Fireworks
The concert had either finished or entered an intermission, either way after three more dances Brick and Blossom had moved away from the stage.
"That wasn't so bad was it?" Blossom asked a still pouting Brick.
"I don't dance Pinkie." He responded.
"You did fine, I wasn't expecting much." She said rolling her eyes. She looked over and saw him resolute in his silence. "It really embarrassed you that much?"
"I don't like feeling foolish is all." He grumbled.
"Well last I checked dancing with a pretty girl isn't considered foolish." She said. He was still silent, but his face was a little more relaxed. Looking over the stalls they passed by she spoke. "Hey, I'll get you a lemonade, my treat."
"Why?" He asked skeptically.
"Because I really appreciated you dancing with me, it was fun."
"It was a bet, but thanks Pinkie." He said watching her practically skip to the stall. As he watched he couldn't help but wonder why she was so happy to be there with him. Why she was so eager to make him her friend. He wasn't complaining he had enjoyed the day far more than he ever thought.
"If only we had tried this before-" He didn't let himself finish the thought as he repressed the memories of snow and lights forcing themselves into his mind. "The past is irrelevant. What happened, happened." He thought to himself shaking his head, in protest to his memories.
While he was shaking his head something pink caught his eye. He looked over at Blossom waiting in line and he moved down the walkway to the stall a few feet down pulling the wagon of stuffed toys with him. He was at a junior rodeo stall, with pictures of past champions on display on a few tables, but the center table had a picture of a little girl with big bright pink eyes. He picked up the photo and saw a young blossom holding up a small medal. She had a pink stetson, with her bow still attached to the top somehow, a pink blouse, and a huge childish grin with a tooth missing on her top right side.
Blossom had paid for the drinks and was walking back, looking for Brick as he seemed to wander off again, but she didn't have to look long before seeing him and the wagon at the stall just a little ways away.
She figured she'd give him a small startle for walking away without even telling her again. So she lifted herself off the ground and floated to the red ruff. As she approached she could see him holding something and quickly recognized the photo of herself from 7 years ago holding her first prize medal.
Brick was studying the photo and could see her reflection in the glass protecting the photo. Setting it down he turned around, "So you hustled me?" He said smirking at her.
"What do you mean?" She said touching back down on solid land. "You're the one who suggested a bet."
"Yeah, but you knew how to ride those things, and you suggested the stakes." He retorted.
"So what if I did, then? Are you gonna be mad about it?" She asked with a smirk and eye brow raised.
"Oh no, that," he said pausing only to get his drink from her hand, "Was a brilliant con." He said with a smile. "I would have never pegged you a con artist." he said drinking it down in one gulp.
"Please you're giving me too much credit, you just underestimated me." She said smiling behind her cup before sipping.
"I won't do that again," She said turning back around, "So when did this happen?"
"A while ago, it was a short lived hobby. Just the one season, too much piled on and I couldn't keep going to the competitions." She said looking down at the photo nostalgia apparent on her face. "Just one of the many things I gave up doing as a kid."
"Never had a break, huh?" He asked as she set the photo down.
"Sometimes. Not often and they were short lived, but you can't pick up hobbies like that when you never know when you're going to have to ditch to fight a monster. We all had to make sacrifices." She said as they walked away from the booth, "Buttercup is on the swim team, but she has never been to a meet, she always has to fight, or at least, be prepared to run off and fight crime." She took another sip and continued, "Bubbles wanted to take cooking and baking classes, not that she needs them, but she was let go of the program after one week."
"So is fighting crime and school all you really know?" he asked feeling a small lump in his throat and tried to swallow it down.
"It's my specialty, fight crime, train to fight crime, create new tactics to fight crime, it's all consuming after a while. You learn to pick up small portable hobbies as you go on. Bubbles still draws, I read, Buttercup works out, but it has been hard to branch out into other interests." She said solemnly.
"I guess it's easier being on the supply side of crime, or at least when you put it like that." He replied.
"Well it's all got its up and downs. It feels good to fight the way we do, people adore us, and there's even perks and gifts. I don't want to paint it in a negative light at all." She said waving her arm as she spoke, "It's just I don't think many people understand the long term sacrifices we make sometimes."
"Well thank you for making those sacrifices." Brick said, as he grabbed her free hand without thinking, "I wouldn't exist without you being a hero after all."
She could feel her skin tingle as he held her hand, and she clasped his hand back, "Are you implying I contributed to the crime rate Mr. Rowdyruff?"
"What? No." he said shaking his head, "How did you turn that around like that?" He asked, but she did notice he never let go of her hand. "I'm just saying if you didn't kick the monkeys butt so badly so often he would have never created us out of desperation, so thank you."
"Well you're very welcome." She said. She looked around and asked, "Hey you wanna get out of here and head to your place? I'm could use a break from the crowd."
"You're in my head and I'd like you to get out." He said with a small smile. They continued holding hands as they walked out of the festival.
The walk was quiet and comfortable. After all the sounds of the parade, the festival and the concert they found it relaxing in the silence. The wagon behind them making the only noise as it hit cracks in the sidewalk.
When they reached the front of building Brick hoisted the wagon onto his shoulder, and Blossom held the door open before they walked up the flight of stairs leading to Bricks apartment. She made sure he didn't let any of the plushies they won fall as they made the trek upstairs.
Brick fished his key out of his pocket and the pair walked in. Blossom could feel the cool air conditioning engulf her as she walked past him as he closed the door and set the wagon down.
"It's weird having company over, much less twice in one day, but I'm set on being a good host, you want anything?" He said feeling awkward as he passed her.
She was standing in the small hallway enjoying the cool air run over her, but responded with a smile, "I'm good. I think I'll just sit down." She said before moving to the couch. "It is weird being here though." She said before sitting down.
"It's weird having you." He said stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"I'm glad we're hanging out though, it's been an interesting day. The parade, the stuffed animals, the contest, concert, I don't think I would have done half of those things
if you weren't with me. I would have walked the festival after the parade, and probably just left. No games, no snacks, nothing. So thanks for being my date."
"Thanks for convincing me to come along. That pie was amazing, that alone was worth it." Brick said sitting down on the couch near her.
She was about to say something else but heard her phone ring out. She didn't want to be rude, but checked it out of habit. She had gotten a text from Buttercup, "Me and butch grabin food and grill, cooking at rwdyrff pad. Txtd bubbles already"
I guess our siblings are coming over here with some food." She said putting her phone back in her purse.
"Blue or green?" Brick asked in turn.
"Green." She replied. "I guess our dinner plans are made."
"You think the Blue ones will show up too?" He asked.
"Buttercup said she told Bubbles so probably."
"The real question being if Boomer will be tied to her hip if she comes over." Brick asked taking off his cap to run his hands through his long copper hair.
"you think he won't?" She asked?
"No, he will. I may be puppy dog tails, but he is almost a literal puppy next when it comes to her." He replied shaking his head with a slight chuckle.
"I hope he's house trained at least." Blossom said giggling softly with him. When they both stopped the silence filled the air. The silence wasn't comfortable as it was before, and as Blossom looked in his eyes she saw he didn't know what else to say, so she took the initiative. "I can say, the end doesn't justify the means here, but I'm glad you three are free and around. I think me and my sisters were all in a bubble. Always looking out and seeing the other people, but never really able to let people in. But now there are three boys who made it into our bubble. It's not gone, but it's far more bearable. So thanks." She said inching closer to the boy as she spoke. "I just wish it happened sooner."
"I don't think that would have been possible." Brick said. He noticed her moving closer to him, but didn't move himself. Away from her or closer. He just sat there with a spike of worry in his chest. "I don't think we live in the same world, Bloss."
"I think we're closer than you might think. Even this fake date today has been a blast." She said inching even closer.
"Fake, That's right. Today is fake. Pretend, make believe, not real." Brick thought to himself. "So, uh when does this fake date end anyways?" He asked as he took a small slide closer to her.
"I think most dates end with some kind of kiss, so why should this simulation be any different?" She said looking him in the eyes over her shoulder. Blossom appeared calm, maybe coy, but inside was a hurricane of anxiety. She was still hoping to pull him to her side fully, and hopefully she was doing just that.
"That's a dangerous way to end something. What if we never kiss?" He replied looking her in her cotton candy eyes.
"Then the date doesn't stop, I guess. But wouldn't boys usually want to kiss a pretty girl when she's so close to him on his couch like this." She was surprised at her own words as she said them, but she didn't feel like she was lying.
"If I don't kiss you the date continues? What if I like the charade?" He said noticing how close she was, he could smell strawberries coming off of her.
"It's up to you I guess." She said, and she could feel her whole chest skip a heart beat as he leaned in closer ever so slightly. She could smell cinnamon flowing from his hair as the distance slowly closed.
With only a few centimeters between their lips the sound of Butch's voice right outside their window broke the duo back into reality. They noticed how close they were with new eyes and over-corrected by shooting to opposite ends of the couch. They tried not to look at the window as it slid open, only turning when the heard Butch speak to them.
"Hey Bro, interruptin' something?" He asked. Brick turned his head seeing the smile on his brothers face and wished he could give temporary lobotomies.
"Nothing at all bro, just waiting on you all. Is Boom with you?" Brick asked fighting the twitch in his eye as he spoke faster than intended.
"Present." Boomer said as he stepped through the window holding a bag of food. Boomer didn't have to look long before noticing the massive amount of distance between the two red heads, and felt his heart sink just a little, he was hoping Brick would use today to get closer to Blossom, but seemed just as distant.
Buttercup moved through the window next holding a bag with cooking tools sticking out of the ends. She eyed the pair and shot Brick the quickest dirty look she could before moving past them with a barely audible scoff. Blossom heard it and felt annoyed at her lack of manners in the Rowdyruff house, even if she had a justifiable reason.
Bubbles bounced in holding the last bag of food and walked towards the kitchen space with it, "It always amazes me how clean this place is, I heard horror stories about boys rooms, where dirty clothes come alive and food mutates, but this place always seems clean." She said turning to Boomer, "Maybe you should get some candles, give it a lived in smell. It almost smells like a hospital in here."
All three boys felt their stomach lurch as the images of hospital walls filled their heads. "Not a bad idea." The three boys mumbled.
The girls in turn noticed the mood change, but jut as Buttercup was about to ask about it Brick spoke first. "So, uhh, Buttercup, I heard you brought your grill, thank you."
Buttercup felt her mind go blank in awe of Brick being cordial, but spoke anyways, "It's not like I got anything better to do." She said returning to her bag of tools.
"That's her way of saying 'you're welcome." Blossom whispered to Brick.
Brick nodded to Blossom then turned to Buttercup. "So are you a good cook?"
"Best in the family. Had to get good when I started cooking half the meals we ate." She said with a small laugh, "Leader girl ain't allowed to cook anything more complicated than pancakes."
"Thanks for sharing Buttercup." Blossom said rolling her eyes.
"Anytime Bloss." Buttercup said sticking her tongue out to her sister.
"To be fair, neither of us are as good as cooks as you." Bubbles said setting down her bag of food on the counter and helping Boomer place them in the fridge until they were needed.
"So BC has a feminine bone in her body after all." Butch said with a snicker before getting slightly slapped against the back of his head.
"Everyone should learn how to cook, what did you three do until now?" Buttercup asked.
"stole it mostly before lock up." Butch said smirking, while rubbing the back of his head playfully.
"After we bought it fair and square, or hunted a few times when we couldn't make it to a store." Boomer said shooting Butch a glare as he spoke.
"So three boys never learned how to cook? Why should I be surprised." Buttercup said shaking her head. "You'll learn a little tonight Butch." She said pulling him by the collar towards the window. "I'm not cooking all this by myself."
"Careful BC your spice is showing." Bubbles said giggling at the sight of Butch being dragged away.
"He hasn't learned what my spice is yet." Buttercup retorted as she climbed through the window with what looked like a scour pad on a handle. They couldn't hear what Butch had said in turn, but they all heard him yelp after the sound of another slap.
"Should I be worried your sister is abusing my brother?" Brick asked, "She's slapped him more than once since walking in my living room, Who knows how many more times she's done it by now."
"I doubt it's more than just being playful, Butch looks like the kind of guy who plays rough anyways." Blossom said.
Brick was going to say something before Bubbles let out a loud noise from the hallway. Boomer shot over first and gave a whistle. Brick and Blossom moved over and saw Bubbles looking over the wagon of stuffed animals. "Where did all these come from?" Bubbles asked picking up each one and looking at them intently.
"The festival in the park, me and Pinkie won them." Brick said watching her with a brow raised.
"I never win at those things." She said with a small whine. "Can I keep one?" She asked.
Brick and Blossom looked at each other and shrugged. "I guess." They both said.
"Ohhh what about this one?" She said picking up the stuffed dog.
"Not that one." Brick said louder than he meant. He walked over and grabbed it from Bubbles grasp. "I already named it." He said walking away.
Bubbles looked at him walk into his room then saw the look of shock on Boomers face.
He had never known Brick to hold onto anything that wasn't practical. His only luxury item was a silk pillowcase that he swore was only to help him sleep.
Bubbles shrugged, "Well it's already got a name, can't argue with that," She said looking at Blossom, "Any other have a name already?"
Blossom looked down and grabbed the fluffy pastel bunny, "This one is named Tuzi. The rest are unnamed." she said holding the stuffy to her chest with her arms crossed.
Bubbles smiled and looked through the rest of the prizes finding a small duck with a Velcro hand attached to an otter. "Here Boomie, you take the otter and I'll keep the Duckie." she said handing him the scruffy toy.
Brick walked back in to find the blondes debating names for whatever they had chosen from the wagon and gave Blossom a playful gag motion, but stopped when he saw the rabbit in her arms. She in turn smiled playfully back.
"You know Bubbles, I don't mind if you take the rest." Brick said, "I got my dog after all."
"Yeah, besides I don't have the space in my room for them all." Blossom said smiling down at her sister.
Bubbles let out a squeal and pulled them both into a one armed hug. "Okay Boomie, you gotta help me name the rest of them!" She said pulling him down to the wagon after letting the red heads go.
Blossom and Brick had returned to the couch sitting more comfortably close then when their siblings had arrived, and decided to see if they could find something on the television as they waited for the greens to finish the food.
Brick was channel surfing when he landed on a public broadcast of a symphony performing. Blossom had eagerly asked him to stay on the channel, and they ended watching it despite his protests. Although he did admit he enjoyed the 1812 overture. In fact he was surprised by how many pieces he had enjoyed listening to, even if he had to ask Blossom for the name of every piece that caught his attention.
Throughout the concert Butch had wandered into the apartment to grab whatever Buttercup sent him to retrieve. He noticed the Reds sitting much closer than earlier, and saw the delight on Boomers face as him and Bubbles seemed to name, and write said name down on a notepad she had. He couldn't stop the smile on his face as he watched his brothers relax and enjoy themselves like this. Boomer without any sign of a stutter or nervous tick, and Brick with a relaxed face without a scowl.
Brick and Blossom were startled by Buttercup calling out that the food was finished as she and Butch each carried in a plate of burgers and brats. Butch was also carrying a small plate with a few grilled chicken breasts on it. Setting it down on the counter the 6 of them took turns collecting their food.
Bubbles was fast on the chicken, apparently she didn't like eating red meat, and ate mostly chicken and pork. The other 5, however, made quick work collecting the burgers. The boys had grabbed four each and a brat.
Buttercup had settles on two of each, and Blossom only took one burger and bag of chips Buttercup brought. Noticing they had no drinks in the house Boomer shot out the window and returned a few minutes later with paper cups and a few bottles of cola.
Brick couldn't help but concede Buttercup had cooked the best meal he had in a long time. Even the restaurant the brothers and Langston visited wasn't this good. He looked and saw his brothers had agreement plastered on their face. The group left no food for leftovers, and the boys hailed Buttercup as the queen of the grill.
She took the name in stride but hid her face in a rare moment of bashfulness.
Bubbles was the first to notice the sunset through the windows. "The fireworks will start soon, shouldn't we head to the roof?"
The group stood up, and Brick made sure to grab the blanket he and Blossom used earlier. While Buttercup retrieved the blankets she brought with her. They walked up the fire escape and laid the blankets out over the edge and looked at the sky as it an inky black color worked its way down towards the horizon.
The show started, and they could hear the sound of music playing in sync with show. Bubbles held onto Boomers arms and cuddled against him watching the colors slowly fill the sky as the music picked up the pace.
Boomer rested his head against Bubbles head right by the flower he had gotten earlier and felt pure elation at the days events.
Butch held his hands between his legs as his elbows rested on his knees. Leaning forward he gawked at the show. Buttercup sat close to him resting her leg so it remained in contact with his as rested her arms on her other knee bent up by her cheek.
Brick was entranced by the show, as if it had new life. He knew it wasn't going to be much different to the shows he had seen out of jail. He focused on the show for another reason though. As lights filled the sky he could feel the memories of light and snow try to force themselves up again. He didn't want those memories to return today though. As good as today felt, it was still what was stated earlier. Fake, a show, pretend, and he didn't want to read into more than he let himself do already.
Blossom took little notice of his face but could feel a warmth come from her partner. She had enjoyed the day far more than she could have ever thought. She was worried today was going to be filled with fake flirting, fake compliments, fake promises, but she felt sincere about everything she said, and done with him today. She had woken up earlier than usual to make sure she looked perfect, but felt like it was unnecessary after all the fun she had with him today.
She felt a warmth form within her chest, and smiling to herself she rested her head on his shoulder. Brick tensed slightly, but moved his hand around her shoulder. "Even if it's an act, we can enjoy one day." he thought to himself. "Just be careful, we know it's not... it's just not possible."
Buttercup took a glance away from the show to see her sisters cuddling with their counterpart, and could feel rage building as she watched Blossoms head on his shoulder and his hand on hers.
Butch could feel her body tense up next to him and followed her gaze. He could tell she knew something, somehow, but he also knew Brick was more relaxed and calm than he's been, well since birth. He lightly grabbed Buttercups chin and directed her eyes to the show. "I know you got the right to hate him, But this is good." She whispered in her ear.
"Not for my sister." She whispered back looking him in the eyes.
"It is though. Please for me, let her rub off on him." He pleaded, and to his joy she relented.
"Alright," She said. He was about to give thanks when she kept going, "Don't get it twisted. I trust you, not him, and I trust your promise that you'll help me kick his ass if he hurts her." She said returning to the show.
"It's not gonna happen. He's too relaxed around her to do anything now." He said as he pressed his leg against hers and leaned into her.
"You better be right." She said, and with that the group sat watching the show.
Boomer made some cheering noises whenever a particularly big firework exploded close by them, but the group sat without talking to each other the rest of the show in comfort.
When it ended they all clapped and could hear the citizen in the park do the same, and sat there for a few minutes listening to the town. When they finally got up they all went back down to the apartment.
"Well this was actually fun." Buttercup said, "But we better be getting back home." She said to Butch.
Butch was about to whine about her leaving so soon, but found a way to keep her company a little longer. "Well, I gotta help you carry all the stuff back you know."
"What stuff, all I got is my bag of tools, and my grill." Buttercup said.
"Buttercup," Bubbles said, "Butch wants to help you out, why not let him." She said with a smile before turning to Boomer. "I for one need help carrying all my new friends home. You'll help me right Boomie?"
Buttercup rolled her eyes as Boomer just nodded to her as the blues made their way to the wagon. "Well, Blossom, you ready to go?"
"I think I'll meet you home, I'll hang back and help Brick clean this up if your gonna take his brothers." Blossom said smiling softly.
"Surely he doesn't need it." Buttercup started saying before Blossom cut her off.
"Trust me, I'll be home soon. Just trust me." Blossom said putting slight emphasis on the words trust me. Buttercup growled softly but relented.
"Alright Butch, You got the grill." Buttercup said as they went through the window with her bag.
"Bye bye Brick!" Bubbles called out as she headed to the window with several stuffed critters in her arm.
"Be back an a bit Bro!" Boomer called out carrying just as many.
"I really don't need help." Brick said when it was just the two of them.
"I want to help." Blossom said. "Besides the date is still on. You need to walk me home."
Brick shook his head with a smile. "An act to the very end. Alright, just let me grab my shoes, I'll take you home." He gestured to the couch, "Just sit here while I grab them." She smiled in turn and sat down while he turned away to get his shoes.
To his surprise when he came back only minutes later she was passed out on his couch. "Blossom?" He said shaking her arm gently. She slowly fell to her side from his touch, but remained asleep. "How long has she been awake?" He asked aloud. "It'll look bad if she stays here that's for sure." He said as he grabbed the bunny and placed it between her arms. Gently lifting her into a bridal carry, from which she still slept through, he made his way to the window and took to the sky.
She remained asleep the entire trip only making small noises as she sunk further into a dream. Brick was floating gently before her house, and was deciding how to get her back inside. He couldn't leave her unconscious on her front door this time. "I'm sure I'll regret this." He said turning on his X-ray vision. On the couch in the living room was a Buttercup staring at the front door. He was sure if she saw him holding her sister like this she would take it the wrong way.
So looking through the wall he found a room with a desk of papers, a bookshelf stacked full and few medals on the wall. He recognized one of them from the picture earlier and flew to the rooms window. It spun on its hinges and he floated in. It was definitely her room, filled with pink walls and carpets, and a pink bed set. He laid her down on top of her covers and felt happy seeing her sleep peacefully instead of the last time he saw her unconscious.
He turned around to look at the room and noticed a title on her book shelf. Floating over he grabbed the book and read the title. Twisted fairy tales. He looked back at her just to be safe and opened the book. The page he opened showed a woman being placed in a barrel with swords stabbed into it. The image looked hand sketched and piqued his curiosity. He looked at her desk and saw empty paper and grabbed a pencil. He wrote a little note, and made his was to the window. He only stopped at the window when he heard make another small sleeping noise. He floated to her and looked down at her sleeping with cradling the toy, and a smile on her face. He gently touched down on the carpet and brushed the hair from her face.
"I'm just know I'm going to regret this someway somehow." He thought to himself, but his body was already committed to the action. He leaned down and gently pressed his lips on her forehead. "Simulation complete." He whispered before he floated to the window backwards hitting it harder than he would have liked, and turned around and left the Utonium household. He had the book he was convinced Blossom wouldn't mind him borrowing in hand, and flew home.
Buttercup was sitting on the couch when she heard a soft bang from above, not trusting anything until she saw her sister home safe she floated up to Blossoms bedroom door. Opening she saw Blossom sleeping on her bed. Buttercup walked in and noticed her shoes were still on, and she was smiling in her sleep. "Brick gets the benefit of the doubt today." Buttercup said to herself softly. She took Blossoms shoes off and left the room to go pass out on her own bed.
A.N so... I know it took a lot longer than anyone would have liked to see an update, and im sorry about that. I wish I could really give a reason beyond a bad case of writers block mixed with life problems. Im not good with fluff, and I didn't want to half ass it and produce generic sweet moments. I still wanted my own spin on it, and it took so many false starts to try and get this written down, leave me a review would you kindly, and let me know how I did writing fluff for the first time.