Chapter Text
There was no coat to hang up. No clothing to change out of.
The gray sweatshirt was warm enough to sleep in. In fact, Marvin had been doing just that since Whizzer had started to deteriorate.
He had only changed out of it once. Changed into a suit, and a stylish tie. Whizzer's tie. Whizzer's last day. The Bar Mitzvah.
Then, when that day became night, Marvin had changed back into this same sweatshirt and refused to even let his shoes touch the floor. They had held each other, curled up on the small hospital bed as the hours ticked by.
For a time, things had almost looked hopeful. Marvin had let himself hope. Whizzer had let himself pretend to hope too.
They kept count of the hours.
They made a game of it. Whoever saw the clock change first would point and the other would laugh.
When it reached midnight, they had laughed together. Shared a kiss like the end of a new year's countdown.
Then it got worse.
Minute by minute.
Halfway through, it became clear that it was nearing the end. Nearing the longest Whizzer could stay. Running out of time—Marvin had begun to beg.
He begged God.
He begged Whizzer.
Begged Whizzer to hold on.
Begged Whizzer to stay.
Just...
One hour more.
Marvin had gotten his wish.
They had watched the clock one last time. Neither had pointed when it finally happened. Neither had laughed.
They said goodbye.
The hour wasn't enough.
Marvin should have wished for more.
Marvin collapsed onto the bedsheets. He didn't bother to check if he had taken his shoes off. He had kept them on in the hospital bed.
His body was facing away from the lump of pillows and blankets on one side of the bed. He didn't need them. The sweatshirt was enough.
His warm gray sweatshirt.
It smelled.
Smelled of hospital chemicals. Of tears. A single spot smelled of some unidentifiable food Cordelia must have tried to feed Whizzer once.
It smelled of a man who had refused to care for himself, opting to care for his lover instead—and also Whizzer.
It smelled of Whizzer.
That scent was strong enough that Marvin was able to bury his nose in it and fall asleep.