How Things Change
Chapter 6: Decisions
Blossom clasped her hands behind her as they walked on a trail through a nearby park; the sky was clear, and the warm weather blew a gentle breeze through the dangling tendrils of her hair. She was lost in thought as her counterpart matched her pace lost in his own little world of sorts, she figured she should say something to lighten the silence between them. A quick once over of his profile and his ears caught her attention.
"So, when'd you get those?" he startled out of his thoughts and watched as she gestured at his piercings.
"That's what you wanna talk about?" He arched a brow and smiled a bit at the odd question,
"Well, the lobes I let Butch do when we were about 14, and then the others I had professionally done at some spot in Cityville sometime later," he played with one higher up on his ear, "Do you have any?"
She blushed and shook her head, "I never really thought about it besides my ears, Bubbles has some though." He nodded and let her continue on, "She got her belly button done when we were 14 and she tried so hard to hide it from the Professor," her laugh made him smile as she relaxed, "but Bubbles was never all that great at keeping secrets. About a week later, a new goal for her, she told him about it and he wasn't even upset he just gave her the talk about making sure to clean it properly and to take good care of it."
"That doesn't surprise me, I mean the Professor is pretty protective, but I figure he knows you girls can take care of yourselves,"
"Yeah…," her voice trailed off and she looked out at the pond they were passing by, "Brick…can I be honest with you?"
He nodded and watched her profile, "Of course,"
"I am absolutely, without a doubt, terrified about…all of this." Her hand came up to fidget with the tendril on the right, "My feelings for you are all over the place and I just don't know what to do, I've never felt so out of control and uncertain about anything," she looked up at him and he could see it, the fear and uncertainty, "where do we go from here?"
He grabbed her hand and pulled her to a standstill, "Blossom, I'm not going to pressure you into anything you don't want. Yes, I am still a Rowdyruff, but I have sense and I have control." He gave her hand a firm squeeze, "I want this Bloss, and we can take it as slow as you need but I'll be damned if I don't ask that you at least try to give us a chance," her eyes looked down between them and she bit her lip, he cupped her chin between his thumb and index finger so she would look at him, "I may not show it but this is scary for me too, I don't know what the future holds if we do this but, I want to try." He flashed her a crooked smile as he watched the fear wash away replaced with a glimmer of hope.
She reached up to take his hand and intertwine their fingers, "I'll try,"
He grinned and kissed the back of her hand, "Thank you," she blushed as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "Now let's get you back before your sisters start to suspect I kidnapped you,"
She chuckled and held his hand as they took to the air, "As if I'd let you kidnap me,"
"Oooh, is that a challenge Utonium?" he raised a brow at his date.
She smirked with a nonchalant shrug, "Maybe,"
He chuckled and they continued their banter long after making it back to the hotel.
Boomer couldn't get enough of the expressions on everyone's faces as he escorted Bubbles around; it was like being Brad and Angelina in their prime. She made for great conversation the whole night and just watching her light up at every little thing made his heart soar, she was adorable. Bubbles was a very attentive date he also noted, making sure he was good even though it was he who was supposed to be worrying over her. They had fun and Bubbles frequently let him know so, but his little ball of energy eventually wound down and pulled them to sit at a lounge away from all the excitement. Boomer ordered drinks for them and Bubbles relaxed into the seat leaning against him for support.
"Boomer you make an excellent escort, I know I keep saying it but I am having an amazing time with you." She looked up and granted him a megawatt grin.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "And for the millionth time, it's no problem because I too am having an awesome time,"
"I just don't know why we don't do group outings more often," she giggled and thanked the waiter for her mocktail.
Before Boomer could respond the waiter, with his full attention on Bubbles sloppily set his drink down, ignoring the Rowdyruff, "Is there anything else I can get you miss?"
"Oh no, we're fine," she smiled politely and took a sip of her drink.
Even after being dismissed he lingered and Boomer was starting to get annoyed, "Well if there's anything else you might need let me know," he winked and slid a piece of paper towards her.
Boomer was livid, did he not clearly see who she was with? "Um, thanks but I'm very well taken care of," she shoved the paper back in his hands and gave him a look of distaste, "And I'd appreciate you respecting that, it's not wise to rile a Rowdyruff Boy after all," she leaned further into Boomer's side running her hand soothingly across his chest.
Boomer calmed instantly and gave the waiter one of his maniac smirks as he finally glanced over at the Puff's sapphire counterpart, "Oh, I do apologize, so sorry!" Boomer ran his hand along Bubbles bare arm as the waiter's unease grew while he tried to correct his mistake, "Again if I can help in anyway-,"
"You can help by leaving," Boomer's voice took on a lower tone that sent chills down Bubbles' spine as the waiter scurried off.
"You okay Boomie?" she sat up a bit to gauge his emotions.
He smiled at her and took a sip of his own drink, "I'm good, thanks for calming me though because he was just one moment closer to losing his hearing for life,"
She giggled and nudged him, "Boomer, don't kid like that I'm sure he's learned his lesson,"
"Mm, I'm not so sure, what if he still thinks he has a chance?" he leaned in close so their noses were touching, "What if he tries to steal you away later?"
Her brow rose at that, "You think he'd really try something so stupid?" she watched his ocean blue orbs slide to the bar and she followed his gaze to the waiter still throwing glances back at their table, "Hm, maybe he is that stupid,"
He gripped her chin pulling her focus back on him, "Kiss me,"
Her eyes widened a bit, "B-Boomer?" he wasn't asking and it was that same low tone that sent shivers down her spine that made her uncertain if he was serious or not.
His mouth hovered over hers and a wash of spearmint with a hint of something else washed over her in an enticing way as he spoke again, "Kiss me,"
She didn't care who was watching and wouldn't have to begin with, this was everything she wanted and had been waiting for. She and Boomer had been best friends since the end of the rivalry, Bubbles had always cared for and wanted him, but she refused to be the one to initiate anything when she had already started it in the first place with that kiss when they were five. No, he needed to take initiative here, and as he uttered those words a second time she knew she had him right where she wanted him.
Her hands curled sensually over his shoulder to wrap around his neck, "You first,"
He smirked and allowed his free hand to settle over her hip, "Why?"
Her lashes lowered tauntingly as she played with the hairs at the nape of his neck, "Because I always start it,"
He grinned, "Very true," his hands caressed her waist as she waited for him to do his part,
"You sure?"
"Are you?"
He didn't offer her any words as he closed the gap. They lost themselves to each other, neither really fighting for dominance, just easing into a slow dance old as time. He was gentle with her, matching her pace slow and tantalizing, while she in return gave back just as good, biting and pulling. She was the one to stop them, that smile never leaving as she just watched him watch her. There were no words needed, they were together and that was that, and as he nuzzled her nose he shot the waiter one last look of warning finally steering him away.
"Why did you wait so long?" Bubbles rested her head on his shoulder in content.
He rose a brow, "What do you mean?"
"Well I was sure you knew how I felt all this time, I just didn't want to be the one to start after all the opportunities I gave you,"
His eyes widened and he looked down at her in shock, "That long?"
She nodded, "Mmhm, I was hoping you'd figure it out sooner but this is actually more perfect than I could ever ask for,"
His brows furrowed as he rubbed her shoulder, "I'm sorry Bubbles, I guess I'm more naïve than I thought,"
"Don't worry about it Boomie, I'm just glad it's happening now,"
He kissed the top of her head and held her close, "I'm gonna make up for all of it, I promise,"
She smiled up at him, "That's a lot of years to make up for Boomer,"
"I know," he smirked, "but you're worth it,"
She giggled and shook her head, "Oh Boomie,"
They relaxed in the lounge and were found a while later by their red paired siblings. The two reds weren't too surprised by the union of the blues, Blossom simply shrugging and calling Boomer out for being so slow while Brick agreed with her sentiments starting a playful argument between the brothers as Boomer called Brick out on his crush on the pink Puff who blushed at his side while the red Ruff simply laughed and told his baby brother to mind his business. The green siblings threw themselves in the lounge shortly after boasting about their gambling prowess for the night.
"So, tomorrow's the last night guys," Brick sunk comfortably in his seat and nodded to his brothers, "Our costumes are so killer,"
Bubbles rolled her eyes and smirked, "Um, no way I think our costumes will definitely kill yours,"
Boomer laughed and rose a brow, "Bubs I gotta side with my boys on this one there's no way you girls could beat us tomorrow,"
Butch nodded and took a swig of his drink, "True that, we had that fancy costume shop do ours so we know we're winning,"
"Ha!" Buttercup crossed her arms, "Boys I don't think you understand how the world of costumes work, gender equality is one of the strongest factors in costume design and for females you can either be spooky as shit or fuckably sexy, there is no in between,"
Blossom and Bubbles nodded in agreement to their brunette sister, "And we got our costumes done at the same place so good luck outdoing us," Blossom tucked a tendril behind her ear as she grinned victoriously.
"Guess we'll find out tomorrow them won't we Pinky?" Butch smirked dangerously as he leaned into the table.
"We shall," she stared coolly not budging at him trying to get a rise from her.
Bubbles giggled with excitement, "Oooh, I can't wait!"
"I say we all get some rest so we're fresh for tomorrow and then we'll see who beats who," Brick grinned at the thought of what the girls could've possibly done to try and upstage them.
Buttercup chuckled as she rose from the table, her sisters following after, "See you losers tomorrow,"
"Whatever Cupcake, you girls are going down," Butch smirked as he and his brothers followed them to the elevator.
They playfully bantered the whole way up and were to the point of laughing uncontrollably with tears in their eyes by the time they went to separate; they said goodnight and got ready for bed, the boys prepared to amaze and the girls ready to drop some mouths.