Dexter opened his eyes to unveil a world of fuzziness. He searched around for his glasses with no avail.
"Damn it, I can't see… I thought I placed them at my side."
He continued to search around when the cold metal of his glasses slid onto his face. They revealed his sister planting them on him. She gave him a warm smile as she sat back down. He nearly broke down at the sight of her. He leaped across the small distance between them and held her. Dee Dee wrapped her arms around him and rubbed his back trying to sooth him.
"Shhh, its ok Dexter."
He began to sob.
"I-I-I miss you so much. Lately the hurt ha-has been so bad it's getting unbearable." Dexter drew in a shaky breath.
Dee Dee petted him.
"Dexter, we are together now, so use this time to your advantage."
She pushed him slightly forward to look at his face. He wiped the tears off his face with the cloth on his shoulder. A weak smile claimed his lips as he tried to calm down.
"Lately it's just been so tense. Everything seems t-to be wearing me down to this irritable depressed piece of animated flesh. It's all because of that girl…"
Dexter sighed and looked down,
"…And then she appeared in my class. And then I just had to blow u-up on Otto. All he was trying to do was help me keep my head above water and I threw it back in h-his face."
Dee Dee embraced Dexter again then stood up reaching out a hand to him. He looked up giving her a confused looked. They had never moved from that spot in all of his dreams. The backyard of their old home was always where they met. It was far vaster than the real yard had been, and everything seemed to be just muted in the distance.
"Come on, let's take a walk."
He didn't protest in the fear she would leave. Getting to his feet awkwardly he followed his sister. She stood at least five or six inches above him.
"Dexter, you know Otto is right, you just don't want to accept it, huh?"
A shiver ran down Dexter's back as he looked over at his sister. She was still looking forward as they walked. The statement had hurt, however he was sure it would have hurt more coming from anyone else. He was also sure he wouldn't listen to anyone else either.
"Dee Dee, you know it's been hard for me. I mean in a way it was my fault because I was careless."
"No you weren't Dexter, accidents happen. You have to let them go though. You have to give up this idea that it was your fault, or you'll never be able to live in reality. You'll watch the world go by as you sit in your sorrow."
Her stare never deterred as they walked. Dexter looked around and saw the swings and slide from his past. It seemed even here he wasn't safe from the pain anymore.
"Why are you telling me now? Why didn't you tell me a few years back?"
His voice was shaky as he talked.
"I didn't tell you before because you had been so strong. You got through it all, it seemed… but recently you have been letting that guilt consume you. I care about you Dexter; I want to see you happy."
Dexter clenched his fists. This was the first time he had gotten annoyed with his sisters advice. He wanted to let it go but it was hard for him. Yet he understood she wanted him to move on. He wasn't sure if he should fulfill her wishes or dismiss them out of the hurt and guilt.
"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey." Dee Dee said softly after a moment of silence. Dexter just wanted to go back to the spot they were sitting at and talk. This dream felt more like a lecture than a relief. He didn't want her to go though.
"What do you mean by that? How will embracing the pain create anything but more pain?" He asked, trying to push the annoyance away.
"What I mean by that, Dexter, is you have to embrace the pain of losing me. You have to use it, and give your life the happiness it deserves. It's the journey, not the ending or beginning that gives us worth, love, or happiness. By embracing the pain, you allow yourself the chance to better your life. Allow yourself to keep moving forward, and not back."
She pulled Dexter next to her, "Dexter you have always been a man of science, that's why I was there to help you with social situations. There is one coming up that you can't avoid. You have to grab onto it and never let go."
Dexter was baffled.
"I don't understand Dee Dee." Dexter said out of frustration.
"I know you don't Dexter. You will soon though. It's going to help finally lift you out of this pain. This situation is going to teach you what embracing the pain will do for you."
Dexter found it hard to breathe. He struggled to grab enough breath to speak but he couldn't. His lips moved but no sound escaped. Dee Dee placed her hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eyes.
"Dexter, I love you; all of this will make sense soon enough, ok? I'll miss you…"
Her voice faded away as Dexter lost his vision.
Dexter shot out of the water. He gasped and coughed for air. He placed a hand on his chest as he finally caught his breath. They were shallow but at least he was breathing. He ran a hand through his hair to move it out of his face. He rubbed the palms of his hands against his face, half in frustration, and half in trying to force away the memories tormenting him.
He groaned in annoyance and slapped the water. What did she mean? What is going to happen that will be his saving grace? Dexter grabbed his glasses and got out of the pool. He toweled himself off and changed into dry clothes.
He fell to his bed and laid there, his body still exhausted and his eyes flickering shut. This time all that visited him was the darkness he desired.
Blossom wasn't looking forward to the walk home. She had accumulated at least five books throughout the day. They weren't heavy to her, but having to carry them all and a few other things was annoying. She would have liked to have someone to help her, but after the second class, she and Evee had completely different schedules. She would have asked someone else to help her out but she really didn't know anyone there. No one had been outgoing enough to talk to her. She sighed and left her last class with all her books. Not being able to use her powers was hard. She could fly home, but it would grab attention.
There was so much to do now. She needed to get a license, find a new job, start on her homework, and the list didn't seem to end. Assuming a new identity was rough; she knew how people in witness protection felt now. Blossom knew it was for the best though. Now there weren't going to be calls throughout the day of people asking to be saved.
She smiled at the thought. It was a bittersweet trade moving here. She was losing the excitement of fighting and her sisters, but she was able to rise above all of that. She could become an individual. Her heart swelled with pride and joy as she made her way home.