OK, here's the brief summary I promised in bullet point form because if you wanted to reread the stuff I wrote, I'm sure you would've just skipped back, ok here goes :P

PREVIOUSLY ON) BLUE: A DRAMA

PRINCESS offered Boomer a job as an architect in her company but cannot tell Brick.

BUTCH saved Elmer from his Blossom-spying activities and drove him home, warning him to stay away from all this. ELMER then revealed that someone is smuggling Antidote X to Ace and may use it to hurt Buttercup

ACE and the gang took over the nightclub previously run by Boogie

BLOSSOM was revealed to be the owner of the club's security and blackmailed Ace into the trivial task of building a private floor for her in exchange for drugs for Buttercup

um, ok I think that's it. it's 2:36 AM soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

yee

sorry for spelling mistakes i did not proofread AT ALL

r & r

word count: ~4320


-Narrator's P.O.V.

"SHIT!"

Butch removed his hand from the wall, shaking off the powder and sand from his knuckles. The sad sack of a punching bag that was his target slumped to the ground, sand spilling out from the hole. There was a fresh crater in the drywall, directly behind where the punching bag used to be.

Shit. He thought, looking for something to cover up the hole with. Fucking fist went right through the fucking - he muttered.

He'd gone back to look for Buttercup after dropping Elmer off but came up empty. He knew she was with the Gangreen gang but there was no one in the dumpster. He checked the junkyard afterwards, and after causing enough of a scene there, he found out about Boogie's place. But it had taken nearly all night to beat it out of the car goons working for Ace…

"Get out of here!"

There were at least fifteen, all shooting at him.

Butch growled, flying and breaking the guns of each gangster.

"What the hell!"

"He's faster than the girl!"

So Ace had been using Buttercup's powers for leverage. But faster? Aren't they supposed to be equal? Not to mention, his "impairment."

Either way, he was able to get some information out. The Gang was taking over Boogie's. Hell, it was taken over by the time he arrived. Buttercup wasn't even there anymore. He was too fucking late. "Dammit all!" he rammed his fist into the wall again.

But this time a searing pain shot through his arm. "Aagh! Fuck!" He gripped his arm and fell to his knees.

Doing some redecorating? A voice snickered in his mind.

Ignoring the thoughts, Butch bit back the pain and took a deep breath. "Calm down," he ordered himself. "Calm the fuck down."

The pain in his arm gradually died down with a few more breaths, but echoes of laughter still rang in his head.

Sorry Brick, he thought. He wasn't healed all the way yet, but he isn't going to just keep watching from the sidelines.

No.

It was time to get involved.


-BRICK'S POV-

"What's Princess doing in my house?"

Princess shot me a mildly offended look but didn't answer my question. Instead she excused herself to get a drink —Sure, help yourself Princess— and send a pointed look at Boomer, who returned it. What are they up to?

"She just dropped me off," Bubbles piped up. "I didn't want to risk flying so early in the day because the Mayor's law against Supers," she explained. "And Princess's driver knew the way here, so we came together."

Princess sipped at her (no, my cup!) of whatever it was she's drinking and nodded along to what Bubbles said.

"Uh-huh."

Princess checked her wristwatch and sighed, "Although it probably is time to get going…"

"Oh," Bubbles replied, finishing her pizza. "Is your driver here already?"

"Oh right, let me give him a call." Princess walked back to the couch for her massive purse and began fishing for her phone.

Bubbles yawned and stood up from her chair. "Mmm, suddenly I'm so tired," she smiled sleepily.

"I can fly you home if you want Bubbles," Boomer volunteered. "Unless you want to go with Princess, that is."

Princess, her hand still moving in her purse, gushed at the sight of them and shook her head. "No, don't worry about it! I've been third-wheelin' you guys long enough today. Go have a nice flight together. Once I find my stupid phone," she grunted. "I'll call Carmichael and have him pick me up."

Boomer and Bubbles nodded and waved good-bye before taking off in two blue streaks. Princess finally found her phone and I took it as my cue to leave the room. After a very, very, long day from work and school, I can finally head to bed. I stood up from my chair, ignoring the hunger in my stomach, fucking Boomer couldn't save me more than one slice, and began walking to my room, mentally reminding myself to buy groceries tomo, er, later today.

"Oh poo!" Princess groaned from the living room. "My phone's dead! How am I going to get home if I can't call Carmichael?'

Oh no.

"Um, Brick?" I was literally about to close the door to my room.

I shut the door to my room and walked back to the living room, a very bashful Princess standing in the middle of it. "What kind of phone do you have?" I asked.

Princess looked confused, and didn't say anything so I took the phone out of her hand to see for myself. "Hey!"

"What kind of phone is this?"

"I wasn't going to ask you for a charger. This phone's not out yet, so I didn't think you'd have one," she explained, taking her cell phone back. "I was hoping you could do something else for me," she began.

"Do you need to borrow my phone to call your driver?"

"I can't," Princess sighed, falling back into the couch. "I don't know the number, and it's not like I can just look him up, you know."

"So, then what?" I leaned on the wall opposite of her, fighting a yawn.

"Well," Princess continued. "Maybe you could give me a lift?"

"Princess,"

"Please Brick," she stood up from the couch, crossing her arms. "I'd ask Boomer but I don't think he'll be back soon, and I know you don't trust me enough to wait around alone in your apartment anyway."

Shit, she has a point. "Wouldn't want you stealing anything else…"

"Cute," Princess replied unamused. "Now that you mention it, I could use a new ribbon for my hair. Happen to have one?"

I narrowed my eyes, which did little to wipe that teasing smile off her face."Can't say that I do," I stalked over to the front door. "Now, you're not scared of heights are you?" I asked.

Princess rolled her eyes and reached for her purse. "Oh please Brick, don't forget you're talking to one of the greatest ex-super villains Townsville had ever seen," she smirked.

It forced a small chuckle from me, "Right. After you then."


*time skip*

I walked back into the quiet apartment, Princess's chilling conversation with me still fresh in my head. If I had been sleepy before, it was gone now. The exhaustion was replaced by something else, and it's ugly head was bound to keep me —

"You're awake?" Boomer mumbled, walking into the kitchen. "Thought you'd gone to bed after Bubbles and I left."

I shook my head. "Princess didn't have a ride so I flew her home," I explained, our conversation still heavy in my head. "I'm going to try to sleep now."

"What happened?" Boomer asked, suddenly more awake. "Are you okay?"

"Me?" I sat on the chair across the table from him. "I'm fine," and then a loud rumble echoed in the room. "Just hungry I guess."

"You want me to microwave your pizza or...?"

"My pizza? Didn't you and the girls eat all of it?"

"Dude," Boomer put down his glass and opened the fridge. He pulled out a plate with tin foil covering it. Boomer used his heat vision and aimed it at the foil, the thick smell of cheese and oregano filling the kitchen. "Here, four slices."

I groaned, half because of doubting my brother for something even as small as this, half because I didn't realize how famished I was until I had that first bite. Thank you, I thought while scarfing down the hot pizza.

"You're welcome," Boomer mumbled back, leaving his glass in the sink for later. "You know, you really need to learn to trust me, Brick. I'm not a fourteen-year old kid anymore."

I nodded. "I guess I should," I told him.

But I don't know yet if I can afford to...


-Boomer's POV-

*Earlier that night, while flying Bubbles home*

Bubbles and I were flying lower than usual. Instead of moving so far up into the sky to the point where the cold air around us was thin and the grey clouds beneath us were thick so that the light that trailed behind us could remain hidden from the city below, tonight we decided to risk it. We opted for floating under those clouds instead of flying above. It took more time, but the view of the city at night was worth it. And tonight, so was the company.

"We're out of Brick's super hearing range, right?" Bubbles asked me as we moved farther away from the city's center.

"Yeah, I think so," I reassured her. "Why do you ask?" I lowered my voice, a smile tugging at my lips. Bubbles caught on quickly, but shook her head in a sweet way.

"Not that, silly." I pouted at her response, drawing a giggle from her. "I'm not scared of doing anything like that in front of Brick."

"Oh?"

"But," she flew in front of me. "I wanted to talk about Princess and the architect thing."

Right, that. "What about it?"

"I don't know, is it a good idea? I mean, I'm sure it would be nice to have the extra income and I know how much you want to help Brick but this sounds a little...too much."

"Too much? It's Princess. Believe me," I explained. "If anything this is her dialing it down. Don't forget that she gave you an entire forest of a house practically on a whim."

Bubbles rolled her eyes. "It's different," she countered. "She's getting something out of it. The 'forest' is a reserve for animals that I have to take care of. Animals and property she owns. And besides," she sighed. "Taking that job from her means lying to Brick and going behind his back."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "You're right," I began. "It is something I'd have to hide from Brick. But," I looked into those blue eyes. "I'm going to do it."

"Boomer,"

"No really, I think I should. I know it might still be weird for you because you've only been here for some months, but I trust Princess. She's changed. I'm sure she's going to come through for me and besides, it's not like Brick isn't keeping any secrets from me."

Bubbles squeezed my hand back, "OK, if you can trust Princess to help you out, then I can too. But you shouldn't hide this from Brick. He's your brother."

"Like I said, he keeps things from me too. This won't be any different."

"Boomer," Bubbles insisted. "He cares about you, you know? I don't know why he's keeping secrets but please just promise me that you won't hide this from him. He's family, you shouldn't shut him out."

Bubbles pleaded at me, plunging into me with her eyes, and in that moment I could hear what she was thinking. I lost control, and finally let myself hear what she'd been trying to say, trying to hide, all this time. Dammit.

I felt her pain.

"That's what happened to you? Blossom shut you out."

"What?" Bubbles lowered her hands to her side, big eyes shrinking back from confusion. "How, how did…"

"Oh, Bubbles," I pulled her into a hug.

She didn't say anything, she just wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. Quietly, Bubbles began to sob into my chest. It was faint, like she was trying hard not to cry, but my shirt got moist and her back kept shuddering under my hand.

I held her as warmly as I could, wishing there was more I could do.

"I can't even remember when it happened," Bubbles began. "I have no idea why everything changed, what I must've done."

"Hey," I whispered to her. "You didn't do anything wrong, you couldn't have."

Bubbles pulled back, eyes colored with sadness. "It doesn't matter," she muttered. "I've lost my family." Bubbles floated away, breaking away her gaze from me and choosing to look at the moon instead. "If Brick is anything like Blossom, then…" her voice trailed off. From behind, I could see her wipe a tear off her cheek before turning to face me again. "I just don't want you to go through what I'm going through. I don't want you to lose your brother."

I took her hand and raised it to my face, pecking it so as to comfort her. "I won't lose my brother," I promised, remembering what Brick had told me all those years ago. "We're Rowdyruffs, we've got each other's back and I swear to you Bubbles," I looked straight into her eyes. "I will be here for you too. Always."

Bubbles raised her hand to my cheek. I put my hand over hers to keep it there. "Sure you won't change your mind later?"

"My feelings for you have never changed, they never will. Bubbles Utonium, I will always," Love you, I thought. But it's not time yet. "... be there for you. Promise."

I saw her smile. Her smile under the moonlight that night. . .beautiful.


-Brick's POV-

*Flying Princess Home*

"How you doing up there?" I asked.

"Dontlookdowndontlookdown," Princess whispered to herself, eyes barely open. She had her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs hooked around my sides, holding on to the piggyback flight to her house further uptown. It was, for her anyway, the easiest way to fly. Princess felt uneasy about sitting on top of my back, scared she might get off balance, and we both felt it would be. . . uncomfortable for me to carry her in my arms the entire way. Still, we might've arrived at her house a lot sooner if she'd only let me fly faster.

"So much for not being scared of heights," I muttered.

"I'm not scared of heights," Princess replied. "I just don't know if I can trust you not to drop me."

"Ouch."

"Oh please," She continued, leaning into me and adjusting her arms. "I know you don't like me."

"I tolerate you," I began.

"Gee, thanks." Princess scoffed. I rolled my eyes, and dipped down suddenly to scare her. "Brick!"

"As I was saying," I smirked. "I tolerate you, despite your constant meddling into my life. Plus, as you've said before, I can't kill someone as important as you without attracting unwanted attention."

Princess nodded, the ends of her hair brushing against me. We were about halfway there.

Princess didn't say anything after that, and we continued in silence. I slipped into autopilot, choosing to listen to the sounds of the murmuring city underneath me instead. Princess loosened her grip around me, letting out a small breath. Her head rested on my shoulder next to mine. It felt...weird, carrying her on my back like that. Feeling her weight over me. It wasn't heavy but it was,

Warm.

I kept holding onto her legs, steadying her.

Just a little bit longer, I thought.

"Brick," Princess said quietly, probably because her mouth was next to my ear. "How are you guys doing?"

"Boomer and I are fine, why?"

She shrugged. "No reason."

"What about Butch?"

"...He's also fine."

A sigh. "You still don't trust me, do you?"

I swallowed. "Princess,"

"Why is it so hard for you to believe that I've changed?" She asked, sounding almost...hurt?

"Princess, you and I know each other too well. You can't expect me to believe you really aren't the same as before."

"I'm not saying I'm nothing like I used to be," she defended, her breath hot on my ear. "But I'm trying, I really am. And I have gotten better."

"Why do you care so much that I believe you?"

She huffed, but didn't answer the question. "People do change, Brick. They're always changing. No one's static."

"No, no they don't." I insisted. "Sometimes, people change things about themselves. They change what they like or they change the people they talk to but they don't change themselves. Their values, their core or sense of self, that doesn't change."

"What makes you so sure?"

Because I haven't changed, I thought. Because Boomer hasn't.

Because Blossom can't. She is still the same: headstrong, responsible, caring almost to a fault, over inflated with a sense of justice. People don't change, and neither will she. She's as stubborn as ever, stubborn enough to keep her demons at bay.

Because if people do change, then so can she.

What if she does change for the worse?

What if she breaks?

"I just am," I told Princess. Seeing her mansion in the distance, I held onto her legs tighter and kicked it into high gear, arriving at her balcony in seconds. "We're here."

She got off. "Thanks. See you at school?"

I nodded and jumped off the balcony, flying home.


-NARRATOR'S POV-

*3 Days Later*

The streets were emptier than usual. The rush hour home usually meant less foot traffic into the building as everyone made their back from work, but even then there'd be someone crawling between the alleys or lurking through the streets.

Not today.

Today the streets only felt the sharp clicks from slim, black heels making their way into newly renovated "9 Rings" nightclub, with added floors of entertainment. It's grand re-opening would take place later that night, under new management.

Well, it will anyway…

So long as I don't find anything I don't like, the thought rang in Blossom's head as she stepped inside.

The doorman saw her coming and immediately let her in, handing her a dark pink pass. Oh? How thoughtful. She took the thin plastic square and slipped it into the slot of the elevator, now a red velvet color instead of the gauche golden the last tenant had decorated it with. The elevator moved up, one floor at a time.

The building was nearly completed; Blossom had seen a number of people still walking on beams and finishing construction outside the penthouse, outside her floor. Ace more than doubled the size of the club, Blossom thought while counting all the levels as the elevator rose, but he didn't finish construction on my floor so really, he didn't hold up his end of the bargain.

Something that could be used against him.

The elevator stopped on the fifth level, the second to last one. Blossom stepped out and the construction came to a halt, silencing the room.

Ace had been facing the window overseeing the workers he hired alongside Buttercup when he felt the chill in the air. He hardened his resolve and turned to greet her.

"Glad you could make it," Ace said, gesturing for one of the club employees to pull up a chair to the nearest table for Blossom.

"I'm sure you are," Blossom replied, taking her seat and flicking the employee away.

"Care for a drink?" Ace asked as a waitress rushed over with a silver tray of cocktails. Blossom nodded slightly, allowing the waitress to place a chilled glass on the table for her. Ace chose not to drink and sent the waitress away.

Blossom raised the slim glass filled with a bright pink liquid, garnished with a cherry and chuckled. "My my, a Pink Lady. Aren't you charming tonight?" Blossom teased, before taking the cherry and tossing it straight at Ace, landing on his nose. "I don't like cherry."

Ace wiped the scowl, and the cherry bits,off his face and forced back his hand "Of course not, sorry about the mistake."

"Don't worry," Blossom reassured. "By now, I've come to expect them from you."

Ace glared at her, but Blossom just continued sipping at her drink.

"I see that you haven't finished our meeting room," Blossom continued. "You do remember what that means, don't you?"

Ace shifted in his seat, but didn't break his poker face. "I've done a lot more progress than just add a floor in the three days that you gave me."

"I didn't ask for 'more progress'. All I asked for was a private room for myself, which you have not finished."

"I know," Ace said, grinding his teeth in frustration. "But turns out the previous owner of the club left some more...structural damages." Blossom raised an eyebrow, but didn't pursue further explanation. "And since I'm looking to expand my business beyond what was here before, I've added more features to the club."

"Let me show you around," Ace stood up. "I think you'll like what we've done. Besides, more business, more profit."

Blossom continued sipping at her drink, Ace's words seemingly rolling right off. He tightened his fists, hating the feeling of being ignored. But, she's the boss. If there's anyone he has to take shit from,

It's her.

"Alright Ace," Blossom finished her drink. "I'll indulge you in this. Show me around, try to impress me. If you fail," She rose from her chair slowly. "Then I leave you in the pile of garbage I found you in. Understand?"

Ace narrowed his eyes, but nodded in agreement.

"Splendid," Blossom smirked. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

Ace offered a hand (which was rejected by the redhead) and began to lead Blossom to the door when suddenly the both of them were interrupted by someone clearing her throat.

Ace and Blossom turned around to see a worn Buttercup standing by the window, having entered after finishing the last floor.

So, she thought. This is Miss Bow?

Buttercup grit her teeth upon seeing this, this, other woman snuggled so close next to Ace. "Miss Bow." Sure enough, there was a stupid, dark pink ribbon entwined in her hair and tied into a bow at the top of her head, right where Buttercup felt like digging a knife and scalping her. She wondered what her real name was.

"The sixth floor is finished," Buttercup grumbled, glaring at the mystery girl next to Ace. He noticed this venomous look and, even though he understood it perfectly, he stared her down, forcing her to lower her gaze. He can't risk Blossom getting offended now.

Blossom was far from it however. This was the first time in weeks that she saw her sister in person. She could see the effects of her living with Ace were.

Buttercup was wearing dark green shorts over ripped black leggings and a tight black shirt under a loose jacket. Adorning her wrist was a thick golden wristband with jade. A fine piece of jewelry, if she does say so herself. One that she was quite familiar with too no less.

But Blossom wasn't really at her clothes. Oh no, she was far more interested in what was under Buttercup's clothes. There was a string of bruises hiding underneath the sleeves of her arms, and several marks on her legs. Some looked older than others…

She smirked. Even the scar from the bullet wound Buttercup received when nearly bleeding out on this very floor marred the skin on her hip.

The so-called "Miss Bow" turned to face her directly, an disturbing grin creeping onto her face. It made Buttercup uneasy, especially because of those eyes. Those strange eyes. Who has pink eyes?

And why did they look so familiar?

Blossom stared down at the broken doll in front of her and spoke: "You must be Belladonna."

"Yeah," Buttercup replied, refusing to let those pink eyes intimidate her. Tch, I'm some kind of superhuman and what is she? "And you are?"

"Bella!" Ace barked. She flinched at the tone of his voice, but didn't stop her nails from digging into her palms.

The pink-eyed girl cackled at the interaction, laughed at Buttercup. If it weren't for Ace, Buttercup would've shattered every bone in that girl's body.

A giggle escaped from Blossom's mouth as she witnessed the shadow of her sister's former self. This 'Belladonna' can't compare to the original. She approached the fraud that was Belladonna and smirked. "Oh honey, I'd worry more about you than me if I were you. By the way, how's that arm holding up?"

Buttercup took a step back. Arm? How does she know about her bad arm?

Did Ace tell her?

Blossom turned on her heel and walked out the door. "Are you coming, Ace?"

Ace gave Buttercup one final warning look before following Miss Bow out the door and into the elevator. "We'll start at the first level, the Rave room, and work our way up from there," Blossom instructed Ace.

"Whatever you say," Ace put in the code to unlock all the levels in the elevator.

Blossom's eyes flickered over to Buttercup, still looking at them, and got a sneaky glint in her eye.

Buttercup watched as her beloved stepped into the elevator with that stranger, that threatening girl, and she watched him just obey her whims mindlessly. Who was she to him? What does she have over Ace? And why was he just taking it?

The last thing she saw was the girl smirk back at her and take Ace's hand in hers just as the elevator doors closed.


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