This is sort of a shot at something I haven't done before so i figured it would be good practice.
The front of his shirt was stained with his own blood. His webbed hands trembled uncontrollably as he wheezed breathlessly. Taiko was dying, and he was painfully aware of it. He grunted as he tried to sit comfortably against the trunk of the ajisa tree, though it was difficult to get comfortable when all he could feel was pain.
The gilled namekian sighed as he closed his eyes and let his mind wander to keep him distracted. All he could do now was sit and wait for the sweet, cold embrace of death.
Do you remember when you were younger?
Taiko opened his gold eyes and stared at the sky.
'Yes.'
You were so full of life back then.
Memories of his younger days played before him. From the time a strong current swept him away from his birth parent as a young tod, to the last time he bit his teacher's tail. He lightly chuckled at that one. He recalled his arguments with his adopted brother, Kerry, and the many naps the two often took with Bandore after their training sessions, or when the old Mushi would read to them. They spent a lot of time napping now that he thought about it.
Why did you have to change?
Taiko grimaced. He knew why. He knew what caused him to distance himself from everyone he's ever known, 'you know what happened.'
It wasn't your-
"OF COURSE IT WAS MY FAULT!" blood splattered over his chin and he sat upright, claws digging into the dirt and ripping up grass, "IT WAS ALL MY FAULT!"
Silence. He could hear nothing, not even his labored breathing. His vision blurred with tears as he plopped back against the tree.
"It's… all my fault… he died because I, I couldn't take good care… of him."
Silence.
Taiko closed his eyes again, wiping his mouth off and staining his sleeve with violet.
He didn't want to think of him.
Aren't you afraid?
'No,' came the immediate response.
Won't you miss them?
Images of Bandore, Kerry, and Mushi played in his mind again.
'...No.'
Stop lying to me.
'Go away.'
Please… I just want you to be honest with me.
'Who are you?'
You know who I am.
Taiko's lip twitched and he coughed. There was blood everywhere.
'Leave.'
You know I won't.
He hissed as another wave of pain crashed through him, 'why?'
I don't want you to die alone.
Pity. He was staying because he pitied him. He didn't need anyone's pity. He just needed to be left alone so that he could just die quietly. Or at least, where no one could hear him.
The voice was silent. He was probably still there, but at least he was being quiet. But with the voice gone it was now too quiet. He wasn't distracted from the painful stabbing that was relentlessly taking his breath away.
He groaned and wrapped his arms around himself, his breaths were short and rapid. Why wasn't he dead yet? Hadn't he suffered long enough? How long had he been waiting here? How much longer must he wait?
His eyes again filled with tears that threatened to fall. He was frightened. Was it because of the pain?
No.
No. He was afraid of death. He didn't want to die. For so long he thought that he wouldn't care but now that he was actually going to die… he was terrified. He was going to die, and die alone, where his corpse would be left to rot, forgotten. He won't get to say goodbye to anyone.
I'm still here.
Taiko whimpered. It was just a voice. No one was there. He was alone.
I'll stay with you.
He stiffened as he felt something small press against his chest and grab onto his bloody shirt. So small...
Papa.
His eyes shot open and he snapped his gaze down at the tiny figure curled up against his chest, "H…"
A baby lay curled up, his small hands gripping tightly to his clothes. He looked like he was sleeping.
"Helidon…"
The baby yawned and pressed his soft face against his father's heaving chest.
I'm here, Papa.
Taiko stared blankly at the infant, hardly believing what he was seeing. He opened his mouth to speak, but coughed violently. His vision was getting blurry and he was so tired.
Helidon snuggled against his father's chest, his body slightly glowing as he tried to ease some of his pain and make this easier for him.
It's ok. You can sleep if you want to. I'll still be here.
'I know,' Taiko sighed and relaxed as he felt some of his pain eb away. He placed his hand on Helidon's back and closed his eyes. Being able to feel his child gave him an odd sense of reassurance. Perhaps because he wasn't alone anymore.
And never will be.