Bubbles found it extremely cute. Dexter was cuddled in a blanket in his bed, eyes closed and breathing quietly. In one of his hands was a book about war strategies and in the other were his glasses. Buttercup was standing next to his bed, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. Her face was impassive. Blossom was reading at his bedside, a similar book to Dexter's. The raven-haired sister lurched off the wall and punched Bubbles' shoulder lightly. "It's your turn. You watch over him," she grumbled. Bubbles rubbed her arm and nodded. She resumed Buttercup's position, and it was only sooner or later before she was sitting at his bedside, watching the calm serenity play out on his features.
"Bubbles, I don't think he appreciates being watched like a hawk," Blossom mumbled, turning a page. Bubbles flushed and nodded, backing away.
"Don't you think he looks happy, though? Sleeping?" she wondered to her red-head sister.
"Of course he does. This is his only escape. I don't think you really see what he sees exactly every day. Only the leaders of this army can fully feel the impact of the war, and it usually causes depression and madness. Mature as he is, Dexter is no superhuman like we are, and he's only eleven. This is probably driving him to his limits, and then some." Blossom shot a pitying look at Dexter and smiled ruefully. "If it was up to me and probably half this army, Dexter wouldn't be here. But he is the hope for this planet. So he stays and fights."
Bubbles found she was fighting back tears. "I feel so bad for him."
"We all do, Bubbles. He just doesn't realize we all want to help him," Blossom cooed, touching her perky blonde sister's arm. Bubbles reached over and stroked the strands of curly read hair, once like coils now limper and wavier, out of his eyes.
"Blossom, do you love him?"
Blossom was silent, eyes busily searching her mind for her answer. Finally, with a soft sigh, she smiled at her sister and nodded. "So do I," Bubbles whispered. "Buttercup does, too, I think. Everyone does."
"I wonder if he realizes that."