Goodbye today, until tomorrow

[kisashika]

The trek up the mountain was difficult and finding their way through the winding maze of fog was nearly impossible, but with Sollux's insight from the visions, the group of trolls had made their way to Tavros' quest bed quickly, and hopefully not too late. Though the injured troll was still breathing, even though it was ragged and seemed to cause him pain. But the whole climb Gamzee's grip never left the others' hand, occasionally squeezing it to make sure that he was still with them.

The strain of carrying Tavros to this point had been painful, but Sollux bared through, knowing that they were so close- so close to the bed, and that he would last much longer than the Taurus would if he didn't keep up the psiionics.

Soon the blue and white quest bed was in sight, but they couldn't risk rushing to it, lest they startle the fading troll.

They walked what seemed even slower towards the bed, then the Gemini gently set Tavros down on the cold surface, being careful to not suddenly drop him. The yellow-blood slumped back a bit when he released the telekinetic hold and took in a breath that he seemed to have been holding in the whole trek here.

Gamzee slowly sat down on the bed next to Tavros, still holding his hand tight. "H-hey.... Tav, we made it...." He assured the other with a small smile, his laugh somewhat empty. He still hurt, though- actually being here made the Capricorn realize that his matesprit really had to die now. And Gamzee knew it was selfish, but he didn't want that to happen- ever. Tavros wasn't supposed to die, not like this, not a torn and broken troll that could barely even speak. He was supposed to grown old, like normal trolls, live with his matesprit- happy until he died from natural causes.

Sollux decided to give the two a bit of space to talk, but the clock was ticking.

[sleepZombie]

Tavros woke up from time to time during the travels. Always Gamzee was right there, looking anxiously into his face and offering a smile that was spread too thin and a squeeze of his hand that he could barely return and soft words of reassurance. Every time he'd slip back into blackness until the next moment, and the next.

Eventually he opened his eyes to stare at an unfamiliar ceiling. He didn't feel the comforting warmth of Sollux's psiionics around him, only the cold, hard stone beneath him and...

Tavros managed to lift a hand, letting it come back down on top of Gamzee's head, fingers curling lightly in his hair and petting. "Ga...mzee." His voice cracked but a tiny smile played at his lips. His eyes were duller, no longer carrying the bright light of life in them and instead the flickering glimmer of oncoming death.

"Hey...shh.......shhhh..."

He was scared. Everything ached but also did not. He felt everything but nothing. The real pain was in his blood pusher. Seeing the tears drop from Gamzee's cheeks onto the stone slab and hear those wrenching sounds that escaped him. Tears welled up in Tavros' eyes.

"I... don't want to die, Gamzee..."

[kisashika]

Everything just broke within him when Tavros started speaking, tears flowed freely from his eyes, and Gamzee choked on sobs. The hand that held the others' clenched tightly; it felt like someone had reached into his chest and was wringing his vascular pump, squeezing too much. This was the worst feeling he'd ever felt, Gamzee wished desperately that everything wasn't happening- like this was some horrible, horrible dream and he'd wake up from it, Tavros in his arms perfectly fine and in one piece; beautiful and sweet, sleeping peacefully, the most amazing smile spread across his face as his dreams were filled with happy thoughts.

But deep down he knew it wasn't true- that today was one of the most awful days he'd ever lived through. There wasn't going to be a sugary sweet candy coating- Tavros was really laying here, battered and broken, bleeding and struggling to live just a bit longer, to spend a few more minutes with the indigo blood.

"I don't w-want you to die either, T-Tav...." Gamzee confessed, that's the last thing he ever wanted. "B-but, you'll be okay.... Y-you'll fall asleep.... A-and wake up with b-big beautiful wings.... And you'll be able t-to fly, just like you always w-wanted...." He choked on the laugh, but Gamzee's smile was real, despite the tears streaming down is face.

"And you'll b-be able to walk again.... Tav, you'll get your legs back...." His sobs slowed, but he leaned over and placed his free hand on the others' face, wiping away blood and tears. "W-we can go anywhere you fucking want...."

[sleepZombie]

A pinched sort of smile spread across Tavros' features as he listened to Gamzee talk. His voice was choaked up and thick with sadness but it was still his voice, his soothing, beautiful, handsome voice. He'd fallen in love so deeply with the troll in front of him. He took in a breath to reply, tell Gamzee where he wanted to go, that he wanted to go to the beach together with him. Feel the sand beneath his feet and the wash of the ocean water... but drawing in air caused a sudden spasm to roll through him.

The hand that held onto Gamzee squeezed vice tight, sweat breaking out over his brow as his teeth and eyes clenched. Pain wracked through him, wave after wave. Gasping cries escaped him until he was left panting and blinking away sweat and blood and tears out of his eyes.

"Ngh." He rolled his head to the side, feeling lost and helpless and afraid. "Scared..." Tavros' hand relaxed slightly in Gamzee's grip. For a long time he went silent, breathing shallow and weak as he slipped into unconsciousness only to open his eyes again with a weak flutter as he started awake. His fingertips applied what pressure he could muster the strength to give to let Gamzee know he was still there.

"What if... I don't wake up." His voice trembled. "Don't... don't want to n-not see... your face." He flinched again as pain flared and left.

[kisashika]

"Don't think that, Tavros...." Gamzee's grip tightened again and he reached over, gently petting the others' hair. "We'll see each other again....." He hoped silently that it was true, Vriska and Aradia seemed to be okay.... It just took them a bit to get back to them and Gamzee was sure he'd be able to last long enough for Tavros to return, too.

Maybe.

But he didn't want to say good bye, even if it was just for a little while, and he didn't want Tavros to suffer anymore. Gamzee was so conflicted, he didn't really know what to say or do. Sollux walked up behind the Capricorn, as if he was reading the others' mind.

"Gamthee.... I'll end hith thuffering, but not while you're in here." He put a hand on Gamzee's shoulder. "You can thpend a few more minuteth with him, but not much longer, then you have to go outthide." Gamzee nodded and looked back down at Tavros, his heart twisting.

This was the worst thing ever. He leaned down and gave the Taurus a gentle kiss and whispered into his ear, quiet.

"I pity you so much, Tav.... A-and.... I know trolls don't know other feelins.... 'Cus Karkat says so all the time...." He closed his eyes. "But, I love you....." A small kiss to the forehead and Gamzee sat up, he didn't want to leave, but Sollux gave him a look that said it was time to go. Taking his time, the Indigo stood and headed for the exit, giving a longing glance back at his Matesprit before leaving.

Sollux moved closer to the fading troll, a grim look on his face. The Gemini really didn't want to do this, but he was the only one who could end it painlessly. "Hey, Tavroth...." A small smile, trying to reassure the other. "Jutht thay when, and I'll do it ath fatht ath I can.... Okay?"

[sleepZombie]

He wanted to feel Gamzee leaned over him, so close that he could smell the sea and the slightly sour aroma of sopor pie and sticky sugary faygo and some other scent that was purely Gamzee himself forever. His grip tightened on the Capricorn's hand for just a moment, eyes going wide as orangy tears slipped down the curve of his face. "I p-pity...... love you too..." His breath hitched painfully and then his grip loosened.

Gamzee was walking away.

Sollux filled his vision now, a friendly face that reflected pain and concern and sadness. Tavros couldn't stop the tears now. Just let them silently drip down as he closed his eyes. He reached out blindly for his friend, finding his hand and hold onto it. He needed SOMEONE to hold onto.

"I... d-don't want you to. I don't want to d-die. But. This is what needs t-to be done. And I'll be b-back..." He tried to muster up the strength that Gamzee had shown just moments before when he was reassuring him.

"Uhm. It would. Probably j-just be best... if you did it without telling me. B-Because I'm really honestly, very scared." His voice wasn't much more than a whisper as he looked up at Sollux.

[kisashika]

Sollux gripped the hand holding his loosely, not wanting to hurt Tavros any more than he already was.

God, how he didn't want to this. If only his visions hadn't been so cryptic, maybe he would have seen this coming. How Sollux hated them most of the time, this power.... Doom, it was the worst ability ever. But, in the end, maybe it was a good thing they came here, he'd seen the quest bed at least, so Tavros had a second chance- which was a happy thought.

Happy.

Sollux chuckled and smiled a bit. That wasn't something he got to feel very often or help others feel. He stared at Tavros for a moment before raising his free hand. Slowly he started using his psychic powers, the hand engulfing in a pale blue glow.

"Goodbye, Tavroth; until tomorrow." He reached into the others' chest and stopped his heart before it had another chance to beat. The hand in his own clenched for a second before falling limp and landing at the Taurus' now lifeless body. Sollux stepped back from the other troll, the smile fading from his face to a mournful stare and before he could even call Gamzee back in the other had stepped into the room.

Sollux turned and met the Capricorn's gaze; had he watched anyway? If he had, Gamzee didn't say anything as he crossed the room at a painfully slow pace, his eyes now turned to Tavros. The closer he got to the bed, the more his body began to shake- new tears began to stream down his face. He brushed past Sollux and fell to his knees next to the bed.

Gamzee took Tavros' hand again, holding it between both his own and started to sob. He spoke occasionally, a choked apology, a muffled prayer as he stayed in an almost crumpled heap next to his dead Matesprit.

The yellow blood was at a loss, he didn't know what to do, he could practically feel his own heart break at the scene before him. Gamzee continued to cry.

"Gamthee.... Ith there anything I can do to help...?" He asked, warily. The other took in a few shaky breaths before replying.

"C-c-can you br-bring him b-back to me?" Gamzee started to sob again. "I j-just want him back...." He kissed Tavros' knuckles then climbed into the bed next to him, curling into the unresponsive troll's side.