Lying still after all that happened never felt so good, yet it bothered him because he was lying down. Plus the aching pain didn't make the feeling quite comfortable. The only way he would ever escape the pain would be to sleep, but getting to sleep was a lot more difficult than it seemed, especially if one was in aching pain.

He shut his eyes, hoping sleep would come, but the pain kept him awake, not allowing him to sleep. He sighed and cringed as the pain flared up as he twitched a muscle. He grunted as it died down after a few minutes as the feeling of sleep suddenly began to come.

A small smile formed upon his face as he began to sink into slumber, but just as he drifted off, he felt another presence inside the room with him. He didn't even need to open his eyes to know who was there.

("Buneary,") he whispered quietly.

He remained quiet as he heard the shuffling of feet slowly making his way towards him. A moment later, the bed shook a little, indicating that Buneary had hopped up onto the bed.

("Pikachu, I'm-") she began, but was cut short as Pikachu smiled and grasped her paw with his, despite the agonizing pain upon moving it.

He remained silent until the pain subsided again before he spoke.

("I don't blame you for what you've done,") he said, smiling slightly. ("I never did. You really need to stop blaming yourself for everything you've done. Nothing is going to change what happened. All that we should do is move on and forget about it.")

("I know,") she said. ("But I still feel guilty about it.")

("That can't be helped, unfortunately,") he said with a bit of serious tone in his voice. ("We both will be carrying scars in our hearts. You for the betrayal and for hurting me, and me for feeling like I can't help you carry the burdens you're feeling.")

("And I suppose those scars will remain with us for the rest of our lives, won't they?") she asked, though she knew the answer.

("They will,") he said with all seriousness before letting up some. ("But it's those scars that we learn from and become better than we were before.")

Hearing this, Buneary managed a small smile upon her face. Pikachu smiled as well saying, ("There's that smile I love seeing so much.")

("How do you know I'm smiling?") Buneary asked. ("Your eyes are closed.")

("It's a feeling,") Pikachu said before yawning, flaring up a bit more pain before adding, ("I'm really, really tired. Going through an operation twice after nearly losing my life takes a lot out of me.")

("Yeah,") Buneary said as she began to get up, but Pikachu kept a tight grip upon the paw he held onto the entire time.

Startled, she glanced back at Pikachu who kept his grip.

("Pikachu?") she questioned.

("I don't want you to leave,") he said. ("I want you to sleep with me.")

If Buneary wasn't blushing much before, now would have been a good time as ever to see the blush that was on her face. In fact, it covered her entire face as her eyes widened. She felt her heart racing a mile per second. She felt like she was ready to pass out when she suddenly remembered something.

("Didn't we sleep together last night?") she asked.

("I thought last night was when we became a couple,") Pikachu said as he thought back to the previous night. ("You know, now that I think about it, you are right. We did sleep together. How silly of me to forget.")

("How silly indeed,") Buneary said as she lied down next to Pikachu and cuddled with him.

Silence occurred for quite a while as Pikachu's breathing began to slow to a steady pace. Still having something on her mind to say, Buneary quietly whispered, ("Pikachu?")

("Hmm?") he mumbled.

("Do you think everyone will trust me again if I work real hard to earn it?") she asked.

("Only if,") Pikachu replied softly. ("Don't worry, Buneary. You won't be having to do it alone. I'll always be by your side.")

("Thanks, Pikachu,") Buneary said. ("That means a lot coming from you.")

("Why wouldn't it?") Pikachu asked. ("I'm your mate. I'll always be by your side through good times and bad times.")

Buneary smiled and planted a kiss on Pikachu's cheek, getting a warm smile from him.

("I love you, Pikachu,")

("I love...you...too,") Pikachu said as he finally drifted off to sleep.

Buneary silently watched her lover's chest slowly rising and falling while he slept. A warm smile came to her face as she cuddled even closer to him before drifting off to sleep herself.