So had to change my beginning comments to bold! The italics are part of the story this time!
Finally. FINALLY got this freaking chapter to a point where I'm good to post it (though I'm still not 100% happy with it). This one and the next two have been nightmares for me. I had to re-write them then I had to re-order them and then I still wasn't happy with this one chapter! I fixed it though! The first bit is might look familiar to some of you. It was originally an extra story but I needed it here for the flow to work in the story. Let me know what you're thoughts are (but no seriously, I've read this one freaking chapter over and over again all week long and feel like I'm not seeing straight anymore so thoughts are definitely appreciated). I'll be posting two chapters to my extras this weekend to make-up for the fact that I took one down.
This was so fucking stupid. Why the hell had he let his numbskull brothers convince him to do this? Brick glared at the red door in front of him. There was no way in hell he was going to knock. Yeah, he felt a little bad that she'd gotten so busted up but not bad enough to be standing here. It wasn't the first time Pinky had taken a beating, didn't seem like it would be her last either.
"Dude, you know it usually helps to knock or ring the doorbell," Butch said. Brick glared at him but his brother was clearly too entertained by what was about to happen to care. Boomer sighed and before Brick could stop him knocked on the door.
"See? Wasn't hard. Next time you get to try."
Brick glared at Boomer before quickly whacking him upside the head. Boomer whined and rubbed at the spot in pain.
"Idiot," Brick muttered. He was about to say more when they heard footsteps approaching the door. All three tensed slightly as the door opened. Wearing a light blue summer dress and an apron, Bubbles was clearly not expecting them.
"Hi boys," she said hesitantly. She was met by silence. She looked at each one waiting for an answer but wasn't receiving one. She nodded slowly before moving to close the door.
"Wait!" Boomer yelled stopping her from closing the door. She flinched and leaned back awkwardly.
"I did that. Move please," she said giving them a very tight lipped smile.
"Sorry sugar cube, we were waiting for big red here to speak up," Butch said giving his brother a side glare. Brick immediately looked off in the other direction, trying to pretend that he wasn't there.
"Right. Brick?"
He winced slightly. Her tone had been sweet, too much so. She wasn't very happy and everyone knew an unhappy Bubbles always got her way. He hesitantly looked at her and winced again. She had that smile on, the one that meant there was only one way out.
"How is she?" He mumbled, quickly looking away again. He hated that it didn't matter how softly he spoke she'd hear him regardless.
Bubbles brightened instantly, now beaming at the boys. She clapped her hands and opened the door all the way.
"Bloss is out but please come in! You can see for yourself how she's doing. Come on, come in!" She all but shoved them inside, even Butch and Boomer hadn't been too willing to enter, not even with the idea of Brick having to face the puff leader soon.
"Um, maybe we should just come back later," Butch said. All three boys were standing ramrod straight. Bubbles giggled at them.
"Nonsense! I'm sure the professor would love to give you boys a checkup as well now that you're here. He was grumbling about how you three missed your last one." The ruffs all winced at that, not looking at the girl. "He and Buttercup are with Bloss. You three can wait in the living room for them. In the meantime, I have to get back to the kitchen. Dinner won't cook itself!"
And with that, the blond girl bounced her way down the hallway to the kitchen. The boys exchanged a look before slowly shuffling their way to the living room. They sat down stiffly on the sofa, which was oddly still plenty big for the three of them.
The mayor, after taking the boys in, was quick to touch base with the professor regarding their health. She had wanted to make sure that they were in good shape and had known that a normal doctor wouldn't know enough about them to help. The professor though, having three very similar daughters, would know. A week after they had moved in the boys had found themselves sitting in the lab as the professor conducted a physical on them. He hadn't been too surprised at what he'd found.
The boys were incredibly unstable, even with their cootie shot. When they had been made, the proper balance of materials hadn't been maintained and as such, their makeup was a complete mess. While the girls were made up of more on one ingredient than the other two, there was still a balance. Something along the lines of a 60-20-20 ratio. The boys were nowhere near that, being more of a 90-5-5. This was what had allowed the girls to blow them up with a simple kiss. Thankfully, the professor was able to come up with a solution.
It was a simple solution really. The boys spent the next year receiving monthly booster shots that were specially crafted just for them. In these shots was not just chemical X but also a concentrated essence of what the boys had been missing. Nobody asked about the puppy tail part and he never offered an explanation. Still, Bubbles wasn't happy when she'd heard about the shots. They were re-evaluated after each shot so that the professor would know how best to craft their next dose. By the end of the year, the boys were just as stable as the girls. The boys had also calmed down greatly with this, though how much of it was the shots and how much of it had been the mayor was hard to say.
Needless to say, as previous villains who had once very badly beaten his girls up, the professor had not been as gentle as he could have been. He made up for it when he saw the change in the boys though by creating a simulator in the mayor's basement much like the one the girls had. The two simulators shared a database as well which allowed the professor to evaluate their growth as they trained. It also meant that any new simulation he created for the girls, the boys could also access. He still made them come back yearly though for proper checkups.
After a little bit, all three boys had relaxed a little and were doing various things on their phones. About half an hour passed before they were startled by the front door slamming open.
"Bloss! The professor just fixed that! Don't go breaking it just cause you couldn't be the prima donna tonight!" Buttercup was heard shouting.
"Be quite! I was fine! It wasn't that bad! There is no reason why I couldn't be up on that stage tonight!" Blossom yelled back as she floated into the house. Her leg was covered in a cast and she hadn't noticed the boys yet.
"Your leg is broken in three different fucking places! Your foot is pretty much still shattered! Your back is bruised as shit and let's not even get started on the fact that you have a god damn concussion!"
"Language Buttercup," the professor said with a sigh. It had been almost entirely drowned out by the screech Blossom had let out.
"I was fine!"
"Maybe you would have been if you hadn't made it worse by practice six days after the battle! But noooo, you wouldn't take no for an answer. You had to go and try and prove us wrong!"
"You know how hard I practiced for that! Not everyone can just do these things flawlessly without practice like you can! I had to try! You know that!"
"Oh my god Bloss! Get over the stupid body control thing. You breathe ice! Let me have my body control in peace!"
Blossom huffed and turned only to freeze at the sight of the boys, paling slightly. Boomer lifter a hand in a half wave.
"What? Cat finally got your tongue?" Buttercup grumbled as she walked further into the house and finally noticed the boys. "Oh."
"I was going to say but you two seemed pretty into it. I thought it was best to just let you get it off your chests," Bubbles called from the kitchen. Finally the professor walked into the living room. He looked tired.
"Boys, hello. Give me just a moment," he said holding up a finger. He turned back to both Blossom and Buttercup and opened his mouth to say something. He was cut off by a huff from Blossom.
"I'll be in my room," she said and in a streak of pink disappeared up the stairs. The door slammed after her causing the boys to flinch. The professor just sighed.
"Buttercup, there was no need to be that harsh," he quietly scolded. Buttercup huffed and crossed her arms.
"Well she needed to hear it. She should have spent this past week healing," she grumbled. She glared at the boys before heading off towards the kitchen. "Bubbles, let me help."
The professor sighed before turning back to the boys.
"Well, I suppose we should head down."
The boys awkwardly stood and quickly made their way down to the lab. It wasn't the first time they'd seen a fight between the puffs but that didn't make it any less uncomfortable for them. They sat down in their usual spots. The professor was quick to check over both Butch and Boomer, leaving Brick for last. His brothers were quick to bail and head home once the professor had finished with them. Apparently they'd seen enough red embarrassment for one day. The professor made his way over to Brick and started his checkup.
"How is she?" Brick asked halfway through. Here in the lab, which was heavily insulated and sound proofed, and without his brothers, Brick was able to be a bit more open. The professor sighed.
"Well, you unfortunately heard the most of it from Buttercup earlier. Her back was pretty badly scratched up but should be nearly healed by now. The concussion is pretty much gone as well. The only remaining injury really is her leg. There were parts of it that had been pretty badly crushed. It would be pretty well healed up by now, maybe only needing another week or two, but that girl can be so stubborn. She should have left her leg alone a good two weeks to allow it to heal before trying to put any weight on it only she had her recital today. She wanted to see if she could handle it and a few days after the fight had tried to run through her routine. She gave us all nearly a heart attack when we heard her yell and fall as she re-broke the bone."
Of course she did. Brick had honestly forgotten about her recital but she would ignore everyone's advice to try and do her routine regardless. No wonder Bellum had been home today. Blossom always invited her, and therefore the boys indirectly, to her recitals and Bellum always tried to make it when she could. She'd probably asked to take the afternoon off only to have nothing to go see.
Seeing the look on Brick's face the professor spoke up. "She knew just as well as the rest of us that there was no point. Normally she'd have rested but I suppose this was a larger recital than normal. I wouldn't really know though. I have to admit I'm not very knowledgeable on ballet." He chuckled at this. "She knew she would just worsen the injury so don't think too hard about it. She knew what she was doing."
While Brick knew the professor had been trying to reassure him but all it had done was make Brick feel worse. The fact that Pinky had tried to do the dance regardless said something. He knew it was just the typical dance. If it had been anything special then Bubbles would have busted ass to get people to come but she hadn't, not any more than normal at least. That meant Pinky had made an active effort to force the situation back to normal. He tried not to think too hard about it.
"Alright, all done. All three of you are in perfect health as always although, tell Boomer to lay off the sugar a little would you? If he's not careful I might have to figure out a way to fill a cavity for an X individual."
"Will do prof. Thanks," Brick said as he hopped off the exam table. He quickly made his way out of the house, avoiding the girls in the kitchen. He could hear them whispering but it had been too soft for him to make out with the distance. He thought he'd heard Pinky's name though.
As soon as he left the house he was about to take off when he heard a sniffle coming from behind him. He shut his eyes and tried to block out the guilt but quickly found his shoulder slumping in defeat. He floated up to the middle window, the one with pink curtains drawn shut, and knocked. There was a pause before she responded.
"Go away. I'm not in the mood Brick," Pinky sounded muffled, like she was speaking into a pillow. He sighed.
"It'll only take a sec," he said and then waited. It took a minute or two, Brick nearly knocked again, but finally the blinds were drawn aside to show an angry pink eyed puff. She huffed and opened the window.
"Yes?" She snapped. Brick rolled his eyes and sighed. This had been a bad idea but too late now.
"I wanted to say thanks. For, you know. The thing."
Real articulate. Great. She huffed again.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she snapped. He looked at her and she met his look, eyebrow raised. He glanced down at her foot, letting her know what he was talking about but her expression didn't change.
Of course. She probably hadn't even thought twice about saving him. She would have saved anyone and then just simply been annoyed at herself for getting injured doing so. He let out a small laugh at that. He should have known.
"Never mind. Don't go pushing it again. Wouldn't want Bellum to have to call us boys to do your job now would we?" He said with his signature smirk. She rolled her eyes at him.
"Goodbye Brick." And then she quickly shut the window in his face, closing the blinds again. He chuckled at that.
So yeah, next time he'd have to make extra sure he watched his surroundings just in case but he felt better now. She was healing and other than being a little snippy she was fine. He was used to snippy with her anyways. He turned and made his way home. He'd still have to find a way to make it up to her though.
She waited to hear the zoom of him leaving before letting out a groan. Of course he'd show up at the house when she'd been trying to avoid him. That was just her luck. It was even worse that he'd heard the argument she had with Buttercup as well.
She floated over to her bed and quickly burrowed into her pile of pillows, groaning. She couldn't help but mutter why over and over under her breath. She'd been doing good she thought. He hadn't made to contact her so she was starting to think she'd been in the clear. Apparently she'd been wrong.
She rolled over and glared at the ceiling. She had pushed him out of the way because that was what she did. He had no right feeling guilty. She didn't like Brick being guilty either. It made him seem like a kicked puppy and she hated seeing that look on his face. She knew that she shouldn't have tried to do her routine but she'd invited the mayor and so she knew the boys knew about her recital. She was just testing to see if she could do it, make everything seem fine. Then she'd gone and added another two weeks onto her recovery time. They'd let the mayor know then that Blossom wouldn't be performing but the mayor had gone and said she might still attend.
Which made Blossom anxious of course. Anytime the mayor attended her dances she always dragged the boys with her. What if she'd gone and Blossom wasn't even there? Yes, she hadn't been able to dance but not showing up said she was a lot worse than she was. She couldn't have that!
So she'd gone and Buttercup and the professor had gone too to keep an eye on her. The mayor had apparently decided not to go which was good. Unfortunately, Blossom hadn't been able to just back out. Her friends in the dance class had seen her by that point. That meant she'd stayed and watched the whole thing, gritting her teeth while watching her understudy dance in her place. She did an excellent job but Blossom so wished it had been her up there instead. It had only gotten worse as the pain medication wore off. Then on the ride home Buttercup had gone and made that comment and Blossom had had enough.
She groaned and covered her face with her hands. Of course she would have been clear for the recital only to have all three boys sitting in the sofa waiting for them. They then, of course, heard everything.
The look on their face when they'd seen her. Boomer looked apologetic, Butch looked entertained slightly and Brick. Brick's gaze had immediately gone straight to the cast and then he'd given her that look. The one that screamed how sorry he was for being the reason behind it. She hadn't been able to stay and, like a coward, had zoomed away.
Then the idiot had gone and knocked on her window! He'd probably heard her mopping about and felt guilty again. Ugh! It sucked!
At least she'd been able to make him feel a little better at the end of it. She'd been careful to make sure he knew what she did hadn't been her paying him back for Bubbles or anything like that. She would have done it anyways. She would have done it for anyone. The smirk had been such a relief for Blossom that she'd nearly let out a sigh then and there but that would have given her away so she'd resisted. She sighed again. At least now he didn't feel as guilty. Here's just hoping he didn't do anything crazy to try and pay her back next time she saw him. She wasn't sure how she'd handle it if he did.
"I hate feelings sometimes. So so much," she mumbled to herself.
It was kinda weird to him thinking about it. While he had spent more time around his counterpart in the past few years it was usually because someone else had dragged them along. Walking down the hallway next to Buttercup made him feel jittery. He wasn't used to being this close to her for this long without throwing a punch or two.
"She's still a little upset but the constant ice cream treatment has pretty much fixed things. Blossom's offer to try and bake her something helped too I bet," Buttercup said, seeming to be at ease with walking next to him. He knew better though. He could feel her shooting glances at his hands, which he kept firmly fisted in his pockets. He didn't need her to see how jittery he was.
He snorted at what she said. "Why would Bossy threaten her like that?" He threw a smirk at his counterpart that had her glaring at him. He squeezed his fists a little tighter, trying to ward off the jitters and failing.
"She thought a joke would help. How's Boom handling things with his break up?"
Butch shrugged. "Fine. I mean, he was the one who broke it off. Mostly he just seems concerned about sugar cube."
Buttercup sighed heavily at that. "Course he is. Should have known," she muttered.
He supposed they both should have. Butch sort of regretted pushing his baby brother to date that first girl. It had really thrown a wrench in things between the blues. Anyone with eyes could have seen the way they'd been looking at each other up till that point. Then that girl had asked Boom out and, as Brick liked to say, Butch had to go and open his big mouth. In his defense, how was he supposed to know Bubbles would pull away so much? She hadn't asked him out or anything.
Okay. Not one of his better moments but that's what happened when you went to him for advice on something like that he supposed. He wasn't one to think of the long term. He just went with his gut and what felt right in the moment. Something he'd been trying to not do oddly since the school year had started for once.
Brick had asked him what was up again and to be honest, Butch wasn't sure. Since the fight at the end of last year, that he'd all but sat out on, he'd been feeling...off. Like there was something he need to do. More like something he needed to punch. Which usually ended up being Buttercup's face causing a ton of damage and all that. So he'd been trying to, you know, not. Wasn't getting easier either.
"They sure aren't subtle about it are they?" He said after a little bit. Buttercup rolled her eyes again.
"Clearly not. How they don't see it though, I really don't know."
Butch shrugged. "The blues might be good at handling other people's problems and shit but for themselves? They suck at paying any attention."
"More like they just brush it off. Everyone else has to be taken care of first. It's an honest toss-up between leader girl and Bubs as to who's worse."
"Who's worse at what?" A third voice chimed in as they started to walk alongside Buttercup.
Butch felt his energy spark ever so slightly at the sight of the boy from the field a few weeks past. Merrick. Butch had noticed the way the boy watched him when he thought Butch wasn't looking. Measuring, calculating. Waiting for a hint or a sign of something.
He was wasting his time.
"No one," Buttercup ground out slightly. Butch raised an eyebrow at her tone.
"Aw, c'mon sweetheart, don't be like that."
Yikes. Cutesy nicknames and sweet talk? Two things Buttercup loathed.
"Really, wasn't anything Merrick."
"Told you, call me Rick," he said with a smirk. Buttercup rolled her eyes and stuffed her hands in her pockets.
Wow. This guys was doing a better job getting under her skin than he did and after just a few weeks too. He nudged her slightly with his elbow where Merrick couldn't see only to have her glare at him. Harshly.
"Thanks but I'll stick with Merrick."
"I'll take you up on that offer though. So Rick," Butch gave the boy a nasty type of smile, "what brings you to this hallway?"
Merrick glared at him and Butch couldn't help but let his smile widen. Oh, he liked the gall on this guy. Dumb enough to actually try and stand up to him? Hell yes. He was in desperate need of some entertainment right now.
"It's Merrick to those who aren't friends," he said. Buttercup sighed as Butch just let his smile grow. "And my schedule was changed up. I asked the coaches and they were able to pull some strings to get me into the weight class."
"Fan-fucking-tastic," Buttercup mumbled, too softly for Merrick to hear.
"Really Ricky? That's sweet. Happens to be our next class," Butch said as he threw an arm around Buttercup's shoulder. She didn't hesitate to throw a punch directly into his stomach with enough force behind it that he actually staggered for a step or two. He managed to keep the arm where it was though.
"Knock it off," she snarled at him. He smirked down at her.
"Knock what off?" He asked back innocently. She just glared.
A glance at Merrick and Butch was thrilled to see he'd gotten under the boy's skin. Merrick was glaring daggers at the arm he had around Buttercup's shoulder. Butch saw his hand twitch towards Buttercup and Butch pulled his counterpart just ever so slightly closer. Merrick looked at him at that and the challenge was clear.
So clear in fact that Buttercup decided she had enough. While Butch was distracted she grabbed the arm around her. She pulled it off her shoulder and spun around, pulling it back behind him and yanking, hard. He winced as she nearly yanked it out of the socket.
"Ye-ouch Butters," he smirked as the nickname earned him another yank, "what'd I do to deserve this kinda treatment?"
"You know exactly what you did. Knock it off. I don't have the time or patience to deal with your games right now Butch."
He could feel her watching his hands, seeing the obvious twitch that he got in them when he was feeling antsy.
"Aw, Butters, I'm just trying to-" he cut himself short with a grunt of pain as Buttercup gave another honest yank on his arm.
The hallway had become very empty very quickly. Butch was happy to see Merrick was still standing there. The guy looked thrilled to see Butch in pain and he saw the twitch in the other boy's hands as if Merrick wished he was the one causing the pain, not Buttercup.
Oh, this could be so much fun.
"I mean it Butch. No means no. Don't make me drag your dear leader into this. Last time you pissed big bad red remember what he did?"
Butch laughed, a slightly crazy edge to it that had Buttercup tighten her grip.
"Remember? Hell Butterbutt, think I still have a few marks from it. Pretty sure he gave me a scar or two. They were some seriously sick burns."
"Only you would seem thrilled about that."
"I'd be even more thrilled if you didn't bring big red into this."
He met her eye over his shoulder and watched as her X surged at his challenge to wrap around her like mist. He saw green flashes of light of his own energy sparking in and out of existence.
Without another word though, she let him go and stepped away. Butch staggered a step or two and the suddenness of it before rolling his shoulder slightly.
"Butch, I really mean it. I don't have the time for this."
And he knew that too. The monster attacks were still on one of their weird upticks. On top of that, Buttercup was the soccer captain, helping with Tri-villathon security, organizing the athletics department, and keeping her grades up. All of this while fighting crimes and maintaining a rigorous patrol of the city with her sisters. She was also the one who usually helped cooked dinner.
This was why he'd been trying to not fly at her. She didn't need him adding to the injuries she was already having to deal with these days, let alone the press attention their fights always drew in.
"C'mon Butters, let's get to class," Merrick said sweeping in. He tried to put an arm around her shoulders to try and lead her away but Buttercup glared at both boys and stomped off on her own. Merrick turned to glare at Butch as he cackled.
"Dude. You seriously don't have a clue do you? Man, this is entertaining as hell," Butch said as he shoved his hands back in his pockets. Merrick scoffed at him.
"I'm not the idiot who nearly lost his arm here."
"Really seriously don't have a clue. Let me give you a word of advice. BC trusts her instincts more than anything else. I think it's a green thing but eh. Either way, you won't be worming your way into her life, not the way you're going at things at least. Her gut's saying not to trust you. You got no hope. "
"I'd say my chances are better than yours. I haven't tried to kill her after all."
Butch cackled at that. "Nah man. She doesn't care that I tried to kill her, not anymore. Nah, see BC? She hates when people aren't honest. If she catches even the slightest whiff of a lie her wall goes up. You've got no chance with her Ricky, not with the way you're going at it."
Especially when Butch had noted it wasn't just Buttercup that Merrick was flirting with. Just about every tough chick in the school had an annoying new dog panting after them it seemed. Some of the other girls entertained him but Butch knew Buttercup. She avoided his type like the plague. Butch knew that Buttercup would never get involved with anyone who couldn't stay loyal.
"We'll see." And with that Merrick took off for the classroom. Butch watched him go letting his smile drop.
The guy was clearly interested in the green puff and Butch knew that she had noticed. He knew that the flirting around was probably part of it but Buttercup clearly wasn't happy that Merrick also wouldn't leave her alone. She hadn't straight up told him to fuck off yet though which confused Butch. Wasn't really his problem though so he shrugged it off.
Still, the challenge the boy kept trying to throw in his face? Oh, Butch was going to have fun with that.
"So did you hear? Princess is apparently throwing a party!" Bubbles squealed. Buttercup was quick to cover her ears.
"Ugh please no!" She complained.
"But it gets better! It's a Halloween party!" Bubbles then proceeded to squeal and jump up and down excitedly. Buttercup groaned.
"Nope! Don't wanna! I veto this!"
"Ugh but Buttercup! Halloween!"
"Exactly! You get way too hyped. Last year you went and made us those costumes we had to model for you and we didn't even get to use them! Ve-to!"
"Ugh! Well maybe if someone had been more careful with the wash!" Bubbles said giving her sister a very pointed glare. Buttercup smirked.
"You can prove nothing."
"I'm aware," Bubbles ground out. She quickly took a deep calming breath before smiling brightly. "Last year's disaster is exactly why we have to make this year extra amazing!"
It was at this point that the ruffs and Mike reached where the two puffs stood at the school gates. They exchanged a look at Bubbles who was being even more hyper happy than normal.
"Uh, almost scared to ask but what has to be extra amazing this year?" Mike asked. Bubbles giggled as she clapped her hands together. Butch, recognizing the look in her eyes from art class immediately took a step back.
"Whatever it is I'm out," Butch said. Brick gave him a funny look while Boomer rolled his eyes. Bubbles giggled again.
"Princess's Halloween party!"
Mike took a step back at this and Brick gave him a weird look too.
"She's throwing another party? Thought she said she'd never throw another one?" Boomer asked. Robin reached the group at this point and said hi to Mike with a kiss on the check.
"Let's be real. This is Princess we're talking about. She can't not throw parties. She said the invites are being handed out next week and gave me a forward notice," Bubbles said. Buttercup groaned at the sight of almost literal stars in her sister's eyes.
"Right, the party. Should have known you would be one of the first people she told Bubs," Robin said.
Buttercup snorted. "Right. Especially with it being Halloween. Do you remember last year? We had to spend a whole month after listening to how horrible the lost opportunity was."
"Yes well maybe if the costumes had lived to actually see a day longer we may have found a chance to wear them and then I would have had nothing to complain about now would I?" Bubbles snapped, glaring at her sister. Buttercup smiled again.
"Ah yes, that horrific accident did happen just hours after the party, that we missed, didn't it? Shame."
"At least Robin was able to get photos."
"Which I still have. You three would have killed last year," Robin said. Butch and Boomer perked up at this, curious. Mike and Brick just snorted at this, for very different reasons.
"I'd say that's an understatement. I've seen those photos. It's no wonder Blossom destroys any flash drive she sees you with Rob," Mike said. Two of the three ruffs were begging with their eyes for the boy to go on. He saw this and sighed. "They dressed up as animals." Brick was frowning now, brow furrowed.
"Mike Believe! You did not just undersell the amazingness that was my creation last year!" Bubbles gasped, offended.
"Yeah no seriously. I need more details dude," Butch said taking a step back towards the group. "What animal?"
"Animals. We were each something different. Here! I have a photo," Bubbles said.
"What?! How? She always manages to find a way to delete them off my phone!" Robin said pouting. Buttercup snickered.
"That's cause your phone is just a phone. Leader girl can hack into it. Our phones were designed by the professor to prevent that. She can't hack our phones and Bubbles here never lets hers out of her sight too. Leader girl never gets a chance to delete it," she said. Robin huffed as all three ruffs moved closer to Bubbles as she held out her phone, a photo pulled up on it.
"Well if you're ever stuck on what to give me as a gift from you three, now you know," Robin said.
The photo on the screen showed all three girls. Bubbles was on the right with a short yellow playsuit on. Around her wrists and ankles were yellow fluffy bangles and sitting on her head were a pair of floppy yellow dog ears. Her hair was down and framing her face and you could just make out behind her legs that she was also wearing a fluffy yellow tail. Around her neck was a red color with a silver dog tag on it. She was posing with her hands up in front of her chest and had a huge smile on her face.
Buttercup was on the other side of the photo, no real expression on her face, arms crossed. Her hair was pulled pack into a messy bun and she had a pair of black cat ears sitting on her head. She wore a v-cut black tank top with a pair of leather pants on. Going along with the cat ears she had a long black tail hanging from behind her.
Blossom stood in the middle of the photo pouting as she played with the end of the dress she had on. It was red with white fluffy bits lining the ends of it, looking a little like a Santa's dress. You might have even thought that was what she was except on her head lay a pair of long, red fox ears and behind her, like her sisters, was a long fluffy red tail with a white tip. Her hair was up in its signature high ponytail but was missing its standard bow.
"Holy mother of everything amazing and Halloween. I didn't know until now what was missing in my life. I. Am. Complete," Butch said as he fell onto his knees dramatically. Brick glared at him for a second before turning back to the photo.
"You made these Bubs?" Boomer asked, completely unable to look away from the photo. She giggled.
"Yup! It was the first year that I tried it. I messed up a bit though. The bangles were a bit scratchy and irritating, the head band with the cat ears was too loose and Buttercup had to keep adjusting it and do not even get me started on Bloss's outfit! Ugh! I didn't mean for it to be so short but her legs are sooo long that it just came out that way," Bubbles finished with a huff, glaring at her phone. Butch turned on her quickly.
"That creation is a gift from a goddess. It's an honest tragedy that the dress didn't live to see another day," Butch said with a crazed look in his eyes. Bubbles inched back with a wince. When he finished speaking Brick hit him over the head, hard, and sighed. Bubbles noted though that he didn't disagree. Butch rubbed at his head and glared at his brother.
"Kinda can't disagree. Not so much on the one outfit in particular but on a whole? They look awesome. You three looked awesome. Seriously, you three would have killed it," Boomer said with a shake of his head as he handed Bubbles her phone back.
"Please sugar cube, please! Send me a copy of that," Butch begged as he inched his way closer to her, still on his knees.
"Ha! She does that and she's a dead puff walking. I wouldn't even let her send you that photo. Can you imagine how leader girl would react?" Buttercup said with a sneer at her counterpart. He ignored her.
"If I have ever meant anything to you, please send me that. I'll never ask you for anything every again," he continued as he advanced on her.
"What the hell did you guys do to him? He looks like he's gunna die if you don't give him what he's begging for," Mitch said as he also joined the group. "What are you all doing together anyway? Was there a plan to hang out or something?"
"Halloween party planning!" Bubbles said before proceeding to squeal in joy, effectively ignoring Butch as he continued to beg. Mitch nodded slowly.
"Right. The costumes?"
"Yup, the costumes," Mike said with a solemn nod.
"Sure Bloss will be okay with them seeing? She seemed set that no one see that photo. Ever."
Bubbles shrugged. "I'm sure it's fine. Either way that's not what's important here! What should I do this year? Also, Butch, if you don't stop right this second I'm sure I won't have much convincing to do to let your brothers allow me into your house to redecorate your room. Do you really want that?"
Butch went pale and quickly stood and walked back towards his brothers.
"'Nuff said puff, 'nuff said."
It was at this point that Bubbles saw Blossom walked out of the school. With a squeal she zoomed over in a flash of blue. Blossom flinched back at the suddenness of it. She took one look at her sister and went pale.
"Hi Bubs," she said hesitantly.
"Bloss! Oh my gosh, did you hear the news? It's amazing!" Bubbles squealed.
Blossom took a step back. Bubbles followed. "What's amazing? What happened?" She asked hesitantly.
"Princess is throwing a Halloween party!"
Bubbles had barely finished before all that was in front of her was a fading pink flash as Blossom quickly escaped. Bubbles pouted and stomped a foot as Buttercup cracked up laughing behind her. She walked back to the group with her arms crossed.
"That…was fast," Boomer said as he squinted at the fading pink. "Heck, I think she about rivaled my speed there. Didn't think she could move that fast."
"Yeah well, she was really not happy with last year's costume," Robin said with a shrug.
Bubbles huffed. "She knows better. It's not like she can run very far. I do need to re-take her measurements though. I haven't taken them in a while."
Butch raised his hand quickly. "I volunteer to help!"
Brick growled and whacked him over the head again, harder than he had the first time. Butch was sent forward a few steps from the force of it, groaning. He spun and glared at his brother who just glared back.
"Would you knock it off?" Brick asked, annoyed. Butch stuck his tongue out and made a face at him. Brick glared and a small trail of smoke started to leave him mouth.
"Children, children. Let's take a breath," Boomer said as he stepped between the two.
"What's this year's plan though Bubbles?" Buttercup asked. Bubbles giggled.
"I want it to be a surprise! I'll tell you and Bloss tonight."
"C'mon sugar cube. Throw me a bone, please?" Butch asked as he tried to give her a puppy dog look. Both Buttercup and Bubbles pulled away, looks of disgust on their faces. Brick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose and Boomer just gave his brother of look of pity. Mike, Robin and Mitch took a step back.
"For the love of god, never make that face again." Robin said.
"Oh Blossom," Bubbles sang out as she skipped into her sister's room. Blossom just sighed.
"I'm working on homework Bubbles. Can this not wait?"
"Nope! I need your measurements and you know that if I don't take them now I'll just have Buttercup help me get them tonight. Whether you're awake or not."
"Might as well just bite the bullet Bloss," Buttercup said as she entered the room and sat on the bed. Blossom sighed.
"Fine. Let's just get this over with. Do I even want to know what you're going to do for me this year?"
"Probably not. I promise not to put you in a dress as short as I did last year. This year you're leaving your hair down though."
"Oh but Bubs, it just gets in the way and it's just such as mess to deal with. Do I have to?"
"Yes. Now, arms up."
Blossom sighed but complied. Bubbles began taking measurements humming. Buttercup started to play with a pillow before sending a side look to her sisters.
"So, Bloss. We had a question," Buttercup started. Bubbles stopped humming for a second before continuing. Blossom raised an eyebrow at that.
"Alright, well you two know you can always ask me anything. Is it a problem with your homework?"
"No. It's not school related and it's a little different than our usual questions."
"Okay, well, ask away?"
Buttercup scratched awkwardly at her head and shared a look with Bubbles. With a sigh Bubbles moved onto the next measurement.
"It's about Brick," she said hesitantly. Blossom's brow furrowed at this.
"Okay. What about him? Seriously you two, just ask me. This is getting irritating."
Bubbles and Buttercup shared another look before Buttercup finally stopped beating around the bush.
"Do you like him?"
Blossom blinked for a few seconds as she processed what was said before her face flushed slightly red.
"What-I don't-Why would-No I-"
"Well. That answers that," Buttercup said snickering. Bubbles giggled.
"Yup. Sorry Bloss. There's no recovery here for you. Might as well just fess."
Blossom sighed, letting a little blast of cool air out to try and control the blush. "Okay. What even prompted this? That was easily the last question I expected. I know for a fact I haven't been obvious."
"You know how Brick came by after the whole Him thing? Probably because he felt guilty about the whole you pushing him out of the way thing? Then before he left he floated up to see how you were doing? And after that you were maybe sort of mumbling about it. I maybe overheard you mutter to yourself about feelings last school year," Bubbles said, moving onto the next measurement. Blossom groaned.
"That? But that was so long ago and like barely even half a thought. I don't even think I mentioned what feelings I was feeling!"
"Yeah well, it was juust enough to make us take a closer look. Which was then enough to make us want to ask you. You're right that you aren't obvious but you're too focused on him when he's around. That was our big tip. And you hate when he flirts with other girls but literally don't care when anyone else flirts in front of you. How long Bloss?" Buttercup asked. Blossom sighed and fiddled with the edge of her shirt. Bubbles smacked her hand out of the way to take another measurement.
"Ummm… a while?"
"Okay. How long is a while?"
"I kinda started to notice in 9th grade?"
Bubbles took a step back and gave Blossom a look. "You kept it from us for that long? Blossom!"
"It's not like you two knowing makes a difference. I'm not acting on any…feelings."
"Why not?!"
"Because! It's pretty clear he's not interested. Other than Abigail, who he avoids the same way he did Princess, he's flirted with just about every other girl in the school and never even looked in my direction that way." Buttercup and Bubbles exchanged a looked causing Blossom to glare them both. "What?"
"Weeeell, good news bad news?" Bubbles said hesitantly as she went back to taking measurements.
"Okay, well let's start with the bad first please," Blossom said with a glare at her sisters.
"So Bubs here may have shown the ruffs the pic," Buttercup said. Blossom blinked at her.
"The pic?"
"Of last year. Halloween."
"What?! I said to never show anyone those!"
"We know! But! Good news right?"
Blossom sighed. "Fine, what's done is done. I'm not happy though. You owe me baked goods Bubs. What was the good news?"
"Well, he had a hard time looking away from the photo."
Blossom stood there waiting for Buttercup to go on but she didn't. She let out an angry sigh.
"That's it? That's literally nothing! We were wearing Halloween costumes. Even Mike and Mitch stared at the photo when you two showed them. Again, against my will! Plus, how do you even know it was me he was looking at? Buttercup, you were wearing leather pants. From what Mike and Mitch said that alone made the photo stare worthy."
"He got extra pissed at Butch when he was making comments too! At the comments directed at you!"
Blossom clearly still wasn't amused or seeing the good news part. "He's always angry with Butch."
"Okay but that's not all!" Bubbles said quickly as she stepped away, done taking measurements. "He only seems to flirt with other girls when you're there to see it!"
"Okay I'm really not hearing any good news here!"
"Just think about it! I mean, why would he do that if he wasn't trying to make you jealous?"
"I don't know! Maybe because those girls just happen to be in the same hallway as me? Which, you know, makes sense seeing as his locker is in that hallway and we share almost every single class?"
"But it's like all the time Bloss," Buttercup cut in. "He never flirts unless you're there or might be there. He always times it for when you'll see it. And Abigail? The girl all the guys agree is the new hot girl? He avoids her like the plague and she hates you. Ever wonder why?"
"No! Because I know why. He hates clingy people. He hated when Princess used to hang over him too."
"When she also hated your guts. Maybe it had something to do with it. Hell, he even made a special trip over here after the fight last year when you got injured saving him!"
"You're both overthinking this. Brick doesn't have feelings for me."
"So you won't even consider it?" Bubbles asked. Blossom shook her head.
"No because it isn't worth the energy. Even if he did like me I still wouldn't do anything about it."
"But why?!" Bubbles cried.
"Because the ruffs refuse to make a very important decision and until they make it I can't completely trust them. You know what one I'm talking about. Right now, they're sitting on the fence. I don't care if they decide to live as normal lives as possible or help us out in fighting crime but not deciding is not the answer. Until I know for sure what they want I can't put my faith completely in any of them."
"That's hypocritical Bloss! You're the one who always went on about giving them a chance. You know, let them prove that their not bad after all. Now I'll be the first to admit that the ruffs have problems. Hell, I'm Butch's babysitter! But not once in all these years have they gone back to being criminals. Yeah, they graffitied a building or two and maybe smoked a few joints. We all know after that summer party that they've done some underage drinking but even you've done that Bloss," Buttercup said. Blossom glared at her sister.
"It was one drink."
"Still a drink! I say that they've proved where their loyalties lay."
"You say that but even you don't completely trust Butch. Don't try to tell me that it's because Butch is just a loose cannon because we both know that's not it. You have the same problem I do. If they don't give a clear answer then how can we be 100% sure where their intentions lie?"
"Well I trust them completely," Bubbles said, cutting the two off. They continued to glare at each other. "But I also see what you're issue is Bloss. Especially since we know Brick is the one who is going to make the decision and he won't give a reason why he hasn't."
"Exactly. I trust them. I'm not saying that I don't. I know that they aren't going to go and try to destroy the town. That's why I've let my guard down around them and I'm just me around them now. Still, how could I even consider being with someone who refuses to make the decision we have to make every day? Each time we answer a call, we decide. Yet when we ask them they don't answer. They don't decide. It's why I won't act on any feelings. Why I ignore them."
Bubbles and Buttercup were quiet at that but both clearly unhappy. Blossom sighed.
"I love you both and I know you just want me to be happy and I know I haven't ever really shown any interest in anyone before but please, don't push this. There's a reason I'm not showing any interest okay? Now, if you don't mind, Bubbles you have all your measurements and I have homework. Goodnight girls."
Bubbles and Buttercup shared a look as Blossom went back to her desk. With a sigh they both got up and left the room.
"Well, that went worse than we thought it would," Buttercup said. Bubbles sighed.
"I guess we should have expected it though. Still, maybe part of the problem even has something to do with why Brick hasn't made a move? You know she'd hate to admit something like that."
Buttercup snorted at that. "Hat boy is a chicken. He won't make a move until he catches a hint of a possibility that it might be returned. Considering that we live with her, hell, we're related to her, and it took us two years to realize she has a crush, I don't see anything changing anytime soon. At least, not until they decide."
"Is that really what your problem with the ruffs is?"
"Now? Pretty much. It feels like they aren't being honest. I know it's probably just hat boy but still, they're all part of the same team. If one won't answer then none will and it just puts me on edge."
"Well, maybe it's time I try and figure out why then."
"You gunna question cap boy?"
"One of the ruffs at least. I'm the only one of us who hasn't asked after all and let's be real, who can say no to me?"
Buttercup snorted at that.
"I feel like that lesson went entirely over my head," Boomer groaned as he rubbed a hand across his face. Bubbles giggled.
"I think I understood most of it. I was going to have Bloss help me go over it later though. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you joined. I'd have to ask though."
"Would she be able to help? I was thinking of asking Brick but I figured since he's never taken the class I was kinda on my own."
"Weeell, I maybe sort of had her help me when I found hurt animals growing up so she's done some looking into the subject. I think she'll be able to help me figure things out at least."
"Well, if you think she'll be okay with it then I'd love to join in on a tutor session or two."
"I'm sure she won't mind but even if she does I'd still be up for trying to help."
Boomer grinned at her. "Thanks Bubs." He hesitated for a moment as they continued down the hallway before speaking up again. "How have you been by the way?"
Bubbles sighed. "Fine I suppose. It's helpful that I don't have any classes with Mark. Although, it feels a little tense lately at cheer."
"Has he done something?"
Bubbles shook her head. "No, the girls have been asking why. On top of that I feel like a few of them have been trying to get at me by flirting with him."
Boomer's brow furrowed. "Why would that get to you? Why would they want to get to you even?"
She sighed. "Well, they know he broke up with me so he's on the market again so to speak by his choice and not mine. They probably figure I'm not over him yet. A lot of them were really into him before he and I started dating so there's that too. As for why they might be trying to get at me though? They don't like that I'm vice-captain. Most of them think I have the position because Princess is captain."
"That makes like no sense. You know the routines better than they do and always make them look like they're cakewalks."
She smiled at him. "Paying pretty close attention there Boomer." He twitched slightly at that but she continued on. "It doesn't matter. Even when Princess tells them that they just complain it's because I'm a Powerpuff. It'd be sad if I couldn't do that. Some of the girls even complain about how I'm not skinny enough. They'll complain about anything they can."
"But that makes no sense! And what do they mean you aren't skinny enough? Chemical X keeps our bodies in top shape. Even if it didn't you fight crime almost daily. Your body's in perfect shape."
"Hmmm, perfect shape huh?"
"I mean-I didn't-That is-"
Bubbles giggled again. "It doesn't matter what the reason is. They just don't like me. It's fine."
"Bubs, you're made out of sugar. You the nicest person in the school. How can they not like you?"
Bubbles giggled again and Boomer mentally groaned. He couldn't help himself today it seemed. He was just thankful she wasn't commenting on the extreme amount of compliments he couldn't seem to help but send her way today.
"Bloss and Buttercup say they're just jealous. I think they just want me to seem a little less, well, super. It doesn't bother me too much usually but lately I guess I've been a little annoyed."
"Because he's been flirting back?"
She shook her head. "No, because they're slacking off on practice to flirt. If it keeps up I might have to talk with Princess and see what she wants to do."
"Other than that though, you've been good?"
She hummed in thought for a moment before responding. "I guess. I'm over the shock by now I think but still, he did break up with me. It was so out of the blue and everything too. I've been working on a commission for Mr. Morebucks which helped keep my mind off of things. I dunno, I guess I'm also a little angry with him."
"You guess? A little? I mean, from what I understand he didn't even give you a real reason."
She shrugged. She wasn't going to tell him that Mark hinted that his reason for the break up was because Boomer was single again. "I have other things to worry about I guess. Like I said, the commission helped. You know how I get with art."
He watched her for a moment or two before sighing and letting it go. "Yeah, I do. What were you working on for him?"
"He had it picked up last weekend and said he'd have it up next to my other piece so you'll probably see it at the party."
"The Morebucks have tons of art in that mansion. How am I going to know which one it is if you don't tell me what it is?"
She giggled. "But that ruins half the fun! You do have a point though. Guess that means I'll just have to show you it at the party then."
Boomer grinned. "Deal."
Bubbles giggled as they stopped in front of the door for her next class. "I say make it a date." Boomer flushed pink at that causing Bubbles to giggle again. "Though, it is a Princess party so we are kinda stuck being there together anyways. Thank you as well Boomie, for caring and looking out for me. I really appreciate it."
He rubbed his neck awkwardly, still a little pink. "Anytime."
The minute warning bell went off causing them both to wince slightly. Bubbles said goodbye with a small wave before entering her classroom. Boomer stood there for a little bit grinning to himself before turning. He winced when he saw Ali standing at the other end of the hall. She was glaring at the classroom Bubbles just went in before turning to look at him. She smiled and winked before turning and walking into her own classroom.
Boomer blinked before his brow furrowed. What was that about?
Butch couldn't help the groan as he marched down the hall. The art teachers were riding him to come up with something for the Tri-villathon. He really wasn't in the mood to do a display piece though. Yeah, he had lots of pieces he had been working on but they weren't really things to put up in a school art display. Too much gore.
Really he was just annoyed that they'd kept him from lunch. Bubbles had gone ahead of him so he was stuck listening to the entire spiel. He let out another groan as he sped, at an annoyingly human speed, around a corner. He felt an impact, small, and heard someone land on their ass. He looked down and smirked.
"Ricky! My man! Sorry about that, wasn't looking where I was going," Butch said as he held out a hand. Merrick glared at him and stood, ignoring the hand. Butch's smirk grew.
"Obviously. And its Merrick," he said as he grabbed his bag. It had fallen off his shoulder.
"You heading to the cafeteria? Maybe I can get you something to make up for it. I've had people say it hurts like hell when the walk right into one of us." Butch was now grinning down at the guy. Merrick was at least half a head shorter than him, which, considering Butch was the shortest ruff, was extremely entertaining for the ruff. Merrick had to look up slightly to glare at him.
"I think I'll pass. You should try not to make a habit of bowling people over though. Be responsible and all that."
"Think it's actually Butters who's the guiltiest one of that followed by big red. Speaking of, I should get to the cafeteria. I'm sure her and her sister are wondering where I am."
"I'm sure Buttercup could care less."
"She probably could! See, I knew I wasn't blind," Butch threw his arm around Merrick, ignoring his attempts to throw Butch's arm off, and started towards the cafeteria. "Butters really does care about me. She just likes to play hard to get, right?"
Butch threw a feral grin down at Merrick who couldn't help the shiver of fear that shot down his spine. It was not a nice grin.
"I think with you, it's not playing.
"What?" Butch whined. "C'mon Ricky, you just said it. She could care less. Gotta mean she actually cares about me right?"
Merrick was still trying to throw Butch's arm off as he was all but pushed down the hallway to the lunch room. "It's an expression and like I keep saying, it's Merrick! Let me go already."
"What? You wanna go? I mean, I'd be down for a round or two but Butters is about the only one who can handle me. Sorry, scratch that. Big red can put me in my place but that's more a respect thing at this point, ya know? Now with Butters, that's a whole different story."
"Do I wanna-? What-no! Fuck man! Just move your arm!"
"To where? Around your waist? I really don't swing that way dude. Anyways, Butters. She's really great isn't she?"
Merrick grit his teeth as he tried to dig his heels in. Butch noticed and chuckled. He took a few more steps, purposefully pushing Merrick along, before stopping.
"You are suck a dick! Just stop touching-"
Merrick didn't finish his sentence as Butch dropped his arm and took a few steps away.
"You paying attention Ricky? I'm trying to talk to you here. Hard to do with such a one-sided conversation."
Merrick glared at him. "Look, its clear Buttercup seriously doesn't like you. To everyone. So why don't you just leave her the hell alone?"
"So what, you can sweep in?" Butch was still grinning. Merrick continued to glare.
"Well she's clearly more into me than you."
Butch couldn't help but crack up laughing at that. "Oh man, the fact that you actually believe that is hilarious and seriously shows how little attention you were paying." Butch snapped his hand up and in a quick motion, too quick for Merrick to avoid, flicked the guy on the forehead.
"The hell was that for?!" Merrick cried as he stumbled back a step of two from the force of it, hands going to rub the spot.
"For not listening. I've been trying to tell you but you ain't paying attention. Butters is clearly more into me, don't you think? What with the way she glares at me and all. It's great."
"The hell are you smoking?"
"What? I mean, it's so fucking obvious how she feels about me isn't it? That cold shoulder, angry face, those quick escapes."
Merrick finally clicked at the mocking tone in Butch's voice and couldn't help himself. He stepped forward and swung a punch at Butch's face. Happy to finally get a decent reaction, Butch took a casual step back to avoid the punch before cocking an eyebrow at Merrick who was turning red in the face.
"Just saying my man, so clear where we both stand with Butters. Hey, speaking of which, I should really get to the cafeteria. She's probably wondering where I am. Tends to come looking for me when I'm not where I'm supposed to be and all that. It's cute isn't it?"
Not giving Merrick a chance to say anything, Butch quickly zoomed away in a flash of green. He could hear faint cursing from behind him as he did so and grinned again. Too easy. And too much fun.
Buttercup was going to hate this so much.
Probably be another two weeks before I post again. I'm in the middle of editing my next batch of chapters and can't write anything new until I'm done with that. On the bright side, once I finish with this round of edits I'll be done with what I kinda consider part 1! Yay!