A/N: Thank you so much for your nice review, Guest! I've been sick, so seeing that made my day!

Chapter 4:

"Waaaaugh!"

As Pinky trips and flies off the exercise wheel, I wonder again how I fell for such a ridiculous creature. The adorable little giggle he lets loose when he hops to his hind feet answers my question.

"Hello!"

He's staring down at me with those wide, innocent eyes. I feel my throat and mouth go dry; am I really doing this?

"Yes, hello Pinky." Swallowing hard, I attempt to get any words out.

"Pinky...I wanted to tell you I, uh...that is, I've realized that...I mean, you're the only one I..."

My face is feeling hot, and he's looking at me with concern. Growling, I summon my courage; say it, just say it—

"This is for you!" I blurt out, shoving the radish rose in his face.

How romantic.

"Naaarf. Oh Brain, it's beautiful!"

Pinky buries his nose into the "flower" as if it actually has a sweet scent. Suddenly, he looks up, eyes glistening.

"Egad, I get it Brain!"

"You do?"

My heart pounds in my chest as he nods vigorously.

"You're trying to tell me that you have a radish rose whatchamawhozits! Zort!"

Oh, that fool. That charming, wonderful fool.

"Actually, Pinky..." I clear my throat.

"YOU have a 'radish rose whatchamawhozits!'" I thrust the tool at him.

"For me?! Oh, Brain!"

Dropping both items, he sweeps me into a hug. I stiffen in his arms.

"I'll have to throw a big dinner party to show everyone! Narf! Let's see, I'll invite—"

Blocking out his babbling, I concentrate on how the contact makes me feel, something I had always forced myself to ignore. There are no butterflies in my belly, like on those silly soap operas Pinky enjoys, but a feeling of warmth fills me from my toes to the tips of my ears. Relaxing, I pop my arms out of Pinky's vice-like grip and wrap them around his neck.

"...and Sis, and Romy, and Phar Fignewton, and—"

He abruptly stops rambling.

"Egad, Brain. You're hugging me."

"Indeed I am. I've always enjoyed your hugs, Pinky, even if I've never said so."

"Naaarf. Oh, me too, Brain! I love y-"

He suddenly falls silent, and slowly—reluctantly? —releases me from his arms.

"Your hugs. I love your hugs. Poit."

There's a light pink tint to his cheeks that makes my heart pound.

"Pinky—"

"Well, I'd better start planning for that dinner party! Ta-ta!"

He begins to skip away, and I stand there, stunned. Pinky couldn't possibly...I grab the end of his tail and haul him back.

"Wait, Pinky, I need to—"

No, he couldn't. He's such an affectionate creature; he would tell me.

Unless he still thinks I don't care.

"I need to ask you something."

After a moment's hesitation, his blue eyes focus on me.

"Why did you make that deal with Mr. Itch?"

"I wanted to give you the world, Brain! Troz! I wanted you to be happy—"

"And you thought I could be happy without you?"

His mouth opens slightly, but no words come out.

"My dear Pinky, I'm sorry that I've never adequately expressed this:" His face is shining with hope, and I draw enough strength from that to speak.

"You mean the world to me. That's why I went all the way to hell to find you—"

"But you said you wanted me to show you where I keep the food pellets."

Out of habit, I roll my eyes. Upon seeing the worry on Pinky's face, however, I take his warm paws in mine.

"I lied, Pinky, and I'm sorry for that. But I want you to know the truth now: I was willing to up any chance of achieving my destiny for you. I fought the devil for you. Pinky..."

This time, the words flow freely.

"I love you."

Time seems to grind to a halt as I wait for his reaction. Finally, a buck-toothed grin appears on his face. With an excited "narf!" he leans down and...

Oh. He's kissing me.

His huge snout is nearly in my eye, one of his big teeth is poking my lower lip, and I honestly don't give a rat's posterior.

I'm kissing Pinky.

Yes!

We break apart—far too soon for my tastes, but there will be more. In the meantime, there's work to do.

"Come, Pinky. We must prepare for tonight."

"Why? What are we gonna do tonight, Brain?"

I glance at my companion—my lover—and give him a small, tender smile.

"The same thing we do every night, Pinky: try to take over the world...together."

Hand in hand, we walk out of the cage to fulfill our destiny.