Connor was an emotional wreck. At Kevin's word, he began sobbing hysterically.
"No! No, Kevin, you can't leave me here. Don't leave me all alone!" Kevin shook his head.
"We both knew this was going to happen, Con." He looked over at Arnold and Nabalungi, who were lingering at his side.
"Arnold, you're the best friend I could have ever asked for. You stuck with me, no matter what. And I love you, pal. Naba, you better take care of him. He's a bit of a handful. I know you're do a great job. I love you too." Kevin tried to chuckle, but ended up coughing more. Nabalungi smiled and nodded, while Arnold collapsed onto Kevin's lap.
"I love y-you, bu-bud," the curly haired man sobbed. The two hugged each other as best they could. Then he turned and looked at Connor.
"Connor. Connor, I love you so much. I can't live without-"
Kevin was silenced by a shrill beeping noise. The three stared at the machine it was coming from. It showed a straight line, with a large '0' next to it. Connor buried his face in Kevin's still chest and wept. The other couple went and rubbed his back, but the older man threw them off in anger.
"NO! He can't be gone, he can't be-" He began shaking his fiancé's body, in hopes that he would wake up.
"Come on Kevin! Come on, wake up already! Wake up-" Connor could barely breath, he was sobbing so violently. He kept shaking him until Arnold dragged him off. The redhead held onto him and cried into his shoulder. The two stood and whimpered for what seemed like an eternity. When they parted, they stared down at the body on the bed. Connor sniffled and felt more tears fall onto his red cheeks. Nabalungi placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He is in a better place, Connor. He is no longer in pain. Just think – maybe he is in his Planet Orlando! He would not want you to be sad, Connor." She pecked his cheek and squeezed his hand. He smiled at her, silently thanking her for her optimism.
"I know, Naba. But... I just miss him, you know?" She and Arnold nodded.
"We miss him too. He was our best friend," Arnold said, his voice still shaky.
"We should go home, Connor. Would you like to stay with us?" Nabalungi asked, still holding his hand.
Connor shook his head. "Nah, I'll be fine." The three exchanged hugs and left Connor alone in the room.
He stared at Kevin, lying still. He looks so... peaceful. He went and sat on the bed next to the young brunette. He let his eyes water again, before whispering, "Turn it off, Connor."
Connor wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, but stopped when he felt the silver band on his marriage finger touch his face. E closed his and imagined what it would be like to be married to Kevin. He imagined walking up the aisle, saying his vows, having their first dance as a married couple, starting a family, growing old together.
"Stop torturing yourself, McKinley," he said aloud. Connor looked down at Kevin for the last time. He slowly bent down and kissed him on the lips.
"Goodbye, love," he whispered and walked out of the room.
Connor walked quickly through the halls, hoping that no one would try and talk to him. Luckily not a soul even noticed him. He practically ran to his car, which Arnold had driven to the hospital so that the older man would have it if he needed to leave for any reason.
He drove in silence, alone with his thoughts of Kevin dancing around in his mind. He cried a little, yelled at himself for being so weak, and then looked around to make sure no one had seen his breakdown. That was the great thing about New York – everyone was so focused on what they had to do, they paid no attention to men who had emotional breakdowns in their cars.
Connor drove up his driveway, staring at his home for a moment before walking inside. He hoped that being home would make him feel better. But his house was just the same as how he felt.
Empty.