'When are you going to let go?'

She sensed him a long time before she could hear his voice, like it always happened. He'd been sneaking up on her for so long, she'd already developed a sixth sense regarding him.

'I'd ask you to leave me alone, but we both know we're past that point.' she continued walking, without averting her gaze.

She heard him chuckle softly and managed to ignore it successfully. Blossom found that always made him go away more quickly.

'He's got -what- one more week in the ICU? He's practically dead already, I don't see why you wouldn't come with me now.'

This managed to hit a nerve, so Blossom looked around for the source of these hurtful words. She quickly noticed him hoovering above her, a smirk plastered on his face. He looked just like she remembered him, nothing had changed in the last three years since he left. Long red hair, comfortable clothes and those crimson eyes playfully sizing her up.

'It's got nothing to do with him, it's never going to happen, Brick.'

'Hmm, you think? I happen to believe the professor plays a big part, that's why I was absolutely thrilled to find out he's finally dying. Looks like old age caught up to him, not even a bionic body like his could stop the ravages of time altogether .'

Blossom squinted at him, followed by a sigh of exasperation:

'I'm not even going to be offended, Brick, if that's what you're trying to do. Can we just skip past the several weeks of you pestering me directly to you leaving again for a few years? It would REALLY improve my peace of mind.'

'I'm just being honest. He was what...250 years old? About time he died.'

'He's 261 and, for your information, he is at peace with it. I've already passed though the stages of grief so you can't exactly trigger me.'

'Isn't he...jealous thought?' Brick got closer to her and gave her an amused look. 'I bet he looks at you and your sisters every day, at your perfect, youthful bodies...and then at his decrepit one and thinks: 'Why can't I make X work for me?'

Blossom felt a familiar pang of guilt in her chest. He always knew where to sting her, like he had a map of her softest spots.

'Brick...can we not right now..? I'm meeting Bubbles to go to the hospital.'

'I'll go if you'll answer me.'

Blossom heavily sighed:

'I really don't know why you insist anymore, after almost 200 years.'

'189.' Brick added, not missing a beat.

'189.' she accepted the correction. 'What happened between us...' she began, attempting to avoid his searching gaze.

'What happened between us...what...?' he closed the space between them, his cheek almost touching hers.

Blossom hadn't been this close to him in a long time, he usually kept the distance when making his offer. She didn't expect her heart to flutter as it once had, but she could feel it booming in her chest stronger than ever. It was hard to concentrate as his red eyes bore into hers, like they so often did long ago.

'What happened between us ...what... Blossom? Are you sure you want to say your usual line?'

'...was a mistake.' The words were stuck in her throat, she was too mesmerized by his eyes to voice anything, she'd forgotten the effect he could have on her.

'I always knew you wouldn't be with me as long as he's still here. But I'm not letting you go this time...' he murmured, finally touching her right hand with his own.

'I always came back to remind you of us. I wouldn't want you to forget. I couldn't. I didn't want to.' he stopped, bringing her hand to his lips.

She stood transfixed as he tenderly pressed his lips on her palm.

'I'm patient. After all, I've got all the time in the world. We've got it.'

'Brick, I...'

'Don't say anything now, I'll be around.' he let go of her hand and turned around to leave, giving her a furtive glance as he said:

'Send my regards to the old man. He put up a good fight.'

Blossom slowly regained her composure, but not enough to not be startled by her blonde sister's approach.

'Is that who I think it is?' Bubbles asked, squinting her eyes to see better in the distance.

'Yeah.' Blossom replied defeatedly as they made their way to the hospital.

'Are you ok? You seem a little shaken.' Bubbles worriedly laid a hand on her shoulder.

'I'm fine. He'll annoy me for a while and then leave like he always does.' Blossom replied, but she seemed unconvinced by her own words.

'Will he this time...?'