Meant To Be

Chapter Seven

They lay there together as a light breeze blew their fur slightly. There was something that had been bothering Artificer since Hunter had said that she didn't have long left. She wanted so desperately to ask what she meant, but that kind of thing was a sensitive topic that was often uncomfortable to talk about for both parties. As she was trying to decide whether to ask and if she did how to phrase it, Hunter spoke. "It's okay, you can ask." Artificer stayed silent for a moment, trying to think of how she should say it. "What do you mean, "It gives me hope that the world is a good place and almost makes me forget that I don't have much time left to do everything I want to in life?" It doesn't sound like you're okay... what's going on?" Hunter sighed, looking longingly up at the night sky. "Have you heard of the rot?" She nodded, afraid that she knew what Hunter was about to say. "Yes, I'm fairly close with the iterator Five Pebbles. He's told me a bit about the rot since he has it."

She nuzzled up closer to Atificer as a cold breeze blew across the hill, causing her to shiver. "I was a project of No Significant Harassment. My duty was to save Looks to the Moon by bringing her a neuron so she could recover from her comatose state. I was raised with the purpose of delivering that neuron no matter what. Since it would be a dangerous journey, No Significant Harassment added rot into my system to make me stronger and larger than the average slugcat. It was only meant to be a boost for my strength, but it ended up having some... unfortunate effects" Hunter turned to Artificer with an apologetic look on her face. "So, you've been sick your whole life...?" She nodded as the air seemed to grow colder. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you know how much longer you have left?" "No, I don't. Since it hasn't started mutating my body outside of amplifying my strength, I think I still have at least ten or so cycles left before it gets really bad."

There was silence as neither of them spoke for a moment, not knowing what to say. "Do you remember the way back to No Significant Harassment?" Hunter nodded once again. "Yes, why?" "If it's okay I'd like to try and get back there so he can cure you. I would want to come with you in case the rot got worse and you needed me to help you. This is only if you want, of course, but I'd like to be able to do this for you." Hunter's eyes grew at that Idea, her heart warming at the fact that Artificer wanted to help her get rid of the rot. "Really? Thank you! Oh, I just don't know what to say... I can't believe you actually offered to do that!" Artificer smiled. It was a sad smile but also had happiness in it. "Of course. I've already lost my pups and I refuse to lose you as well." She was about to reach out her paw to hold Hunter's, but their paws were already intertwined. Both of them noticed and looked first at their paws and then at each other, a blush creeping across both of their faces. When did that happen? Both of them thought in bewilderment. For a moment, both of them considered retracting their paw but neither of them did. Soon enough, the awkwardness passed even though both of them were still flustered and they eased into it. "I know we should probably get ready for the journey, but can we stay here just a while longer? This is already my favourite thing in the world to do and it's nice sharing it with you."

This story is likely the closest thing to a slowburn I will ever write. I'm just impressed with myself that I managed to not write the rot reveal scene for this long. Cover image not by me.