Okay, Sooooo... Uhhh... Green Maiden's next chapter will be up soon, I just gotta... Tweak a few things. But I'm working on it. Serpentine too, so enjoy this Blue One-shot. The Ruffs and Puffs are in their junior year here, so they are about 16 or so.
The Blue in Sheep's Clothing
There she is, Josh Rodgers thought as he spotted Bubbles Utonium, the most perfect girl in Townsville.
Lots of people would contest that. She cried a lot and could be ditzy. Her sister Blossom was the "perfect" one, most said. Strong, proud, and smart. But, you see, to Josh, that wasn't a perfect girl.
A perfect girl was a girl who was dainty and modest, like Bubbles.
Not like Bell, who coveted flashy clothes and wore so much make up that Josh wasn't even sure what she really looked like.
A perfect girl liked girl things, like fashion or cooking.
She wasn't a literal She-Hulk like Buttercup, who was probably a dude.
A perfect girl let the guy in the relationship take the lead and protect/provide for her.
Not like Blossom, who was a bossy ice queen.
Bubbles was all that and more, which meant she was the only puff who was truly perfect and Josh was determined to win her over. She stood at the lockers, putting her books away as Bell stood by, chattering about something pointless.
"-So, while I appreciated the speaker's views on psychological effects the actions of Mary Tudor's father had on her, I have to argue with some points."
"I agree. Some of the points she brought up were superfluous at best and-"
"Hey, Bubbles!" Bubbles blinked and groaned internally as she saw Josh Rodgers walking up with a smirk on his face. Bell glared at the school's most annoying and chauvanistic "casanova". Josh Rodgers came from a family who were very... old fashioned in their views.
Most of the school ignored him, but unfortunately, the Utoniums did not get that joy as Josh was convinced Bubbles was his soulmate.
Despite the fact that Bubbles shows no interest in him whatsoever.
"Hey, Josh," Bubbles gave him a polite smile. He grinned back, leaning on the lockers. He towered over her by half a foot. Bell hmphed, earning his attention as he glared at the silver eyed girl.
"Bell," his voice conveyed a message for her to leave.
"Joshua." Bell did not take orders from him. An awkward silence ensued as the three stood there. Finally, Josh spoke up.
"So, whatcha talking about?"
"Oh, Bell and I were discussing the video Mrs. Halburn showed us in Medieval History. We-"
"I know, it was a total bore, right?"
"If you let Bubbles finish talking, she could have told you that we found it interesting," Bell growled, flipping her hair. Josh glared at Bell.
Why is she still here? He thought.
Thank God she's still here, Bubbles thought. It seemed, though, that fate was not on her side as a voice called out to Bell and their friend, Julie Smith, came rushing down the hall.
"Hey, Julie, what's up?"
"Bell, do you remember those special lights that we had borrowed from the Townsville Theatre Troupe?"
"Yeah, why?"
"It seems there's a problem. Princess Morebucks is demanding to use them and Mr. M can't find the paperwork saying that they're gonna be used in next week's drama."
"THE HELL SHE'S USING THOSE! I NEED THEM FOR ACT FIVE! WHERE IS THAT BRAT!?" Bell whipped out her phone as she stormed off with Julie following like a lackey, "I'll catch you in Home Room, Bubsie...BLAAAAAAAAARE!"
Bubbles stared, mouth agape as her diva sister stormed off in a hissy fit, wailing to her boyfriend about Princess Morebucks "stealing my lights and ruining my show, oh Blare Bear, she's destroying my life! What do I doooooo!?"...leaving her to deal with Josh.
Great.
She felt like throwing her own fit when Josh smirked slyly. For once, he was grateful he went to the same school as Princess Morebucks and Bell Utonium. The two divas couldn't stand one another.
Bubbles squeaked as he leaned over her, "so, listen, Bubbles...there's a great movie coming out this Friday and I scored us tickets-"
"Friday...? Sorry, but I'm busy Friday." She wasn't, but Bubbles was sure the Professor needed help doing something... anything.
Josh blinked, "seriously? I heard from Mitch that you had nothing to do Friday."
That's the last time she whines about not having something to do Friday with Mitch Mitchelson around. Bubbles wracked her brain, "uh... yeah, I remembered that...I have to wash my hair."
"..Well, I could pick you up after."
"No, no... I wash, condition, and dry... every strand... individually. So, it'll take... all weekend."
"You wash, condition, and dry every strand of hair individually?"
"Yep. Every other Friday."
"What about next Friday then?"
"I have to floss the cat's teeth." Bubbles wanted to slap herself. Why was it so hard for her to lie? The hallway wasn't deserted, but everyone was too busy in their own little world's that they barely noticed that Bubbles was frantically signalling SOS with her eyes. Josh groaned.
"Look, Bubbles, stop messing around. I'm asking you out on a date. The polite thing to do is say yes."
"Um, excuse me? I'm not-"
"So, I'll swing around six o'clock Friday and-"
BANG!
A hand slammed over them and both glanced up to see dark blue eyes glowering at Josh. Sandy blonde hair fell in waves as classic rock played from the headset around his neck. He sported a dark blue hoodie and black, baggy jeans with white and black sneakers.
"Sup, guys?"
"Hi, Boomie!" Boomer gave Bubbles a sweet smile. Unlike Josh, Boomer was one of her best friends. They'd known each other since kindergarten and Boomer was always the more sensitive of his brothers. He liked a lot of the things she did too, from animals to video games (Bubbles was surprisingly brutal at Mortal Kombat). The two could talk about anything and hung out every day.
In fact, it was only because Boomer had hockey practice coming up that she didn't have anything to do this Friday.
Josh knew better though. Boomer was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Boomer was one of the more popular "bad boys", who got along with everyone easily. He had tons of friends and girls fell all over him. Bubbles was always squealing about her "Boomie". Josh thought he was a total tool.
The dude was always with Bubbles. He went to her art competitions, hung out with her at the mall, he stayed over at her house a couple times, and then some. He was on her FaceSpace, Chirper, Speedygram, and Rumblr. His brothers were the same with her sisters, though.
Butch and Buttercup were two sides of the same coin. They started dating almost immediately.
Brick and Blossom were Townsville High's Power Couple. Blossom dominated the Student Council while Brick ruled over the Honors Society.
Bell was Blare's princess and God help the fool who made Bell upset. (Josh never knew if he got angry at them because Bell was crying or because he had to listen to her whine.)
So Josh knew Boomer was just trying to steal "his girl". Not on his watch, though. This blonde babe was his.
Boomer shot an irritated glare at Josh. Josh Rogers was a smart, good looking dude whose biggest fault was his attitude. Most girls who crushed on him grew out of it really quickly. He thought the world stopped with him and that he deserved only the best.
Anything less was just not happening.
And he didn't take the word "no" very well.
He had been drooling after Bubbles since middle school and it was really starting to get on Boomer's nerves. At first, it was because Bubbles was his best friend.
She was always the one he could turn to when life got him down and she never laughed at him. He used to think she was just a "stupid, wimpy, lame-o" girl who was afraid of bugs and only liked dresses.
Then he got his butt handed to him in GTA (literally his own game) and he was wrapped around her finger.
Then he started going to middle school and this wanker starts making his best friend uncomfortable. Literally freaking her out.
Of course he's gonna make sure Bubbles isn't alone with him when she says "Boomie, he's really pushy. I hate it," with those big, beautiful blue eyes.
At least, that's how he started purposefully getting in Josh's way and convincing his brothers to scare him off (though, her sisters may also have something to do with that.)
Now, though? Years later?
Boomer could honestly say it was jealousy. He didn't want Bubbles being with anyone other than him. He wanted to hold her hand, take her on dates, the whole chimichanga (Mmm... chimichangas, Boomer thought).
So, now Josh truly had competition. Superpowered competition with years of friendship to back him up. Bubbles continued to talk, "so then Julie ran up and was all 'Princess is stealing the lights we got from the theatre troupe' and you know how Bell gets."
"Let me guess, she ran off to start a fight?"
"Yeah, so that's basically it." Josh then decided to speak up.
"Me and Bubbles were just talking about the movie we were gonna see Friday," he said in a tone that implied Boomer was a third wheel. Boomer glared.
"Really? Sounded like Bubbles was telling you that she wasn't interested in going anywhere with you." Josh sneered.
"What do you know about what she wants?"
"Well, since I've known her since kindergarten, I guess I know her a little better than you." Boomer's eyes glowed ominously as his fist clenched, "I've told you about messing with her."
"You wanna fight, Jojo?" Josh cracked his neck. He may be up against an "ex" supervillians, but there was no way he was backing down in front of Bubbles.
A soft hand grabbed Boomer's arm before he could reply. He looked down to see cotton candy blue eyes staring up at him, "Boomer, no. Come on, we need to get to Math."
Boomer grumbled, "alright, Sugar...let's go." Flipping Josh off as he wrapped an arm around Bubbles, they walked off. Boomer could feel Josh's stare on his back as Bubbles praised him for not getting into another fight.
"Really, Boom, you shouldn't let him get to you like that. Remember what Mr. Vicks said? One more fight and you'll be suspended from hockey for the whole year." Boomer nodded and gave Bubbles a mischievous grin.
"Alright, I promise not to fight him on school grounds."
"Boomer Anthony Jojo."
"No dice, huh?"
"Not a chance," Bubbles sat in her seat in a huff. She didn't like it when Boomer got into a fight, since most of the older generation of Townsville still viewed the Rowdyruff Boys as "villains". Boomer was the most liked, true, but he had gotten into his own trouble before.
Boomer gave her an apologetic smile, "okay, okay, Sugar. Don't be like that. I won't start anything. I just hate it when he messes with you, is all."
"I like that you're so worried, Boomie, but I don't want you getting in trouble over me. Plus, you love hockey and I don't want you to lose this chance. You were talking about going to State this year."
"And I will. I promise I won't start anything, okay?" Boomer grinned when she finally sighed and gave him a smile, "there's my Baby Doll. Now, movies Friday?"
"Don't you have practice?"
"Bubbles, hockey starts next week."
"Oooooh..."
"Unless, of course," Boomer said with a serious look as he stared at her, "you're too busy washing, conditioning, and drying each strand of hair individually." Bubbles picked up a notebook and whacked him over the head with it, a flushed look on her face. Boomer's cackle was drowned out by the bell.
"Shut up, Ruff!"
Bubbles stood in front of the concession stand with Boomer as they stared up at the menu. "Jeez, these prices are highway robbery."
"Don't worry, we got Mojo's card, so we'll be fine."
"Boomie, did you steal Mojo's credit card again?"
"No, I asked... after it was in my hand."
"BOOMER."
"Sugar, he's a super villain. He encourages this. Thinks it'll turn me and my bros back to the 'glorious path of evil and away from the blinding hold of justice' or whatever." Bubbles was silent. She didn't like the idea of Boomer and his brothers becoming evil again.
Buttercup has been so happy with Butch.
Blossom and Brick are closer than ever.
Bell thought the sun rose and set with Blare.
And she has been in love with Boomer since the beginning of elementary school.
Now if only I could get him to ask me out properly, I'd be set, Bubbles thought somberly.
"...bbles? BUBBLES!"
"AHH! Yes?" Boomer stared at her, eye brow raised. "Sorry, blacked out again?"
"Yeah. I said let's just get some popcorn and sodas. I was thinking of getting dinner after anyway."
"Sounds good." The two paid for their foods and Boomer grabbed the food while she searched for their theatre. "Say, you still didn't tell me what movie we're seeing."
"Well, you did say you wanted to see FrankenZombie 4: Curse of the WereMummy." Not many people realized it, but all of the Powerpuffs loved scary movies. Bubbles and Buttercup liked zombie flicks while Blossom preferred killer horrors and Bell loved the classics.
"OMG! You didn't!"
"Yep," Boomer yelped as Bubbles hugged him.
"Thank you, Boomie!"
Josh watched in shock as Bubbles led Boomer away to a theatre. He had come to see Live Free or Live Freer when he spotted Bubbles Utonium here (definitely not at her house and certainly not wet from washing, conditioning, and drying strands of her hair), standing at the concession booth with Boomer Jojo beside her.
He growled as she jumped on Boomer, squealing (did he buy her one of the fancy snacks or something?) before dragging him off. That b*d really was trying to steal Bubbles. He stole his idea of taking her to the movies.
Josh was going to sit with her and maybe even sneak in a make out session with her. Now Boomer was stealing his moves. Josh stormed after them, intent on making sure Boomer didn't have a chance.
Josh hated this movie. He couldn't really stomach zombie movies. Jerk must have thought Bubbles would hold onto his arm if he took her to this. Josh thought as he cringed, watching FrankenZombie gouge the eyes out of an assailant who tried to hurt Dr. Amelia Stein, his creator and love interest.
Meanwhile, several rows below, Bubbles was watching with rapt attention as was Boomer. They both loved this movie series and were currently on the edges of their seats. Bubbles leaned over to Boomer, "...I think Zombie Bride is the traitor. She's always been jealous of Dr. Stein."
"No way, it's totally Officer Igor. He's been hating on FrankenZombie since day one."
"I'm telling you," she snuck some of his whoppers.
"Stay out of my candy, Puff."
"No."
Josh glared down as the two whispered sweet nothings to each other like that weird stitched up zombie man and that doctor lady. He looked around and spotted his large, watered down, over priced coke and a devilish idea formed. Aiming carefully, he chucked his drink at Boomer.
Josh hit Bubbles.
Josh forgot how to breathe.
Boomer's jaw dropped as his friend was covered in coke.
People around them stared in shock as Bubbles shrieked and ran out. Movie forgotten, Boomer grabbed her purse and followed her to the bathroom.
Josh wondered if this is what it felt like to die.
"I *hiccup* can't believe *hiccup* someone did that!" Boomer listened from outside. Now, normally anyone would be upset someone threw coke on them. But Bubbles was three times as upset because she was wearing white.
As Bell will tell anyone, white clothes like shirts and pants and skirts turn see through once they get wet enough. So Boomer stood outside the bathroom, sans his blue plaid shirt as Bubbles dried off and put on his shirt.
"I'm sure it was an accident, Bubbles. Come on, don't cry. Please?" She finally reemerged and Boomer sucked in a breath. Though her eyes were red and puffy and her hair was wet from her running sink water over it, he couldn't help but think she was still gorgeous. She buttoned up the first few buttons of his shirt, but tied the bottom in a tight bow since she practically drowned it it. Her jeans had rolled up bottoms and she still sported her white wedges.
Bubbles sniffled, "did you stay here the whole time?"
"Course I did."
"Boomer, I didn't want you to miss the rest of the movie."
"Not a problem, Bubbles. It's going into stores next week anyway. I'll buy it and we'll watch the end together." Boomer ran his hand through his hair, "but I swear, when I find out who threw that coke, we're gonna have words. Who even does that?" Bubbles shook her head.
"Let's just go get some dinner. What did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking noodl-...HIM..." Boomer's face turned dangerous. Bubbles looked around quickly.
"Your mom's here?"
"No... worse..." Josh came running up with paper towels.
"Bubbles, there you are!"
"...Josh?"
"I saw what happened and I've been looking everywhere for you. Are you okay?" Bubbles nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Boomer gave me his shirt and all, but I missed the-" Josh smiled.
"Don't worry, you still look amazing."
"...Huh?" Boomer rolled his eyes.
"She's upset about missing the rest of the movie. Not her make up, moron. It's waterproof." Josh raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know it's waterproof?"
"Look, when Bubbles says she wants to go to Sephora, I grab my card and I don't argue."
"Right. Anyway," Josh turned back to Bubbles, who was smiling warmly at Boomer. Josh growled, "whoever threw that cherry coke is gonna have a piece of my mind when I find them." Bubbles looked at him.
"Josh, it's fine. I'm-"
"How did you know it was Cherry coke...?" Silence ensued as Boomer's words sunk in. Josh felt the blood drain from his face as Bubbles stared at Boomer, then at him. Boomer's hard gaze remained on Josh.
"...You just said it was."
"No, I didn't."
The trio remained quiet before Bubbles gasped, "you threw your coke on me!?"
"WHAT THE HELL, JOSH!?"
Josh back tracked, "it was a total accident, I swear! I wasn't aiming at you, Bubbles, really!"
"Aiming? Who were you aiming for?" A crowd had started to form as Bubbles glared up at him, with a look much better suited for Buttercup. "Were you... aiming at Boomer?"
"Yeah, Josh, were you?"Boomer's eyes turned ominously dark.
"What? Nah, I was... it was an accident?"
"I can't believe you! Ugh, come on, Boomie! Let's get away from this child!" Bubbles stomped off. Boomer glared at Josh before making a slicing motion across his throat. He turned and followed the furious puff.
"The absolute nerve of him, aiming his soda at you. What is he? Eleven!?" Bubbles fumed as she chomped down on her pasta. Boomer sat beside her on his couch as they watched an old rerun of I Love Lucy. Bubbles had changed into a pair of Boomer's boxers and his old jersey while Boomer just put on pajamas bottoms. She had her hair down and his favorite fuzzy socks were on her feet, "ugh...and following us in the theater! I know he didn't come to see the movie, the boy threw up when we dissected a frog in eighth grade."
"Yeah," Boomer remembered the day fondly, "good times." A light jab to the gut let him know his joke was only slightly appreciated. "Well, I mean, I could knock him out for a week. It would fix this whole problem."
"Boomer, no."
"Bubbles, yes."
"Remember, the mayor said one more time in juvie and he'll have you shipped to boarding school."
"Right, I can't go to boarding school."
"Don't."
"I'll get board."
"I hate you."
"You love me,"
"...I do..." Boomer's cheeks flushed as the two fell silent. The only sound was the television and Butch snoring in the other room.
"...I love you too..." They looked at each other. Well, might as well dig myself into a bigger hole. "I've loved you since eighth grade..." Bubbles giggled nervously.
"...I've loved you since first grade..." Boomer stared.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously." Boomer couldn't believe it. Bubbles didn't act any different towards him. She was totally normal around him. But really, was he that blind? "So... "
"...Let's go out."
"Right now? Where? "
"Baby Doll, I mean let's date."
"Oh," she blushed and pouted, "I knew that... stop laughing, Ruff."
"It finally happened."
"It's about time, you'd think they would've been the first ones."
"I can't believe Bubbles and Boomer are finally dating!"
Josh was livid. He had spent the entire weekend, planning a grandiose apology to Bubbles in hopes of earning her forgiveness. He'd bought flowers, chocolates, a stuffed teddy bear, the works. He'd practiced in front of the mirror for hours.
Then the first thing he hears on Monday is that Boomer Jojo stole his girlfriend.
That's right, Bubbles Utonium is the new girlfriend of Boomer Jojo. It's all over her FaceSpace, Chirper, Rumblr, and Speedygram.
After school, he stomped over to where the hockey team was practicing. They were currently standing in the football field, before they would head off for the ice rink. Bubbles was off with the cheer squad, discussing changes to the routine.
Boomer was going over their plays when he found him. Josh shoved him, "you JACKA-"
"HEY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOIN'?" A hockey team player pulled him off Boomer before the ruff could wail on him.
Which he looked close to doing before a light blue streak of light appeared and grabbed his arm with a "BOOMIE. NO."
"That's it, a*wipe, I'm gonna paint this field red!" Boomer struggled as Bubbles held fast.
"Boomer!"
"You f-"beep"-er! You stole my girl! Come over here and fight me!"
"When the hell was I your girl?" Bubbles was getting really tired of Josh. He never listened to her, disrespected her friends and family, and was constantly pushing on her. Unfortunately, Bubbles forgot she was supposed to be restraining Boomer and relaxed her grip as she addressed him.
Which resulted in Boomer slipping out and tackling Josh. The two rolled on the ground, Boomer slamming his fist into Josh face over and over until his nose was broken, several of his teeth were knocked loose, and he had a black eye. Josh got some hits in, but, other than a split lip, Boomer was undamaged.
Just pissed.
"BOOMER, GET OFF RIGHT NOW!" bubbles pulled him off Josh and dragged him away, stepping between the two. Josh stood up, shakily.
"See? See, Bubbles! That guy's an animal! He's a total villain and he tricked you into thinking he's a good guy and-" Bubbles whirled on him.
"Oh, don't even f-" BEEP"-king start!" She glared, her rage growing stronger. "ARE YOU INSANE!? WHAT IF I HADN'T BEEN HERE? WHAT THE HELL MADE YOU THINK PUNCHING BOOMER WAS A GOOD IDEA! I THOUGHT YOU THROWING COKE ON ME WAS BAD, BUT THAT WAS RIDICULOUS! WHAT'S YOUR F-" beep "-KING DAMAGE, JOSH!?"
Josh stared in shock as sweet, dainty, cheerful Bubbles cussed him out in a fit of anger. The cheer leading squad (Robin Snyder, Emily Reynolds, Cassandra Banks, Lily Wills, Ami Kusuguchi, and Brat Plutonium) stood behind her and Boomer, pompoms forgotten and sneers on their faces. The hockey team was around them, all looking ready to jump in when given the signal.
Boomer was staring at him like a wolf ready to pounce and finish him. "SERIOUSLY, WHAT IS UP WITH YOU!?"
"WHAT'S UP WITH ME? I'VE BEEN TRYING TO IMPRESS YOU SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THIS F-"beep "-KER STEALS YOU! OF COURSE I'M PISSED OFF! I CAN TREAT YOU SO MUCH BETTER THAN THIS TOOL!"
"THE ONLY TOOL HERE IS YOU, JOSHUA RODGERS!" Bubbles hissed, "and for the last time, I don't like you! I never have! Not as a friend and definitely not as a boyfriend! You're rude, egotistical, and a total prick! You always interrupt me and you never listen to a thing I say! Hell, I bet you're not even listening now!"
Josh did have a soft smile on his face, "I can't help it, you look so cute when you're ma-"
WHAM!
Josh flew through the air when Bubbles cracked her fist across his face. Boomer let out a roaring of laughter as Josh skid across the field, knocked out. Several members of the hockey team whistled while Brat yelled, "AGAIN! AGAIN! AGAIN!"
Bubbles whirled around, "oh, you are not off the hook, Mister!"Boomer shut his mouth real quick as he gulped. Bubbles was someone to fear when angry. She stormed up to him, "what were you thinking, Boomer? You're lucky that Coach Vicks isn't here, or you'd be in major trouble!"
He looked apologetic, "I'm sorry, Bubbles. I guess I lost my head when he came up like that." Cue puppy-dog eyes, "please forgive me?"
Stay strong, Bubbles thought as she fought that familiar warm feeling she got around cute things or Boomer (which was really the same thing), stay strong for the fatherland. "...Fine..." Way to grow a backbone, Utonium.
Boomer perked up. Bubbles could practically see a wolf tail wagging behind him. He gave her a blinding smile, "aw, Sugar, you're the best!"
"Whatever, he was being a jerk anyway." Bubbles huffed, blowing the side fringe from her face, "you do that again, though, and I'll fight you myself." The small smile on her face said otherwise.
"Hate to break up the Rumblr worthy love fest here, but-" Brat Plutonium stood in her vice head cheerleader glory as she gestured over to the still comatose boy. "We'd better take care of that pile of shi-" take mushrooms"before Coach Vicks gets here."
"Right, someone grab his legs. There's a dumpster in the parking-"
"BOOMER."
"To the nurse then."
To Josh Rodgers and Boomer Jojo, she was the most perfect girl. She was head cheerleader. She was sweet and kind. And she was drop dead gorgeous.
She also liked zombie movies, killed at GTA, and had a mean right hook.
And if Boomer was a wolf in sheep's clothing, then Bubbles was a wolf in his pack.
Okay, so I love Boomer in all forms, but I see a crazy amount of him being this sugary sweet, shy guy in a lot of fics. Then I read one where he was just as much of a bad boy as his brothers and I decided that Boomer is better suited as a naughty cinnamon roll. I also came up with the head cannon that all the girls are closet horror flick groupies (they fought zombies at age five, so...) and that Bubbles likes zombie movies. Because, why not? She's hardcore.