Work Text:
Buzz!
Buzz!
Buzz!
Lampert glanced over from the cleaning he was doing to only see his phone light up once more.
Buzz! It loudly vibrated.
Must be Kasper, Lampert thought with a grin he couldn't help but show. Putting down his cleaning supplies, he grasped his phone and flicked it on. To no ones surprise, it was indeed Kasper that had been texting him. How typical. Honestly, can Kasper go one day with out texting Lampert? No!
Hastily unlocking his phone, Lampert sat down on his bed.
<L4MP3RT! :D>
<L4MP B0Y! 4NSW3R!>
<1 KN0W UR R34D1NG TH3S3! >:p>
Lambert chuckled before replying, his cord-like tail swayying back and forth.
<Hey!>
<0MG H4I1I1I1!!! :D>
<H3LL0! :DDD>
Lampert's smile grew. It was pretty normal for Kasper to spam "hello" and "hi" when he replies. He always assumed it's to show that he's excited to talk to him, which is pretty adorable in Lampert's eyes. As more and more excited texts came from Kasper, Lambert couldn't help but blush about it. The beige colour of his head lamp turning into a slightly noticeable rosy brown.
<I can tell you're quite happy to talk to me>
<1M 4LW4YS D0WN T0 T4LK W1TH MY BFF!!1!>
<4NYH0W 1 W4NT3D T0 4SK Y0U S0MTH1NG!!>
Lamperts heart skipped a beat.
Please tell me it's what I think it is… please… please… He thought to himself while he fiddled with the collar of his shirt. His heart pounded as he saw the dots move up and down, signaling that Kasper was typing. Lampert had feelings for Kasper, for as long as he could remember.
But, he knew that he shouldn't get attached to Kasper. He had tried everything to suppress his feelings, so that Kasper's eventual death would hurt less. But he can't. can't let go of someone he cares about so much.
The truth is that Kasper's infection is slowly killing him. DR. Retro predicts that he'll die before he ever reaches thirty. They don't know when he'll die, but all they know is that it'll be soon. Maybe too soon.
…
<W4NN4 H4NG T0D4Y???>
Oh. Well, I suppose that's fine too. Lampert sighed with a slight look of disappointment spread across his face.
<Sure, where do you wanna go?>
<1 W4S TH1NK1NG TH3 B0WL1NG 4LL3Y BUT RLLY WH4T3VR 1S F1N3!!! 1 JUST W4NT T0 H4NG W1T Y0U!! XD>
Lampert's tail immediately wagged faster, belying the hidden feelings underneath the surface. Of course he was going to hang out with him! After all, with Kasper's current… situation, he doesn't want to loose quality time with his friend!
<yeah, that sounds nice!>
<Y4Y!1!1 C4N 1 P1CK Y0U UP 4T 5??? :P>
<yup>
<0K4Y1!!11! S33 Y0U TH3N!1! :DD>
Lampert put down his phone before lying down. It was currently 4 in the after noon.
"I need to get ready…" Lampert whispered to himself.
Yeah, sure, getting ready an hour early is a bit overkill, but he wanted to make sure he looks nice for Kasper!
sighing, Lampert sat up again, put all his cleaning supplies away, and began changing out of his casual wear. Replacing his sweat pants for a blueish-gray baggy pair of cargo pants, he topped it off with a brown belt (always being mindful of his tail, of course). Next, instead of taking off his shirt, he threw on a brow sleeve-less sweater on top. Was his outfit original? No. But it's one of his favorites, plus, he wants to make sure he looks good enough for Kasper! Lastly, he clasped his reading glasses onto his belt and put a mini hand sanitizer and wallet into his pockets.
Just in case… he thought, Just in case…
By now, it had been seven minutes. Fifty three minutes to spare. Lampert huffed and sat back down on his bed, smoothing out his outfit and fixing the collar. The old frame groaned under his weight.
I'll need to replace this frame soon… he noted.
reaching over the sheets, he grabbed his phone again. he figured that since there was nothing else to do, he'd just watch some videos (and to also see if Kasper had texted him). Simply turning on a video, he let time, as well as his thought, flow by. That was until a sharp ding ran through the house.
"Coming!" He yelled, although it was useless, he knew Kasper couldn't hear him.
Forcing himself off his comfortable bedding, Lampert made his way to the front door. Opening it, he was immediately greeted with Kaspers open arms. How comforting. Lampert usually never lets anyone hug him. Not after his parent's divorce when he was younger (and also his germ thing, but that only developed recently). But, he supposes, that Kasper can be an acceptation.
"How have you been man? It's been sooo long since we last hung out!" Kasper patted Lampert's back rather aggressively.
"That was, like… three days ago!" Lampert pointed out, although he wasn't complaining. He'd do anything to hang with him all day.
Being released from the hug, Lampert could finally get a good look at Kasper. Kasper, for starters, was never one to dress up too fancy for a meet up, no matter the occasion. But that didn't upset Lampert at all! He was dressed in his normal attire; pink beanie, pink and green raccoon hair extensions, "Tough guys wear pink" shirt, and saggy pants held up by a multicoloured belt.
From the grin plastered on Kasper's face, Lampert could tell today will be different— In a good way, of course!
Maybe… Lampert considered, Maybe today I'll tell him-
"Lamp boy! You spacing out there? You're staring," Kasper laughed, making his way to the car.
"Y-yeah! I got lost in thought… that's all!" Lampert chuckled and looked away, his cheeks flushing.
Without another word, they both entered Kaspers car. It was, thankfully, relatively clean. In fact, it looked like it had just been clean. How considerate of Kasper! Lampert couldn't help but thump his tail repetitively against the seat, he was so excited!
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the bowling alley.
"Don't worry, I've already payed before hand for this!" Kasper beamed as he parked and opened the car doors.
"really…? You didn't have to." Lampert glanced away, feeling bad for taking up resources from Kasper, especially since he's ill. "I can pay for myself."
"I know!" reaching out, Kasper helps Lampert out of the car before grabbing his hand, "It's fine, I promise you."
"Alright, whatever you say, man," Lampert huffed, begrudgingly accepting Kaspers gift.
Entering the bowling alley, they were greeted with a hello from the staff working at the counter. "Hello, welcome in!"
"Yo! We've got a reservation for an hour!" Kasper exclaimed confidently.
"What's the name for your reservation?" The staff member asked, typing on the computer.
"Kasper!"
"Mhm, you guys are checked in!" She looked up with a smile. "Your station is alley 3!"
Kasper nudged Lampert's arm, "Sweet! Follow me lamp boy!"
chuckling, Lampert happily followed after Kasper to their lane. Once there, they picked out their desired bowling balls; Kasper picking a pink ball with deep shades of reds swirled here and there, while Lampert picked a ball with different hues of green splattered on it. With the bowling balls in hand, Kasper turned on the overhead TV and marked their names down as "1NF3CT3D" and "L4MP3RT"— which took quite some time considering Kasper's typing quirk.
"Prepared to loose?" Kasper snickered sarcastically.
"Oh, well, I'm just here to have fun." Lampert grinned, his tail gently swaying.
"BORINGGGGGG!" Kasper joked while approaching the area to bowl, watching as the pins get set up.
Immediately after given the signal that it's okay to throw the ball, Kasper chucked it down the alley. Which quickly swerved into the channel. "I just need to warm up. that's all!" Kasper remarked, a smirk rising on their face.
"mhm, sure, sure…" Lampert chuckled, approaching the lane.
Once the pins were back up, Lampert took a moment to concentrate. Then, he rolled the ball, which, this time, hit the pins!
"Hehe… four pins!" Lampert teased.
Kasper exaggeratedly gasped, "beginners luck!" they huffed, pretending to be jealous.
The TV then showed the score:
1NF3CT3D: 0
L4MP3RT: 4
"One round… nine more to go!" Kasper commented, his smirk growing into a grin.
Grabbing their ball from the ball returner, Kasper aimed again, this time with a little more concentration. Lampert couldn't help but laugh. It's almost like you could see the gears physically turning in Kasper brain.
"Shut up lamp boy, I needa focus!" Kasper jested.
Throwing it down, he watched with anticipation as the ball rolled, and rolled… and rolled.
"Yes!" Kasper exclaimed, "Strike!"
The ball didn't swerve this time, landing Kasper a strike. Lampert's heart fluttered. He loved seeing Kasper so happy like this. Like he's the most confident and happiest person on the planet. It always managed to warm up Lampert with joy.
Oh… If only you knew Kasper… If only… Lampert thought, But I don't know if I'm ready just yet…
Wiping his hands down his sweater, Lampert grabbed the green ball and threw it. Landing on the wood with a thump, it zoomed down the lane in a blur. Right as it was about to hit a few pins, it changed it's course, only knocking down one pin in the end.
"Man!" Lampert groaned jokingly.
In truth, Lampert didn't care if he won or lost the match. He only cared about being with Kasper right now, and if that meant letting him rub his wins, then so be it. Lampert didn't mind.
Again, the TV displayed the score:
1NF3CT3D: 10
L4MP3RT: 5
"I see this is gonna be a close match!" Kasper snickered, mischievously rubbing his hands together like a fly.
Grabbing both of their bowling balls, Kasper lined up with the lane and threw the ball. And missed the pins again.
"what!?" Kasper huffed, crossing his arms.
"Maybe next time," Lampert laughed before taking his turn and successfully knocking down five pins.
1NF3CT3D: 10
L4MP3RT: 10
"ooo it's a tie!" Kasper pointed out
"Seven more rounds to go…"
As the game went on, Kasper managed to obtain two more strikes, one miss, knock down four pins three times, and knock down five pins once. While, on the contrary, Lampert managed to get one strike, two misses, knock down one pin twice, knock down seven pins once, and knock down two pins once.
FINAL SCORES:
1NF3CT3D: 47
L4MP3RT: 31
"Ha!" Kasper triumphed, "I knew I'd win!"
"Hehe… It's whatever man! Good game…" Lampert smiled.
Exiting the building, the chill of night quickly enveloped them both, the chill seeping into Kasper due to his lack of clothes. Rushing over to the car, they both enter. Before starting it up, Kasper glances over at Lampert and smiles. "Thanks for hanging out with me today…" He cleared his throat before continuing, "I know I said we would only go bowling today and didn't plan anything else but, would you like to go star gazing with me? I'd like some… peace of mind for tonight!"
Lampert's cheeks grew warm.
"Oh, of course!" he rejoiced, "but where would we be going? There's so much light pollution here."
"I know a spot," Kasper assured, "but it's a few hour drive from here."
"That's fine," Lampert responded, his voice getting quiet as tiredness sets into his body, "it's not like I have anywhere to be tomorrow."
Oh, wow… that'll be perfect! Lampert though, Perfect place, mood, and time to tell him…!
Buckling up, Kasper starts up the car. Pulling out of the drive way and onto the road, the inside of the car darkens, only leaving the street lights and radio to illuminate the inside. The ride was quiet, no other sound than the sound of the car driving. Although they sat in silence, it wasn't awkward. In the air, a mutual perception of tiredness hung. Solemness too.
Leaning against the door frame, Lampert rested his eyes. Letting out a deep sigh, he allowed himself to slow his breathing and relax. He must've fallen asleep after some time because he jolted awake when the car moved to a stop. Around them, it was mostly dark with the only acceptation being the car headlights and the gleaming moon.
"Are… are we here?" Lampert lazily asked.
"Yup!" Kasper grinned before coughing, "You'll actually be able to see the milky way!"
Slowly blinking, Lampert gazed outside the window.
"Whoa…" Lampert breathed.
how gorgeous, Lampert thought, this'll be perfect…
Kasper was right, you could see the Milky Way! all it's colours swirled together, and the clusters of stars twinkled down at them. Lampert would be lying if he said he's seen the Milky Way in person. From all his time in the city, he never considered the beauty of the night sky.
Exiting the car, Kasper opened the trunk, "don't worry, I brought a blanket cause the grass gets a little uncomfy."
With the blanket in hand, Kasper approached Lampert and put a hand on his shoulder, "follow me, the spot isn't too far from here!"
"Are you sure you're going to be okay? It's cold out…" Lampert brought up.
"Pfft! I'll be fine…" Kasper laughed off as he began to walk down a slim trail, with Lampert close behind him.
Lampert would've reached out to grab Kasper's hand but, he was to busy carrying the blanket.
Eventually, the trail ended, revealing a clearing among the trees. The ground was flat, with the bright moon on full display for them both to see. Laying the blanket out, Kasper sat down on, Looking over at Lampert to come and join him. Once he sat down next to him, it became apparent just how late it was; practicality 1 in the morning!
No one spoke. What was there to say? Well, Lampert knew. His heart raced with anticipation. As much as he wanted to confess, his throat closed up, preventing him from speaking. So, in stead of speaking he leaned onto Kasper, resting his head on his shoulder, which Kasper happily accepted the closeness.
And that's how they were for some time. Silently observing the night sky together.
With a deep breathe, Lampert opened his mouth to speak, "Kasper, I-"
"I need to tell you something, Lampert," Kasper interrupted unintentionally, "I… I would've told you this earlier but I didn't wanna ruin the mood…"
Oh, maybe he'll confess first? Lampert thought optimistically with a smile on his face.
"You can tell me anything!" Lampert encouraged, sensing that Kasper was a little iffy about what he was going to say.
"I'm going to die today."
oh.
"S- surely you don't mean right now right…? …right..?" Lampert choked, his voice shaking.
Kasper simply glanced over and nodded. "I wanted to be with you in my final hours," he explained.
"Kasper…" Lampert's eyes began to water. As much as he wanted to speak, he couldn't with out breaking down into a sob.
Kasper wrapped his arms around Lampert, "I uhm… I love you man… And I wish I had the courage to tell you earlier instead of bottling it up…"
No! Lampert thought, it wasn't supposed to happen like this!
Finally, Lampert broke down into tears, clinging onto Kasper until his arms ached just like his heart.
"Kasper, I- I…" Lampert tried to speak, but his sobs refused to let him continue.
"Shh… It's gonna be okay!" Kasper tried to comfort, placing a small kiss on his forehead. "Ya'know, I've always felt this way for you… I just… I just felt that if I ever confessed it would ruin our relationship. And… And I'm sorry for bringing it up now, but I just can't let myself die without letting you know how important you are to me."
"I- I love you too," Lampert finally mustered out between sobs.
Kasper simply nodded and kissed Lampert's forehead again. "Shh… Please, calm down" Kasper gently rubbed his back.
With cloudy eyes, Kasper gazed over the horizon, which was now slowly turning into soft shades of morning. With a soft sigh, Kasper nuzzled against Lampert, who was slightly trembling with each sniffle and tear.
Reaching out, Kasper lightly grabbed Lampert's face and tilted it up.
Rubbing a tear out of the way Kasper asked, "May I kiss you?"
Lampert's breath hitched and his face grew even warmer.
"…Yes," He meekly admitted.
Kasper slowly leaned in, giving Lampert plenty of time if he wanted to pull away. And then, they kissed. It was short, and, yes, albeit awkward, but Lampert's heart fluttered with joy.
Leaning on each other, they both gazed out into the horizon.
Taking a bracelet off his arm, Kasper held it out to Lampert.
"No… I can't accept that…" Lampert slumped forward, "that's your favorite one…"
"I know, and that's why I want you to have it!" Kasper smiled, grabbing Lampert's arm and attaching it onto his wrist.
The bracelet was made from stone beads, with the middle having a symbol of a shining star.
Kasper pointed up to the night sky to the bright northern star, "when ever you see that star in the sky, think about me okay?"
Lampert could already feel his tears returning once more to his eyes.
"Please… Kasper don't do this… I can't continue on without you…"
"… I know you will."
And with that, Kasper lied down, as the sun rose. Gripping onto Kasper's hand, Lampert's tears began to fall silently.
"It's gonna be okay…" Kasper firmly rubbed Lampert's hand with a weak smile.
The darkness in the sky bled into bright colours of yellow and pink, casting the darkness away. The clouds shifted and slid by as the sky continued to become more blue with each passing minute. The warmth of the sun's rays replacing the chill which lingered in the air.
With a final squeeze of the hand, Kasper went limp.
And Lampert just sat there, holding Kasper's hand.
"Why…?" he silently pleaded.
"Why couldn't have this ended any other way…?"
"What am I going to do now…?"