Here it is! To be honest, I nearly totally forgot to write this chapter. I had all that build-up and then just...forgot to write the actual event. Fixed it though! This is in place of all the other dances I will/have neglected (don't expect a prom chapter...just don't). Sorry it's a short chapter. Next one will be back to normal length!

So, a few things. First, we are two days away from the year mark! Whoo! I'm pretty proud of myself honestly. Not only that, but this story passed the 200,000 word count AND it has over 11,000 hits on AO3 with 54 followers here on . When I first posted this, I honestly didn't expect any of those to happen and yet here we are. Thank you all for reading and I hope you stick with me to the end. We've still got a ways to go!

Next, I made an insta account (same user name and user image)! It's like the only social media I use and I wanted to do something so I can post updates or potential delays. I'm thinking I'll also post little teasers of upcoming stories on there as well (I already have one up). And yes, there will occasionally be a picture of the cutest creature in existence, my 10 yo pupper (yes I'm probably biased but I don't care. He's my cutie pie). I'm sorry. I know myself. I won't be able to help it. I'll keep a limit on it though, promise!

Also, I am going on a much, much needed vacation at the end of the month. While I'll probably write (I do first drafts on my phone like a crazy person) I won't have my laptop so edits and posts will not be happening. I won't be back to post until end of the first week of June. I don't know when I'll post but it'll either be the weekend after I get back, or the one after that. I'll post an announcement on what I decide when I get back onto my insta account.

Lastly, thank you all again so much for reading this! I love all the kudos, comments, and follows. Hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Blossom sighed as she walked into Bubbles's room. She really wished she didn't have to go to this thing. That wasn't possible though.

"Oh, I just knew that dress would be perfect for you!" Bubbles gushed as she waved Blossom over to the chair in front of her vanity. Blossom couldn't help but make a face at the large amount of make-up products scattered across it. Buttercup was grumbling in another chair not far away, her make-up already done.

Blossom looked down at her dress and couldn't help but think it was a great dress. It was a long, light pink pleated, spaghetti strap styled dress. There was a ribbon tied around her stomach that made a bow in the back. Blossom had let Bubbles convince her into braiding her hair and putting only a small pink ribbon at the end of it. It was modest and perfect. Blossom felt comfortable in it as well which was the important part. Especially since Bubbles had been the one to pick it out and her youngest sister liked to get her to try new things. Often.

"It suits you," Buttercup said. She'd been looking at the dress too.

Buttercup's dress was a long, pleated, dark green maxi dress that had pockets in it. She had a green and gold mask dangling between her fingers. Her eyes were done with gold and black eyeshadow and her lips were a dark red color. Bubbles had been unsuccessful this time in convincing Buttercup to do anything with her hair, so it was in its typical messy style.

Bubbles glared at said messy hair for a second when her eyes fell on Buttercup before turning back to Blossom. The youngest puff was in a short, dark blues spaghetti strap, high-low lace dress. She'd forgone her usual light blue color in favor of the dark blue because of Boomer this time. Her hair was half up, half down and was falling against Bubbles in gentle waves. She'd used silver eye shadow to match the black, blue, and silver mask she had on the corner of her bed.

Blossom looked down at her own mask, it was a simple black mask with none of her signature color on it. It was the one Robin had picked out for her when they'd been looking, and she did like it. It just felt weird that it had none of her color on it.

"Alright," Blossom sighed as she looked up at Bubbles. "Let's get this over with, shall we?"

Bubbles giggled while bouncing excitedly on her heels. "We shall."

Buttercup snorted from where she was in the corner at the clear excitement on the youngest puff's face.

"They always look so amazing, don't they? I wish I had half their luck in finding dresses that good," Robin said with a sigh as she watched the three Powerpuff Girls finally enter the gym. Mike shrugged, barely sparing them more than a quick glance. He was too busy staring at his beauty.

Robin was wearing a feathered black mask with small rhinestone decorating the center of it. Her dress was a long, dark brown, almost black dress that was off the shoulders. It hugged her body just right in Mike's opinion and he couldn't help but wonder how to convince her to find somewhere with less people or something for a little bit. His own tux was a simple black one, with a black tie as well. Robin had said not to bother with a colored one so he hadn't.

"I think your dress is amazing actually." Was all he said though.

"Awe, you're so sweet," Robin said as she smiled up at him.

Mike scratched the side of his neck, embarrassed. "Are we going to head over? Or are they doing other stuff first?"

Robin shook her head. "Nope. We've spent lots of time with the girls lately. Tonight, I want to focus on something else."

Mike felt his brow furrow at that. "The...ruffs? Robbie, I somehow don't think they'll want us hanging around much. They'll be too busy with girls."

Robin giggled. "No silly. If we run into any of our friends then fine but tonight, I want it to just be you and me."

Mike blinked down at Robin who flushed at the look and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. He broke out in a huge grin after a second.

"I'm definitely okay with that. Gotta ask though, have I not been paying enough attention or-"

"No! Of course not. You're always so sweet Mikey and you always put up with me dragging you on my adventures with the girls. If anything, I'm the one neglecting you. I don't tell you how much you mean to me nearly often enough."

Mike chuckled at that. "I enjoy hanging out with you and the puffs and I've never felt neglected by you. You always want to include me. Do you have any idea of how awesome that is? Ever since we started dated, I've never felt left out of anything. I always know I have you there for me whenever I need you."

"Of course. And I know you'll always be there for me too. Still, as fun as it is to hang out with the puffs, you and I need more just us time, I think. This is day one of that."

Mike chuckled. "I won't complain. Now, have I told you how amazing you look in that dress? Or how gorgeous that red is on your lips? Having a hard time making out exactly what shade of red it is though."

Robin sent him a coy smile. "You may have mentioned the dress. As for the lipstick, well, maybe we should find somewhere else for you to take a closer look hmm?"

Mike grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it slowly while keeping eye contact. "Lead the way."

"Well, there goes Robin and Mike. Think we'll see them again tonight?" Buttercup asked as she sauntered alongside her sisters, hands in her pockets.

Blossom shrugged. "Probably. The dance just started, and I doubt they've had a chance to actually dance yet. Robin wouldn't think of leaving without doing some of that first."

"We're not going to interrupt though. Remember what she said at lunch, she wants to have a night to focus on them," Bubbles chimed in. Buttercup rolled her eyes.

"I know. I'm not an idiot."

Blossom raised an eyebrow. "I didn't. What's this about?"

Bubbles shrugged. "Robin felt like she's not been focusing enough on Mike lately. There has been a lot going on so I can't blame her. She's had a full plate."

Blossom snorted at that. "Well Mike hasn't had any complaints. Any time Robin comes up I swear that boy grows hearts in his eyes. Even more so lately. He's head over heels and she could literally do no wrong."

"So long as he doesn't have a run in with a miss Darleen again," Buttercup mumbled. Both Blossom and Bubbles winced at that.

"Yes. So long as that doesn't happen. That had been an ugly fight between them hadn't it?"

Bubbles frowned. "I never got why though. It's not like Mike cheated and he made that clear to Robin. It's Darleen they should have been angry at for twisting the facts the way she did."

Blossom shrugged. "Well, it took them a while to realize that though didn't it? It's fine now though. It all worked out in the end."

"Thankfully. Oh, there's blue boy," Buttercup had barely finished talking before Bubbles squealed and took off for her boyfriend. The remaining two puffs watched her go.

"Is it okay that I'll never get used to that? And that I know they'll never stop that?" Buttercup asked. Blossom sighed.

"Are you happy that she's happy?"

"Duh. I'll also maim blue boy permanently if he ever messes that up."

"Then yes, it's okay. Come on, I'm thirsty."

"Oh, think I saw the drinks this way."

"And just where do you think you're looking? Hmm?" Princess asked as she swirled her drink. Mitch immediately felt his spine go straight at the tone as he sent his eyes skyward.

"Nowhere. Wasn't looking at anything."

"Hmmmm, is that so."

It wasn't a question. He could tell it wasn't a question. He couldn't help but wince over the fact it wasn't even a question.

Fuck, why couldn't he stop doing that?

"Prinny, I-"

"Don't bother Mitch. I knew when I dragged you off for Valentine's day that this was going to be an issue."

Mitch winced. It wasn't like he hadn't loved that she'd done that but for some reason he still couldn't help but look at other girls. Even when the one he was really interested was standing right in front of him outshining them all.

And outshining them she was. Princess had on a simple black mask, but her dress was covered in what Mitch suspected to be actual gems. The deep purple of the fabric helped highlight the brightness of the gems. Her hair was in an elegant updo, completely tamed for once, and Mitch knew she'd had someone spend hours on that alone. Everything about her was elegance supreme. She'd even picked out his own purple tie, rented him a way too nice tux, and gotten a purple rose for his breast pocket just to make sure they matched perfectly.

Maybe that was why he was having such a hard time. Mitch knew he'd never be able to buy her a dress even half as expensive as the one she had on, let alone what he currently had on. And everything else? Well, Mitch had gotten into the habit of not getting his hopes up with things. It made it easier once everything fell apart.

"Princess, seriously, I don't know why but I do know that every other girl I see here? They aren't even half as nice as you. I just...old habits and shit."

Princess leveled him with a look that he was having a hard time deciphering. She didn't seem happy, but she also wasn't angry either. Eventually though, she gave him a small smile.

"Well, I suppose your tastes never have been in question. You always were good at telling what quality was from what wasn't."

Mitch snorted at that slightly. She wasn't wrong but it wasn't for the reasons she probably thought. His dad, in those few years after his grandparents had died that he'd been with him, had taught Mitch the tricks of his trade. A good con man knew how to read a person and how to tell good shit from bad shit.

Princess didn't need to know that though.

"Glad that much is clear. It should also be clear that everyone can't help but look at you either. I've been glaring at gutsy guys half the time my eyes aren't on you, you know."

Princess's smile grew. "I didn't know. Sounds like you've be playing the role of a valiant knight for me tonight and I hadn't noticed."

Mitch smirked at that. "Oh, I've definitely been doing my part to keep this lovely lady of mine from dealing with unpleasantness tonight."

Princess took a step towards Mitch as she placed her hand against his chest. "Hmmm, sounds like maybe I should give you a reward for your good service."

"Oh? And what did you have in mind? You know I'm never one to pass up a good reward. Especially if I've earned it."

Princess's smile took on and edge that sent a pleasant shiver down Mitch's spine. "Oh, I'm sure you'll find that it's the perfect reward."

"Ugh. Gross. Just saw Mitch and Princess eye fucking," Butch groaned as he downed the cup of punch he had. "Why the hell am I here again?"

Boomer rolled his eyes. "Cause Brick and Blossom had a hand in this whole thing and we need to show support. Although, which way were Princess and Mitch? I don't wanna end up seeing that either."

"Don't worry, they're heading for the hallways. I'm sure they'll be busy somewhere for a good while so we're safe."

Brick rolled his eyes at his brothers. "She should know better. Even though Princess didn't help plan the thing there's still a good number of kids from other schools. The student government needs to be paying attention in case something happens."

All three ruffs were in tuxes, Bellum wouldn't have allowed anything else to some of their disgust, with ties in each of their signature colors. Simple, but that's all they needed. Hell, if Butch had his way he'd just be in a white button up with slack and Brick wouldn't have bothered with the tie. Boomer had Bubbles to match so he had planned on wearing what he was anyways.

Boomer made a face. "Wouldn't the senior student gov members be more in charge of that?"

Brick snorted at that. "Like that lots good for anything. Why do you think we've all been so busy with the school's security?"

"I thought they wanted us on it to stop the other supers."

"What? The six supers out of the thousands of students from the other schools? Please. It's cause they knew we'd do the better job."

"That sucks," Butch said with a groan. "Why you all gotta be such over achievers and shit? I don't like this extra work coming our way because of it."

Brick shook his head at that. "Not me. Mostly Blossom. We just got roped in to keep her workload down."

"Fuck. No way she's gunna chill."

Boomer snickered at that. "Seriously. Tough shit Butch. Sucks to suck don't it?"

"You say that like you ain't dragged into this as much as I am! Hell, you're even dating a puff now. Can't even slack when you're putting in the extra forced work."

Boomer glared at his brother. "Fuck you. If I see you slacking, I'm so letting Bloss know."

"Speaking of puff, incoming," Brick cut in. Boomer and Butch spun, one excited and the other scared, only to see Bubbles rapidly approaching. Butch relaxed at that.

"God. She's perfect. Later bros," Boomer said, half in a daze, as he immediately started making his way to meet Bubbles halfway.

Butch's face scrunched up. "Still think its gross, him dating a puff."

Brick sighed. "Sure Butch. Sure you do."

Butch glared. "I do! It's like, against nature or some shit."

"You just don't want to lose the convenient excuse you have to keep yourself from getting too friendly with Buttercup."

"Ugh! Disgusting! Friends with Butters?" Butch exclaimed as he reeled away from Brick. "Don't even put that out there!"

Brick sighed before finishing his punch as well. Butch could deny it all he liked but Brick knew that the greens were easily friends at this point. It was hard not to get comfortable with someone who understood you the way they did with one another. He was all too familiar with it himself after all.

"Whatever Butch. I'm hungry. Let's go grab some food."

Butch broke out in a smile at that. "Now we're talking. Food, here we come."

"This one here. Blossom moved all the extra supplies out so they shou-"

Princess stopped dead as she opened the door.

Mike and Robin jumped apart at the sound. Mitch gave a low whistle at that.

"Well, this isn't awkward at all," he mumbled. Robin and Mike quickly went bright red.

"We were just, um, you see-"

"Can it Robin. I really don't need to hear your excuses when it's pretty damn clear what you were doing. Shit, now I have to find another spot. Is the second-floor hallway still full of that spirt week stuff or has Blossom found a home for it yet?"

Mitch raised an eyebrow at Princess while Mike buried his face in his hands and Robin sputtered.

"Um, Prin? Thought student government needed to watch the dance? Didn't you say this was only okay cause Robin was probably, you know, there still?" Princess turned slowly to give Mitch a look. He quickly raised his hands up. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."

Robin sighed as she finally calmed down. "He's right. Blossom needs at least one of us to be there. You know that Elmer won't be any help."

Princes raised an eyebrow and cocked a hip. "Well, I suggest you hop to it then, seeing as how you've had a chance to have your make-out session and I haven't. I'm still finding a different damned closet though."

"Can we just...forget this happened?" Mike mumbled into his hands. His ears were bright red.

"Dude, I'm not gunna be saying anything. Good thing it was me and not Butch or any of the ruffs really that found you two like this," Mitch said with a sigh. The ruffs would have had each had a different type of field day with this situation.

"Better yet, good thing a puff didn't find you. Now hurry up. Like dear Robin said, Elmer's not going to be any good if trouble breaks out."

Robin glared at Princess. "Yeah, yeah. I'll just go...tidy up and then I'll head back. Jeez, you could give a girl a second or two you know."

Princess snorted. "Hun, I don't think it's you that needs a second or two."

"Oh god. Kill me now," Mike mumbled as Mitch just sighed and shook his head.

"God, I always knew blue was your color but this shade? I think you're going to have to do a wardrobe overhaul and add more of this," Boomer said as he slowly twirled Bubbles around in a circle. She giggled at him before coming back and wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"You're just saying that because this is your color."

"No, no. We're both blues and this is blue. Definitely as much your color as it is mine."

Bubbles giggled again as she floated up slightly to be more at Boomer's eye level as he slowly spun them around the dance floor. He gave her a huge smile in response.

"Silly Boomie."

"I mean, let's be honest here. You clearly have a thing for this shade."

He waggled his eyebrows at her and she couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Maybe you're onto something and maybe, if you're lucky, I'll add a few outfits with this shade of blue to my wardrobe. An overhaul though? Sweetie, I don't think you understand just how many clothes I own."

"Come on. Can't be that many."

"Before we got our own rooms Buttercup would always have to take out a couple boxes of my stuff to get to her stuff in the closet. And it's been years since we got our own rooms."

"Uh, that's sort of terrifying actually."

Bubbles laughed at the look on his face at that. "It's not a big deal. The professor lets me store some of my older stuff that I don't want to get rid of in the basement. He said if I do good on my finals this year that he'll see about converting part of it to a closet for me."

"And the other two are just okay with? Can't see Buttercup not complaining about favoritism."

Bubbles shrugged. "He also said he'll have part of the space converted into a reading corner for Blossom and Buttercup is getting a personal work-out shed in the yard. But only if they do well on finals. And let's be honest, he needs to clean out some of those old machines anyways."

Boomer snorted. "True. Still, there's no way Blossom won't do well and I'm sure Buttercup isn't going to let this chance fly by. Hasn't she been asking for her own work-out space for years now?"

"Yup. Blossom and I don't let her blast her music on the speakers when we all work-out together and when she does solo workouts she has to be quiet if the professor is also working on things. Anyways, enough about my sisters. You have the cutest of the puffs in front of you so why would you want to talk about them right now anyways?"

Boomer broke out in a slow and large smile. "You are so right. How dare I think of any other girl when I have perfection right here in front of me?"

"Who organized the food?" Buttercup asked before shoving another bite in her mouth. Blossom sighed at that.

"Well, it was me and I had a local company ready but then everything happened, and Princess was brought in to help fix things and... well she does like expensive things so most of it was done by her personal chef. The local company still got paid though and we do have stuff that they brought but...Princess."

Buttercup snorted at that as she finished her mouthful. "Yeah. Princess. Good stuff though. Well, some of it."

Blossom glanced at her sister's plate and smiled. "Seems Princess's food is too rich for your palette. All you've grabbed is food from the local company."

Buttercup raised an eyebrow. "No joke? Damn. That's the stuff that's been really flying off the table too. I'll have to go grab another plate before it's all gone."

"I'm sure I can help with that." Buttercup straightened at that voice and Blossom hid a smile behind her cup as she took a drink. "Just let me know what to grab you and I'd be happy to do so."

Buttercup slowly turned to see Merrick standing there. He'd taken extra care with his hair, again, but seemed to have been aiming for more of a messy cool look with his outfit. He was wearing a pair of nice black slacks, but his dress shirt was untucked, missing a tie, and had a few buttons at the top undone. He sent her a wink and a lazy smirk that gave her goosebumps.

"Merrick. Hey. Thought you said you weren't coming?" Buttercup managed to squeeze out with a smile on her face. He shrugged.

"Eh. When you said you were coming, I changed my mind. Happy to see me?"

"Thrilled." Buttercup was amazed that she didn't actually sound too unhappy.

She shot Blossom a look that screamed SOS but felt her shoulders drop at the look on her face. Blossom was clearly very amused and not interested in helping at all.

"You're the one who decided on this," Blossom said in a whisper that only Buttercup could hear. "I might not be stopping you but I'm not about to help either. You have Bubbles for that. Enjoy the dance."

Buttercup barely managed to keep her jaw from dropping as Blossom turned to Merrick.

"Now that you're here Merrick, I think I'll excuse myself. Have fun you two."

Buttercup whispered some very nasty words at her sister who simply waved before walking off. Blossom hadn't even admonished her for the language for once!

"I didn't mean to chase her off. I'll apologize next time. First though, food?"

Buttercup mentally screamed as she forced a smile on her face. Why did tonight, of all nights, be the one time he approached her while she was with someone?! This was supposed to be a relaxing night!

"Sure. Let's go," Buttercup managed to squeeze out.

Damn him and damn this plan! Where was Bubbles when she needed her?!

"Ugh. Just saw something else unpleasant. You know what, at this point think I'm just gunna call it a night," Butch grumbled as he looked down at his food. Brick raised an eyebrow before looking around. He caught sight of Merrick talking to Buttercup not far away and sighed.

"Come on Butch. You can't get upset every time a guy makes a move on a puff. They aren't just your friends."

"I know but does she gotta be friends with that dick? What am I gunna do if he asks her out and she does some dumb shit like say yes? The guy's a tool!"

"You tell her that he's a tool and then let her make her own decisions. You have no place to say anything about who she does or doesn't date."

"You know what he did though!"

"I also know you refused to tell Buttercup, but Buttercup isn't dumb Butch. She probably knows Merrick isn't a good guy and she knows that someone messed with your painting. Maybe she thinks its him and maybe she's trying to just get that truth out of him?"

Butch scoffed at that. "Like Butters would try something that dumb. She should know that I'll obviously deal with whoever messed with my painting on my own."

Brick pinched the bridge of his nose at that. "Butch no. That's literally probably part of what she would worry about. We aren't just supers anymore, we signed up for the hero life. You can't just deal with it anymore."

Butch grunted at that. "Says who? If I don't get caught does it matter?"

"...I'm just going to pretend we didn't just have this talk. Go get some fresh air and then get back in here where I can see you. Last thing we need is for you to go and try to handle this. And let Buttercup be friends with whoever she wants to for fuck's sake. Why do you even care?"

Butch glared at Brick before turning and stomping off without answering. Brick let him go. Not like he was stomping hard enough to shake the building so whatever.

"Well, someone's moody. Then again, he's a green and they can really be such babies sometimes."

Brick felt his shoulders slump at that voice and couldn't help but close his eyes. This was why they were all here though, just in case, and so Brick opened his eyes and turned to face Berserk.

"How lovely to see you. Been up to anything I should know about or did you just come tonight to harp?"

Berserk raised an eyebrow as she cocked her head and hip. "Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine tonight. What crawled up your ass and died?"

Brick kept his face blank as he titled his head back to look down his nose at her. She was wearing an extremely short, dark red satin sleeveless dress with her hair in its normal signature look but had completely ignored that this was a masquerade ball and forgone the mask entirely. He supposed it was the best they'd get. Berserk didn't do things the way they were supposed to be done. Ever.

"Nothing. Be careful something doesn't crawl up yours though, what with it only half being covered and all. Doesn't take much for an annoying bug to make its way up an ass on display."

Berserk snorted at that before smirking. "You'd know, wouldn't you? I'm sure you've played annoying bug once or two."

Brick raised an eyebrow. "I have standards unlike some people."

Berserk lazily flipped him off as she scanned the rest of the dance hall. "I see you're all here. No need though, only I decided to show. Well, half of us were banned from showing but I'm sure you expected as much."

"Hadn't been the half I'd been hoping for, but I'll take what I can get at least. Surprised Brat didn't jump at the chance to come though."

Berserk rolled her eyes. "Someone needed to babysit Brute. Apparently, she's not mature enough to be left to make her own decisions yet."

"Well, like you said, the greens are all babies, aren't they?"

"Ha! Fine. I'll accept the return dig at my sib. It's deserved."

"Not nearly as deserved as you being banned from this thing. Heard you had a bad feeling though and so you chickened out this year."

"Nice try Bricky but I'm not biting. I know I did a bitchy thing last year and figured you lot would be on high alert. Plus, no way I'll ever get to one up pink stuff again. If there's one thing I can say positive about her it's that she never misses an opportunity to learn."

Brick grit his teeth as Berserk just casually talked about what she'd done. "Yeah. I'd say there are plenty other positive things you could say but I know not to hold my breath."

Berserk gave him a hard look before rolling her eyes. "Good to know you aren't an idiot then. Look, just trust that I won't go behind her back again and that I had my own reasons. Knowing her, punk stuff already has suspicions on my reasons too, so she'll know how to not have a repeat."

"Don't think there'll be a repeat anyways."

Berserk gave him another look, this time evaluating before snorting. "Well look at this. I know they same I'm supposed to be the opposite of Blossom and all, but I didn't realize how much like you that made me. God. Really is like looking in a god damned mirror with you more than her."

Brick glared. "The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Berserk paused as she took a step into Brick's space and poked him in the chest, "that you and I are too alike, and it disgusts me. I don't like seeing my own weak self thrown in my face. A word of advice. Remember that green isn't our color, and we have to always control half of our red. Control is our real signature after all."

And with that, Berserk spun and sauntered away. Brick frowned as he watched her go. Why the hell did she bring up colors?

"There you are. I was looking for you."

Butch huffed as he turned his head to see Blossom careful float down onto the roof not far away. "I didn't ruin my hair too much did I? Bubbles will kill me if I did."

"Looks fine to me but I'm no expert," Butch replied. Blossom made her way over to where he was sitting.

"On hair? You're right, you're not. You know what Bubbles's standards are like almost as well as I do though so if you think my hair is fine then I trust that she won't kill me at least."

"Ha! Yeah, I know all about sugar cube's standards and man are they high."

"Hmmm...that they are."

"Don't worry about the hair. Really does look fine. Why were you looking for me?"

Blossom sighed as she sat down next to him and propped her chin on her knees. "I felt like maybe you needed a friend to talk to."

Butch snorted at that. "Friend huh? Think I was more coming up here to get away from those."

"I don't think so. I think you came up here because you've been in a good place for once and you don't want to ruin that."

Butch leaned back, propping himself up with his hands on the ground behind him. "How the hell is it that my bros don't see that and neither does your blue and yet, here you are, getting it?"

"I'm sure Buttercup got it well before I did if that makes you feel any better. As for why I caught it and not your family or Bubbles? It's probably old habits. I've grown up being hyper aware of you three. I can't help but watch carefully and you've been happy lately Butch. Happier than I think I've ever seen you. I saw you leave, and I thought you looked angry about something."

"Don't know that happy is the word for it. Calm though, that's another story. Don't know if I've ever really had a time where I've been calm before either. And yeah, felt a little like stirring something up in there so Brick sent me out here."

"Brick's being more of a worry wart than I am for once then. I don't think you needed to leave."

Butch shook his head as he looked up at the sky. "Not so sure. Definitely felt twitchy in there. Wouldn't have been surprised if I decided to make a new doorway with someone's face or something."

He could feel Blossom's eyes on him but didn't turn to look at her. He knew the way she'd be looking at him. It was times like these that Blossom really felt like the odd ball out for all of them. She might have clearly been a red but somehow...she sometimes seemed to see more than even the blues did. When Blossom really looked at you, Butch knew she'd see everything. There was no hiding from her.

"I doubt it. You might have made trouble though. Probably would have pulled a prank or two that would get you kicked out but serious damage? I don't think so."

"I think you're wrong red head. I think you're very wrong."

"I think I'm not. Do you want to know why?"

Butch didn't say anything. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know or not.

"I think...that you wouldn't have caused trouble because for the first time you feel like you truly have a place and you're not about to ruin that. Even if you are pretty upset about something."

"...maybe. And who says I'm upset about anything?"

"You did. Sort of. You said you're not calm, and you didn't agree when I said you were angry. You just said you would have made trouble. When you're angry Butch, you don't make trouble. You just look to break out. Buttercup is the same way when she's mad. It's not that you want to break things necessarily but that you want to break out of the situation or place that you are. You try to get free."

"Fancy way of putting I just need to blast my way out of a problem."

Blossom giggled lightly. "It is, isn't it? Still, you know you don't always have to blast through, right? I've been told I'm a good listener. If you ever need to just talk, I'm here."

Butch chuckled. "Thanks Pinkie." Blossom made a face at the name. "I'll try to remember that but no promises. There's a pretty good reason they call me the Baron of Berserk and you know it."

"Oh, I do. I have zero issues using that in a fight against a monster too. The rest of the time though? Let's try to develop some healthier habits, hmm?"

Butch snorted. "You're so good at making things sound less bad than they are. Sure, I'll try to talk. I'm a ruff and the green one though so seriously, don't hold your breath."

Blossom thought on that before standing with a sigh. "Fine. Maybe that is asking too much. How about this then? When you think it's really getting to be too much, tell me. I'll send you to fight a monster out far from the city with Buttercup and the two of you can go wild. Whether it's at the monster or each other, I won't care too much as long as the city stays safe and neither of you end up with serious injuries. Think that's doable?"

"Now that! That sounds like a plan. I can do that."

Blossom stuck her hand out and Butch cocked an eyebrow as he looked up at her. It was a full moon and the glow from her eyes, for once having nothing to do with their powers, sent chills down his spine. There was an eerie look there that made him uneasy and he couldn't help but reach out and clasp her hand as if he was afraid she was about to disappear.

"Deal! And now that we've shaken on it get up off your butt and let's get back to the dance. I know for a fact that there's more than just one girl down there looking for a ruff to dance with and we can't have Brick stealing all of your attention, now can we?"

Butch blinked a few times as he pulled himself out of the weird mindset. The few seconds he delayed had Blossom blinking back curiously. He didn't give her a chance to reply though.

"No shit. Gotta get back there pronto then, don't I?"

Blossom gave him a look. "You just couldn't resist could you? I hope you know I'll remember that when we have training tomorrow. I think mixed color sparing was on the agenda."

Shit. He was so dead.

There. I wanted to give some attention to the other pairings (which I have neglected, sorry) and thought this was a good chance. Hope you all enjoyed!

Marsnoesunplaneta! I'm so happy to hear that! I get so excited when I see that you've commented that you've enjoyed the new chapter too! Thank you for the positive vibes. They must have helped. It was a stressful week but it all turned out really, really well! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Artemis Raven Courtney! I mean...no spoilers from me but...Buttercup is a green...so yeah...Bubbles has caught the scent! She is on the move! Butch has no chance left, the poor guy. Blossom's keeping an eye on things. She knows how to handle them all by now at least. Doesn't mean it'll be easy for her though! Or any of them haha.

RainbowColoredHumanBeing! I'm good! Hope you're doing good still. I'm the oldest too but I have brothers so I guess for me it's more of a just...let them be idiots and then enjoy telling them they were idiots when they break something. Usually not a bone but still...break something. I hope they are working and if they aren't I'm sure there's one out there that will! I know it's not easy but I support getting the help you need, whatever that might be! I wish I could bake...I can't though. It just...doesn't end well. Can only kinda cook too...that's more of a laziness issue though. Hope you managed to make it to the gym! Favorite pokemon for me huh? I like ghost types (ironically cause I usually don't like horror or scary). Gengar's my number one but Sinistea is a close second. Of the starters? Hard to say. I tend to go for the water types or grass types. I just think they look cuter usually. I liked Litten a lot from sun and moon and nearly went for that one first...until I saw the evolutions. I'm a huge cat person and I was so happy about a cat starter and then I just...meh. I don't like most of the cat styled pokemon. I'm waiting for one to come through that I do really like. I think I went with Popplio for my first run through of sun/moon.

I'll be back in over two weeks with more! Until then, ciao!