Eternals

"Meowth...

He flinched slightly at his tone, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes as he struggled to keep them from leaking out. He was losing the battle and Pikachu knew it. He wasn't listening to his heart again. His mind had taken over.

"Meowth, look at me" It was not a demand or an order like the feline expected it to be. It was a calm and gentle request, one that he gave the one that meant the most to him.

"I love you, Meowth" Pikachu stated clearly and lovingly, his paw tracing the side of his charm as he did so.

The scratch cat froze at the four simple words, his mind thrown into a frenzy and with that, he lost control of himself and allowed the tears to crawl down his face. He shook immensely to the point where he began to lose his balance, to which Pikachu stepped forward and pulled him into a gentle yet tight hug. His tail wrapped around his body in a way to protect him.

Meowth clung tightly to him, his tears staining his own fur as he cried but never once did Pikachu hate him for it. In fact, it was these very moments that brought him closer to the feline even more. Despite the things that would often worry him and the questionable things he decided to live by, nothing could stop the electric mouse from loving him. Not even what he choked out a few long moments later.

"Pi-Pikachu... I dun de-deserve someone like y-ya..." His voice was strained, ragged by the heavy breaths and choked cries that escaped his throat. As he spoke, he hung onto his former arch-enemy tighter, fearing the very moment he expected when he would get unheartedly shoved away.

He should've known that that would never happen. Pikachu did not loosen nor tighten his grip on him, like he expected him to. He did not shove him away or begin to hurt him both physically and mentally. No, instead, he gently began to lick the top of his head, a sense of comfort he was used to, and one he was calmed by.

Ceasing his extensive crying, he regained control of himself, his breaths deep and controlled, the tears still dripping from his eyes. And yet, he still was able to pull a little from the protective grasp of his lover, the one he loved more than his own complicated life.

It was with this simple movement did he dare to avert his gaze up to that of his best friend. He became transfixed by the loving and powerful gaze of him.

To Pikachu, Meowth's eyes were always one of the most interesting things about him. Even long before their Eternalship, the sheer amount of emotions that could pass through his deep blue optics within seconds mesmerized him. Of course, back then, looking into his eyes, he would always see a confident and evil glint in his gaze and he still saw that. But it was never as strong, even though it was always strained when he saw it, like it was being resisted against.

That was always the case with the sensitive feline he loved. He didn't love him any less for it though, and so, he simply stared back into them, seeing the fearful and loving glint he was so used to seeing. But layered behind that glint was a hidden desire in that very moment. Pikachu was no fool, he knew exactly what the feline wanted and, like always, he was going to give it to him.

Smiling softly, he carefully leaned forwards and easily captured his lips into his own, pulling the feline into a gentle kiss. Upon contact, Meowth relaxed, his eyes sliding closed as he leaned closer into the kiss, an action that always calmed him and so told him of how much Pikachu truly loved him.

Focusing on the task at paw, Pikachu gently began to trail his paw down his lover's head, noticing the sensitive yet controlled twitch of his whiskers as he did so. At first, he had wanted to take this in a rather... different direction, but upon gently searching his lover's sensitive mind, he had to prevent himself from cringing.

Coming across a vivid nightmare that his lover had of him taking complete advantage of him and abusing him in every way possible hurt Pikachu beyond belief. He never blamed Meowth though. In fact, he never blamed anyone until he finally turned his back on the Funnelers. He blamed them for plaguing his best friend with the torture and fear every night.

He decided against doing that tonight, knowing that he would most likely be terrified of his nightmare coming true and he wasn't in the mood himself to cause his lover any sort of pain. Instead, he gently pulled back from the kiss to see the adorable sight of Meowth looking shyly at him, his eyes widened and his blue eyes sparkling with love.

His black ears were slightly folded back and his charm was a bright golden colour. He was at his happiest moment. And there was only one thought that raced throughout Pikachu's mind as he met the shy gaze of his lover. Tightening his grip around him with his tail, he whispered softly to him, "You're so beautiful, Nyarth"

His true name. Meowth drew in a deep, surprised breath at the name and then allowed a blush to creep onto his face as he registered the word in his mind. Pikachu had called him that before but he still didn't believe him. He wasn't beautiful. He didn't deserve to be called that.

"I-I'm not beau-beautiful Pi-Pikachu..." he spoke softly, his voice low and filled with hidden emotion.

Pikachu smiled softly as he gently nuzzled the side of his lover's head, sending small sparks of affectionate electricity through his body. With his resistance over the years, he barely felt it but he did melt into his best friend's protective and loving embrace.

"You are beautiful Meowth" Pikachu stated as he pulled back to stare into his blue eyes. He saw him open his mouth, about to say he wasn't, but he quickly and gently cut him off. "Don't deny it because you are. You trust me, don't you?"

The question held more weight than anything else which made the scratch cat nod his head, speaking softly once more, love lacing his stuttering voice. "'C-Course I d-do"