Hello guys! I'm still here! Super sorry I've been dragging with these updates! I've just gotten married and my daughter turns 1 in a few weeks! Safe to say I've had a hectic time. Even so, I have still come back to this time and again. It helps me relax and 'escape' my very busy and stressful life! Even if only for a few hours!
Anyway! Enough of my whining! Let's get on with it!
Who fancies seeing Brick in 'Daddy mode'? Let's ramp this story up!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Bella.
A loud wail broke Brick's sleep again as he cracked a tired eye open. He squeezed them shut tightly hoping it would go away. As the noise persisted he groaned in his throat before pulling himself out of bed and over to the screaming infant. He lent down and picked her up and held her close. He rubbed a hand over his tired face and sat back down in bed. He threw the covers over his legs as Bella rested on his chest.
He started humming softly and steadily Bella's cries quietened down, the buzzing of his chest soothing her. Brick placed a large hand over her tiny back as he blinked his eyes. His head was pounding and he hadn't had a decent night's sleep in about 3 weeks. She must hate him, surely she hates him. She was always crying or screaming and nothing he did seemed right.
His mind started ticking over now that we was awake. Over the past few weeks the boys had managed to find out where Cedric has pulled that diluted Antidote X from. Looks like their old man Mojo had knocked over a store which over time trickled down the side of his volcano. Making it easily accessible to the public and land in the wrong hands. That was why it was a diluted formula.
Boomer had visited dear old pa and 'helpfully' destroyed the rest of the store. No point giving the Turelli's or MayRey's any more reason to go snooping around that lair. Plus the only people that could torment Mojo was the boys. In their own twisted family way.
But it was a mystery solved and for that Brick was thankful. He gave a big sigh as Bella nuzzled her cheek into his chest, giving small hiccups from her cries. Brick gritted his teeth.
He needed her here but she wasn't. Which was another cause for a headache.
She had left their daughter. Ungrateful bitch. He may have been born a villain but even he would never be that heartless to leave his own kid. She had some nerve. Soon enough Bella's tiny breaths told Brick she was back asleep. He peered down before holding her tightly. He would always be there for her, no matter what. She didn't need a mother, all she needed was him and he'd make damn sure she knew it.
5 years later.
"Bella! Come on, get a move on!" Brick called. He was munching on some toast at the table while a little bowl of colourful cereal was at the side of him. Boomer walked out of his room lazily, yawning loudly before slumping into an available chair.
"Morning bro."
Brick grunted and shoved another piece of toast in his mouth and taking a big gulp of his coffee. The smell was strong and it gave him the kick of energy he needed on a morning. Boomer grabbed his own cereal and began pouring his own breakfast a few flakes falling onto the table.
"Hey! Watch it!" Brick snapped. Boomer rolled his eyes and picked up the scattered pieces placing them back in his bowl.
"Did you hear Butch get in last night?" He asked with bits of cereal falling out of his mouth. Brick scrunched his face in disgust and took another drink.
"No, did you?"
"No. Shockingly." He snorted. Brick raised his eyebrows quickly before finishing his drink and looking at his phone.
"Fucking hell, I'm going to be late. Bella!" Brick yelled again.
"I'm coming!" A little voice from behind the door snapped back. Brick groaned and leaned back in his chair. Boomer snickered.
"What you laughing at?!"
"Bro, you're in for it when she's older."
Tch. Brick rolled his eyes and kicked his brother's chair. He's already told them she wasn't growing up and she was staying small forever. That was it. End of. Over the past few years Bella had brought and unexpected burst of life to the three boys that they didn't realise they were missing. True to their agreement no one from their 'work' was any wiser about the RuffPuff and that's the way it was going to stay. Speaking of the girl the issue of her mother was still a lingering mystery.
The boys had tried to find her, using their criminal connections to find out anything they could but still came up short. Every time Brick thought about her he became angry so he tried not to think about her too much. However, Bella almost resembled a past mini puff which made it harder for Brick to keep her from his mind. But she had blossomed –ugh- into a beautiful little girl. She was very smart, something that Brick was extremely smug about- especially when she corrected his brothers. Classic. She had long copper hair which was held back by a headband and she was very head strong.
Living with three males little Bella was not introduced easily to girly things. She had her wonderful Aunt Bubbles for that. Bella was a girly girl but she could ruff and tumble with her dad and uncles when she wanted. She liked her little dresses and Brick had to swallow his pride when he had to buy her new things. A RowdyRuff – the leader- no less picking out little dresses was a sight to behold.
Her powers had kicked in when she turned one. Brick was happy she had inherited his fire power, but instantly regretted it when she was still learning to control it. That smoke alarm had been put through its paces! She whizzed round in the air whenever she could, doing twirls and flips. But one thing which surprised the boys was that little Bella… had a wicked temper.
Her temper tantrums were dangerous. Butch and Boomer learnt quickly to vacate the area when that spectacle occurred, leaving the unfortunate father to try and clam his daughter down. Heh, she was a little fire cracker, a real chip off the ol block and Brick would admit, he was so proud of her.
He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the tapping of little feet walking over. He watched as Bella toddled over in her yellow summer dress and little white socks. She held in her hand a hair brush and her shoes.
"Daddy?" She asked passing him both items. He took them from her wordlessly as she jumped onto the chair and started eating her cereal. Brick brushed her hair for her (something that Bubbles had forced him to learn).
"You can't not know how to do your daughter's hair! That's just cruel! Here let me show you!"
"Bubbles! I'm not going to do it!"
"Yes you are! Now pay attention!"
Brick brushed her long red tresses and placed her headband on her head and sat back down in his chair.
"Ready for school squirt?" Boomer asked finishing off his breakfast.
"Yup! I cwant wit uh lwearn!" Bella mumbled.
"Bella, don't talk with you're mouth full." Brick scolded. Bella swallowed and muttered a 'sorry'. Boomer picked up his bowl and started drinking the milk. Bella watching her uncle impressed began to copy, spilling milk on the table.
"Whoa! No Bella, don't do that!" Brick cried leaning over and putting the bowl back on the table. Bella pouted.
"But Uncle Boo did!"
"Uncle Boo is an idiot."
Boomer narrowed his eyes and flipped him off when Bella wasn't looking. Brick pretended to lunge causing the blue ruff to jump up quickly and put his bowl in the sink. Brick checked his phone again. Shit, now they were really late.
"Right, come on Bells we're really late." He said pulling out her chair and fastening her shoes on. Bella jumped down as Brick grabbed her bag and his keys.
"Are we flying today?" She asked hopefully. Brick's expression softened at his daughter's eagerness. He hated telling her no, but he couldn't risk having anyone see her.
"Not today Bell, I'm gonna drive okay?"
Her face fell but she nodded. It crushed Brick's heart but he knew it was for her own protection.
"Have a good day at school Belly!" Boomer called, Bella giggled.
"Bye Uncle Boo!"
Just as they were about to leave Butch's door opened and he stumbled out in his boxers with a blonde following closely behind wearing what Brick would be more inclined to call nightwear than a dress, with her shoes in her hand and her clutch bag in another. Both idiots giggling impishly.
"BUTCH!" Brick yelled, instantly covering Bella's eyes and ears. "What the fuck are you doing?!"
Butch looked like a deer caught in headlights and turned back to look at the blonde dumbly before back at his older brother.
"Uhhhh… whoa! Who the fuck are you?!" Butch cried looking back at the blonde who was staring at him dumbfounded.
"Excuse me!?"
"Get outta here! You shouldn't sneak into people's houses! That's a crime! Now go on git out! Go on! Git!" Butch pushed the shrieking blonde out of the door and looked at both of his brothers, his eyebrows in his hairline.
A loud silence fell between them all. Boomer's eyes flicked over to Brick's who looked murderous.
"I have to take my 5-year-old daughter to school. I'll deal with you when I get back." He hissed. He uncovered Bella's eyes and grabbed her hand as he left the apartment. Butch whipped round to look at Boomer.
"So… how mad do you think he is?"
Boomer rolled his eyes. "Dude, you're in for it." He pushed passed him and sat on the couch, Butch sauntered over and took the other seat.
"Nahh Brick's messing, it's not a big deal."
"Butch, you know the rule. Lady friends are to be gone before the sun comes up. You should be glad he still even lets us bring girls home." Butch scoffed.
"Oh yeah because you're always bringing girls back. You're just interested in banging the Blue Puff."
Boomer stiffened. It was true that over the past couple of years Bubbles and Boomer had grown extremely close. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he gave up fighting his feelings for the blonde long ago. He got excited when he was with her, his stomach swirled and flipped when she spoke. He was like a moth to a flame.
He knew his brothers had noticed but he always tried to down play his feelings. He just wanted to get along with her for Bella's sake. Yeah. That was right. Brick grimaced every time he mentioned his counterpart, knowing that they were getting close. Bubbles was always friendly and kind to him, she didn't treat him like some kind of idiot like his brothers do. She listened to him and cared about what he had to say.
Boomer glared at his green brother. "Fuck off."
Butch snickered and sniffed his pit. "Whew! I need a shower!" He jumped back over the couch and into the bathroom.
"Don't use all the hot water!" Boomer yelled but he was met with silence. Boomer sigh. I was hard being the most reasonable brother, however Butch's comment has him thinking about his Blue counterpart. He'd be skirting around the idea of asking her out for a coffee for the longest time.
"Heh fuck it." He muttered as he pulled out his phone and scrolled to find his favourite puff.
Brick was waiting near his car for her, watching as other parents walked past him happily with their children, chatting animatedly about their day at school. He smirked slightly when a few gave him worried looks and 'decided' to walk on the other side of the road. Heh, cowards. Brick had his arms folded as he kept his eyes peeled for a flash of red hair through the groups of people. He knew no one would dare snatch her and if they tried both him and Butch had taught her how to defend herself. That was an interesting day…
"So, we'll do a demonstration-"
"What's a demonstration?" Bella asked watching her father and Uncle in front of her.
"A demonstration is an example of something that might happen." Brick explained. Bella nodded in understanding and continued to watch the two Rowdies.
"Okay, so if you're walking and anyone asks you to go with them… what do you say?" Brick asked.
"No and run away." Bella replied happily.
"Very good Bells." Brick grinned.
"What if they tell you they have ice cream?" Butch added.
"Oh! What flavour?!"
"Strawberry."
"Ohhh my favourite! I want ice cream!" Bella stood on the sofa with her little arms in the air. Brick smacked his face.
"No Bella, it's a stranger you never go anywhere with anyone you don't know. You only go with me, your uncles or aunties." Brick scolded. Bella sat down sadly.
"Oh. Sorry Daddy."
"Look how about we show you what to do if someone tries to take you away?" Brick explained. Bella instantly looked worried.
"Someone's gonna takes me away?!" She squeaked.
"No no! I mean, in case anyone tries… I want you to know what to do, okay?" Bella seemed to calm down and Brick looked at his brother. "Okay Bells, so if someone tries to grab you, you kick them as hard as you can and fly away."
"I can fly!?"
"Yes but only in emergencies." Brick corrected. "Now, Uncle Butch is going to pretend to grab you and I want you to show me what to do. Okay? Remember pretend he's a stranger." Brick looked at his brother who rolled his eyes.
"Do I have to?" Brick glared and Butch huffed muttering 'this is so stupid.' Bella jumped down off the sofa and toddled over to her Uncle as Brick stood in front of them.
"Ready?"
Bella nodded and Butch looked bored.
"Okay, go."
As soon as Butch's hand touched her shoulders Bella flew up and kicked him square in the chest forcing him backwards and into the wall. The apartment shook as cracks formed around Butch's body. Brick stared, his jaw nearly hitting the floor. Butch fell from his impact gasping for breath with the wind knocked out of him.
"Holy-… Holy shit!" He wheezed. Brick looked down at his daughter who was staring back at him pleased.
"Did I do good Daddy?" Brick's eyes were wide as he looked back at his brother trying to get back off the floor.
"B-Bella.. where did you learn that?!"
"Aunty Butter taught me to defended myself."
Brick looked to the heavens and shook his head while Butch shakily got to her feet.
"I should have known that witch was behind that!" Butch spat trying to catch his breath back. Brick snickered a laugh as Butch glared harshly at him. He cleared his throat.
"What else did Buttercup teach you?"
"She told me that if any boys upsets me I kick them betweens the legs." Brick's eyebrows rose and he looked at Butch who looked horrified.
"She's a monster… no wonder she's single!" Butch's voice was strangled.
"Hey it's good advice!" Brick looked down at Bella. "She's right Bell, any boy upsets you… even speaks to you, give him a good kick! Wanna try on Uncle Butch?"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
A dark green flash lit up the room as Butch took to the skies.
Brick smirked at the memory; he still needed to thank Buttercup for that. Butch had been so scared to return home that evening it gave Brick some much needed peace and quiet. The crowd started thinning and Brick hovered slightly off the ground trying to spy the little girl. She should have been out by now; she's always one of the first ones out. He tried to push away the uncomfortable knot rolling in his stomach. His daughter could handle herself. She could. She was hardcore, he didn't have to worry.
The last few older children started leaving the school and Bella still hadn't returned. Brick started walking forward and down the path of the school when he saw her. She was walking towards him slowly with her head down and her bag trailing on the floor behind her. Brick frowned and walked over.
"Hey Bells, what's up?"
She kept her head down and mumbled, Brick crouched down and grabbed her shoulders. "What's that kiddo?" She looked up and had tears in her eyes. "What's wrong?! Has someone hurt you? Tell me who it was!" Brick growled, Bella's bottom lip trembled.
"Daddy, do I not have a Mummy because I'm a freak?" Her little voice was wobbling and Brick felt his chest clench.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because Tommy's Daddy said that my Mummy left because I'm a freak with red demon eyes. I'm not a demon Daddy!" She cried before tears started trailing down her face. Brick grit his teeth and picked her up. The little girl burrier her head into his neck as she continued to cry. Brick's blood was boiling. A fucking adult has the sheer audacity to make his kid cry.
He would deal with this later. Right now he needed to get her home. He took her to the car and placed her in her car seat and started driving. She was silent the whole way home and Brick could feel himself getting angrier. Once they arrived back home Bella put her things down and Boomer and Butch were sat in the living room.
"Sup squirt!" Butch grinned.
"Hey Belly!" Boomer called, Bella looked back at the floor.
"Daddy I'm going to go to my room." She said quietly. Brick nodded and watched as she took herself off to her room and shut the door. Brick sigh; smoke pouring out of his mouth.
"What's up man?" Boomer asked, Butch looked round confused.
"Boys, we have a job." Brick growled. Butch jumped up.
"Wahooo! Alright! Just give me a time and place!" He was practically bouncing with anticipation.
"Is everything okay?" Boomer asked.
"No, some fucking dick told Bella that she didn't have a Mom because she was a demon freak with red eyes." Brick spat, the smoke becoming darker. Boomer's eyes widened and Butch stiffened.
"You're joking?!"
"Was it a kid?" Butch asked. Brick clenched his fist.
"No, a fucking adult. Looks like he needs a lesson not to mess with family." Butch had a sinister smile on his face and Boomer narrowed his eyes.
"Are we involving the gang?"
"No. Lets keep this personal. We'll go tonight after midnight." Brick ordered. Butch rubbed his hands together happily.
"Oh oh, some good ol' fashion Rowdie Ruffin!"
Brick turned from his brothers and walked over to Bella's door. He knocked quietly before letting himself in. "Bella?" He looked round the room to find her sat on her bed hugging her pink strawberry teddy that Bubbles has got her for Christmas. Brick shut the door and walked over taking a seat at the side of her. "You okay squirt?"
She nodded her head sadly and Brick looked to the ceiling.
"Daddy, why don't I have a Mummy?"
Brick's jaw went slack and he looked forward not knowing how to respond. They sat in silence for a few minuets. Brick knew she was going to ask this at some point so he shouldn't be surprised but he still didn't know what to say. He suddenly felt his anger for Blossom ignite at putting his daughter through this. She still was missing and they had gotten no closer to finding her. Brick decided if she didn't want to be found then he wasn't going to go chasing. He stepped up. Pity she couldn't do the same.
"Am I not good enough Bells?" He grinned softly; she gave a tiny smile back before returning to her little frown.
"Is it because I'ma demon?"
Brick grit his teeth together and turned to face her, she looked as if she was about to cry. "Bells, look at me." She lifted her eyes, now filled with tears to meet with his.
"Am I a demon?"
She looked confused. "No Daddy."
"I have red eyes, I'm not a demon."
Bella stayed silent looking at him. Brick felt a very protective instinct take over him and he would do anything to make his little girl better.
"Bells, people say things- mean things because they're mean people." Brick had to swallow back the snort in his throat. He was being the biggest hypocrite in the world right now but he ignored the irony. "That guy" He spat the name. "Is just jealous because you have the best eyes in the whole world!"
Bella's eyes widened. "I do?"
"Of course you do squirt! You're dad is the coolest guy in the world… and what colour are my eyes?"
"Red!" She cried in glee, jumping up giddily. Brick couldn't help the grin on his face. "So I'm cool?!"
"Well duh… you are my kid." Brick smirked. Bella giggled and launched herself at her father, wrapping her little hands around his neck. Startled for all of a second, Brick wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you Daddy." She mumbled. Brick hugged her a little tighter.
"No problem Bells."
I don't know about you guys but I LOVE writing/reading Daddy Brick. Freaking awesome!
Okay! So total honesty I'm not sure when the next chap will be up! It's written I just need a few more edits and I'll get it up! But I ADORE your reviews! Please keep em' coming!
Love,
Cornelia.x