The younger Saur closed his eyes at the gentle touches, reaching up to brush his fingers over the back of Vinnie's hand. Whether it was to keep the touch there or to stop it, he wasn't really sure. There was no doubt that he wanted the warmth that came with it, but the desire made the guilt that much heavier.

I'll make it work.

Bulba kept his eyes closed, knowing the way Vinnie was looking at him was probably as tender as his voice. Don't, he had wanted to say, but his throat had felt too tight to speak. He couldn't bear the thought of the older Saur trying to do anything more for him after everything he'd already had to let go of. He shouldn't have had to do anything.

I wanna make you happy, too. The things that did to his heart. How dare he.

Bulba drew Vinnie's hand down, pressing a light kiss on his fingers. "You do already," he murmured, lifting his eyes to see him again. He let go of his hand to reach out and caress the other Venusaur's cheek. "You make me so happy. It's kind of unfair."

Definitely unfair. Extremely unfair.