At the rate he was going, Bart wouldn’t be surprised if Bizarro shattered the entire mansion when he realized that he wasn’t going to get what he wanted. Placing himself closer to her, protectively close to her, he gazed down into her eyes to silently let her know that things were going to be okay, messy and broken, but okay all the same.
He turned away from her but her voice had him turning right back. Those first three words were enough to startle him and for a moment it must have looked to her that he was eighteen again and she’d kissed him and he was about to run out on her. But he wasn’t the kid who had only ever been kissed by cocky teenage girls who were air headed juvenile delinquents looking for a thrill.
Bart was older and better than that. Her hand was on his face and her voice was warm. Not saying anything, he moved in to kiss her softly on the mouth. “I love you too. I’ll take care of you.” It was a whisper as he pulled her against his chest, keeping himself focused on her and on their surroundings all at once.