#chdoodles

So! The context...

Chester (she/he) has had a chronic illness his entire life that has slowly been killing him; at a young age, she was informed that she would be lucky to make it past 30 yrs old. And, well... She did. At the time of this comic, Chester is 34/35- and he will die at 36.

Chester has kept this illness a secret his entire life. The only person who knows is her partner, Jerboa (she/her; the one with the long ears). She told her about... 4 or 5 years ago, on her thirtieth birthday, and Jerboa has remained silent about it (as a way to cope, really).

Achilles (he/him) is Chester's second closest relationship; the two of them mean the world to one another. Chester has been with this man through Achilles's worst years (through the (supposed, later disproven) death of his partner, through every drop of blood on his hands), but stuck with him. The two of them are severely close... and Achilles does not know that Chester is dying soon. Chester *feels* weaker, he knows he hasn't been able to get around as well, her health is failing her- and she knows that he is dying soon. He *knows*. But Chester... does not tell Achilles. How can she bring herself to ruin the happiness that Achilles has fought tooth and nail for? (He still will, but... at least he won't have to see it). Hell, Achilles just asked him to be his best man at his wedding. How do you tell something *this*, after that?

So, this entire comic is basically Chester's final goodbye to Achilles without letting the man *know* that it's a final goodbye. Chester keeps thinking back to the past when Achilles was grieving, how he will be doing that *again* for Chester- but she assures herself throughout that he will be okay. He'll *be okay*. He has support this time, he will get through this death too. She shares what final messages she wants to with him, and then leaves- and this is the last time they will ever see each other again.

...Guhh Chester is one of my most beloved characters I've ever made, and her relationship with both Jerboa and Achilles nukes me in the best way possible. Thank you to my friends for crafting this story with me, and for allowing me to be insane and make something like this haha <3 I love you all dearly.