Don't. Please don't make me leave.

It hadn't meant to hurt. Bulba knew that, logically. Knowing did not stop it from being painful to hear. It didn't stop the chill that filled his chest as he drew in a deep breath.

Don't push me away.

The fear kept him quiet. It wasn't true until he said it. This wasn't what Vinnie meant, he knew that. He knew...

... he was just making things worse. Bulba was just getting in the way again, with empty efforts. Carefully, he drew his hands back. "... Alright." The word felt heavy. He hated this. A kiss was brushed against Vinnie's hair, and then the other Venusaur was backing off even while his scent lingered in the air. As much as he wanted to be, he wasn't needed. This was his fault anyway.

"You can call me if you need me," Bulba offered lamely by the doorway, unsure what else to do. "Things will... they'll work out, Vinnie."

For a moment, he hovered there at the door. Part of him wished the older saur would ask him to stay. Please. The rest of him, however, ushered him away before it could have been an option.