Buttercup trailed off, eyes squeezing shut. "...I-I'm sorry..."
"No you're not!" Butch said, shooting her a look and startling her. "You haven't been sorry this whole damn time..."
Buttercup was surprised, but then she recovered. "O-Of course I've been sorry! I've been scared, sorry, sad..." Tears were forming in her eyes now too... "I-I... I don't know what to think about anymore. I don't know if I should listen to my heart or―"
Brick's gaze darkened.
Boomer glanced at his brother nervously. "...Brick...?"
Brick remembered when Buttercup nearly broke down earlier when he had tried to talk to her...*
"I'm..." She paused again, biting her lip and chewing on it. "...Scared," she finally whispered.
"Stop!" Brick shouted, rushing forward. He zoomed in front of Buttercup and thrust his hands out. "Guys! Calm. The. Fuck. Down!"
The two's eyes were wide, both surprised.
Butch turned away. "...You wouldn't understand." He smirked, a small, fake smile on his lips. "...You never do... Mr. Perfect."
Brick gritted his teeth as he bit back a growl. Instead, he sucked in a deep breath.
"What's the matter?" Butch turned around and glared at him, a challenging sneer on his face. "...Is this not perfect enough for you...? You finally seeing me in a miserable, pathetic light?" He snorted.
Brick growled, not stopping it this time. Okay, he was really asking for it now―
"You don't understand what it's like to lose people, do you?"
Brick froze. ...Okay. That was it.
He stomped even closer to Butch and crouched down so he faced him evenly. He raised a hand.
Boomer's eyes widened. "Brick, don't―"
...Too late.
Slap! Brick's hand flew across Butch's face as he yelled, "GET A GRIP, YOU FUCKING IDIOT! Of course I understand! I'm your brother! And I know what it's like...to lose people. ...I...I'm losing people right. Now...like you."
Butch's eyes were wide. He slowly turned to face Brick, whose angry expression had softened into a sad smile.
"...I'm sorry," Brick whispered. He reached out.
Butch bit back tears, trying not to cry. He grabbed Brick and hugged him tightly, shouting into Brick's shoulder to release his pain.
"...There, there," Brick said, hugging him back and patting him on his back. "It's okay."
"...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Butch choked. "I didn't mean to lose it..."
"Shhh, it's okay now."
"...Thanks, Brick. As much as it hurt, I guess it was what I needed right now... I'm sorry..."
Boomer joined the hug. He looked up and gestured at Buttercup, welcoming her to the group hug.
She pointed at herself, looking hesitant. He simply nodded. She sighed, took a deep breath, hesitated, and then...
...She joined the hug.
Warmth spread through all of them as they let the arms of others distract them from the any pain from then or before.
Soon, the four broke apart.
"...Feeling better?" Brick asked Butch.
Butch managed a weak smile. "...Much; thanks to you."
"No prob," Brick said.
Buttercup hung back.
"You two talk a little," Brick suggested. "I'm not telling you to just say 'oh I forgive you' and then make up if you aren't ready yet"―he shot a look at Buttercup, who nodded sheepishly and weakly―"―although I'm sure you two will come around eventually." He turned to Boomer. "You supervise. I need to do something."
Boomer did a mock salute. "Yes sir!"
Brick rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless. Then he walked off.
"So..." Butch trailed off.
"I'm sorry," Buttercup blurted sheepishly.
Butch managed a weak smirk. "...I'm sorry too. I-I think the fever's acting up." He wiped at his eyes. "...I don't usually act like such an emotionally crazy bastard." He tried to crack a laugh, but it broke apart.
Buttercup just frowned sadly. "Butch..."
"Hey, BC! I found your phone!"
They turned to face Brick.
"Really?" asked Buttercup, rushing forward to check. ...It was hers, alright.
Brick shot Boomer a wink, and the blue Ruff sighed in relief. Thank God.
"...You lost your phone?"
Buttercup stiffened. She slowly turned and saw Butch's furrowed brow. "Y-Yeah. What's it to you?"
"...You could've just told me," he said quietly.
"Wh-Whatever!" Buttercup was feeling something queasy snaking through her stomach. She quickly stormed past.
"Wait, BC!" Butch called, leaping up. But then another sharp jolt of pain shot through his side and he fell down, hacking.
...A bit of blood came up.
Brick's eyes widened. "Shit!" he cursed.
Boomer and Brick exchanged looks. One look was all it took.
"You; BC. Me, Butch," Brick commanded.
Boomer nodded before flying off after Buttercup...
Brick stared after him, and then he sighed and dragged Butch a few steps before lugging him upwards. Then he carried him back inside the infirmary.
Meanwhile, Boomer was still flying. He'd lost track of BC, but he was sure he could find her...
...Still, only a few more minutes left...
As he rushed by the girls' washroom, his super hearing picked up sniffling.
...He stifled a groan.
...Looks like girls' washroom...again.
Skidding to a stop in front of the door, he looked around quickly before pushing the door open. "...Buttercup...?" he whispered.
...Buttercup shoved past him.
"Hey!" he protested. He blocked her way, and she simply collapsed right in front of the door.
"...Hey..." he whispered, this time gentler. "...Are you okay...?"
"...I don't know anymore," Buttercup sniffed. "...I don't know anything anymore."
"...Sure you do," Boomer offered.
...She didn't reply.
Boomer sighed and tugged at her. "C'mon; we shouldn't just sit here..."
"...Wait a little," she mumbled. "I don't wanna move just yet."
He rolled his eyes and sighed, but kneeled back down anyway. "Okay, okay; fine." He nudged her. "...So...?"
Buttercup looked up. "So what...?"
"Forgivesees or not?" he pressed.
She looked confused at first, but then what he was saying seemed to sink in. "...Oh. That." She looked away.
Silence followed.
"...Oh c'mon, BC," Boomer pleaded.
...Buttercup remained turned away and silent.
Boomer sighed. "Okay, okay. But at least tell me what you think of all this."
Still no reply.
"BC..."
"I don't know what to think, okay!?" she cried, turning abruptly to glare at him. "That's just it!"
Boomer was taken aback, but then he sighed. "Okay then. First, tell me what your mind wants."
"...I really don't know," Buttercup whispered. "I want to forgive him, but there's a voice in my head always objecting to this all..."
"...I see," Boomer said thoughtfully, stroking his chin where an invisible beard grew. "And your heart's desires...?"
Buttercup was slightly taken aback by his thinking and dismissiveness of her feelings. She did not like him talking about them like―
"...Well...?"
―this. Buttercup sighed. Might as well, her mind sneered. "...My heart..." She took a deep breath, trailing off. But her heart was now beating fast, and Boomer's navy-blue eyes urged her on. "My heart...wishes to for...give...him." Her voice cracked on the last two words.
Boomer smiled. "There you go," he said quietly.
Buttercup had turned away again, but now she turned back. "...What do you mean?"
"I mean, your duty is to your heart."
"...My duty...is to...my heart...?"
Boomer smiled. "...Yes."
"Huh." Buttercup scoffed. "What do you know, anyway? It's not like you have to deal with these matters like―"
He grabbed her wrists, pressing her against the wall. "Oh, but I do..."
Buttercup was taken aback. "Oh really?" she huffed, struggling. "Like...for what?"
"...Bubbles," Boomer whispered.
Buttercup froze.
"You heard me right." Boomer sighed, letting go of her her and leaning back. He rested his head on a locker and shoved a hand up his shaggy blond hair.
Buttercup scrambled up. "What does this have to do with my sister?"
"...Can you honestly still call her that?" Boomer pressed.
Buttercup froze.
Boomer managed a weak smile. "...I'm just teasing you." She made a face. Then he frowned. "Anyway, the heart-mind issue is true."
"How so?" inquired Buttercup, recovering from her earlier reaction.
"Well...let's just say...somebody likes to make deals and offers."
Buttercup's attention perked up. "Deals...? Offers...? Who...?"
Boomer smirked weakly. "Heh. I knew you'd ask."
"Well, duh. Shouldn't that be obvious?" Buttercup replied.
He sent her a look. "...And shouldn't it be obvious who's forcing a deal on me...?"
"...No," Buttercup answered.
Boomer did a face-palm. "Think," he said rationally. "Who doesn't want Bubbles in the picture...of anything?"
"...Hmm...Bubbles outta the picture... Who..." Then her eyes widened and she faced him. "No way..."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Fickleson is offering you a deal?"
"What!?" Boomer did another face-palm. "Buttercup, hell no―"
"I'm just teasing you," she said, shooting him back with a reply he'd used just awhile back on her.
Boomer scowled. "So...?"
"So..." Buttercup paused before leaning into Boomer's ear and whispering something:
"Michelle's been offering you deals, huh...?"
Boomer stiffened when he realized she'd figured it out, but then he sighed and relaxed. "Yeah..."
"Like what?" pressed Buttercup.
"I take her to the Dance after the contest, she leaves Bubbles alone for the day. I take her on dates for the next month, she'll leave Bubbles alone for the next month. If I don't agree, she'll..." Boomer trailed off then.
"―make life a living hell for her?" Buttercup finished.
Boomer was surprised. He turned to BC. "Why...yes. How'd you guess?"
"Um...lucky guess?" Buttercup shrugged.
He paused. "Yeah...you're right. It was pretty obvious."
Buttercup scowled that he had just dismissed her "detective skills".
"Not only that, but she'll also make sure Bubbles will 'never' paint again. And that―oops...I've said too much already."
"No, no; tell me!" Buttercup pressed.
Boomer shook his head, tears threatening to fall. "...No, no... It's too...depressing..." Tears fell anyway, despite his efforts.
He sat there, wiping tears with his sleeves as he sniffed. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I don't know what to do... My heart..."
"...Oh," Buttercup whispered. Shit! She quickly enveloped him an awkward hug. "Sorry... I didn't mean to..." She trailed off.
He took in a shaky breath, briefly recovering from his silent crying. "No...it's okay. I'm the one who's sorry..."
She smiled. "...Don't be."
He also managed a smile despite his tears. "...Thank you."
Then the two remained silent as they continued to hug.
"...Let's head back now; they're probably gonna get worried," Boomer suggested, giving Buttercup a squeeze.
She froze before nodding. "Yeah...you're right..."
He smiled.
During that, Brick had Butch lain down on "his" infirmary bed.
"You are a crazy fuck," Brick said sarcastically, tucking him in.
Butch blinked opened one eye, smirking. "...What...? No goodnight kiss?"
Brick paused. Then he smiled, but it wasn't a smile to a brother; not even one from a decent human being to a stranger. ...It was one of knowledge beyond what Butch knew. "...How about a goodnight punch? It'll put you to sleep forever, you dumbass."
"...I'd rather not," Butch said, making a face.
"And I'd rather not kiss you goodnight," Brick responded with a smirk.
Butch stuck his tongue out at his brother.
Brick petted him on the head. "You just got owned, Butchie Boy."
"...Not my style, Brick."
"It is now," Brick answered evenly.
Butch huffed. Brick was too fucking sarcastic. How was he supposed to win against this guy?
Brick smirked at his victory. "I think you've learned your place."
"...Right..." Butch muttered, rolling his eyes.
Silence followed, where Brick examined cupboards for items.
Butch stared forward, not knowing what to say. What was there to talk about...?
"...Butch...?"
"Yeah...?" Butch looked up in surprise.
Brick paused from rummaging to glance back at him from the corner of his eye. "...I need you to tell me something." Butch opened his mouth to reply, but Brick continued: "...I need you to tell me the truth. The whole truth."
Butch frowned, pausing and closing his mouth. He hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Okay... What is it?"
Brick sighed. "How'd Buttercup find you? What were you doing out during the night, for example...?"
Butch froze. One thought ran through his mind: ...Shit.
"...Well...?" Brick turned and glanced back at his brother, holding a box of medicine in his hand.
"...Nothing," Butch muttered, looking down all of a sudden.
In a flash, Brick was right in front of him. The wind caused Butch's hair blow to the side. Brick growled, "I said...the. Whole. Truth."
Butch looked away.
Brick sighed. "Okay, don't wanna talk? Maybe I should have a talk with BC then..."
Butch's eyes widened and his head shot up. "You. Wouldn't. Dare."
Brick smiled grimly. Once again, a smile of knowledge beyond what Butch knew. "...Try me," he whispered.
In a flash, Butch was on top of Brick. "I said, DON'T. YOU. DARE!"
Brick smirked. "I do dare."
"...Fuck..." Butch let go of his brother, realizing his brother wasn't kidding all that much. He sighed, flopped down beside his brother.
Brick glanced at him. "...Well...?"
Butch groaned. "Okay, okay. You..."
"I what...?" Brick smirked.
"...Win," Butch croaked, grimacing at admitting defeat.
Brick smirked again. "...I had a feeling I would. So...?"
"...Secret meeting place. Talking to each other," Butch answered, turning away.
"I see..." Brick nodded. "So that was what they were about..."
Butch spun around. "What was about what?"
"...Nothing," Brick replied, waving his hand. "Just...nothing."
"Tell me. Hurry up and tell me what," Butch warned.
"And what?" Brick shot back.
"...I smash you," Butch growled in suggestion, once again rolling on top of him.
"Maybe I should smash you instead...?" Brick offered.
"...I'm the one asking questions here," Butch said, turning away.
"But I'm not the one who's intimidated."
Butch froze, eyes widening. ...That's true... He turned and looked at Brick, silent for a few moments. Brick raised an eyebrow, and Butch finally managed to say: "...Please...?"
"...And thank you," Brick added with a smile.
Butch sighed, rolling his eyes. "And thank you," he finished.
Brick smiled. "Well...we might've just maybe read a few texts between you two..."
"...You what!?"
Brick chuckled sheepishly. "I said maybe."
"You and Boomer!?" shouted Butch.
"What about me...?"
They all turned to see Boomer and Buttercup. He was standing in the doorway, and Buttercup was behind him.
"...Awkward position much?" Boomer said, raising an eyebrow.
Butch flushed when he realized he was still on top of Brick. He quickly rolled off. "N-Nothing," he stammered.
Boomer's eyebrow remained raised, but he didn't press any further. Instead, he wandered to a cupboard, probably looking for something to heal Butch with.
Buttercup remained standing there awkwardly, staring at the ground like it was the most interesting thing on earth. Not too differently, Butch was studying the pink blankets of the infirmary bed.
Brick studied the two awkward greens before an idea popped into his head. He grabbed Butch's arm, who looked startled and surprised. Then he motioned for Buttercup to come over, who had looked up at the sudden movement.
She hesitated, and he mouthed, "C'mon, BC."
Sighing, Buttercup made her way over. "What do you want, Leader Boy?"
He ignored the nickname. Instead, he grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to Butch. "Now guys, I―"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Buttercup said, quickly pulling her arm from his grasp. "This isn't some kind of other idea to...force our 'relationship to heal' is it?" She did air quotes when she said "relationship to heal".
Brick just raised an eyebrow.
"Oh...okay." Buttercup flushed, the silent message sinking in.
"Glad to know you miss me too," Butch muttered sarcastically.
Buttercup's face turned even pinker. "I―"
"...Never mind," Butch sighed, holding out a hand. "I get―"
"Guys!" Brick groaned, frustrated. He whipped off his cap and raked a hand through his hair. "I need you two to focus!"
They stared at him in surprise.
"Okay, listen up." Brick paused. "You are listening, aren't you?"
They both nodded, not quite sure what to say.
He nodded back. "Good. Now, the thing is, I have a plan..."―they exchanged glances―"but I need you two to be decent towards each other. ...Okay?"
They stared at one another, before nodding again. "Okay," Butch agreed. "So what's the plan?"
"Good." Brick nodded. "And to answer your question, the plan is..." And then he leaned forward and whispered something into their ears.
When he finished, he asked, "Understood?"
"Understood," they both confirmed, nodding.
"Good, because―"
RIING!
"―class nearly begins," Brick finished with a sigh, holding up a finger. "Aaand there goes the bell." He turned back to him. "We'll discuss this further at lunch, 'kay?"
"'Kay!" the two greens both agreed, giving mock salutes.
"Good," Brick smirked, folding his arms. "This just might―"
"You guys coming?" Boomer called, looking into the room.
"Coming, Mother," Brick teased in reply.
Boomer just rolled his eyes and ducked back outside to wait for them.
"Let's go," Brick suggested.
Butch and Buttercup nodded, before flying after him and Boomer...
Brick stopped and pushed Butch back inside. "Not you." When Butch opened his mouth to protest, Brick continued: "Look, just stay here; after your little coughing up blood display, it's obvious you shouldn't go to class. I'll come back at lunchtime to get you properly healed―for now, just take some medicine and vitamins. Anyway, I'll excuse you from class."
Buttercup felt guilt stab her in the side. ...Butch had coughed up blood...? She felt queasy just thinking about it. Her mind and heart began arguing again.
"...Fine," Butch muttered sulkily. He wasn't upset he had to miss school (why the heck would he be?), he was just irritated he got dismissed so easily.
Buttercup glanced back at a sulking Butch as they flew. ...This plan of Brick's had better work...
"Hey, Boomer!" Bubbles called, trying to be cheerful as she waved.
...But something was wrong.
He looked...sad, almost.
Bubbles was pretty sure he caught her eye, and the world seemed to slow down... But then he just turned away almost as quickly as she'd met his eye.
...She couldn't help but wonder if she'd only imagined it.
Michelle, who was standing off to the side, smiled victoriously.
Bubbles watched as Michelle quickly strode over to Boomer and joined him. She glanced back at Bubbles, smiling victoriously again.
Bubbles looked down sadly.
Boomer glanced back at her and sighed. "...I'm sorry...Bubbles..." he whispered.
And then he walked away.
(*A/N: References to Chapter 28!)
ME: Oh wow, oh my! What will happen now?
BRICK: *raises eyebrow* A plan, huh...?
ME: *nods* Yup! Anyway, sorry for the slowness! Oh and on DeviantART, I had said a snippet would be posted in here, but I couldn't find the best place to put it. So it'll be in the next chapter! *sweat-drop*
BLOSSOM: ...Good job.
ME: Ehehehe...thanks. *sweat-drop*
BLASTER: Remember to leave a review! Braker will give you a hug if you do!
BRAKER: *nods* Yeah...what he said! ...Wait a sec. *turns to Blaster* I never agreed―
BLASTER: Bye! Remember, reviews and hugs!
BRAKER: BLASTER! Hey!