Going Away
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Kody is taunted by another flashback of when Dustin was alive. The decision that Dustin is faced with; a choice of letting go of Kody before he dies, or making things worse for Kody by staying.
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Kody's body lay out on the floor as lifeless as if he were himself dead. His muzzle tucked into his hands as he slipped deeper and deeper into his dreamless sleep. He could not keep reality from prying at his very existence. Kody just spread out on the ground, his eyes closed but his mind fully awake now.
Kody knew what was about to happen to him as he lay on the floor, but he had no desire or strength to fight it off. He whimpered softly as his mind drifted back into his memories. All he could do now is let it replay in his mind; every painful detail drawn out as if it was all happening for the first time.
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Kody wrapped his paws around Dustin trying to stop the flow of tears. He didn't know if it hurt him to know more than it did Dustin. Kody fought back his tears knowing that Dustin hated to see him cry. "It will be alright baby...you can fight this..." Dustin's ears hugged his head. "They said...Kody I can't...I...I only have a year to live..." Dustin struggled immensely to say his words through tears. "Shhh...it is going to be alright love...I will always be here for you." Kody said trying to sound helpful while masking all of his emotions.
Dustin pressed his head into Kody's chest, trying to dry his tears as new salty rivers fell onto Kody. "Kody...I am so sorry...listen baby..." Dustin stammered his words not wanting to tell Kody the rest of his unfortunate news. Kody wrapped his paws tightly around the now very hurt looking panther. "Shhh...it will be alright..." Dustin stopped what he was saying and let Kody grasp what bad news he had told him. He knew he had to tell him soon, but it was hurting him to tell his mate that he had to leave.
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Nearly an hour passed as Kody hugged Dustin; his head held above Dustin's folded ears. Dustin knew it was now or never; he had to tell Kody if he didn't want to rush things. "Umm...hey Kody...I really need to tell you something..." His eyes looked as if he wanted to keep his thoughts hidden inside his mind. "What is it baby?" Kody said petting on the panthers head fur. "I...we...my boss wants us to leave in the morning..." Dustin said in a weak voice that seemed to echo through the still air. "It is okay love...you will eventually come back...right?" Kody said in a reassuring voice.
Dustin turned now from Kody's eyes; not wanting to look at him as he finished what he had to say. "Actually...I don't think I will be coming back this time..." Kody closed his eyes tightly, his head falling slowly. His breathing quickened in pace and his body turned pale. "Oh..." Kody said as his ears lowered, "When do you leave?"
Kody seemed to forget about everything when Dustin told him he wasn't coming back. "I have to leave tomorrow morning...I am really sorry baby..." Dustin said now looking into Kody's eyes; wishing that Kody would look down at him. "No its okay...I will be fine..." Kody said looking into the darkness of his eyelids. "Are you sure?" Dustin said with a hurt look on his face. "Yes baby...I still love you...that is enough for me..." Kody said looking into Dustin's eyes; letting him know that it would be okay.
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The two mates sat together under the tree for as long as possible; Dustin still pressing his head against the fur of his mate. Kody looked out over the world beyond the tree; just wanting to be with Dustin forever. He could barely stand it as the panther whimpered and napped in his chest. Kody began to cry slightly as the world he had known for eight years now was crashing down. He could feel his breath quicken and his heart pound.
Almost an hour had slipped by when Dustin got up from his position on the ground; helping Kody to his feet as well. They headed inside the house slowly holding each others paws. "Please forgive me baby..." Dustin pleaded with Kody softly. "I already have love...," Kody said with a smile. They went into the bedroom and both of them sat on the edge of the bed. Dustin looking slowly at Kody, "I think I am going to lay down for a while baby..." Dustin said as Kody walked into the kitchen to get himself a glass of water. "Sleep tight love...," Kody managed to slide the simple phrase in as he passed the threshold.
Walking into the room with water in hand; Kody took a drink and sat at the end of the bed, the panther's feet right next to his body. "I love you more than anything...if you think it is better to leave...so be it..." Kody said as he took another smooth sip of the water. He placed the glass onto the night stand and crawled under the covers to lay with his mate. Placing his head into the panther's chest lovingly; knowing that it would probably be the last time he would ever be able to. He laid there sleepless and watching as the panther's chest expanded and contracted with every shallow breath, staring at his mate as he slumbered; the morning hours quickly approaching.
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Morning came so quickly that Kody had just skipped sleep altogether. He woke Dustin up trying not to hurt him; usually he had to toss Dustin out of bed while he was home. Dusting gathered his things up from around the house and loaded them into Kody's car. "Need some help baby?" Kody said as a final attempt to be part of Dustin's life once more. "No thanks baby...I think I got it covered..." Dustin offered as the last of his things were placed into the now fully packed car.
They both got into the car knowing that this meant goodbye; not just for a few months as it usually was. "Are...you still doing okay?" Dustin asked trying to read the blank expression on Kody's face. They arrived in time to load up Dustin's truck with all of his belongings. "Please love...I will be fine...don't you worry..." Kody said as he opened his door and started to gather Dustin's things; noticing that Dustin's boss was already in a frantic hurry to leave.
They packed the car and Dustin tossed the keys to his work truck to his boss. "Well baby...I...I guess this is goodbye..." Dustin said trying harder than ever now to fight back his tears; Kody doing the same. "Don't say that baby...things might...I guess..." Kody said as he searched his mind for more assuring words. They feel into each other, pressing there muzzles tightly together in a kiss that was worthy of the last kiss that the two would ever share. Dustin's boss honked the horn, breaking the kiss between the two parting mates. Dustin was now crying just as hard as Kody was; both of them seemed to have hurt pouring from their eyes.
Dustin got into the truck still crying; noticing his boss beginning to cry as the two parted. Kody felt his knees give out from under his body; he collapsed onto the ground as the truck started to pull away. He looked into Dustin's eyes that seemed to be getting to distant for him to stand. He mouthed out his last "I love you," to Dustin as he watched Dustin do the same; Dustin's paw plastered to the window, wanting to hold Kody one last time. Kody fell to the ground in pain as he watched the truck drive out of his site; his muzzle aching from his whimpers.
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Kody noticed he was crying again; his eyes still closed and his body now curled. This time he didn't come all the way into reality like he wanted himself to. He simply rolled over and curled himself tighter into a ball; shivering as the memory lingered in his mind. Kody looked toward the ground and soon feel into a deep sleep; one that was dreamless and blank.
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