I've got you, brother

The Role You Play

Narrator's POV:

In this new family, Boomer knew very well he had to change (most) of his ways. He can no longer talk foul like he used to with his former brothers, he needs to be well-behaved and mind his manners, and last of all; he needed to be the best. His father had no high expectations of him, but the stares of his associates whenever they meet shout "Royal" or "Perfect". It was stressful, being someone he isn't in such a short span of time. He barely had time to think things through as he was always with his father and his company, being the good boy he is and helping out with some knowledge he learned through his new tutors and books. Not once did he have the chance to look back and reflect; after what happened the whole world felt like a dream.

A dream he needs to continue.

Boomer looked up from his plate of food and to the two men chatting happily while eating. They were laughing and telling jokes; being the good friends that they are. It bored him a bit because he couldn't understand what they were even talking about; well he can, but the words shared went from one ear to the other. The blonde didn't want to be rude so he excused himself from the table with a smile and walked away, leaving the two adults with their conversations.

In the hallway, he slowed down his pace. The boy looked out the large windows to the large gardens beautifully decorated. He sighed. Sometimes being the poised little boy they all wanted him to be was tiring. He missed having to fly around pissing people off and making kids cry with...his brothers.

'Brick...Butch...I'm sorry....'

Tears stung his eyes as he remembered what happened to him and how he ended up here. Those bastard Powerpuff girls broke their lives in millions of pieces. The rage he felt whenever they showed up on TV smiling innocently as if they did nothing wrong...it was frightening. A maid even once commented it was like seeing a demon bubbling up pent up anger to the heavens. Boomer was sure, if he ever was a demon, he would be a very life-threatening one.

His train of thoughts were cut off shortly by a girl coming his way. It was his father's friend's daughter. Julia Mckinley.

A beautiful rose covered in sharp thorns, delicate in her looks but such fragility was just a facade to hide her true nature. A beastly creature known for killing of her prey with only words. How dangerous she was. She stared back at him, tilted her head and walked closer. "Hikari ?" She asked, to confirm that 'Hikari' was indeed his name. He nodded and smiled like he always does, the habit he had grown accustomed to with his stay here. "Ah, you're Kurobami-san's newly adopted son." She said. There was fondness in her voice; something Boomer thought was unlikely for someone like her. Still, it was nice she didn't hate him.

"Yeah, I am." He replied in a light tone. Julia looked closer, much to Boomer's confusion, but she smiled and held out her hand to him. "It's nice to meet you." She said, now holding out her hand. Boomer shook her hand and the next moment (much to his shock and ever so increasing confusion) she hugged him.

He's experienced hugs from his father, from guests who are fond of him, but never from someone his age so it was a weird feeling and the boy didn't know what to do. Still, as to not seem rude or uncaring, he hugged back despite not knowing what the hell was going on. When she pulled away, there was a grin on her face. The girl opened her mouth to speak after a few seconds of silence.

"Why don't we go to the garden ?"

—————

As Brick finished the last of his food, Butch had just started to talk about this really funny dog he saw on the streets after an hour of bickering and story-telling. He really was talkative with company. Not like the redhead didn't like it, it was nice background music while he ate and did the things he would normally do on a day-to-day basis. HIM and Mojo were having their own little argument about something Brick didn't get (nor care about). He kept reading the book on his lap afterwards as he realized he had no more slice of cake. No one would have ever predicted the boy actually wanting to read but here he is. While HIM took him clothes shopping (which was more like threatening everyone at the store to let them roam around and steal whatever they want) he had gotten himself a small item the red crab monster let him take.

And it was a book.

A small red book about this small boy who got lost in a forest and is now exploring the entire place until he had found home once again. The entire atmosphere of the story was hazy and vivid; almost like a dazed dream. A calm wonderland that sends you to sleep. As much as the summary bored him, he made a small change in himself to not judge a book by it's cover— or summary. It was the best decision he's made all his life.

Not only was the plot good; he actually related to it metaphorically and it made him smile thinking about it. Butch took a look at him, but went back to what he was discussing earlier. Somehow, the black-haired child could see small changes in his older brother. Ever since the...incident, Brick no longer wanted to play rough with him nor did he want to cause destruction to Townsville. Maybe it was because he was scared that the same tragedy would happen again with them, or maybe he just grew tired. Maybe he tried to change to be able to carry out the responsibilities of a good older brother (though HIM and Mojo are there).

All of those options were possible; it could even be a mix of all of them. It wasn't a bad change. Butch didn't really want to go back to chaos for a short while himself. They more or less bonded over their tears and words of comfort; jokes and innocent stories. They had changed.

Everyone had changed.

Who knew everything would turn out like this.