Alright! Back with day two of the competition! Sorry in advance for the shorter chapter, I promise to make up for it with the next chapter! Which, speaking of, I goofed. Well, more like I changed my mind really. I'm having to re-write the last half of it which has caused a bit of an editor's limbo situation for me. I literally am stuck in the editing process for all my stories and can't write anything new! So I'm going insane! That said, I'm going to be trying to write some extras while I'm stuck in edits for this story. If there's anything in particular you're curious about that I've mentioned or just things that may have happened as they were all growing up, let me know! I can't promise I'll write it but I'll at least add it to the list of extras to write.
As always, thanks for the likes, follows, and comments! Hope you enjoy day two!
"You just had to come when I was on duty, didn't you?" Buttercup asked while glaring at them both. Brick and Bubbles exchanged looks before turning back to her shrugging.
"Just figured I wouldn't get another chance to do this and I wanted to see what it was about. Everyone was talking about it yesterday," Brick said.
Bubbles nodded. "Yup. Boomie's busy with helping the drama club this morning so I thought I'd tag along. Boomie said he'd take a look at it in the afternoon with Mike while Robin is doing her rotation for the drama clubs."
Buttercup rolled her eyes. "And it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I have to say this ridiculous script."
"Nope."
"What script?"
Buttercup glared at them both. They looked completely serious and if she didn't know them better she might even believe that they were being honest. She knew better though.
"Right. Welcome to Marvelous Mysteries. Please be sure to listen careful at each station as instructions will be given only once. Good luck in solving the mystery of the century," Buttercup deadpanned.
Brick snickered while Bubbles beamed.
"I hate you both. Get in there already," Buttercup growled as she raised the bar to let the two through.
"Oh don't be dramatic. It isn't that bad. I could have made it a lot worse," Bubbles said as she skipped past her sister.
Brick gave a grin that had Buttercup wanting to sock him. "Yeah Buttercup, wasn't that bad."
"Asshat. I'll remember this."
Brick held his hands up as he walked past. "Hey, don't be angry at me. I'm not the one who came up with any of this."
"And yet somehow I'm still hating."
Brick snickered again before following down the maze corridor after Bubbles. Buttercup was seriously tempted to zap him. That probably would have ended up with one very angry pink puff hunting her down though so she managed not too. At least they'd be busy and not laughing in her face about it while going through the maze.
Hell, if she was lucky they'd end up at Merrick's station and Brick would breeze through it making the guy feel like an idiot. Buttercup didn't doubt that the riddles and puzzles they'd all come up with would be a piece of cake to solve for any red, especially one as competitive as Brick.
Buttercup knew better than to hold her breath though. Lately her luck had been shit. Speaking of shit luck, Buttercup couldn't help but groan when she noticed who else was in line.
Two groups away from the front stood both Brute and Brawdy and they were grinning like the crazed lunatics they were. Buttercup so didn't want to deal with them but, unfortunately, she was stuck. Her partner was timid little Louis and there was no way she'd be able to work the guy's courage up enough in the time they had left to have him take over.
Because shit, her luck was just like that lately.
Gritting her teeth, Buttercup looked away from the two and focused on what she had to do instead. In no time at all though, the two greens she hated were smack dab in front of her.
"Buttercup," Brute drawled.
"Brute," Buttercup spat out.
"And no Butch. Where'd your pet dog go?" Brawdy smirked.
Buttercup turned and gave him a look. "He's literally about as much dog as you are you know. And I dunno, probably eating something or seeing what one of the others put together."
"Woulda thought they'd keep the beast with his tamer," Brute said sharply.
Buttercup rolled her eyes. How hypocritical. They could hash out all the digs they liked but insult one of them and they all got up in arms.
Babies.
"Nah, he's well trained enough to know not to screw things up. Wish I could say the same about all my counterparts."
Brute was glaring while Brawdy had the decency to wince. They had, after all, been two of the only three supers to get caught mid-prank this year.
"Doesn't mean shit if he's missed his rabies shot this year. Who knows what could happen to him?" Brute finally spat out.
Buttercup shrugged. "We stay pretty on top of all that with him. Our reds know what they're doing after all."
Brute was growling now and Buttercup was enjoying every second of it.
"I mean, doesn't mean they're top dogs though. We did get the biggest laugh last year," Brawdy eventually said, a lazy smile on his face.
Buttercup's head snapped towards him as Brute snickered at that.
"Seriously. And what a laugh it was. Hey, what's it like having a chicken for a leader?" Brute laughed out.
Buttercup felt sparks of energy dancing under her fingers. It was so tempting to blast them point blank in the face right then that she didn't dare move.
"Welcome to Marvelous Mysteries. Please be sure to listen careful at each station as instructions will be given only once. Good luck in solving the mystery of the century," Louis said shakily as he hid slightly behind Buttercup.
That snapped her out of it. Buttercup stepped back and raised the bar, glaring at the two the entire time.
"Thanks loser. Sure we'll enjoy the pathetic thing," Brute snicker. Brawdy laughed beside her as they stepped to move past.
"Better watch it Brute. You guys give reason to act and Blossom will and I promise you won't be laughing when she does," Buttercup growled out softly, a glow clear in her eyes.
Brute and Brawdy stopped and glared back before turning to continue on. Buttercup continued glaring at them until they turned the corner. She took a second after to take a few deeps breaths and calm down before turning to Louis. The poor guy was shaking like a leaf but looked hella proud of himself all the same.
"Thanks. I owe you big for that one," Buttercup said, her X back under control and her temper back in place.
Louis shrugged. "I just said what I was supposed to."
Buttercup snorted at that. She was so treating him to something. He'd earned it.
"Whatever you say dude."
He was straight up pouting at this point and he didn't care. He was hiding too, which he maybe did care a little about. Didn't mean he was about to stop doing it though.
"Butch, you're in the way again. Why don't you go check out the art stuff? Or get some food?" Blossom asked as she walked past him. Again.
Butch grunted before moving to trail after. He refused to admit that he probably looked like a scared puppy like this.
"Not hungry and I've seen the art stuff already. Other than sugar cube's stuff it was all meh."
Butch couldn't see her face but he knew she just rolled her eyes at him.
"Alright, well how about watching a play then?"
Butch snorted at that. "You think I can keep still enough on my own to sit through a whole play?"
Blossom stopped and cocked her head in thought for a second before turning to look at him. Specifically, his hands. He stuffed them into his pockets a little too late though.
"Butch."
He winced at the tone in her voice. It wasn't angry but boy was it heavy.
"I just wanna take a breather Blossy and this is actually the best place for that. Plus, not like I can get into trouble if I'm sticking close to you, right?"
Blossom watched him for a second longer before sighing and turning to continue through the science stuff. He wished she'd head back to her section. He actually really thought a lot of the flower arrangements turned out awesome and since he didn't see them often he was way more interested in those than the science stuff which he didn't understand half of.
"I suppose. If you're doing that though you'll have to make yourself useful. Can you take a walk through the physics' groups stuff and let me know if there are any issues? I told them to just call out for me if there were but its louder than I thought in here and I'm worried I might miss them asking for me."
Butch made a face. There was no way she'd let him just lurk though so he'd just have to bite the bullet. He moved to walk past her for Brick's area.
"Fine. But only cause I don't want to give you a reason to freeze my ass."
Blossom rolled her eyes at him. "I wouldn't do that just for you being in the way Butch. Still, I appreciate the help."
Butch shrugged, staying slightly hunched like he had been, before continuing on his way. He always felt weird when Blossom thanked him for something. It felt like he'd gone against his nature or something but he was slowly getting over that. He could do what he wanted and he did actually like helping out. Made him feel good. Useful. Not destructive.
He got why Buttercup seemed addicted to this hero lifestyle so much more now.
The thought of his counterpart had Butch frowning. He'd said to Brick that there was no way Buttercup would try to woo a confession out of Merrick but now that he'd thought about it, and watched her with the dick, he wasn't so sure. And that thought pissed him off more than if she were actually just interested in the guy.
Butch decide when he began to see sparks of green to stop thinking about it.
Walking around aimless, there weren't really a lot of stands that were standing out to the green ruff. Mostly this was cause he just didn't get any of the science stuff. It also wasn't really his wheelhouse. Biology always interested Butch more, even though he was god awful at it. Though, to be fair, the only subject he wasn't awful in were art and history. He did as Blossom asked though and asked a few of the kids running things if they needed anything. They didn't.
Butch decided after a bit that he'd had enough of helping out and that it was time to go find a spot out of the way again. He was sure Blossom would find him and drag him out to help again but he could slack for a little bit at least. The question was, which section was most likely to give him the longest relax break? He'd say Howie's but the dweeb wasn't there right now so that probably wouldn't make a difference. Brick's area was a good bet since she'd sent him here. He could find a spot to sit and seem like he was helping when he really wasn't.
Plan decided on, Butch looked around quickly before finding a good spot in between two stalls. He nodded at the kids running them before sitting down. They gave him looks but thankfully otherwise ignored him. Still, he wished he'd brought a notepad or something so he wasn't just staring into space. Not that he was feeling particularly like drawing anything. If he did get that itch, he'd find some paper and a pencil pronto. Right now, he was just bored.
"Seems kinda dumb if ya ask me," a voice drifted over from just a few stalls down. Said voice had Butch groaning.
Yeah. He was bored. Didn't mean he wanted to see the shit face he was trying to avoid right now. Maybe if he just inched back between the stalls a bit more...
"Butch. See you've finally found a good spot for yourself," Merrick said as he stopped between the two stalls and smirked down at the green ruff.
Butch frowned. "You just had to stop and say something didn't you? Can't you see I'm trying to slack here? Don't need you bringing attention my way."
Merrick snorted. "You're not very hidden there. Gotta ask though, why slack here of all places? Sure there would be better ones."
Cause here was where Butch had figured would be the least likely place for annoyances like this.
"Don't matter. Better question is why the hell are you here? Ain't no way you're interested in all this. I'm sure you don't even understand half of it."
Merrick shrugged before giving Butch a look that felt like he was looking down his nose at Butch. That couldn't be right though. The guy was dumb, but he couldn't possibly be that dumb.
"Bet I understand it better than you do. In fact, I think there are a lot of things that I understand better than you do."
Butch clenched his fist but could see it still twitching in his periphery. It seemed Merrick really was that dumb.
"Didn't answer my question," Butch couldn't help but lightly growl. It had the students in the stalls next to him glancing his way in slight panic.
Merrick shrugged. "Didn't feel like answering it. Why would I? I can do whatever the hell I want and there isn't much you can do about it."
Butch wasn't a blue but he wasn't dense either. The look Merrick was sending him said it all. Merrick was not talking about the competition at all.
"I think you might wanna watch yourself there or I might take that as a challenge," Butch said as he stood up.
Merrick didn't even look nervous. "I don't think there's much of a competition left. Pretty sure the winners obvious."
"I think you're a bit confused on what the competition actually is here cause if you ask me you're on track to lose and it won't be pretty."
"Somehow I'm not worried. Prize already feels like it's mine."
Butch's nails were digging painfully into his hands as he clenched them tighter and tighter to try and not do something stupid.
"There ain't no prize here to win you idiot. And trust me, that kinda talk and I won't be the one making you regret it."
"I know how to watch my mouth."
"Clearly not."
"What's going on here?" Blossom's voice asked, cutting through the glare off.
Merrick startled, spinning to look at her, but Butch kept on glaring. If he could just...
Blossom sighed loudly. "Merrick, I think it's about time you moved on to see another exhibit. Don't you?"
The question was pretty dark sounding for the pink puff and it had Merrick nodding and leaving pretty damned quickly.
Why couldn't he get the guy to leave when he got all dark and growly?
Blossom was at Butch's side in a second and yanked his hand up to look at it. Without realizing, Butch's nail had cut into his skin and he was bleeding. He relaxed his grip and in seconds the wounds were closing. Blossom raised an eyebrow.
Butch shrugged. "Whoops."
Sighed again, Blossom let go of his hand. "I know that this time probably wasn't your fault, you know better after all, but still, try to be careful. I really can't have you going off on a civilian anymore Butch. It'll not end well."
"I mean, if I don't maim him, it's fine. Right?"
Blossom rubbed at a temple at that. "No Butch. It isn't. Please leave Merrick alone. It shouldn't be much longer until Buttercup loses interest."
Butch made a face at that before shoving his hands into his pockets. "Don't see how Buttercup has anything to do with it."
Blossom shot him a look. "I heard most of that conversation Butch. Don't worry about it. Leave Merrick alone and it should all sort itself out."
Butch stayed silent for a bit and Blossom only sighed in response.
"...is it the painting?" Butch asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
Blossom didn't answer. Which was answer enough.
"I'm going on a flight. Phones on me."
Butch didn't wait to hear her answer as he flew up and out of the auditorium where the science stuff was all set up. The whole thing was pissing him off and if Merrick was dumb enough to approach him again like he had done today then that would be it.
Greens weren't known for their restraint and Butch had reached his limit. One more time and Merrick would be taught exactly what his place was and exactly who the top dog here was. And Butch would make sure it was a lesson the guy would seriously not enjoy.
Bubbles had seriously enjoyed the maze. She was going to have to let Princess and Butch know as well when she saw them next. She'd already gushed about it to Buttercup who had quickly gotten fed up and demanded Brick take her away. Which he had no problems doing seeing as how he was getting annoyed as well. It was worth being gushy about though! They'd done a seriously good job!
Oh well. She'd make Butch listen to her about it for sure next time she saw him.
"Where did you want to go next? You're saving the plays for tomorrow right?" Brick asked as they slowly made their way through the food stalls.
"Yup. Boomie and I are going to watch some of them together. Plus, I don't really know that I have time to go see one now anyways. I have to be back at my art soon," Bubbles said.
"So just a quick lunch then? I saw a taco stand earlier that I was thinking of grabbing something from."
"Hmmm, not really feeling tacos. I was thinking of just grabbing a veggie burger to be honest."
Brick shrugged. "Okay. That's on a different side right? I'm still going to go get tacos. I'll head back over that way once I have them."
Bubbles smiled at that. "Sounds like a plan!"
Brick nodded and took off. Bubbles really did appreciate that he was walking around with her. Butch had been moody so she hadn't felt right dragging him around so Brick offered to join her, despite the fact that the red ruff had probably been wanting some quite time. It was nice that he'd offered to keep her company simply because he knows she hates being left alone and there wasn't really anyone else. She did feel a little bad about it though and decided she'd have to do something to thank him. Maybe she could set him up on a 'blind' date with Blossom. That could work.
Giggling, Bubbles decided that would be an excellent idea and began planning it as she skipped to the food stand. Where would be best for their first date? It was really nice out, not too hot and not too cold, so maybe the park? Or there was that skating rink that just opened up. Maybe the museum would be good? They were both nerds though Butch was the real history buff. Maybe just a nice restaurant to start with then.
Bubbles was lost on thought in line until someone tapped her shoulder. Startled slightly, Bubbles turned only to frown as she came face to face with the counterpart she liked to pretend she didn't have.
"Brat. What do you want?" Bubbles asked stiffly. Maybe if they just cut to the chase instead of insulting each other like usual she could get this to wrap up quicker.
"Been meaning to talk to you about that little stunt you pulled at the beginning of sophomore year."
Bubbles cocked her head in thought. Stunt at the beginning of sophomore year? She didn't really see Brat at all that year so what was she...
Oh. That.
"I admit it was a horrible move and I promise I gave up on the idea almost immediately," Bubbles said with a wince.
Brat snorted. "Anyone with half a brain would have noticed immediately. Not almost immediately. I want to make sure you don't go getting any more dumb ideas like that."
"I take offense to that. It seemed like a good pair. I mean, they are super similar."
"Yeah. Too similar. Duh."
"Okay, no need to be rude. I admitted I made a mistake. It won't happen again. Happy?"
"Not really. Maybe you should repeat that to my sisters too. Maybe then I'd feel better."
Bubbles huffed at that. "What do your sisters have anything to do with this? Heck! Why do you even care? Not like it was you I set up on the thing."
Brat looked a little nervous at that but quickly cleared the look off her face. "I don't need you puffs poaching guys from our turf. Whether we want them or not doesn't matter. They're ours."
Bubbles rolled her eyes. "Like that's not possessive talk. I think that Blane is allowed to decide who he does and doesn't want to date on his own."
"Same could be said for Blossom too but then you had to go and meddle and set them up on that damned blind date. Do you know-"
"I'm sorry. Who was on a blind date with who now?"
Bubbles felt her heart drop and knew she'd gone pale. Turning slightly she saw Brick standing there, taco in hand, eyes a little too wide.
"Well, didn't realize you'd kept it from them. Not that I'm surprised. Your puppies are a little possessive. See, this one here?" Brat gestured at Bubbles. "She thought it would be a great idea to set Blane and Blossom up on a blind date a while back. They apparently had a good time and their friendship improved but that was about it. No magic sparks between those two," Brat snarked out.
Brick looked at Bubbles, eyebrow raised, who winced at the look.
"It was a super bad idea and I knew it as soon as Blossom had left. There's nothing romantic there. They just had a good time as friends and then Blossom came home and yelled at me so it's fine. Lesson learned. I won't do it again."
Bubbles was just gunna pretend she hadn't been about to do the same thing again with Blossom and Brick. Not that that should have been a problem. She knew they both liked each other this time at least.
Brat snorted. "Right, like we'd let it happen again. Don't be an idiot Bub. Later losers."
Brat strutted off with that but Bubbles couldn't bring herself to look away from Brick. He didn't look as lost now but his taco had taken quiet the hit. Most of it was on the ground now and she doubt he'd want to eat the pile of mush he'd made the rest of it on accident.
"So Blossom went on a date with Blane huh?"
Bubbles winced again. "I know. It was dumb. They both made that super clear to me when they saw me next. There really isn't anything romantic there at all."
"Uh-huh. Right. Just two extremely similar people spending a day out having fun together, alone, on a date someone else had planned for them."
"I think they actually did away with my date plan and just went to a science show thing that was going on at the time. And they are friends so you know...friend date."
"Friend date. Right. Hey look, I just realized I need to be somewhere. You go to go alone from here?"
"Please don't be mad. It was a bad idea and-"
"I'm not mad Bubs. I get why you did it. I just really realized I needed to be somewhere. I'll talk to you later okay?"
Brick didn't wait to hear her response this time before walking away. Granted, he didn't look mad but Bubbles found that somehow almost worse. He just looked so much like a sad puppy dog now.
She needed to find Boomer. He'd know how to make this right. Now where was her boyfriend?
Boomer figured she'd be somewhere around here, she was due back at her art work soon and would want lunch first, but he had no clue where exactly. Which was an issue when the somewhere he was looking took up most of the walk way space between school displays. The food area was easily the biggest area. He'd texted Bubbles earlier but hadn't gotten a reply so he was stuck sniffing around hoping to pick up her scent.
If he was Brick, he'd already have found it.
Thinking of one brother had Boomer quickly thinking about the other. He'd seen Butch's green streak racing away from the school and had nearly followed but something had told him not to. If Butch was taking off, it could only be for a very good reason. Plus, he'd only been on his break between plays and somehow Boomer didn't think anyone would have been happy with him if he had taken off after his brother. So he didn't. He had sent a text though.
Only to get no response there too.
Apparently, nobody wanted to be texting Boomer today. It sucked. He'd live though.
Still, this would be so much easier on him if Bubbles would just respond!
Growling lightly, Boomer continued to sniff his way through the stalls until he ran into a smell he wished he could avoid.
Sighing, and knowing he was stuck, Boomer turned to face Merrick. Or Dicky Ricky as Butch liked to call him at home lately. It was a fitting nickname. He gave Boomer a casual nod hello as he made his way over.
"Boomer. Was wondering if you'd seen your brother around at all. I was looking for him."
Boomer raised an eyebrow at that. "You didn't see the green then. He took off and probably for the best too. I'd recommend not hunting my bro down today if you know what's good for you."
Merrick rolled his eyes and Boomer was honestly shocked. Did the guy really not get it? Like...seriously?
"Sure. Whatever. I got places to be," Merrick said, not looking at Boomer at all. As he made to move past Boomer he tried to knock Boomer off balance by bumping into his shoulder.
Yeah. Like Boomer'd let that fly.
Quicker than Merrick could process, Boomer pushed back with enough force that he ended up stumbling. With a quick flick of his foot, Boomer pulled one of Merrick's feet out from under him and the guy fell flat on his ass. He was even dumb enough to glare up at Boomer.
"Nice try but you literally can't knock me off balance and I'd be an idiot for not returning in kind so get over it ya dipshit," Boomer said casually as he looked around the surrounding area. He'd thought he'd heard Bubbles but still couldn't see her.
"You lot really are assholes and I still think you all belong in Lockdown," Merrick mumbled, probably not thinking Boomer could hear him. Even if Boomer's hearing wasn't the best, which for the ruffs it was, he still would have heard it. Any of the X individuals would have. Which meant Boomer couldn't just ignore it.
"Wow. You're dumber than I thought you'd be and that's saying something. Anyways, you seen Bubs around at all? I've been looking for her and this place is hella too big to find her," Boomer said. Merrick tried to stand up and faster than he could process, Boomer sent a blast of air pressure from a super speed wrist flick at the guy causing him to fall back on his ass. A few people looked around at the extra breeze going through the area. Good thing Boomer decided not to use a kick for that stunt.
"I know that was you! Knock it off asshole!"
So not 100% brainless. That was something. Still, Boomer wasn't impressed.
"So that's a no, you haven't seen Bubs. Damn. Where could she be?"
Merrick tried to stand up again but in a flash of blue Boomer knocked his hand out from under him cause him to topple onto his side this time before he quickly returned to his original position. People were starting to look but Boomer ignored them. Merrick glared at him.
"I said, knock it off!"
"Maybe the deserts? She always has to have some type of sugar after she eats. Guess it makes sense. She is the designated representative of it after all."
Merrick tried again and this time Boomer sent a small zap of electricity at him causing the guy to flinch and fall back again. A couple of kids watching laughed and Merrick went bright red.
"Didn't expect this from you. Seems like something one of our girls would do," a lazy voice drawled out from behind Boomer. Groaning, the blue ruff turned to see the blue right sauntering up.
"Didn't expect what? I ain't doing shit," Boomer said simply. Banger raised an eyebrow before looking down at Merrick who was slowly trying to get up while Boomer wasn't watching. Another zap of electricity shot over and the guy fell with a curse again.
"Who's this poor guy?" Banger asked.
Boomer shrugged. "Nobody worth mentioning. I was just blowing some steam. Hey, you seen Bubs? I've been looking for her."
"Think Brat took off go talk to her over by the burgers."
"Shit. And you just let her?"
"You ever try to stop Brat from doing something before? No? Then don't give me shit. She ain't called Brat for no fucking reason."
"Don't give me that. You want them to cause trouble and have Bloss come down on us? Cause I promise you, you haven't seen hell until you've had an angry pink puff chasing you down."
Banger rolled his eyes but also stuffed his hands into his pockets. Boomer smirked at that.
"Whatever. Check the burger area," Banger didn't wait for a response before slinking off into the crowd. Boomer sighed before turning for the burger stands. It made sense she'd go there. That was one of the closest areas to the art stuff.
Boomer started to make his way over, casually knocking Merrick's hand out from under him again as he went by. He couldn't help but smile broadly at the string of curses he slowly walked away from.
"Oh come fucking on. Seriously? How the hell is it I can't not run into you. Fuck!" Brick groaned into his hands.
Berserk snorted as she examined her nails. "Well. Another disgusting thing we share. An equal hatred for each other's faces. Fan-fucking-tastic."
Brick dropped his hands and glared at her. "Why the hell are you even here? Shouldn't you be down there causing trouble or something?"
She gave him a look. "Maybe I have better things to do with my time."
"Like sitting on a roof examining your nails?" Berserk huffed and didn't respond. "Whatever. I'm not leaving. I need a break."
"Ugh, stop reminding me of me. God its gross."
"Well if you'd shut up, I could do the same and we could both pretend we're up here alone."
Berserk clicked her tongue loudly but didn't say anything. Finally getting some quiet, Brick turned his back to her before finding a nice sunny spot on the roof and laying down in it. He flipped his cap around and dropped the bill of it down over his eyes to block out the sun before closing his eyes. Some rest away from the hustle and bustle should help him think again.
Mostly just the time away from the puffs, one in particular, should help again.
There was glorious silence on the roof for several minutes before Berserk apparently decided she was bored.
"So, what drove you up here?"
Brick groaned but kept his eyes closed. "Does it matter? It's not like you actually care."
"I don't think you really know me well enough to know if I care or not."
"Well according to you were essentially the same person so I'd say that makes me kinda an expert."
"And I'd say get over yourself. Saw you run into Brat. Just making sure she didn't cause trouble."
"Why? Cause you'd hate to miss out on the opportunity to join?"
"No, because I'm actually trying to behave for once and those two don't seem to be getting it. You know I can't just sit back if they do something and pink stuff has to step in to discipline them. I'd have to push back if she did that."
Frowning, Brick lifted his cap to look at Berserk who was looking down at the competition. "I'm sorry. Did I just hear you right?"
Berserk rolled her eyes but didn't look at him. "Yeah. I don't want to cause issue. Sue me."
"Why?"
Berserk pursed her lips for a second before turning to look at him. "Answer my question and I'll answer yours."
Brick groaned before dropping his cap back over his eyes to think about it. It didn't take long before he made a decision.
"Fine. Your sister was telling Bubs off for setting something up and I just overheard. Decided I needed a break after was all."
"Ah. She told you about Blane huh. Always wondered why none of you ruffs seemed upset beyond the norm but I guess now I know why."
"You knew?" Brick asked as he finally sat up, hat being place back in its proper position.
Berserk snorted. "Of course I did. Blane told me Bubs had asked him to meet her somewhere for something and then told me what when he got back. I'm surprised pink stuff didn't tell you guys to be honest."
Brick shrugged. "I guess it might make sense depending on when it was."
"Beginning of last school year."
"Ah. That makes sense then. We were still being 'babysat' and Bloss didn't trust us with much of anything to be honest."
"Could have fooled me. She always seems buddy buddy with you lot, even back then."
"I mean, she wasn't harsh or anything, she was just cautious. Ready for anything, I guess. She'd weigh all the pros and cons before telling us anything and if she thought telling us might cause problems then she wouldn't. Now she'll let us make our own choices and live with our own consequences I guess."
"But she still didn't tell you."
"Why would she? Been a while. Not really relevant anymore."
"Huh. She say that? That it wasn't relevant anymore?"
Brick turned to look at her, something in her voice clicking things slowly into place. The angry look on Berserk's face, gone the second she realized he was looking, was the final piece he needed.
"Holy shit. We really are disgustingly similar. Fuck. That was why the prank wasn't it?"
Berserk shrugged. "Dunno what you're talking about."
Brick snorted at that. "Shit. Can't believe I didn't see it before now. No wonder you always kick up a fuss whenever the twelve of us are together. You don't want him paying attention to her."
"Like I said. Dunno what you're talking about. Getting kinda hungry. Think I'll head down."
In a flash of bright red, Berserk zoomed off the roof and down into the crowds below. Brick looked down at her with his X-ray vision only to have her scowl at him and flip him off. He snorted at that before plopping backwards, hat once again covering his eyes.
Things made so much more sense now and Brick was a little peeved that Blossom hadn't clued him in. He had no doubt she knew that was the reason behind the prank, she was too in touch with what was going on with all the X individuals to try and pull that one off, but he could also kind of get it. Berserk's reason still didn't make the prank okay and it probably would have just pissed Brick off more and caused him to ignore the request to stay put in favor of doing something to all the Citiesville supers in retaliation. There's no way Blossom would have told him, probably guessing as much herself.
It also didn't sort Brick's current predicament out. No one at their school really openly went for the pink puff, other than Howie, simply because of who she was. It had caused Brick to never really worry about someone swooping in and whisking her off so to speak. After what he'd just learned though...
He'd made up his mind ages ago but sat on it like a coward. He couldn't do that anymore. Time to actually do something. For once.
There it is! Hope you all enjoyed.
Artemis Raven Courtney! Ah yes, who knows and who doesn't about Berserk and Blaine. The punks do, the rights are blind guys who don't see anything unless you throw it in their face, Buttercup doesn't care so she hasn't noticed, Bubbles is too focused on the love situation of her own supers to pay attention to the other ones, Blossom does actually know because why else would Berserk have pulled that prank? She just isn't sure how much it affects Berserk's normal interactions with her (they aren't really pals so she has a hard time judging what's just Berserk and what's the jealousy). Butch and Boomer avoid the rights and punks as much as possible so nope, and, well, now you know Brick knows. As for Butch and his boiling point...well...I guess you'll just have to wait and see :)
EverestGhost13! So glad you think do! Hope you enjoy what I have coming up too!
Emily! Hope you're feeling better! Also, happy to hear you loved the last chapter! Hope you enjoyed this one too!
taiwoeretan1! Yes. Butch is the most protective of the ruffs in general but he tends to maybe be a bit more so for Buttercup (wonder why ^.^). It doesn't help that he normally isn't in a situation where he feels he has to protect her actually so in situations like this, his instincts go a bit crazy. Hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
I have a lot that'll be happening in the next chapter! I hope to have it ready for two weeks time but like I said, I'm re-writing a good half of it so I can't make any promises. If I don't think I can have it up in two weeks time, I'll post on my insta to let you all know. Until then, ciao!