You only know what I want you to/I know everything you don't want me to

Glancing around nervously, she tapped on the door lightly. The young woman pulled the loose cardigan she wore tighter round her as she waited, feeling the speed her heart was going at whilst she did so.

Her heart always pounded in her chest like this when she knew she was going to see him. It was because she knew what she was doing wasn't right. Not really. It was in fact pretty wrong.

But that didn't mean she would stop doing it.

She heard his footsteps heading towards the door. It was definitely him; his footsteps gave him away. Too heavy and unfaltering to be his brothers.

He opened the door, a smooth smile fixed onto his face, his emerald eyes looking down at her warmly. He had known it was her too. Something about the small, soft knock on the door that had given her away.

"Hey. Thought you'd come by tonight. What kept you?" He asked in his gravelly voice.

A small smile peeled onto her face. "Oh you know... The usual. Work and stuff. Sorry about how late it is." She replied, rearranging the bag on her shoulder.

This was how the game usually began. Idle, almost awkward on Blossom's behalf; chit chat at the door. Butch would give a sly toss of his head, gesturing for her to come in.

"It's not that late. I was up anyhow. Come on in." His arm appeared behind her, guiding her inside the apartment.

She walked in with a slow nod, her eyebrows furrowed, her mouth a disheartened pout.

Butch stood at the door as he closed it, his head slanting down to watch her as she gently slopped her handbag onto the floor by the sofa, her back to him.

Everything about the girl spelled out worry, anxiety. Vulnerability. Too much on her plate. Too much going on to handle, with no means to escape it. But Butch was okay with that. He could be her escape.

Her shoulders rose then fell again, as she turned around and let out a long sigh. He strode over to her, and she rested her head onto his chest without a word spoken.

She opened her mouth to tell him what had happened. It was always something along the same lines. Some jerk at work had dumped her with the difficult patient. Bubbles had picked a nasty bridesmaids dress for her. Yada yada yada. He didn't always listen.

He stroked a hand along the curve of her hip. He'd then say something along the same lines. It'd all work out. She should stop sweating the small stuff all the time. That doctor had always been a jerk, she should stop taking any shit from him. She'd look stunning whatever she wore to Boomer and Bubbles' wedding. Yada yada yada. It was all the same meaningless stuff. Meaningless to him anyway.

"Jeremy just won't stop calling me! Which isn't helped by the fact that my sisters and the Professor won't get off my back about giving things another go with Jeremy, which I don't want to do. And then I had a breast cancer patient relapse which is always just the worse… Plus the stress of Bubbles' and Boomer's wedding is beginning to eat me up - which is frustrating on it it's own because it's not my wedding, so why is it causing me so much stress? There's always something going on - a meeting, or a dinner. I don't have the time to keep dropping everything to be there for every minor thing this one day event is entailing. They just don't seem to understand…" She trailed off, Butch continuing to brush his hands along the side of her body. "No wonder I didn't end up actually getting married, I don't have time for my sister's wedding let alone one that was supposed to be my own..."

He hushed her, his hands sliding along her body and landing on her shoulders, pulling her into him gently. Butch proceeded to list through every problem she had mentioned, correcting them.

"Bubbles' and Boomer's wedding has included an abundance of pointless, boring meetings and dinners, yes - but it will be over before you know it. Just smile, and get through all the time consuming shit that comes along with it. Ignore your family, because Jeremy is an asshole. You didn't like him, so you stopped seeing him, so don't let them pressure you into meeting up with him again. Just ignore them." There was a pause, in which rose eyes met forest green for a good few seconds.

"And I'm sorry about your breast cancer patient. But you shouldn't take your work home with you. I've told you about that." He muttered the last line.

She sighed, a small smile clicking onto her face. "I know. I'm just a walking talking mess at the moment." She leaned onto the crook of his neck.

"A hot mess, as always." He murmured, his eyes lowering.

"Is Brick in?" She mumbled into his neck.

"Out with friends, or work or something. Should be back in an hour or two, I'd guess." He replied, his voice husky, and dangerous. "So, we've got some time."

She didn't need to say anymore. She looked up at his face, and he leant down towards her, his lips crashed hungrily onto hers. She tasted sweet, with a bitter twinge. Or was it salty? Had she been crying? He didn't care, because she was here, and by the time they were done, he knew at least he'd be smiling. And after all, that was really all he cared about.

He'd pulled off her cardigan before she was even aware, pushing her down onto the sofa, his hands entangled in her long red hair.

He slipped off her scrubs top in one swift movement, running his hands over her toned midriff. She needed him, she needed this, and he knew it. He wouldn't change it either, not now. She yanked at his shirt and he pulled it over his head, the two kissing wildly across the sofa.

She stood up, guiding him into his bedroom and away from the lounge, leaving her clothes behind. They anchored onto the bed, resuming their positions. Blossom would whisper how she really, really shouldn't be here, even though it was hardly the first time this had happened, and Butch would dare her to leave.

And she never did.

Afterwards, Butch would fell asleep; his arm slung over Blossom's stomach. She wasn't surprised, she'd worked the late shift and it had been late. And he'd had the cheek to wait up for her as if he'd known she'd turned up at his place for this. She snuck out of his bed, and found any items of clothing she could. Today, her underwear, bra and long sleeved top she wore underneath her scrubs top were in his room.

Silently putting them on, she padded into the lounge. Her scrubs bottoms and top were out there with her cardigan and her purse.

Quickly throwing the bottoms on, she sat down on the sofa, shoving the periwinkle scrubs top into her bag and shrugging into her cardigan.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she breathed out steadily.

Why did she do this again? Why did she keep doing this?

She stared at the TV screen ahead of her vacantly. Some sitcom was on; Butch must have been watching TV before she'd arrived. Neither of them had shut it off before jumping into his bed.

She knew this was wrong; she knew meeting Butch like this was wrong. She could hardly remember or process how, or when it had started. She just knew that it made her feel oddly better. It made her feel numb to everything else she was feeling. It was a release, when she had no other one.

But much like a drug, it was only a release when she was in the moment. When they were entwined, she couldn't think of anything else. Butch was so powerful and potent. He made her forget about her shortcomings. Her incapability to hold up a stable relationship, her stressful job, her persistent family, the fact that she was 29 years old, single and living alone. But afterwards, when the high came down, she always felt just awful. He was his brother. He was Butch Jojo for crying out loud.

Bubbles and Boomer were to be wed in just under a fortnight. They were high school sweethearts. Buttercup and Mitch had been together for several years, with a son together. Even the Professor was married now too.

Despite being a successful attending doctor at Townsville General Hospital, she felt like a failure in comparison.

She glanced up at the large clock above the fireplace. 2.35am. She lived alone in her apartment not far from the hospital, no one would be wondering where she was. An advantage and disadvantage, all according to how you looked at it.

Blossom jumped, being broken from her reverie by the sound of the front door opening slowly. It was Brick.

The room filled with tension almost immediately, as Blossom turned to look at him.

He didn't say anything, he didn't need to. His expression was blank as his cold eyes met hers. His look was his greeting, and she sent him a silent 'hello' back. It wasn't like they spoke much anymore anyway.

After a few seconds, he stuck his key in the door and locked it, sliding out of his jacket and hanging it up.

Blossom resumed her absent staring at the TV set.

"Are you staying the night?" Brick suddenly spoke, making Blossom jump again.

"Erm, no, no - I should be getting home." She replied, picking her purse up again.

"What brings you here anyway? And this late? Has something happened?" Brick asked, kicking his shoes off and heading towards their kitchen, being sure to not give any eye contact as he spoke. He was wearing a dark grey suit; his usual office wear. But his deep red tie was loose; he'd obviously been out after work.

"No, I just had a rough day at work and needed a listening ear. I've not long finished a late shift." She answered as she got to her feet.

"What happened?" Brick enquired from the kitchen area of the open plan apartment himself and Butch shared.

"Oh just the norm… Breast cancer patient relapsed. Which sucks… But, there was a guy in ER with a screwdriver stuck up his butt so, you know. All the normal things that happen at Townsville General." She answered with a mirthless expression.

Brick smirked as he pulled down a mug and placed it under the coffee machine. He missed her crazy hospital stories.

Brick returned to the room with two cups of coffee. "I see. Decaf." He muttered, sitting down on the armchair next to the sofa.

"Oh, I was just going - thanks." She said taking the mug gingerly, ensuring their hands didn't touch as he passed it over.

There was a tense silence as she sipped at the coffee, blowing it gently.

Brick was internally telling himself again and again to not ask why she was here; why she was really here. He didn't want to know. Well, he did, but he didn't. He worried he knew already and - he knew he couldn't handle the answer he thought he knew. She likely wouldn't tell him anyway. Often she had an answer he couldn't argue with when he did ask.

This happened time and time again nowadays. He'd come home, and she'd be there; and promptly leave. A voice in the back of his head reminded him he already knew the answer to the question of why. Which was why he couldn't bring himself to actually ask.

"Did you have fun out this evening? Butch said you were out with friends, or work or something." Blossom uttered, fiddling with the button to her chunky cardigan. She could never decide what was worse when she was around Brick. Speaking to him, or the painfully awkward silences. Both were painful, no matter how they tried to remain civil.

"Oh, I was just at work late, we had a deadline to reach. When we finished someone suggested going out for a drink… I didn't really want to but, had nothing better to do. Ended up staying out a lot longer than intended though."

"I suppose you did." Blossom replied.

There was another silence. Blossom was wondering what it was he got up to when out for drinks with work colleagues. What it was he got up to to end up being out till gone 2.30am. Then she reminded herself it wasn't her business. Dismissing the thoughts, she quickly gulped down the rest of her coffee, ignoring the burn in the back of her throat, and placed the empty mug down on top of a coaster.

"I guess I better be going. It's so late, I don't want to intrude. Plus, I should get some sleep." She murmured, getting to her feet.

He raised his head, putting his mug down beside hers. "I'll get the door."

And then she left without another word, her rose eyes not meeting his crimson ones as she did so, because she knew he knew why she was there. Why she was really there.

Blossom was woken at 6am by her beeper going crazy in her bag. She groaned, rolling her eyes and pulling herself upright.

A grand total of three hours sleep, she thought as she jumped sleepily into her scrubs. Lucky me.

She threw her long red hair up into a sloppy bun, rushing into the en suite bathroom to brush her teeth, wash her face, and haphazardly apply a small amount of makeup in an attempt to make her appear less 'zombie' doctor.

When she arrived at Townsville General 10 minutes later, she was greeted by the head nurse, Sophia.

"Hi Sophia, I got beeped by an intern. Do you know where Michael is?" She asked, her hands on her hips.

"How many hours sleep have you had?" Sofia asked, completely ignoring Blossom's question.

"I'm just here to check in on Michael -" Sofia interrupted the pink puff.

"You left at what, 2am? I'm on the nightshift, it wasn't that long ago I saw you. How many hours?" She asked again.

"About three..." Blossom mumbled sheepishly.

"Go home, Blossom. Michael is a grown ass man, not a baby. He can bug another attending - go get some sleep." Sofia insisted.

"Seriously, I'm fine, I'm just going to -"

"Home." Sophia said firmly.

"Fine. I'll go see what Michael needs, quickly, and then I'll head home." Blossom relented. "I promise."

Sophia watched her go with a disapproving look.

After dealing with a particularly nervous intern who'd forgotten where the radiology department was, Blossom left the hospital to finally get some sleep; today was a rare day off.

She arrived home, and didn't bother to take her scrubs off; just plummeted into her bed sheets and snuggled up to sleep. Just as she began to drift off, her phone began to ring.

The pink puff furrowed her brow in anger, looking over at the bedside alarm clock. Who was calling her at 7am in the morning?!

"Hello?" She said, in a 'yes-you-just-woke-me-up' tone of voice.

"Blossom! Good morninggggg! I'm getting married in a week! AHHHH! Can you believe it?" Bubbles squealed excitedly, her shriek hurting Blossom's ears.

"Bubbles - Bubbles! Hello - yes, I know you're excited, but do you have any idea what time it is?" Blossom replied tiredly.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry! But there's no way I can sleep, I'm too excited! You can still make it to the rehearsal dinner tonight right?" Bubbles burbled.

Blossom groaned inwardly, but found herself nodding.

"Blossom?"

"I'm nodding." She replied, rubbing at her face sleepily.

"Okay! That's great, it's at the Murmount Hotel downtown remember - be there for 7pm! I'm so excited Blossom! I just love Boomer so much, I can't wait to officially be his wife! I'm just so excited -"

Blossom smiled, interrupting her before she continued her loved up tangent. "I know Bubbles, and I'm so happy for you, I really am. But I also really need to sleep, so I'll see you tonight okay? Bye."

"Byeeeeeee Blossom!" Bubbles chorused down the phone until Blossom hung up. She slumped back down onto the bed with a groan.

"Jay, will you leave your goddamn tie alone?" Buttercup hissed to her son, as he struggled with the emerald tie he was wearing irritably.

"It's goddamn uncomfortable!" He grumbled back.

Mitch Mitchelson scruffed his son's black hair. "Don't curse at your mother. You little ass."

Jay Utonium only crossed his arms in reply, a signature Buttercup glare plastered onto his face. He seemed to enjoy these kinds of events just as much as his mother did.

"Come on, we'll be home before you know it." Buttercup said, leading her partner and son towards Bubbles and Boomer, who were surrounded by gushing family members and friends.

"Buttercup! Mitch! You're here! And is that my favourite nephew?" Bubbles said, looking down at Jay with eyes filled with love.

"I'm your only nephew." He said, rolling his eyes playfully.

Bubbles grinned. "Oh don't you look so cute in your little tux!" She grabbed him, squeezing him tightly, but careful not to crease her baby blue evening dress. It was strapless, ending just below her knee, showing her long milky dancers legs and the small white heels she donned.

"Don't ruffle him too much." Boomer said, appearing beside her with a smirk. "Especially when he's looking so debonair!"

"Hey Boomer." Jay said, bumping fists with him. It was safe to say Buttercup's 7 year old son thought there was nothing cooler than the Rowdyruff boys.

"Hey Jay. Nice threads dude. Looking suave." Boomer praised, and the young boy's eyes lit up as he looked down at what he was wearing.

"Thanks, I didn't wanna wear it but - I chose the tie myself." Jay beamed, looking down at it.

"Yeah remember that next time you're complaining about it." Buttercup reminded her son, before looking up at her sister and soon to be brother in law. "So, you guys excited?"

"Overly! Eeee! I just can't wait - I really can't." Bubbles chatted animatedly. "I mean, we've been wanting to do this for years, it's taken so much saving."

"Well, you had to have your massive princess wedding, didn't you?" Boomer said, but there was humour in his voice, and a sparkle in his eyes.

"We gotta do it right, right?" Bubbles said with a grin.

"Right." Boomer agreed, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. Mitch avidly grabbed one too, eager to get the night over with. He noticed Buttercup's grimace in his direction; she was the designated driver for the night and lord did she feel like she'd drawn the short straw.

"What about you Boomer, excited?" Mitch asked as she sipped his drink.

"Of course yeah! Just, kind of nervous. Not about the getting married part! About the erm, best man's speech." Boomer said, glancing in the direction of his brothers, who were standing by the bar.

Butch was scanning the crowds of people, presumably for someone to take home with him, and Brick was leaning heavily on the bar; Boomer hoped he wasn't drunk already.

"Yeah, choosing Butch probably wasn't your wisest choice." Mitch pointed out, a disapproving look on his face as he looked in the direction the blonde ruff was looking. He'd be the last person he'd have chosen as best man for his wedding; if he were getting married anyway.

"Well, I thought it'd make him step up to the plate... Or something. He seemed pretty eager to do it at the time…" Boomer trailed off, his worry taking over.

"He'll be fine! Don't worry. Best man's speeches are supposed to be embarrassing anyway!" Bubbles giggled at the unassured look on her fiance's face. "He's not doing one tonight either way so, don't worry about it, just enjoy tonight." She planted a kiss on his cheek, and he smiled back.

"'Spose you're right." Boomer murmured.

"Who's doing a speech tonight then?" Mitch asked, curiously.

"Well, Butch is Boomer's best man, and Buttercup's my maid of honour, so Blossom and Brick are doing speeches tonight, that way they still play a part in our wedding." Bubbles explained.

"That's nice." Mitch smiled.

"I'm surprised he even wanted to do it, considering he hardly says a word anyway." Buttercup muttered, glaring over at Brick and his brother.

"Don't be like that BC." Mitch replied, nudging her slightly.

She humphed a reply. She wasn't a fan of either Brick or Butch nowadays.

"We better go and mingle." Boomer said, pulling Bubbles aside gently before the negative talk of his brother/s began. It always made him feel uncomfortable.

"See you guys in a bit! Send Blossom my way when she gets here. I knew she'd be late." Bubbles called.

Just as they went to speak to the Professor and his wife Kelly, a fellow scientist and colleague of the Professor's, Mitch noticed Blossom entering the room.

She wore a long red v neck dress, the hem almost hitting the floor if it weren't for the black heels she wore. Her hair was tamed back into a relaxed updo, and she smiled awkwardly as she approached her sister, Mitch and Jay.

"Hey, sorry I'm late! I had to head back into work again. One of my interns has a useless sense of direction." She murmured, looking around trying to locate the bride to be.

"Hey Aunty Blossom - got any cool, gruesome doctor stories?" Jay cried clutching her arm excitedly at the prospect of blood and gore.

"Jay, don't you look handsome! Did mommy brush your hair?" Blossom asked with a hint of sarcasm, dodging the question he'd asked. After telling Jay about the kid who swallowed a dozen quarters, Buttercup had brought Jay into the hospital the very next day; he'd done the same, but better. TWO dozen quarters. Buttercup had kinda banned the gruesome hospital stories after that.

Buttercup nudged her redheaded sister as she stroked the top of her son's head, her fingers almost tangling in his unruly black locks. "Of course I brushed his hair!"

Blossom smiled teasingly, looking around to see who else was here. "Have I missed anything?"

"Not really. Just a bunch of really boring people handing Bubbles and Boomer good luck cheques while we drink champagne." Mitch answered, glancing longingly at the bar.

"While you drink champagne." Buttercup added irritably.

Blossom followed his gaze. "Sounds about right. Good thing I'm getting a taxi home." She winked.

"All right for some." Buttercup grumbled.

Blossom froze slightly as she looked at the bar once more, both Butch and Brick were sat there. Butch caught her eye and rose an eyebrow in her direction.

Buttercup noticed, and looked where her sister was looking. "You gunna be okay with him here tonight?" She was referring to Brick, but it took Blossom a moment to realise that.

The pink puff snapped back to reality, looking back towards her green eyed sister. "Don't be silly! Of course I am. We have to be around each other quite a bit so, we're okay at being civil. Well, we are once we get past the excruciating awkwardness." She mumbled in reply before collecting herself. "I can be civil. I can also not talk to him if I don't have to, which is what I normally do if I have to encounter him anyway."

"I really struggle to be around the guy since, so I dunno how you manage it. Pisses me off just looking at him." Buttercup growled.

"Buttercup honestly, it's fine. It was what, 3 years ago now - don't let it get to you. You definitely don't have to talk to him so just ignore him. This is Bubbles' and Boomer's big day, almost. And he's Boomer's brother so, it's right that he's here. Let's just be happy, and be here for her. Now, anyone want a drink? It's on the happy couple!"

As soon as Blossom appeared at the bar, both Brick and Butch looked her up and down.

Brick left after an awkward hello, a mildly pained expression on his face as he mumbled something about going to find Boomer. Butch however just sidled closer to her.

"Well don't you scrub up well." He leered, looking at her from top to toe once again.

She offered him a sharp stare. "You're just full of compliments aren't you."

He ignored her comment, smiling at her as she ordered a glass of rosé wine.

"Where did you go last night? I missed you." He said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She caught his hand quickly though, pushing it away. "Or more, I missed the possibility of round two."

"What are you doing?" She asked curtly, picking up her glass and composing herself. "And you fell asleep. It was late. I went home."

"I can't be around you and not touch you when you're look this tempting." He purred, leaning in even closer. Blossom felt her stomach flutter, his warm breath on her neck.

"Well, you're just going to have to control yourself, aren't you?" She rasped back, a small smile briefly flitting onto her face.

Butch almost rolled over and begged, as Blossom turned away from him and found her blonde sister.

"Blossom, you're here! And you look amazing! Oh yay you went with the red one!" Bubbles oozed, smiling widely, pleased her sister had taken her advice on the dress choice.

"I was just telling her the same thing." Butch said politely, looking quite the gentleman. Blossom knew better. She gave him an irritated look, annoyed he'd followed her, but turned back to her sister.

"Thanks... And it was from your recommended list of dresses, so you should like it." She answered half heartedly, hoping to point out how controlling her sister had been about this wedding. Her comment flew over her blonde sister's head.

"I can see, I'm secretly really glad you went for this one it so suits you! So do you have your speech all prepared?" Bubbles asked, an unnerving glint in her eye that meant there'd be danger if she hadn't prepared anything to say as planned.

"Yes, I mean it's just a short one, but a speech nonetheless." Blossom answered looking down at her feet momentarily. She was dreading having to do a speech. Especially as Brick's speech followed. Being associated with anything to do with Brick these days made her feel uneasy. Even more so than before nowadays. But Bubbles had insisted and there was no arguing with Bridezilla.

Everyone was called to their seats and Blossom inhaled slowly before following Bubbles and Boomer to the tables.

"And so, I would just like to wish both Boomer and my beautiful sister Bubbles a wonderful, fulfilling life together. I couldn't think of two people more perfect for each other than you two. To the happy couple!" Blossom cried, ending her speech. She sat down as everyone cheered and raised their glasses.

There was a hum of conversation around the tables as Brick stood, clearing his throat and holding onto his glass. It was a wine glass, full of clear bubbly liquid; Blossom knew Brick never drank champagne, or wine. He detested the stuff. A whisky on the rocks was his usual drink of choice. She also noticed he didn't have a prompt card or any notes with him. He'd probably not planned anything at all.

"As Boomer's supposed 'older' brother, and father figure in some ways, I have to say I am proud of the way he has grown up. He's always been the most warm hearted of the three of us; I always knew he'd meet a nice, warm hearted girl, and make all her dreams come true. So, to be standing here today, knowing he's going to be married in a week's time - I can only really wish them both a selection of things. I wish them both happiness. I wish them both a long, committed marriage together."

Blossom flinched at the last sentence, looking down at the fancy blue napkin on the table in front of her.

"I wish that my brother is smart and doesn't lose what he's got, and holds onto it. You're gunna fight; its part and parcel of love. But hold on, and don't make any stupid mistakes. Some mistakes leave an imprint that just doesn't fade. To the happy couple." Brick said, raising his glass, the bitterness not being able to escape his voice.

Blossom couldn't look at him. She could feel him burning a hole into the side of her head with his gaze, and when she sneaked a glance at him she'd been right. He had been looking at her.

The crowd clapped quietly, as Brick sat down in his seat. Blossom could feel many knowing eyes on her, as she watched the bubbles in her drink rise to the top of the glass like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Well, thanks bro. And thank you Blossom. Erm, the meals will be brought out shortly everyone so, enjoy!" Boomer said, his enthusiasm breaking the spell from Brick's downer of a speech.

"Why did he do that?" Blossom hissed to herself, as she looked at her reflection in the mirror of the ladies bathroom. What was he trying to achieve?

She stared at her reflection for a good few minutes. She looked tired. Stressed. She was tired. And she was stressed. She remembered how many nights, 3 years ago, she had sat and stared at her reflection in her bathroom mirror. She'd sat and looked at herself, and wondered what was wrong with her? What was so wrong with her to have made him do it?

The pink puff shook her head. She didn't want to think about that. Not any of it. Then she thought of Butch. Butch's attentive words, lingering hands, powerful body. She sighed. What the hell was she doing?

She left the bathroom to socialise a bit more with family and friends, and bumped straight into the guy she was just thinking of.

"You okay?" Butch asked, not looking or sounding very concerned at all.

She looked at him and sighed. "Wanna get out of here?"

r&r (: