"Butch! Put me down!" Buttercup screamed. Brick watched as his brother ran into the kitchen with his counterpart draped over his shoulder, slamming her fist against his back. "Put me down, fucker!" He winced as he heard a loud bang
"That poor, stupid, fuck." Brick muttered as he watched Buttercup stomp back to the room the two shared. Boomer and Brick both flinched when they heard the door slam.
Boomer sighed and looked behind him, towards the kitchen as Butch limped through the doorway. "What'd you do this time?" He raised a blond brow, and inwardly winced as he watched blood trickle down from his brother's nose. That poor idiot.
Butch shot his younger brother a sharp glare. "I didn't do anything." Maybe that wasn't very true, but he didn't want to take the blame. Sure, Butch shouldn't have winked at Princess. And yeah, he was one dumb ass fucker for doing it around Buttercup. But that didn't mean he was ready to take the blame yet.
A loud crash drew all three boys' attention, and made Butch a little nervous about what she'd broken this time. He winced when he heard his dork being yanked open hard enough to make the walls rattle. She was really pissed this time. Buttercup came storming around the corner, glaring daggers at Butch. A blanket and a pillow tucked under her arm. She stood in front of the TV, Butch gulping, and the other two stiffening. Brick wasn't one to be easily scared of anyone or anything. But a pissed off Buttercup, especially a pissed Buttercup when Butch was involved, made Brick a little more antsy and thankful for his counterpart. Yeah, Blossom was a judge-y bitch with a stick up her ass, but she wasn't a insane hothead with a violent streak.
"Come on, Darlin'. I said I was sorry." Butch pleaded nervously. Buttercup growled and threw the pillow and blanket hard. It slammed into the poor idiot so hard, he hit the ground with a painful thud. A yelp and a curse flew out of Boomer's mouth, grabbing the hothead's attention.
"You wanna add something?" She shot at the two.
"No!" They both held their hands up.
Buttercup scoffed and turned on her heels. "That's what I thought."
"Buttercup! Come on, babe!" Butch shot up and followed behind her. "I'm sorry!" He pleaded.
"You're sleeping on the couch tonight!" She snapped and slammed the door.
Butch winced and then leaned his head on the door. "Come on, Buttercup. Don't make me sleep on the couch." He begged softly.
"Then don't." She retorted. "Go sleep in Princess's bed. I'm sure she'd be happy to have you." Buttercup sat on Butch's bed, cross-legged and staring at the door. He had pissed her off majorly this time. Sure, she knew Butch was a dumb ass. And yeah, she knew he didn't mean what he did, but it still made her pissed off to even think about. Buttercup had seen him slap other girls' asses, and he threw flirty winks around like a pimp threw out backhands. But all of that had been before her feeling had decided to appear and take control of her brain. Even so, she never really got mad at him for being a flirt because he wasn't necessarily hers. But Princess? Why her? Butch knew damn well that those two did not get along at all. And not in the whole hero-vs-villain way either. Princess was the school's homewrecker, slut, whore, passed around flesh pocket. Buttercup hated her. When Buttercup and Mitch were a semi-thing, Princess seduced him into her bed, and then went off to sleep with the rest of her friends.
"I didn't mean it. I swear." Butch pleaded. Buttercup stayed in her spot on the bed, watching his shadow under the door.
He just had to go off and wink at her. He just had to flash that smirk at her. She knew what it meant when Butch flashed that smirk at people. It meant he was in the mood, and that girl was his next twenty minute boiler room girlfriend. She'd seen it happen way too many times not to know what that smirk meant. And just flashed it at Princess Whorebucks. Everything in her just snapped, and at first she didn't get all pissed off. She just gave him the silent treatment. And then he made it all the more worse. He went and smacked her on the ass.
"Come on, Green. Open the door." He croaked out. He jiggled the knob, but it didn't budge. "Buttercup, please. Please don't make me sleep on the couch. Please."
Buttercup got up, her footsteps light but enough for Butch to hear. He had a small sliver of hope she'd just unlock the damn thing. But instead, she just flicked the lights off. Even if she wanted to let him into the room, she couldn't. Her eyes were too red and puffy, and her cheeks were to damp with tears to let him. She didn't want him to know he actually hurt her. Not like this, not this much. She wasn't even ready to actual voice her feelings for Butch, let alone let him actually know he could hurt her so much. She didn't want to chance it with that big dummy.
"Butch, maybe you should give her tonight." Boomer's voice came muffled from behind the door. "Let her cool off."
"Shut up, Boomer!" Butch snapped. "Buttercup, let me in. Just open the door. Come on." He continued his soft begging.
Buttercup curled up into his bed, listening him plead with her, beg her. She curled around his pillow, pressing her face into the one under her head. Tears ran down onto the pillow, and soft cries were muffled by the soft material. Butch only left the door to grab his pillow and blanket. It had been a month since Buttercup had come to live with boys, and Butch had yet to sleep without her next to him. He had become extremely accustomed to it, and he didn't think he could sleep without her. Not after how they've been acting with one another. He just hoped he hadn't screwed it up this early on.
Buttercup tossed in the bed for the thirtieth time since she curled up in it. It was hard as hell to sleep without that brainless jack ass next to her, holding her tightly. She was still pissed and hurt, but she craved to have him keeping her warm. She ran a hand aggravatedly through her hair, thinking over her options, inwardly battling herself. Did she forgive him and let him back into the room? Or did she leave him out there and continue to throw a big tantrum like Blossom would?
"Oh for fuck sake!" She threw her arm onto the bed and angrily got up. She stomped over to the door and unlocked the damn thing. She was ready to stomp over to the couch and order her lughead of a counterpart to get his ass into bed and to never speak another word of her total bitch fit. But then she look down and there he was. Curled up, cold, and frowning on the ice cold floor. He looked so miserable.
Buttercup slowly sat down, amazed that he hadn't moved. She pushed back his hair, his expression lightly softening. All her anger immediately melted away, completely gone. With his eyes still closed, Butch reached up and held her small hand. She looked down at him, his eyes opening. He just looked at her for few minutes before moving to get up.
"Buttercup, I swear, I didn't-"
"Shhh," She moved her hand and pressed her thumbed lightly against his lips. "Come on." She held her hand out and he took it. She helped him up and led him to the bed. She lightly pushed him down to lay down and crawled over towards her spot between his body and the wall. Butch didn't say anything. He just silently thanked God she didn't hate him and that she let him back in. Her back was to him, her hair laying over her shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her cautiously, and then pressed her back to him, his nose in her hair.
They both fell asleep with ease.
"Butch, it's fucking cold! Can we please go inside." Buttercup shivered, rubbing her hands over her arms. She was wearing her jacket, a long sleeve, and was trying her damnedest to warm herself up. She just wanted to go inside.
"Don't you want to wait for your sisters, Green?" Butch chuckled and threw his arm over her shoulder.
"Gahh!" She cried and shivered. She curled into his side, forcing herself into his jacket. He was warm. He was always warm. His arm dropped, wrapping around her back and waist, holding her lightly against him. Her icy fingers hand found there way under his shirt hem, sprawling out against his warm skin. She buried her cold face into his side, her nose pressed into his chest. She was shivering against him, her teeth chattering. It was March, but it was an extremely cold March this year, and Buttercup wasn't a fan. But Butch? He was fucking ecstatic about it. He thanked that little hedgehog for the longer winter. Because of that little guy, he had Buttercup pressed up against him no matter where they went.
"There they are." Boomer pointed towards the sky. A black car, the Professor's, came slowly their way. Boomer hunched over, his fists shoved in his pockets, trying to stay warm. Brick looked bored and as though the cold didn't bother him. And Butch, well, he was happier than anyone could understand. He had a smug look on his face as Buttercup held onto him for warmth.
"Ok, great. They're here. Can we go inside now, please!" Buttercup begged, holding tight on Butch.
"Yeah, Darlin'. Let's go inside." Butch laughed and lead Buttercup, who was still buried in his side, into the school.
As the two greens, who were suddenly ok this morning, went inside, the other two waited on their counterparts. Why they did this? Brick and Boomer had no clue. Blossom and Brick were barely getting alone, and Bubbles had a boyfriend. So, why did they wait on them like they were Butch and Buttercup? At first, when Buttercup was still living at home, Butch made them wait on them. It gave him a reason to see Buttercup in the mornings. But why they still did it even though Buttercup now lived with them? Well, they didn't know. But the girls didn't question it, so they didn't stop.
"Good morning, girls." Boomer greeted, following Bubbles inside.
"Good morning, boys!" Bubbles chirped and happily skipped inside.
Brick and Blossomed looked at each other and then quietly walked inside together. They split off to their classes from there.
"Buttercup, can you please tell me what we've been discussing?" The teacher, Ms. Cantress, snipped. Buttercup and Butch had been goofing off, seeming to not be paying any attention to her lesson, and she had them this time.
"Heathers." Buttercup smirked, confident in her answer.
"What about Heathers, Butch?" She raised a brow. Maybe she didn't fully have Buttercup, but she had Butch.
"The progression of JD's mental instability." He grinned victoriously.
"And when did we say that started, Buttercup?" She groaned.
"Freeze your brain. It was obvious by then that his home life was nowhere near ok, and the obsession with actually freezing his brain shows signs of being borderline suicidal." Buttercup rephrased her exact lecture.
"Yeah, dude was way emo." Butch chuckled.
Ms. Cantess opened her mouth to say something, but she had lost this round...again. She groaned and went on with her lesson, leaving the two to goof off. They were still obviously getting in the lesson, even if they didn't look like they were paying any attention. Butch draped an arm around the back of Buttercup's chair as she sling shot another hornet at the nerd sitting at the table across from them. Butch stifled a laugh as the nerd held his neck, glaring at the two. Buttercup gave him a mocking wink and kiss before crossing her arms and leaning back into her seat.
(A/N: Hornet: A small folded up piece of paper sling shot by a rubber band. Sometimes has staples in them. THEY HURT LIKE HELL!)
"I think he's a little pissed." She laughed.
"Nah, I think he loves it." Butch whispered.
The bell rang, signaling for the teacher to turn the lights back on, turn the projector off, and shout out the homework as everyone left her room and ignored her. As the two greens walked out of the class, the nerd they had been flinging hornets at stopped them. He pushed Buttercup forward, catching both of their attentions. Butch turned, a crazy look in his eye, and Buttercup slowly turned in shock. Who the hell was this kid?
"Are you fucking crazy?" Butch twitched.
"I'm not scared of some bully." The nerd snapped back.
Another kid came running along, blocking the nerd from the two now angry green X-powered teens. "I am so sorry, Buttercup. He's new. I should have told him-"
"It's fine." Buttercup interrupted, now standing next to her counterpart. "He's new. He didn't know. Right?" She growled.
"Right." The kid nodded his head, the nerd behind him glaring at the two.
"You keep that dumb ass away from us. You got that?" Butch snapped.
"Y-yes. Once again, I am so sorry." He held his hands up and smiled out of sheer terror. "Come on, Adam. Let's leave Butch and Buttercup alone. Ok?" He tried to usher the nerd away, even as he continued to glare at Buttercup.
The two greens watched as they walked away. Buttercup crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. New kids. She hated those idiots. Butch on the other hand, wasn't taking it so well. He was twitching like he did when they were kids. His fists clenched and unclenched next to him as his left eye twitched uncontrollably. That kid deserved a good brick facial, but he knew he'd be in some deep shit if he did that.
"Come on, Butters. We've got class." He growled and wrapped his arm around her waist, turning her to leave.
"Not there." Bubbles giggled as Boomer held his scalpel over the wrong part of the frog. "See? If you actually stayed awake in class, you might know what you're doing." She giggled a little more as he tried to move it another part of the body.
"Dammit, Bubbles, why can't you just do this?" He groaned.
"I don't harm creatures." She retorted.
"It's not like it's alive." He grumbled.
"Alive or not, Boomer. It's a creature, and I refuse to mutilate it's body." She rolled her eyes playfully and watched him as he tried once more to cut the animal. She rolled her eyes again and grabbed his wrist. "Here." She move it to the right spot and let go. "Cut there."
Boomer, blushing at the light contact, gulped and tried to steady his hand. He had to cut this thing right so they could pass, but it was hard when she was this close and she had just actually touched him without it being a punch to the face or something violent like that. He and Bubbles seemed to be getting along quiet well, and he in fact had started noticing her more attractive. Her personality wasn't so bad, and without her snapping his head off all the time, she actually becoming his preferred form of company.
Now, if she just didn't have that idiot boyfriend...
"Bubbles!" Johnny boomed overt he hallway.
She jumped a little, but turned. There was her 'hunk' of a boyfriend, or what was suppose to be anyways. He had been a little short with her lately, and it was beginning to get on her nerves. "Hi baby." She smiled brightly and went to kiss him, but he turned and her lips collided with his cheek. Once again, her nerves!
"What are you doing with them?" He snapped, glaring at the ruffs behind her.
Bubbles raised a brow and looked over her shoulder. Buttercup was rolling her eyes and Blossom was not amused with him. Brick just raised a brow and Boomer glared while Butch watched her boyfriend in annoyance. "My sisters?" She decided to play the innocent card.
"No. The criminals." Johnny growled out.
Butch straightened, his arm shifting around Buttercup's shoulder. "Watch who you're talking about, pal." He warned. Buttercup pressed a hand against his chest, silently telling him to cool down. Boomer and Brick had straightened up, obviously offended.
"Johnny, not now." Bubbles sighed and placed her head in her hand. Every damn day. He had a problem every damn day.
"No. Why are you hanging out with these freaks." He snapped, now looking down at his girlfriend.
"We've been over this." She whined. "Can't you just drop it for now at least?"
"Uh no! Bubbles, I'm your boyfriend. You're suppose to listen to me!" He grabbed her arm.
"Uh, what is this? The 1950's?" Buttercup stood up, obviously annoyed by now.
"Misogynistic pig." Blossom huffed.
"Back out of this, bitch." Johnny snapped at both of them. Brick and Butch standing up completely straight by now.
"What was that? I didn't quite catch that." Butch angrily mocked.
"I'd watch yourself if I were you." Brick threatened.
Johnny looked between the two and then back down at Bubbles. "Let's go." He snapped and yanked her forward.
"Hey!" Blossom and Buttercup shouted.
"Let her go." Boomer snapped, grabbing Johnny's wrist.
"Johnny, you're hurting me." She winced, trying to pry his fingers off her arm. "Johnny, let go. Please."
"Let her go, ass!" Buttercup snapped.
"Buttercup, calm down." Blossom held her arm out.
"I said let her go." Boomer squeezed the human's wrist, applying inhumanly possibly pressure to his joint.
"Ouch. Ow! Fuck, let go!" Johnny yelped, pulling his arm back, pushing Bubbles back.
Boomer caught her, holding her lightly by the waist. "You ok?" He asked.
She nodded, a frown on her face. "Yeah. I'm fine." She pushed herself up, walking towards her boyfriend. She raised her hand and then WHAM! A loud slap could be heard throughout the school. The boys winced, jumping a little at the very familiar sound. The girls smugly smiled and nodded their heads, proud of the blonde. "We are so done! Do you understand me? You don't touch me, come near me, and you most certainly do not come near my sisters or my friends. And that included the Rowdyruff Boys. Do I make my self clear?" She snapped.
Johnny looked down at her in shock, nodding his head quickly. He fucked with the wrong cheerleader.
The boys were still a little antsy. They eyes anyone standing near the three, suddenly very protective of them. Bubbles handled herself perfectly, and Blossom and Buttercup were more than capable of taking care of themselves, but still. They didn't want to chance it, and no one ever approached the boys. The more they hovered, the more secure the girls were.
...as far as they knew.
"Way to go, Bubs!" Robin fist bumped the air. "That's what I'm talking about. Girl Power all the way!" She had heard the slap all the way down the music hall. Hearing about her speech and the fact it was Bubbles was icy on the friggin' cake.
"I know. Bubbles totally woman-d up today." Buttercup smirked as she playfully elbowed her sister's side. "Proud of ya, blondie" She ruffled her hair as they stood in line, the boys obviously hovering them.
"That was very great of you, Bubbles. Standing up for yourself." Blossom congratulated.
As they went through the line, picking out their slop of the day, the boys began relaxing little by little. Brick didn't throw glares at everyone near them, Boomer didn't give off a warning vibe, and Butch didn't growl at every teenager heading towards the line. As they paid, they started to walk towards their table when the clatter of a tray hitting the floor grabbed their attention. All three turned, expecting to see some jock tormenting a nerd. Not something far worse.
Buttercup was jolted forward, her lunch at her feet, and the nerd from her Drama class behind her, smugly smiling. Blossom, Bubbles, and Robin looked in shock, staring at her. Boomer and Brick both quickly put their lunches down and grabbed Butch by his arms. Buttercup slowly stood up, her hair blocking her face, but vibes of the worst kind rolling off her. She rolled her shoulders and maneuvered her hair out of her face. She took a deep breath and slowly turned around.
"Can I help you." She spoke short, nerves almost fried.
"I'm just paying back the treatment you gave me." He shrugged, obviously oblivious to who he was messing with.
"Hey, I wouldn't poke at her like that, dude." Boomer warned. He didn't want to see nerd brains splattered on the caf walls just before he ate.
"Yeah, man. I don't think you know who you're messing with." Brick added in. "I'd just back away slowly if I were you."
The kid looked past the barely self-controlled green, at the three. "I don't cower from bullies. I told you that earlier." He looked back at her and sharpened his gaze.
"I thought that kid told you," Buttercup pushed through gritted teeth and looked up, eyes ablaze with anger. "You do not fuck with me." She twitched a little, picking up on Butch's habit...great! She rolled her shoulders again and straightened up. "Now, you're going to give me your lunch, apologize, and walk away." She held her hands out for the tray. She had been nice. Now, she wasn't playing.
"As if." The kid laughed. A slap to the face as far as Buttercup was concerned.
A crocked and almost evil smile spread across her face as she started to tie her hair up. "You might wanna start begging for your life." She laughed evilly. The kid just stood there like the idiot he was about to find out he was. By the time she was done tying her hair, Blossom finally snap to.
"Buttercup, he's human." She stated.
"I warned 'em." Buttercup chuckled. "Didn't I, Butch. I warned this fucker twice today."
"Buttercup, we don't fight those who can't fight back. You know that." Blossom snapped.
"I'm not gonna fight 'em." Buttercup laughed. "I'm gonna hurt 'em."
"I can handle a bully. I've done it before." The kids cracked his knuckles.
Blossom looked sharply at the kid. "Are yo stupid? She isn't some regular bully!" She turned back to her sister. "Buttercup, don't fall for this. He is obviously new. Don't do it."
"Let her." The kid laughed. "I can take a girl."
Butch flinched and yanked his arms from his brothers. "What about me? Think you can take me, puke?" He growled.
"My fight isn't with you, Hulk." The kid snapped and turned back to Buttercup.
"You know hitting a girl is illegal?" Bubbles chirped.
"It's self defense as far as I'm concerned." He shrugged. "She started it."
Buttercup laughed and walked towards him. He didn't budge. She looked closely at him and smiled. She wasn't going to touch him. No, she was going to do far worse than that. She was going to make sure he knew who the fuck he was messing with. She tilted her head to the side, looking him in the eyes. She didn't speak, didn't move to hit him, didn't do anything but smile evilly and stare into his eyes, forcing him to stare back.
"Buttercup, no!" Blossom snapped.
"What's she doing?" Robin asked in fear.
"Nightmare." Butch informed.
The brunette looked at him and then back to her sisters. "What's nightmare?"
"A fighting technique she developed a while back." Bubbles sighed. "She messes with her victims head. Makes them see, hear, think they're living their worst fear. They're worst Nightmare."
They watched as Buttercup didn't move, but the kid's face contorted and twisted into the purest of terror. His breathing came in short pants, his eyes completely clouded in fear, his hands shaking as they held the sides of his head. Suddenly he dropped to his knees, eyes squeezed shut, screaming in pure agonizing fear. He was shaking, crying, screaming. Exactly how Buttercup wanted him. Terrorized.
"Next time someone warns you to fuck off, listen to them." Buttercup snapped and walked away. Both his and her lunch were splattered on the floor. And she had nothing to hold her over for the next few classes.
"Come on, Butters. You can have some of mine." Butch huffed and slung his arm over her shoulder.
"Boy she's pissed." Butch sighed as he watched Buttercup do endless flips across the track turf. He and Boomer were on a water break, watching the girls as they practiced. Bubbles were instructing her squad, but Buttercup was flipping, doing splits, anything to ride out the anger and adrenaline.
"Do you think you should have taken her home?" Boomer watched warily. "I don't think she should stay for rehearsal."
"Are you kidding? She won't go. The talent show is tomorrow. You think she'll bale on Bubbles so close to the damn thing?" Butch said.
"You already asked her. Didn't you." Boomer deadpanned.
"Yup." Butch defeatedly popped the 'P'.
Normally, Butch loved it when Buttercup started to doing all her flips and splits. Got him all riled up and pumped, but watching her today was like a knife jamming into his back. It was painful. She had really gotten pissed. She didn't like going into people's heads. It took a toll on her each time. She saw pieces of their past, their worst memory, the worst nightmare, their worst thoughts about themselves. It hurt her and then peeled away a little piece of her. Not for long, but long enough for it to show. This time, she saw something in that kid's head that had her running for the track field. Hell, she'd practice with the boys if coach would let her.
"You think she'll get any sleep tonight?" Boomer sighed.
"Honestly?"
"Yeah."
"I have no clue." Butch admitted.
"No!" Buttercup screamed heartbrokenly in her sleep, jolting Butch from his sleep. He shot up and looked over at her. She was tossing and turning, frowning...crying. She kept scream "No" and "Please" and other heart stopping words. Butch was stunned until Brick and Boomer came barreling into his room. They looked at him and then at her. They didn't know what to do either.
"Shit." Butch finally snapped to and grabbed onto her shoulders. "Buttercup! Buttercup, wake up!" He shook her, lifting her from the bed. She thrashed and tossed in his arms, fighting him. "Buttercup, come on, wake up!" He shook her again. "Come on, Darlin'." With a scream and slam into his chest, she finally came to. Terror in her bright green eyes, tears flowing down her cheeks, choked out whimpers and heartbreaking cries falling from her lips. Her whole body was shaking.
"Butch?" She choked out, breaking all three boys' hearts. Brick and Boomer looked at her, completely shocked and sad for her. "Oh my god." She cried and flung herself into the hulk of a man. She buried her face into his chest, sobbing as her arms shook as she held him. She was shaking, completely afraid of whatever it was she was dreaming about.
"Shh. It's ok. I'm here, Darlin'." He consoled her, patting her hair down. He waved the boys off, shooing them off.
"Get us if you need us." Brick whispered and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Shh, it's ok, Darlin'." Butch continued to hush her. "Come here." He picked her up by her thighs, wrapping her legs around his waist, holding her tightly. Her arms wrapped around his neck in a desperate need to get closer to him, her face buried in the junction between his neck and shoulder, her tears now streaming down his chest. He held her, resting his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her small body, rubbing her back lightly.
"It was so-"
"Shh, Butters. It's ok." He soothed her.
"He wouldn't stop, and I-" Her voice cracked and more tears came falling.
"It's ok, Buttercup. I'm right here. I won't-"
"No, Butch." She stopped him, pushing her self back enough to look him in the eyes. "I couldn't save them. I couldn't save you. I-I cou-" She started crying again, and Butch looked at her in pure amazement. She was having a nightmare of him dying? Of someone killing him and everyone she loved. He reached up and cupped her cheek.
"Buttercup, look at me." He softly ordered. Her amazing bright green eyes opened, looking into his undeserving dark orbs. "I will not let anything happen to you, to my brothers, or to you sisters. I promise. Ok?" He smiled softly and kissed her forehead, lingering there for a few seconds as he squeezed his eyes as his heart broke at her crying.
"Who's going to protect you, Butch? You can't keep us all safe. And you can't-"
"Buttercup, nothing is going to happen. I promise." Butch held her face, starring at those eyes he dreamed about. "Ok?" She nodded. "Alright. Let's try and get back to sleep, ok?" She nodded again and laid down. Butch curled up behind her, holding her as her body still shook as she cried. She held onto his arm as it wrapped around her, confirming he was there, that he was safe.
It took her a good thirty minutes to finally go back to sleep. Butch laid there, propped up on his arm, playing with her hair as she pressed up against him in her sleep. She had gotten the hiccups when her sobs had finally stopped, but tears still slowly dripped down the side of her face. She didn't look to bad now. Every once in a while she frowned, but it went away within a few seconds. He was lost in thought about her and what she had dreamed when he heard a thud. He looked up, no one at his door. And then he remembered his brothers.
He looked back down at Buttercup, and slowly removed himself from her side. She frowned for a second, but it went away when she reached out grabbed his pillow, pulling and curling around it. He pulled the covers over her, securing her before quietly leaving. He closed the door insanely slow, making sure it didn't make a clicking sound once it was shut. He took a deep breath before finally walking off towards the kitchen. He found Brick and Boomer leaning over the island talking. Both looked up and sighed. Brick pushed a mug towards his brother and scooted a could inches over.
"How is she?" He asked.
"Asleep for now." Butch sighed.
Boomer bit his lip and then asked, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but-"
"Don't, Boomer." Butch stopped him. "Don't go there." He groaned and took a big gulp.
"Do we need to tell the girls? I mean, this would be something Blossom would want to know about." Brick stated cautiously. He didn't want to put more on Butch, but if this new peace between the two groups was going to last, things of this magnitude needed to be told.
Butch looked at him and with a sigh, hung his head. "As long as she doesn't go all twenty-Q on her and put more pressure on Buttercup than she needs, then go ahead. But tell her she's fine, and not to ask about it. I've taken care of as much as there is to take care of. She opens her mouth and it's only going to be worse."
"Well yeah, but don't you think-" A blood curdling scream ripped through the apartment, cutting Boomer off. Butch shot up and looked at the other two.
"Dammit." He grunted and took off to the room, the other two on his heels. He slammed into the room, Buttercup sitting in his bed sobbing and screaming. "Buttercup!" She looked up, eyes wide and scared. As soon as she saw him, she got up and ran into his chest.
"I woke up, and-"
"I know. I'm sorry." He sighed and kissed the top of her head. "I just went to get water. I was coming right back." Guilt rippled through his body. He looked to his brothers and gestured for them to leave again. Brick nodded and closed the door behind him once again. "Come here." He sighed in guilt, picking her up. She jumped to help him, wrapping her legs around his torso. He walked them back to the bed, sitting with her still around him.
"I'm sorry. I know I'm being a clingy-"
"Don't apologize for being scared." Butch groaned. "Buttercup, whatever you saw in that kid's head today scared you. I'm not blaming you for being afraid." He frowned and held her face. "Look at me." She did. "I am here for when your angry. I am here for when you're off the wall happy. I am here when you're sobbing your eyes out. But I am always going to be here for you when you're afraid. No matter what you're afraid of, no matter when or where you're afraid. That's why I was created. Why I was resurrected. Buttercup, I was made to be here when you're at you weakest."
Buttercup, shocked at his confession and completely comforted by his complete acceptance of her, stared at her counterpart. He was the most amazing person in the entire world. She had kicked him out of his room only 24 hours ago, and yet here he was, no resentfulness or anger towards her, comforting her, making her feel better. She cupped his face, and without any warning, pressed her lips carefully against his. He sat there in shock for a moment, but relaxed and took her delicate face in his hands and kissed her back. It was small, emotional, and sweet, but it meant the world to both of them. Buttercup pulled away first and looked at him with a smile on her face. She started laughing, making Butch confused and frowned.
"What?" He raised a brow.
She smiled and looked up at him. "Nothing." She shook her head. "It's just, I don't think Mojo had this in mind when he created you." Butch's eyes widened and then slowly he started laughing along with her. He reached up and touched her face again, rubbing his thumb along her cheek as their laughs softened. He leaned in and kissed her lightly again before rolling them over to lay on their sides. She gave him another soft peck before burying her face in his chest and quickly falling back to sleep.
Sometime during the night, Buttercup woke up screaming again. She didn't go back to sleep after that one. Instead she played on her phone while Butch slept next to her. When it came time to go to school, Buttercup decided she'd stay home. She didn't feel well, and her whole body ached while her mind still reeled from the damage it took from looking into that kid's head. Butch offered to stay with her, but she forced him to go to school.
"Call us if you need anything. And I mean anything, Buttercup." Butch pressed as she pushed him back towards the door. She'd already had a tough time talking Boomer and Brick into not worrying, but Butch made that look like a piece of cake. "And we'll come home as soon as school is over. And-"
"Ok. I will. Thank you. Buh-bye now." Buttercup groaned and pushed him out of the apartment.
Brick and Boomer took a hold of each of Butch's arms, ready to drag him off. "But seriously, Buttercup. If you need anything, we'll come right back." Brick stated seriously.
"I won't, but thank you." Buttercup weakly smiled and then yawned. "Alright, bye now. Go to school." She waved and shut the door, Butch's protest muffled behind the wood.
Buttercup dragged herself sluggishly towards the couch where she curled up under Butch's comforter blanket, and tiredly watched the TV. Some rando rom-com was on and Buttercup was too tired, and all together too lazy to consider reaching for the remote. Somewhere before the romance climax, she fell asleep.
"Where's my sister?" Blossom asked flatly as the Professor's car drove off. She had noticed Buttercup's absence before they even pulled up, and when she saw the sullen and sunken look on Butch's face, she knew something was up. But Brick had been avoiding the subject since she saw him outside the school that morning.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Pinky." He grunted as he kept looking up at the board and then down at his notebook to take notes.
Her glare sharpened as she watched him for a few seconds. "Brick."
"What?" He gave her a side glance before going back to his note taking.
"Where is Buttercup?" She asked again.
"What makes you think she isn't here, Pinky?" He exhaled without looking at her.
She reached out, annoyed with his dodging, and grabbed his hand in order to stop him from writing. He looked up at the board and then slowly looked at his counterpart, dark circles under his tired red eyes, obviously not in the mood for her pestering. She looked at him, really looked at him, and then it hit her. She gasped lightly and slowly retracted her hand. He looked at her, a brow raised, as he watched something flash behind her bright pink eyes.
"Blos-"
"Oh my God." She gaped and suddenly stood up. She grabbed her bag and started for the door. Everyone watched her, but Brick shot up and followed after her.
"Blossom. Blossom, what's up." He called out, following behind her as she quickly walked towards the mathematics hall. She didn't answer him, instead she just kept on forward. She turned a corner sharply and went straight to Mr. Wallace's algebra class. She quickly knocked, waiting for permission to enter.
She pushed the door open and looked directly at Bubbles. "Mr. Wallace, can I have Bubbles please. It's an emergence." She didn't look at the teacher, just directly at her sister, telling her everything she needed to know with one look. Bubbles shot up without an answer, gathering her things in a hurry.
"I suppose." The older, shocked man said.
Bubbles rushed out of the room, leaving a confused Boomer in his wake. Blossom took her sister's hand and started off down the hall, pushing past Brick. He watched them and then with a sigh, looked back into the class. "Mr. Wallace-"
"Go a head and take him." He groaned, waving them off.
Boomer looked at his brother with a brow, but then quickly gathered his things and exited the room. They ran down to the drama hall and begged Ms. Cantress for Butch. They didn't explain, just told him to follow. They took off towards the sky, following the fading blue and pink streaks in the air. It lead straight to their apartment complex. They rushed up to their apartment, the door wide open, and a screaming Buttercup's voice heard down the hall.
"Buttercup!" Butch yelled and took off down the hall.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" The now angry darkette glared at her sisters. She finally was getting in some peaceful z's, and then suddenly she was being yanked off the couch. She looked at the huffing Butch and then back to her sisters.
"You know who we are?" Blossom squinted.
Buttercup raised a brow, and quipped, "Well, duh! You're my sisters!"
"Maybe she's just having the nightmares this time, Blossom. She wasn't in his head for more than a couple minutes." Bubbles spoke cautiously, watching Buttercup carefully.
"What the hell are you talking about!" Buttercup and Butch snapped.
Blossom looked towards the hulk teenager, and then back to her sisters. She watched her for a few more seconds before sighing and relaxing. "I think you're right, Bubbles. She would have snapped by now."
Bubbles weakly smiled and then looked to the confused other four. "Buttercup's Nightmare tends to take a tole on her stability. She has pretty vivid nightmares,"
"We've noticed." Butch groaned as he checked out Buttercup, making sure she was ok.
"I'm fine." She angrily whispered and swatted his hands away.
"Yes, but if it takes too much of a tole, then she starts having these hallucinations. Like living a nightmare." Blossom finished. "She's destroyed half the town once because of one of her Nightmare hallucinations."
"But it looks like she's ok." Bubbles sighed in relief. "I think we can go back to school."
"Not me. I'm staying with her." Butch stated, rubbing her back and looking down at his counterpart.
"Butch, I told you-"
"I left for two hours and then they freak when they found out we left you alone. I'm not leaving again." He snapped. "You guys go back. She's going to try and get some real sleep, and I'm staying her to watch her."
Brick eyed his brother carefully before shrugging. "Ok." He turned on his heels. "Don't have sex in the kitchen please. We eat there." He said carelessly, Boomer falling behind him.
"What?" Blossom and Bubbles shrieked.
Buttercup flushed and Butch grinned. "We'll try not to. No promises." He laughed coolly.
"We are not having sex!" Buttercup quickly reassured her sisters.
"Not yet." Butch corrected and winked.
"Oh dear God." Blossom groaned as she dragged Bubbles out.