author's note: Apologies for the wait! Hopefully I can get back to weekly updates soon!

Anyway, the song this time is Whatever You Want by Vasser!


Sunday, Apr. 25

Bubbles was ready to tear her hair out of her head.

This recent week was both better and worse than the last.

After her talk with her sister, she managed to open up with her boyfriend. He'd been nothing less than supportive, giving her time when she needed, giving her more affection, holding her when she just needed to be held. He'd stayed awake into the late, late hours of the night, listening to her recount memory after memory and faded scar after faded scar. He'd even gone as far as to offer his own internal wounds and scars- often ones that mirrored her own, or felt similar.

The blonde had felt incredibly cared for and secure.

Buttercup was right about one thing- anytime she started to go quiet, Butch was right there for her. If he wasn't, he'd already have one of her sisters or one of his brothers on the way. It didn't always work, and it didn't always help, but it did make her feel like she no longer had to fight her internal demons completely alone. The mass majority of it was a solo mission, but that didn't mean it was an isolated one. That, in its own way, made it a little easier to deal with.

The fact that all five of them (both of her sisters and all three Ruffs) were there and ready to help her out made everything feel so much… Lighter. Much less heavy, much less lonely. It didn't help the problem itself, but it helped take some of the weight off of her shoulders.

On the other hand, the stress was just beginning to drive her to a very real breaking point.

Both Wednesday and Thursday, there were monster attacks she was called out to help with- both barely an hour before Blossom and Buttercup were supposed to finish patrol. Her only days off and she couldn't even get those off thanks to those stupid monsters. The later hour meant she didn't get much sleep on those nights, though she wasn't getting much sleep anyway thanks to the stress of college and the looming need to finally tell her father and elder sister everything. Two of her tests were on Friday- and she had one tomorrow, too, but that was beside the point.

When she got around to telling her landlord that she wasn't intending on re-signing, he gave her a much shorter window than she thought she had to get out- and she now had to be out by Tuesday.

She had to have Boomer babysit Coffee in the afternoons so she could actually manage to get real progress made with boxing up her stuff. Her two grooming classes seemed like the only time she managed to really shut her brain off- and that wasn't even saying much, considering she had to pay close attention to what was being taught to her and how the animal was responding to clippers and scissors so near it.

Stress wore into her, her schedule tore her down, and all she wanted to do was curl up in a hole and sleep for the next fifty hours or so.

There was only so much a single person- superhuman or not- could handle.

She knew this wouldn't be the end of it though- far, far from it. Graduation was less than a month away, but there was still an entire month of testing until then. Their first year without any sort of schooling- any sort of structure outside of work- was about to begin. She could only hope that it would be an easy transition, but with how everything seemed to be going currently, it wasn't likely that would happen. Between that and moving in with Butch, the future seemed like a scary thing that would need a lot of adjusting for.

Not to mention how these stupid monsters kept popping up- and the stupid frankensteined monsters didn't help anything either. On one hand, monster attacks were just the norm for Townsville (unfortunately so), and the world knew that wasn't about to change anytime soon. On the other hand, these newer creations felt much less normal and much more like something bigger. They were harder to deal with, hurt them much too easily, and seemingly had no end in sight.

They'd been trying to find anything out about them since a little before Thanksgiving.

After months of nothing leading them to anything at all, February proved that they could be forced to retreat instead of being obliterated on the spot. That knowledge- that they knew where to return to in order to heal up- gave them a way to start looking into things. Blossom and Brick worked out a new patrol route that specifically took them over places of interest for their case- but nothing had come up while they were out. Not yet, anyway.

Patrol now wrapped up right around the northern edge of Townsville at ten thirty. They had an extra hour on the lookout- thirty more minutes before they used to start and thirty minutes after they used to wrap up- to comb through their new route… But it wasn't going to help much if nothing wanted to come out and make itself known. While the two took different routes, they'd always meet at the last thirty minute mark and finish the patrol together- regardless of which two Puffs were active that night.

As Bubbles and Buttercup came up on the end point, talking about the whole lotta nothing they'd seen while out, a sudden and blinding light flashed at them. It startled and blinded them both, and Bubbles felt her ire rise.

Annoying headlights.

Nobody was supposed to be out here and blinding them like that and her teeth grinded together briefly. She was so, so close to tearing into someone or something. Then, her sister made the frustration dissipate when she cackled at seeing just what- or who- met them there.

Butch, with a wide grin and her baby blue leather jacket in hand, leaned against his olive painted motorcycle. He'd turned his headlight off and draped her jacket on the edge of the handlebar before giving the Puffs a wave.

She knew what that bike meant- and she could have sobbed.

"There's my girls!"

"You wish, dumbass," Buttercup laughed out.

Bubbles, on the other hand, shot towards him like a rocket and latched onto his torso like a koala clinging to its tree. She hid her face in the crook of his neck, wrapped both her arms and her legs around him and just stayed there. "Please take me away and hide me from the world, it's really mean."

"Anything you want, Sugar," he readily agreed before he leaned down and kissed her forehead. His eyes went to his counterpart. "Boomer's got the cats- will you lock up my apartment?"

Her brows raised. "Without telling me where you two are gonna be?"

He shrugged. "She told me to hide her, not to tell you where at."

Bubbles snorted. There were a few reasons why Butch wasn't about to tell her sister where they were going- and she figured she'd throw him a bone. It wasn't the first time they'd gone up there or stayed overnight, and she knew just how to skirt the situation. "Are we gonna camp out?"

"Yeah, basically," he agreed. It wasn't necessarily a lie- with most of the utilities turned off, the house was basically like an oversized and glorified tent. "That was the idea. No reason why we can't- unless Butterbabe has a reason we can't?"

"Fine, whatever," Buttercup relented, waving her hand in front of her face. Neither of the two were good liars- especially not to the toughest Puff. While they weren't lying, she knew they weren't saying everything. She also knew that the two were two of the most stubborn assholes she's ever met (outside of herself, if she were to be totally honest), and if they didn't want to say anything then there was no way she'd be able to make them.

Especially if they were going to back one another up like this.

"Keep your phones on you. Text me when you're wherever it is you're going. I wanna know you're safe at least. Both of you," she reiterated, staring her counterpart down- hard. The stress had everyone's nerves and guards high, so it wasn't necessarily a surprise to know she was a little more protective than usual. Well, a lot more protective than usual, really.

He nodded. "Not a problem. Should take about half an hour, give or take a few minutes, before you get that text. If it hits forty-five, go ahead and call."

She nodded and stayed where she was, midair, for a moment longer, her eyes on the couple. "…Bubs, you and I are having a girls night soon. I will be bullying information about all this out of you."

"You can try!" Her voice was full of a fake cheeriness even while it was being muffled by Butch's shoulder. "Can we wait until after graduation, though? There's a lot going on right now…"

"Maybe, maybe not," Buttercup offered as she turned around. "I'll catch you tomorrow."

Then, she took off in a streak of lime green racing across the sky.

Butch hummed and his arms tightened around the blonde securely. They stayed there, still and silent, just enjoying one another's embrace and company without another care in the world. Eventually, though, he did press a kiss to the top of her head and broke the silence. "Wanna sleep at home tonight?"

Her toes curled in her boots from how he damn near purred the question in her ear. "I do, actually," she whispered. She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. "How's everything going with it, by the way?"

He smiled, pride and joy written in the curves of his lips. "Pretty damn good! The power is on and the new central heat and air are working fantastically, actually. I've got to replace one of the water pipes before we can actually move in-"

"I thought the pipes were fine?" she asked, her brows furrowed.

He chuckled. "I thought so, too. Upper level, bathroom pipes. I missed it when I was looking before. A plumber came out to check it and he let me know. But otherwise, that's all we have left before we're moving in."

Her cheeks flushed pink. "We have left? You found it, bought it and have been the one working on it and repairing it. Where do I come in, exactly?"

"Through the front door, duh," he snarked.

She laughed and slapped his shoulder gently. "Not what I meant."

"I assumed you'd be doing most of the decorating," he answered. She blinked twice and he just shrugged. "Listen, I don't pay attention to things like what does and doesn't look good together so that makes it hard to make it look good. I figured I'd let you run wild with what you wanted to do inside. Besides, didn't we already say that's what was going to happen?"

The blonde raised one brow, slowly. Of course she remembered their conversation- it was during spring break about a month ago now. However, she didn't know just how serious he was about it… Apparently, he was very serious. "…Does this include changing the kitchen, if necessary?"

He laughed deeply. "It does, it does."

She smiled. "We'll talk more about that later- right now, I want to be hidden."

He smiled slowly and she could so easily see that there was an idea forming in his head. She, luckily, didn't have to wait too long to figure out what it was. "Do you wanna drive us up there?"

Her eyes widened significantly. "B-Butch… You'd… You'd let me drive your baby ?"

Butch just leaned forward, gently rubbing his nose against hers and teasing her lips with his. "I trust my baby with my baby, yes." Then, he gave her a quick peck on the lips. "I trust you when you say you've ridden a dirt bike, you listen to me explain when I explain things about bikes, and I'd rather you get actual experience before we go buy you one."

Bubbles felt her heart warm, though she honestly wasn't too sure if that was the blush or just how special he made her feel. He didn't make her question any of her decisions, like, ever. He never gave her doubts. If he said he trusted her, he trusted her. "You'll be right behind me to help me, right?"

"Every mile of the way," he agreed cheekily, stealing another quick kiss.

She giggled and nodded. "If… If you think I can, I believe in you and your judgement."

"Believe in me when you can't believe in yourself," he urged with a nod of his head, "because I will always believe in you."

Her heart tightened yet felt so much lighter. A small, shy smile crossed her features. Just before he could lean in for another kiss, she did- making him chuckle soundlessly through his nose.

Butch offered her the faux leather jacket he'd given her on Valentine's Day and she readily took it and put it on. Then, he scooted back on the bike and he helped her get into place. It took a minute for her to get used to his motorcycle and it was something he quickly took note of.

While she was a super and did have inhuman strength to be able to handle a motorcycle regardless of its weight or tank size, it didn't necessarily make the larger bikes easier to hold and- thus- control. He'd file that information away for later and start doing more actual research into something that would actually fit her when he had some free time. She was even thinking the same thing, realizing just how strange it felt.

It took her a minute to focus on anything other than how nice it felt to be held like he held her- so her mind scrambled to how clunky the bike felt.

But…

His arms always made her feel so safe.

"Ready to go, Angel?" he asked, his breath hot against her ear.

Bubbles hummed before starting and revving the engine. "I'm going to probably stick to the speed limits, you know."

"Oh boo, you're no fun," he teased.

She lifted her feet, putting her boots on the bike pedals, and gave the bike gas. It wasn't wholly unwieldy- if it was, she would have stopped and swapped places with him within the first few seconds of riding. His bike was a little big but nothing too uncomfortable.

Just as they were about to turn onto an actual road instead of the dirt path he'd taken to meet them by the base of the cliffs, he summoned his shield around them like he had several times to that point. There was a certain playfulness in his energy that made her heart beat a little faster. More than that was the feeling that made butterflies go wild in her stomach: that beautiful, all-consuming feeling of safety and belonging and home.

"I might get addicted to riding with you just for this," she said. Thanks to their super hearing and his shield wrapped so comfortingly around them, she didn't have to speak too loudly for him to hear her, even with the wind racing by their ears.

He laughed. "Oh yeah? Why's that?"

She hummed and she honestly doubted he heard that sound. It was more for herself- for her to be able to think a little longer for the words. Her eyes were glued to the road before them, though, and she paid close attention to both her speed and her surroundings. She figured with practice, it would get easier- otherwise she had no fucking clue how Butch managed to juggle all of that and focus on his shield too.

He put his chin on her shoulder, waiting patiently.

Once they were on the main stretch and riding smoothly along, she answered. "Your energy feels so beautiful." She felt his hands twitch against her waist. "I never feel this warm or safe anywhere else. It always comes from you- from your energy."

She felt him bury his face against her neck- only a small part of his face actually touching the skin of her neck as the rest hit aqua pleather. He went silent for a while, but she didn't mind.

His arms were still tight around her and that soothing protective energy thrummed with a twinge of embarrassment carried on the warmest, most tender feeling that touched and caressed her heart. It made her smile and bite her lower lip. It made her feel like she could grow wings. It burned her chest and made her feel like she was the most special woman in existence. It warmed her cheeks and chased away her worries… But it was him. It was Butch that drew the feelings out.

Just like that, a staunch realization dawned on her. It rang through her bones, her blood, and yet not a damn bit of her could deny it. It felt like that missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place, a piece of herself that she didn't know existed finally slotting into place. It was so much more clear than it had ever been before, so much more real than she'd ever felt before… It felt like an oasis, like hope … And yet, like nothing she'd ever felt before.

It was then that Bubbles knew that she loved Butch.

And nothing felt more natural, more right, than that realization.

He'd always been there in her life. A constant, mostly background figure... But there, through the highs and the lows, through the toughest and the easiest times. It didn't take long for her to make this realization once he stepped out of the background and made himself known. Yet now, the most natural conclusion was that he was the main character of her life outside of herself. He'd completely stolen her heart and carved himself a rather large place in her life and she couldn't say she wanted that piece back.

"You really keep me on my toes," he choked out.

She giggled. "I've heard that somewhere before."

Butch leaned up to place a kiss to the side of her neck, leaning with her as they turned down the lass traveled dirt road. She slowed down so she could work on missing the holes in the road, but kept them going all the same. "You're the most wonderful and beautiful woman I think I've ever met, and I really need you to know that."

Her cheeks went red. "You don't have to compliment me back, you goober… But thank you."

"I want to. I need to." His tone seemed strained- but almost searching. Like he was still thinking while talking it out. "I just… I need you to know that I care so, so fucking much about you. I need you. Can I spoil you when we get to the house?"

Bubbles didn't even act like she wanted to shy away from the offer. She was tired- exhausted. She was stressed. She barely got to see her boyfriend this week anyway, and she would give anything to just relax for a night. "I could cry knowing you even want to tonight."

He kissed her neck (with light, gentle pecks) three times. "I'll spoil my Angel's bad day away. You know we have a warm spring deeper in the property?"

"Warm spring?" she asked, mildly confused.

"It's not a hot spring- there's no volcano- but it stays pretty damn warm for it being a spring on a mountain. Or, it is most of the year. It still freezes over in the winter. But, I like to relax in it after I shower," he admitted.

She caught on. "Babe, you really are going to spoil me, aren't you?"

"You know it. Let me treat you."