Just listening was placing his heart in a horrible vice. Each thought squeezed it tighter and made the pain that much more real. Bulba's hands moved nervously, as if they'd physically be able to hold together the pieces of Vinnie's breaking heart. This wasn't right at all.

"More than you know," Bulba insisted earnestly.

"You've done so much," he continued as he tried to swallow the tremble out of his voice. "A-at least for me... I know its selfish but I... I'm so happy you're here..."

The Ivysaur turned his head, pressing his forehead against Vinnie's back. He could feel some of the warmth beneath him, knowing his flower was just there. Was it possible for it to hear him this way, he wondered idly. "You've helped people get stronger, and you've given them hope and... you were there for them..." Bulba opened his eyes and stared at the fabric of Vinnie's clothes, and he did the best he could to try and make things as sweet as possible. He was still just an Ivysaur with a ripped petal. It frustrated him.

"I... If you weren't here I'd... probably still hate myself and... It doesn't mean a whole lot but..."

"It does to me."