Mortal Wound

The ringing in her ears didn't stop, feeling incredibly empty and hungry as her arms felt like they weighed several tons. Her vision was blurred so badly she didn't know what she was looking at when her eyes cracked open, it was just an orb and darkness. Letting out a soft moan as she turned her head, feeling weighed down by something, a blanket of all things. Going to move but when she did, her left arm was immediately on fire, letting out a hiss and a groan, going right back down onto what she would safely assume is a bed. Her head was swimming, Blossom couldn't remember what happened past getting shot which was indeed a first for her. Feeling her hair splayed out behind her, she would do her best to get a good read on where exactly she was.

The sounds surrounding the building as her ringing went away were the familiar sirens and gunshots in Citysville, so she was still trapped in this nightmare. However, she wasn't in some holding cell or something along the lines of where she thought she was, it looked like a motel room or some sort of studio apartment. The room she was in was a bedroom, obviously, a dresser on the wall away from the bed, and a nightstand right next to her. Her phone was there as well, slowly moving her arm to grab it with all of her might, and carefully taking it into view now, the thing blinded her instantly as her eyelids immediately clamped shut. Blossom would let her eyes adjust for just a little bit longer before daring to look at her phone again, it made her head pulsate but it was doable.

It was late at night, though, that didn't make much sense seeing as when she was out at night, well into it from what she remembered. But under the notifications she spotted several calls from her family, and a few texts from them as well. The first thing she did was lower the brightness as much as she could, then go into her text messages. Everyone is worrying about where she is, several hours ago these messages were sent, she must've been out for a day at the least. A text from John also appeared, call me when you see this, after forcing her thumb to work she eventually clicked his name and called him, after a short ring he picked up "Princess?" It was nice hearing a voice she recognized, after a coughing fit she said in a cracked voice "hey, where are you?"
"Just doin' some shoppin', how're you feelin'?"
"Like I just got shot" She said with a hiss, John gave a slight chuckle "yeah I can imagine, take it easy, I'll be there soon."
"Sure, where is 'there'?"
"I'll explain everything when I'm there, just take it easy" with a back-and-forth goodbye, Blossom tried to sit up.

Her body disobeyed her as she only had one arm and a head that felt as if it was hit by a sledgehammer, or stuck in a bell while it was ringing. Her arm and her legs were attached with some sort of weight to it, like the ball and chain she's seen criminals wear in the cartoons she watched as a kid. Her other arm, her left, had a bandage wrapped around it and every errant twitch made it burn like there was a fuse inside, and a bomb was ready to go. Using her phone, she looked at the bandage, clean, as well as her arm, holding her head in pain as her vision started to fully come back to her, getting a better look around the room. It was as plain as they come, what with a few posters of women laying themselves out over motorcycles or cars, sneering at them, there was a window off to her left, and the door to the rest of the place on her right.

The light was on, and she saw the living room and kitchen together, it was a small apartment just like she thought, but who owns it? Was it John? Friend of John's? She could only handle one thought at a time right now, so while she waited, she would call up Bubbles, who would pick up almost immediately "Blossom!?"
"Hey, Bubbles"
"Oh my gosh, where are you!? Are you okay!?"
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine, just a little banged up" Blossom grunted "Bubbles, stop chewing your nails."
"I can't help it, you've been gone a whole day! Have you called Buttercup or dad yet?"
"No, no not yet, they're next on the list." Blossom sighed, adjusting the blanket over her seeing as she was wearing nothing but her underwear. She questioned who undressed her, and what was the purpose of it, but she just hoped it was John and he had a very good reason for it. "How's everything with you?"
"Tell you the truth I've been worried sick, we all have, I understand y'know, you can do what you want but taking off without warning is. Well, it's a bit much" Bubbles said, Blossom gave a contemptuous sigh "I'm sorry, I was supposed to be back, this morning I think."
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you when I get back, all of you, I promise. I still have to process it myself." Blossom couldn't imagine getting shot, it was never a fear until now, unsure of what she was even hit by "is there anything we can do for you?"

"Is Buttercup there with you now?"
"N-No but, she can be, in a little bit, if you want, us to that is." Blossom would narrow her eyes, hearing Bubbles ramble on, and that was a tell-tale sign of her lying "Bubbles…"
"Yes?"
"Who's with you right now?" there was hesitation in her voice, after clearing her throat, she finally said "I'm with a friend, right now."
"Which friend?"
"One I met when I was getting my phone fixed, he's cool, don't worry."
"Does this friend have a name?" Even more hesitating "Bubbles" Blossom said in that elder sisterly tone "his name is Alex, and he fixed my phone in return for me getting him some cheese fries." That name sounded familiar, but for now she would let it slide "well, that's awful nice of him. Was this the one you were talking about earlier?"
"m-…maybe" Blossom smiled, feeling Bubble's heart rate rise through the phone "well, I'll let you go, I need to tie up some loose ends here."
"Where's here?"
"A thing of the past soon enough, you take care Bubbles" Blossom went to end the call but Bubbles was hollering about wanting to talk some more. Blossom's hearing wasn't all the way healed, and so, she ended the call regardless, and then went to call Buttercup "Blossom you're alive!"

"Did you expect me not to be?"
"Christ, you sound like shit"
"Thank you, for the reminder, Buttercup" Blossom and Buttercup went back and forth similar to Bubbles, Blossom tried to be as reassuring and as vague as possible. That was Townsville wasn't completely undefended "did they ever come back?"
"Who, the uh… clones, or whatever?"
"Yeah, it's been a bit since we've seen them, or heard them. We'll probably hear them first before anything else though"
"Nah, things have been pretty quiet" Blossom hoped that the jailbreak was enough to postpone whatever plan this group was hatching. "Good, that's good."
"I'll say, are you going to-" Buttercup was interrupted by a man on the phone, definitely not her dad that's for sure. Blossom went to say something but there was a bit of banter between the two, something about what he should make for dinner later "Buttercup who is that?"
"A friend, that doesn't know when to shut up" he countered with his own wit, Buttercup groaned and went back to saying "anything we can do for you?"
"I'll be fine, just give me until tomorrow and I'll tell you guys everything I know."
"Sure… sure thing, let us know if there's anything we can do" Blossom went to say thank you, but John walked in the door with takeout and some clothes "thank you John."
"Who's John?"
"Who's the guy you're with?"
"Xavier" John raised an eyebrow as he put the clothes on the bed. Turning the light on and putting the food aside for Blossom to take whenever she wanted to.

John sat on the bed as he looked at Blossom, usually he looked chipper, ready to curb stomp the world, but his usual smile and swagger was gone. Looking at him up and down she gave a sigh "John's just a good friend of mine" she watched him clutch his heart, feigning hurt emotions, she made a face at him "he's… he's been helping me with what we're doing."
"Yeah, Xavier's been doin' that too, cleaning up the docks and warehouses n' stuff like that."
"Bubbles tell you about Alex?"
"Had to work it out with her but, yeah, and yeah, I think he's helpin'" Blossom looked at John, who was busy scrolling on his phone "I'll… see you tomorrow, Buttercup."
"Sure, just, don't keep us waitin' n' worried, alright?" Blossom made a sound in response, putting her phone aside for now. John looked at her and managed to muster up a sad looking smile "how're you feelin' princess?"
"A bit better, my arm burns like the dickens but, I figured that comes with the territory of getting shot." John opened his flannel and pulled down his shirt, revealing three bullet wounds in his chest "you get used to it." Blossom sighed "I shouldn't be used to it, I'm bulletproof."
"Hey, don't think about that now, just eat and get some rest." John presented the food to her, clenching her jaw. He's right, there's nothing she can do in her state, but thinking is what she does and what she's good at. Blossom opened the bag with one hand "didn't know what you liked so I went with something everyone likes" chicken, can't complain about that, everyone likes chicken.

Blossom nibbled on it slowly "so, what happened?" John went to tell her, but he got a phone call "I'm sorry I gotta take this, I'll be back." Blossom let him go, after a second of him looking at her he put the phone to his ear. Going out to what she assumed would be the fire escape for a moment of privacy, she tried her best to get her super hearing activated, it felt wrong, but at this point it was a habit. Her hearing was sub-par, picking out words here and there but it wasn't enough to piece together what he was talking about, or who he was talking to. Something about telling someone where he is and what he was doing, trying his best to not raise his voice, but it was evident that he sounded angry. She sat there looking at her dinner, or breakfast, or whatever it was, already forgetting the time it was as she felt light headed.
Taking small bites here and there from what she could stomach, this wasn't ideal for her condition, but she did need something. After a while he returned, in a bit of a worse mood than before as he snatched his meal and started digging into it. Blossom watched him for a bit before he met her eyes
"John?"
"Yeah?"
"Where are my clothes?" She asked, that question made him stop and freeze before frowning "they uh, well they're ruined." Blossom nodded, crossing the one arm "how?" John finished his bite before putting the dish in his lap "well, I went back to the spot you told me about. And, you knocked out everyone, but you were down, a bullet in your arm." Blossom clutched the wound gently "scared me to death, but I got it out and got you here safe and sound."
"Where is here?"
"Here is my apartment, I rent this place out when I got jobs back-to-back here in town." Blossom nodded, eyeing the décor "should've known."
"Well, they ain't you so" Blossom felt something get caught in her throat "excuse me?" John went to say something, Blossom's heart skipped a beat "nothin' uh, thinkin' out loud" he gave her a tight-lipped smile in response. She figured that was all she was going to get, but that would certainly be something they talk about later "and my clothes? How did they get destroyed?"

"Whatever was in that round made 'em all brittle, unwearable, faded the color pretty good too" John got her cardigan, and he was right, the arm in which she was shot the sleeve was practically gone. All the way to the collar and past her abdomen, it was like a scarf more than anything else at this point. The same thing happened with her dress; her eyebrows shot up in amazement "what did I get hit by?"
"Don't know, but I got it out in one piece" John presented the baggy of the caliber in question, traces of blood inside of it, her blood. For the longest time she didn't think she could bleed, it felt like forever since she was mortally wounded like that, looking to her injury then back at John "you stitched me up?"
"I did, don't think hospitals are the cleanest around here."
"Should I be worried about it?"
"Maybe" they both laughed lightly at the situation "just keep it clean, we'll take the stitches out in a couple of days. See how it looks."
"Where did you learn to do that?"
"Somethin' we picked up during our line of work, we don't exactly get healthcare in our employment benefits"
"Should really think about a different occupation, hm?" John gave a laugh as he took off his beanie and let his hair hang down. Blossom ran a hand through her own as she felt the knots and tangles, sneering at how it felt "want me to brush it?" He offered, Blossom looked at him once again with a quizzical look.

She didn't let just anybody touch her hair, only her family, it was something that she used as a beacon of hope for people to look forward to, knowing that it was used as that, it meant a lot to her. "No tugging, if you find a knot use your hands to gently pull it."
"Should I take notes on how to brush hair?" He asked, Blossom sighed, putting her food aside for now and getting to the edge of the bed. Keeping the blanket on her bottom half at least as John helped her. Blossom took a deep breath and shut her eyes "my brush is in my bag" he went to fetch it and get behind Blossom, ever so gently he would start combing through her hair, humming along as he did it. She felt her eyes get heavy as he brushed, this was always something therapeutic for her to do herself, a ceremony before she fell asleep, John's humming didn't help either. "How long do you think I'll be like this?"
"Hard to say, won't know until we figure out what exactly you got hit with."
"Do you think it was the same thing those deer got infected with?"
"It might be experimental for sure, don't think they planned on using it on you anytime soon" Blossom found comfort in that. She'll recover, there's not a lot that can keep her down, and this would surely scare her in the future to come "what happened to the guards?"
"In jail" John hesitated, going to another section of her hair "is that the truth?"
"It's best for both of us if you think that it is" John said, her stomach sank "John…"
"I ain't, gonna let them get away with doing what they did." He got angry like he did when they first met, she felt a pit form in her stomach, maybe he was right, people like that are doing things to innocents. Blossom never had the stomach for it, her code would prevent her from breaking that, seems like someone like him was necessary, part of her wishes it wasn't him in the first place.

Blossom felt him move his hands through her hair, with such care and a soft touch, he was as delicate as could be despite his abrasive attitude, and how he goes about his work. Blossom looked at her phone on the nightstand, contemplating if she should call her dad and let him know everything was okay. She reached for it, her body responding to her fairly well despite her powers still avoiding her, she called her dad as John continued to brush her hair. "Blossom?" Her father answered, he sounded exhausted, most likely worried to death about her "hey dad."
"Oh my god, you're okay" he breathed a sigh of relief "where are you? Do you need me to come and get you?"
"No, no it's fine I just figured Bubbles or Buttercup would've told you I was good" Blossom felt John's hands go to the top of her scalp and go all the way down her hair. Unconsciously she closed her eyes and leaned her head back "how are you?"
"Fine" Blossom opened her eyes, she met John's, he was smiling down at her with his hands away from her. She quickly faced forward and cleared her throat, face no doubt flushed as pink as her eyes "who was that?"
"A movie, I'm watching, don't worry" Blossom hit him on the arm as he suppressed a laugh "right, well. I'm okay, just a bit tired, we didn't know where you went and you had us all worried."
"I know, I'm sorry dad, that wasn't what I had in mind. It was just going to be something simple and it got complicated."
"How complicated?"
"I'll tell you when I'm home tomorrow, I promise, I got something that could really help us in what we're trying to achieve."

Blossom looked at the bag with the bullet in it "just… just please, take care of yourself Blossom. I don't like all of this secrecy and frankly it's a bit worrisome." Blossom bit her lip, she didn't want to say too much in case someone was listening that shouldn't be. "I-I know, and I promise that I'll explain everything when I'm home."
"You better" her heart sank upon hearing the disappointment in her dad's voice, looking down at the blanket, John stopped brushing her hair and put a hand on her shoulder. Looking up at him he gave her a small smirk that spoke volumes, he'll understand in due time, Blossom felt reassured, but only slightly "I love you, Blossom."
"I love you too dad, get some rest, I'll be back tomorrow afternoon" with a final goodbye, Blossom hung up and tossed her phone aside. Feeling the tingle of John's hand still on her shoulder "you, okay?" He asked, she felt herself get tired again as she leaned on him, unable to keep herself upright. "Yeah I'm fine just, exhausted, getting shot isn't fun."
"I could've told you that" she gave a hum in response "you wanna go back to sleep? It's-"
"Don't tell me the time, just, wake me up around noon, we'll head back first thing."
"Sure, whatever you want princess" John would lay her back down in the bed and put the blankets right overtop of her like they were previously "let me know if you need anything Blossom."
"I like it when you use my name" she said in her delirium, John couldn't help but chuckle "sleep well."

John went to make an exit but she sat up on her elbows "where are you going?" Turning around bewildered, John gestured to the couch "perfectly good couch out here."
"You're not sleeping on the couch" John looked all around the room and shoved his hands in his pockets "where else would I sleep?"
"Do I have to spell it out for you?" Blossom patted the spot next to her, John raised his hands "nah that's not-"
"You have helped me in my most vulnerable state, you fed me, patched me up, you took care of me when I wouldn't know what to do. The very least I can do is let you sleep in the bed you own, in an apartment you own, that you decided to house me in." Blossom cemented her point by patting the bed again "you can sleep here, nothing will happen, I promise. You must be exhausted."
"You'll keep your hands to yourself?" John asked, making his way back to the bedroom "as a Powerpuff Girl I, Blossom Utonium, solemnly swear to stay on my side of the bed." It's not like the bed was small, a hefty king size that took up more of the room than anything else, John hesitated. Biting his lip, he bit the bullet and walked to his side of the bed "where's Miles at?"
"Ah he's asleep in the living room, he wouldn't stop following me out the door so I put something in his food to knock him out." Blossom looked toward the living room "keep the door open just in case he wants to come in here and sleep, okay?"
"Sure" John took off everything except his underwear, Blossom looked away and hit the light, covering the room in darkness again.

John shifted until he was comfortable and stayed well away from Blossom, this was the first time Blossom slept with anyone else in a bed that wasn't her sisters. It felt odd, but she still felt safe with him "goodnight, John."
"Sweet dreams princess" he replied, with a yawn, he would turn over and try and lull himself to sleep. Blossom gave a soft sigh as she too turned over and felt her eyelids get heavy, instantly she was in a deep sleep, despite the voice in the back of her head telling her that something was wrong. She was in the bed with another man, whom she trusted, but it didn't seem to be enough seeing as there were red flags everywhere. Mentally exhausting herself to the point where her brain just tired itself out, and allowing her an albeit dreamless but restful sleep. Her whole life felt like it went upside down in mere moments, but she was thankful that John was there to set it back on track.

She thought about some way to thank him in the future for all of this, but there's no way she could think of that would matter as much as him saving her life.

The ride back home was uneventful, Blossom slept most of the way with Miles keeping her comfort in her lap, John made sure that she was comfortable during her ride. A blanket, fresh clean clothes, a shower and something light for breakfast. When she closed her eyes the first time Citysville was all around her, but now as she was gently shaken awake by her driver, she groggily opened her eyes. Liking the oversized clothes, the heat on in the car, and the hefty blanket with her puppy in her lap "we're here" John said in probably the softest tone she's heard. Looking around the sun was up, and her home was in view, Miles stirred awake as well as Blossom just scooped him up in her arms, with a great big yawn she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, that's all she wanted to do now is sleep and then sleep more. "Oh, my goodness already?"
"Tried to get you home as quick as possible."
"Did you speed?"
"Not, all the time" Blossom rolled her eyes, but took John's hand in her own "thank you for everything John."
"Don't mention it, may be a barbarian but I can help a princess" she couldn't muster up enough energy to laugh, so she simply gave a happy noise in response. "Walk me inside?"
"Yeah, sure" John would exit the car and go around to her door, helping her out of her seat and making sure she was steady enough to walk to the front door. With her newfound narcolepsy every step felt like the weight of the world was on them, but John wasn't far behind as Miles took comfort in the oversized hoodie pockets.

Upon reaching the front door she didn't even have the time to knock before it swung open, happy to see her family, immediately greeting her for a hug. They would share a few happy tears, showing everyone Miles, questions upon questions about what happened and where she went. She was going to sit down on the couch before she turned around, beckoning John to come inside and join the rest of them, he hesitated, all eyes on him "nah I don't wanna impose, it's cool. I should-"
"Nonsense!" Bubbles piped up, grabbing him by the hand and pulling him in the house "we want to thank the man that helped our sister!"
"Yeah, specially way out there too" Buttercup chimed in, Blossom smiled but he seemed a bit antsy. He looked way out of his element; she would hand Miles off to Bubbles which was enough to distract her for Blossom to talk with him privately "did you want to go?" She looked up at him with caring eyes, John's mouth was slightly opened as he looked back at her "now kiss."
"Buttercup!" Bubbles and Blossom seethed at their sister, who was way too into the teasing, John looked down at the floor then back at Blossom "I don't, but I don't wanna interrupt anythin' or, y'know, be a burden." He whispered, in a house of heroes' privacy didn't matter "you're not going to be a burden, just stay for dinner and then you can leave."
"Yeah Xavier's dropping by too, said he made some fresh handmade ziti" Buttercup said "sounds yummy!" Bubbles exclaimed, coddling Miles.

"Xavier" Blossom over at John as if examining him "your brother, right?"
"Yeah" John said "he's a cook" Blossom nodded "can't wait to meet him" she would welcome him with open arms. Gently hooking her hand in Johns, they couldn't stop staring at each other like two lovebirds "if you want, her room is the third one on the left upstairs." Blossom's smile fell as she frowned at Buttercup, giving John directions to her room "I am going to go get changed, these are good pajamas."
"Figured you'd like 'em, you said you wanted different clothes."
"That I did" Blossom would eventually go upstairs, not trying to overexert herself by flying up there, she did it the old-fashioned way. Opening her room, she was greeted with her familiar pad, and she felt immediately at ease, finally she was home and away from that cesspool. She wasted no time shedding her temporary clothes into something far more comfortable, a skirt and a button down usually did the trick. Blossom never stopped smiling like a goof, wrapped in something she recognizes, and back in her own abode, she confidently exited her room with a bit more pep in her step. John was the first one she locked eyes with, they slyly smiled at one another before her dad came in from the garage, immediately looking for his daughter. The professor wasted no time rushing up to Blossom and pulling her in a tight hug, everyone in the room was silent as the two would have a bit of a moment between them.

"There's my girl" the professor sniffed, Blossom couldn't stop her own eyes from welling up, as he looked her over his smile faded as he looked to the patch on her arm "what happened!?" Alerting the whole house to it, Bubbles and Buttercup came swooping in as Blossom peeled back the patch. The wound healed faster than she expected as she took out the stitches this morning, but it was still weeping and needed to be cleaned. "I uh, well, I got shot." The room was stunned into silence as those words made everyone skeptical, looking to John "he didn't do it, some goons did. I'd rather talk about it later; I'm still reeling from what happened" she sighed. Everyone respected her wish as they just stayed silently worried "Butters you better fuckin' help clean up this-" a voice from the front door echoed, immediately attracting the attention of everyone inside "…time."

The man at the door had a small frame, incredibly short, dirty blonde hair that poked out underneath his bandana, accompanied by a goatee decorating his chin, his most striking feature were his eyes, as deep and as blue as the oceans surrounding Townsville. A simple white t-shirt and some dirty jeans and well-worn sneakers, he held three tin foil pans in his hands "am I interrupting?"
"No, I mean yes, with that face of yours" Buttercup said, holding the door so he could get his balance back "you're one to talk, shouldn't be buttercup should be butterface."
"Oh that was a good one" despite how they talked to each other, it seems Buttercup found someone she could get along with "you just admitted you like me for my body though."
"Can you blame me?" They laughed, Blossom watched Xavier lock eyes with the dad, he cleared his throat as he regained his composure, but the professor wasn't having it. Then he looked over to see his brother, his bigger brother she assumed "hey John! What're you doing here?"
"Just uh" John looked over to Blossom, she would grip the railing on the stairway unsure of where they stood. Sure, they were friends, but their personal boundaries were being invaded by one another, and neither one seemed to mind "just droppin' off the princess at her castle, who, so graciously invited me to dinner." She felt her face get hot, her lips turning up into a smile, it made her happy to hear that he was staying. "Well, good thing I brought three, he can have two to himself while the rest of us starve." Xavier earned a laugh from most everyone, the professor didn't like him much at all, and no matter what kind of protest Buttercup raised he wasn't having it. But things were better again, Blossom was back and the house was almost at one hundred percent.

John was standing off by the side, joined by Blossom as she watched Miles explore the home. Bubbles was off glued to her phone the entire time, smiling and giggling to herself. Buttercup, Xavier and her dad were in the kitchen getting dinner prepared, mostly so Buttercup and Xavier behave, much to the behest of Buttercup. Blossom smiled as she looked up at John "this castle usually doesn't allow barbarians inside, but for you" Blossom grabbed his hand again, something that spiked her heart rate something fierce "we can make an exception."
"Such a kind and gracious princess."
"As I should be referenced as from here on out" she smiled. John gave a chuckle in response, his skin folding with the squint of his eyes and the smile he formed, he would kiss her hand. Her middle finger would tingle from the moment his lips landed and exited "and a barbarian with manners? I'd never thought I'd see the day." As they stood in comfort, hand in hand, Blossom bit her lip still smiling like an idiot "how are you feeling?"
"Better, a lot better, actually" Blossom looked up at him. "I think with less smog my heads starting to clear now."
"Can't have that noodle of yours going limp" she would feel his thumb over her knuckles, they were so calloused, feeling goosebumps go all up and down her arm and causing her closing wound to sting "John?"
"Yeah?" Blossom took her time finally meeting his gaze, she faced monsters three times the size of the largest building in Townsville. Yet somehow, she felt small when he looked at her, small and protected "if we go beyond friends, will it work?" John didn't say much of anything, he clenched his jaw and looked everywhere but her. She felt her chest tighten to the point of her lungs almost collapsing, immediately getting fidgety over what she asked. Would he say no? Was she chasing a lie? It didn't seem that way with how loyal he's been, helping her whenever she asked, especially what he's been saying the past week or so seemed very flirtatious.

"I think" he started, he was very good at keeping her in suspense "I think if anyone can make it work, it'll be us." He didn't smile, he didn't break his serious tone, it felt genuine, it felt real "is it bad that I want to kiss you after you said that?"
"No, because I've been wanting to do that for a while" Blossom looked right up at him with her mouth hanging open "h-how long?"
"Probably a week after we met" he said "you're all I think about sometimes, a lot of the time, actually." Blossom didn't know what to say, so instead of being frazzled she collected her thoughts and would think well about her next words "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize." John gave one of his infamous shrugs "better late than never" he whispered "you have no idea how long I would've waited anyway."
"Even if I was old and gray?"
"Grannies can be hot" Blossom giggled, snorted, giggled again and it was a harsh cycle. John and her couldn't stop smiling and laughing, Blossom was on the highest point of cloud nine. While she had no idea how long it would last, she tried not to think about the uncertain future right now, she wanted to live in the moment forever. She decided she'd do that, looking around the house and everyone was preoccupied with their own things to pay attention to them, Blossom would jump up and give John the quickest of pecks right on his cheek, hardly being counted as a kiss. To her though it was important, he would be his first everything "bold princess, kissing the barbarian guest."
"Maybe I want a barbarian prince" she countered, it was obvious that their faces started to hurt from smiling so much, but they were way too happy to care about it.

It was new ground for both of them, so they would tread lightly for now, nothing past handholding until they were comfortable enough to do other things. They set rules for themselves amongst each other, away from everyone, no PDA besides little smooches here and there. They'll spend as much time together as they can, it was a surprise to Blossom that John was so shy now, from what she understood he's been in relationships before, but she supposes it's the first time he's felt this type of way. She felt like kicking her feet like a schoolgirl, but she held her composure for now, going to exert all this newfound energy later in the evening. Everyone gathered around the couches and dinner table, enjoying Xavier's meal, Blossom sat next to John as she watched Bubbles on her phone, quiet with Miles next to her. Texting more than eating, her smile never faded and she was biting her lip like it was a piece of candy, she nudged John and gestured to Bubbles "do you think she's talking to Alex?"
"Yeah, he texted me earlier asking for conversation topics so he could keep talking to her." Blossom covered her mouth to hide a smile "what did you give him?"
"Nothing PG that's for sure."
"I-I can hear you y'know" Bubbles pouted, putting her phone down and staring what she thought would be daggers at her sister and John. "I'll have you know we're talking about animals, his favorite is a lion" she said with a smile, her face was flushed pink, Blossom doubted that was the only thing they were talking about "what about you?"

John looked to Blossom then Bubbles, pointing at himself with his fork "me?"
"Yeah! Someone's favorite animal says a lot about them."
"What's a lion say about Alex?" John asked, Bubbles gave a sigh "he's brave, stoic sometimes, very happy with who he is and where he's at, but he's going to want more. The price of pride is he can never have enough, but for now he's satisfied" Blossom watched Bubbles explain her reasoning, she can be smarter than she thinks. The 'dumb blonde' trope ran its course once she hit puberty, and Blossom swelled with pride when she started talking like that "I think if you told him that his head would get too big, so, don't, for the sake of everyone here." Blossom jabbed John slightly "be nice."
"No promises" he smirked, Blossom rolled her eyes again but couldn't help the giddiness showing "I guess my favorite is… a bear, grizzly bear" John nodded, Bubbles giggled her infamous giggle "that one's easy! You're strong, intimidating, all because you just don't want to be bothered!"
"Really?" John faked his response, head in hand as he looked at Blossom "imagine that, I just don't wanna be bothered, isn't that interesting Blossom? I think that's really interesting" Reminding her of how she pestered him when they first met, she stuck his tongue out at him in response "you liked it." John shrugged "maybe" with a slight laugh they continued to eat "I think mine would be-"
"Bro no one asked you" Buttercup interrupted Xavier "well excuse me, I was just wanting to be a part of the conversation numbnuts."
"That would work if I had nuts."
"Can we not talk about genitalia while we're eating?" Blossom said, looking at her dad, the professor was hoping he had laser eyes to blast a hole in Xavier's head. Though he seemed to be none the wiser, poor boy "anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted."

"You're welcome" Buttercup chimed in, Xavier grabbed a plate and moved to sit next to Buttercup. She was taking up the whole couch, but lifted her legs up like a security gate and allowed Xavier to sit, she would rest them in his lap. It was almost mechanical how often they did it. "I think my favorite would be like a pufferfish; those little guys are cool looking." Everyone looked at Bubbles, one eye closed and looking at the sky "you're not afraid to be open, welcoming even, but when the chips are down. You'll put yourself out there to come to the defense of everyone you care about" Xavier confidently looked at Buttercup, Blossom saw a slight smirk coming across her face. The professor sat down next to Bubbles "so, how's work going John?" Wanting to divert attention away from Buttercup and her beau, Blossom watched John carefully as he gave a slight shrug "it's been going okay, been preoccupied with other stuff though." Blossom leaned back in her seat, smiling to herself, everyone looked to the two "is stuff another word for Blossom?" Buttercup poked, Xavier snorted "why, you jealous all my attention is on her?" John jabbed, Xavier was looking back and forth eager to see this verbal sparring match. Buttercup shrugged "far be it from me to tell you how boring a library date can be."
"Don't be mad 'cause you can't read" After a little bit of back and forth, Buttercup smiled "I like him" Blossoms face was going red as she heard her new boyfriend and her sister going at it. In jest even she couldn't find respite "thank you for your input, Buttercup" Blossom said, glancing at her dad, he was just sitting there and eating quietly. Looking down at the ground, wondering what could be bugging him.

She deduced that with her coming back with a fresh bullet wound, and finding out that one of his daughters is getting along with someone he doesn't like. Top it all off his other two are dating some rather questionable individuals, it was like their lives were moving quickly despite them being fully grown women. As much as she'd like to comfort her dad, he had to realize more than anyone that they're not kids anymore, they came home bruised and beaten more times than not in their earlier years. He was a dad, he couldn't not worry about them for them, she put her empty plate down as Miles went to comfort him. She saw her dad smile as he toyed with the puppy, he would recover from all of this, looking over at John who was now helping himself to thirds "see I told you; we're going to starve because he's here!" Xavier exclaimed "I'm a growin' boy I need my nutrients."
"You look pretty grown already John" Blossom quipped, earning her a look from him, she feigned innocence as she saw his beard shape around his smile "I'll take that as a compliment over anythin' else."

As the afternoon turned to evening, Buttercup and Xavier were in her room playing video games, much to the behest of the father of the house. He would sit with Bubbles watching a movie, both of them laughing and talking about it, but every so often she would glance and check her phone. Blossom would walk out with John to his car, both of them looking to the stars as they laid on the hood "you ever wanna go out and count them?"
"The stars? Sometimes, but I don't think I'd be able to find my way back."
"What if I yell really, really loud?" Blossom would laugh as she put her hand in his, warming it right up like an open fire "that could work I think, no cell service out in space."
"I'll build a tower out there, stay in touch" Blossom smiled as she saw a star fall from the sky, her eyes reflecting the break in the perfect night sky "did you make a wish?" John asked, Blossom looked over to greet his eyes. The piercing hunter green in the midst of hues of blues and blacks complimented by the lights spotted down the street "I did, did you?"
"Yeah" they huddled closer together as they looked up at the stars once again, both of them breathing a heavy sigh of happiness. John didn't wear as big of a grin as Blossom did, but that didn't mean she couldn't hear his happiness. His heart was racing as much as hers, and he was burning like a furnace, she looked over to him and couldn't stop staring "I can feel your eyes, right in the side of my skull" John smirked. "Don't mind it as much as I used to though."
"You minded it before?" John searched the sky for an answer "nah."

Blossom giggled again as she faced forward "what's going on tomorrow for you John?"
"Finishing up a couple of jobs to do, and a favor for a friend, probably won't be done until late."
"Did you want to grab dinner together?" Blossom asked, a proper date for once besides fast food in a car or coffee while walking somewhere "yeah that sounds nice, nowhere fancy though I don't have a suit."
"Expensive too" with a cohesive sound of disgust, they followed it with another laugh and then some shared silence. No matter who was or wasn't talking, Blossom always found it hard not to care about the stares from time to time. But now the only pair of eyes she wants on her at all times is John, and no doubt he feels the same. "I would really like to stay the night, princess" John said "But I feel like if I did, your dad would kill me and Xavier." Blossom sighed, sitting up along with him on the hood of his car "I know, I'll see if it really bothers him that much tomorrow, or, if it's just Xavier, that's bothering him."
"My money's on Xavier, kids got a mouth on him, never knows when to shut up."
"It must be genetic seeing as you do the same exact thing with your foul language." John went to counter but he didn't have anything "checkmate."
"Only this time princess" they smiled at each other, both of them were holding each other's gaze, Blossom could hear her heart through her ears, and John's heart was in rhythm was her own. Slowly they would close the gap between each other, shutting her eyes, Blossom felt everything stop when she collided with John's lips. They had a faint hint of tobacco on them, tasting surprisingly sweet and salty at the same time, his beard tickling her chin and upper lip some. However, it was something she got used to despite it being the first time they did that, eventually when they broke up, she wanted more, she wanted it as often as possible. When she met his pupils she smiled, resting her head on his shoulder for but a moment "that was… great" she whispered, she could feel John nodding along with her statement. "I think I wanna do that every day for the rest of my life" with a giddy giggle Blossom agreed, somehow despite what she thought previously, John had a good scent about him. She wondered if he knew that was her first kiss in her life, then again, she had a feeling that this meant more to him than previous relationships, at least that's what she hoped. "I'm sorry princess but I gotta get goin' now" he says as he pulls her tighter into a hug, despite her being a superhuman she felt protected by this embrace, Blossom couldn't get enough, but maybe it was the fatigue from being shot previously. Either way, she won't ever get tired of it.

"Alright I'll let you go" Blossom smirked "for another kiss of course" John thought about it, then agreed "deal" with a much more passionate kiss that caught Blossom off guard she couldn't help but giggle as their lips locked. Fanning herself once they separated "okay, you're dismissed my champion barbarian"
"Why thank you princess" with John's help Blossom managed to get off of the hood of the car, feeling colder as he walked away "I'll text you when I get home"
"Sure… wait, what about Miles?"
"It's your turn to watch our son" Blossom giggled again, unsure of whether she hated it or not, feeling this giddy, this vulnerable about everything. But the mention of 'their son' just made her feel more heated "fine, I'll expect child support in the form of bags of dog food" John laughed as he opened the door, resting on the hood of the car "get some good sleep princess, I'll see you tomorrow" Blossom didn't trust her voice at the moment, offering a small wave as John revved up his car and went away from the house. Staying there for a few moments, inhaling his smell that was stuck on her shirt, she felt lightheaded, turning back to the house and seeing Bubbles at the door frame. The two of them making eye contact "he seems nice" Bubbles said, Blossom nodded along as she slung her arm around her sister. "He is very nice" they shared a moment, Blossom hesitated a bit though "so… Bubbles, were you and Alex actually talking about animals?" Bubbles bit her lip, going from pale to pink in a matter of seconds "more like… more like what they do, if you know what I mean." Blossom couldn't help but laugh a bit as she and Bubbles went back and forth, their father retiring back to the garage after a good meal, Blossom had a lot to think about tonight, though she doubts she's going to get much in the way of sleep.

With John's scent all over her she'd find it hard to concentrate on anything else but him, and she plans to think about him all night.

PPG belongs to the soul devourer Cartoon Network & Craig McCracken