I always will/I wish you'd hold me when I turn my back/The less I give the more I get back
When Blossom woke up, she knew where she was instantly. His room, their old room; it had barely changed. Besides maybe less pink, girly things decorating it. And no hair ties and scrubs littering the room.
She then glanced at the floor. There were scrubs littering the room today, she realised as she looked down at herself, stark naked. She gripped at the covers tighter. What had she done?
Brick stirred, turning around in bed to face her. She clutched at the covers tighter. "Hey." Brick said simply, sighing into his pillow.
"What time is it?" She asked, sitting up slightly but still keeping herself covered, and peering at the alarm clock on his bedside. It was just past 1am. They'd fallen asleep for a few hours.
Brick's arms roamed under the covers and he pulled her closer, their bare warm bodies sliding together. "I never thought you'd be here again." He said warmly, referring to his arms. He kissed the top of her long red hair affectionately, her head tucked under his chin and resting on the hollow of his collarbone.
The uptight, remorse filled feeling she had had disappeared, as she automatically snuggled against him as if it were where she belonged. "I never thought I'd be here again either."
"I've missed you so much." He said, brushing the hair from her eyes to stroke the side of her face.
Feeling bad about being where she was seemed stupid all of a sudden, because she felt just so goddamn happy laying there with him. How could it have sparked those initial negative feelings? She couldn't even remember the last time she'd felt this good; felt this loved. "I've missed you too, of course I have. It's just never been this easy has it?"
"No, it definitely has not. I get that. I'm just glad you're here now at least." He muttered, and she could see he really meant that.
He leaned in and kissed her tenderly; so gently as if she may break. It was funny to think that someone as cold, distant and brooding as Brick could hold you so delicately and make you feel so precious. Maybe it was because he loved her. And she could see, she could feel that he still did. She still loved him too.
It was completely different to when she was with Butch, she couldn't help but think. Brick held her like he really wanted her there. Like he was there for more than the just a few moments of pleasure.
Butch. Oh god, she hadn't even thought of him! What if he was home? What if he knew? Blossom pulled away from Brick's embrace at the thought of his emerald brother.
"What's wrong?" The red ruff asked, confused at her sudden departure from his arms.
"I should go." She mumbled, hopping out of bed quickly and grabbing at her clothes.
Brick reached forward and managed to catch her wrist after she threw her t shirt on. "Why?" He wanted to know.
"What do you mean why?" Blossom stammered, yanking her arm away. He was right though, why? Why shouldn't she stay? Butch wasn't her boyfriend! She wasn't doing anything wrong. But she didn't want Butch to know, just the same as she didn't want Brick to know.
And then she felt just awful and confused because that was just so messed up!
"I mean why? Why can't you stay? What's stopping you?" Brick said, beginning to get up now too. "You just don't want to?"
"I just can't, okay? I shouldn't. I'm sorry." Blossom said, now fully dressed, and turning to the door to leave.
"Blossom please don't go. Can't we just have tonight? Just this one night?"
The slam of the front door echoed around Brick's apartment, as he slumped back on the bed with a sigh.
As she sat in the restaurant waiting, Buttercup was surprised to see Blossom heading towards the table. Her redheaded sister was normally the late one, not Bubbles.
"Hey stranger." Buttercup smiled as Blossom sat down opposite her.
"Hey, am I late, or is Bubbles just late?" Blossom asked, as she arranged her bag at her feet.
"You're both kinda late." Buttercup noted, nodding her head in the direction of their other sister, who was making her way towards the table now, smiling apologetically.
Looking tanned, toned, and as glamorous as always, Bubbles approached the table.
"Sorry sorry sorry!" She gushed, sitting down next to Buttercup. "I completely lost track of time, I had dance this morning for a couple of hours!"
"I hope you showered." Buttercup said, wrinkling her nose.
"Of course I did!" She giggled in reply. "Blossom! How are you doing? I've not seen you in like, almost a month! That's insane I've missed you so much!"
"I'm fine thank you. I know, it's been crazy lately... So how are you? How was the honeymoon?" Blossom replied, smiling sweetly.
It was nice to see her sisters again. Buttercup and Bubbles saw each other a lot more than Blossom saw either of them these days, and sometimes she felt it.
"Oh my god, it was amazing! Honestly, the best two weeks of my life! Sun, sea and-"
"Sex." Buttercup finished, just as the waiter arrived at the table.
"Errr, would you like to order some drinks?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at the trio.
Bubbles just giggled, and Buttercup snorted; Blossom was the only one not being incoherent.
"Yes please, just three diet cokes." She spoke with a smirk in her sisters' direction.
"Very well. And are you ready to order yet?" The waiter pushed.
"No, not yet." Blossom said, handing him the drinks menus with a smile. "So," She said, as Buttercup and Bubbles calmed down. "Sun, sea and sex huh?"
"Baby making sex." Buttercup said casually, glancing up from the menu she held.
"Baby making? Really?" Blossom gasped.
"Thanks for ruining the surprise Buttercup! Boomer and I are trying for a baby, yes." Bubbles said slightly sheepishly. "We talked about it a lot while we were in Barbados and, well we're not getting any younger are we, any of us? So, we decided it was now or never!" She cried happily, then cringed at her own words. "I mean, not that it is too late, it's not at all - we're 29 that's not even that old you know! I just don't wanna be in my thirties and only just a mother. Like, I wanna be done in my early thirties really, cos I don't wanna be an old mother. I mean - oh, be quiet Bubbles!" She winced.
"Yeah, shut it." Buttercup hissed.
Blossom smiled, but ignored her babbling; regardless of how much these facts did haunt her. "Bubbles, that is wonderful news."
Bubbles beamed with relief. "Thank you Blossom. That's my biggest news. We started trying while we were away and we're just going to keep it up."
"That is great, you'll make an incredible mother." Blossom assured her.
"Thanks, we're really excited. Any news from you two?" She asked, grabbing her glass as the waiter put it down.
"Same old from me. It's funny you should mention kids though, cos I'm about ready to kill mine. Someone, no second guesses at who, but someone taught Jay how to make a toilet bomb. He's completely trashed 3 toilets at his school. He was sent home with a nice hefty fine from the Principal. Little shit." Buttercup muttered, as her sisters laughed at their nephew.
"I wonder where he gets his mischievous side from?" Blossom asked, mock perplexed.
"Hmm, I mean you never bombed a few toilets while you were at school." Bubbles joined in dryly. "And his father certainly never did either."
"Oh shut up. He's about a million times worse than I was. He's worse than Mitch too. He better pack that shit in now cos I can't keep funding the school's toilet refits."
Bubbles and Blossom giggled more. Their nephew had certainly inherited their parents' mischievous streak.
"What about you Blossom? Any news?" Buttercup asked, changing the subject.
Blossom shook her head, as she sipped at her drink. "Not really." How and why did she find it so easy to lie to her sisters? It was far from the truth. She'd slept with Brick the night before!
"Nothing? But it's been 3 weeks, you must have some news?" Bubbles asked, surprised.
She shrugged her shoulders, feeling guilty as sin. She should tell them. Why didn't she feel like she could? "Nothing to report. Unlike you two, I don't have a very interesting life, clearly. I'm not seeing anyone or anything, I haven't -" She stopped herself knowing before she knew it she'd be confessing all her relationship sins. "I could go into some patients I've had or something? Like, not names but, weird stuff..."
"Not unless it's juicy." Bubbles said, sipping her drink. She was wholly unsatisfied with Blossom's answer.
Blossom considered telling them about Carla, but figured that could lead to her ending up in Brick's bed, so she kept quiet. Also, she really did not want to talk about Carla Martins if she didn't have to, which she didn't. Bringing up the whole Brick cheating thing would just put Buttercup in a bad mood too.
"Are you sure you're not seeing anybody? I mean, you would tell us if you were right? Even if it was, I dunno, Brick again?" Buttercup asked, and Blossom choked on her drink that she'd just put to her lips.
Bubbles leaned forward to stroke her sister's back as she caught her breath. "Brick again? What made you say that?" Blossom spluttered.
"Well, I can imagine you keeping quiet about something like that, thats all. But you could tell us. You'd tell us, right?" Buttercup asked, watching her sister closely.
"Of course." Blossom mumbled guiltily. "But, that won't happen anyway. I'm not with anyone. And that's just fine."
Bubbles and Buttercup exchanged a skeptical look, which Blossom couldn't help but notice. It aggravated her. Sometimes it felt like the pair thought they were better than her. Their relationships were healthy, and therefore they knew better, they knew what was best for her. They were closer than they'd ever been, and Blossom could really feel it. That look, it hurt.
Blossom snuck a hand into her pocket, setting off the test tone for her beeper. She then grabbed at it, reading the front screen.
"Oh, really?" Buttercup moaned, as Blossom rose out of her seat.
"I'm so sorry guys, I gotta get to work, it's an emergency. It was nice catching up, as brief as it was." She took a couple of dollar bills from her purse and laid them on the table. "Here's to cover my drink. Sorry, see you soon!"
"Bye Blossom…" Bubbles squeaked sadly, watching her retreating back.
She hurried out of the restaurant, feeling judged and ultimately, alone.
When Bubbles arrived at work Monday morning, she was greeted by an array of happy co-workers, glad to see her back.
"So how was the honeymoon?"
"What's married life like?"
"How's that gorgeous hubby treating you?"
Bubbles blushed and grinned, answering everyone in her normal animated and cheery manner, wondering why she was dreading going back to work so much. She loved the people she worked with, and most of all she loved to dance. She was lucky to be paid to do something she loved, and she never forgot that.
But when she noticed Jeremy in the corner, warming up, and almost pointedly ignoring her, she was confused.
Thanking everyone who wished her well and was glad to see her, she made her way over to him.
"Hi Jeremy!" She said happily, joining him in his warm up. "How are you?"
He turned and gave Bubbles such a hard glare that she almost jumped back a bit. "I'm fine, considering."
"Considering? Considering what?" Bubbles questioned, confused.
"Considering the way your sister treated me! I'm surprised you have the nerve to even come and talk to me after what she did!" He almost yelled, causing everyone to look their way.
"What she did? What did Blossom do?" Bubbles mumbled, baffled.
Jeremy scoffed. "Oh as if you don't know! She's your sister, of course you knew! You could have set me up with someone who didn't already have a boyfriend! No wonder she had zero interest in me! I've made a complete fool of myself because of you!"
"Already have a boyfriend? Blossom doesn't have a boyfriend!" Bubbles squeaked, becoming even more puzzled now.
"Oh don't cover up for her! It's too late now, I know. I know about her little year long relationship. Women like her make me sick. And you're no better for setting me up to fall." Jeremy spat with anger.
"Year long relationship?! What on earth are you talking about? Blossom hasn't been with someone for a year." Bubbles yelped, and Jeremy rolled his eyes in disgust.
"She has, she told me so herself!" Jeremy exclaimed, and Bubbles blinked at him.
"She must have been lying. Honestly Jeremy, I have no idea what you're talking about! She doesn't have a boyfriend. If she did, I would know about it - she's my sister for crying out loud!" Bubbles cried, getting annoyed with his attitude.
"She wasn't lying, okay. She was cheating on me the whole time." Jeremy said, his voice becoming dramatically hurt now.
"She, she must have just been messing around with you or something, she must have said it to get you off her back, Blossom isn't like that!" Bubbles insisted but he shook his head.
"She is Bubbles! If you don't believe me, ask her about it yourself." Jeremy said, picking up his bottle of water and stomping out of the hall.
Bubbles watched him go, dismayed. When she looked back at her other colleagues, some looked confused, others looked concerned. Bubbles was just plain embarrassed. She needed to talk to her sister.
"He's just a massive drama queen anyways. Don't worry about it." Michelle said, softly patting Bubbles on the back as they left the changing rooms and headed for the exit of the theatre, it was the end of the day.
"Yeah, I mean, Blossom was only seeing him for what, three weeks or something? So who cares if she was seeing someone else too! It's not like they were in a committed relationship. They went on a handful of dates, and she wasn't into him. He'll get over it, he's a big wimp." Grace said, squeezing Bubbles' arm.
Bubbles smiled at her friends as they reassured her, and nodded her agreement. But she couldn't shake one thought from her mind. What if there was truth to Jeremy's words. What if Blossom was actually lying to Bubbles?
"Thanks guys. I'm just embarrassed he had to do that in front of everyone…" The blue puff mumbled, slinging her bag onto her shoulder as they stepped out onto the sidewalk.
"Like I said, Jeremy is a massive drama queen. And most people here know that. Don't dwell on it okay? Think of that gorgeous husband of yours waiting for you at home." Michelle winked. "See you tomorrow girls!" She said, waving them off. Bubbles and her other colleague Grace waved her goodbye.
"See you tomorrow Bubs, and chin up. He's always been a handful anyway!" Grace laughed, waving too.
Bubbles smiled as they went, but it didn't last long. She had a nasty feeling in the pit of her stomach. Almost as if Jeremy was actually telling the truth. Yes, he was being majorly dramatic about it, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Why would he lie? But then why would Blossom lie?
This was probably why she felt so humiliated. She couldn't bear the thought that Blossom was lying to her. To them, to her and Buttercup; very recently she had sat across from them and told them she didn't have a boyfriend or a partner. Was she lying? If so, why?
Taking her phone from her pocket, she decided to give her a call. She didn't pick up. Bubbles called again, and still no answer. Maybe she was still at work. Rather than calling her a third time, this time she called Boomer instead.
"Hey babe." He answered casually after two rings.
"Hi Boomie. Just a quick call to let you know I'm popping over to Blossom's place. I need to talk to her, so I'll be a little late home."
The thumping knock on Blossom's door woke her up from the unplanned nap she was having on the sofa.
Switching the TV off, she jumped up and went to the door.
"Hey stranger. Where've you been?" Butch asked in a husky tone.
Blossom sighed. "What are you doing here?" She said, leaning on the doorframe, but Butch pushed past her and let himself in.
"You know what I'm doing here. I haven't seen you in like a week or something. What gives?" He asked as he slumped onto her sofa.
Blossom folded her arms over her chest and stood looking over him. "Butch, you've not seen me in so long for a reason. I can't do this anymore. I was kind of hoping you'd just take the hint if I didn't contact you. But, if you need me to actually say it then... This needs to stop now."
He gave her a skeptical look. The same skeptical look her sisters had given her.
"So, maybe you should go, seeing as you can't get what you're here for." Blossom said, trying to be as dignified as she could manage.
"What the fuck has changed in the past what, 7 days or whatever to make you say that? You weren't saying that last time I was here. In fact, you didn't want me to stop." He said brashly.
She blinked at him flatly. "Well I want you to stop now."
Butch only scoffed doubtfully in reply.
"Seriously. I, I mean it. I told you I could end this whenever I want to. And that's what I am doing. That's why you haven't seen me. And that's why you should go." Blossom said, an almost nervous edge to her voice that she was kicking herself over. Why was she slightly nervous? She knew what she was saying was right. She could make it stop. She could. Right?
"Say it like you mean it Bloss, or I'm not going anywhere." Butch replied casually.
Blossom groaned. "I do mean it Butch. I'm done swimming. My skins all wrinkly and pruney - I've been in the water too long and it's just getting dangerous now. So, please just go."
"Tell me why, then I am out of your hair for good." He said, looking up at her innocently.
"There is no reason why. I'm just done, that's why." Blossom cried. "In fact, you know all the reasons why. It's wrong. It's not right. It's, it's icky! I can't do it anymore."
"You're done, huh? Done for good or what, done for now? Am I gunna get you crying at my doorstep next week, over some trivial shit? Begging for something to make you feel better. Cos I don't exactly work like that." Butch spat, annoyed.
"That's exactly how you work. But, I don't care anymore, I don't. All I know is I am done being involved in how you work any longer." Blossom said, glaring at him. "And please, I have never begged."
"What happened? Tell me why." He said, standing up now too.
"Nothing happened!" She exclaimed. "I am allowed to want to put an end to this Butch!"
"You're lying." He thundered back. He looked so ferocious that Blossom wondered how she could have ever felt reassured in his arms. "Is this something to do with Brick?" He accused.
Blossom gulped and shook her head. "What makes you say that?" Had Brick said something?
"He's been acting out of character at the moment as well." Butch said, scrutinizing her reaction.
"Butch you and me sleeping together, that is me acting out of character. And you, to an extent. If anyone, if everyone found out, god knows what they'd think, or say! And that is why it's got to stop." Blossom said, her voice softer now as she placed a hand on his chest.
He pushed her off of him, a disgusted look on his face. "You slept with him, didn't you?"
Blossom didn't say anything, just pulled the expression a cat caught in headlights would pull.
"That night, like a week ago. I went out with some friends from work. You fucking come over and had sex with him instead didn't you? Just cos I wasn't available. Wow, what a fucking joke!" He cried, shocked and angry, backing away from her.
Blossom didn't answer him. No matter what she said, it looked exactly like what Butch had described. "It wasn't like that Butch."
"Oh wow. I don't care. I don't fucking care. You can fuck whoever you like. I mean, I had some fun with someone that night anyway, considering I wasn't getting anything from you lately. But fuck, man. You are seriously screwed up." He spat viciously.
"I'm screwed up? Is that news to you or something? Because it doesn't seem like it is. You're the one who's been taking advantage of that fact, of me all this time!" Blossom cried and Butch scoffed loudly. "Revelling in the fact that someone's actually depending on you for something - and then lording it up over them because of that!"
"Oh don't even bother, Blossom. Acting so fucking innocent. You wanted this - you wanted me. If you didn't it wouldn't have happened! And me? I'll take what I can get. I'll take what's laid out in front of me, why wouldn't I?!" Butch barked. "I'd have been stupid not to!"
"You're disgusting. You know what, why should I feel guilty? You're not my boyfriend. I don't even know what you are. You're an asshole, that's what you are. Yes, I slept with Brick. SO what?" Blossom yelped, frustrated.
Butch laughed nastily. "So let me guess. You two are all sorted now? All happy families? And what, you and me will just be our little secret? Is that what you're after?"
"No Butch, I have no idea what it is I am after. All I know is that whatever it was between us is a complication in my life at the moment, and I don't need that. It's complicated enough as it is." Blossom said, clutching at her head in despair.
"I'll tell Brick, then." Butch grinned, folding his arms across his chest. "If it's over now, and you don't care - I'll just tell him."
Blossom's blood ran cold. "What?! No! Why would you do that?" She gasped.
"Cos I can." Butch smirked with a shrug. Who did she think she was, thinking she could call the shots all of a sudden? He called the shots, not her. He would decide when this was over. He was the one with all the power. Why he felt this way about it, he didn't know. He'd always thought that when it stopped it stopped, he'd find someone else fast enough. But he felt pissed off. Why did she think she was in charge of him?
And why did one night with his stupid brother make her suddenly not want him?
"Just because I won't sleep with you anymore?" Blossom reiterated. "So what, if I agree to continue having sex with you, you won't tell Brick? Is that really what you want?"
He shrugged. "I'm just saying I could tell him, cos I can." He had a wicked, twisted little grin on his face and Blossom was suddenly overcome with hatred when she looked at him.
"You said this could end whenever I said the word. I'm saying the word now, and what, you're saying no?" The pink puff asked, wanting to swipe the wayward smile clean off his face.
The ringing of the doorbell stopped them both in their tracks. Blossom turned to Butch, giving him a severe angry look. "Sit down on the sofa, and shut up - okay?" She instructed, and turned to open the door.
Butch ignored her anyway, eager to see who was at the door. He hoped it was Brick - if it was, he was going to fucking tell him everything.
"Bubbles. Hi, what a nice surprise." Blossom said, sounding completely uneasy as she stepped aside to let Bubbles in.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're home! Blossom, I'm sorry to just drop by like this but I really need to talk to you about - Butch? What are you doing here?" Bubbles asked, jumping at the sight of her brother in law.
Butch opened his mouth to speak but Blossom got their first. "He was just leaving actually. It was err, nice to see you, Butch. Take care." Blossom said in a thoroughly forced manner. Bubbles gave her and Butch a perplexed look.
"No, no, I actually didn't get here long ago." Butch said, smiling smoothly.
Bubbles' brow furrowed and she looked at Blossom, who looked like she was going to crack into a million pieces. "Blossom, what's going on?"
Blossom pulled a hand through her hair, which Bubbles noticed was shaking profusely.
"Nothing, I, nothing's going on, I -" Blossom babbled, visibly stumped, but was interrupted by Bubbles' gasp.
"You! And Butch? He's your year long relationship?" She cried.
Both Blossom and Butch looked bowled over. "Year long relationship? How, how did you - what are you talking about?" Blossom asked, shaking even more now.
"Jeremy told me. Today at work. I thought he was making it up. I thought he'd gone mad. But he wasn't. You lied to us! You lied to us all! Why didn't you just tell us you're with Butch?" Bubbles almost screeched.
"Bubbles I'm not with Butch." Blossom began to explain.
"You're lying again." Bubbles whispered, sounding about 5 years old. It broke Blossom's heart in two.
"I'm not, Bubbles, I'm not - we're not in a relationship, and we never were. We're not in love. We're nothing! It was just -" Blossom began but Butch cut in.
"Sex. That's all it was." Butch finished. "But it's over now. I'm out." And with that Butch stalked out of the apartment.
Bubbles and Blossom watched him go in silence. Bubbles turned to Blossom. "Just sex? You and Butch have been having sex?!"
Blossom took a step closer to Bubbles, taking her hands in her own. "Bubbles, that's all it was. I don't know how it happened, or, or why it happened - but it did. But he is right okay, it is over now. I broke it off with him, if you will. I promise you, I'm not lying. Nobody knows, and it's only because I can't even explain it myself. Brick doesn't know, and I'm terrified of him finding out. Please Bubbles, can you keep this to yourself?" Blossom practically begged, her rose eyes welling up with tears.
"Oh Blossom. What have you done?" Bubbles said with a sigh, pulling her sister into a hug.
Blossom began to cry softly into her sisters' shoulder.
"I don't know, Bubbles. I'm a mess. And I've made such a mess." Blossom blubbed as Bubbles stroked her hair. "Everything is just such a mess!"
"I wish you hadn't lied. Buttercup and I are your sisters, we're here for you no matter what, I wish you'd just told us the truth, we could have helped!" Bubbles implored sadly.
"I'm sorry. I really am. I'm just an idiot. A stupid, foolish idiot. And that's not even the worst of it. Brick and I slept together the other night." Blossom admitted.
Bubbles held her tighter, and shh-ed her as she cried. "Don't worry Blossom. I'm here now. Everything will be okay, it's all gunna be okay."
r&r (: