Disclaimer: I hold no rights to the Powerpuff Girls or Cartoon Network.

Author's Notes: So this author doesn't want to sleep, despite probably needing it. So work to be done.

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The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon and release scattered beams of light throughout the city of Townsville as she began to stir, feeling one hit her face. Ace said a small prayer in his choice of spots to stop at in the park since the city was beginning to stir and the early morning runners had already passed him, unable to see the green skinned boy who was hidden in the folliage of the bushes. The only ones who knew of what had transpired there ever so early in the morning were a few squirrels darting between trees and a lonely cat that had nestled comfortably beside Ace, who wondered whether he was simply a pillow for everyone tonight.

Buttercup blinked a few times, barely realizing where she was, only aware of a set of arms holding her and a decently warm body. For a moment, she considered snuggling in and simply continuing to sleep, quite content in the arms of her mystery man. Then, she looked up and saw Ace's tired face, who had stayed awake thinking the entire time and realized exactly what had transpired last night, or more accurately, earlier that morning. Her cheeks reddened as she jumped off of him, scaring the cat next to her who hissed angrily, then took her spot on Ace's lap.

"So, Sleepin' Beauty finally wakes up." He remarked, though with noticably less sarcasm than normal.

Buttercup couldn't think of a response and the redness in her face increased, both embarrassed and longing, transfixed in his eyes as he had neglected to return the shades to his face. He stared back at her, his eyes dark and made even moreso by the circles beginning to appear around his eyes. Buttercup's face softened as she realized there was a sadness in his eyes that she'd never once seen in her life, one that pierced inside her and gave the feeling of wanting to cry.

They stayed locked in gaze until Ace looked away, picking up his shades and hiding whatever emotions he felt behind the ebony glasses. He stood, carrying the tiny black cat in his arms, who seemed quite content with the company.

"Yous should get home. Your sisters will wake up soon enough." Seeing him look at her and not being able to see his eyes made Buttercup's heart ache near out of her chest. Not wanting him to see her cry again, she flew off blindly, a few tears hitting the grass behind her as he watched her fly off into the slowly brightening sky, tinged with pink.

'Can't be that way, Ace. Just not a reality. You is who you always is.' He told himself as he walked back to the shack. The boys were passed out on the ground, snoring loudly as Ace laid out on the couch, letting the cat down. The creature looked around the room, almost disgustedly and jumped back up onto Ace's chest, curling up in a content ball of black fur. He gave a soft smile, one that actually didn't come off as a smirk and pet the cat, looking outside as the morning slowly came over Townsville, his smile fading.

'And she is who she is.'

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Buttercup managed to slip back into bed without her sisters or the Professor waking, rubbing her eyes to rid herself of tears she shed the entire time while flying. Lord, anyone who walked under her must have thought it was a random rain drop. Pulling the blanket over her, Buttercup closed her eyes and tried to sleep a little, only managing to think back to the softness of Ace's embrace, the strength of it, the comfort she'd never really felt in anyone else. He stayed up the entire time watching her? Who does that stuff, especially for her? Surely, that was enough to show he did care about her, that there was something more than just an enemy to enemy relation? I mean, he walked with her in the park and held her for two hours after she cried, which was a shameful enough moment for Buttercup.

But she knew. Knew the sadness in his eyes. It was the same look she had given him before, one of hopelessness, of understanding that even if anything did exist, nothing could ever come of it.

Buttercup heard her sisters stir and she pulled the blanket over her head, not wanting anything to do with anyone but the envisionment in her head. Even as Bubbles pulled at the blanket, telling her to get up, she would not move from her spot. She could still smell the scent of cigarettes lingering on her lightly and breathed in the aroma off her pajamas, fresh tears staining her pillow. As much as she wished it not to, she knew the scent would fade, just like her hope.

"Come on, Buttercup, it's morning!" Blossom reprimanded her sister, or the lump under the covers.

"I'm not getting up. I'm sick." Was the response that came from under the blanket.

"Ugh, you're so lazy!" Blossom chuffed, picking up her towel and soaps from the dresser as she went off for a shower. Bubbles, who tended to pick up on disturbances buch easier than her two sisters, felt a sadness radiating from Buttercup. Over the years, she had watched Buttercup and Blossom's relationship become more and more distant, both having strong opinions over everything and anything you could think to fight over. She had become the mediator and broke up many of the fights until it got to the point where Blossom and Buttercup pretty much let the other di what they wished, only giving soft glares when one did something the other disapproved of. Needless to say, Buttercup was drenched in sharp looks from pink eyes.

Bubbles kneeled on the bed, putting a hand on the lump in the covers that was her sister, who flinched at the touch.

"Buttercup...?" She whispered softly as the ebony-haired girl hid her sobs, making them completely silent.

"I'll be up in a littler while. Just let me sleep more." She managed to get out before burying her face in the pillows.

"Ok..." Bubbles knew there was much more going on with her sister than simply illness, but knew as well that like this, Buttercup would not talk for anything.

Buttercup listened to the door close and wiped her face on the pillow, rolling over. Which led to a sharp pain in her chest.

"Ow! What the...?" She looked and pulled out a folded note that had been apparently stuck down the front of her pajama top. It was written on torn paper that reeked of cigarettes and filthy jeans. Her heart picked up speed. When had he...? Maybe when she was asleep? Buttercup opened it and read the scribbled writing on the note.

"Hey. Same place. Tonight. 1AM. Ace."

Buttercup clutched the note to her chest, trying to breathe and tossed the covers off. Maybe there was not future. But there was a now.