Electra was the first to say her goodbyes. She took about ten minutes, then exited the room, where she was enveloped in the arms of her parents.
Jenny looked up at Pouncival.
"How long do I have?" he asked.
"As long as you need, sweetie."
Pouncival nodded dazedly and entered the room. For a place that was illuminated by obnoxious bright lights, it was so, so dark. A few weeks earlier, Pouncival had been in a hospital bed just like that one, under lights just like those – the difference being, of course, that Pouncival was up and walking, and Tumblebrutus would never so much as open his eyes, again.
Pouncival sat down next to his tomfriend and ran his paw over the soft fur on his face for the last time. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I love you."
The tears came unexpectedly. It wasn't pretty crying, like you see in the movies. It wasn't even angry or passionate. It was rough and it was bitter. Pouncival buried his face in the hospital bed and soaked the sheets. It was over. Somewhere deep inside, he knew it was coming, but it didn't make it hurt any less. It hurt like hell, like nothing else Pouncival had ever felt before. It felt like everything inside of him had just been snatched away.
"Everlasting Cat, I will do anything – anything…" he sobbed. "Please, take me instead."
Soon, the tears stopped flowing. They weren't doing any good. Instead, Pouncival laid his head on Tumblebrutus' chest and listened to his heartbeat. It was still there. Still alive. How many times had Pouncival done that exact thing, laying his head on his tomfriend's chest, taking for granted that that heartbeat would always be there?
Pouncival caught his breath and closed his eyes. He only had so long. He had to make it count.
"I'm gonna miss you," he said. "You're the most amazing cat I have ever known and will ever know. You're so special. I can't imagine what I'm going to do without you. I'm gonna miss you, so much."
The tears started falling again, softer this time.
"You were always a ray of light for everyone around you. You're my entire world, and- and… You deserved better than me. You always did. I would do anything to fix this."
Pouncival took Tumblebrutus' paw and laid like that for some time, with his head on Tumblebrutus' chest and Tumblebrutus' paw clutched tightly in his own. He was physically and emotionally exhausted. There wasn't much he could do but try to appreciate was moments he had left with his best friend.
Eventually, he picked his head up. It had been an hour. He had nothing left to give.
He looked at his tomfriend's sleeping face. The fact that he would never see those eyes open again…Pouncival tried not to think about that.
He wanted to kiss his lips so badly, but couldn't, because of the mask Tumblebrutus was wearing to help him breathe. He had to settle for a simple kiss on the forehead.
He'd heard somewhere that coma patients were sometimes able to hear, so even though he knew it was a longshot, he whispered "I love you" in his ear one last time before he reluctantly left the room.
"Pouncival?"
Pouncival sighed nervously. He knew it was a dream, this time. He'd been here before. "You're not real," he said.
"So you can't even look at me?"
Pouncival stood his ground, staring at the floor. It had been a month. Why now?
He heard pawsteps approaching from behind him, and then, to his great surprise, he felt a paw wrap around his wrist.
He couldn't stand it, anymore. He turned and threw his arms around Tumblebrutus' shoulders, real or not. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too."
Pouncival stepped back and took in this vision. The Tumblebrutus in his dream looked just like Tumblebrutus did in real life. He reached out and brushed his paw against his cheek. He was just as soft, just as beautiful, just as real. At least, that's how it seemed. It seemed so real.
"I came to say goodbye," Tumblebrutus said. "I can't come back, after this."
"You're already gone. This is only a dream."
"I think we both know that's not entirely true."
Tumblebrutus placed his paws on either side of Pouncival's cheeks and gave him a kiss on his forehead. "I looked at you, you know," he continued, "right before the car hit. The last thing I saw was you, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I love you."
A single tear rolled down Pouncival's cheek. "I love you, too."
"I wanted to spend my entire life with you. I got my wish."
"What about mine?"
"You'll find a better one. I'll make sure of it."
Pouncival pulled Tumblebrutus back into his arms, beyond thankful that he could touch him, this time.
"Bye, Pouncie," Tumblebrutus said.
"No, no, don't go! Please, don't-"
"I have to. You're going to wake up."
Pouncival could feel himself slipping from the dream. He tried his hardest to hold on to his tomfriend for as long as he could, but all too quickly, the dream lifted.
Pouncival was in the bed they used to share. Alone. He looked to his left. That was where Tumblebrutus used to sleep. He grabbed his pillow and pulled it close to his chest, biting back tears. He couldn't hold it in for long, though. He cried into his late tomfriend's pillow. It all still felt so surreal.
The pillow still smelled like Tumblebrutus. Pouncival breathed it in while he could, knowing the scent would soon fade, like the cat who left it.