Living Together // DNF

Epilogue 2 (Sad Ending)

*TWs: mentions of death, overdose, and drug use - please be cautious of trigger warnings and read safely. Also, the portion in italics is a flashback/memory scene.*

*3 years later*

The gravel crunched beneath his feet as he climbed out of the car, cold wind whipping at his face. He barely felt the icy chill of it, just like he hadn't really felt anything for the past year or so. The sky was cloudy and grey, perfectly fitting for the mood that he was in. He felt tears pricking at the corners of his eyes already, threatening to spill over much like the promise of rain that was threatening to spill from the clouds overhead at any given moment.

He felt a hand land gently on his shoulder, soft words floating towards him as Tommy's voice drifted into his ears, "are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

George turned his head, seeing his own grief being reflected back at him. He knew Tommy was in just as much pain as he was, that Tommy had lost even more than he had over the past year. But Tommy had always been the type to put others first, to stay strong even if he was crumbling on the inside.

But George knew it was most likely just a matter of time before Tommy broke. He had barely cried since everything had happened, but George would often find him sitting alone, unfocused eyes brimming with tears as he stared straight ahead. George was patient with him, and when Tommy needed him, he would most certainly be there, because Tommy had been there for him every single day since the incident.

"I'm sure," George softened his voice, forcing a small smile, "I just need a few minutes alone. Then I'll come get you, okay?"

Tommy nodded, and George watched him climb back into the car to escape the harsh weather. He turned back around, his heart beating hard in his chest as he began making his way down a small gravel path. It was a painfully short walk, and with each step George felt his heart breaking just a little bit more.

By the time he reached it, his hands were shaking and his stomach was twisted in knots. He sank to his knees, one hand drifting forward to trace over the letters of his name. It was strange to see his real name, Clay, carved into the gravestone. And even stranger than that was the dates carved beneath it, just a few numbers representing an entire life that was tragically cut short.

A life that had brought so much happiness and joy into his own life, and now he was simply gone.

Tears slid down his face as his hand fell away from the gravestone, and his voice was quiet and shaky as he said, "hi, Clay. I'm sorry I haven't been to visit you much. I really miss you, though."

His voice trailed off as more tears slipped down his face. In reality, the only time he had been here was for the funeral. He almost didn't remember it, it felt like some twisted nightmare that he'd never escape. The thought of returning was too painful to bear. It broke his heart to think that all he would be greeted with was a piece of stone, not the warm and familiar smile of his favorite person.

It had taken hours of convincing himself to even show up today, hours spent curled up in his bed while Tommy tried to console him. But he knew that if he were going to visit at all, then today was the day he had to do it. Three years ago he had vowed to always be there for Clay, and now here he was, kneeling in front of his grave and trying to keep that promise.

George slipped his hand into the pocket of his coat, pulling out a single red rose, Clay's favorite flower.

"Happy anniversary," George said quietly as he laid the flower down in front of him.

The words felt wrong coming out of his mouth, because they had only ever gotten the chance to celebrate their first anniversary as a married couple. Clay had gone all out for it, telling George he wanted the whole thing to be perfect. It was reminiscent of the night Clay had proposed to him, complete with a candlelit meal under the stars. It had been perfect, and it was a memory that George had desperately clung to on his darkest days.