Out

Out-Of-Story Notes / Disclaimer: ::does the copy-and-paste dance:: Once again, I will note that Sniper gave me, Surfer Dude Rey Person, permission to write this. Ooh, and I like POLITE, INTELLIGENT comments. And reviews. Well, you don't have to, but it'd be nice if you read this story-thing and liked it. La la la, I have math homework to do but instead I'll write this story. Um... And yes, this is Butch's turn. Mind you, it's not the end of the JR series-thing. Oh, and... I know it seems kind of like a stupid mushy story when it starts, but I promise it ends normally and angst-y and miserably. Mm.. that's about it. Oh, and the whole concept of the Powerpuff Universe, so on, belongs to Cartoon Network and Craig McCracken and junk. Yeh. So, on with the show!

just reflections... 3
by Rey

(Short Introduction)

We return to the same long night for the boys, and from their last pow-wow all three ruffs are now sleeping peacefully. Even Butch, who is not, oddly enough, fighting imaginary enemies in his slumber, but instead dozing serenely like his brothers.

But wait ~ if we listen closer, the telltale sound of snoring invades the air of harmony like a buzz saw attacking a log. For Brick, denial is a river in Egypt, as they always say. Let us not disturb Brick or Boomer, who have already considered their thoughts and reflected accordingly. The greatest challenge indeed would be to focus on Butch, the green ruff with an attitude. A mystery, a vague bit of anonymity. Revealing his deepest thoughts to anyone, even his own blood, is a most shunned practice. Instead he holds up his mask of toughiosity and harshness, adding in just a swirl of obscurity to produce the final product, the Butch we know today. Although he does not suppress his humanity, sometimes showing actual kindness, he is truly (madly? deeply?) a Rowdyruff. After all, if he, alternatively, had chosen to be "girlish", would he not be just like Boomer? Ha ha ha. Just brotherly companionship.

Butch grunted in his sleep, clutching a pillow. As they were no red ruffs swaying around on their beds or blue ruffs chanting, he was fast and deeply asleep. And dreaming, too, as one could tell by the fluttering eye movements under his eyelids. We shall delve into Butch's dreams. He won't really mind if we invade his privacy for a while.

(Begin Dream Sequence)

"There is no spoon, there is no spoon, there is no ~" Butch sat up sharply, rubbing his right eye.

At first glance he appeared to be sitting in an endless field. On closer inspection this was found to be true, as he was firmly planted in a bed of wildflowers. As far as the eye could see was simply green, and speckled on that infinite green were splashes of rainbow, marigolds, buttercups, bluebells, orchids...

Butch blinked, pushing himself to his feet. Flowers? Field? Looking up, he saw a great expanse of blue sky. Definitely not where he was when he fell asleep. Was this a trick his brothers were playing on him? He wouldn't really put it past them, but...

"Butch..." What? A muffled voice called him, echoing and reverberating through time and space, through his head. It was a familiar sort of voice, though, sweet ringing through his ears. Hurriedly he spun around, and just barely he could make out a light-green figure jetting towards him, a trail of fluorescent green light following and fading away like a forgotten memory.

"Buttercup?" His voice was tinged with excitement, joy, and just a bit of apprehension as he hastened to meet her, his own dark-green trail following. What was going on here? But, well, who really cared? It was Buttercup. Buttercup, his dearly beloved. His greatest, his only love.

They met in a tight embrace, intertwined trails of green rolling about the field. A romantic scene set in an unbelievably perfect backdrop of wildflowers and sunshine. As they slowed to a stop, Buttercup hovered closer to Butch who was sprawled on the grass, pressing her lips to his just gently. Butch flinched, blinking, and smiling dumbly, savoring their mingled tastes before she slowly pulled away to gaze at him, almost questioningly.

"Butterc-cup... I've... missed you..." He stammered nervously, staring into her almost unblinking green eyes, trying to convey his feelings. He wasn't too eloquent, and neither were his brothers, but he tried his best.

She was silent in reply, instead, slowly leaning closer to him again, a slightly seductive smile playing about her soft lips. Butch just grinned, closing his eyes, expecting another liplock. But instead, the figure that was so warm and real in his arms began to feel like mist. He opened his eyes quickly.

"..Buttercup?" And indeed, the form he held dearly was fading away. Falling into him, and slowly the last wisps of Buttercup disappeared without a trace. He blinked, and it took him a moment or two to digest what had just happened.

"N-no... Buttercup... Buttercup, come back!" He cried urgently, frantically. His arms fell to the ground helplessly, and he helped himself to a standing position. "I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet, I wasn't ready to say goodbye..." But his voice simply faded into the overwhelming silence of the fields, as he was left standing alone again.

And, raising his hands to an unresponsive, perfectly blue sky, he cried aloud, "Why?!"

(End Dream Sequence)

Butch sat up in his bed, clutching at the dark green blankets, eyes wide, his body racked by silent sobs. He managed to stay quiet, the only sound being the slightly harsh intake of breath. One half of his mind screamed, "What would Brick and Boomer do if they see us like this? Butch? Butch?! Are you listening to me?" And the other half screamed back, "I want Buttercup! I want Buttercup!..."

Anxious glances to the photograph of them embracing on his nightstand. Butch was beside himself, almost hysterical from... from grief? No, from loneliness, just like his brothers. Their lives were centered on the girls, their girls, their loves. And there was nothing else to it. He loved her.

"I .. love you... Buttercup."

Biting down on his lower lip - hard - he squeezed his eyes shut, and dabbed the corners of the blankets on them. He couldn't act like this. He had to be tough for her, he had to be Buttercup's ruff. A weak smile crossed his face at the thought of her. Buttercup, yeah, Buttercup. Butch was going to live for her, live for the time he'd see her again. When they'd all be a "happy family". Dumb thoughts, he knew, but... it was one hell of a promise to himself. Within seconds, his breathing was calmed, and he no longer shuddered with pain at every breath.

Butch carefully laid back down on his bed, giving his best attempt to smoothen out his bedding. No more nightmares, he was complete and calm. It was all for Buttercup.

Author's Ending Note: I'd like to end this short chapter with a song. But it's not a songfic! So don't get that idea.

Sleater-Kinney ~ Get Up

And when the body finally starts to let go
Let it all go at once, not piece by piece
But like a whole bucket of stars dumped into the universe, whoo!
Watch it go! Goodbye small hands, goodbye small heart, goodbye small head,
My soul's climbing treetrunks and swinging from every branch.

They're calling on me, they're calling on me.
I'm alright.
They're calling on me, they're calling on me.
I'm not fine.

Do you think I'm an animal?
Am I not?
Do you like fur?
Do you wanna come over?
Are we captive only for a short time?
Is there splendor? I'm not ashamed.
Desire shoots through me like birds singing.
(I am fine... I'm not right...)
(The way you move, no waves were ever... quite as fluid.)

They're calling on me, they're calling on me.
I am fine.
They're calling on me, they're calling on me.
I'm not fine.

I hit the mark!
I target moon, I target sky, I target sun.
Fall down on the world, fall down on the world,
Fall down on the world before it falls on you.

Like beggars, like stars,
Like whores, us all,
Like beggars, like dogs,
Like stars, us all.

I'm not right.

Shoot straight for my heart.
(And when you're near, no sky was ever, quite as clear.)

Like stars, so small,
Like us, when we fall,
Like beggars, like whores, like lovers,

Ooh, get up!
Too far.
Ooh, get up!

- I just felt this song related to Butch.