Chapter Text
Boomer didn’t actually enjoy the weather except when there was lightning. He didn’t understand why, it just happened. Thunder and Lightning, really storms were his type of weather, so dark and mysterious. He wanted to be dark and mysterious versus her. She was the embodiment of all things good. It was like she was programmed to be perfect.
Even today, she was wearing a big cream sweater with blue jeans and a puffy hat to match it. She looked like winter if it was cute. No. He was supposed to hate her. His brother said so. But why? Boomer never understood that. He always spoke well to the “puffs” but they were supposed to not be conversed with. Brick decided that when they were 5 and now being 16, they should be able to. So why didn’t they?
“Boom, stop staring at the puff.” Brick’s voice shot through him. Boomer’s eyes returned to the class ahead, homeroom. The girls had always been in the same classes as them, as in reality, they were so similar. It was quite frustrating. She turned around and made eye contact with him. Her bright blue eyes just struck him and his heart just melted a little. He scowled and looked away, trying to not have his brother look at him again.
The bell rang and they flowed out into the hallways, freshly decorated for Christmas. Boomer had always loved Christmas movies but since his brothers were so moody, he had to watch them in his room at 2 am. There was a brush against his shoulder and a clear voice rang out.
“Boomer? Is everything ok?” Bubbles watched him while she played with a piece of her curled hair. She looked so adorable, even just wearing mascara and a little lipgloss made her look perfect, like a little snowflake.
“Yeah, just fine,” he shot the sharp tone at her and walked away from her, sick of her not adorable face. That was too harsh. He turned back to say sorry when she has already turned away and sniffling. He swore and went to his first-class pissed, wanting to smack his head into the wall.
“Bubbles, why are you crying?” Blossom sat next to her at lunch. Bubbles was just struggling through the day. Boomer was nice to her, at least sometimes, what did she do to make him disregard her as a stranger?
“You were right, the ‘ruffs’ are jerks. All of them, even Boomer,” Bubbles just cried even harder. Blossom pulled her in a hug.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie. I guess I have to talk to him huh?” Blossom really didn’t take anything from anyone. She was always fighting with Brick. He treated her like garbage sometimes. Guess it was how the brothers worked.
“Yeah, he just isn’t worth it Bubs. Those boys are idiots,” Buttercup sat down at the table and it just made Bubbles laugh a little. She always had her suspicions that Butch and Buttercup were actually interested in each other but Buttercup would never admit to it. They fought all the time but never really hurt each other, more like cubs playing or little animals being adorable at the zoo.
“No, it’s fine Bloss. I just have to not get my hopes up. It just sucks you know. You want to be friends with someone, even just watch them play baseball because of it and all they do is tell you to back off.”
There was a crash and the girls turned. Boomer had dropped his lunch and ran into the pole of the cafeteria. Bubbles giggled a little as Boomer just looked at her and smiled. She turned away and wiped away her tears.
“Are you sure that he doesn’t like you? I mean he did just make a fool of himself for you,” Bubbles just looked down at her lunch.
“Yeah, he probably is just that clumsy.” Bubbles turned to watch Boomer sit down at the tables with his brothers. She was hoping that they could be friends. Maybe, even more, one day.
Boomer’s head was throbbing. Shit, she really wanted to be friends huh? He was such a dumbass. He sat down with his doofus brothers that were laughing so loud at him.
“That was quite an entrance,” Butch just laughed. Boomer flipped him off and started to eat his lunch. Was there a real reason that they hated the puffs?
“So Brick, is there a reason that we hate the puffs?” Brick just turned to Boomer and stared at him.
“Because they are obnoxious and ridiculous, never mind she won't ever get it through her thick skull that I will be valedictorian,” Brick stabbed the piece of mystery meat on the tray. Boomer just couldn’t eat it. It was so nasty.
“So because of a little competition, Boom can’t date the blondie?” Boomer felt himself get red as Butch asked the question. That was the goal one day, maybe, but did Butch have to be so bold with the question?
“It’s not a little competition, it's the top spot. That redhead is driving me crazy, the stupid red bow that she wears, and the lame smile she has on when she gets a hot coffee. Or the worst is when she flirts with the lame-ass Harry,” Brick was dark red in anger. Boomer figured it out. He may have been called the dumbest of dumb but he could pick up on some signals. “It’s always, ‘Harry asked me to the movies’ or ‘Brick did you see I’m ahead of you?’ I know she just does it to make me mad and I hate that it works.
“Oh, so you have a crush on the leader of the puffs huh?” Brick looked shocked. Butch just gave Boomer a high five. It was kind of obvious, c’mon, the competition since they were 5?
“NO! No, I don't have a crush on that puff! She is just so annoying!” Boomer just laughed a little.
“Ok, well do you have a problem with me talking to Bubbles more than? Maybe I’ll just ask Blossom to go on a date with me,” Brick turned.
“Don’t touch my puff.” Boomer and Butch just laughed a little.
“Your puff?” Butch just smiled as Brick was trying to find an excuse.
“She is my problem. And no, you can’t talk to Bubbles. The puffs are dangerous and that is final.” Brick slammed his fist against the table and Boomer turned away. Damn, another lost shot.
Boomer was finally walking out of the school. He didn’t realize that it was snowing outside until a voice came over him.
“Boomer, look it’s snowing!” Bubbles just smiled at him. She always got the most excited when the first snow fell for the year. It just had laid a small layer on the ground but it was enough for her to smile that gorgeous smile that made his heart melt a little.
“Oh yeah, I guess it’s nice,” Bubbles just turned to him. Bubbles was wearing a puffy blue coat with some snowflakes on it and a faux fur hood, she loved animals too much to hurt them. Damn, why did he know this!
“Nice? This isn’t just nice Boomer, it’s the first snow of the holidays! It’s December 1st and it's snowing! It’s it magical?” She spun in the snow. Boomer knew that every snowflake was one of a kind but this, seeing her like this is one of a kind. She looked like the most gorgeous snowflake he did see. It was actually really nice. He was supposed to hate her, so why was it so hard?
“Oh, I guess so. I don’t believe in Christmas magic that much. We never celebrate it either,” Boomer wasn’t lying. He always had believed in Christmas magic, that there was something just building up and waiting to happen. Boomer’s beliefs became stronger when his dads abandoned them about 8 years ago
“You don’t celebrate Christmas?” Boomer knew he shouldn’t be telling her this but her baby blues just made his heart melt even more.
“We can’t afford it. I don’t know why I am telling you this, but I am. It is wonderful to watch others be happy, but not me. Brick is the best brother,” Brick had to take on the adult role and that meant presents were very scarce. They might get one or two presents but with a very small income and barely a house, they didn’t celebrate Christmas. Bubbles just smiled and wrapped her arm around his. She started leading him away from the school and down the road.
“Bubbles, what are you doing?” Boomer asked. They were going into a bookstore(?)
“We’re getting some hot chocolate. Is that ok? I thought it might cheer you up,” Boomer took the chance to look at her and smile for once.
“That sounds awesome. I really am starting to freeze out here.” Bubbles’ cheeks blushed up and Boomer just smiled again. They walked into the bookstore and got the drink. The two stayed in there for about 2 hours until it started getting dark. Boomer was actually enjoying himself.
They walked to her home first, not wanting her to see the dump that he lived in. She was just laughing and getting lightly coated in snow. Bubbles looked as if she was a snow queen, maybe that is why he thought of her as being so pure and bright, because of the snow. Boomer stopped in front of the house and Bubbles turned towards him.
“Thank you for hanging out with me this afternoon,” her cheeks blushed and he did too.
“Yeah, I always wanted to. Just had to deal with the reds first,” Bubbles giggled.
“Oh, I get it. Anyways, get home safely. Oh! Here is my number, just in case if you ever want to talk,” their fingers brushed and it felt like electricity. He took the paper gently and smiled at her.
“Goodnight Bubbles,” she just smiled right back at him.
“Goodnight Boomer,” his name was like icing out of her mouth. It was so sweet to hear. He turned and looked down at the number. He took out his phone and added it in. Under contacts, Boomer put “Snowflake”, because she really was one of a kind.