Death Bed

The original prompt is above, enjoy
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The pain in his chest was worsening with each breath. He felt as if his lungs were being stabbed with cold knives, and no matter how he breathed he couldn't warm up. His left hand was grasping onto his bloodied shirt at the chest. What for? He had forgotten back at the street sign. With his right hand he used the wall as a stabilizer while he made his way through the alley. The guards had probably already dispatched a squad to go out looking for him, but he wouldn't let them take him back. Not alive at least.

It was funny how desperate they were to keep him held in that cell. Dozens of times had he told them he wouldn't be pulled out of retirement for something as stupid as spying on a quirky Chocolatier. But no matter how many times he declined, and asked to go home, they always made up some excuse to keep him there. They probably had hope he would cave in and agree to comply with them once more. Of course their hope was wrongfully placed, and now he was on the run with a whole squad on his ass. One would think the government would realize what they were doing was against their own laws and let him free, but one would be wrong. Once the higher ups want something, they do everything in their power to get it.

He guessed he had about an hour or two until they were able to properly locate and track him down, so he moved with a purpose. That purpose being to get home and get patched up. He hoped to whatever celestial being that was tasked with watching him had left his shop doors unlocked, so he wouldn't have to break into his own shop at 2 in the morning. Thinking about what to do after he got home, the man failed to notice the ever so faint flashing lights getting closer. The pain that engulfed his chest was distracting him from noticing anything other than the rhythm of walking and breathing. A siren wailed briefly, and just loud enough to snap him out of his thoughts. He bent his knee and dropped behind a dumpster while the police car drove by at the far end of the alley where he had entered. It was to narrow for a car to fit, but a person could easily slip in and pursue him. It wouldn't take too much to see he was in no condition to run, so he hid.

When the lights faded yet again and the streets went silent once more, he slowly rose up from his hiding spot. Stumbling to the wall, he cursed out in pain. He had moved too quickly and overworked his muscles. His breathing became ragged and fast. He kept going along the wall, determined to make it out of the never ending alley and back to his shop. With his left hand and his spirit, he gripped. He gripped to hope and his wounded chest in hopes it would save him like the protagonists in those predictable action movies. He knew life wasn't a movie, but he hoped to god the logic would be the same for once.

In truth he was already starting to give up by the time he reached the middle of the alley. He tried to tell himself 'just a little further', but his strength was at its limit and he felt like Jell-O. With a painful groan, he put his back to the wall and sank to the floor. It was unlike him to give up like this, but death was visiting, and he wasn't a rude host. He let out a careful sigh and cringed at the sharp pain in his chest. He took several deep breaths and ran his free hand through his messy hair. How did he get here? Ah right, the agency members are a bunch of power hungry assholes.

He let his hand fall to his side. He felt something in his pocket and pulled it out. His cellphone. He frowned and turned it on, hoping he would have enough battery. 69%, nice. He chuckled at his immaturity even on his death bed. He opened his contacts and pressed the contact "Lil Bitch", what a stupid contact name. Dread overtook his body as the phone rang. He didn't know what he was more anxious about, him not picking up or him picking up. After a few rings, there was a sound and a happy "Terence!"

Terence's dread and anxiety immediately washed away after hearing his voice. His body relaxed a bit and he sighed after moving the phone's microphone away. Putting the phone back to his face, he answered. "Willy." He heard a soft giggle on the other end of the line and smiled. "How are you doing at this hour old chap?" He had a goal, and it had just now begun.

There was a pause on Willy's end until he let out a breath, and with a cherry yet tired voice, he replied. "Honestly, so much better now that you've called. It's been a long day... How about you?" Terence could hear the weight leave Willy's voice and felt instantly guilty of what was happening.

"Same here. My night just got so much better now that I'm talking to you." He wasn't lying, but there wasn't much to build off of. He was bleeding out from a gunshot wound, in the middle of an alleyway, late at night. Not much else to it. He heard another giggle come from Willy and he smiled. "What did you do while I was gone? Hopefully not giving out Pollen Candies," Terence laughed and grasped his chest. It hurt to laugh, but it felt so good too. Willy laughed sarcastically.

"No, I'm afraid not. You seem to be the only person who's had one, unfortunately." Terence chuckled at that and frowned, those brightly colored warts had certainly been a suprise. Considering the candies were in his office, he assumed they would have been safe, but he was soon proven wrong. It was a neat little test Willy had set out for him. Real shitty, but neat. "I hope the warts were fun to look at." Willy chimed in quickly and smugly. Terence snorted.

"If I were any less in love with you, I would beat your ass for those warts. Although I will admit they were funny to look at. Just not pleasant to have." Those damned warts were one of the excuses the guards could make to keep him locked up. They wanted to "make sure" nothing else would happen. No side effects. Of course there was nothing more to it than a childish prank, but because they're officials they can make whatever "safety concern" rule they want. He ever so slightly shook his head at the memory. All the more reason to bear a grudge against them. He heard Willy giggle yet again on the other side.

"Love saves the day once again! Although I suppose I'm on thin ice."

"Very thin ice, Willy."

"Like a Bisexual during pride month."

"Exactly." The two chuckled at their little reference and fell into a comfortable silence. Even with the whole I'm going to die in a few minutes thing, Terence felt almost at ease while talking to Willy. He couldn't explain it fully, but he felt safe and loved with him, and that feeling never wavered, even for a second. Maybe that's really why he called him, because he was afraid, and Willy soothed that fear. And speaking of that fear, it was getting harder to breathe with each passing moment. The world around him started to feel fuzzy in some odd way. He had to hurry it up before it was too late, this was his final chance. And final goodbye.

"Willy." He said calmly.

He heard an exhale from the other side, "Terence." He didn't sound upset. Perfect.

"I'm not in the factory to be mocked for saying all of this, so I'm going to take advantage of that. Don't interrupt me, because I've been waiting to get all mushy on you."

Willy laughed at that, "Awh. That's sweet, using your absence as an advantage. Alright, you have my full attention!"

He mustered up what strength he had left and took a breath in, a painful one, in case you haven't caught onto the situation yet. "I love, adore and appreciate you so much." He felt himself tremble, "You mean the world to me, and I can't imagine a life without you. It's impossible. You've done so much for me without even knowing it. You've also done so much for the Buckets, for Charlie. I know you have a hard time seeing it, but you're a good person. Always have been, and I cannot put into words how much you mean to me. From the first day we met, you greeting me with such kindness. To the day I came back and started sending you letters. You haven't left my mind. I am utterly grateful and blessed that you let me back into your life, and loved me. You were willing to go out of your comfort zone to start a relationship with me. You opened my eyes to what true love was, and as cliche as that sounds, I'm thankful I got to experience that with you. You're so patient, understanding and funny about it. You let me know your boundaries and uncomforts, yet were willing to work on them to be with me. I couldn't ask for a better partner Willy, I really couldn't. There is no one out there I would rather be with. Thank you for being who you are, and for accepting me into your life once more." His arms and shoulders were shaking, and he held back sobs as tears rolled down his face. He wouldn't worry Willy, but he needed to say all of that. He needed to let him know he was loved before he left, again. He closed his eyes and moved the mic away from his mouth while keeping the speaker at his ear. He let out shakey breaths and tried to compose himself.

"Terence."

He moved the mic back to his mouth and answered as normally as possible, "Willy."

"I'm bad with words, as you've noticed, but thank you. I love you more than you could ever know. You've been so kind and caring towards me, even when I was being difficult. You pulled me out of my darkest days and made me feel loved, like everything was going to be okay. You were patient with me as I stepped out of my comfort zone, and never pushed me to do things I wasn't ready for. I've never had someone care so much about me, and it's overwhelming to receive so much love and support. A good overwhelm, a welcomed one. I love you so, so much Terence. I wouldn't be here without you." He finished with a soft chuckle and sigh. Terence felt the tears spill on to his cheeks once again. He didn't deserve Willy, he didn't deserve him at all. Yet here he was, on the phone being told he loved him. It was numbing, but in a good way. He took another shaky breath and smiled. It was time to say goodbye.

"I'll let you go now so you can get some sleep. Don't stay up too late please, actually try to get decent rest tonight."

"Ha! I'll try my best just because you asked nicely!"

Terence smiled sadly, "Goodbye Willy. I love you."

"Goodbye Terence, I love you too!" And with that, the line went dead. He hung up and dropped his arm to the ground, phone falling out of his hand in the process. Looking up at the dark sky, Terence cried. He choked out painful sobs and short breaths. It was time to go, but he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready to leave it all behind, to leave Willy and Charlie alone. But fate wasn't on his side this bloody night. Once his sobs died down, the ex spy leaned his head against the cold wall. Everything was cold. Numb. Closing his eyes, he let out a slow breath.

"I love you."

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