"It was my fault..."
Those words echoed through Gamzee's head as the shallow waves flooded around him. He lay on the beach, right by the edge of the ocean. He stared at the sky until it got brighter, soon becoming morning.
He didn't mind the light. Not now at least. He sighed and closed his eyes, loosing himself to the sounds of the waves.
Before he knew it, he was asleep.
-DREAM LAPSE-
I heard screaming...fire...destruction all around me. I couldn't make out what was happening but I took a guess. Something had gone horribly wrong and I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Gamzee..."
What?
"Gamzee."
Who?
"Gamzee, wake up."
Who are you?
"Gamz...time to get up."
Am I asleep.
"Gamzee!"
-END OF LAPSE-
Gamzee snapped his eyes opened and gasped, panting heavily as beads of sweat rolled down his face.
"Gamzee...are you alright?"
He looked up to see Kanaya.
"K-Kanaya...?"
She smiled and gave him a nod. "Yes...you seem to have fallen into a deep slumber and it just so happens that you are very close to the water."
Gamzee sat up and looked at the ocean, his clothes now soaked with the salty liquid, as well as his shoes.
Kanaya stood and held a hand out to him with a smile. "Come along. Tavros has been worried about you."
A bit of purple dusted his cheeks. "He...he has?"
"Oooooooh yes." Kanaya said with a chuckle. "Since he is not exactly used to his new legs, I offered to find you." Her smile faded and she stopped.
Gamzee glanced back to her with a slight bit of concern in his eyes. "Kan? What's all up and wrong?"
She stayed silent for a moment, hanging her head before rubbing her arm and glancing to the side. "He told us..."
Gamzee blinked before his eyes widened. "What? He told you?"
She nodded as a few Jade tears pricked her eyes, taking a step closer and taking his arm before rolling up his sleeve to reveal the indigo tinted scars on his skin. "Don't..." She said a few times as she shook her head. "Don't do these things to yourself...please, Gamzee..."
"I..."He muttered before giving a nod. "I'm sorry, Kan...I just wish he didn't all up and tell you..."
"We also know you were planning to...to..." She couldn't go on. She burst into tears and fell to her knees. "You can't do this to us, Gamzee!" She shouted between sobs.
Gamzee stared for a moment, a bit shocked before quickly falling next to her and pulling her to his chest. She fell silent, eyes wide for a moment before burying her face in his chest and gripping his jacket.
"I'm sorry, Kan...life is beautiful and I should embrace that." He said softly into her hair. She sniffled and hugged him tighter.
"Yes...it is...please don't leave us..."
"I won't..." He said as he rubbed small circles into her back.
After a little while, she pulled back and wiped her tears away with her sleeve. "I...I am...I'm sorry, Gamzee..." She chuckled before standing, Gamzee following.
"No, I'm sorry, sis." He said before giving her another hug.
She smiled and kissed his cheek before tugging on his hand. "Come now, they must be even more worried now."
He nodded and followed, both walking while Kanaya talked.
"Gamzee, where you even listening?" She stopped and asked with a laugh.
"Huh?" He looked at her and blinked before chuckling. "Sorry, I all up and zoned out there." He blushed slightly and rubbed the back of his neck.
The vampire giggled and shook her head. "It's okay. Now, let's go. Everyone is waiting." She said as she tugged him inside.
Gamzee shut the door behind them and Karkat stormed in.
"Damn it, Gamzee! You and your disappearing acts! We were all worried sick! Uh-for Tav's sake, I mean!"
Gamzee blinked and smiled, giving a giggle.
"Gamzee..."
He turned to see none other than Tavros, tears streaking his pale cheeks. "Tav..." He muttered before pulling him into a hug.
"Please don't leave us, Gamzee..." Tavros pleaded in a shaky voice, rubbing his face into the juggalo's jacket.
"I won't..." Gamzee replied softly as he hugged him closer, as if he were to die if he didn't. "I'll always be here...for you...I'll never leave my bro..."
