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Stanley laid back on the hard rocks. It wasn’t like the cots back at Camp but it’ll do for now, or forever. He wondered what the other boys were thinking about him and Zero’s whereabouts. His thoughts got bigger and bigger, Camp had probably replaced him with some other dude like they did with Twitch and Zero. Zigzag, Squid, X-Ray and Armpit couldn’t care less. Stanley could only think of Magnet and Twitch being able to care that they’re missing. They definitely needed better friends.
Stanley noticed Zero sleeping soundly, he looked so adorable but so fragile it made Stanley scared as if Zero would break at any moment he let his guard down.
“ Mmm.. “ The short boy grunted softly, he’d been sick from something and it was definitely the sploosh.
“ Ze..Hector? Hey wake up what’s wrong? “ Stanley immediately became on high alert and propped the small boy on his chest.
“ S..Stan..l..Stanley.. “ Poor Zero. He couldn’t even speak properly because of his state.
“ What’s wrong Zero? Are you hurt? Sick? “ The curly haired boy cupped the other one’s face gently trying to make sure nothing was wrong.
Zero’s pants became heavier, like he was struggling, maybe because he was. They had no food and water for however long they travelled up Big Thumb and it was starting to get to them.
“ Hector..please don’t do this.. “ Stanley whispered softly, his voice cracking. He couldn’t be alone, not again or ever. Zero was dying and Stanley couldn’t face it, he didn’t even realize he was crying now.
“ Want me to drink..your tears? “ It wasn’t too painful for Zero to laugh so he smiled the best he could, he knew Stanley always loved how his smile was too big for his face.
“ Hector!..” Stanley bit his lip to stop his ugly sobs from coming out. Instead he just held Zero and shakily took a breath. “ Please don’t joke about this..I need you..you need me, I can’t let you go yet! “
Stanley stared deeply at his best friend’s eyes. he could see how tired he is, he could see he doesn’t have long left.
“ Stanley…” Zero’s voice was weakening, Stanley could only hear so much.
“ y-yes Hector? What do you need..? “
Zero could only grasp his best friend’s arm gently, using the last bit of energy in him to speak. “ sing..me the lullaby…p..please “
“ …what? “
Then it hit him. The lullaby Stanley had sung to his beloved best friend as he carried him up the mountain. Stanley remembered how Zero would fall asleep from the lullaby, it was sweet. This was gonna be the last time Stanley would sing it to Zero.
“ ..’ if only, if only, ‘ The woodpecker sighs.. “ Stanley’s voice was already weakening, his pitch off key.
" The bark on the tree was just a little bit softer. “ He continued singing, staring at Zero’s half lidded eyes.
“ While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely, He cries to the moo-oo-oon, “ Zero shifted slightly and nuzzled into him.
‘ If only, if only.. ‘ “ Zero fully closed his eyes and mumbled against Stanley’s chest
“ I love you.. “
That was all it took for the tears to come out of Stanley’s eyes.
“ I love you too Hector. I love you so much. “
Stanley and Zero shared a sweet kiss, before Zero pulled away and made a pained noise. They both looked at each other with yearning in their eyes, barley atleast Zero’s eyes were on the verge of dropping.
“ Zero? “
…
“ Hector..?”
Nothing. It was true. He was gone.
“ .. I’ll be with you soon Zero. “ Stanley held Zero close to him.