AMBROSE FINCH - male - black bear - immortal - tanglewood

Seven years old when I touched a black bear,
standing on a porch in Old Virginia, and it wasn't moving
an inch because stuffed it was.

Great Grandpa Joe marched me to the edge of the field
where dumped was all the trash. He said,
"Wait a while, and you will see the bears."

AMBROSE FINCH - male - black bear - immortal - tanglewood

Seven years old when I touched a black bear,
standing on a porch in Old Virginia, and it wasn't moving
an inch because stuffed it was.

Great Grandpa Joe marched me to the edge of the field
where dumped was all the trash. He said,
"Wait a while, and you will see the bears."

Cooper lifted his head slowly, a familiar scent of forest musk and mint greeting him; one he hadn't smelt since- "H-harry?" coughed the canine, staring blearily at what seemed to be a smokey silhouette of his long-passed husband. Cooper blinked slowly, as if trying to clear his vision; but, when his eyes refocused, his husband was in fact standing in front of him. Though he was now a pale-washed out brown and semi-opaque, instead of the rich brown curls that Dale once buried his face into.

Cooper began to attempt to stand, aiming to stumble towards the spirit. "Coop, Coop, baby please, don't do that" hummed the spirit, causing the ill canine to falter. Cooper collapsed back onto his bed with a huff, staring at Harry in disbelief. The ghostly canine would cross the distance between the two, doing his best to curl around his husband.

Dale was surprised to find that, instead of cold, he was met with warmth like the love the pair had shared for many years. "Are you here to take me with you?" asked the hazel-eyed dog, a slim trace of hope slipping into his voice. He wasn't sure if this was real or some fever dream but he was going to enjoy the moment either way.

The curly-furred spirit chuckled, aiming to nuzzle Cooper's side. "No, Coop, it's not time for you to join me yet. You have too many people here that need you." spoke the spirit softly, nudging Coop's muzzle with his own. It was in that moment that Cooper realized Harry wasn't breathing. You don't need to breath if you're dead, he supposed.
"But I need you, Hare" whined the observer with a tired sniffle.

"I know, baby, I know. Soon, perhaps" was all Harry said as he rasped his tongue over the top of his husband head, pushing the poof that grew there in the wrong direction. As a warmth spread over Cooper, he felt exhaustion pull at his pelt and, despite his fighting, he soon fell asleep.