author's note: The song suggestion this time is Confidently Lost by Sabrina Claudio!


Sunday, Mar. 21

Bubbles hummed happily as she put together shish kabobs for tonight's dinner.

"So when is everyone supposed to be here?" Butch asked.

He was busying himself next to her in the kitchen, seasoning the steaks and burgers he'd be grilling later. As the resident vegetarian the Puff focused more on the sides—chopping vegetables, cooking noodles for macaroni, mixing various salads, prepping potatoes, grating cheese… She'd made the point before they'd even started prepwork that they would need leftovers because she refused to cook every single night.

Most nights? Sure, she genuinely loved to cook, so that wasn't an issue.

But every night?

No thanks.

While they were only supposed to be here for five nights (they'd leave early Friday morning and would arrive home by the time midday rolled around) it was a vacation . For once they had been gifted the chance to sit and relax, to let go of their worries (however briefly) about college and bills and monsters that threatened to devour the world whole. It wasn't fair to designate Bubbles the sole chef of their trip, especially when Buttercup was by far the best at it among the six of them, with Butch not too far behind. If she played her cards right, she could wheedle her sister into not being lazy for once and let them taste her amazing meals, worthy of any Michelin star restaurant.

Butch nudged her arm gently with his elbow, startling her from her thoughts.

She looked up at the clock on the back wall of their temporary kitchen. "Boomie and Brick should be here within the hour. Blossie and BC are gonna be a little longer. I just had to get here first to sign in and get the keys." She shrugged.

"We," he corrected, this time lightly bumping her side with his hip.

She smiled up at him. "I appreciate you coming too, but you could have stayed back longer if you wanted to."

"Didn't want to." His smile brightened his eyes. "Besides, Coffee gets antsy without you around. It was better to tag along than deal with him at your dad's without you around."

"Coffee does, or you do?" she teased.

He didn't humor her with a response, which only ended up making her giggle.

Bubbles, because she'd fronted the cost of the renting, got to choose which of the three rooms she'd be in. Or, rather, Butch got to choose their room. He decided on the master bedroom with the biggest bed and its own master bathroom, obviously, and amused her even more by dubbing her Rapunzel because she couldn't seem to get away from balconies. To be fair, his new house still had a better balcony than even this beach house.

While Brick had decided to go on a snack buying binge and Boomer was bringing the drinks, Butch had ended up spending just under a thousand dollars for the food they'd need for their actual meals. She supposed it was only fair, then, that he was allowed to pick the room that they'd be sharing.

If any of their siblings had a problem with the rooming situation, they were more than welcome to talk to the ocean about their complaints—it would be far more willing to listen, Bubbles thought, than either of them would be.

They worked in companionable silence while continuing to prepare the food. Every so often Bubbles would cast a glance over to him, always testing to see just how long she could get away with watching him before he noticed. If he did , he didn't really say anything about it, unlike her, who would laugh softly, gently swatting at him as she teased him mercilessly for it. It had been happening more often than not the past couple of days, ever since ( ha ) she'd stepped out of Ever's tattoo parlor with her sisters in tow, and he'd first seen the swirling ink decorating the back of her neck. She wasn't sure why he seemed so enthralled by it, but it made her heartbeat skitter every time she felt the heat of his gaze graze against her skin, smouldering with promise.

She swallowed thickly, her hands trembling a little as she passed him about half of the kabobs she'd put together so he could add the freshly cut up beef and lamb. Get it together, Bubs, she thinks, shaking her head. Now is most definitely not the time to be thinking about Butch being smouldering.

She turned and put the plate of her vegetarian kabobs in the refrigerator, humming a soft and unknown tune through her nose to steady her racing heart.

"You gonna remember me this busy season?" Butch asked suddenly, teasingly. Cramming for finals was just around the corner, a fact that Blossom had reminded them of in the group chat more than once.

She smiled and rolled her eyes. "As if you'd let me forget you." She came back to his side and bumped his thigh with her hip. "We might not get as much time together until after graduation, but I'm positive we'll be able to make some time," she offered with a smile. "You have finals, too- it's not just my schedule getting crammed."

He shrugged simply. "Listen, I've got my shop already up and running. The degree is just a fallback for me."

"I know, but it's still important to finish on a high note." She shrugged. "Besides, like I said, I'm positive we'll make time."

He smiled down at her as he finished his half of the kebabs. "I know, I know." With his part of the work done for at least another two or three hours, he made quick work of putting everything away, cleaning and disinfecting his work station and washing his hands. Bubbles left for the living room, turning on the television and selecting one of her playlists of soft music to dance to.

Once he finished, he came back into the living room just in time to be pulled by the wrists into her little dance- not that he minded. Because his brothers still weren't there, he had no hesitation in joining her. Though, honestly, he didn't know if any of his shields or defenses could have stood a candle to the tenderhearted, affectionate and brilliant smile she gave him when his hands grasped her hips. She reached up and slipped her arms around his neck, earning the softest smile in return.

"For future reference, I don't dance." His voice was low and quiet, the ghost of a murmur against her hair.

She giggled and tapped the skin of the back of his neck, following his lead with their slow, swaying footsteps. "I dunno, I think you're dancing right now."

"I was blackmailed into it," he joked. Her head fell back in mirthful laughter, the smooth column of her neck bared to him, and he pulled her just a little closer. "A sad look on your face is enough blackmail material for me."

Her cheeks pinkened but her smile didn't even waver. "You're a mess."

His brows raised and his smile widened. "You're only just now realizing this?"

"Oh shut up," she laughed lightly. "You're not a total mess. Controlled chaos is more apt."

"Controlled, huh?" His laugh was just as airy as hers, his heart fully lodged in his throat.

She hummed, content with their slow swaying and getting lost in his eyes. "I mean- you have your shit together. As much as you wanna joke, you do have your shit together. It's chaotic, but you know where everything is going, where it's at."

He leaned down, pressed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "I'm glad you have faith in me."

"Absolutely," she whispered. "I have no reason not to have faith in you."

His hands twitched in their spots on her hips.

Her fingers toyed with the neckline and tag of his shirt, and he swore he'd never been so at peace before.

"We should hit the hot tub tonight," she whispered.

He chuckled silently, still not pulling back. "I thought I was supposed to be the one coming onto you."

"I thought you being my man meant I could come onto you all I wanted."

He could hear the pout in her voice and he chuckled again. "I'm not complaining about it, Sugar- not at all. Inflate my ego all you want to."

She giggled happily. "Good. Then it's not my fault you're falling behind," she teased.

He finally opened his eyes and tilted their heads just enough to be able to look at her without straining them. "So should I just corner you in the hot tub later, then?"

"Mmm," she hummed as she opened her eyes. Pink stained her cheeks, but she didn't shy away. "I wouldn't want you to be responsible for anything that happens afterwards."

He inhaled deeply, slowly. "…keeping me on my toes."

"Always." She grinned. "You've gotten complacent if you think something like that's gonna make me stutter."

"We didn't get too close 'till you broke your leg, it's not my fault."

"Fair," she conceded, a soft laugh just behind the word. "I did thank you for that, right?"

"You did," he agreed, still not speaking too loudly or pulling his forehead from hers. "I still say I didn't do that much."

She hummed through her nose. "Sometimes, it's the little things that mean the most."

That, he could easily agree with. "You're not wrong."

"Say it right," she challenged.

"Fine, you're right," he chuckled, his eyes softening further when her smile grew wide.

Butch froze a little when they heard the door behind him open. Her fingers at the back of his neck traced feather light just beneath the top of his shirt, the soft and almost tickling sensation sending a shiver down his spine as she managed to keep them in their small, swaying movements. Though he was made a little uncomfortable by the sudden intrusion, Bubbles held on- and helped keep him from retreating immediately.

They heard a choked inhale and Bubbles finally pulled away just enough to peek around Butch's shoulder at the two Ruff's staring at them with confused faces.

"Did- wait, uh… Did I miss something?" Boomer managed to get out just as Butch turned to look over his shoulder.

Bubbles giggled, her smile brightening. "Nobody knew 'till today, so nope."

Brick shook his head, his brows furrowed. "Wait- this is a thing? An official thing?"

"Sure is, Boss." Butch grinned, wrapping Bubbles in more of a hug than his 'dancing' hold.

Boomer's brows furrowed, only to then disappear into his hairline as the puzzle pieces clicked together. "Wait- WAIT, ON HER- ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?! WAIT, YOU WEREN'T FUCKING WITH ME?!"

Bubbles and Butch burst into laughter- hers sounding like the tinkling of bells while his was gut deep, wheezing. It made Brick's eyes narrow in suspicion, looking between the exasperated blond Ruff and the two laughing (newly dating) parties.

The blonde lass pulled from Butch and walked around to pat her counterpart's shoulder. "He made it sound a lot dirtier than it actually was, don't get so bent out of shape."

He huffed and pulled her into a greeting hug despite the brief pout on his face. He got over it pretty quickly and offered both the short lass and his tall brother a big, wide grin. "I told both of you assholes- next time just listen to me and it'll come along faster."

Brick sighed through his nose and pinched the bridge just between his eyes. "Alright, alright. I'm gonna trust you two to keep it PG. Boomer and I will share a room, then."

"PG-13," she argued. "I want to be able to say some curse words, at least."

"I'd argue for NC-17," Butch grinned. "That way, we have one scene to-"

"Absolutely not." Brick narrowed his eyes at the taller man. "I don't want to hear any of that shit."

Bubbles made her way to the redhead for his greeting hug. "It's okay, Brick- there's a few places to go that I can think of to hide if Butch and I really want to."

The redhead looked at her like she'd grown a second head and Butch cackled like a madman.


Butch lifted the lid on the grill to flip the steaks and potatoes and add in the shish kabobs. Their little spot on the beach was surprisingly wide, fenced in, and quiet in a way that meant they were far separated from any immediate neighbors. The only dirt and grass around was directly under the house and in a two acre radius circle around it. The grass and dirt faded back to sand for a stretch before the driveway ended at the road, too. The dock wasn't far from the attached garage- less than a two minute walk from the door.

There, on that dock, sat Brick, Boomer and Buttercup. Brick and Boomer were both in their board shorts, though Brick also had a matching, dark red button-up short sleeve that was left open partially covering his torso. Buttercup had donned her thick strapped black bikini with shorts for bottoms and had a mesh, pale green tank top overtop.

Blossom sat not too far from Butch on the patio, relaxing in the hot tub alone- not that she really minded. It was the first time he had ever seen her completely unwind, soaking with a strawberry daiquiri in hand that Boomer had excitedly supplied her with. Her hair was up in a high bun to keep it from getting wet and the strappy pink one-piece she wore looked great on her. She was a little more easily damaged by the sun than her sisters, and was more than content to soak in the hot tub under the shade of the patio. Heat, she could easily handle. Direct sunlight, less so.

The Puffs had taken the news of their dating a lot easier than he thought they would have.

Or, rather, Blossom had.

Turns out, you earned a lot of respect and trust when you rightfully called the Puffs out on their shit. Blossom's expected response of defensiveness never happened- all she had said was 'we'll help her kick your rear if you mess up.' Otherwise, she just gave them a smile and- like her counterpart- warned them to keep it PG. She was more congratulatory than Brick was, though. On the other hand, his own counterpart had been incredibly supportive from the get go, shouting her congratulations and excitement over the new development for a solid four or five minutes before finally calming down.

Bubbles came out a few moments after he'd finished flipping everything and started putting the kabobs on. He didn't even try to hide how his eyes went to the blue and white horizontal striped bikini top his girlfriend wore. She'd always been attractive in his eyes and now he wouldn't be smacked for admiring her.

She snorted and rolled her eyes dramatically at him.

He waggled his brows at her.

"I don't think dating gives you a free pass for gawking," she teased as she walked past him to the outdoor tables she put a few of the side dishes down on. It looked like she was carrying the macaroni salad, potato salad, coleslaw and baked beans out first.

He raised a brow right back at her though she didn't see it. He was obviously not listening while he openly gawked at her ass when she bent to carefully set everything down. Covered by her high waisted tight blue bathing shorts, sure. With how they fit so snug to her, he wondered if it even counted. Not that he really minded. "It gives you a free pass, but not me?"

"Exactly," she grinned back teasingly once it was all on the tables.

He chuckled and relished in her light and airy laughter. He was still adding kabobs to the grill when she headed back his way. She ran around to hug him from behind, her forehead pressed against his spine between his shoulder blades and her arms resting on his stomach. His smile warmed. "Don't get burned, alright?"

"I know you're hot, but you're not gonna burn me."

He barked a laugh. "Not what I meant."

Bubbles laughed brightly. "I dunno, I think that's what you meant."

"You're more trouble than the kids are," he said while he finished fiddling with the kabobs for now. He shut the grill's top so fewer accidents were likely to happen.

"No I'm not. Besides, they take after their daddy in that regard- he's a lot more trouble than I am."

"Oh, that is very debatable."

"Says nobody but you," she laughed, pulling back to 'run off'.

He turned around and caught her in his arms, her joyous laughter filling the cooling, evening air. The sound was like a siren's song- a lure- and the three strays at the dock were pulled in by its bell-like ring. She tilted her head back, her eyes bright, twin pools that reflected the fading clouds above.

"I think your sisters would agree with me on this one." He spins her, his own laughter spilling into the night. "Mischievous."

"Very much so, yes." Her smile almost blinded him. "I still have more food to go get and bring out, you know."

He shrugged. "Eh, I'm pretty sure someone else can get off their butt to go grab it instead."

"I'll grab it!" Boomer yelled as he and his two companions approached the patio. "What's left?"

Heat bloomed in their faces, crawling from their ears to the napes of their necks. An evil, evil grin curled Boomer's mouth, and if it wasn't for the fact that she was currently barefoot, Bubbles would have thrown a shoe at him. The incorrigible butt. "There's a garden salad, an Italian pasta salad, jalapeno poppers, corn on the cob, Texas toast, some steamed vegetables and some mixed fruit," she says, sticking her tongue out at him and earning a laugh.

"Damn, Bubs, did you make enough?" Brick balked.

"Knowing how we eat, probably not," she deadpanned.