Sketch Dump 7/18/25

Hey everyone, this week was a bit rough so I'm sorry to say I wasn't able to get a Mortar page out in time, but here are some exclusive sketches and a short story to hopefully make up for it! Thanks again for your support and patience with me!

Brick and Mortar: Stretched Too Thin...

"Superhero Survival Guide Tip #243: When the going gets tough, get tougher and keep going…"

Sweat dripped down Molly's nose as she murmured the words to herself. At least she thought it was sweat. She still wasn't entirely sure how the accident had changed her physiology. Being made out of bubblegum wasn't something they really covered in health class.

As stretchy and as strong as her newly elasticized muscles were, they still ached after 2 hours of training, after Superball practice, after Air Acrobatics class, after the practical combat exam. They were graduating from Vanguard University soon. It wasn't time for her to rest on her laurels. She had to make her teachers proud. Had to make her mother proud.

She could keep going though.

She had to keep going.

She wanted this.

She wanted this more than anything.

She wanted to keep this.

"Whew. Ok. Reset."

The holographic panels of the stark white training room flipped like sequins around her. A moonlit alleyway sprung out of nothing. It was blisteringly rendered, almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Fans even blew cold, misty air onto her skin.

Out of the shadows materialized a figure.

Glowing yellow eyes and gleaming white fangs greeted her, a tactical battle suit lined in fur and armor plating.

Her idol, right now, her worst enemy.

The Big Bad Wolf.

For the past few days, Molly had been fighting a "shadow boxing" double of her favorite superhero and mentor, someone with decades more experience than her. If she couldn't beat the best of the best, how could she BE the best of the best? How could she save everyone?

BBWolf always let her make the first move. Good strategy all things considered, if you're strong enough to back it up. It let her read her opponent, make a counter attack. It let her control the pace of the battle.

Molly always went for the head. She tried to be as unpredictable as possible, stretching her arms and legs and cartwheeling over BB and onto the wall, where she stayed, poised for action. She readied the gum shooters on her wrists and rapidly pressed the pressure pads on her thumbs, letting loose a volley of sticky pink glue.

Big Bad Wolf effortlessly dodged the spray, just as Molly was used to. She sprung away, moving on all fours, with the ferocity of a wild animal, but the forethought of a skilled tactician. She fired her own counter attack, tossing three moon shaped disks from her utility belt. Flash bangs. Molly leapt from the wall like it was on fire and shielded her eyes.

The proceeding BANG made her ears ring, and before her eyes could fully open again, something sharp clamped onto her chest. One of Big Bad Wolf's grappling hooks, a contraption resembling a bear trap on a wire, had sunk its teeth into the crest of her suit. Before she could react, BBWolf's knee was in her face. Then the floor. Then a buzzer went off, and the simulation room returned to it's pale white shine.

Game. Set. Match.

Molly's head was throbbing. Her muscles were jelly.

But she wanted to keep going.

She needed to keep going.

Get up.

Her body refused.

Get. UP.

Her arm muscles quivered for a moment, and then, gave out.

…Please…?

The hard plastic floor suddenly felt very cool, and comfortable.

… Just one more round… then I need to study for that history quiz tomorrow, and that math test Friday… Get up…

She managed to roll onto her back, staring blankly at the round light above her. She felt like a baby turtle baking in the sun.

…Just…one more round… please… I need this… please…

The door opened.

A familiar voice was shouting her name somewhere far away.

Firm, strong arms peeled her off the ground.

They felt like granite, or concrete, their color and texture was blocky and red, like sandstone or…

"Brick…?" Molly said, straining against eyelids that were getting heavier by the second.

"Shhh… you're ok… I've got you." 

"S…sorry…" Molly apologized weakly, before everything went dark.

The ceiling was white, like the training room. But pale blue curtains and warm white sheets tipped her off to where she really was.

The nurse's office.

She didn't have time to be sick. There was too much work she still needed to do.

She'd had her little nap, now it was time to get back to it. "When the going gets tough…"

Molly moved to stand up, but a solid stone hand gently held her shoulder down.

"Oh no you don't." Brick said from his seat on the side of her bed. She was strong, but he was much stronger than her. It was like trying to push a building over with her bare hands.

"I gotta get up… History quiz… Math test… training…" Molly mumbled. She was still weak, but she was at least strong enough to move now, which meant she was strong enough to study, strong enough to fight, strong enough to work, strong enough to-

"Molly! I found you PASSED OUT in the TRAINING ROOM! You're not GOING anywhere!" his usually soft spoken voice was startlingly firm.

It startled her long enough for Brick to gently press her back down onto her pillow, and tuck her into her blankets nice and tight.

"But… but I need…"

"No buts. You NEED some rest. Dr. Chimera already took a look at you. It's nothing serious, but it is exhaustion. Which means YOU are gonna be staying in bed for the next few days."

"But… what about my classes? What if I fall behind?'

"Already taken care of. You got a pass."

"A… pass?"

"Yup. No make ups, no nothing, just… everyone wants you to get some rest…"

Molly was stunned. And then, ashamed. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry… I… I didn't work hard enough…. I need to work harder next time… I need to get stronger so this doesn't happen again…"

"'Work har- honey, what part of what just happened was you 'not working hard enough?!' The problem is you've been working TOO hard!!!"

Molly still looked ashamed of herself. Brick sighed, and pulled the blankets up.

"Ok, push over."

"Huh?"

"Just scootch over a smidge, okay?"

Molly inched over to one side of the bed as Brick moved in next to her. The bed, as strong as it was, creaked and sank noticeably as his full weight pressed into the mattress. The sudden incline caused Molly to roll into his chest. His hard, warm chest. His broad shoulders. His goofy little smile. It was all so close. It was all still so new. She'd never slept this close to anyone before. She'd never felt like this with anyone before. So cozy, and loved, and… safe.

Brick wrapped his huge arms around her. The way his body contrasted and contoured hers. His big, square frame enveloping her small, slender, curved body. It was like two puzzle pieces clicking into place. She loved it. She loved every second of it.

She couldn't help but notice the bulge of something in his pants pressing against her butt.

She liked that too, even if her face went a little red.

"Ok, what's wrong, sweetie? Why are you working yourself to death?" Brick whispered into her ear. She could hear the gravel in his vocal cords, the stones that made his heart clacking together, thump thump thumping. Her heart was pounding too, much faster, much more frantically.

But with every second that passed, it slowed, until her cadence finally matched his.

"... we're graduating soon…"

"Yes. That is a thing that's happening."

"... No more classes, no more teachers, no more… safety nets…"

"Ah. Hm. I see… and that worries little Ms. Valedictorian because…?"

Molly blushed at that. She'd been more frightened than proud when Big Bad Wolf told her. She still felt… unworthy.

"... What if I'm still not good enough…? When we graduate? What if I can't… what if I can't keep everyone safe…?"

"Hmm." Brick blew some air out of his nose. It was so cute how he did that. How his stony expression would screw up a little as he feigned pondering. "And why do you have to keep everyone safe?"

Molly's mouth gaped a little.

"B-Because we're HEROES? Because that's our job to protect people, to save everyone, to-"

"No, I mean, why do YOU have to keep everyone safe?"

Molly was quiet. Brick continued.

"Because last I checked, we're a TEAM. You and me. You're not alone anymore."

Tears were pooling in Molly's eyes now.

"You're NOT alone anymore. You can lean on us all, Molly. You can lean on ME. We're partners. Whatever happens, we'll deal with it together."

They were smearing her cheeks now. The icy wall she kept around her fear, her sadness, her frustration, it melted, and everything came pouring out.

"It's my turn to keep YOU safe, Molly. I'm going to keep you safe…"

She stifled a sob.

She pressed her face deeper into his chest. She could feel her face sticking to him, face slick with tears, but she didn't care.

She was safe.

She was finally safe.

And she would love him forever for that.

Special Thanks to my Test Readers, and to all of YOU for your support!