We tend to get so wound up and trapped in love (or the mirage of love) that we lose who we are.

Back To Me

A Powerpuff Girls/Dexter's Labratory Story

Disclaimer: The characters within this story do not belong to me. A work of fanfiction on fiction.

There were no more tears; at least, not for him. If anyone told me that love would hurt this bad, I would have followed the example of my wayward sister and stayed buried in my books. The roses that grew whenever he walked by wilted and died. The songs that would drift through the air were silenced and the warmth I'd found in his arms now settled within my body with all the comfort of an Arctic chill.

There was nothing more to say as I sat down on my bed, burning pictures, notes, and trinkets of a few years gone. I gave my everything just to be destroyed like this. I gave my everything just to be defeated in a way that my enemies could never hope to accomplish. Bruises faded, bones mended, and blood eventually ceased to spill. This pain that ripped at my heart and infected my mind grew with each breath.

It was unbearable.

I wanted to break something.

I wanted to rush over to him and strangle every last bit of life out of him. I wanted him to suffer the same way he made me suffer. The rage was almost as bad as the pain in that I couldn't control either one. They both left a bitter taste in my mouth and a fire raging in my chest. How could he lead me this way after all I'd sacrifice to make this work! I fought my sisters and my father! I turned my back on good friends and allies. I moved in with the bastard for fucks sake! I gave him all of me in every sense of the word and it ended up not being enough! I gave him my word, my world, my body, and my loyalty. Against my better judgment and the way I was raised, I took his hand and never looked back, only to be completely and utterly alone.

There were no more tears as I packed my things, taking care to sweep over the cramped apartment until I was sure there was no trace of me. Dark and hidden even from the light of the moon, if there wasn't the presence of a table, a few chairs, and bed, one would have thought it were a large closet or storage space. No ties, he said. Easy for a clean getaway.

No ties.

There was nothing left for me here.

Maybe if I kept telling myself that my heart would believe it.

The car was warmed up and waiting as I deposited one bag and box. I hadn't accumulated much in hindsight either. I held onto something that was special or worth having. Or, at least I thought I did. There was nothing to keep or hold onto.

There was nothing left to hold me back.

Maybe if I kept telling my heart that . . . . .

I wouldn't look back.

But I didn't have to worry at that moment. As long as he was here, he wouldn't let me.

Embracing my face with his hands, he gently placed his forehead on mine, eyes closed and breathing in the despair and helplessness that seemed to drain out of me like water, exchanging it with steadiness and courage that poured out of him in waves.

There was no force or expectations.

There were no words.

After a few deep, calming breaths he had me emulate, he locked gazes with me. Even within those cerulean orbs there were no words, but deep feelings. That crisp, calculative assurance that he wielded as expertly my own gave me strength. I would be okay as long as he was involved; he would allow nothing else.

With that established, he scooped me off my feet and into the car, taking care to buckle me in. Was he always this strong? Was it another thing I while consumed in courting darkness? I stopped myself from thinking and tried to lose myself in the smooth jazz that filled the cluttered mess within my mind.

Fitting.

There were no more tears as I left everything behind.

No.

I left nothing.

What could have been was no more and no more it would stay. After falling so far from a hopeless place, I was ready to come back to earth and back to reality.

I was ready to come back to Blossom.

Now is the time, more than any, to begin the journey back to us.