Inspired by Cosmicrew
End of the Line
Part 1
Laurel had been preparing for his death for so long that he knew it would only be a matter of time before he had to say goodbye.
In the past, he spent a lot of time exercising and making sure he'd feign good health as much as possible. This sickness wasn't normal, and even the assigned medication couldn't save him. A hidden mutation, the doctors said. If the government could, they'd save him, and he'd live longer.
Maybe, just maybe...the fact was, he neglected himself so much that it became beyond saving. He wasn't bedridden, and to him that was good enough. He constantly coughed up blood and would keel over from dizziness every now and then. Panic would surge in each instance. Canines definitely had some sort of resiliency.
Even that was not enough.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
...You're here.
Preparations were far different from the reality crashing down. Laurel was not, in fact, ready to go. Not mentally. Of course, this was to be expected. Most animals who are loved dearly do not want to die so soon.
Laurel was not somebody who panicked at the sight of the Sun. If it just tried or bothered, the death would be painful. Scorching hot. The Sun was unpredictable for many. Animals cannot comprehend what people are up to in such manners.
Laurel takes a deep breath, and looks around his apartment. Cleaned up, walls covered in polaroids. Collections of toys displayed on neat little shelves. How he'll miss them all.
The Sun
Zookeeper
Pal. I'm going to be real frank with you.
The Sun
Zookeeper
It'd be a lot less painful if you let me end that miserable life of yours.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Is that so? What a shame.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
There was still so much I wanted to do today. It's only morning, you know.
The TV seems to be a nice model, recently acquired through various trades. Faint scents of coffee fill the cracks of the air. The Sun met him through the balcony, where the table where he and his lover would reside in quieter moments.
Out there, the island's neighborhood is as busy as ever.
The Sun
Zookeeper
......
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Let me finish this cigarette first.
The Sun
Zookeeper
...........
The Sun
Zookeeper
I don't get you animals. Don't you know those things will just worsen your short lives? Well, I suppose it doesn't matter anyhow...
The Sun
Zookeeper
How many moments you need, pal? You know damn well I've given you enough time.
Laurel inhales the smoke, and lets himself think. For what it's worth, this was a decent life. Filled with bloodshed in the beginning and peace at the end. He could bite, kick and scream all he wants, but things won't change. He was going to die.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
My husband.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
I want to see my husband.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Before we proceed, let me say goodbye.
A part of the Sun feels great pity. Partnership can be so endearing, nothing short of adorable. It wishes to comfort, and show more empathy. To frolic with the animals and be with them. It knows quite well, that this is not something it should think about.
So the tendrils sink back, and Laurel takes this as a sign to exhale some more smoke. Placing his final cigarette in the ashtray, he heads back into the apartment and waits, as that was all he can do at this point. To wait, entertain himself. Look at the memories before they're taken away from him.
Inside, there was a little bit of relief that this pain was going to subside soon enough. That was not his worry, because he was destined to pass away through silence and this he knew since he was first adopted. What took over his head was the lingering dread.
His lover was going to have to deal with the aftermath of it all, and that was what hurt him the most.
Part 2
When told that their loved ones were going to be culled, most animals would scream and beg for more options. In the grand scheme of things, there were not many to be found in the first place: You could be put out of your misery, you could be eaten by more desperate compatriots, or you could prolong your own suffering.
Those were among other, even more terrible options. To the point where narrowing down to the first two felt better than most. For the rabbit who had no name, they had known that being culled was probably the more ethical solution.
And still, they begged. Several stages of grief coming down at once. Bargained for more time, when there was enough given. The Sun could only stare in silence.
Until shock takes over and they grow numb with tears in their eyes. Why? Why did this have to happen?
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
....
A quiet sniffle.
The Sun
Zookeeper
Oh, you poor thing. Sad to see your husband go?
The Sun
Zookeeper
It's real unfortunate how much he tried to convince me it was all okay. Guess it was all for naught.
The Sun
Zookeeper
...Let me know when you're done, pal. I've got things to do out here.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
I'm done now.
The Sun
Zookeeper
That was fast!
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
Just let me see him. I...I need to see him.
Sure enough, the rabbit is pulled into the apartment, where Laurel is there waiting for the both of them. His eyes, sunken and tired, speak volumes.
The rabbit is quick to hug and kiss him, even in front of the Sun. It wasn't like them, but why should they care? Laurel is warm. Too warm. Almost burning. And that was when it really dawned on them that it was the end.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Hey, you.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
Laurel...
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Did you have a good day today?
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
....
They hold back a sob and bury their face into his chest. They didn't have to answer that. Nothing could make them more upset than than this very moment.
The Sun
Zookeeper
Alright. You know the drill. Process all you need before calling me. But don't you take too long. I know how you animals can be.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
We won't take too long. I hope.
The Sun
Zookeeper
Enjoy your last moments!
The two of them wait for the Sun to slip back once more, before the rabbit gently holds Laurel by the face. He has so many scars and his skin is rough, almost like the texture of rock.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
I'm sorry. I know this must be devastating for you.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
Oh, it's devastating. I don't think I'm even here right now.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
...I tried so hard. All I've ever wanted was right in front of me, and it's gone instant.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
You mean so much to me.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
I'd say the same to you, but it'd be an understatement.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
...Can we just sit on the couch? We don't...have to watch anything, I just...
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
Mm...
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Yes. We can sit on the couch, and I can read your favorite story. One more time.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Just like how we ended that date, if you recall.
So the two of them proceed. The rabbit grabs a book from the shelf and hands it to him. As he opens the first chapter, the rabbit rests their head on his lap and watches with teary eyes. The rabbit has to help Laurel lay down on their lap, his body shaking too much for comfort. For once, it was them who is holding him.
Frankly, the story he was reading out was not exactly their favorite. The plot had holes everywhere, the protagonist was a bit too arrogant. Laurel wasn't exactly as expressive with his reading as he once was, with him coughing every now and then. And yet still, the rabbit listened. Because it was the last time they'll ever hear him do this again.
Halfway through, their hand intertwines with him and this interrupts the last chapter. For a moment, neither of them speak.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
You know...
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
I didn't think it'd happen at all.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
We had been arranging the funeral for how long now...it kind of sucked that we bought that coffin as soon as we did.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
To be fair, Terry needed that money.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
I don't mind it, personally.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
It's just...not fair.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
Nothing is fair, I know that! But why? Why is it that the moment you and I finally think we found a steady grounding for ourselves...you leave me?
Laurel
Retired Hunter
....
Laurel
Retired Hunter
When I was first adopted, I thought the end would involve my body tearing apart like paper.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
When I was returned, I considered committing the crime of murder, so that I could reach that end.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
To think that path shifted when we met.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
...In everything, I am only glad that I got to love you the way I did.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
It's not fair...
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
It's not fair that you love me.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
I don't want you to go.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
And I know you didn't want to go, either. That was why you lied about your illness...for so long.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
I could've helped you.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Don't blame yourself. No matter how much we tried...it was inevitable.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
We are animals, after all.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
So...promise me.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Promise me you'll live for yourself. Not just for me.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Promise me that no matter how painful it may be, no matter how much you want to die...
Laurel
Retired Hunter
You'll do your best to keep going.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
...I can't...
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
I...
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
...Okay. I promise.
One last kiss, and it lasted a few seconds. Their bodies clinging to each other, as if the rabbit will come with. This was it. This was how their lives will end.
In love and in death, they had each other. And they will have each other until there isn't a trace left to hold.
The Sun comes back...
The Sun
Zookeeper
Have you said your goodbyes yet?
The Sun
Zookeeper
If it helps in any way, remember that I am a singularity. The memories of your husband will be with me. It won't be a true death...as long as he is eaten by me.
The Sun
Zookeeper
Say your last words before we proceed.
So many thoughts race through their mind. So, so many. There wasn't anything that could ever be done about this. They had to accept his leave. Perhaps after all, the Sun's words brought comfort, knowing the memories will be there, even if the body cannot. Tears stream down the rabbit's cheeks once more, and Laurel is quick to hug them again.
Guy
Nameless Rabbit
I love you...I love you so much.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
...I will always be in your heart, my love.
Laurel
Retired Hunter
Be safe.
Not a goodbye, but a farewell. That was how he wanted to go.
As the tendrils wrap around Laurel's body, his hands remain, holding onto his lover until his very last breath. This was not death. Not true death. He'll keep telling himself as he fades into nothing.
All animals were destined to rest.
Laurel died filled with all the love he could ever have.
