Rating: PG
Warnings: None. Angst.
Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Disclaimer: I do not own Static Shock
A/N: Poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye.
Richie felt helpless as he watched his husband break down into tears in front of him. Virgil was kneeling in front of a grave, and Richie sat beside him, gently rubbing circles into his back, not knowing any other way to calm the grief. The funeral had been weeks ago, and yet Virgil was still having so many issues getting over his father's death.
They had all expected it, to be honest. Robert's passing was no surprise. For years he had been in and out of the hospital with cancer, but Richie knew that it was still going to be hard for Virgil. He just wished he knew how to ease Virgil's pain.
"Shh, Virgil," he said soothingly. "It's all right. Everything is all right."
"I just… I miss him so much, Richie… I wanted… I wanted him to see his grandchildren… I wanted him to grow old… I wanted him to live forever."
"V, you know that no one lives forever. We all have to die at some point."
"But Pops… He seemed so… invincible… I thought…. I thought he would never die."
All of a sudden, Richie's brain granted him with a poem it had stored away some time ago.
"Virgil, listen to this. It might help:
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die."
By the time Richie finished reciting the poem, Virgil's sobs had subsided and he was able to sit up.
"Th-thanks, Rich. That did help."
"You're welcome, Virgil."
"I love you."
"I love you too."