Trustworthy help

81. Cough.

I wake up because of coughing. I look at corpse as he holds the sheets over his face in an attempt to be quieter. 'Try not to suffocate while you're at it.' I say. He moves from under the sheets and looks at me. 'I'm sorry for waking you.' He says. 'It's okay.' I say as I move closer, getting a meow from Bimbus. I look down to see him squished between me and corpse 'oh shit.' I say as I move back. He gets up and walks over. The kitten stretches before laying on corpse's chest. I pet him and he licks my hand. 'Cute.' I say. Corpse coughs again, shaking Bimbus, making me laugh a little. 'Earthquake.' He says as Bimbus looks around confused. 'Ahw.' I say while laughing.

My alarm goes off and I get up. While I get dressed corpse suddenly gets up and rushes out and into the bathroom. Confused, I follow. He sits on the floor by the toilet, making me kneel down next to him and rub his back. He starts to cough again, this time for a long period of time. At one point he gasps for air. I pat his back and straighten his posture. 'You need to get checked out.' I say. He lets out a groan as he leans back into me. 'I'll come back early today, okay. Get an appointment for after two.' I say. He nods. 'Alright. I'm sorry but I have to go.' I say. 'Yeh.' His voice sounds painful. I give him a soft smile before kissing his cheek. 'Let's get you to bed first, it's cold here.' I say. He nods and takes my hand. I help him up and back to bed. I tuck him in before kissing his forehead 'call if you need me.' I say. He nods and squeezes my hand. 'Alright. Love ya bub.' I say as I stand up. 'Love you.' He says back. I can hear it takes a lot of effort.

I leave him with a heavy heart.
I'm distracted at work, checking my phone.

'Lieutenant, are you listening?' The general asks. 'No, I'm sorry sir. Could you repeat that.' I say. He sighs 'the emblems are in your office. We want to know if you want to do this during the ceremony, with the others, or just with your group.' He says. 'During the ceremony, I want this done the official way.' I say. 'Alright. And you don't want to let them know before hand?' The general asks. 'No. Neither Eversman, Jackson, or smithy.' I say. He nods. 'Just Eversman and Jackson at the ceremony though.' I say. 'Alright. Then we know enough. You're dismissed.' The general says. I stand up, salute and head out.

I hurry to my car and head home. When I get there I walk in on Selene. 'How is he.' She looks worried. 'He's not really talking, his cough is bad.' She says. I head up the stairs. He's sweating as he lays with his sweater on under the sheets. 'Hey.' I say as I place my hand on his shoulder. He smiles weakly and looks up at me. 'Did you make an appointment?' I ask. He nods 'three.' He says. 'Three o'clock?' I ask. He nods. 'Okay.' I say as I sit next to him. He coughs, and I can feel the pain by just te sound of it. I clench my jaw and pat his head as he closes his eye.