Slime slid down Buttercup's forehead, mixing with the sweat that dripped from her brow. She was pretty sure that her once sleek shoulder-length bob was all frizzed up. Why'd this monster have to attack just after her hair appointment?

Buttercup recoiled at the smell, even after years of doing this she'd never quite gotten used to the stench Staring down at the swirling sea of monster remnants, it seemed as if the big thing was trying to regenerate. She quickly incinerated them with her heat vision. This was getting out of hand; this was the fifth monster she'd killed in her section, Butch helped with the first three, of course, being that they were partners, but five monsters in a day was pretty overkill, She didn't need Blossom's or Brick's smarts to realize the surge in trend.

Don't get her wrong she could handle this, she was the toughest fighter for Pete's sake. It was her whole persona. But with the assignment that was due tomorrow and her job, she could do with a little rest.

Something was brewing, foreboding and dark, she had a few ideas of whos handiwork this could be, and it wasn't pretty.

Converses in hand Buttercup pushed the apartment door open. Her body ached, and her ears rang, her head was heavy, dragging her down. She felt like she'd just finished helping Atlas hold the sky up. Perhaps her body had taken a stronger beating then she'd like to admit.

"Hey, Butterbutt. Perfect timing, I need you to taste if there's enough salt in this curry. I'm pretty sure I've blended the spices well, but I feel like somethings-"

Butch paused spoon in hand, his eyes swooping across Buttercup. He wore his favourite white apron and a chef's hat. Yeah, he was extra like that.

"You look like death, and you reek like it too. Damn, I thought you were just going to get your hair done."

Buttercup rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her with her heel.

"Shutup Butch" she growled.

He shrugged.

" Honesty is my policy."

She scoffed.

"No, it's not,"

He ignored that, of course, he would.

"Another monster attack? Didn't we just round up some of those before your afternoon classes? This shit is getting weird as fuck if you ask me."

"Yeah, I was thinking of touching base with Blossom to discuss it with her, y'know just to find out if they're dealing with the same problem."

'" No need, Brick called me earlier to remind me of our scheduled team meeting.

"Huh, I'd forgotten about that."

Buttercup grabbed the spoon and licked it. Heaven, it tasted like heaven, and it still shocked her how good Butch was in the kitchen. It had been six months since they'd become roommates, and she was still wrapping her head around the fact that Butch was a culinary genius.

"So?"

"It's good, really good. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta shower."

Buttercup manoeuvred around Butch and headed for the bathroom.

"Cool, just don't finish up the hot water this time, I gotta shower too."

"Heh,"

" Buttercup I'm serious. Don't finish the hot water."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Whatever"

When she got to her room, she found a glass of Xsprin( yeah she told the professor how dumb that was, but he still insisted on it). And a glass of water. She smiled.

Living with Butch wasn't as bad as she'd initially thought it would be.

It rained, so she was forced to ride in Burch's pickup truck. He'd managed to save up for it with what he earned from the garage fixing cars. She'd have loved to fly there, or even ride her motorcycle, but the sky was grey and angry today, rumbling.

She leaned onto the window, barely listening to Butch drone on about some vintage car he as currently working on at the garage. They drove off to the city centre. The mayor had given them their own office in the city hall which they used as their base.

"Hey, Butters,"

She craned her neck at Butch.

"What?

"Try not to overthink it."

She exhaled.

"I'm not."

"Right,"

He pulled into the parking area.

"I'm just saying this cause I'm your partner. Whatever's going on, we'll be there to save the day."

She smiled.

" I know Butchie boy.'

"Fuck you."

"Hah, you wish."

Butch rolled his eyes and unlocked the door.

"You can get off here while I look for some parking. You know how Blossom and Brick are about being late."

Buttercup nodded and hopped out. It was drizzling now, so she didn't bother to rush to the large glass doors. A little water never hurt anyone, and besides her hair was ruined anyway. Checking her watch, she slicked a loose curl behind her ear and trudged forward. Five minutes till the appointed time, they'd make it.

"Buttercup!"

Buttercup covered her ears and braced herself. Bubbles hit her like a freight train sending them both sprawling onto the ground. The staff in the waiting area didn't even bat an eye. This was a typical day for them.

'Bubbs," Buttercup whined.

Bubbles giggled hugging her tighter.

"Oops, Sorry"

She got up and pulled Buttercup up. Buttercup straightened her t-shirt and dusted her black jeans off.

"I know you don't mean that."

"Yup. I missed you, silly."

"I was with you last week, Bubs."

"Yeah, but we used to live together. It's not my fault; I'm still getting used to it."

It had been six months; six months since they'd decided to split the team into three. The ruffs and puffs were now working in duo's spread across Townsville which Brick and Blossom had divided into three sections; Alpha, Beta and Theta, all covering major crime spots and monster hot spots across Townsville.

It was best this way since they'd applied to different universities conveniently spread across the hotspots. And crime was easier to handle without flying over whenever trouble called.

Buttercup turned to Boomer, who was seated on one of the couches in the waiting area, lazily scrolling through his phone.

"Hiya Pikachu,"

"Buttercup," Boomer said without looking up from his phone.

"You've been taking care of her right." Buttercup quipped.

Boomer raked his hand through his sunny curls and huffed.

"Why wouldn't I Buttercup, she's my girlfriend."

Bubbles poked her shoulder.

"And I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much."

Buttercup walked over to Boomer and plumped down next to him. Boomer peaked at her at the corner of his eye. She pulled out her own phone, scrolling through her notifications.

"Just remember what I said would happen if you hurt her."

Buttercup made a slitting throat motion with her hand. Boomer gulped and pulled at the collar of his T-shirt.

"How could I forget when you remind me every time I see you? Sheesh."

Buttercup laughed, hearty and boisterous.

"You know you're my favourite Ruff, Boom."

"I thought was me," Butch said. He walked towards them.

"Butch!" Bubbles yelled, crushing him in a hug.

"Shit, Bubbsy, pipe it down a bit, would you." He returned the hug with a light hug of his own, quickly pulling out of Bubbles stone grip.

"Language" Bubbles sing songs.

Butch turned to her.

"Found that parking."

"Okay,"

The reds hadn't arrived yet, so they were waiting outside the office since they were the only ones with the keys. It was preposterous in her opinion, it was not like the rest of them were that careless. Okay, so maybe she'd lost her apartment keys a couple of times, but that wasn't enough to make a full judgement of character. The Reds making them wait was though

"Where's Blossom and Brick?" Buttercup asked.

"Oh, they said something about running late, they got a big break in that big case they were working on." Bubbles replied.

Buttercups phone rang. She looked down at her phone. Speak of the devil; it was Brick. She grinned, raising the phone to her ear.

"Hi Red, thought you were a real stickler for time."

"Buttercup, come to the Professor's, it's Blossom."