Inv still didn't know what love meant. But even while not knowing its meaning, Inv could tell what Joey just said was really important. Probably the most important words he will ever hear in his life.
Inv could feel immense relief spread through him. By Joey's words of acceptance. And surprisingly, he felt extremely happy! Not feeling a single tear to threaten his vision!
But Inv was still curious. He wanted to know what love meant.
"Wa es lov Joey?"
"Haha! It means many things Inv… but the main part is… that i never want to leave you… that i always want to be by your side… that i like you for being you…"
Inv slowly contemplated Joey's words. Making sense of this new word. Wasn't this how Inv felt as well?
…
Yeah… he also loved Joey then. That's also how Inv felt.
"I lov u Joey" Inv said to Joey, every word said with every fiber of his being.
The moment Inv said these words, Joey's eyes went wide.
Then Inv saw something Joey never did before.
"J-joey?" Inv looked in shock and immense worry as he saw tears rolling down Joey's cheeks!
"I-I'm *sniff, f-fine Inv! Haha! *sniff, you just h-have no idea, *sniff, h-how happy I am hearing you, *sniff, s-say that!" Joey said while crying. His eye radiating a bright gold at the moment. The same one that Inv saw when he was asleep…
"Y-yu noat sad??" Inv wanted to be sure, still concerned since he had never seen Joey cry before. Inv was so used to being the one crying that it caught him off guard when Joey did it! Joey didn't even cry when he was bleeding out afterall!
"Y-yeah! You can, *sniff, c-cry while also being h-happy! J-just let me, *sniff, c-calm down…" Inv heard Joey say and then push his face further into Inv's neck.
Inv could feel Joey's tears start staining his fur but he didn't care. Carefully he wrapped his arms around Joey. Letting him cry for however long he needed…
…
…
…
After a while of letting Joey cry in his arm's. Inv could feel Joey calm down. No longer hearing Joey's sniffles.
"Phew… sorry about that Inv… didn't think I would start crying when you said that…" Inv completely understood. He also got emotional easily… Joey was always there to calm Inv down when he cried… so of course he would do the same for Joey…
"Et ok… u du da sam for me…"
"And I always will… so… how do you feel now Inv?"
"I fel… gud…" Inv said. With Joey's reinforcement and reassurance of his feelings for Inv… Inv didn't feel as scared anymore…
To show Joey the truth…
"That's good to hear Inv… I'm happy to hear that" Inv felt Joey rest his head again on Inv's upper chest. Feeling Joey's purr's vibrate through his skin.
…
"Joey… i… i wan tu sho u…"
Inv felt Joey quickly lift his head off his chest, looking down at Inv.
"You mean…"
"Y-ye… sho u wut i weally lok lik…" Inv said. Holding himself firm from doubt.
"Are you sure Inv? Like I said earlier. You don't have to if you don't want…"
"Ye… I'm sur Joey…" Inv said with resolve.
Inv could only feel truly at peace when he showed Joey. Despite what Joey said, Inv still wanted Joey to know the full truth… he trusted Joey.
"Ok Inv… just… don't force yourself, ok?"
"Mhm…"
With these words, Inv felt Joey stand up from his weird position. Hopping off of Inv's chest onto the shelter floor. Feeling this, Inv also stood back up. Anxiousness swirling inside him but now also with resolve.
"Ok Joey… jus stan bak a litle…"
Joey walked to the other side of the shelter, giving Inv the space he needed for what he was about to do next…
Inv could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Anxiety gnawing at him for what he was about to do. But it was different this time! Joey said it earlier! Joey said he didn't care what Inv looked like! He liked Inv for being Inv!
Clenching his paws he looked at Joey, seeing his partner worry for his own being! He had to do this! Joey deserved it!
And then, with one deep breath. Inv did something he had never done before. He knew he could always do this. But he never chose to. He never felt any need to do this until now…
In the silent shelter, tiny cracks started to be heard from Inv's body. Inv could feel it. He was slowly transforming back to what he looked like before…
Inv didn't know what Joey saw… but until the very last moment Inv could see… Joey never once looked at Inv in fear…
…
The noises grew louder and louder. Inv's form started to break down. What was once a bizarre form of a slugcat was slowly becoming a pile of flesh… Inv didn't feel any pain while doing this, just strange familiarity while turning back into what he was before.
…
…
…
Inv was finally done. He had transformed back into what he was before. He lost his vision just like he had before. Nor could he talk. He could only hear and feel his surroundings like before.
And since he had lost 2 of his senses. This greatly amplified Inv's hearing and touch. He could feel every minute detail below him on the ground… and he could hear Joey's breathing and heart beat…
He could hear it. Joey's beating heart and breath. He could tell it was slightly faster than usual. This scared Inv… was this a mistake? Did he make the wrong decision? Should he have never shown Joe-
"Inv?" Inv could clearly hear Joey's voice. Feeling very slight vibrations on the ground. Was Joey moving towards him?
"Inv… can you… can you not speak while like this?" Inv could feel Joey move closer to him while hearing this.