A/N Please forgive any mistakes.

Chapter 9

The party was chaotic, with music booming and bodies swaying in unison. People danced, screamed, and laughed, the energy palpable as students scattered between the dance floor, buffet, and sprawling halls of the Himes estate. Lindsey had briefly paused the music earlier to awkwardly thank everyone for coming, her short and chubby frame standing out against the crowd. Her green and black hair and gothic attire defied the image of a stereotypical rich girl, but her sincerity had won polite applause before the party resumed full force.

Blossom mingled effortlessly with the committee members in the sitting room, her face alight with excitement as they discussed upcoming events. Buttercup had gravitated toward the kitchen, stacking her plate with food while talking sports with Alan, who hung on her every word. Meanwhile, Robin had come back, and Bubbles had dominated the dance floor until the heat and chaos became overwhelming.

Robin pulled Bubbles off to a isolated quieter corner near the back door. Both girls were flushed, catching their breath and laughing. The reprieve didn't last long. A trio of older boys—seniors by the look of them—hovered, their presence instantly darkening the atmosphere.

"Damn, you girls have some nice bodies," one of them said, his eyes trailing over them unabashedly.

Robin's laughter stopped abruptly, and she instinctively stepped behind Bubbles. "Thanks, but we're just taking a quick break. We'll probably head back to the dance floor in a bit," Robin said with forced politeness.

Another boy smirked. "Oh, no need to rush back. There's this room upstairs that's empty. Real private. We could... keep you company, you know, just to make sure you're okay."

Robin's lip curled in disgust. "Okay, gross. First off, I've seen every teen movie, and you guys are literally walking stereotypes. Take the L and leave."

Bubbles narrowed her eyes. "You heard her. Walk away before I report you to the student committee."

The boys laughed darkly, one stepping closer. "Oh, please. You won't always be around, Bubbles. Do you really want what we'll do to your little friend on your conscience? All because you didn't listen?"

Robin stiffened but refused to back down. "We're not scared of you."

The tallest boy sneered, his gaze locking on Robin. "You should be. Bubbles can't protect you forever. She's not human, but you? You're just a fragile little doll."

Bubbles clenched her fists, glancing desperately around the crowded room for her sisters. Neither Blossom nor Buttercup was in sight. She gritted her teeth and, with a defeated sigh, started walking to the staircase, ready to buy Robin time.

Before she could take another step, a voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Oh no, Bubbles. You're not going anywhere. And as for you three..."

Brick, Boomer, and Butch appeared, their expressions hard as stone. The trio moved in unison, blocking the creeps' path. Brick, his red hair loose beneath his signature hat, stepped forward first, his dark eyes glinting with menace. Boomer followed, his dirty blond hair slicked back and a calm, cold smirk on his face. Butch lingered at the rear, his usual wolfcut replaced by a low ponytail, giving him an air of controlled ferocity.

The creeps faltered for a moment but quickly regained their bravado. One scoffed. "What are you gonna do, tough guys? Hit us? The cops will love that."

Butch rolled his shoulders and lifted his sleeve, revealing a sleek silver bracelet. His grin was razor-sharp. "See this? It neutralizes our powers. No powers, no problem. That means I can defend a friend with my fists—and trust me, I've been waiting to hit someone all night."

The boys laughed cruelly, their false bravado thick in the air. "Neutralized powers, huh? Guess you're not so tough now," one sneered, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see how much fight you've got without your super strength."

Brick's eyes narrowed, a deadly calm settling over his features. Without breaking eye contact, he jerked his head toward Robin and Bubbles, silently signaling them to leave.

Robin grabbed Bubbles' hand and whispered, "Come on," dragging her away. Bubbles hesitated, glancing back at the Rowdyruff Boys as they squared off with the creeps, their predatory smirks daring the seniors to make a move.

The girls weaved through the crowd, hearts racing as they searched for Blossom or Buttercup. The party raged on, oblivious to the storm brewing in the shadowed corner near the staircase.

Robin and Bubbles weaved through the crowd, their hearts pounding as they scanned the room for Blossom. Relief washed over them when they spotted her sitting with the school committee, her face lit up in animated conversation. Without hesitation, they rushed over, interrupting her mid-sentence. Blossom turned toward them, her cheerful demeanor shifting as she registered their panicked expressions.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Robin and Bubbles quickly explained what had happened. As the details unfolded, Blossom's face morphed into a mask of horror. She immediately stood, excused herself from the committee, and motioned for them to lead the way. Robin, desperate to find Buttercup, took off in another direction while Bubbles stayed with Blossom.

Robin zigzagged through the crowded estate, her eyes darting across the rooms until she finally spotted Buttercup near the buffet, laughing with Alan over a plate of wings. Robin sprinted toward her, out of breath but determined.

"Buttercup!" Robin gasped. "There's trouble—big trouble."

Buttercup straightened immediately, her casual demeanor vanishing as she focused on Robin. "What's going on?"

Robin quickly recounted the situation, her voice trembling. Buttercup's expression darkened as she turned to Alan. "I'll be right back," she said curtly before following Robin at a brisk pace.

The girls reconvened with Blossom just as they reached the source of the commotion. The scene before them froze them in their tracks. Brick, Boomer, and Butch were on top of the three seniors, delivering a brutal beating. Blood spattered the floor as the boys landed blow after blow, their fists merciless.

Blossom's gasp of shock broke the spell. Without hesitation, she flew forward, grabbing Brick by the collar and yanking him off his target. Brick stumbled backward, crashing into the door and falling into the cool night air.

"What the hell?! That hurt!" Brick shouted, glaring at Blossom as he rubbed his shoulder.

Blossom ignored his outburst, her tone sharp as she walked outside. "Serves you right! You can't just go around hurting people like that!"

Boomer stepped outside; his usual cheerful expression replaced with a rare scowl. "They were the aggressors," he argued, his voice firm.

Blossom crossed her arms. "Spare me your lies, Boomer. I actually thought you boys had changed, but here you are, proving me wrong."

Butch, who had been holding the three seniors by their hair, looked ready to explode. His green eyes burned with rage as he spat, "The ones you should be lecturing are these three scumbags!"

Blossom's gaze shifted to the seniors, their faces bloodied and swollen, barely able to stand. Her jaw tightened, her emotions boiling over. "They're still students—"

Before she could finish, Robin stepped between her and Butch, her voice trembling with anger. "Stop it, Blossom. Get out of the way, Robin!" Blossom barked, her frustration spilling out.

Robin stood her ground, her fists clenched. "No! You're not listening. These boys saved us. Those guys were going to do horrible things to Bubbles and me, and they stepped in to stop it. If you'd actually look past your self-righteousness for one second, you'd notice they're wearing power-neutralizing bracelets. They didn't have to help us, but they did."

Blossom opened her mouth to argue, but Robin wasn't done. Her voice cracked with emotion as she continued, "And for the record, I walked them into the party. They didn't sneak in to cause trouble. We had plans! Once they ate and got settled, we were all going to dance and hang out together. You've judged them unfairly from the start, and it's exhausting."

Silence hung heavy in the air. Bubbles floated over to Robin's side, her expression a mix of fear and defiance. Buttercup, who had been quietly observing, walked over to Butch and glanced at the seniors he still held by their hair.

"I'd have done worse," Buttercup muttered.

Butch snorted, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Trust me, I was holding back. I'm not trying to go back to prison."

Buttercup smirked faintly before turning to the others. Her gaze landed on Blossom, who stood with her head lowered, guilt etched across her features. Robin was visibly trembling, while Bubbles looked shaken but resolute.

With a sigh, Buttercup grabbed the unconscious seniors from Butch's grip. She looked at Boomer and Brick, both still standing protectively near their brother, ready to defend him. "Alright, listen up. This is a party, and nobody needs to know about this little scuffle. I'll call the police and wait for them to deal with these jerks. As for you boys," she added, her tone softening slightly, "thanks for helping Robin and Bubbles. We really appreciate it. Right, Blossom?"

Blossom nodded slowly; her voice quiet but sincere. "I'm sorry. There's no excuse for how I acted. Thank you for stepping in when Robin and Bubbles needed help."

Boomer's face lit up with a grin, his cheerful demeanor returning as if nothing had happened. "No problem at all! Robin's our friend, and we're always here if she needs us."

Bubbles, her face radiant with gratitude, hugged Butch tightly. "Thank you so much," she whispered, her voice trembling with sincerity. She turned and ran to Boomer and Brick, wrapping her arms around each of them in turn, thanking them profusely. Her hugs were quick but full of warmth, her relief evident in every gesture.

Robin, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and leftover adrenaline, gave the boys a heartfelt thank-you. Her mood shifted quickly when her favorite song began to play, and her eyes lit up with excitement. "Come on!" she exclaimed, grabbing Bubbles and Blossom by their hands. She gestured for the boys to follow, her energy infectious.

Brick exchanged a glance with his brothers, shrugged, and motioned for them to join. "Why not?" he said with a smirk.

Butch stayed back, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the wall. "I'll wait for the cops with Buttercup," he said. Buttercup gave him an approving nod, and the others offered quick thumbs-ups before racing to catch up with Robin.

Blossom allowed herself to be pulled onto the dance floor, her thoughts swirling. She couldn't shake the guilt over how she'd treated the boys. Her earlier harshness replayed in her mind, and a pang of regret tightened her chest. She wanted to believe they had changed, but letting go of old grudges was proving harder than she expected.

Robin tugged her closer, laughing as she swayed to the beat. Her movements were light and carefree, and Blossom found herself smiling despite the weight of her thoughts.

Nearby, Boomer and Brick danced with Bubbles in a friendly circle, their laughter carrying over the music. Blossom watched them, a strange twinge in her chest as she saw her sister laughing and dancing with the boys they'd once called enemies. Could things really be this simple?

The fast, upbeat song faded into a slow, romantic melody. The shift in tempo brought a ripple of excitement across the room as couples began pairing off. A junior approached Robin hesitantly, asking for a dance. She blushed but nodded, taking his hand and letting him lead her away.

Blossom's gaze lingered on Boomer as he turned to Bubbles with a gentle smile. He held out his hand, and Bubbles giggled before accepting, allowing him to guide her into the rhythm of the music. Blossom's initial instinct was to turn and leave the dance floor, but before she could slip away, Brick stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

He extended his hand. "Dance with me?"

Blossom hesitated, her thoughts racing. Slowly, she placed her hand in his, and he pulled her closer, keeping a respectful distance between them.

"Blossom, listen—" he began, but she interrupted him, her voice heavy with emotion.

"I'm truly sorry. It's just... it's hard, okay? It feels like yesterday that you boys were trying to destroy my sisters and me."

Brick nodded, his crimson eyes softening. "I get it. But Blossom, we're not the same kids anymore. We're not eight, and we're not under Mojo's or HIM's control. Being in prison, getting adopted, having a family—it all changed us. I'm not asking you to trust us overnight but give us a chance. A real chance."

He stepped closer, his voice quieter. "Besides, my brothers and I have a lot to lose now. We can't afford to screw up. It's not worth it."

Blossom felt her cheeks heat up. His sincerity caught her off guard, and for the first time, she saw him not as the mischievous boy who used to terrorize her but as a sixteen-year-old trying to move forward.

"Alright," she said softly. "I'll try. And… Thank you for protecting Robin and Bubbles."

Brick's lips curved into a genuine smile. It was so unexpected that it left Blossom momentarily speechless. He looked like a normal teenager—just a boy, not an enemy.

As the song ended, she stepped back, ready to say something more, but Boomer came barreling in, jumping onto Brick's back.

"Victory!" Boomer shouted, grinning as Brick staggered under his weight.

Brick laughed, pretending to fall before catching himself and shoving Boomer off playfully. The brothers' antics lightened the mood, and Boomer turned his attention to Blossom. Without warning, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the next song's upbeat rhythm.

Blossom gasped but quickly adjusted, swaying to the music. She glanced at Bubbles, who was laughing with Robin, and even Brick, who had been dragged into Robin's dance circle. Despite herself, Blossom felt a flicker of joy. For the first time, she allowed herself to relax, keeping her guard up but enjoying the moment.

After three songs, Blossom checked her watch and saw it was nearing midnight. She stepped away from the group, catching her sisters' attention.

"It's late," she said gently. "We have school tomorrow."

Robin groaned in protest, and Bubbles pouted, but both nodded in agreement.

Blossom turned to Brick and Boomer. "Please keep an eye on them. And thank you again for stepping in tonight."

Brick gave her a confident grin. "Don't worry. No one's messing with these two."

Boomer puffed out his chest dramatically. "Yeah! I'll protect them!"

Blossom chuckled softly, shaking her head as she hugged Bubbles and Robin goodbye. She left the party with a small smile on her face, feeling a mix of hope and uncertainty.

When she got home, she showered, the warmth of the water washing away the night's tension. She changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed, her mind replaying the events of the evening.

Brick's words echoed in her thoughts. We're not the same kids anymore.

As her eyes grew heavy, a faint smile lingered on her lips. Maybe, just maybe, she could learn to believe that.

Bubbles watched as Blossom left, her sister giving one last wave before disappearing into the night. A soft smile tugged at Bubbles' lips as she turned back to Robin, Brick, and Boomer. Despite everything that had happened earlier, the atmosphere now felt lighthearted and carefree.

The four of them returned to the dance floor, moving to the beat of the music. They naturally fell into a rhythm of switching partners—sometimes Bubbles danced with Robin, laughing as their moves grew sillier with each song. Other times, she found herself paired with Brick, who was surprisingly graceful, his smirks turning into genuine smiles when she giggled at his attempts to spin her. Boomer, ever the showman, added flair to every step, twirling Bubbles dramatically as they both burst into laughter.

The songs blended together, and before long, the group decided to take a break and grab some food. The buffet was a classic party spread greasy pizza, wings dripping in sauce, burgers, fries, and a sad bowl of plain salad shoved into the corner.

Brick piled his plate with pizza slices and wings, while Boomer eagerly went for a burger and fries. Robin, not one to shy away from bold flavors, grabbed wings and fries as well. Bubbles scanned the options with a frown before settling on a few stalks of celery. She sighed inwardly, wishing the selection had been more vegetarian friendly.

Boomer noticed her choice and tilted his head. "Celery? That's it?"

Bubbles shrugged with a sheepish smile. "The buffet isn't exactly vegetarian-friendly. I don't want to keep eating salads all night, and this one doesn't look very exciting."

Boomer paused mid-bite, his blue eyes widening. "Wait—you're a vegetarian?"

Bubbles nodded, taking a small bite of her celery.

"That's so funny! So is our—"

"Our guardian," Brick interrupted smoothly, his tone casual but firm as he gave Boomer a pointed look.

Boomer blinked at his brother before nodding quickly. "Yeah, our guardian's vegetarian too."

Bubbles tilted her head curiously at the exchange but decided not to press. Instead, she smiled. "That's cool! It's always nice meeting others who get it."

Boomer grinned, his enthusiasm returning. "Well, you're in luck! I know this amazing 24-hour vegetarian spot. It's a bit of a hidden gem, but the food's incredible. If you're interested, we could go there."

Her face lit up. "Yes, please! But…" She hesitated, her smile faltering. "I don't get paid until next week, so I don't have any money right now."

Boomer placed a hand over his heart, looking at her with mock offense. "Bubbles! Nonsense! Any lady with me eats for free. I'm covering it, no questions asked."

Robin chuckled, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Boomer, you're such a charmer."

He flashed a playful wink. "I try." Turning back to Bubbles, he added, "So, Robin, Brick—are you two coming with us?"

Brick shook his head, already scanning the room. "Nah, I've got networking to do. I need to find a club to appease Dad and…" He trailed off, his eyes narrowing slightly as he caught himself. "I just need to find a club."

Robin grinned knowingly but didn't comment on his slip. "I'll be helping Brick. I think the student committee is still accepting members."

Brick raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Yeah," Robin replied, her grin turning mischievous. "I happen to know the president and vice president pretty well. Come on, I'll introduce you."

Before they parted ways, Bubbles gave Robin and Brick quick hugs. "Have fun, you two!" she said brightly.

Boomer pulled Robin into a tight hug before grabbing Brick into a bear hug, squeezing him with exaggerated strength. "See you at home, bro! Try not to bore everyone with your club talk!"

Brick scowled but couldn't hide the smirk tugging at his lips. "Whatever, man. Just don't get into trouble."

Boomer gave a mock salute before going to find Lindsey, the host of the party. Once he found her dancing in the center of the dance floor he grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Thanks for having us, Lindsey. It was great."

Lindsey smiled warmly. "Thanks for coming, Boomer. You too, Bubbles! Be safe out there."

Boomer nodded, flashing her a quick grin before leading Bubbles toward the exit. As they stepped outside, Boomer unclasped the power-neutralizing bracelet on his wrist and slipped it into his pocket. A visible wave of relief washed over him, and he stretched his arms as if regaining his full strength.

"Are you okay with flying?" he asked, looking at Bubbles.

She smiled and nodded. "Of course."

The two of them took to the skies, the cool night air rushing past them as Bubbles followed Boomer's lead. The stars above seemed to twinkle brighter away from the city lights, and Bubbles found herself relaxing as they soared together.

It wasn't long before they landed in front of a cozy, understated restaurant with a green sign that read Veggie Delight in glowing white letters. The warm, inviting aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air as Boomer opened the door for her with a flourish.

"After you," he said with a grin.

Bubbles laughed softly, stepping inside. "Thank you, kind sir."

The two shared a laugh as they entered, the promise of good food and better company setting the tone for the rest of the evening.

Buttercup stood in silence, her grip firm on the hair of one of the seniors who had tried to attack her family. His weak complaints about the pain grated on her nerves, but she ignored him, her green eyes cold and unrelenting. Her foot tapped impatiently against the concrete, the echo faint against the quiet street. Beside her, Butch leaned against the wall, his jaw set tight, and his fists clenched as though daring the seniors to try something else. His emerald gaze burned with barely restrained fury, and his once tied back hair was now wild and fell over his eyes, giving him a fierce, untamed look.

When the distant wail of the police sirens grew louder, Buttercup straightened. The squad car rolled up, its blue and red lights flashing against the nearby buildings. Buttercup's usual experience with law enforcement had always been through the bumbling Mayor or the mild-mannered officers who often deferred to her and her sisters. But when the police captain stepped out of the vehicle, she instantly recognized him as Captain Marcus Steele—a no-nonsense, by-the-book leader with a reputation for being tough but fair.

Captain Steele was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark blue uniform neatly pressed, and his sharp gray eyes scanning the scene with a practiced intensity. His salt-and-pepper hair was combed back, and the lines on his face spoke of years of experience in law enforcement. Buttercup stiffened slightly, unsure of how this interaction would go. To her surprise, Steele gave her a respectful nod before turning his attention to Butch.

Her guard went up as Steele walked toward Butch, but before she could say anything in his defense, the captain's stern expression broke into laughter.

"What in the world are you wearing?!" Steele exclaimed, his voice carrying an amused edge. "Did the Chief make you wear that, or was it your dad?"

Butch rolled his eyes, a hint of red creeping into his cheeks as Steele pulled him into a quick, hearty hug. "Seriously, look at you, man! You're not ten anymore—you and your brothers have grown up. Matured, too, from the looks of it."

Butch muttered under his breath, clearly embarrassed, but there was a flicker of respect in his eyes as he addressed the captain. "Yeah, yeah. We're grown. But, uh, here's what's going on."

As Butch explained the situation, Buttercup couldn't help but notice the easy familiarity between him and Captain Steele. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly as Butch recounted how the seniors had cornered Robin and Bubbles, how he and his brothers had restrained themselves despite wearing their power-neutralizing bracelets, and how Buttercup had called the police to handle things properly.

Captain Steele listened intently, his expression hardening as he glanced at the cuffed seniors now being loaded into the squad car by his partner. When Butch finished, Steele nodded in approval and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Good work. You handled this the right way, and I'm proud of you and your brothers. You're proving to everyone that you're better than your past."

Butch gave a small, almost sheepish smile, clearly unused to such praise.

Steele added with a chuckle, "Also, don't know if they told you, but my wife and I are coming over for dinner tomorrow night. We're bringing the kids. Don't disappear on me."

Butch gave a thumbs-up, his smirk returning. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Captain Steele then turned to Buttercup, his demeanor shifting to one of genuine respect. "Always a pleasure to see one of the Powerpuffs. You and your sisters keep this city safe, and it doesn't go unnoticed. Enjoy your night—these punks will be handled by the justice system."

With that, Steele and his team drove off, leaving Buttercup standing beside Butch, who looked noticeably more relaxed now that the situation was resolved.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "The Professor always said it was just your dad. What's with you knowing the captain so well?"

Butch shrugged, his expression guarded. "Why do you need to know about my family? I don't ask about yours."

"Fair enough," Buttercup replied, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "I was just curious."

He sighed, his stance softening. "You're fine. My brothers and I are just...protective of our family. We like to keep that stuff private."

Buttercup nodded; her tone more sincere. "Got it. No judgment here. Thanks again, though—for what you did for Robin and Bubbles. I really appreciate it."

Butch crossed his arms, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Eh, I just thought, what if they were my sisters, you know? Besides, Robin and Bubbles are easy targets—too sweet for their own good. Even with Bubbles' powers, they're vulnerable."

Buttercup grinned, her playful side kicking in. "Oh, so you've got a soft spot for the innocent type? Are Robin and Bubbles your type or something?"

Butch snorted, shaking his head. "No, no, no. I mean, Robin's super cute, and Bubbles is adorable, but my type's more...aggressive."

Buttercup laughed, the sound bright and unrestrained. "Aggressive, huh? Well, good luck with that."

He scowled playfully. "Alright, what about you? What's your type, then?"

She shrugged, still grinning. "I don't have a type. Between sports, work, and barely scraping by in school, I don't have time for guys."

Butch chuckled, leaning against the wall once more. "Fair enough."

Buttercup found herself glancing at Butch with newfound respect. His actions tonight, standing up for Robin and Bubbles without hesitation, had earned him a sliver of trust. She cleared her throat, glancing at her phone to check the time. The glowing screen read 1:00 AM, and a wave of exhaustion hit her. With classes tomorrow and work on the horizon, she knew she needed to call it a night.

Just as she was about to say goodbye, Butch spoke up. "Hey, um, is there, like, a sports club or something I could join? My…dad wants me to join a club, you know, to help boost our resume or whatever."

Buttercup paused, tilting her head slightly as she looked him over. He seemed earnest, though a little awkward about asking. After a moment, she sighed. "There's a workout club that meets Monday through Thursday. I was a member, but since I'm working now, I can't keep up with it. It's a good time, though—weights, cardio, group sessions. You'd probably like it."

Butch nodded thoughtfully, his green eyes flickering with interest. "Thanks. I might check it out. You doing any sports this year?"

Her expression dimmed slightly as she crossed her arms. "Nope. I missed soccer tryouts, and baseball tryouts are during my shifts. I doubt I'll get to play anything this year, which kinda sucks."

Butch frowned. "Damn, dude, I'm sorry. Maybe something will come up?"

Buttercup shrugged, her tone dismissive. "Eh, probably not. It's whatever. Anyway, it's getting late, and I'm beat."

He nodded, his hands slipping into his pockets as he leaned casually against the wall. "Would you like an escort?"

Buttercup raised an eyebrow, giving him a skeptical look.

Butch raised his hands defensively, a lopsided grin spreading across his face. "Relax, I'm just trying to be nice."

She smirked and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Butch, I'm Buttercup Utonium. I don't need an escort, but thanks for the offer. And, just so you know, nice doesn't suit you the way it suits Boomer. If you're trying to impress some aggressive girl, you should stick to that bad-boy vibe. Trust me."

Butch chuckled, rubbing his shoulder exaggeratedly where she'd punched him. "Yes, ma'am. Noted. By the way…" He paused, his smirk turning into something a little more self-assured. "You look hot. I'm trying this whole charismatic thing like Boomer and Brick. How'd I do?"

Buttercup burst out laughing, her sharp, genuine laugh echoing through the quiet street. "Good luck with that, Butch. You've got a ways to go."

He grinned, taking her teasing in stride. "Fair enough."

With that, they exchanged their goodbyes. Buttercup turned and took to the sky, the cool night air rushing past her as she headed home.

As she flew, her mind wandered back to the night's events. Butch and his brothers had stepped up in ways she hadn't expected. She thought about how Butch, in particular, had seemed oddly relatable, someone who understood what it meant to fight for others while carrying his own burdens. Still, questions swirled in her mind.

How did they know Captain Steele so well? What was their home life like now that they were adopted? And why would anyone choose to adopt three superpowered criminals? The more she thought about it, the more curious she became.

Landing at her house, Buttercup shook her head, trying to quiet her thoughts. At least the boys seemed to be on the right path now. That was what mattered most.

She headed straight to the bathroom for a quick, hot shower. The warm water soothed her muscles, and as the steam surrounded her, she let out a long sigh. By the time she crawled into bed, her body felt relaxed, but her mind still buzzed with questions.

As sleep began to claim her, one final thought surfaced. Maybe they could settle to good guys.

Her lips curled into a faint smile as she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.

A/N Hope you liked it.