AN: Well, you guys, things are coming to a close. It's been a fun ride so far, and I look forward to wrapping this up. Thanks to all of you, again, for your support and kind words. :3
It was slow, yes, but it was steady. Exactly one month after he had first come home, Mom and Dad came into Hazel's room to talk to her. The smaller human was still in her bed, hooked up to her dragon (By now, Rene Descartes had learned its real name, but he preferred to call it a dragon regardless). Her kitten lay by her hindpaws.
"Hazel, honey, you know what's happening." Mom had pulled up a chair to Hazel's bedside. Dad stood behind her, his paws on her shoulders.
Hazel was propped up by pillows into a sitting position, An Imperial Affliction on her lap. From the little she had told Rene Descartes about it, it was about a girl with cancer as well. He had asked how she could even bear to read it, but of course she could not understand. In order to answer her parents, she switched from her dragon to her silver cylinder, the oxygen-provider.
"Yes," she said simply. "I do."
Her breakfast lay nearly untouched on the nightstand beside her. Rene Descartes had only nibbled at it, wanting to leave as much for his keeper as he could if ever she wanted more. She never did. The Smell hung in the air like a heavy, musty sheet, covering the room. It had grown stronger as Hazel grew weaker, and it was becoming difficult to discern Hazel's true scent from beneath it.
"How are you feeling?" Dad asked.
"Like crap," she answered with a wry smile. "Other than that, perfectly fine."
Hazel's words from long past echoed in Rene Descartes' ears. Pain is a side effect of dying. Dying is a side effect of life. The kitten nearly shivered at the thought.
"Are you noticing a lot of fluid buildup in your lungs?" Dad was now rubbing Mom's shoulders, both their expressions grim.
Hazel didn't answer right away, her eyes on her paws. "A bit."
Rene Descartes frowned. That is untrue. She spoke to me several days ago, telling me that there was indeed quite a bit of the so-called water restricting her breathing. Why is she lying, then?
Is she trying to protect Mom and Dad?
Dad let out a long exhale, his mouth a straight line. Rene Descartes figured he knew Hazel wasn't telling the truth.
"We just want you to know, Hazel," Mom reminded, "We are always here for you. You don't have to feel embarassed if you need our help or feel worried about us, okay? We both love you, so so much. We just want you to be happy." She lifted herself from the chair to place a paw on Hazel's shoulder.
"Okay," Hazel replied quietly. "I love you guys, too. Thanks so much." Her green eyes didn't meet those of either larger humans in the room, instead settling on the back of her book. Mom moved forward to place what Rene Descartes recognized as a kiss, a human sign of love and affection, on Hazel's forehead.
"We'll leave you alone if you want, okay? We love love love you!"
All the humans in the bedroom moved towards Hazel, reaching out their forelegs to gather her up in a hug, another gesture of love Rene Descarted remembered. After a few moments, Mom and Dad left the room, moving the chair back to its original position.
Still Rene Descartes was curled up by Hazel's hindpaws, jealousy rolling in his stomach. Why must it be so much more difficult to express my love for my keeper as well? he wondered, a hint of bitterness to his thoughts. How easily they show their affections with their hugs and their kisses. It is not fair in the slightest that I was destined to be a cat, to sit quietly and watch as the world turned around me. His short tail lashed in frustration.
Des, he chided, using Hazel's nickname for him, it is unbecoming of you to be so petty. You are acting like a kitten and it is downright featherbrained. If you cannot convey your sentiments through actions unique to humans, the only logical solution is to relate your emotions through actions unique to cats.
Yes, he resolved. Besides that, I can only do my best to thank her and trust that it is enough.
"Hazel," he meowed, padding up to sit in his keeper's lap.
"Hey there, Des," the green eyed human replied, rubbing her kitten between the ears.
Rene Descartes purred, but gently pushed her paw away. "I know you are unable to understand me, so there really is no purpose in speaking with you, but...I wish to thank you.
"If it were not for you, I could have rotted in the Pound until my joints began to ache and my fur turned gray. That is, of course, assuming the keepers there did not do whatever it is they do to cats who are not collected. I could have been scooped up by another human who would coddle me, confine me, and treat me like an idiot. Instead, I was chosen by you, Hazel.
"You...treat me like an equal when all you are obligated to do is provide me with food. It is more than any cognisant cat could ever desire. Thank you."
Hazel smiled. "You're pretty adorable, Des. I love you, too."
The human then proceeded to pull her kitten into a hug, squeezing him tightly to her chest. The Smell curled around him, but Rene Descartes did his best to ignore it, instead searching for Hazel's true scent. He fell asleep in her arms, lulled into unconsciousness by the sound of her heartbeat. He never noticed the tears dripping into his fur.