This fic is for 1000GreenSun. Yeah, uh...I had a completely different story in mind, but my Muse decided it wanted to scrap all my hard work and write this one instead, and at the last minute. This was intended to be a Reds fic, but came out as more potential Reds, I think. I'm sorry...
STUFFED ANIMAL
Ruffs and Puffs are 12
Brick sat on the roof of a convenience store, simply watching traffic go by in his rarely found downtime. He was waiting for the sun to dip a bit lower in the sky, for he'd planned a bank heist this evening and would be meeting up with his brothers soon.
He'd thought it out well, and even carried a backpack full of the supplies they would need to pull it off effortlessly.
The traffic light had changed to red, temporarily stalling the cars. On the other side of the street, a little girl with her brown hair held in two low pigtails, who Brick assumed was probably no more than four yeas of age, was running down the sidewalk; a stuffed bunny clutched tightly in her little arms. She wore a dark purple dress, white socks, and black tennis shoes with purple laces.
She skidded to a breathless stop infront of the crosswalk, looked both ways, then began to run across to his side of the street. Halfway toward her destination the light changed back to green.
The girl froze fearfully where she was at the sound of rumbling engines roaring to life. A truck driver directly infront of her only payed enough attention to his surroundings to note that the light had changed, not that there was a child crossing the street.
The giant truck moved forward, its looming presence towering over the young girl who was too afraid to move. It gained speed until it was right on top of her, and she squeezed her eyes shut, lifting her bunny infront of her face as some form of meager protection as she waited for the collision that would surely end her life.
What she felt instead were hands grasp her waist, followed by a sudden weightlessness.
She peeked out, lowering the bunny from her face. Her eyes widened in alarm when she found herself several feet above the ground, traffic flowing uninterrupted under her.
''E-eh?'' She wined in confusion, her eyes beginning to water. What was she doing up so high? What if she fell? Or was she already dead and now a ghost floating over-
''Hey, kid.''
She jerked at the unexpected voice, and felt the hands tighten around he waist. Anxiously, she turned her head back, coming face to face with...a very mean looking boy.
''Don't make me regret saving you,'' he said with a note of self-loathing in his voice. He carried her over to his previous spot on the roof of a store, then touched down. He released her waist, letting her drop the remaining two feet.
She landed in a crouch, and stood back up to her full height, just coming up past his knee. She sniffed up at him, and when he did nothing but stare dispassionately back down at her with demonic red eyes that almost appeared to be glowing, she felt her earlier terror return. All at once her eyes overflowed with tears, and she sobbed pitifully, clutching her bunny to her chest.
Brick sighed with a mix of irritation and exasperation, shifting uncomfortably as he looked down at the crying child. What had he been thinking anyway, saving her? Why not just let her get run over? He wouldn't have cared if it'd been anyone else.
Her sobbing was loud and distracting, and Brick only bared it for two minutes before snapping. ''Shut up.''
To his surprise she did. Her sobs choked off to a brief whine, then went completely silent. Tears, however, continued to make tracks down her face.
''Uh...now, why are you crying, kid?'' He asked awkwardly.
''Mimi...'' She mumbled.
'...The hell is a 'Mimi?''
''That's my name, mister. It's not kid,'' she said pointedly, and Brick found himself scowling at her tone.
''Yeah, well my name is Brick, not mister.''
His scowl faded into a confused frown when she gave him a small smile. ''I like your name.''
The words were simple, but for some odd reason they stuck, simply because nobody had ever said that to him. Brick smirked down at her, unable to hide the boost in pride he felt about her complimenting the name he'd chosen for himself.
After a brief moment of silence, Mimi looked out into the street, staring at the spot where she'd almost become roadkill. Her breath sped up with a sudden realization, and Brick suddenly found a trembling child attached to his leg.
''Hey! What-?''
''We're high,'' She whispered, her eyes wide with fright and her tears finding a second wind.
Brick blew out his bangs with frustration, weakly shaking his leg in an attempt to dislodge her. ''You afraid of heights or something?'' When she nodded gravely and gave a little sniffle his expression softened a bit. ''Alright then,'' he mumbled, gathering her up and taking them down to the sidewalk below.
Citizens simply weaved around them, and Brick couldn't help but feel slightly irritated at being ignored. He was a criminal after all; shouldn't they be afraid or something?
A soft tug on the hem of his shirt called for his attention, and he glanced down at the four-year-old. She beamed up at him, wiping at her eyes with her tiny fist and erasing all former traces of sadness.
''Thank you for saving me,'' She said softly, brown eyes shining with a gratitude that made Brick feel distinctly uncomfortable.
''Hnn.'' He turned to leave, but a soft, furry object being pressed into his hand made him pause. He looked down at what he thought was a horrible depiction of a rabbit, then back to the girl.
''Ponchy wants to go with Brick, because Brick saved her too!'' Mimi announced excitedly. His slack-jawed expression was quite comical, and she giggled as she blew a kiss to her former bunny, and then another to her personal savior. ''Keep her safe!'' She said, then turned to skip away.
Brick was left standing in the middle of the side walk, a stuffed toy held lightly in one hand as he watched her until she disappeared around the corner. Hesitantly, glancing around for anyone watching, he slid his backpack off his shoulders and unzipped it, dropping the toy inside before closing it again.
As an after thought he flew upwards, high into the air. From this vantage point he could see most of the city. His pupils dilated and shrunk as he focused on the direction Mimi had gone, catching sight of her climbing up the stairs of an apartment complex.
Satisfied, he sped off toward the Townsville's bank. Odd encounters with toddlers aside, he still had a robbery to pull off.
He landed in the back of the building, where his brothers waited for him. Boomer leaned against the building, spacing off, while Butch sat grumpily on the ground, arms crossed and scowl in place.
''You're late,'' he grunted.
Brick gave a half shrug, ''I got sidetracked.'' He reached into his bag, pausing when his hand brushed the soft fur of the toy. Shaking his head, he pulled out the long rope he'd stored earlier. The rope was several yards long, taking up almost all the space in his bag. He tossed it Boomer, who fumbled to catch it, shocked out of his daydreams.
''What's this for?'' The blue Ruff asked, adjusting his burden so it wouldn't tangle around his legs.
''We're going to use that to tie everyone up. This way they won't be able to call for those Powerpuffs.'' As he began rummaging through his bag again he said distractedly, ''One of you look inside and see how many people there are.''
Butch stood up, forest green dimming as he used his X-ray Vision to peer through the wall. ''There are...seven. Two are bank tellers.''
''Good.'' Brick pulled out a roll of masking tape, smirking as he closed his bag and replaced it on his back. ''Ready?''
He received a smirk and an excited nod.
...
''EVERYBODY FREEZE!'' Butch commanded, knocking the front doors off their hinges, his glowing hands held up menacingly as he pointed them in the general direction of the people in the room. Everyone stalled, raising their hands over their heads. Butch leaned over to Boomer, who'd come up beside him. ''I have always wanted to do this!'' He cackled.
Boomer rolled his eyes at his brother, before saying with mock authority to their hostages, ''Everybody in the middle of the room so I can tie you up.'' They complied out of self-preservation, and Boomer used his super speed to wrap them all up in a tight bundle. He grinned down at his handiwork. ''You're right, Butch; professional robbery is fun.''
Brick floated into the room last, tossing the tape to Boomer. ''Use that to keep them quiet in case they scream and the girls are close enough to hear.''
As the blonde got busy with his task, and Butch kept his palms focused on the hostages in case they tried anything, Brick made his way to the safe. He took hold of the metal handle, ripping it off effortlessly and allowing the large circular door to swing open on its own.
With an accomplished grin Brick began to gather up a few thousand dollars and stuff it into his pack. He wasn't too keen on raiding the entire space because he was mostly trying to make a point; yes, he could pull off a professional bank robbery with his own planing.
That, and he didn't have much room in his bag.
He strode out, feeling very good about himself, when he was suddenly tackled to the ground, which effectively ruined his mood.
''Girls! Make sure the hostages stay safe!'' The redhead on top of him shouted. He spotted his brothers across the room, struggling to fend off their counterparts.
He turned back to her, blushing when he noticed their position and proximity, then shoved her off him, sending her stumbling back as he pushed himself to his feet. 'How did they know? I thought of everything!'
Blossom was frowning, arms crossed. ''There's a panic button under the bank tellers desk.'' She said, answering his unasked question.
Brick clenched his fists. How did he miss that? Of course there would be a panic button; it was a bank! But he was sure the second Butch entered everybody's hands went up, so when did they push it?
A pink tennis shoe coming up in his peripheral vision brought him back to awareness, and he caught her ankle in one hand. Her expression didn't change as she brought her other foot around, aiming for his head. He ducked, then tossed her away from him.
As she flew back away from him she shot a pink Fist-Beam in his direction. He tried to dodge, but the beam fried the straps of his backpack, which fell heavily to the ground behind him.
Seeing her chance, Blossom dived for it, snatching it and backing away before he could grab it. She unzipped it, turning it upside down and allowing the contents to fall to the floor. He paled when his gifted stuff animal landed on top of the pile of dollar bills.
His counterpart raised and eyebrow, bending down to pick up the toy. She studied it closely, then narrowed her eyes at him. ''You're stealing toys from little kids now too?''
''No!'' He shouted immediately. ''Give that back!'' He began advancing toward her, reaching out to snatch the toy away, but she backpedaled, keeping it out of his reach. She continued moving away until she'd led them out the bank and into the air overhead.
''Where did you get it from if you didn't steal it?'' She interrogated.
Brick lunged at her, but she swerved away.
With a growl Brick floated in place, allowing his bangs to shadow his expression.''...It was a gift,'' he mumbled finally, thinking perhaps if he told the truth she'd give it back and be done with it.
''Who would give you a gift?'' She asked incredulously. He didn't answer, averting his gaze. She furrowed her brow angrily. ''Fine. Then I guess you don't need this.''
His head snapped up when she took off with Ponchy in tow, and he growled as he sped off after her.
They swerved around many of the tall buildings Townsville was known for, leaving large gusts of wind and bright streaks of color in their wake.
When Blossom finally stopped they were on the opposite side of the city. Brick's glare was fierce. ''Give it back.''
''Tell me who gave this to you then.''
''It's none of your business!'' He growled. He prepared to attack her, but stopped short when she held the bunny by one of its ears over a glowing pink palm.
''Tell me or I'll destroy it.'' Blossom threatened.
''Keep her safe!'' He remembered Mimi telling him. Trusting that he would take care of her gift.
With a long, agitated sigh he relaxed his fists, giving her a weary look. ''I saved a kid from being run over and she gave me her stupid rabbit.'' He waited for her to mock him, but to his surprise she smiled instead, the intimidating glow fading from her hand. She began lowering herself to the ground and he followed her, a suspicious frown in place.
''Ponchy's not stupid.''
Brick stared at her with wide, astonished eyes. Her smile only brightened. ''I saw you,'' she explained handing him the toy, which he took with a bemused -and slightly embarrassed- expression.
''You...what?''
She crossed her arms, grinning with superiority. ''I was on patrol, and I saw you swoop in and save...Mimi? Wasn't that her name?''
'So, if she saw me before the robbery...nobody pushed a panic button! She just followed me there!' He clutched the stuffed animal tightly. ''You were ease dropping too?''
She huffed at the insinuation, but still smiled. ''Super hearing; couldn't help it.''
''Yeah, well...don't expect this to happen again, alright. It was a one time deal!'' He said, trying to save face.
She nodded seriously, stepping closer. She stopped an inch infront of him, and he swallowed uncomfortably, heat rushing to his cheeks. She stood up on her toes, for he was at least five inches taller now, and placed a soft kiss to his cheek.
When she pulled back her cheeks were tinged pink, and Brick was trying to muster up the former disgust he held for her.
''Thank you,'' she whispered, and meant it. ''I wouldn't have made it in time.'' She took off without another word, leaving him alone.
Brick found himself feeling somewhat cheated, and very confused with the recent chain of events. Ponchy stared up at him with beady black eyes and a happy little smile. Brick knew he must be imagining things, because the smile was starting to look more and more like a smirk.
Yeah, this focused more on plot then romance, in my opinion. Even so, I don't think it was too terrible. It also featured Mimi, one of my most used OC's. She'll probably come up again at some point.
To Tea, I hate shots as well, and hope the minor Reds fluff managed to help.
To Dreams, I agree; all the pairings are known for some stereotypical nuance
And to 1000GreenSun, I'm sorry this fic wasn't as good as it could've been.
Have a good weekend, see you guys next week!