I'm sorry about the last chapter; I had to fix it. I will finish this story before continuing with others, except for one. The following few chapters may be shorter than the old ones, but that's to move the story along and prevent writer's block. Sorry for the very long wait!

Ch. 15 Years Later

Brick glanced at the calendar. He graduated. Brick was finally going home. He could see and touch his emerald once again.

"You seem happy," a nerdy brunette addressed his dormmate. "Did you find the solution to my formula?"

"Yeah, Neutron, that's why he's smiling like that," the freckled teen spat as he continued his game from their couch. "After years of being stuck in a dorm surrounded by guys, he's smiling because of science."

"There's nothing wrong with enjoying this type of work!"

"Maybe he's going to get laid," the bucktooth dork was downing a slice of cold leftover pizza. "I'd be happy about that, too."

"Enough," an intimidating voice said as he laid the controller down after winning. "If he wants to admit whatever is going on, he may do so when he desires; if not, who are we to pry?"

Bucktooth rolled his eyes, "You only say that because you have a boner for him!"

"Yeah," the petite redhead agreed. "You are pretty gay for each other." Serpent-like eyes started daggers. "I'm kidding. Sheesh, learn to take a joke, man."

"You know better than to joke with them, Riley," a bald young man entered the room. "Look, we've all been together for a few years now. We all put up with each other to the point we wanted to end each other, but we made it. Now we don't have to deal with eating together anymore! We can go home and live life how we want to!"

"Kudos to that!" The remaining young men continued to yell while Brick heard a call for Townsville. He picked up his remaining bags and approached the boat's exit zone. Ignoring the calls of the others. His mind was elsewhere.

"Mr. Jojo," A serpent-like voice caught up to him. "I want to tell you something before you embark on your journey."

"Isn't that what that party was for?"

"Without the others to intervene," Chase stuck out his hand. I wanted to say I will miss having a rival."

"Same."

"A shame we won't get to meet this... vulnerability of yours."

"Thanks," Brick said, shaking his hand firmly. "Good luck to you with your little monk."

"I don't need luck to capture him," Chase got a sinister look in his eye. "I do appreciate the reassurance. Remember to let me know if you want some advice."

"Will do," the redhead nodded before heading off the boat. The second he stepped off, a blur of yellow tackled him. It was no surprise to Brick that his mother was in tears. "My darling, how I missed you!"

"Hello, Mother, where-" Another blur of yellow nearly tackled him. "Hello, Boomer."

"Brick!" Pulling away, Brick looked up at his taller brother, who wore his face but with more visible freckles and shaggy blond hair. "Must be kinda weird to stare up at your little brother, huh?"

Brick ignored him and looked around for a specific pair of emeralds. "Where are the others?"

"Awe, sweetie. Your father has worked, and Buttercup and Butch are practicing for a baseball game. Tomorrow is their last game before graduation!"

"They made it to the finals! If they win, they can make it to nationals," Boomer jumped with joy. "Buttercup can get a scholarship if she wins since she's been playing with an actual baseball league! Isn't that awesome? We're picking them up after their practice- before it starts raining. We thought we could surprise them with your arrival!"

"Alright," Brick said as the two bubbly blondes hulled him away. His mother was different. She didn't wear makeup anymore - her youthful face seemed to shine through with her newfound smile. Boomer went through an apparent physical and mental change; he appeared much closer to their mother. Bubblier too. Good note - Buttercup didn't know yet. Neither did the psycho. However, that bastard was the exception.

Once in the parking lot, their mother told them to wait in the stands so she could find the close duo. That was until the rain started to fall. Their mother told them to return to the car, but Brick ignored her and continued forward. He heard Boomer shout in the distance, but he ignored him, too. There were multiple base fields to choose from. Brick walked towards the muddy one. The mud stained his expensive shoes. He didn't mind. He didn't care. Not really. Not when he still couldn't see her-

"Brick?"

The moment he connected with those eyes, it was over. Buttercup's face broke into a huge grin. One so bright that, despite the rainy day, in a muddy, beat-up uniform, it was blinding him. Buttercup tackled Brick with an iron grip. His heart was pounding; despite her athletic build, she was a whole foot shorter than him. He lifted her off the ground and swung her around. Her joyful laughter rang in his ears. Desperately holding back his urge to attack those plump lips. He stopped spinning and stared at her - his eyes lowered, seeing how she had grown in more areas than one-

"Brick!"

"Buttercup."

"Why didn't you write that you were coming?"

"To surprise you."

"With what?"

He smirked, "My presence."

She smacked his arm. He let her. He craved all sorts of physical contact from her.

"Glad to see you haven't changed in that area."

"Isn't that what you love about me?" He asked, noticing her hesitation. "By the way - I did read them—your letters."

Her eyes widen, "If you read them, why didn't you reply?"

"I couldn't," Brick clenched his fist, remembering his father's words. "When we return to the house, I'll give you the letters I wrote in response to you."

"You're like 10 years too late."

"I'm here now, though," Brick grabbed her hands. "Please, read them. I did want to send them, but I just couldn't."

"Why no stamps?" She rolled her eyes with a newfound snort. "Easier travel now that I'm right here."

"No, I'm eighteen. I have plans, and giving you the letters is the first of many things I want to take care of before I-"I can finally be with you."I can tell you everything. Okay?"

"Okay."

He smirked. "I hear you guys are going to finals tomorrow."

"Yeah, me and a few guys from the old days started playing together and-"

"A few guys?" Brick glared. "That gang you talked about?"

"What? No! I hate those scumbags! Come on, I want you to meet someone!" Hand in hand, she led him to the team's dugout and ignored the psychopaths' bewildered look from across the field. That's when they stopped in front of a tall, lanky teen. He was covered in freckles and wore a low tail. "Brick, this is Mitch from elementary," she released his hand. "He's my boyfriend."

Brick's heart stopped.

"Hey Brick! It's been a while. I'm sorry she didn't mention me in the letters. I wanted to introduce myself properly."

Time stopped.

"Brick?" a look of confusion crossed her face. "Mitch, what'd you do?"

"I don't know. Yo hoo, Future-Brother-In-Law."

The redhead's glare sent shivers down Mitch's spine.

"Don't call me that," he stalked off. "I am not her brother."

"I'll go talk to him, Mitch," Buttercup quickly ran to catch up with the broody redhead. "What the hell, Brick! You don't have to be such a dick. Mitch didn't do anything! I'm the one who decided not to mention him."

"Why?"

"Why, what?"

He noticed a few spectators. He didn't care but knew she would. He hulled her to an empty dugout. He bent low enough to meet her eyes. He was still clutching her arm. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew you'd get like this!"

His fingers slowly made their way to the back of her head. "Elaborate."

"You know... Weird. You always did when we were younger. Your hand is like literally cradling my head right now!"

"Do you know what you do to me?"

"Do I care?"

His eyes bore into hers. "Do you?"

"No."

"Then why not mention your boyfriend?"

"I don't know! You used to do those weird things to me when we were younger. And, and then you left! I wanted to talk to you, but you weren't here! I'm shitty with words, you know."

He paused.

"Is he my replacement?"

"Look, Mitch is Mitch. You are you. No one can take your place, Brick. You're my brother; at the end of the day, we are family. I'm not sure it's okay for us to do that weird stuff anymore."

"Who cares?"

"I do! I can't do that to MOM! I love her-"

"More than me?"

The look in her eyes said it all. Brick knew she didn't want to lose another family, not again. He didn't want to be the person to ruin the chance at another shot of being part of a family. Not now, at least.

"Fine," he kissed her without warning. It was a desperate kiss. Pulling away, he stared into her eyes, his breath tickling her lips. "Enjoy your Trailer Trash."

Then he left her there in utter disbelief. Leaving the dugout, the redhead wasn't aware that the maniac was a few steps away. Brick looked angry. It brought a stupid grin to the Butch's face.

Wow, I didn't miss this fucker. Wolfing down the rest of the hotdog, Mitch -his sister's bitch- appeared. "Hey, Mutt."

"Butch, it's been years. Stop with the stupid nickname Dickwad!"

"Nah, it makes too much sense. Listen to some helpful advice: I'm crazy. Yes. Brick - way worse than me."

"What?" Mitch gave the teen a look of disbelief. "How is that helpful? Like at all."

"Don't say I didn't warn ya."Poor Mutt...

"Speaking of advice," Mitch pointed in the distance at a particular group of cheerleaders. "Would you want some actual helpful advice?"

Despite the weather in the distance, a group of cheerleaders prepared for their tournament on another field. A specific girl was wearing a white top, exposing her baby-blue bra, hardly holding her two giants back. Nice view, Butch thought, licking his lips until he realized who the pair of twins belonged to. Oh shit.

"If you weren't such an ass and maybe a bit nicer, a certain blonde would give you the time of day."

"Right," Yeah, that's what she wants-Butch flipped Mitch off, turning away from the blonde—dumb Mutt.

They started walking toward their dugout as a pair of baby blues followed the psycho's movement.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Link for Rowdyruff boys image: buttercupbeifong/770942349651099648/rrb-brick-butch-boomer?source=share

Note: If you were unsure about the boys in the beginning, their characters are listed below:

Boarding School Boys:

Riley (The Replacements)

Timmy Turner (The Fairly OddParents)

Jimmy Neutron (Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Chase Young (Xialion Showdown)

Fillmore (Fillmore)