Title: Don't Get Your Hopes Up
Author: Dracori
Summary: They always say not to get your hopes up, and Mojo once again has to learn this painful lesson. ONE-SHOT.
Rating: K
Pairings: Hints of Him/Mojo and Him/Professor
Disclaimer: The Powerpuff Girls were created and owned by Craig McCracken and Cartoon Network.

Don’t Get Your Hopes Up

Him opened the door and allowed Mojo to step inside. The chimp wasn’t exactly in the best of moods, but then again, that wasn’t much different from any other day. But today he had been working on a new device that he hoped to put into good use by the end of the week, and he hated it when his work was disturbed.

“Alright, now explain to me why you have brought me to the location which you take up residence,” Mojo said haughtily. Him led him over to the couch.

“There is something I need to talk to you about,” he began. Mojo took note of the demon’s apprehensive expression and knew very quickly that they wouldn't just be shooting the breeze.

“And I am the only person in Townsville who you can exchange words with?” Mojo snapped as he had a seat.

“Well…the only person I could probably get an intelligent and well-rounded opinion from,” Him replied with a shrug. Mojo smirked at this.

“Well, I certainly cannot argue with that statement,” he said proudly. Him rolled his eyes.

“Alright, well…how do I start?” Him stroked his goatee as he chewed on his bottom lip, trying to find the right words. “Well…if you liked someone, and you were not sure if they liked you back, what would you do?”

Mojo blinked in surprise. “Oh? So you have romantic feelings for another individual?” he asked with a smirk.

“Don’t even start,” the demon warned.

“So? What is the name of the individual who you currently fancy? Do I know her?”

“Well…it’s a 'he', actually.”

Mojo furrowed his brow as he noticed Him begin to avoid his gaze and saw that he was also shifting rather uncomfortably on the couch.

“A male, you say? Do I know him by any chance?” Mojo asked.

Him nodded, casting Mojo a rather nervous glance and causing the chimp even further confusion.

“Well…I should have to respond to your previous question by saying that if it were me, I would want to express my feelings openly, no matter the outcome. Disappointment is something we all must face in our lives, so it is better to just take the chance, and you may be surprised to find out that the person is quite interested in you as well, but you will never know unless you speak up. Otherwise you will constantly live a life wondering what might have been. So yes, confess your feelings, reveal to the individual of your romantic interest, pour your heart and soul out to him. In the end, you will be glad you did.”

Him nodded, finding himself in agreement with Mojo’s words.

“So…who is it?”

Him continued to fidget. “I…really don’t think you want to know,” he said, shooting Mojo a weird look that made the chimp begin to fidget in his seat as well.

“Well, I do not have many acquaintances in this city, and yet you say I know this person…” Mojo’s voice trailed off for a moment as realization set in. He turned his head sharply to the demon. “Umm…” he started nervously, “what is this person like?”

Him placed his claws in his lap as he searched himself for a decent response. “Well…he…he’s cute,” he stated with a shrug. “And…he’s also very smart, which really makes him stand out in a city like Townsville.” The demon shot Mojo another look, causing his heart to thump rapidly against his chest and a swarm of butterflies to take flight in the pit of his stomach. Did that look really mean what he thought it did? Was Him really being cryptic with him? Was he trying to say that…?

“O-Oh…smart, you say?” Mojo asked, trying to keep his voice in check.

Him nodded. “Yes, very smart.”

The two held each other’s gaze for a very long time, which only intensified Mojo’s crumbling composure. “S-So, who is it?” he asked, clutching the edge of the couch tightly. His breath suddenly hitched in his throat as Him stared at him long and hard before finally opening his mouth to reply:

“It’s…”

Mojo swore his heart stopped for a split second.

“…Professor Utonium.”

And then Mojo could have sworn he heard glass shattering in the back of his mind.

“Oh,” he replied, trying to hide his disappointment. “Professor Utonium?” he asked, now trying to give his voice the tone he figured Him had been expecting.

“Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I don’t know…I’m just drawn to him for some reason. I know it would probably never work between us. After all, he’s good, and I’m evil. And not to mention he’s the Powerpuff Girl’s guardian, which easily makes him our second worst enemy. But…”

Mojo didn‘t hear a word of what Him was saying. He stared blankly ahead, too overcome with shock and disappointment to take in any of what the demon was saying. Only when Him waved his claw in front of his face did he finally snap out of his trance.

“Are you alright?” Him asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, of course. I’m just fine. There is no need to question my well-being for my well-being is not in a state that would permit questioning. Y-Yes…I’m fine.”

Him sighed. “You’re in shock…I knew you would be.”

Not for the reason you may think Mojo thought.

“I know you’re probably angry, too. But I had to tell someone. I’ve been keeping it to myself for weeks now and it’s driving me crazy.”

Mojo couldn’t bring himself to speak.

“Well, I’ll give you a second to get yourself together and string together all the questions and insults I know you probably want to throw at me. I’ll fetch us something to drink.”

Him stood up from the couch and made his way to the kitchen, leaving Mojo by himself to sort through his thoughts without interruption. He heaved a heavy sigh, unable to shake his disappointment. He quickly saw that his previous statement to Him about having to face disappointment in life was a painful truth indeed.

“I’m smart,” he said quietly to himself.

Author’s Note: Well, I’ve been working on a multi-chapter Him/Mojo fanfic for the past couple of weeks now, and though I’m not convinced the story is going to make it, it’d still be nice to have something published that has traces of Him/Mojo in it XD After all, it’s my OTP and I just feel strange not having any stories posted. This was a pathetic attempt, I know. But this little idea has actually been in my mind for a very long time. I always had this little idea of Him describing his attraction for Professor Utonium while Mojo thinks that he’s actually talking about him. Poor thing. So yeah, as you can see Mojo clearly has feelings for Him in this little fic.