I'll lay beside you till the end

Chapter Twenty

Dave stood at a grave in a cemetery with his son at his side, a sad look on his face. In his hand he held flowers that are a vibrant red color like Dave's eyes are and Karkat's blood was. In his other hand he held his sons small hand as they looked at the grave together. Dave handed Rayven the flowers and he took them gently to set beside the gave before going back to Dave's side. On the red granet stone it said these words.

Here lies
Karkat Vantas
1988-2015
A father a brother a son and a husband
"THE WORLD IS FUCKED UP BUT THAT'S ALRIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T REGRET A THING I DO IN IT."

Dave couldn't help but smile at that last part on the stone. Karkat had said it to him the night before he has passed away. Dave had been able to convince the hospital to let him go home and spend his last moments with his family and friends. They had dinner at a Japanese restaurant with everyone. At first people were tip toying around Karkat till he became pissed and slammed his hand on the table and yelled.

"JUST BECAUSE IM FUCKING DYING DOESNT MEAN YOU CANT ENOY YOUR TIME WITH ME! THE NEXT PERSON WHO FUCKING TIPTOES AROUND ME GETS MY FUFKING FOOT UP THEIR ASSES YOU GOT THAT!" No one could hold in their laughter after that and the night turned around for the better. Karkat spoke with his father and brother before Dave and Karkat left for home. Dave saw the most unimaginable thing ever in his life.

He watched as Karkat gave both his brother and father a hug before walking back towards Dave. Dave knew Karkat only gave hugs to people he truly loved and cared about, also when he means something. Karkat knew he wouldn't see his brother or father again like this so he was making the most of it right now. Karkat had said goodbye to each and everyone one of them, including Dirk before heading out with Dave. Karkat and Dave stopped by the lady from the movie theaters house to pick up Rayven.

They tried to pay her but she wouldn't take the money so they just left with their son asleep in the back of the car they got as a gift for their wedding from John and Jake. Once home they put Rayven to bed, Karkat staying with him the longest before heading down stairs. Dave and Karkat watched a movie that was between romance and action, snuggled up with one another. After the movie they went to bed, Dave holding Karkat close to him in his arms like he did every night since Karkat was released from the hospital.

"Dave."

Dave made a grunting sound as to say 'what is it.'

"This world is fucked up you know."

Dave just stared at him questionably in the dark, wondering why this was coming up now.

"But that's alright because I dont regret a thing I do in it."

Dave watched as Karkat slowly fell asleep in his arms once more, smiling at his words. Dave didn't regret a thing either. If he could he would find the driver that nearly hit Karkat and thank him for such a wonderful life he has now. Slowly Dave closed his eyes and fell asleep in Karkat's embrace. Listening to the slow breathing of his husbands breath and the steady beat of his heart.

The next day Dave woke to find out Karkat hand passed peacefully in his sleep. Dave's acceptance of his husbands death eased the pain a little. The funeral was a week later. Rayven wouldn't talk to anyone or go near anyone accept Dave. Like he was afraid he was going to loose him too.

Months later now Dave and Rayven stand at Karkat's grave together putting fresh flowers down once again for the fifth time this month. It had started to lightly rain and Dave took that as a sign to leave. With Rayven's hand in his they left to the car and got in. Halfway home Rayven spoke up again after a week of silence. "Will father be ok out there in the rain?"

Father will be alright. Dave signed with one hand as he drove. Father is very very strong. "Will he ever be coming home? I miss him."

Dave looked in the review mirror at his son, red eyes meeting red eyes. No father won't be coming home Ray. Father has to stay there. Trust me I miss him too. "Are you made at father daddy?"

No Ray, I miss him very much but father has gone somewhere else called Heaven. "No, Father said he be with us always, even if we can't see him. Father promised me that." Dave smiled back at his son, so proud of him for being strong and remembering Karkat's words.

even if you can't see me I'll be there.
And I will lay beside you till the end.