Okay! I managed to get this up this weekend! Somehow. Sorry it's a little later in the month than usual, I've got a bad case of senioritis and while you'd think that would make me more productive on my stories...I just have no energy or motivation for anything instead. It's totally fantastic...Anyways. With that in mind, and the fact that I semi-bombed my midterm in one class and now have to make it up, I won't have another chapter ready for this story until around Christmas time. I'm sorry, I just know that with finals and everything I won't have the energy.
Thanks for all the like, reviews, and follows! Always love to see them and they always give me an extra boost in energy!
Ring
Ring
...
...
Ring bang bang ring
...
...
Maybe they'd stop now.
...
Ring ring ring bang bang
Oh, for fuck's sake! Boomer threw the blanket off of himself and awkwardly got up from the sofa while trying not to aggravate his injuries too much. It seriously sucked being the youngest but tallest. His brothers had booted him to out here for the night, despite being injured even! While he'd made the sofa work, he sure as hell wasn't able to make all this noise work! He might be able to function on little to no sleep but he hated being woken up early when he did fall asleep. It was the worst!
Boomer threw the door open and came face to face with a seriously unhappy looking Cabel. Well, tough shit for Cabel.
"I can't fucking deal with you. Stop ringing the damned bell and go the fuck home," Boomer said before slamming the door shut, blocking out most of Cabel's loud complaint. Boomer ignored the new round of banging on the door as he made his way back to the sofa, slowly climbing on to lay face first onto it, his legs hanging off the edge, too long to fit without bending. Didn't the Prof say this thing was a futon or something? Cause they sure as hell hadn't been able to find that feature. Whatever. He stuffed the pillow over his head to try and muffle the noise.
A door on the second floor slammed open. Boomer ignored it. Probably just Bubb-
"Who the fuck is at the damned door?!"
Oh. Buttercup. That was not what he'd expected. Still, Boomer couldn't find the energy to roll over. He did move the pillow though. "Cabel," he said loud enough to be heard.
"That fucking fucker is seriously asking for a shitty ass nose job," Buttercup said before starting to make her way around the top to the stairs.
Boomer snapped his eyes open. Buttercup beating Cabel to a pulp? Now that he would happily wake up for. He rolled over to watch.
"Can I record?" Boomer asked as Buttercup reached the first floor. She glared at him.
"You need serious help."
Boomer hummed in thought at that for a second. "Actually, my psychiatrist said I was the most stable and normal of me and my bros. Said I was fit for public years ago. Butch though...Butch needs help."
Buttercup grumbled under her breath at that, a little too softly for Boomer to make out. He thought he heard Butch and maybe the word bed and shame but he wasn't sure. Coulda easily been touch, led, and tame though that made a lot less sense. Oh well, whatever.
Boomer rolled onto his side and watched as Buttercup yanked the front door open to reveal a now angry looking Cabel.
Well. Oops. Boomer couldn't find it in himself to care too much though.
"Bubbles-"
Buttercup was quick to cut him off. "We had the longest fucking night in the fucking history of long fucking nights. I promise that when I close this door, if you ring that damned doorbell one more fucking time that I'll rip it out of the damned wall and stuff it down your fucking throat. Go. The fuck. Home."
And then she slammed the door in the now pale Cabel's face. That was beautiful. Boomer wiped an imaginary tear and sniffled as he clapped slowly when Buttercup turned around. She rolled her eyes at him before stomping back for her room.
The amazing show over, Boomer carefully rolled back onto his stomach, grabbed a pillow, stuffed his face in it, and readjusted his legs so the painful one was hanging off still but the other was on the sofa, bent at the knee right at the arm rest. Now, back to getting some shut eye.
Boomer heard a light click of a door but ignored it. Probably just Buttercup.
"Who was at the door?"
Fuck. Not Buttercup.
Boomer turned onto his side a little with a wince and looked up at the second floor to see Blossom standing there looking down at him. She was in a workout outfit of some sort. Boomer couldn't lie, she had a hell of a figure. Maybe he should change his bet with Butch...
"Cabel."
Blossom made a face at that before sighing and looking to her room.
"Right. Wonderful. Well, at least it happened close to when everyone needed to be thinking about getting up anyways. I'm assuming he wasn't let in?"
Maaaaan. He didn't wanna get up yet. Boomer couldn't see that Blossom would care too much about what he wanted in this situation though.
"Buttercup came and told him now wasn't a good time."
Blossom sighed at that again before nodding. "Okay. Any requests for breakfast? I'm planning on taking a bath first but I'll head down to cook after."
Ah. Still some shut eye time then.
"Nah. We're not too picky. And you all are great cooks. We'll eat whatever you put in front of us pretty happily."
Blossom snorted at that before heading to the bathroom. "Right. Should be ready around ten thirty. Please be up for it. I don't like having to wake people up."
Ten thirty. Brick said not before ten so that worked. Boomer could do that. Wouldn't be too hard to get his bros up, wouldn't be the first time he'd done it after all. Question was, did she expect him to wake her sisters up too...?
Eh. Whatever. Sleep first. Boomer rolled back over and closed his eyes. He could...he would think...about it...
"Wake...yeargh...up. Blossom said foods ready."
Butch grunted and rolled further away from Boomer's hand. Why couldn't he just let Butch rest in peace. He didn't care if food...
Oh. Food. He could get up for that. Butch rolled onto his back and blinked the sleep out of his eyes a bit before looked at his brother. Boomer just yawned back again.
"Great. Gunna go get Brick now."
"It after ten?"
"Like...by twenty minutes ish?"
"Bro ain't gunna be happy."
"Yeah, well, he'd kill me if I didn't at least try. It's food. Home cooked food. Made by Blossom."
Butch grunted at that. Boomer had a point. Brick would kill them if they didn't at least try to get him up. And it was after 10.
Eh, either way, Boomer's problem and not his. Nope. Food in the belly was Butch's problem. Now that he was awake, he was starving. He sat up in the bed as he snarled out a yawn and scratched at his head, a slight twinge in his abdomen from the night before that went mostly ignored. He was still in his clothes from yesterday, Boomer had been too, and he could change now but...
Nope. Food.
Decision made, Butch rolled out of the bed and all but ran his way into the kitchen. Blossom was standing at the stove, her pink apron on and hair up in its usual ponytail, looking honestly more casual than Butch was used to seeing her. He was pretty sure those were yoga pants, and that shirt was maybe two or three sizes too big.
Huh. So even the eldest Utonium needed comfy clothing days.
"Food'll be ready in a few minutes. Go ahead and take a seat at the table," Blossom said without turning to look at him. Did she know it was him or was she just saying that to everyone? "I'll probably have you and your brothers help bring everything over once I'm done though. So I guess you don't need to sit yet."
Creepy. She did know. How? Did she have eyes in the back of her head? Butch looked at the table. Only Buttercup was there, her head buried in her arms, so how did she know he wasn't Bubbles or some shit?
"Dude. Sit. Bubbles'll be in here soon and it'll be a shit show so you're not gunna wanna be standing there," a muffled Buttercup's voice said.
"Well, that sounds fun," Butch said. So, no eyes in the back of the head. Just missed drama. "Why's it gunna be a mess?"
"Cause I'm in a shit mood and someone decided to show up and make it worse this morning. So I did something Bubs won't be too happy about."
Butch made his way over to the table and sat about as far away from Buttercup as he could. Seemed like something he didn't want to be sitting near her for this.
"What happened this morning?"
Buttercup didn't reply. Butch heard Blossom sigh and turned to face her.
"Cabel showed up this morning. Likely he texted her at some point during the whole fiasco last night and didn't get a response. Bubbles is usually really good about replying to texts but she went straight to bed last night so any texts would have gone ignored. Which is why I'm guessing that, unfortunately, he showed up this morning and was ringing the doorbell. I believe he woke up both Boomer and Buttercup, neither of which were very welcoming. I had music on so I only heard the last bit otherwise I would have answered the door. Bubbles slept through it all like she usually does. I don't doubt that he'll have texted her about the whole thing though."
"Oof. That's no good. Boom hates being woken up."
"I'm not a huge fan of it either. And after last night? I was pretty...um...well he won't be happy," Buttercup said with a sigh as she lifted her heard.
Butch frowned. The firecracker was looking a little less explosive than usual. It made sense, but for some reason Butch had expected her to quickly bounce back from last night. No serious damage was done after all.
Then again, Butch was used to dealing with gangs so maybe his view was a bit skewed. Just a bit though.
"Well, I'm sorry I missed it. Sure it was a sight to behold."
Buttercup snorted at that. "Oh I'm sure your brother enjoyed the show, that's for sure. Whatever, not the first time I've pissed off Bubs. Won't be the last either I'm sure."
"Yeah, well, family I guess? Still, kinda curious to see a pissed little miss short stuff. I've seen her huffy, seen her pouty, seen her even be mopey but mad? That'll be new."
Blossom made a weird strangled noise while Buttercup just groaned and let her head drop back into her arms. Oh. This was gunna be good. Butch could just tell.
Bubbles frowned as she finished getting ready. Her phone had been going off like crazy but she hadn't been in the mood to talk to anyone. Plus, it was still before noon on Saturday. Even if Blossom never let them sleep in until too late in the day everyone knew that Bubbles liked her weekend mornings to be relax time, her thinking time, and, really, catching up on homework time. It was her one dark period and the only exceptions were when she had prior plans made.
That said, and with a very heavy sigh, Bubbles decided she couldn't just keep ignoring it. Whoever was texting her was being very insistent. She picked up her phone and quickly unlocked it, pulling up the messages without really looking at who they were even from. She read a few then went very, very still.
They were dead. Oh she was so going to kill both of them!
Bubbles spun out of her chair and went straight for her door. They should be in the kitchen. Blossom would have something ready soon. She didn't care anymore that she hadn't finished getting ready. She was dressed, granted in sweats and a plain t, didn't need makeup, she had no plans of impressing anyone in this house currently, and who cared if her hair wasn't in its usual pigtails, a messy bun would just help keep it out of the way for this!
Faster than what would seem to be humanly possible, Bubbles was down the stairs and standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Her eyes immediately went straight to Buttercup and she saw nothing else.
"You! I can't believe you!" Bubbles screeched.
Buttercup jolted at that and spun to face her, her face quickly going pale. "Bubbles, I can-"
"No! I so don't want to even hear it! I know you don't like him and I know Blossom doesn't either but I chose him! I'm willingly dating him whether you like it or not! Out of respect for me and my choices I expect you to NOT SLAM THE DOOR IN MY BOYFRIEND'S FACE!"
Buttercup winced back slowly as Bubbles got louder and louder.
"I know but I just-"
"No! You are going to apologize to him Buttercup or I swear I'll make sure your collection of star maps accidentally finds their way to the nearest recycling center!"
"Star maps? What?" Butch. Bubbles ignored him.
"Shh, trust me, you just want to stay out of the way right now." Blossom. Bubbles ignored her too.
"Okay! I'll apologize! But can I just say-"
"NOYOUCANNOTJUSTSAYSOHELPMEBUTTERCUP-!"
"Whoa, everything okay here?" Brick asked as he turned the corner from the stairs and made his way over slowly. Bubbles saw a blond head behind him. There he was. Culprit number 2.
And to think, she was going to help him clear up his rumors!
"Boomer Jojo I swear to god I'm gunna-!" Bubbles was pulled up short from putting her hands around an amused Boomer's throat by an arm around her waist.
"Okay! Killing my brother is not allowed! What the hell happened?" Brick asked as he pulled Bubbles away.
"Your weaselly brother slammed our door in my boyfriend's face! That's what happened!"
"Well, yeah. In my defense, he did wake me up. I mean, who rings a doorbell six times in a row first thing in the morning?" Boomer asked with a shrug if his shoulders.
"Graaaaah! Boomer! He's allowed to ring the doorbell!"
"Uh, actually Bubs, kinda with baby Jojo here. It was kinda uncalled for," Buttercup said from somewhere in the kitchen.
"Why the hell was he even here?" Brick asked.
"Food's ready if anyone cares."
"Ooo! I care! Food for me please Blossy boo. Was just thinking this would be perfect if I had popcorn or something."
"It shouldn't matter why cause he's allowed to be here! Cabel was worried about how I wasn't responding last night so he came over to check! But someone just had to wake up on the wrong side of the bed!" Bubbles yelled as she struggled to get out of Brick's grip.
"He sure didn't look too worried. Kinda just looked pissed to be honest," Boomer quipped. Bubbles shrieked and started trying to scratch her way out.
"Ouch! Okay, Boom, not helping! Get in the damned kitchen. Blossom! Help me calm your sister before she hurts more than just me!" Brick yelled as he picked Bubbles up and moved her out of the path to the kitchen.
Boomer shrugged. "Sure. I'll save you a plate bro."
"Boomer Jojo! I will make you regret this!"
"Okay! Bubbles, that's enough," Blossom said as she finally emerged from the kitchen, Boomer slipping past her. "Breathing exercises please and thank you. You will not be making Boomer regret it but both he and Buttercup will apologize to Cabel and mean it. Also, please make sure Cabel knows that if it's before ten and he wants to get a hold of you, continually ringing our doorbell is not the way to do it."
Bubbles huffed but did as Blossom said, taking deep, calming breathes.
"Fuck Bubbles. I'm bleeding. Did ya have to be that rough?" Brick asked as he took advantage of the break. Bubbles looked down at his arms around her waist and winced. They were covered in scratches, a good number indeed bleeding.
"Sorry. It's just, he's really upset and I didn't even know about this because I don't usually check my phone weekend mornings. It's my one break and after yesterday I was so not in the mood to break that but apparently this happened. And I don't, I cant..." Bubbles sniffled. Cabel was really not happy. His texts were saying that if she didn't find a way to get the Jojos out there he didn't know that he could keep this up. All because Boomer had to go and be rude.
"Bubbles," Blossom said with a sigh. Cautiously, Brick let go of Bubbles who shuffled over to bury her face in Blossom's shoulder, her older sister quickly rubbing her back soothingly.
"He's really not happy Blossom," Bubbles whimpered.
Blossom sighed. Bubbles heard Brick shuffle past but didn't move.
"So we fix it. Boomer and Buttercup will apologize. You 'll plan an excellent make up date to go on. We can explain what happened last night and why this morning was just a bad morning too. He'll understand."
Bubbles sniffled a few more times. She wasn't so sure but when Blossom said it she felt like it would turn out okay. She could hear someone shuffle close to them.
"I'm really sorry Bubs. It was just first thing and after yesterday I was cranky. I don't think baby Jojo likes early morning wake up calls too much either," Buttercup said. Bubbles looked up to see her sister standing awkwardly right next to them, her hands stuffed in her pockets, truly looking sorry.
"He doesn't! He's a cranky baby!"
"Seriously Butch?"
"I mean, he is right. I am cranky when I wake up. Not a baby though."
"Well..."
"I call it like I see it bro."
Blossom sighed and Bubbles felt a small smile creep out as the three brothers started to bicker, Boomer taking the brunt of it.
Served him right.
Still, she guessed now that she'd calmed down that it was a little rude to show up unannounced, even if they were dating. Plus, he knew she liked her alone time on Saturday mornings. He should have maybe tried texting Blossom or Buttercup first. She knew he had their numbers. They weren't so close as a couple that he'd ever even spent the night at the house. That was partially because her dad would have gone a little crazy at that but still.
"Better?" Blossom asked as she felt the shift in Bubbles' mood. Bubbles nodded and Buttercup sighed.
"Thank fuck for that. Now let's eat please. I'll draft out my dumb apologize after food, promise."
Bubbles rolled her eyes at her sister.
"Fine. But it better be an amazing apology!"
"I'll make mine the best apology you've ever- ow! Fuck Brick! That hurt!"
"Seriously? You can't just let them have their moment and shut up for once?"
"Alright, now that we're all fed, I'm guessing we have a ton to talk about?" Buttercup drawled as she pushed her plate slightly away from her. Blossom sigh as she went to pick it and the last few plates up.
"Yeah, we do," Brick replied. He kicked Boomer's shin under the table slightly and twitched his finger slightly in Blossom's direction. Boomer sighed but still got up to help her clean up.
"Oh you don't need-"
"You cooked so kinda do need to. Hand it over and sit down Blossom."
Seriously. It was the least Boomer could do after the trouble he'd made this morning. Bruised to broken ribs or not, the baby Jojo had made a mess and it was time he started trying to clean it up.
"So first thing tomorrow, we're moving Bubbles' studio into the back room of Ruff Tides. I'm thinking no disagreements this time?" Brick asked. Bubbles huffed but it was otherwise quiet. "Good. Second is, I don't think it's smart to leave you three totally alone even on campus anymore. I think it'll be fine when you're in the classrooms but walking between them? I don't trust that the gang won't try to pounce on that anymore."
Buttercup groaned this time. "I can totally handle myself you know. Those two, fine, but me? I don't need a full time watch dog."
Blossom had told Brick that Buttercup wouldn't be happy about this. That was why she'd talked to her about it before hand. Clearly the one night hadn't been enough for her to accept it though.
"It's not so much that we're watch dogs but deterrents, and the point is that we don't want anyone to have to handle anything. Us three know what to look for so we can avoid trouble before it sees us. That's why I want one of us to keep closer eyes on you three."
"How though? And why? I don't get why you three think you're such experts at avoiding the gangs," Bubbles huffed out. Boomer finally returned to the table and sat down. Brick glanced at his two brothers before meeting Blossom's eyes and sighing. Looks like they'd have to explain some of it at least.
Brick tugged the corner of his shirt up to show the tattoo on his chest.
"This here?" Brick said as he pointed at the tattoo. "This is a gang symbol. A big one. Now before any freak outs, no, we ain't involved with them. Our parents are though. We got out but not before our mom slapped this on all three of us. She said it was to keep us safe and yeah, kinda does do that. More it was to keep us tied to that one gang. Our dad didn't agree though so he sent us out back in high school and we've been under a guardian unofficially since then. Not exactly done legally but not illegally either, especially now that we're adults. Still, while we weren't involved in the gang life, we sure as hell were surrounded by it. We're good at picking up on things and if the members were around back then, we might even still recognize them. Means we can spot the trouble before it's breaking down any doors."
Brick decided not to mention the fact that the symbol also meant they were protected or that their property was protected either, especially after the awkward peace between the two parents was finalized. Well, as long as the place wasn't also on Hell Hound territory. No one would dare touch any of them at the apartment, cafe, or shop that Butch worked at. Brick being a student made most of the campus pretty safe usually too. He was honestly kinda surprised that Fuzzy and Rainbow even pulled the stunt that they did. If Him found out the details, Brick didn't imagine that Him would be too happy about it. A breach in the peace would give dear old dad all he needed to stop Him from interfering once and for all. Still, it was enough that they needed to tighten the security.
"It's a pretty sick looking tat at least," Buttercup commented. Brick looked down at it. He couldn't bring himself to agree but that could have probably just been because of the association he had with it.
It was a pitchfork gripped by a giant red claw surrounded, flames looping around it in a way that always reminded Brick and his brothers of the feathery pink boa their mom loved to wear, even to this day. The claw didn't make sense to them though but then again, the Jojo brothers gave up a long time ago at trying to understand their mother who was eccentric on a good day. All three of them had this tattooed right over their heart.
Brick grimaced as he dropped his shirt back down. He definitely saw Buttercup frown at that and thought that maybe Blossom's lips had twitched down into a frown for half a second but he wasn't sure.
Not that it mattered either way. Brick was not going to give his brothers the satisfaction of winning their little bet and he liked living. No way would he touch a Utonium girl and risk the wrath of the Professor challenging that.
"Okay, so I guess maybe you three have a somewhat valid reason for being a good guard in this one case but I still don't get why you would do this," Bubbles said with a frown. She was glancing at all three of them a little differently now. Not afraid, but more reevaluating.
"Well, let's just say we owe a few favors and this pays them off nicely."
Brick was definitely not going into more detail there. They could just assume what they would. He was pretty sure they'd take it as this was a way to get back at gangs. And it was, kinda. Mostly it was for the Prof though.
Blossom was giving him a look at that and he gave an internal sigh. She was definitely going to corner him later to get more information. Fun.
"Fine. Not like I have any other choice. How are we doing this though? Not like you three don't have lives," Buttercup grumbled.
Brick frowned at that. "Well, Blossom is pretty much covered with my schedule already. Even if we aren't in the same class were usually in the same building at least so I think that should still be fine. You and Bubbles will have to hang out a lot at Ruff Tides when you aren't in class but are on campus. Butch can walk you around campus too Buttercup. Bubbles...is a little trickier. Your classes are kinda all over the place."
"I like my schedule thank you very much," Bubbles quipped. Brick ignored her.
"For the morning, Boomer can follow you around. The afternoon though, that's where we run into trouble. You have a few classes that are near me and Blossom or Buttercup but most of the time you're at least in a different building if not an entirely different part of campus."
"So what do we do? Whether she likes it or not, we're like halfway through the semester. There's no way she can change things now," Blossom asked.
"That's...I'm not so sure yet. Boomer said he'd check with Mitch about this but..."
Boomer shrugged. "Mitch has classes of his own though. Haven't heard back yet but I wouldn't hold my breath."
"Where are his classes? Are they near where Bubbles' are? Cause maybe we just have him help out," Butch threw out there.
Buttercup frowned at that. "Hey, if that's an option then screw you three, just assign him to me and have Butch watch Bubs. Don't know what you think he can do that I can't though."
"He knows the street life and what to watch out for a hell of a lot better than you do at least. I'm sure I don't need to explain why," Brick said. Buttercup huffed and turned away but didn't respond, which answered that. "And no, I'm not assigning him to you. You two are good friends. I don't trust that he'll stop you from pulling a stunt like you did last night."
Buttercup glared before looking away from him at that and Brick narrowed his eyes. She wasn't one to normally back down like that. Normally he might push but he'd let her off this time, so long as she just didn't push for Mitch to follow her.
"I mean, that is an option but kinda depends on his schedule don't it?" Boomer added.
Brick thought on it before nodding. "Can't hurt to check at least. He can walk her to and from Ruff Tides if he needs to in between her classes. We could also ask..."
Butch and Boomer turned to him before clicking on to who he was thinking of and quickly shook their heads.
"Uh-uh, I ain't gunna ask that one. That's all you bro."
"Nope. No thank you. Not gunna even check. All yours Brick."
Dammit. He didn't want to was the problem. Plus...after last night...maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Then again, it wasn't like they had a ton of options.
Brick sighed as he took off his hat to ruffle his hair before placing it back on. "Ask Mitch then let me know. I'll only ask if we have to. Hopefully, we just don't have to."
"Ask who?" Blossom asked.
Brick grimace and wouldn't meet her eyes. "Hopefully, no one. If I have to ask, I'll let you know then."
Blossom's eyes narrowed at him but thankfully she let it drop. For now at least. Brick was sure it wouldn't be long until that changed though. At least by the time she decided to push for an answer Brick would know whether it even mattered or not.
"Well, Mitch should be up soon so we should know by the end of the day right?" Buttercup asked.
"Hopefully. I'll let you know once we hear back. Until then, we've got things about as sorted as we will," Brick said.
"Good. Then I'm gunna go work on homework or something cause I straight up don't wanna look at any of your faces anymore," Buttercup said as she stood to leave.
"If you jump out that window again-"
"Chill hat head. I'll stay put. Not cause you said to though."
Brick sighed as Buttercup left without waiting for a reply. He decided he needed to do something about that window though. Even just a sensor outside it that would trip an alarm would work. He'd worry about that later though.
"Well, I don't have homework but I do have a cafe to run. Can I...?" Boomer trailed off as he pointed to the door. Brick waved him off but before he could do anything Bubbles stood up abruptly.
"You better apologize. I so haven't let this go."
She spun out of the room before Boomer could reply. Blossom sighed at that and shook her head. Boomer turned to her.
"Any tips on how to fix this one? Beyond, you know, apologizing?"
"Tea Boomer. Once she moves her stuff to your backroom, give her lots of free tea. She's not one to hold a grudge so it shouldn't take too long."
Boomer nodded slowly before leaving as he muttered under his breath, already in brewing mode. Brick shook his head at that.
"What do ya want me to do? Not like I have any plans or anything to do today. Don't have a shift cause you needed me here," Butch asked. Brick shrugged.
"Chill? Play games? Go get laid? I don't really give a fuck Butch. I'll be here with the girls today."
Butch nodded. "Sweet. Peace out."
Brick watched him go before turning to face Blossom who gave him a look he really didn't like.
"Wonderful. Now, I think you and I need to talk."
Fuck.
Butch meandered his way through the street. He'd jumped in his jeep the second he'd gotten a chance and had driven straight here. The street the bar Buttercup had gone to the night before was on. He hadn't forgotten seeing those two creeps lurking in an alley and he seriously hoped that they had a repeat visit. He wasn't seeing any sign of them yet though.
Annoying little fuckers. Like gnats. Pesky and beyond annoying but pretty much harmless. Butch was pretty good at swatting them and before they got a chance to do anything he was determined to swat them out of existence.
Well, not literally. Butch drew the line at killing. Hospitalizing though...Brick said he didn't care if Butch did that. He just couldn't get caught. Easy, especially if these guys were part of Him's gang. No way would they chance pressing charges and pissing off mother dearest. Still, he didn't want this to drag out. Butch was not about to have a repeat of any part of last night. Boomer had looked okay but he'd either badly bruised or fractured a rib or two.
No one messed with the baby Jojo and got away with it. Butch couldn't mess up Fuzzy or Rainbow though, the two would go underground for a while after this failed attempt, so he'd have to make do with second best. Send a message.
Which made the fact that these gnats he was hunting were missing all the more frustrating. Maybe if he headed back towards the bar? Butch could check out the alley he'd seen them in. Might be something to go of off. Question was, which one exactly had he seen them in? Gah, his memory was horrible. No wonder Brick had such a tough time with him.
Butch sighed as he scanned the alleys. Nothing was jogging the memory. They all looked the same. Dirty, dark, narrow. Shit. This wasn't going to work.
New plan. Ask at the bar if anyone knew them. Problem? Bar wasn't open yet. It was still too early, only just recently hitting noon really. Maybe he should head off somewhere and kill some time first. Find Mitch maybe? Or Mike? They were always fun to drag around. Or maybe...
Back up. Was that...?
Fuck yeah it was! Butch couldn't believe his luck. Poking around the entrance to the bar was a familiar trio. Exactly what he'd ordered. Now, how to get them into an alley and off the street? Ask nicely? Probably not. Butch didn't like asking, let alone doing it nicely. Shove them? Might draw some attention. Lure them? With what? They'd probably run if they saw him.
Butch huffed as he ducked into the shadows of a nearby alley where he could watch the three. There really wasn't any good way to get them where he needed to. Which left him with the most boring option of all.
Follow them.
Damn it. So not how he wanted to spend a free day!
Blossom huffed for what had to be the hundredth time since noon. She'd known for a long time now that Brick could be totally insufferable and a hell of a smooth talker but clearly she'd underestimated him! She still wasn't sure how he'd managed to slip away without answering any of her questions!
'I have ton of homework Babe.'
'We can talk later when your sisters aren't just down the hall. You really wanna stress them out more right now?'
'Take a break today. Last night was rough. On all of us.'
How dare he guilt her when she knew he knew she wanted the answers she knew he was hiding! Stupid Brick and his stupid bags under his eyes. And stupid homework assignment that she couldn't focus on for more than two seconds!
Ugh. This wasn't working. Blossom felt like if she spent another second staring at this page that she'd go insane. The problem was, what else was there to do? She would have gone shopping, it was her turn this week, but she wasn't even able to leave the house right then. Butch was who knew where and Boomer wasn't back from the cafe. Brick had to stay here as well because of her sisters. And there was no way Blossom was going to drag those two out to the stores right now. Bubbles would be all huffy still and was recovering from the night before as well, and Buttercup was likely to keep moping for the next week.
...Blossom also wasn't entirely sure she wanted either of them going anywhere anyways. After last night with Bubbles...Thank god her sister was unhurt but those moments of not knowing were going to haunt Blossom for longer than she'd admit. She should have known their dad wouldn't have asked someone to guard them unless he still thought there was a valid reason. She shouldn't have been so laid back and lenient about things!
Blossom sighed as she pushed away from her desk. She needed to get out and do something and she needed to do it now. She grabbed her phone and left her room heading for the banister. Brick was set up in his usual spot studying on the sofa. For once, he didn't seem to notice her. Remembering earlier, she couldn't help but glare at him.
Stupid Brick. Stupid smooth talkers. She hated having to deal with them on a personal level. She just always wanted to give in and help or make them feel better and Blossom knew that Brick was aware of that trait of hers. Jerk face.
Still...Blossom couldn't help but purse her lips as she observed him. She didn't get many chances to do so, Brick was annoyingly aware of when people were paying attention to him usually. Especially with her it seemed. He was laying on the sofa with the back of his head against the arm rest nearest to her, his hat sitting on the coffee table next to him. She could tell he was a little frustrated with whatever he was working on, he had clearly been running his hands through his hair. Other than that, she had to admit he looked more relaxed than she was used to seeing him.
In fact, she couldn't remember ever even seeing Brick in a pair of sweats before then. He always seemed to already be good to go when Blossom finally made her way down and he never wore things like that out and about, always making sure to be a certain level of presentable. Most college kids didn't care but he clearly did. Pairing the sweats with the tight fitting muscle t and...
No. Bad. Blossom was so not going there! Ugh, she wished for the hundredth time that Alexi hadn't been such a dick. Or such an idiot. His one redeeming quality was he had been exceptionally good in bed and clearly that was what Blossom needed right now. A good, hard, rough, amazingly glorious lay. Something to really clear up all that stress and... tension she was feeling lately.
Finally noticing her, Brick chose then of all times to turn and look at Blossom causing her to jump slightly as her eyes met his bright red ones. He raised an eyebrow at that.
"You good?" Brick asked.
Blossom cleared her throat and shifted slightly. God, she needed a night out. One she wasn't likely to get now, sadly.
"I wanted to go shopping but I wasn't sure..." Blossom trailed off as Boomer walked out of the kitchen with a bowl of ice cream in his hands. He stopped as both Blossom and Brick turned to look at him.
"Um...I bought it and I wanted a bowl so...I left the cookie dough one alone though! Swear!" Boomer said as he took a half step back. Blossom sighed.
"Good. You're back. I need to go shopping."
Boomer's shoulders dropped as he turned to look at Brick. "I mean, I just got back and-"
"I have a ton of homework to catch up on and you don't? Finish the ice cream and head out Boom. Least you could do since she cooked breakfast."
Boomer whined. "Dude I helped with dishes!"
Blossom didn't care about being thanked for breakfast really, but she did care who went with her. Brick was not being allowed on this little trip.
"Please Boomer? You can choose dinner tonight?"
Brick sat up and spun back around at that to face her. "Now hold up-"
"Deal. Done. Oh this is gunna be great!"
Blossom frowned at that. "Within reason money wise. And assuming I can make it."
Boomer laughed as Brick groaned.
"Oh, that's fine. That's not gunna be an issue at all."
Blossom felt her eyebrows scrunch at that. Then why was he so excited and Brick so...not?
Whatever. She'd find out soon enough she supposed.
"Ten minutes fine?" She asked.
"Hell, I'll go now if you want. Screw the ice cream."
"...ten minutes."
Brick cursed colorfully at the exchange and even put his book down before getting up, grabbing his hat, and walking past Boomer who was grinning like a child on Christmas to go into the kitchen.
Now she was getting curious. What on earth was Boomer going to want for dinner?
"Man, this is gunna be great," Boomer couldn't help but say giddily for the tenth time since they'd arrived. Blossom sighed again at that. She'd been sighing a lot he'd noticed, and he was pretty sure it wasn't just him causing it.
"I don't really see why. It's not going to be anything special."
"The food you ladies make is always special but this time I'm more excited to see how my bros are gunna react. I can't wait to see their faces!"
Seriously though. He couldn't wait. Boomer thought back to the past week and all the small things Brick and Butch had thrown at him that he hadn't been able to get back at them for. Normally he pulled little pranks here and there but being at the Utonium household had thrown all that off. This was going to right all the wrongs though. And be overall just amazing in every way possible cause it was free homemade food so he knew they were still gunna eat it. And hate every fucking second of it.
Blossom sighed again pulling Boomer from his thoughts. He turned to look at her as she listlessly compared two brands of something. What was up with her? Normally when they went shopping, and they went like every other day it seemed, she'd be doing something to try and get on his nerves. All three of them had been doing it. This though...this was about as far away from that as you could get.
"You good Blossom?" Boomer asked finally.
Blossom turned to look at him and blinked a few times blankly before giving him a small smile. "I'm fine. Just worried I suppose."
Boomer nodded at that. Made sense after the previous night. "Don't worry too much. My bros and I, we got this. It'll be fine."
Blossom gave a small laugh at that. "Well, aren't you oh so confident after Bubbles was taken on your watch."
Oooo. Ouch. That one stung. Boomer could tell she'd wanted it to with the look she cut him before putting one of the items back and the other one into the cart.
"Right. Okay. So, I mean, I did get everyone back safe and sound?"
"You mean you got her back safe and sound. I'm not blind Boomer. You've been limping. How are you supposed to be a good guard if you can't even walk?"
Oof. She was attentive if she'd caught that. Boomer was usually really good at hiding the pain. After the work he'd done at that cafe though, his ribs were killing him and his leg was starting to cramp. Damned Fuzzy just had to go and throw him around some before passing out, didn't he?
"It'll be fine. They won't try anything at the cafe and I've got pepper spray and shit there just in case too."
He had a whole lot more than just pepper spray. Mike had nearly passed out when he'd opened the wrong cabinet in the back and seen the knife set Boomer kept in the cafe. What could he say? Old habits die hard.
"How bad is it?" Blossom asked, ignoring what he'd said completely. Boomer shrugged as they continued down the aisle.
"Fine. Fracture a rib or two maybe and I think I pulled a muscle or something in my leg but nothing serious."
She shot him a look at that. "Sounds plenty serious enough actually. Are you sure you're fine to be up and helping me with shopping right now?"
No.
"Yeah, it's fine. Been through worse."
Brick hadn't stopped him so he was probably fine...probably.
"Okay, well, take it easy when we get back please? And no more heavy lifting. I can manage just fine on my own thank you."
Boomer grinned at that. "I'm fine. Honest. And your arms are too tiny to be lifting a case-"
"I'm fine. I can handle it thank you."
Boomer snicker at the curt response as she spun away to look at something else. Someone liked being strong and independent it seemed. Two traits Brick went gaga over in women. How had he not jumped Blossom yet?
Oh yeah. Prof. That's how.
Eh. Boomer knew his brother. He'd break eventually.
"More than worry about me, you should worry about yourself. Bubbles will expect you to actually apologize you know? And if Cabel takes a lunge at you before you get a chance you can't go punching back. If you think she was angry at breakfast then I'm afraid you'd be in for a rude awakening."
That... was mildly terrifying. Also, extremely attractive. Boomer liked a woman who wasn't afraid to get a little crazy over her guy. Now if only that guy was him...
"Don't worry, I won't go breaking Cabel's face." Yet.
Blossom shook her head as she put something else in the cart.
"It isn't just Cabel she'd be angry about. You should let her know you got hurt soon as well. If she finds out the hard way, i.e. Cabel takes a swing and you get hurt worse, she'll feel terrible. And she'd be furious you hid it. You've finally managed to get back to ground zero after your rocky start with her. Don't go ruining that."
Boomer frowned at that. Bubbles would be mad about that? Shit. He hadn't really meant to hide anything. It was just habit not to going showing he was hurt. Boomer and his brothers got in fights pretty often, and it was usually rough enough for a decent injury or two, but in their neighborhood, broadcasting that was like asking to get mugged.
"Don't worry too much," Blossom said after seeing his face change. "Just tell her before the end of tomorrow. Actually, tell her early tomorrow. And don't help with moving her stuff either. Your brothers and Buttercup can handle that. You're not allowed to anymore."
Boomer laughed a bit at that. "I'd be fine. Not the first time I've had broken ribs."
Blossom leveled him a look that had Boomer snapping his mouth shut quickly.
"No Boomer. Not allowed. Now come on. Let's finish this up and get back already. This'll take a bit to cook."
Boomer nodded and followed behind the red haired woman as she turned and continued on her way to the register. He generally didn't like orders, only really ever following Brick's and even then not always, but for whatever reason, he didn't ever feel the need to push back with her's. Blossom's commands didn't feel like actual commands. He could tell that if he didn't want to, all he'd have to do is speak up and she'd immediately understand.
Well, Boomer guessed he shouldn't be too surprised at that. Blossom was Bubbles' older sister. Even though they acted completely different they were still similar. Both were understanding beyond belief and both were always willing to lend a hand. Boomer imagined Buttercup was like that too, even if he hadn't gotten a chance to see it yet. It brought back all sorts of memories. Memories he probably should be careful not to think too hard about right now. He was in Bubbles' bad book right then after all. Thinking too hard about those memories tended to cause him to slip a bit. And like Blossom said, he'd just gotten back to ground zero. Couldn't go fucking it up by acting like an overexcited puppy.
Boomer sighed this time. Still, it kinda bummed him out that he'd been the only one to notice all those times. He could have sworn Bubbles had...
Better just not think about it. Apologize to Cabel, tell Bubbles about the injury, make sure she and her sisters don't end up with his mother. Those were his priorities. He juuuust had to stick to them. Which he was so not good at doing.
Buttercup threw her pencil down on her desk and leaned back in her chair, the heels of her hands quickly moving to rub at her eyes. She couldn't focus. After everything that had happened she was feeling jittery and off balance. Normally it would be an easy fix. Jump in her car, grab Mitch if he was free, and drive. Last time they'd done that they had ended up in Citiesville knocking on the door of Floyd and Llyod, old friends of theirs from high school. They'd promised another friend, Harry, that next time they'd visit him in Farmsville.
Yeah. That wasn't gunna happen anytime soon.
Buttercup's phone chimed then and she looked at it. Speak of the devil.
Sparring Dummy
Yo
No u got back good but
You all ok still?
Buttercup
Yeah
Were all fine
Bubs was a bit freaked
But she seemed fine this morning
Sparring Dummy
Good
The guys were asking if I could help
Times r too awkward for me tho
I have class on the other side of campus
Right. Buttercup had forgotten about that.
Buttercup
Its cool
Well figure it out
Still thinking of trying to convince them im fine
Buttercup waited for the reply but frowned after a few minutes went by. Normally if Mitch was texting her he was pretty on top of things until the end of the conversation. Which usually didn't take too long. Neither of them really liked texting, usually preferring to just meet up to hang instead.
Sparring Dummy
I think u need some1
To watch ur back
at least
Buttercup huffed at that.
Buttercup
Come on
Not u too
I can handle myself
Sparring Dummy
I no
But these guys this gang
Theyre no joke
They dont mess around
I really think u need some1 to watch ur back
Buttercup
Sounds like u no who these fuckers after us r
Sparring Dummy
I no more than u prob
And this gang isnt 1 to mess with
Theyre NASTY fuckers
Buttercup was frowning at that. It was weird. Buttercup knew that a gang was targeting them but she couldn't remember a single time where a name was mentioned. So how would Mitch know anything about them? Unless he know who they were. But how would he know?
…The Jojos. They said they were going to talk to Mitch and the did just prove they were familiar with gang life. If they knew more…scratch that, they definitely knew more. Why else would they be doing this to 'pay off a few favors'?
Buttercup
Fine
But only cause ur so freaked
Chicken
There was no point in trying to grill Mitch. The guy knew her too well to fall for her tricks and she knew if he hadn't mentioned anything yet, he wasn't likely to say more than he had. He was a loyal fucker and she loved that as much as she hated it. So she'd have to find another way to figure out more.
Buttercup had decided to avoid Butch but…they'd already noticed he seemed to be the most careless of the three Jojos. Boomer was too good with people to not notice when someone was digging and Brick was just a hard-ass. Butch wasn't either of those. In fact, he was probably more just a meat head. And she could work that.
…And maybe she'd have some fun while doing it too.
Sparring Dummy
Good
And Ill help when I can
To try and give u a break
Buttercup
Thanks
Buttercup had a feeling that she wouldn't be taking Mitch up on that offer anytime soon though.
Butch grumbled as he came through the door and Brick couldn't help but raise an eye at it.
"Yo, not get laid like you wanted to or something?" Brick asked as his brother shuffled past. Butch grunted before plopping down next to Brick on the sofa.
"Fuck that. I was going for a different type of stress relief and it fell hella flat."
Brick knew all too well what Butch's other type of stress relief was and it wasn't something he had time to deal with right then.
"If you get your ass thrown in jail-!"
"Chill. It's the three idiots you gave me the okay on. If they're part of that crew I should be fine. The little fuckers are holed up in a hella tricky place is all."
Brick took a second before it clicked as to who Butch was talking about.
"The ones who screwed with my car right. What the hell was so tricky? They sure didn't look like the brightest bunch so couldn't have been that bad."
Butch grunted again at that. "They live right inside that turf."
Again, it took Brick a second to catch on and he couldn't help but groan when he did.
"Shit. We seriously can't catch a fucking break. Don't you dare go after those three on that guy's turf, you hear me? Last thing I need is for his crew to come sniffing around too. Shit."
Butch snorted. "I ain't that dumb. I'll catch 'em when they're clear of that turf. In the meantime, what's for dinner?"
Brick sighed at that before rubbing at a temple. He didn't fully trust that Butch wouldn't just say fuck it and go for it anyways, but he'd let it go for now. Butch seemed to like the Utonium sisters and he wasn't one to go putting people he liked at risk. Brick would just bank on that for now.
"Boom got to choose so take a guess," Brick said.
Butch blinked at him for a few seconds before whining and slumping further into the chair.
"Noooo. Please noooo. I don't wanna have to eat that."
"Tough. Blossom's nearly done making it. You gunna pass up a chance at home cooked food just cause it's that?"
"Course not but fuck man! What'd I do...shit. This is cause I made him wash my shit isn't it?"
Brick winced and scratched at his neck. "Annnd probably cause I made him fill up my tank."
"You made him clean the room too."
"Yeah. You made him take your shopping shift with Blossom the other day too."
"Fuck. He's been stacking up waiting for this."
"Yeah. He has."
Speaking of the devil, Boomer came out of the guest room with his nose in his phone. It took him a second before he saw his brothers staring at him. He gave the two of them the biggest, toothiest, evil grin possible.
"Yo my bros. Looking forward to dinner? Cause I totally am."
"I hate you," Butch groaned out before getting up to walk off.
"Imma remember this Boom," Brick said as he snapped his book shut.
Boomer just cackled at the both of them. "Oh, I'm definitely looking forward to this!"
ICantThinkofanOriginalName! Thank you so much for enjoying the story! Things are meh but I'm almost there! Just a month more and freedom! Then I'll be able to give you all new chapters much sooner hopefully!
OffendedOtter! It's November! Hope the wait wasn't too long for you! And I hope you enjoyed the new chapter!
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Like I said, Christmas time will be the next time I post on this. Sorry about that! Until then, ciao!